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 invention comprises an insulated box 20, a storage chamber R1 formed inside the insulated box 20 for storing an object to be cooled, a cooler 42 for cooling the air flowing into the storage chamber R1, a cooler chamber R2 formed inside the insulated box 20 in communication with the storage chamber R1 for housing the cooler 42, an opening 70 formed through the insulated box 20 that allows the cooler 42 to be inserted and removed, and an insulating lid 72 that closes the opening 70, wherein the lid 72 is configured to fit into the space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the opening 70.

Description

Technical Field

[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, an opening for inserting and removing the cooler is provided in the cooler chamber, and the opening is closed with a heat-insulating lid. Specifically, the lid of the cooler chamber has a flat back surface and is configured to abut against the outer surface of the box body forming the cooler chamber via a packing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the cooling storage refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 above, since the lid only covers the outside of the opening, there is a risk that cold air may leak between the lid and the outer surface of the heat-insulating box body. In addition, the refrigerant pipe is attached to the back surface side of the lid so as to extend outside the lid, and although the vertical position is determined by fitting the portion where the refrigerant pipe is attached into the recess of the heat-insulating box body, there is a problem that the horizontal position is not determined. 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 Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the cooling storage facility disclosed in this application has the following configuration. (1) Insulated box body, A storage chamber formed within the aforementioned insulated box for storing the object to be cooled, A cooler for cooling the air that flows into the storage chamber, A cooler chamber is formed within the insulated box body in a manner that communicates with the storage chamber and houses the cooler, An opening is formed that penetrates the aforementioned insulated box, allowing the cooler to be inserted and removed, A heat-insulating lid that closes the aforementioned opening, Equipped with, A cooling storage container characterized in that the lid fits into the space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the opening.

[0007] Furthermore, the above-described cooling storage facility can be configured in various ways as shown below.

[0008] (2) The lid is shaped to fill the entire space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the opening, as described in item (1).

[0009] (3) The opening is shaped such that the inner dimensions on the outer side of the insulated box are larger than the inner dimensions on the cooler chamber side, and the opening has a stepped surface facing outwards from the insulated box. The lid has a shape having a stepped surface facing the cooler chamber, such that the outer dimensions on the outside of the insulated box body are larger than the outer dimensions on the cooler chamber side, as described in item (1) or (2).

[0010] (4) The cooling storage cabinet according to item (3), wherein a packing is provided between the stepped surface of the opening and the stepped surface of the lid.

[0011] The cooling storage refrigerator according to any one of items (1) to (4), wherein the lid has an overhang portion that protrudes toward the inside of the cooler chamber from the opening edge on the cooler chamber side in the opening.

[0012] (6) The lid is configured to hold the cooler via a bracket extending in the insertion and removal direction of the cooler, A refrigerant pipe connected to the cooler is disposed between the lid and the cooler, The cooling storage refrigerator according to item (5), wherein the overhang portion protrudes to a position contacting or adjacent to the refrigerant pipe.

[0013] (7) The overhang portion includes a lower end overhang portion formed at the lower end of the lid, The cooling storage refrigerator according to item (5) or (6), wherein the lower end overhang portion has an inclined shape in which the dimension of the protrusion increases toward the lower end.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the practicality of a cooling storage refrigerator in which a cooler can be inserted and removed with respect to a cooler chamber can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a cooling storage refrigerator which is an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Front cross-sectional view of the cooling storage refrigerator [Figure 3] Side view showing the inside of the machine room [Figure 4] Planar cross-sectional view around the cooler chamber [Figure 5] Perspective view of a unit including a circulation fan and a defrost heater [Figure 6] Side cross-sectional view of the cooling storage 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 the cooling unit [Figure 9]Perspective view of a cooling refrigerator with the front panel removed [Figure 10] Perspective view of a cooling refrigerator with the cooling unit pulled out [Figure 11] Front view showing the opening of the cooler compartment for inserting and removing the cooling unit [Figure 12] Plan sectional view showing the state before inserting the lid into the opening of the heat-insulating box [Figure 13] Plan sectional view showing the state where the lid is fitted into the opening of the heat-insulating box [Figure 14] Side sectional view showing the state where the lid is fitted into the opening of the heat-insulating box [Figure 15] Perspective view of the lid [Figure 16] Perspective view showing an enlarged upper end of the cooling unit [Figure 17] Perspective view showing the notch of the heat-insulating box [Figure 18] Side view showing the state before inserting the refrigerant pipe and the protrusion into the notch [Figure 19] Side view showing the state where the refrigerant pipe and the protrusion are inserted into the notch [Figure 20] View showing the protrusion of the lid from the rear view point [Figure 21] Front sectional view showing the state where the refrigerant pipe and the protrusion are inserted into the notch [Figure 22] Perspective view showing the main part of a modified cooling refrigerator

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] The cooling refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 21. In a part of the drawings, the directions are indicated by the reference signs F, B, L, R, U, D, which represent the front side (front), rear side (rear), left side, right side, upper side, and lower side when viewing the cooling refrigerator 10 from the front, respectively.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling storage unit 10 of this embodiment is a two-door horizontal refrigerator (under-counter refrigerator) and comprises a horizontally elongated storage unit body 12, a pair of double-hinged doors 14, and a top plate 16 positioned above the storage unit body 12. The storage unit body 12 comprises an insulated box 20 that opens to the front, and a center pillar 22 that extends vertically and is attached to the center of the front opening of the insulated box 20. The pair of doors 14 are insulated doors filled with insulating material and open and close the left and right openings of the center pillar 22 in the insulated box 20.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the insulated box 20 consists of an outer box 20A and an inner box 20B, which are made of stainless steel plates processed into a box shape, and an insulating material 20C that is foamed and filled between the outer box 20A and the inner box 20B. The interior of the insulated box 20 is mostly a storage chamber R1 for storing stored items. However, a partition panel 24 is located on the left side of the interior of the insulated box 20, partitioning off a cooler chamber R2 to the left of the storage chamber R1. More specifically, the cooler chamber R2 is surrounded by the partition panel 24, a cooler box 26 which is a box with openings on the right and bottom sides, and a mortar-shaped drain pan 28 attached to the bottom of the cooler box 26, and is roughly partitioned off by these components. The partition panel 24 is provided with an intake port 24A at its lower end for drawing air from the storage chamber R1 into the cooler chamber R2, and an outlet port 24B at its upper end for blowing air from the cooler chamber R2 into the storage chamber R1.

[0019] The storage unit body 12 also includes several panels assembled to the left of the insulated box body 20. These panels are side panels 30, floor panels 31, front panels 32, etc., as shown in Figures 1 to 4, and the storage unit body 12 has a machine room R3 formed by these panels 30, 31, 32, the left side wall portion 20D of the insulated box body 20, and the top plate 16, etc.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] As the cooling unit 60 is moved backward from its extended position, the cooler 42 is inserted through the opening 70, and then the cover 72 is inserted into the opening 70, closing the opening 70. Incidentally, a gasket 76 is attached to the outer surface of the cooler box 26 to ensure thermal insulation inside the cooler chamber R2.

[0029] 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 together 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.

[0030] Next, the configuration for closing the opening 70 with the lid 72 will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 11 to 21. As shown in Figures 11 to 14, the opening 70 is formed to penetrate the insulated box 20 and has a relatively large thickness, and its inner circumferential surface is formed in a stepped shape. Specifically, in the penetrating direction (the insertion and removal direction of the cooler unit 60), the opening 70 is formed in a stepped shape because the inner dimensions (both vertical and horizontal dimensions) of the outer inner circumferential surface portion 80, which is the outer part (front part) of the insulated box 20, are larger than the inner dimensions of the inner inner circumferential surface portion 81, which is the inner part (rear part). In other words, an opening stepped surface 82, which is a stepped surface facing outwards from the insulated box 20, is formed between the outer inner circumferential surface portion 80 and the inner inner circumferential surface portion 81.

[0031] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 12 to 15, the lid 72 has a lid body portion 84 that fits into the space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the opening 70, and the lid body portion 84 is stepped in shape so as to fill the entire space. Specifically, the lid body portion 84 is formed in a stepped shape by making the outer dimensions (both vertical and horizontal dimensions) of the base end portion 85, which is the part on the unit bracket 64 side (front part), larger than the outer dimensions of the tip end portion 86, which is the part on the cooler 42 side (rear part). In other words, a stepped lid surface 87, which is a stepped surface facing the cooler 42 side, is formed between the base end portion 85 and the tip end portion 86, or in other words, around the tip end portion 86.

[0032] Furthermore, the lid body portion 84 of the lid 72 has an outer dimension that is slightly smaller than the inner dimension of the opening 70, so that it fits together without any large gaps. As a result, it is difficult for the cold air from the cooler chamber R2 to enter between the inner circumferential surface portion 81 of the opening 70 and the front end portion 86 of the lid body portion 84, and it is difficult for outside air to enter between the outer circumferential surface portion 80 of the opening 70 and the base end portion 85 of the lid body portion 84, thereby ensuring thermal insulation within the cooler chamber R2. In addition, since the entire lid body portion 84 of the lid 72 is fitted inside the opening 70, the position of the lid 72 relative to the opening 70 (up, down, left, and right position) does not shift. Consequently, when the cooling unit 60 is housed in the storage body 12, the cooler 42 held by the lid 72 can be positioned appropriately within the cooler chamber R2.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, the aforementioned packing 76 is attached to the stepped surface 82 of the opening, and when the cooling unit 60 is inserted and the lid body 84 fits into the opening 70, the stepped surface 87 of the lid compresses the packing 76. In other words, because the position of the packing 76 is located midway between the cooler chamber R2 and the outside of the insulated box 20, the cold air inside the cooler chamber R2 must pass through the gap between the inner circumferential surface 81 of the opening 70 and the front end side 86 of the lid body 84 to reach the packing 76, while the outside air must pass through the gap between the outer circumferential surface 80 of the opening 70 and the base end side 85 of the lid body 84 to reach the packing 76. Therefore, heat exchange between the cooler chamber R2 and the outside is less likely, and the thermal insulation inside the cooler chamber R2 is firmly ensured.

[0034] As mentioned above, in the cooling unit 60, the cooler 42 is held to the cover 72 via a cooler bracket 74. As shown in Figure 16, a refrigerant pipe 44 is routed between the cooler bracket 74 and the cooler 42. Specifically, an upstream refrigerant pipe 44a, which connects from the condenser 40 to the cooler 42, and a downstream refrigerant pipe 44b, which connects from the cooler 42 to the compressor 38, are routed side by side in the front-to-back direction, and at the upper end of the cooling unit 60, they are routed in the left-to-right direction (the intersecting direction that crosses the insertion / removal direction). Incidentally, since these upstream refrigerant pipes 44a and downstream refrigerant pipes 44b are made of metal, no means of fixing them to the cooler bracket 74 or the like are provided.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16, the intersecting extensions 44a1 and 44b1, which are the left-right extensions of the upstream refrigerant pipe 44a and the downstream refrigerant pipe 44b, are covered by insulation tubes 90A and 90B made of foam material, respectively. At the left end of the intersecting extensions 44a1 and 44b1 (the end on the condenser 40 and compressor 38 side), both the upstream refrigerant pipe 44a and the downstream refrigerant pipe 44b are brought together within a single insulation tube 90C. At the connection point between the two insulation tubes 90A and 90B and the single insulation tube 90C, the end faces of the two insulation tubes 90A and 90B and the end face of the single insulation tube 90C are in contact with each other, and they are wrapped together and covered with an insulation sheet 92.

[0036] Now, let's return to the explanation of the lid 72. As shown in Figure 15, the lid 72 has a projection 94 that extends rearward from the lid body portion 84 (more specifically, the front end portion 86) and protrudes into the cooler chamber R2 from the opening edge on the cooler chamber R2 side of the opening 70. As shown in Figure 14, the projection 94 is provided in a manner that avoids the accumulator 96 which is positioned in the middle of the downstream refrigerant pipe 44b to adjust the evaporation pressure, and is composed of an upper end projection 94a above the accumulator 96 and a lower end projection 94b below the accumulator 96. The presence of the projection 94 reduces the wasted space in the cooler chamber R2, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency in the cooler 42.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 14 and 16, the upper overhang portion 94a is located at the same height as the intersecting extension portions 44a1 and 44b1 of the upstream refrigerant pipe 44a and the downstream refrigerant pipe 44b described above, and extends to a position where it is in contact with or close to the intersecting extension portion 44b1 of the downstream refrigerant pipe 44b located on the front side. As shown in Figure 14, the gap between the upper overhang portion 94a and the ceiling surface of the cooler chamber R2 is relatively small, making it difficult for cold air to enter. In other words, the path for cold air to enter up to the packing 76 is lengthened, making it more difficult for heat exchange to occur between the cooler chamber R2 and the outside, and ensuring that the thermal insulation of the cooler chamber R2 is properly maintained.

[0038] On the other hand, the lower end protrusion 94b has a sloping shape, with the protrusion increasing towards the lower end. This lower end protrusion 94b can form a flow that returns cold air towards the cooler 42, making it difficult for cold air to enter the gap between the lower end of the lid 72 and the opening 70. In addition, as shown in Figure 14, the tip (rear end) of this lower end protrusion 94b is located above the drain pan 28, so that condensation water adhering to the cooler chamber R2 side surface of the lid 72 does not enter the gap between the lower end of the lid 72 (the lower end of the lid body 84) and the opening 70, but can be dripped into the drain pan 28.

[0039] As described above, when the cooling unit 60 is housed within the storage unit body 12, the refrigerant pipe 44 extends from the cooler 42 inside the cooler chamber R2 towards the condenser 40 and compressor 38 outside the cooler chamber R2, and is inserted into the inside and outside of the insulated box 20. In other words, when removing the cooling unit 60 from the storage unit body 12, the portion of the refrigerant pipe 44 that passes through the insulated box 20 must also be removed. The configuration of the portion of the refrigerant pipe 44 that passes through the insulated box 20 will be described in detail below.

[0040] As shown in Figure 17, the insulated box body 20 has a notch 100 formed in the side wall portion 20D. The notch 100 is slit-shaped and penetrates the side wall portion 20D in the thickness direction (left-right direction), and is shaped to open in the same direction as the opening 70, that is, forward. The notch 100 is located above and to the left of the opening 70 and communicates with the opening 70. In other words, the notch 100, together with the opening 70, opens to the front side of the insulated box body 20, and as shown in Figure 11, the opening 70 and the notch 100 form an opening edge that extends outwards (to the left) from the upper left end of the rectangle of the insulated box body 20.

[0041] The notch 100 is for inserting the refrigerant pipe 44 into the insulated box 20. When the cooling unit 60 is inserted into the storage body 12 and the cooler 42 is inserted through the opening 70, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the intersecting portions 44a1 and 44b1 of the refrigerant pipe 44 are configured to fit into the notch 100, and the notch 100 allows the intersecting portions 44a1 and 44b1 of the refrigerant pipe 44 to fit into the insulated box 20. More specifically, the left end of the intersecting portions 44a1 and 44b1 of the refrigerant pipe 44, that is, the connection portion between the two insulation tubes 90A and 90B and the one insulation tube 90C, and the portion covered by the insulation sheet 92, is configured to fit into the notch 100.

[0042] However, if the refrigerant pipe 44 were to simply fit into the notch 100, a gap would be created around the refrigerant pipe 44. In this embodiment, however, when the cooling unit 60 is inserted into the cooling storage unit 10, the gap around the refrigerant pipe 44 within the notch 100 is filled. Specifically, as shown in Figure 15, the lid 72 has a projection 102 that extends to the left from the upper left end of the lid body 84. This projection 102 is shaped to project backward, and its tip 102a extends to the same position as the upper overhang 94a, and is continuous with the tip of the upper overhang 94a. In other words, as shown in Figure 18, the tip 102a of this projection 102 is in contact with the refrigerant pipe 44, or more specifically, with the insulation sheet 92 that holds the two refrigerant pipes 44a and 44 together. Furthermore, the tip 102a of the protruding portion 102 and the tip of the upper overhang portion 94a are formed in an arc-shaped recess, and are designed to cover the front side of the refrigerant pipe 44.

[0043] As shown in Figure 18, the notch 100 has a shape in which the width of the slit, that is, the vertical dimension, widens towards the opening at the front. More specifically, the upper inner surface 100a of the notch 100 is formed horizontally, while the lower inner surface 100b is formed to slope downward toward the opening. The end inner surface 100c, which is the end opposite the opening (rear end) of the inner surface, is formed in an arc shape. A notch packing 104 is attached to the inner surface of the notch 100. On the other hand, the protruding portion 102 of the lid 70 has a shape that matches the notch 100, with the vertical dimension decreasing toward the tip (rear end), a so-called wedge shape. More specifically, the upper surface 102b is formed horizontally, while the lower surface 102c is formed to slope downward toward the front, matching the shape of the notch 100.

[0044] When the cooling unit 60 is inserted into the storage body 12, the protruding portion 102 enters the notch 100. As shown in Figure 19, the protruding portion 102 functions as a refrigerant pipe retainer, and its tip 102a presses the refrigerant pipe 44 against the inner surface of the notch 100. The refrigerant pipe 44 is enclosed in insulation tube 90A for the upstream refrigerant pipe 44a and in insulation tube 90B for the downstream refrigerant pipe 44b, and these are wrapped in insulation sheet 92. Therefore, the protruding portion 102 presses against the inner surface of the notch 100 while contracting the insulation tubes 90A, 90B and the insulation sheet 92. Consequently, the refrigerant pipe 44 is completely filled in the space formed between the inner surface of the notch 100 and the tip 102a of the protruding portion 102, thereby suppressing the leakage of cold air from the cooler chamber R2.

[0045] Furthermore, because the notch 100 and the projection 102 are wedge-shaped, when the projection 102 enters the notch 100, the projection 102 crushes the notch packing 104 on its upper surface 102b and lower surface 102c. In addition, as shown in Figure 20, the projection 102 has protruding ridges 102b1 and 102c1 extending in the front-rear direction from the upper surface 102b and lower surface 102c, which are opposing surfaces to the upper inner circumferential surface 100a and lower inner circumferential surface 100b of the notch 100. In other words, when the protrusion 102 fits into the notch 100, as shown in Figure 21, these protrusions 102b1 and 102c1 bite into the notch packing 104, completely sealing the gap between the upper inner surface 100a of the notch 100 and the upper surface 102b of the protrusion 102, and between the lower inner surface 100b of the notch 100 and the lower surface 102c of the protrusion 102. This also suppresses the leakage of cold air from this area.

[0046] Furthermore, a hole-filling material 106 is provided around the portion of the refrigerant pipe 44 that extends outward from the insulated box 20. This hole-filling material 106 is formed by applying putty to the area shown in Figure 19. As shown in Figures 15 and 20, the side portion 102d of the protruding portion 102 of the lid 72 is formed in a stepped shape, and the rear (tip) portion 102d1 does not protrude outward (to the left) compared to the front portion 102d2. The hole-filling material 106 is formed to cover at least the rear portion 102d1 of this side portion 102d.

[0047] When the protrusion 102 fits into the notch 100, the front portion 102d2 of the side portion 102d becomes almost flush with the side wall portion 20D of the insulated box 20, while the rear portion 102d1 is located on the cooler chamber R2 side of the side wall portion 20D of the insulated box 20, as shown in Figure 21. More specifically, the rear portion 102d1 is located slightly on the cooler chamber R2 side of the outer end face of the notch packing 104. In other words, when the protrusion 102 fits into the notch 100, the filler material 106 fills the space inside the notch 100 and outside the protrusion 102. Also, because the notch packing 104 protrudes outward from the rear portion 102d1 of the side portion 102d, the filler material 106 comes into contact with the notch packing 104. With this configuration, the filler material 106 can firmly seal the gap between the notch 100 and the protrusion 102, effectively suppressing cold air leakage from the cooler chamber R2.

[0048] <Variation> In the above embodiment, condensation water flowing along the inner surface of the lid 72 (the surface facing the cooler chamber R2) was guided to the drain pan 28 using the lower end protrusion 94b. However, the condensation water can also be treated by the configuration shown in Figure 22, for example. This modified cooling storage unit 120 is characterized by the shape of the panel 124 that forms the front outer surface of the cooler chamber R2 in the insulated box 122. This panel 124 has an opening 125 for inserting and removing the cooler 42, and a drainage channel 126 extending downward from the lower end of the opening 125. In addition, a water collection section 127 is formed at the lower end of the opening 125, which slopes downward toward the drainage channel 126. The condenser 40 of the cooling unit 60 housed in the machine room R3 is located directly below the drainage channel 126. In other words, the modified cooling storage unit 120 collects condensation water that accumulates between the lid 72 and the opening 125, allowing it to flow along the inner surface of the opening 125 to the water collection section 127, and then drip onto the condenser 40 (more specifically, the cover that covers the top) via the drainage channel 126. The condensation water that drips onto the condenser 40 can then be evaporated by the heat discharged from the condenser 40.

[0049] <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.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the lid 72 was shaped so that its entirety fit inside the opening 70, filling the entire space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the opening 70. However, it is also possible for only a part of the lid to fit into the opening 70. For example, the base end portion 85 of the lid body portion 84 may be in contact with the opening edge of the opening 70.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the opening 70 and the outer circumferential surface of the lid 72 (lid body portion 85) were formed in a stepped shape, but are not limited to this. The inner circumferential surface of the opening and the outer circumferential surface of the lid can be formed in an inclined shape (tapered shape). Even with such an inclined shape, as in the above embodiment, the entire lid can fit inside the opening, filling the entire space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the opening, and ensuring good heat insulation.

[0052] 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, it may be configured to be insertable and removable only in the portion including the cooler 42 and the cover 72.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the lid 72 had a protruding portion 94. Its shape is not limited to the shape of the above embodiment, and it can be made into various shapes depending on the space on the cooler 42 side.

[0054] 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 refrigerated storage units with removable condensers, such as locker-type refrigerator-freezers and refrigerated display cases. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 10...Cooling storage unit, 12...Storage unit body, R1...Storage chamber, R2...Cooler chamber, 42...Cooler, 70...Opening, 72...Lid, 74...Cooler bracket, 76...Gasket, 82...Stepped surface of opening, 84...Lid body part, 87...Stepped surface of lid, 94...Protruding part, 94a...Upper end protruding part, 94b...Lower end protruding part

Claims

1. Insulated box body, A storage chamber formed within the aforementioned insulated box for storing the object to be cooled, A cooler for cooling the air that flows into the storage chamber, A cooler chamber is formed within the insulated box body in a manner that communicates with the storage chamber and houses the cooler, An opening is formed that penetrates the aforementioned insulated box, allowing the cooler to be inserted and removed, A heat-insulating lid that closes the aforementioned opening, Equipped with, A cooling storage container characterized in that the lid fits into the space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the opening.

2. The lid is shaped to fill the entire space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the opening, as described in claim 1.

3. The aforementioned opening is shaped such that the inner dimensions on the outer side of the insulated box are larger than the inner dimensions on the cooler chamber side, and the opening has a stepped surface facing outwards from the insulated box. The lid has a shape having a stepped surface facing the cooler chamber, such that the outer dimensions on the outside of the insulated box body are larger than the outer dimensions on the cooler chamber side, as described in claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A cooling storage cabinet according to claim 3, wherein a packing is provided between the stepped surface of the opening and the stepped surface of the lid.

5. The lid has a protruding portion that extends toward the cooler chamber from the opening edge on the cooler chamber side of the opening, as described in claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The cover is designed to hold the cooler via a bracket that extends in the direction of insertion and removal of the cooler. A refrigerant pipe connected to the cooler is disposed between the cover and the cooler. The cooling storage cabinet according to claim 5, wherein the protruding portion extends to a position in contact with or close to the refrigerant pipe.

7. The aforementioned protruding portion includes a lower end protruding portion formed at the lower end of the lid, The cooling storage cabinet according to claim 5, wherein the lower end protrusion has an inclined shape in which the protruding dimension increases towards the lower end.

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