CN113758103A - Refrigerator with a door - Google Patents

Abstract

The refrigerator includes a storage space having a refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber, and a vegetable chamber disposed between the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber. A cooling chamber is provided on the rear surface of the storage space, and a cooler is disposed in the cooling chamber. A cold air duct for sending the cold air generated in the cooling chamber to the refrigerating chamber is provided on the rear surface of the storage space. A cold air discharge port (inlet port) is provided between the refrigerating compartment and the vegetable compartment, and supplies cold air from the refrigerating compartment to the vegetable compartment. The cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment is returned to the cooling compartment through a cold air return duct from a cold air return port (discharge port). The discharge port and the return port are disposed on different sides from each other so as to sandwich the cold air duct.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator having a vegetable room.

Background

In the refrigerator, a vegetable compartment is disposed below a refrigerating compartment, and a freezing compartment is disposed below the vegetable compartment.

For example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2015-143604 discloses a refrigerator of a type in which a refrigerating chamber is disposed at the uppermost portion of a refrigerator main body, a vegetable chamber is disposed at the lower portion thereof, and a vegetable chamber is disposed at the center of a freezing chamber disposed at the lowermost portion thereof. A cooling chamber for generating cool air is provided at a rear portion of the refrigerator main body. The cooling compartment is formed from a rear surface of the freezing compartment to a lower rear surface of the vegetable compartment.

Disclosure of Invention

In addition, a cold air duct for sending out cold air from the cooling compartment to the refrigerating compartment is provided in the refrigerator. The cold air duct is provided, for example, at a substantially central portion of the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment. The refrigerator having the vegetable compartment disposed at the middle stage as described above is configured such that the cold air duct is also disposed at the rear surface of the vegetable compartment. The cold air generated in the cooling chamber passes through the rear surface of the vegetable compartment and is then sent out from the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment into the refrigerating compartment.

The vegetable room tends to have a higher temperature and a higher humidity than the refrigerator room. Therefore, when cold air is desired to flow through the cold air duct provided on the rear surface of the vegetable compartment, dew condensation may occur on the surface of the cold air duct in the vegetable compartment due to a temperature difference between the cold air duct and the vegetable compartment.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an object is to provide a refrigerator capable of suppressing dew condensation at a boundary portion between a vegetable compartment and a cold air duct.

A refrigerator according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a storage space having a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and a vegetable compartment disposed between the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment; a cooling chamber disposed on a rear surface of the storage space and provided with a cooler; a cold air duct disposed on a rear surface of the storage space, the cold air duct configured to send cold air generated in the cooling chamber to the refrigerating chamber; a cold air inlet port disposed between the refrigerating chamber and the vegetable chamber, for supplying cold air from the refrigerating chamber to the vegetable chamber; and a cold air return duct for returning cold air to the cooling chamber from a cold air discharge port provided in the vegetable chamber. In the refrigerator, the inlet and the outlet are disposed on different sides with the cold air duct interposed therebetween.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator capable of suppressing dew condensation at a boundary portion between a vegetable compartment and a cold air duct.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a storage space of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing an internal configuration of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front schematic view showing a circulation path of cool air in the refrigerating storage compartment of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the heat insulating box of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a front view schematically illustrating the flow of cold air of the cold air duct and the vegetable compartment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a flow of cold air in the vegetable compartment in a state where the vegetable compartment is viewed from above.

Fig. 7 is a front view showing a configuration of a wind direction regulating member provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an upper perspective view showing a configuration of a wind direction regulating member provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a side perspective view showing the configuration of the wind direction regulating member provided in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a vegetable box provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator of the first embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing a flow of cold air in the vegetable compartment in a state where the vegetable compartment is viewed from a lateral direction.

Fig. 12 is a schematic front view showing a configuration of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment. Fig. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a vegetable box provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating another example of a vegetable box provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 15 (a) and (b) are perspective views showing a modified example of the vegetable box provided in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a schematic front view showing a configuration of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing a wind direction regulating member provided in a vegetable room of the refrigerator shown in fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a schematic front view showing a configuration of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the configuration in the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a schematic front view showing a configuration of a vegetable compartment of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the configuration in the refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the configuration in the refrigerator according to the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing an example of a structure of a lid member provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of a lid member provided in a vegetable compartment of the refrigerator shown in fig. 22.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

< first embodiment >

(integral constitution of refrigerator)

First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment is explained. Fig. 1 shows a configuration of a storage space 10 of a refrigerator 1. Fig. 2 shows an internal configuration of the refrigerator 1.

As shown in fig. 1, the refrigerator 1 has a storage space 10. The storage space 10 is divided into a plurality of storage compartments by partitions 59 (specifically, partitions 59a, 59b, 59c, and the like). The storage space 10 mainly has a refrigerating compartment 11, a first freezing compartment 12, a vegetable compartment 13, an ice-making compartment 14, and a second freezing compartment 15.

The refrigerating chamber 11 is disposed at the uppermost stage. First freezing chamber 12 is disposed at the lowermost stage. The vegetable compartment 13, the ice-making compartment 14, and the second freezing compartment 15 are disposed between the refrigerating compartment 11 and the first freezing compartment 12. The vegetable compartment 13 is disposed at an upper section of the ice making compartment 14 and the second freezing compartment 15. Ice making compartment 14 and second freezer compartment 15 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction. Although not shown, doors are provided in the storage compartments, respectively.

Among these storage compartments, the refrigerating compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 13 are classified as refrigerating storage compartments, and the first freezing compartment 12, the ice-making compartment 14 and the second freezing compartment 15 are classified as freezing storage compartments. The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a refrigerating compartment on the upper stage side and a freezing compartment on the lower stage side. However, in another embodiment, the freezing storage room may be disposed on the upper stage side and the refrigerating storage room may be disposed on the lower stage side.

In this way, the storage space 10 of the refrigerator 1 is roughly divided into a refrigerating storage room on the upper stage side and a freezing storage room on the lower stage side. Partition 59b that partitions between the upper refrigerating storage room (specifically, refrigerating room 11 and vegetable room 13) and the lower freezing storage room (specifically, first freezing room 12, ice-making room 14, and second freezing room 15) is formed of a wall having high heat insulation performance and having a heat insulating material inside.

Further, partition 59a provided between refrigerating room 11 and vegetable room 13 each classified as a refrigerating storage room is formed of a plate-like resin member having low heat insulation property. Further, partition portions 59c that partition between first freezer compartment 12, ice making compartment 14, and second freezer compartment 15, each classified as a freezing storage compartment, are provided only at the inlet portion (see fig. 4). That is, the freezer compartment is formed of a single space inside the heat insulating box 50. The freezing compartment may be collectively referred to as a freezing compartment.

A zero degree chamber 16 is provided in the refrigerating chamber 11. The zero-degree chamber 16 is provided in the lower partition 59a in the refrigerating chamber 11. A water supply tank 18 for supplying water to the ice making chamber 14 is provided on one side of the zero-degree chamber 16. The water in the water supply tank 18 is supplied to the ice making chamber 14 through a water supply pipe 19 disposed in the vegetable chamber 13. A vegetable box 17 is provided in the vegetable compartment 13.

In the present embodiment, the face provided with the door is the front face of the refrigerator. The surface facing the front surface is referred to as a back surface. In the present specification, the term "front side" or "back side" means a side where the front or back side is provided with reference to an arbitrary position or a direction from an arbitrary position toward the front or back side. Further, a direction from the front surface toward the back surface or from the back surface toward the front surface is referred to as a front-back direction.

In the refrigerator 1, a heat insulating box 50 is provided as a heat insulating structure for insulating each storage space from the surroundings. The heat insulating box 50 is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the refrigerator 1.

A refrigeration cycle is provided inside the refrigerator 1. The refrigeration cycle is configured to connect a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), an expander (not shown), a cooler 32, and the like via refrigerant pipes through which a refrigerant flows.

The cooler 32 is disposed in the cooling chamber 31 provided on the rear surface side of the refrigerator 1. The cooling chamber 31 is provided with a cooling fan 33 and the like in addition to the cooler 32. The cooling fan 33 is provided to circulate air between the cooling chamber 31 and the storage space 10.

(circulation path for cold air)

Next, a circulation path of cold air in the refrigerator 1 will be described. Here, a description will be given of a circulation path of cold air when cold air generated in cooling compartment 31 is supplied to cold storage rooms such as cold storage room 11 and vegetable room 13 and returned to cooling compartment 31 after passing through each of the cold storage rooms.

In fig. 2, a circulation path of cold air in the refrigerating storage room is shown by arrows. In fig. 3, a circulation path of cold air in the refrigerating storage chamber in a state where the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front is shown by arrows.

The cold air is generated in the cooling compartment 31 disposed on the rear side of the storage space 10. In the present embodiment, cooling chamber 31 is disposed on the rear surface of freezing chamber such as first freezing chamber 12 and vegetable chamber 13 (see fig. 2). The cold air cooled by cooler 32 in cooling compartment 31 is sent to each storage room of storage space 10 by cooling fan 33.

The cold air supplied to the cold storage compartments such as the cold storage compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 13 is first sent to the cold storage compartment 11 through the cold air duct 41. Cold air duct 41 is disposed on the rear surface of refrigerating room 11 (see fig. 2 and the like). In the present embodiment, a part (lower part) of the cold air duct 41 is located on the back surface of the vegetable compartment 13. The cold air duct 41 is located above the cooling compartment 31 and communicates with the cooling compartment 31.

In addition, in the refrigerator 1, the cooling chamber 31 may be located further downward. In such a configuration, the cold air duct 41 is also provided on the rear surface of the vegetable compartment 13.

A damper 34 is provided between the cooling compartment 31 and the cold air duct 41. By opening and closing damper 34, the flow of cold air supplied to refrigerating compartment 11 can be turned on and off.

As shown in fig. 1 and the like, cold air duct 41 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction of heat insulation box 50, and extends in the up-down direction. A cold air outlet 42 is provided at a boundary between the cold air duct 41 and the refrigerator compartment 11. In the example shown in fig. 1, the outlet 42 is disposed to extend in the vertical direction on the front surface of the cold air duct 41. The cold air from cooling compartment 31 passing through cold air duct 41 is supplied into refrigerating compartment 11 from outlet 42. The outlet 42 is also provided in the zero-degree chamber 16, and the cold air from the cold air duct 41 is also supplied to the zero-degree chamber 16.

The cold air having passed through refrigerating compartment 11 and zero-degree compartment 16 is sent to vegetable compartment 13 from outlet (inlet) 43 provided between refrigerating compartment 11 and vegetable compartment 13. The discharge port 43 is realized by an opening 43a or the like (see fig. 4), and the opening 43a is formed in a partition 59a that partitions the refrigerating chamber 11 and the vegetable chamber 13. The opening 43a is provided at a corner portion on the rear side (rear side) of the left end of the refrigerating compartment 11 or the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front.

The cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 passes through the vegetable compartment 13, and flows into the cold air return duct 45 from a return port (discharge port) 44 provided below the vegetable compartment 13. The return port 44 is provided at a corner portion on the rear side (rear side) of the right end of the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front (see fig. 8). Cold air return duct 45 is disposed on the rear side of heat-insulating box 50 and opens into cooling compartment 31. Thereby, the cold air flowing into cold air return duct 45 from return port 44 is returned to cooling compartment 31.

As described above, in refrigerator 1, cold air duct 41 is provided in a substantially central portion of the rear surface of refrigerating compartment 11, and cold air duct 41 is used to send cold air from cooling compartment 31 to refrigerating compartment 11. The cold air supplied from cold air duct 41 to refrigerating compartment 11 is configured to pass through vegetable compartment 13 and then return to cooling compartment 31 through return port 44 provided in vegetable compartment 13.

(flow of Cold air in vegetable room)

Next, how cold air flows in the vegetable compartment 13 in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in more detail. Fig. 4 shows a structure of a heat-insulated box 50 of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a specific configuration of the discharge port 43 (i.e., the opening 43a and the air supply hole 43b) for allowing the cold air in the refrigerating compartment 11 to flow into the vegetable compartment 13.

Fig. 5 schematically shows the flow of cold air in the vegetable compartment 13 and the cooling compartment 31 and the cold air duct 41 on the back side thereof. In fig. 5, the cold air flowing through cold air duct 41 is indicated by broken arrows, and the cold air flowing through vegetable compartment 13 is indicated by solid arrows. Fig. 6 schematically shows the flow of cold air in vegetable compartment 13 when vegetable compartment 13 is viewed from above. Fig. 11 schematically shows the flow of cold air in the vegetable compartment 13 when the vegetable compartment 13 is viewed in the lateral direction. In fig. 11, the cold air flowing through cold air duct 41 is indicated by broken arrows, and the cold air flowing through vegetable compartment 13 is indicated by solid arrows.

As shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, the cold air discharge port 43 and the cold air return port 44 provided in the vegetable compartment 13 are disposed on different sides from each other so as to sandwich the cold air duct 41 (and a part of the cooling compartment 31). As shown in fig. 5, the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 passes through the cold air duct 41 on the front side thereof, and is guided to the return port 44, and the return port 44 is provided on the opposite side in the left-right direction. As shown in fig. 6, a large amount of cold air flowing in from the discharge port 43 is guided to the back surface of the vegetable compartment 13 (i.e., the vicinity of the cold air duct 41) in the vegetable compartment 13.

The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of airflow direction regulating members for regulating the delivery direction of the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 as described above. Fig. 7 to 10 show a configuration of a plurality of airflow direction regulating members (specifically, a first airflow direction regulating member 61, a second airflow direction regulating member 62, a third airflow direction regulating member 63, and a fourth airflow direction regulating member 64) provided in the vegetable compartment 13.

Fig. 7 is a front view showing the structure inside the vegetable compartment 13. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 as viewed from above. In fig. 8, a part of the right side wall of the heat insulating box 50 and the partition 59a are not shown, and the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 is shown. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 as viewed from the side. In fig. 9, a part of the right side wall of the heat insulating box 50 and the partition 59a are not shown, and the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 is shown. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of a bottom surface side of the vegetable box 17 disposed in the vegetable compartment 13.

The first airflow direction regulating member 61 functions as a delivery direction control unit that guides the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 to the return port 44 (i.e., obliquely downward) through the vicinity of the cold air duct 41. As shown in fig. 7, the first airflow direction regulating member 61 is provided below the discharge port 43 of the vegetable compartment 13. In the present embodiment, the first wind direction restriction means 61 is formed by the support portion of the frame member 21, which is provided on the left side wall of the inner box of the heat insulation box 50 for supporting the vegetable box 17, of the frame member 21. Although not shown in fig. 7, the frame member 21 is also provided on the right side wall of the inner box.

The second airflow direction regulating member 62 functions as an inflow direction control portion that suppresses the inflow of cold air into the return port 44 from the front of the vegetable compartment toward the rear. As shown in fig. 8, the second airflow direction regulation member 62 is provided on the bottom surface of the vegetable compartment 13 so as to surround the return port 44. This can suppress the inflow of cold air from the front side in the vegetable compartment 13 into the return port 44, and promote the inflow of cold air from the front side of the cold air duct 41 passing through the rear side in the vegetable compartment 13 into the return port 44.

The third airflow direction regulating member 63 functions as a delivery direction control unit that guides the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 to the rear side of the vegetable compartment. As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the third airflow direction regulating member 63 is a wall-shaped member that is provided below the partition portion 59a and protrudes rearward. In another embodiment, the third airflow direction regulating member 63 may not be provided.

In the case of a configuration in which the discharge port 43 is provided further forward in the vegetable compartment 13, the third airflow direction regulating member 63 is preferably provided. That is, as described later, when discharge port 43 is configured to have air blowing hole 43b and air blowing hole 43b is provided in the side wall of installation portion 53 of water supply tank 18, the cold air flowing into vegetable compartment 13 from air blowing hole 43b can be guided to the rear side of vegetable compartment 13 by third airflow direction regulation member 63.

The fourth airflow direction regulating member 64 functions as an inflow direction control portion that suppresses the inflow of cold air from the front of the vegetable compartment toward the rear into the return port 44. As shown in fig. 10, the fourth wind direction restriction member 64 is a wall-shaped member provided upright from the bottom surface 17a of the vegetable box 17. In a state where the vegetable box 17 is disposed in the vegetable compartment 13, the fourth wind direction restriction member 64 is positioned at a front side of the return port 44. This can suppress the inflow of cold air from the front side in the vegetable compartment 13 into the return port 44, and promote the inflow of cold air from the front side of the cold air duct 41 passing through the rear side in the vegetable compartment 13 into the return port 44.

The vegetable box 17 also functions as a feeding direction control unit and an inflow direction control unit. Specifically, in a state where the vegetable box 17 is installed in the vegetable compartment 13, as shown in fig. 6, the rear surface portion 17b of the vegetable box 17 prevents cool air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 from flowing forward, and therefore functions as a delivery direction control portion that guides the cool air to the rear side of the vegetable compartment. In addition, in a state where the vegetable box 17 is installed in the vegetable compartment 13, the path of the cold air inflow return port 44 from the front side of the vegetable compartment toward the rear side is narrowed by the bottom surface 17a of the vegetable box 17, and thus functions as an inflow direction control portion that suppresses the cold air inflow return port 44 from the front side of the vegetable compartment toward the rear side.

As described above, the first airflow direction regulation member 61 is provided in the vegetable compartment 13. This allows the flow of wind to be formed in vegetable compartment 13 as indicated by the solid arrows in fig. 5.

Further, a second airflow direction regulating member 62, a third airflow direction regulating member 63, and a fourth airflow direction regulating member 64 are provided in the vegetable compartment 13. As a result, as shown by arrows in fig. 6, a flow of wind along the rear surface of the vegetable compartment 13 can be formed in the vegetable compartment 13.

The vegetable compartment 13 tends to have a higher temperature and a higher humidity than the refrigerating compartment 11. Therefore, when air having a low temperature flows through the cold air duct 41 provided on the rear surface of the vegetable compartment 13, dew condensation may occur on the surface of the cold air duct 41 in the vegetable compartment 13 due to a temperature difference with the vegetable compartment 13.

In the present embodiment, by forming the flow of wind along the rear surface of vegetable compartment 13 as shown in fig. 6, air stagnation near the surface of cold air duct 41 in vegetable compartment 13 can be prevented, and therefore, a decrease in the temperature of air near the surface of cold air duct 41 can be prevented. Therefore, dew condensation is less likely to occur on the surface of the cold air duct 41. Even if dew condensation occurs on the surface of the cold air duct 41, the air near the surface of the cold air duct 41 is replaced with air having a lower humidity by wind, and therefore, the moisture on the surface of the cold air duct 41 in the vegetable compartment 13 can be evaporated. This can suppress condensation at the boundary between the vegetable compartment 13 and the cold air duct 41.

In the present embodiment, two airflow direction regulating members, i.e., the second airflow direction regulating member 62 and the fourth airflow direction regulating member 64, are provided as a configuration for guiding the cold air in the vegetable compartment 13 to the return port 44. However, in another embodiment, the airflow direction regulating member may be provided only with one of the second airflow direction regulating member 62 and the fourth airflow direction regulating member 64.

As shown in fig. 8, in the vegetable compartment 13, a lower portion of the cold air duct 41 is a protruding portion 41a protruding forward. As described above, at least one of the cold air duct 41 and the cooling compartment 31 disposed on the rear surface of the vegetable compartment 13 preferably protrudes further forward (i.e., toward the vegetable compartment 13) than the side on which the discharge port 43 is provided (i.e., toward the upper side of the vegetable compartment 13 in the present embodiment), from the side on which the return port 44 is provided (i.e., toward the lower side of the vegetable compartment 13 in the present embodiment).

As shown in fig. 11, in the vegetable compartment 13, the wind flows from above (the discharge port 43 side) to below (the return port 44 side). Since the extension portion 41a is provided below the vegetable compartment 13, the downward wind collides with the extension portion 41a, and the flow velocity is reduced. Also, the wind with the reduced flow velocity spreads in the left-right direction along the extension portion 41 a. In this way, the downward wind can be diffused over a wide range by the extension 41a, and the wind can be made to flow over a wide range on the surface of the cold air duct 41. This can improve the effect of suppressing dew condensation at the boundary portion between the vegetable compartment 13 and the cold air duct 41.

In the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the discharge port 43 through which cold air flows from the refrigerating compartment 11 into the vegetable compartment 13 is formed by the opening 43a and the air blowing hole 43 b. As shown in fig. 4, the opening 43a is provided at a corner portion on the rear side (rear side) of the left end of the refrigerating compartment 11 or the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front. Further, the blow hole 43b is formed by a plurality of holes formed on the side wall of the setting portion 53 of the water supply tank 18.

As shown in fig. 4, installation portion 53 of water supply tank 18 is formed at a position higher by one step than the bottom surface of refrigerating room 11 (bottom surface 16a of zero-degree room 16 in the present embodiment) to facilitate attachment and detachment of water supply tank 18. In the present embodiment, air blowing hole 43b is formed in the side wall of installation portion 53 of water supply tank 18 that forms the boundary between zero degree chamber 16 and vegetable chamber 13. Thereby, the cold air passing through the zero-degree compartment 16 flows into the space below the water supply tank 18 in the vegetable compartment 13 through the air hole 43 b. The discharge port 43 may be only one of the opening 43a and the air blowing hole 43 b.

(summary of the first embodiment)

As described above, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes the storage space 10. The storage space 10 has a refrigerating compartment 11, a first freezing compartment 12, and a vegetable compartment 13 disposed between the refrigerating compartment 11 and the first freezing compartment 12. A cooling chamber 31 is provided on the rear surface of the storage space 10, and a cooler 32 is disposed in the cooling chamber 31. A cold air duct 41 is provided on the rear surface of storage space 10, and cold air generated in cooling compartment 31 is sent to refrigerating compartment 11 through cold air duct 41. A cold air discharge port 43 is provided between the refrigerating compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 13, and the cold air discharge port 43 supplies cold air from the refrigerating compartment 11 to the vegetable compartment 13. The cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 is returned from the cold air return port 44 to the cooling compartment 31 through the cold air return duct 45.

In the refrigerator 1, the discharge port 43 and the return port 44 are disposed on different sides (i.e., on opposite sides in the left-right direction) from each other so as to sandwich the cold air duct 41 (see fig. 3). This allows air to flow in the front surface portion of cold air duct 41 in vegetable compartment 13.

This can suppress a decrease in the temperature of the front surface portion of the cold air duct 41 in the vegetable compartment 13, and can suppress dew condensation at the boundary portion with the cold air duct 41 in the vegetable compartment 13. Further, the increase in humidity of the front portion of the cold air duct 41 can be suppressed, and the moisture of the dew condensation can be evaporated. Therefore, a heater for preventing dew condensation water in the vegetable compartment 13 from freezing can be omitted, or power consumption of the heater can be suppressed.

Further, in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of airflow direction regulating members for regulating the airflow direction of the cold air flowing through the vegetable compartment 13 are provided. By providing such a wind direction regulating member, the flow of wind indicated by the solid line arrows in fig. 5 and 6 can be more easily formed. Therefore, more air can be blown to the rear surface of vegetable room 13 corresponding to the area where cold air duct 41 is disposed, and the effect of suppressing dew condensation at the boundary portion between vegetable room 13 and cold air duct 41 can be improved.

< second embodiment >

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the first airflow direction regulating member is different from that of the first embodiment. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be adopted for other configurations. Therefore, the second embodiment will be described mainly focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

Fig. 12 shows the structure of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12 shows a state where the vegetable box 17 is accommodated in the vegetable compartment 13. In the first embodiment, the first wind direction restriction part 61 is formed by a portion of the frame member 21 for supporting the vegetable box 17. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the first wind direction regulating member 161 is provided in the vegetable box 17. The first airflow direction regulating member 161 functions as a delivery direction control unit that guides the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the delivery port 43 to the return port 44 (i.e., obliquely downward) through the vicinity of the cold air duct 41.

Fig. 13 shows an example of the vegetable box 17 mounted in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment. In fig. 13, the vegetable box 17 is shown as viewed from the back side. The vegetable box 17 has a first wind direction restriction member 161A. As shown in fig. 13, the first wind direction restriction member 161A is provided at an upper side of the rear surface portion 17b of the vegetable box 17. In a state where the vegetable box 17 is disposed in the vegetable compartment 13, the first wind direction restriction member 161A is positioned below the discharge port 43. The first wind direction restriction member 161A is inclined downward from the side surface portion 17c side of the vegetable box 17 toward the center. This allows the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 to be guided obliquely downward (i.e., the return port 44).

Fig. 14 shows another example of the vegetable box 17 mounted to the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 14 shows the vegetable box 17 in a state viewed from the back side. The vegetable box 17 has a first wind direction restriction member 161B. As shown in fig. 14, the first wind direction restriction member 161B is disposed at the rear side of the side surface portion 17c of the vegetable box 17. As shown in fig. 14, even when the rear surface portion 17B of the vegetable box 17 is not provided to the upper portion of the housing, the first airflow direction regulation member 161B may be formed to extend rearward from the side surface portion 17c of the vegetable box 17. Similarly to the first airflow direction regulating member 161A shown in fig. 13, the first airflow direction regulating member 161B is positioned below the discharge port 43 in a state where the vegetable box 17 is set in the vegetable compartment 13. The first wind direction restriction member 161B is inclined downward from the side surface portion 17c side of the vegetable box 17 toward the center. This allows the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 to be guided obliquely downward (i.e., the return port 44).

Fig. 15 shows a modification of the present embodiment. Fig. 15 (a) shows the vegetable box 17 mounted to the refrigerator 1 of the modified example and the frame member 121 supporting the vegetable box in an exploded state. Fig. 15 (b) shows a state where the vegetable box 17 is mounted to the frame member 121. Fig. 15 shows the vegetable box 17 as viewed from the back side.

The frame member 121 mainly includes a left side frame 122a, a right side frame 122b, a coupling portion 123, a first airflow direction regulating member 161C, and the like. The left side frame 122a is attached to a left side wall in the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front. The right side frame 122b is attached to a right side wall in the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front. The coupling part 123 couples the rear end of the left side frame 122a and the rear end of the right side frame 122b to each other on the rear surface side of the vegetable box 17.

The first airflow direction regulating member 161C is attached to the end of the coupling portion 123 on the left frame 122a side and is positioned below the discharge port 43. The first airflow direction regulation member 161C is inclined downward from the end side of the connection portion 123 toward the center. This allows the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 to be guided obliquely downward (i.e., the return port 44).

As in the modification described above, the first airflow direction regulating member 161 may be provided at the coupling portion 123 of the frame member 121 supporting the vegetable box 17.

< third embodiment >

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the third embodiment, the configuration of the first airflow direction regulating member is different from that of the first embodiment. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be adopted for other configurations. Therefore, the third embodiment will be described mainly focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

Fig. 16 shows the structure of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 16 illustrates a water supply pipe 19 for supplying water in the water supply tank 18 to the ice making chamber 14. The water supply pipe 19 extends from the water supply tank 18 to the ice making chamber 14 through the back surface side of the vegetable chamber 13. In the present embodiment, the water supply pipe 19 is disposed along the left side wall in the vegetable compartment 13 when viewed from the front. A water supply pipe cover 19a is provided around the water supply pipe 19 extending in the vegetable compartment 13.

In the first embodiment, the first wind direction restriction part 61 is formed by a portion of the frame member 21 for supporting the vegetable box 17. In contrast, in the present embodiment, first airflow direction regulation member 261 is provided in water supply pipe cover 19 a.

Fig. 17 shows the structure around the water supply pipe 19. As shown in fig. 17, the first airflow direction regulation member 261 is attached to the outer periphery of the water supply pipe cover 19 a. As shown in fig. 16, the first airflow direction regulating member 261 is positioned below the discharge port 43. The first airflow direction regulation member 261 is a plate-shaped member that is inclined downward from the side wall of the vegetable compartment 13 toward the center. This allows the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 to be guided obliquely downward (i.e., the return port 44).

When the water supply pipe 19 extending to the ice making chamber 14 is cooled by the cold air in the ice making chamber 14, dew condensation may occur on the surface of the water supply pipe cover 19 a. According to the configuration of the present embodiment, by providing the first airflow direction regulation member 261 on the water supply pipe cover 19a, the air from the discharge port 43 can be brought into contact with the water supply pipe cover 19a, and condensation is less likely to occur on the surface of the water supply pipe cover 19 a.

< fourth embodiment >

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a fifth airflow direction regulating member 365 is provided on the front surface of the cold air duct 41. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be adopted for other configurations. Therefore, the fourth embodiment will be described mainly focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

Fig. 18 shows the structure of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the fourth embodiment as viewed obliquely from the front. In fig. 19, a part of the right side wall of the heat insulating box 50 and the partition 59a are not shown, and the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 is shown.

In the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, a fifth airflow direction regulating member 365 is provided on the front surface of the cold air duct 41 passing through the rear surface of the vegetable compartment 13. The fifth airflow direction regulating member 365 functions as a delivery direction control unit that guides the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 to the return port 44 (i.e., obliquely downward).

As shown in fig. 18, fifth airflow direction regulating member 365 is formed of a plurality of inclined plates 365a, 365b, and 365c provided on the front surface portion of cold air duct 41 in vegetable compartment 13. The plurality of inclined plates 365a, 365b, and 365c constituting the fifth wind direction regulating member 365 have different inclination angles from each other. Specifically, the inclination angle of the upper inclined plate 365a is the largest, and the inclination angle is smaller as the lower inclined plate is located.

By providing the fifth airflow direction regulating member 365, the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 can be guided obliquely downward (i.e., the return port 44).

Although not shown in fig. 18 and the like, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment may include the first airflow direction regulation member 61 described in the first embodiment in addition to the fifth airflow direction regulation member 365. Further, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment may include the first airflow direction regulation member 161 or the first airflow direction regulation member 261 instead of the first airflow direction regulation member 61.

< fifth embodiment >

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, a difference from the first embodiment is that a fifth wind direction restriction member 465 is provided on a front surface of the cold air duct 41. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment can be adopted for other configurations. Therefore, the fifth embodiment will be described mainly focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

Fig. 20 shows a structure of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the fifth embodiment. Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the interior of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the fifth embodiment as viewed obliquely from the front. In fig. 21, a part of the right side wall of the heat insulating box 50 and the partition 59a are not shown, and the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 is shown.

In the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, a fifth airflow direction regulation member 465 is provided on the front surface of the cold air duct 41 passing through the rear surface of the vegetable compartment 13. The fifth airflow direction regulating member 465 functions as a delivery direction control unit that guides the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 to the return port 44 (i.e., obliquely downward).

As shown in fig. 21, a fifth wind direction restriction part 465 is formed by the upper surface of the extension portion 41a of the cold air duct 41. The fifth airflow direction regulating member 465 is inclined downward from the discharge port 43 side toward the return port 44 side.

By providing the fifth airflow direction regulating member 465, the cold air flowing from the discharge port 43 into the vegetable compartment 13 can be guided obliquely downward (i.e., the return port 44).

Although not shown in fig. 20 and the like, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment may include the first airflow direction regulation member 61 described in the first embodiment in addition to the fifth airflow direction regulation member 465. In addition, in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the first airflow direction regulation member 161 or the first airflow direction regulation member 261 may be provided instead of the first airflow direction regulation member 61.

< sixth embodiment >

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the sixth embodiment, a description will be given of a configuration in which a cover member 471 is provided to cover the upper surface of the vegetable box 17. The sixth embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from the first embodiment.

Fig. 22 shows the structure of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the sixth embodiment. Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the inside of the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to the sixth embodiment as viewed from diagonally front. As shown in fig. 22, the vegetable compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a cover member 471 covering an upper surface of the vegetable box 17. Fig. 23 and 24 show cold air duct 41 and lid member 471 in vegetable compartment 13.

A sixth airflow direction regulation member 466 is provided on the upper surface of the lid member 471. The sixth airflow direction regulating member 466 suppresses the flow of the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 in the front and side directions along the upper surface of the lid member 471, and guides the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 in the rear direction of the vegetable compartment 13. The sixth airflow direction regulating member 466 is an example of the sending direction control unit.

The sixth airflow direction regulation member 466 shown in fig. 23 is a wall member extending in a U shape and opening rearward above the upper surface of the lid member 471. The sixth airflow direction regulation member 466 shown in fig. 23 is preferably applied to a configuration in which the discharge port 43 is provided further forward in the vegetable compartment 13, for example, as in the air blowing port 43b shown in fig. 4. The sixth airflow direction regulation member 566 shown in fig. 24 is also a U-shaped wall member that opens rearward above the upper surface of the lid member 471. The sixth airflow direction regulating member 566 shown in fig. 24 is preferably applied to a configuration in which the discharge port 43 is provided on the rear end side in the vegetable compartment 13, for example, as in the opening 43a shown in fig. 22.

The sixth airflow direction regulating member is located below the discharge port 43. For example, the sixth airflow direction regulation member 566 shown in fig. 22 is positioned below the opening 43 a. This can prevent the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from flowing out in the left-right direction and the front direction along the upper surface of the lid member 471, and can guide the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 mainly in the back direction.

Since the greater the volume of the vegetable box 17, the more convenient it is, if the back surface portion 17b of the vegetable box 17 is extended rearward to increase the volume, the back surface portion 17b of the vegetable box 17 may be close to or overlapped vertically below the front edge of the discharge port 43. Further, the cover member 471 is shaped to cover the upper surface of the vegetable box 17, so that the rear edge of the cover member 471 easily overlaps vertically below the front edge of the spouting port 43. In this case, the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 collides with the rear edge of the lid member 471 and easily flows along the upper surface of the lid member 471. Therefore, by providing the sixth airflow direction regulating member 466 or 566 on the upper surface of the lid member 471, the cold air can be guided mainly in the back direction.

With the above configuration, the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 from the discharge port 43 can be prevented from flowing out in the left-right direction and the front direction along the upper surface of the lid member 471, and the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 13 can be guided mainly in the rear direction.

(conclusion)

A refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1) of an aspect of the present invention includes: a storage space (e.g., storage space 10) having a refrigerating compartment (e.g., refrigerating compartment 11), a freezing compartment (e.g., first freezing compartment 12, ice-making compartment 14, second freezing compartment 15), and a vegetable compartment (e.g., vegetable compartment 13) disposed between the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment; a cooling chamber (e.g., cooling chamber 31) disposed on the rear surface of the storage space and provided with a cooler (e.g., cooler 32); a cold air duct (for example, cold air duct 41) disposed on the rear surface of the storage space and configured to send the cold air generated in the cooling chamber to the refrigerating chamber; a cold air inlet (for example, an outlet 43) disposed between the refrigerator compartment and the vegetable compartment, for supplying cold air from the refrigerator compartment to the vegetable compartment; and a cold air return duct (e.g., a cold air return duct 45) that returns cold air to the cooling compartment from a cold air discharge port (e.g., a return port 44) provided to the vegetable compartment. In the refrigerator, the inlet and the outlet are disposed on different sides with the cold air duct interposed therebetween.

The refrigerator (for example, the refrigerator 1) according to the above-described aspect of the present invention may further include a delivery direction control unit (for example, the first airflow direction regulating member 61, 161, 261, and the third airflow direction regulating member 63) that guides the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment (for example, the vegetable compartment 13) from the inflow port (for example, the discharge port 43) to the cold air duct, and a delivery direction control unit (for example, the fifth airflow direction regulating member 365, 465) that guides the cold air to the discharge port (for example, the return port 44).

The refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention (e.g., the refrigerator 1) may further include an inflow direction control portion (e.g., the second airflow direction restriction member 62 and the fourth airflow direction restriction member 64) that suppresses inflow of cold air from the front of the vegetable compartment (e.g., the vegetable compartment 13) (e.g., cold air near the bottom surface of the vegetable compartment 13) into the discharge port (e.g., the return port 44).

In the refrigerator (for example, refrigerator 1) according to the aspect of the present invention, at least one of the cold air duct (for example, cold air duct 41) and the cooling chamber (for example, cooling chamber 31) disposed on the rear surface of the vegetable chamber (for example, vegetable chamber 13) projects more forward than the side on which the inlet port (for example, return port 44) is provided, the side on which the outlet port (for example, discharge port 43) is provided.

In the refrigerator (e.g., the refrigerator 1) according to the aspect of the present invention, the storage space (e.g., the storage space 10) further has an ice making chamber (e.g., the ice making chamber 14), a water supply tank (e.g., the water supply tank 18) that supplies water to the ice making chamber is provided in the refrigerating chamber (e.g., the refrigerating chamber 11), and at least one of the inflow ports (e.g., the discharge port 43) is provided below the water supply tank.

The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope. In addition, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in the present specification are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that the refrigerator comprises:

a storage space having a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and a vegetable compartment disposed between the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment;

a cooling chamber disposed on a rear surface of the storage space and provided with a cooler;

a cold air duct disposed on a rear surface of the storage space, the cold air duct configured to send cold air generated in the cooling chamber to the refrigerating chamber;

a cold air inlet port which is disposed between the refrigerating chamber and the vegetable chamber and supplies cold air from the refrigerating chamber to the vegetable chamber; and

a cold air return duct for returning cold air from a cold air discharge port provided in the vegetable compartment to the cooling compartment,

the inlet and the outlet are disposed on different sides of the cold air duct with the cold air duct interposed therebetween.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a discharge direction control part guiding the cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment from the inflow port to the cold air duct.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an inflow direction control part which inhibits cold air from a front of the vegetable compartment from flowing into the discharge port.

4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

at least one of the cold air duct and the cooling compartment disposed on the back surface of the vegetable compartment protrudes forward from the side where the outlet is provided than the side where the inlet is provided.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the storage space is further provided with an ice making compartment,

a water supply tank is provided in the refrigerating chamber to supply water to the ice making chamber,

at least one of the inflow ports is provided below the water supply tank.

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