WO2020008970A1

WO2020008970A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2020008970A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/025298
Authority: WO
Inventors: 圭佑西田; 亮山地; 円香宇都宮
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2018-07-03
Filing date: 2019-06-26
Publication date: 2020-01-09
Also published as: JPWO2020008970A1

Abstract

This refrigerator (1) is provided with: a refrigeration compartment (storage compartment) (11); a cooling compartment (40) in which an evaporator (cooler) (41) is disposed; a cold air delivery duct (cold air delivery passage) (30) through which a gas cooled by the evaporator (41) is delivered to the refrigeration compartment (11); and cold air return ducts (cold air return passages) (45, 46) through which the gas having passed through the refrigeration compartment (11) is returned to the cooling compartment (40). The refrigerator (1) is further provided with a dew condensation water excretion mechanism (10) that has a cooling mechanism (60) and a drainage mechanism (70). The cooling mechanism (60) causes condensation of water vapor in the gas returned into the cold air return duct (45) from the refrigeration compartment (11). The drainage mechanism (70) drains dew condensation water generated by the cooling mechanism (60).

Description

refrigerator

The present invention relates to a refrigerator that circulates cool air between a cooling room and a storage room such as a refrigerator room.

In a general refrigerator, a cooling room for accommodating a cooler or the like is arranged on the back of the storage room. A cooler (also called an evaporator) is provided in the cooling chamber, and air passing through the cooling chamber is cooled by the cooler to become cool air. The cool air generated in the cooling room is sent to each storage room such as a refrigerator room and a freezer room through a cool air passage (also referred to as a cool air duct) provided on the back surface of the storage room.

冷 The cool air that has passed through each storage room enters the cool air passage (return duct) from the return port, etc., and is returned to the cooling room again. As described above, the cool air cooled by the cooler circulates between the cool air passage and each of the storage rooms, so that each of the storage rooms is maintained at an appropriate refrigeration temperature or a freezing temperature.

On the other hand, the cool air sent into each storage room is mixed with the moisture (that is, water vapor) in each storage room space. Thereby, after passing through each storage room, a relatively large amount of water is contained in the cool air returning to the cooling room through the return duct. When such cool air containing much water returns to the cooling chamber and is cooled again by the cooler, frost adheres to the cooler. Therefore, some conventional refrigerators perform a defrosting operation for removing frost attached to the cooler (for example, see Patent Document 1). The refrigerator disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a defrost heater 18.

JP-B-63-26837

However, in order to melt frost adhering to the cooler using the defrost heater, a large amount of electric power is required and power consumption is increased. Therefore, when a large amount of frost adheres to the cooler, it is necessary to frequently perform a defrosting operation, which increases power consumption. If the defrosting operation is not performed frequently, most of the air passages in the cooling room will be blocked by frost, and the amount of cool air sent to the storage room will decrease, resulting in lower cooling efficiency. This increases power consumption.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can suppress an increase in power consumption by dehumidifying return cold air from a storage room such as a refrigerator room and reducing the amount of frost attached to the cooler. .

A refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage room, a cooling room provided with a cooler, a cool air delivery passage that sends out the gas cooled by the cooler to the storage room, and passes through the storage room. A return path for returning the cooled gas to the cooling chamber; a cooling mechanism for dehydrating water vapor contained in the gas returned from the storage chamber into the cool air return path; and dew water generated by the cooling mechanism. And a drainage mechanism for discharging water to the outside of the cool air return passage.

In the refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention, the cooling mechanism may include a heat transfer unit that transmits cold heat in the cool air delivery passage to the cool air return passage.

において In the refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention, the heat transfer section may be formed of metal.

In the refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention, the drainage mechanism may include a flow path of the dew water in the storage room.

In the refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention, the drainage mechanism may deliver at least a part of the dew condensation water to the cool air delivery passage. In such a configuration, the drainage mechanism may have a dew condensation water trap structure that suppresses outflow of cool air from the cold air discharge passage to the cool air return passage due to the transmission of the dew water to the cool air discharge passage. Good.

In the refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention, the drainage mechanism may be disposed in the cold air return passage on a side far from the cooling chamber.

According to the refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to dehumidify cold air returned from the storage room and reduce the amount of frost adhering to the cooler. This leads to an improvement in cooling efficiency and a reduction in the defrosting time, so that an increase in power consumption of the refrigerator can be suppressed.

It is a front view showing typically the internal composition of the refrigerator concerning one embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a schematic diagram showing a dew condensation water discharge mechanism provided in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. (B) is a side view schematically showing a cooling mechanism provided in the dew condensation water discharging mechanism shown in (a). FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a cooling mechanism provided in the dew condensation water discharging mechanism illustrated in FIG. It is a mimetic diagram showing an example of a method of arranging a heat transfer plate between a cool air sending duct and a cool air return duct in a refrigerator. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cooling chamber and a cool air return duct arranged on a rear side of the refrigerator illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the arrangement position of the drainage mechanism in the cool air return duct. It is a mimetic diagram showing a dew condensation water discharge mechanism concerning a modification of a 1st embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram showing a dew condensation water discharge mechanism provided in the refrigerator according to the second embodiment. (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the refrigerator along the line A-A 'shown in (a). (C) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a line B-B 'of the refrigerator shown in (a). FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cooling mechanism provided in the dew condensation water discharging mechanism illustrated in FIG. (A) is a schematic diagram showing a dew condensation water discharge mechanism provided in the refrigerator according to the third embodiment. (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the refrigerator along the line A-A 'shown in (a). (C) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a line B-B 'of the refrigerator shown in (a). It is the front view and top view which show the flow path of the condensed water in the refrigerator compartment of the condensed water discharge mechanism shown to Fig.10 (a). It is a mimetic diagram showing the dew condensation water discharge mechanism provided in the refrigerator concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing typically the cooling mechanism provided in the dew condensation water discharge mechanism of the refrigerator concerning a 5th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing typically the cooling mechanism provided in the dew condensation water discharge mechanism of the refrigerator concerning a 6th embodiment. It is a perspective view showing typically the cooling mechanism provided in the dew condensation water discharge mechanism of the refrigerator concerning a 7th embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a refrigerator having a refrigerated storage space in an upper portion and a frozen storage space in a lower portion will be described as an example of the refrigerator of the present invention. However, the arrangement of each storage room of the refrigerator of the present invention is not limited to this.

(Overall configuration of refrigerator)
First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing the entire configuration of a refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment.

冷蔵庫 As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator compartment (storage compartment) 11 in an upper stage, a first freezing compartment 12 in a lower stage, an ice making compartment 13 on a middle left side, and a second freezing compartment 14 on a middle right side. Each storage room is provided with a door.

では In this embodiment, the surface on which the door is provided is the front (front) of the refrigerator. Then, each surface of the refrigerator 1 is defined as an upper surface, a side surface, a rear surface, and a bottom surface based on a position existing when the refrigerator 1 is installed in a normal state with reference to the front surface. Therefore, in this specification, when it is defined as "front side" or "back side", the side where the front or back face is provided based on an arbitrary position, or from any position toward the front or back face Means direction. Further, in this specification, a direction from the front to the back of the refrigerator 1 and a direction from the back to the front of the refrigerator 1 are referred to as front and rear directions. Further, in this specification, a direction from one side surface of the refrigerator 1 to the other side surface is referred to as a left-right direction. Further, in the present specification, the “right side” of the refrigerator means a side corresponding to the right side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator, and the “left side” of the refrigerator refers to a side corresponding to the left side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator. Means

The refrigerator 1 is provided with a heat insulating box 50 as a heat insulating structure for insulating each storage space from the surroundings. The heat insulating box 50 is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the refrigerator 1. The heat insulating box 50 mainly includes an outer box 51, an inner box 52, and a heat insulating layer (not shown).

The outer box 51 forms the outer peripheral surface of the heat insulating box 50. The inner box 52 forms the inner peripheral surface of the heat insulating box 50. The inner box 52 forms an inner wall of each storage space (for example, the refrigerator compartment 11, the first freezer compartment 12, and the like). The heat insulating layer is formed between the outer case 51 and the inner case 52. The heat insulating layer is composed of, for example, a vacuum heat insulating material and a foam heat insulating material.

(4) In the refrigerator compartment 11, a plurality of movable shelves and

partition shelves

25, 25 are arranged in order from the top. The partitioning shelves 25 are fixed to the inner wall of the refrigerator compartment 11 and cannot be removed during normal use.

チル A chilled case, a vegetable case, and the like are arranged in the space inside the refrigerator compartment 11 partitioned by the partition shelf 25. As a result, a chilled room, a vegetable room, and the like are formed below the refrigerator compartment 11.

冷 A cool air delivery duct 30 is provided on the back side of the refrigerator compartment 11 as a cool air delivery passage. The cool air delivery duct 30 is formed of a duct forming member 32, a part of the inner box 52, and the like, and serves as a cool air passage. In other words, the space formed between the duct forming member 32 and the inner box 52 is the cool air delivery duct 30. The duct forming member 32 is made of a heat insulating material such as styrene foam, and a plate made of resin such as ABS resin and polypropylene (PP) resin.

A plurality of cool air outlets 31 are provided in the front part of the duct forming member 32. From each outlet 31, the cool air generated in the cooling chamber 40 is blown into the refrigerator compartment 11. The outlet 31a located at the bottom blows cool air mainly toward the chilled room and the vegetable room.

冷却 A cooling room 40 is arranged on the back side of the first freezing room 12, the ice making room 13, and the second freezing room 14. In the cooling chamber 40, an evaporator (cooler) 41 constituting a refrigeration cycle, a glass tube heater 81 for defrosting the evaporator 41, and a cooling fan for sending cool air from the evaporator 41 to each storage chamber. 43, a drain tray 82 for discharging defrost water generated when the evaporator 41 is defrosted, and the like are disposed. The upper part of the cooling chamber 40 communicates with the cool air delivery duct 30.

ダン A damper (not shown) is provided between the cooling chamber 40 and the cool air delivery duct 30. By opening and closing the damper, the flow of cool air toward the refrigerator compartment 11 can be turned on / off. Further, a cooling fan may be provided in the cool air delivery duct 30 above the damper. By operating the cooling fan, cool air can be sent into the refrigerator compartment 11 through the plurality of outlets 31.

冷却 Further, a plurality of outlets 47 a are formed in the cooling chamber 40. These outlets 47 a communicate with the first freezing compartment 12, the ice making compartment 13, and the second freezing compartment 14. The first freezing compartment 12, the ice making compartment 13, and the second freezing compartment 14 are maintained at an appropriate temperature by the cool air generated in the cooling compartment 40 and blown out from the outlet 47a.

開口 Further, an opening is formed below the back of the refrigerator compartment 11. This opening communicates with cool air return ducts (cool air return passages) 45 and 46 leading to the cooling chamber 40, and serves as a cool air return port 48.

The cool air return duct 45 is formed on the back of the refrigerator compartment 11. The cool air return duct 45 is arranged adjacent to a part of the cool air delivery duct 30. The cool air circulated in the refrigerator compartment 11 enters the cool air return duct 45 from the return port 48.

The cool air return duct 46 is formed below the cool air return duct 45 with a partition wall 53 between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the ice making compartment 13 and the second freezing compartment 14 interposed therebetween (see FIG. 2A). The cool air return duct 45 and the cool air return duct 46 communicate with each other via an opening 53 a formed in the partition wall 53. The cool air return duct 46 is arranged adjacent to the cooling chamber 40 (see FIG. 5). The cool air return duct 46 communicates with the cooling chamber 40 at a position below the cool air return duct 46.

蒸発 The evaporator 41 in the cooling chamber 40 forms a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle is configured such that a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator (cooler) 41 are connected via a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant flows. During the circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle, the evaporator 41 into which the low-temperature refrigerant flows exchanges heat with the air around the evaporator 41. By this heat exchange, cool air is generated in the cooling chamber 40.

冷 Cold air generated in the cooling chamber 40 circulates in each storage space. In FIG. 1, the flow of cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle is indicated by arrows.

(4) The cool air cooled by the evaporator 41 is sent from the outlets 47a to the first freezing room 12, the ice making room 13, and the second freezing room 14 by the cooling fan 43. The cool air that has passed through each freezing storage space returns into the cooling chamber 40 from below the first freezing chamber 12.

(4) When the damper is released, the cool air is sent into the refrigerator compartment 11 from the plurality of outlets 31 while rising in the cool air delivery duct 30 by the cooling fan. The cold air sent into the refrigerator compartment 11 cools foods and beverages in the refrigerator compartment while descending from above to below, and returns to the cooling compartment 40 from the return port 48 through the cool

air return ducts

45 and 46. Come.

(About the dew water discharge mechanism)
Next, the condensed water discharge mechanism 10 provided in the refrigerator 1 will be described. FIG. 2A shows the configuration of the dew condensation water discharging mechanism 10. The dew condensation water discharge mechanism 10 is formed from below the rear part of the refrigerator compartment 11 to the cool

air return ducts

45 and 46. Specifically, each component of the dew condensation water discharge mechanism 10 is arranged in any one of the cool air sending duct 30, the cool air return duct 45, and the cool air return duct 46 located at the back of the refrigerator compartment 11.

The condensed water discharge mechanism 10 mainly includes a cooling mechanism 60 and a drainage mechanism 70. The cooling mechanism 60 cools the gas returned from the refrigerator compartment 11 into the cool air return duct 45 (that is, the cool air returned from the refrigerator compartment 11), thereby dew condensation the water vapor contained in the gas. The drainage mechanism 70 discharges the condensed water generated by the cooling mechanism 60 out of the cool

air return ducts

45 and 46. In the present embodiment, the drainage mechanism 70 discharges the generated condensed water from a drainage tray 82 provided below the cooling chamber 40 to a machine room (not shown) outside the heat insulating box 50.

FIGS. 2B and 3 show the configuration of the cooling mechanism 60. FIG. 2B shows a configuration of the cooling mechanism 60 located on the side of the cool air return duct 45.

(4) The cooling mechanism 60 can dehumidify the returned cold air by cooling the gas (that is, the returned cold air from the refrigerator compartment 11) to condense the water vapor contained in the returned cold air. By dehumidifying the returned cool air, the amount of frost adhering to the evaporator 41 can be reduced. The cooling mechanism 60 has a heat transfer plate (heat transfer portion) 61, a delivery duct side fin 62a, a return duct side fin 62b, and the like.

熱 The heat transfer plate 61 is formed of a metal plate having a high thermal conductivity. The heat transfer plate 61 is disposed between the cool air delivery duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45. As a result, the cold heat from the cool air delivery duct 30 is transmitted to the cool air return duct 45 via the heat transfer plate 61.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a method of arranging the heat transfer plate 61 between the cool air sending duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45. As described above, the cool air delivery duct 30 is formed by the duct forming member 32. Then, a cool air return duct 45 is arranged adjacent to the lower portion of the cool air delivery duct 30. That is, the cool air delivery duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45 are arranged to be adjacent to each other with a heat insulating material (styrene foam) as a part of the duct forming member 32 interposed therebetween.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the heat insulating material is divided into upper and lower portions, and the heat transfer plate 61 is disposed so as to sandwich the heat transfer plate 61 therebetween. Thereby, the heat transfer plate 61 can transmit the cold heat from the cool air delivery duct 30 to the cool air return duct 45.

The delivery duct side fins 62a and the return duct side fins 62b are a plurality of plate-like members. These fins are formed of a metal plate having a high thermal conductivity, similarly to the heat transfer plate 61. The delivery duct side fins 62 a are formed on the heat transfer plate 61 located on the side of the cool air delivery duct 30. The return duct side fins 62b are formed on the heat transfer plate 61 located on the cool air return duct 45 side. By forming these fins, heat transfer efficiency can be improved.

The return duct side fin 62b is shaped so that its lower portion tapers. By forming the fins in such a shape, the dew condensation water generated on the surface of the return duct side fins 62b can be guided toward the lower end portion. Further, each return duct-side fin 62b arranged substantially in parallel on the heat transfer plate 61 is arranged such that the lowermost position thereof is gradually positioned downward in accordance with the inclination of the tray portion 63 described later. The length in the vertical direction is defined.

The drainage mechanism 70 has a tray 63, an inclined guide 64, a vertical guide 65, and the like.

The tray 63 is formed below the return duct side fins 62b on the heat transfer plate 61. The receiving portion 63 serves as a receiving tray for receiving the dew water generated on the surface of the return duct side fin 62b. The tray 63 is inclined downward from the front side to the rear side of the refrigerator 1 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). As a result, the dew condensation water that has fallen on the tray 63 flows backward along the slope.

The inclined guide portion 64 and the vertical guide portion 65 are formed in the cool air return duct 46. Specifically, the inclined guide portion 64 and the vertical guide portion 65 are projecting members formed on the inner wall of a duct forming member 49 forming the cool air return duct 46. The inclined guiding portion 64 and the vertical guiding portion 65 are members for guiding the dew condensation water dropped from the tray 63 to the drain tray 82 below. FIG. 6 shows the inclined guide portion 64 and the vertical guide portion 65 formed in the cool air return duct 46.

The duct forming member 49 is formed of, for example, a heat insulating material such as styrene foam. In this case, the inclined guide portion 64 and the vertical guide portion 65 can be formed integrally with the cool air return duct 45 when the heat insulating material is molded.

Here, the respective side walls of the duct forming member 49 are referred to as a right side wall 49a, a left side wall 49b, a front side wall 49c, and a rear side wall 49d according to the position in the refrigerator 1 (see FIG. 6).

The inclined guiding portion 64 is formed on the rear wall 49d of the cool air return duct 46. The inclination guiding section 64 is inclined downward from the left side to the right side. The left portion of the inclined guiding portion 64 located above is disposed at a position overlapping with the lower end portion of the tray 63 when viewed from above. Further, the right portion of the inclined guiding portion 64 located below is connected to the upper end of the vertical guiding portion 65.

The vertical guide portion 65 extends vertically at the right end of the rear wall 49d of the cool air return duct 46. In the refrigerator 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the cool air return duct 46 is disposed on the right side of the cooling chamber 40 when viewed from the front. In such a configuration, it is preferable that the vertical guide portion 65 is disposed on the right side of the cool air return duct 46 (that is, on the side far from the cooling chamber 40).

温度 In the cool air return duct 46, the temperature of the left side wall 49b closer to the cooling chamber 40 tends to be lower than that of the right side wall 49a. Therefore, by arranging the vertical guide portion 65 on the right side farther from the cooling chamber 40, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the dew condensation water falling along the vertical guide portion 65 freezes. In the case of a refrigerator in which the cool air return duct is disposed on the left side of the cooling chamber 40 when viewed from the front, the vertical guide portion is disposed on the left side of the cool air return duct (that is, on the side far from the cooling chamber). Is preferred.

According to the above configuration, in the cooling mechanism 60, the gas in the cool air return duct 45 (that is, the return cool air) is cooled by the cold transmitted from the cool air delivery duct 30 to the cool air return duct 45 via the heat transfer plate 61. Is done. Then, the water vapor contained in the gas in the cool air return duct 45 is condensed, and the condensed water adheres to the return duct side fin 62b.

The dew water adhering to the return duct side fins 62b drips down due to gravity, and drops into the cool air return duct 46 along the tray 63 provided below the return duct side fins 62b. Then, the condensed water dropped into the cool air return duct 46 travels through the inclined guide portion 64 and the vertical guide portion 65, reaches the drain tray 82 provided at the lower part of the cooling chamber 40, and is discharged from the drain tray 82 to the outside. Is done. Thereby, the amount of water vapor contained in the return cool air can be reduced.

(Summary of First Embodiment)
As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with the dew condensation water discharge mechanism 10 as a mechanism for returning the cool air from the refrigerator compartment 11 to the cooling compartment 40 and dehumidifying the cool air. The dew condensation water discharge mechanism 10 has a cooling mechanism 60 and a drainage mechanism 70.

(4) The cooling mechanism 60 cools the gas returned from the refrigerator compartment 11 into the cool air return duct 45 by using the cold heat in the cool air delivery duct 30 to dew the water vapor contained in the gas. The drainage mechanism 70 discharges the condensed water generated by the cooling mechanism 60 out of the cool air return duct 46.

According to this configuration, before the return cold air from the refrigerator compartment 11 returns to the cooling chamber 40, the amount of water vapor contained in the return cool air can be reduced. Thus, the amount of frost adhering to the evaporator (cooler) 41 can be reduced by dehumidifying the returned cool air from the refrigerator compartment 11. By reducing the amount of frost adhering to the evaporator (cooler) 41, the cooling efficiency can be improved. In addition, the time required for defrosting the evaporator 41 using the glass tube heater 81 or the like is reduced. Therefore, the provision of the dew condensation water discharge mechanism 10 makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator.

(About the modification)
Next, a modified example of the dew condensation water discharging mechanism provided in the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a dew condensation water discharging mechanism 110 according to a modification.

The dew condensation water discharge mechanism 110 mainly includes the cooling mechanism 60 and the drainage mechanism 170. The cooling mechanism 60 has the same configuration as that described above.

The drainage mechanism 170 includes the tray 63, the inclined guide 164, the vertical guide 165, and the like. The receiving portion 63 has the same configuration as that described above.

The inclination guiding section 164 is arranged in the cool air return duct 45. Specifically, the inclined guiding portion 164 extends in the left-right direction on the partition wall 53 of the cool air return duct 45. The inclination guiding section 164 is inclined downward from left to right. The left portion of the inclined guiding portion 164 located above is disposed adjacent to the lower end of the tray 63. The right portion of the inclined guiding portion 164 located below is arranged adjacent to the upper end of the vertical guiding portion 165.

The vertical guiding portion 165 extends vertically from the lower end of the cool air return duct 45 to the inside of the cool air return duct 46 through the opening 53a. The vertical guide portion 165 is a groove formed on the inner wall of the duct forming member 49 forming the cool air return duct 46. The vertical guiding section 165 is arranged on the right side of the cool air return duct 46 (that is, on the side far from the cooling chamber 40), similarly to the vertical guiding section 65. Thereby, the possibility that the condensed water falling along the vertical guiding portion 165 freezes can be reduced. Like the vertical guide 65, the vertical guide 165 may be in the form of a protrusion formed on the inner wall of the duct forming member 49, and the vertical guide 165 ensures that the dew condensation water flows on the right side of the cool air return duct 46. It just needs to be transmitted.

According to the above configuration, the drainage mechanism 170 can discharge the dew water generated by the cooling mechanism 60 to the outside of the cool air return duct 46. Thereby, the amount of water vapor contained in the return cool air can thereby be reduced.

[Second embodiment]
Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the dew condensation water discharge mechanism provided in the refrigerator compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1. For other configurations, basically the same configuration as in the first embodiment can be applied. Thus, in the second embodiment, only points different from the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8A shows the appearance of the rear part inside the refrigerator compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment. A condensed water discharge mechanism 210 is provided below the refrigerator compartment 11. The dew condensation water discharge mechanism 210 is formed from below the rear part of the refrigerator compartment 11 to the cool

air return ducts

45 and 46.

FIG. 8B shows a cross-sectional configuration taken along the line A-A ′ of the refrigerator 1. FIG. 8C shows a cross-sectional configuration of the refrigerator 1 along the line B-B ′.

The condensed water discharge mechanism 210 mainly includes a cooling mechanism 260 and a drainage mechanism 270. The cooling mechanism 260 cools the gas returned from the refrigerator compartment 11 into the cool air return duct 45 to cause dew condensation of water vapor contained in the gas. Drainage mechanism 270 discharges the dew water generated by cooling mechanism 260 to outside of cool

air return ducts

45 and 46. In the present embodiment, the drainage mechanism 270 has a dew water flow path (specifically, an indoor first flow path 264a and an indoor second flow path 265a) in the refrigerator compartment 11.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration of the cooling mechanism 260. The cooling mechanism 260 has a heat transfer plate (heat transfer portion) 261, a delivery duct side fin 262a, a return duct side fin 262b, and the like.

熱 The heat transfer plate 261 is formed of a metal plate having high thermal conductivity. The heat transfer plate 261 is disposed between the cool air delivery duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45. As a result, the cold heat from the cool air delivery duct 30 is transmitted to the cool air return duct 45 via the heat transfer plate 261.

では In the present embodiment, the heat transfer plate 261 is disposed on the back of the refrigerator. Specifically, the heat transfer plate 261 is attached to the back of the inner box 52 that partitions the inside of the refrigerator 1. By disposing the heat transfer plate 261 at such a position, it is possible to provide a heat transfer portion that extends over both ducts without impairing the sealing performance between the cool air sending duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45.

複数 On the heat transfer plate 261, a plurality of plate-like members are arranged substantially in parallel with each other. These plate-shaped members are a delivery duct side fin 262a and a return duct side fin 262b. These fins are formed of a metal plate having a high thermal conductivity, like the heat transfer plate 261. The delivery duct side fin 262a is formed on the heat transfer plate 261 located on the side of the cool air delivery duct 30. The return duct side fin 262b is formed on the heat transfer plate 261 located on the side of the cool air return duct 45. By forming these fins, heat transfer efficiency can be improved.

According to the cooling mechanism 260 having the above configuration, the return cold air from the refrigerator compartment 11 that has entered the cool air return duct 45 is cooled by the heat transfer plate 261 cooled by the cool heat in the cool air delivery duct 30. Thereby, the water vapor contained in the returned cool air is dewed, and the returned cool air is dehumidified. The generated dew water adheres to a surface such as the return duct side fin 262b. By dehumidifying the returned cool air, the amount of frost adhering to the evaporator 41 can be reduced.

The drainage mechanism 270 has a tray 263, a first flow path 264, an indoor first flow path 264a, an indoor second flow path 265a, a second flow path 265, and the like.

The tray portion 263 is formed below the return duct side fin 262b on the heat transfer plate 261. The receiving tray 263 serves as a receiving tray for receiving the dew water generated on the surface of the return duct side fin 262b. The tray 263 is inclined downward from the right side to the left side of the refrigerator 1. As a result, the condensed water that has fallen on the tray 263 flows toward the left side (the side approaching the cool air delivery duct 30) along the slope.

The first flow path 264 is inclined downward from the rear side to the front side in the cool air return duct 45. The rear end of the first flow path 264 is connected to the left end of the tray 263. As a result, the condensed water dropped on the receiving tray 263 is guided to the first flow path 264 and flows forward through the first flow path 264.

The first flow path 264 is connected to the indoor first flow path 264 a passing through the refrigerator compartment 11. The indoor first flow path 264 a is arranged along the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment 11. In the present embodiment, the first indoor channel 264 a is mounted on a duct forming member 32 provided on the back surface of the refrigerator compartment 11. The indoor first flow path 264a extends to the front position of the outlet 31a formed below the refrigerator compartment 11 while being inclined downward from right to left. The cool air blown out from the outlet 31a is sent to a chilled room or the like located below the refrigerator compartment 11.

The indoor second flow path 265a is arranged below the indoor first flow path 264a. The indoor second flow path 265a is inclined to the opposite side to the indoor first flow path 264a. As a result, the condensed water that has reached the left end of the first indoor channel 264a falls into the second indoor channel 265a and flows from left to right along the slope of the second indoor channel 265a.

右 The right end of the indoor second flow path 265a is connected to the second flow path 265 arranged in the cool air return duct 45. As a result, the dew water flowing through the indoor first flow path 264a and the indoor second flow path 265a returns to the cool air return duct 45 again.

２The second flow path 265 has the same configuration as the inclined guiding section 64 and the vertical guiding section 65 described in the first embodiment, or the inclined guiding section 164 and the vertical guiding section 165.

As described above, in the dew condensation water discharging mechanism 210 according to the present embodiment, the dew condensation water generated by the cooling mechanism 260 is temporarily separated from the flow path (that is, the indoor first flow path 264a and It flows into the indoor second flow path 265a). The indoor first flow path 264a extends to a position in front of the outlet 31a formed below the refrigerator compartment 11. Since the dew water flows to the front position of the outlet 31a, vaporization of the dew water is promoted by the wind blown from the outlet 31a. Thereby, the humidity in the refrigerator compartment 11, especially the humidity in the chilled compartment can be increased.

The dew water flowing in the refrigerator compartment 11 through the indoor first flow path 264a is turned back at the front position of the outlet 31a, passes through the indoor second flow path 265a, and flows into the cool air return duct 45 in the second air flow path 265. It is led to. The same structure as the drainage mechanism 70 described in the first embodiment can be applied to the drainage mechanism of the condensed water ahead of the second flow path 265. As a result, the dew water passes through the cool

air return ducts

45 and 45, and is finally discharged from the drain tray 82 to a machine room (not shown) outside the heat insulating box 50.

As described above, the dew condensation water discharging mechanism 210 according to the present embodiment can return the dew condensation water obtained by dehumidifying the returned cool air to the refrigerator compartment 11 and use it for humidification in the refrigerator compartment 11.

[Third embodiment]
Subsequently, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The dew condensation water discharging mechanism 310 provided in the refrigerator 1 according to the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the configuration of the draining mechanism 370. For other configurations, basically the same configuration as in the second embodiment can be applied. Thus, in the third embodiment, only points different from the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10 (a) shows the appearance of the rear part inside the refrigerator compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to the third embodiment. Below the refrigerator compartment 11, a dew condensation water discharge mechanism 310 is provided. The dew condensation water discharge mechanism 310 is formed from below the rear part of the refrigerator compartment 11 to the cool

air return ducts

45 and 46.

FIG. 10B shows a cross-sectional configuration taken along the line A-A ′ of the refrigerator 1. FIG. 10C shows a cross-sectional configuration taken along the line B-B ′ of the refrigerator 1.

The dew condensation water discharge mechanism 310 mainly includes a cooling mechanism 260 and a drainage mechanism 370. The cooling mechanism 260 has a configuration similar to that of the second embodiment.

The drainage mechanism 370 discharges the condensed water generated by the cooling mechanism 260 out of the cool

air return ducts

45 and 46. The drainage mechanism 370 has a tray 363, a first flow path 364, an indoor first flow path 364a, an indoor second flow path 365a, a second flow path 365, and the like. As in the second embodiment, the drainage mechanism 370 has a flow path of dew condensation water (specifically, an indoor first flow path 364a and an indoor second flow path 365a) in the refrigerator compartment 11.

The tray 363 is formed below the return duct side fin 262b on the heat transfer plate 261. The receiving tray 363 serves as a receiving tray for receiving dew water generated on the surface of the return duct side fin 262b. Unlike the tray portion 263 of the second embodiment, the tray portion 363 is inclined downward from the left side to the right side of the refrigerator 1. As a result, the condensed water that has fallen on the tray 363 flows toward the right side (the side away from the cool air delivery duct 30) along the inclination thereof.

The first flow path 364 is inclined downward from the rear side to the front side in the cool air return duct 45. In the present embodiment, the first flow path 364 is formed along the right end of the cool air return duct 45. The rear end of the first flow path 364 is connected to the right end of the tray 363. As a result, the condensed water dropped on the tray 363 is guided to the first flow path 364 and flows forward through the first flow path 364.

The first flow path 364 is connected to the first indoor flow path 364 a passing through the refrigerator compartment 11. The indoor first flow path 364 a is arranged along the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment 11. The first indoor channel 364a extends to the center of the refrigerator compartment 11 while being inclined downward from right to left. In the second embodiment, the indoor first flow path 364a extends to the front position of the outlet 31a, but in the third embodiment, the indoor first flow path 364a is located on the left side beyond the arrangement position of the outlet 31a. Extends to

FIG. 11 shows the shape of the first indoor channel 364a when viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 11, the indoor first flow path 364a has an expansion flow path 364b in which the width of the flow path increases from the front position of the outlet 31a toward the left side (that is, the lower side of the slope). are doing. As described above, by changing the width of the flow path at the front position of the outlet 31a, the flow of the cool air sent out from the outlet 31a flows along the edge of the indoor first flow path 364a toward the expansion flow path 364b. Led to.

Because of having the expansion channel 364b having a large surface area, it is possible to increase the contact area between the cool air delivered from the outlet 31a and the dew water. Thereby, vaporization of the dew condensation water is promoted. Furthermore, since the indoor first flow path 364a extends beyond the position of the outlet 31a, the indoor first flow path 364a is inclined leftward and downward at the front position of the outlet 31a. This makes it easier for the cool air sent from the outlet 31a to flow to the left side with low pressure.

The indoor second flow path 365a is disposed below the indoor first flow path 364a. The indoor second flow path 365a is inclined to the opposite side to the indoor first flow path 364a. As a result, the dew water that has reached the left end of the first indoor channel 364a falls into the second indoor channel 365a and flows from left to right along the slope of the second indoor channel 365a.

右 The right end of the indoor second flow path 365a is connected to the second flow path 365 disposed in the cool air return duct 45. As a result, the dew water flowing through the first indoor flow path 364a and the second indoor flow path 365a returns to the cool air return duct 45 again.

The second flow path 365 has the same configuration as the vertical guiding section 65 or the vertical guiding section 165 described in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the second flow path 365 is connected to the right end of the indoor second flow path 365a at a position away from the cool air delivery duct 30. Therefore, the vertical guide portion can be disposed on the right side farther from the cooling chamber 40 without providing the inclined guide portion 64 and the like.

[Fourth embodiment]
Subsequently, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the dew condensation water discharge mechanism provided in the refrigerator 1. For other configurations, basically the same configuration as in the first embodiment can be applied. Thus, in the fourth embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 12 shows a configuration of a dew condensation water discharging mechanism 410 provided below the rear part of the refrigerator compartment 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to the fourth embodiment. The dew condensation water discharge mechanism 410 is provided inside the cool air delivery duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45.

The dew condensation water discharge mechanism 410 mainly includes the cooling mechanism 60 and the drainage mechanism 470. The cooling mechanism 60 has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment. Note that the configuration described in the other embodiments can be applied to the cooling mechanism.

In the present embodiment, the drainage mechanism 470 has a dew condensation water trap structure 471 for discharging at least a part of the dew condensation water to the cool air discharge duct 30. The drainage mechanism 470 has a dew condensation trap structure 471, an evaporating water storage tray 472, a drainage channel 473, and the like. The dew condensation water trap structure 471 has a tray 474 for receiving dew condensation water falling from the cooling mechanism 60.

The dew condensation trap 471 and the drain 473 are arranged in the cool air return duct 45. The evaporating water tray 472 is disposed in the cool air delivery duct 30. The evaporating water storage tray 472 communicates with the dew condensation water trap structure 471 via a flow path penetrating the duct forming member 32.

In the drainage mechanism 470, the condensed water generated by the cooling mechanism 60 first flows into the tray 474 of the dew condensation trap structure 471. After that, a part of the dew water flowing into the receiving tray 474 flows from the dew water trap structure 471 to the evaporating water storage tray 472. By guiding the dew water to the evaporating water storage tray 472 in the cool air sending duct 30 through the dew water trap structure 471, the dew water stored in the dew water trap structure 471 causes the cold air sending duct 30 to return to the cool air return duct 45. Shortcuts caused by cold air can be suppressed.

The evaporation of the dew condensation water stored in the evaporating water storage tray 472 is promoted by the flow of the delivered cool air passing through the cool air delivery duct 30. Thereby, appropriate humidity can be given to the sending cool air flowing into the refrigerator compartment 11.

In addition, the drainage mechanism 470 is configured such that the position of the upper end of the evaporating water storage tray 472 is higher than the upper end of the receiving tray 474 of the dew condensation water trap structure 471. With this configuration, when the water level of the evaporating water storage tray 472 rises, first, the dew condensation water overflows from the receiving tray part 474, so that the dew condensation water can be prevented from overflowing in the evaporating water storage tray 472. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a failure of the cool air flap 444 or the cooling fan, which may occur when the dew condensation water flows down in the cool air sending duct 30.

The dew water overflowing from the tray 474 flows to a drain 473 disposed below the dew condensation trap structure 471. As the configuration on the downstream side of the drainage channel 473, the same configuration as the inclined guiding portion 64 and the vertical guiding portion 65 described in the first embodiment, or the inclined guiding portion 164 and the vertical guiding portion 165 can be applied. The dew water overflowing from the tray 474 passes through the cool

air return ducts

45 and 45 and is finally discharged from the drain tray 82 to a machine room (not shown) outside the heat insulating box 50.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Subsequently, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fifth embodiment is different from the other embodiments in the configuration of the cooling mechanism provided in the dew condensation water discharging mechanism. For other configurations, the same configurations as in any of the above embodiments can be applied. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, only points different from the above-described embodiment will be described.

FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the cooling mechanism 560 provided in the dew condensation water discharging mechanism. The cooling mechanism 560 has a thin portion (heat transfer portion) 561. The thin portion 561 is formed by a part of the duct forming member 32 disposed between the cool air delivery duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45. For example, the thin portion 561 is formed by cutting out a part of the heat insulating material forming the duct forming member 32.

In the thin portion 561, the heat insulation between the cool air delivery duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45 is relaxed, so that the cold heat of the cool air delivery duct 30 is transmitted to the cool air return duct 45. The thin portion 561 can cool the return cold air from the refrigerating room 11 passing through the inside of the cool air return duct 45 and condense water vapor contained in the return cold air. Thereby, the return cool air can be dehumidified while adjusting the thermal coupling between the cool air delivery duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45 by the thickness of the thin portion 561. On the cold air return duct 45 side of the thin portion 561, the heat transfer plate 61 and the return duct side fins 62b of the first embodiment may be provided.

[Sixth embodiment]
Subsequently, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The sixth embodiment is different from the other embodiments in the configuration of the cooling mechanism provided in the dew condensation water discharging mechanism. For other configurations, the same configurations as in any of the above embodiments can be applied. Thus, in the sixth embodiment, only points different from the above-described embodiment will be described.

FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the cooling mechanism 660 provided in the dew condensation water discharging mechanism. The cooling mechanism 660 includes a heat transfer plate (heat transfer portion) 661, a delivery duct side fin 662a, a return duct side fin 662b, and the like.

熱 The heat transfer plate 661 is formed of a metal plate having a high thermal conductivity. The heat transfer plate 661 is arranged as a partition plate that partitions between the cool air delivery duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45. As a result, the cold heat from the cool air delivery duct 30 is transmitted to the cool air return duct 45 via the heat transfer plate 661.

複数 On the heat transfer plate 661, a plurality of plate-like members are arranged substantially in parallel with each other. These plate-shaped members are a delivery duct side fin 662a and a return duct side fin 662b. These fins are formed of a metal plate having a high thermal conductivity, like the heat transfer plate 661. The delivery duct side fin 662a is formed on a heat transfer plate 661 located on the side of the cool air delivery duct 30. The return duct side fin 662b is formed on a heat transfer plate 661 located on the side of the cool air return duct 45. By forming these fins, heat transfer efficiency can be improved. Thus, the cooling mechanism 660 can be a small unit.

[Seventh embodiment]
Subsequently, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The seventh embodiment is different from the other embodiments in the configuration of the cooling mechanism provided in the dew condensation water discharging mechanism. For other configurations, the same configurations as in any of the above embodiments can be applied. Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, only points different from the above-described embodiment will be described.

FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the cooling mechanism 760 provided in the dew condensation water discharging mechanism. The cooling mechanism 760 includes a heat transfer plate (heat transfer portion) 761, a delivery duct side fin 762a, a return duct side fin 762b, and the like.

熱 The heat transfer plate 761 is formed of a metal plate having high thermal conductivity. The heat transfer plate 761 is disposed between the cool air delivery duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45. Thereby, the cold heat of the cool air delivery duct 30 is transmitted to the cool air return duct 45 via the heat transfer plate 761. Attachment of the heat transfer plate 761 to the duct forming member 32 can be performed using a method similar to the method described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment.

複数 On the heat transfer plate 761, a plurality of plate-like members are arranged substantially in parallel with each other. These plate-shaped members are a delivery duct side fin 762a and a return duct side fin 762b. These fins are formed of a metal plate having a high thermal conductivity, like the heat transfer plate 761. The delivery duct side fins 762a are formed on a heat transfer plate 761 located on the side of the cool air delivery duct 30. The return duct side fin 762b is formed on a heat transfer plate 761 located on the side of the cool air return duct 45. By forming these fins, heat transfer efficiency can be improved. According to the present embodiment, the cooling mechanism 760 can be a small unit, and the thermal coupling between the cool air delivery duct 30 and the cool air return duct 45 can be minimized.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims. Further, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of different embodiments described in this specification with each other are also included in the scope of the present invention.

1: Refrigerator 10: Condensed water discharge mechanism 11: Refrigerator room (storage room)
30: Cold air delivery duct (cold air delivery passage)
40: Cooling chamber 41: Evaporator (cooler)
45: Cold air return duct (cold air return passage)
46: Cold air return duct (cold air return passage)
50: Insulated box 60: Cooling mechanism 61: Heat transfer plate (heat transfer section)
63: Receiving part (drainage mechanism)
64: Incline guide (drainage mechanism)
65: Vertical guide (drainage mechanism)
70: drainage mechanism 110: dew condensation water discharge mechanism 210: dew condensation water discharge mechanism 260: cooling mechanism 264a: indoor first flow path 265a: indoor second flow path 270: drainage mechanism 310: dew condensation water discharge mechanism 410: dew condensation water discharge mechanism 471: condensation water trap structure 560: cooling mechanism 660: cooling mechanism 760: cooling mechanism

Claims

A storage room,
A cooling chamber provided with a cooler,
A cool air delivery passage for delivering the gas cooled by the cooler to the storage chamber,
A cold air return passage that returns the gas that has passed through the storage chamber to the cooling chamber,
A cooling mechanism for dew condensation of water vapor contained in the gas returned from the storage chamber into the cold air return passage,
A refrigerator configured to discharge the dew water generated by the cooling mechanism to the outside of the cool air return passage.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the cooling mechanism includes a heat transfer unit that transmits cold heat in the cool air delivery passage to the cool air return passage. 3.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer section is formed of metal.
冷蔵庫 The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drainage mechanism has the flow path of the dew condensation water in the storage room.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drainage mechanism sends out at least a part of the dew water to the cool air delivery passage.
The drainage mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the drainage mechanism has a dew condensation water trap structure that suppresses outflow of cool air from the cold air discharge passage to the cool air return passage due to the transmission of the dew water to the cool air discharge passage. refrigerator.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the drainage mechanism is disposed in the cold air return passage on a side far from the cooling chamber.