Cooling warehouse

Abstract

To provide a cooling cabinet that can maintain a more uniform temperature inside. [Solution] The cooler 1 comprises a storage chamber 10 for cooling its contents, a first cold air outlet 41 provided on the back of the storage chamber, and a second cold air outlet 42 provided below the first cold air outlet. A first airflow regulating member 60 is provided in front of the first cold air outlet 41 to regulate the flow of cold air blown out from the first cold air outlet 41. A second airflow regulating member 70 is provided in front of the second cold air outlet 42 to regulate the flow of cold air blown out from the second cold air outlet 42. The first airflow regulating member 60 has a first inclined plate 61, and the second airflow regulating member 70 has a second inclined plate 71. The inclination angle a of the upper end of the first inclined plate 61 with respect to the horizontal plane is greater than the inclination angle b of the upper end of the second inclined plate 61 with respect to the horizontal plane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator that cools stored items containing liquid such as beverages.

Background Art

[0002] A refrigerator is known that maintains a container holding a liquid beverage in a supercooled state at a temperature below the freezing point of the liquid. A supercooled liquid beverage has a lower temperature than a beverage cooled in a normal refrigerator, and is thus useful, for example, as a beverage for cooling body temperature in midsummer.

[0003] In addition, when a supercooled liquid beverage is poured into a drinking container such as a glass, the liquid instantly turns into ice, which is a solid phase, to form a sherbet-like state, so it can also be suitably used as a luxury item such as soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus suitable for supercooling alcoholic beverages such as sake.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In order to bring a liquid beverage into a supercooled state, temperature management inside the refrigerator that stores the beverage is important. However, in conventional cooling apparatuses disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like, the temperature inside the cooling chamber becomes non-uniform depending on the location, making it difficult to bring the stored items into a desired supercooled state.

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to maintain a more uniform internal temperature in a refrigerator that cools stored items containing liquid such as beverages.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A cooling cabinet according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a storage chamber for cooling contents, a first cold air outlet provided on the rear of the storage chamber, a second cold air outlet provided below the first cold air outlet, a first airflow regulating member positioned in front of the first cold air outlet and regulating the flow of cold air blown out from the first cold air outlet, and a second airflow regulating member positioned in front of the second cold air outlet and regulating the flow of cold air blown out from the second cold air outlet. The first airflow regulating member has a first inclined plate that inclins forward toward upward, and the second airflow regulating member has a second inclined plate that inclins forward toward upward. The inclination angle of the upper end of the first inclined plate with respect to the horizontal plane is greater than the inclination angle of the upper end of the second inclined plate with respect to the horizontal plane. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cooling cabinet that can maintain a more uniform temperature inside the cabinet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a cooling cabinet according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the cooling chamber. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a front view showing the configuration of the storage chamber of the cooling unit. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a front view showing the configuration of the storage chamber of the cooling unit. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the back panel forming the back of the storage chamber. [Figure 6] This is a front view showing the configuration of the back member that forms the back of the storage chamber. [Figure 7] This is a front view showing the rear member shown in Figure 6 in a transparent state. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the back member shown by line AA. [Figure 9] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the BB line portion of the back member shown. [Figure 10] This figure shows the results of calculating the average airflow velocity inside a cooling chamber when the blower fan is activated. [Figure 11] This figure shows the results of calculating the average airflow velocity inside a cooling chamber when the blower fan is activated. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated.

[0011] In this embodiment, a small cooler 1 equipped with one storage chamber 10 will be described as an example of a cooler. The cooler 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a storage chamber 10. The temperature inside the storage chamber 10 is set to a temperature range that can keep the contents B, which contain a liquid L such as a beverage, in a supercooled state.

[0012] In other words, the cooler 1 is a cooler that can store the contents B, liquid L, at a temperature below the freezing point of the liquid L, while maintaining a supercooled state in which the liquid L remains unfrozen, by circulating air (cold air) cooled by the cooler 21 within the storage chamber 10.

[0013] Furthermore, the set temperature inside the storage chamber 10 is not limited to the above temperature range, and can be set to a general refrigeration temperature range or a freezing temperature range. In other words, the cooling unit 1 can be used not only as a cooling unit for supercooling, but also as a refrigerator and a freezer. The present invention can also be applied to a refrigerator equipped with multiple storage chambers, such as a refrigerator equipped with a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment.

[0014] (Overall configuration of the refrigerator) First, the overall configuration of the cooling cabinet 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 shows the external appearance of the cooling cabinet 1. Figure 2 shows the internal configuration of the cooling cabinet 1.

[0015] The outer shape of the cooler 1 is mainly formed by a heat insulating box body 50 and a door 2. The heat insulating box body 50 mainly includes an outer box 51, an inner box 52, and a heat insulating material 53. The inner box 52 is also called a food liner. The inner space of the cooler 1 (specifically, the storage compartment 10, the cooling compartment 20, etc.) is mainly formed by the inner box 52.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the surface on which the door 2 is provided is referred to as the front face or front surface of the cooler. Then, with reference to the front face, each surface of the cooler 1 is defined as an upper surface, a side surface, a back surface, and a bottom surface based on the positions existing when the cooler 1 is installed in a normal state. In describing the shape, positional relationship, and the like of each component of the cooler 1, for convenience, the cooler 1 is defined by three-directional coordinate axes: the X (X1-X2) direction (left-right direction), the Y (Y1-Y2) direction (up-down direction), and the Z (Z1-Z2) direction (front-back direction) as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and the like.

[0017] Inside the heat insulating box body 50, a storage compartment 10 for storing food and the like, a cooling compartment 20, and the like are provided. The cooling compartment 20 is disposed on the back face side of the storage compartment 10. A back member 11 is provided between the cooling compartment 20 and the storage compartment 10.

[0018] A cooler 21 and the like are provided inside the cooling compartment 20. The cold air cooled by the cooler 21 is sent into the storage compartment 10 by a blower fan 22 disposed above the cooler 21. The blower fan 22 is an axial fan.

[0019] A machine compartment 30 is provided on the back face side of the bottom portion of the cooler 1. A compressor 31 and the like are provided inside the machine compartment 30.

[0020] At least one shelf plate is provided inside the storage compartment 10. In the present embodiment, two shelf plates (specifically, an upper shelf plate 15 and a lower shelf plate 16) are provided. By these two shelf plates, the storage space in the storage compartment 10 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces (for example, an upper stage space 10a, a middle stage space 10b, and a lower stage space 10c).

[0021] (Storage room configuration) Next, the internal configuration of the storage room 10 will be described. Figures 3 and 4 show the internal configuration of the storage room 10.

[0022] The walls inside the storage chamber 10 are formed by the inner box 52 and the back member 11. Specifically, the top, sides, and bottom of the storage chamber 10 are mainly formed by the inner box 52. The back of the storage chamber 10 is formed by the back member 11.

[0023] The storage room 10 is divided into an upper space 10a, a middle space 10b, and a lower space 10c by an upper shelf 15 and a lower shelf 16.

[0024] Each shelf board 15 and 16 is supported by a shelf board support 18 provided on both the left and right sides of the storage compartment 10. Multiple shelf board support 18 may be provided for a single shelf board so that each shelf board can be positioned at a different height. This allows for changes in the height of spaces such as the upper space 10a and the middle space 10b.

[0025] Figure 3 shows the state in which the upper shelf board 15 is supported by the lower shelf board support part 18. Figure 4 shows the state in which the upper shelf board 15 is supported by the upper shelf board support part 18. In the state shown in Figure 4, compared to the state shown in Figure 3, the vertical length (Y direction) of the upper space 10a is smaller, while the vertical length (Y direction) of the middle space 10b is larger.

[0026] Therefore, if the interior of the storage chamber 10 is partitioned as shown in Figure 3, small-capacity contents B1 (for example, PET bottles with a capacity of 400 ml or less) can be placed upright in the upper space 10a and the middle space 10b, respectively.

[0027] Furthermore, if the interior of the storage chamber 10 is partitioned as shown in Figure 4, bottle-shaped contents B can be placed horizontally in the upper space 10a regardless of their capacity, and large-capacity contents B2 (for example, PET bottles with a capacity of 500 ml to 1000 ml) can be placed in the middle space 10b.

[0028] Thus, in the cooling cabinet 1 of this embodiment, the height of each shelf can be varied according to the volume and arrangement of the contents B stored in the storage chamber 10.

[0029] (Configuration of the rear member and the wind direction regulating member) Next, the configuration of the rear member 11 and the wind direction regulating members 60 and 70 attached to the rear member 11 will be described. Figures 5 and 6 show the external appearance of the rear member 11. Figure 7 shows the rear member 11 viewed through from the front.

[0030] Figures 8 and 9 show longitudinal cross-sectional views of the rear member 11. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the rear member 11 at the location where the blower fan 22 is positioned (the area indicated by line AA in Figure 7). Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the rear member 11 at the location where the first discharge port 41 and the second discharge port 42 are positioned (the area indicated by line BB in Figure 7).

[0031] The rear member 11 is provided with an air outlet for discharging cold air cooled in the cooling chamber 20 to the storage chamber 10. Specifically, the rear member 11 has a first outlet 41 and a second outlet 42.

[0032] The rear side of the rear component 11 faces the cooling chamber 20. Above the rear side of the rear component 11 is a blower fan 22 (see Figure 8). As mentioned above, the blower fan 22 is an axial fan.

[0033] In this embodiment, the blower fan 22 is positioned at an angle to blow air diagonally upward. Figure 9 shows the extension direction of the rotation axis of the blower fan 22 with a dashed line. Also in Figure 9, the upper and lower ends of the projection region along the extension direction of the rotation axis of the blower fan 22 are shown with double-dash lines.

[0034] The first discharge port 41 is located near the upper end of the rear member 11. In this embodiment, two first discharge ports 41 are provided. The two first discharge ports 41 are located on the left and right sides above the blower fan 22, respectively (see Figure 7).

[0035] The second discharge port 42 is located below the first discharge port 41. In this embodiment, two second discharge ports 42 are provided. The two second discharge ports 42 are located on the left and right sides below the blower fan 22, respectively (see Figure 7).

[0036] A temperature sensor 45 is positioned at either the left or right end of the rear member 11. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 45 is located adjacent to the second discharge port 42 on the left side (X1 side) when viewed from the front. More specifically, the temperature sensor 45 is positioned slightly above and to the left of the second discharge port 42 on the left side (X1 side).

[0037] In front of each of the discharge ports 41 and 42 of the rear member 11, airflow regulating members are attached to restrict the flow of cold air blown out from the discharge ports. Specifically, a first airflow regulating member 60 is positioned in front of the first discharge port 41 to restrict the flow of cold air blown out from the first discharge port 41, and a second airflow regulating member 70 is positioned in front of the second discharge port 42 to restrict the flow of cold air blown out from the second discharge port 42.

[0038] The first airflow regulating member 60 is located behind the upper space 10a of the storage chamber 10, and the second airflow regulating member 70 is located behind the middle space 10b of the storage chamber 10 (see Figure 2). Therefore, the cold air blown out from the first discharge port 41 is guided by the first airflow regulating member 60 and mainly sent towards the upper space 10a. Similarly, the cold air blown out from the second discharge port 42 is guided by the second airflow regulating member 70 and mainly sent towards the middle space 10b.

[0039] The first airflow regulating member 60 has a first inclined plate 61 that is inclined forward and upward. The second airflow regulating member 70 has a second inclined plate 71 that is inclined forward and upward. With these airflow regulating members 60 and 70 provided, the cold air blown out from each discharge port 41 and 42 toward the storage chamber 10 can be guided to the upper side of the upper space 10a and the middle space 10b located in front of each discharge port 41 and 42, respectively.

[0040] This prevents direct exposure of the contents B located in the upper space 10a and the middle space 10b to cold air, thereby suppressing temperature unevenness within the storage chamber 10. As a result, it is possible to prevent the contents B located directly in front of each discharge port 41 and 42 from freezing.

[0041] The inclination angle of the upper end of the first inclined plate 61 with respect to the horizontal plane is greater than the inclination angle of the upper end of the second inclined plate 71 with respect to the horizontal plane. That is, if the inclination angle of the upper end of the first inclined plate 61 with respect to the horizontal plane (XZ plane) is a, and the inclination angle of the upper end of the second inclined plate 71 with respect to the horizontal plane (XZ plane) is b, then a > b (see Figure 9).

[0042] In this configuration, the cold air blown out from the first outlet 41 is guided upward (towards the top surface of the storage chamber 10) along the first inclined plate 61, which has a larger inclination angle. This effectively cools the top insulating wall of the storage chamber 10, which tends to become relatively hot inside the storage chamber 10. This prevents heat from being conducted from outside the chamber to the top surface.

[0043] On the other hand, the cold air blown out from the second outlet 42 flows upward along the second inclined plate 71, then hits the upper shelf 15, and is guided forward along the underside of the shelf. The upper shelf 15 is made of, for example, a glass plate. The glass plate has higher thermal conductivity than the insulating wall that forms the top surface. Therefore, if cold air is applied locally to the upper shelf 15, the contents B placed in the upper space 10a, especially the contents B placed at the back of the shelf, will be rapidly cooled through the shelf. Therefore, by setting the inclination angle of the second inclined plate 71 to a relatively gentle angle, it is possible to prevent the contents B placed on the upper shelf 15 from being locally cooled from below.

[0044] This suppresses temperature fluctuations and sudden temperature changes inside the storage chamber 10, preventing localized overcooling. As a result, a cooling chamber 1 is obtained that can maintain a more uniform temperature inside the storage chamber 10.

[0045] In this embodiment, the width of the second wind direction restricting member 70 in a front view is greater than the width of the first wind direction restricting member 60 in a front view. That is, if the width of the first wind direction restricting member 60 in a front view is W1 and the width of the second wind direction restricting member 70 in a front view is W2, then W2 > W1 (see Figure 6).

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the blower fan 22 is positioned such that its projection plane along the extension direction of its rotation axis overlaps with at least a portion of the first discharge port 41, but does not overlap with the second discharge port 42 (see Figure 9).

[0047] According to the above configuration, the first discharge port 41 opens to a projection plane along the extension direction of the rotation axis of the blower fan 22, so the air generated by the blower fan 22 is blown out linearly from the first discharge port 41.

[0048] On the other hand, since the second discharge port 42 does not open to the projection plane along the extension direction of the rotation axis of the blower fan 22, the air generated by the blower fan 22 is not blown out in a straight line from the discharge port, but rather is sent to the storage room in a state where it has been transformed into a swirling flow by the axial flow fan around the second discharge port 42. As a result, the cold air blown out from the second discharge port 42 can avoid directly hitting the contents B located on the rear side of the intermediate space 10b.

[0049] Furthermore, the increased width W2 of the second airflow regulating member 70 makes it easier to diffuse the cold air that has swirled around the second discharge port 42 in the left-right direction (X direction). This prevents the cold air from the second discharge port 42 from concentrating locally, thereby suppressing the occurrence of temperature unevenness within the storage chamber 10.

[0050] Furthermore, when the rear member 11, on which the first discharge port 41 and the second discharge port 42 are provided, is viewed from the front, it is preferable that the first discharge port 41 is covered by the first inclined plate 61, while a portion of the second discharge port 42 is exposed from the second inclined plate 71.

[0051] For example, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, when the rear member 11 is viewed from the front side (Z1 side), the first discharge port 41 is completely covered and not visible by the first inclined plate 61, while the upper end of the second discharge port 42 is slightly exposed from the upper end of the second inclined plate 71.

[0052] As described above, in this embodiment, the blower fan 22 is positioned at an angle to send air diagonally upward. The air generated by the blower fan 22 is blown out in a straight line from the first discharge port 41, while the air generated by the blower fan 22 is sent out towards the storage chamber 10 from the second discharge port 42 in a swirling state, diffusing in the left-right direction.

[0053] Thus, because the cold air from the first discharge port 41 has a strong forward force, covering the first discharge port 41 with the first inclined plate 61 in a front view prevents the cold air from directly hitting the contents B in the upper space 10a, and also efficiently guides the cold air to the top insulating wall of the storage room 10.

[0054] In contrast, the height of the upper end of the second inclined plate 71, which is located in front of the second discharge port 42, is set lower than the upper end of the second discharge port 42, so that the upper end of the second discharge port 42 is slightly exposed from the upper end of the second inclined plate 71. As described above, the cold air from the second discharge port 42 tends to diffuse and flow in the left-right direction, so the force that propels it in a straight line is smaller than that of the cold air from the first discharge port 41. Therefore, by slightly lowering the height of the second inclined plate 71 and exposing a part of the second discharge port 42 in a front view, the flow of cold air forward is promoted, and as a result, the diffusion of cold air in the left-right direction can be further promoted. This makes it possible to efficiently cool the left and right regions of the storage chamber 10, suppress variations in internal temperature and rapid temperature changes, and prevent localized overcooling inside the storage chamber 10. As a result, a cooling chamber 1 is obtained that can maintain a more uniform temperature inside the storage chamber 10.

[0055] Furthermore, by lowering the height of the second inclined plate 71, the range of motion of the upper shelf board 15 can be increased.

[0056] Because the width W2 of the second airflow regulating member 70 in the left-right direction is relatively large, it is possible that cold air from the second discharge port 42 will be more easily supplied to the temperature sensor 45 located near either the left or right end of the rear member 11.

[0057] Therefore, it is preferable that a wall is provided between the second discharge port 42 and the temperature sensor 45 to separate them. In this embodiment, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 72 and 73 are provided on the back surface of the second inclined plate 71 of the second airflow regulating member 70 (see Figure 5). The reinforcing ribs 72 and 73 are flat plate-shaped members that extend substantially vertically from the second inclined plate 71 toward the front surface of the back surface member 11.

[0058] Of these multiple reinforcing ribs, the reinforcing rib 72 located on the left side acts as a wall separating the second discharge port 42 from the temperature sensor 45. By providing such a reinforcing rib 72, it is possible to prevent cold air from the second discharge port 42 from directly hitting the temperature sensor 45 located on the left end of the rear member 11. Therefore, it is possible to prevent false detection of the internal temperature due to the temperature sensor 45 being locally cooled by the cold air.

[0059] (Regarding the flow of cold air in the storage room) Next, the flow of cold air inside the storage chamber 10 in the cooler 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Here, in a cooler 1 equipped with a wind direction restricting member, the average airflow velocity (m / s) inside the cooler when the blower fan 22 is started is calculated using fluid analysis software to verify the effect of the wind direction restricting member on improving temperature uniformity inside the storage chamber 10.

[0060] Figures 10 and 11 show the results of calculating the wind velocity of cold air flowing through the storage chamber 10 with the refrigeration cycle and blower fan 22 operating in the cooler 1, using fluid analysis software (scFLOW®).

[0061] In this verification test, as shown in Figure 4, the upper shelf 15 was placed on the upper shelf support 18, and multiple bottle-shaped containers B were placed horizontally in the upper space 10a, while multiple bottle-shaped containers B were placed upright in the middle space 10b. Here, the containers B were PET bottles with a capacity of 500 ml.

[0062] Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cooler 1 at its central position (the position of line AA shown in Figure 7), and Figure 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cooler 1 at the right-side discharge port. Figures 10 and 11 also show the results of the same calculation performed on a cooler 100 without a wind direction restricting member installed, for comparison. In Figures 10 and 11, locations where the calculated average wind speed is 0.6 (m / s) or higher and locations where it is less than 0.6 (m / s) are color-coded.

[0063] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, in the cooler 100 without a wind direction restricting member, it can be seen that the cold air with a higher wind velocity directly hits most of the bottom surface of the contents B which are placed lying down in the upper space 10a. In contrast, in the cooler 1 in which the first wind direction restricting member 60 is attached in front of the first discharge port 41, it can be seen that the cold air with a higher wind velocity blown out from the discharge port is guided upward by the first inclined plate 61 and hardly hits the bottom surface of the contents B which are placed in the upper space 10a.

[0064] Furthermore, in the embodiment (configuration with airflow regulating member), it can be confirmed that the cold air flowing forward along the insulating wall on the top surface of the storage chamber 10 reaches the front end of the insulating box 50 at a higher airflow velocity than in the comparative example (configuration without airflow regulating member) (see Figure 10).

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, in the cooler 100 which does not have an airflow regulating member, it can be confirmed that the cold air with a higher airflow velocity directly hits the upper part of the contents B located directly in front of the second discharge port 42 in the middle space 10b. More specifically, in the cooler 100, it can be confirmed that the cold air with a higher airflow velocity directly hits not only the cap portion of the contents B in the middle space 10b, but also the upper part of the container below it (see the left side of Figure 11). Therefore, the liquid L inside the container may also be hit by the cold air with a higher airflow velocity. In Figure 11, the liquid level of the liquid L inside the contents B located at the rearmost part of the middle space 10b is shown by a dashed line.

[0066] In contrast, in the cooler 1, where a second airflow regulating member 70 is installed in front of the second discharge port 42, the cold air with a higher airflow velocity blown out from the discharge port is guided upward by the second inclined plate 71. As a result, it can be confirmed that strong cold air hits the cap portion of the contents B, which is positioned directly in front of the second discharge port 42, while hardly hitting the container portion below it.

[0067] As described above, in the cooling chamber 1 equipped with the airflow regulating member, it is possible to suppress the contact of high-velocity cold air with the contents B located near the discharge ports 41 and 42 in both the upper space 10a and the middle space 10b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the contents B located directly in front of each discharge port 41 and 42 from freezing.

[0068] Furthermore, in the cooling chamber 1, it can be confirmed that the higher-velocity cold air blown out from the first discharge port 41 flows forward along the top surface of the storage chamber 10 by the first inclined plate 61. This effectively cools the area near the top surface of the storage chamber 10, which tends to become relatively hot, and also allows the cold air to reach the front of the storage chamber 10 via the area near the top surface of the storage chamber 10, which is relatively unobstructed by the contents B. Therefore, it is thought that the temperature inside the storage chamber 10 can be made more uniform.

[0069] Based on the above, the cooler 1 according to this embodiment can be suitably used as a supercooled refrigerator or the like, which is suitable for maintaining a contents B containing liquid L such as beverages in a supercooled state.

[0070] (Summary of the embodiments) As described above, the cooler 1 according to this embodiment includes a storage chamber 10 for cooling the contents B. The back member 11 forming the back of the storage chamber 10 is provided with a first cold air outlet 41 and a second cold air outlet 42. The second outlet 42 is positioned below the first outlet 41. In front of the first outlet 41 is a first airflow regulating member 60 that restricts the flow of cold air blown out from the first outlet 41. In front of the second outlet 42 is a second airflow regulating member 70 that restricts the flow of cold air blown out from the second outlet 42. The first airflow regulating member 60 has a first inclined plate 61, and the second airflow regulating member 70 has a second inclined plate 71. The inclination angle a of the upper end of the first inclined plate 61 with respect to the horizontal plane is greater than the inclination angle b of the upper end of the second inclined plate 71 with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0071] According to the above configuration, the cold air blown out from the first outlet 41 is guided upward (towards the top surface of the storage chamber 10) along the first inclined plate 61, which has a larger inclination angle. This effectively cools the top insulating wall of the storage chamber 10, which tends to become relatively hot inside the storage chamber 10. This prevents heat from being conducted from outside the chamber to the top surface.

[0072] On the other hand, the cold air blown out from the second outlet 42 is guided forward along the relatively gently sloping second inclined plate 71 and along the underside of the upper shelf 15. This prevents localized cooling of the contents B in the upper space 10a through the upper shelf 15, which is relatively easy to conduct heat.

[0073] According to this embodiment, the cooler 1 can suppress temperature fluctuations and sudden temperature changes inside the cooler, preventing localized overcooling within the storage chamber 10. As a result, a cooler 1 is obtained that can maintain a more uniform temperature within the storage chamber 10.

[0074] (summary) A cooling cabinet according to one aspect of the present invention (for example, cooling cabinet 1) comprises a storage chamber (for example, storage chamber 10) for cooling contents (for example, contents B), a first cold air outlet (for example, first outlet 41) provided on the back of the storage chamber (for example, back member 11), a second cold air outlet (for example, second outlet 42) provided below the first outlet, a first airflow regulating member (for example, first airflow regulating member 60) positioned in front of the first outlet to regulate the flow of cold air blown out from the first outlet, and a second airflow regulating member (for example, second airflow regulating member 70) positioned in front of the second outlet to regulate the flow of cold air blown out from the second outlet. The first wind direction regulating member has a first inclined plate (e.g., first inclined plate 61) that is inclined forward and upward, and the second wind direction regulating member has a second inclined plate (e.g., second inclined plate 71) that is inclined forward and upward. The inclination angle of the upper end of the first inclined plate with respect to the horizontal plane (e.g., angle a) is greater than the inclination angle of the upper end of the second inclined plate with respect to the horizontal plane (e.g., angle b).

[0075] In a cooling cabinet (for example, cooling cabinet 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the width (for example, width W2) of the second airflow regulating member (for example, second airflow regulating member 70) in a front view may be longer than the width (for example, width W1) of the first airflow regulating member (for example, first airflow regulating member 60) in a front view.

[0076] In a cooling cabinet (for example, cooling cabinet 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, an axial flow fan (for example, a blower fan 22) is provided behind the rear surface (for example, rear surface member 11) on which the first discharge port (for example, a first discharge port 41) and the second discharge port (for example, a second discharge port 42) are provided, and the axial flow fan may be inclined to blow air diagonally upward.

[0077] In a cooling chamber (for example, cooling chamber 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the axial flow fan (for example, blower fan 22) may be arranged such that its projection plane along the extension direction of its rotation axis overlaps with at least a portion of the first discharge port (for example, first discharge port 41), but does not overlap with the second discharge port (for example, second discharge port 42).

[0078] In a cooling cabinet (for example, cooling cabinet 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, when the rear surface (for example, rear surface member 11) on which the first discharge port (for example, first discharge port 41) and the second discharge port (for example, second discharge port 42) are provided is viewed from the front, the first discharge port is covered by the first inclined plate (for example, first inclined plate 61), while a part of the second discharge port may be exposed from the second inclined plate (for example, second inclined plate 71).

[0079] In a cooling cabinet (for example, cooling cabinet 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, a temperature sensor (for example, a temperature sensor 45) is provided adjacent to the second discharge port (for example, the second discharge port 42) at either the left or right end of the back surface (for example, the back surface member 11) on which the second discharge port (for example, the second discharge port 42) is provided, and a wall portion (for example, a reinforcing rib 72) separating the second discharge port and the temperature sensor may be provided between them.

[0080] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. Configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described herein are also included in the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 1: Refrigerator 2: Door 10: Storage Room 10a: Upper space 10b: Middle space 10c: Lower space 11: Rear panel (rear of the storage room) 15: Upper shelf 16: Lower shelf 20: Cooling room 21:Cooler 22: Blower fan (axial flow fan) 41: 1st discharge port 42:Second outlet 45: Temperature sensor 50: Insulated box 52: Inner box 60: First wind direction regulating member 61: 1st inclined plate 70: Second wind direction regulating member 71:Second inclined plate 72: Reinforcement ribs (wall section) B: Containment

Claims

1. A storage room for cooling the contents, A first cold air outlet is provided on the rear of the storage chamber, A second cold air outlet is provided below the first outlet, A first airflow regulating member is positioned in front of the first discharge port and regulates the flow of cold air blown out from the first discharge port, A second airflow regulating member is positioned in front of the second discharge port and regulates the flow of cold air blown out from the second discharge port. Equipped with, The first wind direction restricting member has a first inclined plate that is inclined forward and upward, and the second wind direction restricting member has a second inclined plate that is inclined forward and upward. The angle of inclination of the upper end of the first inclined plate with respect to the horizontal plane is greater than the angle of inclination of the upper end of the second inclined plate with respect to the horizontal plane. Refrigerator.

2. The width of the second wind direction restricting member in a front view is longer than the width of the first wind direction restricting member in a front view. The cooling cabinet according to claim 1.

3. An axial flow fan is provided behind the rear of the back surface where the first and second discharge ports are located. The aforementioned axial fan is positioned at an angle to blow air diagonally upwards. The cooling cabinet according to claim 1.

4. The axial flow fan is positioned such that its projection plane along the direction of extension of its rotation axis overlaps with at least a portion of the first discharge port, but does not overlap with the second discharge port. The cooling cabinet according to claim 3.

5. When the rear surface, which is provided with the first and second discharge ports, is viewed from the front, the first discharge port is covered by the first inclined plate, while a portion of the second discharge port is exposed from the second inclined plate. The cooling cabinet according to claim 4.

6. A temperature sensor is provided adjacent to the second discharge port at either the left or right end of the rear surface where the second discharge port is located. A wall is provided between the second discharge port and the temperature sensor, separating the two. The cooling cabinet according to claim 2.

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