WO2010024078A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided with a storage chamber (2) for housing stored items, a back plate (42) that covers the back surface of the storage chamber (2) from left to right, a condenser (11) for generating cold air, a cold air pathway (32) for circulating the cold air generated by the condenser (11) in order to send the cold air into the storage chamber (2) via first outlets (73a-73c, 74a-74c), a circulation pathway (81) for circulating the cold air in the storage chamber (2) using a circulation blower (85) without going through the condenser (11), and an ion generator (86) that is provided in the circulation pathway (81). The cold air pathway (32) and the circulation pathway (81) are provided to the rear of the back plate (42) of the storage room (2) from left to right.

Description

refrigerator

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

A conventional refrigerator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this refrigerator, a cold air passage branching left and right is provided on the back of the refrigerator compartment, and a circulation passage is arranged between the left and right cold air passages. The cool air passage is provided with a cool air discharge port that opens to both the outer side and the center side, and the cool air is discharged from the discharge port toward the outer side and the circulation passage side. A plurality of suction ports arranged vertically are provided in front of the circulation passage.

An ion generating unit having an ion generating device is disposed above the circulation passage in the upper part of the refrigerator compartment. The ion generation unit is provided with an opening communicating with the circulation passage on the lower surface of the rear portion, and opens a discharge port in the front. A circulation fan is provided in the ion generation unit, and an ion generator is disposed on the downstream side of the circulation fan.

The cold air in the refrigerator compartment is taken into the circulation passage from the suction port by the driving of the circulation blower and discharged from the discharge port of the ion generation unit. Thereby, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment circulates. The ion generator includes first and second electrodes that generate positive ions and negative ions, respectively. Ions generated from the first and second electrodes are included in the cold air taken from the suction port. Then, the floating bacteria in the refrigerator compartment are sterilized by positive ions and negative ions blown out together with the cold air from the discharge port of the ion generation unit.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a refrigerator in which a cool air passage through which cool air from a cooler that generates cool air flows is arranged on the back of the refrigerator compartment. The cold air passage branches left and right, rises in the ascending passage, descends in the descending passage, and discharges cold air from the first discharge ports arranged at the left and right ends of the back of the refrigerator compartment. A return port through which cool air returning to the cooler passes is provided in the lower right part of the refrigerator compartment.

In addition, a circulation passage having a circulation fan is provided between the rising passages of the cold air passage branched to the left and right. A suction port is provided below the circulation passage to suck in the cold air in the refrigerator compartment by a circulation fan. A plurality of second discharge ports for discharging cool air are provided side by side in the vertical direction on the side wall of the circulation passage.

The cold air generated by the cooler flows through the descending passage through the ascending passage of the cold air passage, and is discharged from the first discharge ports at both ends in the left-right direction. The cold air discharged from the first discharge port circulates in the refrigerator compartment, and flows out of the refrigerator compartment through a return port arranged at the lower right. Moreover, a part of cold air circulates in the approximate center of the refrigerator compartment and is sucked into the circulation passage from the lower suction port. Cold air flowing through the circulation passage is discharged from the second discharge port.

The cold air discharged from the second discharge port flows out from the return port, and a part thereof is led from the suction port to the circulation passage. Accordingly, the cold air in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment and the cold air in the upper part can be circulated to make the room temperature uniform.

JP 2007-170781 (pages 5 to 13 and FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-42820 (pages 3-4, FIG. 1)

However, according to the refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1, the circulation passage and the ion generation unit are arranged between the left and right cold air passages, and a plurality of suction ports arranged vertically are provided in front of the circulation passage. A discharge port is provided in front of the ion generation unit. For this reason, an air current circulates between the air outlet in the center upper part and the air inlet arranged from the center upper part to the lower part in the refrigerator compartment. Therefore, ions blown out from the discharge port of the ion generation unit do not reach every corner of the refrigerator compartment, resulting in a problem that the sterilization performance is lowered.

Also, approximately equal amounts of positive ions and negative ions are required to destroy airborne bacteria. If the first and second electrodes are arranged close to each other in order to introduce the positive ions and the negative ions to the respective positions in the refrigerator compartment, the positive ions and the negative ions collide immediately after the generation. Accordingly, there is a problem that the number of ions that disappear is increased, the number of ions discharged from the discharge port is decreased, and the sterilization performance becomes lower.

On the other hand, if the first and second electrodes are arranged sufficiently apart, the amount of ions ejected from the ejection port increases. However, one end of the refrigerator has more negative ions but fewer positive ions, and the other end has more positive ions but fewer negative ions. That is, the distribution of each ion becomes non-uniform, and sterilization corresponding to the smaller ion is performed at each position in the refrigerator compartment. Therefore, a sufficient amount of positive ions and a sufficient amount of negative ions cannot be supplied to the entire refrigerator compartment, resulting in a problem that the sterilization performance is lowered.

Further, according to the refrigerator disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, since the circulation passage, the rising passage, and the lowering passage that extend vertically are arranged side by side on the back of the refrigerator compartment, the width of each passage becomes narrow. Since each passage cannot secure the interior volume, the depth cannot be increased, thereby increasing the ventilation resistance. In addition, since the cool air passage has an ascending passage and a descending passage, the ventilation resistance is increased by increasing the passage length. Therefore, there has been a problem in that the blowing efficiency is lowered. In addition, since the length of the cold air passage becomes longer, the amount of cold heat of the cold air flowing through the cold air passage is increased to the outside, and the cooling effect is reduced.

Furthermore, the cold air discharged from the first discharge ports arranged at both ends in the left-right direction comes into contact with the stored item while reaching the return port arranged in the lower right part and the suction port arranged in the approximate center. Since the cold air flowing through the cold air passage is dried by the cooler, there is a problem that the drying of the stored material in contact with the cold air discharged from the first discharge port is promoted.

This invention aims at providing the refrigerator which can improve disinfection performance. Moreover, an object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can improve ventilation efficiency and cooling efficiency. Moreover, an object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can reduce the drying of stored goods.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage chamber for storing stored items, a back plate covering the left and right sides of the storage chamber, a cooler for generating cool air, and the cool air generated by the cooler circulating. Then, a cool air passage for sending cool air to the storage chamber through a first discharge port provided in the upper part of the storage chamber, and a circulation in which the cool air in the storage chamber circulates without passing through the cooler having a circulation blower It has a passage and an ion generating device arranged in the circulation passage, and the cold passage and the circulation passage are arranged on the right and left behind the back plate of the store room.

According to this configuration, the cold air generated by the cooler flows through the cold air passage and is discharged from the first discharge port. The cool air discharged from the first discharge port flows through the storage chamber and cools the storage chamber. The wet cool air in the storage chamber flows into the circulation passage and circulates through the circulation passage without passing through the cooler. The cold air flowing through the circulation passage contains ions generated from the ion generator and is discharged into the storage chamber. Since the circulation passage is disposed to the left and right behind the back plate, a discharge port or a suction port can be provided in a wide range on the back surface, and ions are distributed in the storage chamber.

Further, the present invention provides the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, wherein the circulation passage is open to the back surface portion disposed on the back surface of the storage chamber, the top surface portion disposed on the top surface of the storage chamber, and the back surface portion. A first suction port disposed at both ends in the left-right direction at a lower portion of the storage chamber, and a second discharge port disposed at a front portion of the top surface portion and disposed at a central portion in the left-right direction of the storage chamber. It is characterized by having.

According to this configuration, wet cold air in the storage chamber is sucked into the circulation passage from the first suction ports arranged on the left and right ends of the lower portion of the storage chamber. Cold air containing ions is discharged together with the cold air from the second discharge port arranged in the center of the top surface of the storage chamber, and is guided to the first suction ports at the left and right ends of the lower part.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, a second suction port is provided on the suction side of the circulation fan of the top surface portion. According to this configuration, the cool air in the upper part of the storage chamber is sucked into the circulation passage from the second suction port.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the cold air passage and the circulation passage are arranged so as to overlap each other, and the first discharge ports are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction. According to this configuration, the cool air cooled by the cooler is discharged from the first discharge ports at the left and right ends of the upper portion of the storage chamber, and is sucked from the first suction ports at the lower left and right ends. Thereby, the dry cold which contacts a stored material directly from a 1st discharge outlet is reduced.

Further, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, a plurality of upper and lower stages are provided on a loading shelf on which a stored item is placed and arranged in a plurality of levels above and below, and a door that opens and closes the storage chamber. A door pocket, and cool air is discharged from the second discharge port between the shelf and the door pocket. According to this configuration, cold air and ions discharged from the second discharge port are supplied to the door pocket. In addition, cold air and ions descend between the door pocket and the mounting shelf, flow backward on each mounting shelf, and are guided to the first suction port.

In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the ion generator is configured such that the first electrode that generates positive ions and the second electrode that generates negative ions are arranged apart from each other in a direction intersecting a flow direction of the cold air, A mixing plate for restricting the flow path of the circulation passage is provided on the downstream side of the ion generating device, and the flow path on the downstream side of the mixing plate is widened.

According to this configuration, the cool air flowing through the circulation passage includes positive ions and negative ions generated from the first and second electrodes of the ion generator, respectively. The ions are combined with cold water molecules flowing through the circulation passage to be clustered to form positive and negative cluster ions. On the downstream side of the ion generator, the flow path is narrowed by the mixing plate, and the cold air passing over the first and second electrodes is mixed. Thereby, positive and negative cluster ions are mixed. The mixed positive ions and negative ions spread on the downstream side of the mixing plate and are discharged into the storage chamber.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the interval between the first and second electrodes is set to 100 mm or more.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the flow path width squeezed by the mixing plate is substantially equal to the widths of the first and second electrodes.

The present invention also includes a storage chamber for storing stored items, a cooler for generating cold air, a cool air passage provided on the back of the storage chamber through which the cool air generated by the cooler flows, and an upper portion of the cool air passage The first discharge port disposed at both ends of the storage chamber in the left-right direction and the cool air that is provided at the lower portion of the storage chamber and returns to the cooler flows out of the storage chamber. A return port, a circulation passage that is provided so as to overlap in the front-rear direction of the cold air passage and through which the cold air in the storage chamber circulates without passing through the cooler, and that opens into the circulation passage and sucks cold air from the storage chamber A first suction port arranged at both ends in the left-right direction at the lower part of the storage chamber, and a second discharge opening at the center of the left-right direction at the upper part of the storage chamber while discharging cool air by opening the circulation passage. The outlet and the circulation passage It is characterized by comprising an ion generating device that generates positive and negative ions are.

According to this configuration, the cold air generated by the cooler flows through the cold air passage and is discharged from the first discharge ports provided at the left and right ends of the back of the storage chamber. The cool air discharged from the first discharge port descends in the storage chamber, mixes with the wet cool air in the storage chamber from the first suction ports arranged at both ends, and is sucked into the circulation passage. The cold air sucked into the circulation passage flows through the circulation passage without passing through the cooler. The cool air flowing through the circulation path includes positive ions and negative ions generated by the ion generator. The ions are combined with cold water molecules flowing through the circulation passage to be clustered, and positive and negative cluster ions are discharged together with the cold air from the second discharge port arranged at the upper center of the storage chamber. Cold air and cluster ions discharged from the second discharge port are guided to the first suction ports at both lower ends, and the ions and wet cold air circulate throughout the storage chamber. Further, the cool air in the storage chamber flows out from the lower return port according to the amount of cool air supplied from the cool air passage and returns to the cooler.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the cold air passage and the circulation passage are integrally formed of a heat insulating material. According to this configuration, the duct of the cold air passage and the circulation passage is formed by integral molding of polystyrene foam or the like.

Moreover, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the present invention provides a mounting shelf on which stored items are placed, and the first discharge port and the first suction port are communicated between the back wall of the storage chamber and the mounting shelf. It is characterized by the formation of gaps. According to this configuration, the cool air discharged from the first discharge port descends through the gap provided at the rear of the mounting shelf and is guided to the first suction port.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the first suction port is disposed in the vicinity of the first discharge port in the refrigerator configured as described above.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the refrigerator having the above-described configuration includes a member made of a good heat conductor that forms a front surface of the circulation passage and contacts cold air flowing through the circulation passage. According to this configuration, the cold air flowing through the circulation passage is in contact with the member made of the heat good conductor on the front surface, and the cold heat of the cold air is transmitted to the member to cool the member. The cold heat transmitted to the member is released from the front surface of the member to the storage chamber. When the outside air flows into the storage chamber by opening and closing the door, the cold air containing the moisture of the outside air comes into contact with the front and back surfaces of the cooled member to condense. Condensation on the surface of the member gradually evaporates and the storage chamber is moisturized. Further, cold air containing moisture due to dew condensation on the back surface of the member is guided to the ion generator, and ions are clustered.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the refrigerator configured as described above, a second suction port is provided in the circulation passage above the member. According to this configuration, cold air containing moisture due to condensation on the front surface of the member is guided from the second suction port to the ion generation device, and ions are clustered.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the opening area of the second suction port is smaller than the opening area of the first suction port in the refrigerator configured as described above.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the front and back surfaces of the member are provided with irregularities by bending. According to this configuration, the member is bent by pressing or drawing to form irregularities. Condensation on the front and back surfaces of the member is received and retained by the surface facing the top of the irregularities when it flows down.

Further, the present invention is a storage chamber for storing stored items, a cooler for generating cool air, a cool air passage provided on the back surface of the store chamber and through which cool air generated by the cooler flows upward from below, It opens to the upper part which becomes the termination | terminus part of a cool air path, discharges cool air, and the 1st discharge port distribute | arranged to the right and left of the said store room, and the cool air in the said store room distribute | circulates from the downward | lower direction without passing through the said cooler A circulation passage that circulates, a suction port that opens into the circulation passage and sucks cold air from the storage chamber, and opens to the upper portion of the circulation passage to discharge cold air and is disposed above the storage chamber. It is characterized by having two discharge ports.

According to this configuration, the cold air generated by the cooler circulates from the lower side to the upper side through the cold air passage at the back of the storage room. The 1st discharge port provided in the upper part used as the termination | terminus part of a cool air channel | path is provided in the right and left of the storage chamber, and the cold air which distribute | circulated the cool air channel is discharged from a 1st discharge port. The cold air discharged from the first discharge port flows through the storage chamber and flows out from the return port. A part of the cool air is led to the suction port and sucked into the circulation passage. The cool air flowing from the lower side to the upper side of the circulation passage is discharged from a second discharge port arranged in the upper part of the storage chamber.

The present invention also includes a storage chamber for storing stored items, a cooler for generating cold air, a cool air passage provided on the back of the storage chamber through which the cool air generated by the cooler flows, and an upper portion of the cool air passage The first discharge port disposed at both ends of the storage chamber in the left-right direction and the cool air that is provided at the lower portion of the storage chamber and returns to the cooler flows out of the storage chamber. A return port, a circulation passage that is provided so as to overlap in the front-rear direction of the cold air passage and through which the cold air in the storage chamber circulates without passing through the cooler, and a suction port that opens into the circulation passage and sucks cold air from the storage chamber And a second discharge port that opens into the circulation passage and discharges cool air, and one of the suction port and the second discharge port is disposed at both ends in the left-right direction of the storage chamber, and the other is Specially opened in the center of the direction. It is set to.

According to this configuration, the cold air generated by the cooler flows through the cold air passage and is discharged from the first discharge ports provided at the left and right ends of the back of the storage chamber. The cold air discharged from the first discharge port flows through the storage chamber and flows out from the return port. A part of the cool air is led to the suction port and sucked into the circulation passage. Cold air flowing through the circulation passage is discharged from the second discharge port. One of the suction port and the second discharge port is disposed at both ends of the storage chamber in the left-right direction, and the other is disposed at the center. Thereby, the cold air led from the second discharge port to the suction port spreads over the entire storage chamber.

At this time, if the suction ports are arranged at both ends of the storage chamber in the left-right direction, the cold air discharged from the first discharge ports flows through both ends of the back and is guided to the suction ports. Further, when the second discharge ports are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction of the storage chamber, the cool air discharged from the first discharge port mixes with the cool air discharged from the second discharge port and flows through the storage chamber.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the suction port is disposed at both left and right ends of the storage chamber, and the suction port is provided below the first discharge port. According to this configuration, the dry cold air discharged from the first discharge port descends at both ends of the back surface, is guided to the suction port, is mixed with the wet cold air in the storage chamber, and is sucked into the circulation passage.

Further, according to the present invention, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the circulation passage includes a top surface portion extending forward and backward through the ceiling surface of the storage chamber, and a second discharge port is provided at a front portion of the top surface portion. According to this configuration, the cold air in the circulation passage flows along the ceiling surface of the storage chamber and is discharged from the second discharge port at the front portion of the top surface portion. The cold air discharged from the second discharge port descends and is guided to the rear suction port.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator configured as described above, a circulation fan is disposed above the circulation passage.

According to the present invention, since the circulation passage is provided to the left and right behind the back plate, one or both of the discharge port and the suction port can be provided in a wide range on the back surface. Therefore, the ions can be distributed in the storage chamber, and the sterilization performance can be improved. Further, since the cool air passage is provided on the left and right behind the back plate, the discharge port (first discharge port) can be provided in a wide range on the back surface. Therefore, the cold air generated by the cooler can be distributed in the storage chamber.

In addition, since the first and second electrodes are separated from each other and the mixing plate is provided to restrict the flow path of the circulation passage on the downstream side of the ion generator, positive ions and negative ions immediately after the generation at the first and second electrodes are provided. Extinction due to collisions can be reduced. Further, after the ions are clustered by the wet cold air flowing through the circulation passage, the positive ions and the negative ions are mixed by the mixing plate. For this reason, the disappearance of ions is reduced by clustering, and a sufficient amount of positive ions and negative ions can be spread throughout the storage chamber. Therefore, the sterilization performance of the refrigerator can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the cold air passage through which the cold air from the cooler passes and the circulation passage through which the cold air circulates without passing through the cooler are arranged one after the other. The first suction port of the circulation passage can be provided in the lower part of the left and right ends, and the second discharge port can be provided in the upper center part. Thereby, the cold air containing ion distribute | circulates to the lower part of a storage room, and can improve the disinfection performance of a refrigerator.

Also, the cool air in the storage chamber sucked from the first suction port is mixed with the dry cool air discharged from the first discharge port, and is discharged from the second discharge port to circulate through the entire storage chamber. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of dry cold air that comes into direct contact with the stored item, and to reduce the drying of the stored item.

Further, according to the present invention, the cold air passage disposed on the rear surface of the storage chamber is provided with the first discharge port at the upper portion where the cold air circulates from below to the end of the cold air passage. Further, in the circulation passage, cold air flows from the lower side to the upper side, and a second discharge port is provided at the upper part of the storage chamber. For this reason, the cold air passage is not bent in the vertical direction, and the width of the cold air passage and the circulation passage can be widened. Thereby, the flow passage area can be increased while ensuring a sufficient internal volume without widening the depth of the cold air passage and the circulation passage. Therefore, the air blowing efficiency can be improved, and the internal circulation can be reduced to achieve uniform cooling. In addition, the passage length of the cold air passage can be shortened, the release of cold heat to the outside can be reduced, the cooling efficiency can be improved, and the energy can be saved.

Further, according to the present invention, since the cool air passage through which the cool air from the cooler passes and the circulation passage through which the cool air circulates without passing through the cooler are arranged in the front-rear direction, the first discharge ports are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction on the back surface. One of the second discharge port and the suction port can be provided at both ends in the left-right direction. Thereby, the cool air in the storage chamber discharged from the second discharge port or the cool air in the storage chamber sucked from the suction port is mixed with the dry cool air discharged from the first discharge port, and flows through the entire storage chamber. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of dry cold air that comes into direct contact with the stored item, and to reduce the drying of the stored item.

The front view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention AA sectional view of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. The front view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention CC sectional view of FIG. The top view which shows the ceiling part of the refrigerator compartment of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The top view which shows the top | upper surface part of the circulation path of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken along lines AA and BB in FIG. 1, respectively. The refrigerator 1 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 2 at the top, and below the refrigerator compartment 2, a temperature switching chamber 3 and an ice making chamber 4 are arranged side by side. A freezing room 6 is arranged below the temperature switching room 3 and the ice making room 4, and a vegetable room 5 is arranged below the freezing room 6.

The refrigerator compartment 2 is opened and closed by a rotating door 2a to store the stored items in a refrigerator. The doors 2a are arranged on the left and right with the approximate center of the refrigerator compartment 2 as a boundary, and the left front surface and the right front surface of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be opened independently. The left and right doors 2a are provided with a plurality of door pockets 42 for storing stored items. The vegetable compartment 5 is opened and closed by a drawer-type door 5a integrated with the storage case 5b, and the vegetables are cooled and stored at a higher room temperature (about 8 ° C.) than the refrigerator compartment 2. The temperature switching chamber 3 is opened and closed by a door (not shown), and the room temperature can be switched by the user as will be described in detail later.

The freezer compartment 6 is opened and closed by a drawer-type door 6a integrated with the storage case 6b to store the stored items in a frozen state. The ice making chamber 4 is opened and closed by a door 4a integrated with the ice storage container 4b, and communicates with the freezing chamber 6 to make ice. The ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6 are maintained below the freezing point.

In the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2, a chilled chamber 21, which is an isolation chamber, an accessory storage chamber 102, and a water tank chamber 103 are arranged side by side. The chilled chamber 21 is maintained, for example, in a chilled temperature range (about 0 ° C.), which is a temperature range lower than that in the refrigerator compartment 2. Instead of the chilled chamber 21, an ice greenhouse maintained at an ice temperature (about −3 ° C.) may be provided. In the water tank chamber 103, a water tank 103a for ice making is detachably stored. The accessory storage chamber 102 is disposed in front of a cold air passage 32, which will be described in detail later, and has an accessory case 102a for storing accessories such as eggs.

The main body of the refrigerator 1 is formed by filling a foam heat insulating material 1c between the outer box 1a and the inner box 1b. The ice making chamber 4 and the temperature switching chamber 3 are separated from the refrigerator compartment 2 by a heat insulating wall 7, and the freezer compartment 6 and the vegetable compartment 5 are separated from each other by a heat insulating wall 8. Further, the temperature switching chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 6 are isolated by a heat insulating wall 35, and the temperature switching chamber 3 and the ice making chamber 4 are isolated by a vertical heat insulating wall 36.

When the foam insulation 1c is filled between the outer box 1a and the inner box 1b, the insulation walls 7 and 8 are filled simultaneously. That is, the stock solution of the foam heat insulating material 1c is injected simultaneously between the outer box 1a and the inner box 1b and into the heat insulating walls 7 and 8 communicating with the outer box 1a, and is foamed integrally. By filling the heat insulating walls 7 and 8 simultaneously with the space between the outer box 1a and the inner box 1b with the foam heat insulating material 1c such as urethane foam heat insulating material, the heat insulating walls 7 and 8 can be easily formed thin. Therefore, the internal volume of the refrigerator 1 can be secured widely.

The refrigerator compartment 2 is provided with a plurality of placement shelves 41 on which stored items are placed. In the present embodiment, the mounting shelf 41 is provided in three stages up and down. A machine room 50 is provided behind the vegetable room 5, and a compressor 57 is disposed in the machine room 50. A condenser, an expander (all not shown), and a cooler 11 are connected to the compressor 57 in order, and a refrigerant such as isobutane is circulated by driving the compressor 57 to constitute a refrigeration cycle. Thereby, the cooler 11 becomes the low temperature side of the refrigeration cycle.

A cold air passage 31 partitioned by a back plate 6 c is provided behind the freezer compartment 6. As will be described in detail later, the cold air passage 31 communicates with the cold air passage 32 disposed behind the refrigerator compartment 2 via the refrigerator compartment damper 20. The cool air passage 31 is partitioned into a front part 31a and a rear part 31b by a partition plate 31c, and the cooler 11 is arranged in the rear part 31b. The cooler 11 is formed by meandering refrigerant pipes 11a through which refrigerant flows, and left and right ends of the refrigerant pipes 11a are supported by end plates 11b. A large number of fins (not shown) for heat dissipation are provided in contact with the refrigerant pipe 11a. A gas-liquid separator 45 is connected to the upper part of the refrigerant pipe 11a.

The cooler 11 on the low temperature side of the refrigeration cycle exchanges heat with the air flowing through the rear portion 31b of the cold air passage 31 to generate cold air. Since the cooler 11 is arranged on the back side of the freezer compartment 6, the cold heat of the cooler 11 is released to the freezer compartment 6 side through the partition plate 31c and the back plate 6c. For this reason, the freezer compartment 6 is cooled efficiently and the cooling efficiency is improved.

A defrost heater 33 for defrosting the cooler 11 is provided below the cooler 11. Below the defrost heater 33, a drain pan 63 for receiving water by defrost is provided. The drain pan 63 is provided with a drain pipe 64, and drain water is guided to the evaporation tray (not shown) disposed in the machine room 50 through the drain pipe 64.

In the cold air passage 31, a freezer compartment fan 12 composed of an axial fan is disposed with the rotational axis direction horizontal. The cold air passage 31 is provided with an opening (not shown) facing the ice making chamber 4 in front of the freezer blower 12 and discharge ports 6d and 6e facing the storage case 6b of the freezer compartment 6. Thereby, when the freezer compartment fan 12 is driven, cold air is sent to the ice making compartment 4 and the freezer compartment 6. In the lower part of the freezer compartment 6, there is provided a return port 22 that opens in front of the cooler 11 and returns cool air to the cooler 11.

The cooler 11 is arranged in the left-right direction so as to be biased toward the ice making chamber 4, and a communication path 34 that communicates the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 is disposed on the side of the cooler 11. Further, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 and the freezer compartment fan 12 are arranged in the vertical direction so as to be biased in the same direction as the cooler 11. That is, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 and the freezer compartment fan 12 are arranged so as to overlap in the planar projection. Thereby, while the width | variety of the left-right direction of the refrigerator 1 can be narrowed, the cool air passages 31 and 32 can be shortened and volume efficiency and ventilation efficiency can be improved.

Further, in order to secure a large volume of the temperature switching chamber 3, the vertical heat insulating wall 36 that separates the temperature switching chamber 3 and the ice making chamber 4 is arranged biased to the left side in FIG. When the front portion 31 a of the cold air passage 31 and the refrigerator compartment damper 20 are provided behind the temperature switching chamber 3, heat is released from the temperature switching chamber 3 to the cold air in the cold air passage 31.

The cold air flowing through the cold air passage 31 is, for example, −23 ° C., and heat loss increases when the temperature switching chamber 3 is controlled to a temperature higher than the cold air (for example, 3 ° C., 8 ° C., 50 ° C.). For this reason, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 and the front part 31a of the cold air passage 31 are provided behind the vertical heat insulating wall 36 or on the left side thereof to prevent heat from being released from the temperature switching chamber 3 to the cold air. Thereby, cooling efficiency can be improved more.

The temperature switching chamber 3 is connected to an introduction ventilation path 15 that branches from the cold air passage 31 and guides the cold air. A temperature switching chamber blower 18 and a heater 16 are disposed at the rear of the temperature switching chamber 3. A temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37 is provided at the lower left portion of the temperature switching chamber 3. The temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37 is arranged in the introduction ventilation path 15, and the temperature switching chamber blower 18 is arranged in the upper part of the introduction ventilation path 15.

When the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37 is opened and the temperature switching chamber blower 18 is driven, cold air flows from the cooler 11 into the temperature switching chamber 3 through the introduction ventilation path 15. The amount of air flowing into the temperature switching chamber 3 from the introduction ventilation path 15 is adjusted by the opening / closing amount of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37. In addition to the heater 16, the temperature switching chamber 3 may be provided with a panel heater at the bottom.

In the lower part of the temperature switching chamber 3, a temperature switching chamber return damper 38 is provided. The temperature switching chamber return damper 38 opens and closes the return passage 17 extending downward, and the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 returns to the cool air passage 31 via the return passage 17.

In addition, when the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is set to a high temperature, the air in the introduction ventilation path 15 and the return path 17 is lower than the air in the temperature switching chamber 3. Hot air rises in the temperature switching chamber 3, and a temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37 and a temperature switching chamber return damper 38 are provided in the lower part of the temperature switching chamber 3. For this reason, leakage of hot air from the temperature switching chamber 3 to the introduction ventilation path 15 and the return path 17 can be reduced.

The air flowing through the return passage 17 is returned to the cooler 11 from an outlet 17a provided in the middle of the cooler 11 in the vertical direction. The cool air flowing out of the freezer compartment 6 through the freezer compartment return port 22 returns to the lower part of the cooler 11. Moreover, cold air | gas returns from the vegetable compartment 5 to the downward direction of the cooler 11 via the return channel | path 46 (refer FIG. 2).

Therefore, the cold air flowing out from each storage room is returned to the cooler 11 in a dispersed manner. For this reason, the frost by the cold air containing the water | moisture content which circulated through each store room and returned does not generate | occur | produce intensively, but disperse | distributes and generate | occur | produces to the cooler 11 whole. Thereby, clogging of the cold air flow due to frost is prevented, and a decrease in cooling performance of the cooler 11 can be prevented.

In addition, the cold air that has flowed through the temperature switching chamber 3 with a small volume is cooled at the upper part of the cooler 11, and the cold air that has flowed through the cold room 3, the vegetable room 5, and the freezer room 6 with a large capacity is Cooled by. Therefore, the cold air flowing out from the temperature switching chamber 3 is not heat exchanged with the cooler 11 more than necessary, and the heat exchange efficiency of the cooler 11 can be improved.

A cold air passage 32 and a circulation passage 81 are provided behind the refrigerating chamber 2 so as to overlap each other. In FIG. 1, the front shape of the circulation passage 81 is indicated by a broken line D1, and in FIG. 4, the front shape of the cool air passage 32 is indicated by a broken line D2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. Above the accessory storage chamber 102 of the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81 are integrally formed by a cooling panel 70 disposed on the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the circulation passage 81 is disposed in front of the cold air passage 32.

In some cases, a vertical passage 81b of a circulation passage 81 to be described later may be juxtaposed at the same position as the cold air passage 32 in the front-rear direction, and a lateral passage 81c to be described later may be arranged in front of the cold air passage 32. As a result, the internal volume can be increased.

The cooling panel 70 has a rectangular front shape, and is composed of a panel base 71 and a member 72 (back plate). The panel base 71 is formed of a molded product of a heat insulating material such as polystyrene foam, and integrally forms the outer shapes of the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81.

The member 72 is disposed on the front surface of the panel base 71, and the front shape is formed in a substantially rectangular shape by covering the back surface of the refrigerating chamber 2 with the heat good conductor such as a metal plate. As the material of the member 72, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass, plated steel plate, or the like can be selected. It is more desirable that the member 72 is made of aluminum in consideration of thermal conductivity, rust prevention, strength, lightness, price, and the like. The thickness of the member 72 is 0.5 mm to 1 mm. Thereby, while being able to have sufficient livestock cooling performance and heat conductive performance, it is cheap and can obtain high intensity | strength. The member 72 forms the front surface of the circulation passage 81, and the cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81 is in contact with the member 72.

3 and 4, the cold air passage 32 extends upward from the refrigerator compartment damper 20, and an inflow portion 32 c having a narrow lateral width is provided in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2 behind the accessory storage chamber 102. A refrigerator compartment fan 23 is disposed in the inflow portion 32c. The refrigerating room blower 23 is composed of an axial fan, and the cold air is circulated through the cold passage 32 by opening the refrigerating room damper 20 and driving the refrigerating room blower 23.

The cold air immediately after flowing into the cold air passage 32 from the cold room damper 20 is extremely low temperature (about −20 ° C. to −18 ° C.). For this reason, the heat insulating material 107 is arranged on the inner side of the lower part of the cold air passage 32. Thereby, dew condensation on the back wall surface of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be prevented.

The downstream side of the cold room damper 20 is inclined with the back wall of the cold room 2 and the depth of the lower part of the cold air passage 32 is reduced to about 10 mm. Thereby, the depth of the cold air | gas channel | path 32 can be formed narrowly, and the depth of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be ensured widely. Moreover, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is arrange | positioned in the position which one part overlaps with the heat insulation wall 7 in front projection. For this reason, the amount by which the refrigerator compartment damper 20 protrudes into the refrigerator compartment 2 and the freezer compartment 6 can be reduced, and the refrigerator compartment 2 and the refrigerator compartment 6 can be formed widely.

The cold air passage 32 branches right and left above the inflow portion 32c, and has a right passage 32a and a left passage 32b at the top. A plurality of discharge ports 73a, 73b, and 73c are provided at the side end of the right passage 32a so as to open sideways from the top. A plurality of discharge ports 74a, 74b, and 74c are provided at the side end of the left passage 32b in order from the top and open to the side. Accordingly, the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c (first discharge ports) are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2. The cool air flows through the cold air passage 32 from below to above, and the discharge ports 73a and 74a are provided at the upper portion which is the end portion of the cold air passage 32.

The upper discharge ports 73a and 74a are provided above the first shelf 41 from the top. The middle- stage discharge ports 73b and 74b are provided between the first-stage mounting shelf 41 and the second-stage mounting shelf 41 from the top. The lower discharge ports 73c and 74c are provided between the second-stage mounting shelf 41 and the third-stage mounting shelf 41 from the top.

The opening areas of the middle and lower discharge ports 73b, 73c, 74b, and 74c are smaller than the opening areas of the upper discharge ports 73a and 74a. Accordingly, the amount of cool air discharged from the lower discharge ports 73b, 73c, 74b, and 74c close to the cool air inflow side of the cool air passage 32 and close to the return port 2d arranged in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2 is limited. Accordingly, the cold air can be guided to the upper part of the cold air passage 32.

Also, discharge ports 75 and 76 for discharging cool air to the chilled chamber 21 are provided at the lower end of the right passage 32a. Since the cold air immediately after flowing into the cold air passage 32 from the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is discharged from the discharge ports 75 and 76 to the chilled chamber 21, the chilled chamber 21 can be maintained at a low temperature.

A return port 2d through which the cold air from the refrigerator compartment 2 flows out is provided at the lower back of the chilled chamber 21. From the return port 2d, a communication passage 34 for communicating the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 is led out. The upper part of the communication path 34 faces the return port 2d and is provided with a cold air return part 34a extending from the left end to the right end of the chilled chamber 21, and the lower part of the communication path 34 extends downward from the right part of the cold air return part 34a.

The lower end of the communication path 34 is provided with an inlet 5c that opens into the vegetable compartment 5. A return passage 46 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the upper part of the vegetable compartment 5 so as to open the front of the vegetable compartment 5 and the front of the cold air passage 31 and return the cold air below the cooler 11.

1 and 2, the circulation passage 81 has a back surface portion 81 a formed on the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2 by the cooling panel 70 and a top surface portion 81 d formed on the ceiling surface of the refrigerator compartment 2. The top surface portion 81d is provided to extend in the front-rear direction. A circulating blower 85 is disposed at the rear of the top surface portion 81d, and a discharge port 84 (second discharge port) is provided at the front end. An ion generator 86 that generates ions is disposed between the circulation fan 85 and the discharge port 84.

6 and 7 show top views of the top surface portion and the top surface portion 81d of the refrigerator compartment 2. FIG. The top surface portion 81d is arranged at the center in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the discharge port 84 opens at the front end. The circulation fan 85 is composed of a centrifugal fan, and exhausts air from an exhaust port 85a that is biased to the right in the drawing. For this reason, the ion generator 86 is arranged in the right direction in the same manner as the exhaust port 85a.

The top surface portion 81d has a stepped portion 81e between the exhaust port 85a and the ion generator 86, and the passage on the ion generator 86 is arranged above the lower end of the exhaust port 85a. The cold air sent out from the exhaust port 85a is stored in the step portion 81e and guided to the ion generator 86. Thereby, the difference in the flow velocity between the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the circulation fan 85 formed of a centrifugal fan is reduced, and cold air is supplied to the ion generator 86.

The ion generator 86 includes first and second electrodes 86a and 86b that generate ions when a high voltage is applied. The first and second electrodes 86a and 86b are arranged facing cold air passing through the top surface portion 81d. By disposing the ion generator 86 between the circulation fan 85 and the discharge port 84, the disappearance of ions due to the collision with the circulation fan 85 can be prevented. The first and second electrodes 86a and 86b for generating ions may be disposed on the top surface portion 81d, and the power supply unit of the ion generator 86 may be disposed at another position.

A voltage having an AC waveform or an impulse waveform is applied to the first and second electrodes 86a and 86b. A positive voltage is applied to the electrode 86a, and positive ions (H ⁺ ) generated by ionization are combined with moisture in the air to generate positive cluster ions mainly composed of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m.

A negative voltage is applied to the electrode 86b, and negative ions (O ₂ ⁻ ) generated by ionization combine with moisture in the air to generate negatively clustered ions mainly composed of O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n. To do. Here, m and n are arbitrary natural numbers. Clustered positive ions H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and negative ions O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n are hard to disappear because they are covered with water molecules. Thereby, the ion discharged in the refrigerator compartment 2 aggregates on the surface of the floating microbe in the air, an odor component, and the adhesion microbe of a stored material, and surrounds these.

Then, as shown in the formulas (1) to (3), active species [· OH] (hydroxyl radicals) and H ₂ O ₂ (hydrogen peroxide) are agglomerated and produced on the surface of microorganisms or the like by collision. Destroy airborne bacteria and odor components. Here, m ′ and n ′ are arbitrary natural numbers. Accordingly, by generating positive ions and negative ions and discharging them from the discharge port 84, it is possible to sterilize the room and remove odors.

H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m + O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n
→ OH + _1/2 O ₂ + (m + n) H ₂ O (1)
_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + H + (H 2 O) m '+ O 2 - (H 2 O) n + O 2 - (H 2 O) n'
→ 2 · OH + O ₂ + (m + m ′ + n + n ′) H ₂ O (2)
_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + H + (H 2 O) m '+ O 2 - (H 2 O) n + O 2 - (H 2 O) n'
→ H ₂ O ₂ + O ₂ + (m + m ′ + n + n ′) H ₂ O (3)

The first and second electrodes 86a and 86b are arranged apart from each other in a direction crossing the cold air flow direction. When the first and second electrodes 86a and 86b are brought close to each other, the positive ions (H ⁺ ) and the negative ions (O ₂ ⁻ ) immediately after the generation tend to disappear due to collision. For this reason, the first and second electrodes 86a and 86b can be spaced apart to reduce the disappearance of ions immediately after the generation. When the distance W1 between the first and second electrodes 86a and 86b is 100 mm or more, a sufficient amount of ions can be guided to the discharge port 84.

A mixing plate 89 is provided on the downstream side of the ion generator 86 and extends from the side wall of the top surface portion 81d to narrow the flow path in the direction in which the first and second electrodes 86a and 86b are arranged. The mixing plate 89 widens the downstream flow path in the direction in which the first and second electrodes 86a and 86b are arranged.

The cold air that has circulated on the ion generator 86 circulates through a flow path confined by the mixing plate 89, and the cold air containing clustered positive ions and the cold air containing negative ions are mixed. At this time, since ions are clustered, annihilation due to collision is reduced. Then, the cold air containing ions spreads in the substantially left-right direction by the mixing plate 89 and flows and is discharged from the discharge port 84 in the left-right direction.

The flow path width W2 squeezed by the mixing plate 89 is formed substantially equal to the distance W1 between the first and second electrodes 86a and 86b. Thereby, the disappearance of ions due to the collision between the mixing plate 89 and the ions can be suppressed, and the positive ions and the negative ions can be sufficiently mixed.

The back surface portion 81a has a vertical passage 81b and a horizontal passage 81c. The vertical passage 81b extends up and down at the center in the left-right direction and communicates with the top surface 81d. The horizontal passage 81c is formed extending horizontally in a comb shape from the lower portion of the vertical passage 81b, and suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b (first suction ports) through which the cool air in the refrigerator compartment 2 is sucked by driving of the circulating fan 85. Is provided. Thereby, the suction inlets 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b are arranged in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2.

The suction ports 82a and 82b open laterally at the right end of the lateral passage 81c, and the suction ports 83a and 83b open laterally at the left end of the lateral passage 81c. Thereby, the suction inlets 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2. The upper suction ports 82a and 83a are arranged between the second stage mounting shelf 41 and the third stage mounting shelf 41 from the top. The lower suction ports 82b and 83b are arranged below the mounting shelf 41 in the third row from the top.

Further, the top surface portion 81d is provided with a suction port 87 (second suction port) facing the suction side of the circulation fan 85. The suction port 87 has a smaller opening area than the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b. For example, the opening area of the suction port 87 is formed to be about 2 mm × 100 mm, and the opening areas of the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b are formed to be about 8 mm × 50 mm to 8 mm × 90 mm.

Thus, it is possible to suppress the inflow of cold air from the upper discharge ports 73a and 74a to the suction port 87 disposed in the central portion in the left-right direction, and to supply more moist cold air to the ion generator 86.

As shown in FIG. 5, a gap 88 is formed on the side of the cooling panel 70 between the rear end of the mounting shelf 41 and the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2. As a result, ducts with gaps 88 are formed between the discharge ports 73a to 73c and the suction ports 82a and 82b and between the discharge ports 74a to 74c and the suction ports 83a and 83b.

In the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, when the freezer blower 12 is driven, the cold air generated by the cooler 11 is discharged into the ice making chamber 4 and is also discharged into the freezer compartment 6 through the discharge ports 6d and 6e. The cold air discharged into the ice making chamber 4 circulates through the ice making chamber 4, mixes with the cold air discharged into the freezing chamber 6, and flows through the freezing chamber 6. The cold air flowing through the ice making chamber 4 and the freezer compartment 6 flows out from the freezer return port 22 and returns to the cooler 11. As a result, the ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6 are cooled.

When the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is opened, the refrigerator compartment fan 23 and the circulation fan 85 are driven. At this time, the wind speed of the refrigerator compartment fan 23 is set lower than the wind speed of the circulation fan 85. The cold air branched on the exhaust side of the freezer compartment fan 12 by the driving of the refrigerator compartment fan 23 circulates in the cold passage 32. The cold air flowing through the cold air passage 32 branches into a right passage 32a and a left passage 32b. A part of the cold air passing through the right passage 32a is discharged into the chilled chamber 21 through the discharge ports 75 and 76 as shown by an arrow A1 (see FIG. 4). The cold air flowing through the chilled chamber 21 flows out from the return port 2d.

Further, the cold air rising upward from the lower side of the right passage 32a and the left passage 32b is discharged into the refrigerator compartment 2 through the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c as shown by an arrow A2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The At this time, since the wind speed of the refrigerator compartment fan 23 is relatively low, the cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c to the side flows along the side wall of the refrigerator compartment 2 to the front. A part of the cool air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c falls through the gap 88 behind the mounting shelf 41.

The cold air flowing forward along the side wall from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c cools the stored material on the mounting shelf 41 from the surroundings, and descends the front of the mounting shelf 41 along the side wall. And it is guide | induced to the suction inlets 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b, and the return port 2d. A part of the cool air introduced to the return port 2 d cools the stored items in the accessory storage chamber 102 and the water tank 103 a in the water tank chamber 103.

A part of the cool air descending in front of the mounting shelf 41 and the cool air descending through the gap 88 are mixed with the moist cool air in the refrigerator compartment 2. Then, the cold air containing moisture is sucked into the circulation passage 81 from the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b as shown by an arrow A3 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). The cold air sucked into the circulation passage 81 rises in the circulation passage 81. Further, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2 is sucked into the top surface portion 81d of the circulation passage 81 as shown by an arrow A4 (see FIG. 2) from the suction port 87.

The cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81 includes ions generated by the ion generator 86. Cold air containing ions is discharged from the discharge port 84 of the circulation passage 81 to the refrigerator compartment 2 as indicated by an arrow A5 (see FIGS. 2 and 6). At this time, cool air is discharged obliquely downward from the discharge port 84 toward the upper door pocket 42 and the mounting shelf 41. Thereby, the inside of the door pocket 42 is cooled and sterilized, and cold air containing ions descends in front of the mounting shelf 41. Since the moisture in the cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81 is increased, the ions are clustered by binding with water molecules and are not easily lost, and the positive and negative ions reach the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2.

The cold air discharged from the discharge port 84 to the refrigerator compartment 2 descends in front of the mounting shelf 41 and is guided to the return port 2d and partly to the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a and 83b. Thereby, the cool air in the refrigerator compartment 2 circulates through the circulation passage 81 without passing through the cooler 11. Moreover, since the discharge port 84 opens in the center part of the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2, the cold air discharged from the center part of the top | upper surface is in the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b distribute | arranged to the both ends of the left-right direction. Led. Thereby, cold air containing ions and moisture spreads to the lower rear of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the entire refrigerator compartment 2 is cooled and sterilized.

Further, the cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81 and the cold heat discharged from the discharge ports 73 a to 73 c and 74 a to 74 c are transmitted to the member 72. Since the member 72 has high thermal conductivity, the temperature is made uniform, and cold heat is released from the entire back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2. Thereby, the temperature distribution of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be equalized.

Furthermore, when the door 2a is opened and the outside air flows into the refrigerator compartment 2, the surface of the member 72 becomes cloudy due to condensation of the outside air. The condensed moisture is then evaporated by the circulation of cold air and released into the refrigerator compartment 2. Therefore, the refrigerator 72 is moisturized by the member 72. At this time, dew condensation also occurs on the back side of the member 72 facing the back surface part 81a of the circulation passage 81, so that a wide dew condensation area can be secured and the moisturizing effect can be improved.

When the unevenness by bending is provided on the front surface and the back surface of the member 72, the condensed water flowing down on the member 72 can be accumulated on the surface facing the upper surface of the unevenness to further improve the moisturizing effect. Unevenness can be easily formed by bending by pressing or drawing. The unevenness may be a groove shape or a rail shape extending in the horizontal direction, or may be a number of dimple shapes. Further, even if a water storage part (not shown) that stores condensed water is provided at the lower end of the back surface part 81a, the moisture retaining effect can be further improved by storing the condensed water flowing down the member 72 in the water storage part.

The return port 2d is arranged to the left of the chilled chamber 21 and is arranged in the vicinity of the center of the refrigerator compartment 2 in the left-right direction. For this reason, the refrigerator compartment 2 can be more uniformly cooled by the cool air introduced from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c at both ends in the left-right direction to the return port 2d.

The cold air flowing out from the refrigerator compartment 2 through the return port 2d passes through the communication passage 34 and flows into the vegetable compartment 5 from the inlet 5c. At this time, since the inflow port 5c is provided above the vegetable compartment 2, the communication path 34 is formed short, and the pressure loss can be reduced. The cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 5 flows through the vegetable compartment 5 and returns to the cooler 11 via the return passage 46. Thereby, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 is cooled, and when it reaches preset temperature, the refrigerator compartment damper 20 is closed and the refrigerator compartment fan 23 and the circulation fan 85 are stopped.

Further, by the driving of the temperature switching chamber blower 18, the cold air branched on the exhaust side of the freezing chamber blower 12 flows into the temperature switching chamber 3 through the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37. The cold air that has flowed into the temperature switching chamber 3 flows through the temperature switching chamber 3, flows out of the temperature switching chamber return damper 38, and returns to the cooler 11 through the return passage 17. Thereby, the inside of the temperature switching chamber 3 is cooled.

As described above, the temperature switching chamber 3 can switch the room temperature by the user's operation. The operation modes of the temperature switching chamber 3 are wine (8 ° C), refrigerated (3 ° C), chilled (0 ° C), soft freezing (-8 ° C), and freezing (-15 ° C) depending on the temperature range. Provided.

This allows the user to cool and store the stored items at a desired temperature. The room temperature can be switched by varying the amount of opening of the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 37. For example, the heater 16 may be energized to switch the temperature from the refrigerated room temperature to the refrigerated room temperature. Thereby, it can switch to desired room temperature rapidly.

By energizing the heater 16, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be switched from a low temperature side where the stored items are cooled and stored to a high temperature side higher than normal temperature. Thereby, temporary heat insulation, warm cooking, etc. of the cooked heated food can be performed.

The room temperature on the high temperature side should be 50 ° C or higher considering the heater capacity tolerance and temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3 because the growth temperature of the main food poisoning bacteria is 30 ° C to 45 ° C. Thereby, propagation of food poisoning bacteria can be prevented.

Moreover, since the heat-resistant temperature of a general resin part used in a refrigerator is 80 ° C., it can be realized at low cost when the room temperature on the high temperature side is set to 80 ° C. or lower. In addition, in order to sterilize food poisoning bacteria, for example, in the case of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (pathogenic E. coli O157), heating at 75 ° C. for 1 minute is required. Accordingly, it is more desirable to set the indoor temperature on the high temperature side to 75 ° C. to 80 ° C.

The following are test results on sterilization of food poisoning bacteria at 55 ° C. In the initial state, E. coli 2.4 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Staphylococcus aureus 2.0 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Salmonella 2.1 × 10 ³ CFU / mL, Vibrio parahaemolyticus 1.5 × 10 ³ CFU / ML, Cereus 4.0 × 10 ³ CFU / mL. This test sample was heated from 3 ° C. to 55 ° C. over 40 minutes, kept at 55 ° C. for 3.5 hours, then returned from 55 ° C. to 3 ° C. over 80 minutes, and the amount of each bacterium was examined again. As a result, all the bacteria were reduced to a level of 10 CFU / mL or less (not detected). Therefore, even if the set temperature on the high temperature side of the temperature switching chamber 3 is 55 ° C., there is a sufficient sterilization effect.

According to the present embodiment, since the circulation passage 82 is provided on the left and right behind the wide member 72 (back plate) on the left and right, the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, and 83b (first suction ports) are provided in a wide range on the back. be able to. Therefore, ions can be distributed in the refrigerator compartment 2 and the sterilization performance can be improved. Further, since the cool air passage 32 is provided on the left and right behind the member 72 (back plate), the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c (first discharge ports) can be provided in a wide range on the back surface. Therefore, the cold air generated by the cooler 11 can be distributed in the refrigerator compartment 2.

In addition, suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b (first suction ports) are opened in the back surface portion 81a and arranged at both ends in the left-right direction at the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the discharge ports 84 (second discharge ports) are provided. Since it opens to the front part of the top surface part 81d and is arranged in the central part of the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2, the cold air containing an ion spreads right and left of the refrigerator compartment 2, and distribute | circulates to the lower part. Therefore, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be made uniform and the sterilization performance of the refrigerator 1 can be further improved.

Further, since the suction port 87 (second suction port) is provided in the top surface portion 81d, cold air containing ions can be circulated to the upper rear of the refrigerator compartment 2. Thereby, sufficient ions can be supplied to the upper rear of the refrigerator compartment 2. Further, since the suction port 87 is provided above the member 72, cold air containing moisture due to condensation generated on the front surface of the member 72 is supplied from the suction port 87 to the ion generator 86. As a result, more damp cold air can be supplied to the ion generator 86, and the life of the cluster ions can be extended.

Further, the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81 are arranged so as to overlap each other, and the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c (first discharge ports) are arranged at both ends in the left and right direction in the upper part of the refrigerator compartment 2. Dry cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c descends and is sucked from the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, and 83b. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of dry cold air that comes into direct contact with the stored item, and to reduce the drying of the stored item.

Further, since the cool air is discharged from the discharge port 84 toward the mounting shelf 41 and the door pocket 42, the inside of the door pocket 42 can be cooled and sterilized. Furthermore, it is possible to easily guide the cold air containing ions through the space between the mounting shelf 41 and the door pocket 42 to the lower part of the refrigerating chamber 2 to improve the air blowing efficiency.

In addition, since the first and second electrodes 86a and 86b are arranged apart from each other and the mixing plate 89 for restricting the flow path of the circulation passage 81 on the downstream side of the ion generator 86 is provided, the first and second electrodes 86a and 86b are provided. In this case, annihilation due to collision between positive ions and negative ions immediately after generation can be reduced. Further, after the ions are clustered by the wet cool air flowing through the circulation passage 81, the positive ions and the negative ions are mixed by the mixing plate 89. For this reason, the disappearance of ions is reduced by clustering, and a sufficient amount of positive ions and negative ions can be distributed throughout the refrigerator compartment 2. Therefore, the sterilization performance of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

Also, since the flow path on the downstream side of the mixing plate 89 is widened, the mixed positive ions and negative ions can be spread and discharged into the refrigerator compartment 2. Accordingly, the ions can be further diffused and spread throughout the refrigerator compartment 2.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the cold air passage 32 through which the cold air from the cooler 11 passes and the circulation passage 81 through which the cold air circulates without passing through the cooler 11 are arranged in the front and back, so that the discharge ports 73a to 73c, 74a to 74c (first discharge ports) are provided at both ends in the left and right direction at the upper part of the back surface, and suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b (first suction ports) are provided at the lower portions of the left and right ends. 2 discharge ports) can be provided at the upper center. Thereby, the cold air containing ion can distribute | circulate to the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be made uniform, and the disinfection performance of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

In addition, dry cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c is mixed with the cold air in the refrigerating chamber 2 sucked from the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, and 83b, and is discharged from the discharge port 84 to be refrigerated. 2 is distributed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of dry cold air that comes into direct contact with the stored item, and to reduce the drying of the stored item.

Further, since the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a and 83b are provided below the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c, the cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c is lowered by its own weight, and the suction port 82a, 82b, 83a and 83b are smoothly guided. Accordingly, it is possible to further reduce the contact between the cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c and the stored item. In addition, the discharge port 84 should just open at least the center part of the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2, and may be spread and formed from the center part to right and left.

In addition, since the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81 are integrally formed of a heat insulating material, the depth of the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81 that overlap in the front-rear direction can be reduced. Therefore, the volumetric efficiency of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

In addition, a gap 88 is formed between the back wall of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the mounting shelf 41 so that the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c communicate with the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, and 83b. Cold air can be guided to the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b.

The upper suction ports 82a and 83a and the lower discharge ports 73c and 74c are both provided between the second-stage mounting shelf 41 and the third-stage mounting shelf 41 from above, and the suction ports 82a, 83a is arranged in the vicinity of the discharge ports 73c and 74c, respectively. Therefore, the cool air discharged from the discharge ports 73c and 74c can be more smoothly guided to the suction ports 82a and 83a.

Also, since the member 72 made of a good heat conductor that forms the front surface of the circulation passage 81 and contacts the cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81 is provided, the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 2 comes into contact with the front surface and the rear surface of the member 42. For this reason, when the humidity in the refrigerator compartment 2 rises due to inflow of outside air or the like, dew condensation occurs on the front and back surfaces of the member 42 and the surface of the member 42 becomes cloudy, and then the dew condensation evaporates. Therefore, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be moisturized, and the drying of stored items can be reduced.

In addition, since moisture due to condensation on the back surface of the member 72 is contained in the cold air flowing through the circulation passage 81, a large amount of wet cold air is supplied to the ion generator 86, and the cluster ions are increased in size and contain a large amount of water molecules. . Thereby, it is possible to extend the life of ions and supply them to the entire refrigerator 2.

Also, since the suction port 87 is provided in the circulation passage 81 above the member 72, cold air containing moisture due to condensation generated on the front surface of the member 72 is supplied from the suction port 87 to the ion generator 86. Thereby, more damp cold can be supplied to the ion generator 86, and the life of ions can be extended.

Further, since the opening area of the suction port 87 is smaller than the opening areas of the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b, the cold air from the upper discharge ports 73a, 74a to the suction port 87 arranged in the center in the left-right direction Inflow can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of dry cold air that comes into direct contact with the stored item arranged in the upper stage.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the cool air passage 32 arranged on the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 2 has discharge ports 73a and 74a (first discharge ports) at the upper part where the cool air flows upward from below and serves as a terminal portion of the cool air passage 32. Is provided. The circulation passage 81 is provided with a discharge port 84 (second discharge port) in the upper part of the refrigerating chamber 2 through which the cool air flows from below to above. For this reason, the cold air passage 32 is not bent in the vertical direction, and the lateral width of the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81 can be formed wide. Thereby, the flow passage area can be increased while ensuring a sufficient internal volume without widening the depth of the cold air passage 32 and the circulation passage 81. Therefore, the air blowing efficiency can be improved, and the internal circulation can be reduced to achieve uniform cooling. In addition, the passage length of the cold air passage 32 can be shortened, the discharge of cold heat to the outside can be reduced, the cooling efficiency can be improved, and the energy can be saved.

In addition, since the cool air passage 32 through which the cool air from the cooler 11 passes and the circulation passage 81 through which the cool air circulates without passing through the cooler 11 are arranged in front and back, the discharge ports 73a to 73c, 74a to 74c (first Discharge ports) can be provided at both ends in the left-right direction on the back surface, and suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b can be provided at both ends in the left-right direction. As a result, the cold air in the damp refrigerating chamber 2 sucked from the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b is mixed with the dry cool air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c, 74a to 74c, and the whole refrigerating chamber 2 is Circulate. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of dry cold air that comes into direct contact with the stored item, and to reduce the drying of the stored item.

In addition, since the discharge port 84 (second discharge port) is arranged in the center in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2, the cold air discharged from the discharge port 84 is guided to the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b at both ends. Thus, cold air circulates throughout the refrigerator compartment 2. Therefore, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be made uniform. In addition, the discharge port 84 should just open at least the center part of the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2, and may be spread and formed from the center part to right and left.

Further, since the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a and 83b are provided below the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c, the cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c is lowered by its own weight, and the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a and 83b are smoothly guided. Accordingly, it is possible to further reduce the amount of cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c directly in contact with the stored product, and to reduce drying of the stored product.

In addition, a gap 88 is formed between the back wall of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the mounting shelf 41 so that the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c communicate with the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, and 83b. Cold air can be guided to the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b.

The upper suction ports 82a and 83a and the lower discharge ports 73c and 74c are both provided between the second-stage mounting shelf 41 and the third-stage mounting shelf 41 from above, and the suction ports 82a, 83a is arranged in the vicinity of the discharge ports 73c and 74c, respectively. Therefore, the cool air discharged from the discharge ports 73c and 74c can be more smoothly guided to the suction ports 82a and 83a.

Further, since the circulation passage 81 is extended to the ceiling surface of the refrigerator compartment 2 by the top surface portion 81d and the discharge port 84 is provided at the front portion of the top surface portion 81d, the wet cold air can be distributed to the vicinity of the door 2a. .

Further, since the circulation fan 85 is arranged at the upper part of the circulation passage 81, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b on the upstream side of the circulation fan 85 is increased.

In the present embodiment, the suction ports 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 2, and the discharge port 84 is arranged at the center in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the discharge port of the circulation passage 81 may be disposed at both ends in the left-right direction of the refrigerating chamber 2, and the suction port may be disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the refrigerating chamber 2. At this time, if the discharge port of the circulation passage 81 is arranged in the vicinity of the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c of the cold air passage 32, the dry cold air discharged from the discharge ports 73a to 73c and 74a to 74c of the cold air passage 32 is obtained. Wet cold air discharged from the discharge port of the circulation passage 81 is mixed.

As a result, as described above, the amount of dry cold air that directly contacts the stored product can be reduced, and drying of the stored product can be reduced. Further, the cool air discharged from the discharge port (second discharge port) of the circulation passage 81 is guided to the suction port in the central portion, and the cool air flows through the entire refrigerator compartment 2. Therefore, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 can be made uniform.

Examples of the present invention will be described below. Table 1 shows the result of measuring the ion distribution of the refrigerator 2 of the above embodiment. The measurement positions in the up-down direction are four locations consisting of each stage divided by the three placement shelves 41. The measurement positions in the front-rear direction are two locations on the front side (70 mm rearward from the front end of the mounting shelf 41) and the rear side (70 mm forward from the back wall of the refrigerator compartment 2). There are three measurement positions in the left-right direction: the left end (70 mm from the left side wall of the refrigerator compartment 2), the center, and the right end (70 mm from the right side wall of the refrigerator compartment 2). The width of the refrigerator 1 is 685 mm.

The distance W1 between the first and second electrodes 86a and 86b and the flow path width W2 due to the mixing plate 89 are 180 mm. The opening area of the suction port 87 is 100 mm × 2 mm. For comparison, Table 2 shows the results of measuring the ion distribution on the near side in the front-rear direction with the mixing plate 89 removed. Table 3 shows the results of measuring the number of ions in each step of the three-step door pocket 42 provided on the left and right doors 2a of the present embodiment.

From the above results, in the comparative example, either the positive ion or the negative ion is less than 20000 / cm ³ at many positions on the near side in the refrigerator compartment 2. It is thought that positions with fewer ions increase on the far side of the refrigerator compartment 2. On the other hand, in this embodiment, 20000 ions / cm ³ or more of positive ions and negative ions are supplied over almost the entire inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 including the door pocket 42.

Therefore, a sufficient amount of positive ions and negative ions can be supplied to the entire refrigerator compartment 2 by the refrigerator 2 of the above embodiment provided with the mixing plate 89. As a result, not only bacteria floating in the refrigerating chamber 2 but floating microorganisms such as mold fungi, as well as sterilization of adherent bacteria such as Salmonella, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli adhering to stored products. It is valid.

According to the present invention, it can be used in a refrigerator equipped with an ion generator. Moreover, according to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator provided with the circulation path which circulates the cool air in a storage chamber without passing a cooler.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigerated room 2d Return port 3 Temperature switching room 4 Ice making room 5 Vegetable room 6 Freezer room 7, 8, 35 Insulation wall 11 Cooler 12 Freezer room blower 15 Introduction ventilation path 16 Heater 17, 46 Return path 18 Temperature switching room Blower 20 Refrigerating room damper 21 Chilled room 23 Refrigerating room blower 31, 32 Cold passage 37 Temperature switching chamber discharge damper 38 Temperature switching chamber return damper 41 Mounting shelf 70 Cooling panel 71 Panel base 72 Member 73a to 73c, 74a to 74c Discharge port (First discharge port)
81 Circulation passage 81a Back surface portion 81d Top surface portion 82a, 82b, 83a, 83b Suction port (first suction port)
84 Discharge port (second discharge port)
85 Circulating fan 86 Ion generator 87 Suction port (second suction port)
88 Clearance 89 Mixing plate 102 Accessories storage room 103 Water tank room

Claims (24)

1. A storage chamber for storing stored items, a back plate covering the back of the storage chamber over the right and left sides, a cooler for generating cool air, and a cooler generated by the cooler is circulated and provided at an upper portion of the store chamber. A cool air passage for sending cool air to the storage chamber through one discharge port, a circulation passage having a circulation fan through which the cool air in the storage chamber circulates without passing through the cooler, and ions arranged in the circulation passage A refrigerator, wherein the cold air passage and the circulation passage are disposed to the left and right behind the back plate of the storage chamber.
2. The circulation passage includes a back surface portion disposed on the back surface of the storage chamber, a top surface portion disposed on the top surface of the storage chamber, and both left and right ends at the lower portion of the storage chamber that open to the back surface portion. The first suction port disposed in the top surface and a second discharge port that opens at a front portion of the top surface portion and is disposed in a central portion in the left-right direction of the storage chamber. Refrigerator.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein a second suction port is provided on an intake side of the circulating blower on the top surface portion.
4. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the cold air passage and the circulation passage are arranged so as to overlap each other, and the first discharge ports are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction.
5. A plurality of upper and lower mounting shelves for storing stored items, and a door pocket for storing stored items by providing a plurality of upper and lower stages on a door that opens and closes the storage chamber; The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein cold air is discharged between the shelf and the door pocket.
6. The ion generator is arranged such that a first electrode that generates positive ions and a second electrode that generates negative ions are separated in a direction intersecting a flow direction of cold air, and the downstream of the ion generator The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a mixing plate for restricting the flow path is provided, and a flow path on the downstream side of the mixing plate is widened.
7. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein a distance between the first and second electrodes is 100 mm or more.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the flow path width squeezed by the mixing plate is substantially equal to the width of the first and second electrodes.
9. A storage chamber for storing stored items, a cooler for generating cold air, a cool air passage provided at the back of the storage chamber through which the cool air generated by the cooler flows, and an upper portion of the cool air passage opening to A first discharge port disposed at both ends in the left-right direction of the storage chamber, a return port through which cool air provided at a lower portion of the storage chamber and returning to the cooler flows out of the storage chamber, A circulation passage that is provided in the front-rear direction of the cold air passage and through which the cold air in the storage chamber circulates without passing through the cooler, and that opens into the circulation passage to suck in the cold air from the storage chamber and lowers the lower storage chamber A first suction port disposed at both ends in the left and right direction, a second discharge port that opens to the circulation passage and discharges cool air and opens at a central portion in the left and right direction at the upper part of the storage chamber, and the circulation Plaisi placed in the passage Refrigerator characterized by comprising an ion generator for generating the emissions and negative ions.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the cold air passage and the circulation passage are integrally formed of a heat insulating material.
11. A mounting shelf for mounting stored items is provided, and a gap is formed between the back wall of the storage chamber and the mounting shelf to communicate the first discharge port and the first suction port. Item 15. The refrigerator according to Item 10.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the first suction port is disposed in the vicinity of the first discharge port.
13. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising a member made of a good heat conductor that forms a front surface of the circulation passage and contacts cold air flowing through the circulation passage.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the circulation passage is provided with a second suction port above the member.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the opening area of the second suction port is smaller than the opening area of the first suction port.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the front and back surfaces of the member are provided with irregularities by bending.
17. A storage chamber for storing stored items, a cooler for generating cold air, a cool air passage provided on the back of the storage chamber through which the cool air generated by the cooler flows upward from below, and an end portion of the cool air passage A first discharge port disposed on the left and right sides of the storage chamber and a circulation in which the cool air in the storage chamber circulates from below to above without passing through the cooler. A passage, a suction port that opens into the circulation passage and sucks cold air from the storage chamber, and a second discharge port that opens to the upper portion of the circulation passage and discharges cold air and is disposed at the upper portion of the storage chamber. A refrigerator characterized by comprising.
18. The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the suction port is arranged at both ends in the left-right direction of the storage chamber, and the suction port is provided below the first discharge port.
19. The refrigerator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the circulation passage includes a top surface portion extending forward and backward through a ceiling surface of the storage chamber, and a second discharge port is provided at a front portion of the top surface portion.
20. The refrigerator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein a circulation blower is disposed above the circulation passage.
21. A storage chamber for storing stored items, a cooler for generating cold air, a cool air passage provided at the back of the storage chamber through which the cool air generated by the cooler flows, and an upper portion of the cool air passage opening to A first discharge port disposed at both ends in the left-right direction of the storage chamber, a return port through which cool air provided at a lower portion of the storage chamber and returning to the cooler flows out of the storage chamber, A circulation passage that is provided in the front-rear direction of the cold air passage and through which the cold air in the storage chamber circulates without passing through the cooler; an intake port that opens into the circulation passage and sucks the cold air from the storage chamber; and the circulation A second discharge port that opens into the passage and discharges cool air, and one of the suction port and the second discharge port is arranged at both ends in the left-right direction of the storage chamber, and the other is at the center in the left-right direction. Refrigerator characterized by opening
22. The refrigerator according to claim 21, wherein the suction port is arranged at both left and right ends of the storage chamber, and the suction port is provided below the first discharge port.
23. The refrigerator according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the circulation passage includes a top surface portion extending forward and backward through a ceiling surface of the storage chamber, and a second discharge port is provided at a front portion of the top surface portion.
24. The refrigerator according to claim 21 or 22, wherein a circulation fan is disposed above the circulation passage.

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