refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator which enables simplification of a structure of a member for preventing deterioration of the appearance, and to provide a manufacturing method of the refrigerator.SOLUTION: An insulator 17 of a refrigerator 10 has: a sideboard-like insulator 22 disposed near an outer surface of an inner box 16; and a foam insulator 17 foamed to fill a space between an outer box 15 and the inner box 16. A portion, in which a refrigerant pipe 38 is arranged, of a side surface of the sideboard-like insulator 22 facing the inner box 16 is formed with a groove part 39. The refrigerant pipe 38 is formed in a meandering manner and disposed between an outer box sideboard 152 and the sideboard-like insulator 22. A communication pipe 30 allows the groove part 39 of the sideboard-like insulator 22 and the exterior of a heat insulation box body 11 to communicate with each other and is fixed to the refrigerant pipe 38.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to a refrigerator provided with a plate-shaped insulating material as an insulating material and a manufacturing method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] In a typical refrigerator, a storage compartment is formed inside an insulated box, and the front opening of this storage compartment is closed by an insulated door that can be opened and closed. The insulated box consists of an outer box made of steel plate, an inner box made of synthetic resin plate placed inside the outer box, and a thermal insulating material filled between the outer box and the inner box.

[0003] Urethane foam is generally used as the insulating material filled in the insulated box of a refrigerator. However, in order to further reduce the energy consumption of refrigerators, an insulating material with higher insulating properties than urethane foam is preferred.

[0004] Therefore, a plate-shaped insulating material, for example, a vacuum insulating material, may be used as the insulating material built into the insulated box. Vacuum insulating material is a fibrous inorganic material such as glass wool that is vacuum-packed, and has an insulating effect at least ten times that of urethane foam. With this configuration, the vacuum insulating material can effectively insulate the storage compartment from the outside, thereby reducing the energy required for the refrigerator's cooling operation. Such a refrigerator is described, for example, in Patent Document 1.

[0005] The configuration of a refrigerator 100 that employs vacuum heat insulating materials will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the refrigerator 100.

[0006] Refrigerator 100 has outer box 101 and inner box 102, and storage chamber 107 is formed inside inner box 102. Foam insulation material 103 and plate insulation material 104 are arranged between outer box 101 and inner box 102 as heat insulating materials. Plate insulation material 104 is attached to the inner surface of outer box 101. Pipe 106 through which a refrigerant flows is arranged on the inner surface of outer box 101.

[0007] A groove 105 is formed in the plate insulation 104. The groove 105 is a recessed portion on the outer surface of the plate insulation 104 in the width direction. A pipe 106 is stored in the groove 105. This configuration reduces the amount of protrusion of the pipe 106 in the width direction, and prevents the outer box 101 from deforming along the pipe 106 during the process of foaming the foam insulation 103.

[0008] Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, the groove 105 is connected to the outside by a pipe-shaped connecting member, which effectively releases the air inside the groove 105 to the outside, thereby enhancing the effect of suppressing deformation of the outer box 101. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4111096 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5578266 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, the above-described refrigerator has room for improvement in terms of the configuration and manufacturing method of the refrigerator.

[0011] Specifically, the communicating member in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 is disposed between outer box 101 and plate-shaped insulating material 104 as a separate member from the refrigerant pipe. Furthermore, in order to effectively release the air inside groove portion 105 to the outside, the communicating member needs to be accurately disposed at a predetermined location. For this reason, there has been a problem that the use of the communicating member increases the number of parts of the refrigerator and complicates the manufacturing process.

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can simplify the configuration of components to prevent deterioration of the appearance, and a manufacturing method thereof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The refrigerator of the present invention comprises an insulated box having a storage compartment formed therein, a refrigeration cycle for cooling the storage compartment, and a communicating pipe, wherein the insulated box has an outer box forming the outer surface of the insulated box, an inner box disposed inside the outer box, and a thermal insulating material disposed between the outer box and the inner box, the thermal insulating material having a plate-shaped thermal insulating material disposed near the outer surface of the inner box, and a foamed thermal insulating material foam-filled between the outer box and the inner box, the refrigeration cycle has a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows, a groove is formed on a side of the plate-shaped thermal insulating material facing the inner box at a portion where the refrigerant pipe is disposed, the refrigerant pipe is disposed between the outer box and the plate-shaped thermal insulating material, and the communicating pipe communicates the groove of the plate-shaped thermal insulating material with the outside of the insulated box and is fixed to the refrigerant pipe, The refrigerant pipe has a serpentine portion disposed in a serpentine manner and an external extension portion extending toward the outside of the heat-insulating box, and an internal end side of the communication pipe is fixed to the serpentine portion, and an external end side of the communication pipe is fixed to the external extension portion. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the refrigerator of the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator in which the configuration of members for preventing deterioration of the appearance can be simplified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an outer box of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing an outer box of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an outer box of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerant pipe of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a refrigerant pipe and a side plate-shaped insulating material of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing a method for manufacturing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing a method for manufacturing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view showing a method for manufacturing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a refrigerator according to the background art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] A refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the up-down direction refers to the height direction of the refrigerator 10, the left-right direction refers to the width direction of the refrigerator 10, and the front-rear direction refers to the depth direction of the refrigerator 10. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as a general rule, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator 10. The refrigerator 10 has a heat-insulating body 11 inside which are formed storage compartments: a refrigerator compartment 12 and a freezer compartment 13. The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed by a heat-insulating door 34, and the front opening of the freezer compartment 13 is closed by a heat-insulating door 35. The heat-insulating doors 34 and 35 are rotating doors whose right-side ends are rotatably connected to the heat-insulating body 11, for example. The heat-insulating doors 34 and 35 may be drawer-type doors.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of refrigerator 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a cooling compartment 27 is defined behind freezer compartment 13, and evaporator 26 is housed in cooling compartment 27. A machine compartment 14 is defined behind the bottom of insulated box 11, and a compressor 29 is housed in machine compartment 14. Evaporator 26 and compressor 29 are connected to an expansion means and a condenser (not shown) to form a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The components of the refrigeration cycle are interconnected by refrigerant pipes 38 (described later). Refrigerant used in the refrigeration cycle flows through refrigerant pipes 38 (described later). Refrigerant used in the refrigeration cycle is circulated through refrigerant pipes 38 (described later). Refrigerating compartment 12 and freezer compartment 13 are defined by an insulated partition wall 33. The insulated partition wall 33 has the same insulating structure as insulated box 11.

[0027] A blower 28 is disposed above the cooling compartment 27. The blower 28 blows the air inside the cooling compartment 27, cooled by the evaporator 26, into the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13. A damper 19 is disposed in the air path to the refrigerator compartment 12. A control device (not shown) detects the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment and controls the opening and closing of the damper 19. This adjusts the flow of cold air into the refrigerator compartment 12, maintaining a constant temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 12. Therefore, the refrigerator compartment 12 is cooled to a refrigerator temperature range, and the freezer compartment 13 is cooled to a freezing temperature range. The cold air that has cooled the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13 returns to the cooling compartment 27. In FIG. 2, the flow of cold air is indicated by arrows. A defrost heater 20 is disposed below the evaporator 26 to melt frost formed on the evaporator 26.

[0028] The insulated box body 11 is composed of an outer box 15 made of steel plate that forms the outer shape of the refrigerator 10, an inner box 16 made of a box-shaped synthetic resin plate formed inside the outer box 15, and an insulating material 17 arranged between the outer box 15 and the inner box 16.

[0029] The thermal insulation material 17 includes a rear plate-shaped thermal insulation material 25 that is bonded to the inner surface of the outer box 15 via an adhesive layer 31 (described later), and a filler insulation material 23, which is a foamed thermal insulation material that fills the space between the outer box 15 and the inner box 16. The rear plate-shaped thermal insulation material 25 is a bag containing an aggregate of fibers such as glass, and the inside of the bag is evacuated. The filler insulation material 23 may be, for example, urethane foam. By using the rear plate-shaped thermal insulation material 25, which has an extremely high insulating effect, as part of the thermal insulation material 17, the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13 can be effectively insulated from the external atmosphere, thereby reducing the power consumption of the refrigerator 10. Here, the rear plate-shaped thermal insulation material 25 is also called a vacuum insulation material.

[0030] 3 is a perspective view showing outer box 15 of refrigerator 10. Outer box 15 is made by bending a thin steel plate having a thickness of about 0.5 mm, and has outer box rear panel 151 (see FIG. 2), outer box side panels 152 extending forward from the left and right ends of outer box rear panel 151, and outer box top panel 153 extending forward from the upper end of outer box rear panel 151.

[0031] A side plate-shaped insulation material 22 is attached to the inner surface of the outer box side panel 152. The side plate-shaped insulation material 22 covers most of the outer box side panel 152 except for the lower rear end portion of the outer box side panel 152. In this manner, the insulating effect of the side plate-shaped insulation material 22 can effectively keep each storage compartment formed inside the outer box 15 warm. The side plate-shaped insulation material 22 is attached to the inner surface of the outer box side panel 152 by an adhesive layer 31, which will be described later. The configuration of the side plate-shaped insulation material 22 is the same as that of the rear plate-shaped insulation material 25 described above. Here, the side plate-shaped insulation material 22 attached to the widthwise inner surface of the outer box side panel 152 on the left side is shown by a dotted line.

[0032] An upper plate-shaped insulating material 24 is attached to the lower surface of the outer box upper plate 153. The configuration of the upper plate-shaped insulating material 24 is similar to that of the rear plate-shaped insulating material 25 described above.

[0033] A refrigerant pipe 38 is formed in a serpentine shape along the inner surface of the outer box side panel 152. Here, most of the refrigerant pipe 38 is hidden from view by the side plate-shaped insulation material 22. A high-temperature refrigerant that has been compressed by the compressor 29 flows through the refrigerant pipe 38. The refrigerant pipe 38 is also called a crest pipe. A communication pipe 30 extends from the lower rear side of the side plate-shaped insulation material 22. The communication pipe 30 is a path for venting air present between the side plate-shaped insulation material 22 and the outer box side panel 152 to the outside during the foaming process when manufacturing the refrigerator 10.

[0034] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the related configuration of the refrigerant pipe 38, the communication pipe 30, and the side plate-shaped insulating material 22. As shown in FIG.

[0035] A groove 39 is formed by partially recessing the right side surface of the side plate insulation material 22. The groove 39 has a refrigerant pipe groove 391 and a communicating pipe groove 392. The refrigerant pipe groove 391 is a groove for accommodating the refrigerant pipe 38. The communicating pipe groove 392 is a groove for accommodating the communicating pipe 30.

[0036] The refrigerant pipe 38 is drawn downward from the end of the refrigerant pipe groove 391. As described above, the refrigerant pipe 38 connects the devices that make up the refrigeration cycle to each other.

[0037] The communication pipe 30 is drawn downward from the end of the communication pipe groove 392. Specifically, the upper end of the communication pipe 30 is disposed inside the refrigerant pipe groove 391. On the other hand, the lower end of the communication pipe 30 is led out to the outside. This establishes communication between the refrigerant pipe groove 391 and the outside via the communication pipe 30. Therefore, in the foam filling process described below, air present inside the refrigerant pipe groove 391 can be released to the outside via the communication pipe 30.

[0038] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the outer box side panel 152, the refrigerant pipe 38, and the side panel-shaped insulator 22 separated in the width direction.

[0039] As described above, the refrigerant pipe 38 and the communication pipe 30 are arranged between the outer box side panel 152 and the side plate-shaped insulation material 22. The side plate-shaped insulation material 22 is attached to the outer box side panel 152 by an adhesive layer 31. The adhesive layer 31 is a layer formed from a thermoplastic adhesive, also known as a hot melt adhesive.

[0040] Refrigerant pipe 38 and communication pipe 30 are arranged as an integrated component between side plate-shaped insulation material 22 and outer box side plate 152. In this manner, even when communication pipe 30 is used in the assembly process of refrigerator 10, an increase in the number of parts handled in the assembly process can be suppressed.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the refrigerant pipe 38 and the communication pipe 30. As shown in FIG.

[0042] The refrigerant pipe 38 has a serpentine portion 381, an inclined portion 388, and an externally extending portion 387. The refrigerant pipe 38 is a steel pipe made of a metal such as iron.

[0043] Serpentine portion 381 is a portion where refrigerant pipe 38 is formed in a serpentine shape, and includes vertically extending portion 384, horizontally extending portion 385, vertically extending portion 383, horizontally extending portion 386, and vertically extending portion 382. Vertically extending portion 384, vertically extending portion 383, and vertically extending portion 382 are portions where refrigerant pipe 38 extends linearly in the up-down direction. Horizontally extending portion 385 and horizontally extending portion 386 are portions where refrigerant pipe 38 extends linearly in the front-to-back direction. Forming serpentine portion 381 increases the contact area between outer box side panel 152 and refrigerant pipe 38, thereby enabling active heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing inside refrigerant pipe 38 and outer box side panel 152 and effectively cooling the high-temperature refrigerant flowing inside refrigerant pipe 38.

[0044] The external extension portion 387 connects the devices that make up the refrigeration cycle to the serpentine portion 381 .

[0045] The inclined portion 388 is a portion that connects the end of the serpentine portion 381 and the external extending portion 387, and is inclined downward and forward. As will be described later, the provision of the inclined portion 388 enables the communication pipe 30 to be fixed more firmly to the refrigerant pipe 38.

[0046] The communicating pipe 30 is a pipe-shaped member made of, for example, synthetic resin. The upper end of the communicating pipe 30 extends substantially parallel to the vertically extending portion 383 of the serpentine portion 381, and the lower end of the communicating pipe 30 extends substantially parallel to the externally extending portion 387. The middle portion of the communicating pipe 30 is inclined upward and forward. The upper end of the communicating pipe 30 is fixed to the vertically extending portion 383 by fixing point 40, and the lower end of the communicating pipe 30 is fixed to the externally extending portion 387 by fixing point 41. The portions of the communicating pipe 30 near the upper end and near the lower end extend substantially linearly in the vertical direction.

[0047] The fixing points 40 are locations where the upper end portion of the communicating pipe 30 and the vertically extending portion 383 are fastened together. Specifically, at the fixing points 40, the upper end portion of the communicating pipe 30 and the vertically extending portion 383 are fastened together using aluminum tape or the like. For example, two fixing points 40 are formed. In this way, the upper end portion of the communicating pipe 30 can be firmly fixed to the vertically extending portion 383.

[0048] The fixing point 41 is a portion that connects the lower end portion of the communicating pipe 30 and the external extending portion 387. The configuration of the fixing point 41 is the same as that of the fixing point 40. For example, two fixing points 41 are formed. In this way, the middle portion of the communicating pipe 30 can be firmly fixed to the external extending portion 387.

[0049] As described above, the inclined portion 388 is formed between the externally extending portion 387 and the vertically extending portion 382 of the refrigerant pipe 38. The inclined portion 388 is inclined downward and forward. This configuration allows the lower end portion of the vertically extending portion 383 and the externally extending portion 387 to be closer to each other. This allows the fixing points 40 and 41 to be closer to each other, thereby allowing the communicating pipe 30 to be more firmly fixed to the serpentine portion 381. This allows the position of the communicating pipe 30 to be accurately determined.

[0050] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the outer box side panel 152, the refrigerant pipe 38, and the side panel-shaped insulator 22 separated from each other.

[0051] As described above, the groove 39 is formed on the outer widthwise surface, i.e., the right side surface, of the side plate-shaped insulation material 22. The groove 39 has a refrigerant pipe groove 391 and a communication pipe groove 392.

[0052] The refrigerant pipe groove 391 has a shape that conforms to the serpentine portion 381 of the refrigerant pipe 38. The depth of the refrigerant pipe groove 391 is set to be approximately equal to the outer shape of the serpentine portion 381. Therefore, the serpentine portion 381 can be accommodated in the refrigerant pipe groove 391, and the amount by which the serpentine portion 381 protrudes outward in the width direction can be reduced.

[0053] The communicating pipe groove 392 has a shape that conforms to the inclined portion in the middle of the communicating pipe 30. Therefore, the pressure applied to the communicating pipe 30 by the pressure in the foam filling process can be reduced, and the communicating pipe 30 can be prevented from being blocked.

[0054] A method for manufacturing the refrigerator 10 will be described based on FIGS. 8 to 10 and with reference to the above-mentioned drawings.

[0055] First, referring to Figure 8, outer box 15 is prepared. As described above, outer box 15 is made of a metal plate bent into a predetermined shape, and has outer box top panel 153 and outer box side panel 152. In addition, inner box 16 and the like shown in Figure 2 are prepared separately. Furthermore, adhesive layer 31 shown in Figure 5 is formed on the inner side surface of outer box side panel 152 in order to fix side plate-shaped insulation material 22 in a later process.

[0056] Next, referring to Figure 9, the refrigerant pipes 38 are assembled into the outer box side panel 152. The refrigerant pipes 38 are fixed to the outer box side panel 152 by, for example, adhering the refrigerant pipes 38 at multiple locations with adhesive tape or the like. As described above, the refrigerant pipes 38 are prepared with the communicating pipes 30 fixed thereto. Therefore, the process of installing the refrigerant pipes 38 in the outer box side panel 152 also serves as the process of installing the communicating pipes 30 in the outer box side panel 152.

[0057] Next, referring to Figure 10, the side plate insulation material 22 is attached to the outer box side panel 152. As mentioned above, the adhesive layer 31 shown in Figure 5 is formed on the inner surface of the outer box side panel 152. Therefore, by attaching the side plate insulation material 22 to a predetermined position on the inner surface of the outer box side panel 152 in the width direction, the outer box side panel 152 can be easily fixed. Also, as shown in Figure 7, the side plate insulation material 22 has a refrigerant pipe groove 391 and a communicating pipe groove 392 formed therein. Therefore, by attaching the side plate insulation material 22 to a predetermined position, the serpentine portion 381 of the refrigerant pipe 38 and the communicating pipe 30 can be accommodated in the refrigerant pipe groove 391 and the communicating pipe groove 392 of the side plate insulation material 22.

[0058] After the above steps are completed, the inner box 16 and the outer box rear panel 151 shown in Figure 2 are fitted into the outer box 15, and the filling insulation material 23 is filled in. For example, urethane foam can be used as the filling insulation material 23. In the foaming step for foaming the filling insulation material 23, a large pressure acts on the side plate insulation material 22 from the inside in the width direction.

[0059] 7, in this embodiment, the serpentine portion 381 of the refrigerant pipe 38 is housed in a refrigerant pipe groove 391 of the side plate-shaped insulation material 22. Furthermore, the refrigerant pipe groove 391 is connected to the outside by a communication pipe 30. More specifically, the space surrounded by the refrigerant pipe groove 391 and the outer box side plate 152 is connected to the outside via the communication pipe 30.

[0060] Therefore, even if a large pressure acts on the side plate-shaped insulation material 22, the air inside the refrigerant pipe groove 391 is released to the outside through the communication pipe 30. This makes it possible to prevent the outer box side plate 152 from being deformed in accordance with the shape of the serpentine section 381 housed in the refrigerant pipe groove 391.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the following main effects can be achieved.

[0062] 6, by fixing the communication pipe 30 to the refrigerant pipe 38, the position of the communication pipe 30 can be easily and firmly fixed. Therefore, the communication pipe 30 can be placed in the location as designed, and the communication pipe 30 can reliably connect the groove portion 39 shown in FIG. 7 with the outside.

[0063] 6, by fixing the inner end side of the communicating pipe 30 to the serpentine portion 381, the inner end side of the communicating pipe 30 can be reliably positioned in the groove portion 39. Furthermore, by fixing the outer end side of the communicating pipe 30 to the external extension portion 387, the outer end side of the communicating pipe 30 can be reliably extended to the outside.

[0064] Referring to Figure 6, by extending the inner end side of the communicating pipe 30 approximately parallel to the vertical extending portion 383 of the serpentine portion 381, the inner end of the communicating pipe 30 can be reliably positioned inside the groove portion 39 shown in Figure 7.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 6, the formation of the inclined portion 388 brings the external extending portion 387 and the serpentine portion 381 closer to each other, thereby enabling the communication pipe 30 to be supported more firmly.

[0066] 9, refrigerant pipes 38 with communicating pipes 30 attached thereto can be attached to outer case side panel 152 of outer case 15. That is, the process of individually attaching communicating pipes 30 to outer case 15 can be omitted, and the manufacturing cost of refrigerator 10 can be reduced.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other. The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment will be described below together with its effects. A refrigerator according to the present invention includes an insulated box having a storage compartment formed therein, a refrigeration cycle for cooling the storage compartment, and a communicating pipe, wherein the insulated box includes an outer box forming the outer surface of the insulated box, an inner box disposed inside the outer box, and a thermal insulator disposed between the outer box and the inner box, the thermal insulator including a plate-shaped thermal insulator disposed near the outer surface of the inner box and a foamed thermal insulator foam filled between the outer box and the inner box, the refrigeration cycle includes a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows, a groove is formed on a side of the plate-shaped thermal insulator facing the inner box where the refrigerant pipe is disposed, the refrigerant pipe is disposed between the outer box and the plate-shaped thermal insulator, and the communicating pipe connects the groove of the plate-shaped thermal insulator to the outside of the insulated box and is fixed to the refrigerant pipe. Therefore, the communication pipe can be accurately positioned in the location as designed, and the communication pipe can reliably connect the groove portion to the outside. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the refrigerant pipe has a serpentine portion disposed in a serpentine shape and an external extension portion extending toward the outside of the insulated box, and an internal end of the communicating pipe is fixed to the serpentine portion and an external end of the communicating pipe is fixed to the external extension portion. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, the internal end of the communicating pipe is fixed to the serpentine portion, thereby enabling the internal end of the communicating pipe to be reliably positioned in the groove portion. Furthermore, the external end of the communicating pipe is fixed to the external extension portion, thereby enabling the external end of the communicating pipe to be reliably extended to the outside. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the inner end side of the communicating pipe extends substantially parallel to the serpentine portion, and the outer end side of the communicating pipe extends substantially parallel to the outer extending portion. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, by extending the inner end side of the communicating pipe substantially parallel to the serpentine portion, the inner end side of the communicating pipe can be reliably positioned inside the groove portion. In the refrigerator of the present invention, the refrigerant pipe has an inclined portion that is inclined toward the serpentine portion near the external extension portion. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, by bringing the external extension portion and the serpentine portion close to each other, the communicating pipe can be more firmly supported. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a refrigerator according to the present invention includes the steps of preparing an outer box, an inner box, plate-shaped insulation, and a refrigerant pipe with a connecting pipe attached, attaching the refrigerant pipe with the connecting pipe fixed to the outer box, attaching the plate-shaped insulation to the outer box, and filling a space formed between the outer box and the inner box with foam insulation. According to the method for manufacturing a refrigerator according to the present invention, the refrigerant pipe with the connecting pipe attached can be attached to the outer box. In other words, the step of attaching the connecting pipe to the outer box can be omitted, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10. Refrigerator 11 Insulated box 12 Refrigerator 13 Freezer 14 Machine room 15 outer box 151 Outer box rear plate 152 Outer box side panel 153 Outer box top plate 16 Inner box 17. Insulation 19 Damper 20 Defrost heater 22 Side plate insulation material 23 Filler insulation 24 Upper surface plate insulation material 25 Rear plate insulation 26 Evaporator 27 Cooling room 28 Blower 29 Compressor 30 Connecting pipe 31 Adhesive layer 33 Insulated partition wall 34 Insulated Door 35 Insulated Door 38 Refrigerant pipe 381 Serpentine section 382 Vertical extension 383 Vertical extension 384 Vertical extension 385 Lateral extension 386 Lateral extension 387 External extension 388 Slope 39 Groove 391 Refrigerant pipe groove 392 Connecting pipe groove 40 Fixing point 41 Fixing point 100 refrigerator 101 outer box 102 Inner box 103 Foam insulation 104 Plate-shaped insulation material 105 Groove 106 Pipe 107 Storage Room

Claims

1. The storage unit includes a heat-insulating box body having a storage chamber formed therein, a refrigeration cycle for cooling the storage chamber, and a communication pipe, The heat-insulating box includes an outer box that forms an outer surface of the heat-insulating box, an inner box that is disposed inside the outer box, and a heat-insulating material that is disposed between the outer box and the inner box, the heat insulating material includes a plate-shaped heat insulating material disposed near the outer surface of the inner box, and a foam heat insulating material foam-filled between the outer box and the inner box, The refrigeration cycle has a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant flows, a groove is formed in a side surface of the plate-shaped insulation material facing the inner box, in a portion where the refrigerant pipe is disposed; The refrigerant pipe is disposed between the outer box and the plate-shaped insulation material, the communication pipe communicates the groove of the plate-shaped insulation material with the outside of the insulation box, and is fixed to the refrigerant pipe; The refrigerant pipe has a serpentine portion disposed in a serpentine manner and an external extension portion extending toward the outside of the insulating box, The refrigerator, wherein an inner end side of the communication pipe is fixed to the serpentine portion, and an outer end side of the communication pipe is fixed to the outer extension portion.

2. the inner end of the communication pipe extends substantially parallel to the serpentine portion, The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the outer end of the communication pipe extends substantially parallel to the outer extension.

3. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant pipe has an inclined portion inclined toward the serpentine portion near the externally extending portion.

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