JP2003214763A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve safety of an illuminating device of a refrigerator in the case of using a combustible refrigerant. <P>SOLUTION: In this illuminating device 21, a in-storage lamp 29 and a socket 28 are integrated with each other, and a connecting part (a pin 26) to a lead wire 24 is an insert type using a connector 25. The occurrence of spark in lighting due to looseness of a connecting part of the in-storage lamp 29 and the lead wire is prevented to eliminate an ignition source. Accordingly, even if a combustible refrigerant leaks in the storage in the refrigerator using the combustible refrigerant in refrigerating cycle, unsafe condition can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator lighting device using a flammable refrigerant.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-147748 discloses a conventional lighting device for a refrigerator.

The conventional refrigerator will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 designates the inside of a refrigerator, which is partitioned by a heat insulating wall 2. Reference numeral 3 is an interior light, and the base 3a of the interior light 3 is attached to the terminal portions 6 and 7 of the mounting hole 5 of the socket body 4.
It is fixed by screwing. 8 and 9 are connectors 10
The connector 10 is connected to the lead wire 11 at a terminal portion to be coupled with.

With the above-described structure, when the parts are attached during manufacturing or the parts are replaced after the refrigerator is installed, the base 3a of the interior lamp 3 is rotated and attached to the socket body 4.

[0006]

By the way, a nonflammable refrigerant such as R134a is used as a refrigerant for a refrigerator from the viewpoint of safety, but in recent years, from the viewpoint of preventing global warming, the global warming potential ( Hydrocarbon-based refrigerants having a low GWP) are attracting attention.

When a flammable refrigerant is used in the refrigeration cycle,
In the above-described conventional configuration, since the interior lamp 3 and the socket body 4 are screwed and fixed, the screwing portion is loosened during use,
If the contacts between the terminals 6 and 7 and the base 3a of the interior light 3 become incomplete, sparks occur when the interior light 3 is turned on, and if flammable refrigerant leaks into the interior, there is a risk of becoming unsafe. Occurs.

The present invention solves the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator using a flammable refrigerant to improve the safety.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a refrigerator using a flammable refrigerant in a refrigerating cycle, an internal lamp lamp and a socket are integrated and a connecting portion with a lead wire is provided. It uses a pin insertion type lighting device, and it is possible to prevent sparks from being generated at the time of lighting due to the looseness of the connection between the interior lamp and the lead wire, and in the unlikely event that flammable refrigerant leaks into the interior. Even if it does, it can be prevented from becoming unsafe.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, lighting control of the lighting device is performed by a door switch of a contactless relay, and a spark from the switch during lighting control of the lighting device is used. The source of can be eliminated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, a cover portion, which is substantially the same as the height of the pin, is provided on the peripheral edge portion on the pin insertion side of the socket so as to cover the pin connection portion. By covering the pin connection portion with the cover portion, it is possible to prevent water from splashing on the contacts.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect, the lighting device is installed in the refrigerator with the pin connection portion facing downward, and the water droplets attached to the lead wires are pin-connected. It can be prevented from flowing into the part.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a drainer having a U-shaped lead wire is provided below the pin connecting portion. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the water droplets attached to the lead wires from flowing into the pin connection portion.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the lighting device is provided on a duct cover attached to the back surface of the inner box. Sometimes, it is sufficient to assemble the duct cover with the lighting device attached to the back of the inner box in advance, which improves the mounting reliability and the assembling workability.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the sixth aspect, the lighting device is provided in a space portion independent of the air passage of the duct cover, and the lighting device is provided at a substantially central portion in the left, right, up, and down inside the storage. And a lighting cover is provided on the front surface, and even if the flammable refrigerant leaks from the evaporator, the lighting device is provided in a space part independent of the air passage and the lighting cover is provided on the front surface. Therefore, the possibility of directly contacting the refrigerant can be reduced. In addition, since the lighting device is arranged in the central portion on the left, right, up and down in the storage, it is possible to illuminate the entire storage efficiently and evenly.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which a plurality of lighting devices are arranged in the same compartment, and thus the entire interior of the refrigerator is improved. It is possible to illuminate evenly and efficiently, and it is possible to avoid problems in actual use even if a problem occurs in one lighting device.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the duct cover of the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator according to the same embodiment. Figure 3
[Fig. 3] is an enlarged view of a main part of the duct cover of the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator of the same embodiment as seen from the back side. 4 is a perspective view of the refrigerator lighting device of the same embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator lighting device of the embodiment taken along line AA.

In the figure, reference numeral 12 is a refrigerator main body, which has a refrigerating compartment 13 in the upper portion, a vegetable compartment 14 in the central portion, and a freezing compartment 15 in the lower portion. Reference numeral 16 denotes a duct cover attached to the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber 13, which constitutes a discharge air passage 17 and a suction air passage 18, and is provided with a discharge port 19 and a suction port 20, respectively.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a lighting device, which is fixed to the lighting device mounting member 22 with a locking claw or the like. Then, the lighting device mounting member 22 is
It is fixed to the duct cover 16 with a screw 32 via a fixing portion 31 formed integrally with the lighting device mounting member 22.
Then, the lighting device 21 includes the discharge air passage 1 of the duct cover 16.
7 or a suction air passage 18 is provided in a space that is independent of the suction air passage 18 and is disposed in the center of the refrigerating chamber 13 in the upper, lower, left, and right directions, and a translucent illumination cover 23 is provided on the front surface of the illumination device 21.

The lighting device 21 includes a lead wire 24 and a connector 2.
5 is used to connect to the pin 26 of the connection terminal by inserting the pin connection portion downward. Further, the lead wire 24 is provided below the connector 25 (pin connection portion) with a drainer portion 27 in which the lead wire 24 is formed in a U shape. Further, in order to position the lead wire 24 for forming the draining portion 27, a part of the lead wire 24 is fixed to the duct cover 16 by the fixing portion 31. The main body of the lighting device 21 is assembled by fitting the socket 28 and the interior lamp lamp 29 with the locking claws or the like, and covers the pin connection portion toward the pin insertion side of the socket 28. A cover portion 30 having a height substantially equal to the height of the pin 26 is provided on the peripheral portion.

Further, the front of the refrigerating compartment 13 has a rotary refrigerating compartment door 13a, and a door switch 31 for detecting the opening / closing operation of the refrigerating compartment door 13a to control the lighting device 21 to be turned on and off.
Is a non-contact relay such as a Hall IC, and is embedded in the partition between the refrigerator compartment 13 and the vegetable compartment 14. Further, a magnet 32 is incorporated in the lower portion of the refrigerating compartment door 13a so as to face the door switch 31.

In the refrigeration cycle for cooling the refrigerator 12, flammable refrigerant such as isobutane is sealed as a refrigerant.

In the refrigerator constructed as described above, the refrigerating compartment 13, the vegetable compartment 14, and the freezing compartment 15 are cooled to a predetermined temperature by the operation of a refrigerating cycle consisting of a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator (not shown). To be done. In the refrigerating compartment, the cold air generated by the evaporator is discharged from the inside cooling fan (not shown) through the discharge air passage 17 to the inside of the refrigerator through the discharge port 19 to cool food and the like. Then, the heat-exchanged and warmed air returns from the suction port 20 to the evaporator through the suction air passage 18.

When the user opens the refrigerating compartment door 13a to take out the food, the power is supplied to the lighting device 21 through the lead wire 24 by the operation of the door switch 31, and the lighting device 21 is turned on.

Here, the illuminating device 21 is the interior lamp lamp 29.
And the socket 28 are integrated, and the connector (pin 26) for connecting to the lead wire 24 is a plug-in type using the connector 25. Therefore, there is a spark at the time of lighting due to the looseness of the connecting portion between the inside lamp 29 and the lead wire. It is possible to prevent generation and eliminate the ignition source, and in a refrigerator using a flammable refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle, even if the flammable refrigerant leaks into the refrigerator, it can be prevented from becoming unsafe. .

Further, the lighting control of the lighting device 21 is performed by the door switch 31 of the contactless relay.
Since it is possible to eliminate the spark generation source from the switch during lighting control of No. 1, in a refrigerator using a flammable refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle, further increase the safety in case the flammable refrigerant leaks into the refrigerator. You can

Further, a cover portion 30 having a height substantially equal to the height of the pin 26 is provided on the peripheral portion of the socket 28 of the illuminating device 21 so as to cover the pin connecting portion, so that the pin connecting portion is covered. By covering with the portion 30, it is possible to prevent the contact from being splashed with water and prevent the tracking phenomenon.
Therefore, the safety of the body of the refrigerator 12 can be improved.

Further, the lighting device 21 is installed in the cabinet with the pin connection portion (connector 25) side facing downward, and the lead wire 24 is formed in a U shape below the pin connection portion (connector 25). Since the drainer 27 is provided, it is possible to prevent water droplets attached to the lead wire from flowing into the pin connection portion,
It is possible to prevent water from entering the contact points and prevent the tracking phenomenon, and further enhance the safety of the refrigerator 12 main body.

Further, the lighting device 21 is provided on the duct cover 16 attached to the back of the inner box, and the refrigerator 12
At the time of manufacturing and assembling, the duct cover 16 to which the illuminating device 21 is attached in advance may be incorporated into the back surface of the inner box, which improves the attachment reliability and the workability of incorporation.

Further, the lighting device 21 includes the duct cover 16
The lighting device 21 is provided in a space portion independent of the air passage, and the lighting device 21 is arranged in the substantially central portion in the left, right, top, and bottom of the refrigerator, and the lighting cover 2 is provided on the front surface.
3 is provided, and even if the flammable refrigerant leaks from the evaporator, the lighting device 21 is provided in the space portion independent of the air passage for cooling the inside of the refrigerator, and the lighting cover 23 is provided on the front surface. Therefore, even if the flammable refrigerant leaks from the evaporator, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the lighting device 21 directly contacts the refrigerant. Further, since the lighting device is arranged in the substantially central part on the left, right, top and bottom in the storage, it is possible to illuminate the inside of the storage uniformly and efficiently, and to improve the usability for the user.

In the present embodiment, the illuminating device 21 is described as being installed independently in the substantially central portion of the refrigerating compartment 13, but a plurality of illuminating devices may be provided in the same compartment. In this case, it is possible to illuminate the entire interior more efficiently and brightly, and it is possible to avoid a problem in actual use even if a problem occurs in one lighting device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lighting device mounting member 22 is formed and fixed separately from the duct cover 16, but the lighting device mounting member 22 may be formed integrally with the duct cover 16. .

In this embodiment, the lighting device 21 is fixed to the duct cover 16, but the lighting device 21 may be fixed to the back side of the inner box. In this case, the connector 25, which is the pin connecting portion of the lead wire 24, is
Since the connection can be made before the duct cover 16 is assembled, it is not necessary to connect the connector 25 after the duct cover 16 is assembled, and the number of steps for assembling can be reduced.

Further, although the present embodiment has been described with the specification that the lighting device 21 is installed in a space independent of the air passage of the duct cover 16, the lighting device 21 is provided in a part of the air passage of the duct cover 16. It may be provided. In this case, the lighting device 21 is cooled by the cool air from the evaporator, and even if the lighting device 21 is continuously turned on for some reason, the temperature rise due to the heat generation of the lighting device 21 can be prevented and the safety is improved.

[0035]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, in a refrigerator using a flammable refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle, an internal lamp lamp and a socket are integrated, and a connecting portion with a lead wire is pin-connected. It uses a built-in lighting device and can prevent the occurrence of sparks during lighting due to the looseness of the connection between the interior lamp and the lead wire, and in the unlikely event that flammable refrigerant leaks into the interior. However, it is possible to prevent becoming unsafe.

The invention described in claim 2 is the same as claim 1
In the invention described in (1), the lighting control of the lighting device is performed by the door switch of the non-contact relay, and the spark generation source from the switch at the lighting control of the lighting device can be eliminated.

The invention described in claim 3 is the same as claim 1
In the invention described in (1), the socket is provided with a cover portion at the peripheral portion so as to cover the pin connection portion at substantially the same height as the pin, and by covering the pin connection portion with the cover portion, , It is possible to prevent water from contacting the contacts.

The invention described in claim 4 is the same as claim 3
In the invention described in (1), the illuminating device is installed in the cabinet with the pin connecting portion facing downward, and it is possible to prevent water droplets attached to the lead wire from flowing into the pin connecting portion.

The invention described in claim 5 is the same as claim 1.
In the invention according to any one of claims 4 to 4, a drainer in which the lead wire is formed in a U shape is provided below the pin connection portion, and more reliably the water droplets attached to the lead wire are It can be prevented from flowing into the pin connection portion.

The invention described in claim 6 is the same as claim 1.
In the invention according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the lighting device is provided on a duct cover attached to the back of the inner box, and the duct cover to which the lighting device is previously attached is attached to the back of the inner box during manufacturing and assembly. It suffices if it is assembled, and the mounting reliability and assembling workability improve.

The invention according to claim 7 is the same as claim 6
In the invention described in, the lighting device is provided in a space portion independent of the air path of the duct cover, the lighting device is arranged in substantially the center of the left, right, top, and bottom in the refrigerator, and the lighting cover is provided on the front surface. Even if the flammable refrigerant leaks from the evaporator, since the lighting device is provided in the space independent of the air passage and the lighting cover is provided on the front surface, the possibility of directly contacting the refrigerant can be reduced. In addition, since the lighting device is arranged in the central portion on the left, right, up and down in the storage, it is possible to illuminate the entire storage efficiently and evenly.

The invention described in claim 8 is the same as claim 1.
In the invention according to any one of claims 7 to 10, a plurality of lighting devices are arranged in the same compartment, so that the entire interior can be illuminated more evenly and efficiently and brightly. Even if a problem occurs in the lighting device, a problem in actual use can be avoided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a duct cover of a refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an essential part of the duct cover of the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator according to the embodiment, viewed from the back side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lighting device of the refrigerator according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the lighting device for the refrigerator according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional refrigerator lighting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 refrigerator 16 duct cover 17 Discharge air passage 18 suction air passage 21 Lighting equipment 23 Lighting cover 24 lead wire 25 connector 26 pin 27 Drainer 28 socket 29 Internal light lamp 30 cover 31 door switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H01R 33/18 H01R 33/18 // F21Y 101: 00 F21Y 101: 00 (72) Inventor Kiyonori Yamamoto Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. 4-2-5 Takaidahondori, Higashi-Osaka City (72) Inventor Akira Hyodo Inventor, Ryozo Tamura Ryozo Tamura 4-4-2-5, Takaidahondori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Refrigerator Co., Ltd. 4-2-5 Takaidahondori, Higashi-Osaka, Higashi-Osaka, Japan (72) Inventor Makoto Fujihashi 4-2-5 Takada-Hondori, Higashi-Osaka, Higashi-Osaka, Osaka (F) 3K013 AA03 BA01 DA01 DA09 EA03 3L045 AA05 BA01 CA02 DA02 EA01 PA04 5E024 BC04

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator using a flammable refrigerant in a refrigerating cycle, wherein an interior lighting lamp and a socket are integrated, and a lighting device of which a connecting portion with a lead wire is a pin insertion type is used. refrigerator. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein lighting control of the lighting device is performed by a door switch of a contactless relay. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a cover portion having substantially the same height as the pin is provided at a peripheral edge portion of the socket on the pin insertion side so as to cover the pin connection portion. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the lighting device is installed in the refrigerator with the pin connection portion facing downward. 5. A drainer having a U-shaped lead wire is provided below the pin connecting portion.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lighting device is provided on a duct cover attached to the back surface of the inner box. 7. A lighting device is provided in a space portion independent of an air passage of a duct cover, the lighting device is arranged in substantially central portions of left, right, top, and bottom in a refrigerator, and a lighting cover is provided on a front surface. The refrigerator according to claim 6. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of lighting devices are arranged in the same compartment.