refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator which includes storage cases in a cold room and can cool the interior of at least one storage case while reducing dryness in the storage case.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 includes a cold room 11. The cold room 11 includes an upper tier case 61 and a lower tier case 72, which is disposed below the upper tier case 61, therein. A closed space is formed within the upper tier case 61. Further, a cool air discharge port (for example, a third discharge port 34 etc.) which allows cool air to flow into the lower tier case 71 is provided at the rear of the lower tier case 71. The interior of the upper tier case 61 is cooled by cool air flowing from the discharge port into the lower tier case 71.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a plurality of storage cases in a refrigerating compartment. [Background technology]

[0002] Some refrigerators are provided with storage cases inside the refrigerator compartment. These storage cases are used as chilled cases, vegetable cases, etc.

[0003] Some of such refrigerators include a plurality of storage cases in the refrigerator compartment, such as the refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1. The refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes two stages of cryocontainers (upper cryocontainer 43 and lower cryocontainer 44) in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 7. An upper container discharge port 45 is formed behind the upper cryocontainer 43 and is connected in communication with the upper container duct 37. A lower container discharge port 46 is formed behind the lower cryocontainer 44 and is connected in communication with the lower container duct 38. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-330361 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, in the refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1, two storage cases (i.e., low-temperature containers) arranged in the refrigerator compartment are each provided with a cold air outlet, and the inside of the storage case is cooled. However, if cold air flows directly into the storage case, the inside of the case may dry out. When storing fresh food, for example, in the storage case, it is undesirable for the inside of the case to become excessively dry.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having a plurality of storage cases inside a refrigeration compartment, which can cool the inside while suppressing drying inside at least one of the storage cases. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention includes a refrigerator compartment, an upper case disposed within the refrigerator compartment, and a lower case disposed below the upper case within the refrigerator compartment. In this refrigerator, the upper case is an enclosed space, and a cold air outlet is provided at the rear of the lower case for introducing cold air into the lower case, and the upper case is cooled by the cold air that has flowed into the lower case from the outlet. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, in a refrigerator having a plurality of storage cases within a refrigerating compartment, it is possible to cool the inside while suppressing drying out of at least one of the storage cases. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of the front part of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the interior of the refrigerator shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the refrigerating compartment taken along line AA in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the refrigeration compartment shown in FIG. 3 along the line BB. [Figure 6] 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the BB line portion of the refrigeration compartment shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of an upper case and a lower case in the refrigerating chamber shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 8]6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of an upper case and a lower case in the refrigerating chamber shown in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] <First embodiment> (Overall configuration of refrigerator) First, the overall configuration of refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows the external appearance of refrigerator 1 as seen from the front. Fig. 2 shows the interior of refrigerator 1 (specifically, the interior of refrigerator compartment 11, etc.). Fig. 2 shows refrigerator 1 with refrigerator compartment doors 11a and 11b removed.

[0012] The exterior shape of the refrigerator 1 is mainly composed of an insulated box 50. This insulated box 50 forms the storage space of the refrigerator 1. The storage space formed by the insulated box 50 is divided into a refrigerator compartment 11, a vegetable compartment, a freezer compartment 13, an ice compartment, a second freezer compartment, and the like by a partition 55 extending horizontally at approximately the center in the vertical direction.

[0013] The refrigerator compartment 11 is provided with refrigerator compartment doors 11a and 11b that open like a double door and are divided into left and right halves. The vegetable compartment is provided with a pull-out vegetable compartment door 12a. The freezer compartment 13 is provided with a pull-out freezer compartment door 13a. The ice-making compartment is provided with a pull-out ice-making compartment door 14a. The second freezer compartment is provided with a pull-out freezer compartment door 15a.

[0014] As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment is divided into a plurality of storage spaces, and includes the refrigeration compartment 11 and the freezer compartment. However, the locations of the storage spaces are not limited to the above. Furthermore, the configuration of the doors provided in the storage spaces is not limited to the above.

[0015] In this embodiment, the surface on which the door is provided is called the front or front surface of the refrigerator. Based on the front surface, the surfaces of the refrigerator 1 are called the top, side, back, and bottom surfaces based on the positions of the refrigerator 1 when it is installed in a normal state. In addition, the left-right direction (horizontal direction perpendicular to the up-down direction) when the refrigerator 1 is placed on the installation surface is called the left-right direction of the refrigerator 1 (or the refrigerator compartment 11, the upper case 61, the lower case 71, etc.). In addition, the up-down direction (vertical direction perpendicular to the left-right direction) when the refrigerator 1 is placed on the installation surface is called the up-down direction of the refrigerator 1 (or the refrigerator compartment 11, the upper case 61, the lower case 71, etc.). In addition, the side located on the left side when viewed from the front side of the refrigerator 1 is called the left side of the refrigerator 1, and the side located on the right side when viewed from the front side of the refrigerator 1 is called the right side of the refrigerator 1.

[0016] (Refrigerator compartment configuration) Next, a more detailed configuration of the refrigeration compartment 11 provided in the refrigerator 1 will be described. Fig. 3 shows the internal configuration of the refrigeration compartment 11. Fig. 3 shows the inside of the refrigeration compartment 11 with the upper case 61 and the lower case 71 removed.

[0017] Figures 4 to 6 show the cross-sectional configuration of refrigerator compartment 11. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of refrigerator compartment 11 taken along line AA of refrigerator 1 shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of refrigerator compartment 11 taken along line BB of refrigerator 1 shown in Figure 3. Figure 6 shows, in a perspective cross-sectional view, the internal configuration of refrigerator compartment 11 taken along line BB of refrigerator 1 shown in Figure 3. Note that upper case 61 and lower case 71 are not shown in Figure 3, but upper case 61 and lower case 71 are also shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[0018] The inner wall of the refrigerator compartment 11 is mainly formed by the inner box 51 of the heat-insulating box body 50. As shown in FIG. 2 and other figures, a plurality of shelves (shelf 40a, shelf 40b, shelf 40c, and shelf 40d, in that order from the top, in the example shown in FIG. 2) are arranged in the refrigerator compartment 11. This divides the inside of the refrigerator compartment 11 into a plurality of storage spaces. In addition, a plurality of storage cases (i.e., upper case 61 and lower case 71) are arranged below shelf 40d, which is arranged at the bottom in the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0019] A cold air duct 20 through which cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment 11 passes is provided on the rear side of the refrigerator compartment 11 (see FIG. 4). The cold air duct 20 is a passage for sending cold air cooled in a cooling compartment in which a cooler (not shown) and the like are arranged, to the refrigerator compartment 11. The cold air cooled in the cooling compartment flows upward inside the cold air duct 20 and is sent to the refrigerator compartment 11 from a plurality of outlets provided in a cold air duct forming member 30.

[0020] The cold air duct 20 is formed by a cold air duct forming member 30. The cold air duct forming member 30 is disposed at the rear part of the refrigeration compartment 11. The surface of the main body part 31 of the cold air duct forming member 30 forms a part of the inner wall on the rear side of the refrigeration compartment 11.

[0021] The cold air duct forming member 30 is provided with a plurality of discharge ports for discharging cold air from the cold air duct 20 to the refrigerating compartment 11, and a return port for returning the air in the refrigerating compartment 11 to the cooling compartment.

[0022] In this embodiment, the cold air duct forming member 30 is provided with a plurality of outlets for discharging cold air into the refrigerating compartment 11, such as a first outlet 32, second outlets 33a to 33d, a third outlet 34, and a fourth outlet 36.

[0023] The first outlet 32 ​​is disposed at the upper end of the main body 31. A part of the cold air that flows from the bottom to the top in the cold air duct 20 is sent from the first outlet 32 ​​to the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0024] A plurality of second outlets are provided below the first outlet 32. In this embodiment, four second outlets 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d are provided. These second outlets 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d are arranged on the front surface 31a of the main body 31. More specifically, the four second outlets 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d are arranged in the vertical direction (up-down direction) in order from the top on the front surface 31a of the main body 31. As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, each of the second outlets 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d has a vertically elongated shape.

[0025] Since the second outlets 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d have such a vertically elongated shape, the flow resistance of the cold air in the cold air duct 20 is reduced, and the cold air can be efficiently transported to the first outlet 32 ​​provided at the upper end of the cold air duct 20. Also, since the shape of each of the second outlets 33a to 33d is aligned with the flow direction of the cold air in the cold air duct 20, the cold air can be more uniformly discharged from each of the second outlets 33a to 33d.

[0026] At the opening of each of the second outlets 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d, a louver for regulating the direction of the cool air sent out from the cool air duct 20 to the refrigerating compartment 11 is provided.

[0027] Provided below the second outlets 33a to 33d are a third outlet (outlet) 34, a fourth outlet (auxiliary outlet) 36, and a return port 35. In this embodiment, the third outlet 34, the fourth outlet 36, and the return port 35 are disposed below the main body 31 of the cool air duct forming member 30 and below the lowermost shelf board 40d. The third outlet 34 and the fourth outlet 36 are provided on the back side of a storage case (e.g., upper case 61, lower case 71, etc.) disposed below the shelf board 40d in the refrigeration compartment 11.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3 etc., the third outlet 34 is disposed near the center in the left-right direction inside the refrigerator compartment 11 when viewed from the front. Moreover, the fourth outlet 36 is disposed to the right of the third outlet 34 when viewed from the front.

[0029] At the openings of the third outlet 34 and the fourth outlet 36, louvers are provided to regulate the direction of the cool air sent from the cool air duct 20 to the refrigerating compartment 11.

[0030] Moreover, a space D is provided around the fourth outlet 36. This space D is located on the rear side of the rear surface portion 72b of the case body 72 of the lower case 71 (see FIG. 5). A part of the cool air blown out from the fourth outlet 36 remains in this space D and indirectly cools the upper case 61 from the rear side.

[0031] The return port 35 is located below the rear part of the refrigeration compartment 11. In this embodiment, like the third discharge port 34 and the fourth discharge port 36, the return port 35 is provided on the rear side of a storage case (e.g., upper case 61, lower case 71, etc.) arranged below the shelf board 40d in the refrigeration compartment 11.

[0032] 3 and other figures, in this embodiment, the return port 35 is disposed on the left side of the third discharge port 34 when viewed from the front. In other words, the return port 35 is disposed on the opposite side in the left-right direction to the fourth discharge port 36, with the third discharge port 34 in between.

[0033] The cold air that is sent from each outlet provided in the cold air duct forming member 30 to the refrigerator compartment 11 and flows through the refrigerator compartment 11 is returned to the cooling compartment from the return port 35. By arranging the return port 35 on the opposite side in the left-right direction to the fourth outlet port 36 with the third outlet port 34 in between, the distance between the fourth outlet port 36 and the return port 35 becomes large, and it is possible to prevent the cold air blown out from the fourth outlet port 36 from taking a shortcut to the return port 35 on the left side. As described later, it is preferable that the cold air blown out from the third outlet port 34 and the fourth outlet port 36 is guided to the opposite side (i.e., the right side when viewed from the front in this embodiment) to the return port 35 side (i.e., the left side when viewed from the front in this embodiment).

[0034] In front of the third discharge port 34, the fourth discharge port 36, and the return port 35, an upper case 61 and a lower case 71 are arranged vertically side by side.

[0035] The inside of the upper case 61 is a closed space. Therefore, the upper case 61 can prevent the humidity inside the case from decreasing too much. The upper case 61 is preferably used as, for example, a chilled case, a vegetable case, or the like.

[0036] Meanwhile, the upper rear side of the lower case 71 is open, and the cold air blown out from the third outlet 34 and the fourth outlet 36 flows into the case. This makes it possible to lower the temperature inside the lower case 71 in the refrigerator compartment 11. The lower case 71 is preferably used as a case for storing, for example, prepared ingredients, cooked foods, and the like.

[0037] (Upper and lower cases and their surrounding configuration) Next, the configuration of the upper case 61 and the lower case 71 will be described in more detail. The configuration of the periphery of the upper case 61 and the lower case 71 will also be described. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the configuration of the upper case 61, the lower case 71, the third outlet port 34, and the like. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the upper case 61 and the lower case 71 provided in the refrigerator compartment 11 cut at the position of line AA shown in FIG. 3 (i.e., the position where the second handle portion 75 is provided). FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the upper case 61 and the lower case 71 provided in the refrigerator compartment 11 cut at the position of line BB shown in FIG. 3.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2, upper case 61 is disposed below shelf board 40a in refrigerator compartment 11. Lower case 71 is disposed below upper case 61. Upper case 61 and lower case 71 are configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, upper case 61 and lower case 71 are configured to be removable from refrigerator 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, the refrigerator 1 is described as having two storage cases, the upper case 61 and the lower case 71, arranged in the refrigerator compartment 11, but the number of storage cases in the refrigerator compartment 11 is not limited to two. That is, in addition to the upper case 61 and the lower case 71, at least one other storage case may be provided in the refrigerator compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1.

[0040] The upper case 61 mainly comprises a case body 62 and a lid portion 63. The case body 62 is box-shaped and has an open upper portion. The lid portion 63 is disposed so as to cover the upper opening of the case body 62. This allows a closed space to be formed inside the upper case 61. A shelf board 40d is disposed on the upper surface of the lid portion 63.

[0041] The case body 62 has a box-like shape mainly formed by a front part 62a, both left and right side parts, a rear part 62b, and a bottom part 62c. The names of these parts of the case body 62 are determined based on the positions of the case body 62 when it is accommodated in the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0042] A first handle portion 65 is provided at a lower end portion 62e of the front surface portion 62a of the case body 62. The first handle portion 65 has a recess 62f on the back surface side of the front surface portion 62a. A user can insert his / her hand into this recess 62f to pull the case body 62 forward.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first handle portion 65 is provided over the entire left-right area of ​​the upper case 61 (see FIG. 2, etc.). As a result, the cold air blown forward from the third outlet 34 etc. passes through the lower case 71, then flows into the recess 62f of the first handle portion 65, and is discharged forward from the entire left-right area of ​​the upper case 61. Therefore, the cold air blown forward from the third outlet 34 etc. can be dispersed in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 11 without concentrating in the center of the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0044] The lower case 71 is mainly composed of a case main body 72. The case main body 72 has a box shape and is open at the top.

[0045] The case body 72 has a box-like shape mainly formed of a front part 72a, both left and right side parts, a rear part 72b, and a bottom part 72c. The names of these parts of the case body 72 are defined based on the positions of the case body 72 when it is accommodated in the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0046] A second handle portion 75 is provided on an upper end portion 72e of the front surface portion 72a of the case main body 72. The second handle portion 75 is provided in a partial region in the left-right direction of the lower case 71. In this embodiment, the second handle portion 75 is provided only in approximately the center of the lower case 71 in the left-right direction (see FIG. 2, etc.).

[0047] Therefore, a part (approximately the center in the left-right direction) of the recess 62f of the first handle portion 65 of the upper case 61 faces the second handle portion 75 of the lower case 71, but the other part faces the opening of the lower case 71. This makes it easier for the cold air that has passed through the lower case 71 to flow from the opening of the lower case 71 into the recess 62f of the first handle portion 65 of the upper case 61, and prevents the cold air from stagnating in the lower case 71. In addition, since the second handle portion 75 is located approximately in the center in the left-right direction of the lower case 71, the cold air is less likely to flow out than at both the left and right ends. Therefore, the cold air blown forward from the third outlet 34 and the like does not concentrate in the center in the left-right direction of the lower case 71, but flows in a dispersed manner in the left-right direction of the lower case 71, and the bottom surface of the upper case 61 can be uniformly cooled from left to right.

[0048] The first handle portion 65 of the upper case 61 is not limited to being provided over the entire left-right area of ​​the upper case 61. For example, the first handle portion 65 of the upper case 61 is preferably formed with a width in the left-right direction that is wider than the left-right width of the second handle portion 75 of the lower case 71, and the first handle portion 65 of the upper case 61 is preferably provided over an area at least twice as large as the second handle portion 75 of the lower case 71 in the left-right direction.

[0049] 7 and 8, the lower end 62e of the front surface 62a of the case body 62 of the upper case 61 is located slightly forward of the upper end 72e of the front surface 72a of the lower case 71. This makes it possible to prevent a portion of the cool air blown out from the third outlet 34 and the like from flowing from the rear to the front inside the case body 72 of the lower case 71 and flowing out of the case from the front surface 72a of the lower case 71 from flowing upward, and allows the cool air to be guided from below the bottom surface 72c of the lower case 71 to the return port 35.

[0050] 7 and 8, a third discharge port 34 is provided at the rear of the lower case 71. Also, as shown in Fig. 6, a fourth discharge port 36 is provided at the rear of the lower case 71.

[0051] In this embodiment, the third outlet 34 is located above the upper end 72d of the rear surface 72b of the case body 72 of the lower case 71. This makes it possible to guide most of the cool air blown out from the third outlet 34 into the case body 72 of the lower case 71. Therefore, the inside of the lower case 71 can be preferentially cooled.

[0052] 7, the flow of the cold air blown out from the third outlet 34 is shown by arrows. As shown in FIG. 7, the cold heat of the cold air flowing into the lower case 71 is indirectly transferred to the upper case 61 disposed above the lower case 71. As a result, the inside of the upper case 61, which is a closed space, is also cooled by the cold air blown out from the third outlet 34 and the fourth outlet 36. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the cold air from flowing directly into the upper case 61 from the outlets, and therefore makes it possible to prevent the inside of the upper case 61 from drying out due to the cold air.

[0053] Additionally, the third discharge port 34 and the fourth discharge port 36 are provided with eaves (ribs) that protrude forward of the refrigerating compartment 11 along the upper and lower edges of their openings. For example, the third discharge port 34 is provided with a first eaves portion 34a along the lower edge of its opening. Additionally, the third discharge port 34 is provided with a second eaves portion 34b along the upper edge of its opening.

[0054] 7, the length (amount of forward projection) of the second overhanging portion 34b is longer than the length (amount of forward projection) of the first overhanging portion 34a. This makes it possible to prevent the cool air blown out from the third outlet 34 from flowing upward, and to guide the cool air to the lower case 71 located below the third outlet 34.

[0055] In this embodiment, the second overhanging portion 34b is positioned at approximately the same height as the bottom surface 62c of the case body 62 of the upper case 61, or slightly below the bottom surface 62c. The front end of the second overhanging portion 34b is positioned forward of the upper end 72d of the rear surface 72b of the case body 72 of the lower case 71 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). This allows more of the cool air blown out from the third outlet 34 to be guided into the lower case 71.

[0056] In this embodiment, the front end of the first overhanging portion 34a is located near and above the upper end portion 72d of the rear surface portion 72b of the case body 72 of the lower case 71 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). This allows more of the cool air blown out from the third outlet 34 to be guided into the lower case 71.

[0057] By providing such first overhanging portion 34a and second overhanging portion 34b, the cool air blown out from the third discharge port 34 can be guided into the case body 72 of the lower case 71. This makes it possible to prevent the cool air blown out from the third discharge port 34 from being guided into the lower case 71, flowing into the back side of the rear surface portion 72b of the case body 72 of the lower case 71, and taking a shortcut to the return port 35.

[0058] It is preferable that the fourth outlet 36 is also provided with a first overhanging portion 34a and a second overhanging portion 34b similar to the third outlet 34.

[0059] In this embodiment, as described above, the cool air return port 35 is disposed on the left-right opposite side of the fourth outlet port 36, sandwiching the third outlet port 34 therebetween. This prevents the flow of cool air blown out from the fourth outlet port 36 from taking a shortcut to the return port 35 on the left side.

[0060] The cool air blown out from the third outlet 34 and the fourth outlet 36 is preferably guided to the opposite side (i.e., the right side as viewed from the front in this embodiment) from the return outlet 35 side (i.e., the left side as viewed from the front in this embodiment). Therefore, the third outlet 34 and the fourth outlet 36 are provided with side walls along the side edges of their openings to guide the blown out cool air to the opposite side from the return outlet. For example, the third outlet 34 is provided with a side wall 34c protruding forward on the left side as viewed from the front (see FIG. 6).

[0061] This makes it possible to guide the cold air blown out from the third outlet 34 to flow in the opposite direction to the position of the return port 35. This makes it possible to prevent the cold air blown out from the third outlet 34 from immediately flowing into the return port 35, and to circulate the cold air within the refrigerator compartment 11.

[0062] (Summary of the first embodiment) As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment includes a refrigeration compartment 11. The refrigeration compartment 11 includes an upper case 61 and a lower case 71 disposed below the upper case 61. The upper case 61 is mainly composed of a case body 62 and a lid 63, and the inside of the upper case 61 is a closed space. The lower case 71 is mainly composed of a case body 72. A cold air outlet (e.g., third outlet 34, etc.) is provided at the rear of the lower case 71 for allowing cold air to flow into the lower case 71. The inside of the upper case 61 is cooled by the cold air that flows into the lower case 71 from this outlet.

[0063] That is, in the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, cold air flows into the lower case 71 from the third outlet 34 and the like. This cools the inside of the lower case 71. The inside of the upper case 61 located directly above the lower case 71 is indirectly cooled by the cold air that has flowed into the lower case 71. The cold air that has flowed into the lower case 71 is discharged forward from a gap between an upper end 72e of the lower case 71 and a lower end 62e of the upper case 61 (see FIG. 7).

[0064] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent cold air from directly flowing into the upper case 61 from the cold air outlets such as the third outlet 34, and therefore it is possible to prevent the upper case 61 from drying out due to the cold air. Therefore, in the refrigerator 1 having the upper case 61 and the lower case 71 in the refrigeration chamber 11, it is possible to cool the inside of the upper case 61 while preventing the upper case 61 from drying out. In addition, since the lower case 71 is directly cooled by the cold air, it is possible to set the temperature lower than that of the upper case 61. For example, when the temperature in the upper case 61 is set to about 1°C, the temperature in the lower case 71 can be set to about -2 to 0°C. In this way, by setting the temperature in the lower case 71 to a low temperature, it is possible to use it as a storage chamber for storing food ingredients to be prepared in advance.

[0065] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the configurations of the third outlet 34 and the fourth outlet 36 are different from those in the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0066] In this embodiment, at least a part of the opening of the third outlet 34 and the fourth outlet 36 is located above the upper end 72d of the rear surface 72b of the case body 72 of the lower case 71. That is, the lower part of the third outlet 34 and the fourth outlet 36 is located below the upper end 72d of the rear surface 72b of the case body 72 of the lower case 71. This allows a part of the cool air blown out from the third outlet 34 and the fourth outlet 36 to pass from the rear side of the rear surface 72b of the case body 72 to the bottom of the bottom surface 72c. This allows the inside of the case body 72 to be cooled from the bottom surface of the lower case 71, which is useful, for example, when the case body 72 of the lower case 71 is deep. In this embodiment, it is preferable to prevent the cool air from taking a shortcut to the return port 35 by providing a rib on the rear side or bottom side of the rear surface 72b of the case body 72.

[0067] (summary) A refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention includes a refrigerator compartment (e.g., refrigerator compartment 11), an upper case (e.g., upper case 61) disposed within the refrigerator compartment, and a lower case (e.g., lower case 71) disposed below the upper case within the refrigerator compartment. The upper case is a closed space. A cold air outlet (e.g., third outlet 34) is provided at the rear of the lower case to allow cold air to flow into the lower case, and the upper case is cooled by the cold air flowing from the outlet into the lower case.

[0068] In a refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, at least a portion of the outlet (e.g., third outlet 34) may be located higher than an upper end (e.g., upper end 72d) of a rear portion (e.g., rear portion 72b) of the lower case (e.g., lower case 71).

[0069] In a refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, a first overhanging portion (e.g., first overhanging portion 34a) protruding forward may be provided below the outlet (e.g., third outlet 34), and a second overhanging portion (e.g., second overhanging portion 34b) protruding forward and longer than the first overhanging portion may be provided above the outlet.

[0070] In a refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the lower end portion (e.g., lower end portion 62e) of the front side of the upper case (e.g., upper case 61) may be located forward of the upper end portion (e.g., upper end portion 72e) of the front side of the lower case (e.g., lower case 71).

[0071] In a refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the upper case (e.g., upper case 61) is provided at the lower end (e.g., lower end 62e) of the front side with a first handle portion (e.g., first handle portion 65) extending in the left-right direction of the upper case, and the lower case (e.g., lower case 71) is provided at the upper end (e.g., upper end 72e) of the front side with a second handle portion (e.g., second handle portion 75) extending in the left-right direction of the lower case, and the left-right width of the first handle portion may be greater than the left-right width of the second handle portion.

[0072] In the refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) according to one aspect of the present invention described above, an auxiliary outlet (e.g., fourth outlet 36) for introducing cold air into the refrigerator compartment (e.g., refrigerator compartment 11) and a return outlet (e.g., return outlet 35) for returning the cold air in the refrigerator compartment to the cooling compartment are further provided at the rear of the lower case (e.g., lower case 71), and the auxiliary outlet may be located on the opposite side in the left-right direction to the return outlet, with the outlet (e.g., third outlet 34) in between.

[0073] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In addition, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1: Refrigerator 11: Refrigerator 20: Cold air duct 30: Cold air duct forming member 32: 1st discharge port 33a: 2nd discharge port 34: Third discharge port (discharge port) 34a: 1st eave part 34b:Second eave part 34c: Side wall 35: Return entrance 36: 4th outlet (auxiliary outlet) 61: Upper case 62: (Upper case) Case body 62a: (case body) front part 62b: Rear part (of case body) 62c: Bottom part (of case body) 62e: Lower end (front part of case body) 63: (Upper case) lid 65: First handle (upper case) 71: Lower case 72: Case body (lower case) 72a: (case body) front part 72b: Rear part (of case body) 72c: Bottom part (of the case body) 72d: Upper end (rear part of case body) 72e: Upper end (front part of case body) 75: Second handle (lower case)

Claims

1. A refrigerator compartment, An upper case having an open upper portion disposed within the refrigeration chamber; a lower case having an open upper portion, the lower case being disposed below the upper case in the refrigeration compartment; Equipped with The upper case has a lid portion covering the upper portion, so that an interior of the upper case is a closed space, a cold air outlet for introducing cold air into the lower case is provided at a rear position of the lower case and below the lid, and the inside of the upper case is cooled by the cold air that has flowed into the lower case from the outlet, A return port is provided at the rear of the lower case for returning cold air from the refrigeration chamber to the cooling chamber, a lower end portion of a front side of the upper case is located forward of an upper end portion of a front side of the lower case, a recessed portion that opens downward and communicates with an upper portion of the lower case at a rear of the lower end portion of the upper case, the cool air that has flowed into the lower case passes through the recess, is guided downward along the front surface of the lower case from the front side of the upper case, and is returned from below the bottom surface of the lower case to the return port. refrigerator.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outlet is located above an upper end of the rear surface of the lower case.

3. A first eaves portion protruding forward is provided below the discharge port, A second overhanging portion is provided above the discharge port, the second overhanging portion protruding forward and being longer than the first overhanging portion.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The upper case is provided with a first handle portion having the lower end portion on the front side and the recessed portion extending in the left-right direction, The lower case is provided with a second handle portion at the upper end portion on the front side, the second handle portion extending in a left-right direction of the lower case, The recessed portion of the first handle portion is located at least on both the left and right sides of the second handle portion. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. At the rear of the lower case, An auxiliary outlet is further provided for introducing cold air into the refrigerating chamber, The auxiliary discharge port is disposed on the opposite side of the return port in the left-right direction with the discharge port therebetween. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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