JP2818382B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator.
The present invention relates to a mounting structure for a defrosting tube heater for defrosting a cooler. 2. Description of the Related Art A conventional commercially available refrigerator will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure of a conventional defrosting tube heater, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another conventional example in which a top cover is mounted on an insulating member of the defrosting tube heater. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another example of a main part showing a structure for attaching a defrosting tube heater to a support, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having a general defrosting tube heater fixing structure. It is principal part sectional drawing. In the conventional examples in the above figures,
Components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals. The object shown in FIG. 5 is to reduce the thickness of the top cover and the like by supporting a support for supporting the defrosting tube heater at a place different from the top cover. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 21 denotes a cooler, and an upper cover 22 is provided below the cooler 21, and a defrosting tube heater 23 is provided below the cooler 21, and a gutter 24 is provided below the cooler. 23a is
An insulating member provided at an end of the defrosting tube heater 23;
"b" indicates a lead wire of the defrosting tube heater 23. The lead wire 23b is drawn out of the defrosting tube heater 23 from the center of the end surface of the insulating member 23a as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 25 denotes an inner box, and 26 denotes a support formed on the inner box 25. The support 26 is provided with a mounting groove 27 for engaging the defrosting tube heater 23 in the direction of arrow P. ing. Reference numeral 28 denotes a screw. After the defrosting tube heater 23 is installed in the mounting groove 27, the mounting leg 22a provided integrally with the upper cover 22 is fixed to the support 26 so as to close the entrance of the mounting groove 27. I have. In the case of this conventional example, as in a refrigerator currently marketed as shown in FIG.
Application to a refrigerator of a type arranged below the upper surface 31a (in the projection plane of the heat-insulating partition) of the heat-insulating partition 31 partitioning between the refrigerator compartment 9 and the refrigerator compartment 30 was impossible. This is because there is a problem that a work space for installing the defrosting tube heater 23 from the front side (the heat insulating partition wall 31 side) of the support 26, not from above, cannot be taken. [0006] Even if the defrosting tube heater 23 can be incorporated into the mounting groove 27 formed in the support 26, it is difficult to screw the upper cover 22 to the support 26 using a tool. It goes without saying that the heat insulating partition wall 31 is in the way and cannot be reached. As mentioned above,
Since the support shown in FIG. 5 for supporting the defrosting tube heater 23 is provided on the inner box side, the initial purpose can be achieved, and the cooler 21 and the upper and lower portions of the defrosting tube heater 23 can of course be achieved. The positional relationship can be assembled as set. However, it has been difficult to apply it to a refrigerator of the type shown in FIG. 8 which is currently mass-marketed. The prior art shown in FIG.
This is an example in which an upper surface cover 22 is attached to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, 23 is a defrosting tube heater, 23a is an insulating member, and a supporting portion 32 is integrally provided on the insulating member 23a. 33 is an insertion hole provided in the support portion 32;
Is an upper surface cover, and the upper surface cover 22 is attached to the insertion hole 33 so as to bridge between the support portions 32 on both sides. 23b is a lead wire, and this lead wire 23b is also drawn out from the center of the end face of the insulating member 23a. With the above construction, the positional relationship between the defrosting tube heater 23 and the top cover 22 is always kept constant, but the relationship with the cooler is not considered at all. is there. Therefore, when the above-described defrosting tube heater 23 with a top cover is installed in a refrigerator, defrosting water dripping from the cooler cannot be prevented from directly hitting the defrosting tube heater 23. In other words, no matter how the defrosting tube heater is incorporated,
The top cover has not always been properly positioned between the cooler and the defrost tube heater. This is because no consideration has been given to always attaching the defrosting tube heater 23 to the refrigerator body side in a fixed form. As a result, in the structure shown in FIG. 6, not only the generation of the evaporative noise could not be eliminated, but also the following problems are included. That is, when defrost water is dripped from the cooler to the outlet S of the lead wire 23b drawn out from the end face of the insulating member 23a, the defrost water is supplied through the outlet S to the defrosting tube heater. There was a serious problem in that it entered the heating element side of No. 23 and damaged the defrosting tube heater. Next, FIG. 7 shows a structure in which the defrosting tube heater 23 is fixed to a support plate 34 provided on the cooler 21 side. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 34 denotes a support plate screwed to the cooler 21 with screws 35. The support plate 34 has an engagement groove 36 for accommodating the insulating member 23a of the defrosting tube heater 23. I have. 37 is the insulating member 23
The arc-shaped projecting rib 38 provided on the outer periphery of the engaging groove 3
A stopper 39 provided at the entrance portion of 6 is a fixing piece. Thus, the insulating member 23 having the arc-shaped projecting rib 37
a in the engagement groove 36, and as shown in FIG.
The fixing piece 39 is bent at the point where the tip 7 comes into contact with the stopper 38 to fix the defrosting tube heater 23. Reference numeral 23b denotes a lead wire which is drawn out from the center of the end surface of the insulating member 23a. In the case of the fixing structure of the defrosting tube heater 23 having such a configuration, the defrosting tube heater 23 is always attached to the support plate 34 in the same direction. However, since this is an example of a type in which the defrost water dropped from the cooler 21 directly hits the defrosting tube heater 23, measures against evaporation noise or damage to the defrosting tube heater (lead wire, lead-out portion S No damage was considered. In the refrigerator described in the above conventional example, no consideration has been given to the lead wire and the lead-out portion S of the defrosting tube heater. The lead wire of the defrosting tube heater is usually drawn out through the insulating member 23a. And the lead-out part S of the lead wire 23b was provided in the center of the end surface of the insulating member 23a. This means that no matter how the defrosting tube heater 23 is incorporated into the mounting portion,
This is such that the lead wire 23b is not twisted. However, in the case of the above-mentioned structure, there is a possibility that defrost water dropped from the cooler may fall on the lead wire and the lead-out portion S. For example, when assembling the defrosting tube heater to the refrigerator, after assembling the positional relationship between the cooler and the heater constant, when assembling other parts, transporting,
During work such as maintenance, cooler, defrost tube heater,
In some cases, the engagement relationship between the support portion and the like changes, and the lead-out portion of the lead wire may move to a position where it comes into contact with the defrost water falling from the cooler. If the defrosting water applied to the outlet S enters the insulating member 23a side (the coiled nichrome wire side of the defrosting tube heater) from the outlet S,
The defrost water is transmitted along the lead wire 23b and reaches the coiled nichrome wire portion. For this reason, there has been a problem that the reliability of the defrosting tube heater 23 is greatly reduced. In addition, the arrangement of the lead wire extended from the lead-out portion S
Depending on the way, if the above-mentioned lead leads to defrost water
There was a problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and does not cause the position of the lead wire to move or twist the lead wire during work. Defrosting water dripping from the device side propagates through the lead wire.
Of course, it is not guided to the derivation unit.
Refrigerator that can improve the reliability of the defrost tube heater without preventing the defrost water attached to the heater from entering the heating element (defrosting tube heater itself) side from the outlet portion and damaging the heating element. The purpose is to provide. [0015] In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a cooler provided inside a refrigerator body and a cooler located below the cooler. A defrosting tube heater for melting frost attached to the cooler, a gutter located below the cooler to receive defrost water, and an insulating member for electrically insulating an end of the defrosting tube heater, A refrigerator comprising: a support provided on the gutter side for engaging the insulating member; and a top cover located between the cooler and the defrosting tube heater and covering an upper portion of the defrosting tube heater. In the above
The rubber cap has a structure in which the insulating member is
And the lead wire of the defrosting tube heater is
Opened on the lower surface of the rubber cap itself engaged with the body
It is led out to the lower gutter side through the lead-out part related to one hole.
The defrost water is transmitted along the lead wire and the lead-out portion and the defrosting water
The configuration is such that it does not enter the heating element side of the frost tube heater . According to the defrosting tube heater of the present invention, the lead wire from the insulating member is connected to the rubber key of the insulating member engaged with the support.
Since it is drawn downward from one hole opened in the lower surface of the cap itself , frost or defrost water attached to the surface of the cooler falls directly to the insulating member side that has come off, not the upper cover side Even with the structure, the defrost water or the frost mass falling from the cooler hits the insulating member facing the cooler, and then falls to the gutter located below the defrosting tube heater. In other words, the lead wire lead-out portion does not face the cooler, and thus does not receive the direct defrosting water dripping. As a result, the defrost water does not travel along the lead wire and enter the coiled nichrome wire side of the defrost tube heater from the lead wire lead-out portion, thereby reducing the reliability of the defrost tube heater . Also, if the defrost water is
Lead wire extending downward from the
That does not lead to Further, by reliably positioning the defrosting tube heater, particularly the lead wire lead-out portion, the effect is further improved. That is, the insulating member is
The defrosting tube heater with the insulating member can be assembled to the support without variation by forming a structure that prevents rotation by engagement with the like . In other words, the rubber related to the insulating member
The lead-out portion of the lead wire from the cap is formed downward, is held at a position facing the gutter side, and a position where the defrost water does not directly hit the lead-out portion is secured. As a result, the outlet of the lead wire is also fixed, so that the lead wire is not twisted during work. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of a defrosting tube heater according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of a defrosting tube heater according to another embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of still another defrosting tube heater, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a refrigerator provided with the fixing structure of the defrosting tube heater shown in FIGS. It is. Embodiment 1 A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, 1 is a refrigerator main body, 2 is a freezing room, and 3 is a refrigerator room. Reference numerals 4 and 5 denote suction ports from the freezer compartment 2 and the refrigerator compartment 3, from which the air in the freezer compartment 2 and the refrigerator compartment 3 is sucked and passed through the passages 4 'and 5', and the cooling device installed at the back of the refrigerator compartment Sent to the vessel 6. Reference numeral 7 denotes a tube heater for defrosting installed below the cooler 6, and has a cylindrical rubber cap 8a as an insulating member having a rotation preventing projection 8c at both ends of the tube heater. As shown in FIG. 1, the detents 8c protrude vertically on both sides of the cylindrical rubber cap 8a, and are formed over the entire length of the cylindrical rubber cap in the longitudinal direction. Reference numeral 9a denotes a support provided on the side of the gutter 9, which is raised from the gutter 9. Cylindrical rubber cap 8a
Is sandwiched by being inserted into the support 9a from above. The support 9a shown in FIG. 1 is formed of two elastic pieces, and the opening 9c of the insertion portion thereof is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical rubber cap 8a, and the support member 9a is provided around the cylindrical rubber cap 8a. Stop projection 8c
Is approximately matched to the opening width of the insertion portion so that the insertion portion serves as a storage portion for the rotation preventing projection 8c. Reference numeral 10 denotes a top cover (hereinafter referred to as a ceiling cover) attached so as to cover the upper part of the defrosting tube heater 7.
The ceiling cover 10 prevents the defrosting water dropped from the cooler 6 from contacting the high-temperature defrosting tube heater 7 at the time of defrosting to generate an evaporation sound. In order to prevent the ceiling cover 10 from rotating, the cylindrical rubber cap 8a is clamped by mounting legs 10a formed on the side surface of the ceiling cover 10. In addition, the cover 10 is attached to the cylindrical rubber cap 8a so that the rotation preventing projection 8c of the cylindrical rubber cap 8a and the opening width at the lower portion of the holding portion of the mounting leg 10a of the ceiling cover 10 substantially match. As a result, the ceiling cover 10 shifts, and the ceiling cover 1 with respect to the defrosting tube heater 7 is moved.
0 can be prevented from fulfilling its purpose. Reference numeral 12 denotes air cooled by the cooler 6 and
Reference numeral 13 denotes a drain for discharging defrost water dropped from the cooler 6 or the like at the time of defrost to the outside of the refrigerator. The operation of the refrigerator having such a structure will be described. Melting of the frost adhering to the cooler 6 proceeds as in the conventional case. Support 9
The engagement relationship between the cylindrical rubber cap 8a and the cylindrical rubber cap 8a is ensured by the fact that the rotation preventing projection 8c of the cylindrical rubber cap 8a fits into the opening frontage 9c formed in the support 9a. In other words, the cylindrical rubber cap 8a does not rotate within the support 9a. According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (A) The positions of the defrosting tube heater 7 and the ceiling cover 10 can be correctly maintained. (B) Rotation (or disengagement) of the defrosting tube heater 7 and the ceiling cover 10 can be prevented. More specifically, the operation and effect can be described by the cylindrical rubber cap 8
a (insulating member) has a rotation preventing projection 8c at a portion where it engages with the support 9a, and the support 9a has a storage portion for the projection, so that it can be vibrated or mounted during transportation, repair service, etc. Even if external force is applied, the defrosting tube heater 7 and the ceiling cover 10 do not rotate, so that the function of the ceiling cover 10 can be prevented from being lost. Further, a support having an insertion portion and a holding portion, which is integrally connected to the gutter 9 or the member located on the gutter side, which is the attached body, is formed of two elastic bodies, and The opening frontage 9c of the insertion section is formed smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical rubber cap 8a, and the rotation preventing projection 8c provided on the cylindrical rubber cap 8a substantially matches the opening frontage of the insertion section. , Etc., and the defrosting tube heater 7 is prevented from rising out of the support and the engagement relationship is prevented from being released. Furthermore, when a support having a concave portion for preventing rotation below the holding portion is provided on the gutter or a member located on the gutter side, and when the cylindrical rubber cap is held by the holding portion,
The detent on the cylindrical rubber cap is engaged with the recess on the support side, so that the defrosting tube heater can be easily incorporated into the refrigerator, and the detent on the ceiling cover can be prevented. is there. Reference numeral 14 denotes a lead wire for supplying electricity to the heating element of the defrosting tube heater 7 (an electric heating element such as a coiled nichrome wire in a glass tube). This lead wire 14
As is clear from the drawing, the lead-out portion S of the cylindrical rubber cap is attached to the support 9a of the defrosting tube heater 7.
It is provided below the cap 8a. That is, the lead wire 14 is connected to the cylindrical rubber cap 8a engaged with the support 9a.
It is led out downward from one hole opened on the lower surface of the device itself , is located at a position facing the gutter side , and the lead-out portion S is provided at a position where defrost water does not directly hit. By doing so, the defrost water dripping from the cooler 6 etc. leads the lead wire.
The defrost water is guided to the deriving section S and
Even if defrost water is attached to the outlet S, the lead wire 14 is defrosted.
Outlet S located below the pipe heater (Nichrome wire)
Defrost water is transmitted through the lead wire
It does not enter the heating element side of the defrosting tube heater 7 and damage the heating element. Furthermore, the deriving unit S is, as described above, the projections 8c (about provided in the cylindrical rubber cap 8a
This position is always maintained due to the relationship between the stop ) and the support 9a. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 2, components having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the defrosting tube heater 7 is provided below the cooler 6, and has a cylindrical rubber cap 8b having a rotation preventing projection 8d at both ends of the tube heater. Detent 8
d protrudes vertically to one side of the cylindrical rubber cap 8b and is formed over the entire length of the cylindrical rubber cap in the longitudinal direction. Reference numeral 9b denotes a support provided on the gutter 9 side, which is integrally raised from the gutter 9. Cylindrical rubber cap 8b
Are sandwiched by being inserted into the support 9b from above. The support 9b shown in FIG. 2 has a groove 9d for preventing rotation below the holding portion, and when the holding portion holds the cylindrical rubber cap 8b, the cylindrical rubber cap 8b is closed.
The rotation preventing projection 8d of the b is formed so as to engage with the groove 9d of the support 9b. The engagement between the support 9b and the cylindrical rubber cap 8b is ensured by the fact that the rotation preventing projections 8d of the cylindrical rubber cap 8b fit into the grooves 9d formed in the support 9b. In other words, the cylindrical rubber cap 8b does not rotate within the support 9b. Further, since the lead-out portion S of the lead wire 14 is also provided at the same position as in FIG. 1, defrost water does not enter the heating element from the lead-out portion S. According to the second embodiment, the same operation and effect as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained. Third Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, components having the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same as those in the previous embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 3, the defrosting tube heater 7 is provided below the cooler 6, and has cylindrical rubber caps 8a (insulating members) at both ends of the tube heater. Reference numeral 9a denotes a support provided on the gutter 9 side, which is integrally raised from the gutter 9.
The cylindrical rubber cap 8a is clamped by being inserted into the support 9a from above. Reference numeral 14 denotes a lead wire for supplying electricity to the heating element as in the above embodiment. As is apparent from the drawing, the lead portion S of the lead wire 14 is provided on the lower surface of the cylindrical rubber cap 8a (insulating member) itself when the defrosting tube heater 7 is attached to the support 9a. That is, cylindrical
The lead-out portion S of the lead wire 14 from the rubber cap 8a is formed downward, and is provided at a position where defrost water does not directly contact. By doing this, earlier
In the same manner as in each of the embodiments, the defrost water dropped from the cooler 6 travels along the lead wire 14 and enters the heating element side from the lead-out portion S,
The heating element is not damaged. As described above, according to this embodiment, since the lead-out portion of the lead wire of the defrosting tube heater from the insulating member (rubber cap) is formed downward, it is dropped from the cooler side. Defrost water may travel along the lead wire to the outlet.
Of course, the defrost water that has reached the outlet
Does not enter the heating element (defrosting tube heater itself) side through the lead wire from the lead-out portion to damage the heating element. Further, by specifying the position opposed to the position of the lead wire lead-out portion on the gutter side, even without a central lead wire lead-out portion is an insulating member, that there is no such thing as would twisting leads when working It is. As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the position of the lead wire does not move and the lead wire does not twist during work, and the cooler Defrosted water dripping from the side is guided to the outlet through the lead wire
Of course, the defrosting water attached to the outlet may also enter the heating element (defrosting tube heater itself) from the extraction section and damage the heating element. In addition, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that can improve the reliability of the defrosting tube heater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of a defrosting tube heater according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of a defrosting tube heater according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of still another defrosting tube heater. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of the refrigerator provided with the fixing structure of the defrosting tube heater shown in FIGS. 1 to 3; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure of a conventional defrosting tube heater. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a structure in which an upper surface cover is attached to an insulating member of a defrosting tube heater in another example of the related art. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of still another example of the related art, showing a structure for attaching a defrosting tube heater to a support. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of a refrigerator provided with a fixing structure of a general defrosting tube heater. [Description of Signs] 1 ... Refrigerator body, 2 ... Freezer room, 3 ... Refrigerator room, 6 ... Cooler, 7 ... Defrosting tube heater, 8a, 8b ... Cylinder rubber cap, 8c, 8d ... 9 ... Gutter, 9a, 9b
... Support, 9c ... Opening opening, 9d ... Groove, 10 ... Ceiling cover, 10a ... Covering cover mounting leg, 14 ... Lead wire, S ...
Derivation unit.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideo Ochiai Tochigi Plant, Hitachi, Ltd., Ohira-cho, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture (72) Inventor Seiichi Abe 800, Tomita, Ohira-machi, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi Tochigi Plant, Hitachi, Ltd. (56) References JP-A 48-63339 (JP, U) JP-A 59-16971 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F25D 21/08 F25B 47 / 02

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A cooler provided inside the refrigerator body, a defrosting tube heater positioned below the cooler to melt frost attached to the cooler, and a defrost water positioned below the cooler Receiving a gutter, an insulating member for electrically insulating the end of the defrosting tube heater, a support provided on the gutter side for engaging the insulating member, the cooler and the defrosting tube heater. A refrigerator having a top cover located between the top and bottom of the defrosting tube heater, wherein the insulating member is prevented from rotating by engagement.
And the lead wire of the defrosting tube heater is engaged with the support.
One hole opened on the underside of the rubber cap itself
Derived toward the lower gutter side through such a deriving section, defrost water
Is transmitted through the lead wire and the lead-out portion and the defrosting tube
A refrigerator characterized in that it does not enter the heating element side of the refrigerator.