refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator which can perform low temperature cooling control more properly.SOLUTION: A refrigerator of an embodiment has a housing and a cooling part. The housing has a cooling air passage component forming a cooling air passage which guides cooling air generated in the cooling part to a storage part. The cooling air passage component has an inclined surface, which inclines downward in a direction from one side as seen in a width direction of the cooling air passage component to the other side, in a lower part of a surface facing the storage part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional refrigerators, a heat insulating member is provided inside the housing to suppress condensation inside the storage compartment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-118340 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the door is left open for a long time, if it is opened and closed frequently, or if the door is left half-closed, a lot of warm outside air around the refrigerator can enter the storage compartment, causing the outside air to cool and condensation to form inside the storage compartment. If a lot of condensation occurs, food and the inside of the storage compartment will get wet, causing food deterioration and breakdowns.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of performing more appropriate low-temperature cooling control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The refrigerator according to the embodiment includes: Has a storage section A housing and Cooling the reservoir A cooling section; a cable storage section for storing a cable on a rear side of the storage section; The housing has a cold air passage part that constitutes a cold air passage that guides the cold air generated in the cooling part to the storage part. The cold air passage part has, at a lower part of a surface facing the storage part, an inclined surface that inclines downward from one side to the other in the width direction of the cold air passage part. The inclined surface has one end closer to the cable housing portion in the longitudinal direction, which is higher than the other end. The one end closer to the cable housing portion in the longitudinal direction of the inclined surface is provided at a position higher than the cable housing portion in the up-down direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the refrigerator taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing in detail the structure of the refrigerator compartment side of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a part of the structure of the refrigerator compartment side of the refrigerator according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a refrigeration cycle device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of the refrigerator. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the first duct part of the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the first duct part of the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lower end structure of the duct body in the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view showing a structure in the vicinity of a lower end structure of the duct body in the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the refrigerator in the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the area surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, duplicated descriptions of those components may be omitted.

[0009] (Embodiment) [1. Overall configuration of the refrigerator] Hereinafter, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the refrigerator 1 along line II-II shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view showing in detail the structure of the refrigerator compartment 27A side of the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a front view showing a part of the structure of the refrigerator compartment 27A side of the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment. In Fig. 4, the ice-making water supply tank (water supply device) 36 and the chilled compartment 27AA are omitted from the illustration.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a housing 10, a plurality of doors 11, a plurality of shelves 12, a plurality of containers 13, a flow path forming component 14, a cooling section 15, and a control board 16.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 10 has, for example, an inner box 10a, an outer box 10b, and a heat insulating section 10c. The inner box 10a is a member that forms the inner surface of the housing 10. The outer box 10b is a member that forms the outer surface of the housing 10. The outer box 10b is formed to be slightly larger than the inner box 10a, and is disposed outside the inner box 10a. The heat insulating section 10c, which includes a foamed heat insulating material such as urethane foam, is provided between the inner box 10a and the outer box 10b.

[0012] A plurality of storage compartments (storage sections) 27 are provided inside the housing 10. The plurality of storage compartments 27 include, for example, a refrigerator compartment 27A, a chilled compartment (special cooling compartment) 27AA, a vegetable compartment 27B, an ice-making compartment 27C, a small freezer compartment 27D, and a main freezer compartment 27E. In this embodiment, the refrigerator compartment 27A is arranged at the top, the vegetable compartment 27B is arranged below the refrigerator compartment 27A, the ice-making compartment 27C and the small freezer compartment 27D are arranged below the vegetable compartment 27B, and the main freezer compartment 27E is arranged below the ice-making compartment 27C and the small freezer compartment 27D.

[0013] However, the arrangement of storage chambers 27 is not limited to the above example, and for example, ice making chamber 27C and small freezer chamber 27D may be arranged below refrigerator chamber 27A, main freezer chamber 27E may be arranged below ice making chamber 27C and small freezer chamber 27D, and vegetable chamber 27B may be arranged below main freezer chamber 27E. Housing 10 has an opening on the front side of each storage chamber 27 that allows food to be put in and taken out of each storage chamber 27.

[0014] Chilled compartment 27AA is provided, for example, below a part of refrigerator compartment 27A. Chilled compartment 27AA is at least partially partitioned from refrigerator compartment 27A by, for example, a shelf or a wall (third partition 30). Chilled compartment 27AA is cooled to a lower temperature than refrigerator compartment 27A because it is located below refrigerator compartment 27A and cold cooling air (hereinafter, cold air) can easily flow into it, and because it is located closer to a refrigeration cooler 41 (described later) than refrigerator compartment 27A. Chilled compartment 27AA is an example of a "storage section." In this embodiment, an internal space S is formed by refrigerator compartment 27A and chilled compartment 27AA.

[0015] The housing 10 has a first partition 28, a second partition 29, and a third partition (top plate) 30. The first partition 28 separates the refrigerator compartment 27A from the vegetable compartment 27B. The second partition 29 separates the vegetable compartment 27B from the ice-making compartment 27C and the small freezer compartment 27D. The third partition 30 is located between the chilled compartment 27AA and the refrigerator compartment 27A other than the chilled compartment 27AA, and is a partition wall that separates the area of ​​the chilled compartment 27AA within the refrigerator compartment 27A. The third partition 30 forms the top plate of the chilled compartment 27AA. The second partition 29 contains, for example, a foam insulation material and has thermal insulation properties. The first partition 28 and the third partition 30 are formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, and have lower thermal insulation properties than the second partition 29.

[0016] The openings of the storage compartments 27 are closed by the doors 11 so as to be openable and closable. The doors 11 include, for example, left and right refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa and 11Ab that close the opening of the refrigerator compartment 27A, a refrigerator compartment door 11AA that closes the opening of the chilled compartment 27AA in the internal space S, a vegetable compartment door 11B that closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 27B, an ice making compartment door 11C that closes the opening of the ice making compartment 27C, a small freezer compartment door 11D that closes the opening of the small freezer compartment 27D, and a main freezer compartment door 11E that closes the opening of the main freezer compartment 27E. At least one of the refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa and 11Ab is an example of a "first door." The chilled compartment door 11AA is provided inside the refrigerator compartment 27A more than the refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa and 11Ab.

[0017] In addition, all or a part of the chilled compartment door 11AA may be provided integrally with the chilled compartment container 13A described later.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 3, chilled compartment 27AA and ice-making water supply tank 36 are provided below refrigerator compartment 27A. Chilled compartment 27AA and ice-making water supply tank 36 are aligned in the width direction, and ice-making water supply tank 36 is disposed on the left side of chilled compartment 27AA when refrigerator compartment 27A is viewed from the front.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 4, a cable housing 37 is disposed behind the ice-making water tank 36, housing a plurality of cables such as a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 110 and a light. The cable housing 37 houses a plurality of cables inside a housing cover 37a disposed opposite the rear wall 10ad of the inner box 10a. The cable housing 37 is disposed on the left side of the cooler cover 35, and protrudes leftward beyond the left edge of a first duct part 31 described later.

[0020] A plurality of shelves 12 are provided in the refrigerator compartment 27A. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the inner box 10a of this embodiment has six first shelf support parts 61 formed at intervals in the vertical direction, and is provided with a plurality of shelves 12 installed on any of these six first shelf support parts 61. In this embodiment, three shelves 12 are provided in the refrigerator compartment 27A. The mounting positions of the three shelves 12 shown in Figs. 2 to 4 are examples, and show, for example, the mounting positions at the time of shipment of the refrigerator. Each shelf 12 is detachably attached to the shelf support parts 6, and the mounting position can be appropriately changed up or down depending on the usage situation.

[0021] 2, the multiple containers 13 include a chilled compartment container 13A provided in chilled compartment 27AA, first and second vegetable compartment containers 13Ba, 13Bb provided in vegetable compartment 27B, an ice making compartment container (not shown) provided in ice making compartment 27C, a small freezer container 13D provided in small freezer compartment 27D, and first and second main freezer containers 13Ea, 13Eb provided in main freezer compartment 27E. In this specification, the term "container" also includes a shallow container such as a tray.

[0022] 2, the flow path forming parts 14 are disposed in the housing 10. The flow path forming parts 14 include a first duct part (cool air passage part) 31, a second duct part 32, and a cooler cover 35.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the first duct part 31 is provided along the rear wall 10d of the housing 10. The first duct part 31 is provided from the storage chamber 27 side, facing the inner surface of the rear wall 10ad of the inner box 10a. Between the first duct part 31 and the rear wall 10ad of the inner box 10a, a first duct space (cold air passage) D1, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, is formed. The first duct part 31 has a plurality of refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a. The plurality of refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a open to the refrigerator compartment 27A and the first duct space D1, and communicate the refrigerator compartment 27A with the first duct space D1. The plurality of refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a are provided at a plurality of positions at different heights above the chilled chamber 27AA.

[0024] The plurality of refrigerator compartment cool air outlets 31a open to the refrigerator compartment 27A and the first duct space D1, and connect the refrigerator compartment 27A and the first duct space D1.

[0025] The cooler cover 35 is located at the lower part of the first duct part 31, and is provided so as to face the inner surface of the rear wall 10ad of the inner box 10a and cover the cold storage cooler 41 from the storage room 27 side. The cooler cover 35 forms a sub-duct space SD, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, between the rear wall 10ad of the inner box 10a. The sub-duct space SD communicates with the first duct space D1, and the cold air generated in the cold storage cooler 41 is sent from the sub-duct space SD to the first duct space D1. The cooler cover 35 has a chilled room cold air outlet 35b and a cold air return port 35c. The chilled room cold air outlet 35b opens to the chilled room 27AA and communicates the chilled room 27AA with the sub-duct space SD. The cold air return port 35c opens to the vegetable room 27B and communicates the vegetable room 27B with the sub-duct space SD.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the cool air that has passed through the chilled compartment 27AA and the vegetable compartment 27B returns to the sub-duct space SD through the cool air return port 35c.

[0027] The second duct part 32 is provided along the rear wall 10d of the housing 10. The second duct part 32 forms a second duct space D2, which is a passage through which the cold air (air) flows. The second duct part 32 has a cold air outlet 32a and a cold air return port 32b. The cold air outlet 32a opens into the small freezer compartment 27D, and the cold air return port 32b opens into the main freezer compartment 27E. The cold air that has passed through the small freezer compartment 27D returns to the second duct space D2 from the cold air return port 35c.

[0028] The cooling section (cooling unit) 15 cools the multiple storage chambers 27. The cooling section 15 includes, for example, a first cooling module 40, a second cooling module 45, a compressor 49, and a refrigeration cycle device 50 (FIG. 5).

[0029] The first cooling module 40 includes, for example, a cold storage cooler 41 and a cold storage fan 43. The cold storage cooler 41 is disposed in a sub-duct space SD that communicates with the first duct space D1. The cold storage cooler 41 is supplied with refrigerant compressed by a compressor 49 (described later) and cools the cold air flowing through the first duct space D1 and the sub-duct space SD. The cold storage cooler 41 is disposed, for example, at a height corresponding to the chilled chamber 27AA.

[0030] The refrigeration fan 43 is provided, for example, in the cold air return port 35c of the cooler cover 35. When the refrigeration fan 43 is driven, the air in the vegetable compartment 27B flows into the subduct space SD from the cold air return port 35c. The air that flows into the subduct space SD is cooled by the refrigeration cooler 41. The cold air cooled by the refrigeration cooler 41 is blown out from the plurality of refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a into the refrigerator compartment 27A, and from the chilled compartment cold air outlet 35b into the chilled compartment 27AA. As a result, the cold air flowing through the refrigerator compartment 27A, the chilled compartment 27AA, and the vegetable compartment 27B is circulated in the refrigerator 1, and the refrigerator compartment 27A, the chilled compartment 27AA, and the vegetable compartment 27B are cooled.

[0031] On the other hand, the second cooling module 45 includes, for example, a refrigeration cooler 46 and a refrigeration fan 48. The refrigeration cooler 46 is disposed in the second duct space D2. The refrigeration cooler 46 is supplied with a refrigerant compressed by a compressor 49 (described later) and cools the cold air flowing through the second duct space D2.

[0032] The refrigeration fan 48 is provided, for example, in the cold air return port 32b of the second duct part 32, and circulates the cold air flowing through the ice making compartment 27C, the small freezer compartment 27D, and the main freezer compartment 27E to cool the ice making compartment 27C, the small freezer compartment 27D, and the main freezer compartment 27E.

[0033] Compressor 49 is provided, for example, in a machine room at the bottom of refrigerator 1, and compresses refrigerant gas used to cool storage compartment 27.

[0034] In this specification, "cooling" refers to a state in which a refrigerant is supplied from the compressor 49 to a cooler (refrigeration cooler 41 or freezing cooler 46) corresponding to each storage chamber 27. However, in this specification, "cooling" is not limited to the case in which the refrigeration fan 43 or the freezing fan 48 is driven. For example, "cooling" also includes the case in which the refrigeration fan 43 is stopped and a refrigerant is sent from the compressor 49 to the refrigeration cooler 41, causing the temperature of the chilled chamber 27AA to decrease due to heat transfer between the refrigeration cooler 41 and the chilled chamber 27AA.

[0035] The control board 16 is provided on the upper wall of the housing 10. The control board 16 realizes a control unit 100, which will be described later. The control unit 100 will be described in detail later.

[0036] [2. Refrigeration cycle equipment] The refrigerator 1 configured as above is cooled by a refrigeration cycle device 50 controlled by a control unit 100 described later.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a refrigeration cycle device 50. As shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 5, the refrigeration cycle device 50 is configured by connecting a compressor 49, a condenser 51, a dryer 52, a three-way valve 53, capillary tubes 54 and 55, a refrigeration cooler 41, and a refrigeration cooler 46 in a ring shape in the order of refrigerant flow. The refrigeration cooler 41 is connected to the compressor 49 via a refrigeration-side suction pipe 57, which is a connecting pipe. The refrigeration cooler 46 is connected to the compressor 49 via a refrigeration-side suction pipe 58, which is a connecting pipe. A check valve 59 is provided between the refrigeration cooler 46 and the compressor 49 to prevent the refrigerant from the refrigeration cooler 41 from flowing back to the refrigeration cooler 46.

[0038] Next, the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 50 will be described. First, the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 50 is compressed by the compressor 49 to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and flows through a flow path A. The three-way valve 53 is controlled by the control unit 100 (see FIG. 6) to select, for example, one of a flow path B that supplies the refrigerant to the refrigeration cooler 41 and a flow path C that supplies the refrigerant to the freezing cooler 46. These two flow paths B and C join at a joining point D. The refrigerant flows from the joining point D through a flow path E and returns to the compressor 49.

[0039] [3. Control] [3.1 Control-related functional configuration] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of the refrigerator 1. The control board 16 is equipped with a control unit 100 that is configured with a computer having a microcomputer, a timer, etc. The control unit 100 controls the entire refrigerator 1. In the following explanation, a case where the temperature of the chilled compartment 27AA is the main target for temperature management of the special chilled operation described later will be explained. The control unit 100 is connected to a chilled fan 43, a compressor 49, a three-way valve 53, a chilled compartment temperature sensor 110, a chilled compartment temperature sensor 111, an outside air temperature sensor 112, a chilled compartment door switch 113a, 113b, a chilled compartment door switch 114, a camera 115, a memory unit 116, and an operation panel unit 150.

[0040] Refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 110 is provided in refrigerator compartment 27A and detects the air temperature within refrigerator compartment 27A. Chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 is a non-contact temperature sensor provided in chilled compartment 27AA. Chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 detects the air temperature within chilled compartment 27AA, the temperature of food within chilled compartment 27AA (e.g., the surface temperature of the food), or the temperature of a container placed within chilled compartment 27AA on which food is placed.

[0041] The chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 may be a direct contact type temperature sensor that is in direct contact with the container. The chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 is an example of a "temperature detection unit." Hereinafter, the air temperature in the refrigerator compartment 27A may be referred to as the "refrigerator compartment temperature," and the air temperature in the chilled compartment 27AA may be referred to as the "chilled compartment temperature."

[0042] The control unit 100 may estimate the chilled compartment temperature based on the detection result of the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 110 and a correlation between the refrigerator compartment temperature and the chilled compartment temperature that is determined in advance. In this case, the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 110 is an example of a "temperature detection unit that detects the air temperature of the chilled compartment 27AA."

[0043] It should be noted that in cases where the temperature of food is detected by camera 115 (described later), chilled compartment temperature sensor 111 may be omitted.

[0044] The outside air temperature sensor 112 is provided on the surface of the refrigerator 1 and detects the outside air temperature of the refrigerator 1. In this specification, the "outside air temperature" means the temperature outside the refrigerator 1, for example, the air temperature indoors where the refrigerator 1 is installed.

[0045] The refrigerator compartment door switches 113a, 113b are provided between the refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa, 11Ab and the housing 10, and detect the open / closed states of the refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa, 11Ab, respectively. The chilled compartment door switch 114 is provided in the chilled compartment 27AA, and detects the open / closed state of the chilled compartment door 11AA. Each of the refrigerator compartment door switches 113a, 113b and the chilled compartment door switch 114 is an example of a "first detection unit."

[0046] Camera 115 is an imaging device that is provided, for example, on the ceiling or side of refrigerator compartment 27A and detects the entry and exit of food into and from refrigerator compartment 27A and chilled compartment 27AA. Camera 115 detects whether food is being entered or taken out by, for example, detecting the direction of food movement. Camera 115 is an example of a "second detection unit." Camera 115 may be provided in chilled compartment 27AA and only detect the entry and exit of food into and from chilled compartment 27AA.

[0047] "Detection values ​​detected by camera 115 (second detection unit)" include, for example, different detection results for food entering or leaving refrigerator compartment 27A and food entering or leaving chilled compartment 27AA. "Detection values ​​detected by camera 115 (second detection unit)" may include different detection results depending on the temperature, surface area, etc. of the food. Camera 115 may be a normal camera having sensitivity characteristics in the visible light region, or an infrared camera having sensitivity characteristics in the infrared light region. The infrared camera is capable of detecting the temperature of the food (e.g., the surface temperature). The "detector that detects the entry and exit of food" is not limited to a camera, but may be an ultrasonic sensor, etc. Also, if the temperature of food is detected by chilled compartment temperature sensor 111, camera 115 may be omitted.

[0048] The storage unit 116 stores programs and various information required for operating the refrigerator 1. The storage unit 116 stores, for example, conversion coefficients used in a control mode described later. These conversion coefficients are coefficients for converting, for example, detection results obtained by various sensors into variables used for temperature control, and are registered in the storage unit 116 in advance.

[0049] Operation panel unit 150 accepts user operations to instruct switching of the set temperature zones and control modes (starting a different control mode) of each storage compartment 27, and displays the settings and the current operating status. Operation panel unit 150 is, for example, a so-called touch-type operation panel unit, and includes a touch sensor constituted by a capacitance switch.

[0050] [First duct part] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 3.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 3, the first duct part 31 is formed in a rectangular shape in a front view with a size sufficient to cover the rear wall 10ad of the inner box 10a of the refrigerator compartment 27A, and is located behind the multiple shelves 12 (Fig. 7). As shown in Figs. 3 and 7, the multiple refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a, chilled compartment cold air outlets 35b, and cold air return ports 35c formed in the first duct part 31 are offset from the installation positions of the multiple shelves 12 in the vertical direction and are arranged at positions that do not overlap with the shelves 12. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a first duct space D1 through which cold air passes is formed between the first duct part 31 and the rear wall 10ad of the inner box 10a.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the first duct part of the embodiment. 9 (and 10), the first duct part 31 of the embodiment has a duct main body (main body) 311 and a duct cover (covering member) 312. The duct main body 311 and the duct cover 312 are integrally assembled with each other, and a surface 311k of the duct main body 311 is covered by the duct cover 312.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 9, the first duct part 31 of this embodiment has a plurality of fixing parts 313 that fix the duct main body 311 and the duct cover 312. Four fixing parts 313 are provided on each side in the width direction of the first duct part 31. Note that Fig. 9 shows only four fixing parts on one side.

[0054] In this embodiment, there are eight fixing parts 313 in total, but the number of fixing parts 313 is not limited to this. The number of fixing parts 313 can be changed as appropriate as long as the fixed state between the duct main body 311 and the duct cover 312 can be maintained for a long period of time, but a configuration having at least two fixing parts 313 on each of the top and bottom of both sides in the width direction, for a total of four fixing parts 313, is used. In addition, by providing fixing parts 313 not only at two locations on each of the top and bottom of both sides, but also on both sides in the width direction at the center position in the up-down direction of the first duct part 31, it is possible to suppress bending of the entire duct cover 312.

[0055] [Duct body] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the first duct part of the embodiment. The duct body 311 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 10, the duct main body 311 has a flat portion 311A ​​and an outer circumferential end portion (hereinafter, duct side outer circumferential end portion 311B).

[0056] The flat surface portion 311A ​​is a plate-like shape having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and faces parallel to the rear wall 10ad of the inner box 10a as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 10, a plurality of through holes 311a are formed in the flat surface portion 311A, which constitute a plurality of refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a in the first duct part 31.

[0057] The duct side outer peripheral end 311B is formed on a part of the circumferential direction of the flat surface portion 311A. Specifically, the duct side outer peripheral end 311B is formed continuously along an upper edge 311c of the flat surface portion 311A ​​of the duct main body 311, a pair of side edges 311d on both sides in the width direction, and a pair of corners 311j located between the upper edge 311c and each side edge 311d. The duct side outer peripheral end 311B is not formed on a lower edge 311g of the flat surface portion 311A.

[0058] The duct side outer periphery end 311B extends from three sides (top side 311c and a pair of side sides 311d) of the flat surface portion 311A ​​perpendicularly to the flat surface portion 311A ​​toward the rear (rear wall 10ad of the inner box 10a). As shown in FIG. 10, the duct side outer periphery end 311B extends substantially perpendicularly to the flat surface portion 311A.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 10, the duct side outer peripheral end 311B has a plurality of recesses 311D constituting the above-mentioned fixing portion 313. The plurality of recesses 311D are provided on a pair of side edges 311d on both sides of the flat portion 311A ​​in the width direction of the duct side outer peripheral end 311B. In this embodiment, a total of eight recesses 311D are formed, four on each side. Note that only four on one side are shown in Fig. 10.

[0060] The recesses 311D are formed in the duct side outer peripheral end 311B, cut forward from the rear end surface of the outer peripheral end 311B, and open on both sides in the width direction and the rear end surface. The recesses 311D are formed at intervals in the up-down direction.

[0061] Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the lower end structure of the duct body 311 in the embodiment. Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view showing the structure in the vicinity of the lower end structural part 70 of the duct body 311 in the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 11, a lower end structural portion 70 is formed on the lower end side of the duct main body 311 of this embodiment. The lower end structural portion 70 is provided over substantially the entire width direction along the lower side of the duct main body 311. The lower end structural portion 70 protrudes forward beyond the surface 312b of the duct cover 312, as shown in Fig. 11.

[0062] The lower end structural portion 70 has a rectangular column portion 71 , a support portion 72 , and an inclined portion 73 . The rectangular column portion 71 has at least a top surface 71a, a front surface 71b, and side surfaces 71c on both sides in the width direction. The rectangular column portion 71 has no bottom surface or rear surface (FIG. 14), and is open downward and rearward. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the rectangular column portion 71 in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (the width direction of the duct part) is approximately L-shaped.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 12, the support portion 72 supports the third partition portion 30 via a partition holding portion 63 attached to the rear end of the third partition portion 30 constituting the top plate of the chilled chamber 27AA. That is, the partition holding portion 63 is attached to the support portion 72. The support portion 72 shown in FIG. 11 has a plate-shaped portion 72A and a pair of locking portions 72B. The plate-shaped portion 72A extends along the entire lower side of the front surface 71b of the rectangular column portion 71 and is perpendicular to the front surface 71b. As shown in FIG. 11, the pair of locking portions 72B are formed on both sides of the longitudinal center position of the plate-shaped portion 72A and are arranged with a gap between them. Parts of the partition holding portion 63 attached to the rear end of the third partition portion 30 are locked to the pair of locking portions 72B, and the plate-shaped portion 72A supports the partition holding portion 63 from below.

[0064] The inclined portion 73 is formed on the top surface 71a of the rectangular column portion 71. The inclined portion 73 is located on the rear end side of the top surface 71a in the front-rear direction, and is formed across the entire width direction of the lower end structural portion 70. The inclined portion 73 is formed to be at least longer than the width Wd1 (FIG. 3) of the first duct space D1 formed by the first duct part 31, and is provided below the lowest refrigerator compartment cold air outlet 31a1 (FIG. 14) among the multiple refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a provided in the first duct part 31.

[0065] The inclined portion 73 has an inclined surface 73a that protrudes upward from the top surface 71a. The inclined surface 73a is continuously inclined downward from one end 73a1 in the longitudinal direction to the other end 73a2. In this embodiment, the inclination is such that the end 73a2 located on the right side is lower than the end 73a1 located on the left side of the refrigerator 1, and the end 73a2 on the cable housing section 37 side shown in FIG. 4 is higher.

[0066] The height difference T between the ends 73a1, 73a2 on both sides of the length direction of the inclined surface 73a is about 5 mm. The inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 73a with respect to the top surface 71a is appropriately set within a range of about 4.8° to 7°. In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 73a is about 7°.

[0067] The inclined surface 73a has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and has a constant width W73 (W) over the entire longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the width W73 of the inclined surface 73a in the short direction is about 5 mm. The width W73 of the inclined surface 73a corresponds to the width W according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the width W73 of the inclined surface 73a is the same as the height difference T of the inclined surface 73a, but the width W73 of the inclined surface 73a is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the width W73 may be larger than the height difference T of the inclined surface 73a. In this way, the inclined surface 73a is formed so that the height difference T between both ends in the longitudinal direction and the width W73 (W) in the lateral direction satisfy the relationship T≦W73.

[0068] The inclined surface 73a has a function of receiving water droplets that flow downward along the surface when the water droplets appear on the surface of the first duct part 31 (surface 312b of the duct cover 312) due to condensation in the refrigerator compartment 27A. Therefore, it is preferable to set the width W73 of the inclined surface 73a in consideration of the size of the water droplets that may be generated by condensation. In this embodiment, water droplets with a diameter of about 2 mm are considered as water droplets that may be generated by condensation. The width W73 of the inclined surface 73a is set to 5 mm in consideration of the size (droplet size that generates surface tension) of a water droplet of a predetermined size (diameter about 2 mm) that may be generated by condensation when it hangs down and contacts the inclined surface 73a.

[0069] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a partially enlarged view of a part of the refrigerator 1 in the embodiment. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of an area surrounded by a dashed line in Fig. 13. In Figs. 13 and 14, the duct cover 312 is omitted from illustration.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 13, a first heat insulating material (heat insulating material) 33 is provided on the back surface 31e side of the first duct part 31 of this embodiment. The first heat insulating material 33 has a size slightly smaller than the first duct part 31 (Fig. 3). The first heat insulating material 33 has a plurality of through holes 33A penetrating in the thickness direction. These plurality of through holes 33A are formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a of the first duct part 31.

[0071] 14, the first insulating material 33 has a plurality of insertion holes 33B formed therein penetrating in the thickness direction. Locking portions 31F provided on the back surface 31e side of the first duct part 31 are inserted into these insertion holes 33B. The tip portions 31f of the locking portions 31F inserted into the insertion holes 33B engage with the back surface 33e of the first insulating material 33, respectively, thereby fixing the first insulating material 33 to the duct main body 311. At this time, the first insulating material 33 may be temporarily fixed to the back surface 31e of the first duct part 31 with adhesive tape or the like.

[0072] The first insulating material 33 is a foam insulating material such as expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) and has high thermal insulation properties. The first insulating material 33 is an insulating member having better thermal insulation properties per unit thickness than the first duct part 31.

[0073] [Duct cover] 9 and 10 is made of metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, glass, etc. These materials can effectively prevent the duct cover 312 from rusting. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the duct cover 312 has a flat portion 312A and an outer circumferential end portion (hereinafter, referred to as a cover-side outer circumferential end portion 312B).

[0074] The flat surface portion 312A is a plate-like shape having a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and covers the surface 311k of the duct main body 311 (flat surface portion 311A) as shown in Fig. 10. A plurality of through holes 312a are formed in the flat surface portion 312A, which constitute a plurality of refrigerator compartment cool air outlets 31a in the first duct part 31.

[0075] The cover-side outer peripheral end 312B is formed on a part of the circumferential direction of the flat surface portion 312A. Specifically, the cover-side outer peripheral end 312B is formed continuously along an upper edge 312c of the flat surface portion 312A of the duct cover 312, a pair of side edges 312d on both sides in the width direction, and a pair of corners 312j located between the upper edge 312c and each side edge 312d. The cover-side outer peripheral end 312B is not formed on a lower edge 312g of the flat surface portion 312A.

[0076] The cover side outer peripheral end 312B extends rearward (toward the duct body 311) from three sides (the upper side 312c and a pair of side sides 312d) of the flat surface portion 312A. As shown in FIG. 10, the cover side outer peripheral end 312B extends substantially perpendicular to the flat surface portion 312A.

[0077] The duct cover 312 also has a plurality of locking portions 312D which constitute the above-mentioned fixing portion 313. The plurality of locking portions 312D are provided on a pair of side edges 312d on both sides in the width direction of the flat portion 312A of the cover-side outer peripheral end portion 312B. In this embodiment, a total of eight locking portions 312D are formed, four on each side. Note that only four on each side are shown in FIG. 10.

[0078] The locking portion 312D is formed at the rear end of the cover side outer peripheral end portion 312B, and has a rectangular thin rod portion 312d1 extending rearward (toward the duct main body portion 311) from the rear end of the cover side outer peripheral end portion 312B, and an enlarged portion 312d2 provided at the rear end of the thin rod portion 312d1. In this embodiment, it has a T-shape in a plan view, but the shape of the enlarged portion 312d2 is not limited to the shape shown in the figure and can be changed as appropriate.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 9, before the duct cover 312 is attached to the duct body 311, the engaging portion 312D has the thin rod portion 312d1 and the enlarged portion 312d2 extending straight backward.

[0080] When attaching the above-mentioned metal duct cover 312 to the resin duct main body 311, as shown in Fig. 10, the duct cover 312 is placed from the surface 311k side of the duct main body 311, and after aligning the positions of the locking portions 312D of the duct cover 312 with the recesses 311D of the duct main body 311, the locking portions 312D of the duct cover 312 are folded into the recesses 311D of the duct main body 311. In this manner, the duct cover 312 is attached to the duct main body 311.

[0081] [Cooler cover] As shown in Fig. 14, the cooler cover 35 is connected to the lower end side of the first duct part 31. The cooler cover 35 is formed in a box shape (Figs. 4 and 7) to accommodate the refrigeration cooler 41 therein, and protrudes forward from the first duct part 31. A second heat insulating material (heat insulating material) 38 is provided on the back surface 35e side of the cooler cover 35. A part of the second heat insulating material 38 is adhered to the first heat insulating material 33 provided on the back surface 31e of the first duct part 31 via an adhesive member 39. For example, an adhesive tape or the like can be used as the adhesive member 39, and the joint surfaces of the first heat insulating material 33 and the second heat insulating material 38 are attached to each other.

[0082] As described above, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment is designed to minimize the effects of condensation in the refrigerator compartment 27A. For example, if refrigerator compartment doors 11Aa, 11Ab are left open for a long time, if the doors are opened and closed frequently, or if the doors are left half-open, a lot of warm outside air around refrigerator 1 will enter refrigerator compartment 27A, and the outside air will be cooled, making it more likely for condensation to form inside refrigerator compartment 27A. If a lot of condensation water forms, food and the inside of the storage compartment will get wet, causing food deterioration and breakdowns.

[0083] Therefore, in the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the first duct part 31 installed at the rear of the refrigerator compartment 27A is formed with an inclined part 73 that drops the condensed water to a predetermined location (for example, the refrigeration cooler 41). Water droplets that have adhered to the surface of the first duct part 31 due to condensation run along the duct surface, hang down onto the inclined surface 73a, and flow along the inclination of the inclined surface 73a toward the end 73a2 on the right side of the refrigerator 1. At this time, the inclined part 73 guides the water droplets to the opposite side in the width direction to the cable housing 37 provided on the left side of the refrigerator 1. If the water droplets flow toward the cable housing 37 side, the moisture will penetrate into the cable housing 37 through the cable due to capillary action, and the cable and the contents may corrode. Therefore, the end 73a1 of the inclined part 73 on the cable housing 37 side is made higher to prevent the water droplets from flowing toward the cable housing 37 side.

[0084] In addition, since the inclined surface 73a is higher on the ice-making water supply tank 36 side, it is possible to prevent condensed water from flowing toward the ice-making water supply tank 36 side, so that condensed water does not get into the ice-making water supply tank 36.

[0085] In this embodiment, since the surface of the first duct part 31 is formed by the metal duct cover 312, condensation is more likely to occur compared to a structure in which the resin duct body 311 without the duct cover 312 is exposed inside the refrigerator compartment 27A. However, even if water droplets are formed due to condensation, the inclined surface 73a can efficiently discharge the water droplets to outside the refrigerator compartment 27A, preventing the interior of the refrigerator from becoming wet and spreading.

[0086] Moreover, in the area of ​​the surface of the first duct part 31 corresponding to the first duct space D1, condensation (water droplets) is likely to occur due to the temperature difference between the cold air flowing in the first duct space D1 and the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 27A. Therefore, the length of the inclined surface 73a is preferably longer than the widthwise length of the first duct space D1, and in this embodiment, the inclined surface 73a is formed over the entire widthwise direction of the first duct part 31. This allows the inclined surface 73a to effectively receive and discharge water droplets that have formed in the area of ​​the first duct part 31 corresponding to the first duct space D1.

[0087] Furthermore, since the entire longitudinal direction of the inclined surface 73a overlaps with the first insulating material 33 in the front-to-rear direction (depth direction) (FIG. 14), it is possible to prevent condensation from occurring on the inclined surface 73a itself.

[0088] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, the inclined surface 73a is located above the third partition portion 30 that constitutes the top plate of the chilled compartment 27AA, so that condensation water can be prevented from entering the chilled compartment 27AA.

[0089] Furthermore, since the inclined surface 73a is provided below the lowest refrigerator compartment cold air outlet 31a1 (Figure 14) among the multiple refrigerator compartment cold air outlets 31a provided in the first duct part 31, condensation water generated near the refrigerator compartment cold air outlet 31a1 can be reliably received by the inclined surface 73a.

[0090] In addition, the cooler cover 35 is connected to the lower end side of the first duct part 31. The first duct part 31 and the cooler cover 35 are assembled so that a part of each of them overlaps in the front-rear direction. The joint surface between the first heat insulating material 33 and the second heat insulating material 38 provided on the back side of the first duct part 31 and the cooler cover 35 is located near the boundary between the flat part 311A ​​of the first duct part 31 and the lower end structure part 70. At the joint (boundary) of the heat insulating materials 33 and 38, there is a high possibility that cold air will leak and condensation will occur, so by providing an inclined surface 73a in this vicinity, moisture can be effectively discharged.

[0091] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the above-mentioned embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0092] For example, the inclined surface 73a may be configured to prevent water droplets flowing on the inclined surface 73a from leaking forward of the inclined surface 73a. As such a configuration, the inclined surface 73a may be inclined so that the rear side of the inclined surface 73a is lower in the depth direction, or a groove structure in which a wall-like structure is erected on the front end side of the inclined surface 73a may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1...refrigerator, 10...casing, 15...cooling section, 27...storage compartment (storage section), 27A...refrigerating compartment, 27AA...chilled compartment (special cooling compartment), 27C...ice-making compartment, 30...third partition (top plate), 31...first duct part (cold air passage part), 31e...reverse side of first duct part, 33e...reverse side of first insulation material, 35e...reverse side of cooler cover, 33...first insulation material (insulation material), 36...for ice making Water tank (water supply device), 37...wire bundle storage section, 38...second insulation material (insulation material), 73a...inclined surface, 312...duct cover (covering member), 312b...surface of duct cover, 73a1...left end of inclined surface, 73a2...right end of inclined surface, D1...first duct space (cold air passage), T...height difference, W73...width in the short side direction of the inclined surface (width W), Wd1...width of the first duct space

Claims

1. A housing having a storage section, a cooling section for cooling the storage section, and a wire harness accommodating section for accommodating a wire harness on the back side of the storage section, wherein the housing includes a cold air passage component that forms a cold air passage for guiding cold air generated in the cooling section to the storage section, the cold air passage component has an inclined surface that inclines downward as it goes from one side to the other side in the width direction at the lower part of the surface facing the storage section, in the longitudinal direction, one end of the inclined surface closer to the wire harness accommodating section is higher than the other end, and the one end of the inclined surface closer to the wire harness accommodating section in the longitudinal direction is provided at a position higher than the wire harness accommodating section in the vertical direction, a refrigerator.

2. An ice maker for making ice, and a water supply device for supplying water to the ice maker, wherein one end of the inclined surface closer to the water supply device is higher than the other end, the refrigerator according to Claim 1.

3. The refrigerator further includes a metal covering member that covers the surface of the cold air passage component, the refrigerator according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The relationship between the height difference T between one end and the other end of the inclined surface in the longitudinal direction and the width W in the short direction satisfies the relationship of T ≤ W, the refrigerator according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The width W of the inclined surface in the short direction is 5 mm or more, the refrigerator according to Claim 4.

6. The inclined surface is formed longer than the width of the cold air passage, the refrigerator according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. The storage section includes a refrigerating chamber and a special cooling chamber in which the temperature of the cooling air is set lower than that of the refrigerating chamber, and the inclined surface is located at a position higher than the top plate of the special cooling chamber, the refrigerator according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. A heat insulating material is provided on the back side of the cold air passage component, and the entire inclined surface overlaps with the heat insulating material in the front-rear direction, the refrigerator according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

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