WO2018108055A1

WO2018108055A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2018108055A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/115519
Authority: WO
Inventors: 土田俊之; 山川贵志; 杉木稔则
Original assignee: 青岛海尔股份有限公司; Aqua株式会社
Priority date: 2016-12-12
Filing date: 2017-12-12
Publication date: 2018-06-21
Also published as: JP6747718B2; JP2018096598A

Abstract

A refrigerator (1) comprising a cooling chamber (13) provided with a cooler (32), an air supply conduit (15) linking the cooling chamber (13) and a storage chamber, an air supply fan (40) provided in the cooling chamber (13) at an air supply opening (26) connected to the air supply conduit (15), a movable air supply fan cover (60) covering the air supply fan (40), a separation component (35) separating the storage chamber from the air supply conduit (15), and a base component (51) supporting the air supply fan (40) and the air supply fan cover (60). The separation component (35) is provided with: a support shaft part (37), which protrudes from a main surface facing the air supply conduit side and is inserted into a support hole (53a) of the base component (51); and a snap-fit plate (38), which fits the peripheral part of the base component (51). The base component (51) is provided, in proximity to the peripheral part at where the snap-fit plate (38) fits, with a flexible part (57) that distends during assembly to allow the passage of a claw part (39) of the snap-fit plate (38).

Description

refrigerator

The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Serial No. No. No.-------

Technical field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator that cools and stores foods and the like in a storage room, and more particularly to a refrigerator including a shielding device that blocks a supply air passage through which cold air flows as needed.

Background technique

In the prior art, in the refrigerator in which the air cooled by the cooler in the cooling chamber is supplied to the storage room via the supply air passage, in order to prevent the warm air in the defrosting operation from flowing into the storage chamber, the air supply port in the cooling chamber A technique for providing a shielding device for clogging the air vent is known (for example, JP-A-2013-190149, JP-A-2015-64122, JP-A-2015-64122).

13(A) and (B) are perspective views showing a shielding device 150 disclosed in JP-A-2013-190149, and FIG. 13(A) shows a state in which the blower cover 160 is closed, and FIG. 13(B) ) shows the state in which the blower cover 160 is opened. As shown in FIGS. 13(A) and (B), the shielding device 150 is disposed on the air outlet side of the blower 140, and the blower 140 is attached to the air blowing port of the cooling chamber, and the shielding has a freely reciprocating direction in the direction of the rotating shaft of the fan 142. A moving blower cover 160.

As shown in FIG. 13(A), when the blower cover 160 approaches the blower 140, the peripheral portion of the blower cover 160 is fitted to the outer casing 141 of the blower 140, and the air flow path of the blower 140 is blocked. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13(B), when the blower cover 160 moves away from the blower 140, a flow path for allowing air to flow is formed between the blower cover 160 and the outer casing 141. Moreover, as indicated by the arrow V, the air ejected by the blower 140 will flow out.

Further, the blower 140 is an axial flow blower, and the fan motor 143 of the blower 140 is fixed to the outer casing 141 by the support frame 148. Further, the blower cover 160 is supported by a guide pin 152 provided on the outer casing 141 of the blower 140.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the shielding device 250 disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2015-64122. As shown in FIG. 14, the shielding device 250 disclosed in the same document has a blower cover 260 slidably supported by a guide pin 252 that is erected on the support base 251. The blower cover 260 is disposed to pass through the blower cover 260, and is opened and closed by a drive shaft 267 that is screwed into the screw hole 263 of the blower cover 260.

The motor that drives the drive shaft 267 is built in the shaft support portion 255, and the shaft support portion 255 is connected to the frame portion 253 of the support base 251 via the support frame 258. Further, the support base 251 is attached to a casing of a blower (not shown), and the blower is attached to the air supply port of the cooling chamber, and the support base 251 is fixed to the casing by a fixing means such as a screw penetrating through the hole 259.

However, in the above-described prior art refrigerator, in order to improve the cooling performance of the refrigerator, there is a need for improvement in the shielding device and the blower.

Specifically, it is effective to increase the cooling performance of the refrigerator, increase the air blowing efficiency of the air supplied to the storage compartment, and increase the flow rate of the air. In the configuration of the blower disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document 1 (JP-A-2013-190149) and the patent document 2 (JP-A-2015-64122), as shown in FIG. 13, due to the flow in the air There is a support frame 148 on the road for supporting the fan motor 143, so there is a possibility that the flow of air is blocked by the support frame 148.

In addition, as shown in the shielding device 250 disclosed in the patent document 2 (JP-A-2015-64122), the driving shaft 267 supported by the supporting base 251 attached to the outer casing of the air blower is opened and closed. In the configuration of the blower cover 260, the support frame 258 that supports the drive shaft 267 is disposed across the flow path of the air. Therefore, the flow loss of the air occurs due to the support frame 258 disposed on the flow path of the air.

If the supply air passage in the vicinity of the shielding device is ensured to be wide in order to reduce the flow loss of the air, there is a problem that the storage volume of the storage chamber is narrowed. In addition, even when the configuration of the shielding device is changed in order to reduce the flow loss of the air, there is a risk that the effective volume of the shielding device or the periphery thereof is increased and the effective storage volume of the storage chamber is reduced, as described above. Further, when the space around the shielding device is narrowed in order to secure the storage volume of the storage chamber, the installation operation of the shielding device is performed. It is difficult. For example, in the case of a structure for supporting the shielding device, in a case where a locking piece or the like which is elastically deformable is provided in the spacer member or the like, and the supporting member of the shielding device is engaged with the locking piece or the like, the shielding device is mounted. It is easy to form the locking piece or the like so long that the locking piece or the like is easily elastically deformed. As a result, the space for supporting the shielding device or the space around it becomes large, and the storage volume of the storage room is reduced.

On the other hand, when the above-mentioned locking piece or the like is formed to be short, elastic deformation such as the locking piece becomes difficult, and attachment of the shielding device becomes difficult. In addition, when the peripheral space of the engagement portion based on the above-described locking piece or the like is narrowed, there is a risk that the mounting operation is further difficult, and the mounting failure occurs, and the member is damaged due to the application of an excessive force.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which is provided with a shielding device which is easy to install, and which can ensure a wide storage volume of the storage compartment, and can improve air blowing efficiency and improve cooling performance.

In order to achieve one of the objects of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator including: a storage compartment; a cooling chamber provided with a cooler for performing air supplied to the storage compartment Cooling; a supply air path connecting the cooling chamber to the storage chamber, and air cooled by the cooler flows on the supply air passage; a blower disposed to the cooling chamber a supply air passage side of the air supply port to which the air supply path is connected; a movable air blower cover that approaches the air blower from the supply air passage side and covers the air blower and the air supply port; A base member fixed to the spacing member, supporting the blower, and supporting the blower cover in a sliding free manner, the spacing member dividing the storage chamber from the supply air passage. The spacer member has a fulcrum portion that protrudes from a main surface facing the supply air passage side and is inserted into a support hole formed in the base member, and a locking piece that protrudes from the main surface And engaging with the outer peripheral portion of the base member. An elastic portion is formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member to which the locking piece is engaged, and when the base member is mounted to the spacer member, the elastic portion is deformed to allow the The claws of the locking piece pass.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic portion is elastically deformed by a slit formed along the outer peripheral portion.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, a curved portion that protrudes toward the blower cover side is formed at a peripheral edge of the slit.

According to a further improvement of the embodiment of the present invention, a pressing portion that protrudes toward the base member side is formed on a surface of the blower cover on the side of the base member, and the base member is attached to the spacer member. The pressing portion presses the elastic portion.

According to a further improvement of the embodiment of the present invention, a chamfered inclined portion is formed at a corner portion of the outer peripheral portion on the side of the partition member at a portion where the elastic portion is formed.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects: an embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator including: a blower, the supply air passage disposed at an air supply port connecting the cooling chamber and the supply air passage a movable blower cover that approaches the blower from the supply air passage side and covers the blower and the air supply port; and a base member that supports the blower and that covers the blower Supported in a sliding free manner, the base member is fixed to a spacing member that divides the storage chamber from the supply air passage. With such a configuration, the members of the fan motor that supports the blower and the members that support the drive shaft that drives the blower cover can be disposed on the partition member side with respect to the fan. Therefore, when the blower cover is opened, the flow path of the air is not hindered by the member supporting the fan motor or the drive shaft. That is, according to the present invention, the support frame 148 supporting the fan motor 143 appearing in the prior art shown in Fig. 13 and the support frame 258 supporting the drive shaft 267 as shown in Fig. 14 are not disposed in the air. On the road. Thereby, the flow loss of the air sent out from the blower can be reduced, and the flow rate of the air supplied to the storage compartment can be increased, thereby improving the cooling performance of the refrigerator.

According to a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the spacer member has a support shaft portion that protrudes from a main surface facing the supply air passage side, and is inserted into a support hole formed in the base member; and a card a stopper that protrudes from the main surface and engages with an outer peripheral portion of the base member. An elastic portion is formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member to which the locking piece is engaged, and when the base member is mounted to the spacer member, the elastic portion is deformed to allow the The claws of the locking piece pass. Therefore, in the above configuration in which the air volume can be increased to improve the cooling performance, the shielding device including the blower cover can be provided. And the blower is easy to install to the spacer member.

Specifically, by fitting the support shaft portion of the spacer member to the support hole that supports the air blower and the base member of the blower cover, the base member is pressed into the partition member side, whereby the locking piece of the spacer member and the outer peripheral portion of the base member are pressed. The base member is fixed by the engagement. Thereby, the blower and the blower cover are attached to the partition member.

In particular, an elastic portion is formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member, and when the base member is attached to the spacer member, the elastic portion is deformed to allow the claw portion of the locking piece to pass, so that it can be easily mounted without applying a forcible force. Base member. Further, at the time of assembly, it is possible to prevent the base member, the locking claws, and the like from being excessively deformed to cause breakage.

Further, since the elastic portion is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the base member, it is not necessary to largely deform the locking claw when the base member is attached. Therefore, the locking claws can be formed short, and the space in the vicinity of the locking claws can be narrowed, and the storage volume of the storage compartment can be made wider.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic portion is elastically deformed by a slit formed along the outer peripheral portion. Thereby, when the base member is attached to the partition member, the elastic portion is easily elastically deformed toward the center side of the base member. Therefore, the mounting of the base member becomes easy.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, a curved portion that protrudes toward the blower cover side is formed at a peripheral edge of the slit. Thereby, the rigidity in the vicinity of the elastic portion is improved, and the deformation of the elastic portion in the insertion direction of the base member is suppressed. Therefore, the operation of mounting the base member to the spacer member is facilitated, and the base member can be firmly fixed to the spacer member.

According to a further improvement of the embodiment of the present invention, a pressing portion that protrudes toward the base member side is formed on a surface of the blower cover on the side of the base member, and the base member is attached to the spacer member. The pressing portion presses the elastic portion. Thereby, when the base member is attached to the partition member, the state in which the base member is deformed in the insertion direction is suppressed by the pressing portion, and the elastic portion can be easily engaged with the locking piece.

In other words, by pushing the vicinity of the air blower attached to the base member in advance and pushing it toward the partition member, the partition member can be easily engaged with the locking piece. Further, with such a configuration, it is not necessary to secure a space in which the operator's finger or the like can be inserted in the vicinity of the elastic portion or the locking piece in order to press the base member. Therefore, the peripheral space of the shielding device can be narrowed, and the storage volume of the storage compartment can be ensured to be wide.

According to a further improvement of the embodiment of the present invention, a chamfered inclined portion is formed at a corner portion of the outer peripheral portion on the side of the partition member at a portion where the elastic portion is formed. Thereby, when the base member is attached to the spacer member, the elastic portion is pressed by the claw portion of the locking piece, and the center portion of the base member is easily deformed. Therefore, the operation of mounting the base member becomes easy.

DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a front view showing an outline of a supply air passage of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the cooling chamber in a state in which the blower cover of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vicinity of a cooling chamber in a state in which a blower cover of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the shielding device of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a shielding device of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a cushioning member of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (A) and a cross-sectional view (B) of the cushioning member of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the shielding device of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view (A) and a perspective view (B) showing the vicinity of the engaging portion of the base member and the locking piece of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a vicinity of a wiring path portion of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which (A) the blower cover is closed and (B) a blower cover is opened in the conventional shade device.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing another conventional shielding device.

detailed description

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing a schematic structure of a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes a heat insulating box 2 as a main body, and a storage chamber for storing food or the like is formed inside the heat insulating box 2 . The inside of the storage compartment is divided into a plurality of storage compartments according to the storage temperature or use, and the uppermost section is the refrigerating compartment 3, the left side of the lower section of the refrigerating compartment 3 is the ice making compartment 4, the upper section is the upper section freezing compartment 5, and the lower section is the lower section. The freezer compartment 6 and the lowermost section are the vegetable and vegetable compartments 7. Further, each of the ice making compartment 4, the upper freezing compartment 5, and the lower freezing compartment 6 is a storage compartment in the freezing temperature range. In the following description, they are collectively referred to as a freezer compartment 4A as appropriate.

The front surface of the heat insulating box 2 is opened, and the heat insulating doors 8 to 12 are provided in the openings corresponding to the respective storage chambers in an openable and closable manner. The

heat insulating doors

8a and 8b divide the front surface of the refrigerating compartment 3 for shielding, and the upper left lower portion of the heat insulating door 8a and the upper right lower portion of the heat insulating door 8b are rotatably supported by the heat insulating box 2. Further, the heat insulating doors 9 to 12 are integrally coupled to the storage container, and are pulled out to the front of the refrigerator 1 to be supported by the heat insulating box 2 freely.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of the refrigerator 1. Further, in FIGS. 2 to 4, the flow of air circulating in the refrigerator is indicated by solid arrows. As shown in Fig. 2, the heat insulating box 2 as the main body of the refrigerator 1 is configured to include an outer casing 2a made of a steel plate having a front surface open, and a synthetic resin provided with a gap in the outer casing 2a and having a front surface open. The inner box 2b and the heat insulating material 2c made of foamed polyurethane are filled in the gap between the outer box 2a and the inner box 2b. Further, each of the heat insulating doors 8 to 12 also has the same heat insulating structure as that of the heat insulating box 2.

The refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4A located in the lower section thereof are partitioned by the insulating partition wall 28. The ice making compartment 4 inside the freezing compartment 4A and the upper freezing compartment 5 are separated by a partition wall (not shown). Further, between the ice making chamber 4 and the upper freezing chamber 5 and the lower freezing chamber 6 provided in the lower stage thereof, the cold air flow is freely communicated. Further, the freezing compartment 4A and the vegetable compartment 7 are partitioned by the heat insulating partition wall 29.

On the back surface of the refrigerating compartment 3, a refrigerating compartment supply air passage 14 which is partitioned by a synthetic resin spacer member 27 and serves as a supply air passage for supplying cold air to the refrigerating compartment 3 is formed. The air passage 14 is supplied to the refrigerating compartment, and an air outlet 17 for blowing cold air into the refrigerating compartment 3 is formed. Further, a refrigerating compartment windshield 34 is provided in the refrigerating compartment supply air passage 14. The refrigerating compartment windshield 34 is a windshield that is opened and closed by a motor or the like, and controls the flow rate of the cold air supplied to the refrigerating compartment 3, and maintains the temperature inside the refrigerating compartment 3 at an appropriate level.

A freezer supply air passage 15 that is a supply air passage that passes the air cooled by the cooler 32 through the freezer compartment 4A is formed behind the freezing compartment 4A. A cooling chamber 13 is formed behind the freezer compartment supply air passage 15, and a cooler 32, which is an evaporator for cooling the air circulating in the refrigerator, is disposed inside the cooling chamber 13.

The cooler 32 is connected to the compressor 31, a radiator (not shown), an expansion valve (not shown), or a capillary tube via a refrigerant pipe to constitute a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Further, in the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, isobutane, that is, R600a is used as the refrigerant of the refrigeration cycle.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a supply air passage of the refrigerator 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a fruit and vegetable room supply air path 16 that connects the refrigerator compartment 3 and the fruit and vegetable compartment 7. Thereby, the cold air supplied to the refrigerating compartment 3 flows into the fruit and vegetable compartment supply air passage 16 from the return port 21 formed in the lower portion of the refrigerating compartment 3, and is blown out from the air outlet 20 to be supplied to the fruit and vegetable compartment 7. As shown in FIG. 2, in the fruit and vegetable compartment 7, a return port 24 connected to the lower portion of the cooling chamber 13 is formed, and air in the fruit and vegetable compartment 7 flows from the return port 24 to the lower portion of the cooling chamber 13.

Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which not only a return air passage for returning air from the refrigerating chamber 3 to the cooling chamber 13 but also a fruit and vegetable for connecting the cooling chamber 13 or the freezing chamber supply air passage 15 to the fruit and vegetable chamber 7 are provided. The room supply air passage, and the cold air is supplied from the cooling chamber 13 to the fruit and vegetable compartment 7 without passing through the refrigerating compartment 3. In addition, in order to control the flow of the cold air supplied to the fruit and vegetable compartment 7, a fruit and vegetable compartment windshield may be provided.

4 and 5 are side cross-sectional views showing the structure in the vicinity of the cooling chamber 13 of the refrigerator 1. Fig. 4 shows a state in which the blower cover 60 is opened, and Fig. 5 shows a state in which the blower cover 60 is closed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cooling chamber 13 is provided inside the heat insulating box 2 on the back side of the freezing compartment supply air passage 15. The cooling chamber 13 is spaced apart from the freezing compartment supply air passage 15 or the freezing compartment 4A by a spacer member 25 made of synthetic resin. That is, the cooling chamber 13 is a space formed by sandwiching the inner box 2b and the partition member 25.

The freezer compartment supply air passage 15 formed in front of the cooling chamber 13 is a space formed between the partition member 25 and the partition member 35 attached to the front side thereof, and is a supply air passage through which cold air cooled by the cooler 32 flows. The upper portion of the freezer compartment supply air passage 15 is connected to the refrigerating compartment supply air passage 14.

In the partition member 35, an air outlet 18 which is an opening for blowing cold air into the freezing compartment 4A is formed. On the lower back surface of the lower freezing compartment 6, a return port 23 for returning air from the freezing compartment 4A to the lower portion of the cooling chamber 13 is formed.

Further, below the cooler 32, a defrosting heater 33 is provided as a defrosting means for removing the frost adhering to the cooler 32 and then removing the frost. The defrosting heater 33 is a resistance heating type heater. Further, as the defrosting means, for example, other defrosting methods such as off-cycle defrost and hot gas defrost using electric heaters may be employed.

An air blowing port 26, which is an opening that is connected to the freezing compartment supply air passage 15, is formed in the partition member 25 at the upper portion of the cooling chamber 13. A blower 40 that sends cold air to the freezing compartment 4A or the like is disposed in front of the air blowing port 26. The blower 40 is a centrifugal blower including a centrifugal fan 42.

A shielding device 50 having a movable blower cover 60 is provided in front of the blower 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the blower cover 60 approaches the blower 40 from the side of the freezer compartment supply air passage 15, and covers the blower 40 and the blower port 26.

The blower cover 60 is driven by the drive shaft 67 provided on the side of the partition member 35 to move in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the blower cover 60 moves forward and moves away from the blower 40, and a flow path through which air can flow is formed between the blower cover 60 and the spacer member 25. Thereby, the air cooled by the cooler 32 is sent out by the blower 40, and is supplied to the refrigerating compartment 3, the freezing compartment 4A, and the fruit and vegetable compartment 7.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the blower cover 60 moves rearward and approaches the blower 40, so that the blower 40 is covered by the blower cover 60, the blower port 26 is blocked, and the air passage through which the cold air flows is shielded.

Further, the surface of the blower cover 60 facing the blower 40 is formed into a substantially concave shape. Thereby, the blower cover 60 is not in contact with the fan 42 of the air blower 40 disposed in front of the air blowing port 26, and the rear end of the side surface portion of the blower cover 60 is in contact with the front surface of the partition member 25, so that the air blowing port 26 can be blocked. .

The opening and closing operation of the shielding device 50 is controlled by a control device (not shown). For example, when the defrosting operation for removing the frost attached to the cooler 32 is performed, as shown in FIG. 5, the blower cover 60 is closed.

Specifically, when the cooling operation is continued, the frost adheres to the air-side heat transfer surface of the cooler 32, hinders heat transfer, and blocks the air flow path. For this purpose, the control device determines the frost based on the decrease in the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant or the like, determines the frost by the defrosting timer or the like, and activates the defrosting operation for removing the frost attached to the cooler 32.

In the defrosting operation, the control device stops the compressor 31 and energizes the defrosting heater 33. Thereby, the frost adhering to the cooler 32 melts. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the air blowing port 26 is blocked by the blower cover 60. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the air in the cooling chamber 13 heated by the defrosting heater 33 from flowing out to the freezing chamber supply air passage 15. As a result, the cooling performance of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

Further, when the defrosting of the cooler 32 is completed, the control device stops the energization of the defrosting heater 33, starts the compressor 31, and starts the cooling performed by the freezing circuit. Moreover, after detecting that the cooler 32 and the cooling chamber 13 are cooled to a given temperature, or after a predetermined time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device opens the blower cover 60 to start the operation of the blower 40. . Thereby, the influence by the defrosting heat can be suppressed, and the cooling operation can be restarted.

Next, the shielding device 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the shielding device 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the shielding device 50 has a blower cover 60 that opens and closes the blower 40, and a base member 51 that supports the blower 40 and slidably supports the blower cover 60, and opens and closes the blower cover 60. Drive shaft 67.

The shielding device 50 is attached to the freezer compartment supply air passage 15 side of the partition member 35 that partitions the freezing compartment 4A and the freezing compartment supply duct 15 . Specifically, a concave portion 36 that is formed in a substantially circular shape and recessed forward is formed on the rear surface of the partition member 35, and the shielding device 50 is disposed in the concave portion 36. In other words, in the partition member 35, only the recess 36 corresponding to the shielding device 50 is protruded forward. In this way, the shielding device 50 is disposed in the recessed portion 36, so that the partitioning member 35 can be protruded toward the freezing compartment 4A side, and the storage volume of the freezing compartment 4A can be made larger.

The main surface of the partition member 35 facing the freezer compartment supply air passage 15 side, specifically, the surface of the recessed portion 36, the support shaft portion 37 for fixing the base member 51, and the locking piece 38 are respectively provided in groups of three. Stand out to the rear. The base member 51 is formed by The support shaft portion 37 of the recess 36 and the locking piece 38 are fixed and supported by the spacer member 35. The details will be described later.

The base member 51 is formed with a substantially columnar guide pin 52 that supports the blower cover 60 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Three guide pins 52 are provided, which extend rearward from the base member 51 and extend substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the fan 42. In the blower cover 60, a guide hole 62 for slidably engaging the guide pin 52 is formed. The guide pin 52 is inserted into the guide hole 62 to guide the reciprocating motion of the blower cover 60.

A drive shaft 67 for reciprocating the blower cover 60 is attached to the base member 51. The drive shaft 67 is fitted to the shaft support portion 55 formed on the base member 51, and is rotatably supported.

The drive shaft 67 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is provided with a screw 68 whose part of the side surface is continuously convexly spiraled. Further, the drive shaft 67 is screwed into a screw hole 63 formed in the blower cover 60. Further, a motor (not shown) is incorporated in the drive shaft 67 or the shaft support portion 55, and the drive shaft 67 is rotated by a predetermined angle by the driving force of the motor. When the drive shaft 67 is rotated to a given direction, the blower cover 60 approaches the blower 40, and the air passage is closed. On the other hand, when the drive shaft 67 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction with respect to the predetermined direction, the blower cover 60 is separated from the blower 40, and the air passage is opened.

The blower cover 60 is formed by substantially injection-molding a synthetic resin member into a lid shape, and has a main surface portion having a substantially circular shape and a side surface portion extending rearward from a peripheral edge portion of the main surface portion. Further, the guide pin 52 and the guide hole 62 fitted thereto are disposed outside the side surface portion. Thereby, when the blower cover 60 is closed, air does not leak from the inside to the outside of the blower cover 60 through the guide hole 62, and the sealing property of the blower cover 60 is improved.

Further, in the vicinity of the center of the main surface portion of the blower cover 60, a screw hole 63 having a screw groove is formed inside and formed in a substantially circular shape. Further, in the blower cover 60, in order to fix the partition member 35 and the base member 51, a through hole 61 is formed, and the through hole 61 allows the support portion 53 formed on the base member 51 to be slidably fitted.

The blower 40 is a centrifugal fan including a centrifugal fan 42, a fan motor 43 for rotationally driving the fan 42, and a fan base 41 that supports the fan motor 43. The fan base 41 is attached to the base member 51 to be supported.

Further, in the production process of the refrigerator 1, the blower cover 60, the drive shaft 67, and the blower 40 are attached to the base member 51 in advance. Then, the assembly in a state in which the shielding device 50 and the blower 40 are integrally assembled is attached to the partition member 35.

FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the shielding device 50 of the refrigerator 1. In addition, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the blower cover 60 is opened. As shown in FIG. 7, the air supply port 26 which connects the cooling chamber 13 and the freezing chamber supply air path 15 is a substantially circular opening, and the peripheral edge part protrudes toward the cooling chamber 13 side in the substantially semicircular cross section.

The fan 42 of the blower 40 is disposed in front of the air blowing port 26 such that its rotating shaft is substantially coaxial with the central axis of the air blowing port 26. As described above, the blower 40 is of a centrifugal type, and takes in air from the vicinity of the center of the cooling chamber 13 side of the fan 42, and efficiently delivers air in the radial direction. As a result, the air blowing efficiency can be improved and the air blowing amount can be increased as compared with the case where the axial flow fan is used as in the prior art.

As shown in part A of Fig. 7, the base member 51 is supported by the support portion 53 on the support shaft portion 37 of the partition member 35, and supports the fan base 41 of the blower 40. Further, as shown in part B of FIG. 7 , the base member 51 is engaged with the locking piece 38 formed on the spacer member 35 at the elastic portion 57 formed on the outer peripheral portion, and is fixed to the spacer member 35 . That is, the shielding device 50 and the blower 40 are supported by the partition member 35.

With such a configuration, the fan base 41 that supports the fan motor 43 of the blower 40 and the base member 51 that supports the drive shaft 67 that drives the blower cover 60 can be disposed on the side of the partition member 35 with respect to the fan 42.

Thereby, as shown in Fig. 7, when the blower cover 60 is opened, the member that supports the fan motor 43 and the member that supports the drive shaft 67 are not disposed on the flow path of the air, so that the flow path of the air is not received by these members. Obstruction. Thereby, the flow loss of the air sent from the blower 40 can be reduced, and the flow rate of the air supplied to the storage compartment such as the freezing compartment 4A can be increased, and the cooling performance of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the portion A shown in Fig. 7, showing the structure in the vicinity of the support portion 53. FIG. 9(A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cushioning member 70 provided on the support portion 53. Fig. 9(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 9(A) showing a cross section of the cushioning member 70.

As shown in FIG. 8, a support hole 53a for inserting the support shaft portion 37 formed in the partition member 35 is formed in the base member 51. Specifically, the base member 51 is formed with a substantially cylindrical support portion 53 that extends in the front-rear direction and that is open at least on the side of the partition member 35, and the inner peripheral side of the support portion 53 serves as a support hole 53a. Further, the support shaft portion 37 of the partition member 35 is fitted to the support hole 53a of the base member 51 via the cushioning member 70, so that the base member 51 is supported by the partition member 35.

The cushioning member 70 is, for example, an elastic body such as a synthetic rubber molded article, and has a fitting portion 71 having a substantially cylindrical shape and a vicinity of one end portion of the fitting portion 71 as shown in FIGS. 9(A) and (B). A flange portion 73 that is annularly protruded toward the outer diameter side.

As shown in FIG. 8, the fitting portion 71 of the cushioning member 70 is fitted into the support hole 53a of the base member 51. Further, the support shaft portion 37 of the partition member 35 is fitted into the inner hole 72 of the fitting portion 71. Further, the flange portion 73 of the cushioning member 70 is sandwiched by the main surface of the partition member 35 and the base member 51. Thereby, the vibration in the radial direction of the support shaft portion 37 can be attenuated by the fitting portion 71 of the cushioning member 70, and the vibration in the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the partition member 35 can be attenuated by the flange portion 73. Thereby, the vibration in the up, down, left, and right front and rear directions is suppressed to an appropriate level.

In this way, the base member 51 is fixed to the partition member 35 via the cushioning member 70, so that the vibration from the drive shaft 67 (see FIG. 7) that drives the blower cover 60 can be prevented from being transmitted to the partition member 35, and the increase in noise can be suppressed. Big.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9(B), a convex portion 74 that protrudes inward is formed in the inner hole 72 of the cushioning member 70. That is, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 , the cushioning member 70 has a convex portion 74 that protrudes from the surface of the inner hole 72 of the partition member 35 that faces the support shaft portion 37 , and abuts against the partition member 35 at the convex portion 74 . Thereby, the contact area of the spacer member 35 and the cushioning member 70 can be reduced, the propagation of vibration can be suppressed, and a good vibration damping effect can be obtained.

Further, the shape of the convex portion 74 is not limited thereto, and may be formed in a substantially linear shape, a substantially spiral shape, a substantially dot shape, or the like. Further, the convex shape equivalent to the convex portion 74 may be formed on the surface of the cushioning member 70 that faces the base member 51, for example, formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fitting portion 71, the flange portion 73, or the like. Thereby, the contact area of the base member 51 and the cushioning member 70 can be reduced, and the vibration damping effect can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 8, the outer periphery of the support portion 53 is fitted to the through hole 61 formed in the blower cover 60 so as to be slidable. Thereby, the blower cover 60 can reciprocate in the front-rear direction, and moves from the position of the open state shown by the solid line to the position of the closed state shown by the chain line, so as to approach or away from the blower 40.

The vicinity of the rear end of the support portion 53 has a height difference, and a small-diameter blower support portion 54 is formed. A substantially cylindrical buffer member 75 is fitted into the blower support portion 54, and the fan base 41 of the blower 40 is attached to the blower member 75. Specifically, an annular groove is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cushioning member 75, and the support hole 44 formed in the fan base 41 is fitted into the groove.

That is, the support portion 53 is a configuration that has both a function of fixing the base member 51 to the support shaft portion 37 of the spacer member 35 and a function for fixing the blower 40 to the base member 51. As described above, by fixing the configuration of both the partition member 35 and the blower 40 by the support portion 53 of the base member 51, the shape of the base member 51 can be suppressed from being complicated. Further, the size of the shielding device 50 in the front-rear direction can be reduced, and the storage volume of the freezing compartment 4A can be ensured to be wide.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the shielding device 50. As shown in FIG. 10, in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member 51, three elastic portions 57 are formed corresponding to the positions of the locking pieces 38 projecting from the rear surface of the partition member 35.

The elastic portion 57 is configured to be elastically deformable toward the center side of the base member 51 by a slit 58 formed along the outer peripheral portion of the base member 51. Thereby, the elastic portion 57 is deformed when the base member 51 is attached to the partition member 35 to allow the claw portion 39 (see FIG. 11) of the locking piece 38 to pass.

Further, on the side of the base member 51 of the main surface of the blower cover 60, a pressing portion 64 that protrudes toward the base member 51 side is formed corresponding to the position of the elastic portion 57 of the base member 51. When the base member 51 is attached to the partition member 35, the pressing portion 64 abuts against the vicinity of the elastic portion 57 of the base member 51 to press the base member 51. The details of the locking piece 38, the elastic portion 57, and the pressing portion 64 will be described later with reference to Fig. 11 .

In addition, the base member 51 is formed with a substantially rectangular-shaped wiring path portion 56 that penetrates from the freezer compartment 4A side of the base member 51 toward the cooling chamber 13 side. In response to this, the blower cover 60 penetrates from the freezer compartment 4A side to the cooling chamber 13 side, and a wiring hole 65 through which the wiring path portion 56 is inserted is formed. Details will be described later with reference to Fig. 12 .

Fig. 11(A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the portion B shown in Fig. 7, showing the vicinity of the engaging portion between the base member 51 and the locking piece 38. FIG. 11(B) is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the engaging portion between the base member 51 and the locking piece 38.

As shown in FIG. 11(A), the locking piece 38 projecting from the main surface of the spacer member 35 is formed with a claw portion 39 that engages with the elastic portion 57 formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member 51. As described above, the elastic portion 57 of the base member 51 is freely deformed by forming the slit 58. Thereby, when the base member 51 is attached to the partition member 35, the elastic portion 57 is elastically deformed toward the center side of the base member 51, and the claw portion 39 of the locking piece 38 is pushed to the rear surface side of the elastic portion 57. Further, the locking piece 38 is engaged with the elastic portion 57, and the base member 51 is fixed to the spacing member 35. As described above, by forming the elastic portion 57 in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member 51, the operation of attaching the base member 51 to the spacer member 35 becomes easy.

As shown in FIGS. 11(A) and (B), a curved portion 59 extending from the peripheral edge to the blower cover 60 side is formed around the slit 58 at the peripheral edge of the slit 58. Thereby, the rigidity in the vicinity of the elastic portion 57 is improved, and the deformation of the elastic portion 57 in the front-rear direction is suppressed. Thereby, the operation of attaching the base member 51 to the spacer member 35 becomes easy, and the base member 51 can be firmly fixed to the spacer member 35.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11(A), a chamfered inclined portion 57a is formed at a corner portion of the elastic portion 57 of the base member 51 on the side of the partition member 35. Thereby, when the base member 51 is attached to the spacer member 35, the elastic portion 57 is pressed by the claw portion 39 of the locking piece 38, and is easily deformed at the center side of the base member 51. Thereby, the operation of mounting the base member 51 becomes easy.

Further, by forming the elastic portion 57 that is elastically deformable at a portion fixed by the locking piece 38 of the base member 51, it is possible to suppress vibration or noise generated from the drive shaft 67 (see FIG. 6) of the shielding device 50 or the like to the spacer member 35. propagation. That is, the elastic portion 57 exhibits a vibration damping function.

Further, by providing the elastically deformable elastic portion 57, it is not necessary to largely deform the locking piece 38. Thereby, the locking piece 38 can be shortened. Thereby, the dimension in the front-rear direction in the vicinity of the attachment portion of the shielding device 50 can be reduced, and the storage volume of the freezing compartment 4A can be ensured to be wide.

Further, as described above, the main surface of the blower cover 60 on the side of the base member 51 is formed with a pressing portion 64 that protrudes toward the base member 51 at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the elastic portion 57. Thereby, when the base member 51 is attached to the spacer member 35, the pressing portion 64 abuts against the rear end of the elastic portion 57 of the base member 51, specifically, the rear end of the edge portion 59, and presses the base member 51. Thereby, the deformation of the base member 51 in the front-rear direction is suppressed, and the elastic portion 57 and the locking piece 38 can be easily engaged.

In other words, by pressing the vicinity of the blower cover 60 of the shield device 50 that is integrally assembled in advance, the partition member 35 is pushed in, whereby the base member 51 and the locking piece 38 can be easily engaged, and the shielding device 50 can be easily attached.

Further, with such a configuration, it is not necessary to secure a space in which the operator's finger or the like can be inserted in the vicinity of the elastic portion 57 or the locking piece 38 in order to press the base member 51. Thereby, the space around the shielding device 50 can be narrowed, and the storage volume of the freezing compartment 4A can be made larger.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11(B), a rib-shaped reinforcing portion 38a which sandwiches the locking piece 38 and the spacing member 35 may be formed on a surface opposite to the claw portion 39 of the locking piece 38. The main faces are connected. Thereby, deformation of the locking piece 38 can be suppressed, and the falling of the base member 51 can be prevented.

Further, a method of fixing the base member 51 to the spacer member 35 by a fastening member such as a screw or the like may be employed in addition to the method of fixing the base member 51 based on the locking piece 38. Thereby, the base member 51 can be firmly fixed.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the wiring path portion 56. As shown in FIG. 12, the base member 51 has a substantially cylindrical wiring path portion 56 which extends in the moving direction of the blower cover 60 toward the cooling chamber 13 side, and the partition member 35 side of the base member 51 and the cooling chamber. 13 sides are connected. The wiring path portion 56 is a path through which the wiring 77 connected to the fan motor 43 of the blower 40 passes.

In the blower cover 60, a wiring hole 65 for slidingly fitting the wiring path portion 56 is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer circumference of the wiring path portion 56. Further, a wiring path portion 56 is inserted into the wiring hole 65. Thereby, the blower cover 60 is configured to be reciprocable along the wiring path portion 56 from the position in the open state indicated by the solid line to the position in the closed state indicated by the alternate long and short dash line.

With the above configuration, in the configuration in which the base member 51 is fixed to the partition member 35 to improve the air blowing performance, the wiring of the fan motor 43 disposed on the cooling chamber 13 side of the blower cover 60 can be routed from the side of the partition member 35 via the wiring. The path portion 56 leads to the blower 40 side. Further, the wiring path portion 56 through which the wiring 77 is inserted is sealed by a sealing member or the like (not shown). Specifically, in the inside of the wiring path portion 56 in which the wiring 77 is inserted or between the base member 51 and the spacer member 35, a foamed sheet made of synthetic resin or the like is provided as a sealing member, thereby blocking the wiring path. Part 56. Alternatively, the spacer member 35 may be directly in contact with the periphery of the opening of the wiring path portion 56, and the wiring path portion 56 may be sealed by the spacer member 35. With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the sealing and sealing performance of the wiring hole 65 while ensuring the mobility of the blower cover 60, and it is possible to suppress the leakage of the heating when the blower cover 60 is closed, thereby improving the cooling performance of the refrigerator 1. Further, the wiring 78 of the motor that drives the drive shaft 67 is connected to the motor from the side of the spacer member 35 of the base member 51 through the gap of the spacer member 35 and the base member 51.

In the embodiment described above, the blower cover 60 is exemplified in a state in which the front surface and the side surface of the fan 42 of the blower 40 are covered in the closed state. However, the form of the blower cover 60 is not limited to the above example. For example, in the blower cover 60, an opening that allows the air from the blower 40 to flow in a specific storage chamber such as the refrigerating compartment 3 in a closed state can be formed. By combining the blower cover 60 having such a configuration with the refrigerating compartment windshield 34 and other windshields (not shown), it is possible to independently and efficiently cool each storage chamber in accordance with the respective cooling loads.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Label description

1冰箱1 refrigerator	2隔热箱体2 insulation box	3冷藏室3 cold rooms		4A冷冻室4A freezer
4制冰室4 ice making room	5上段冷冻室5 upper freezer	6下段冷冻室6 lower section freezer	7果蔬室7 fruit and vegetable room
13冷却室13 cooling room	14冷藏室供给风路14 cold room supply air path	15冷冻室供给风路15 freezer supply airway	26送风口26 air supply
32冷却器32 cooler	35间隔构件35 spacer members	37支轴部37 shaft parts	38卡止片38 card stop
39爪部39 claws	40送风机40 blower	41风扇基底41 fan base	42风扇42 fan
43风扇电机43 fan motor	50遮蔽装置50 shielding device	51基底构件51 base member	52导向销52 guide pin
53支撑部53 support	53a支撑孔 53a support hole	54送风机支撑部54 blower support	56布线路径部56 wiring path section
57弹性部57 elastic department	57a倾斜部57a inclined part	58切缝58 slit	59缘曲部59 edge song
60送风机罩60 blower cover	61贯通孔61 through hole	62导向孔62 guide hole	63螺丝孔63 screw holes
64按压部64 press part	67驱动轴67 drive shaft	70缓冲构件70 buffer member	71嵌合部71 fitting part
72内孔72 inner hole	73法兰盘部73 flange part	74凸部74 convex

Claims

A refrigerator, comprising:

Storage room

a cooling chamber equipped with a cooler for cooling the air supplied to the storage compartment;

a supply air path connecting the cooling chamber to the storage chamber, and air cooled by the cooler flows on the supply air passage;

a blower provided on the supply air passage side of the air blowing port that connects the cooling chamber and the supply air passage;

a movable blower cover that approaches the blower from the supply air passage side and covers the blower and the air supply port;

a base member fixed to the spacing member, supporting the blower, and supporting the blower cover in a sliding free manner, the spacing member separating the storage chamber from the supply air passage

The spacer member has a fulcrum portion that protrudes from a main surface facing the supply air passage side and is inserted into a support hole formed in the base member, and a locking piece that protrudes from the main surface And engaging with the outer peripheral portion of the base member,

An elastic portion is formed in the vicinity of the outer peripheral portion of the base member to which the locking piece is engaged, and when the base member is mounted to the spacer member, the elastic portion is deformed to allow the The claws of the locking piece pass.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein

The elastic portion is elastically deformed by a slit formed along the outer peripheral portion.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein

A curved portion that protrudes toward the blower cover side is formed at a peripheral edge of the slit.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein

a pressing portion that protrudes toward the base member side is formed on a surface of the blower cover that faces the base member side, and the pressing portion presses the elastic portion when the base member is attached to the spacing member unit.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein

a pressing portion that protrudes toward the base member side is formed on a surface of the blower cover that faces the base member side, and the pressing portion presses the elastic portion when the base member is attached to the spacing member unit.
The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein

a pressing portion that protrudes toward the base member side is formed on a surface of the blower cover that faces the base member side, and the pressing portion presses the elastic portion when the base member is attached to the spacing member unit.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein

A chamfered inclined portion is formed at a corner portion of the outer peripheral portion on the side of the partition member at a portion where the elastic portion is formed.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein

A chamfered inclined portion is formed at a corner portion of the outer peripheral portion on the side of the partition member at a portion where the elastic portion is formed.
The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein

A chamfered inclined portion is formed at a corner portion of the outer peripheral portion on the side of the partition member at a portion where the elastic portion is formed.
The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein

A chamfered inclined portion is formed at a corner portion of the outer peripheral portion on the side of the partition member at a portion where the elastic portion is formed.