【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は複数の冷却器を有する冷蔵庫の除霜水排水装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、冷凍冷蔵庫の除霜水排水装置については特開平８−１８９７５４号公報に示されているものがある。以下、図面を参照しながら上記従来の冷蔵庫の除霜水排水装置を説明する。
【０００３】
図９は従来の冷蔵庫の断面図である。図において、１は冷蔵庫で、冷凍室２内には冷却器３を備えて食品・氷等の冷却保存を行っている。冷却器３の下方には除霜ヒーター４が設置してあり、冷却器３に付着発生した霜を定期的に溶解排除している。最底面には集水皿５を配置して、排水口５ａにはドレンホース６が断熱ウレタン壁７内を冷蔵庫１の機械室８に設置した蒸発皿９にまで貫通している。
【０００４】
以上のように構成された冷蔵庫について、以下その動作を説明する。
【０００５】
冷却器３に付着した霜は除霜ヒーター４から発する熱により溶解し、集水皿５に落下した除霜水は排水口５ａからドレンホース６を介して蒸発皿９に貯水する。加熱した蒸発皿９によって除霜水を蒸発させて大気中に放出する。この動作を定期的且つ自動的に行うことで冷却器３は異常着霜を防止し冷却性能の劣化もない効率的な冷却を継続することができる。
【０００６】
一方、近年は、冷蔵庫の構造が各貯蔵室を個別の冷却器で冷却する独立冷却とすることが増加しており、個々の冷却器に付着発生する除霜水を庫外に自動排出するため冷却器下部にそれぞれドレンホースを設け、断熱壁内を経由して蒸発皿に排水される。
【０００７】
また、地球環境保護の観点からも冷蔵庫の省エネルギー化が要請され、特に省エネルギー効果の大きい施策として、発泡ウレタン製の断熱材中に断熱性能に優れる真空断熱材のボードを配設し、断熱箱体としての断熱性能を高めて圧縮機等の電力消費機器の稼動率を低減する方法が知られている。
【０００８】
【特許文献１】
特開平８−１８９７５４号公報
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記従来の構成では各貯蔵室を個別の冷却器で冷却する独立冷却とする場合は、冷却器の数が増えるに従ってドレンホースの数も増加してしまい、ドレンホースを本体背面の外箱と内箱間の断熱材中に配置するため、特に前述のような真空断熱材を配設する場合には、外箱と内箱の間に注入する発泡ウレタンの流れ性，充填性が悪くなり、ウレタン部分のフォームが荒れて断熱性が低下するために真空断熱材を採用した効果が十分に発揮できない、という欠点があった。
【００１０】
本発明は上記従来の課題を解決するもので、複数の冷却器より除霜水を排水する必要があるものにおいて、ドレンホースの配設による発泡ウレタンの流れ性，充填性が劣化することによる断熱性能の低下を抑制することを目的とする。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、本体上部から順に配置された冷蔵室，野菜室，冷凍室と、前記冷蔵室内を冷却する冷蔵室用冷却器と、前記野菜室内を冷却する野菜室用冷却器と、前記冷凍室内を冷却する冷凍室用冷却器と、本体背面の断熱壁中に配置された真空断熱材と、前記冷蔵室用冷却器の除霜水を排水するための冷蔵室用ドレンホースと、前記野菜室用冷却器の除霜水を排水するための野菜室用ドレンホースとからなり、前記冷蔵室用ドレンホースからの排水と前記野菜室用冷却器の除霜水を合わせて前記野菜室用ドレンホースにより本体下部に備えた蒸発皿に排水するものであり、冷蔵室用冷却器の除霜水と野菜室用冷却器の除霜水をそれぞれ独立したドレンホ−スで蒸発皿に排水する場合に比べ、本体背面の真空断熱材に対向して配設されるドレンホ−スの長さを短くでき、その分、外箱と内箱の間に充填する発泡ウレタンの流れ性，充填性の低下による断熱性能の低下を抑制することができる。
【００１２】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の発明において、野菜室用冷却器の除霜水を受けて野菜室用ドレンホースに連通する水受皿を設け、冷蔵室用ドレンホースを本体背面の断熱壁内を経由して前記水受皿に導くものであり、冷蔵用ドレンホースが野菜室にまでしか至らず、下部の蒸発皿にまで延出されないので野菜室より下部の本体背面断熱材中には野菜室用ドレンホースしか存在しないことになり、この部分の真空断熱材に対向する発泡ウレタンの流れ性や充填性を改善することができる。
【００１３】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の発明において、野菜室用冷却器の除霜水を受けて野菜室用ドレンホースに連通する水受皿を設け、冷蔵室用ドレンホースを断熱壁内を経由せず直接冷蔵室から前記水受皿に導くものであり、冷蔵室用ドレンホースが背面断熱材中に存在せず、この部分の真空断熱材に対向する発泡ウレタンの流れ性や充填性を阻害する要因を排除でき、かつ野菜室より下部の本体背面断熱材中には野菜室用ドレンホースしか存在しないことになり、この部分の真空断熱材に対向する発泡ウレタンの流れ性や充填性を改善することができる。
【００１４】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項２または請求項３に記載の発明において、冷蔵室用ドレンホースの出口部に逆流防止部材を設けるものであり、冷蔵用ドレンホースを介して冷蔵室用冷却器からの除湿された冷気が野菜室内に流入、あるいは野菜室内の高湿冷気が冷蔵室用冷却器側に流出することがなくなり、野菜室の高湿度を維持することができる。
【００１５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下本発明による除霜水排水装置の冷蔵庫の実施の形態について、図面を参照しながら説明する。
【００１６】
（実施の形態１）
図１は、本発明の実施の形態１による冷蔵庫の中央側面断面図である。
【００１７】
図１において、１０は冷蔵庫で、外箱１１と内箱１２の間に断熱ウレタン１３を発泡し断熱箱体を形成している。断熱仕切壁１４は断熱箱体を上下に仕切り、上部を冷蔵温度帯、下部を冷凍温度帯の貯蔵室としている。冷蔵温度帯の上部には冷蔵室１５、その下方には野菜室１６、冷凍温度帯には冷凍室１７を形成している。
【００１８】
冷蔵室１５の背面には冷蔵室用冷却器１８、冷蔵室用冷却器１８の上方には冷蔵室用ファン１９を配し、冷蔵室用冷却器１８の下方には冷蔵室用水受皿２０を有している。冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１の両端は、冷蔵室用水受皿２０の排水部と一端を合わせ他端を野菜室１６内に配置し、両端開口部近傍以外は断熱ウレタン１３壁内に埋設されている。２２は仕切板で冷蔵室１５と野菜室１６を仕切っている。仕切板２２の後方および前方には通風口２３を有し、仕切板２２の下方で野菜室１６の上部には野菜室用冷却器２４を有している。野菜室用冷却器２４は熱伝導性の良いアルミ製の板状で、野菜室１６の奥側に向かうほど下方に傾斜させて取付けられている。そして、野菜室用冷却器２４は野菜室１６の上方を略密閉状態に配置されている。
【００１９】
野菜室用冷却器２４の下方には野菜室用水受皿２５を設け、野菜室用水受皿２５の上方には冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１の開口部が位置している。そして、野菜室用水受皿２５の排水部の下方には野菜室用ドレンホース２６の一端が位置し、他端を機械室２７に設けた蒸発皿２８の上方に位置している。そして、野菜室用ドレンホース２６の両端開口部近傍以外は断熱ウレタン１３壁内に埋設されている。
【００２０】
冷凍室用冷却器２９および冷凍室用ファン３０は冷凍室１７の奥面に配置し、冷凍室用冷却器２９の下方には冷凍室用水受皿３１を設け、冷凍室用水受皿３１の排水部は蒸発皿２８の上方に位置している。
【００２１】
３２は真空断熱材で、外箱１１の内側にあらかじめ貼り付けられ、冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１、野菜室用ドレンホース２６をスペーサ（図示せず）を介して内箱１２に固定したものと組合せ、その後、内部に断熱ウレタン１３を充填、発泡させる。
【００２２】
以上のように構成された冷蔵庫において、次に動作について説明する。
【００２３】
冷蔵室１５は、冷蔵室用冷却器１８により冷却された冷気を冷蔵室用ファン１９の送風作用により庫内に送風、循環し、２〜３℃の温度に冷却される。そして冷蔵室用ファン１９からの冷気の一部は仕切板２２の後方の通風口２３から吐出され野菜室用冷却器２４を冷却した後、仕切板２２の前方の通風口２３から冷蔵室１５に戻り、さらに冷蔵室用冷却器１８まで戻る。つまり野菜室１６は、野菜室用冷却器２４により間接的に５℃前後に冷却されることで、野菜室１６内を高湿度に保ち、保存する野菜等を新鮮に保つことができる。冷凍室１７は、冷凍室用冷却器２９および冷凍室用ファン３０により−２０℃前後に冷却される。
【００２４】
上記冷却作用を繰り返すことにより、冷蔵室用冷却器１８には霜が積層し、定期的に除霜が行なわれる。冷蔵室用冷却器１８の除霜水は冷蔵室用水受皿２０の排水部から冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１を通り野菜室１６に設けた野菜室用水受皿２５に排水され、その後、野菜室用ドレンホース２６を通り機械室２７に設けた蒸発皿２８に排水される。
【００２５】
また、野菜室１６の上部に設けた野菜室用冷却器２４の下面は野菜からの水分等で結露が生じ、溜まった結露水は野菜室用冷却器２４の傾斜に沿って野菜室用水受皿２５に滴下し、野菜室用ドレンホース２６を通り蒸発皿２８に排水される。
【００２６】
また、冷凍室用冷却器２９も同様に定期的に除霜され、除霜水は冷凍室用水受皿３１を通り蒸発皿２８に排水される。
【００２７】
ここで、冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１の排水部は野菜室１６に配置しているので、直接蒸発皿２８まで断熱ウレタン１３壁内を経由して配置する場合に比べ外箱１１と内箱１２の間に配置するドレンホ−スの長さを短くでき、野菜室１６より下部においては冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１は存在せず、野菜室用ドレンホース２６のみが存在することになるため、野菜室１６より下部において、本体背面の真空断熱材３２と対向する部分の外箱１１と内箱１２の間に充填する発泡ウレタン１３の流れ性，充填性が向上し、実質的な断熱性能の低下が抑制できるので、結果として真空断熱材３２をドレンホースの配設箇所に配置する場合の消費電力量への影響を低減することができる。
【００２８】
また、蒸発皿２８に臨むドレンホースの本数が減るので機械室２７からの暖気の吸入による庫内への熱影響が低減し、消費電力量を低減することができる。さらに冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１を短縮化できコスト低減も図れる。
【００２９】
また、冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１を断熱ウレタン１３壁内を経由して配置しているので、冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１が冷蔵室用冷却器１８の風路を阻害することがなく冷却性能の低下を防止できる。また、冷蔵室用冷却器１８の冷却作用による冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１内の凍結も起こりにくくなるという効果もある。
【００３０】
また、野菜室１６内に野菜室用冷却器２４の除霜水を受ける野菜室用水受皿２５を設け、前記野菜室用水受皿２５と野菜室用ドレンホース２６を経由して蒸発皿２８に排水するものであり、野菜室用水受皿２５を設けることにより野菜室用冷却器２４の除霜水の排水が確実とな、排水の信頼性が向上する。
【００３１】
また、冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１からの排水を野菜室１６内に設けた野菜室用水受皿２５に送り、前記野菜室用水受皿２５と野菜室用ドレンホース２６を経由して蒸発皿２８に排水するものであり、冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１は野菜室用水受皿２５の上部に配置すればよく、冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１の配設構造の簡素化、短縮化が図れ、低コスト化が図れる。
【００３２】
また、外箱１１と内箱１２と両箱間に真空断熱材３２と断熱ウレタン１３とを有する断熱箱体からなるものであり、複数の冷却器を用いた冷蔵庫１０に必要な複数のドレンホース（冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１や野菜室用ドレンホース２６）による断熱ウレタン１３の流動性、充填性の低下を抑えることができ、断熱箱体の断熱性を向上するために真空断熱材３２を用いることが可能となる。これにより真空断熱材３２と断熱ウレタン１３を複層させた断熱箱体の断熱性を向上することができ、消費電力量の低減が図れる。
【００３３】
なお、冷蔵室用冷却器１８および冷蔵室用ファン１９の配置は、冷蔵室１５の背面上部に配置することが望ましい。これにより冷蔵室用ドレンホース２１の本体部が断熱ウレタン内に配置していることと合わせて、冷蔵室１５の背面下部のスペースを大きくすることができ、冷蔵室１５の下部の収納性向上が図れる。
【００３４】
（実施の形態２）
図２は、本発明の実施の形態２による冷蔵庫の中央断面図である。
【００３５】
なお、実施の形態１と同一構成については同一符号を付して、詳細な説明は省略する。
【００３６】
図２において、３３は冷蔵室用ドレンホースで、一端を冷蔵室用水受皿２０の排水部と合わせ他端を野菜室１６内に配置し、ドレンホース３３本体は仕切板２２を貫通して配置している。また、ドレンホース３３の出口部には逆流防止部材としての逆止弁キャップ３４を設けている。
【００３７】
上記構成により、冷蔵室用冷却器１８の除霜水は冷蔵室用水受皿２０の排水部から冷蔵室用ドレンホース３３を通り野菜室１６に設けた野菜室用水受皿２５に排水され、その後、野菜室用ドレンホース２６を通り機械室２７に設けた蒸発皿２８に排水される。
【００３８】
したがって、冷蔵室用ドレンホース３３を断熱ウレタン１３壁内を経由せず直接冷蔵室１５から野菜室１６に配置したものであり、冷蔵室用ドレンホース３３が配設される部分の本体背面には断熱材中にドレンホースが存在せず真空断熱材３２に対向する部分の発泡ウレタンの流れ性や充填性を阻害せず断熱性能の低下となる要因が排除される。
【００３９】
かつ、野菜室より下部については野菜室用ドレンホース２６のみしか存在せず、野菜室１６より下部において、本体背面の真空断熱材３２と対向する部分の外箱１１と内箱１２の間に充填する発泡ウレタン１３の流れ性，充填性が向上し、実質的な断熱性能の低下が抑制できるので、結果として真空断熱材３２をドレンホースの配設箇所に配置する場合の消費電力量への影響を併せて低減することができる。
【００４０】
また、冷蔵室用ドレンホース３３の配設構造を簡素化でき、また、配設長さを最短化できるので工数、コスト削減を図ることができる。
【００４１】
また、ドレンホース３３の出口部に設けた逆止弁キャップ３４により、冷蔵室用冷却器１８の除霜時以外に、冷蔵室用ドレンホース３３を介して冷蔵室用冷却器１８からの除湿された冷気が野菜室１６内に流入、あるいは野菜室１６内の高湿冷気が冷蔵室用冷却器１８側に流出することがなくなり、冷蔵室用冷却器１８の着霜量を減らすことができ省エネが図れるとともに野菜室１６の高湿度を維持して、野菜等の保鮮性を高めることができる。
【００４２】
なお、野菜室用ドレンホース２６の出口部にも逆流防止部材としての逆止弁キャップ３４を設けても良い。この場合、機械室２７の暖気の野菜室１６への流入を防止でき、野菜室１６の温度、湿度変動が低減でき、保存食品の保鮮性が向上するとともに、暖気流入防止によりさらに省エネが図れる。
【００４３】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、本体上部から順に配置された冷蔵室，野菜室，冷凍室と、前記冷蔵室内を冷却する冷蔵室用冷却器と、前記野菜室内を冷却する野菜室用冷却器と、前記冷凍室内を冷却する冷凍室用冷却器と、本体背面の断熱壁中に配置された真空断熱材と、前記冷蔵室用冷却器の除霜水を排水するための冷蔵室用ドレンホースと、前記野菜室用冷却器の除霜水を排水するための野菜室用ドレンホースとからなり、前記冷蔵室用ドレンホースからの排水と前記野菜室用冷却器の除霜水を合わせて前記野菜室用ドレンホースにより本体下部に備えた蒸発皿に排水するので、本体背面の真空断熱材に対向して配設されるドレンホ−スの長さを短くでき、その分、外箱と内箱の間に充填する発泡ウレタンの流れ性，充填性の低下による断熱性能の低下を抑制することができる。
【００４４】
また、請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の発明において、野菜室用冷却器の除霜水を受けて野菜室用ドレンホースに連通する水受皿を設け、冷蔵室用ドレンホースを本体背面の断熱壁内を経由して前記水受皿に導くので、野菜室より下部の本体背面断熱材中の真空断熱材に対向する発泡ウレタンの流れ性や充填性を改善し、電力消費への影響を抑制することができる。
【００４５】
また、請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載の発明において、野菜室用冷却器の除霜水を受けて野菜室用ドレンホースに連通する水受皿を設け、冷蔵室用ドレンホースを断熱壁内を経由せず直接冷蔵室から前記水受皿に導くので、冷蔵室から野菜室にかけての背面断熱材中の真空断熱材に対向する発泡ウレタンの流れ性や充填性を阻害する要因を排除でき、かつ野菜室より下部の本体背面断熱材中の真空断熱材に対向する発泡ウレタンの流れ性や充填性を改善し、電力消費への影響を抑制することができる。
【００４６】
また、請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項２または請求項３に記載の発明において、冷蔵室用ドレンホースの出口部に逆流防止部材を設けるので、冷蔵用ドレンホースを介して冷蔵室用冷却器からの除湿された冷気が野菜室内に流入、あるいは野菜室内の高湿冷気が冷蔵室用冷却器側に流出することがなくなり、野菜室の高湿度を維持して収納物の保鮮性を高めることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明による冷蔵庫の実施の形態１の中央側面断面図
【図２】本発明による冷蔵庫の実施の形態２の中央側面断面図
【図３】従来の冷蔵庫の中央断面図
【符号の説明】
１０ 冷蔵庫
１３ 断熱ウレタン
１５ 冷蔵室
１６ 野菜室
１７ 冷凍室
１８ 冷蔵室用冷却器
２１、３３ 冷蔵室用ドレンホース
２４ 野菜室用冷却器
２５ 野菜室用水受皿
２６ 野菜室用ドレンホース
２８ 蒸発皿
２９ 冷凍室用冷却器
３２ 真空断熱材
３４ 逆止弁キャップ（逆流防止部材）[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a defrost water drainage device for a refrigerator having a plurality of coolers.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a defrosting water drainage device for a refrigerator has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-189754. Hereinafter, the above-described conventional defrost water drainage device for a refrigerator will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0003]
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a conventional refrigerator. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator, which is provided with a cooler 3 in a freezer compartment 2 for cooling and preserving foods and ice. A defrost heater 4 is provided below the cooler 3 to periodically melt and remove frost attached to the cooler 3. A water collecting tray 5 is disposed on the bottom surface, and a drain hose 6 penetrates through a heat insulating urethane wall 7 to an evaporating tray 9 installed in a machine room 8 of the refrigerator 1 at a drain port 5a.
[0004]
The operation of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described below.
[0005]
The frost adhering to the cooler 3 is melted by the heat generated from the defrost heater 4, and the defrost water dropped on the water collecting tray 5 is stored in the evaporating tray 9 through the drain port 6 through the drain hose 6. The defrost water is evaporated by the heated evaporating dish 9 and released into the atmosphere. By performing this operation periodically and automatically, the cooler 3 can prevent abnormal frost formation and continue efficient cooling without deterioration of cooling performance.
[0006]
On the other hand, in recent years, the refrigerator structure has been increasing to use independent cooling in which each storage room is cooled by an individual cooler, and in order to automatically discharge the defrost water generated in the individual cooler to the outside of the refrigerator. Drain hoses are provided at the lower part of the cooler, respectively, and drained to the evaporating dish via the heat insulating wall.
[0007]
Energy conservation of refrigerators is also demanded from the viewpoint of global environmental protection. In particular, as a measure with great energy saving effect, a vacuum insulation board with excellent insulation performance is installed in urethane foam insulation, and the insulation box There is known a method of increasing the heat insulation performance as described above and reducing the operation rate of power consuming equipment such as a compressor.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-189754
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, when each storage room is to be independently cooled to be cooled by an individual cooler, the number of drain hoses increases as the number of coolers increases, and the drain hoses are placed in an outer box on the back of the main body. In particular, when the vacuum heat insulating material as described above is provided, the flowability and filling property of the urethane foam injected between the outer case and the inner case are deteriorated because the heat insulating material is arranged between the outer case and the inner case. However, there is a disadvantage that the effect of employing the vacuum heat insulating material cannot be sufficiently exhibited because the foam of the urethane portion is roughened and the heat insulating property is reduced.
[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and in the case where defrost water needs to be drained from a plurality of coolers, heat insulation due to deterioration of flowability and filling property of urethane foam due to the provision of a drain hose. The purpose is to suppress a decrease in performance.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a refrigerator room, a vegetable room, a freezing room, a refrigerator cooler for cooling the refrigerator room, and a vegetable room for cooling the vegetable room, which are arranged in order from the top of the main body. Refrigerator, a refrigerator cooler for cooling the freezer compartment, a vacuum heat insulating material disposed in a heat insulating wall on a back surface of the main body, and a refrigerator compartment for draining defrost water of the refrigerator compartment cooler. A drain hose for draining the defrost water of the cooler for the vegetable compartment, and a drain hose for the drain of the cooler for the vegetable room. In addition, the drain hose for the vegetable compartment drains water to the evaporating dish provided in the lower part of the main body, and the defrost water of the cooler for the refrigerator compartment and the defrost water of the cooler for the vegetable compartment are supplied by independent drain hoses. Opposed to the vacuum insulation material on the back of the main unit compared to when draining into the evaporating dish Disposed Te Dorenho - can shorten the length of the scan, which makes it possible to suppress the flow of the urethane foam to be filled between the outer box and the inner box, a drop of heat insulating performance due to deterioration of the filling property.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a water receiving tray is provided which receives defrost water from the vegetable room cooler and communicates with the vegetable room drain hose, and the refrigerator room drain hose is provided as a main body. It is guided to the water pan via the inside of the heat insulating wall on the back, and the drain hose for refrigeration only reaches the vegetable room and does not extend to the lower evaporating dish, so the main body back heat insulating material below the vegetable room There is only the drain hose for the vegetable room inside, and the flowability and the filling property of the urethane foam facing the vacuum heat insulating material in this portion can be improved.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a water receiving tray is provided which receives defrost water from the vegetable room cooler and communicates with the vegetable room drain hose, and insulates the refrigerator room drain hose. This is a guide directly from the refrigerator compartment to the water pan without passing through the inside of the wall. The drain hose for the refrigerator compartment does not exist in the back insulation, and the flowability and filling of the urethane foam facing the vacuum insulation in this part The drainage hose for the vegetable compartment only exists in the back insulation of the main body below the vegetable compartment, and the flowability and filling of the urethane foam facing the vacuum insulation in this part can be eliminated. Performance can be improved.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the present invention, a backflow prevention member is provided at an outlet of the refrigerator compartment drain hose. The dehumidified cool air from the cooler does not flow into the vegetable room, or the high-humidity cool air in the vegetable room does not flow out to the refrigerator cooler side, so that the high humidity of the vegetable room can be maintained.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a refrigerator of a defrost water drainage device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a central side sectional view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0017]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a refrigerator, insulated urethane 13 being foamed between an outer box 11 and an inner box 12 to form an insulated box. The heat-insulating partition wall 14 partitions the heat-insulating box body into upper and lower portions, with an upper portion serving as a storage room in a refrigeration temperature zone and a lower portion serving as a storage room in a freezing temperature zone. A refrigerating compartment 15 is formed above the refrigerating temperature zone, a vegetable compartment 16 is formed below the refrigerating compartment, and a freezing compartment 17 is formed in the freezing temperature zone.
[0018]
A refrigerator 18 for the refrigerator compartment is provided on the back of the refrigerator compartment 15, a fan 19 for the refrigerator compartment is arranged above the refrigerator 18 for the refrigerator compartment, and a water tray 20 for the refrigerator compartment is provided below the refrigerator 18 for the refrigerator compartment. are doing. Both ends of the refrigerator-housing drain hose 21 are aligned with the drainage portion of the refrigerator-housing water tray 20, and the other end is disposed in the vegetable compartment 16. Except for the vicinity of the openings at both ends, the urethane is buried in the wall of the heat-insulating urethane 13. Numeral 22 denotes a partition plate for separating the refrigerator compartment 15 and the vegetable compartment 16 from each other. A ventilation port 23 is provided behind and in front of the partition plate 22, and a cooler 24 for the vegetable compartment is provided below the partition plate 22 and above the vegetable compartment 16. The vegetable room cooler 24 is a plate made of aluminum having good heat conductivity, and is attached so as to be inclined downward toward the far side of the vegetable room 16. And the vegetable room cooler 24 is arrange | positioned above the vegetable room 16 in a substantially airtight state.
[0019]
A water tray 25 for the vegetable compartment is provided below the cooler 24 for the vegetable compartment, and an opening of the drain hose 21 for the refrigerator compartment is located above the water tray 25 for the vegetable compartment. One end of a vegetable room drain hose 26 is located below the drainage section of the vegetable room water receiving tray 25, and the other end is located above an evaporating dish 28 provided in the machine room 27. Except for the vicinity of the openings at both ends of the drain hose 26 for the vegetable compartment, the drain hose 26 is buried in the heat insulating urethane 13 wall.
[0020]
The freezer compartment cooler 29 and the freezer compartment fan 30 are arranged at the back of the freezer compartment 17, and a freezer compartment water tray 31 is provided below the freezer compartment cooler 29. It is located above the evaporating dish 28.
[0021]
Reference numeral 32 denotes a vacuum heat insulating material, which is attached to the inside of the outer box 11 in advance, and is combined with a refrigerator hose 21 and a drain hose 26 fixed to the inner box 12 via a spacer (not shown). Then, the inside is filled with heat-insulating urethane 13 and foamed.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described.
[0023]
The refrigerating compartment 15 blows and circulates the cool air cooled by the refrigerating compartment cooler 18 into the refrigerator by the blowing action of the refrigerating compartment fan 19, and is cooled to a temperature of 2 to 3 ° C. Then, part of the cool air from the refrigerator compartment fan 19 is discharged from the ventilation port 23 behind the partition plate 22 to cool the vegetable compartment cooler 24, and then from the ventilation port 23 in front of the partition plate 22 to the refrigerator compartment 15. It returns, and returns to the refrigerator cooler 18 further. In other words, the vegetable compartment 16 is indirectly cooled to about 5 ° C. by the vegetable compartment cooler 24, so that the inside of the vegetable compartment 16 can be kept at a high humidity and the preserved vegetables and the like can be kept fresh. The freezing room 17 is cooled to about −20 ° C. by the freezing room cooler 29 and the freezing room fan 30.
[0024]
By repeating the above cooling action, frost is deposited on the refrigerator 18 for the refrigerator compartment, and defrosting is performed periodically. The defrost water of the refrigerator cooler 18 is drained from the drainage portion of the refrigerator compartment water tray 20 through the refrigerator compartment drain hose 21 to the vegetable compartment water tray 25 provided in the vegetable compartment 16, and thereafter, the vegetable compartment drain hose The water is drained to an evaporating dish 28 provided in a machine room 27 through the air chamber 26.
[0025]
On the lower surface of the vegetable compartment cooler 24 provided at the upper part of the vegetable compartment 16, dew condensation occurs due to moisture from the vegetables and the like, and the accumulated dew water is formed along the inclination of the vegetable compartment cooler 24. And is drained to the evaporating dish 28 through the drain hose 26 for the vegetable compartment.
[0026]
Similarly, the freezer compartment cooler 29 is also periodically defrosted, and the defrost water is drained to the evaporating dish 28 through the freezer compartment water tray 31.
[0027]
Here, since the drainage part of the drain hose 21 for the refrigerator compartment is arranged in the vegetable compartment 16, the outer box 11 and the inner box 12 of the outer box 11 and the inner box 12 are compared with the case where the drain hose 21 is arranged directly to the evaporating dish 28 via the wall of the heat insulating urethane 13. The length of the drain hose disposed therebetween can be shortened, and the drain hose 21 for the refrigerator compartment does not exist below the vegetable compartment 16 and only the drain hose 26 for the vegetable compartment exists, so that the vegetable compartment 16 In the lower part, the flowability and the filling property of the urethane foam 13 filled between the outer box 11 and the inner box 12 in the portion facing the vacuum heat insulating material 32 on the back of the main body are improved, and a substantial decrease in the heat insulating performance is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the influence on the power consumption when the vacuum heat insulating material 32 is disposed at the location where the drain hose is disposed.
[0028]
In addition, since the number of drain hoses facing the evaporating dish 28 is reduced, the influence of heat on the interior due to the suction of warm air from the machine room 27 is reduced, and the power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, the drain hose 21 for the refrigerator compartment can be shortened and the cost can be reduced.
[0029]
Further, since the refrigerator compartment drain hose 21 is disposed via the inside of the heat insulating urethane 13 wall, the cooling performance of the refrigerator compartment drain hose 21 does not hinder the air passage of the refrigerator compartment cooler 18 and the cooling performance is reduced. Can be prevented. In addition, there is an effect that freezing in the refrigerator compartment drain hose 21 due to the cooling action of the refrigerator compartment cooler 18 is less likely to occur.
[0030]
Further, a vegetable compartment water tray 25 for receiving defrost water from the vegetable compartment cooler 24 is provided in the vegetable compartment 16 and drains to the evaporating tray 28 via the vegetable compartment water tray 25 and the vegetable compartment drain hose 26. By providing the vegetable room water tray 25, the drainage of the defrost water from the vegetable room cooler 24 is surely drained, and the reliability of drainage is improved.
[0031]
Further, drainage from the refrigerator compartment drain hose 21 is sent to the vegetable compartment water tray 25 provided in the vegetable compartment 16, and is drained to the evaporating tray 28 via the vegetable compartment water tray 25 and the vegetable compartment drain hose 26. What is necessary is just to arrange | position the drain hose 21 for refrigerator compartments above the water tray 25 for vegetable compartments, and can simplify and shorten the arrangement structure of the drain hose 21 for refrigerator compartments, and can reduce cost.
[0032]
Further, the outer box 11, the inner box 12, and a heat insulating box having a vacuum heat insulating material 32 and a heat insulating urethane 13 between the two boxes, and a plurality of drain hoses necessary for the refrigerator 10 using a plurality of coolers. (Drain hose 21 for refrigerator compartment and drain hose 26 for vegetable compartment) It is possible to suppress a decrease in fluidity and filling property of the insulating urethane 13 and use the vacuum heat insulating material 32 to improve the heat insulating property of the heat insulating box. It becomes possible. Thereby, the heat insulating property of the heat insulating box in which the vacuum heat insulating material 32 and the heat insulating urethane 13 are multilayered can be improved, and the power consumption can be reduced.
[0033]
It is preferable that the refrigerator 18 and the fan 19 be arranged in the upper part of the back of the refrigerator 15. In addition to the fact that the main body of the refrigerator compartment drain hose 21 is disposed in the heat insulating urethane, the space at the lower rear portion of the refrigerator compartment 15 can be increased, and the storage capacity of the lower portion of the refrigerator compartment 15 can be improved. I can do it.
[0034]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a central sectional view of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0035]
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.
[0036]
In FIG. 2, a reference numeral 33 denotes a refrigerator compartment drain hose, one end of which is arranged in the vegetable compartment 16 with the other end being combined with the drainage portion of the refrigerator compartment water tray 20, and the drain hose 33 main body is arranged to penetrate the partition plate 22. ing. A check valve cap 34 is provided at the outlet of the drain hose 33 as a check valve.
[0037]
With the above configuration, the defrost water of the refrigerator compartment cooler 18 is drained from the drainage portion of the refrigerator compartment water tray 20 to the vegetable compartment water tray 25 provided in the vegetable compartment 16 through the refrigerator compartment drain hose 33, and thereafter, The water is drained to an evaporating dish 28 provided in a machine room 27 through a room drain hose 26.
[0038]
Accordingly, the refrigerator compartment drain hose 33 is disposed directly from the refrigerator compartment 15 to the vegetable compartment 16 without passing through the inside of the heat insulating urethane 13 wall. A drain hose is not present in the heat insulating material, and the flowability and the filling property of the urethane foam in the portion facing the vacuum heat insulating material 32 are not hindered, and a factor that lowers the heat insulating performance is eliminated.
[0039]
In addition, only the drain hose 26 for the vegetable compartment is present below the vegetable compartment, and the space below the vegetable compartment 16 is filled between the outer box 11 and the inner box 12 at the portion facing the vacuum heat insulating material 32 on the back of the main body. The flowability and the filling property of the urethane foam 13 to be improved are improved, and a substantial decrease in the heat insulation performance can be suppressed. As a result, the effect on the power consumption when the vacuum heat insulating material 32 is disposed at the place where the drain hose is disposed. Can also be reduced.
[0040]
Further, the arrangement structure of the refrigerator hose 33 can be simplified, and the length of the arrangement can be minimized, so that the number of steps and cost can be reduced.
[0041]
The check valve cap 34 provided at the outlet of the drain hose 33 allows the dehumidification from the refrigerator compartment cooler 18 via the refrigerator compartment drain hose 33 other than when the refrigerator compartment defroster 18 is being defrosted. The cold air does not flow into the vegetable compartment 16 or the high-humidity cold air in the vegetable compartment 16 flows out to the refrigerator cooler 18 side, thereby reducing the amount of frost formed in the refrigerator cooler 18 and saving energy. In addition, the high humidity of the vegetable compartment 16 can be maintained, and the freshness of vegetables and the like can be improved.
[0042]
Note that a check valve cap 34 as a backflow prevention member may be provided at the outlet of the drain hose 26 for the vegetable compartment. In this case, the inflow of warm air from the machine room 27 into the vegetable room 16 can be prevented, the temperature and humidity fluctuations in the vegetable room 16 can be reduced, the freshness of the preserved food can be improved, and further energy saving can be achieved by preventing the inflow of warm air.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a refrigerator room, a vegetable room, a freezing room arranged in order from the upper part of the main body, a refrigerator cooler for cooling the refrigerator room, and the vegetable room. A refrigerator for cooling the vegetable compartment, a refrigerator for the freezer compartment for cooling the freezer compartment, a vacuum heat insulating material disposed in the heat insulating wall on the back of the main body, and draining defrost water from the cooler for the refrigerator compartment. A drain hose for the refrigerator compartment for draining, and a drain hose for the vegetable compartment for draining the defrost water of the cooler for the vegetable compartment, the drainage from the drain hose for the refrigerator compartment and the cooler for the vegetable compartment Together with the defrosting water, and drained to the evaporating dish provided in the lower part of the main body by the drain hose for the vegetable room, so that the length of the drain hose disposed opposite to the vacuum heat insulating material on the back of the main body can be shortened, The flow of urethane foam filled between the outer and inner boxes , It is possible to suppress a decrease in heat insulating performance due to a decrease in filling property.
[0044]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a water receiving tray is provided for receiving defrost water from the vegetable compartment cooler and communicating with the vegetable compartment drain hose. To the water pan via the inside of the heat insulation wall on the back of the main body, so that the flowability and filling of the urethane foam facing the vacuum heat insulation material in the main body back heat insulation below the vegetable compartment are improved, and power consumption is reduced. Can be suppressed.
[0045]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a water receiving tray is provided which receives defrost water from the vegetable compartment cooler and communicates with the vegetable compartment drain hose. Is guided directly from the refrigerator compartment to the water tray without passing through the heat insulating wall, so that factors that impair the flowability and filling property of the urethane foam facing the vacuum heat insulator in the rear heat insulator from the refrigerator compartment to the vegetable compartment are prevented. The flowability and filling property of the urethane foam opposed to the vacuum heat insulating material in the main body rear heat insulating material below the vegetable compartment can be improved and the influence on power consumption can be suppressed.
[0046]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the present invention, a backflow prevention member is provided at an outlet of the refrigerator compartment drain hose. The dehumidified cool air from the cooler does not flow into the vegetable room or the high-humidity cool air in the vegetable room does not flow out to the refrigerator cooler side, maintaining the high humidity of the vegetable room and improving the freshness of the stored items. Can be enhanced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a central side sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a central side sectional view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Description】
Reference Signs List 10 Refrigerator 13 Insulated urethane 15 Refrigerating room 16 Vegetable room 17 Freezing room 18 Refrigerating room coolers 21, 33 Refrigerating room drain hose 24 Vegetable room cooler 25 Vegetable room water tray 26 Vegetable room drain hose 28 Evaporating dish 29 Freezing Room cooler 32 Vacuum insulation material 34 Check valve cap (backflow prevention member)
