Refrigerator, vacuum insulation

Abstract

This embodiment relates to a refrigerator in which the core material of the vacuum insulation material is formed by stacking multiple thin insulating layers, and provides a technical solution that can suppress heat transfer from the outside to the inside of the refrigerator at the penetration points, even when multiple thin insulating layers are fixed to each other by penetrations. [Solution] The refrigerator according to this embodiment comprises an insulating wall forming a storage compartment, a vacuum insulating material provided inside the insulating wall, and a heat generating element that generates heat outside the compartment relative to the vacuum insulating material, wherein the core material constituting the vacuum insulating material includes a laminate formed by stacking a plurality of insulating thin layers made of fibrous material, and a penetrating element made of a material with a higher thermal conductivity than the fibrous material constituting the insulating thin layers, and penetrating a part of the laminate, wherein the penetrating element penetrates a part of the laminate that is away from the heat generating element.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator and a vacuum heat insulating material provided in the refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a refrigerator includes a vacuum heat insulating material inside a heat insulating wall that forms a storage chamber. According to the refrigerator of Patent Document 1, the core material of the vacuum heat insulating material is configured by laminating a plurality of non-woven fabrics made of an organic resin fiber material. According to the core material made of an organic resin fiber material, it is possible to make it difficult for fiber dust to fly compared to a core material made of a glass fiber material. Further, according to the core material made of an organic resin fiber material, it is possible to provide a core material that is less likely to deteriorate over time compared to a core material made of a glass fiber material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when manufacturing a core material by laminating a plurality of non-woven fabrics, if the plurality of non-woven fabrics are not fixed to each other, for example, during transportation, the positional deviation of the plurality of non-woven fabrics may occur, and the workability may be reduced. Therefore, it is considered to sew and fix a plurality of non-woven fabrics to each other with a penetrating body such as a thread. ​​However, in the case of vacuum insulation materials in which a perforating element penetrates multiple layers of nonwoven fabric, heat generated from heat-generating elements located on the outside of the storage chamber, such as refrigerant pipes or compressors, may be transferred to the inside of the storage chamber through the perforations, potentially affecting the temperature inside the storage chamber.

[0006] Therefore, this embodiment provides a technical solution for a refrigerator in which the core material of the vacuum insulation material is formed by laminating multiple thin insulating layers, such as nonwoven fabric, and which suppresses heat transfer from the outside to the inside of the refrigerator at the penetration points, even when multiple thin insulating layers are fixed to each other by penetrations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The refrigerator according to this embodiment comprises an insulating wall forming a storage compartment, a vacuum insulating material provided inside the insulating wall, and a heat-generating element that generates heat outside the compartment relative to the vacuum insulating material, wherein the core material constituting the vacuum insulating material includes a laminate formed by stacking a plurality of insulating thin layers made of fibrous material, and a penetrating element made of a material with a higher thermal conductivity than the fibrous material constituting the insulating thin layers, and penetrating a part of the laminate, wherein the penetrating element penetrates a part of the laminate that is away from the heat-generating element.

[0008] The vacuum insulation material according to this embodiment is provided in the refrigerator according to this embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A schematic front view showing an example of the configuration of the insulated box of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic side view showing an example of the configuration of the insulated box of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] A schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the vacuum insulation material according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] A schematic plan view showing an example of the configuration inside the upper wall of the insulated box according to this embodiment. [Figure 5]A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional side view showing an example of the configuration inside the upper wall of the insulated box according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] A schematic plan view showing an example of the configuration inside the lower wall of the insulated box according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional side view showing an example of the configuration inside the left wall of the insulated box according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional side view showing an example of the configuration inside the right wall of the insulated box according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] A schematic longitudinal rear view showing an example of the internal configuration of the rear wall portion of the insulated box body according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] A schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a vacuum insulation material according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to a refrigerator and vacuum insulation material will be described with reference to the drawings. The refrigerator 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 has a rectangular box-shaped insulated box 11 that constitutes its outer casing, and inside this box, there are a number of storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. Various items, such as food products, can be cooled and stored inside the storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. The insulated box 11 is composed of insulated walls that form the number of storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. The insulated box 11 is equipped with a vacuum insulation material 100 and a foamed insulation material (not shown) between, for example, an inner box made of resin and, for example, an outer box made of metal. The foamed insulation material (not shown) is filled in the space between the inner box and the outer box, excluding the vacuum insulation material 100.

[0011] The vacuum insulation material 100 is provided in the upper wall portion that constitutes the upper part of the insulated box 11, the lower wall portion that constitutes the lower part of the insulated box 11, the left wall portion that constitutes the left part of the insulated box 11, the right wall portion that constitutes the right part of the insulated box 11, and the rear wall portion that constitutes the rear part of the insulated box 11, as viewed from the front side of the refrigerator 10. For convenience, in the following explanation, the vacuum insulation material 100 located inside the upper wall of the insulated box 11 may be referred to as "upper vacuum insulation material 100A," the vacuum insulation material 100 located inside the lower wall of the insulated box 11 may be referred to as "lower vacuum insulation material 100B," the vacuum insulation material 100 located inside the left wall of the insulated box 11 may be referred to as "left vacuum insulation material 100C," the vacuum insulation material 100 located inside the right wall of the insulated box 11 may be referred to as "right vacuum insulation material 100D," and the vacuum insulation material 100 located inside the rear wall of the insulated box 11 may be referred to as "rear vacuum insulation material 100E."

[0012] In the refrigerator 10, the storage compartment 12 is a refrigerator compartment maintained at a refrigeration temperature. Hereafter, the storage compartment 12 may be referred to as "refrigeration compartment 12". The storage compartment 13 is a vegetable compartment maintained at a refrigeration temperature. Hereafter, the storage compartment 13 may be referred to as "vegetable compartment 13". The storage compartment 14 is an ice-making compartment maintained at a freezing temperature. Hereafter, the storage compartment 14 may be referred to as "ice-making compartment 14". The storage compartment 15 is a small freezer compartment maintained at a freezing temperature. Hereafter, the storage compartment 15 may be referred to as "small freezer compartment 15". The storage compartment 16 is a large freezer compartment maintained at a freezing temperature. Hereafter, the storage compartment 16 may be referred to as "large freezer compartment 16".

[0013] The refrigerator compartment 12 is the uppermost of the multiple storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 provided by the refrigerator 10. The vegetable compartment 13 is located below the refrigerator compartment 12 and is positioned in or near the center in the vertical direction of the insulated box 11. The ice-making compartment 14 and the small freezer compartment 15 are located below the vegetable compartment 13 and are arranged along the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10 within the insulated box 11. The large freezer compartment 16 is located below the ice-making compartment 14 and the small freezer compartment 15 within the insulated box 11. The large freezer compartment 16 is the lowermost of the multiple storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 provided by the refrigerator 10.

[0014] According to the refrigerator 10, the refrigerator compartment 12 and vegetable compartment 13, which are cooled to a target temperature in the refrigeration temperature zone, can be defined as storage compartments cooled to different temperatures than the ice-making compartment 14, small freezer compartment 15, and large freezer compartment 16, which are cooled to a target temperature in the freezing temperature zone. Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, a communication opening (not shown) is provided in the partition wall separating the refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13, allowing communication between the two compartments. The vegetable compartment 13 is cooled by cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 12 being supplied to the vegetable compartment 13 through the communication opening (not shown). As a result, the vegetable compartment 13 is cooled to a higher temperature than the refrigerator compartment 12. According to the refrigerator 10 configured in this way, the vegetable compartment 13 can be defined as the storage compartment with the highest cooling temperature among the multiple storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.

[0015] The refrigerator compartment 12 has a rectangular opening 12a at its front. The front opening 12a of the refrigerator compartment 12 is configured to be opened and closed by two double-hinged refrigerator doors (not shown) that are rotatable in the left-right direction. Alternatively, the front opening 12a of the refrigerator compartment 12 may be configured to be opened and closed by a single refrigerator door. The vegetable compartment 13 has a rectangular opening 13a at its front. The front opening 13a of the vegetable compartment 13 is configured to be opened and closed by a pull-out type vegetable door (not shown) that is movable in the front-back direction.

[0016] The ice-making chamber 14 has a rectangular opening 14a on its front surface. The front opening 14a of the ice-making chamber 14 is configured to be opened and closed by a drawer-type ice-making chamber door (not shown) that is movable in the front-rear direction. The small freezing chamber 15 has a rectangular opening 15a on its front surface. The front opening 15a of the small freezing chamber 15 is configured to be opened and closed by a drawer-type small freezing chamber door (not shown) that is movable in the front-rear direction. The large freezing chamber 16 has an opening 16a on its front surface. The front opening 16a of the large freezing chamber 16 is configured to be opened and closed by a drawer-type large freezing chamber door (not shown) that is movable in the front-rear direction.

[0017] Next, a configuration example of the vacuum heat insulating material 100 will be described in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the vacuum heat insulating material 100 has a configuration in which a core material 102 is provided inside an outer packaging bag material 101. The outer packaging bag material 101 is formed, for example, by forming a sheet material having airtightness with suppressed gas permeability into a bag shape. The sheet material forming the outer packaging bag material 101 is, for example, a resin film of one layer or two or more layers with metal or metal oxide vapor-deposited thereon.

[0018] The outer packaging bag material 101 containing the core material 102 is sealed after being depressurized to a vacuum or a pressure close to vacuum together with the core material 102. Thereby, the vacuum heat insulating material 100 in which the core material 102 is accommodated in the outer packaging bag material 101 is formed. Note that a reinforcing member (not shown) or the like can also be accommodated in the outer packaging bag material 101. Thereby, improvement in strength and suppression of deformation of the vacuum heat insulating material 100 can be achieved.

[0019] According to the vacuum heat insulating material 100, the core material 102 is configured by stacking a plurality of, in this case, two laminates 103 in the thickness direction inside the outer packaging bag material 101. Further, an adsorbent 104, which is referred to as a getter material or the like, can be provided between the plurality of laminates 103. The adsorbent 104 exhibits the function of adsorbing moisture and gas components inside the outer packaging bag material 101.

[0020] Each laminate 103 is constructed by laminating multiple sheets of insulating nonwoven fabric 105. The insulating nonwoven fabric 105 is an example of an insulating thin layer, and is constructed by randomly intertwining organic fiber material. The insulating nonwoven fabric 105 is a thin sheet with a thickness of, for example, 1 millimeter or less. The fiber material that makes up the insulating nonwoven fabric 105 may or may not have insulating properties. Even if the fiber material does not have insulating properties, it is possible to exhibit insulating properties through the nonwoven fabric formed by the intertwining of these fibers.

[0021] The fibrous material constituting the heat-insulating nonwoven fabric 105 can be formed by a blend of one or more resin materials selected from various organic materials such as polystyrene, aromatic polyamide resins, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide, polyoxymethylene, polyamide-imide, polyimide, polysulfan, polyethersulfan, polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone, polyphenylene sulfide, modified polyphenylene ether, syndiotactic polystyrene, liquid crystal polymer, urea resin, unsaturated polyester, polyphenol, melamine resin, epoxy resin, etc.

[0022] Furthermore, in the vacuum insulation material 100, a binding thread 106 is passed through a portion of the multiple insulating nonwoven fabrics 105 that make up a single laminate 103. In other words, the laminate 103 is constructed by sewing together multiple insulating nonwoven fabrics 105 with a flexible binding thread 106 to fix them to each other. In this embodiment, the binding thread 106 penetrates the laminate 103 in the thickness direction at multiple locations on the laminate 103. The binding thread 106 is provided locally at multiple locations on the laminate 103.

[0023] The binding thread 106 is an example of a penetrating body. It is preferable that the binding thread 106 be made of a material with a higher thermal conductivity than the organic fiber material that constitutes the heat insulating nonwoven fabric 105. It is also preferable that the binding thread 106 be made of a material that does not easily generate gas inside the outer packaging bag material 101. In this embodiment, the binding thread 106 is made of a natural material such as wool or cotton.

[0024] Furthermore, vertical grooves 107 can be formed in the vacuum insulation material 100 as needed. For example, a refrigerant pipe 200, which will be described later, can be placed in the vertical grooves 107. The vertical grooves 107 can be formed, for example, when manufacturing the vacuum insulation material 100, by cutting a groove-shaped notch in a part of the core material 102 before depressurizing the inside of the outer packaging material 101, and then pressing the notched portion with a roller (not shown) after depressurizing the inside of the outer packaging material 101.

[0025] The number of insulating nonwoven fabrics 105 constituting one laminate 103 can be changed as appropriate. The multiple insulating nonwoven fabrics 105 constituting one laminate 103 may have the same thickness or different thicknesses. The number of laminates 103 constituting one core material 102 can also be changed as appropriate. When multiple laminates 103 are stacked to form a core material 102, the number of insulating nonwoven fabrics 105 constituting each laminate 103 may be the same or different. Furthermore, in the vacuum insulation material 100, one core material 102 may be composed of one laminate 103.

[0026] For example, the vacuum insulation material 100 configured as described above is provided in the refrigerator 10 as the upper vacuum insulation material 100A, the lower vacuum insulation material 100B, the left vacuum insulation material 100C, the right vacuum insulation material 100D, and the rear vacuum insulation material 100E, as mentioned above. Next, these vacuum insulation materials 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, and 100E will be described in detail.

[0027] (Upper vacuum insulation material 100A) As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the upper vacuum insulation material 100A is provided in the rearward portion of the upper wall of the insulated box 11. In this case, the upper vacuum insulation material 100A is provided in the rearward portion of the upper wall of the insulated box 11, relative to the center in the front-to-back direction. In the refrigerator 10, an interior light 12b for illuminating the inside of the refrigerator compartment 12 is provided in the frontward portion of the upper wall of the insulated box 11. Therefore, the upper vacuum insulation material 100A is positioned in the rearward portion of the upper wall of the insulated box 11 to avoid interference with this interior light 12b. The upper vacuum insulation material 100A is a rectangular plate shape in which the length in the left-to-right direction is longer than the dimension in the front-to-back direction. The laminated body 103 that constitutes the upper vacuum insulation material 100A is penetrated in multiple places, in this case two places, by binding threads 106.

[0028] A portion of the refrigerant pipe 200 is installed inside the upper wall of the insulated box 11. The refrigerant pipe 200, together with the compressor 201 (exemplified in Figures 2 and 6) and other components such as a cooler, heater, and throttle (not shown), constitute a refrigeration cycle. In this refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 201 circulates through the refrigerant pipe 200. The refrigerator 10 circulates the refrigerant through the refrigerant pipe 200 by driving the compressor 201 in this refrigeration cycle. This allows the refrigerator 10 to generate cold air in the cooler. The cold air generated in the cooler is then supplied to the storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, respectively, by the airflow action of a cooling fan (not shown). As a result, the storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 are cooled to their respective target set cooling temperatures.

[0029] In particular, the portion of the refrigerant pipe 200 through which the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 201 passes becomes a heat-generating or heat-dissipating portion that generates heat to the outside. A refrigerant pipe 200 having such a heat-generating or heat-dissipating portion can be defined as an example of a heat-generating element.

[0030] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the refrigerant pipe 200 having a heat-generating portion is located within the upper wall of the insulated box 11, on the outside of the upper vacuum insulation material 100A, in this case, on the upper side. The refrigerant pipe 200 located within the upper wall of the insulated box 11 has a rear portion 200a located behind the center in the front-rear direction of the insulated box 11, a front portion 200b located in front of the center in the front-rear direction of the insulated box 11, and a connecting portion 200c that extends along the front-rear direction of the insulated box 11 and connects the rear portion 200a and the front portion 200b.

[0031] Furthermore, the two binding threads 106 penetrate the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the upper vacuum insulation material 100A that is located behind the center line C1 in the front-to-back direction, that is, the portion furthest from the front portion 200b of the refrigerant pipe 200. In addition, the two binding threads 106 penetrate the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the upper vacuum insulation material 100A that is located along the center line C2 in the left-to-right direction, that is, the portion that is the same distance from the left and right connecting portions 200c of the refrigerant pipe 200. Moreover, the two binding threads 106 are arranged linearly along the center line C2.

[0032] When viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10, the areas where the left and right connecting parts 200c are located are overlapping regions P1 and P2 where the refrigerant pipe 200 overlaps the upper vacuum insulation material 100A. Therefore, it can be said that the two binding threads 106 penetrate multiple parts of the laminate 103 that make up the upper vacuum insulation material 100A, in this case, at the same distance from the two overlapping regions P1 and P2.

[0033] (Lower vacuum insulation material 100B) As illustrated in Figure 6, the lower vacuum insulation material 100B is provided in the lower wall portion of the insulated box body 11, excluding the rear portion in the front-to-back direction. As illustrated in Figure 2, a machine room 11K is provided at the lower rear of the insulated box body 11, where various mechanical components such as a compressor 201 are located. The lower vacuum insulation material 100B is inclined to rise from front to rear so that its rear portion follows the front portion of the machine room 11K. In other words, the lower vacuum insulation material 100B has a shape in which the rear side is bent upward relative to the front side. The laminated body 103 that constitutes the lower vacuum insulation material 100B is penetrated in multiple places, in this case two places, by binding threads 106.

[0034] As illustrated in Figure 6, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10, the compressor 201 is positioned to the right of the center in the horizontal direction within the machine room 11K. Furthermore, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10, the lower vacuum insulation material 100B overlaps with the compressor 201 on one side in the front-to-back direction, which is the rear side. Also, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10, the lower vacuum insulation material 100B overlaps with the compressor 201 on one side in the left-to-right direction, which is the right side.

[0035] Furthermore, the two binding threads 106 penetrate the front portion of the laminate 103 constituting the lower vacuum insulation material 100B, which is the other side in the front-to-back direction. In this case, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10, the binding threads 106 penetrate the portion of the lower vacuum insulation material 100B that is in front of the center line C3 in the front-to-back direction. Additionally, the two binding threads 106 penetrate the left portion of the laminate 103 constituting the lower vacuum insulation material 100B, which is the other side in the left-to-right direction. In this case, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10, the binding threads 106 penetrate the portion of the lower vacuum insulation material 100B that is in left-to-right direction.

[0036] Furthermore, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10, the lower vacuum insulation material 100B may overlap with the compressor 201 on the front side, which is the other side in the front-to-back direction. Also, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10, the lower vacuum insulation material 100B may overlap with the compressor 201 on the left side, which is the other side in the left-to-right direction. In this case, the two binding threads 106 may be configured to penetrate the rear portion of the laminate 103 constituting the lower vacuum insulation material 100B, which is one side in the front-to-back direction, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10. Also, the two binding threads 106 may be configured to penetrate the right portion of the laminate 103 constituting the lower vacuum insulation material 100B, which is one side in the left-to-right direction, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10.

[0037] (Left side: Vacuum insulation material 100C) As illustrated in Figure 7, the left vacuum insulation material 100C is provided so as to cover almost the entire left wall of the insulated box 11. The lower rear part of the left vacuum insulation material 100C is sloped upward from front to rear, following the front of the machine room 11K. The left vacuum insulation material 100C is a rectangular plate in which the vertical dimension is longer than the front-to-back dimension. The laminated body 103 that makes up the left vacuum insulation material 100C is penetrated at multiple points, in this case six points, by binding threads 106.

[0038] The multiple binding threads 106 of the left vacuum insulation material 100C all penetrate the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the left vacuum insulation material 100C that faces the vegetable compartment 13. Of the multiple binding threads 106 of the left vacuum insulation material 100C, a predetermined number, in this case half of that number, three binding threads 106, are located above the vertical center line C5 of the left vacuum insulation material 100C, and a predetermined number, in this case half of that number, three binding threads 106, are located below the vertical center line C5 of the left vacuum insulation material 100C.

[0039] The left vacuum insulation material 100C has multiple vertical grooves 107 extending linearly in the vertical direction on its outer surface, in this case two vertical grooves 107. The left vacuum insulation material 100C also has multiple horizontal steps 108 extending linearly in the front-to-back direction on its outer surface, in this case two horizontal steps 108. Similar to the vertical grooves 107, the horizontal steps 108 can be formed, for example, when manufacturing the vacuum insulation material 100, by cutting a step-shaped notch in a part of the core material 102 before depressurizing the inside of the outer packaging material 101, and then pressing the notched portion with a roller (not shown) after depressurizing the inside of the outer packaging material 101.

[0040] The horizontal step portion 108 located at the top of the left vacuum insulation material 100C connects the upper parts of the multiple vertical groove portions 107. On the other hand, the horizontal step portion 108 located at the bottom of the left vacuum insulation material 100C connects the lower parts of the multiple vertical groove portions 107. The refrigerant pipe 200, which has a heat-generating portion, is arranged along these vertical groove portions 107 and horizontal step portions 108. The refrigerant pipe 200, which has a heat-generating portion, is also located behind the rear end surface of the left vacuum insulation material 100C. The vertical groove portions 107 and horizontal step portions 108 can be defined as examples of overlapping regions where the refrigerant pipe 200 overlaps with the left vacuum insulation material 100C.

[0041] Furthermore, of the six binding threads 106 provided in the left vacuum insulation material 100C, the two binding threads 106 located at the front of the left vacuum insulation material 100C in the front-to-back direction penetrate the part of the laminate 103 constituting the left vacuum insulation material 100C that is forward of the part where the center line C6 passes between the front vertical groove 107 and the front end of the left vacuum insulation material 100C, that is, the part on the front end side of the left vacuum insulation material 100C.

[0042] Furthermore, of the six binding threads 106 provided in the left vacuum insulation material 100C, two binding threads 106 located at the rear of the left vacuum insulation material 100C in the front-to-back direction penetrate the part of the laminate 103 constituting the left vacuum insulation material 100C that is behind the part through which the center line C7 passes between the rear longitudinal groove 107 and the rear end of the left vacuum insulation material 100C, that is, the part on the rear end side of the left vacuum insulation material 100C.

[0043] Furthermore, of the six binding threads 106 provided in the left vacuum insulation material 100C, two binding threads 106 located midway along the front-to-back direction of the left vacuum insulation material 100C penetrate the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the left vacuum insulation material 100C through which the center line C8 passes between the front vertical groove 107 and the rear vertical groove 107, that is, portions that are the same distance from both the front and rear vertical groove 107. In addition, the two binding threads 106 are arranged linearly along the center line C8.

[0044] (Right side: Vacuum insulation material 100D) As illustrated in Figure 8, the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D is provided so as to extend over almost the entire right wall of the insulated box 11. The lower rear part of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D is sloped upward from front to rear, following the front of the machine room 11K. The right-side vacuum insulation material 100D is a rectangular plate in which the vertical dimension is longer than the front-to-back dimension. The laminated body 103 that constitutes the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D is penetrated at multiple points, in this case six points, by binding threads 106.

[0045] The multiple binding threads 106 of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D all penetrate the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D that faces the vegetable compartment 13. Of the multiple binding threads 106 of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D, a predetermined number, in this case half of that number, three binding threads 106, are located above the vertical center line C9 of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D, and a predetermined number, in this case half of that number, three binding threads 106, are located below the vertical center line C9 of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D.

[0046] The right-side vacuum insulation material 100D has multiple vertical grooves 107 extending linearly in the vertical direction, in this case two vertical grooves 107. Additionally, the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D has multiple horizontal steps 108 extending linearly in the front-to-back direction, in this case two horizontal steps 108.

[0047] The horizontal step portion 108 located at the top of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D connects the upper parts of the multiple vertical groove portions 107. On the other hand, the horizontal step portion 108 located at the bottom of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D connects the lower parts of the multiple vertical groove portions 107. The refrigerant pipe 200, which has a heat-generating portion, is arranged along these vertical groove portions 107 and horizontal step portions 108. The refrigerant pipe 200, which has a heat-generating portion, is also located behind the rear end surface of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D. The vertical groove portions 107 and horizontal step portions 108 can be defined as examples of overlapping regions where the refrigerant pipe 200 overlaps with the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D.

[0048] Furthermore, of the six binding threads 106 provided in the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D, the two binding threads 106 located at the front of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D in the front-to-back direction penetrate the part of the laminate 103 constituting the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D that is forward of the part through which the center line C10 passes between the front vertical groove 107 and the front end of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D, that is, the part on the front end side of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D.

[0049] Furthermore, of the six binding threads 106 provided in the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D, two binding threads 106 located at the rear of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D in the front-to-back direction penetrate the part of the laminate 103 constituting the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D that is behind the part through which the center line C11 passes between the rear vertical groove 107 and the rear end of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D, that is, the part on the rear end side of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D.

[0050] Furthermore, of the six binding threads 106 provided in the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D, two binding threads 106 located midway along the front-to-back direction of the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D penetrate the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the right-side vacuum insulation material 100D through which the center line C12 passes between the front vertical groove portion 107 and the rear vertical groove portion 107, that is, portions that are the same distance away from both the front vertical groove portion 107 and the rear vertical groove portion 107. In addition, the two binding threads 106 are arranged linearly along the center line C12.

[0051] (Rear vacuum insulation material 100E) As illustrated in Figure 9, the rear vacuum insulation material 100E is provided so as to extend over almost the entire rear wall of the insulated box 11. The rear vacuum insulation material 100E is a rectangular plate in which the vertical dimension is longer than the horizontal dimension. The laminated body 103 that makes up the rear vacuum insulation material 100E is penetrated at multiple points, in this case six points, by binding threads 106.

[0052] The multiple binding threads 106 of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E all penetrate the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the rear vacuum insulation material 100E that faces the vegetable compartment 13. Of the multiple binding threads 106 of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E, a predetermined number, in this case half of that number, three binding threads 106, are located above the vertical center line C13 of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E, and a predetermined number, in this case half of that number, three binding threads 106, are located below the vertical center line C13 of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E.

[0053] The outer surface of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E is provided with multiple vertical grooves 107 extending linearly in the vertical direction, in this case two vertical grooves 107. Additionally, the outer surface of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E is provided with multiple horizontal steps 108 extending linearly in the front-rear direction, in this case two horizontal steps 108.

[0054] The horizontal step portion 108 located on the upper part of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E connects the upper parts of the multiple vertical groove portions 107. On the other hand, the horizontal step portion 108 located on the lower part of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E connects the lower parts of the multiple vertical groove portions 107. The refrigerant pipe 200, which has a heat-generating portion, is arranged along these vertical groove portions 107 and horizontal step portions 108. The vertical groove portions 107 and horizontal step portions 108 can be defined as overlapping regions where the refrigerant pipe 200 overlaps the rear vacuum insulation material 100E.

[0055] Furthermore, of the six binding threads 106 provided by the rear vacuum insulation material 100E, two binding threads 106 located on the left side in the left-right direction of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E penetrate to the left of the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the rear vacuum insulation material 100E through which the center line C15 passes between the left vertical groove portion 107 and the left end of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E, that is, the portion on the left end side of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E.

[0056] Furthermore, of the six binding threads 106 provided by the rear vacuum insulation material 100E, two binding threads 106 located on the right side in the left-right direction of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E penetrate to the right of the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the rear vacuum insulation material 100E through which the center line C16 passes between the right vertical groove portion 107 and the right end of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E, that is, the portion on the right end side of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E.

[0057] Furthermore, of the six binding threads 106 provided in the rear vacuum insulation material 100E, two binding threads 106 located midway along the left-right direction of the rear vacuum insulation material 100E penetrate the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the rear vacuum insulation material 100E through which the center line C14 passes between the left vertical groove portion 107 and the right vertical groove portion 107, that is, portions that are the same distance away from both the left and right vertical groove portions 107. In addition, the two binding threads 106 are arranged linearly along the center line C14.

[0058] In the embodiment illustrated above, the core material 102 of the vacuum insulation material 100 is constructed by laminating multiple sheets of heat-insulating nonwoven fabric 105. The multiple sheets of heat-insulating nonwoven fabric 105 are fixed to each other by binding thread 106 to prevent the multiple sheets of heat-insulating nonwoven fabric 105 from shifting position. The binding thread 106 is configured to penetrate a part of the laminate 103 that constitutes the vacuum insulation material 100 that is as far away as possible from heat-generating elements such as refrigerant pipes 200 and compressors 201.

[0059] With this configuration, even if heat is generated from the refrigerant pipes 200 and compressor 201 located on the outside of the vacuum insulation material 100, it is made difficult for that heat to reach the penetration points through which the binding threads 106 pass. Therefore, the transfer of heat from the outside to the inside of the chamber at the penetration points through which the binding threads 106 pass through the laminate 103 can be sufficiently suppressed.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, if there are multiple overlapping regions where heat-generating elements such as refrigerant pipes 200 and compressors 201 overlap the vacuum insulation material 100, the binding thread 106 is made to penetrate the laminated body 103 constituting the vacuum insulation material 100 at a point that is the same distance away from the multiple overlapping regions. With this configuration, the binding thread 106 can be positioned as far away as possible from any overlapping region. Therefore, even if there are multiple overlapping regions where heat-generating elements overlap the vacuum insulation material 100, the transfer of heat from the outside to the inside of the chamber at the penetration point where the binding thread 106 penetrates the laminated body 103 can be suppressed even more effectively.

[0061] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the binding thread 106 is passed through the end of the vacuum insulation material 100, the binding thread 106 is passed through a portion of the laminate 103 constituting the vacuum insulation material 100 that is closer to the end of the vacuum insulation material 100 than the central portion between the overlapping region and the end of the vacuum insulation material 100. With this configuration, the penetration portion of the binding thread 106 in the laminate 103 can be located as far away as possible from the overlapping region where heat-generating elements such as refrigerant pipes 200 and compressors 201 overlap. As a result, heat transfer from the outside to the inside of the chamber at the penetration portion where the binding thread 106 penetrates the laminate 103 can be suppressed even more effectively.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the vacuum insulation material 100 has vertical grooves 107 and horizontal steps 108 in which a refrigerant pipe 200, which is an example of a heating element, is arranged. With this configuration, the area in which the refrigerant pipe 200 will be arranged after the vacuum insulation material 100 has been assembled into the insulating wall of the insulating box 11 can be indicated by the vertical grooves 107 and horizontal steps 108 at a stage before the vacuum insulation material 100 has been assembled into the insulating wall of the insulating box 11. Therefore, when manufacturing the vacuum insulation material 100, the position in the laminate 103 where the binding thread 106 should be passed through can be accurately determined based on the positional relationship with the areas in which the vertical grooves 107 and horizontal steps 108 are provided.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10, the vacuum insulation material 100 overlaps with the compressor 201 on the rear side, which is one side in the front-to-back direction. Also, when viewed in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10, the vacuum insulation material 100 overlaps with the compressor 201 on the right side, which is one side in the left-to-right direction. The binding thread 106 penetrates the front portion of the laminate 103 that constitutes the vacuum insulation material 100, which is the other side in the front-to-back direction. The binding thread 106 also penetrates the left portion of the laminate 103 that constitutes the vacuum insulation material 100, which is the other side in the left-to-right direction.

[0064] According to this configuration example, the penetration points in the laminate 103 through which the binding thread 106 passes can be located as far away as possible from the compressor 201, which is an example of a heat-generating element. Therefore, heat transfer from the outside to the inside of the chamber at the penetration points where the binding thread 106 passes through the laminate 103 can be suppressed even more effectively.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the binding thread 106 penetrates the portion of the laminate 103 constituting the vacuum insulation material 100 that faces the vegetable compartment 13, which is the storage compartment with the highest cooling temperature among the multiple storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.

[0066] In this case, since the target cooling temperature for the vegetable compartment 13 is relatively high, even if heat is transferred from the outside, the need to consider the effect of that heat is lower compared to the other storage compartments 12, 14, 15, and 16. On the other hand, for example, the ice-making compartment 14, small freezer compartment 15, and large freezer compartment 16, which are cooled to the freezing temperature range, are storage compartments that should be cooled to the lowest possible temperature, so the need to consider the effect of heat from the outside is high. According to this embodiment, even if heat is transferred from the outside to the inside of the compartment at the penetration point through which the binding thread 106 passes, that heat can be given to the vegetable compartment 13, where the need to consider the effect of heat is lowest, and the heat affecting the other storage compartments 12, 14, 15, and 16 can be suppressed.

[0067] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from its essence. For example, the heat-generating element is not limited to the refrigerant pipe 200 or the compressor 201, but is included in the concept of a heat-generating element if it is a component that is provided outside the vacuum insulation material 100 within the insulating wall of the insulated box 11 and is capable of generating heat.

[0068] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 10, when a core material 102 is constructed by stacking multiple laminates 103, it is preferable to configure the position of the binding thread 106 in at least one of the multiple laminates 103 to be offset from the position of the binding thread 106 in the other laminates 103. By configuring it in this way, even if heat is transferred from the binding thread 106 portion of the outermost laminate 103 to the inside of the oven, it is possible to suppress the transfer of that heat to the binding thread 106 portion of the laminate 103 on the inside of the oven. This makes it easier to realize an example of a vacuum insulation material 100 configuration in which heat is less likely to be transferred from the outside to the inside of the oven.

[0069] Furthermore, the perforations are not limited to the binding thread 106, but are included in the concept of perforations if they are made of a material with a higher thermal conductivity than the fibrous material constituting the insulating thin layer, and are components that can fix multiple insulating laminates together. In addition, it is preferable that the number of perforations provided in one laminate, that is, the number of penetration points through which the perforations penetrate, be two or more. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress misalignment of multiple insulating laminates. However, the number of perforations provided in one laminate, that is, the number of penetration points through which the perforations penetrate, may be one.

[0070] Furthermore, when providing vertical grooves 107 and horizontal steps 108 in the vacuum insulation material 100, the position, length, depth, etc. of these vertical grooves 107 and horizontal steps 108 can be appropriately changed. Also, the number of vertical grooves 107 provided in one vacuum insulation material 100 is not limited to two; it may be one or three or more. Similarly, the number of horizontal steps 108 provided in one vacuum insulation material 100 is not limited to two; it may be one or three or more. In addition, the vertical grooves 107 and horizontal steps 108 do not have to be straight; for example, they may meander or bend.

[0071] Furthermore, the vacuum insulation material 100 may be configured to have vertical grooves 107, or to have vertical grooves 107 along with horizontal grooves extending in the lateral direction or inclined grooves extending in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical or lateral direction. Also, the vacuum insulation material 100 may be configured to have horizontal steps 108, or to have horizontal steps 108 along with vertical steps extending in the vertical direction or inclined steps extending in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical or lateral direction.

[0072] Alternatively, recesses or notches may be provided on the outer surface of the vacuum insulation material 100, and the heating element may be housed in such recesses or notches.

[0073] Furthermore, the refrigerator 10 may be configured such that the storage compartments other than the vegetable compartment 13 have the highest cooling temperature. In that case, it is preferable to set the position where the penetration is provided in the laminate 103 that constitutes the vacuum insulation material 100 to the part facing the storage compartment with the highest cooling temperature. Also, the refrigerator 10 may be configured such that at least one of the multiple storage compartments is cooled to a different cooling temperature than the other storage compartments. In this case as well, it is preferable to provide the penetration in the part of the laminate 103 that constitutes the vacuum insulation material 100 that corresponds to the storage compartment with the highest cooling temperature.

[0074] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented merely as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] In the drawing, 10 is the refrigerator, 11 is the insulated box (insulated wall), 12 is the refrigerator compartment (storage room), 13 is the vegetable compartment (storage room), 14 is the ice-making compartment (storage room), 15 is the small freezer compartment (storage room), 16 is the large freezer compartment (storage room), 100 is the vacuum insulation material, 100A is the upper vacuum insulation material (vacuum insulation material), 100B is the lower vacuum insulation material (vacuum insulation material), 100C is the left side vacuum insulation material (vacuum insulation material). 100D represents the right-side vacuum insulation material (vacuum insulation material), 100E represents the rear-side vacuum insulation material (vacuum insulation material), 102 represents the core material, 103 represents the laminate, 105 represents the insulating nonwoven fabric (insulating thin layer), 106 represents the binding thread (penetrating element), 107 represents the vertical groove section (overlapping region), 108 represents the horizontal step section (overlapping region), 200 represents the refrigerant pipe (heating element), 201 represents the compressor (heating element), and 207 represents the vertical groove section (overlapping region).

Claims

1. Insulated walls forming the storage room, A vacuum insulation material is provided inside the aforementioned insulated wall, A heat-generating element that generates heat on the outside of the chamber, relative to the vacuum insulation material, A refrigerator equipped with, The core material constituting the vacuum insulation material is A laminate is constructed by stacking multiple thin insulating layers made of fibrous material, A penetrating body made of a material with a higher thermal conductivity than the fibrous material constituting the aforementioned insulating thin layer, which penetrates the laminate, Includes, The aforementioned penetrating body is a refrigerator that penetrates a portion of the laminated body that is away from the heating element.

2. Multiple overlapping regions are provided where the heating element overlaps the vacuum insulation material. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the penetrating body penetrates portions of the laminate that are equally distanced from a plurality of overlapping regions.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the penetrating member penetrates the portion of the laminate that is closer to the end of the vacuum insulation material than the central portion between the overlapping region where the heating element overlaps the vacuum insulation material and the end of the vacuum insulation material.

4. The aforementioned heating element is equipped with a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows, The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the vacuum insulation material has a groove portion in which the refrigerant pipe is arranged as the overlapping region.

5. The aforementioned heating element is equipped with a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows, The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the vacuum insulation material has a groove portion in which the refrigerant pipe is arranged as the overlapping region.

6. The aforementioned heating element includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, Looking at it vertically, The vacuum insulation material overlaps with the compressor on one side in the front-to-back or left-to-right direction. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the penetrating body penetrates the other side of the laminate in the front-to-back direction or the left-to-right direction.

7. The storage room comprises multiple such rooms, At least one of the multiple storage chambers is cooled to a different temperature than the other storage chambers. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the penetrating body penetrates the portion of the laminate that faces the storage chamber having the highest cooling temperature among the plurality of storage chambers.

8. A vacuum insulation material to be provided in a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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