Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator having a function for performing vacuum packaging of stored objects while suppressing problems caused by noise and odor.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 2 includes a vacuuming device V having: a vacuum pump 10 disposed in the refrigerator; and a suction nozzle 26 which communicates with a suction port of the vacuum pump 10 and is inserted into a vacuum packaging bag PB at the outside of the refrigerator. A gas in the bag PB which is suctioned by the vacuum pump 10 and discharged from the vacuum pump 10 does not flow in a storage area 6 and flows into the inlet side of an evaporator 52 which cools cool air in the refrigerator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a function of vacuum-packing a bag containing food or the like.

Background Art

[0002] If a bag containing food can be vacuum-packed, the freshness of the stored food can be maintained for a long time when stored in a refrigerator. As a refrigerator having such a vacuum-packing function, a refrigerator equipped with a vacuum pump and having a pipe connected to the suction port of the vacuum pump protruding outside the cabinet has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, the pipe protruding outside the cabinet is inserted into a bag containing food or the like, and by operating the vacuum pump, vacuum packing can be performed outside the cabinet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, since the vacuum pump is arranged in a machine room outside the cabinet, noise is generated around the refrigerator when the vacuum pump operates. In addition, since the gas sucked from the bag containing food is discharged outside the cabinet from the vacuum pump, there is a problem that an odor is generated around the refrigerator. If the gas sucked from the bag containing food is discharged into the storage area inside the cabinet, there is a problem that the odor is transferred to the stored items in the storage area.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having a function of vacuum-packing stored items while suppressing problems of noise and odor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The refrigerator of the present invention is provided with a vacuum pump disposed inside the cabinet, an intake nozzle that communicates with the suction port of the vacuum pump and is inserted into a vacuum packaging bag outside the cabinet, and is equipped with a vacuum drawing device having the gas in the bag sucked by the vacuum pump and discharged from the vacuum pump flows into the inlet side of an evaporator that cools the cold air inside the cabinet without flowing through the storage area.

[0007] According to the present invention, since the vacuum pump is disposed inside the cabinet, it is possible to suppress the operation noise of the vacuum pump from leaking outside the cabinet. Further, since the gas sucked from inside the bag is discharged from the vacuum pump and flows into the inlet side of the evaporator without flowing through the storage area, the odor of the gas sucked from the bag is not released into the storage area. Further, it is possible to prevent the odor components contained in the gas sucked from the bag from adhering to the stored items in the storage area. Most of the odor components contained in the gas are contained in the moisture in the gas. When the gas passes through the evaporator, the moisture freezes and adheres to the surface of the fins as frost, so the odor components are also trapped by the evaporator together with the frost. Therefore, the odor components can be significantly reduced in the gas that has passed through the evaporator.

[0008] Thereby, it is possible to provide a refrigerator having a function of vacuum-packaging stored items while suppressing problems of noise and odor.

[0009] Further, in the present invention, the outlet pipe connected to the discharge port of the vacuum pump opens into a return duct into which the gas that has flowed through the storage area flows, and the gas discharged from the vacuum pump flows through the return duct and into the inlet side of the evaporator.

[0010] According to the present invention, the gas sucked from inside the bag is discharged from the vacuum pump, flows into the return duct, and flows through the return duct and into the inlet side of the evaporator. Therefore, it is possible to surely make the gas sucked from inside the bag flow into the inlet side of the evaporator without flowing through the storage area.

[0011] In addition, in the present invention, a deodorizing filter is disposed in the return duct, and the gas discharged from the vacuum pump flows into the inlet side of the evaporator after passing through the deodorizing filter.

[0012] According to the present invention, the gas sucked from inside the bag passes through the deodorizing filter before being discharged from the vacuum pump and flowing into the inlet side of the evaporator. Therefore, the odor components contained in the gas can be more reliably removed.

[0013] In addition, in the present invention, the vacuum pump is disposed on the back side inside the storage chamber.

[0014] According to the present invention, since the vacuum pump is disposed on the back side inside the storage chamber, it does not interfere when taking in and out the stored items, and the storage area can be effectively utilized. Further, when the outlet pipe connected to the vacuum pump is connected to the return duct, the total length of the outlet pipe can be shortened.

[0015] In addition, in the present invention, the intake nozzle is attached to the tip of a hose locked to the catching part of the movable mechanism, and the movement of the catching part biased in the pulling direction by a coil spring can form a state in which the intake nozzle and the hose are pulled out to the front surface outside the storage chamber and a state in which at least the hose is pulled into the storage chamber.

[0016] According to the present invention, usually, at least the hose is stored inside the storage chamber so as not to be in the way, and when performing vacuum packaging, the hose and the intake nozzle can be pulled out to the front surface outside the storage chamber to easily perform vacuum packaging.

[0017] In addition, in the present invention, it includes a connection part connected to the intake nozzle and having a check valve, and a holding part to which the connection part is attached. With the connecting part opening into the bag, the opening of the bag is sandwiched and sealed by the holding part, air inside the bag is sucked from the opening of the connecting part connected to the intake nozzle, and by removing the intake nozzle from the connecting part, it is characterized by comprising a storage clip that can be stored in a storage while maintaining the sealed state of the bag with the check valve.

[0018] According to the present invention, even when using a bag without a sealing mechanism such as a fastener, the freshness of the food ingredients inside the bag can be maintained for a long time.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator having a function of vacuum-packing stored items while suppressing problems of noise and odor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The refrigerator described below is for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to the following. In each drawing, members having the same function may be denoted by the same reference numerals. The size and positional relationship of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. In the drawings, the width direction of the refrigerator is shown as the X-axis direction, the depth direction of the refrigerator is shown as the Y-axis direction, and the height direction of the refrigerator is shown as the Z-axis direction.

[0022] (Refrigerator Equipped with a Vacuum Drawing Device According to One Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator 2 equipped with a vacuum drawing device V according to one embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front side, and is a figure showing the vacuum drawing device V and related members arranged in the refrigerator with other members removed. FIG. 2 is a figure showing the part shown by the arrow A of FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a vacuum pump 10 of a vacuum drawing device V according to one embodiment of the present invention and members around it. FIG. 4A is a figure showing a movable mechanism 22 of a vacuum drawing device V according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a figure showing a state in which a hose 24 is drawn into the movable mechanism 22. FIG. 4B is a figure showing a state in which the hose 24 is pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of the movable mechanism.

[0023] The refrigerator 2 according to this embodiment has a storage area 6 disposed inside the main body 4, and a machine room M disposed at the lower part on the back side. The machine room M is disposed outside the refrigerator. The storage area 6 includes at least a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and a vegetable compartment 8, and the vegetable compartment 8 is disposed substantially at the center in the height direction of the storage area 6.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum device V according to this embodiment includes a vacuum pump 10, an inlet pipe 20 connected to the suction port of the vacuum pump 10, and an outlet pipe 30 connected to the discharge port of the vacuum pump 10. The vacuum pump 10 is disposed on the back side of the vegetable compartment 8 disposed substantially at the center in the height direction of the refrigerator 2. Since the vacuum pump 10 is disposed inside the refrigerator, leakage of the operating noise of the vacuum pump 10 to the outside of the refrigerator can be suppressed. Further, since the vacuum pump 10 is disposed on the back side inside the refrigerator, it does not interfere when taking in and out stored items, and the storage area 6 can be effectively utilized.

[0025] By operating the vacuum pump 10, the air in the bag PB for vacuum packaging can be sucked from the inlet pipe 20 side and discharged to the outlet pipe 30 side. As the vacuum pump 10, any known small electric pump for vacuum packaging can be used.

[0026] <Suction side of the vacuum pump> The inlet pipe 20 communicating with the suction port of the vacuum pump 10 extends forward inside the refrigerator to the inside of the movable mechanism 22. Inside the movable mechanism 22, a hose 24 is connected to the tip of the inlet pipe 20. As shown in FIG. 4C, the movable mechanism 22 includes a housing 22A, a coil spring 22B, a catching portion 22C, and a front catching projection 22D disposed inside the housing 22A. As shown by the dotted arrow, a catching projection 22B1 provided on the coil spring 22B is inserted into a hole 22C2 provided in the catching portion 22C. Then, a rear catching projection 22C1 provided on the catching portion 22C is inserted into the loop of the hose 24. Further, a cylindrical front catching projection 22D protruding upward from the lower surface of the housing 22A is inserted into the loop of the hose 24.

[0027] That is, the rear side (the side of the inlet pipe 20) of the loop of the hose 24 is locked to the catching portion 22C (specifically, the rear catching projection 22C1), and the front side is locked to the front catching projection 22D. As a result, the hose 24 is wound around the catching portion 22C (specifically, the rear catching projection 22C1) and the front catching projection 22D and is arranged to draw an 8-shaped loop. An intake nozzle 26 is attached to the tip of the hose 24 extending forward from the loop. And the tip portion of the hose 24 including the intake nozzle 26 extends outward (front side) from the opening of the front member 22A1. In FIG. 4C, an 8-shaped loop is formed by the hose 24, but it is not limited to this, and an O-shaped loop may be formed.

[0028] In the coil spring 22B, the outer peripheral side end portion is attached to the catching portion 22C via the protrusion portion 22B1, and the center side end portion is fixed to the housing 22A side. Thus, when the tip portion of the hose 24 including the intake nozzle 26 is pulled out, a force is transmitted from the hose 24 via the rear catching projection 22C1, and the catching portion 22C also moves in the direction of being pulled out. When the catching portion 22C moves in the direction of being pulled out, the coil spring 22B contracts in the central direction and is biased in the direction of returning to its original position. As described above, the catching portion 22C is biased in the direction of pulling in the hose 24 by the coil spring 22B. The state in which the hose 24 is pulled in by the catching portion 22C is shown in FIG. 4A.

[0029] In the state where the hose 24 is drawn in by the catching portion 22C, the hose 24 is stored in the cabinet. The intake nozzle 26 is also generally stored in the cabinet. At least the tip of the intake nozzle 26 is exposed to the outside from the opening 8A provided on the front surface of the vegetable compartment 8, and the user can grasp the intake nozzle 26. Further, the front member 22A is configured to restrain (lock) the drawing-in / drawing-out position of the hose 24 by the biasing force of the spring, and constitutes a holding / release mechanism. By pushing the push button 22E (see FIG. 4C) provided on the front member 22A, the locked state of the hose 24 can be released. The push button 22E is accessible from the opening 8A provided on the front surface of the vegetable compartment 8 (see FIG. 2). In the state where the push button 22E is pushed (the lock is released), when the user grasps the intake nozzle 26 and pulls it out against the biasing force of the catching portion 22C, the catching portion 22C moves, and the hose 24 is pulled out from the opening 8A. Then, when the hand is released from the pushed push button 22E, the hose 24 in the pulled-out state is held in the locked state. This state is shown in FIG. 4B, and the arrangement in the refrigerator 2 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0030] The user can operate the holding / release mechanism to restrain the movement of the catching portion 22C by pushing the push button 22E to release the lock, moving the catching portion 22C, pulling out the hose 24 by an arbitrary length, and then releasing the hand from the push button 22E. Thereby, the hose 24 and the intake nozzle 26 are maintained in the pulled-out state. A switch for turning on / off the vacuum pump 10 is also arranged near the push button 22E of the opening 8A.

[0031] When the user presses the push button 22E again, the restraint by the holding mechanism is released, and the catching portion 22C moves by the biasing force of the coil spring 22B. Along with the movement of the catching portion 22C, the hose 24 returns to its original retracted position. However, the holding / release mechanism of the catching portion 22C is not limited to this. For example, it can also be provided with a ratchet mechanism that switches between restraint / release by pulling the hose 24, such as that used in the pull-out / winding mechanism of the electric cord of a vacuum cleaner. Also, the hose 24 can be pulled out / wound using an electric motor or the like.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in front of the vegetable compartment 8, there is a movable shelf 40 that can rotate about a hinge 42 arranged on the lower side as a rotation center. The movable shelf 40 can be rotated from the storage rotation position vertically arranged along the front surface of the vegetable compartment 8 to the use rotation position by pulling the upper side facing the hinge 42 of the movable shelf 40 forward. Folding type stays 44 are attached to both the left and right ends of the movable tray - 40, and the upper surface of the movable tray - 40 opened on the front side is restrained by the stays 44 and held in a substantially horizontal position. Also, at the storage rotation position, the position of the movable shelf 40 is held by the restraining force of the stays 44.

[0033] The arrangement path of the outlet pipe 30 connected to the discharge port of the vacuum pump 10 will be described in detail later.

[0034] <Method of Vacuum Packaging> Next, an example of a method of performing vacuum packaging using the above-described vacuum drawing device V is shown. First, pull the movable shelf 40 in the storage rotation position vertically arranged along the front surface of the vegetable compartment 8 forward until it rotates to the use rotation position where the upper surface of the movable shelf 40 becomes substantially horizontal. Then, press the push button 22E arranged at the opening 8A to release the lock, grasp and pull out the intake nozzle 26 attached to the tip of the hose 24 in the state of being drawn in by the movable mechanism 22. With the hose 24 pulled out to a predetermined length, release the hand from the push button 22E that was being pressed and hold the pulled-out state.

[0035] For example, when vacuum-packaging a resin bag PB with a fastener, an intake nozzle 26 is inserted into the bag PB containing the food ingredients, and the other openings are closed with the fastener to prevent gas from entering or leaving the bag PB as much as possible. In this state, by operating the switch arranged at the opening 8A to operate the vacuum pump 10, the gas inside the bag PB can be sucked. After sufficient suction, the inserted intake nozzle 26 is removed from the bag PB, and the fastener is quickly closed. Thereby, the vacuum packaging of the bag PB can be easily and surely performed. In particular, since the movable shelf 40 is arranged on the front surface of the vegetable compartment 8 located substantially at the center in the height direction of the refrigerator 2, the user can easily perform the vacuum packaging of the bag PB in a natural posture.

[0036] After the vacuum packaging of all the necessary bags PB is completed, the switch arranged at the opening 8A is operated to stop the operation of the vacuum pump 10. Then, by pressing the push button 22E arranged at the opening 8A to release the lock, the pulled-out hose 24 is retracted at the catching portion 22C. Thereafter, the movable shelf 40 at the use rotation position is returned to the storage rotation position. Then, the vegetable compartment 8 or the like is opened, and the vacuum-packaged bag PB is stored in the storage area 6.

[0037] By vacuum-packaging the bag PB, the freshness of the food ingredients can be maintained for a long time. By removing the oxygen inside the bag PB and suppressing the oxidation and respiration of the food ingredients in the bag PB, the phenomenon of maintaining the umami of the food ingredients and aging can be suppressed. Also, by putting seasonings or the like at the same time, in the case of seasoning the base taste of the food ingredients or making pickles, etc., it can be completed earlier than usual.

[0038] As described above, in the vacuum drawing device V according to the present embodiment, the intake nozzle 26 is attached to the tip of the hose 24 locked to the catching portion 22C of the movable mechanism 22, and by the movement of the catching portion 22C biased in the drawing direction, the intake nozzle 26 and the hose 24 can be in a state of being pulled out to the front surface outside the storage, and a state in which at least the hose 24 is pulled into the storage can be formed. Thereby, usually, since the intake nozzle 26 and the hose 24 are generally stored in the storage, they do not get in the way, and when performing vacuum packaging, the intake nozzle 26 can be pulled out to the front surface outside the storage, and vacuum packaging can be easily performed.

[0039] <Save Clip> In the above, the case of vacuum-packaging the resin bag PB with a fastener has been described, but it is also possible to vacuum-package a resin bag PB without a fastener. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a save clip 32 that can be attached to the vacuum drawing device V. Here, an example of vacuum-packaging a bag PB without a fastener using the save clip 32 is shown.

[0040] The save clip 32 includes a connection portion 32A connected to the intake nozzle 26 and a holding portion 32B that holds the bag PB in a sealed state. The holding portion 32B includes two holding members connected in a rotatable state at one end, and has a curved concave portion corresponding to the outer shape of the connection portion 32A. Thereby, the intake nozzle 26 can be attached to the holding portion 32B. Place the bag PB between the two open holding members, insert the tip of the connection portion 32A attached through the concave portion into the bag PB, and in that state, close the two holding members to the holding state. At the portions indicated by the arrows S1 and S2 in FIG. 5, the bag PB can be sandwiched to seal the opening of the bag PB. Due to the curved concave portion corresponding to the outer shape of the connection portion 32A, a good sealing state can be maintained even in the region where the intake nozzle 26 is inserted.

[0041] The connecting portion 32A is provided with a check valve and is connected to the intake nozzle 26. When the vacuum pump 10 is operated with the tip portion inserted into the bag PB, the check valve opens due to the suction force of the vacuum pump 10, and the gas in the bag PB can be sucked. As a result, the bag PB can be brought into a predetermined vacuum state. On the other hand, when the operation of the vacuum pump 10 stops, the suction force disappears, so the check valve closes by the biasing force and maintains the closed state. Even after the intake nozzle 26 is removed, the check valve maintains the closed state. Thereby, the vacuum state of the bag PB can be maintained. By storing the bag PB in the refrigerator 2 with the storage clip 32 attached, the freshness of the food ingredients in the bag PB can be maintained for a long time. The bag for performing vacuum packaging using the vacuum drawing device V is not limited to the above-mentioned bag PB, and any other bag with or without a sealing mechanism can be used.

[0042] As described above, the storage clip 32 according to the present embodiment includes a connecting portion 32A that is connected to the intake nozzle 26 and has a check valve, and a holding portion 32B to which the connecting portion 32A is attached. With the connecting portion 32A opening into the bag PB, the holding portion 32B sandwiches and seals the opening of the bag PB, sucks the air in the bag PB from the opening of the connecting portion 32A connected to the intake nozzle 26, and removes the intake nozzle 26 from the connecting portion 32A. Thus, it can be stored in the cabinet while maintaining the sealed state of the bag PB with the check valve. Thereby, even when using the bag PB that does not have a sealing mechanism such as a fastener, the freshness of the food ingredients in the bag PB can be maintained for a long time.

[0043] <Discharge side of the vacuum pump> FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the refrigerator 2 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by arrow B in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by arrow C in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by arrow D in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by arrow E in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the gas flow in the refrigerator 2 provided with the evacuation device V according to one embodiment of the present invention. Here, the gas flow is schematically shown by dotted arrows. Next, the discharge side of the vacuum pump 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

[0044] <Flow of cold air in the refrigerator> First, the flow of cold air by the cooling mechanism of the refrigerator 2 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a flow path 50 is provided at the central position in the width direction on the back side inside the refrigerator 2, and an evaporator 52 and a fan 54 are arranged in the flow path 50. Return ducts 60 are arranged on both the left and right sides in the width direction of the flow path 50. In the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 11, in order to simply represent the gas flow using a cross-sectional side view, the return duct 60 is shown in front of the flow path 50, but the basic gas flow is the same.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, a compressor 70 communicating with the evaporator 52 is arranged in the machine room M located at the lower part on the back side outside the refrigerator 2. The refrigerant (gas) compressed by the compressor 70 is liquefied by the condenser 72, decompressed while passing through the capillary tube, the boiling point is lowered, and it flows into the evaporator 52. Then, the refrigerant takes the heat of the gas inside the refrigerator passing through the evaporator 52 and vaporizes, and the vaporized refrigerant is compressed again by the compressor 70, repeating the cycle.

[0046] When the fan 54 in the flow path 50 operates, the gas flows upward from below in the flow path 50 and is cooled when passing through the evaporator 52. At this time, the moisture contained in the cold air condenses together with the inclusions in the water and adheres to the fins of the evaporator 52 as frost.

[0047] The cold air that has passed through the evaporator 52 flows upward in the flow path 50 and flows into the storage area 6 from the upper opening. Then, the cold air circulates within the storage area 6, during which it cools the stored items within the storage area 6. A part of the circulated gas flows to the lower side of the storage area 6 and flows into the inlet side of the evaporator 52, which is the lower part of the flow path 50.

[0048] A part of the gas that has flowed through the area of the vegetable compartment 8 flows into the return duct 60 from the inlet 60A arranged on the back side. The gas that has flowed into the return duct 60 flows downward within the return duct 60 and passes through the deodorizing filter 62. Thereby, the odor components mixed in the gas can be removed. Then, it flows into the inlet side of the evaporator 52, which is the lower part of the flow path 50, from the lower outlet 60B. That is, the gas that has flowed into the return duct 60 flows directly into the inlet side of the evaporator 52 without flowing within the storage area 6. The gas that has flowed into the inlet side of the evaporator 52 passes through the evaporator 52 and repeats the above gas circulation.

[0049] <Flow of gas sucked from the bag> The outlet pipe 30 connected to the outlet of the vacuum pump 10 enters and opens into the return duct 60. Since both the vacuum pump 10 and the return duct 60 are arranged on the back side inside the storage, the total length of the outlet pipe connected to the vacuum pump can be shortened. (4') The gas sucked from the bag PB by the vacuum pump 10 flows into the return duct 60. The flowed-in gas flows downward within the return duct 60 together with the gas that has flowed into the return duct 60 from the inlet 60A.

[0050] Then, the gas passes through the deodorizing filter 62. Thereby, the odor components emitted from the foodstuffs in the bag PB can be removed. Thereafter, it flows in from the lower outlet 60B to the inlet side of the evaporator 52, which is the lower part of the flow path 50. Thus, the gas sucked from the bag PB directly flows into the inlet side of the evaporator 52 without flowing through the storage area 6 at all. Therefore, the odor of the gas sucked from the bag PB is not released into the storage area 6, and the odor components contained in the gas can be prevented from adhering to the storage area 6. In the present embodiment, the inlet 60A of the return duct 60 is located above the opening of the outlet pipe 30, but it is not limited thereto. The opening of the outlet pipe 30 may be located above the inlet 60A.

[0051] Since most of the odor components contained in the gas are contained in the moisture in the gas, when the gas passes through the evaporator, they are contained in the frost that freezes and adheres to the surface of the fins. Therefore, the odor components of the gas that has passed through the evaporator can be significantly reduced.

[0052] The frost adhering to the fins of the evaporator 52 falls from the evaporator 52 when the defrost heater is operated to melt the frost, and flows into the evaporation tray 80 through the return pipe 82 disposed below. The moisture that has flowed into the evaporation tray 80 evaporates due to the heat generated by the compressor 70 and the condenser 72 in the machine room M. The evaporation of the moisture in the evaporation tray 80 is promoted by the gas flow by the cooling fan 74 that cools the machine room M. Thereafter, the odor components remaining in the evaporation tray 80 can be discarded.

[0053] In the above embodiment, mainly the gas that has passed through the vegetable compartment 8 flows into the return duct 60, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the gas that has circulated in the freezer compartment 8 may flow into the return duct 60 and directly flow into the inlet side of the evaporator 52 without flowing through the lower refrigerating compartment. Any other arrangement is conceivable as long as the return duct 60 can cause the gas flowing in from the inlet 60A to flow into the inlet side of the evaporator 52 without flowing through the storage area 6 below it.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the outlet pipe 30 of the vacuum pump 10 opens into the return duct 60, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the outlet pipe 30 of the vacuum pump 10 may extend to the inlet side of the evaporator 52 and open there. Even in that case, it is preferable to arrange a deodorizing filter in the outlet pipe 30. Further, any other arbitrary arrangement and configuration can be adopted as long as the gas discharged from the vacuum pump 10 has a function of flowing into the inlet side of the evaporator 52 without flowing through the storage region 6.

[0055] As described above, the refrigerator 2 according to the above-described embodiment and modification examples includes a vacuum pumping device V having a vacuum pump 10 disposed in the refrigerator, an intake nozzle 26 communicating with the suction port of the vacuum pump 10 and inserted into a vacuum packaging bag PB outside the refrigerator. The gas in the bag PB sucked by the vacuum pump 10 and discharged from the vacuum pump 10 flows into the inlet side of the evaporator 52 that cools the cold air in the refrigerator without flowing through the storage region 6.

[0056] According to the above-described embodiment, since the vacuum pump 10 is disposed in the refrigerator, leakage of the operating noise of the vacuum pump 10 to the outside of the refrigerator can be suppressed. Further, since the gas sucked from the inside of the bag PB is discharged from the vacuum pump 10 and flows into the inlet side of the evaporator 52 without flowing through the storage region 6, the odor of the gas sucked from the bag PB is not released into the storage region 6. Further, it is possible to prevent the odor components contained in the gas sucked from the bag PB from adhering to the stored items in the storage region 6. Most of the odor components contained in the gas are contained in the moisture in the gas. When the gas passes through the evaporator 52, the moisture freezes and adheres to the surface of the fins as frost, so the odor components are also trapped by the evaporator 52 together with the frost. Therefore, the odor components can be significantly reduced in the gas that has passed through the evaporator 52. Further, the vacuum pumping device V can be installed in the refrigerator 2 without making holes in the outer wall of the refrigerator 2.

[0057] Thereby, it is possible to provide a refrigerator 2 having a function of vacuum-packaging stored items while suppressing problems of noise and odor.

[0058] In particular, an outlet pipe 30 connected to the discharge port of the vacuum pump 10 opens into a return duct 60 into which the gas that has flowed through the storage area flows, and the gas discharged from the vacuum pump 10 flows through the return duct and into the inlet side of the evaporator 52.

[0059] According to the above embodiment, the gas sucked from inside the bag PB is discharged from the vacuum pump 10 and flows into the return duct 60, and then flows through the return duct 60 and into the inlet side of the evaporator 52. Therefore, it is possible to surely cause the gas sucked from inside the bag PB to flow into the inlet side of the evaporator 52 without flowing through the storage area 6.

[0060] Furthermore, a deodorizing filter 62 is disposed in the return duct 60, and the gas discharged from the vacuum pump 10 flows into the inlet side of the evaporator 52 after passing through the deodorizing filter 62.

[0061] According to the above embodiment, the gas sucked from inside the bag PB passes through the deodorizing filter 62 after being discharged from the vacuum pump 10 and before flowing into the inlet side of the evaporator 52. Therefore, it is possible to more surely remove the odor components contained in the gas.

[0062] Although the embodiments and modes of implementation of the present invention have been described, the disclosed content may change in the details of the configuration, and changes in the combination and order of elements in the embodiments and modes of implementation can be realized without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0063] 2 Refrigerator 4 Main body 6 Storage area 8 Vegetable compartment 8A Opening 10 Vacuum pump 20 Inlet pipe 22 Moving mechanism 22A Housing 22A1 Front member 22B Coil spring 22B1 Protrusion 22C Catch part 22C1 Rear catch projection 22C2 Hole 22D Front catch projection 22E Push button 24 Hose 26 Intake nozzle 30 Outlet piping 32 Storage clip 32A Connection part 32B Holding part 40 Movable shelf 42 Hinge 44 Stay 50 Flow path 52 Evaporator 54 Fan 60 Return duct 60A Inlet 60B Outlet 62 Deodorizing filter 70 Compressor 72 Condenser 74 Cooling fan 80 Evaporation dish 82 Return piping V Vacuum device M Machine room PB Bag

Claims

1. A vacuum pump disposed inside the cabinet, An intake nozzle that communicates with the suction port of the vacuum pump and is inserted into a vacuum packaging bag outside the cabinet, A vacuum drawing device having the above, The gas in the bag sucked by the vacuum pump and discharged from the vacuum pump flows into the inlet side of the evaporator that cools the cold air inside the cabinet without flowing through the storage area, The intake nozzle is attached to the tip of a hose locked to the catching part of the movable mechanism, and by the movement of the catching part biased in the pulling direction, the intake nozzle and the hose are pulled out to the front surface outside the cabinet, and at least the hose is pulled into the cabinet. A refrigerator characterized in that a state can be formed.

2. The outlet pipe connected to the discharge port of the vacuum pump opens into a return duct into which the gas that has flowed through the storage area flows, and the gas discharged from the vacuum pump flows through the return duct and into the inlet side of the evaporator. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. A deodorizing filter is disposed in the return duct, and the gas discharged from the vacuum pump passes through the deodorizing filter and then flows into the inlet side of the evaporator. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that

4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the vacuum pump is disposed on the back side inside the cabinet.

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