CN113758106B

CN113758106B - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN113758106B
Application number: CN202111145819.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 河野卓也; 川浪徹; 福田圭一
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2016-10-14
Filing date: 2017-02-27
Publication date: 2023-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-27
Also published as: JP6955503B2; JPWO2018070063A1; WO2018070063A1; CN109791014B; CN113758106A; CN109791014A

Abstract

A refrigerator (1) of the present invention includes a cold air duct (12) disposed on the back surface of a refrigerating chamber (2) and a blower fan (14) disposed in the cold air duct (12), wherein the cold air duct (12) includes: a first passage (31) extending upward from the blower fan (14); a second passage (32) connected to the upper end of the first passage (31) through a connection port (35) and extending downward; and a first discharge port (2 b) and a second discharge port (2 c) that are opened in the second passage (32) and face the refrigerating chamber (2), wherein the first discharge port (2 b) is disposed at the upper end of the second passage (32), and the second discharge port (2 c) is disposed below the connection port (35).

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a cold air duct for discharging cold air into a storage chamber.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a conventional refrigerator. The refrigerator has a cold air duct at the rear of the storage compartment. An air supply fan is disposed in the cold air duct, and the cold air duct is formed to extend upward from the air supply fan. In addition, the cold air duct is provided with a plurality of discharge ports facing the storage chamber. By the operation of the air supply fan, the cold air is circulated through the cold air duct and discharged from the discharge port into the storage compartment, thereby cooling the storage compartment.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2012-26677

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, according to the refrigerator disclosed in the above patent document, when a user spills a drink in the storage chamber, liquid may flow into the cold air duct through the outlet. In addition, water droplets condensed on the rear wall of the storage chamber may flow into the cold air duct from the discharge port. In these cases, there is a problem that the liquid flowing down the cold air duct sticks to the air blowing fan and the air blowing fan fails.

The invention aims to provide a refrigerator capable of preventing a failure of an air supply fan.

Means for solving the problems

In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerator of the present invention includes: a cold air duct disposed on the rear surface of the storage compartment; and a blowing fan disposed in the cold air duct, the refrigerator being characterized in that the cold air duct includes: a first passage extending upward from the blower fan; a second passage connected to an upper end of the first passage through a connection port and extending downward; and a first discharge port and a second discharge port that are provided in the second passage and face the storage chamber, the first discharge port being disposed at an upper end portion of the second passage, and the second discharge port being disposed below the connection port.

Further, the present invention is the refrigerator constructed as described above, characterized by having a front panel covering a front surface of the cold air duct,

the first discharge port and the second discharge port are provided in the front panel, and the lower end of the second discharge port is disposed at the same height or below the bottom wall of the second passage.

In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the second passage is adjacent to the first passage in the left-right direction, and a protruding portion that protrudes rearward from a front wall and extends upward and downward is provided between the end portion of the first discharge port on the side of the connection port and the connection port.

In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the second passage is adjacent to the front side of the first passage, and the first discharge port is disposed below the communication port.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator configured as described above, an opening area of the first discharge port is larger than an opening area of the second discharge port.

In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the side wall of the second passage is inclined in a direction in which the second passage is narrowed downward.

In the refrigerator having the above-described structure, the side wall of the first path is inclined and disposed vertically below the second discharge port.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, a cold air duct includes: a first passage extending upward from the blower fan; and a second passage connected to the upper end of the first passage through a connection port and extending downward. The first discharge port is disposed at the upper end of the second passage, and the second discharge port is disposed below the connection port of the second passage. Thus, the liquid flowing into the cold air duct through the first discharge port flows down the second passage and is discharged into the storage chamber through the second discharge port. In addition, the liquid flowing into the cold air duct through the second outlet is also discharged into the storage chamber through the second outlet. Therefore, the failure of the blower fan due to the liquid flowing down the first passage can be prevented.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the inside of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a duct member of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from a front surface side.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the duct member of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back side.

Fig. 5 is a rear view illustrating a duct member of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 isbase:Sub>A sectional view taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a rear view illustrating a duct member of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a rear view illustrating a duct member of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a rear view illustrating a duct member of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a rear view showing a duct member of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a piping member of a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

< first embodiment >

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 and 2 are a side sectional view and a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. The refrigerator 1 has a box-shaped heat insulating box 7 with an opening in the front surface. The outer surface of the heat-insulating box 7 is formed by an outer box 9, and the inner surface is formed by an inner box 8. The outer box 9 is made of a metal plate such as a steel plate, and the inner box 8 is made of a resin molded product. A foam heat insulating material 10 such as foam urethane is filled between the outer box 9 and the inner box 8.

A refrigerating chamber (storage chamber) 2 for refrigerating and storing stored articles is disposed in an upper portion of the heat insulating box 7, and a front surface thereof is opened and closed by a door 2 a. A freezing chamber 3 is disposed below the refrigerating chamber 2 with a heat insulating wall 6 interposed therebetween, and the freezing chamber 3 freezes and stores stored goods and has a front surface opened and closed by a door 3 a. A machine room 5 is provided behind the lower portion of the freezing chamber 3, and a compressor 17 for performing a freezing cycle operation is disposed in the machine room 5.

Cold air ducts

12, 13 are provided behind refrigerating room 2 and freezing room 3. The

cold air ducts

12, 13 are formed by

duct members

12a, 13a of a resin molded article disposed in front of the inner case 8. The back surfaces of the

cold air ducts

12, 13 are covered by the inner box 8.

In the center portion in the left-right direction of duct member 12a, discharge port 2b (first discharge port) and discharge port 2c (second discharge port) are opened so as to face refrigerating room 2. The discharge port 2b is disposed above the discharge port 2c. Duct member 13a is provided with discharge port 3b and return port 3c facing freezing chamber 3. The discharge port 3b is disposed above the return port 3c.

The

cold air ducts

12 and 13 communicate with each other via a baffle 16 provided in the heat insulating wall 6. A blower fan 14 is provided at a lower portion of the cold air duct 12, and a blower fan 15 and a cooler 20 are provided in the cold air duct 13.

The cooler 20 serves as a low-temperature portion of a refrigeration cycle operated by the compressor 17 and generates cold air. The air blowing fan 15 is disposed above the cooler 20, and the cool air generated by the cooler 20 is blown out by the air blowing fan 15.

When the

blower fans

14 and 15 are operated, the amount of air flowing from the cold air duct 13 into the cold air duct 12 is adjusted in accordance with the opening/closing amount of the damper 16.

Fig. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the duct member 12a as viewed from the front side and the back side, and fig. 5 is a rear view of the duct member 12 a. The duct member 12a is attached to the inner case 8 to the left. The duct member 12a has the cold air duct 12 recessed on the rear surface side, and a peripheral wall portion 34 forming the peripheral wall of the cold air duct 12 protrudes rearward. The front surface of the cold air duct 12 is covered with a front panel 33 formed integrally with a peripheral wall portion 34. The rear wall of the cold air duct 12 may be integrally formed by the duct member 12a, and the front panel 33 formed by a member separate from the duct member 12a may be disposed on the front surface of the duct member 12 a.

The rear end of the peripheral wall portion 34 is in contact with the inner box 8 via a seal member (not shown), and the cold air duct 12 is formed in a region surrounded by the front panel 33, the peripheral wall portion 34, and the inner box 8.

The cold air duct 12 includes a first passage 31 and a second passage 32 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The first passage 31 extends upward from the blower fan 14 (see fig. 1), and is connected at an upper end thereof to the second passage 32 via a connection port 35. The second passage 32 is connected to the upper end of the first passage 31 via a connection port 35 and extends downward.

The peripheral wall 34 forms two

side walls

34a and 34f and a top wall 34b of the first passage 31. The peripheral wall 34 forms a top wall 34c, two

side walls

34d, 34f, and a bottom wall 34e of the second passage 32. The upper portion of the side wall 34f forms a partition that partitions the first passage 31 and the second passage 32.

The side wall 34f is inclined in a direction away from the second passage 32 in an upward direction, and a vertically arranged connection port 35 is formed at an upper end of the side wall 34 f.

The first passage 31 is formed with a substantially constant passage width. In the first passage 31, the lower portion is disposed vertically below the bottom wall 34e of the second passage 32, and is inclined in a direction away from the second passage 32 toward the upper side.

Further, the side wall 34a of the first passage 31 is formed to be curved, and the cold air rising in the first passage 31 is smoothly guided to the connection port 35 along the side wall 34 a. This can improve the blowing efficiency of the blower fan 14.

The second passage 32 has a discharge port 2b and a discharge port 2c opened in the front panel 33, and the discharge port 2b is disposed at the upper end of the second passage 32. The opening area of the discharge port 2c is smaller than that of the discharge port 2b, and is disposed below the connection port 35. The lower end of the discharge port 2c is disposed at the same height as the upper surface of the bottom wall 34e of the second passage 32.

In the refrigerating compartment 2, when the drink drops and the liquid flows into the second passage 32 from the outlet 2b, the liquid flows down the second passage 32 and is discharged into the refrigerating compartment 2 from the outlet 2c. When the liquid flows into the second passage 32 from the discharge port 2c, the liquid is immediately discharged from the discharge port 2c. Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from flowing down from the first passage 31 and causing the failure of the blower fan 14. Further, the baffle 16 and the blower fan 15 disposed below the blower fan 14 can be prevented from malfunctioning.

The

side walls

34d and 34f of the second passage 32 are inclined in a direction in which the second passage 32 is narrowed downward, and the lower end of the discharge port 2c is disposed at the same height as the bottom wall 34e of the second passage 32. Thus, the liquid reaching the bottom wall 34e of the second passage 32 is guided to the discharge port 2c, and is easily discharged to the refrigerating compartment 2 side through the discharge port 2c. The lower end of the discharge port 2c opened in the front panel 33 may be disposed below the bottom wall 34e of the second passage 32, and the lower end of the second passage 32 may be formed in a stepped shape that is lowered forward.

Fig. 6 showsbase:Sub>A sectional view taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of fig. 5. The front wall of the second passage 32 is provided with a projecting portion 36 that extends vertically from the end of the discharge port 2b on the side of the connection port 35 and projects rearward. The protrusion 36 is formed by a wedge-shaped groove 36a formed in the front plate 33. The projection 36 blocks the liquid flowing into the second passage 32 via the discharge port 2b, and prevents the liquid from flowing into the first passage 31 via the connection port 35. The liquid flowing from the discharge port 2b can be guided downward along the groove portion 36a and guided to the discharge port 2c by the side wall 34 f.

The protrusion 36 may be disposed between the end of the discharge port 2b on the side of the connection port 35 and the connection port 35, or the groove 36a may be formed in another shape. Instead of the groove portion 36a, the protrusion portion 36 may be formed by a rib protruding rearward from the front panel 33. The protrusion 36 and the groove 36a may be provided on the wall of the inner case 8 of the second passage 32. The liquid flowing into the second passage 32 through the discharge port 2b flows on the wall of the inner box 8 and is guided downward, and the liquid can be prevented from flowing into the first passage 31 through the connection port 35.

Further, the lower portion of the side wall 34f of the first passage 31 is disposed obliquely vertically below the discharge port 2c. Thus, when the liquid leaks from the gap between the bottom wall 34e and the inner case 8 to the lower side of the second passage 32, the liquid flows downward along the outer surface of the side wall 34f of the first passage 31. This can prevent the liquid leaking from the second passage 32 from flowing into the first passage 31.

Further, since the opening area of discharge port 2b is larger than the opening area of discharge port 2c, a large amount of cold air is discharged from the upper portion of refrigerating room 2. Therefore, the cold air that has fallen by its own weight is diffused in refrigerating room 2, and the cooling efficiency of refrigerating room 2 can be improved.

According to the present embodiment, the cold air duct 12 includes a first passage 31 extending upward from the blower fan 14, and a second passage 32 connected to an upper end of the first passage 31 via a connection port 35 and extending downward. Further, the discharge port 2b (first discharge port) is disposed at the upper end portion of the second passage 32, and the discharge port 2c (second discharge port) is disposed below the connection port 35 of the second passage 32. Thus, the liquid flowing into cold air duct 12 through discharge port 2b flows down second passage 32 and is discharged to refrigerating room 2 through discharge port 2c. The liquid flowing into cold air duct 12 through discharge port 2c is immediately discharged into refrigerating room 2 through discharge port 2c. Therefore, the liquid flowing into the cold air duct 12 from the

outlets

2b and 2c does not flow into the first passage 31, and the failure of the blower fan 14 due to the liquid flowing down the first passage 31 can be prevented.

The front panel 33 covering the front surface of the cold air duct 12 is provided with a discharge port 2b and a discharge port 2c, and the lower end of the discharge port 2c is disposed at the same height or below the bottom wall 34e of the second passage 32. This can reliably discharge the liquid that has reached the bottom wall 34e of the second passage 32 from the discharge port 2c, and prevent the liquid on the bottom wall 34e from being stored.

Further, a protruding portion 36 protruding rearward from the front wall (front panel 33) and extending vertically is provided between the end portion of the discharge port 2b on the side of the connection port 35 and the connection port 35. This can block the liquid flowing into the second passage 32 through the discharge port 2b, and more reliably prevent the liquid from flowing into the first passage 31 through the connection port 35.

Further, since the opening area of discharge port 2b is larger than the opening area of discharge port 2c, a large amount of cold air can be discharged from the upper portion of refrigerating room 2, and the cooling efficiency of refrigerating room 2 can be improved.

Further, since the side wall 34f of the second passage 32 is inclined in a direction in which the second passage 32 is narrowed downward, the liquid flowing down the second passage 32 can be more reliably guided to the discharge port 2c.

The lower portion of the side wall 34f of the first passage 31 is inclined and disposed vertically below the discharge port 2c. Thereby, the liquid leaking from the gap between the bottom wall 34e and the inner box 8 to the lower side of the second passage 32 flows downward along the outer surface of the side wall 34 f. This can prevent the liquid leaking from the second passage 32 from flowing into the first passage 31.

< second embodiment >

Next, fig. 7 shows a rear view of the duct member 12a of the refrigerator 1 of the second embodiment. The same portions as those of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the first passage 31 is provided with a discharge port 41. The other portions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The discharge port 41 opens on the side wall 34a and on the lower portion of the side wall 34f of the first passage 31. The cold air flowing upward through the first passage 31 is discharged to both sides through the discharge port 41. This allows the cold air having a lower temperature flowing through first passage 31 to be discharged into refrigerating compartment 2. Therefore, the bottom of refrigerating room 2 can be made to have a low temperature such as a freezing temperature zone.

Further, since the discharge port 41 is open to the side, even when a container containing liquid is tilted backward in the refrigerating compartment 2, the liquid hardly flows into the first passage 31 through the discharge port 41.

< third embodiment >

Next, fig. 8 shows a rear view of the duct member 12a of the refrigerator 1 of the third embodiment. The same portions as those of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the second passage 32 is provided with the discharge port 42 in addition to the

discharge ports

2b and 2c. The other portions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The discharge port 42 is opened in the front panel 33 of the second passage 32 and is disposed between the discharge port 2b and the discharge port 2c. The liquid flowing into the second passage 32 through the discharge port 2b and the discharge port 42 flows down through the second passage 32, and is discharged from the discharge port 2c to the refrigerating chamber 2. Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from flowing into the first passage 31.

Further, by providing discharge port 42 in second passage 32, even if the opening areas of discharge port 2b and discharge port 42 are small, cold air can be supplied to refrigerating room 2. In the refrigerating chamber 2, there is a high possibility that liquid when the drink is spilled flows into the second passage 32 only from one of the outlet 2b and the outlet 42 separated in the vertical direction. Therefore, the opening areas of the

discharge ports

2b and 42 can be reduced, and the inflow of liquid into the second passage 32 can be reduced.

< fourth embodiment >

Next, fig. 9 shows a rear view of the duct member 12a of the refrigerator 1 of the fourth embodiment. The same portions as those of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the discharge port 2b is arranged offset in the left-right direction with respect to the discharge port 2c. The other portions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The center of the discharge port 2b in the left-right direction is arranged to be offset in a direction away from the connection port 35 with respect to the center of the discharge port 2c in the left-right direction. The end of the discharge port 2b on the side of the connection port 35 is offset by a distance W in a direction away from the connection port 35 with respect to the end of the discharge port 2c on the side of the connection port 35.

This can more reliably prevent the liquid flowing into the second passage 32 through the discharge port 2b from flowing into the first passage 31 through the connection port 35. Further, the discharge port 2c is disposed vertically below the end portion of the discharge port 2b on the side of the connection port 35, and the liquid flowing down from the discharge port 2b can be more easily guided to the discharge port 2c.

< fifth embodiment >

Next, fig. 10 shows a rear view of the duct member 12a of the refrigerator 1 of the fifth embodiment. The same portions as those of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the first passage 31 branches into

branch portions

31a and 31b. The other portions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The first passage 31 is branched into right and left sides by

branch portions

31a and 31b above the blower fan 14 (see fig. 2). The

branch portions

31a and 31b extend in the vertical direction, and are connected to the second passage 32 at their upper end portions via a connection port 35. The side wall 34a outside the

branch paths

31a and 31b opens a discharge port 41 toward the side.

The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained according to the present embodiment. Since

branch portions

31a and 31b are disposed on both side portions of the rear surface of refrigerator compartment 2, cold air can be supplied from discharge port 41 to the rear side end portion of refrigerator compartment 2. Therefore, the inside of the refrigerating compartment 2 can be uniformly cooled.

< sixth embodiment >

Next, fig. 11 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the duct member 12a of the refrigerator 1 of the sixth embodiment. The same portions as those of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the second passage 32 is disposed adjacent to the front of the first passage 31. The other portions are the same as the first embodiment.

First passage 31 of cold air duct 12 extends upward from air supply fan 14 at the center in the left-right direction of refrigerating room 2. The second passage 32 is adjacent to the front of the first passage 31 via a partition wall 34g, and communicates with the first passage 31 via a vertical connection port 35 formed above the partition wall 34 g. The second passage 32 is adjacent to an upper portion of the first passage 31 and is shorter in the vertical direction than the first passage 31.

The front surface of the duct member 12a is covered with a front panel 33. The upper portion 33b of the front panel 33 is bent in an L-shape to form a front wall and a bottom wall 34e of the second passage 32. The lower portion 33a of the front panel 33 extends downward from the rear end of the upper portion 33b, and is disposed in the same plane as the partition wall 34 g. Thus, the front wall of the first passage 31 is formed by the lower portion 33a of the front panel 33 and the partition wall 34 g.

The second passage 32 has a discharge port 2b in a front wall thereof and a discharge port 2c in a bottom wall 34e thereof. The discharge port 2b is disposed below the connection port 35.

The liquid flowing into the cold air duct 12 from the discharge port 2b flows down the second passage 32 and is discharged from the discharge port 2c. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Since the second path 32 is adjacent to the front of the first path 31, the lower portion of the second path 32 can be used as a storage area. Therefore, the volumetric efficiency of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

Further, since the discharge port 2b is disposed below the connection port 35, even if the liquid flows into the cold air duct 12 from the discharge port 2b rapidly, the liquid can be prevented from flowing into the first passage 31.

Further, since the discharge port 2c is opened in the bottom wall 34e of the second passage 32, the liquid can be reliably prevented from being stored in the bottom wall 34e.

The present invention can be applied to a refrigerator having a cold air duct for discharging cold air into a storage compartment.

Description of the reference numerals

1. Refrigerator with a door

2. Refrigerating chamber (storeroom)

2a, 3a door

2b, 2c, 3b, 41, 42 discharge ports

3. Freezing chamber

3c Return port

5. Mechanical chamber

6. Heat insulation wall

7. Heat insulation box

8. Inner box

9. Outer case

10. Foamed heat insulating material

12. 13 cold air pipeline

12a, 13a pipe parts

14. 15 blowing fan

16. Baffle plate

17. Compressor with a compressor housing having a plurality of compressor blades

20. Cooling device

31. First path

31a, 31b branch parts

32. Second path

33. Front panel

33a lower part

33b upper part

34. Peripheral wall part

34a, 34d, 34f side walls

34b, 34c top wall

34e bottom wall

34g partition wall

35. Connecting port

36. Projection part

Distance W

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising: a cold air duct disposed on the back of the storage chamber; and a blower fan disposed below the cold air duct,

the cold air duct has:

a first passage extending above the blower fan;

a second passage connected to the first passage via a connection port and extending downward; and

a plurality of discharge ports opened forward in front of the cold air duct,

the discharge port has a first discharge port and a second discharge port that do not open to the first passage and open to the second passage and face the storage chamber,

the first discharge port is disposed below the connection port,

the second discharge port is disposed below the first discharge port.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the second discharge port is disposed at a lower end of the second passage.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2,

the second passage is adjacent to the front of the first passage.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2,

the second passage is adjacent to the first passage in the left-right direction,

a side wall that partitions the first passage and the second passage extends downward from the connection port so as to be inclined toward the second passage.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4,

the first passage is curved to the opposite side of the direction of the second passage as extending upward.