JPH09229540A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent water on a drain pan from being frozen and eliminate a heater for use in defrosting operation in a business-use refrigerator. SOLUTION: This refrigerator is comprised of a compressor 1 arranged at the upper surface of a unit base 4, a condenser 2, a fan 3 for blowing air to the condenser 2, an evaporator 5 arranged at the lower surface of the unit base 4 and a metallic drain pan 7a, and further a part of the drain pan 7 is extended at a downstream side of the condenser 2. With such an arrangement as above, it is possible to provide a refrigerator for preventing water on the drain pan from being frozen and not requiring any heater for defrosting operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air-cooled refrigerator for refrigeration or freezing and used for business purposes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, refrigerators used for business purposes are
There is a strong demand from the market for a reduction in size and capacity and a reduction in power consumption.
The one described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0054 is known.

Hereinafter, the conventional commercial refrigerator described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional commercial refrigerator. Arrows in the figure indicate the direction of air flow.

[0004] 1 is a compressor and 2 is a condenser. Reference numeral 3 denotes a fan, which ventilates the condenser 2.

A unit base 4 has a compressor 1 and a condenser 2 fixed with screws. 5 is an evaporator, 6 is an evaporator.

A drain pan 7 closes the evaporator 5 and the ever fan 6. Further, the evaporator 5 and the drain pan 7 are screwed to the lower surface of the unit base 4. Reference numeral 8 denotes a drain hose, and reference numeral 8a denotes a heater wound around the drain hose 8. 9 is water.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a main body cabinet composed of a box body, and the unit base 4 and the above-mentioned components fixed to the unit base 4 with screws are disposed on the upper portion of the main body cabinet 10.

The unit base 4 and the main body cabinet 10 are completely fixed, and 11 is the unit base 4
2 shows the inside of the refrigerator constituted by the main body cabinet 10 on the lower surface of FIG.

The operation of the commercial refrigerator having the above structure will be described below. First, when the commercial refrigerator is operated, the compressor 1, the fan 3, and the ever fan 6 are operated. When the compressor 1 is operated, the refrigerant is compressed and supplied to the condenser 2 as a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas. On the other hand, by the operation of the fan 3,
Air flows between the condensers 2 and in the direction of the compressor 1. When air passes through condenser 2,
Heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant flowing in the condenser 2 and the air, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is cooled and condensed and liquefied. After passing through the condenser 2, the refrigerant becomes a low-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant liquid and a pressure reducing device (not shown) And supplied to the evaporator 5.

On the other hand, by the operation of the ever fan 6, the air in the interior 11 passes through the evaporator 5, passes through the drain pan 7, and is discharged into the interior 11. When the air passes through the evaporator 5, heat exchange is performed with the refrigerant flowing in the evaporator 5, the refrigerant evaporates, the latent heat of evaporation cools the air, and the temperature of the interior 11 decreases.

The evaporated refrigerant returns to the compressor 1 again, and the cycle is repeated as described above to perform the cooling operation.

As the cooling is performed, the water vapor contained in the air in the refrigerator 11 is condensed as frost on the surface of the evaporator 5. On the other hand, when the temperature of the inside 11 reaches a certain temperature, the operation of the compressor 1, the fan 3, the ever fan 6, etc. is stopped by the operation of a thermostat (not shown), and at the same time, the flow of the refrigerant is stopped, either naturally or forcedly. To start defrosting. The frost accumulated on the surface of the evaporator 5 gradually melts or accumulates on the drain pan 7, but the heater 8 wound around the drain hose 8
It is heated by a, flows through the drain hose 8 and is discharged from the inside 11 to the outside of the main body cabinet 10.

When the temperature of the inside 11 rises above a certain temperature, the above-described cooling operation is restarted by the operation of a thermostat (not shown).

[0014]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, there is a problem that there is a limit to power saving because the heater 8a wound around the drain hose 8 is energized during defrosting. Was there.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power-saving refrigerator which prevents freezing of water on the drain pan.

[0016]

In order to solve this problem, the refrigerator of the present invention is provided with heat transfer means for guiding the heat of the downstream portion of the condenser to the drain pan side.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the freezing of water on the drain pan and provide a power-saving refrigerator.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is
A compressor provided on the upper surface of the unit base, a condenser, a fan that ventilates the condenser, an evaporator provided on the lower surface of the unit base, and a metallic drain pan provided below the evaporator, A part of the drain pan is extended to the downstream side of the condenser, and the heat of the high temperature air that has passed through the condenser is transferred to the drain pan side at the bottom of the unit base by heat conduction of the drain pan.
Water does not freeze on the drain pan.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a compressor, a condenser, a fan provided on the upper surface of the unit base, a fan for ventilating the condenser, an evaporator provided on the lower surface of the unit base, and a lower portion of the evaporator are provided. It is composed of a heat-insulating drain pan provided, a metal plate is arranged on the drain pan, and a part of the metal plate is extended to the downstream side of the condenser. Since water is transmitted to the drain pan side by heat conduction of the metal plate, water does not freeze on the drain pan.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a compressor, a condenser, a fan provided on the upper surface of the unit base, a fan for ventilating the condenser, an evaporator provided on the lower surface of the unit base, and a lower portion of the evaporator are provided. It is composed of a heat-insulating drain pan provided, a heat pipe is arranged on the drain pan, and a part of the heat pipe is extended to the downstream side of the condenser. Is transmitted to the drain pan side by the refrigerant in the heat pipe, so that water does not freeze on the drain pan.

Embodiments of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 2 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. The arrows in the figure indicate the direction of air flow.

Reference numeral 1 is a compressor, and 2 is a condenser. Reference numeral 2a is a condenser duct, and a part of the condenser duct closes the upper surface of the condenser 2. Numeral 3 denotes a fan which ventilates the condenser 2. Reference numeral 3a is a fan fixing plate which is screwed to the fan 3.

4 is a unit-based compressor 1,
The condenser 2 and the fan fixing plate 3a are fixed with screws. Further, the unit base 4 is provided with a hole 4a. 5 is an evaporator, 6 is an ever fan, and 6a is an ever fan fixing plate which is screwed to the ever fan 6.

Reference numeral 7a is a metallic drain pan, and a part of the drain pan 7a is extended to the downstream side of the condenser 2 through a hole 4a formed in the unit base 4. Further, the evaporator 5, the ever fan fixing plate 6a, and the drain pan 7a are screwed to the lower surface of the unit base 4. 8 is a drain hose. 9 is water.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a main body cabinet composed of a box body, and the unit base 4 and the above-mentioned components screwed to the unit base 4 are built in the upper portion of the main body cabinet 10.

The unit base 4 and the main body cabinet 10 are completely fixed, and 11 is the unit base 4
2 shows the inside of the refrigerator constituted by the main body cabinet 10 on the lower surface of FIG.

Reference numerals 12a, 12b, and 12c denote pipes for circulating a refrigerant through the compressor 1, the condenser 2, and the evaporator 5, respectively.

The operation of the refrigerator constructed as above will be described below. The cooling operation is started, and
As the temperature decreases, the water vapor contained in the air in the refrigerator 11 forms frost on the surface of the evaporator 5. Interior 11
When the temperature reaches a certain temperature, the operation of the compressor 1, the fan 3, the ever fan 6, etc. is stopped by the operation of a thermostat (not shown), and at the same time, the flow of the refrigerant is stopped and the defrosting is performed naturally or forcibly. To start.

The frost accumulated on the surface of the evaporator 5 is
Although it gradually dissolves or accumulates on the drain pan 7a, since a part of the drain pan 7a is arranged on the downstream side of the condenser 2, the heat of the high temperature air passing through the condenser 2 is the heat of the drain pan 7a. Since the water is transmitted to the drain pan 7a side below the unit base 4 by conduction, the water 9 does not freeze on the drain pan 7a. Further, the water 9 flows through the drain hose 8 and is discharged from the inside 11 to the outside of the main body cabinet 10.

When the temperature of the inside 11 rises above a certain temperature, the cooling operation is restarted by the operation of a thermostat (not shown).

As described above, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is
The compressor 1, the condenser 2, the fan 3 that ventilates the condenser 2, which is provided on the upper surface of the unit base 4, the evaporator 5, which is provided on the lower surface of the unit base 4, and the metallic material provided below the evaporator 5. Since the drain pan 7a and a part of the drain pan 7a are extended to the downstream side of the condenser 2, the heat of the hot air passing through the condenser 2 is transferred to the drain pan 7a at the lower part of the unit base 4 by heat conduction of the drain pan 7a. The water 9 does not freeze on the drain pan 7a because it is transmitted.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows C in FIG.
A cross-sectional view taken along the line -C, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. The arrows in the figure indicate the direction of air flow.

Reference numeral 7b is a heat insulating drain pan, and a metal plate 13 is arranged on the drain pan 7b. A part of the metal plate 13 is extended to the downstream side of the condenser 2 through a hole 4a formed in the unit base 4. Has been done.

The operation of the refrigerator constructed as above will be described below. The cooling operation is started, and
As the temperature decreases, the water vapor contained in the air in the refrigerator 11 forms frost on the surface of the evaporator 5. Interior 11
When the temperature reaches a certain temperature, the operation of the compressor 1, the fan 3, the ever-fan 6 and the like is stopped by the operation of a thermostat (not shown) and the like, and at the same time, the flow of the refrigerant is stopped, and natural or forced defrosting is performed. Start.

The frost accumulated on the surface of the evaporator 5 is
Although it gradually dissolves or accumulates on the drain pan 7b, since the metal plate 13 is arranged on the drain pan 7b and a part of the metal plate 13 is arranged on the downstream side of the condenser 2, the temperature of the high temperature passing through the condenser 2 is increased. Since the heat of the air is transferred to the drain pan 7b side by the heat conduction of the metal plate 13, the water 9 does not freeze on the drain pan 7b. Further, the water 9 flows through the drain hose 8 and is discharged from the inside 11 to the outside of the main body cabinet 10.

When the temperature of the inside 11 rises above a certain temperature, the cooling operation is restarted by the operation of a thermostat (not shown).

As described above, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is
The compressor 1, the condenser 2, the fan 3 that ventilates the condenser 2, which is provided on the upper surface of the unit base 4, the evaporator 5, which is provided on the lower surface of the unit base 4, and the heat insulating material provided below the evaporator 5. Since the drain pan 7b and the metal plate 13 are arranged on the drain pan 7b and a part of the metal plate 13 is extended to the downstream side of the condenser 2, the heat of the high temperature air passing through the condenser 2 is generated by the metal plate. The water 9 does not freeze on the drain pan 7b because it is transmitted to the drain pan 7b side by the heat conduction of 13.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows D of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D, and FIG. The arrows in the figure indicate the direction of air flow.

As shown in FIG. 9, a heat insulating drain pan 7 is provided.
The heat pipe 14 is arranged on b. The heat pipe 14 is composed of a metallic closed container 15, a wick structure 16 lined on the inner wall of the closed container 15, and a refrigerant 17 enclosed in the closed container 15. Further, a part of the heat pipe 14 is arranged on the downstream side of the condenser 2 through a hole 7b provided in the unit base 4.

The operation of the refrigerator configured as described above will be described below. The cooling operation is started, and
As the temperature decreases, the water vapor contained in the air in the refrigerator 11 forms frost on the surface of the evaporator 5. Interior 11
When the temperature reaches a certain temperature, the operation of the compressor 1, the fan 3, the ever-fan 6 and the like is stopped by the operation of a thermostat (not shown) and the like, and at the same time, the flow of the refrigerant is stopped, and natural or forced defrosting is performed. Start.

The frost accumulated on the surface of the evaporator 5 is
Although it gradually dissolves or accumulates on the drain pan 7b, since the heat pipe 14 is arranged on the drain pan 7b and a part of the heat pipe 14 is arranged on the downstream side of the condenser 2, the temperature of the high temperature passing through the condenser 2 is increased. The heat of air is
Since the refrigerant 17 enclosed in the closed container 15 is transmitted to the drain pan 7b side, the water 9 does not freeze on the drain pan b. Further, the water 9 flows through the drain hose 8 and is discharged from the inside 11 to the outside of the main body cabinet 10.

When the temperature of the inside 11 rises above a certain temperature, the cooling operation is restarted by the operation of a thermostat (not shown). The wick structure 16 applies a capillary force to the refrigerant 217 condensed on the drain pan 7b side, and the refrigerant 217 is returned to the condenser 2 side again.

As described above, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is
The compressor 1, the condenser 2, the fan 3 that ventilates the condenser 2, which is provided on the upper surface of the unit base 4, the evaporator 5, which is provided on the lower surface of the unit base 4, and the heat insulating material provided below the evaporator 5. It is composed of the drain pan 7b, the heat pipe 14 is arranged on the drain pan 7b, and a part of the heat pipe 14 is extended to the downstream side of the condenser 2.
The heat of the high-temperature air that has passed through is transferred to the drain pan 7b side by the refrigerant 17 in the heat pipe 14, so that the water 9 does not freeze on the drain pan 7b.

[0044]

As described above, the refrigerator of the present invention includes the compressor, the condenser, the fan for ventilating the condenser, which is disposed on the upper surface of the unit base, and the evaporator, which is disposed on the lower surface of the unit base. , Consisting of a metallic drain pan disposed below the evaporator, and a part of the drain pan extending to the downstream side of the condenser, the heat of the hot air passing through the condenser is the heat of the drain pan. Since the water is transmitted to the drain pan side below the unit base by conduction, water does not freeze on the drain pan, and it is possible to provide a power-saving refrigerator that does not require a heater for defrosting.

Further, the compressor and the condenser provided on the upper surface of the unit base, the fan for ventilating the condenser, the evaporator provided on the lower surface of the unit base, and the heat insulating material provided below the evaporator. It consists of a drain pan, a metal plate is arranged on the drain pan, and a part of the metal plate is extended to the downstream side of the condenser, so that the heat of the high-temperature air passing through the condenser conducts heat to the metal plate. Since the water is transmitted to the drain pan side, the water does not freeze on the drain pan, and it is possible to provide a power-saving refrigerator that does not require a heater for defrosting. Moreover, since the drain pan is heat-insulating, the heat of the metal plate is not transferred to the inside of the refrigerator.

Further, a compressor and a condenser provided on the upper surface of the unit base, a fan for ventilating the condenser, an evaporator provided on the lower surface of the unit base, and a heat insulating material provided below the evaporator. It consists of a drain pan, a heat pipe is arranged on the drain pan, and a part of the heat pipe is extended to the downstream side of the condenser, so that the heat of the high temperature air passing through the condenser is the refrigerant in the heat pipe. Since the water is transmitted to the drain pan side, the water does not freeze on the drain pan, and it is possible to provide a power-saving refrigerator that does not require a heater for defrosting. Moreover, since the drain pan is heat insulating, the heat of the heat pipe is not transferred to the inside of the refrigerator.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a first embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of Embodiment 2 of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 7;

9 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional refrigerator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Compressor 2 Condenser 3 Fan 4 Unit Base 5 Evaporator 7, 7a, 7b Drain Pan 14 Heat Pipe

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A compressor, a condenser, a fan provided on the upper surface of the unit base, which ventilates the condenser, an evaporator, which is arranged on the lower surface of the unit base, and a metallic material provided below the evaporator. A refrigerator comprising a drain pan, and a part of the drain pan extending downstream of the condenser. 2. A compressor, a condenser, a fan for ventilating the condenser, which is arranged on an upper surface of the unit base, an evaporator, which is arranged on a lower surface of the unit base, and a heat insulating material provided below the evaporator. A refrigerator comprising a drain pan, a metal plate arranged on the drain pan, and a part of the metal plate extending downstream of the condenser. 3. A compressor, a condenser, a fan for ventilating the condenser, which is provided on an upper surface of the unit base, an evaporator, which is provided on a lower surface of the unit base, and a heat insulating material provided below the evaporator. A refrigerator comprising a drain pan, a heat pipe arranged on the drain pan, and a part of the heat pipe extending downstream of the condenser.