JPH11132612A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate an exclusive cover for use in protecting a water supplying member against a thermal insulating material and further enable a replacement of the water supplying member to be easily carried out in a refrigerator in which a water supplying member for use in guiding water in a water supplying tank to an ice making pan of an automatic ice maker to pass through a side part of a second refrigerator chamber. SOLUTION: A groove-like recession 50 indented outwardly and extending in a vertical direction is arranged at a side surface of an inner box 22 in a vegetable chamber 26 acting as a second refrigerating chamber. A protrusion 52 inserted into the recession 50 to form a space 53 for use in inserting a water supplying member is integrally arranged at a fixed rail 51. A water supplying member 46 is inserted into the space 53 and at the same time inserted and arranged in the recession 50. A position setting protrusion 59 for use in setting position of the water supplying member 46 is integrally arranged at a cover 57 for the water supplying member fixed to the lower part of a vegetable chamber 26.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic refrigerator in which a freezing room is provided below first and second refrigeration rooms and water in a water supply tank set in the first refrigeration room is disposed in the freezing room. The present invention relates to a refrigerator configured to pass a water supply member leading to an ice tray of an ice machine through a side portion of a second refrigerator compartment.

[0002]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a refrigerator in which a freezing compartment is provided below a refrigerator compartment and a vegetable compartment, water in a water supply tank set at the bottom of the upper refrigerator compartment is provided in the lower freezer compartment. When the water is supplied to the ice tray of the automatic ice machine, it is necessary to pass the water supply member through the side or back of the intermediate vegetable compartment.

FIG. 22 shows an example of a configuration in which the water supply member 1 passes through the left side of the vegetable compartment 2. A water receiving case 4a in which a water supply tank 4 is detachably set is provided at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 3, and an upper end of the water supply member 1 is connected to an outlet of the water receiving case 4a. On the outer surface side of the inner box 5 forming the side surface of the vegetable compartment 2, three divided covers 6a, 6b, 6c are provided, and after inserting the water supply member 1 into the covers 6a to 6c, The lower end faces the ice tray 9a of the automatic ice maker 9 from above through a partition wall 8 between the vegetable compartment 2 and the freezer compartment 7.

On the side wall of the refrigerator, an outer box 10 and an inner box 5
And between the outer box 10 and the covers 6a to 6c are filled with a foamed heat insulating material 11. In addition, vegetable room 2
A fixed rail 12 for guiding a support frame (not shown) for supporting the vegetable container so as to be movable in the front-rear direction is attached to an upper portion of the inner surface of the inner box 3.

In the case of such a structure, the inner box 3
Since the covers 6a to 6c for protecting the water supply member 1 from the foamed heat insulating material 11 are required outside, the cost increases and the structure becomes complicated. In addition, when the water supply member 1 is inspected / repaired or replaced, it needs to be removed and reinstalled. However, since the water supply member 1 is passed through the outside of the inner box 3, There is a problem that it is difficult to see and the operation is difficult.

[0006] On the other hand, although not shown, when the water supply member is configured to pass through the back of the vegetable compartment, water flowing out of the water receiving case 4a is guided from the near side to the rear side, and thereafter,
It is necessary to guide the water to the near side again, and the water supply path becomes complicated, and the productivity is poor. Further, in such a refrigerator, a cooler is disposed behind the vegetable compartment 2, and the water supply member passes near the cooler, which may cause freezing. To prevent this, there is a problem that a heater is required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a freezing compartment below the first and second refrigerating compartments and to provide a water supply tank set in the first refrigerating compartment. The water supply member for guiding the water to the ice tray of the automatic ice maker disposed in the freezer compartment is configured to pass through the side of the second refrigerator compartment, in order to protect the water supply member from heat insulating material. It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator which does not require a dedicated cover and can easily replace a water supply member.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises: an insulating box formed by filling a heat insulating material between an inner box and an outer box; A first refrigerating compartment, a second refrigerating compartment, and a freezing compartment formed in order from the top inside the body, a water supply tank set at a bottom of the first refrigerating compartment, and a water supply tank disposed in the freezing compartment. An automatic ice maker having an ice tray, a groove-shaped recess provided on a side surface of the inner box of the second refrigerator compartment, and depressed outward and extending vertically.
A fixed rail attached to the inner surface of the inner box of the second refrigerator compartment so as to intersect with the concave portion, and a guide rail for guiding the drawer container movably in the front-rear direction;
A water supply member for guiding water in the water supply tank to the ice tray through a side portion of the second refrigerator compartment.

According to the above means, the water supply member for guiding the water in the water supply tank to the ice tray passes through the side of the second refrigerator compartment. It is possible to prevent the water supply path from becoming complicated or freezing. In addition, since the water supply member is inserted and arranged in the recess of the inner box, a dedicated cover for protecting the water supply member from the heat insulating material is not required, and the water supply member is easily seen from the second refrigerator compartment side. The members can be easily exchanged.

In this case, it is preferable that a fixed rail attached to the inner side surface of the inner box of the second refrigerator compartment is integrally provided with a projection which is inserted into the recess and forms a space for inserting a water supply member. (Invention of claim 2). In the case of such a configuration, the space for inserting the water supply member can be secured when filling the heat insulating material outside the inner box by the protrusion, and the positioning of the water supply member is reliably performed. Will be able to do it.

[0011] Further, a reinforcing portion for reinforcing the protruding portion may be provided integrally with the fixed rail (the invention of claim 3), or a guide for inserting the tip of the water supply member into the space above the protruding portion. It is preferable to provide a guide portion that performs the following (invention of claim 4).

Further, in the case where a water supply member cover for covering the water supply member is provided at a lower portion in the second refrigerator compartment, the water supply member cover is inserted into a concave portion for disposing the water supply member to position the water supply member. It is preferable that the positioning protrusion is provided integrally (the invention of claim 7).

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, as is well known, a heat insulating box 21 of a refrigerator is provided between a plastic inner box 22 and a steel plate outer box 23 as a heat insulating material, such as a foam insulating material such as urethane foam. The material 24 is filled by a so-called in-situ foaming method. In the interior of the heat insulating box 21, the first
A refrigerator room 25 as a refrigerator room, a vegetable room 26 as a second refrigerator room, and a freezing room 27 are formed.

The refrigerator compartment 25 and the vegetable compartment 26 are partitioned by a partition 30, and the vegetable compartment 26 and the freezer compartment 27 are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 31. The partition 30 is a front partition 3 disposed on the front side.
2 and a plastic partition plate 3 arranged on the rear side
Although not shown, the front partition 32 is provided with electrical components and a dew-proof pipe. The heat insulating partition wall 31 is made of a plastic outer shell 3.
4 is filled with a preformed heat insulating material 35.

A cooler 36, a fan device 37, a damper device 38 and the like are provided at the rear of the vegetable compartment 26 and the freezing compartment 28, and these are covered by a heat insulating cover 39 from the front.

A water receiving case 42 in which a water supply tank 41 is detachably set is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the partition 30 constituting the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 25. In addition, an automatic ice maker 43 is provided in an upper portion on the left side in the freezing room 27. As is well known, the automatic ice maker 43 includes an ice tray 44 and a mechanism 45 for turning the ice tray 44 upside down and releasing ice. A water supply member 46 for guiding the water in the water supply tank 41 to the ice tray 44 is disposed so as to pass through the left side of the vegetable compartment 26 as described later. In this case, the water supply member 46 is composed of a water supply hose 47 having an upper end connected to the outlet 42a of the water receiving case 42, and a water supply pipe 48 connected to a lower end of the water supply hose 47 (FIG. 8).

On the left side of the inner box 22 in the vegetable compartment 26, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, there is provided a groove having a U-shaped cross section which is depressed outward and extends in the vertical direction. A concave portion 50 for disposing a water supply member is formed. The concave portion 50 is formed over substantially the entire vertical width of the vegetable compartment 26. A fixed rail 51 (shown only on the left side in FIGS. 1 to 3) for guiding a drawer container (not shown) so as to be movable in the front-rear direction is provided on the upper part of the left and right sides of the inner box 22 in the vegetable room 26. Is attached.

On the back side (left side in FIG. 1) of the left fixed rail 51, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, two plate-shaped projections 52 extending in the vertical direction face each other. These protrusions 52 are inserted into the recess 50, and a space 5 for inserting a water supply member is provided between the protrusions 52.
3 is secured. The fixed rail 51 is attached to the inner box 22 in advance before the foam insulation 24 is foamed.

The water supply member 46 is provided in the space 5
3 and inserted into the recess 50. The water supply pipe 48 at the lower part of the water supply member 46 is passed through an insertion hole 54 formed in the heat insulating partition wall 31, and is positioned so that the lower end faces the ice tray 44 from above.

A water supply member cover 57 is attached to a lower portion of the vegetable compartment 26 so as to cover the water supply member 46.
On the back side of the upper part of the water supply member cover 57, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, two plate-shaped positioning projections 59 having cutouts 58 are integrally provided so as to face up and down. The protrusions 59 are inserted into the recesses 50 to position the water supply member 46.

According to the first embodiment, the water supply member 46 for guiding the water in the water supply tank 41 to the ice tray 44 is configured to pass through the left side of the vegetable compartment 26. Unlike the case where the water is passed, it is possible to prevent the water supply path from becoming complicated or freezing. Further, since the water supply member 46 is inserted and arranged in the concave portion 50 for arranging the water supply member of the inner box 22, a dedicated cover for protecting the water supply member 46 from the foam heat insulating material 24 is not required, and The water supply member 46 can be seen from the inside of the vegetable compartment 26, and the replacement of the water supply member 46 can be easily performed.

Further, a projection 52 which is inserted into the recess 50 to secure a space 53 for inserting a water supply member is integrally provided on a fixed rail 51 attached to the inner surface of the inner box 22 in the vegetable compartment 26. Since the protrusion 52 fills the space between the inner box 22 and the outer box 23 with the foamed heat insulating material 24, the space 53 for inserting the water supply member can be ensured. 46 can be reliably positioned.

The water supply member cover 5 below the vegetable compartment 26
7 is provided with the positioning projection 59, so that the water supply member 46 is provided.
Can be positioned more reliably by the positioning projection 59.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points. That is, the protrusion 61 of the fixed rail 51 is formed in a rectangular frame shape in which the periphery of the space 53 is closed. In the case of such a configuration, the strength of the protrusion 61 can be ensured, and the deformation of the space 53 can be more reliably prevented.

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points. That is, a guide portion 62 that is inclined downward toward the central portion is integrally provided above the two protrusions 52 of the fixed rail 51.

In the third embodiment, the water supply member 46
Is inserted into the space 53 between the two projections 52, the distal end of the water supply member 46 is guided to the space 53 by the guides 62, and the operation of inserting the water supply member 46 is further improved. There is an advantage that it is easier to do.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points. That is, the concave portion 63 for disposing the water supply member of the inner box 22 is formed to have a trapezoidal cross section so that the opening side is widened. The fixed rail 51 is integrally formed with a triangular reinforcing portion 64 at the upper and lower portions outside each protrusion 52. Also,
The positioning protrusion 65 of the water supply member cover 57 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape along the shape of the recess 63.

In the fourth embodiment, the protrusion 5
2 is reinforced by the reinforcing portion 64, and the surface of the foamed heat insulating material 24 that receives the foaming pressure is separated from the protrusion 52. Therefore, the deformation of the protrusion 52 can be further prevented, and the water supply member is inserted. The deformation of the space 53 for use can be more reliably prevented.

FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in the following points. That is, the protrusion 6 of the fixed rail 51
6 are provided on the left and right sides so as to be three steps up and down, and a triangular reinforcing portion 67 is provided outside each projection 66.
Are provided integrally. In the fifth embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 15 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment differs from the second and fourth embodiments in the following points. That is, a triangular reinforcing portion 64 is integrally formed in the upper and lower portions outside the frame-shaped protrusion 61 in the second embodiment. In the case of such a configuration, the deformation of the protrusion 61 can be more reliably prevented, and the deformation of the space 53 can be more reliably prevented.

FIG. 16 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The seventh embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in the following points. That is, a guide portion 68 similar to that of the third embodiment is formed integrally with each protrusion 52 in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention, which is the fifth embodiment (FIG. 14).
Reference) differs from the following. That is, the guide portions 69 similar to those of the third embodiment are formed integrally with the uppermost projections 66 in the fifth embodiment.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The ninth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in the following points. That is, the water supply member 46
The engagement projections 70 are integrally provided on the outer peripheral portion of the water supply hose 47 so as to engage with the projection 52 from both upper and lower sides.

In such a configuration, since the vertical movement of the water supply member 46 is restricted by the engaging projections 70, 70, the water supply hose 47 is accidentally pulled out. This can be more reliably prevented. Also, at the time of assembly or when the water supply member 4
There is an advantage that the positioning of the water supply member 46 can be easily performed even at the time of exchanging the 6 or the like.

FIG. 20 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention, which is the seventh embodiment (see FIG. 16) and the ninth embodiment (see FIGS. 18 and 19). Is different from the following. That is, the engagement protrusions 71 of the water supply hose 47 are the same as the engagement protrusions 7 of the ninth embodiment.
The protrusion amount is set to be larger than 0. In addition, slits 72 are formed on both upper and lower sides of the projection 52 of the seventh embodiment to facilitate the passage of the projection 71.

FIG. 21 shows an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. The eleventh embodiment differs from the tenth embodiment in the following points. That is, of the slits 72 in the projection 52, the upper slit 72 is formed in the middle part in the up-down direction, and the engagement claw 73 projecting inward is formed below the slit 72.

[0037]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. Claim 1
According to the refrigerator described above, the water supply member for guiding the water in the water supply tank to the ice tray is configured to pass through the side of the second refrigerator compartment. Therefore, unlike the case where the water passes through the back, the water supply path is complicated. Or freezing can be prevented. Further, since the water supply member is inserted and arranged in the recess for arranging the water supply member of the inner box, there is no need for a special cover for protecting the water supply member from the foamed heat insulating material. The water supply member can be easily replaced or the like.

According to the refrigerator of the second aspect, the fixed rail attached to the inner side surface of the inner box in the second refrigerator compartment includes:
Since the projection is inserted into the recess to secure a space for inserting the water supply member, the projection is used to fill the space between the inner box and the outer box with the foam insulating material. The space for inserting the member can be reliably secured, and the positioning of the water supply member can be reliably performed.

According to the refrigerator of the third aspect, since the reinforcing portion for reinforcing the projection is provided, the deformation of the projection can be prevented, and the space for inserting the water supply member can be more reliably secured. Become like

According to the refrigerator of the fourth aspect, since the guide portion is provided on the upper portion of the projection, the guide portion serves as a guide when the tip of the water supply member is inserted into the space portion, and the water supply member is connected to the space. It becomes easier to insert into the part.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the provision of the engaging projection on the outer peripheral portion of the water supply member can restrict the vertical movement of the water supply member, so that the water supply member is accidentally pulled out. Can be prevented, and the water supply member can be positioned vertically.

According to the refrigerator of the sixth aspect, by forming the slit in the projection, the projection can be easily deformed when the engagement projection of the water supply member is inserted into the space. Can be easily inserted, and the size of the engagement projection provided on the water supply member can be increased.

According to the refrigerator of the present invention, since the positioning protrusion is provided on the water supply member cover, the lower portion of the water supply member can be more reliably positioned by the positioning protrusion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a main part showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall vertical side view.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heat insulating box.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view along the line BB in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a protrusion.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a water supply member cover.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a water receiving case and a water supply member.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, showing a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5;

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an engagement projection of a water supply hose showing a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a water supply hose is inserted between protrusions.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a projection and an engagement projection of a water supply hose showing a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a protruding portion showing an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1, showing an example of a conventional configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 is a heat insulating box, 22 is an inner box, 23 is an outer box, 24 is a foamed heat insulating material (heat insulating material), 25 is a refrigerator room (first refrigerator room), 2
6 is a vegetable room (second refrigerator compartment), 27 is a freezing room, 41 is a water supply tank, 43 is an automatic ice machine, 44 is an ice tray, 46 is a water supply member, 50 is a concave portion, 51 is a fixed rail, and 52 is a protrusion. Department,
53 is a space portion, 57 is a water supply member cover, 59 is a positioning protrusion, 61 is a protrusion, 62 is a guide portion, 63 is a concave portion, 64
Is a reinforcing portion, 65 is a positioning projection, 66 is a projection, 67 is a reinforcement, 68 is a guide, 69 is a guide, 70 is an engagement projection, 71 is an engagement projection, and 72 is a slit.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshichika Ishikawa 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka Inside the Toshiba Osaka Plant (72) Inventor Kenichi Fujimoto 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka Co., Ltd. Inside the Toshiba Osaka Plant (72) Shinya Ushinohama 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture Inside the Toshiba Osaka Plant (72) Inventor Koji Mishima 1-6 Ota Toshiba-cho, Ibaraki City, Osaka Toshiba・ Buoy E Co., Ltd. Osaka Office

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A heat insulating box formed by filling a heat insulating material between an inner box and an outer box; a first refrigeration chamber formed in order from the top inside the heat insulating box; A refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment; a water supply tank set at a bottom of the first refrigerating compartment; an automatic ice making machine having an ice tray disposed in the freezing compartment; and an inner box of the second refrigerating compartment. A groove-shaped recess provided on the side surface and depressed outward and extending in the vertical direction; attached to the inner surface of the inner box of the second refrigerator compartment so as to intersect with the recess, and moves the drawer container in the front-rear direction. A refrigerator provided with: a fixed rail for guiding as much as possible; and a water supply member inserted and arranged in the recess, for guiding water in the water supply tank to the ice tray through a side of the second refrigerator compartment. . 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the fixed rail is integrally provided with a projection inserted into the recess to secure a space for inserting a water supply member. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the fixed rail is provided integrally with a reinforcing portion for reinforcing the protrusion. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein a guide portion is provided on an upper portion of the projection to guide the distal end portion of the water supply member when it is inserted into the space. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein an engagement projection is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the water supply member to engage with the projection from both upper and lower sides. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein a slit is formed in the projection. 7. A water supply member cover for covering a water supply member in a lower portion of the second refrigerator compartment, wherein the water supply member cover includes:
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a positioning projection inserted into the recess for positioning the water supply member is provided integrally.