JP2008196835A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-noise and low-vibration refrigerator, by reducing vibration generated in a vertically disposed Starling refrigerator and transmitted to a heat insulating casing. <P>SOLUTION: The Stirling refrigerator 110 is vertically disposed on the upside of the heat insulating casing 10 of the refrigerator 1 so that a high-temperature head 111 is disposed above a low-temperature head 112. A high-temperature side condenser 122 is connected through a secondary refrigerant pipe 123 to a high-temperature side evaporator 121 thermally connected to the high-temperature head 111, and a low-temperature side evaporator 132 is connected through a secondary refrigerant pipe 133 to a low-temperature side condenser 131 thermally connected to the low-temperature head 112. The low-temperature side evaporator 132 is disposed in the inside of the heat insulating casing 10, and the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 penetrates through the heat insulating casing 10. The secondary refrigerant pipe 133 and the low-temperature side evaporator 132 are both located in positions deviated from the central axis extension of the Stirling refrigerator. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator. In this specification, the term “refrigerator” refers to a general device that lowers the temperature of food or other articles that are to be cooled, and includes “refrigerator” “freezer” “freezer refrigerator” “showcase” “automatic” It does not matter the name of the product such as “vending machine”.

  Specific chlorofluorocarbons (CFC: chlorofluorocarbon) and alternative chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC: hydrochlorofluorocarbon, HFC: hydrofluorocarbon) are used as refrigerants in the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator. Among these refrigerants, CFCs and HCFCs are subject to international regulations for their production and use because they are, to some extent, lead to the destruction of the ozone layer. Another problem is that HFCs that do not destroy the ozone layer also have a significant contribution to global warming.

Accordingly, compact and energy efficient Stirling refrigerators are attracting attention without using ozone-depleting substances as refrigerants. In a Stirling refrigerator, an inert gas such as helium is used as a working medium, and the piston and displacer are operated by external power to repeatedly compress and expand the working medium, thereby increasing the temperature of the high-temperature head and lowering the temperature of the low-temperature head. The high-temperature head radiates heat to the surrounding environment, and the low-temperature head radiates heat from the interior. An example of a refrigerator equipped with a Stirling refrigerator can be seen in Patent Document 1. An example of the structure of a Stirling refrigerator can be seen in Patent Document 2.
JP 2005-249265 A JP 2005-345073 A

  If the Stirling refrigerator is arranged so that its central axis is vertical, that is, placed vertically, the piston and the displacer vibrate at high speed in the vertical direction, and the vibration component in the vertical direction becomes large. In the configuration where the low-temperature side condenser is thermally connected to the low-temperature head of the Stirling refrigerator and the low-temperature side evaporator is connected to the refrigerant pipe extending downward from the low-temperature side condenser, vibrations are transmitted to the low-temperature side evaporator. The noise level becomes high by hitting the wall surface in the cabinet.

  In addition, when a Stirling refrigerator is placed outside the heat insulation housing of the refrigerator and the low temperature side evaporator is placed inside the heat insulation housing, the refrigerant piping will penetrate the heat insulation housing, In the section leading to the low-temperature side condenser, it is necessary to take strict measures against heat insulation and condensation on the refrigerant pipe.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and reduces the transmission of vibrations generated in a Stirling refrigerator arranged vertically to a heat-insulating housing, thereby providing a low-noise and low-vibration refrigerator. The purpose is to do. In addition, the vibration insulation and heat insulation structure of the refrigerant piping from the Stirling refrigerator to the low temperature side evaporator shall have excellent heat insulation and moisture barrier properties, and provide a highly reliable refrigerator that maintains its performance over a long period of time. With the goal.

  (1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a heat insulating housing having a storage chamber for storing an object to be cooled, and an upper portion of the heat insulating housing so that the high temperature head is disposed above the low temperature head. A Stirling refrigerator arranged vertically, a high temperature side evaporator thermally connected to the high temperature head, a high temperature side condenser connected thereto, a low temperature side condenser thermally connected to the low temperature head, and the same In the refrigerator having the low-temperature side evaporator connected to the low-temperature side evaporator, the low-temperature side evaporator is disposed inside the storage chamber and connected to the low-temperature side condenser via a refrigerant pipe penetrating the heat insulating casing. The refrigerant pipe and the low-temperature side evaporator are both located at positions deviating from the central axis extension line of the Stirling refrigerator.

  According to this configuration, most of the vibration of the Stirling refrigerator is converted into the bending stress of the refrigerant pipe, and the refrigerant pipe absorbs the vibration by its own bending. Can be reduced. Generally speaking, when giving vibration absorption to piping, it is often the case that a curved portion or redundant portion, so-called “play” is intentionally provided in the middle of the piping, but the low-temperature side condenser of a Stirling refrigerator is often used. In the case of the refrigerant piping connecting the low-temperature evaporator and the “free play”, the natural circulation of the refrigerant is hindered. Even if “play” is formed, the tube is hard because of pressure resistance, so that it does not function sufficiently. On the other hand, according to the present invention, the anti-vibration property can be improved without providing special “play”.

  (2) Further, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the portion of the refrigerant pipe that penetrates the heat insulating casing is surrounded by an elastic heat insulating material and an outer hard heat insulating material, and the outer heat insulating material is provided. The inside diameter of the material is characterized by being smaller than the outside diameter of the heat insulating material inside.

  According to this configuration, the elastic inner heat insulating material is crushed by the outer hard heat insulating material, and the outer surface of the inner heat insulating material is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer heat insulating material, so that an airtight / liquid-tight state is obtained. can get. Thereby, the heat insulation performance of a heat insulation housing | casing improves and it can prevent that condensed water etc. permeate into the inside of a heat insulation housing | casing.

  (3) Further, according to the present invention, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the low-temperature head and the refrigerant pipe are individually surrounded by a heat insulating material, and each heat insulating material has an outermost layer made of a hard heat insulating material.

  According to this configuration, since the outermost layer of the heat insulating material is a hard layer, even if the heat insulating layer is formed by foaming the resin therein, it can sufficiently withstand the foaming pressure. Also, since the heat insulating material surrounding the low-temperature head and the heat insulating material surrounding the refrigerant pipe are separated, vibration transmission to the heat insulating housing via the heat insulating material is reduced, and the vibration and noise of the refrigerator are reduced. Can do.

  (4) Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the cooler configured as described above, an elastic heat insulating material is filled in a gap between the heat insulating material surrounding the low temperature head and the heat insulating material surrounding the refrigerant pipe.

  According to this configuration, while keeping the heat insulating material surrounding the low-temperature head and the heat insulating material surrounding the refrigerant pipe in a separated state, it is possible to prevent external heat from entering through the gap between them and impairing the cooling performance.

  (5) Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the cooler configured as described above, a gap between the heat insulating material surrounding the low-temperature head and the heat insulating material surrounding the refrigerant pipe is sealed with a waterproof band.

  A portion with insufficient heat insulation thickness may be exposed at the gap, and condensation occurs continuously when outside air enters. Condensed water causes problems such as generation of mold in the long term. Sealing this gap with a waterproof band prevents outside air from entering the gap and solves the problem of condensed water.

  According to the present invention, the vibration of the low temperature side evaporator can be reduced by converting the vibration of the Stirling refrigerator into a bending stress and the refrigerant pipe absorbs the vibration by its bending elasticity. Moreover, the heat insulation performance of the heat insulating material surrounding the low-temperature head and the refrigerant pipe and the heat insulation performance of the heat insulation housing of the refrigerator can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator, FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerator with the heat insulating door removed, FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the refrigerator, FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the refrigerator at different locations, FIG. Is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the cold air passage, FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the refrigerator cut along the line AA in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the vertical partition, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the Stirling refrigerator mounting portion of the refrigerator, FIG. 10 is a top view of the Stirling refrigerator supported by the support member, and FIG. 11 is a top view of the support member. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the cooling device, and FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the flow of cold air.

  The refrigerator 1 includes a heat insulating housing 10. The heat insulating housing 10 has a heat insulating layer formed by inserting a synthetic resin inner housing into a sheet metal outer housing and inserting a heat insulating material into a gap between the outer housing and the inner housing or foaming synthetic resin in the gap. Formed. Since the manufacturing method of such a heat insulation housing | casing is well-known and is not the main point of this invention, the detailed description is not carried out.

  The inside of the heat insulation housing 10 becomes a storage chamber. In this specification, “storage room” means a compartment in a refrigerated temperature zone (0 ° C. to 10 ° C.), a temperature zone slightly lower (up to minus 3 ° C.), “ice temperature”, “chill”, “partial” "High temperature zone and refrigeration temperature zone, excluding temperature zone where names such as", refrigeration temperature zone (minus tens of degrees or less), high temperature zone (for example, 50 to 80 ° C), refrigeration temperature zone This is a general term for spaces used for storage (for storage) of foods (including seasonings), chemicals, cosmetics, etc., which are objects to be cooled, such as compartments in the middle temperature zone.

  The storage chamber has an opening for taking in and out food (an object to be cooled) on the front surface, and the opening is closed with a heat insulating door. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage chamber is vertically divided into two by a horizontal partition (first partition) 11. The space above and below the horizontal partition 11 is divided into left and right by a vertical partition (second partition) 12 and a vertical partition (third partition) 13. In this specification, the left side of the observer facing the front surface of the heat insulating housing 10 is defined as the left side of the heat insulating housing 10, and the right side of the observer is defined as the right side of the heat insulating housing 10. Below the horizontal partition (first partition) 11, the space on the left side of the vertical partition 13 is further divided into two vertically by a horizontal partition (fourth partition) 14.

  A space on the horizontal partition 11 and to the left of the vertical partition 12 is a first partition 15. A space on the horizontal partition 11 and to the right of the vertical partition 12 is a second partition 16. A space below the horizontal partition 14 and to the left of the vertical partition 13 is a third partition 17. A space below the horizontal partition 11 and to the right of the vertical partition 13 is a fourth partition 18. The 1st division part 15 and the 2nd division part 16 are used as a refrigerator compartment. The 3rd division part 17 and the 4th division part 18 are used as a freezer compartment. Between the horizontal partition parts 11 and 14, the left space part of the vertical partition part 13 serves as a temperature switching partition part 19 that can be used as a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment.

  A first heat insulating door 20 (see FIG. 1) is provided at the front opening of the first partition 15, a second heat insulating door 21 is provided at the front opening of the second partition 16, and the third partition 17 A third heat insulating door 22 is provided at the front opening of the first partition, a fourth heat insulating door 23 is provided at the front opening of the fourth compartment 18, and a fifth heat insulating door is provided at the front opening of the temperature switching compartment 19. 24 is provided. The 1st heat insulation door 20, the 3rd heat insulation door 22, and the 5th heat insulation door 24 rotate centering on the hinge part provided in the left side toward the 2nd heat insulation door 21 and the 4th heat insulation door 23 toward the right side. It rotates around the provided hinge. An operation unit 25 for setting the temperature of each part in the storage room is provided at the lower part of the first heat insulating door 20.

  The first partition 15 is partitioned in the vertical direction by a three-stage shelf 30. A drawer-type case 31 is disposed under the lowest shelf 30.

  The second partition 16 is also partitioned in the vertical direction by the three-stage shelf 32. The lowermost shelf 32a has a depth dimension larger than the upper two steps, and underneath the drawer-type cases 33 and 34 are arranged in two upper and lower steps. A partition cover 35 (see FIG. 3) is provided for the upper surface opening of the lower case 34. The space between the lowest shelf 32a and the partition cover 35 constitutes an isolation partition 16a, and the space below the partition cover 35 constitutes an isolation partition 16b. On the inner surface of the second heat insulating door 21, a rack 36 for storing bottles, a paper pack of beverages, and the like is attached.

  Illumination is provided for each of the first partition 15 and the second partition 16. The illumination for the first partition 15 is a downlight 37 (see FIG. 4) disposed on the ceiling, and the illumination for the second partition 16 is an illumination panel 38 (see FIG. 4) disposed on the upper part of the back wall. 3). Both the downlight 37 and the illumination panel 38 use LEDs as light sources.

  A total of two cases 40a and 40b are inserted into the third partition part 17, and a total of three cases 41a, 41b and 41c are inserted into the fourth partition part 18 so as to overlap each other. The cases 40a and 40b are supported on the inner surface of the third partition 17 by the side edges, and the cases 41a, 41b and 41c are supported on the inner surface of the fourth partition 18 by the side edges, both of which are slid forward. Can be pulled out. A case 42 is inserted in the temperature switching section 19.

  An ice making unit 43 is disposed on the ceiling of the fourth partition 18 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). Ice produced by the ice making unit 43 is received by an ice container 44 (see FIG. 2) in the case 41a. A water supply tank 45 for supplying water to the ice making unit 43 is installed on the right side of the case 34 in the isolation section 16b.

  The 3rd partition part 17 and the 4th partition part 18 are divided as needed, and install an independent section specialized for ice making, or install an independent section suitable for various required temperature settings from quick freezing to thawing. It is possible to do.

  The storage chamber is cooled by the cooling device 100 of FIG. The central existence of the cooling device 100 is the Stirling refrigerator 110. The Stirling refrigerator 110 generates heat and cold by a reverse Stirling cycle. The heat is extracted mainly from the high-temperature head 111 as waste heat, and the cold is extracted from the low-temperature head 112 that forms part of the cooling unit.

  The structure of the Stirling refrigerator 110 is basically the same as that described in Patent Document 2, in which components such as a displacer, a piston, and a linear motor that drives the piston are arranged, and the external shape has an axis. It has a rotating body shape. The Stirling refrigerator 110 is arranged with its axis vertically set so that the high temperature head 111 is on the top and the low temperature head 112 is on the bottom. The power unit 113 containing the linear motor is located above the high temperature head 111.

  The high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 takes out the heat from the high temperature head 111 and dissipates it. The high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 is filled with water (including an aqueous solution) or hydrocarbon-based brine (liquid used as a heat transport medium) as a secondary refrigerant. The “secondary refrigerant” is defined by defining the working medium inside the Stirling refrigerator 110 as “primary refrigerant” and the working medium used for heat transport outside the Stirling refrigerator 110 as “secondary refrigerant”. Incidentally, the “tertiary refrigerant” described later means a refrigerant that exchanges heat with the secondary refrigerant.

  The high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 is a thermosiphon circulation circuit that naturally circulates the secondary refrigerant, and the high temperature side evaporation mounted in a state where heat is transferred between the high temperature heads 111, that is, in a thermally connected state. And a secondary refrigerant pipe 123 that connects the high-temperature side evaporator 121 and the high-temperature side condenser 122 to the high-temperature side condenser 122 disposed on the Stirling refrigerator 110. The high temperature side condenser 122 functions as a heat exchanger for heat dissipation.

  The high-temperature side evaporator 121 is formed by forming a metal having good heat conductivity such as copper, copper alloy, or aluminum into a hollow ring shape. The high-temperature side evaporator 121 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the high-temperature head 111 and is thermally connected to the high-temperature head 111. A secondary refrigerant pipe 123 is led out from the side surface of the high temperature side evaporator 121. The secondary refrigerant pipe 123 extends upward after being led out from the side surface of the high-temperature side evaporator 121. And it is connected to the high temperature side condenser 122 above the Stirling refrigerator 110. The secondary refrigerant pipe 123 includes a gas phase pipe 123G that sends the vaporized secondary refrigerant to the high-temperature side condenser 122 and a secondary refrigerant that has condensed into a liquid in the high-temperature side condenser 122 to the high-temperature side. It is divided into a liquid phase pipe 123L that returns to the evaporator 121.

  The high temperature side condenser 122 has a structure in which a pipe 122a made of a metal material having good heat conductivity such as copper or copper alloy is bent, and a plurality of heat radiation fins 122b made of a metal material also having good heat conductivity are attached thereto. A heat radiating fan 124 for forced air cooling is combined with the high temperature side condenser 122.

  The low-temperature head 112 is thermally connected to a low-temperature side circulation circuit 130 that constitutes a part of the cooling unit. The low temperature side circulation circuit 130 is filled with a natural refrigerant such as carbon dioxide (CO 2) as a secondary refrigerant. The low temperature side circulation circuit 130 includes a low temperature side condenser 131 mounted in a state of being thermally connected to the low temperature head 112, a low temperature side evaporator 132 installed in the heat insulating casing 10 of the refrigerator 1, and a low temperature side The secondary refrigerant | coolant piping 133 which connects the condenser 131 and the low temperature side evaporator 132 is included. The low temperature side evaporator 132 functions as a part for directly cooling the air in the storage chamber in the cooling unit.

  The low-temperature side condenser 131 is formed by forming a metal having good heat conductivity such as copper, copper alloy, or aluminum into a hollow ring shape. The low-temperature side condenser 131 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the low-temperature head 112 and is thermally connected to the low-temperature head 112. A secondary refrigerant pipe 133 is led out from the side surface of the low temperature side condenser 131. The secondary refrigerant pipe 133 is led out from the side surface of the low-temperature side condenser 131 and then extends downward. And it enters the inside of the heat insulation housing | casing 10, and is connected to the low temperature side evaporator 132. FIG. The secondary refrigerant pipe 133 is vaporized by the liquid phase pipe 133L that causes the low-temperature side evaporator 131 to flow into the low-temperature side evaporator 132 and the liquid-phase pipe 133L that flows into the low-temperature side evaporator 132. The secondary refrigerant is divided into a gas-phase pipe 133G for returning the secondary refrigerant to the low-temperature side condenser 131.

  Similarly to the high-temperature side condenser 122, the low-temperature side evaporator 132 is formed by bending a pipe 132a made of a metal material with good heat conductivity such as copper or a copper alloy and attaching a large number of heat-absorbing fins 132b made of a metal material with good heat conduction. Structure.

  When the Stirling refrigerator 110 is operated, the temperatures of the power unit 113, the high temperature head 111, and the high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 are increased. That is, these become the heat generating part of the cooling device 100. On the other hand, the temperature of the low temperature head 112 and the low temperature side circulation circuit 130 decreases.

  The cooling device 100 is mounted in the refrigerator 1 as follows.

  A recess is formed at the left or right corner above the rear surface of the heat insulating housing 10. The recess is provided on the left side of the vertical partition 12, that is, the upper corner of the first partition 15, or on the right of the vertical partition 12, that is, the upper corner of the second partition 16. . This recessed portion becomes the machine room 46 (see FIGS. 4, 6, 9, and 12). In the present embodiment, the machine room 46 is provided at a position biased to the left when the heat insulating housing 10 is viewed from the front, that is, at a position on the left side of the back of the first partition portion 15. The machine room 46 includes a part of the cooling device 100, that is, a Stirling refrigerator 110, a high temperature side evaporator 121, a high temperature side condenser 122, a secondary refrigerant pipe 123, a heat radiation fan 124, a low temperature side condenser 131, and a secondary refrigerant. A part of the pipe 133 is accommodated. After all the elements to be accommodated are accommodated, the upper surface opening and the rear surface opening of the machine room 46 are closed by appropriate ventilation grills.

  Thus, the heat generating part of the cooling device 100 is adjacent to the first partition part 15 used as a refrigerator compartment having a higher temperature than the third partition part 17 and the fourth partition part 18 used as the freezer compartment. Therefore, compared with the case where it arrange | positions next to the 3rd division part 17 or the 4th division part 18, the heat insulation layer between can be made thin. Moreover, since the 1st division part 15 is a division part from which the temperature becomes higher than the 2nd division part 16 so that it may demonstrate later, it is hard to receive the influence from the heat generating part of the cooling device 100 more than the 2nd division part 16, and heat insulation between them. The layer can be made thinner.

  Furthermore, since the recess formed in the left or right corner above the back surface of the heat insulating housing 10 is the machine room 46 and the heat generating part of the cooling device 100 is disposed therein, the corner at the rear of the ceiling part of the storage room The entire portion does not protrude into the storage chamber, and the protrusion of the machine chamber 46 to the storage chamber becomes relatively small, so that the effective internal volume of the storage chamber can be increased.

  It is also possible to remove the heat insulation wall on the left side when viewed from the front of the machine room 46 and move the machine room 46 to the left side by the thickness of the heat insulation wall. In this way, the protrusion of the machine chamber 46 to the storage chamber is further reduced, the effective internal volume of the storage chamber is increased, and the volumetric efficiency is further improved.

  In supporting the Stirling refrigerator 110 inside the machine chamber 46, a support member 140 (see FIG. 11) is used. The support member 140 is a frame having a frame shape formed as a separate component from the heat insulating housing 10, and is horizontally fixed to an intermediate height of the machine room 46 by appropriate fixing means. Inside the support member 140, an opening 141 through which the Stirling refrigerator 110 and the secondary refrigerant pipe 123 of the high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 are passed is formed. In the opening 141, overhang portions 142 that support a vibration absorber described below are formed at four locations.

  A flange-like mounting leg 114 (see FIG. 10) formed by pressing a sheet metal is fixed to the outer surface of the power unit 113 of the Stirling refrigerator 110 by appropriate means such as welding. The mounting leg 114 is formed with four leg portions 114a whose tips are overlapped with the overhanging portion 142 of the support member 140 at four locations. Note that the mounting legs 114 are not limited to press-formed products. It may be a die-cast product, or may be a product obtained by injection molding a high strength synthetic resin material such as MC nylon.

  In the Stirling refrigerator 110, the low-temperature head 112 comes to the bottom, and the high-temperature head 111 comes to the top. Inserted. The weight of the Stirling refrigerator 110 is supported by the overhanging portion 142 supporting the leg portion 114a of the mounting leg 114. At this time, vibration absorbing means is interposed between the overhanging portion 142 and the leg portion 114a. . In the embodiment, a columnar vibration absorber 143 made of an elastic material such as rubber constitutes a vibration absorbing means.

  The vibration absorber 143 is required to support the Stirling refrigerator 110 at the center of the four overhang portions 142 so that the side surface of the power unit 113 does not contact the overhang portion 142. For this reason, the vibration absorber 143 is held by appropriate connecting means so as not to be displaced or dropped from between the overhanging portion 142 and the leg portion 114a. Known mechanical elements such as bolts, nuts, and washers can be used as the connecting means.

  The high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 is connected to the high temperature head 111 at a stage before the Stirling refrigerator 110 is attached to the support member 140. In this state, the portions of the low temperature head 112 and the high temperature head 111 of the Stirling refrigerator 110, the high temperature side evaporator 121, and a part of the secondary refrigerant pipe 123 are inserted into the opening 141 of the support member 140, and The leg portion 114 a is seated on the upper surface of the vibration absorber 143.

  The high temperature side condenser 122 is positioned above the Stirling refrigerator 110 while being supported by the secondary refrigerant pipe 123. In FIG. 8, only one gas-phase pipe 123G and one liquid-phase pipe 123L are shown. However, in an actual configuration, as shown in FIG. 10, two gas-phase pipes 123G and two liquid-phase pipes 123L are provided. It exists one by one.

  A heat radiating fan 124 is connected to the lower surface of the high temperature side condenser 122 via a duct 125. The blowing direction of the heat radiating fan 124 may be a direction in which wind is blown to the high temperature side condenser 122, or may be a direction in which wind is taken in through the high temperature side condenser 122.

  The low temperature side circulation circuit 130 is in a stage where the Stirling refrigerator 110 is attached to the support member 140 or in a stage where the low temperature head 112 passes through the opening 141 and protrudes under the support member 140 before that. Connected to the low temperature head 112.

  In the state where the assembly of the Stirling refrigerator 110 to the support member 140 and the connection of the high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 and the low temperature side circulation circuit 130 to the Stirling refrigerator 110 are completed, that is, in the state of FIG. The power unit 113 of the Stirling refrigerator 110 is disposed between the high temperature side condenser 122 and the high temperature side condenser 122. With this configuration, the height difference between the high-temperature side evaporator 121 and the high-temperature side condenser 122 can be secured large enough to allow the secondary refrigerant to circulate naturally. Thereby, while improving heat dissipation efficiency, since the space between the high temperature side evaporator 121 and the high temperature side condenser 122 is utilized for arrangement | positioning of the motive power part 113 of the Stirling refrigerator 110, space can be utilized effectively.

  In the state of FIG. 9, a heat radiating fan 124 that forcibly air-cools the high temperature side condenser 122 is also disposed between the high temperature side evaporator 121 and the high temperature side condenser 122. This configuration also helps to increase the height difference between the high temperature side evaporator 121 and the high temperature side condenser 122.

  The secondary refrigerant pipe 123 of the high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 is led out from the high temperature side evaporator 121 and then extends upward toward the high temperature side condenser 122 above the Stirling refrigerator 110. The secondary refrigerant pipe 133 of the low temperature side circulation circuit 130 is led out from the low temperature side condenser 131 and then extends downward toward the low temperature side evaporator 132 below the Stirling refrigerator 110. Since the secondary refrigerant pipe 123 from the upper high temperature side evaporator 121 is directed upward and the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 from the lower low temperature condenser 131 is directed downward, the low temperature head 112 is constructed. In addition, the cooling cycle including the low temperature side circulation circuit 130 and the heat dissipation cycle including the high temperature head 111 and the high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 can be separated without excessive or wastefulness. Piping work is also easy.

  If the low-temperature side evaporator 132 is shifted to the side where the Stirling refrigerator 110 is located when viewed from the front, the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 can be more easily routed and the circulation efficiency of the secondary refrigerant is improved. Further, if the connecting portion between the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 and the low-temperature side evaporator 132 is also provided on the side where the Stirling refrigerator 110 is provided, the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 can be routed more easily, and the circulation efficiency of the secondary refrigerant is increased. Is further improved.

  Since the structure in the vicinity of the low-temperature head 112, particularly the piping structure is not complicated, it is easy to form a heat insulating structure so as to surround it. FIG. 9 shows a heat insulating material surrounding the low-temperature head 112 and the secondary refrigerant pipe 133. Details of this structure will be described later.

  The high temperature side condenser 122, the heat radiating fan 124, and the duct 125 are held in the internal space of the machine room 46 by the secondary refrigerant pipe 123 with the Stirling refrigerator 110 itself as a support. For this reason, the high temperature side condenser 122 and the heat radiating fan 124 are supported together with the Stirling refrigerator 110, and the vibration absorbing action of the vibration absorber 143 can be exerted on the high temperature side condenser 122 and the heat radiating fan 124, The vibration level of these components can be reduced at a stroke.

  Further, when attaching the Stirling refrigerator 110 to the support member 140, the Stirling refrigerator 110 connected to the high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 is passed through the opening 141 of the support member 140 from above, and then the low temperature head 112 is connected to the Stirling refrigerator 110. The low temperature side circulation circuit 130 may be connected, and assembly is easy.

  The heat taken out from the high temperature head 111 by the high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 is also used to prevent dew condensation in a dew proof part (a part of the surface of the heat insulating housing 10 where dew condensation is desired). This is realized by the high temperature side second circulation circuit 150.

  The high temperature side second circulation circuit 150 is thermally connected to the gas phase refrigerant pipe 123G of the high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 via the heat exchanger 151. The tertiary refrigerant is sealed in the high temperature side second circulation circuit 150 in a non-depressurized state. The tertiary refrigerant is a mixture of water and antifreeze. Since the tertiary refrigerant needs to have a low viscosity in order to secure the circulation amount, the mixing ratio of the antifreeze liquid is low.

  The piping 152 of the high temperature side second circulation circuit 150 follows the path shown in FIG. 12 after leaving the heat exchanger 151. That is, the pipe 152 becomes the down pipe 152D and descends to the bottom of the heat insulating casing 10, and enters the drain pan 153 installed there. The pipe 152 meanders in the drain pan 153 and raises the temperature of the drain water accumulated in the drain pan 153. A fan 154 is combined with the drain pan 153 to further promote the evaporation of the drain water.

  The pipe 152 exiting the drain pan 153 is divided into two systems at the branching section 155, and both systems enter the lower part of the right side wall of the heat insulating casing 10, pass through the right side wall forward, and reach the lower front part of the heat insulating casing 10. . The two routes are separated from each other, and one of the routes goes up the front edge of the right side wall of the heat insulating housing 10. Enter the front edge of the horizontal partition 11 in the middle of ascending, draw a hairpin shape, then return to the front edge of the right side wall and continue rising. The pipe 152 that reaches the upper end of the right side wall enters the ceiling wall, passes through the front edge of the ceiling wall from right to left, reaches the left side wall, descends the front edge of the left side wall, and further lowers the left side wall to the back side. Pass through and reach the gathering section 156.

  The other system enters the bottom wall from the front edge of the right side wall, passes through the front edge of the bottom wall from right to left, and reaches the lower end of the vertical partition 13. The pipe 152 changes its direction upward and passes through the front edges of the vertical partitions 13 and 12 from the bottom to the top. The pipe 152 reaching the upper end of the vertical partition 12 is folded back and lowered. In the middle of descending, it enters the front edge of the horizontal partition 11, draws a hairpin shape, and then returns to the front edge of the vertical partition 13. The pipe 152 then enters the front edge of the horizontal partition 14 and draws a hairpin shape, and then returns to the front edge of the vertical partition 13 and continues down to the bottom wall. The piping 152 then passes through the front edge of the bottom wall from right to left and enters the left side wall, and passes through the lower part of the left side wall to the back side and reaches the gathering part 156.

  The pipes 152 unified by the gathering part 156 enter a piezoelectric circulation pump 157 installed at the bottom of the heat insulating housing 10. The pipe 152 exiting the circulation pump 157 returns to the heat exchanger 151 as an up pipe 152U.

    A dew proof portion 160 (see FIG. 8) includes the right and left walls, the ceiling wall and the bottom wall, and the front edges of the horizontal partition and the vertical partition wall. The piping 152 passes near the surface of the heat insulating housing 10 in the dew proofing section 160, and transmits the heat obtained from the high temperature side first circulation circuit 120 via the heat exchanger 151 to the location. Thereby, the temperature of the dew proof part 160 is maintained above the dew point.

  Next, the arrangement of the low temperature side evaporator 132 and the cold air passage will be described with reference mainly to FIG. The low temperature side evaporator 132 is placed at a position below the Stirling refrigerator 110 inside the heat insulating casing 10. Furthermore, it is arranged at a level below the lower part of the vertical partition 12. Thereby, the natural circulation of the secondary refrigerant is performed more stably.

  The low temperature side evaporator 132 is disposed in the cold air passage 50 (see FIG. 3) provided in front of the back wall of the fourth partition portion 18. Another cold air passage 51 is provided in front of the cold air passage 50. In the lower part of the cool air passage 50, an intake port 52 for sucking the return air that has finished the role of cooling the storage room is formed. The low temperature side evaporator 132 is installed at a position above the intake port 52 in the cold air passage 50. Above the low-temperature side evaporator 132, a fan 53 that blows air into the cool air passage 51 is provided.

  Three cold air passages serving as branch lines extend from the cold air passage 51. The first one is a cold air passage 54 that sends cold air to the first partition 15 and the second partition 16. A discharge damper 55 and a fan 56 are provided in the cold air passage 54. The cool air passage 54 past the fan 56 enters the vertical partition 12 and rises inside the vertical partition 12 as an ascending cool air passage 54U (see FIG. 3).

  The ascending cool air passage 54U that reaches the upper portion of the vertical partition 12 continues to the descending cool air passage 54D via a short horizontal communication passage 54H. The descending cold air passage 54 </ b> D descends to the lower side of the vertical partition portion 12 and on the front side of the ascending cold air passage 54 </ b> U. The ascending cold air passage 54U, the horizontal communication passage 54H, and the descending cold air passage 54D are inverted in a substantially U shape.

  When providing the cool air passage in the partition portion as well as the vertical partition portion 12, it is not necessary to completely embed the cool air passage in the partition portion. Only a part of the cold air passage may be embedded in the partition part, or may be provided so as to cover the outer surface of the partition part.

  A plurality of cool air discharge ports 57 for discharging cool air to the second partition portion 16 are formed in the ascending cool air passage 54U at intervals in the vertical direction. A plurality of cold air discharge ports 58 for discharging cold air to the first partition 15 are formed in the descending cold air passage 54D at intervals in the vertical direction. The cool air discharge ports 57 and 58 are located in the vertical partition 12.

  In FIG. 3, the plurality of cold air discharge ports 57 and the plurality of cold air discharge ports 58 are aligned along vertical lines, but are not necessarily arranged in this manner. The plurality of cold air discharge ports 57 or the plurality of cold air discharge ports 58 may be dispersedly arranged in such a manner that their positions are shifted in the front-rear direction. The upstream cool air passage 54U and the downstream cold air passage 54D may be any one that can uniformly deliver cool air to the cool air discharge ports 57 and the cool air discharge ports 58 that are distributed in this manner.

  As for the cold air discharge port 57, a plurality of regions may be provided in each of the regions partitioned by the shelf 32 or the shelf 32a so as to be shifted in the front-rear direction. For the cool air discharge port 57 provided at a location outside the area of the ascending cool air passage 54U, a cool air passage projecting as a branch line from the ascending cool air passage 54U is prepared. By setting it as such a structure, the further uniform internal temperature distribution of the 2nd division part 16 can be achieved.

  The same applies to the cold air discharge ports 58, and a plurality of the cool air discharge ports 58 can be provided in each of the regions partitioned by the shelf 30 while being shifted in the front-rear direction. For the cool air discharge port 58 provided at a location outside the area of the descending cool air passage 54D, a cool air passage extending as a branch line from the descending cool air passage 54D is prepared. By setting it as such a structure, the further uniform internal temperature distribution of the 1st division part 15 can be achieved.

  A plurality of cold air outlets 57 are provided in the front and rear direction shifted for each area partitioned by the shelves 32 and 32a, and a plurality of cold air outlets 58 are provided in the front and rear direction shifted for each area partitioned by the shelf 30. In implementing this configuration, the vertical positions of the shelves 32 and 32a may be shifted from each other so that the height of the shelves 32 and 32a and the height of the shelves 30 are not aligned. If the cool air discharge port 57 is placed at a height corresponding to the height of the shelves 32 and 32 a and the cool air discharge port 58 is placed at a height corresponding to the height of the shelf 30, the above configuration can be easily realized. .

  In this embodiment, the horizontal connecting passage 54H is connected to the vertical ascending cool air passage 54U and the vertical descending cool air passage 54D. However, the ascending cool air passage 54U and the descending cool air passage 54D are directly connected, and the horizontal connecting passage 54H is omitted. A configuration is also possible. For example, the upper end of the ascending cool air passage 54U and the descending cool air passage 54D are connected by bending or bending, or the ascending cool air passage 54U and the descending cool air passage 54D are inclined so that they are connected in an inverted V shape. This can be achieved by a technique such as

  The total opening area of the plurality of cold air discharge ports 57 and the total opening area of the plurality of cold air discharge ports 58 may be distributed according to the volume ratio of the second partition portion 16 and the first partition portion 15. Further, the plurality of cool air discharge ports 57 are arranged in the second partition section 16 and the plurality of cool air discharge ports 58 are arranged in the first partition section 15 so that the room temperature is made uniform. It is desirable to determine the position of the cold air outlet through the experiment.

  The amount of cool air flowing through the upstream cool air passage 54U is the sum of the amount of cool air supplied from the cool air discharge port 57 and the amount of cool air supplied from the cool air discharge port 58. Accordingly, the upstream cool air passage 54U needs a larger cross-sectional area than the downstream cool air passage 54D. It is desirable that the cross-sectional area ratio between the upstream cool air passage 54U and the downstream cold air passage 54D is also determined through experiments.

  In addition, since the first partition 15 and the second partition 16 serving as storage chambers are on both sides of the vertical partition 12 serving as a partition, and the cooling heat is released to each of the storage chambers, energy loss is reduced. A small refrigerator 1 can be obtained, and the heat generating part of the cooling device 100 is provided in the machine room 46 which is a recess, and the first partition part 15 and the second partition part 16 are stored in a relatively high temperature like a refrigerator room. When it is a chamber, the difference between the temperature in the vicinity of the recess and the temperature in the storage chamber is reduced, and if the heat insulating walls opposite to each other in the first partition 15 and the second partition 16 have the same thickness, The amount of intrusion is small, which also contributes to reducing the energy loss of the refrigerator 1.

  Two transverse cold air passages communicate with the cold air passage 54. One is a transverse cold air passage 59 that branches before the cold air passage 54 enters the vertical partition 12, and crawls the wall behind the isolation partition 16 a along the lower surface of the bottom shelf 32. A cool air discharge port 60 is formed in the lateral cool air passage 59 at a location away from the vertical partition 12 by a predetermined distance. A plurality of the cold air discharge ports 60 are formed at intervals in the left-right direction in the isolation section 16a. In the present embodiment, two cold air outlets 60 are provided. The cold air discharge port 60 supplies cold air toward the inside of the case 33. It is preferable that the cool air discharge port 60 has a larger opening area as it is arranged on the downstream side of the lateral cool air passage 59 so that the temperature becomes uniform between the left side portion and the right side portion of the isolation section 16a.

  The other transverse cold air passage is a transverse cold air passage 61 that branches off from the ascending cold air passage 54U, and covers the corner portion formed by the back wall of the second partition 16 and the ceiling. A cool air discharge port 62 is formed in the lateral cool air passage 61 at a location away from the vertical partition 12 by a predetermined distance. A plurality of cold air discharge ports 62 are formed in the second partition part 16 at intervals in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, two cold air discharge ports 62 are provided. It is preferable that the cold air outlet 62 has a larger opening area as it is arranged on the downstream side of the horizontal cold air passage 61 so that the temperature is made uniform between the left side portion and the right side portion of the second partition portion 16.

  Of the three cold air passages extending from the cold air passage 51 as a branch line, the second one is a cold air passage 63 that sends the cold air to the third partition portion 17. The cool air passage 63 is provided with a discharge damper 64, and a cool air discharge port 65 is formed downstream thereof.

  Of the three cold air passages extending from the cold air passage 51 as a branch line, the third one is a cold air passage 66 for sending cold air to the temperature switching section 19. The cold air passage 66 is provided with a discharge damper 67, a fan 68, a heater 69, and a cold air discharge port 70 from upstream to downstream.

  In the cold air passage 51, not only the cold air passages 54, 63 and 66 but also a cold air discharge port (not shown) for directly discharging the cold air to the fourth partition portion 18 is formed.

  The cold air that has cooled each compartment is returned to the intake port 52 of the cold air passage 50 via the return passage. A return passage 71 is prepared for the second partition 16. The return passage 71 has intake ports at two locations. The first is an air inlet 72 opened to the isolation section 16a. No. 2 is an air inlet 73 opened to the isolation section 16b.

  With respect to the first partition 15, an opening that penetrates the lower rear of the vertical partition 12 and exits to the isolation partition 16 b becomes a return passage 74. The cold air in the first partition portion 15 enters the isolation partition portion 16 b from the return passage 74 and is sucked into the intake port 73.

  A return passage 75 is prepared for the temperature switching section 19. A return damper 76 is provided in the return passage 75.

  A return passage connected to the intake port 52 is also provided for the third partition portion 17, but this is not shown, and only the flow of cold air is shown by a dotted arrow in FIG. 5. The cold air inside the fourth partition 18 is directly sucked into the intake port 52.

  When the operation of the Stirling refrigerator 110 is continued, the moisture in the air in the heat insulating casing 10 becomes frost and adheres to the low-temperature evaporator 132. The frost reduces the heat exchange efficiency of the low temperature evaporator 132. In order to prevent this, a defrost heater 77 is disposed below the low-temperature side evaporator 132. The defrost heater 77 is energized at an appropriate timing to defrost the low temperature side evaporator 132. Moisture generated by melting frost is dripped as drain water from the funnel portion 78 at the bottom of the cold air passage 50 to the drain pan 153. The drain water is evaporated there by heat from the pipe 152 and wind from the fan 154.

  The control unit 80 shown in FIG. 8 is responsible for overall control of the refrigerator 1. The control unit 80 is based on a temperature setting command or an operation command made through the operation unit 25, and based on a signal from a temperature sensor (not shown) disposed in each unit, the Stirling refrigerator 110, the ice making unit 43, and the fan 53. , Discharge damper 55, fan 56, discharge damper 64, discharge damper 67, fan 68, heater 69, return damper 76, defrost heater 77, heat radiation fan 124, fan 154, circulation pump 157, etc. Adjust the temperature of ice, and make ice and defrost. Note that the electrical components constituting the control unit 80 are housed in an electrical box 81 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) installed on the ceiling of the heat insulating housing 10.

  When the control unit 80 starts operation of the Stirling refrigerator 110, heat is generated in the high temperature head 111. The secondary refrigerant inside the high-temperature side evaporator 121 evaporates and becomes gas due to the warm heat, and the warm heat is held as latent heat. The gasified secondary refrigerant ascends the gas-phase pipe 123G and enters the high-temperature side condenser 122, where it condenses and sensible heat of latent heat. The warm heat that has become sensible heat is dissipated from the surface of the high-temperature side condenser 122 to the outside of the cabinet. The wind blown from the heat dissipation fan 124 helps heat dissipation. The secondary refrigerant which has condensed and turned into a liquid descends the liquid phase pipe 123L and returns to the high temperature side evaporator 121.

  Cold heat is generated in the low-temperature head 112. The gaseous secondary refrigerant inside the low temperature side condenser 131 is condensed by the cold and becomes a liquid, and the cold is held as latent heat. The liquefied secondary refrigerant descends the liquid phase pipe 133L and enters the low temperature side evaporator 132, where it evaporates due to the heat in the refrigerator 1. The cold heat becomes sensible heat by the evaporation of the secondary refrigerant. The secondary refrigerant that has evaporated to gas goes up the gas-phase pipe 133G and returns to the low-temperature side condenser 131.

  When the fan 53 is operated in a state in which the cold heat is sensible in the low temperature side evaporator 132, the air sucked from the inlet 52 at the lower end of the cold air passage 50 is cooled by the low temperature side evaporator 132 and becomes cold air. The cool air is sent to the cool air passage 51 by the fan 53 and further sent to the cool air passages 54, 63, 66 from there. Further, it is blown out from the cold air discharge port (not shown) to the fourth partition portion 18.

  The cooling device 100 is a cold air temperature that is lower than the refrigeration temperature that can be achieved by a normal compressor cooling device, minus 18 ° C., on average minus 42 to 43 ° C., and in some cases, locally about 50 ° C. discharge temperature. Is feasible. For this reason, the 4th division part 18 from which the cold air from the fan 53 blows directly can reduce indoor temperature to about minus 40 degreeC. An ice making fan (not shown) in the ice making unit 43 blows this cold air against water to make ice, and ice making proceeds quickly. In addition, by adjusting the refrigerating capacity of the cooling device 100, a cold air temperature of about minus 18 ° C. can be obtained.

  The third partition portion 17 can control the amount of cool air flowing in by adjusting the opening degree of the discharge damper 64. For this reason, irrespective of the 4th division part 18, the temperature of the 3rd division part 17 can be maintained to minus 18 degreeC which is a normal freezing temperature.

  The temperature switching section 19 is used in a wide temperature range from the chilled temperature to minus 18 ° C., and the temperature adjustment controls the amount of cold air flowing in by the discharge damper 67 and the return damper 76, and if necessary, the heater This is done by heating the cool air at 69.

  Since the temperature switching section 19 is also used for thawing frozen food, there may be a large temperature difference from the fourth section 18. In order to prevent the high temperature of the temperature switching section 19 from affecting the fourth partition section 18, a portion of the vertical partition 13 between the temperature switching section 19 and the fourth partition section 18 is particularly thick. Has been. Further, the return passage 75 is independent of the fourth partition portion 18 so that the air returning from the temperature switching partition portion 19 to the intake port 52 is not mixed with the air in the fourth partition portion 18.

  When the discharge damper 67 and the return damper 76 are closed and the fan 68 is operated, air circulates in the temperature switching section 19. When the heater 69 is energized in this state, the temperature of the temperature switching section 19 can be increased to a high temperature of 50 to 80 ° C. far exceeding the chilled temperature. Since such a high temperature suppresses the growth of spoilage bacteria, food and others can be stored hygienically in a heat-retaining state.

  Cold air is sent from the fan 56 to the first partition portion 15 and the second partition portion 16 through the cool air passage 54, but the cold air does not overcool the first partition portion 15 and the second partition portion 16. In addition, the amount of cool air is adjusted by the discharge damper 55. The cool air enters the cool air passage 54U from the cool air passage 54, and blows out from the cold air discharge port 57 to the second partition section 16 while rising therethrough. Since a plurality of the cold air discharge ports 57 are formed in the space above the isolation section 16a with a space in the vertical direction, the space is uniformly cooled.

  A part of the cool air enters the transverse cool air passage 61 near the upper end of the ascending cool air passage 54U and blows out from the cool air discharge port 62. Since the cold air discharge port 62 is provided at a predetermined distance from the vertical partition 12, the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge port 57 and the cold air discharged from the cold air discharge port 62 are above the isolation partition 16a. The space is cooled uniformly. Since the two cold air discharge ports 62 are formed at intervals in the horizontal direction, the function of uniform cooling is further enhanced. If the opening area of the cool air discharge port 62 on the downstream side of the lateral cool air passage 61, that is, the right cool air discharge port 62 is made larger than that on the left side, the temperature equalization of the left and right portions of the second partition 16 is further promoted. Can do.

  The cold air that has reached the upper end of the upstream cool air passage 54U enters the downstream cold air passage 54D via the horizontal communication passage 54H. And it blows off to the 1st division part 15 from the cold air discharge port 58, descending | falling in the down cold air | gas channel | path 54D. Since a plurality of the cool air discharge ports 58 are formed at intervals in the vertical direction, the first partition portion 15 is uniformly cooled.

  The cool air indirectly releases cool heat to the left and right compartments as it goes up the ascending cool air passage 54U. In other words, since the heat is received, the temperature of the cold air entering the descending cold air passage 54D is higher than that at the time when it just entered the upstream cold air passage 54U. For this reason, the temperature of the first partition 15 is higher than the temperature of the second partition 16.

  Thus, by providing the cold air passage inside the vertical partition 12, the internal space of the vertical partition 12 that has not been considered so far can be effectively utilized, and the first partition 15 and the second partition 16. The depth of can be expanded. Further, in the vertical partition section 12, an ascending cool air passage 54U that raises the cool air cooled by the low temperature side evaporator 132 and a descending cool air passage 54D that lowers the cool air that has risen above are formed. Since the cool air is supplied to the partition portion 16 from the upstream cool air passage 54U and the cool air is supplied to the first partition portion 15 from the downstream cool air passage 54D, the temperature rise of the cool air that naturally occurs in the flow process is utilized. The temperature can be made different between the partition section 16 and the first partition section 15.

  FIG. 7 shows the detailed structure of the vertical partition 12. The vertical partition 12 includes a vertical partition front portion 12A and a vertical partition rear portion 12B. The vertical partition portion front portion 12A has a structure in which the heat insulator 170 is sandwiched between the left shell 171L and the right shell 171R, and the vertical partition portion rear portion 12B has a structure in which the heat insulator 172 is sandwiched between the left shell 173L and the right shell 173R. is there. The heat insulators 170 and 172 are made by foaming a resin such as styrene or urethane. The left shell 171L, the right shell 171R, the left shell 173L, and the right shell 173R are formed of a resin such as polypropylene or polystyrene. The left shell 171L and the right shell 171R, and the left shell 173L and the right shell 173R are coupled to each other by claw engagement, screwing, adhesion, or the like.

  The front surface of the vertical partition front portion 12A is covered with a cover 174. The cover 174 is made of a color steel plate. Needless to say, this is a magnetic material, and the magnet-containing gaskets attached to the back surfaces of the first heat insulation door 20 and the second heat insulation door 21 are adsorbed exactly. Thereby, the sealing performance of the 1st heat insulation door 20 and the 2nd heat insulation door 21 improves. The cover 174 is connected to the left shell 171L and the right shell 171R by claw engagement, screwing, adhesion, or the like.

  A pipe 152 is arranged in the vicinity of the back surface of the cover 174. The pipe 152 is disposed in a recess 175 formed in the heat insulator 170. The pipe 152 may be in direct contact with the cover 174, or a butyl rubber sheet may be attached to the back surface of the cover 174, and the cover 174 may be contacted via the butyl rubber sheet. The butyl rubber sheet also reinforces the attachment of the cover 174.

  The formation method of the vertical partition 12 described so far is also applied to the formation of the horizontal partitions 11 and 14 and the vertical partition 13.

  In the heat insulating body 172, a concave portion 176 is formed on the side facing the left shell 173L, which is shaped like the rising cool air passage 54U, the horizontal communication passage 54H, and the descending cold air passage 54D. By covering the recess 176 with the left shell 173L, an ascending cool air passage 54U, a horizontal communication passage 54H, and a descending cool air passage 54D are formed.

  Only the left shell 173L separates the upstream cool air passage 54U from the outside. Accordingly, the surface of the left shell 173L is cooled by the cold air passing through the ascending cold air passage 54U, and there is a possibility of condensation, but this portion is in close contact with the right partition 46a of the machine room 46 as seen in FIG. Therefore, condensation is prevented. In addition, if air enters between the left shell 173L and the right partition wall 46a, moisture in the air is condensed. Therefore, a sealing material (for example, butyl rubber, silicon rubber, soft urethane foam, etc.) is used to prevent air from entering this portion. It is good to seal with.

  Condensation occurs on the surface of the left shell 173L when only the left shell 173L is separated from the outside of the horizontal communication passage 54H, which is separated from the right partition 46a and the descending cold air passage 54D. In view of this, a heat insulator 177 is disposed on the back side of the left shell 173L at these locations so that the cold air passing through the horizontal communication passage 54H and the descending cold air passage 54D does not contact the left shell 173L.

  As a result of arranging the heat insulator 177, the descending cold air passage 54D is slightly shifted to the right. Accordingly, the thickness of the heat insulator 172 between the right shell 173R is reduced, but there is less problem because the temperature of the cool air flowing through the descending cool air passage 54D is higher than that of the cool air flowing through the ascending cool air passage 54U.

  The upstream cool air passage 54U is also provided with a heat insulator corresponding to the heat insulator 177 if necessary. For example, this may be the case when a location that deviates from the right partition wall 46a is generated.

  Moreover, when the volume of the 1st partition part 15 is significantly smaller than the volume of the 2nd partition part 16 like this embodiment, the amount of cold air supplied to the 1st partition part 15 is set to the 2nd partition part 16. It can be less than the amount of cold air to be supplied. That is, the cross-sectional area of the descending cold air passage 54D can be made smaller than the cross-sectional area of the ascending cold air passage 54U. In order to reduce the cross-sectional area by compressing the width in the left-right direction of the descending cold air passage 54D in order to make the cross-sectional area of the descending cold air passage 54D smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cold air passage 54U, the space between the right shell 173R and the right shell 173R is reduced. The thickness of the heat insulator 172 can be recovered.

  A part of the cold air flowing through the cold air passage 54 enters the transverse cold air passage 59 just before entering the upstream cold air passage 54U. The cold air that has entered the transverse cold air passage 59 is blown out into the case 33 from two cold air discharge ports 60 that are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction, and the inside of the case 33 in the isolation section 16a is uniformly cooled. By adjusting the amount of cold air blown out from the cold air passage 59, the temperature of the isolation compartment 16a is made lower than the space above it, and the isolation compartment as a chilled room or an ice greenhouse, for example, with an internal temperature of 0 ° C. or −3 ° C. 16a can be used. The adjustment of the amount of cold air can be realized by a method such as setting the cross-sectional area of the horizontal cold air passage 59, setting the opening area of the cold air discharge port 60, or installing a damper in the horizontal cold air passage 59.

  Return air from the first partition section 15 and return air from the second partition section 16 having a relatively high temperature flow around the case 34 in the isolation partition section 16b, particularly at the lower side thereof. When the return air from the first partition 15 and the return air from the second partition 16 flow, the temperature drop of the isolation partition 16b is small, for example, the internal temperature becomes a level of 5 ° C. Therefore, the isolation | separation division part 16b can be utilized as a vegetable storage space. Moreover, the partition cover 35 closes the upper surface opening part of the case 34 exactly, and, thereby, the moisture evaporation of the foodstuff in the case 34 is suppressed. Therefore, the inside of the case 34 becomes a space more suitable for vegetable storage.

  In addition, if a part of the return air from the second partition part 16 is caused to flow in the gap between the upper surface of the partition cover 35 and the lower surface of the case 33, the effect of air insulation by the return air having a relatively high temperature. Thus, even if the isolation section 16a is set in a chilled room or an ice greenhouse, the low temperature is not easily transmitted to the isolation section 16b, which is useful for preventing the vegetables in the case 34 from freezing. In order to enhance the heat insulating effect, a heat insulating layer may be formed on the partition cover 35 by attaching a heat insulating material or the like.

  The effect that the cooling cycle and the heat dissipation cycle can be separated without excessive or waste by placing the low temperature portion on the bottom and the high temperature portion on the top can also be enjoyed by a cooling device other than the Stirling cooling device. For example, in the case of a cooling device using a Peltier element, the low temperature head 112 and the low temperature side evaporator 132 are replaced with the low temperature part of the Peltier element, and the high temperature head 111 and the high temperature side condenser 122 are replaced with the high temperature part of the Peltier element. The effect of can be obtained.

  The same applies to a refrigeration cycle that uses a refrigerant such as HC refrigerant and that includes a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerant pipe, an expansion valve, a capillary tube, an evaporator, and the like as a cooling device. If a heat generating part such as a compressor or a condenser is placed in the machine room 46 and a part of a capillary tube or an evaporator is placed in the storage, the heat generating part is located on the upper rear surface of the heat insulating housing 10. Can easily escape upward, the influence of heat on the storage chamber is reduced, and a cooler with less energy loss can be obtained.

  In addition, the effect of providing the concave machine room on the upper back surface of the heat insulating housing is not unique to a refrigerator equipped with a Stirling refrigerator. Even in a compressor type cooling device using a refrigerant such as HC refrigerant, the protrusion of the machine room to the storage chamber can be reduced, and a cooler with good volumetric efficiency can be obtained. If a compressor is placed in the machine room and a condenser or refrigerant pipe is provided on a part of the ceiling of the heat insulating housing, the protrusion of the machine room to the storage room is further reduced, and the effective internal volume of the storage room is reduced. Increase.

  Unlike the above-described embodiment, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which all of the cooling device is arranged at the lower part of the heat insulating casing, specifically at a level below the lower part of the partition part. This configuration is not particularly inconvenient in terms of supplying cool air to the upstream cool air passage.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 connecting the low temperature side condenser 131 and the low temperature side evaporator 132 extends in the horizontal direction from the outer periphery of the low temperature side evaporator 131, and then bends at a right angle downward. That is, the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 is not on the extension line of the central axis of the Stirling refrigerator 110. Further, as shown in FIG. 12 and as can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, the center of gravity of the low-temperature side evaporator 132 is not on the extension line of the Stirling refrigerator 110. For this reason, when the Stirling refrigerator 110 vibrates in the axial direction, the vibration is converted into the bending stress of the secondary refrigerant pipe 133, and the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 absorbs the vibration by its own bending. The vibration of the side evaporator 132 can be reduced. Thereby, low vibration and low noise of the heat insulating housing 10 are brought about.

  Next, a vibration-proof and heat-insulating structure of the low-temperature head 112 and the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The heat insulating material 180 surrounds a part of the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 led out from the low temperature head 112, the low temperature side condenser 131, and the low temperature side condenser 131. The heat insulating material 180 is not homogeneous, and is composed of two layers of an outermost heat insulating material 180a and an inner heat insulating material 180b. The outermost layer heat insulating material 180a is a hard heat insulating material, and polystyrene foam is preferable from the viewpoint of cost. The inner heat insulating material 180b is urethane foam.

  In forming the heat insulating material 180, the heat insulating material 180a divided into several parts is assembled and one of the secondary refrigerant pipes 133 led out from the low temperature head 112, the low temperature side condenser 131, and the low temperature side condenser 131 is assembled. The part is enclosed, and urethane is foamed inside the heat insulating material 180a. The space inside the heat insulating material 180a is filled with foamed urethane, and the urethane foam is cured, so that each part of the heat insulating material 180a is also bonded and fixed. The thickness of the heat insulating material 180a is set to such an extent that it can withstand the foaming pressure of urethane. Since the hardened urethane foam is hard, the entire heat insulating material 180 becomes a hard heat insulating material.

  The heat insulating material 181 surrounding the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 is the same as the heat insulating material 180 up to the point where the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 is surrounded by the heat insulating material 181a made of polystyrene foam which forms the outermost layer, but the heat insulating material 181a and the secondary refrigerant pipe The kind of the heat insulating material 181b arrange | positioned in the clearance gap of 133 differs. It is not a urethane but a foamed polyethylene sheet (polyethylene foam) having elasticity. Since foamed polyethylene maintains elasticity even at low temperatures, it is suitable for reducing vibration of the secondary refrigerant pipe 133. The thickness of the heat insulating material 181a is set to such an extent that it can withstand the urethane foaming pressure when the heat insulating housing 10 is formed.

  If the piping work includes a brazing process and the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 is at a high temperature, a flame-retardant EPDM (ethylene-propylene) rubber foam or NBR (nitrile-butadiene) rubber foam is used instead of polyethylene foam. Use your body. Since the flame-retardant foam material is expensive, only the portion near the brazed portion of the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 is surrounded by the flame-retardant foam material, and foamed polyethylene may be used for the other portions.

  By filling the heat insulating material 181a with the foamed resin, there is no room for air convection inside the heat insulating material 181 and the heat insulating property is improved. Also, the foamed polyethylene, the EPDM rubber foam, and the NBR rubber foam each have elasticity, so that the outermost layer is made of polystyrene foam, but the inside of the heat insulating material 181 (near the parts of the refrigeration cycle) has appropriate elasticity as a whole. It will be.

  A through hole 182 through which the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 is passed is formed in the heat insulating housing 10. At the location of the through hole 182, the inner diameter of the heat insulating material 181a is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the heat insulating material 181b. The elastic inner heat insulating material 181b is crushed by the outer hard heat insulating material 181a, and the outer surface of the inner heat insulating material 181b is crimped to the inner surface of the outer heat insulating material 181a to obtain an airtight / liquid tight state. It is done. Thereby, the heat insulation performance of the heat insulation housing | casing 10 improves, and it can prevent that dew condensation water etc. permeate the inside of the heat insulation housing | casing 10. FIG. The outer surface of the heat insulating material 181a is sealed with urethane foam when urethane is foamed inside the heat insulating casing 10, so that moisture and moisture do not enter from there.

  The low temperature head 112, the low temperature side condenser 131, and the heat insulating material 180 surrounding a part of the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 led out from the low temperature side condenser 131 and the heat insulating material 181 surrounding the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 are separated from each other. As a result, vibration transmission to the heat insulating casing 10 via the heat insulating material is reduced, and low vibration and low noise of the refrigerator 1 can be achieved.

  There is a gap between the heat insulating material 180 and the heat insulating material 181, and the thickness of the heat insulating layer surrounding the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 is insufficient. Although it is conceivable to increase the protrusion of the heat insulating material 181b so that the gap is completely filled, the processing becomes complicated and the cost is increased. Therefore, the elastic heat insulating material 183 is filled in the gap portion. The elastic heat insulating material 183 may be formed of a closed-cell soft heat insulating material such as foamed polyethylene, and one surface of the elastic heat insulating material 183 may be bonded to the surface of the heat insulating material 181b. In this way, while keeping the heat insulating material 180 and the heat insulating material 181 in a separated state from the viewpoint of vibration isolation, it is possible to prevent external heat from entering through the gap and impairing the cooling performance.

  The elastic heat insulating material 183 can be easily attached to the exposed surface of the heat insulating material 181b. However, it is difficult to apply the elastic heat insulating material 183 to the side surfaces of the heat insulating material 180a and the heat insulating material 181a. Cannot be completely prevented. Therefore, in order to compensate for this, a waterproof band 184 is wrapped around the outer surface of the heat insulating materials 180 and 181 and the elastic heat insulating material 183 so as to be sealed. As the waterproof band 184, an elastic material film with little moisture permeation, for example, a butyl rubber tape having a thickness of about 0.5 mm is suitable. Processing the waterproof band 184 in the form of an adhesive tape is convenient for work.

Thus, by sealing the gap portion between the heat insulating material 180 and the heat insulating material 181 with the waterproof band 184, it is possible to prevent the outside air from entering from there. In the gap portion, there may be a portion where the heat insulation thickness is insufficient, for example, the secondary refrigerant pipe 133 which is only wrapped with the heat insulating material 181b. When outside air is continuously supplied to such a portion, condensation continuously occurs. Condensed water penetrates into fine gaps such as between the heat insulating material 181a and the heat insulating material 181b, and causes a problem of mold generation in the long term. If this gap is sealed with a waterproof band 184, outside air will not enter and the problem of condensed water can be solved.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

    The present invention can be widely used in a refrigerator for home use or business use.

Front view of refrigerator Front view of the refrigerator with the insulated door removed Vertical section of the refrigerator Vertical sectional view of the refrigerator in different parts Configuration diagram of cold air passage Horizontal sectional view of the refrigerator cut along line AA in FIG. Expanded horizontal cross section of vertical partition Schematic configuration diagram of the cooling device mounted in the refrigerator Partial vertical cross-sectional view of the Stirling refrigerator installed part of the refrigerator Top view of Stirling refrigerator supported by support member Top view of support member Schematic perspective view of cooling device Block diagram showing the flow of cold air

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 10 Heat insulation housing | casing 100 Cooling device 110 Stirling refrigerator 111 High temperature head 112 Low temperature head 120 High temperature side 1st circulation circuit 121 High temperature side evaporator 122 High temperature side condenser 123 Secondary refrigerant piping 130 Low temperature side circulation circuit 131 Low temperature side condensation Device 132 Low-temperature side evaporator 133 Secondary refrigerant piping 150 High-temperature side second circulation circuit 151 Heat exchanger 160 Dew prevention part 180, 181 Heat insulating material 182 Through hole 183 Elastic heat insulating material 184 Waterproof band

Claims (5)

A heat-insulating housing having a storage chamber for storing an object to be cooled inside;
A Stirling refrigerator placed vertically on the upper part of the heat insulating housing so that a high-temperature head is arranged above the low-temperature head;
A high temperature side evaporator thermally connected to the high temperature head and a high temperature side condenser connected thereto;
In a refrigerator having a low temperature side condenser thermally connected to the low temperature head and a low temperature side evaporator connected to the low temperature side condenser,
The low-temperature side evaporator is disposed inside the storage chamber, and is connected to the low-temperature side condenser via a refrigerant pipe penetrating the heat insulating housing.
The refrigerant pipe and the low-temperature side evaporator are both located at positions deviating from the central axis extension line of the Stirling refrigerator. The portion of the refrigerant pipe that penetrates the heat insulating housing is surrounded by an elastic heat insulating material and an outer hard heat insulating material, and the inner diameter of the outer heat insulating material is smaller than the outer diameter of the inner heat insulating material. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the low-temperature head and the refrigerant pipe are individually surrounded by a heat insulating material, and each heat insulating material has an outermost layer made of a hard heat insulating material. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein an elastic heat insulating material is filled in a gap between the heat insulating material surrounding the low-temperature head and the heat insulating material surrounding the refrigerant pipe. The refrigerator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a portion of a gap between the heat insulating material surrounding the low-temperature head and the heat insulating material surrounding the refrigerant pipe is sealed with a waterproof band.

Images