JP2018096598A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator comprising an easily assemblable shielding device, allowing for securement of a wide accommodation volume of a storage chamber, and having increased air blowing efficiency thereby allowing for improvement in cooling performance.SOLUTION: The refrigerator comprises: a cooling chamber 13 provided in a prescribed arrangement with a cooler 32; a supply air channel 15 connecting a cooling chamber 13 and a storage chamber 4A; a blower 40 disposed in an air blowing port 26 connecting the cooling chamber 13 and the supply air channel 15; a movable blower cover 60 for covering the blower 40; and a base member 51 fixed to a partitioning member 35 partitioning the storage chamber 4A and the supply air channel 15, and supporting the blower 40 and the blower cover 60. The partitioning member 35 has: a support shaft portion 37 projecting from a main surface facing a supply air channel 15 side and inserted into a supporting hole 53a of the base member 51; and a latching piece 38 engaged with an outer peripheral portion of the base member 51. An elastic portion 57 deforming to allow passing through of a claw portion of the latching piece 38 in assembling, is formed near the outer peripheral portion of the base member 51 with which the latching piece 38 is engaged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator that stores food or the like in a storage room in a cold state, and particularly relates to a refrigerator that includes a shielding device that closes a supply air passage through which cold air flows as necessary.

  Conventionally, in a refrigerator configured to supply air cooled by a cooler in a cooling chamber to a storage room via a supply air passage, in order to prevent warm air during the defrosting operation from flowing into the storage room, cooling is performed. It is known to provide a shielding device for closing the air blowing port at the air blowing port of the chamber (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  13A and 13B are perspective views showing the shielding device 150 disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG. 13A shows a state in which the blower cover 160 is closed, and FIG. The state which opened the air blower cover 160 is shown. As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the shielding device 150 is provided on the discharge side of the blower 140 attached to the blower opening of the cooling chamber, and is a blower cover that can reciprocate in the rotation axis direction of the fan 142. 160.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when the blower cover 160 approaches the blower 140, the peripheral edge of the blower cover 160 is fitted into the casing 141 of the blower 140, and the air flow path of the blower 140 is blocked. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the blower cover 160 moves away from the blower 140, a flow path for air to flow is formed between the blower cover 160 and the casing 141. Then, as schematically indicated by the arrow V, the air discharged by the blower 140 flows out.

  The blower 140 is an axial blower, and the fan motor 143 of the blower 140 is fixed to the casing 141 by a support frame 148. The blower cover 160 is supported by guide pins 152 provided on the casing 141 of the blower 140.

  FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the shielding device 250 disclosed in Patent Document 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the shielding device 250 disclosed in this document includes a blower cover 260 that is slidably supported by guide pins 252 that are erected on a support base 251. The blower cover 260 is opened and closed by a drive shaft 267 that is disposed through the blower cover 260 and screwed into the screw hole 263 of the blower cover 260.

  A motor for driving the drive shaft 267 is built in the shaft support portion 255, and the shaft support portion 255 is connected to the frame portion 253 of the support base 251 by a support frame 258. The support base 251 is attached to a casing of a blower (not shown) attached to the air outlet of the cooling chamber, and is fixed to the casing by fixing means such as a screw that penetrates the hole 259.

JP 2013-190149 A JP2015-64122A

  However, in the above-described conventional refrigerator, there is a point to be improved regarding the shielding device and the blower in order to improve the cooling performance of the refrigerator.

  Specifically, in order to improve the cooling performance of the refrigerator, it is effective to increase the air flow rate of the air supplied to the storage room and increase the air flow rate. However, in the configuration of the blower disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, as shown in FIG. 13, there is a support frame 148 for supporting the fan motor 143 in the air flow path. The air flow may be obstructed by 148.

  Moreover, in the structure which opens and closes the air blower cover 260 with the drive shaft 267 supported by the support base | substrate 251 attached to the casing of an air blower like the shielding apparatus 250 disclosed by patent document 2 shown in FIG. The supporting support frame 258 is disposed across the air flow path. Therefore, air flow loss is caused by the support frame 258 disposed in the air flow path.

  If a wide supply air passage in the vicinity of the shielding device is secured in order to reduce the air flow loss, there arises a problem that the storage capacity of the storage chamber becomes narrow. Further, when the configuration of the shielding device is changed in order to reduce the air flow loss, the effective volume of the storage chamber may be reduced because the ineffective volume of the shielding device and its surroundings increases as described above. There is. Further, if the space around the shielding device is narrowed so as to ensure a large storage capacity of the storage chamber, the assembling work of the shielding device becomes difficult.

  For example, as a structure for supporting the shielding device, when a configuration in which an elastically deformable locking piece or the like is provided on the partition member and the locking member is engaged with the locking piece or the like is considered, In order to facilitate the assembly, it is necessary to form the locking pieces and the like relatively long so that the locking pieces and the like are easily elastically deformed. If it does so, a structure and its surrounding space will become large in order to support a shielding apparatus, and the storage capacity of a store room will reduce.

  On the other hand, when the locking piece or the like is formed short, the locking piece or the like is hardly elastically deformed, and it is difficult to assemble the shielding device. Moreover, if the space around the engaging portion by the locking piece or the like is narrowed, the assembling work becomes more difficult, and there is a risk that the attachment will be poor or parts may be damaged due to excessive force being applied.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to provide a shielding device that is easy to assemble, to ensure a large storage capacity of the storage room, and to improve the blowing efficiency. An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can be improved to improve the cooling performance.

  The refrigerator of the present invention includes a storage chamber, a cooling chamber in which a cooler for cooling the air supplied to the storage chamber is disposed, and the air cooled by the cooler connecting the cooling chamber and the storage chamber. A flowing supply air passage, a blower provided on the supply air passage side of the air outlet connecting the cooling chamber and the supply air passage, and approaching the blower from the supply air passage side to connect the blower and the air outlet. A movable blower cover for covering, and a base member fixed to a partition member partitioning the storage chamber and the supply air passage to support the blower and slidably support the blower cover, The partition member protrudes from a main surface facing the supply air passage side and is inserted into a support hole formed in the base member, and protrudes from the main surface to the outer peripheral portion of the base member. A locking piece to be engaged, and An elastic portion is formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member with which the stopper piece engages, and the base member is deformed to allow passage of the claw portion of the locking piece when the base member is assembled to the partition member. It is characterized by being.

  In the refrigerator of the present invention, the elastic part is configured to be elastically deformable by a slit formed along the outer peripheral part.

  The refrigerator of the present invention is characterized in that an edge curved portion protruding toward the blower cover is formed on the peripheral edge of the slit.

  In the refrigerator of the present invention, a pressing portion that protrudes toward the base member and presses the elastic portion when the base member is assembled to the partition member is formed on the surface of the blower cover on the base member side. It is characterized by being.

  Further, the refrigerator of the present invention is characterized in that a chamfered inclined portion is formed at a corner portion on the partition member side of the outer peripheral portion of the portion where the elastic portion is formed.

  According to the refrigerator of the present invention, the blower provided on the supply air passage side of the blower opening connecting the cooling chamber and the supply air passage, and the blower and the blower opening are approached to the blower from the supply air passage side. A movable blower cover for covering, and a base member for supporting the blower and slidably supporting the blower cover, wherein the base member is a partition member that partitions the storage chamber and the supply air passage. It is fixed. With this configuration, all the members that support the fan motor of the blower and the members that support the drive shaft that drives the blower cover can be arranged on the partition member side with respect to the fan. Therefore, when the blower cover is opened, the air flow path is not obstructed by the member that supports the fan motor and the drive shaft. That is, according to the present invention, the support frame 148 that supports the fan motor 143 found in the prior art shown in FIG. 13 and the support frame 258 that supports the drive shaft 267 like the prior art shown in FIG. Not placed in. Thereby, the flow loss of the air sent out from an air blower can be reduced, the flow volume of the air supplied to a storage chamber can be increased, and the cooling performance of a refrigerator can be improved.

  And in the refrigerator of this invention, the said partition member protrudes from the main surface which faces the said supply air path side, and the spindle part inserted in the support hole formed in the said base member, and protrudes from the said main surface A locking piece that engages with the outer peripheral portion of the base member, and the base member is assembled to the partition member in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member with which the locking piece engages. At this time, an elastic portion is formed which is deformed to allow passage of the claw portion of the locking piece. Thereby, in the above-described configuration capable of increasing the air volume and improving the cooling performance, the shielding device including the blower cover and the blower can be easily assembled to the partition member.

  Specifically, the support shaft portion of the partition member is fitted into the support hole of the base member that supports the blower and the blower cover, and the base member is pushed into the partition member side, so that the partition member is inserted into the outer periphery of the base member. The locking piece engages and the base member is fixed. Thereby, an air blower and an air blower cover are assembled | attached to a partition member.

  In particular, an elastic part is formed near the outer peripheral part of the base member so as to allow passage of the claw part of the locking piece when the base member is assembled to the partition member. The base member can be easily attached. Further, it is possible to prevent the base member, the locking claws and the like from being excessively deformed and damaged during the assembly.

  Moreover, since an elastic part is formed in the outer peripheral part of a base member, when attaching a base member, it is not necessary to change a latching claw largely. Therefore, the latching claw can be formed short, the space near the latching claw can be narrowed, and the storage volume of the storage chamber can be secured widely.

  Moreover, according to the refrigerator of this invention, the said elastic part is comprised by the slit formed along the said outer peripheral part so that elastic deformation is possible. Thereby, when a base member is assembled | attached to a partition member, an elastic part deform | transforms easily toward the center side of a base member. Therefore, it becomes easy to attach the base member.

  Moreover, according to the refrigerator of this invention, the edge curved part which protrudes in the said fan cover side is formed in the peripheral edge of the said slit. Thereby, the rigidity in the vicinity of the elastic portion is increased, and the elastic portion is prevented from being deformed in the insertion direction of the base member. Therefore, the work of assembling the base member to the partition member is facilitated, and the base member can be firmly fixed to the partition member.

  According to the refrigerator of the present invention, on the surface of the blower cover on the base member side, the pressing portion that protrudes toward the base member and presses the elastic portion when the base member is assembled to the partition member. Is formed. Thereby, when the base member is assembled to the partition member, the pressing member suppresses the base member from being deformed in the insertion direction, and the elastic portion can be easily engaged with the locking piece.

  That is, the base member can be easily engaged with the locking piece by pressing the vicinity of the blower cover previously attached to the base member and pushing it toward the partition member. Also, with such a configuration, it is not necessary to secure a space where an operator's finger or the like can be inserted in the vicinity of the elastic portion or the locking piece in order to press the base member. Therefore, the surrounding space of the shielding device can be narrowed to ensure a large storage volume of the storage chamber.

  Moreover, according to the refrigerator of this invention, the chamfered inclined part is formed in the corner | angular part by the side of the said partition member of the said outer peripheral part of the site | part in which the said elastic part was formed. Accordingly, when the base member is assembled to the partition member, the elastic portion is pushed by the claw portion of the locking piece and is easily deformed to the center side of the base member. Therefore, the work of assembling the base member is facilitated.

It is a front external view of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the outline of the supply air path of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the cooling chamber vicinity which shows the state which the air blower cover of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention is open. It is side surface sectional drawing of the cooling chamber vicinity which shows the state which the air blower cover of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention is closing. It is a disassembled perspective view of the shielding apparatus of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective sectional view showing the shielding device neighborhood of the refrigerator concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the buffer member vicinity of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is (A) longitudinal cross-sectional view of the buffer member of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (B) It is a cross-sectional view. It is a disassembled perspective view of the shielding apparatus of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is (A) sectional drawing and (B) perspective view which show the engaging part vicinity of the base member and locking piece of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the wiring path | route part vicinity of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which closed the (A) air blower cover of the shielding apparatus of a prior art, and the (B) air blower cover opened. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the shielding apparatus of another prior art.

  Hereinafter, the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated in detail based on drawing.

  FIG. 1 is a front external view showing a schematic structure of a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment includes a heat insulating box 2 as a main body, and a storage room for storing food and the like is formed inside the heat insulating box 2. The interior of the storage room is divided into a plurality of storage rooms according to the storage temperature and application. The uppermost stage is the refrigerator compartment 3, the lower left part is the ice making room 4, the right part is the upper freezer room 5, and the lower part is the lower part freezer. The room 6 is the vegetable room 7 at the bottom. The ice making chamber 4, the upper freezing chamber 5, and the lower freezing chamber 6 are all storage rooms in the freezing temperature range. In the following description, these are collectively referred to as a freezer compartment 4A as appropriate.

  The front surface of the heat insulation box 2 is opened, and heat insulation doors 8 to 12 are provided in the openings corresponding to the respective storage chambers so as to be freely opened and closed. The heat insulating doors 8a and 8b divide and block the front of the refrigerator compartment 3, and the left upper and lower parts of the heat insulating door 8a and the upper right lower part of the heat insulating door 8b are rotatably supported by the heat insulating box 2. Moreover, the heat insulation doors 9-12 are each united with a storage container, and are supported by the heat insulation box 2 so that it can be pulled out to the front of the refrigerator 1.

  FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a schematic structure of the refrigerator 1. In FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the flow of air circulating in the warehouse is indicated by solid arrows. As shown in FIG. 2, the heat insulation box 2 which is the main body of the refrigerator 1 is disposed with a steel plate outer box 2a having a front opening and a gap in the outer box 2a, and the front opening. It is composed of an inner box 2b made of synthetic resin, and a heat insulating material 2c made of polyurethane foam filled and foamed in a gap between the outer box 2a and the inner box 2b. Each of the heat insulating doors 8 to 12 adopts the same heat insulating structure as that of the heat insulating box 2.

  The refrigerator compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4 </ b> A located at the lower stage thereof are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 28. The ice making chamber 4 and the upper freezing chamber 5 inside the freezing chamber 4A are partitioned by a partition wall (not shown in the drawing). The ice making chamber 4 and the upper freezing chamber 5 and the lower freezing chamber 6 provided in the lower stage communicate with the cold air in a freely flowing manner. The freezer compartment 4 </ b> A and the vegetable compartment 7 are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 29.

  On the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 3, a refrigerator compartment supply air passage 14 is formed as a supply air passage that is partitioned by a synthetic resin partition member 27 and supplies cold air to the refrigerator compartment 3. In the refrigerator compartment supply air passage 14, an outlet 17 for blowing cool air into the refrigerator compartment 3 is formed. In addition, the refrigerator compartment supply air passage 14 is provided with a refrigerator compartment damper 34. The refrigerating room damper 34 is an openable / closable damper driven by a motor or the like, and controls the flow rate of the cold air supplied to the refrigerating room 3 to appropriately maintain the temperature inside the refrigerating room 3.

  Behind the freezer compartment 4A, there is formed a freezer compartment supply air passage 15 which is a supply air passage for flowing the air cooled by the cooler 32 to the freezer compartment 4A. A cooling chamber 13 is formed further rearward of the freezing chamber supply air passage 15, and a cooler 32, which is an evaporator for cooling the air circulating in the warehouse, is disposed therein.

  The cooler 32 is connected to the compressor 31, a radiator (not shown), an expansion valve (not shown) or a capillary tube via a refrigerant pipe, and constitutes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle circuit. In the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, isobutane, that is, R600a is used as the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle.

  FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the supply air path of the refrigerator 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 1 includes a vegetable compartment supply air passage 16 that connects the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 7. Thereby, the cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 3 flows into the vegetable compartment supply air passage 16 from the return port 21 formed in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 3, is blown out from the blower outlet 20, and is supplied to the vegetable compartment 7. . As shown in FIG. 2, a return port 24 connected to the lower portion of the cooling chamber 13 is formed in the vegetable chamber 7, and air in the vegetable chamber 7 flows from the return port 24 to the lower portion of the cooling chamber 13.

  In addition, while providing the return air path which returns air from the refrigerator compartment 3 to the cooling chamber 13, the vegetable compartment supply air path which connects the cooling chamber 13 or the freezer compartment supply air path 15, and the vegetable compartment 7 is provided, and the refrigerator compartment from the refrigerator compartment 13 is provided. A configuration in which cold air is supplied to the vegetable compartment 7 without going through 3 can also be adopted. Moreover, in order to control the flow of the cold air supplied to the vegetable compartment 7, a vegetable compartment damper may be provided.

  4 and 5 are side sectional views showing the structure in the vicinity of the cooling chamber 13 of the refrigerator 1, FIG. 4 shows a state in which the blower cover 60 is open, and FIG. 5 shows the blower cover 60 being closed. Indicates the state.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cooling chamber 13 is provided inside the heat insulating box 2 and on the far side of the freezer compartment supply air passage 15. The cooling chamber 13 and the freezer compartment supply air passage 15 or the freezer compartment 4A are partitioned by a partition member 25 made of synthetic resin. That is, the cooling chamber 13 is a space formed by being sandwiched between the inner box 2 b and the partition member 25.

  The freezer compartment supply air passage 15 formed in front of the cooling chamber 13 is a space formed between the partition member 25 and the partition member 35 assembled in front of the partition member 25, and the cold air cooled by the cooler 32 is It becomes a flowing supply air channel. The upper part of the freezer compartment supply air passage 15 is connected to the refrigerator compartment supply air passage 14.

  The partition member 35 is formed with an air outlet 18 that is an opening for blowing cool air into the freezer compartment 4A. A return port 23 for returning air from the freezing chamber 4 </ b> A to the lower portion of the cooling chamber 13 is formed on the lower back surface of the lower freezing chamber 6.

  A defrost heater 33 is provided below the cooler 32 as defrosting means for melting and removing frost adhering to the cooler 32. The defrost heater 33 is an electric resistance heating type heater. In addition, as a defrosting means, it is also possible to employ | adopt other defrost systems, such as an off-cycle defrost which does not use an electric heater, and a hot gas defrost, for example.

  The partition member 25 at the top of the cooling chamber 13 is formed with an air outlet 26 that is an opening connected to the freezer compartment supply air passage 15. A blower 40 that sends cold air to the freezer compartment 4A and the like is disposed in front of the blower opening 26. The blower 40 is an eccentric blower provided with an eccentric fan 42.

  A shielding device 50 having a movable blower cover 60 is provided in front of the blower 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the blower cover 60 approaches the blower 40 from the freezer compartment supply air passage 15 side and covers the blower 40 and the blower opening 26.

  The blower cover 60 is driven by a drive shaft 67 provided on the partition member 35 side and moves in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 4, when the blower cover 60 moves forward and moves away from the blower 40, a flow path through which air can flow is formed between the blower cover 60 and the partition member 25. Thereby, the air cooled by the cooler 32 is sent out by the blower 40 and supplied to the refrigerator compartment 3, the freezer compartment 4A, and the vegetable compartment 7.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the blower cover 60 moves rearward and approaches the blower 40, the blower cover 60 is covered with the blower cover 60, the blower port 26 is blocked, and cold air flows. Is shielded.

  Note that the blower cover 60 has a substantially concave shape on the surface facing the blower 40. Thereby, the blower cover 60 does not contact the fan 42 of the blower 40 disposed in front of the blower port 26, and the rear end of the side surface portion of the blower cover 60 abuts on the front surface of the partition member 25. Can be blocked.

  The opening / closing operation of the shielding device 50 is controlled by a control device (not shown). For example, in the defrosting operation for removing frost attached to the cooler 32, the blower cover 60 is closed as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, when the cooling operation is continued, frost adheres to the air-side heat transfer surface of the cooler 32, hinders heat transfer and closes the air flow path. Therefore, the control device determines frost formation from a decrease in the refrigerant evaporation temperature or the like, or determines it using a defrost timer or the like, and starts a defrosting operation for removing frost adhering to the cooler 32.

  In the defrosting operation, the control device stops the compressor 31 and energizes the defrosting heater 33. Thereby, the frost adhering to the cooler 32 melts. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the blower opening 26 is blocked by the blower cover 60. Thereby, the air in the cooling chamber 13 warmed by the defrost heater 33 can be prevented from flowing out to the freezing chamber supply air passage 15. As a result, the cooling performance of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

  When the defrosting of the cooler 32 is completed, the control device stops energization of the defrost heater 33, starts the compressor 31, and starts cooling by the refrigeration circuit. Then, after detecting that the cooler 32 and the cooling chamber 13 have been cooled to a predetermined temperature, or after a predetermined time has elapsed with a timer or the like, the control device opens the blower cover 60 as shown in FIG. Open and start operating the blower 40. Thereby, the influence by defrost heat can be suppressed and cooling operation can be restarted.

  Next, the shielding device 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the shielding device 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the shielding device 50 opens and closes the blower cover 60 that opens and closes the blower 40, a base member 51 that supports the blower 40 and slidably supports the blower cover 60, and opens and closes the blower cover 60. And a drive shaft 67 for driving.

  The shielding device 50 is attached to the freezer compartment supply air passage 15 side of the partition member 35 that partitions the freezer compartment 4 </ b> A and the freezer compartment supply air passage 15. Specifically, the rear surface of the partition member 35 is formed with a substantially circular recess 36 that is recessed forward, and the shielding device 50 is disposed in the recess 36. That is, the partition member 35 protrudes forward only at a portion corresponding to the recess 36 in which the shielding device 50 is disposed. Since the shielding device 50 is disposed in the recess 36 in this manner, the protrusion of the partition member 35 to the freezer compartment 4A side can be reduced, and a large storage capacity of the freezer compartment 4A can be secured.

  On the main surface of the partition member 35 facing the freezer compartment supply air passage 15 side, more specifically, on the surface in the recess 36, there are three support shaft portions 37 and three locking pieces 38 for fixing the base member 51, respectively. It protrudes toward. The base member 51 is fixed and supported on the partition member 35 by a support shaft portion 37 and a locking piece 38 formed in the recess 36. Details will be described later.

  The base member 51 is formed with a substantially cylindrical guide pin 52 that supports the blower cover 60 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Three guide pins 52 are provided, each extending rearward from the base member 51 substantially in parallel with the rotation axis of the fan 42. The blower cover 60 has a guide hole 62 into which the guide pin 52 is slidably fitted. The guide pin 52 is inserted into the guide hole 62, and the reciprocation of the blower cover 60 is guided.

  A drive shaft 67 for reciprocating the blower cover 60 is attached to the base member 51. The drive shaft 67 is fitted to a shaft support portion 55 formed on the base member 51 and is rotatably supported.

  The drive shaft 67 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is provided with a screw thread 68 in which a part of a side surface thereof is continuously projected in a spiral shape. The drive shaft 67 is screwed into a screw hole 63 formed in the blower cover 60. The drive shaft 67 or the shaft support portion 55 incorporates a motor (not shown), and the drive shaft 67 rotates by a predetermined angle by the driving force of the motor. When the drive shaft 67 rotates in a predetermined direction, the blower cover 60 approaches the blower 40 and the air path is closed. On the other hand, when the drive shaft 67 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction with respect to the predetermined direction, the blower cover 60 is separated from the blower 40 and the air passage is opened.

  The blower cover 60 is obtained by injection-molding a synthetic resin material into a generally lid shape, and includes a main surface portion having a substantially circular shape and a side surface portion extending rearward from the peripheral edge portion of the main surface portion. Have. The above-described guide pin 52 and the guide hole 62 fitted thereto are disposed outside the side surface portion. Thereby, when the blower cover 60 is closed, air does not leak from the inside to the outside of the blower cover 60 through the guide hole 62, and the sealing performance of the blower cover 60 is improved.

  Further, a screw hole 63 is formed in the vicinity of the center of the main surface portion of the blower cover 60 so as to penetrate in a substantially circular shape and have a screw groove formed inside. Further, the blower cover 60 is formed with a through hole 61 into which a support portion 53 formed on the base member 51 is slidably fitted to fix the partition member 35 and the base member 51.

  The blower 40 is an eccentric blower having an eccentric fan 42, a fan motor 43 that rotationally drives the fan 42, and a fan base 41 that supports the fan motor 43. The fan base 41 is attached to and supported by the base member 51.

  In the production process of the refrigerator 1, the blower cover 60, the drive shaft 67, and the blower 40 are assembled to the base member 51 in advance. Then, an assembly in which the shielding device 50 and the blower 40 are integrally assembled is assembled to the partition member 35.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the shielding device 50 of the refrigerator 1. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the blower cover 60 is opened. As shown in FIG. 7, the air blowing port 26 connecting the cooling chamber 13 and the freezing chamber supply air passage 15 is a substantially circular opening, and its peripheral edge protrudes toward the cooling chamber 13 in a substantially semicircular cross section. ing.

  The fan 42 of the blower 40 is disposed in front of the air outlet 26 so that the rotation axis thereof is substantially coaxial with the central axis of the air outlet 26. As described above, the blower 40 is an eccentric type, and can suck air from the vicinity of the center of the fan 42 on the cooling chamber 13 side and efficiently send out air in the radial direction. Thereby, compared with the case where an axial blower is employ | adopted like a prior art, ventilation efficiency can be improved and ventilation volume can be increased.

  As shown in part A of FIG. 7, the base member 51 is supported by the support shaft portion 37 formed on the partition member 35 in the support portion 53 and supports the fan base 41 of the blower 40. 7, the base member 51 is engaged with the locking piece 38 formed on the partition member 35 and fixed to the partition member 35 at the elastic portion 57 formed on the outer peripheral portion. ing. That is, the shielding device 50 and the blower 40 are supported by the partition member 35.

  With this configuration, the fan base 41 that supports the fan motor 43 of the blower 40 and the base member 51 that supports the drive shaft 67 that drives the blower cover 60 are all arranged on the partition member 35 side with respect to the fan 42. It becomes possible.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, when the blower cover 60 is opened, the member that supports the fan motor 43 and the member that supports the drive shaft 67 are not arranged in the air flow path. The air flow path is not obstructed. Therefore, the flow loss of the air sent out from the blower 40 can be reduced, the flow rate of the air supplied to the storage room such as the freezer room 4A can be increased, and the cooling performance of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the portion A shown in FIG. 7 and shows the structure in the vicinity of the support portion 53. FIG. 9A is a longitudinal sectional view of the buffer member 70 provided in the support portion 53. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C shown in FIG. 9A and shows a cross section of the buffer member 70.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the base member 51 has a support hole 53 a into which the support shaft portion 37 formed in the partition member 35 is inserted. Specifically, the base member 51 is formed with a substantially cylindrical support portion 53 that extends in the front-rear direction and opens at least on the partition member 35 side, and the inner peripheral side of the support portion 53 serves as a support hole 53a. The base member 51 is supported by the partition member 35 by fitting the support shaft portion 37 of the partition member 35 into the support hole 53 a of the base member 51 via the buffer member 70.

  The buffer member 70 is, for example, an elastic body such as a synthetic rubber molded product. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the fitting portion 71 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and the fitting portion 71 And a flange portion 73 projecting annularly from the vicinity of the one end portion toward the outer diameter side.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the fitting portion 71 of the buffer member 70 is inserted into the support hole 53 a of the base member 51. Further, the support shaft portion 37 of the partition member 35 is fitted into the inner hole 72 of the fitting portion 71. The flange portion 73 of the buffer member 70 is sandwiched between the main surface of the partition member 35 and the base member 51. Thereby, the vibration in the radial direction can be attenuated with respect to the support shaft portion 37 by the fitting portion 71 of the buffer member 70, and the vibration in the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the partition member 35 can be attenuated by the flange portion 73. Vibrations in the vertical and horizontal directions can be suitably suppressed.

  As described above, the base member 51 is fixed to the partition member 35 via the buffer member 70, so that vibration from the drive shaft 67 (see FIG. 7) that drives the blower cover 60 propagates to the partition member 35. Can be suppressed, and an increase in noise can be suppressed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the inner hole 72 of the buffer member 70 is formed with a convex portion 74 that protrudes inward. That is, referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the buffer member 70 has a convex portion 74 protruding from the surface of the inner hole 72 facing the support shaft portion 37 of the partition member 35, and in the convex portion 74, It is in contact with the partition member 35. Thereby, the contact area of the partition member 35 and the buffer member 70 can be reduced, propagation of vibration can be suppressed, and an excellent damping effect can be obtained.

  In addition, the shape of the convex part 74 is not specifically limited, You may form in a substantially linear shape, a substantially spiral shape, a substantially dot shape. A convex shape equivalent to the convex portion 74 may be formed on the surface of the buffer member 70 facing the base member 51, for example, the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 71, the flange portion 73, or the like. Thereby, the contact area of the base member 51 and the buffer member 70 can be reduced, and the damping effect can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the outer periphery of the support portion 53 is slidably fitted in a through hole 61 formed in the blower cover 60. Accordingly, the blower cover 60 can reciprocate in the front-rear direction, and moves from the open position indicated by the solid line to the closed position indicated by the chain line so as to approach or separate from the blower 40.

  The vicinity of the rear end of the support portion 53 is stepped, and a small-diameter blower support portion 54 is formed. A substantially cylindrical buffer member 75 is fitted into the blower support portion 54, and the fan base 41 of the blower 40 is attached via the buffer member 75. Specifically, an annular groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the buffer member 75, and a support hole 44 formed in the fan base 41 is fitted in the groove.

  That is, the support portion 53 has a structure having both a function for fixing the base member 51 to the support shaft portion 37 of the partition member 35 and a function for fixing the blower 40 to the base member 51. As described above, the configuration in which both the partition member 35 and the blower 40 are fixed by the support portion 53 of the base member 51 can suppress the shape of the base member 51 from becoming complicated. Moreover, the dimension of the front-back direction of the shielding apparatus 50 can be made small, and the storage volume of freezer compartment 4A can be ensured widely.

  FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the shielding device 50. As shown in FIG. 10, three elastic portions 57 are formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member 51 corresponding to the positions of the locking pieces 38 protruding from the rear surface of the partition member 35.

  The elastic portion 57 is configured to be elastically deformable toward the center side of the base member 51 by a slit 58 formed along the outer peripheral portion of the base member 51. Thereby, the elastic part 57 deform | transforms so that passage of the nail | claw part 39 (refer FIG. 11) of the latching piece 38 may be permitted when the base member 51 is assembled | attached to the partition member 35. As shown in FIG.

  Further, on the base member 51 side of the main surface of the blower cover 60, a pressing portion 64 that protrudes toward the base member 51 side is formed corresponding to the position of the elastic portion 57 of the base member 51. When the base member 51 is assembled to the partition member 35, the pressing portion 64 contacts the vicinity of the elastic portion 57 of the base member 51 and presses the base member 51. The details of the locking piece 38, the elastic portion 57, and the pressing portion 64 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, the base member 51 is formed with a substantially rectangular tube-shaped wiring path portion 56 penetrating from the freezing chamber 4A side of the base member 51 to the cooling chamber 13 side. Correspondingly, the blower cover 60 is formed with a wiring hole 65 penetrating from the freezer compartment 4A side to the cooling chamber 13 side and through which the wiring path portion 56 is inserted. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11A is an enlarged cross-sectional view near the portion B shown in FIG. 7 and shows the vicinity of the engaging portion between the base member 51 and the locking piece 38. FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the engaging portion between the base member 51 and the locking piece 38.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the locking piece 38 protruding from the main surface of the partition member 35 has a claw portion 39 that engages with an elastic portion 57 formed near the outer peripheral portion of the base member 51. Is formed. As described above, the elastic portion 57 of the base member 51 is freely deformable by forming the slit 58. Therefore, when the base member 51 is assembled to the partition member 35, the elastic portion 57 is elastically deformed toward the center side of the base member 51, and the claw portion 39 of the locking piece 38 is pushed to the rear surface side of the elastic portion 57. It is. Then, the locking piece 38 engages with the elastic portion 57, and the base member 51 is fixed to the partition member 35. As described above, since the elastic portion 57 is formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member 51, the operation of attaching the base member 51 to the partition member 35 is facilitated.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, an edge curved portion 59 extending from the peripheral edge to the blower cover 60 side is formed on the peripheral edge of the slit 58 so as to surround the slit 58. . Thereby, the rigidity in the vicinity of the elastic part 57 is increased, and the elastic part 57 is suppressed from being deformed in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the work of assembling the base member 51 to the partition member 35 is facilitated, and the base member 51 can be firmly fixed to the partition member 35.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, a chamfered inclined portion 57a is formed at a corner portion of the elastic portion 57 of the base member 51 on the partition member 35 side. Thereby, when the base member 51 is assembled to the partition member 35, the elastic portion 57 is pushed by the claw portion 39 of the locking piece 38 and easily deforms toward the center side of the base member 51. Therefore, the work of assembling the base member 51 is facilitated.

  In addition, the elastic portion 57 that is elastically deformable is formed at a location fixed by the locking piece 38 of the base member 51, so that vibration and noise generated from the drive shaft 67 (see FIG. 6) of the shielding device 50 and the like are generated. Propagation to the partition member 35 can be suppressed. That is, the elastic part 57 exhibits a damping function.

  Moreover, the structure which provides the elastic part 57 which can be elastically deformed eliminates the need to greatly deform the locking piece 38. Thereby, the locking piece 38 can be shortened. Therefore, the size in the front-rear direction in the vicinity of the attachment portion of the shielding device 50 can be reduced to ensure a large storage capacity of the freezer compartment 4A.

  Further, as described above, a pressing portion 64 that protrudes toward the base member 51 is formed on the main surface of the blower cover 60 on the base member 51 side at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the elastic portion 57. Thereby, when the base member 51 is assembled to the partition member 35, the pressing portion 64 abuts on the vicinity of the elastic portion 57 of the base member 51, specifically, the rear end of the edge curved portion 59 to press the base member 51. Therefore, the deformation of the base member 51 in the front-rear direction is suppressed, and the elastic portion 57 can be easily engaged with the locking piece 38.

  That is, the base member 51 can be easily engaged with the locking piece 38 by pressing the vicinity of the blower cover 60 of the shielding device 50 that is assembled in advance and pushing it toward the partition member 35. 50 can be assembled easily.

  Further, with such a configuration, it is not necessary to secure a space where an operator's finger or the like can be inserted in the vicinity of the elastic portion 57 or the locking piece 38 in order to press the base member 51. Therefore, the surrounding space of the shielding device 50 can be narrowed to secure a large storage volume for the freezer compartment 4A.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the surface on the opposite side to the claw portion 39 of the locking piece 38 is formed so as to connect the locking piece 38 and the main surface of the partition member 35. A rib-shaped reinforcing portion 38a may be formed. Thereby, the deformation of the locking piece 38 can be suppressed and the base member 51 can be prevented from falling off.

  In addition to or in place of the fixing method of the base member 51 by the locking piece 38 described above, a method of fixing the base member 51 to the partition member 35 by a fastening member such as a screw may be employed. Thereby, the base member 51 can be firmly fixed.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the wiring path portion 56. As shown in FIG. 12, the base member 51 is a substantially cylindrical wiring that extends to the cooling chamber 13 side along the moving direction of the blower cover 60 and connects the partition member 35 side and the cooling chamber 13 side of the base member 51. A path portion 56 is provided. The wiring path portion 56 is a path for passing the wiring 77 connected to the fan motor 43 of the blower 40.

  The blower cover 60 is formed with a wiring hole 65 having a shape corresponding to the outer periphery of the wiring path portion 56 and into which the wiring path portion 56 is slidably fitted. A wiring path portion 56 is inserted through the wiring hole 65. Accordingly, the blower cover 60 is configured to be reciprocally movable along the wiring path portion 56 from the open position indicated by the solid line to the closed position indicated by the chain line.

  With the above configuration, in the configuration in which the base member 51 is fixed to the partition member 35 to enhance the air blowing performance, the wiring to the fan motor 43 disposed on the cooling chamber 13 side of the blower cover 60 is wired from the partition member 35 side. The air can be passed to the blower 40 side via the path portion 56. The wiring path portion 56 through which the wiring 77 is inserted is blocked by a seal member (not shown). Specifically, for example, a synthetic resin foam sheet material or the like is provided as a sealing member inside the wiring path portion 56 through which the wiring 77 is inserted or between the base member 51 and the partition member 35, and the wiring path The part 56 is blocked. Alternatively, the partition member 35 may be in direct contact with the periphery of the opening of the wiring path portion 56 and the wiring path portion 56 may be blocked by the partition member 35. With such a configuration, the sealing performance of the wiring hole 65 is improved while securing the mobility of the blower cover 60, the leakage of warm air when the blower cover 60 is closed is suppressed, and the cooling performance of the refrigerator 1 is improved. be able to. The wiring 78 to the motor that drives the drive shaft 67 passes through the gap between the partition member 35 and the base member 51 and is connected to the motor from the partition member 35 side of the base member 51.

  In the embodiment described above, as the blower cover 60, the form of covering the front surface and the entire side surface of the fan 42 of the blower 40 in the closed state is illustrated. However, the form of the blower cover 60 is not limited to the above example. For example, the blower cover 60 may be formed with an opening that allows air flow from the blower 40 to a specific storage room such as the refrigerator compartment 3 in the closed state. By combining the blower cover 60 having such a configuration, the refrigerator compartment damper 34, other dampers (not shown), and the like, each storage chamber can be independently and efficiently cooled according to the respective cooling loads.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Heat insulation box 3 Refrigeration room 4A Freezing room 4 Ice making room 5 Upper stage freezing room 6 Lower stage freezing room 7 Vegetable room 13 Cooling room 14 Refrigeration room supply air path 15 Freezer room supply air path 26 Blower port 32 Cooler 35 Partition member 37 Support shaft portion 38 Locking piece 39 Claw portion 40 Blower 41 Fan base 42 Fan 43 Fan motor 50 Shielding device 51 Base member 52 Guide pin 53 Support portion 53a Support hole 54 Blower support portion 56 Wiring path portion 57 Elastic portion 57a Inclined portion 58 Slit 59 Edge curved portion 60 Blower cover 61 Through hole 62 Guide hole 63 Screw hole 64 Pressing portion 67 Drive shaft 70 Buffer member 71 Fitting portion 72 Inner hole 73 Flange portion 74 Convex portion

Claims (5)

A storage room;
A cooling chamber provided with a cooler for cooling the air supplied to the storage chamber;
A supply air path that connects the cooling chamber and the storage chamber and through which the air cooled by the cooler flows;
A blower provided on the supply air passage side of the air outlet connecting the cooling chamber and the supply air passage;
A movable blower cover that approaches the blower from the supply air passage side and covers the blower and the blower opening;
A base member that is fixed to a partition member that partitions the storage chamber and the supply air path and supports the blower and slidably supports the blower cover;
The partition member protrudes from a main surface facing the supply air passage side and is inserted into a support hole formed in the base member, and an outer peripheral portion of the base member protrudes from the main surface A locking piece that engages with
An elastic portion is formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member with which the locking piece engages, and is deformed to allow passage of the claw portion of the locking piece when the base member is assembled to the partition member. A refrigerator characterized by being.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the elastic part is configured to be elastically deformable by a slit formed along the outer peripheral part.   The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein an edge curved portion protruding toward the blower cover is formed on a peripheral edge of the slit.   The base member side surface of the blower cover is formed with a pressing portion that protrudes toward the base member side and presses the elastic portion when the base member is assembled to the partition member. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The chamfered inclined portion is formed at a corner on the partition member side of the outer peripheral portion of the portion where the elastic portion is formed. Refrigerator.

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