CN116608638A - Heat insulation box and refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator (1) is provided with a heat-insulating box body (50). The heat-insulating box (50) has an inner box (70) and an outer box (60). A vacuum heat insulating material (51) is disposed in the heat insulating box (50). A foamed heat insulating material (52) is filled in the heat insulating box (50). In the side surface part (50 b) of the heat insulation box body (50), the thickness (T2) of the foaming heat insulation material (52) opposite to the vacuum heat insulation material (51) is more than the area with the thickness (T1) of the vacuum heat insulation material (51). In the back surface part (50 c) of the heat insulation box body (50), the thickness (T8) of the foaming heat insulation material (52) of the area opposite to the vacuum heat insulation material (51) is larger than the thickness (T2) of the foaming heat insulation material of the area opposite to the vacuum heat insulation material (51) of the side surface part (50 b) of the heat insulation box body (50).

Description

Heat insulation box and refrigerator

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a heat-insulating box provided in a refrigerator or the like, and a refrigerator provided with the heat-insulating box.

Background

In order to insulate heat from the surroundings, a heat insulation box is provided in the refrigerator so as to cover the outer periphery of the storage space. The heat insulating box body is composed of an outer box, an inner box, a foaming heat insulating material filled between the outer box and the inner box, and the like. As the heat insulating material, for example, a foamed heat insulating material such as a hard foamed polyurethane heat insulating material is used.

In recent years, in order to further improve the heat insulating performance, it has been proposed to dispose a vacuum heat insulating material in a heat insulating box. For example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2006-183896 discloses the following refrigerator: in a refrigerator having a vacuum heat insulating material and a foamed heat insulating material in a heat insulating wall, the ratio of the volume of the vacuum heat insulating material to the whole volume of the heat insulating wall is set to a predetermined value or more.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

By using a vacuum heat insulating material, heat insulating performance is improved and the thickness of the heat insulating box body is made thinner. However, since the thickness of the heat insulating box is reduced, the space in the heat insulating box where the foamed heat insulating material flows is narrowed, and the foamed heat insulating material becomes difficult to flow, there is a possibility that voids (void) may be generated after the heat insulating material is foamed, which are not filled with the foamed heat insulating material.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure in which a foamed heat insulating material can be more easily filled in a heat insulating box when the foamed heat insulating material is injected into the heat insulating box.

Solution for solving the problem

An aspect of the invention relates to a thermally insulated box having an inner box and an outer box. The heat insulation box body comprises: a vacuum heat insulating material disposed in the heat insulating box; a foamed heat insulating material filled in the heat insulating box; and at least one injection port disposed on the back surface of the heat insulation box, into which the foaming heat insulation material is injected. In the side surface portion of the heat insulating box, a region where a thickness of the foamed heat insulating material facing the vacuum heat insulating material is smaller than a region where the thickness of the vacuum heat insulating material is equal to or larger than a region where the thickness of the foamed heat insulating material is equal to or larger than the thickness of the foamed heat insulating material in the region where the foamed heat insulating material faces the vacuum heat insulating material is larger than the thickness of the foamed heat insulating material in the region where the foamed heat insulating material faces the vacuum heat insulating material.

Effects of the invention

According to the heat insulating box of the aspect of the present invention, the foamed heat insulating material can be filled into the heat insulating box more easily when the foamed heat insulating material is injected.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure in a refrigerator heat insulation box according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the insulated box shown in FIG. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view and a partial sectional view showing the structure of an A-A line portion of the heat insulation box shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a heat insulating material is injected into the heat insulating box shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing the structure of a B-B line portion of the heat insulation box shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a front view showing a configuration of an inner box forming the heat insulation box shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a front view showing a state in which a pipe member is attached to the inner box shown in fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the rear surface portion of the outer case is removed from the heat insulation case shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing the flow of the foamed heat insulating material in the heat insulating box.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components. Their names and functions are also identical. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

< first embodiment >, first embodiment

(integral construction of refrigerator)

First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 shows an internal structure of a refrigerator 1.

As shown in fig. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerating chamber 11 at an upper stage, a vegetable chamber 12 at a middle stage, a freezing chamber 13 at a lower stage, and the like. A refrigerating chamber door 11a is provided in the refrigerating chamber 11. The vegetable room 12 is provided therein with a vegetable room door 12a. A freezing chamber door 13a is provided in the freezing chamber 13.

As described above, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is divided into the upper stage, the middle stage, and the lower stage, and each storage space is provided. A partition is provided between the storage spaces. More specifically, a first partition 54 is provided between the upper refrigerating compartment 11 and the middle vegetable compartment 12. Further, a second partition (partition) 55 is provided between the vegetable chamber 12 in the middle stage and the freezing chamber 13 in the lower stage. The arrangement position of each storage space is not limited to this.

In the present embodiment, the face provided with the door is referred to as the front face or front face of the refrigerator. The front surface is used as a reference, and each surface of the refrigerator 1 is defined as an upper surface, a side surface, a back surface, and a bottom surface based on a position existing when the refrigerator 1 is installed in a normal state. In a state where the refrigerator 1 is placed on the installation surface, the vertical direction of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as the vertical direction of the refrigerator 1 (or the heat insulation box 50, etc.). In a state where the refrigerator 1 is placed on the installation surface, the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 (or the heat insulation box 50, etc.) is referred to as the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front.

A refrigeration cycle is provided inside the refrigerator 1. The refrigeration cycle is configured by connecting a compressor 31, a condenser (not shown), an expander (not shown), and a cooler 32 via a refrigerant pipe (refrigerant flow path) through which a refrigerant flows.

A control unit (not shown) is provided in the refrigerator 1. The control unit controls the operation of the refrigeration cycle 40. That is, the control unit starts the operation of the refrigeration cycle by driving the compressor 31, and the refrigerant flows through the cycle. As shown in fig. 1, the compressor 31 is disposed in a machine room 30 provided on the back side of the bottom of the refrigerator 1.

The cooler 32 is disposed in a cooling chamber 35 provided on the back side of the refrigerator 1. The cooling chamber 35 includes 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 35 and each storage space. The cooling chamber 35 communicates with the cold air duct 41. The cold air duct 41 serves as a cold air duct for supplying cold air generated in the cooling chamber 35 to the refrigerator compartment 11 and the like.

(constitution of heat insulation Box)

In the refrigerator 1, a heat insulation box 50 is provided as a heat insulation structure for insulating each storage space from the surroundings. Fig. 2 shows an appearance of the heat insulating box 50 when viewed from the front side (the opening 50e side). The heat insulating box 50 is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the refrigerator 1. The heat insulating box 50 is mainly composed of an upper surface portion, a side surface portion 50b, a rear surface portion 50c, and a bottom surface portion. The front side of the heat insulating box 50 is an opening 50e.

As shown in fig. 1, the heat insulating box 50 mainly includes an outer box 60, an inner box 70, a vacuum heat insulating material 51, a foamed heat insulating material 52, and at least one partition (e.g., a first partition 54 and a second partition 55).

The outer case 60 forms an outer peripheral surface of the heat insulation case 50. The outer case 60 is mainly composed of an upper surface portion 60a, a side surface portion 60b, a rear surface portion 60c, and a bottom surface portion (see fig. 3). The inner box 70 forms an inner peripheral surface of the heat insulation box 50. The inner case 70 is mainly composed of an upper surface portion, a side surface portion 70b, a rear surface portion 70c, and a bottom surface portion 70d (see fig. 2). The inner case 70 forms an inner wall of a storage space (e.g., the refrigerating chamber 11, the vegetable chamber 12, the freezing chamber 13) and a rear wall of the cooling chamber 35.

The inside of the heat insulation box 50 formed by the inner box 70 is divided into a plurality of spaces by at least one partition. In the present embodiment, two partitions, that is, a first partition 54 and a second partition 55 are provided. The first partition 54 is disposed between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 12. The second partition 55 is disposed between the vegetable compartment 12 and the freezing compartment 13.

A space for disposing the machine chamber 30 is formed on the back surface side of the bottom of the heat insulating box 50. The machine room 30 is disposed outside the heat-insulating box 50. This is because the temperature in the machine chamber 30 increases by the operation of the compressor 31. The machine chamber 30 is mainly partitioned by a bottom plate 62 constituting a bottom surface portion of the outer case 60.

In this way, the machine room 30 is isolated from the freezing room 13 by the heat insulation box 50. Therefore, the heat generated in the machine room 30 can be suppressed from flowing into the freezing chamber 13.

The vacuum insulation material 51 and the foamed insulation material 52 are disposed in a space between the outer case 60 and the inner case 70. The vacuum heat insulating material 51 is also called VIP, and is a sheet-like or plate-like heat insulating material. The vacuum heat insulating material 51 is disposed on, for example, a side surface, an upper surface, a bottom surface, a back surface, and the like of the refrigerator 1. In fig. 1, a vacuum heat insulating material disposed on the bottom surface of the refrigerator 1 is not shown. As shown in fig. 1 and the like, the vacuum heat insulating material 51 is disposed on the outer box 60 side in the heat insulating box 50.

The foamed heat insulating material 52 may be formed of, for example, foamed polyurethane (also referred to as rigid polyurethane foam) or the like. The foamed heat insulating material 52 is also filled in the second partition 55 that partitions the vegetable compartment 12 as a refrigerating storage space and the freezing compartment 13 as a freezing storage space. In the present embodiment, the interior of the first partition 54 that partitions the refrigerator compartment 11 and the vegetable compartment 12, which are the refrigerator storage spaces, is not filled with the foamed heat insulating material 52. A heat insulating material different from the foamed heat insulating material 52 may be disposed inside the first partition portion 54. In other embodiments, the foam insulation material 52 may be filled in the first partition 54.

The foamed heat insulating material 52 is filled in the heat insulating box 50 by injecting a liquid foamed urethane material (foamed heat insulating material, also referred to as heat insulating material) into the heat insulating box 50, and foaming the material in the heat insulating box 50. The back surface 60c of the outer case 60 is provided with an inlet 58 (see fig. 5) into which the heat insulating material is injected. In the present embodiment, 2 injection ports 58 are provided near the left end of the back surface 60c, 2 injection ports 58 are provided near the right end of the back surface 60c, and a total of 4 injection ports 58 are provided. However, the number of injection ports 58 is not limited thereto.

Fig. 2 shows the heat-insulating box 50 when the foamed urethane material is injected into the heat-insulating box 50. When the foamed urethane material is injected into the heat-insulating box 50, only the second partition 55 is mounted in the box of the heat-insulating box 50 as shown in fig. 2. Thus, if the foam heat insulating material is injected from the injection port 58, the foam heat insulating material 52 is also filled in the second partition 55 through the urethane inflow port provided between the inner case 70 and the second partition 55.

(regarding the thickness of the side wall of the heat insulating box and the thickness of the vacuum heat insulating member)

In recent years, in order to secure a larger space in a refrigerator, etc., a reduction in the thickness of the side wall of the heat-insulating box 50 is desired. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the wall of each surface (for example, the side surface portion 50 b) of the heat insulation box 50 is thinned.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a structure in the side wall of the heat insulating box 50. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the portion A-A of the insulated box 50 shown in FIG. 3. In fig. 4, a part (a part surrounded by a broken line frame) of the heat insulating box 50 is shown enlarged.

The average thickness of the side surface portion 50b of the heat insulating box 50 according to the present embodiment is, for example, 25mm to 35 mm. In the side surface 50b of the heat insulating box 50, the thickness T2 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 facing the vacuum heat insulating material 51 is larger than the thickness T1 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51 in the region of the vacuum heat insulating material 51.

The thickness T1 of the vacuum insulating material 51 disposed on the side surface portion 50b is substantially constant over the entire area of one vacuum insulating material. In one example, the thickness T1 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51 is set to 10mm to 30mm, preferably 15mm to 25 mm.

On the other hand, the thickness T2 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 of the side surface portion 50b differs in each portion according to the outer shape of the heat insulating box 50 (particularly, the shape of the inner box 70). As described above, in the side surface portion 50b of the heat insulating box 50, the thickness T1 is greater than the thickness T2 in most, at least half, of the region where the vacuum heat insulating material 51 is present. Therefore, the thickness T2 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the large part of the area where the vacuum heat insulating material 51 of the side surface portion 50b exists is set to be, for example, 5mm to 15mm, preferably 8mm to 13 mm.

In one example, the thickness T1 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51 can be set to about 2 times the thickness T2 of the foamed heat insulating material 52. In this way, by increasing the proportion of the vacuum heat insulating material 51 in the side surface portion 50b, the thickness of the entire side surface portion 50b can be further reduced.

The thickness of the vacuum heat insulating material disposed on the surface portion (i.e., the upper surface portion and the bottom surface portion) other than the side surface portion 50b of the heat insulating box 50 may be the same as or different from the thickness T1. The thickness of the foamed heat insulating material 52 on the surface portion (i.e., the upper surface portion and the bottom surface portion) other than the side surface portion 50b of the heat insulating box 50 may be equal to or greater than the thickness of the vacuum heat insulating material 51 disposed on the surface portion, or equal to or less than the thickness of the vacuum heat insulating material 51.

The rear surface 50c of the heat insulating box 50 tends to pass through pipes, wires, and the like of the refrigeration cycle connected to the cooler 32, and it is required to fix these pipes, wires, and the like, thereby further securing heat insulation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 disposed on the back surface portion 50c is equal to or greater than the thickness T7 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51c disposed on the back surface portion 50c (see fig. 6). In the present embodiment, the thickness T7 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51c disposed on the back surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50 is equal to or smaller than the thickness T1 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51b disposed on the side surface portion 50 b. In one example, the thickness T7 is about half (e.g., 5mm to 15 mm) of the thickness T1.

(method for producing Heat insulation Box)

Next, a method for manufacturing the heat insulating box 50 will be described. Fig. 5 shows a case where an insulating material is injected into the insulating box 50.

First, members such as a vacuum heat insulating material 51 and a heat radiating pipe (not shown) are attached to predetermined positions on the inner surfaces of the respective surfaces (specifically, the upper surface portion 60a, the side surface portion 60b, the rear surface portion 60c, etc.) of the outer case 60. Further, components such as in-box electrical components and various wiring are mounted at predetermined positions of the inner box 70.

Next, the respective faces of the outer case 60 are attached so as to cover the outer periphery of the inner case 70. Thereby, the outer shape of the heat insulation box 50 is formed.

Then, with the rear surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50 facing upward, a material of a liquid foamed heat insulating material (foamed urethane material) is injected through an injection port 58 formed in the rear surface portion 60c of the outer box 60. At this time, an injection nozzle 91 (see fig. 5) of an injection device for the heat insulating material is inserted into the injection port 58. The foamed heat insulating material discharged from the injection nozzle 91 into the heat insulating box 50 is sequentially foamed from the front surface side (the opening 50e side) to the rear surface side in the space between the outer box 60 and the inner box 70, and filled while increasing the volume. The foamed insulation is then cured.

That is, when the heat insulating material is injected from each injection port 58 in a state where the rear surface 60c of the heat insulating box 50 is directed upward, the heat insulating material flows down toward the opening 50e located at the lowermost position through the side surface 50b, the upper surface, and the like in the heat insulating box 50 due to gravity.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the thickness T1 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51 is larger than the thickness T2 of the foamed heat insulating material in most areas of the side surface portions 50b of the heat insulating box 50. The thickness of the side wall of the heat insulating box 50 becomes thin, so that the space in the side wall where the heat insulating material flows becomes narrow, and the heat insulating material becomes difficult to flow. If the vacuum heat insulating material 51 is provided inside the heat insulating box 50, the flow space of the heat insulating material becomes narrower. As a result, the injected heat insulating material is foamed in the heat insulating box 50, and then the void (void) of the unfilled foamed heat insulating material is highly likely to occur.

For example, if the foam heat insulating material in a liquid form is injected, if it collides with the wall surface in the heat insulating box 50, the foam may locally start at that portion, and then when the heat insulating material is filled while foaming from the front surface side of the heat insulating box 50, the locally foamed portion may become an obstacle, and the filling may become uneven. In addition, in the back surface 50c of the heat insulating box 50, which is the main part where the heat insulating material reaches last, the foam heat insulating material is not filled, and a void is easily generated.

(construction of the rear surface portion of the Heat insulation Box)

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the back surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50 has been studied for promoting the inflow of the foamed heat insulating material. The following describes the structure thereof.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a horizontal cross-sectional configuration of the refrigerating chamber 11 portion of the heat-insulating box 50. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the B-B line portion of fig. 3. In fig. 6, a portion (a portion surrounded by a broken line frame) of the side surface portion 50b and the rear surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50 is enlarged. Fig. 7 shows an external appearance of the inner case 70 when viewed from the front. Fig. 8 shows a state in which the duct member 42 is attached to the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 11 of the inner box 70 shown in fig. 7. Fig. 9 shows an internal structure of the rear surface 50c of the heat insulating box 50. Fig. 10 schematically shows a case where the injected foamed heat insulating material is spread in the heat insulating box 50.

In the heat insulating box 50 of the present embodiment, the average thickness of the back surface portion 50c is larger than the average thickness of the side surface portion 50 b. In one example, the average thickness of the back surface portion 50c is 35mm to 40 mm.

In the rear surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50, the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the region opposed to the vacuum heat insulating material 51c is larger than the thickness T2 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the region opposed to the vacuum heat insulating material 51b of the side surface portion 50 b. In the present embodiment, the thickness T7 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51c disposed on the back surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50 is smaller than the thickness T1 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51b disposed on the side surface portion 50 b.

In one example, the thickness T7 is about half (e.g., 5mm to 15 mm) of the thickness T1. In one example, the thickness T8 is equal to or more than twice the thickness T2 (for example, 15mm to 40 mm).

Further, the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 disposed on the back surface portion 50c is equal to or greater than the thickness T7 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51c disposed on the back surface portion 50 c.

In this way, the back surface 50c of the heat insulating box 50 has a relatively high proportion of the thickness of the foamed heat insulating material 52 as compared with the side surface 50b and the like.

In the process of forming the foamed heat insulating material 52, since the heat insulating material is injected in the state shown in fig. 5, the timing at which the heat insulating material flows in the rear surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50 tends to be delayed compared to the side surface portion 50b and the like. The foamed heat insulating material injected from the injection port 58 first flows into the side surface portion 50b located immediately below, and then expands upward from the opening portion 50e as shown by the arrow in fig. 10, and flows in. Thereafter, the foamed heat insulating material expands from the side near the side surface 50b toward the center in the back surface 50c and flows in. The injected foamed insulation increases in viscosity over time. Therefore, the viscosity of the heat insulating material is higher at the time when the heat insulating material flows into the back surface portion 50 c.

In the present embodiment, the volume into which the heat insulating material flows (i.e., the area other than the occupied area of the vacuum heat insulating material 51) is relatively large in the rear surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50, so that even a heat insulating material having a higher viscosity easily flows into the space.

Therefore, according to the above configuration, the occurrence of unfilled portions (voids) of the foamed heat insulating material of the rear surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50 can be reduced. Further, by increasing the proportion of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the back surface portion 50c, the strength of the heat insulating box 50 can be improved.

Further, a recess 48 extending vertically is provided at a substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the rear surface portion 70c of the inner case 70. In the present embodiment, the recess 48 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 11, and is recessed in a direction to expand the volume in the refrigerator compartment (see fig. 6).

The thickness T8b of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the region corresponding to the concave portion 48 is smaller than the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the other region of the back surface portion 50 c. In one example, the thickness T8b is 10mm to 30 mm.

The portion provided with the recess 48 corresponds to the final reaching region of the injected foamed heat insulating material. Therefore, by providing the concave portion 48 to partially narrow the space in the back surface portion 50c, the filling amount of the foamed heat insulating material can be reduced, and the generation ratio of the unfilled portion (void) can be reduced.

Further, the thickness of the foam insulation material is preferably ensured to the extent that the foam insulation material flows in the concave portion 48. Therefore, the thickness T8b is preferably larger than the thickness T2, for example, preferably 15mm or more.

Preferably, at least one vent hole 49 is provided in the recess 48. The heat insulating material is injected into the heat insulating box 50, and when the heat insulating material expands while foaming, air existing in the heat insulating box 50 can be discharged through the air discharge holes 49. This can suppress the pressure rise in the heat insulating box 50 and promote the inflow of the foamed heat insulating material into the concave portion 48. In the present embodiment, the exhaust hole 49 is also provided in the rear surface portion 70c of the inner case 70 other than the recess 48 (see fig. 7, etc.). In fig. 7, a part of the exhaust hole 49 formed in the back surface 70c of the inner case 70 is shown in an enlarged state for the convenience of understanding the arrangement position of the exhaust hole.

Further, a duct member (duct forming member) 42 (see fig. 8) is disposed on the wall of the rear surface portion 70c of the inner case 70 on the inside of the case so as to cover the recess 48. By disposing the duct member 42 in the recess 48, a region of the cold air duct can be secured in the recess. This can expand the internal volume of the tank. Further, the exhaust hole 49 formed in the recess 48 can be covered with the duct member 42.

The duct member 42 is fixed to the rear surface 70c of the inner case 70 by screws or the like. The recess 48 of the inner case 70 is provided with a screw fixing portion 42A into which a screw is inserted. In the present embodiment, a large number of vent holes 49A are formed around the screw fixing portion 42A (see fig. 7, etc.). This allows the foamed heat insulating material to preferentially flow into the screw fixing portion 42A, and can improve the strength of the screw fixing portion 42A.

When the exhaust hole 49 is formed in the inner box 70, it is preferable to pierce the heat insulation box from the inside of the box to the inside of the heat insulation box. This can be: although air is discharged from the inside of the heat insulating box 50 through the air discharge holes 49, the foamed heat insulating material in the heat insulating box 50 is hardly leaked.

A foamed styrene (heat insulating structure) 69 (see fig. 9) is provided in the rear surface 50c of the heat insulating box 50 at a substantially central portion in the lateral direction and the vertical direction on the inner box 70 side. The foamed styrene 69 is installed inside the heat insulation box 50 before the foamed heat insulation material is injected.

The substantially central portion in the left-right direction and the up-down direction in the rear surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50 corresponds to the final reaching region of the foamed heat insulating material injected from each injection port 58 (see fig. 10). This region is less likely to be filled with the foamed heat insulating material than other regions, and tends to be an unfilled portion (void). Therefore, for example, by disposing a heat insulating structure such as the foamed styrene 69 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape in this region in advance, the occurrence of voids can be suppressed.

The specific configuration of the rear surface portion 50c of the upper stage portion (i.e., the refrigerating chamber 11 side) of the heat-insulating box 50 is described above. The detailed description of the structure of the rear surface portion 50c of the middle portion (i.e., the vegetable compartment 12 side) and the lower portion (i.e., the freezing compartment 13 side) of the heat-insulating box 50 is omitted, but the same structure as the upper portion can be applied. That is, in the rear surface portion 50c of the middle and lower portions of the heat insulating box 50, the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material 52, which is half or more of the area where the vacuum heat insulating material 51 is present, is also larger than the thickness T2 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 of the side surface portion 50 b.

(summary of the first embodiment)

As described above, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes the heat insulation box 50. The heat insulating box 50 has an inner box 70 and an outer box 60. A vacuum heat insulating material 51 is disposed on the outer box side in the heat insulating box 50. The heat insulating box 50 is filled with a foamed heat insulating material 52. At least one inlet 58 into which a foaming heat insulating material is injected is provided on the back surface of the heat insulating box 50.

In the side surface 50b of the heat insulating box 50, the thickness T2 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 facing the vacuum heat insulating material 51 is larger than the thickness T1 of the vacuum heat insulating material 51 in the region of the vacuum heat insulating material 51. In the rear surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50, the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material in the region opposed to the vacuum heat insulating material 51 is larger than the thickness T2 of the foamed heat insulating material in the region opposed to the vacuum heat insulating material 51 in the side surface portion 50b of the heat insulating box 50.

According to the above configuration, the volume into which the heat insulating material flows (i.e., the area other than the occupied area of the vacuum heat insulating material 51) is relatively large in the rear surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50, so that even the heat insulating material having a higher viscosity easily flows into the space. Therefore, the occurrence of unfilled portions (voids) of the foamed heat insulating material of the rear surface portion 50c of the heat insulating box 50 can be reduced.

As described above, according to the heat insulating box 50 of the present embodiment, the foamed heat insulating material can be made to flow more easily in the heat insulating box when the foamed heat insulating material is injected. This can reduce the thickness of the side surface portion of the heat insulating box 50, and can reduce the possibility of the occurrence of an unfilled portion of the foamed heat insulating material in the heat insulating box 50.

< second embodiment >

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The following description will focus on a configuration different from the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, a specific configuration of the rear surface portion 50c of the upper stage portion (i.e., the refrigerating chamber 11 side) of the heat insulating box 50 is described. In the present embodiment, a specific configuration of the rear surface portion 50c of the middle portion (i.e., the vegetable compartment 12 side) and the lower portion (i.e., the freezing compartment 13 side) of the heat-insulating box 50 will be described.

In the same manner as in the upper portion of the heat insulating box 50, the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the region opposed to the vacuum heat insulating material 51c is also larger than the thickness T2 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the region opposed to the vacuum heat insulating material 51b in the side surface portion 50b in the middle portion and the rear surface portion 50c of the lower portion of the heat insulating box 50.

In one example, the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the middle portion of the back surface portion 50c is, for example, 15mm to 30 mm. Since the temperature in the vegetable compartment 12 located in the middle portion tends to be slightly higher than that in the refrigerator compartment 11, the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the middle portion of the back surface portion 50c may be smaller than the thickness of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the upper portion. This can increase the volume of the vegetable compartment 12 in the box.

In one example, the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the lower portion of the back surface portion 50c is, for example, 15mm to 45 mm. Since the temperature in the freezing chamber 13 located in the lower stage is lower than that in the refrigerating chamber 11, the thickness T8 of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the lower stage of the back surface portion 50c is preferably larger than the thickness of the foamed heat insulating material 52 in the upper stage.

(summary)

An aspect of the present invention relates to a heat-insulating box (e.g., heat-insulating box 50) having an inner box (e.g., inner box 70) and an outer box (e.g., outer box 60). The heat insulation box includes: a vacuum heat insulating material (e.g., vacuum heat insulating material 51) disposed in the heat insulating box; a foamed heat insulating material (e.g., foamed heat insulating material 52) filled in the heat insulating box; and at least one injection port (for example, injection port 58) disposed on the back surface of the heat insulating box and into which the foaming heat insulating material is injected. In the side surface portion (e.g., the side surface portion 50 b) of the heat insulating box, the thickness (e.g., the thickness T2) of the foamed heat insulating material facing the vacuum heat insulating material is larger than the thickness (e.g., the thickness T1) of the vacuum heat insulating material in the rear surface portion (e.g., the rear surface portion 50 c) of the heat insulating box than in the region (e.g., the thickness T2) of the foamed heat insulating material facing the vacuum heat insulating material in the side surface portion of the heat insulating box.

In the heat-insulating box (for example, the heat-insulating box 50) according to the above aspect of the present invention, the injection port (for example, the injection port 58) may be disposed at an end portion of the rear surface in the lateral direction, or a recess (for example, the recess 48) extending vertically may be provided at a substantially central portion of the rear surface of the inner box (for example, the inner box 70) in the lateral direction.

In the heat insulating box (for example, the heat insulating box 50) according to the above aspect of the present invention, at least one hole (for example, the exhaust hole 49) may be provided in the recess (for example, the recess 48).

In the heat-insulating box (e.g., the heat-insulating box 50) according to the above-described aspect of the present invention, a duct forming member (e.g., the duct member 42) disposed so as to cover the recess (e.g., the recess 48) may be provided on a wall of the inner side of the rear surface of the inner box (e.g., the inner box 70).

In the heat insulating box (for example, the heat insulating box 50) according to the above aspect of the present invention, a heat insulating structure (for example, foamed styrene 69) may be provided in a substantially central portion in the left-right direction and the up-down direction on the inner box (for example, the inner box 70) side in the rear surface portion (for example, the rear surface portion 50 c) of the heat insulating box.

Further, another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator (e.g., refrigerator 1). The refrigerator includes an insulated box (e.g., insulated box 50) according to an aspect of the present invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims, and is not indicated by the foregoing description but includes all changes in meaning and range equivalent to the claims. The configuration obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in the present specification is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1: refrigerator with a refrigerator body

41: cold air pipeline

42: pipe part (pipe forming part)

42A: screw fixing part

48: concave part

49: exhaust holes (hole)

50: heat insulation box

50b: side surface (of heat-insulating box)

50c: back surface (of heat insulation box)

51: vacuum heat insulation material

52: foaming heat insulation material

54: a first partition part

55: a second partition part

58: injection port

60: outer box

69: foaming styrene (Heat insulation structure)

70: inner box

70b: side parts (of inner case)

70c: back (of inner case)

T1: thickness of vacuum heat insulating material on side surface of heat insulating box

T2: thickness of foamed heat insulating material of side surface of heat insulating box

T7: thickness of vacuum heat insulating material on back surface of heat insulating box

T8: thickness of foamed heat insulating material on back surface of heat insulating box

Claims (6)

1. An insulated box having an inner box and an outer box, comprising:

a vacuum heat insulating material disposed in the heat insulating box;

a foamed heat insulating material filled in the heat insulating box; and

at least one injection port disposed on the back surface of the heat insulation box for injecting the foaming heat insulation material,

in the side surface portion of the heat insulating box, the area where the thickness of the foam heat insulating material facing the vacuum heat insulating material is smaller than the thickness of the vacuum heat insulating material is larger than the area where the thickness of the vacuum heat insulating material is larger,

the thickness of the foamed heat insulating material in the region opposed to the vacuum heat insulating material in the back surface portion of the heat insulating box is larger than the thickness of the foamed heat insulating material in the region opposed to the vacuum heat insulating material in the side surface portion of the heat insulating box.

2. An insulated cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

the injection port is arranged at the end of the back surface in the left-right direction,

the back surface of the inner box is provided with a concave part extending vertically at the center part in the left-right direction.

3. An insulated box according to claim 2,

at least one hole is provided in the recess.

4. An insulated box according to claim 2 or 3,

a pipe forming member is provided on a wall of the inner side of the rear surface of the inner case so as to cover the recess.

5. An insulated box according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

a heat insulating structure is provided in the center portion in the lateral direction and the vertical direction on the inner box side in the back surface portion of the heat insulating box.

6. A refrigerator is characterized in that,

a heat insulation box according to any one of claims 1 to 5.