Cooling storage

Abstract

To improve the practicality of a cooling storage unit in which the cooler can be inserted into and removed from the cooler chamber. [Solution] The system comprises a storage chamber R1, a cooler 42 for cooling the air flowing into the storage chamber R1, a cooler chamber R2 communicating with the storage chamber R1 and housing the cooler 42, a defrost heater 48A fixed below the cooler 42 in the cooler chamber R2 and melting the frost generated by the cooler 42, and a drain pan 28 positioned below the defrost heater 48A and collecting defrost water. The cooler 42 is movably positioned relative to the defrost heater 48A and can be inserted into and removed from an opening 70 in the cooler chamber R2 while the defrost heater 48A remains in the cooler chamber R2, with the lower end 70a of the opening 70 being higher than the defrost heater 48A.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling storage refrigerator in which a cooler can be inserted into and removed from a cooler chamber.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a cooling storage refrigerator in which a cooler can be inserted into and removed from a cooler chamber. In the cooling storage refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 below, a cooler, a circulation fan, a defrost heater, etc. are integrated with sheet metal parts, and the integrated unit can be pulled out from the cooler chamber.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the cooling storage refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 above, in order to make the integrated unit of the cooler, the circulation fan, the defrost heater, etc. insertable into and removable from the cooler chamber, the cooler chamber needs to have an opening larger than the integrated unit. The larger the opening of the cooler chamber, the more problems there are, such as a decrease in heat insulation performance, a decrease in cooling performance due to cold air leakage etc., and an increased tendency for frost to occur in the cooler chamber. Also, the larger the opening of the cooler chamber, the larger the size of the lid for closing the opening and the longer the packing provided between the opening and the lid, resulting in higher costs. By addressing such various problems, it is considered possible to improve the practicality of a cooling storage refrigerator in which a cooler can be inserted into and removed from a cooler chamber.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to improve the practicality of a cooling storage refrigerator in which a cooler can be inserted into and removed from a cooler chamber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the cooling storage facility disclosed in this application has the following configuration. (1) Storage room and, A cooler for cooling the air that flows into the storage chamber, A cooler room that communicates with the storage room and houses the cooler, A defrost heater is fixed below the cooler in the cooler chamber and melts the frost generated by the cooler. A drain pan is located below the defrost heater and collects defrost water, Equipped with, The cooler is movably positioned relative to the defrost heater, and can be inserted into and removed from the opening of the cooler chamber while the defrost heater remains in the cooler chamber. A cooling storage facility characterized in that the lower end of the opening is at the same height as the upper end of the defrost heater, or higher than the upper end.

[0007] Furthermore, the following configurations are possible for the cooling storage facility with the above configuration.

[0008] (2) The defrost heater is configured to be held below the cooler by a heater holding member, The heater holding member has a box-like shape with an opening at the bottom, covers the top of the drain pan, and has an insertion hole formed on its upper surface to allow air to pass through in the vertical direction. The cooling storage cabinet according to item (1), wherein the lower end of the opening is at the same height as the upper surface of the heater holding member, or at a position higher than the upper surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the practicality of a cooling storage unit in which a cooler can be inserted into and removed from the cooler chamber can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a cooling refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Front cross-sectional view of a cooling refrigerator [Figure 3] Side view showing the inside of the machine room [Figure 4] Planar cross-sectional view around the cooler room [Figure 5] Perspective view of a unit including a circulation fan and a defrost heater [Figure 6] Side cross-sectional view of a cooling refrigerator showing around the unit of FIG. 5 [Figure 7] Planar cross-sectional view showing around the unit of the figure [Figure 8] Perspective view of a cooling unit [Figure 9] Perspective view of a cooling refrigerator showing a state where the front panel is removed [Figure 10] Perspective view of a cooling refrigerator showing a state where the cooling unit is pulled out [Figure 11] Front view showing an opening of the cooler room for inserting and removing the cooling unit [Figure 12] View of the unit of FIG. 5 seen from the front side [Figure 13] View showing an enlarged part of FIG. 6 and showing a step to the opening [Figure 14] Side cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the first holding member and the cooler [Figure 15] Planar cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the second holding member and the cooler on the front side [Figure 16] Planar cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the second holding member and the cooler on the rear side

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] A cooling refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 16. In a part of the drawings, directions are indicated using the symbols F, B, L, R, U, D, which represent the front side (front), rear side (back), left side, right side, upper side, and lower side when the cooling refrigerator 10 is viewed from the front, respectively.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the cooling refrigerator 10 of this embodiment is a two-door horizontal refrigerator (under-counter refrigerator), and includes a horizontally long refrigerator body 12, a pair of double-opening type opening / closing doors 14, and a top plate 16 arranged above the refrigerator body 12. The refrigerator body 12 includes a heat-insulated box body 20 that opens forward, and a center pillar 22 attached in a state of extending vertically in the center of the front opening of the heat-insulated box body 20. The pair of opening / closing doors 14 are heat-insulated doors filled with heat-insulating material inside, and open and close the openings on the left and right sides of the center pillar 22 in the heat-insulated box body 20.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the heat-insulated box body 20 consists of an outer box 20A formed by processing a stainless steel plate into a box shape and an inner box 20B, and a heat-insulating material 20C foam-filled between the outer box 20A and the inner box 20B. Most of the inside of the heat-insulated box body 20 is a storage room R1 for storing items. However, a partition panel 24 is arranged on the left side inside the heat-insulated box body 20, and a cooler room R2 is partitioned and formed on the left side of the storage room R1. Specifically, the cooler room R2 is surrounded by the partition panel 24, a cooler box 26 which is a box body with openings on the right and bottom surfaces, and a mortar-shaped drain pan 28 attached to the lower part of the cooler box 26, and is roughly partitioned and formed by these. The partition panel 24 is provided with a suction port 一吸込口24A at the lower end side for sucking the air in the storage room R1 into the cooler room R2, and a blowout port 一吹出口24B at the upper end side for blowing the air in the cooler room R2 into the storage room R1.

[0014] The refrigerator body 12 also includes a plurality of panels assembled on the left side of the heat-insulated box body 20. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, these plurality of panels are side panels 30, floor panels 31, front panels 32, etc., and the refrigerator body 12 has a machine room R3 formed by these panels 30, 31, 32, the side wall portion 20D on the left side of the heat-insulated box body 20, the top plate 16, etc.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the machine room R3 houses a cooling system 34 for cooling the storage room R1, as well as an electrical box 36, etc. The cooling system 34 consists of a compressor 38, a condenser 40, an expansion valve, and a cooler 42 housed in the cooler room R2. The compressor 38, condenser 40, and cooler 42 are connected to each other via refrigerant pipes 44, forming a refrigeration cycle that circulates the refrigerant.

[0016] The cooler room R2 houses a cooler 42 and a motor-driven circulation fan 46. This circulation fan 46 is positioned between the cooler 42 and the outlet 24B. During cooling operation, the circulation fan 46 draws air from the storage room R1 into the cooler room R2 through the intake port 24A. The cool air generated by heat exchange as it passes through the cooler 42 is then blown back into the storage room R1 through the outlet 24B. This circulates air between the storage room R1 and the cooler room R2, cooling the storage room R1.

[0017] Furthermore, when the opening / closing door 14 is opened or closed, moist air may enter the storage room R1. If this moist air flows into the cooler room R2, frost will accumulate inside the cooler room R2. Frost is particularly likely to accumulate on the cooler 42 and the circulation fan 46, and two defrost heaters 48A and 48B are also housed in the cooler room R2 to melt the frost that has accumulated on the cooler 42 and the circulation fan 46.

[0018] In the cooling storage unit 10 of this embodiment, the circulation fan 46 and defrost heaters 48A and 48B are unitized and housed in the cooler chamber R2 in an assembled state. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the circulation fan 46 and defrost heaters 48A and 48B are attached to a bracket 50 and unitized. Then, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the circulation fan 46 and defrost heaters 48A and 48B are fixed in the cooler chamber R2 by fastening them to the aforementioned cooler box 26.

[0019] The bracket 50 consists of a first retaining member 52 and a second retaining member 54. The first retaining member 52 generally extends horizontally and holds the defrost heater 48A. The second retaining member 54 is fastened to the right end of the first retaining member 52 in a manner that extends upward and holds the circulation fan 46 and the defrost heater 48B. In other words, the bracket 50 as a whole is generally L-shaped. The bracket 50 is inserted into the cooler box 26 from the opening on the right and fixed in place. The circulation fan 46 has multiple blades that are rotated by a motor, and in Figures 4 to 7, the range of motion of these blades is shown as a cylindrical shape.

[0020] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cooling storage unit 10 also integrates the aforementioned cooling device 34 into a single unit, as shown in Figure 8. This cooling unit 60 is equipped with a base panel 62, and the cooling device 34 is mounted on top of the base panel 62 to form the unit. Specifically, first, the condenser 40, condenser fan 41, and compressor 38 are mounted on the base panel 62 in order from front to back. Then, a unit bracket 64 is fastened to the condenser 40 in an upward-extending manner, and the cooling device 42 is mounted on the upper rear end of the unit bracket 64. Incidentally, as shown in Figure 4, etc., an electrical box 36 is mounted on the front side of the unit bracket 64.

[0021] Furthermore, the cooling unit 60 is removable from the machine room R3 because the base panel 62 is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the floor panel 31. Now, let's explain the procedure for removing the cooling unit 60. First, as shown in Figure 9, when the front panel 32 is removed, the cooling unit 60 with the electrical box 36 attached to the front side is exposed. Next, the electrical box 36 is connected to the wiring of the circulation fan 46 and defrost heaters 48A and 48B routed from inside the cooler room R2, as well as the wiring of the cooling unit 60 (for example, the wiring of the condenser fan 41 and the compressor 38). By disconnecting the connectors of these wires from the electrical box 36, the electrical box 36 can be removed from the unit bracket 64, as shown in Figure 10. Next, the unit bracket 64 is fastened with multiple bolts 66 to the front of the portion of the insulated box 20 that houses the cooler box 26, and by removing these bolts 66, the cooling unit 60 can be pulled forward. The cooler 42 can be inserted into and removed from the machine room R3 and further into the cooler room R2. Specifically, the cooler box 26 has an opening 70 that opens forward, and when the base panel 62 is slid relative to the floor panel 31, the cooler 42 can be inserted into and removed from the cooler box 26 (cooler room R2) through the opening 70. With this configuration, the cooling storage unit 10 of this embodiment allows for easy maintenance of the cooling unit 60.

[0022] The cooling unit 60 is equipped with a cover 72 that closes the opening 70 of the cooler box 26. Specifically, as shown in Figures 4 and 8, the cooling unit 60 is configured such that the cover 72 is fixed to the back of the unit bracket 64, and the front end of the cooler 42 is fixed to the cover 72 via the cooler bracket 74. In other words, the cooler 42 extends rearward from the cover 72 and is held in a cantilevered state. The cooler bracket 74 is fastened to the cover 72 in a U-shape when viewed from above, with an opening to the rear, and the end plate 42a on the front end side of the cooler 42 is also U-shaped when viewed from above, with an opening to the front, and is fastened to each other at each of the left and right ends, so that the cooler 42 is firmly held even in a cantilevered state.

[0023] As the cooling unit 60 is moved backward from its extended position, the cooler 42 is inserted through the opening 70, and then a portion of the cover 72 is inserted into the opening 70, thereby closing the opening 70. Incidentally, a gasket 76 is attached to the outer surface of the cooler box 26 along the edge of the opening 70, ensuring thermal insulation within the cooler chamber R2.

[0024] Conventional refrigerated storage units have a circulation fan and defrost heater attached to the cooler, and the circulation fan and defrost heater are designed to be pulled out along with the cooler. In contrast, in the refrigerated storage unit 10 of this embodiment, the circulation fan 46 and defrost heaters 48A and 48B are fixed inside the cooler chamber R2, and the cooler 42 is movably positioned relative to the circulation fan 46 and defrost heaters 48A and 48B. This allows the cooler 42 to be inserted and removed from the opening 70 of the cooler chamber R2 while the circulation fan 46 and defrost heaters 48A and 48B remain inside the cooler chamber R2. With this configuration, as shown in Figure 11, the size of the opening 70 in the refrigerated storage unit 10 of this embodiment can be made small enough for only the cooler 42 to be inserted, making it smaller than conventional refrigerated storage units. Because the opening 70 is smaller than that of conventional refrigerated storage units, the refrigerated storage unit 10 of this embodiment can suppress the reduction in thermal insulation and cooling performance caused by closing the opening 70 with the lid 72, and can also suppress the formation of frost inside the cooler chamber R2. Furthermore, costs can be reduced because the size of the lid 72 can be made smaller and the length of the gasket between the opening 70 and the lid 72 can be shortened. In addition, when replacing the cooler 42, for example, it is not necessary to remove the cooler 42 from the circulation fan 46 and the defrost heaters 48A and 48B, making the replacement of the cooler 42 relatively easy.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cooling storage unit 10 has a first retaining member 52, which is a heater retaining member that holds the defrost heater 48A and is fixed inside the cooler chamber R2, and a second retaining member 54, which is a circulation fan retaining member that holds the circulation fan 46, which functions as a guide to guide the movement of the cooler 42 when inserting or removing the cooler 42 from the cooler chamber R2.

[0026] First, as shown in Figure 5, the first retaining member 52 is formed from a single sheet of material by bending, and has a rectangular box shape that is long in the front-to-back direction and opens downwards. In addition, two openings (through holes) 52b and 52c extending in the front-to-back direction are formed on the upper surface 52a of the first retaining member 52. Then, as shown in Figure 12, when the bracket 50 is fastened to the cooler box 26, the first retaining member 52 is positioned directly below the cooler 42, and is designed to allow air drawn in from the storage chamber R1 to pass through vertically and flow into the cooler 42. Furthermore, the upper surface 52a of the first retaining member 52 is flat, and there are no parts that protrude upwards.

[0027] As mentioned above, the cooler 42 is cantilevered at its front end relative to the unit bracket 64. As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the unit bracket 64 is formed from a single sheet of metal by bending, and has a plate-shaped bracket body 64a that extends vertically, and bent portions 64b that are bent forward from the left and right edges of the bracket body 64a. Although the unit bracket 64 is reinforced by the bent portions 64b, the bracket body 64a is long in the vertical direction, so the cooler 42 attached to the upper end tends to cause it to bend backward towards the top. In other words, the cooler 42 tends to sink further back. In this embodiment, even if the cooler 42 sinks, the cooling storage unit 10 contacts the upper surface 52a of the first holding member 52, guiding the movement of the cooler 42 in the front-rear direction, so that the cooling unit 60 can be inserted and removed smoothly. Furthermore, even after the cooler 42 has been inserted into the cooler chamber R2, the cooler 42 is positioned so that its lower end abuts against the upper surface 52a of the first retaining member 52, and the vertical distance between it and the defrost heater 48A is appropriately adjusted. In other words, the upper surface 52a of the first retaining member 52 functions as a guide.

[0028] As shown in Figure 13, the upper surface 52a of the first retaining member 52 is positioned slightly lower (by H3) than the lower end 70a of the opening 70. This prevents the cooler 42 from contacting the front end of the first retaining seat 52 when inserting the cooling unit 60, ensuring it contacts the upper surface 52a. This suppresses downward bending of the cooler 42 while reliably guiding its movement in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, the lower ends of the fins 42b of the cooler 42 are positioned above the lower ends of the end plates 42a located at the front and rear ends. Therefore, even if the cooler 42 moves downward, the lower ends of the end plates 42a contact the upper surface 52a of the first retaining member 52, preventing the lower ends of the fins 42b from contacting it. Consequently, this suppresses the generation of abnormal noise when inserting and removing the cooling unit 60 and avoids damage to the cooler 42.

[0029] The second retaining member 54 has a first plate portion 54b with an opening 54a, and a second plate portion 54c spaced to the right of the first plate portion 54b to which a circulation fan 46 is attached. When the bracket 50 is fastened to the cooler box 26 and the cooling unit 60 is inserted, the cooler 42 is positioned so that its right side covers the opening 54a of the first plate portion 54b, and as shown in Figure 2, the circulation fan 46 is positioned to the right of the cooler 42. In other words, the circulation fan 46 draws in the air cooled by the cooler 42 so that it passes through the opening 54a and blows it out into the storage chamber R1 from the outlet 24B. The wall surface of the second retaining member 54 on the cooler 42 side, that is, the left side of the first plate portion 54b, is flat, and there is no part that protrudes toward the cooler 42 side.

[0030] As mentioned above, since the cooler 42 is held in a cantilevered position at its front end, it tends to sway from side to side towards the rear when inserted or removed. In this embodiment, even if the cooler 42 sways from side to side, the first plate portion 54b of the second holding member 54 contacts the left side surface of the cooler 42, guiding its movement in the front-rear direction, thus allowing the cooling unit 60 to be inserted and removed smoothly. Furthermore, when the cooler 42 is inserted into the cooler chamber R2, the right end of the cooler 42 does not come closer than the first plate portion 54b of the second holding member 54, and the cooler 42 is positioned facing the circulation fan 46 with an appropriate lateral distance. In other words, the first plate portion 54b of the second holding member 54 functions as a guide.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 15, the second retaining member 54 has a first bent portion 78A formed on the front end side of the first plate portion 54b. The first bent portion 78A is an inclined surface portion that extends forward and slopes in a direction away from the cooler 42 (to the right) as it moves forward. In addition, as shown in Figures 5, 15, and 16, the second retaining member 54 has a second bent portion 78B formed on the rear side of the rim of the opening 54a, and a third bent portion 78C formed on the front side of the rim of the opening 54a. The second bent portion 78B and the third bent portion 78C are inclined opening surfaces that slope in a direction away from the cooler 42 (to the right) as they move towards the center of the opening 54a. These first bent portion 78A, second bent portion 78B, and third bent portion 78C reinforce the first plate portion 54b and also guide the movement of the cooler 42 in the front-rear direction when inserting or removing the cooling unit 60. Specifically, when inserting the cooler 42 into the cooler chamber R2, even if the rear end of the cooler 42 is facing to the right, the rear end of the cooler 42 (the right end of the rear end plate 42a) will come into contact with the first bent portion 78A or the second bent portion 78B and be guided to the left. Similarly, when removing the cooler 42 from the cooler chamber R2, even if the rear end of the cooler 42 is facing to the right, the rear end of the cooler 42 (the right end of the rear end plate 42a) will come into contact with the third bent portion 78C and be guided to the left.

[0032] As mentioned above, the first retaining member 52 was lower than the height of the lower end 70a of the opening 70, but the second retaining member 54 (more specifically, the first plate portion 54b) is configured to extend beyond the side wall portion 70b of the opening 70 towards the cooler 42, as shown in Figure 15. Therefore, the gap between the right end of the cooler 42 and the first plate portion 54b is smaller than the gap between the lower end of the cooler 42 and the first retaining member 52, making it difficult for a short cycle of cold air circulation to occur between the cooler 42 and the circulation fan 46. Furthermore, even though the first plate portion 54b of the second retaining member 54 extends beyond the side wall portion 70b of the opening 70 towards the cooler 42, the first bent portion 78A allows for smooth insertion of the cooler 42.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6 and other figures, the opening 70 for inserting and removing the cooler 42 in the cooling storage unit 10 has its lower end 70a positioned relatively high above the bottom surface of the cooler chamber R2 (the surface of the drain pan 28). In other words, a relatively large step is formed between the opening 70 and the cooler chamber R2 in the vertical direction. Specifically, since the defrost heater 48A is located below the cooler 42, the lower end 70a of the opening 70 is positioned higher than the defrost heater 48A. More specifically, as shown in Figure 13, the lower end 70a of the opening 70 is positioned slightly higher than the upper surface 52a of the first retaining member 52. As a result, a step is formed below the opening 70, which is the sum of the depth H1 of the drain pan 28, the vertical space H2 for installing the defrost heater 48A, and the gap H3 (the height difference between the lower end 70a of the opening 70 and the upper surface 52a of the first retaining member 52) to prevent the cooler 42 from coming into contact with the defrost heater 48A when inserting or removing the cooler 42. Therefore, the cooling storage unit 10 of this embodiment has a larger space below the opening 70 compared to conventional cooling storage units, making it less likely for cold air to escape from the opening 70 when the cooler 42 is pulled out. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the lower end 70a of the opening 70 was positioned slightly higher than the upper surface 52a of the first retaining member 52, but they may be at the same height.

[0034] Furthermore, in the cooling storage unit 10 of this embodiment, the first retaining member 52 is generally box-shaped, as described above, and is positioned to almost completely cover the upper side of the drain pan 28, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Due to the presence of this first retaining member 52, the cold air in the space below the first retaining member 52 is less likely to flow above the first retaining member 52, and cold air leakage from the opening 70 can be further suppressed.

[0035] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. For example, the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the cooler 42 was configured to be inserted and removed integrally as a component of the cooling unit 60, but for example, the cooler may be configured to be insertable and removable on its own.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the circulation fan 46 was fixed inside the cooler chamber R2, but the circulation fan 46 may also be fixed to the cooler 42.

[0038] This invention is not limited to refrigerators; it can naturally be used in freezers, and can also be used in vertical refrigerator-freezers with removable condensers. Furthermore, it can be widely used in locker-type refrigerator-freezers and refrigerated display cases, and any other device with a removable condenser. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 10...Cooling storage unit, R1...Storage room, R2...Cooler room, 28...Drain pan, 42...Cooler, 48A...Defrost heater, 52...First retaining member [Heater retaining member], 52a...Top surface, 52b, 52c...Opening [Through hole], 70...Opening, 70a...Bottom end

Claims

1. Storage room and A cooler for cooling the air that flows into the storage chamber, A cooler room that communicates with the storage room and houses the cooler, A defrost heater is fixed below the cooler in the cooler chamber and melts the frost generated by the cooler. A drain pan is located below the defrost heater and collects defrost water, Equipped with, The cooler is movably positioned relative to the defrost heater, and can be inserted into and removed from the opening of the cooler chamber while the defrost heater remains in the cooler chamber. A cooling storage facility characterized in that the lower end of the opening is at the same height as the upper end of the defrost heater, or higher than the upper end.

2. The defrost heater is configured to be held below the cooler by a heater holding member. The heater holding member has a box-like shape with an opening at the bottom, covers the top of the drain pan, and has an insertion hole formed on its upper surface to allow air to pass through in the vertical direction. The cooling storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the opening is at the same height as the upper surface of the heater holding member, or at a position higher than the upper surface.

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