Sealing structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a sealing structure that can reduce power consumption while preventing condensation from occurring on the surface of the gasket. [Solution] One embodiment of the sealing structure 5 is a sealing structure for a refrigerator comprising a storage compartment 2 having an opening and a door 3 for opening and closing the opening. The sealing structure 5 comprises a gasket 6 that seals the gap G1 between the storage compartment 2 and the door 3, and a heat conductive member 7 that extends from the gasket 6 to the outside of the compartment and has a higher thermal conductivity than the thermal conductivity of the gasket 6.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sealing structure.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a refrigerator. In this refrigerator, a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates is formed. The path of the refrigeration cycle includes a dew prevention pipe disposed at least partially around an opening on the front side of the storage compartment. Dew condensation around the opening on the front side of the storage compartment is prevented by the condensation heat of the refrigerant flowing through the dew prevention pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, in recent years, there has been a growing demand for smaller refrigerators while increasing their storage capacity, which sometimes requires a thinner outer wall for the storage compartment. In this case, the thickness of the gasket that seals the gap between the door that closes the front of the storage compartment and the storage compartment may also be reduced. When the gasket is thinner, the cold air inside the storage compartment cools the outer surface of the gasket, raising concerns about condensation forming on the gasket surface. Although the aforementioned condensation prevention pipe can prevent condensation on the gasket surface, electricity is consumed to operate the refrigeration cycle by flowing refrigerant through the condensation prevention pipe. Furthermore, if the gasket is excessively heated due to the high temperature of the refrigerant in the condensation prevention pipe, the heat from the refrigerant in the condensation prevention pipe can be transferred to the inside of the storage compartment through the gasket. Consequently, the temperature inside the storage compartment may rise, necessitating cooling of the inside of the storage compartment. This may increase electricity consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce electricity consumption while preventing condensation on the gasket surface.

[0005] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a sealing structure that can reduce power consumption while preventing condensation from occurring on the surface of the gasket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) An embodiment of the present disclosure is a sealing structure for a refrigerator comprising a storage compartment having an opening and a door for opening and closing the opening. The sealing structure comprises a gasket that seals the gap between the storage compartment and the door, and a heat conductive member that extends from the gasket to the outside of the compartment and has a higher thermal conductivity than the thermal conductivity of the gasket.

[0007] The gasket seals the gap between the storage compartment and the door, and the inner surface of the gasket is exposed to the cold air inside the storage compartment. The gasket cools down as heat is absorbed by the cold air inside the storage compartment. In refrigerators without the aforementioned heat conductive member, a temperature difference occurs between the temperature of the air outside the refrigerator and the outer surface temperature of the gasket, raising concerns that the gasket's surface temperature will drop to the dew point temperature of the air outside the refrigerator, causing condensation to form on the gasket's surface. In contrast, in the sealing structure according to this disclosure, a heat conductive member having a higher thermal conductivity than the gasket extends from the gasket to the outside of the compartment, making it easier for heat from the air outside the refrigerator to be transferred to the gasket via the heat conductive member. Therefore, the difference between the gasket's surface temperature and the air outside the refrigerator can be reduced. Consequently, the gasket's surface temperature can be prevented from dropping to the dew point temperature. Furthermore, since the heat conductive member conducts heat transferred from the surrounding air to the gasket, power required to prevent condensation on the gasket can be eliminated. For example, the power consumption of the refrigeration cycle due to the flow of refrigerant through a condensation prevention pipe can be reduced. Furthermore, since the heat conduction component is exposed to the air outside the refrigerator, even if heat from the outside air is transferred to the heat conduction component, there is little possibility that the temperature of the heat conduction component will become too high. Therefore, excessive heating of the gasket can be suppressed, and the rise in the temperature of the air inside the storage compartment can be suppressed. As a result, power consumption can be reduced while preventing condensation on the surface of the gasket.

[0008] (2) In (1) above, the heat conduction member may extend in a fin-like shape. In this case, the surface area of ​​the heat conduction member can be increased, and the contact area of ​​the heat conduction member with the air outside the refrigerator can be increased. Therefore, heat can be efficiently transferred from the air outside the refrigerator to the heat conduction member. Consequently, the occurrence of condensation on the surface of the gasket can be prevented more reliably.

[0009] (3) In (1) or (2) above, the heat conduction member may have a contact portion that contacts at least one of the metal parts of the storage compartment and the door. Heat is conducted more efficiently from the metal part to the heat conduction member than from the air. By having a contact portion that contacts the metal part of the heat conduction member, heat from the metal part is efficiently conducted to the heat conduction member, thereby more reliably preventing condensation on the surface of the gasket.

[0010] (4) In any of (1) to (3) above, the heat conductive member may be integrally formed with a protrusion extending from the gasket to the outside of the chamber by insert molding. In this case, the heat conductive member can be easily positioned relative to the gasket.

[0011] (5) In any of (1) to (4) above, when the door is closed to the storage compartment, the door may be aligned with the storage compartment in the parallel direction, and a gap may be formed between the storage compartment and the door. The heat conduction member may be provided at a position that passes through the center of the gap in the parallel direction and intersects with a first virtual plane perpendicular to the parallel direction. In this case, by providing the heat conduction member at a position that intersects with the first virtual plane, the contact area of ​​the heat conduction member with the air outside the refrigerator can be increased. Therefore, heat can be efficiently transferred from the air outside the refrigerator to the heat conduction member. Consequently, the occurrence of condensation on the surface of the gasket can be prevented more reliably.

[0012] (6) In any of (1) to (5) above, when the door is closed to the storage compartment, the door may be aligned with the storage compartment in the parallel installation direction, and a gap may be formed between the storage compartment and the door. The heat conductive member may be provided at a position in the gap that passes through the center of the intersecting direction perpendicular to both the parallel installation direction and the gasket extension direction, and intersects with a second virtual plane perpendicular to the intersecting direction. In this case, by providing the heat conductive member at a position that intersects with the second virtual plane, the contact area of ​​the heat conductive member with the air outside the refrigerator can be increased. Therefore, the same effects as the sealing structure described in (5) above are achieved.

[0013] (7) In any of (1) to (6) above, the heat conductive member may be formed by vapor deposition on a protrusion extending from the gasket to the outside of the chamber. In this case, for example, the equipment and molds required for insert molding can be eliminated, thus reducing costs. In addition, the area of ​​the exposed portion of the heat conductive member can be increased while ensuring the conformability of the protrusion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to this disclosure, it is possible to reduce power consumption while preventing condensation from occurring on the surface of the gasket. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view showing an example of a refrigerator equipped with a sealing structure according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a simplified view of the cross-section along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the sealing structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a refrigerant circulation mechanism. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing structure according to the first modified example. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing structure according to the second modified example. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing structure according to the third modified example. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing structure according to the fourth modified example. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing structure according to the fifth modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the sealing structure according to the present disclosure will be described. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. The drawings may be drawn with some parts simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and dimensional ratios and the like are not limited to those described in the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator 1 as an example. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 includes a storage compartment 2 and a pair of doors 3 rotatably attached to the storage compartment 2. The pair of doors 3 are arranged along the first direction D1. The storage compartment 2 and the doors 3 are arranged along a second direction D2 that intersects the first direction D1. In the following description, the direction in which the door 3 is located with respect to the storage compartment 2 may be referred to as “front”, “front side” or “front direction”, and the opposite direction may be referred to as “rear”, “rear side” or “rear direction”.

[0018] The refrigerator 1 has, as an example, a third drawer 103, a second drawer 102, and a first drawer 101 arranged along a third direction D3 that intersects both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The third direction D3 is the same as the vertical direction. In the following description, the direction in which the third drawer 103 is located with respect to the first drawer 101 may be referred to as “down”, “lower side” or “downward direction”, and the opposite direction may be referred to as “up”, “upper side” or “upward direction”. For example, the refrigerator 1 has adjustment feet 104 located at the lower end of the storage compartment 2. Note that the configuration of the refrigerator 1 is not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0019] The storage compartment 2 has an internal storage space S capable of storing objects. For example, the storage space S of the storage compartment 2 is a refrigerator compartment for storing food. The storage compartment 2 has a storage compartment inner wall portion 21 that defines the storage space S, and a storage compartment outer wall portion 22 that is disposed outside the storage compartment inner wall portion 21 and constitutes the outer wall of the storage compartment 2. The storage compartment outer wall portion 22 has, for example, a metal portion 23 that is a portion made of metal. In the present embodiment, the entire storage compartment outer wall portion 22 is made of metal.

[0020] The inner wall 21 of the storage compartment has an opening 2a that is opened and closed by the door 3, and objects are loaded and unloaded from the opening 2a into the storage space S of the storage compartment 2. The door 3 is opened and closed by hand. In the following description, closing the opening 2a of the storage compartment 2 by the door 3 may be referred to as "closing the door 3," and opening the opening 2a of the storage compartment 2 by the door 3 may be referred to as "opening the door 3."

[0021] The pair of doors 3 includes doors 3A and 3B aligned along a first direction D1, which is the shorter direction of door 3. Doors 3A and 3B are so-called double doors, also known as French doors. Door 3A covers the left side of the opening 2a as viewed from a person facing door 3. Door 3B covers the right side of the opening 2a as viewed from a person facing door 3. The refrigerator 1 has a pair of door opening and closing mechanisms 4 that rotatably support the door 3 relative to the storage compartment 2.

[0022] Each of the pair of door opening / closing mechanisms 4 includes a door opening / closing mechanism 4A located at the upper end of door 3 and a door opening / closing mechanism 4B located at the lower end of door 3. Doors 3A and 3B have front surfaces 3a extending in a first direction D1 and a third direction D3 which is the longitudinal direction of doors 3A and 3B. The door opening / closing mechanism 4 has a hinge mechanism that rotatably connects door 3 to the storage compartment 2 about an axis AX that extends along one side of the storage compartment 2. That side of the storage compartment 2 extends along the third direction D3. One of the pair of door opening / closing mechanisms 4 rotatably connects door 3A to the storage compartment 2, and the other of the pair of door opening / closing mechanisms 4 rotatably connects door 3B to the storage compartment 2.

[0023] Doors 3A and 3B are configured so as not to interfere with each other when opened and closed. Door 3 includes, for example, a center pillar 31 attached to door 3A, an inner door wall portion 32 that faces the storage space S when door 3 is closed, and an outer door wall portion 33 that is located outside the inner door wall portion 32 and constitutes the outer wall of door 3.

[0024] Figure 3 is a partially enlarged view of the refrigerator 1 in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a gap G1 is provided at the end of the refrigerator 1 in a first direction D1, located between the storage compartment 2 and the door 3. The gap G1 is provided between the inner surface 2b of the storage compartment 2 and the opposing surface 32a, which is part of the inner wall portion 32 of the door. The inner surface 2b includes the inner wall portion 21a of the storage compartment inner wall portion 21 and the outer wall portion 22a of the storage compartment outer wall portion 22. The inner wall portion 21a and the outer wall portion 22a are aligned along the first direction D1. The storage compartment outer wall portion 22 has a side surface 22b that constitutes the side surface of the storage compartment 2.

[0025] The outer wall portion 33 of the door has an inner surface 33a of the outer wall portion that faces the inner surface 22a of the outer wall portion. The outer end of the inner wall portion 32 of the door is connected to the inner surface 33a of the outer wall portion. The outer wall portion 33 of the door has a side surface 33b that forms the side surface of the door 3. The inner wall portion 32 of the door has a mounting groove 32b that is recessed forward (downward in Figure 3) from the opposing surface 32a.

[0026] The refrigerator 1 has a sealing structure 5 that seals the gap G1. The sealing structure 5 will be described in detail below. The sealing structure 5 includes a gasket 6 that seals the gap G1 between the storage compartment 2 and the door 3, and a heat conducting member 7 that conducts heat to the gasket 6. The gasket 6 has a locking portion 61 that is inserted into a mounting groove 32b, a magnet insertion portion 62 into which a magnet M (described later) is inserted, a bag portion 63 located between the locking portion 61 and the magnet insertion portion 62, and a base portion 64 located between the locking portion 61 and the bag portion 63.

[0027] The gasket 6 is made of an elastic material. The thermal conductivity of the gasket 6 is lower than that of metal. The gasket 6 is made of, for example, rubber. As an example, the material of the gasket 6 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, the material of the gasket 6 is not limited to PVC and can be changed as appropriate.

[0028] The base portion 64 is the part that is in contact with the opposing surface 32a. The cross-sectional shape of the base portion 64 intersecting the third direction D3 is plate-like. The cross-sectional shape of the base portion 64 intersecting the third direction D3 extends in the first direction D1 along the opposing surface 32a. The base portion 64 has a thickened portion 641 to which the locking portion 61 is connected, a first fin portion 642 extending from the thickened portion 641 toward the outside of the cabinet, and a second fin portion 643 extending from the thickened portion 641 toward the inside of the cabinet. In this specification, the inside of the opening 2a when viewed along the second direction D2 may be described as the "inside of the cabinet," and the outside of the opening 2a when viewed along the second direction D2 may be described as the "outside of the cabinet." In Figure 3, which shows the left end of refrigerator 1 as viewed from a person facing door 3, the area to the right of the sealing structure 5 in the first direction D1 is the "inside of the refrigerator," and the area to the left of the sealing structure 5 in the first direction D1 is the "outside of the refrigerator."

[0029] The magnet insertion portion 62 faces the inner surface 22a of the outer wall portion 22 of the storage compartment. The cross-sectional shape of the magnet insertion portion 62 intersecting the third direction D3 is rectangular. The magnet insertion portion 62 is hollow, and a magnet M is inserted into it. The magnet M is attracted to the metal portion 23 of the storage compartment 2 when the door 3 is closed to the storage compartment 2. The attractive force of the magnet M to the metal portion 23 causes the gasket 6 to adhere tightly to the inner surface 2b of the storage compartment 2. This maintains the state in which the gasket 6 seals the gap G1 between the storage compartment 2 and the door 3. In the cross-section of the magnet insertion portion 62 intersecting the third direction D3, the magnet insertion portion 62 has an end face 62a located on the outside of the storage compartment from the magnet M. The end face 62a extends in the second direction D2.

[0030] The bag portion 63 deforms when the door 3 is closed to reliably seal the gap G1. The bag portion 63 has a first wall portion 631 that connects the magnet insertion portion 62 to the base portion 64, and a second wall portion 632 located inside the storage area from the first wall portion 631. The first wall portion 631 is curved so as to protrude outwards from the storage area. For example, the bag portion 63 has a plurality of hollow portions adjacent to the magnet insertion portion 62. The base portion 64 is located between these hollow portions and the locking portion 61. The second wall portion 632 is curved so as to protrude inwards from the storage area.

[0031] The heat conduction member 7 is made of a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the resin, for example. The thermal conductivity of the heat conduction member 7 is higher than that of the gasket 6. For example, the heat conduction member 7 is made of metal. As an example, the heat conduction member 7 is made of aluminum. However, the material of the heat conduction member 7 is not limited to aluminum and can be changed as appropriate. The sealing structure 5 has a projection 8 that extends from the gasket 6 to the outside of the chamber.

[0032] The protrusion 8 may be part of the gasket 6, or it may be a separate part from the gasket 6. If the protrusion 8 is a separate part from the gasket 6, for example, the protrusion 8 may be fixed to the gasket 6 by adhesive. However, the protrusion 8 may also be fixed to the gasket 6 by fitting or press-fitting, and the means of fixing the protrusion 8 to the gasket 6 are not particularly limited.

[0033] If the protrusion 8 is part of the gasket 6, the protrusion 8 may be integrally molded with the gasket 6. For example, the heat conductive member 7 is located inside the protrusion 8. In this case, the heat conductive member 7 is hidden inside the protrusion 8 and is not visible. For example, the heat conductive member 7 is integrally molded with the protrusion 8 by insert molding. In this case, the gasket 6, the heat conductive member 7, and the protrusion 8 may be integrally formed by insert molding. The protrusion 8 is made of the same material as the material constituting the gasket 6. However, the material of the protrusion 8 may be different from the material of the gasket 6 and is not particularly limited.

[0034] The heat conduction member 7 extends from the gasket 6 outward from the storage chamber. The heat conduction member 7 extends in a fin-like shape. For example, the cross-section of the heat conduction member 7 intersecting the third direction D3 is curved. More specifically, the cross-section of the heat conduction member 7 intersecting the third direction D3 is arc-shaped. The heat conduction member 7 has a base end 7a located on the end face 62a of the magnet insertion portion 62 facing outward from the storage chamber, and a tip end 7b located on the opposite side of the base end 7a. The base end 7a may be positioned differently from the end face 62a. For example, the base end 7a may be farther from the end face 62a. The heat conduction member 7 is inclined such that, for example, it moves further away from the storage chamber outer wall portion 22 as it moves away from the gasket 6. The heat conduction member 7 is curved so as it protrudes towards the storage chamber 2 from a hypothetical straight line connecting the base end 7a and the tip end 7b.

[0035] The tip 7b is located, for example, on the inside of the storage compartment, beyond the side surface 33b of the door outer wall 33 and the side surface 22b of the storage compartment outer wall 22. For example, the position of the side surface 33b in the first direction D1 is the same as the position of the side surface 22b in the first direction D1. However, the position of the side surface 33b in the first direction D1 may be different from the position of the side surface 22b in the first direction D1. That is, one of the side surfaces 33b and 22b may protrude in the first direction D1 (outside the storage compartment) relative to the other. Hereinafter, the side surface 33b and 22b that does not protrude in the first direction D1 (the one located on the inside of the storage compartment) may be referred to as the "inner side surface". The tip 7b is located, for example, on the inside of the storage compartment, beyond the inner side surface. The tip 7b faces the inner surface 33a of the door outer wall 33. The tip 7b is separated from the door outer wall 33. However, the tip 7b may be in contact with the door outer wall 33.

[0036] The refrigerator 1 has a gap G2 formed between the storage compartment 2 and the door 3 in the direction in which the storage compartment 2 and the door 3 are aligned (for example, the second direction D2). The gap G2 is located on the outside of the storage compartment beyond the gasket 6. The direction in which the components are aligned is the direction in which the door 3 is aligned with the storage compartment 2 when the door 3 is closed. The heat conductive member 7 is located at a position that passes through the center of the gap G2 in the direction in which the components are aligned and intersects with a first virtual plane S1 that is perpendicular to the direction in which the components are aligned.

[0037] The heat conductive member 7 is positioned at a location that passes through the center of the gap G2 in the first direction D1 and intersects with a second virtual plane S2 that is perpendicular to the first direction D1. For example, the second direction D2 is the same direction as the parallel installation direction, and the third direction D3 is the same direction as the extension direction of the gasket 6. The first direction D1 is, for example, the same direction as the intersecting direction that is perpendicular to both the parallel installation direction and the extension direction of the gasket 6.

[0038] The above describes a configuration in which the sealing structure 5 is provided between the storage compartment 2 and the door 3, and the door 3 opens and closes the opening 2a of the storage compartment 2. However, the sealing structure 5 may also be provided between the storage compartment 2 and a drawer-type door that opens and closes an opening different from the opening 2a of the storage compartment 2. Examples of drawer-type doors include the first drawer 101 (see Figure 1), the second drawer 102, and the third drawer 103. That is, the sealing structure 5 may be provided between the storage compartment 2 and the first drawer 101, or between the storage compartment 2 and the second drawer 102, or between the storage compartment 2 and the third drawer 103. For example, in the cross-section of the refrigerator 1 along line XX in Figure 1 (not shown), the portion corresponding to Figure 3 is located where the door 3 is located. The sealing structure 5 provided between the storage compartment 2 and the first drawer 101 has the same effect as the sealing structure 5 provided between the storage compartment 2 and the door 3.

[0039] The inner wall portion 21 of the storage compartment has a protrusion 21b that projects rearward from the inner surface 21a of the inner wall portion. The outer wall portion 22 of the storage compartment has a protrusion 22c located behind the protrusion 21b. The protrusion 22c projects inward from the side surface 22b of the outer wall portion 22 of the storage compartment. In the cross-section of the refrigerator 1 along line XX in Figure 1, a condensation prevention pipe 95 is provided in front of the protrusion 21b of the inner wall portion 21 of the storage compartment. Similarly, in the cross-section intersecting the third direction D3 at the positions where the second drawer 102 and the third drawer 103 are located, a condensation prevention pipe 95 is also provided in front of the protrusion 21b.

[0040] Refrigerator 1 is equipped with a refrigerant circulation mechanism 9 for circulating refrigerant. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a refrigerant circulation mechanism 9. The refrigerant circulation mechanism 9 includes a compressor 91, a condenser 92, a capillary tube 93, and an evaporator 94. The capillary tube 93 has a condensation prevention pipe 95 through which the refrigerant flows. The condensation prevention pipe 95 is located at the front of the storage compartment 2. When refrigerant flows inside the condensation prevention pipe 95, heat is transferred to the outer wall 22 of the storage compartment via the condensation prevention pipe 95. When heat is conducted from the outer wall 22 of the storage compartment to the gasket 6, the outer surface of the gasket 6 is warmed. This suppresses the occurrence of condensation on the outer surface of the gasket 6. However, if the supply of refrigerant to the condensation prevention pipe 95 continues for a long time, power consumption may increase.

[0041] Furthermore, if the gasket 6 is excessively heated due to the high temperature of the refrigerant in the condensation prevention pipe 95, the heat from the refrigerant in the condensation prevention pipe 95 may be transferred to the containment space S via the gasket 6. Consequently, the temperature of the containment space S may rise, necessitating cooling of the containment space S. This may increase power consumption. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the supply of refrigerant to the condensation prevention pipe 95 or to remove the condensation prevention pipe 95 altogether.

[0042] Next, the effects obtained from the sealing structure 5 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the gasket 6 seals the gap G1 between the storage compartment 2 and the door 3, and the inner surface of the gasket 6 is exposed to the cold air of the storage space S. In this embodiment, the second wall portion 632 is exposed to the cold air of the storage space S. If the refrigerator 1 does not have a heat conductive member 7, a temperature difference will occur between the temperature of the air outside the refrigerator 1 and the outer surface temperature of the gasket 6, and there is a concern that the surface temperature of the gasket 6 will drop to the dew point temperature of the air outside the refrigerator 1, causing condensation to occur on the surface of the gasket 6.

[0043] In contrast, in the sealing structure 5, a heat conduction member 7 having a higher thermal conductivity than the gasket 6 extends from the gasket 6 to the outside of the refrigerator, making it easier for heat from the air outside the refrigerator 1 to be transferred to the gasket 6 via the heat conduction member 7. Therefore, the difference between the surface temperature of the gasket 6 and the temperature of the air outside the refrigerator 1 can be reduced. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the surface temperature of the gasket 6 from dropping to the dew point temperature. Furthermore, since the heat conduction member 7 transfers heat from the air surrounding it to the gasket 6, it is possible to eliminate the need for power to prevent condensation on the gasket 6. In the sealing structure 5, it is possible to eliminate the need for heat transferred from the refrigerant flowing through the condensation prevention pipe 95 to suppress the occurrence of condensation on the surface of the gasket 6. For example, it is possible to reduce the power consumption caused by flowing refrigerant through the condensation prevention pipe 95. Also, since the heat conduction member 7 is exposed to the air outside the refrigerator 1, even if heat from the air outside the refrigerator 1 is transferred to the heat conduction member 7, there is a low possibility that the temperature of the heat conduction member 7 will become too high. Therefore, excessive heating of the gasket 6 can be suppressed, and the rise in the temperature of the air in the containment space S can be suppressed. As a result, power consumption can be reduced while preventing condensation on the surface of the gasket 6.

[0044] In this embodiment, the heat conduction member 7 extends in a fin-like shape. This configuration allows for a larger surface area of ​​the heat conduction member 7, thereby increasing the contact area of ​​the heat conduction member 7 with the air outside the refrigerator 1. As a result, heat can be efficiently transferred from the air outside the refrigerator 1 to the heat conduction member 7. Consequently, condensation on the surface of the gasket 6 can be prevented more reliably.

[0045] In this embodiment, the heat conductive member 7 is integrally formed with a protrusion 8 extending from the gasket 6 to the outside of the refrigerator by insert molding. This configuration makes it easy to position the heat conductive member 7 relative to the gasket 6. Furthermore, since the heat conductive member 7 is located inside the protrusion 8, it is not visible from the outside of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, the design of the refrigerator 1 can be improved compared to the case where the heat conductive member 7 is exposed and visible.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the door 3 is closed to the storage compartment 2, the door 3 is aligned with the storage compartment 2 along the second direction D2, and a gap G2 is formed between the storage compartment 2 and the door 3. The heat conduction member 7 is positioned to pass through the center of the gap G2 in the second direction D2 and intersect with a first virtual plane S1 perpendicular to the second direction D2. With this configuration, by positioning the heat conduction member 7 at a position that intersects with the first virtual plane S1, the contact area of ​​the heat conduction member 7 with the air outside the refrigerator 1 can be increased. Therefore, heat can be efficiently transferred from the air outside the refrigerator 1 to the heat conduction member 7. Consequently, the occurrence of condensation on the surface of the gasket 6 can be prevented more reliably.

[0047] In this embodiment, the heat conductive member 7 is positioned in the gap G2 at a location that passes through the center of the first direction D1, which is perpendicular to both the second direction D2 and the third direction D3, and intersects with a second virtual plane S2 that is perpendicular to the first direction D1. With this configuration, by positioning the heat conductive member 7 at a location that intersects with the second virtual plane S2, the contact area of ​​the heat conductive member 7 with the air outside the refrigerator 1 can be increased.

[0048] The following describes a modified sealing structure. Some of the components and functions of the modified sealing structure are the same as those of the sealing structure 5 described above. Therefore, in the following, explanations that overlap with the explanation of sealing structure 5 will be omitted as appropriate, using the same reference numerals.

[0049] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing structure 5A according to the first modified example. The sealing structure 5A has a heat conductive member 7A which has a different shape from the heat conductive member 7, and a protruding portion 8A which has a different shape from the protruding portion 8. The heat conductive member 7A has a base end 7c located on the end face 62a of the magnet insertion portion 62 that faces outward from the storage compartment. The heat conductive member 7A is inclined such that, for example, it moves closer to the outer wall portion 22 of the storage compartment as it moves away from the gasket 6. The heat conductive member 7A is curved so as to protrude toward the door 3 from a virtual straight line connecting the base end 7c and the tip of the heat conductive member 7A located on the opposite side of the base end 7c (the contact portion 7d, which will be described later).

[0050] The heat conduction member 7A has a contact portion 7d that contacts the metal portion 23. The contact portion 7d is provided at the tip of the heat conduction member 7A. The contact portion 7d is located on the inside of the oven side from the inside side surface. In the first modified example, the contact portion 7d is located at the tip of the heat conduction member 7A. However, the contact portion 7d may be located on the base side of the tip of the heat conduction member 7A.

[0051] The protrusion 8A extends outward from the end face 62a of the magnet insertion portion 62, which faces outward from the oven. The protrusion 8A extends along the heat conduction member 7A. The protrusion 8A is located in front of the heat conduction member 7A. The protrusion 8A has a rear surface 8a facing the heat conduction member 7A. The heat conduction member 7A has a front surface 7e facing the protrusion 8A. The rear surface 8a is in close contact with the front surface 7e. The heat conduction member 7A has a rear surface 7f facing the opposite side of the front surface 7e. The protrusion 8A is not in contact with the rear surface 7f. The rear surface 7f is exposed. Because the protrusion 8A is located in front of the heat conduction member 7A, the heat conduction member 7A is not visible from the outside of the oven. The heat conduction member 7A is formed, for example, on the protrusion 8A by vapor deposition.

[0052] In the sealing structure 5A, the heat conductive member 7A has a contact portion 7d that contacts the metal part 23 of the storage chamber 2. Heat is conducted more efficiently from the metal part 23 to the heat conductive member 7A than from the air. Because the heat conductive member 7A has a contact portion 7d that contacts the metal part 23, heat from the metal part 23 is efficiently conducted to the heat conductive member 7A, thereby more reliably preventing condensation on the surface of the gasket 6.

[0053] In the sealing structure 5A, the heat conductive member 7A is formed by vapor deposition on a protrusion 8A extending from the gasket 6 to the outside of the chamber. In this case, for example, equipment and molds required for insert molding can be eliminated, thus reducing costs. Furthermore, the area of ​​the exposed portion of the heat conductive member 7A can be increased while ensuring the conformability of the protrusion 8A.

[0054] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing structure 5B according to a second modified example. The sealing structure 5B has a heat conductive member 7B which has a different shape from the heat conductive member 7. The sealing structure 5B does not have a protrusion 8. The heat conductive member 7B extends outward from the first fin portion 642. The heat conductive member 7B is inclined so that it approaches the outer wall portion 22 of the storage chamber as it moves away from the gasket 6. The heat conductive member 7B has a base end 7g located on the first fin portion 642 and a tip end 7h located on the opposite side of the base end 7g. The tip end 7h is away from the metal portion 23. However, the tip end 7h may be in contact with the metal portion 23.

[0055] In the sealing structure 5B, the heat conduction member 7B is exposed. Therefore, compared to the case where a protrusion 8 is provided, the area in contact between the heat conduction member 7B and the air surrounding it can be increased. This allows for efficient heat transfer from the air outside the refrigerator 1 to the heat conduction member 7B.

[0056] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing structure 5C according to a third modified example. The sealing structure 5C has a heat conductive member 7C which has a different shape from the heat conductive member 7B. The heat conductive member 7C differs from the heat conductive member 7B in that it is curved so as to protrude toward the storage chamber 2 side from a virtual straight line connecting the base end of the heat conductive member 7C and the tip of the heat conductive member 7C.

[0057] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing structure 5D according to the fourth modified example. The sealing structure 5D has a heat conductive member 7D which has a different shape from the heat conductive member 7. The sealing structure 5D does not have a protrusion 8. The heat conductive member 7D has a first portion 71 that extends outward from the end face 62a of the magnet insertion portion 62 facing outward from the interior, a second portion 72 that curves from the first portion 71 toward the door 3, and a third portion 73 that curves outward from the second portion 72 toward the interior. The first portion 71 extends outward along the first direction D1. The second portion 72 extends forward from the first portion 71 along the second direction D2. The third portion 73 extends outward from the second portion 72 along the first direction D1.

[0058] The heat conduction member 7D has a plurality of bent portions 74. The bent portions 74 are portions where the direction of extension of the heat conduction member 7D changes. Each of the plurality of bent portions 74 is located between the first portion 71 and the second portion 72, and between the second portion 72 and the third portion 73. The bent portions 74 are rounded when viewed from the third direction D3. The bent portions 74 may be angular when viewed from the third direction D3.

[0059] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing structure 5E according to the fifth modified example. The sealing structure 5E has a heat conductive member 7E which has a different shape from the heat conductive member 7. The sealing structure 5E does not have a protrusion 8. The heat conductive member 7E has a first portion 75 extending outward from the end face 62a of the magnet insertion portion 62 facing outward from the interior, a second portion 76 curving toward the door 3 from the first portion 75, and a third portion 77 curving toward the interior from the second portion 76. The first portion 75 extends outward along the first direction D1. The second portion 76 extends forward from the first portion 75 along the second direction D2. The third portion 77 extends toward the interior from the second portion 76 along the first direction D1. The tip of the heat conductive member 7E faces the gasket 6.

[0060] The heat conduction member 7E has a plurality of bent portions 78. Each of the plurality of bent portions 78 is located between the first portion 75 and the second portion 76, and between the second portion 76 and the third portion 77. The bent portions 78 are angular when viewed from the third direction D3. The bent portions 78 may be rounded when viewed from the third direction D3.

[0061] Embodiments of the sealing structure according to the present disclosure have been described above. However, the sealing structure according to the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be modified within the scope of the gist described in the claims. That is, the shape, size, material, number, and arrangement of each part of the sealing structure can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist described above. For example, the sealing structure 5 may have a heat conductive member that does not extend in a fin shape instead of the heat conductive member 7. The cross section of the heat conductive member intersecting the third direction D3 may be block-shaped. In this way, the shape of the heat conductive member can be appropriately changed.

[0062] In the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the contact portion 7d of the heat conductive member 7A is in contact with the metal portion 23 of the outer wall portion 22 of the storage compartment. However, the heat conductive member 7A may have a contact portion that contacts a metal portion located in a different part of the outer wall portion 22 of the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, instead of the contact portion 7d that contacts the metal portion 23 of the outer wall portion 22 of the storage compartment. An example of such a metal portion is the metal portion that constitutes the hinge mechanism of the door opening and closing mechanism 4.

[0063] In the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the capillary tube 93 of the refrigerant circulation mechanism 9 has a condensation prevention pipe 95. However, the refrigerant circulation mechanism does not have to have a condensation prevention pipe 95. That is, the refrigerator 1 may have a refrigerant circulation mechanism having a circulation path in which the condensation prevention pipe 95 is excluded, instead of the refrigerant circulation mechanism 9 described above.

[0064] The refrigerator 1 may further include a sealing structure that seals the gap between the center pillar 31 (see Figure 2) and the inner wall portion 32 of the door. This sealing structure may include a gasket that seals the gap between the center pillar 31 and the inner wall portion 32 of the door, and a heat conductive member extending from the gasket. The door 3 may have a metal portion. The heat conductive member may have a contact portion that contacts the metal portion of the door 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1...Refrigerator, 2...Accommodation, 2a...Opening, 2b...Inner surface, 3,3A,3B...Door, 3a...Front, 4,4A,4B...Door opening / closing mechanism, 5,5A,5B,5C,5D,5E...Sealing Structure, 6...Gasket, 7,7A,7B,7C,7D,7E...Heat conductive member, 7a,7c,7g...Base end, 7b,7h...Tip, 7d...Contact part, 7e...Front surface, 7f...Back surface, 8,8A...Protruding part, 8a...Rear surface, 9...Refrigerant circulation mechanism, 21...Inner wall part of storage compartment, 21a...Inner surface of inner wall part, 21b...Protrusion, 22...Outer wall part of storage compartment, 22a...Inner surface of outer wall part, 22b...Side, 22c...Protruding part, 23...Metal part, 31...Center pillar, 32...Inner wall part of door, 32a...Opposite surface, 32b...Mounting groove, 33...Outer wall part of door, 33a...Inner surface of outer wall part of door, 33 b...side, 61...locking part, 62...magnet insertion part, 62a...end face, 63...bag part, 64...base part, 71,75...first part, 72,76...second part, 73,77...third part, 74,78...bent part, 91...compressor, 92...condenser, 93...capillary tube, 94...evaporator, 95...condensation prevention pipe, 101...first drawer, 1 02...Second drawer, 103...Third drawer, 104...Adjustable leg, 631...First wall section, 632...Second wall section, 641...Thick section, 642...First fin section, 643...Second fin section, AX...Axis, D1...First direction, D2...Second direction, D3...Third direction, G1...Gap, G2...Gap, M...Magnet, S...Storage space, S1...First virtual plane, S2...Second virtual plane.

Claims

1. A sealing structure for a refrigerator comprising a storage compartment having an opening and a door for opening and closing the opening, A gasket that seals the gap between the storage compartment and the door, A heat conductive member extending from the gasket outward and having a higher thermal conductivity than the gasket, A sealing structure comprising:

2. The sealing structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat conductive member extends in a fin-like shape.

3. The sealing structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heat conductive member has a contact portion that contacts at least one of the metal parts of the storage compartment and the door.

4. The sealing structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat conductive member is integrally formed with a protrusion extending from the gasket to the outside of the chamber by insert molding.

5. When the door is closed to the storage compartment, the door is aligned with the storage compartment in the direction of parallel installation, and a gap is formed between the storage compartment and the door. The sealing structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heat conductive member is provided at a position that passes through the center of the gap in the parallel arrangement direction and intersects with a first virtual plane perpendicular to the parallel arrangement direction.

6. When the door is closed to the storage compartment, the door is aligned with the storage compartment in the direction of parallel installation, and a gap is formed between the storage compartment and the door. The sealing structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heat conductive member is provided at a position in the gap that passes through the center of an intersecting direction perpendicular to both the parallel arrangement direction and the extending direction of the gasket, and intersects with a second virtual plane perpendicular to the intersecting direction.

7. The sealing structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the heat conductive member is formed by vapor deposition on a protrusion extending from the gasket to the outside of the chamber.

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