JP2021067438A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator enabling an area of a part of a storage chamber to be cooled in a special cooling mode.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes: a storage chamber including a special cooling area; and an adjustment part adjusting a blowing amount of cold blast to the special cooling area. A normal cooling mode suppressed in adjustment of the blowing amount of the cold blast to the special cooling area by the adjustment part and a special cooling mode promoting the adjustment of the blowout amount of the cold blast to the special cooling area by the adjustment part can be executed. In the special cooling mode, the blowout amount of the cold blast to the special cooling area is adjusted by the adjustment part, so that the degree of indirect cooling indirectly cooling the special cooling area by transmission of cold air from the circumference without directly supplying the cold blast to the special cooling area is more increased than that of direct cooling directly cooling the special cooling area by supplying the cold blast to the special cooling area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present embodiment relates to a refrigerator.

In refrigerators, the development of technology for controlling the temperature in the storage room is underway. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator provided with a temperature switching device that raises or lowers the temperature of the vegetable compartment to be higher or lower than the temperature of the refrigerator compartment.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-125178

By the way, in recent years, a form of purchasing cooked food and taking it home to eat, a so-called "prepared meal", is becoming widespread. Then, in this form of prepared food, the purchased food for prepared food may be temporarily stored in the refrigerator. However, conventionally, the development of techniques such as a structure and control for maintaining the temperature of the entire storage room of the refrigerator at a predetermined set temperature has been appealed. Further, conventionally, the development of a technique for maintaining the temperature in the storage chamber at a temperature as low as possible has been appealed. That is, conventionally, the appeal of the technology of how to efficiently perform direct cooling that directly cools the storage chamber by supplying cold air to the storage chamber has been promoted, and therefore, the entire refrigerating chamber has been promoted. It is designed to be maintained at a relatively low set temperature. Therefore, since the food for ready-to-eat meal is also stored at a relatively low set temperature in the refrigerator, it is difficult to store the food for ready-to-eat meal at an appropriate temperature.

Therefore, a refrigerator is provided in which a part of the storage room can be cooled in a special cooling mode.

The refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a storage chamber including a special cooling area and an adjusting unit for adjusting the amount of cold air blown to the special cooling area, and the adjusting unit blows cold air to the special cooling area. It is possible to execute a normal cooling mode in which the adjustment of the amount is suppressed and a special cooling mode in which the adjustment of the amount of cold air blown to the special cooling area by the adjusting unit is promoted. The special cooling area is adjusted by the adjusting unit to adjust the amount of cold air blown to the special cooling area, rather than direct cooling in which the special cooling area is directly cooled by supplying cold air to the special cooling area. The degree of indirect cooling that indirectly cools the special cooling area by transmitting cold air from the surroundings instead of directly supplying cold air to the air is increased.

Front view schematically showing a configuration example of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment Longitudinal side view schematically showing a partial configuration example of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment The figure which shows the structural example of the refrigerating cycle which concerns on 1st Embodiment schematically. Sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the adjustment mechanism part which concerns on 1st Embodiment schematicly. The figure which shows typically the display example by the display part which concerns on 1st Embodiment Sectional drawing which shows the structural example of the adjustment mechanism part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment schematicly. Longitudinal side view schematically showing a partial configuration example of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment Longitudinal front view of a refrigerator compartment illustrating the arrangement position of the actuator of the adjustment mechanism unit according to the third embodiment. Longitudinal side view of the refrigerating chamber illustrating the arrangement position of the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments relating to the refrigerator will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about substantially the same configuration in a plurality of embodiments, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof will be omitted.

(First Embodiment)
The refrigerator 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided with a plurality of storage chambers inside a rectangular box-shaped heat insulating box 11 constituting the outer shell thereof. The heat insulating box body 11 is an example of a refrigerator main body constituting the main body of the refrigerator 10, and has a structure in which a heat insulating material such as a vacuum heat insulating panel or urethane foam is provided between the inner box and the outer box. The heat insulating box 11 is provided with a refrigerating chamber 12 maintained in a refrigerating temperature zone as a storage chamber for accommodating a storage such as foods. Further, in the heat insulating box 11, as a storage room other than the refrigerating room 12, a vegetable room RV maintained in the refrigerating temperature zone, a freezing room F1 maintained in the freezing temperature zone, a small freezing room F2, and an ice making room F3 Various storage rooms such as are provided. The vegetable compartment RV is opened and closed by a drawer-type vegetable compartment door RVa. The freezing chamber F1 is opened and closed by a drawer-type freezing chamber door F1a. The small freezing chamber F2 is opened and closed by a drawer-type small freezing chamber door F2a. The ice making chamber F3 is opened and closed by a pull-out type ice making chamber door F3a.

The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 12 is opened and closed by two so-called double doors 13 that rotate in the left-right direction. Further, a cold air duct 14 extending in the vertical direction is provided on the rear wall surface in the refrigerating chamber 12. A cooling chamber 15 is provided below the cold air duct 14. A cooler 16 and a cooling fan 17 are provided inside the cooling chamber 15. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cooler 16 constitutes a well-known refrigerating cycle 300 together with the compressor 301, the squeezer 302, the condenser 303, and the like, and the cold air generated by the cooler 16 is a cooling fan. The air is blown by 17 and is blown into the refrigerating chamber 12 from the front cold air outlet 14a and the upper cold air outlet 14b provided in the cold air duct 14.

Further, in the lower part of the refrigerating chamber 12, a chilled chamber 12a is provided located in front of the cooling chamber 15. Further, a plurality of shelves 18 are detachably attached to the inside of the refrigerating chamber 12. In the refrigerator compartment 12, the plurality of shelves 18 are attached to different height positions. Inside the refrigerating chamber 12, the area above the uppermost shelf 18 is provided as a ready-to-eat area NA, which is an example of a special cooling area. That is, the ready-to-eat area NA is provided in the upper part of the refrigerator compartment 12.

Then, cold air is blown out from the upper cold air outlet 14b provided at the upper end of the cold air duct 14 into the prepared food area NA. That is, the upper cold air outlet 14b is located at the downstream end in the flow of cold air blown from the cooling chamber 15 into the refrigerating chamber 12 via the cold air duct 14, particularly into the prepared area NA in the refrigerating chamber 12. positioned. Therefore, it can be defined that the prepared food area NA is located further downstream than the upper cold air outlet 14b forming the downstream end of the cold air duct 14 that blows cold air into the refrigerating chamber 12.

An adjusting mechanism 100 is provided at the upper cold air outlet 14b of the cold air duct 14. The adjusting mechanism unit 100 is provided as an example of an adjusting unit for adjusting the amount of cold air blown to the prepared food area NA. Next, a configuration example of the adjustment mechanism unit 100 will be described in detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the adjusting mechanism portion 100 includes a fixing portion 101 and a movable portion 102. The fixing portion 101 constitutes the base portion of the adjusting mechanism portion 100, and is fixed to the upper cold air outlet 14b of the cold air duct 14. The fixing portion 101 is provided with an opening 101a that penetrates the fixing portion 101. The movable portion 102 is provided so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction at the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101.

The degree of opening of the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101, in other words, the degree of closure changes depending on the amount of rotation of the movable portion 102 in the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101. That is, the adjusting mechanism unit 100 adjusts the amount of rotation of the movable portion 102 in the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101 to adjust the amount of cold air passing through the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101, in other words, in the prepared food area NA. It is configured to adjust the amount of cold air blown into the air.

The amount of rotation of the movable portion 102 in the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101 is adjusted according to the operation by the user. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the adjustment mechanism unit 100 has an operation dial 103 which is an example of an operator. In this case, the operation dial 103 is provided at the lower part of the front portion of the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment 12. The operation dial 103 is connected to the rotation shaft of the movable portion 102 via a rotation transmission mechanism 104 including a belt or the like provided in the heat insulating box body 11. As a result, when the operation dial 103 is rotated by the user, the rotation is transmitted to the rotation shaft of the rotating portion 102 via the rotation transmission mechanism 104, and the amount of rotation of the movable portion 102 in the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101. Can be adjusted.

As described above, the operation dial 103 is provided at the lower part of the front portion of the inner surface of the refrigerating chamber 12. That is, the operation dial 103 is provided so as to be located outside the ready-to-eat area NA. Further, the operation dial 103 is provided so as to be located below the ready-to-eat area NA.

According to the refrigerator 10 configured in this way, the normal cooling mode in which the adjustment of the amount of cold air blown to the prepared food area NA by the adjusting mechanism unit 100 is suppressed, and the cold air to the prepared food area NA by the adjusting mechanism unit 100 are suppressed. It is possible to execute a ready-to-eat mode in which the adjustment of the amount of blowout is promoted. More specifically, in the normal cooling mode, the adjusting mechanism portion 100 sets the opening 101a of the fixing portion 101 in an open state in which the movable portion 102 is not blocked. As a result, the cold air flowing in the cold air duct 14 is blown out from the upper cold air outlet 14b into the prepared food area NA without being obstructed by the flow. As a result, the inside of the prepared food area NA is directly cooled by the cold air supplied into the prepared food area NA. Therefore, according to the normal cooling mode, the temperature inside the prepared food area NA is set to a relatively low set temperature like the other areas in the refrigerating chamber 12, for example, a temperature of 10 degrees or less, which is low for foods for prepared food. Be maintained.

On the other hand, in the ready-to-eat mode, the adjusting mechanism unit 100 sets the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101 in a closed state or a semi-closed state in which the movable portion 102 is closed. As a result, the flow of the cold air flowing in the cold air duct 14 is obstructed by the movable portion 102, and it becomes difficult for the cold air to be blown out from the upper cold air outlet 14b into the ready-to-eat area NA. Alternatively, it will not be blown out. As a result, in the prepared food mode, the degree of indirect cooling that indirectly cools the prepared food area NA by transmitting cold air from the surroundings is higher than that of the direct cooling that directly cools the prepared food area NA by cold air. become. Therefore, according to the prepared meal mode, the temperature inside the prepared meal area NA is maintained at a higher temperature than the other areas of the refrigerating chamber 12, for example, about 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, which is suitable for foods for prepared meals. To.

The degree of indirect cooling with respect to direct cooling changes according to the amount of rotation of the movable portion 102 in the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101, in other words, the amount of opening or closing of the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101 by the movable portion 102. .. That is, the larger the opening amount of the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101 by the movable portion 102, the lower the degree of indirect cooling with respect to direct cooling, and the larger the closing amount of the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101 by the movable portion 102, the lower the degree of indirect cooling with respect to direct cooling. The degree of is high.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 10 further includes a display unit 110. The display unit 110 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel or the like, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the ready-to-eat mode is executed, that is to say, that is, the ready-to-eat mode is being executed. Display information. In this case, the display unit 110 is configured to display icon information indicating that the ready-to-eat mode is being executed, for example, a symbol suggesting the “rice ball” illustrated in FIG.

The display unit 110 may be configured to display, for example, character information indicating that the prepared meal mode is being executed, or a light emitting body such as an LED indicating that the prepared meal mode is being executed. May be configured to emit light. Further, the display unit 110 may display the temperature in the prepared meal area NA during the execution of the prepared meal mode. The temperature in the prepared food area NA can be detected by, for example, a temperature sensor provided in the prepared food area NA.

Further, the display unit 110 is controlled by a control device (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the refrigerator 10. That is, the above-mentioned adjustment mechanism unit 100 is provided with a rotation detection sensor (not shown) that detects the amount of rotation of the movable portion 102 in the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101, and this rotation detection sensor is connected to the control device. There is. When the control device determines that the rotating portion 102 is not in the rotating position where the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101 is fully opened based on the rotation amount of the movable portion 102 detected by the rotation detection sensor, that is, that is, When it is determined that the opening 101a of the fixed portion 101 is in a state of being opened even a little, information indicating that the ready-to-eat mode is being executed is displayed on the display unit 110.

The display unit 110 is provided at a lower portion of the front portion of the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment 12. That is, the display unit 110 is provided so as to be located outside the prepared meal area NA. Further, the display unit 110 is provided so as to be located below the prepared meal area NA. Further, the display unit 110 is provided adjacent to the operation dial 103. In this case, the configuration in which the display unit 110 is provided above the operation dial 103 is illustrated, but the display unit 110 may be provided, for example, at the front portion of the operation dial 103 as long as it is in the vicinity of the operation dial 103. However, it may be provided at the rear portion, at the lower portion, at the upper portion of the front portion, the lower portion of the front portion, the upper portion of the rear portion, the lower portion of the rear portion, or the like. Further, the display unit 110 may be provided at a position away from the operation dial 103, not near the operation dial 103.

According to the refrigerator 10 described above, in the prepared meal mode, the adjustment mechanism unit 100 adjusts the amount of cold air blown out to the prepared food area NA, so that the prepared food area NA is directly cooled by the cold air. Rather than cooling, the degree of indirect cooling that indirectly cools the prepared food area NA by transmitting cold air from the surroundings is increased. That is, according to the refrigerator 10, the prepared food area NA, which is a part of the refrigerating room 12, can be cooled in the prepared food mode, which is a special cooling mode. Then, according to the refrigerator 10 configured in this way, the cooling strength of the prepared meal area NA is set to be higher than the cooling strength of the other area in the refrigerating chamber 12, in this case, the area below the uppermost shelf 18. Can be weakened. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the foods for prepared meals housed in the prepared meal area NA from being excessively cooled at the set temperature of the refrigerating chamber 12, and the foods for prepared meals are stored at an appropriate temperature. be able to.

Further, according to the refrigerator 10, the ready-to-eat area NA is provided on the downstream side of the cold air duct 14 that blows out cold air. That is, according to the refrigerator 10, the ready-to-eat area NA for which the degree of direct cooling by cold air is desired to be relaxed is located on the downstream side of the cold air duct 14 for blowing out cold air, that is, a portion where cold air is likely to be directly supplied. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the adjusting mechanism unit 100 from directly supplying cold air to the prepared food area NA.

Further, according to the refrigerator 10, the ready-to-eat area NA is provided in the upper part of the refrigerator compartment 12. That is, since the cold air generally tends to go downward, the upper part of the refrigerating chamber 12 is an area where the cooling strength is relatively easily weakened. Therefore, by providing the prepared food area NA at such a position, it is possible to easily prevent the foods for prepared food from being excessively cooled in the prepared food area NA.

Further, according to the refrigerator 10, the operation dial 103 operated by the user for adjusting the amount of cold air blown to the prepared food area NA is outside the prepared food area NA, in this case, the inner surface of the refrigerating room 12. It is located at the bottom of the front part. According to this configuration, the user can easily operate the operation dial 103 with the refrigerator compartment door 13 open, and can improve usability.

Further, according to the refrigerator 10, the operation dial 103 is provided below the ready-to-eat area NA. That is, since the operation dial 103 is provided at a relatively low position in the refrigerator compartment 12, the user can easily operate the operation dial 103 and further improve the usability.

Further, according to the refrigerator 10, the display unit 110 indicating that the prepared food mode is being executed is located outside the prepared food area NA, in this case, at the lower part of the front portion of the inner surface of the refrigerating chamber 12. It is provided. According to this configuration, with the refrigerator door 13 open, the user can easily confirm the display content of the display unit 110, in other words, whether or not the ready-to-eat mode is being executed, and the usability is improved. Can be planned.

Further, according to the refrigerator 10, the display unit 110 is provided below the ready-to-eat area NA. That is, since the display unit 110 is provided at a relatively low position in the refrigerating chamber 12, the user can determine the display content of the display unit 110, in other words, whether or not the ready-to-eat mode is executed. It is easy to check and can be used to further improve usability.

(Second Embodiment)
This embodiment shows a modified example of the adjusting unit. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the adjusting mechanism unit 200 includes a fixed unit 201 and a movable unit 202. The fixing portion 201 constitutes the base portion of the adjusting mechanism portion 200, and is fixed to the upper cold air outlet 14b of the cold air duct 14. The fixed portion 201 is provided with a plurality of openings 201a penetrating the fixed portion 201. The movable portion 202 is provided so as to be slidable with respect to the fixed portion 201. The movable portion 202 is provided with a plurality of openings 202a penetrating the movable portion 202. In this case, the upper cold air outlet 14b of the cold air duct 14 has a long opening in the lateral direction, and the adjusting mechanism portion 200 also has a long horizontal shape accordingly. The movable portion 202 is configured to be slidable in the lateral direction with respect to the fixed portion 201.

The degree of overlap between the opening 201a of the fixed portion 201 and the opening 202a of the movable portion 202 changes depending on the amount of slide movement of the movable portion 202 with respect to the fixed portion 201. That is, the adjusting mechanism unit 200 adjusts the amount of slide movement of the movable portion 202 with respect to the fixed portion 201, so that the amount of cold air passing through the opening 201a of the fixed portion 201 and the opening 202a of the movable portion 202, in other words, It is configured to adjust the amount of cold air blown into the prepared food area NA.

The amount of slide movement of the movable portion 202 with respect to the fixed portion 201 is adjusted according to the operation by the user. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the adjustment mechanism unit 200 has an operation lever 203, which is an example of an operator. In this case, the operation lever 203 is provided at the front portion of the ceiling surface of the refrigerator compartment 12. The operation lever 203 is connected to the movable portion 202 via a slide transmission mechanism 204 including a link or the like provided inside the heat insulating box body 11. As a result, when the operation lever 203 is slid left and right by the user, the slide movement is transmitted to the movable portion 202 via the slide transmission mechanism 204, and the slide movement amount of the movable portion 202 with respect to the fixed portion 201 is adjusted. be able to.

As described above, the operating lever 203 is provided at the front portion of the upper surface of the refrigerating chamber 12. That is, the operation lever 203 is provided so as to be located outside the ready-to-eat area NA. Further, the operation lever 203 is provided so as to be located above the ready-to-eat area NA.

Even with the refrigerator 10 described above, in the prepared meal mode, the amount of cold air blown out to the prepared food area NA is adjusted by the adjusting mechanism unit 200, so that the prepared food area NA is directly cooled by the cold air. Rather, the degree of indirect cooling that indirectly cools the prepared food area NA by transmitting cold air from the surroundings is increased. That is, the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment can also cool the prepared food area NA, which is a part of the area in the refrigerating chamber 12, in the prepared food mode, which is a special cooling mode. Then, according to the refrigerator 10 configured in this way, the cooling strength of the ready-to-eat area NA can be weakened than the cooling strength of other areas in the refrigerating chamber 12. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the foods for prepared meals housed in the prepared meal area NA from being excessively cooled, and the foods for prepared meals can be stored at an appropriate temperature.

(Third Embodiment)
In this embodiment, for example, the arrangement position of the operator of the adjustment mechanism such as the operation dial 103 and the operation lever 203 described above will be referred to. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when the inside of the refrigerating chamber 12 is virtually divided into a plurality of each in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, for example, three, the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit is provided in the first section D1. It may be provided in the second section D2, may be provided in the third section D3, may be provided in the fourth section D4, may be provided in the fifth section D5, or may be provided in the fifth section. It may be provided in the 6th section D6, the 7th section D7, the 8th section D8, or the 9th section D9.

Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in any of the first compartment D1, the second compartment D2, and the third compartment D3, the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is in the prepared food area NA, in other words. For example, it may be provided above the top shelf 18, or outside the ready-to-eat area NA, in other words, below the top shelf 18. When the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in any of the first compartment D1, the second compartment D2, and the third compartment D3, the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is in the prepared food area NA or in the prepared food area NA. Will be located around. Therefore, the user can check the condition in the prepared food area NA, for example, the amount and position of foods existing in the prepared food area NA, the cooling condition in the prepared food area NA, and the like. Can be operated according to the actual situation in the prepared meal area NA. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the first compartment D1, it is possible to facilitate the operation of the operator especially for a left-handed user. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the third section D3, it is possible to facilitate the operation of the operator especially for a right-handed user. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the second section D2, it is possible to facilitate the operation of the operator regardless of whether the user is left-handed or right-handed.

Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in any of the fourth compartment D4, the fifth compartment D5, and the sixth compartment D6, the operator of the adjustment mechanism portion is the fourth compartment D4 and the fifth compartment. It may be provided on the upper side in D5, the sixth section D6, in other words, on the side of the prepared meal area NA, or on the lower side in the fourth section D4, the fifth section D5, and the sixth section D6, in other words, It may be provided on the chilled chamber 12a side. When the operator of the adjustment mechanism is provided in any of the fourth compartment D4, the fifth compartment D5, and the sixth compartment D6, the operator of the adjustment mechanism is located near the tip of the user's line of sight. It will exist. Therefore, for example, the user can operate the operator while standing in front of the refrigerator 10 without stretching or bending over, which makes it easier to operate the operator. it can. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the fourth section D4, it is possible to facilitate the operation of the operator especially for a left-handed user. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the sixth compartment D6, it is possible to facilitate the operation of the operator especially for a right-handed user. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the fifth section D5, it is possible to facilitate the operation of the operator regardless of whether the user is left-handed or right-handed.

Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in any of the 7th division D7, the 8th division D8, and the 9th division D9, the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is the 7th division D7 and the 8th division. D8, the upper side in the 9th section D9, in other words, the prepared food area NA side may be provided, or the lower side in the 7th section D7, the 8th section D8, the 9th section D9, in other words, It may be provided on the chilled chamber 12a side. When the operator of the adjusting mechanism is provided in any of the 7th compartment D7, the 8th compartment D8, and the 9th compartment D9, the operator of the adjusting mechanism is located in a relatively low area in the refrigerating chamber 12. It will exist. In general, users tend to place more foods on the lower side of the refrigerator compartment 12 than on the upper side of the refrigerator compartment 12. Therefore, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in any of the 7th division D7, the 8th division D8, and the 9th division D9, the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit can be easily hidden by foods. It is possible to improve the appearance of the refrigerator compartment 12 in an open state. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the seventh compartment D7, it is possible to facilitate the operation of the operator especially for a left-handed user. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the ninth section D9, it is possible to facilitate the operation of the operator especially for a right-handed user. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the eighth section D8, it is possible to facilitate the operation of the operator regardless of whether the user is left-handed or right-handed.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9, when the inside of the refrigerating chamber 12 is virtually divided into a plurality of refrigerating chambers 12 in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction, for example, three, the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit is provided in the first section E1. It may be provided in the second section E2, may be provided in the third section E3, may be provided in the fourth section E4, may be provided in the fifth section E5, or may be provided in the fifth section. It may be provided in the 6th section E6, the 7th section E7, the 8th section E8, or the 9th section E9.

Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism is provided in any of the first section E1, the second section E2, and the third section E3, the operator of the adjustment mechanism is in the prepared food area NA, in other words. For example, it may be provided above the top shelf 18, or outside the ready-to-eat area NA, in other words, below the top shelf 18. When the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in any of the first compartment E1, the second compartment E2, and the third compartment E3, the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is in the prepared food area NA or in the prepared food area NA. Will be located around. Therefore, the user can check the condition in the prepared food area NA, for example, the amount and position of foods existing in the prepared food area NA, the cooling condition in the prepared food area NA, and the like. Can be operated according to the actual situation in the prepared meal area NA. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the first section E1, the operator is located on the front side, so that the user can easily operate the operator. Further, when the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit is provided in the third section E3, since the operator is located on the back side, it is possible to easily hide the operator by foods, and the refrigerator compartment 12 is in an open state. It can look good. Further, when the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit is provided in the second section E2, the above-mentioned merit when it is provided in the first section E1 and the above-mentioned merit when it is provided in the third section E3 can be obtained in a well-balanced manner.

Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in any of the fourth compartment E4, the fifth compartment E5, and the sixth compartment E6, the operator of the adjustment mechanism portion is the fourth compartment E4 and the fifth compartment. E5, the upper side in the sixth section E6, in other words, the prepared food area NA side may be provided, or the fourth section E4, the fifth section E5, the lower side in the sixth section E6, in other words, It may be provided on the chilled chamber 12a side. When the operator of the adjustment mechanism is provided in any of the fourth compartment E4, the fifth compartment E5, and the sixth compartment E6, the operator of the adjustment mechanism is located near the tip of the user's line of sight. It will exist. Therefore, for example, the user can operate the operator while standing in front of the refrigerator 10 without stretching or bending over, which makes it easier to operate the operator. it can. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the fourth section E4, the operator is located on the front side, so that the user can easily operate the operator. Further, when the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit is provided in the sixth compartment E6, since the operator is located on the back side, it is possible to easily hide the operator by foods, and the refrigerator compartment 12 is in an open state. It can look good. Further, when the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit is provided in the fifth compartment E5, the above-mentioned merits when it is provided in the fourth compartment E4 and the above-mentioned merits when it is provided in the sixth compartment E6 can be obtained in a well-balanced manner.

Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in any of the 7th division E7, the 8th division E8, and the 9th division E9, the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is the 7th division E7 and the 8th division. E8, the upper side in the 9th section E9, in other words, the prepared food area NA side may be provided, or the lower side in the 7th section E7, the 8th section E8, the 9th section E9, in other words, It may be provided on the chilled chamber 12a side. When the controls of the adjusting mechanism are provided in any of the 7th compartment E7, the 8th compartment E8, and the 9th compartment E9, the controls of the adjusting mechanism are located in a relatively low area in the refrigerating chamber 12. It will exist. In general, users tend to place more foods on the lower side of the refrigerator compartment 12 than on the upper side of the refrigerator compartment 12. Therefore, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism is provided in any of the 7th compartment E7, the 8th compartment E8, and the 9th compartment E9, the operator of the adjustment mechanism can be easily hidden by foods. It is possible to improve the appearance of the refrigerator compartment 12 in an open state. Further, when the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit is provided in the seventh section E7, the operator is located on the front side, so that the user can easily operate the operator. Further, when the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit is provided in the ninth section E9, since the operator is located on the back side, it is possible to easily hide the operator by foods, and the refrigerator compartment 12 is in an open state. It can look good. Further, when the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit is provided in the eighth section E8, the above-mentioned merit when it is provided in the seventh section E7 and the above-mentioned merit when it is provided in the ninth section E9 can be obtained in a well-balanced manner.

As described above, the position of the operator of the adjusting mechanism in the refrigerating chamber 12 can be set relatively freely. Therefore, for example, the arrangement position of the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit can be flexibly set according to the size of the refrigerating chamber 12 and the needs of the user.

The compartments in the refrigerator compartment 12 may be divided into a plurality of four or more in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction. Further, the compartments in the refrigerator compartment 12 may be divided into equal parts in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction, or may be divided into unequal parts. That is, the mode of the section in the refrigerating chamber 12 can be set relatively freely, and thereby, the arrangement position of the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit can be selected more finely.

Further, the arrangement position of the display unit 110 can be set relatively freely like the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit. In this case, the display unit 110 may be arranged in the same compartment as the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit, or may be arranged in a compartment different from the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit.

Further, by providing the operator and the display unit 110 of the adjustment mechanism unit on the inner wall surface of the storage chamber, for example, liquid generated from foods may adhere to or enter the operator and the display unit 110 of the adjustment mechanism unit. Can be suppressed. Further, by providing the operator and the display unit 110 of the adjustment mechanism unit on the front side as much as possible in the storage chamber, the operator can be easily operated and the displayed contents can be easily confirmed. Further, by providing the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit as high as possible in the storage chamber, it is possible to prevent the operator from getting in the way when putting in and taking out foods. Further, by providing the operator of the adjustment mechanism unit as low as possible in the storage chamber, the operator can be easily operated and the displayed contents can be easily confirmed. Further, by providing the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit as far back as possible in the storage chamber, it is possible to prevent the operator from being erroneously operated when putting in and taking out foods.

(Other embodiments)
The present embodiment is not limited to the plurality of embodiments described above, and various changes and extensions can be made without departing from the gist thereof. For example, it is possible to appropriately combine the plurality of embodiments described above. Further, the adjusting mechanism unit is not limited to the one that functions manually by the user, and may be one that automatically functions by an actuator such as a motor, for example. In this case, the operation of the adjusting mechanism unit can be controlled by, for example, a control device.

Further, the refrigerator 10 may be configured to include a special cooling area and an adjusting mechanism unit in a storage room other than the refrigerating room 12, for example, a vegetable room, a freezing room, a small freezing room, an ice making room, and the like. When a special cooling area is provided in the vegetable compartment, the storage case constituting the upper part of the vegetable compartment may be set as the special cooling area. Further, the refrigerator 10 may have a different configuration from the storage chamber provided with the special cooling area and the storage chamber provided with the operator of the adjusting mechanism unit. That is, the refrigerator 10 may be configured to include, for example, a special cooling area in the vegetable compartment and an operator of the adjusting mechanism in the refrigerator compartment 12. Further, the refrigerator 10 may have a different configuration from the storage chamber provided with the special cooling area and the storage chamber provided with the display unit 110. That is, the refrigerator 10 may be configured to include, for example, a special cooling area in the vegetable compartment and a display unit 110 in the refrigerator compartment 12.

Although a plurality of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The present embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

In the drawing, 10 is a refrigerator, 12 is a refrigerator compartment (storage room), 100 is an adjustment mechanism unit (adjustment unit), 103 is an operation dial (operator), 110 is a display unit, and 200 is an adjustment mechanism unit (adjustment unit). 203 indicates an operation lever (operator), and NA indicates a ready-to-eat area (special cooling area).

Claims (7)

A storage room with a special cooling area and
An adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of cold air blown into the special cooling area,
With
A normal cooling mode in which the adjustment of the amount of cold air blown to the special cooling area by the adjusting unit is suppressed, and
A special cooling mode in which the adjustment of the amount of cold air blown to the special cooling area by the adjusting unit is promoted, and
Is feasible and
In the special cooling mode, the adjustment unit adjusts the amount of cold air blown to the special cooling area to supply cold air to the special cooling area to directly cool the special cooling area. Rather than directly supplying cold air to the special cooling area, a refrigerator in which the degree of indirect cooling that indirectly cools the special cooling area by transmitting cold air from the surroundings is enhanced. A cold air duct having a cold air outlet for blowing cold air into the storage chamber is further provided.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the special cooling area is provided on the downstream side of the cold air outlet. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the special cooling area is provided in the upper part of the storage chamber. The adjusting unit has an operator operated by a user to adjust the amount of cold air blown to the special cooling area.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operator is provided outside the special cooling area. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the operator is provided below the special cooling area. A display unit for indicating that the special cooling mode is being executed is provided.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display unit is provided outside the special cooling area. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the display unit is provided below the special cooling area.

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