JPH11159934A - Refrigerator having cold air distributing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a uniform distribution of cold air in vertical direction without generating any eddy current, by a method wherein a multitude of flat plate type cold air distributing vanes, provided so as to be rotatable to regulate discharging direction of the cold air supplied into a cooling chamber by the rotating angular position of the same, are supported so as to maintain the mutually parallel condition thereof. SOLUTION: Vertical distributing vanes 14 of a cold air distributing device 30, which are provided with the shape of a plate and arranged in a cold air duct so as to be neighbored to a cold air discharging port 16, are provided so as to be rotatable about the horizontal axial lines of the same to regulate a vertical discharging direction of the cold air, supplied into a refrigerating chamber, by the rotating angular position of the same. Horizontal shafts 28, formed so as to be projected toward the side direction of both side surfaces of a frame 20, are inserted into a multitude of axial holes 41, formed on the side surface flange of a duct cover 40 so that the frames 20 and the vertical distributing vanes 14 are constituted so as to be turnable about the horizontal shafts 28. According to this method, the cold air can be discharged into upward or downward direction by the control of a user whereby the cold air can be discharged toward a specified site in the refrigerating chamber.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having a cool air distribution device having a simple structure capable of dispersing cool air supplied to a cooling chamber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a refrigerator has a cabinet forming a pair of cooling chambers, ie, a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, separated by an intermediate partition, a freezer compartment door and a refrigerator compartment door for opening and closing each cooling compartment, and a freezer compartment and a refrigerator. A refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator for supplying cool air to the chamber is provided. The cool air generated from the evaporator flows along a cool air duct formed in the rear wall of each cooling chamber, and is supplied to each cooling chamber through a cool air discharge port toward the cooling chamber by a blower fan.

However, in such a conventional refrigerator, there is a region where the cool air discharged through the cool air discharge port is provided intensively and a region where the cool air is supplied in a relatively small amount. There is a problem that uniform cooling is not performed. Then, a so-called three-dimensional cooling type refrigerator that has solved such problems has been proposed.
In the three-dimensional cooling refrigerator, a large number of cooling air discharge ports are provided on the rear wall surface and both side wall surfaces of the cooling chamber, respectively, so as to uniformly supply the cool air.

However, even in such a refrigerator of the three-dimensional cooling type, since cool air is discharged in a certain direction through a cool air discharge port, there may be a dead zone in an angle region where the supply of cool air is insufficient. In particular, since the cool air duct must be provided not only on the rear wall but also on the side wall of the cooling chamber, there is a problem that the accommodation space for food and drink is reduced, and the number of parts and the number of steps increase the manufacturing cost. . The uniform distribution of cool air in the cooling room has become a very important problem in connection with the trend of refrigerators becoming larger.

[0005] In addition, the applicant of the present invention has published International Publication No. 95
/ 27278 discloses a refrigerator having a cool air distribution device. 1 to 3 are a side sectional view, a partially enlarged sectional view, and an exploded perspective view of main components of a refrigerator having the cold air distribution device.

[0006] In the refrigerator having the conventional cool air distribution device, a pair of cooling chambers 2 and 3 separated by an intermediate partition 5 are provided in a substantially rectangular cabinet 1. Each of the cooling chambers 2 and 3 is divided into a relatively low-temperature freezing chamber 2 and a relatively high-temperature refrigerator chamber 3. Opening doors 6 and 7 are provided at the front openings of the cooling chambers 2 and 3, respectively. In the cabinet 1, a refrigeration system including a compressor 11, a condenser (not shown), and a freezer evaporator 12a and a freezer evaporator 12b is provided. The cool air generated from the evaporators 12a and 12b is supplied to the cooling chambers 2 and 3 by the freezing room fan 13a and the refrigerating room fan 13b.

The inner wall plate 2 forming the rear inner wall surface of the refrigerator compartment 3
A partially cylindrical duct plate 9 having a cool air discharge port 16 opened toward the refrigerator compartment 3 is attached to the refrigerator compartment 3. A seal plate is provided between the duct plate 9 and the rear wall 4 of the cabinet 1. Cold air duct 1 isolated by 25
5 and a circulation duct 17 are provided. Cold air duct 15
Inside, a duct member 21 for guiding cool air from the refrigerator compartment fan 13b downward is provided. Cold room evaporator 12b
The cool air generated from the cooling air is transferred by the cool room fan 13b and supplied to the cool room 3 through the cool air duct 15 and the cool air discharge port 16.

A cool air distribution device 130 is provided in the cool air duct 15.
Is provided. The cool air distribution device 130 includes a rotating shaft 131 having a vertical axis and a cool air distribution blade 132 and a rotating shaft 1 coupled to the rotating shaft 131 corresponding to each cool air outlet 16.
31 is provided with a drive motor 135 for driving the rotation. Each cooling air distribution blade 132 is composed of three disks 136, 137, 138 arranged in parallel along the axial direction, and the disks 13
6, 137, 138, the first blade 133
And the second blade portion 134. Each wing 133,
134 is curved so as to have a gentle S-shaped cross section, and the blade portions 133 and 134 are bent in opposite directions.

With such a configuration, the drive motor 135
Rotates the rotating shaft 131 at a low speed.
The direction of the flow of the cool air moved along is changed by the bent plate surface of the cool air distribution blade 132, and the cold air spreads right and left into the refrigerator compartment 3 and is dispersed right and left. On the other hand, when concentrated cooling is required for a specific portion, the rotating shaft 131 is stopped in accordance with the direction of the cold air distribution blade 132 so that the cool air is concentratedly discharged toward that portion.

However, in such a conventional refrigerator, the blades 133, 134 of the cool air distribution device 130 are curved in a perfect S-shape, so that a vortex is formed around the cool air discharge port 16. In some cases, the slow flow of cool air is obstructed. Further, in this conventional refrigerator, uniform distribution of cool air in the horizontal direction can be achieved to some extent, but uniform distribution of cool air in the vertical direction is not sufficiently performed, so that all of the refrigerator compartments 3 are uniformly distributed. There is a limit to the realization of proper cooling. In addition, in the conventional refrigerator as described above, there is a problem that the structure of the cold air distribution device 130 is complicated, so that it is difficult to manufacture the refrigerator and the manufacturing cost is high.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of effectively achieving a uniform distribution of cool air in the vertical direction without generating a vortex in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems. It is to provide. Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having a relatively simple structure and an inexpensive cold air distribution device.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a duct housing having a cool air duct for guiding cool air generated from an evaporator and having a cool air discharge port opened toward a cooling chamber. A plurality of flat-shaped cold air distribution blades rotatably provided at a position adjacent to the cool air discharge port in the cool air duct and adjusting a discharge direction of cool air supplied to the cooling chamber according to the rotation angle position; Means for supporting the cold air distribution vanes so as to remain parallel to each other.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support means comprises a frame formed with the cool air distribution blade. Further, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support means includes a link member having a plurality of hinge connection portions hingedly connected to the cold air distribution blade at a position separated from the rotation shaft.

Preferably, a plurality of the cool air discharge ports are provided, and each of the cool air discharge ports corresponds to a large number of the cool air distribution blades. The plurality of cool air discharge ports are arranged vertically,
The cool air distribution blades corresponding to the respective cool air discharge ports are independently rotatable with respect to the cool air distribution blades corresponding to the other cool air discharge ports.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The refrigerator further includes a means for reciprocatingly rotating the cool air distribution blade within a predetermined angle range. Here, the reciprocating rotation means includes a driving motor; and a transmission means for converting the rotation of the driving motor into the reciprocating rotation of the frame. Preferably, the transmission means comprises:
An elevating member coupled to the frame at a position separated from the rotation shaft; and a driving cam rotated by the driving motor to elevate the elevating member. The driving cam includes an eccentric shaft eccentric to a driving shaft of the driving motor; the lifting member has a slot formed in a horizontal direction to receive the eccentric shaft. Cold air is gradually supplied to each part in the cooling chamber by such a reciprocating rotating means.

On the other hand, the cold air distribution blade is constituted by a vertical distribution blade which is rotatable about a horizontal axis and adjusts a vertical discharge direction of the cool air supplied to the cooling chamber according to the rotation angle position. Is desirable. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, cold air is disperse | distributed perpendicularly by a flat-shaped vertical distribution blade, and a vortex does not generate around a cool air discharge port. Further, since the structure of the cold air distribution device is simple, the production is easy and the production cost is reduced.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIGS. 1 to 3 relating to the prior art and the drawings relating to the embodiment of the present invention, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG.
6 to 6 show a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This refrigerator has a cabinet 1 forming an upper freezer compartment 2 and a lower refrigerating compartment 3 separated by an intermediate partition 5, like the conventional refrigerator described with reference to FIGS. Opening doors 6 and 7 are provided at the front openings of the freezer compartment 2 and the refrigerator compartment 3, respectively. In the refrigerator compartment 3, a shelf 8 for loading and placing food is provided.
Separated by three layered storage areas in the middle and below. A special cold storage room 18 for storing foods suitable for a specific temperature is formed on the upper side of the refrigerator compartment 3, and a vegetable compartment 19 for storing vegetables is formed on the lower side of the refrigerator compartment 3. Have been.

In the cabinet 1, a compressor 11 and a condenser are provided.
(Not shown) and the freezer compartment evaporator 12a and the refrigerator compartment evaporator 12
b is provided. Each evaporator 1
The cold air generated from 2a, 12b is supplied to the freezer compartment fan 13a.
And it is supplied to the said cooling chambers 2 and 3 by the refrigerator compartment fan 13b. A duct housing that forms a cool air duct 15 that provides a flow path for cool air supplied from the evaporator 12b is provided behind the refrigerator compartment 3. The duct housing is
A duct member 21 forming the cool air duct 15, a front plate 23 attached to the front surface of the duct member 21, a seal plate 25 adhered to the rear surface of the duct member 21, and a partially cylindrical duct provided below the front plate 23 It is composed of a cover 40.

The duct cover 40 is provided with a cool air discharge port 16 opened toward the refrigerator compartment 3 along the longitudinal direction. The front plate 23 is provided so as to be substantially flush with the inner wall surface of the refrigerator compartment 3, and the duct cover 40 is provided so as to project from the front plate 23 to the inside of the refrigerator compartment 3.
As a result, the duct cover 40 and the cool air distribution device protrude slightly from the rear wall surface of the refrigerator compartment 3 as a whole, and the cool air guided by the cool air distribution device 30 is distributed to the refrigerator compartment 3 within a large projection angle range.

The cold air distribution device 30 includes a number of vertical distribution blades 1.
4 and a frame 20. The vertical distribution blade 14 has a rectangular plate shape and is arranged in the cool air duct 15 so as to be adjacent to the cool air discharge port 16. The vertical distribution blades 14 are provided rotatably about a horizontal axis, and adjust the direction of discharge of cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 3 in the vertical direction according to the rotation angle position.

The frame 20 is formed with the vertical distribution blades 14 and supports the vertical distribution blades 14 so that they are maintained in parallel with each other. The duct cover 40 is provided with three cool air discharge ports 16 arranged vertically, and three frames 20 are provided corresponding to the three cool air discharge ports 16 respectively. Horizontal shafts 28 protruding laterally are formed on both side surfaces of the frame 20, and the horizontal shafts 28 are inserted into a number of shaft holes 41 formed in a side flange of the duct cover 40. Thereby, the frame 20 can rotate about the horizontal axis 28, and the vertical distribution blade 14 formed with the frame 20 can also rotate about the horizontal axis 28.

The user can adjust the rotational angle position of the vertical distribution blade 14 manually. When the vertical distribution blade 14 is rotated upward, the cool air is discharged upward into the refrigerator compartment 3, and when the vertical distribution blade 14 is rotated downward, the cool air is discharged downward into the refrigerator compartment 3. Therefore, the cool air is discharged in the direction operated by the user, whereby the cool air can be discharged to a specific portion. In particular, when food or drink is newly stored in a specific portion in the refrigerator compartment 3, the user can operate the vertical distribution blade 14 to intensively supply cool air toward new food or drink. In addition, since the rotation angle position of each frame 20 can be adjusted independently, the discharge direction of the cool air supplied to the storage area in the refrigerator compartment 3 can be independently controlled.

Further, according to the present invention, the cold air distribution device 30 is provided.
Since the structure is very simple, the manufacturing is easy and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Further, since the vertical distribution blades 14 are formed in a flat plate shape, no vortex of cool air is generated. 7 to 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a cool air distribution device 30a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the duct cover 40,
The configurations of the vertical distribution blades 14 and the frame are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the cool air distribution device 30a further includes a device 32 for reciprocatingly rotating the vertical distribution blade 14 within a predetermined angle range. The reciprocating rotation device 32 includes a driving motor 36 and a driving motor 36.
And a transmission 39 for converting the rotation of the frame 20 into reciprocating rotation. The transmission 39 includes a lifting member 33 and a driving cam 34.

The elevating member 33 has the shape of a long bar vertically arranged in the cool air duct 15. Each frame 20 has a pivot pin 28a formed at a position separated from the horizontal shaft 28.
And three pivot holes 31 corresponding to the three frames 20 are formed in the elevating member 33. Rotating pin 28a
Are respectively inserted into the rotation holes 31, whereby the frame 20 at the time of elevating and lowering of the elevating member 33 reciprocates around the corresponding rotating pin 28 a.

The driving cam 34 is a driving shaft 3 of a driving motor 36.
7 and an eccentric shaft 34a formed on the main body 34b. The eccentric shaft 34a is the drive shaft 3
7 is eccentric. A slot 35 arranged in the horizontal direction is formed in the upper part of the elevating member 33. The slot 35 accommodates the eccentric shaft 34a. Therefore,
When the drive cam 34 is rotated by the drive motor, the eccentric shaft 3
The lifting member 33 is moved up and down by 4a as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, and the vertical distribution blade 1
4 reciprocates vertically.

During operation of the drive motor 36, the vertical distribution blade 14
When they are arranged horizontally as shown in FIG. 8, the cool air in the cool air duct 15 is horizontally discharged into the refrigerator compartment 3. When the vertical distribution blade 14 is rotated upward or downward as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 during operation of the drive motor 36, the cool air in the cool air duct 15 is discharged upward or downward into the refrigerator compartment 3. Thus, the cold air is dispersed in the refrigerator compartment 3 by the reciprocating rotation of the vertical distribution blades 14 continuously.

Also, according to the present embodiment, the temperature sensor
(Not shown), when a rise in the temperature of a specific portion in the refrigerator compartment 3 is detected, the vertical distribution blade 14 is driven in a state where the vertical distribution blade 14 is rotated so that cool air is discharged toward the specific portion. By stopping the motor 36, centralized cooling can be realized. Further, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the structure of the cold air distribution device 30a is very simple, so that the production is easy and the production cost is reduced. Further, since the vertical distribution blades 14 are formed in a flat plate shape, a vortex phenomenon of cold air does not occur.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show a cool air distribution device 30b according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the duct cover 40 and the vertical distribution blade 14
Is similar to the first and second embodiments described above.
Three vertical distribution blades 14 correspond to each cool air discharge port 16. Horizontal shafts 58 are provided on both sides of each vertical distribution blade 14.
Are formed, and a large number of shaft holes 41 a are provided in both side flanges of the duct cover 40. The horizontal shaft 58 is inserted into the shaft hole 41 a, whereby each vertical distribution blade 14 is rotatable about the horizontal shaft 58.

A hinge 59 is provided at the rear edge of the vertical distribution blade 14. The three vertical distribution blades 14 corresponding to one cool air discharge port 16 are mutually supported by one link member 60. The link members 60 have a bar shape arranged vertically, and each link member 60 is provided with three hinge connecting portions 61 that are connected to the hinge portions 59 of the vertical distribution blade 14. The horizontal distribution blades 14 are maintained in parallel with each other by the link members 60.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, the user can manually adjust the rotation angle position of the vertical distribution blade 14. When the vertical distribution blade 14 is rotated upward, the cool air is discharged upward into the refrigerator compartment 3, and when the vertical distribution blade 14 is rotated downward, the cool air is discharged downward into the refrigerator compartment 3. Therefore, the cool air is discharged in the direction operated by the user, whereby the cool air can be discharged to a specific portion. Further, the discharge direction of the cool air discharged through each cool air discharge port 16 can be independently adjusted as shown in FIG.

Further, according to the present invention, the cold air distribution device 30
Since the structure of b is very simple, the manufacturing is easy and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Further, since the vertical distribution blades 14 are formed in a flat plate shape, a vortex phenomenon of cold air does not occur.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, the cool air can be dispersed vertically by the vertical distribution blades, and no swirl occurs around the cool air discharge port. Further, since the structure of the cold air distribution device is simple, the production is easy and the production cost is reduced. As described above, the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. However, those skilled in the art who have understood the above contents will easily think of changes and modifications. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be equivalent to the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a conventional refrigerator having cool air distribution blades.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a main part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the cold air distribution device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the connected state of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a cool air distribution device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the connected state of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the connected state of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the combined state of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a cool air distribution device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the combined state of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the combined state of FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Refrigerating Room 12b Refrigerating Room Evaporator 14 Vertical Distribution Blade 15 Cold Air Duct 16 Cold Air Outlet 20 Frame 28 Horizontal Axis 28a Rotating Pin 30, 30a, 30b Cold Air Distribution Device 34 Drive Cam 36 Drive Motor 40 Duct Cover 60 Link Member

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A refrigerator, comprising: a duct housing having a cool air duct for guiding cool air generated from an evaporator and having a cool air discharge port opened toward a cooling chamber, adjacent to the cool air discharge port in the cool air duct. A plurality of flat cold distribution blades that are rotatably provided at a predetermined position and adjust a discharge direction of the cool air supplied to the cooling chamber according to the rotation angle position; and the cold air distribution blades maintain a state of being parallel to each other. Refrigerator characterized by including means for supporting the refrigerator. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support means is a frame formed together with said cool air distribution blade.
A refrigerator according to claim 1. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the supporting means is a link member having a plurality of hinge connecting portions hingedly connected to the cold air distribution blade at a position separated from the rotation shaft. . 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the cool air outlets are provided, and each of the cool air outlets corresponds to a number of the cool air distribution blades. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of cool air outlets are arranged in a vertical direction. 6. The cooling air distribution blade corresponding to each of the cool air discharge ports is independently rotatable with respect to the cool air distribution blade corresponding to the other cool air discharge port. Refrigerator. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the cool air distribution blade further includes means for reciprocating rotation within a predetermined angle range. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the reciprocating rotation means includes: a driving motor; and a transmission means for converting the rotation of the driving motor into the reciprocating rotation of the frame. 9. The transmission means includes an elevating member coupled to the frame at a position separated from the rotation shaft; and a driving cam rotated by the driving motor to elevate the elevating member. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein 10. The drive cam has an eccentric shaft eccentric with respect to a drive shaft of the drive motor;
The refrigerator according to claim 9, further comprising a slot formed in a horizontal direction to receive the eccentric shaft. 11. The cooling air distribution blade is a vertical distribution blade that is rotatable about a horizontal axis and that adjusts a vertical discharge direction of cold air supplied to the cooling chamber according to the rotation angle position. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: