refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of efficiently melting ice attached to an accumulator.SOLUTION: A refrigerator is provided which includes: an evaporator 110 including a refrigerant pipe 111, and an end plate 113L for supporting the refrigerant pipe; an accumulator 130 arranged at the position deviated to left or light above the evaporator; and a pipe heater coming into contact with the end plate. The end plate (113X) is extended along the accumulator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to refrigerator technology, and more particularly to technology for melting frost and ice formed around an evaporator. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for defrosting an evaporator have been known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-36714 discloses a refrigerator. According to Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-36714, an evaporator is disposed in a cooler compartment provided in a rear wall of the refrigerator body, and a defrosting pipe heater is attached to the evaporator. The heater wire is made of an insulating core material and a heating wire wound around it, and the heater wire is housed in a metal pipe. In addition, an accumulator is disposed on the left rear side of the evaporator, connected to the outlet side of the refrigerant pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-36714 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 does not disclose a configuration that can efficiently melt ice or frost that has accumulated in the accumulator using a pipe heater. An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can efficiently melt ice that has accumulated in the accumulator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator including an evaporator including a refrigerant pipe and an end plate supporting the refrigerant pipe, an accumulator disposed above the evaporator at a position offset to either the left or right, and a pipe heater in contact with the end plate. The end plate extends along the accumulator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a refrigerator capable of efficiently melting ice in an accumulator is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a left upper perspective view showing the periphery of an evaporator of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a rear view showing the evaporator and its surroundings of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a left upper perspective view showing the periphery of an evaporator of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the evaporator and its surroundings of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a left upper perspective view showing the periphery of an evaporator of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the evaporator and its surroundings of the refrigerator according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a left upper perspective view showing the periphery of an evaporator of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the evaporator and its surroundings of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a left upper perspective view showing the periphery of an evaporator of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the evaporator and its surroundings of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a left upper perspective view showing the periphery of an evaporator of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14]FIG. 10 is a left upper perspective view showing the periphery of an evaporator of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a left upper perspective view showing the periphery of an evaporator of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a left upper perspective view showing the periphery of an evaporator of a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a left upper perspective view showing the periphery of an evaporator of a refrigerator according to a seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. [First embodiment]

[0009] First, the overall configuration of a refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0010] The structural frame of refrigerator 100 is mainly composed of insulated box body 101. This insulated box body 101 forms the storage space of refrigerator 100. The storage space formed by insulated box body 101 is divided into, for example, a refrigerator compartment 103, a vegetable compartment 104, a freezer compartment 105, etc. by a plurality of partitions extending horizontally.

[0011] A machine room 106 is formed behind the freezing room 105. In the machine room 106, a compressor 107, a fan, etc. are arranged.

[0012] An evaporator 110 is disposed above the machine room 106. A capillary tube 120 connected to a refrigerant pipe 111 of the evaporator 110 and an accumulator 130 are disposed above the evaporator 110, in this embodiment, above and to the upper left of the evaporator 110.

[0013] The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 107 is cooled to a medium-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant by passing through various locations, such as the ceiling and sides of the exterior of the insulated box body 101. The refrigerant passes through the capillary tube 120 and then flows into the refrigerant pipe 111, where it becomes low-temperature and low-pressure. As the low-temperature refrigerant flows through the refrigerant pipe 111, it can cool the air flowing through the refrigerant pipe 111 and around the fins described below to a temperature of minus ten degrees. The gas-liquid mixture refrigerant that has passed through the refrigerant pipe 111 is then stored in the accumulator 130, and the gasified refrigerant flows back into the compressor 107.

[0014] 1 to 4, the evaporator 110 is mainly composed of a refrigerant pipe 111 through which a refrigerant flows, fins 112, and left and right end plates 113L, 113R. The refrigerant pipe 111 moves back and forth in the left-right direction, proceeding from top to bottom, turning back at the bottom end, and proceeding from bottom to top. A plurality of fins 112, 112... are attached to the refrigerant pipe 111 to ensure efficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and air. The right end of the refrigerant pipe 111 is supported by the right end plate 113R, and the left end of the refrigerant pipe 111 is supported by the left end plate 113L.

[0015] Here, the temperature of the refrigerant pipe 111 of the evaporator 110 through which a low-temperature refrigerant flows is very low, for example, below minus 10°C, so frost may form not only on the refrigerant pipe 111 and the fins 112, but also on the accumulator 130 and the capillary tube 120, and the frost may grow into large pieces of ice.

[0016] Therefore, in this embodiment, the pipe heater 140 is disposed so as to be in contact with the end plates 113L, 113R and the fins 112, 112.... The pipe heater 140 moves back and forth in the left and right direction, proceeding from the top to the bottom, turning back at the bottom end, and proceeding from the bottom to the top. In this way, heat from the pipe heater 140 is transferred to the end plates 113L, 113R and the fins 112, 112..., thereby melting frost adhering to the fins 112, 122... and preventing the formation of large ice cubes.

[0017] In particular, in this embodiment, the pipe heater 140 has, in order from the end 140S, a horizontal portion 140H extending from right to left, a bent portion 140R downward, a vertical portion 140V extending from top to bottom, a bent portion 140R to the right, a horizontal portion 140H extending from left to right, a bent portion 140R to the left, a horizontal portion 140H extending from right to left, a bent portion 140R to the right, a horizontal portion 140H extending from left to right, a bent portion The bottom portion 140B extends from right to left while bending, the bottom portion 140B extends from left to right while bending and then rising downward, a forward bending portion, a horizontal portion 140H extending from right to left, a bending portion 140R, a horizontal portion 140H extending from left to right, a bending portion 140R, a horizontal portion 140H extending from right to left, a bending portion 140R, a vertical portion 140V extending from bottom to top, a bending portion 140R, and a horizontal portion 140H extending from left to right. That is, in this embodiment, a vertical portion 140V that is longer than the right side is formed on the left side where the accumulator 130 is arranged. This allows the end plate 113L and the area to the left of it to receive more heat from the pipe heater 140 than the end plate 113R and the area to the right of it, making it easier for the heat to be transferred to the accumulator 130, reducing the possibility of large frost or ice forming around the accumulator 130 or the capillary tube 120 and making it easier to melt ice that has already formed.

[0018] In this embodiment, the vertical portion 140V is provided only on the left side, but by making the length of the pipe heater 140 arranged to the left of the left end plate 113L longer than the length of the pipe heater 140 arranged to the right of the right end plate 113R, it is possible to reduce the possibility of large frost or ice forming around the accumulator 130 or the capillary tube 120, and to make it easier to melt such ice.

[0019] With a normal pipe heater 140 or glass tube heater, the distance to the accumulator 130 is long, so if frost or ice forms near the accumulator 130, it is difficult to melt it, and the frost or ice may grow larger and larger. The refrigerator according to this embodiment can solve such a problem. [Second embodiment]

[0020] In the above embodiment, the left and right arrangement ratio of the pipe heater 140 is configured so that the left side is larger. However, this is not limited to this configuration. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the distance between the left vertical portion 140V of the pipe heater 140 and the left end plate 113L is configured to be closer than the distance between the right bent portion 140R of the pipe heater 140 and the right end plate 113R.

[0021] In other words, it is preferable to configure the pipe heater 140 so that the distance it protrudes to the right from the right end plate 113R is longer than the distance it protrudes to the left from the left end plate 113L.

[0022] This allows more heat generated by the pipe heater 140 to be transferred to the left end plate 113L than to the right end plate 113R, making it easier for the heat to be transferred to the accumulator 130 located above the left end plate 113L. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of large amounts of frost or ice forming around the accumulator 130 or the capillary tube 120, and to make it easier to melt such ice. [Third embodiment]

[0023] 7 and 8, the pipe heater 140 is attached to the top of the evaporator 110. More specifically, the pipe heater 140 includes a first horizontal portion 1411 extending horizontally from the front edge of the top surface of the evaporator 110, a second horizontal portion 1412 extending horizontally rearward from the left end of the first horizontal portion 1411, and a third horizontal portion 1413 extending horizontally leftward from the rear end of the first horizontal portion 1411.

[0024] The pipe heater 140 may be configured separately from the pipe heater 140 of the above embodiment or a conventional pipe heater, or may be additionally formed on the upper end of the pipe heater 140 of the above embodiment or a conventional pipe heater.

[0025] The pipe heater 140 generates heat near the accumulator 130, thereby reducing the likelihood of large frost or ice buildup around the accumulator 130 or capillary tube 120 and making it easier to melt such ice. [Fourth embodiment]

[0026] In the above embodiment, heat is sent to the vicinity of the accumulator 130 depending on the position and shape of the pipe heater 140. However, this is not limited to such an embodiment. In the present embodiment, heat is sent to the vicinity of the accumulator 130 by devising the shape of the end plate 113L.

[0027] 9 and 10, in this embodiment, the left end plate 113L is extended to a position close to the accumulator 130. For example, by forming a protrusion 113X on the left end plate 113L that reaches above the refrigerant pipe 111 or by attaching a plate for conducting heat to the upper part of the left end plate 113L, heat from the pipe heater 140 can be more easily conducted to the accumulator 130. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of large frost or ice forming around the accumulator 130 or the capillary tube 120 and to make it easier to melt such ice.

[0028] The upper protrusion 113X of the end plate 113L may extend to a height approximately equal to the lower end of the accumulator 130, or may extend to a height approximately equal to the center of the accumulator 130, or may extend to a height that reaches the upper end of the accumulator 130, as shown in Figures 11 and 12.

[0029] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, a member 113Y having a high thermal conductivity and an upwardly bulging shape may be provided spanning from the left end plate 113L to the right end plate 113R. [Fifth embodiment]

[0030] The above-described embodiment is a technique for sending heat to the vicinity of the accumulator 130. In the present embodiment, a configuration is realized in which frost or ice formed near the accumulator 130 or the capillary tube 120 easily falls downward. The pipe heater 140 is disposed so as to be in contact with the end plates 113L, 113R and the fins 112, 112..., and heat from the pipe heater 140 is transferred to the end plates 113L, 113R and the fins 112, 112..., and the heat is then transferred to the refrigerant pipe 111. In other words, the pipe heater 140 is configured to directly heat the evaporator 110 itself rather than heating the air around the evaporator 110. This allows the evaporator 110 to be heated efficiently with little thermal energy, but frost and ice formed near the accumulator 130 and the capillary tube 120 tend to melt not from the outside but from the heat transmitted through the refrigerant pipe 111, i.e., from the inside. In this case, the inventors discovered a problem in that if the frost and ice were melted from the inside, the melted area would be far away from the accumulator 130 and the capillary tube 120, and heat would not be efficiently transmitted to the frost and ice. Therefore, the inventors discovered a method for efficiently preventing the adhesion of frost and ice to the evaporator 110 by quickly dropping the frost and ice from the evaporator 110 rather than heating the frost and ice until it is completely melted. This embodiment is an example of a configuration for implementing this solution.

[0031] 14, it is effective to orient the axial direction of the refrigerant pipe 111 near the boundary with the capillary tube 120 in a direction different from the axial direction of the accumulator 130. This can prevent frost or ice from forming across the capillary tube 120 and the accumulator 130, compared to when the two are parallel. Therefore, frost or ice is less likely to "ride" between the capillary tube 120 and the accumulator 130, and when the frost or ice melts from the inside, it is more likely to slide off the capillary tube 120 or the accumulator 130. As a result, frost or ice is less likely to remain between the capillary tube 120 or the refrigerant pipe 111 and the accumulator 130.

[0032] For example, it is effective to make the inclination of the axis of the refrigerant pipe 111 near the boundary with the capillary tube 120 greater than the inclination of the axis of the accumulator 130. This makes it difficult for frost or ice on the capillary tube 120 or the refrigerant pipe 111 to straddle the accumulator 130 and makes it easier for it to slide down, thereby reducing the possibility of large amounts of frost or ice forming near the accumulator 130.

[0033] 15, the axis of the refrigerant pipe 111 near the boundary with the capillary tube 120 may be configured to be vertical. This makes it difficult for frost or ice on the capillary tube 120 or the refrigerant pipe 111 to straddle the accumulator 130 and makes it easier for it to slide down, thereby reducing the possibility of large amounts of frost or ice forming near the accumulator 130. [Sixth embodiment]

[0034] 16, it is also effective to position the refrigerant pipe 111 near the boundary with the capillary tube 120 at a position higher than the accumulator 130. This creates a difference in level between the two, making it less likely for frost or ice to straddle or "ride" on them than if they were positioned parallel to each other at the same height, making it easier for frost or ice to slide off the capillary tube 120, refrigerant pipe 111, or accumulator 130. As a result, frost or ice is less likely to remain or grow between the capillary tube 120 or refrigerant pipe 111 and the accumulator 130.

[0035] In other words, it is preferable that the height 120H of the boundary 120X between the capillary tube 120 and the refrigerant pipe 111 is higher than the height 130H of the upper end 130X of the accumulator 130. It is preferable that the height 120H of the boundary 120X between the capillary tube 120 and the refrigerant pipe 111 is at a position that is 1 cm or more higher than the position of the upper end 130X of the accumulator 130, and more preferably 3 cm or more higher. [Seventh embodiment]

[0036] 17, the lower end of at least one of the left and right end plates 113L and 113R is abutted against a water tray 150 disposed below the evaporator 110. By transmitting heat from the pipe heater 140 to the water tray 150 via the end plates 113L and 113R, frost and ice that have fallen from the evaporator 110, the capillary tube 120, and the accumulator 130 can be melted and easily washed away. [summary]

[0037] In the above embodiment, a refrigerator is provided that includes an evaporator including a refrigerant pipe and an end plate supporting the refrigerant pipe, an accumulator disposed above the evaporator at a position offset to either the left or right, and a pipe heater in contact with the end plate. The end plate extends along the accumulator.

[0038] In the above embodiment, a refrigerator is provided that includes an evaporator including a refrigerant pipe and an end plate supporting the refrigerant pipe, an accumulator disposed above the evaporator at a position offset to either the left or right, and a pipe heater in contact with the end plate. The pipe heater is disposed more on the side where the accumulator is disposed.

[0039] In the above embodiment, a refrigerator is provided that includes an evaporator including a refrigerant pipe and left and right end plates that support left and right ends of the refrigerant pipe, an accumulator disposed above the evaporator at a position offset to either the left or right side, and a pipe heater in contact with the left and right end plates. The distance between the left and right folded portions of the pipe heater and the left and right end plates is closer on the side where the accumulator is disposed.

[0040] Preferably, the refrigerator further includes a capillary tube, the inclination of the axial direction of the capillary tube being greater than the inclination of the axial direction of the accumulator.

[0041] Preferably, the refrigerator further includes a capillary tube, and a connection portion between the capillary tube and the refrigerant pipe is disposed at a position higher than the accumulator.

[0042] Preferably, the refrigerator includes a water tray disposed below the evaporator, and the lower end of the end plate extends to the water tray.

[0043] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1: Refrigerator 100: Refrigerator 101: Insulated box 103: Refrigerator 104: Vegetable compartment 105: Freezer 106: Machine room 107: Compressor 110: Evaporator 111: Refrigerant pipe 112: Finn 113L: End plate 113R: End plate 113X:Protrusion 113Y: Material 120: Capillary tube 120H: Height 120X :Boundary 130: Accumulator 130H: Height 130X:Top edge 140: Pipe heater 140H:Horizontal part 140R: Bend 140S: End 140V: Vertical section 150: Water tray 1411: First horizontal section 1412: Second horizontal section 1413: Third horizontal section

Claims

1. an evaporator including a refrigerant pipe and an end plate supporting the refrigerant pipe; an accumulator disposed above the evaporator at a position offset to either the left or right; a pipe heater in contact with the end plate; a capillary tube disposed adjacent to the accumulator and spaced apart from the accumulator; the end plate extends along the accumulator; the refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator to the accumulator and the refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator to the capillary tube have different inclination angles so that the refrigerant pipes extend upward and become more distant from each other as they move away from the evaporator side.

2. an evaporator including a refrigerant pipe and an end plate supporting the refrigerant pipe; an accumulator disposed above the evaporator at a position offset to either the left or right; a pipe heater in contact with the end plate; a capillary tube disposed adjacent to the accumulator and spaced apart from the accumulator; The pipe heater is arranged in a larger amount on the side where the accumulator is arranged, the refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator to the accumulator and the refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator to the capillary tube have different inclination angles so that the refrigerant pipes extend upward and become more distant from each other as they move away from the evaporator side.

3. an evaporator including a refrigerant pipe and left and right end plates supporting left and right ends of the refrigerant pipe; an accumulator disposed above the evaporator at a position offset to either the left or right; a pipe heater in contact with the left and right end plates; a capillary tube disposed adjacent to the accumulator and spaced apart from the accumulator; the distance between the left and right folded portions of the pipe heater and the left and right end plates is closer to the end plate on which the accumulator is disposed; the refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator to the accumulator and the refrigerant pipe connecting the evaporator to the capillary tube have different inclination angles so that the refrigerant pipes extend upward and become more distant from each other as they move away from the evaporator side.

4. A refrigerator described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection between the capillary tube and the refrigerant pipe is positioned at a higher position than the accumulator.

5. a water tray disposed below the evaporator; The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein a lower end of the end plate extends to the water tray.

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