Cooling storage

Abstract

To provide a cooling storage unit that allows for smooth removal of the cooling unit. [Solution] The cooling unit 60 comprises a first unit component 80 which includes a unit base 62 that is slidable relative to the storage unit body 12, and a compressor 38 and a condenser 40 mounted on the unit base 62, and a second unit component 82 which is mainly composed of a cooler 42 and is mounted on the first unit component 80. The first unit component 80 is provided with a first gripping portion 86 which can be gripped by the user when inserting or removing the cooling unit 60, and the second unit component 82 is provided with a second gripping portion 88.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1 below, an example of a cooling storage refrigerator in which the entire cooling unit can be inserted into and removed from the refrigerator body is disclosed in order to facilitate the assembly and maintenance of the cooling unit. Generally, in a cooling storage refrigerator, a cooler constituting the cooling unit is housed in a cooler chamber that communicates with a storage chamber and is in a heat-insulated state, and a compressor and a condenser, which are other components of the cooling unit, are housed in a space (machine room) outside the cooler chamber. Therefore, as also described in Patent Document 1 below, the cooling unit is divided into a portion housed in the machine room (first unit component part) and a portion housed in the cooler chamber (second unit component part), and the cooler of the second unit component part is configured to be held so as to extend in the insertion and removal direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The cooling unit is provided with a gripping portion that can be grasped by the user when it is inserted or removed. Because the weight of the first unit component is large, this gripping portion is often provided as low as possible. As described above, since the cooler is held in a position that extends in the insertion / removal direction, it was difficult to smoothly pull the cooler out of the cooler chamber using only the gripping portion located at the bottom of the cooling unit. Therefore, the cooling storage unit described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a gripping portion (handle 17) at the front end of the unit base (substrate 15), and also has an upright flange at the front end in the pulling direction of the cover 30 that covers the first unit component (condensing unit 28), so that it can be used as a second gripping portion. However, even with the configuration described in Patent Document 1, it is still not sufficient, and it was difficult to smoothly pull out the cooling unit.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and aims to provide a cooling storage unit that allows for the smooth removal of the cooling unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the cooling storage facility disclosed in this application has the following configuration. (1) A cooling storage unit having a storage chamber, wherein a cooling unit for cooling the storage chamber can be inserted into and removed from the storage unit body, The cooling unit is A first unit component comprising a unit base that is slidable relative to the storage unit body, and a compressor and condenser mounted on the unit base, A second unit component is mainly composed of a cooler and is attached to the first unit component, Equipped with, A cooling storage unit, wherein the first unit component is provided with a first gripping portion that can be grasped by the user when inserting or removing the cooling unit, and the second unit component is provided with a second gripping portion.

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

[0008] (2) The second unit component is provided in such a manner as to extend upward from the first unit component and includes a bracket to which the cooler is attached, The cooling storage cabinet according to item (1), wherein the second gripping portion is formed to extend from the location on the bracket where the cooler is attached to the opposite side from the cooler.

[0009] (3) The storage unit body is provided with a closing panel that covers the opening for inserting and removing the cooling unit, The cooling storage cabinet according to item (2), wherein the second gripping portion is provided with a mounting portion for attaching the closing panel.

[0010] (4) A cooling chamber in which the cooling unit is housed and is in communication with the storage chamber, a circulation fan for circulating air between the cooling chamber and the storage chamber, and a defrost heater for melting frost generated by the cooling unit, The circulation fan and the defrost heater are fixed inside the cooler chamber. The cooler is movably arranged relative to the circulation fan and the defrost heater, A refrigerated storage unit according to any one of items (1) to (3), wherein the cooler can be inserted into and removed from the opening of the cooler chamber while the circulation fan and the defrost heater remain in the cooler chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cooling storage unit that allows the cooling unit to be smoothly pulled out. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a cooling storage unit, an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Front cross-section of the cooling storage room [Figure 3] Side view showing the interior of the machine room [Figure 4] Plan sectional view around the cooler room [Figure 5] Perspective view of the unit including the circulation fan and the defrost heater [Figure 6] Side sectional view of the cooling storage showing the unit in Fig. 5 [Figure 7] Plan sectional view showing the unit in the figure [Figure 8] Perspective view of the cooling unit [Figure 9] Perspective view of the cooling storage with the front panel removed [Figure 10] Perspective view of the cooling storage with the cooling unit pulled out [Figure 11] Front view showing the opening of the cooler room for inserting and removing the cooling unit [Figure 12] View of the unit in Fig. 5 from the front side [Figure 13] Figure showing an enlarged part of Fig. 6 and showing the step to the opening [Figure 14] Side sectional view showing the positional relationship between the first holding member and the cooler [Figure 15] Plan sectional view showing the positional relationship between the second holding member and the cooler on the front side [Figure 16] Plan sectional view showing the positional relationship between the second holding member and the cooler on the rear side [Figure 17] View showing the cooling unit from an obliquely downward perspective [Figure 18] Perspective view showing an enlarged upper end of the unit bracket [Figure 19] Perspective view for explaining the attachment structure of the front panel

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention, the cooling storage unit 10, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 16. In some parts of the drawings, the symbols F, B, L, R, U, and D are used to indicate direction, representing the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom sides, respectively, when the cooling storage unit 10 is viewed from the front.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] First, as shown in Figure 5, the first retaining member 52 is formed from a single sheet of metal 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] As described above, the cooling storage unit 10 of this embodiment is configured such that the cooler 42 is less likely to get stuck inside the cooler chamber R2, but it also has a configuration that allows the cooling unit 60 to be pulled out more smoothly from the storage unit body 12. This configuration will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 17 to 19.

[0038] As shown in Figure 17, the cooling unit 60 consists of two main components: a first unit component 80 and a second unit component 82. The first unit component 80 is the lower component of the cooling unit 60 and includes a base panel 62 as a unit stand, and a condenser 40, a condenser fan 41, and a compressor 38 mounted on the base panel 62. The second unit component 82 is the upper component of the cooling unit 60 and includes a cooler 42, a cover 72, and a unit bracket 64 for mounting the cooler 42 and the cover 72. The first unit component 80 also includes a condenser cover 84 that covers the top of the condenser 40. The condenser cover 84 has an overhang 84a that extends upward, and the lower end of the unit bracket 64 is fastened to this overhang 84a, thereby fixing the second unit component 82 to the first unit component 80.

[0039] The first unit component 80 is relatively heavy, and the weight of the second unit component 82 connected to the upper side is also added, so when pulling it out, there needs to be a part where the user can apply sufficient force. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cooling storage unit 10 is provided with a gripping part on the base panel 62 that the user can grasp. Specifically, the base panel 62 is formed from a single sheet of metal by bending to create a generally box-shaped form that opens to the bottom, and the front wall portion 86 of the base panel 62 functions as a first gripping part that the user can place their fingers on from below. Hereinafter, the front wall portion 86 of the base panel 62 may be referred to as the first gripping part 86. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the cooling storage unit 10 is used with legs or casters attached to the bottom surface of the storage unit body 12 (more specifically, the insulated box body 20), so that the bottom surface of the storage unit body 12 is lifted off the floor. Therefore, it is possible to reach in from the bottom of the base panel 62.

[0040] However, when attempting to pull out the cooling unit 60 by gripping the first gripping portion 86, a moment directed towards the rear is applied to the cooler 42, which is significantly separated upward from the first gripping portion 86. Furthermore, as mentioned above, since the cooler 42 is held in a cantilevered state extending to the rear, it is particularly susceptible to the effects of this moment, causing it to bend downward or sway as a reaction, which hinders the smooth pulling out of the cooler 42 from the cooler chamber R2. Moreover, in the cooling storage unit 10 of this embodiment, the defrost heater 48A below the cooler 42 and the circulating fan 46 on the side are fixed inside the cooler chamber R2, so the second unit component 82 is in a state where the cooler 42 is exposed all around. In other words, when pulling out the cooling unit 60, the cooler 42 itself is easily contacted, and if bending or swaying occurs as described above, there is a risk of damage to the cooler 42.

[0041] Therefore, in this embodiment, the cooling storage unit 10 is provided with a second gripping portion 88 located on the front side of the cooler 42 relative to the second unit component 82. More specifically, the second gripping portion 88 is formed to extend from the location on the unit bracket 64 where the cooler 42 is attached, to the side opposite to the cooler 42. Specifically, as mentioned above, the unit bracket 64 is formed from a single sheet of metal by bending, and the second gripping portion 88 is formed by bending the upper end. As shown in Figure 18, the second gripping portion 88 consists of a first extension portion 88a that extends forward and a second extension portion 88b that extends downward from the rear end of the first extension portion 88a. As a result, the user can place their fingers on the second extension portion 88b of the second gripping portion 88.

[0042] Therefore, in this embodiment, the cooling storage unit 10 can be pulled out not only from the first gripping portion 86 of the first unit component 80, but also from the second gripping portion 88 of the second unit component 82, thereby stabilizing the posture of the cooler 42 and allowing it to be smoothly pulled out from the opening 70 of the cooler chamber R2. In other words, in this embodiment, the cooling storage unit 10 can be smoothly pulled out from the storage unit body 12.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 18, the second gripping portion 88 of the unit bracket 64 has a screw hole (mounting portion) 88c for fastening a bolt 90. As shown in Figure 19, this screw hole 88c is for fastening the front panel 32. More specifically, the front panel 32 is a closing panel that covers the opening 92 for inserting and removing the cooling unit 60 in the storage body 12, in other words, the opening 92 to the front of the machine room R3. The front panel 32 can be fastened to the second gripping portion 88 of the unit bracket 64 by a bolt 90 using the insertion hole provided at the upper end, with the projection 94 provided at the lower end inserted into the hooking hole 96 provided at the front end of the base panel 62.

[0044] One possible configuration for fastening the front panel 32 is to form the screw holes in the front wall portion 100 (see Figure 17) of the part of the insulated box 20 that forms the cooler chamber R2. However, this wall portion 100 has a relatively complex shape because the lid 72 of the cooling unit 60 fits onto it, and in this embodiment, it is molded from resin. Therefore, if screw holes are provided in the resin wall portion 100, there is a risk that the screw holes will wear down, making it impossible to fasten them securely. Moreover, if the screw holes are damaged, it is difficult to replace only this wall portion 100, and it would be necessary to replace the entire insulated box 20, which is not practical. In contrast, with the cooling storage unit 10 of this embodiment, the screw holes 88c for fastening the bolts 90 are formed in the metal unit bracket 64, thus avoiding damage to the screw holes 88c. Even if the screw holes 88c are damaged, it is possible to replace only the unit bracket 64.

[0045] <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.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the second gripping portion 88 was provided at the upper end of the second unit component 82, but its position is not limited to that. The second gripping portion may be provided on the unit bracket 64, but it is desirable that it be located on the front side of the cooler 42, or more specifically, in a position that overlaps the cooler 42 in the front-rear direction.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the first gripping portion 86 was provided at the lower end of the base panel 62 which serves as a unit stand, but it is not limited to this. For example, the first gripping portion can also be provided on the condenser cover 84.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the cooling unit 60 was configured to be insertable and removable from the front opening 92 of the storage body 12, but it may also be configured to be insertable and removable from the side.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the cooler room R2 and the machine room R3 were located to the left of the storage room R1, but they may also be located to the right.

[0050] 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 cooling units. Furthermore, it can be widely used in refrigerated storage units with removable cooling units, such as locker-type refrigerator-freezers and refrigerated display cases. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 10...Cooling storage unit, 12...Storage unit body, R1...Storage chamber, R2...Cooler chamber, 42...Cooler, 46...Circulation fan, 48A, 48B...Defrost heater, 60...Cooling unit, 62...Base panel [unit stand], 64...Unit bracket [bracket], 80...First unit component, 82...Second unit component, 86...First gripping part, 88...Second gripping part, 88c...Screw hole [mounting part], 92...Opening

Claims

1. A cooling storage unit having a storage chamber, wherein a cooling unit for cooling the storage chamber can be inserted into and removed from the storage unit body, The cooling unit is A first unit component comprising a unit base that is slidable relative to the storage unit body, and a compressor and condenser mounted on the unit base, A second unit component is mainly composed of a cooler and is attached to the first unit component, Equipped with, A cooling storage unit, wherein the first unit component is provided with a first gripping portion that can be grasped by the user when inserting or removing the cooling unit, and the second unit component is provided with a second gripping portion.

2. The second unit component is provided with a bracket that extends upward from the first unit component and to which the cooler is attached. The cooling storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the second gripping portion is formed to extend from the location on the bracket where the cooler is attached to the opposite side from the cooler.

3. The storage unit body is equipped with a closing panel that covers the opening for inserting and removing the cooling unit, The cooling storage cabinet according to claim 2, wherein the second gripping portion is provided with a mounting portion for attaching the closing panel.

4. The system comprises a cooler chamber communicating with the storage chamber and housing the cooler, a circulation fan for circulating air between the cooler chamber and the storage chamber, and a defrost heater for melting frost generated by the cooler. The circulation fan and the defrost heater are fixed inside the cooler chamber. The cooler is movably arranged relative to the circulation fan and the defrost heater, A cooling storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cooler can be inserted into and removed from the opening of the cooler chamber while the circulation fan and the defrost heater remain in the cooler chamber.

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