JP6449032B2 - COOLER, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, AND REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE COOLER - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooler for cooling air circulating inside a refrigerator, a method for manufacturing the cooler, and a refrigerator including the cooler.

  Conventionally, as a cooler used in a refrigerator, a plurality of heat transfer tubes arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the air flow, and a plurality of parallel at predetermined intervals so as to be formed on the outer surface of the heat transfer tubes and to form an air flow path therebetween. There is known a cooler having fins arranged in a row (for example, Patent Document 1).

  This type of cooler is used as an evaporator of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle, and cools the air circulating inside the refrigerator. That is, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing inside the heat transfer tube and the air flowing outside the heat transfer tube via the tube wall and fins of the heat transfer tube, and the air is cooled by the evaporating action of the refrigerant.

  At that time, moisture in the air is condensed and adhered to the outer surface of the heat transfer tube and the surface of the fin, and the moisture is further cooled to generate frost. Such frost formation on the fins increases the air flow resistance and decreases the air flow, and also increases the heat resistance on the air side of the fins and the like to inhibit heat exchange, thereby reducing the cooling efficiency of the cooler. It becomes a factor to make. Therefore, a refrigerator equipped with this type of cooler includes defrosting means such as an electric heating heater in order to melt and remove frost adhering to the fins of the cooler.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-264632 (page 3, FIG. 1)

  However, in the conventional cooler, moisture remains on the surface of the fins and the like even after the defrosting operation is performed and the frost adhering to the fins is melted, and the moisture is re-iced after the cooling operation is resumed. As a result, the cooling efficiency is lowered.

  Specifically, if the drainage performance of the cooler is poor, the water melted by the defrosting operation remains so as to form a bridge between the fins and freezes again, thereby closing the air flow path of the cooler. Thereby, the cooling performance of a cooler falls remarkably. In addition, the defrosting operation is frequently performed, and the power consumption of the refrigerator is increased.

  In particular, in a so-called independent fin type cooler in which fins are divided in the air flow direction as in the heat exchanger (cooler) disclosed in Patent Document 1, the air flow is substantially vertical. Thus, when the cooler is installed upright and used, performance deterioration due to frost formation and re-freezing is likely to occur.

  This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 15 (A) and 15 (B). FIG. 15A is a side view showing a state in which moisture adheres to the fins 522 of the conventional independent fin type cooler 520, and FIG. 15B is a perspective view showing the same state. In the independent fin type cooler 520, since the fins 522 are independent for each stage of the heat transfer tube 21, the temperature boundary layer of the air flow near the surface of the fins 522 is disturbed by the edges of the fins 522 of each stage, and is high. It has the advantage of exhibiting heat exchange performance.

  However, during the defrosting operation, the water W due to frost melting collects in the vicinity of the lower end side of the fins 522 of each stage, and it tends to stay as a thick film without dripping. For this reason, the water W remaining in the vicinity of the lower end side substantially orthogonal to the air flow (arrow F) is re-freezed, thereby narrowing the air flow path in the vicinity or forming a bridge to block the air flow path. As a result, the heat exchange performance deteriorates.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object thereof is excellent drainage performance at the time of defrosting operation, suppressing heat transfer inhibition due to frost formation and re-freezing, and high heat exchange. The object is to provide a cooler capable of maintaining efficiency.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for easily producing a cooler that has excellent drainage performance and can maintain high heat exchange efficiency.

  In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that is equipped with a cooler that is excellent in drainage performance during defrosting operation and that is excellent in energy saving that can suppress a decrease in cooling performance due to frosting or re-freezing on the cooler. It is to be.

The cooler of the present invention is a cooler that cools air supplied to a refrigerator storage chamber, and is arranged in multiple rows and multiple rows through a plurality of fins arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals. The fins provided on each stage of the heat transfer tubes are independent in the upper and lower stages, respectively, and the fin surface is subjected to hydrophilic treatment, and the fins An inclined portion that is inclined at an angle of not less than 4 degrees and less than 10 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane is formed on the lower end side of.

  Moreover, the cooler of the present invention is characterized in that, in a state where it is attached to the refrigerator, the inclined portion is inclined so as to descend from the front toward the rear.

The method for manufacturing a cooler according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a cooler for cooling air supplied to a storage room of a refrigerator, and includes a plurality of fins in which through holes are formed, and a heat transfer tube. A step of preparing and arranging the plurality of fin groups in which the plurality of fins are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the extending direction of the heat transfer tube by inserting the heat transfer tube into the through-hole. A step of expanding the heat transfer tube by inserting a tube expansion tool into the heat transfer tube, fixing the heat transfer tube and the fin, and between the two fin groups adjacent to the heat transfer tube. Forming each of the heat transfer tubes in a meandering manner, and in the step of preparing the fins, a surface of the fin is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment, and the through hole is formed on the one fin. And two or more places on a straight line, To form an inclined portion inclined at an angle of less than 4 degrees 10 degrees to the end edge of the fin along the arrangement direction with respect to the arrangement direction of the through hole of the hole, in the step of arranging the fin group, adjacent In the two fin groups, the fins are arranged upside down so that the directions of the inclined portions are reversed, and in the step of forming the heat transfer tubes in a meandering manner, the fins are perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the through holes The heat transfer tube is bent.

  The refrigerator of the present invention includes a storage chamber, a cooling chamber formed in the back of the storage chamber and connected to the storage chamber, and a blower that circulates air between the cooling chamber and the storage chamber. And the cooler which concerns on either of the said invention is provided in the inside of the said cooling chamber, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the cooler of the present invention, the fins provided in each stage of the heat transfer tube are independent in the upper and lower stages, respectively, and the surface of the fin is subjected to hydrophilic treatment, and the lower end side of the fin Is formed with an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. Thereby, the drainage performance of a cooler is improved, the re-freezing of the water | moisture content after frost formation and defrosting is suppressed, and the heat exchange performance of a cooler can be maintained suitably.

  Specifically, by applying a hydrophilic treatment to the surface of the fin, the water wettability of the surface of the fin is enhanced, and moisture attached to the surface of the fin can easily flow downward. That is, the drainage performance of the cooler is enhanced. Thereby, the thickness of the water film formed on the surface of the fin is reduced, the amount of frost formation on the surface of the fin is reduced, and an increase in thermal resistance due to frost formation can be suppressed.

  Then, the surface of the fin is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment, and an inclined portion is formed on the lower end side of the fin, so that moisture collected in the lower portion of the fin flows along the lower end side, and the side of the cooler (front or It can be discharged efficiently to the rear). Thereby, the fall of the cooling performance by the water | moisture content collected near the lower end side of a fin re-freezing can be suppressed.

  In particular, the surface of the fin is subjected to hydrophilic treatment, and an inclined portion is formed on the lower end side of the fin. Therefore, due to their synergistic effect, excellent drainage performance is exhibited while keeping the inclined angle of the inclined portion small. Can do. Thereby, the enlargement of a cooler can be avoided and the storage capacity of a refrigerator can be ensured large.

  According to the cooler of the present invention, the inclined portion is inclined at an angle of 4 degrees or more and less than 15 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. In this way, the surface of the fin is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment, and the inclination angle of the inclined portion is set to 4 degrees or more and less than 15 degrees, so that the drainage performance of the fin can be improved and the occupied volume of the cooler can be kept small. it can. Thereby, the heat exchange efficiency of a cooler can be maintained high, ensuring the storage capacity of a refrigerator large.

  Moreover, according to the cooler of this invention, in the state in which a cooler is attached to a refrigerator, the said inclination part inclines so that it may descend | fall toward back from the front. Therefore, moisture adhering to the fin flows along the inclined portion and is discharged to the rear of the cooler. As a result, the moisture dripped from the cooler is less likely to hit the flow of air that is heat-exchanged by the cooler and is difficult to freeze. Thereby, the fall of the cooling performance by the re-freezing after a defrost can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the method for manufacturing a cooler of the present invention, a step of preparing a plurality of fins in which through holes are formed and a heat transfer tube, and inserting the heat transfer tube into the through hole, the heat transfer tube is provided. A step of arranging a plurality of fin groups in which a plurality of the fins are arranged in parallel in the extending direction of the heat tube at a predetermined interval; and a tube expansion tool is inserted inside the heat transfer tube to form the heat transfer tube A step of fixing the heat transfer tube and the fin, and a step of bending the two adjacent fin groups of the heat transfer tube to form the heat transfer tube in a meandering shape. In the step of preparing the fins, the surface of the fins is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment, and the through holes are formed in two or more straight lines with respect to one fin, and in the arrangement direction of the through holes. The direction of arrangement of the through holes on the end sides of the fins along In the step of forming an inclined portion inclined at a predetermined angle and arranging the fin groups, the fins are arranged upside down so that the directions of the inclined portions are reversed in two adjacent fin groups. In the step of forming the heat transfer tube in a meandering shape, the heat transfer tube is bent in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the through holes. Thereby, the cooler which is excellent in drainage performance and can maintain high heat exchange efficiency can be manufactured easily.

  According to the method for manufacturing a cooler of the present invention, the inclined portion is formed to be inclined at an angle of 4 degrees or more and less than 15 degrees with respect to the arrangement direction of the through holes. As a result, a cooler having a small occupied volume and excellent drainage performance can be easily processed.

  Further, according to the refrigerator of the present invention, a storage chamber, a cooling chamber formed in the back of the storage chamber and connected to the storage chamber, a blower for circulating air between the cooling chamber and the storage chamber, And a cooler according to any one of the above inventions is provided inside the cooling chamber. Thereby, the fall of the cooling performance by the frost formation and re-freezing to a cooler can be suppressed, and the energy saving of a refrigerator can be achieved.

It is a front external view of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing (AA sectional view taken on the line in FIG. 1) which shows schematic structure of the refrigerator vicinity of the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view showing a schematic structure of a cooler concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is the (A) side view and (B) perspective view which show the flow of the water | moisture content adhering to the fin of the cooler which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the arrangement | sequence of the fin of the cooler which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the test result about the drainage performance of the cooler concerning the embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is a side view which compares and shows the cooler of a prior art, and (B) the cooler which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the (A) perspective view and (B) side view which show the process of inserting a heat exchanger tube in the fin in the manufacturing method of the cooler concerning the embodiment of the present invention, and arranging a fin group. It is a figure which shows the process of expanding a heat exchanger tube in the manufacturing method of the cooler which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and fixing a fin. It is a figure which shows the process of bending and forming the heat exchanger tube in the manufacturing method of the cooler which concerns on embodiment of this invention, respectively. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the cooler which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the cooler which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the cooler which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing (equivalent to the sectional view on the AA line shown in FIG. 1) which shows schematic structure of the refrigerator vicinity of the refrigerator which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is the (A) side view and (B) perspective view which show the state which the water | moisture content adhered to the fin of the cooler of a 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 the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a heat insulating box 2 and forms a storage room for storing food and the like inside the heat insulating box 2. The interior of the storage room is divided into a plurality of storage rooms 3 to 7 according to storage temperature and usage. The uppermost stage is the refrigerator compartment 3, the lower left side is the ice making room 4, the right side is the upper freezer room 5, the lower stage is the lower stage freezer room 6, and the lowermost stage is the vegetable room 7. The ice making chamber 4, the upper freezing chamber 5, and the lower freezing chamber 6 are all storage chambers in the freezing temperature range, and in the following description, these are collectively referred to as freezing chambers 4 to 6 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 storage chambers 3 to 7 so as to be opened and closed, respectively. The heat insulating doors 8a and 8b divide and block the front surface 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 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 cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure in the vicinity of the cooler 20 of the refrigerator 1, and represents a cross section taken along line AA shown in FIG. In addition, in FIG. 2, the flow of the cold air which circulates in the store | warehouse | chamber is shown with the solid line arrow.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heat insulation box 2 is composed of a steel plate outer box 2a having an opening on the front surface, and a composite having an opening on the front surface, with a gap inside the outer box 2a. A resin inner box 2b and a polyurethane foam heat insulating material 2c filled and foamed in a gap between the outer box 2a and the inner box 2b. In addition, each heat insulation door 8-12 shown in FIG. 1 employ | adopts the heat insulation structure similar to the heat insulation box 2. As shown in FIG.

  The refrigerating room 3 and the freezing rooms 4 to 6 located in the lower stage are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 32. Further, the ice making chamber 4 and the upper freezing chamber 5 inside the freezing chambers 4 to 6 are partitioned by a partition wall (not shown in the drawing). The ice making chamber 4 and the upper freezing chamber 5 communicate with the lower freezing chamber 6 provided in the lower stage thereof so that cold air can flow freely. The freezer compartments 4 to 6 and the vegetable compartment 7 are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 33.

  A supply air passage 14 is formed on the back side of the freezer compartments 4 to 6 by a partition member 15 made of synthetic resin. The supply air passage 14 is an air passage through which the cool air cooled by the cooler 20 flows, and communicates with the storage chambers 3 to 7 of the storage chamber. In addition, the supply air passage 14 is provided with a damper (air passage switch) for controlling the flow rate of the cold air supplied to the respective storage chambers 3 to 7 to appropriately maintain the temperature inside each of the storage chambers 3 to 7. May be.

  On the further back side of the supply air passage 14 inside the inner box 2b, a cooling chamber 13 is provided by being partitioned by a partition 16 made of synthetic resin. An opening 13a that connects the cooling chamber 13 and the supply air passage 14 is formed in the partition 16 at the top of the cooling chamber 13, and cold air is supplied to the storage chambers 3 to 7 of the storage chamber through the opening 13a. A blower 17 is provided for circulating air between the cooling chamber 13 and the storage chamber.

  In the lower part of the cooling chamber 13, an opening 13 b for sucking the return cold air from the storage chamber into the cooling chamber 13 is formed. The opening 13b is connected to a return port formed in the lower part of the back of the freezer compartments 4 to 6, and is connected to the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 7 via a return air passage (not shown).

  A cooler 20 (evaporator) for cooling the circulating air is disposed inside the cooling chamber 13. The cooler 20 is connected to a compressor, a radiator and an expansion valve (capillary tube) (not shown) via a refrigerant pipe, and constitutes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle circuit. In the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment, isobutane (R600a) is used as the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle.

  In the inner box 2 b constituting the rear wall of the cooling chamber 13, a recess 34 that is recessed rearward is formed at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the lower portion of the cooler 20. Further, the partition 16 constituting the front wall of the cooling chamber 13 is formed with a recess 35 that is recessed toward the front at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the lower portion of the cooler 20.

  The concave portion 34 and the concave portion 35 serve as a flow path for bypassing air when the amount of frost formation near the lower portion of the cooler 20 increases. That is, since the lower part of the cooler 20 tends to have a larger amount of frost formation than the upper part due to the flow of moisture, the air flow is inhibited by the frost formation by providing the concave part 34 and the concave part 35. Can be suppressed. Thereby, the high heat exchange efficiency in the cooler 20 can be maintained.

  A defrosting heater 18 for melting frost attached to the cooler 20 is provided below the cooler 20 inside the cooling chamber 13. The defrost heater 18 is, for example, an electric heating type heater. Above the defrost heater 18, a heater cover 31 is provided for preventing water from the cooler 20 from dripping directly onto the defrost heater 18.

  FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic structure of the cooler 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the cooler 20 has heat transfer tubes 21 arranged in multiple stages and multiple rows, and the heat transfer tubes 21 are provided through a plurality of fins 22 arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals. It is done. The heat transfer tube 21 is, for example, an aluminum alloy tube, and the fins 22 are formed from, for example, an aluminum alloy plate. The number of stages and the number of rows of the heat transfer tubes 21 are not limited to the example of FIG.

  The fins 22 provided at each stage of the heat transfer tube 21 are independent at the upper and lower stages. Thereby, since the temperature boundary layer of the air flow near the fin 22 surface is disturbed by the upper and lower ends of the fins 22 of each stage, the cooler 20 exhibits high heat exchange performance.

  The surface of the fin 22 is subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. Specifically, on the surface of the fin 22, for example, a silica-based film mainly composed of sodium silicate or the like, a resin-based film made of various hydrophilic resins, or the like is formed. Thereby, the water wettability of the fin 22 improves and the water | moisture content adhering to the surface of the fin 22 flows easily below. As a result, the thickness of the water film formed on the surface of the fin 22 is reduced, the amount of frost formation on the surface of the fin 22 is reduced, and an increase in thermal resistance due to frost formation can be suppressed.

  An inclined portion 23 that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane is formed on the lower end side of the fin 22. Specifically, the inclined portion 23 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane so as to descend from the front toward the rear. By performing the hydrophilic treatment on the surface of the fin 22 and providing the inclined portion 23 on the lower end side of the fin 22, the drainage performance of the cooler 20 can be enhanced by their synergistic effect.

  The upper end side of the fin 22 has a shape corresponding to the lower end side. That is, the upper end side of the fin 22 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane and is formed in a substantially straight line, like the inclined portion 23 on the lower end side. That is, the fin 22 has a substantially parallelogram shape. Thereby, since the area of the fin 22 can be ensured widely, the heat exchange performance of the cooler 20 can be improved.

  For example, the upper end side of the fin 22 may be formed substantially horizontally without having a shape corresponding to the inclined portion 23 of the lower end side. Further, the inclined portion 23 on the lower end side is not limited to a substantially linear shape, and may be formed in a curved shape so as to be inclined within a range of a predetermined angle θ.

  4A is a side view showing the flow of moisture attached to the fins 22 of the cooler 20, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the same state.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the moisture adhering to the surface of the fin 22 subjected to the hydrophilic treatment or the moisture W generated as a result of the frost being melted by the defrosting operation is the surface of the fin 22. It flows downward along. Then, the moisture W flows backward along the inclined portion 23 on the lower end side of the fin 22 and is dropped downward.

  As described above, the cooler 20 according to the present embodiment performs hydrophilic treatment on the surface of the fin 22 and forms the inclined portion 23 on the lower end side of the fin 22, thereby collecting moisture collected in the lower portion of the fin 22. It is possible to efficiently discharge to the rear of the cooler 20. Thereby, the re-freezing of the water | moisture content W gathered in the lower end side vicinity of the fin 22 and the further frost formation to re-freezing water are suppressed, and the heat exchange performance of the cooler 20 can be maintained suitably.

  Here, since the inclined portion 23 is inclined so as to descend from the front toward the rear, the moisture W attached to the fins 22 flows along the inclined portion and is discharged to the rear of the cooler 20. Therefore, the water W dripped from the cooler 20 is less likely to hit the flow of air heat-exchanged by the cooler 20 and is difficult to freeze. Thereby, the fall of the cooling performance by the re-freezing after a defrost can be suppressed.

  FIG. 5 is a front view showing the arrangement of the fins 22 of the cooler 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the fins 22 are arranged with their positions shifted in the extending direction of the heat transfer tubes 21 with respect to the fins 22 attached to the heat transfer tubes 21 at the upper and lower stages. Specifically, the fins 22 are arranged in a staggered manner in the air flow direction (arrow F).

  By arranging the fins 22 in a staggered manner in this way, the water W (see FIG. 4) gathering in the vicinity of the lower end side of the fins 22 does not flow down to the fins 22 below, but along the inclined portion 23 (see FIG. 4). Easily flow backwards. Thereby, the water can be efficiently discharged backward in each stage, and the water can be prevented from concentrating on the lower part of the cooler 20. Moreover, by arranging the fins 22 in a staggered manner, the air flow near the surface of the fins 22 can be disturbed to increase the heat transfer coefficient.

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing test results for the drainage performance of the cooler 20. Specifically, for a plurality of coolers 20 having different hydrophilic treatment conditions and the angle θ of the inclined portion 23, the amount of moisture retained in the cooler 20 is measured when the cooler 20 is taken out by being immersed in water. It is the result.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the retained water amount 47 in the untreated cooler 20 that has not been subjected to the hydrophilic treatment is small even if the inclination angle θ of the inclined portion 23 with respect to the horizontal plane is changed. That is, when the fin 22 is not subjected to hydrophilic treatment, an effect of improving drainage by forming the inclined portion 23 on the lower end side of the fin 22 cannot be expected particularly in a region where the angle θ is 15 degrees or less.

  In contrast, the retained water amount 45 in the cooler 20 subjected to the high hydrophilicity treatment and the retained water amount 46 in the cooler 20 subjected to the low hydrophilicity treatment change the angle θ of the inclined portion 23 from about 3 degrees to 4 degrees. It turns out that it falls rapidly by making it.

  That is, by performing hydrophilic treatment on the surface of the fin 22 and forming the inclined portion 23 on the lower end side of the fin 22, the drainage performance of the cooler 20 can be enhanced by their synergistic effect. Here, the angle θ of the inclined portion 23 is preferably 4 degrees or more, and more preferably 5 degrees or more. When the angle θ of the inclined portion 23 is less than 4 degrees, the moisture on the lower end side of the fin 22 hardly flows along the inclined portion 23.

  FIG. 7A is a side view showing a conventional cooler 520, and FIG. 7B is a side view showing the cooler 20 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the inclined portion 23 that is inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane is provided at the lower end side of the fin 22, the height h1 of the cooler 20 can It becomes higher than the height h0 of the cooler 520. And the height h1 of the cooler 20 becomes higher as the angle θ at which the inclined portion 23 is inclined is increased. That is, the occupied volume of the cooler 20 is increased. For example, if the angle θ is 15 degrees, the occupied volume of the cooler 20 increases by about 10% with respect to the prior art cooler 520. This causes a reduction in the effective storage capacity of the storage chamber, which is not preferable.

  In addition, by forming the inclined portion 23, the fin height x1 above or below the heat transfer tube 21 becomes higher than the fin height x0 of the cooler 520 of the prior art. And fin height x1 becomes so high that angle (theta) of the inclination part 23 is enlarged. Thereby, fin efficiency will fall and the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 20 will fall.

  From the above viewpoint, the inclination of the inclined portion 23 with respect to the horizontal plane is suppressed in order to suppress the enlargement of the cooler 20 and to ensure a large storage capacity of the refrigerator 1 and to exhibit high heat exchange efficiency by suppressing a decrease in fin efficiency. Is preferably less than 15 degrees. More preferably, the angle θ is less than 10 degrees.

  In the cooler 20 according to the present embodiment, the surface of the fin 22 is subjected to hydrophilic treatment, and the angle θ of the inclined portion 23 formed on the lower end side of the fin 22 is set to 4 degrees or more and less than 15 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. . More preferably, the angle θ of the inclined portion 23 may be 5 degrees or more and less than 10 degrees. As a result, the drainage performance of the fins 22 can be improved, and the occupied volume of the cooler 20 can be kept small. As a result, the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 20 can be maintained high while ensuring a large storage capacity of the refrigerator 1.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8 thru | or FIG. 10, the manufacturing method of the cooler 20 is demonstrated in detail. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a step of arranging the fin group 25 by inserting the heat transfer tubes 21 through the fins 22 in the manufacturing method of the cooler 20, and FIG. 8B is a view of the fin group in the step. FIG.

  In the manufacturing method of the cooler 20, first, a plurality of fins 22 and a heat transfer tube 21 are prepared. In the step of preparing the fins 22, hydrophilic processing is performed on the surfaces of the fins 22. For example, a so-called precoat material in which a hydrophilic film is formed on the surface of the fin 22 with a hydrophilic paint or the like can be used.

  Further, in the step of preparing the fins 22, through holes 24 through which the heat transfer tubes 21 are inserted are formed in the fins 22. As shown in FIG. 8B, a number of through holes 24 corresponding to the number of rows of heat transfer tubes 21 are formed for one fin 22, and these through holes 24 are formed in a straight line. Is done.

  An inclined portion 23 that is inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the arrangement direction of the through holes 24 is formed on the end sides of the fins 22 along the arrangement direction of the through holes 24. The inclined portion 23 is formed on at least one of the upper and lower end sides of the fin 22, that is, on the end side that becomes the lower side when the cooler 20 is completed. Note that the fin 22 may be formed in a substantially parallelogram shape, with the upper end side and the lower end side of the fin 22 both having a shape corresponding to the inclined portion 23.

  Here, the inclined portion 23 is formed to be inclined at an angle θ of 4 degrees or more and less than 15 degrees with respect to the arrangement direction of the through holes 24. More preferably, the angle θ of the inclined portion 23 is not less than 5 degrees and less than 10 degrees with respect to the arrangement direction of the through holes 24. Thereby, the cooler 20 which occupies a small volume and exhibits excellent drainage performance can be manufactured.

  In the step of preparing the heat transfer tubes 21, the number of substantially linear heat transfer tubes 21 corresponding to the number of rows of the heat transfer tubes 21 is prepared. In addition, as the heat transfer tubes 21 corresponding to two rows, it is also possible to use a hairpin tube having one end bent in a substantially U shape.

  In the step of arranging the fin groups 25, as shown in FIG. 8A, the heat transfer tubes 21 are inserted through the through holes 24, and a plurality of fins 22 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the extending direction of the heat transfer tubes 21. A plurality of fin groups 25 arranged in parallel are arranged at a predetermined interval.

  Here, in the two adjacent fin groups 25, the fins 22 are arranged upside down in the vertical direction so that the direction of the inclined portion 23 is reversed. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the inclined portion 23 of the fin 22 constituting the fin group 25a is directed downward and constitutes a fin group 25b adjacent to the fin group 25a. The inclined portion 23 of the fin 22 is directed upward. Further, the inclined portion 23 of the fin 22 constituting the fin group 25a and the inclined portion 23 of the fin 22 constituting the fin group 25b adjacent to the fin group 25a are inclined in opposite directions.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a process of expanding the heat transfer tube 21 and fixing the fins 22 in the manufacturing method of the cooler 20. After arranging the fin group 25, as shown in FIG. 9, the mandrel 40 (core metal) as a tube expansion tool is inserted into the heat transfer tube 21, and the heat transfer tube 21 is expanded.

  A burette 41 (expanded ball) having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the heat transfer tube 21 is attached to the tip of the mandrel 40. By passing the burette 41 into the heat transfer tube 21, the diameter of the heat transfer tube 21 is increased. Is enlarged. Thereby, the outer diameter surface of the heat transfer tube 21 and the through hole 24 of the fin 22 are fixed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process of bending the heat transfer tubes 21 in the manufacturing method of the cooler 20 to form a meandering shape. As shown in FIG. 10, the heat transfer tube 21 is formed in a meandering shape (serpentine shape) by bending between two adjacent fin groups 25 of the heat transfer tube 21.

  In the process of forming the heat transfer tubes 21 in a meandering manner, the heat transfer tubes 21 are bent in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the through holes 24 (see FIG. 8) formed in the fins 22. Therefore, the bending process of the heat transfer tube 21 can be easily performed.

  Then, if necessary, a tube plate (support fitting) (not shown) for supporting the heat transfer tube 21 is attached, and a U-bend tube is brazed to the end of the heat transfer tube 21 so as to form a predetermined refrigerant path, The cooler 20 is completed.

  Thus, according to the manufacturing method of the cooler 20 which concerns on this embodiment, the cooler 20 which can maintain the high heat exchange efficiency which is excellent in drainage performance with small occupied volume can be manufactured easily.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 11 to FIG. 14, the same reference numerals are given to components that exhibit the same or similar functions and effects as those of the embodiment already described, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a side view showing a schematic structure of a cooler 120 according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the fin 122 of the cooler 120 is formed with an inclined portion 123a and an inclined portion 123b having different inclination directions at the lower end side.

  Specifically, an inclined portion 123a is formed on the front side of the lower end side of the fin 122 so as to incline at a predetermined angle θ so as to descend from the rear side toward the front side. An inclined portion 123b is formed that is inclined at a predetermined angle θ so as to descend toward. In other words, the lower end side of the fin 122 is formed in a substantially mountain shape.

  Accordingly, the heat transfer tubes 21 can be arranged at substantially the center in the vertical direction of the fins 122, and the upper and lower fin heights x of the heat transfer tubes 21 can be set to substantially the same dimensions, so that fin efficiency is improved and cooling performance is increased. Can be improved.

  Moreover, the water | moisture content adhering to the fin 122 can be efficiently discharged | emitted to the front and back of the cooler 120 by the outstanding drainage performance, and the increase in air resistance by re-freezing of water | moisture content and frost formation can be suppressed.

  FIG. 12 is a side view showing a schematic structure of a cooler 220 according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the fin 222 of the cooler 220 is formed with an inclined portion 223a and an inclined portion 223b having different inclination directions at the lower end side.

  Specifically, an inclined portion 223a is formed on the front side of the lower end side of the fin 222 at a predetermined angle θ so as to descend from the front side toward the rear side. An inclined portion 223b that is inclined at a predetermined angle θ so as to descend toward the surface is formed. In other words, the lower end side of the fin 222 is formed in a substantially V shape.

  Thereby, the fin height x of the upper and lower sides of the heat exchanger tube 21 can be made into the substantially same dimension, and fin efficiency can be improved. In addition, since the water adhering to the fins 222 at each step can be collected at one intersection of the inclined portion 223a and the inclined portion 223b, the water is efficiently dropped and the water remaining on the lower end side of the fin 222 is reduced. The amount can be reduced.

  FIG. 13 is a side view showing a schematic structure of a cooler 320 according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, in the cooler 320, the arrangement direction of the heat transfer tubes 21 at each stage is inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane. That is, the arrangement direction of the heat transfer tubes 21 at each stage is parallel to the inclined portion 323 on the lower end side of the fin 322.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to arrange the heat transfer tubes 21 at substantially the center in the vertical direction of the fins 322, and the upper and lower fin heights x of the heat transfer tubes 21 can be made the same dimension, so that fin efficiency is improved and cooling performance is improved. be able to.

  As apparent from the above configuration, in the step of preparing the fins 322 in the manufacturing method of the cooler 320, the inclined portion 323 is formed in parallel to the arrangement direction of the through holes 324 through which the heat transfer tubes 21 are inserted.

  In the process of bending the heat transfer tubes 21 in the manufacturing method of the cooler 320, each of the heat transfer tubes 21 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ from a substantially vertical direction with respect to the arrangement direction of the through holes 324 formed in the fins 322. The heat transfer tube 21 is bent in the direction. Thereby, the bending process of the heat exchanger tube 21 can be performed easily, and the cooler 320 can be manufactured easily.

  As another manufacturing method of the cooler 320, the heat transfer tubes 21 are inserted into the through holes 324 of the fins 322 and the fin group is arranged, and then transmitted in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the through holes 324. A step of forming the heat transfer tubes 21 in a meandering manner by bending the heat tubes 21 is performed. Next, the heat transfer tubes 21 in each row are shifted in the vertical direction to incline the lower ends of the fins 322 at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane. Thereafter, a step of fixing the heat transfer tube 21 and the fins 322 by a method of expanding the heat transfer tube 21 by applying hydraulic pressure to the inside of the heat transfer tube 21 may be executed.

  FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view (corresponding to a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1) showing a schematic structure in the vicinity of the cooler 20 of the refrigerator 401 according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, in the refrigerator 401, the partition member 15 or the partition body 16 that partitions the freezer compartments 4 to 6 and the cooling chamber 13 is connected to the vicinity of the lower portion of the cooler 20 in the freezer compartments 4 to 6 and the cooling chamber 13. An opening 36 is formed to connect the two.

  By providing the opening 36, the air returning from the freezer compartments 4 to 6 can be flowed from the front side in the vicinity of the lower part of the cooler 20 that tends to increase frost formation. Thereby, even if it is a case where there is much frost formation, the flow volume of air can be ensured and the fall of the cooling performance by frost formation can be suppressed more reliably.

  As mentioned above, although the refrigerator which concerns on embodiment of this invention, its manufacturing method, and the refrigerator provided with the cooler were demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. Various modifications are possible.

1 Refrigerator 3 Refrigerated room 4 Ice making room (freezer room)
5 Upper freezer room (freezer room)
6 Lower freezer compartment (freezer compartment)
7 Vegetable room 13 Cooling room 14 Supply air path 17 Blower 20, 120, 220, 320 Cooler 21 Heat transfer tube 22, 122, 222, 322 Fin 23, 123a, 123b, 223a, 223b, 323 Inclined part 24, 324 Through hole 25, 25a, 25b Fin group

Claims (4)

A cooler for cooling air supplied to a refrigerator storage room,
A plurality of fins arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval;
A heat transfer tube disposed in a multistage multi-row through the fins, and
The fins provided at each stage of the heat transfer tube are independent at the upper and lower stages,
The fin surface has been subjected to a hydrophilic treatment,
The cooler according to claim 1, wherein an inclined portion is formed at a lower end side of the fin at an angle of 4 degrees or more and less than 10 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane. In a state in which the condenser is attached to the refrigerator, cooler according to claim 1, wherein the inclined portion, characterized in that inclined to be lowered toward the front to the rear. A method of manufacturing a cooler for cooling air supplied to a refrigerator storage room,
Preparing a plurality of fins in which through-holes are formed and a heat transfer tube;
Arranging the plurality of fin groups in which the plurality of fins are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the extending direction of the heat transfer tube by inserting the heat transfer tube into the through hole; and
Expanding the heat transfer tube by inserting a tube expansion tool into the heat transfer tube, and fixing the heat transfer tube and the fin;
Bending each of the two adjacent fin groups of the heat transfer tube to form the heat transfer tube in a serpentine shape,
In the step of preparing the fins, the surface of the fins is subjected to hydrophilic treatment, and the through holes are formed in two or more straight lines with respect to one fin and along the arrangement direction of the through holes. Further, an inclined portion that is inclined at an angle of 4 degrees or more and less than 10 degrees with respect to the arrangement direction of the through holes is formed on the end side of the fin,
In the step of arranging the fin groups, the fins are reversed and arranged so that the directions of the inclined portions are reversed in the two adjacent fin groups,
In the step of forming the heat transfer tube in a meandering manner, the heat transfer tube is bent in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the through holes. A storage room;
A cooling chamber formed at the back of the storage chamber and connected to the storage chamber;
A blower for circulating air between the cooling chamber and the storage chamber,
A refrigerator comprising the cooler according to claim 1 or 2 inside the cooling chamber.

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