CN113432357B

CN113432357B - Refrigerator and manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: CN113432357B
Application number: CN202010911565.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 上甲康之; 盐野谦治; 新井祐志; 川边拓也; 漆原笃彦; 河井良二; 丹野洋平; 内田麻里
Original assignee: Hitachi Global Life Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Hitachi Global Life Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2020-03-23
Filing date: 2020-09-02
Publication date: 2023-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-02
Also published as: CN113432357A; JP2021148394A; JP7324730B2

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator and a manufacturing method thereof, which can protect vacuum heat insulation materials, prevent heat bridges, improve heat insulation performance and realize miniaturization. A refrigerator (1) is provided with an inner box (2), an outer box (3) covering the inner box (2), a space (S1) formed between the inner box (2) and the outer box (3), and a foamed heat-insulating protective material (10) disposed in the space (S1) and attached to the inner box (2). The foamed heat-insulating protective material (10) has a plate-shaped vacuum heat-insulating material (11) and a foamed heat-insulating material (12) that supports at least a part of the vacuum heat-insulating material (11). The foamed heat-insulating protective material (10) is attached to the inner box (2) by a foamed heat-insulating material (12).

Description

Refrigerator and manufacturing method

Technical Field

The invention relates to a refrigerator and a manufacturing method.

Background

Generally, in order to save energy and expand an effective space in a refrigerator, a vacuum insulation material is disposed in a space formed between an inner box and an outer box of the refrigerator. A space formed between the inner box and the outer box is filled with a foamed heat insulating material. Since the vacuum heat insulating material is generally formed by wrapping a thin resin plate, there is a possibility that the vacuum heat insulating material may be damaged by an external injury during manufacturing or by a strong impact during use.

Conventionally, as a technique for preventing breakage of a vacuum heat insulating material, a technique disclosed in patent document 1 is known. Patent document 1 includes a protective case for housing a vacuum heat insulating material, and the vacuum heat insulating material is mounted inside the outer box after being housed in the protective case. A space formed between the inner box and the outer box is filled with a heat-generating and heat-insulating material and covered with a protective case (see, for example, patent document 1).

Prior patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-173187

The refrigerator of patent document 1 is configured such that a space formed between the inner box and the outer box is filled with a foamed heat insulating material and covers the protective case, and therefore, the heat insulating property of the protective case itself is not considered. Therefore, there is a possibility that sufficient heat insulation cannot be obtained due to a heat bridge (heat conduction bridge) that protects the case.

Further, depending on the shape of the irregularities on the outer surface of the inner box, a gap not filled with the foamed heat insulating material may be formed between the inner box and the protective case, and the heat insulating property may be lowered. Therefore, the space between the inner box and the protective case needs to be enlarged, and the refrigerator may be enlarged.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a manufacturing method thereof, which can protect a vacuum heat insulating material and prevent a heat bridge, improve heat insulating properties, and can be miniaturized.

In order to solve the above problem, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes an inner box, an outer box covering the inner box, a space formed between the inner box and the outer box, and a foamed heat insulating protective material disposed in the space and attached to the inner box, wherein the foamed heat insulating protective material includes a plate-shaped vacuum heat insulating material and a foamed heat insulating material supporting at least a part of the vacuum heat insulating material, and the foamed heat insulating protective material is attached to the inner box through the foamed heat insulating material.

The effects of the present invention are as follows.

According to the present invention, a refrigerator and a manufacturing method are provided which can protect a vacuum heat insulating material, prevent a heat bridge, improve heat insulating properties, and achieve miniaturization.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the whole of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of a refrigerator of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a refrigerator of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4A is a schematic enlarged sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of fig. 2 of the refrigerator of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4B is a partially enlarged sectional view of fig. 4A of the refrigerator of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing a form of formation of the foamed heat insulating protective material provided in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view taken along the VI-VI line of the refrigerator of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 7A is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a structure in a corner portion of an inner box of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modification of the structure in the corner portion of the inner box of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic enlarged sectional view corresponding to the schematic enlarged sectional view of fig. 4A of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic enlarged sectional view corresponding to the schematic enlarged sectional view of fig. 4A of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a first modification of the structure of the corner portion of the inner box of the refrigerator according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 10B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a second modification of the structure at the corner of the inner box of the refrigerator according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 10C is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a third modification of the structure of the corner portion of the inner box of the refrigerator according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 11A is a schematic sectional view corresponding to the schematic sectional view of fig. 6 of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11B is a perspective view illustrating an assembly structure of a vacuum insulation material with respect to a lower foamed insulation protective material in a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11C is a perspective view showing an assembly structure of the comparative example.

Fig. 11D is a schematic side sectional view showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12A is a sectional view showing a first process of a method for manufacturing a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12B is a sectional view showing a second process of the method for manufacturing a refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12C is a sectional view showing a third process of the method for manufacturing a refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12D is a sectional view showing a fourth process of the method for manufacturing a refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12E is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth step of the method for manufacturing a refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure: 1-refrigerator, 2-inner box, 2 a-upper plate, 2B-lower plate, 2C-left plate, 2D-right plate, 3-outer box, 10-foamed heat insulation protective material, 10A-10C-foamed heat insulation protective material, 11-vacuum heat insulation material, 11B-vacuum heat insulation material, 11D-vacuum heat insulation material, 12-foamed heat insulation material, 16-adhesive, 18-foamed heat insulation material, 18f 2-groove portion, 18f 1-groove portion, 18g 1-groove portion, 18C-foamed heat insulation material, 18 f-foamed heat insulation material, 18 g-foamed heat insulation material, 18 n-groove portion, 18 p-groove portion, 18 r-groove portion, 20A-inner box, S1-space, S1 a-gap, S1B-gap, S2 a-gap, S2B-gap.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. In each embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted. In the description of the embodiment, the terms "front-back", "right-left", "up-down" and "vertical" refer to the direction shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an entire refrigerator, fig. 2 is a schematic front view thereof, and fig. 3 is a schematic side view thereof. As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the refrigerator 1 has a longitudinal box shape. The refrigerator 1 includes an inner box 2 indicated by a dotted line in the drawing, an outer box 3 disposed outside the inner box 2 with a space therebetween from the inner box 2, and an opening/closing door 4 attached to a front surface of the outer box 3. As shown in fig. 3, the refrigerator 1 includes a storage portion 1a formed between the inner box 2 and the outer box 3 at a lower portion of the rear portion. The storage section 1a stores a cooling mechanism, not shown, such as a refrigerator. The refrigerator 1 can cool the inside 20a having the inner surfaces of the inner box 2 as the inner walls by driving the cooling mechanism. A refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber, and the like are provided in the cabinet 20a. Note that, in fig. 1, the housing portion 1a is not shown.

The inner box 2 is an integrally molded article made of a synthetic resin material and has an open front. The inner box 2 is not limited to an integrally molded product, and may be configured by combining a plurality of members.

The outer box 3 includes an upper plate 3a disposed above the inner box 2, a lower plate 3b disposed below, a left plate 3c disposed on the left, a right plate 3d disposed on the right, and a rear plate 3e disposed behind. The plates 3a to 3e are made of a metal material or a resin material, and the outer box 3 is configured by connecting adjacent plates. The outer box 3 may be integrally provided with a part of the adjacent plates, or may be integrally formed of a resin material.

A space S1 is formed along the whole of the refrigerator 1 between the inner case 2 and the outer case 3. Fig. 4A shows the space S1 on the right side and the space S1 on the rear side thereof. A foamed heat insulating protective material (block-shaped member having heat insulating property) 10 is disposed in each space S1. The foamed heat insulating protective material 10 is attached in close contact with the inner box 2 (the right plate 2d and the rear plate 2e in fig. 4A) in all the spaces S1. The foamed heat insulating protective material 10 is opposed to the outer box 3 (the right plate 3d and the rear plate 3 e) in a state of being separated from the outer box 3 with a gap formed therebetween. Here, the separation means a state in which an adhesive, air, or the like can be provided between the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 and the outer box 3, and the outer box 3 is pressed by the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 and can be locked by a frictional force (on the other hand, as in the case of filling a foamed heat insulating material, the state in which the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 is locked to the outer box 3 by the adhesive force of itself is not separated). This allows the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 to be assembled into the inner box 2 in front of the outer box 3, and thus the assembly is easy.

The foamed heat insulating protective material 10 is in the form of a flat plate, and a plate-shaped vacuum heat insulating material 11 is covered with a foamed heat insulating material 12. The vacuum heat insulating material 11 is wrapped with a thin resin plate, and has an ear portion 11s formed by folding back the resin plate at an end portion thereof. The ear portions 11s are disposed on the outer box 3 side opposite to the inner box 2. This allows the surface of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 facing the inner box 2 to be formed flat without any step as a whole, and improves the adhesion to the inner box 2.

In the right corner 2f of the inner box 2, the rear side and the right foamed heat insulating protective material 10 abut so that the left side surface 10g of the rear portion 10f of the right foamed heat insulating protective material 10 overlaps the right side surface 10e of the rear foamed heat insulating protective material 10. That is, since the flat left side surface of the right foamed heat insulating protective material 10 is brought into contact with the right side surface 10e of the rear foamed heat insulating protective material 10, variations in production are easily absorbed, and the adhesion between the foamed heat insulating protective materials 10 is improved. This structure is also the same in the corner portion on the left side of the inner box 2, not shown.

The thickness of the foamed heat insulating material 12 of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 on the right side is set to a relationship of t1 ≧ t2 when the thickness t1 is set on the inner box 2 side and the thickness t2 is set on the outer box 3 side with the vacuum heat insulating material 11 as the center. Thus, even if the foamed thermal insulation protective material 10 is reversely bent due to shrinkage, the left side surface of the right foamed thermal insulation protective material 10 can be appropriately maintained in a contact state with the right side surface 10e of the rear foamed thermal insulation protective material 10.

In the corner 2f of the inner box, the vacuum heat insulating material 11 of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 on the rear side and the right side are arranged so as to be at least partially offset in the left-right direction. That is, in the adjacent foamed heat insulating protective material 10, the vacuum heat insulating material 11 of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 on the right side is positioned on an extension of one side surface of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 on the rear side. This structure is also the same at the corner on the left side of the inner box 2, not shown.

As shown in fig. 7A, the rear foamed heat insulating protective material 10 includes an extending portion 10j extending to the outer surface of the corner portion 2f of the inner box 2 and closely attached to the outer surface. The rear end portions of the protruding portions (protruding surfaces of the right side surface 10e and the left side surface 10 g) of the rear foamed heat insulating protective material 10 and the right foamed heat insulating protective material 10 are sealed with the adhesive 16. Examples of the adhesive 16 include hot melt and polyurethane. This structure is also the same at the corner on the left side of the inner box 2, not shown.

The front end of the right foamed thermal insulating protective material 10 is closely fitted to the inner surface of the bent portion 2g continuous with the front end of the right plate 2d of the inner box 2. This structure is also the same for the front end portion of the left plate 2c, not shown, of the inner box 2. Accordingly, the strength for bonding the bent portion 2g to the outer box 3 can be ensured by pressing forward from the rear end portion of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10.

The above-described close contact of the foamed heat-insulating protective material 10 with the inner box 2 and the adhesive 16 in each protruding portion constitute a close contact structure with the foamed heat-insulating protective material 10 of the inner box 2.

In the space S1 between the inner box 2 and the outer box 3, the radiating pipe 4A is disposed inside the outer box 3 at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction. Gas and refrigerant at a temperature higher than the temperature in the space S1 flow through the heat radiation pipe 4A. This can prevent dew condensation from occurring on the outer case 3.

The front end of the vacuum insulation material 11 of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 on the right side is positioned behind the heat pipe 4A disposed at the front end of the outer box 3 among the heat pipes 4A. In other words, the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 or the inner box 2 is located between the vacuum heat insulating material 11 and the outer box 3, and the heat radiating pipe 4A disposed at the front end portion of the outer box 3 is in contact with the outer box 3. This is because the amount of heat leakage from the inside of the cabinet to the outside of the cabinet is greater than that of the heat insulating vacuum material 11, the heat insulating foam material 12 having high thermal conductivity is larger, and the periphery of the distal end portion 3g of the outer cabinet 3 is cooled and is likely to form dew, and therefore the structure in which the heat pipe 4A is disposed in this portion is effective in transferring the heat from the heat pipe 4A to the distal end portion 3g to prevent dew condensation.

Next, the molding direction of the foamed thermal insulation protective material 10 will be described with reference to fig. 5. The foamed heat-insulating protective material 10 is formed by disposing the vacuum heat-insulating material 11 in a rectangular parallelepiped shaped molded case (mold) 15, injecting a filler for forming the foamed heat-insulating material 12 into the molded case 15 through

injection ports

15a and 15a of the molded case 15, and foaming the filler.

When the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 is attached to the inner box 2, the vacuum heat insulating material 11 is disposed in the molded case 15 such that the one located on the rear surface side is upward. This is because the rear surface side has a portion that is offset from the other vacuum heat insulating material 11, and therefore even if the protective layer of the foamed heat insulating material 12 becomes thick due to a manufacturing error, heat leakage can be suppressed by the adjacent rear vacuum heat insulating material 11. In addition, since it is difficult to suppress heat leakage by the adjacent vacuum heat insulating material 11 on the front surface side, it is desirable to form the layer of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 extremely thin.

The vacuum heat insulating material 11 is held by the forming case 15 by a holding portion 13 having a substantially truncated cone shape. The holding member 13 is attached to the side surface of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 with an adhesive. The mounting position is on an axis O2 spaced from an axis O1 passing through the injection port 15a by a distance L1. The distance L1 is set to a distance at which the filler injected from the injection port 15a does not directly collide with the holding member 13. This prevents the holding member 13 from falling off from the side surface of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 due to the resistance of the injected filler.

As shown in fig. 4B, the side surface of the holding member 13 forms an obtuse angle α 1 with the mounting surface of the vacuum insulation material 11. This causes the filler to flow into the portion at the obtuse angle α 1, and thus, a void is hardly formed. The holding members 13 are attached to both surfaces of the vacuum heat insulating material 11. The central axis O3 of the holding

members

13, 13 is orthogonal to the center line O4 of the vacuum heat insulating material 11. By configuring the holding members 13 on both sides of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 in this manner, external force during molding can be uniformly received by both sides of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 during molding of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10, and any misalignment of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 in the axial direction of the central axis O3 can be prevented.

Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view taken along the VI-VI line of fig. 3 of the refrigerator. The left foamed heat insulating protective material 10 covers the left side surfaces 10a of the upper and lower foamed heat insulating protective materials 10, and the right foamed heat insulating protective material 10 covers the right side surfaces 10b of the upper and lower foamed heat insulating protective materials 10. This prevents the load of the left and right foamed heat insulating protective materials 10 from acting on the vacuum heat insulating material 11 and the foamed heat insulating material 12 of the lower foamed heat insulating protective material 10. Further, the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 on the upper side is placed on the upper plate 2a of the inner box 2, and is thus stably supported on the upper surface of the upper plate 2 a. Therefore, the assembling property is good.

The refrigerator 1 as described above is manufactured by the following steps of forming the foamed heat-insulating protective material 10, attaching the foamed heat-insulating protective material 10 to the inner box 2, and covering the inner box 2 with the outer box 3.

The step of forming the foamed heat-insulating protective material 10 is a step of forming the foamed heat-insulating protective material 10 by the molded case 15 described above. That is, in this step, the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 is formed by covering the entire vacuum heat insulating material 11 disposed in the molded case 15 with the foamed heat insulating material 12 obtained by foaming the filler.

The step of attaching the foamed thermal insulation protective material 10 to the inner casing 2 is a step of attaching the foamed thermal insulation protective material 10 formed in the above-described step to the inner casing 2 through the foamed thermal insulation material 12. In this case, the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 can be fixed to the inner box 2 by using an adhesive or the like through the foamed heat insulating material 12. Further, since the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 can be attached to the inner box 2 in the stage before the outer box 3 is attached, the attachment work is easy, and the productivity can be improved.

The step of covering the inner box 2 with the outer box 3 is a step of mounting the outer box 3 to the inner box 2 to which the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 is mounted in the above-described step. In the above step, the outer box 3 can be easily attached from the outside of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 because the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 is already attached to the inner box 2. Therefore, the mounting work can be easily performed, and productivity can be improved.

Fig. 7B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a modification of the structure of the corner portion 2f of the inner box 2. In this modification, the extended portion 10j (see fig. 7A) is excluded from the rear foamed thermal insulation protective material 10, and the rear foamed thermal insulation protective material 10 faces the right foamed thermal insulation protective material 10. In this modification, the projecting portions (projecting surfaces of the right side surface 10e and the left side surface 10 g) of the rear foamed thermal insulation protective material 10 and the right foamed thermal insulation protective material 10 are sealed with the adhesive 16. This structure is also the same in the corner portion on the left side of the inner box 2, not shown.

In the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment described above, since the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 including the vacuum heat insulating material 11 and the foamed heat insulating material 12 is attached to the inner box 2 through the foamed heat insulating material 12, a thermal bridge (heat conduction bridge) of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 can be suppressed.

Further, since the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 is foamed separately from the inner box 2 and the outer box 3, the heat insulating structure can be made thin and compact as compared with a conventional structure in which a foamed heat insulating material is directly filled in the space between the inner box 2 and the outer box 3. Therefore, the tank interior 20a can be formed correspondingly wide.

Further, since the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 itself has heat insulating properties, it is not necessary to separately dispose another heat insulating material, and the space in the box interior 20a is easily enlarged.

Further, the elastic foamed heat insulating protective material absorbs deformation between the inner box 2 having a large heat shrinkage rate and the vacuum heat insulating material 11. Therefore, the shearing force to the vacuum heat insulating material 11 can be reduced, and the manufacturability is excellent.

Further, even if the integrally molded inner box 2 has the arc-shaped corner portion 2f and the punching gradient, the foamed heat insulating protective material 11 has an inner box adhesion structure in which the inner box 2 is in adhesion with the foamed heat insulating protective material, and therefore, it is possible to prevent outside air from entering between the inner box 2 and the vacuum heat insulating material 11. This eliminates the need to fill the space S1 between the inner casing 2 and the outer casing 3 with foamed urethane or the like. Therefore, the space in the box 20a is easily enlarged.

In the adjacent foamed heat insulating protective materials 10, the vacuum heat insulating material 11 of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 on the right side is positioned on an extension of one side surface of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 on the rear side. This improves the heat insulation performance.

The foamed heat insulating

protective materials

10 and 10 attached to the left and

right panels

2c and 2d of the inner box 2 cover the left and

right side portions

10a and 10b of the foamed heat insulating

protective materials

10 and 10 attached to the upper and

lower panels

2a and 2 b. This prevents the load of the left and right foamed heat insulating protective materials 10 from being applied to the vacuum heat insulating material 11 and the foamed heat insulating material 12 of the lower foamed heat insulating protective material 10.

In addition, according to the method of manufacturing the refrigerator 1, the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 can be fixed to the inner box 2 by the foamed heat insulating material 12, and the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 can be attached to the inner box 2 before the outer box 3 is attached, so that the attachment work can be easily performed, and the productivity can be improved.

(second embodiment)

A refrigerator of a second embodiment is explained with reference to fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a schematic enlarged sectional view corresponding to the schematic enlarged sectional view of fig. 4A described above. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the foamed heat insulating protective material 10B is attached to the inner box 2 by the foamed

heat insulating materials

18g, 18g covering both end portions of the vacuum heat insulating material 11.

As shown in fig. 8, the right foamed heat insulating protective material 10B includes a vacuum heat insulating material 11, a foamed heat insulating material 18f covering a rear end portion 11f of the vacuum heat insulating material 11, and a foamed heat insulating material 11g covering a front end portion 11g of the vacuum heat insulating material 11. The foamed

heat insulating materials

18f and 18g are formed in advance by foam molding, and are attached to the inner box 2 while being sealed to the edge of the inner box 2 with the adhesive 16. The rear foamed heat insulating material 18f includes a groove 18f1 into which the rear end portion 11f of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 is inserted. On the other hand, the front foaming heat insulating material 18g includes a groove 18g1 into which the front end portion 11g of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 is inserted.

The rear foamed heat insulating material 18g is attached in close contact with the corner 2f of the inner box 2, and further includes a groove 18f2 into which the right end 11e of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10B disposed on the rear side is inserted. That is, the rear foamed heat insulating material 18g functions as a support portion for supporting both the right and rear foamed heat insulating protective materials 10B.

The vacuum heat insulating material 11 is attached to the inner box 2 through the foamed

heat insulating materials

18f and 18g by inserting the rear end portion 11f into the groove portion 18f1 of the rear foamed heat insulating material 18f and inserting the front end portion 11g into the groove portion 18g1 of the front foamed heat insulating material 18 g. The boundary portions (edge portions) between the grooves 18f1 and 18g1 on the outer box 3 side and the vacuum heat insulating material 11 are sealed with an adhesive 16. Similarly to the rear foamed heat insulating protective material 10B, the boundary (edge) between the groove 18f2 on the outer box 3 side and the vacuum heat insulating material 11 is sealed with the adhesive 16.

The vacuum heat insulating material 11 of the right foamed heat insulating protective material 10B faces the right plate 2d of the inner box 2 with a gap S1a formed therebetween. On the other hand, the vacuum heat insulating material 11 faces the right plate 3d of the outer box 3 with a gap S1b formed therebetween. The gap S1a facing the inner case 2 is smaller than the gap S1b facing the outer case 3.

Similarly, the vacuum heat insulating material 11 of the rear foamed heat insulating protective material 10B faces the rear plate 2e of the inner box 2 with a gap S2a formed therebetween. On the other hand, the vacuum heat insulating material 11 faces the rear plate 3e of the outer box 3 with a gap S2b formed therebetween. In this case, the gap S2a facing the inner case 2 is also smaller than the gap S2b facing the outer case 3. This structure is also the same in the corner portion on the left side of the inner box 2, not shown.

In the present embodiment described above, the foamed heat insulating protective material 10B is attached to the inner box 2 by the foamed

heat insulating materials

18g and 18f covering both end portions of the vacuum heat insulating material 11. Therefore, the mounting structure can be configured with a smaller amount of the foaming and heat insulating

materials

18g and 18f than in the first embodiment, and cost reduction can be achieved.

Further, since the held vacuum heat insulating material 11 faces the right plate 2d of the inner box 2 through the gap S1a, the degree of freedom in accommodating dimensional unevenness and the like of the inner box 2 is higher in the manufacturing surface than in the first embodiment, and the manufacturability is excellent. Further, the stress acting on the vacuum heat insulating material 11 can be reduced by the gap S1 a. This can maintain the function of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 for a long period of time.

Further, since the gap S1a is sealed with the adhesive 16, the penetration of the outside air into the gap S1a can be appropriately prevented. Since the adhesive 16 is applied to the surface facing the outer box 3, the inner box 2, the vacuum heat insulator 11, and the outer box 3 can be assembled in this order. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the adhesive 16 has both the function of bonding and the function of sealing, the manufacturability is excellent. Further, since the adhesive 16 can be applied from the outside of the inner box 2, workability is excellent.

Further, since the gap S1a is smaller than the gap S1b on the opposite side, the pressure change can be suppressed to be small. This can appropriately prevent the inner box 2 from being deformed by the negative pressure during cooling. Further, since the gap S2b is larger than the gap S1a, heat dissipation can be improved. Further, the heat pipe 4A is also easy to install.

In the present embodiment, the assembly in which the foamed

heat insulating materials

18f and 18g are first attached to the inner box 2 and then the vacuum heat insulating material 11 is attached has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the foamed

heat insulating materials

18f and 18g and the vacuum heat insulating material 11 are first assembled and the foamed heat insulating protective material 10B is formed, the foamed heat insulating protective material 10B may be mounted on the inner case 2.

(third embodiment)

A refrigerator of a third embodiment is explained with reference to fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic enlarged sectional view corresponding to the schematic enlarged sectional view of fig. 4A. The present embodiment differs from the second embodiment described above in that both end portions of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 are attached to the inner box 2 by the adhesive portions 17. At least a part (upper part, lower part, etc.) of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 is attached to the inner casing 2 through a foamed heat insulating material 12 (not shown).

As the adhesive section 17, an adhesive system such as foamed urethane, hot melt, or double-sided tape can be used. In the present embodiment, the rear end 11f of the right vacuum heat insulator 11 and the right end 11e of the rear vacuum heat insulator 11 are attached to the inner box 2 at the corner 2 of the inner box 2 by the adhesive portion 17, and the outside thereof is covered with the foamed heat insulator 18 having a substantially L-shaped cross section. The foaming and heat insulating material 18 includes a right portion 18a disposed on the right panel 3d side and a rear portion 18b disposed on the rear panel 3e side.

The adhesive portion 17 includes, at the corner portion 2f of the inner box 2, an extended portion 19b interposed in the gap S1a, an extended portion 19d interposed in the gap S2a, an extended portion 19a interposed between the rear end portion 11f of the right vacuum heat insulator 11 and the right portion 18a of the foamed heat insulator 18, and an extended portion 19c interposed between the right end portion 11e of the rear vacuum heat insulator 11 and the rear portion 18b of the foamed heat insulator 18. The adhesive portion 17 includes an extended portion 19e interposed between the gap S1a and the bent portion 2g and an extended portion 19f covering the right plate 3d side of the outer box 3 around the front end portion 11g of the right vacuum heat insulating material 11.

In the present embodiment described above, the end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 can be easily brought into close contact with the inner box 2 by the adhesive portion 17. Further, since the adhesive portion 17 can be easily disposed in a gap or the like and has a high degree of freedom of shape, the adhesive property and the sealing property are excellent even if the inner box 2 has a complicated shape such as a drawing gradient or an arcuate corner portion 2 f. In addition, the shape of the foamed heat insulating material 18 is simplified and can be easily shared. Therefore, the productivity is excellent.

Fig. 10A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a first modification of the structure of the corner portion 2f of the inner box 2. In the first modification, the rear end portion 11f and the right end portion 11e of the vacuum heat insulator 11 are covered with the foamed heat insulator 18, the rear vacuum heat insulator 11 is disposed in contact with the rear plate 2e of the inner box 2, and the right vacuum heat insulator 11 is disposed on the inner surface 10h of the right plate 2d of the inner box 2 with a slight gap therebetween.

In the first modification, since the foamed heat insulating material 18 is disposed only at the end portion, the material cost can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

Fig. 10B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a second modification of the structure of the corner portion 2f of the inner box 2. In the second modification, the rear end portion 11f and the right end portion 11e of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 are fixed by the adhesive portion 17, and the outside thereof is covered with the foamed heat insulating material 18.

In the second modification, since the vacuum heat insulating material 11 can be fixed by the adhesive portion 17 first, the assembly can be easily performed, and the productivity is excellent. The adhesive portion 17 does not need to be positioned at the corner portion 2f of the inner box 2, and the same effect can be obtained by providing at least a part of the vacuum heat insulating material 11.

Fig. 10C is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a third modification of the structure of the corner portion 2f of the inner box 2. In the third modification, the vacuum heat insulator 11 and the foamed heat insulator 18 are bonded together by the bonding portion 17.

In the third modification, since the vacuum heat insulator 11 and the foamed heat insulator 18 can be bonded together at the bonding portion 17, the number of working steps can be reduced.

(fourth embodiment)

A refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 11A to 11D. Fig. 11A is a schematic sectional view corresponding to the schematic sectional view of fig. 6 of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in that the groove portions 10k are provided in the lower foamed thermal insulation protective material 10A and the upper foamed thermal insulation protective material 10C, and the left and right vacuum heat insulators 11 are assembled.

As shown in fig. 11A, the vacuum heat insulating material 11 of the lower foamed heat insulating protective material 10A is located at the upper portion, and the lower side thereof is covered with the foamed heat insulating material 12. The lower plate 2b of the inner box 2 abuts on the vacuum heat insulating material 11. As shown in fig. 11D, the lower foamed heat insulating protective material 10A is raised in a stepped manner toward the upper rear side in accordance with the outer shape of the inner box 2. The vacuum heat insulating material 11 also stands in a substantially L-shape in side view. The foamed heat insulating protective material 10A is interposed between the vacuum heat insulating materials 11 and the inner box 2, and can ensure heat insulation even when wiring or piping passes through the vacuum heat insulating materials 11 from the inside of the inner box 2 to the outside of the outer box 3.

As shown in fig. 11A, groove portions 10k are formed in the lower foamed thermal insulation protective material 10A at both left and right side portions. The lower end portions 11B of the left and right vacuum heat insulating materials 11B are inserted into the respective grooves 10k (see fig. 11D).

As shown in fig. 11A, the vacuum insulation material 11 of the upper foamed insulation protective material 10C is located at the lower portion. As shown in fig. 11D, the upper foamed heat insulating protective material 10C is divided into front and rear foamed heat insulating materials 18C covering the vacuum heat insulating materials 11. A groove 18n into which the vacuum heat insulating material 11 is inserted is formed in the rear foamed heat insulating material 18C.

As shown in fig. 11A, the upper foamed heat insulating protective material 10C is similarly provided with groove portions 10k on both right and left sides. The upper end portions 11a of the left and right vacuum heat insulating materials 11B are inserted into the respective grooves 10k (see fig. 11D).

The left and right vacuum heat insulators 11B face the inner box 2 (the left plate 2c and the right plate 2 d) with a gap S1 a.

In addition, a groove portion 18p into which the upper end portion 11p of the rear vacuum heat insulating material 11D is inserted is formed in the foamed heat insulating protective material 10C on the upper rear portion. The lower end portion 11r of the rear vacuum heat insulating material 11D is inserted into the groove portion 18r provided at the rear end portion of the lower foamed heat insulating protective material 10A. The vacuum heat insulating material 11D faces the inner box 2 (rear plate 2 e) with a gap S6, and the lower side of the gap S6 is surrounded by the foamed heat insulating protective material 10A. Thus, even when the wiring or piping is provided on the rear plate 2e, the foamed heat insulating protective material 10A can be disposed without forming a hole in the vacuum heat insulating material 11.

Fig. 11B is a perspective view showing an assembled structure of the vacuum heat insulating material 11B. The right vacuum heat insulator 11B can be easily inserted into the groove portion 10k of the lower foamed heat insulator 10A from above. Further, since the boundary between the edge of the groove 10k and the right vacuum heat insulator 11B is located on the side (outside) covered with the right plate 3d (see fig. 11A) of the outer box 3, the adhesive 16 can be easily applied to the boundary. That is, the operation of applying the adhesive 16 can be performed without tilting the inner casing 2 in a state where the inner casing 2 is assembled.

As shown in fig. 11C, even in the arrangement structure in which the foamed heat insulating protective material 10A is positioned on the right side and the vacuum heat insulating material 11B is positioned on the lower side, the groove portion 10k is opened to the left side, and therefore, the boundary portion between the groove portion 10k and the vacuum heat insulating material 11B on the lower side is positioned on the lower side. Therefore, when the adhesive 16 is applied to the boundary portion, it is necessary to perform the application from the lower side, which results in a complicated application operation of tilting the inner box 2.

The refrigerator 1 as described above is manufactured by the step of disposing the lower foamed heat insulating protective material 10A, the step of disposing the inner box 2, the step of disposing the left and right vacuum heat insulating materials 11, the step of disposing the upper foamed heat insulating protective material 10C, and the step of disposing the outer box 3.

As shown in fig. 12A, the step of disposing the foamed thermal insulation protective material 10A on the lower side is a step of disposing the lower plate 3b of the outer box 3 on the floor or the like and disposing the foamed thermal insulation protective material 10A on the upper side. The lower foamed heat insulating protective material 10A is disposed so that the vacuum heat insulating material 11 is located on the upper side.

The step of disposing the inner box 2 is a step of placing the inner box 2 on the lower foamed heat insulating protective material 10A disposed in the above-described step. In this step, as shown in fig. 11D, the stepped lower plate 2b of the inner box 2 is placed along the upper surface of the lower foamed thermal insulation protective material 10A (the upper surfaces 2e2 and 2e1 raised in a stepped manner rearward).

As shown in fig. 12C, the step of disposing the left and right vacuum heat insulating materials 11 is a step of inserting the vacuum

heat insulating materials

11B and 11B into the

grooves

10k and 10k of the lower foamed heat insulating protective material 10A and inserting the vacuum heat insulating material 11D into the rear groove 18r (see fig. 11C). Accordingly, the

vacuum heat insulators

11B and 11B are disposed outside the left plate 2c and the right plate 2D of the inner box 2, and the vacuum heat insulator 11D is disposed outside the rear plate 2 e.

As shown in fig. 12D, the step of disposing the upper foamed heat insulating protective material 10C is a step of disposing the upper foamed heat insulating protective material 10C on the upper plate 2a of the inner box 2 such that the

grooves

10k, and 18p face downward, and inserting the upper ends 11a, and 11p of the vacuum

heat insulating materials

11B, and 11D into the grooves 10k, and 18 k.

The step of arranging the outer box 3 is a step of assembling the outer box 3 so as to cover the left and right vacuum

heat insulating materials

11B, and 11D and the upper foamed heat insulating protective material 10C assembled in the above step.

The outer box 3 is assembled outside the inner box 2 through these steps.

In the present embodiment described above, the left and right vacuum heat insulators 11 and the rear vacuum heat insulator 11 can be assembled by inserting them into the

grooves

10k, and 18r, and therefore, the manufacturability is excellent. In addition, since the number of foamed heat insulating protective materials can be reduced, the manufacturability is excellent and the cost can be reduced.

Further, the foamed heat insulating protective material 10C and the vacuum heat insulating materials 11B, and 11C can be assembled before the outer box 3 is assembled, and therefore, the manufacturability is excellent.

Further, since the boundary portions between the vacuum

heat insulating materials

11B, and 11D and the

grooves

10k, and 18r are located at positions that can be visually observed from the outside, the adhesive 16 can be applied in a state where the inner box 2 is self-standing. Therefore, the vacuum

heat insulating materials

11B, and 11D can be assembled by a simple operation without requiring a complicated operation, and the manufacturability is excellent.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the above embodiments are described in detail to facilitate clear description of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to the embodiments having all the described configurations.

Moreover, a part of the structure of one embodiment may be replaced with the structure of another embodiment, and the structure of another embodiment may be added to the structure of one embodiment.

Further, with respect to a part of the configurations of the respective embodiments, addition, deletion, and replacement of another configuration can be performed.

In the above embodiment, the refrigerator 1 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be applied to an inner box of a refrigerator having another shape.

In the above embodiment, the structure is such that each surface of the inner box 2 is included, but at least one surface of the inner box 2 may be covered with the vacuum heat insulating material 11 by the foamed heat insulating material 12.

As the cooling mechanism of the refrigerator 1, a mechanism using a peltier element, a stirling refrigerator, or the like may be used.

The thickness and size of the foamed heat insulating protective material 10 and the like, and the thickness and size of the vacuum heat insulating material 11 and the like can be set to appropriate dimensions.

The refrigerator 1 also includes a delivery box having a refrigerating function, a cooling device in a room, and the like.

Claims

1. A refrigerator is characterized in that a refrigerator body is provided with a refrigerator door,

the disclosed device is provided with:

an inner box;

an outer box covering the inner box;

a space formed between the inner box and the outer box; and

a foamed heat insulating protective material attached to the inner box in the entire space,

the foamed heat insulating protective material has a plate-like vacuum heat insulating material and a foamed heat insulating material for supporting at least a part of the vacuum heat insulating material,

the foamed heat insulating protective material is attached to the inner box through the foamed heat insulating material,

the foamed heat insulating protective material is attached to the inner box via the foamed heat insulating material in a state of being separated from the outer box,

in the right corner portion of the inner box, the rear side and the right side of the foamed heat insulating protective material are brought into contact with each other so that the left side surface of the rear portion of the right side of the foamed heat insulating protective material overlaps the right side surface of the rear side of the foamed heat insulating protective material, and are sealed with an adhesive,

in the left corner portion of the inner box, the rear side and the left side of the foamed heat insulating protective material are brought into contact with each other so that the right side surface of the rear portion of the left side of the foamed heat insulating protective material overlaps the left side surface of the rear side of the foamed heat insulating protective material, and are sealed with an adhesive.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the foamed heat insulating material covers the entire vacuum heat insulating material.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the foamed heat insulating material covers an end of the vacuum heat insulating material.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3,

the vacuum heat insulating material is opposed to the inner box so as to form a gap therebetween.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 3,

the vacuum heat insulating material is opposed to each other so as to form a gap between the inner box and the outer box,

the gap formed between the vacuum heat insulating material and the inner box is smaller than the gap formed between the vacuum heat insulating material and the outer box.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

a plurality of the foamed heat insulating protective material is provided corresponding to the surface of the inner box,

in the adjacent foamed heat insulating protective material, the vacuum heat insulating material of the other foamed heat insulating protective material is positioned on an extension of one side surface of the vacuum heat insulating material of the one foamed heat insulating protective material.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the foaming heat insulation protective material is respectively arranged on the upper plate, the lower plate, the left plate and the right plate of the inner box,

the foamed heat insulating protective material attached to the left and right panels covers left and right side portions of the foamed heat insulating protective material attached to the upper and lower panels.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the foamed heat insulating material is formed with a groove portion to which an end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material is attached.

9. A method of manufacturing a refrigerator, for manufacturing the refrigerator of claim 1, characterized in that,

comprises the following steps:

forming the foamed heat insulating protective material by covering a part or the whole of the vacuum heat insulating material with the foamed heat insulating material;

a step of attaching the formed foamed heat insulating protective material to the inner box through the foamed heat insulating material;

and covering the inner box with the foamed heat insulating protective material.