JP7432824B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator equipped with a humidification cassette.

Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator in which a fresh-preserving antibacterial cassette can be attached to and detached from a vegetable container vertically.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-180034

In the refrigerator of Patent Document 1, it is difficult to attach and detach the freshness preservation antibacterial cassette up and down when the vegetable container is installed in the vegetable compartment.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a refrigerator that improves the ease of attaching and detaching a humidifying cassette.

The refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a vegetable compartment, a vegetable container provided in the vegetable compartment, and a humidifying cassette provided in the vegetable container, and a groove is provided on the back side of the bottom of the vegetable container, and the vegetable container A hole is provided on the back of the container, an insertion portion is provided at the bottom of the humidification cassette, and a tab is provided at the top of the humidification cassette. When attaching the humidification cassette to the vegetable container, first the insertion portion is provided. It is characterized in that it is inserted into the groove, and then the claw is inserted into the hole.

The refrigerator according to the present disclosure can improve the ease of attaching and detaching the humidifying cassette.

Front view of the refrigerator in Embodiment 1 A perspective view of a vegetable container equipped with a humidifying cassette in Embodiment 1 A perspective view of a vegetable container equipped with a humidifying cassette in Embodiment 1 Exploded perspective view of the humidification cassette in Embodiment 1 A diagram showing the mounting position of the humidification cassette in Embodiment 1 Cross-sectional view of the vegetable container after attaching the humidifying cassette in Embodiment 1 Cross-sectional view of the vegetable container before installing the humidifying cassette in Embodiment 1 Cross-sectional view of the vegetable container when the humidification cassette in Embodiment 1 is incorrectly inserted A perspective view of a vegetable container equipped with a humidifying cassette in Embodiment 2

(Findings, etc. that formed the basis of this disclosure)
At the time when the inventors came up with the present disclosure, the fresh-preservation antibacterial cassette was placed inside a vegetable container in a storage section that had an opening at the top and front and integrally formed with holding plates that protruded from both ends of the front opening from the top. There was a technique to insert and install it. Thereby, the fresh-preservation antibacterial cassette can be easily attached and detached up and down.

However, the inventors discovered a problem in that when the vegetable container is installed in the vegetable compartment, it is difficult to attach and remove the freshness-preserving antibacterial cassette up and down because there is another storage compartment above the vegetable compartment. , In order to solve the problem, the subject matter of the present disclosure has been constituted.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a refrigerator that improves the ease of attaching and detaching a humidifying cassette.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 will be described below using FIGS. 1 to 8.

[1-1. composition]
FIG. 1 is a front view of refrigerator 100. Refrigerator 100 includes a refrigerator compartment 101, a vegetable compartment 102, a freezer compartment 103, an ice-making compartment 104, and a switching compartment 105. Note that the matters related to the essential parts of the invention described below in this embodiment may be the refrigerator 100 configured in which the vegetable compartment 102 and the freezer compartment 103 are arranged in a different manner.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vegetable container 201. The vegetable compartment 102 includes a vegetable container 201. Humidification cassette 204 is provided on the left side of the back of vegetable container 201.

The vegetable container 201 includes a groove 202. The groove portion 202 is provided to fix the mounting position of the humidifying cassette 204. The groove portion 202 is provided on the back side of the bottom surface of the vegetable container 201.

Humidification cassette 204 includes a push-down portion 205 and an opening 206 .

The push part 205 is provided for pushing when attaching the humidifying cassette 204 to the vegetable container 201 or when removing the humidifying cassette 204 from the vegetable container 201. The push-down portion 205 is provided above the front surface of the humidification cassette 204 .

The opening 206 is provided to release absorbed moisture into the interior of the vegetable container 201. The opening 206 is provided on the upper side of the front surface of the humidification cassette 204. Further, the opening 206 is formed by a grid-like gap formed by a plurality of ribs.

A gap 203 is provided between the vegetable container 201 and the humidifying cassette 204. The gap 203 is provided to allow air containing moisture inside the vegetable container 201 to flow between the vegetable container 201 and the humidifying cassette 204.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vegetable container 201. The vegetable container 201 includes a hole 301. Hole 301 is provided for inserting claw 405 . The hole 301 is provided on the upper side of the back surface of the vegetable container 201.

Humidification cassette 204 includes an insertion section 302 . The insertion part 302 is provided to be inserted into the groove part 202. The insertion part 302 is provided on the lower side of the front surface of the humidification cassette 204.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the humidification cassette 204. The humidifying cassette 204 includes a humidifying cassette front frame 401, a humidifying sheet 402, and a humidifying cassette rear frame 403. Note that the humidifying cassette 204 may be configured by integrating a humidifying cassette front frame 401 and a humidifying cassette rear frame 403. Further, the humidifying sheet 402 is provided inside the humidifying cassette 204.

The humidifying cassette front frame 401 plays a role of protecting the humidifying sheet 402. The humidifying cassette front frame 401 includes a pressing portion 205, an opening portion 206, an insertion portion 302, and a claw portion 405. The humidifying cassette front frame 401 is made of resin.

The claw portion 405 is provided to be inserted into the hole portion 301. The claw portions 405 are provided at both upper ends of the humidifying cassette 204, respectively. The tip of the claw 405 is smaller than the hole.

The humidifying sheet 402 has the role of absorbing moisture generated by condensation inside the vegetable container 201, moving the absorbed moisture, and releasing it. Humidifying sheet 402 is constructed from a fibrous material such as nonwoven fabric. Further, the humidifying sheet 402 is provided between the humidifying cassette front frame 401 and the humidifying cassette rear frame 403.

The humidifying cassette rear frame 403 plays a role of protecting the humidifying sheet 402 similarly to the humidifying cassette front frame 401. The humidifying cassette rear frame 403 includes a receiving portion 404 . The humidifying cassette rear frame 403 is made of resin.

The receiving portion 404 is provided on the back surface of the vegetable container 201 at a position facing the gap portion 203 in order to cause the humidifying sheet 402 to absorb moisture generated due to dew condensation. The receiving portion 404 is provided below the humidifying cassette rear frame 403. Furthermore, a plurality of humidifying sheets are provided in the vertical direction in order to convey moisture generated by condensation on the back surface of the vegetable container 201 to the humidifying sheet 402. Further, the receiving portion 404 is composed of a rib having an inclination. Note that the receiving portion 404 may be configured with at least one rib having an inclination.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the mounting position of the humidifying cassette 204. The vegetable compartment 102 includes an outlet 501 that discharges cold air. The outlet 501 is provided on the left side of the back of the vegetable compartment 102. The humidifying cassette 204 is provided on the inner wall surface of the vegetable container 201 on which cool air discharged from the outlet 501 is blown.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vegetable container 201 after the humidification cassette 204 is attached. The claw portion 405 includes a protrusion 601. The protrusion 601 is provided so as to be caught in the recess 602 when the claw 405 is inserted into the hole 301. The protrusion 601 is provided above the tip of the claw 405 .

The vegetable container 201 includes a recessed portion 602. The recessed portion 602 is provided so that the claw portion 405 is caught on the projection portion 601 when the claw portion 405 is inserted into the hole portion 301. The recess 602 is provided at a position facing the hole 301 on the back side of the vegetable container 201.

[1-2. motion]
The operation of the refrigerator 100 configured as above will be described below.

[1-2-1. Attaching and detaching the humidifying cassette]
The operation of attaching and detaching the humidifying cassette 204 will be explained based on FIGS. 6 and 7.

The removal operation will be explained. In the removal operation, there is a transition from FIG. 6 to FIG. First, push down the pressing part 205 and pull it toward you to disengage the protrusion 601 and the recess 602, and remove the claw part 405 from the hole 301. Here, the front side represents the user's side. Next, the humidifying cassette 204 is pulled up, the insertion part 302 is pulled out from the groove part 202, and the humidifying cassette 204 is removed from the vegetable container 201. The humidification cassette can be removed in the front-back direction. As described above, even when the vegetable container 201 is installed in the vegetable compartment 102, the humidification cassette 204 can be removed.

The installation operation will be explained. In the attachment operation, there is a transition from FIG. 7 to FIG. 6. First, hold the humidifying cassette 204, insert the insertion part 302 into the groove 202, and fix the position of the humidifying cassette. Next, the humidifying cassette 204 is pushed toward the wall surface of the vegetable container 201 and the tabs 405 are inserted into the holes 301 to attach the humidifying cassette 204 to the vegetable container 201. The humidification cassette can be attached in the front-back direction. As described above, the humidifying cassette 204 can be attached even when the vegetable container 201 is installed in the vegetable compartment 102. When the humidifying cassette 204 is correctly attached, the protrusion 601 is caught in the recess 602, providing a click feeling.

Based on FIG. 8, the operation when the humidifying cassette 204 is inserted incorrectly will be described. If the attachment operation is performed in a state where the insertion part 302 is not inserted into the groove part 202, incorrect insertion will occur. Even if the humidifying cassette 204 is pushed toward the wall surface of the vegetable container 201, since the hole 301 is larger than the claw 405, the protrusion 601 is not caught in the recess 602, and no click feeling is obtained. Therefore, it is easy to notice incorrect insertion of the humidifying cassette 204.

[1-2-2. Humidification mechanism of humidification cassette]
The humidification mechanism of the humidification cassette 204 will be explained based on FIGS. 5 and 6. First, air containing moisture inside the vegetable container 201 enters from the gap 203 provided between the humidification cassette 204 and the vegetable container 201. The left side of the back side of the vegetable container 201 is cooled by the cold air discharged from the outlet 501 to a temperature lower than the dew point temperature of the air inside the vegetable container 201, and condensation is likely to occur. The air containing moisture that entered through the gap 203 is cooled, and dew condensation occurs on the left side of the back surface of the vegetable container 201. Next, when the moisture generated by condensation becomes large, it flows down the back side of the vegetable container 201. The water that has flowed down is guided to the receiving portion 404 and absorbed by the humidifying sheet 402. The absorbed moisture moves upward due to the capillary force of the humidifying sheet 402. Here, capillary force is a force for causing capillary phenomenon. Finally, when the humidity around the opening 206 becomes low, the moved moisture is released into the vegetable container 201 through the opening 206. Therefore, the inside of the vegetable container 201 can be maintained at an appropriate humidity.

[1-3. Effects, etc.]
As described above, in this embodiment, refrigerator 100 includes vegetable compartment 102, vegetable container 201, and humidification cassette 204. A groove portion 202 is provided on the back side of the bottom surface of the vegetable container 201, and a hole portion 301 is provided on the back side of the vegetable container 201. Furthermore, an insertion section 302 is provided at the bottom of the humidification cassette 204, and a claw section 405 is provided at the top of the humidification cassette 204. When attaching the humidifying cassette 204 to the vegetable container 201, the insert portion 302 is first inserted into the groove portion 202, and then the claw portion 405 is inserted into the hole portion 301.

Thereby, the humidification cassette 204 can be attached to the vegetable container 201. Therefore, the humidification cassette 204 can be attached to and detached from the vegetable container 201 without removing the vegetable container 201 from the vegetable compartment 102.

As in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 may include a protrusion 601 provided on the tab 405 and a recess 602 provided on the vegetable container 201.

Thereby, when the protrusion 601 is caught in the recess 602, a click feeling can be obtained. Further, unless the protrusion 601 is caught in the recess 602, a click feeling cannot be obtained. Therefore, when a click feeling is obtained, it can be determined that the humidifying cassette 204 has been correctly attached to the vegetable container 201. Moreover, when a click feeling is not obtained, it can be determined that the humidifying cassette 204 is not correctly attached to the vegetable container 201, and it is possible to notice incorrect insertion.

As in this embodiment, the vegetable compartment 102 may include an outlet 501 that discharges cold air. Furthermore, the humidifying cassette 204 may be provided on the inner wall surface of the vegetable container 201 on which the cold air discharged from the outlet 501 is blown.

This makes it easier for condensation to form on the wall surfaces against which cold air is blown. Therefore, the occurrence of dew condensation on other wall surfaces of the vegetable container 201 can be suppressed, and the risk of water rot due to dew condensation can be suppressed.

(Embodiment 2)
Embodiment 2 will be described below using FIG. 9.

[2-1. composition]
Refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in that humidification cassette 204 is installed on the right side of the back of vegetable container 201. Further, the outlet is installed on the right side of the back of the vegetable container 201.

[2-2. motion]
In this embodiment, operations other than the humidifying operation of the humidifying cassette 204 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Since the outlet is installed on the right side of the back of the vegetable container 201, condensation occurs on the right side of the back of the vegetable container.

[2-3. Effects, etc.]
In this embodiment, effects and the like are similar to those in the first embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, Embodiments 1 and 2 have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments in which changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to create a new embodiment by combining the components described in the first and second embodiments.

Therefore, other embodiments will be illustrated below.

In Embodiments 1 and 2, the vegetable compartment has been described as an example of a location where the humidifying cassette 204 is installed, but the location where the humidifying cassette 204 is installed is not limited to the vegetable compartment. As another example, it may be another storage room such as a refrigerator or a freezer. In addition, it is possible to store not only vegetables but also fruits and rice in the vegetable compartment.

In Embodiments 1 and 2, nonwoven fabric was described as an example of the material that constitutes the humidifying sheet 402. The humidifying sheet 402 may be a porous body capable of absorbing and releasing more moisture generated by dew condensation. Therefore, humidifying sheet 402 is not limited to fibrous materials such as nonwoven fabrics. Since the humidifying sheet 402 is made of a porous material, it has a large surface area and can absorb and release a large amount of moisture.

Therefore, it is possible to respond to fluctuations in the amount of vegetables and maintain the freshness of vegetables for a longer period of time.

In Embodiments 1 and 2, the humidification cassette 204 was described as an example of a cassette attached to a vegetable container, but the cassette attached to a vegetable container is not limited to a humidification cassette. Other examples include functional cassettes, such as antibacterial cassettes. This makes it possible to use not only a humidifying cassette but also a cassette with functions.

Note that the above-described embodiments are for illustrating the technology of the present disclosure, and therefore various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

The present disclosure can be applied to household or commercial refrigerators or vegetable storages because the cassette can be attached and detached in the front-rear direction of the container, improving the ease of attaching and detaching the cassette.

100 Refrigerator 101 Refrigerator 102 Vegetable compartment 103 Freezer 104 Ice-making compartment 105 Switching compartment 201 Vegetable container 202 Groove 203 Gap 204 Humidifying cassette 205 Pressing part 206 Opening 301 Hole 302 Insertion part 401 Humidifying cassette front frame 402 Humidifying sheet 4 03 Humidification Cassette rear frame 404 Receiver 405 Claw 501 Outlet 601 Projection 602 Recess

Claims (4)

vegetable room and
a vegetable container provided in the vegetable compartment;
and a humidifying cassette provided in the vegetable container,
A groove is provided on the back side of the bottom of the vegetable container,
A hole is provided on the back side of the vegetable container,
An insertion part is provided at the bottom of the humidification cassette,
A claw portion is provided at the top of the humidifying cassette,
When attaching the humidifying cassette to the vegetable container, the refrigerator is characterized in that first the insertion part is inserted into the groove part, and then the claw part is inserted into the hole part. When the claw portion is inserted into the hole portion while the insertion portion is inserted into the groove portion, a click feeling is obtained;
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein when the tab is inserted into the hole while the insertion portion is not inserted into the groove, a click feeling is not obtained. The vegetable compartment includes an outlet for discharging cold air,
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the humidifying cassette is provided on a wall surface of the inner wall surface of the vegetable container onto which cold air discharged from the outlet is blown. The outlet is provided on the left side of the back of the vegetable compartment,
4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the humidifying cassette is provided on the left side of the back surface of the vegetable container.