REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

 A refrigerator includes, in a lower rear part, a machine compartment (110) which contains a compressor (101), a condenser (124), and an air blower (141) that cools the compressor and the condenser, the refrigerator including: a base panel (160) on which the condenser, the air blower, and the compressor are mounted side by side in a left-right direction; a lateral rib (161) that is contact with the base panel and separates, in a front-rear direction, the machine compartment; a vertical rib (162) that is in contact with the base panel and separates the machine compartment in the left-right direction at a position ahead of the lateral rib; a bottom air inlet (163) that is on the condenser side and opens ahead of the lateral lib in a forward direction; and a bottom air outlet (164) on the compressor side.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to refrigerators, and especially to a refrigerator which has a machine compartment in a lower rear part and cools the machine compartment by an air blower.

[0002] Moreover, the present invention relates to a structure for insulating from the ambient air the inside of the refrigerator in which a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment are arranged side by side in a left-right direction.

[Background Art]

[0003] In the case of a conventional refrigerator, a compressor and a condenser included in a cooling cycle unit are arranged side by side in a left-right direction in a machine compartment provided in a lower rear part of the refrigerator. Moreover, since the compressor and the condenser heat up to a high temperature, an air blower provided in the machine compartment cools the compressor and the condenser in order to increase cooling cycle efficiency (see Patent Literature (PTL) 1, for instance).

[0004] Since such a conventional refrigerator is placed with its rear close to a wall or the like, an air inlet and an air outlet of the air blower are mainly provided on the bottom of the refrigerator. This has required an increase in a cross-section area of an air path that is a path of air generated by the air blower.

[0005] Moreover, there has conventionally been a refrigerator that has a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape and in which a divider at the middle in the width direction divides the inside of the refrigerator to provide different storage compartments in the left-right direction. Such a refrigerator is called, for example, a Side-By-Side (SBS) refrigerator. In the SBS refrigerator, for instance, one of the storage compartments is a refrigerator compartment, and the other of the storage compartments is a freezer compartment.

[0006] Furthermore, conventionally, various refrigerators including the SBS refrigerator employ a cooling cycle in which a refrigerant discharged from a compressor is returned to the compressor past a condenser, a throttle valve, and a cooler (also referred to as an evaporator). The inside of the refrigerators is cooled by cool air generated in such a cooling cycle.

[0007] Usual placement of a refrigerator in room temperature requires that the inside of the refrigerator be insulated from the ambient air. As a result, each of a body, a door, and so on constituting the refrigerator generally includes a heat insulating material.

[0008] In recent years, a refrigerator is also available which includes a vacuum heat insulating material as part of the heat insulating material. The vacuum heat insulating material is a heat insulating material produced by coating, with a laminated film, a core having a porous structure, reducing the internal pressure, and sealing the laminated film.

[0009] The use of the vacuum heat insulating material for part of the refrigerator requiring insulation leads to almost zero contribution of gas thermal conductivity. Thus, it is possible to achieve a superior heat insulation property.

[0010] A technique relating to a refrigerator including such a vacuum heat insulating material is disclosed (see Patent Literature (PTL) 2, for example).

[Citation List]

[Patent Literature]

[0011] 

[PTL 1]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-42636

[PTL 2]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-222466

[Summary of Invention]

[Technical Problem]

[0012] It is, however, preferable that the space of the machine compartment is reduced as much as possible so that the internal capacity of the refrigerator is increased. On one hand, when it is intended to expand the air inlet and the air outlet in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator so as to ensure the cooling performance in the machine compartment provided in the lower rear part of the refrigerator, the frontal insulated wall of the machine compartment needs to be at least slanted. This results in the reduction in the internal capacity of the refrigerator, and thus there is a possibility that the usability of the refrigerator is reduced.

[0013] Moreover, when it is intended to expand the air inlet and the air outlet in the left-right direction of the refrigerator, the air inlet and the air outlet each open up to a part nearer to a fan than to the compressor and the condenser. This causes the air generated by the air blower to flow into the air inlet and the air outlet near the air blower, and thus there is a possibility that the air shortcuts without cooling the compressor and the condenser.

[0014] In such a circumstance, the inventors of the present invention found an air path structure in which the area of the air inlet and the air outlet is increased so as to cool throughout the machine compartment, without reducing the internal capacity of the refrigerator as much as possible.

[0015] The present invention is conceived based on the above findings, and has the first object of providing a refrigerator which has, in a lower rear part, a machine compartment containing a compressor and a condenser, and is capable of contributing to energy conservation by reducing a cooling cycle performance decline as well as increasing the energy efficiency of the cooling cycle.

[0016] In recent years, a refrigerator has been expected to increase in capacity, while the refrigerator has been expected to keep an installation area approximately at the same level as before. Accordingly, for example, there is a tendency for a recent refrigerator to have a thinner wall of a body forming the refrigerator, and to become longer in a height direction. The same applies to the SBS refrigerator.

[0017] Here, that the SBS refrigerator becomes longer in the height direction means that the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment become longer in the height direction. Thus, a total area of a wall insulating each of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment from the ambient air increases, and the wall tends to be thinner.

[0018] Under such a situation, like other types of refrigerator, the SBS refrigerator needs to keep a temperature in the freezer compartment at, for instance, a freezing temperature (approximately -20°C), and a temperature in the refrigerator compartment at, for example, approximately 6°C.

[0019] In other words, the SBS refrigerator requires a unique technique of efficiently keeping the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment which are vertically long, have the large capacity, and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, in respective temperature zones each suitable for a corresponding one of a purpose of the freezer compartment and a purpose of the refrigerator compartment.

[0020] However, the conventional technique relates to the heat insulation between the storage compartments arranged one above the other, and thus cannot be suitable for the SBS refrigerator.

[0021] In view of the conventional problem, the present invention has the second object of providing a refrigerator which includes a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and allows the increase in capacity of the storage compartments and provides efficient cooling.

[Solution to Problem]

[0022] In order to achieve the above objects, a refrigerator according to an aspect of the present invention which includes a compressor, a condenser connected to the compressor, and an evaporator that is connected to the condenser and evaporates a refrigerant, and includes, in a lower rear part, a machine compartment that contains the compressor, the condenser, and an air blower that cools the condenser and the compressor in this order, the refrigerator including: a base panel on which the condenser, the air blower, and the compressor are mounted side by side in a left-right direction; a lateral rib that is in contact with the base panel, separates the machine compartment in a front-rear direction, and includes a front air inlet on left and a front air outlet on right; a vertical rib that is in contact with the base panel and separates the machine compartment in the left-right direction at a position ahead of the lateral rib; a bottom air inlet that is on the condenser side of the base panel and opens ahead of the lateral rib in a forward direction; and a bottom air outlet on the compressor side of the base panel.

[0023] Moreover, the front air inlet may open with a width starting from a side wall of the refrigerator to a vicinity of a center of the condenser in the left-right direction.

[0024] With this, even when the area of the bottom air inlet and the bottom air outlet is increased, it is possible to cool the compressor and the condenser without shortcutting the cooling air generated by the air blower. In addition, it is possible to increase the area of the front air inlet without shortcutting the cooling air generated by the air blower. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the energy efficiency of the cooling cycle unit.

[0025] Furthermore, the front air outlet may open with a width starting from a side wall of the refrigerator to a vicinity of a center of the compressor in the left-right direction.

[0026] With this, it is possible to increase the area of the front air outlet without shortcutting the cooling air generated by the air blower, and thus further enhance the energy efficiency of the cooling cycle unit.

[0027]  In order to solve the above conventional problem, a refrigerator according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a first body that is vertically long, has an opening in a front face, and forms a refrigerator compartment; a second body that is vertically long, has an opening in a front face, and forms a freezer compartment; and an outer case that covers the first body and the second body that are arranged side by side in a left-right direction, wherein a first insulating material and a second insulating material are provided between the outer case and a rear of the first body and the second body.

[0028] With this configuration, it is possible not only to enhance the heat insulation property of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment but also to reduce the thickness of the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. In other words, it is possible to lengthen the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment in the depth direction, thereby increasing the capacity of the freezer compartment.

[0029] Moreover, the refrigerator according the other aspect of the present invention may include: a compressor; a first condenser that is connected to the compressor and provides direct heat exchange with air; a second condenser that is connected to the first condenser, is provided between the outer case and the first and second bodies and outside the first and second vacuum heat insulating materials, and provides heat exchange with air via the outer case; and an evaporator that is connected to the second condenser and evaporates a refrigerant.

[0030] With this configuration, it is possible to increase the heat release by the cooling cycle unit, and thus enhance the energy efficient of the cooling cycle unit.

[0031] Furthermore, in the refrigerator according to the other aspect of the present invention, the second condenser may have an M-shape, and provide, for a space between the first and second vacuum heat insulating materials, the heat exchange with air via the outer case.

[0032] With this configuration, it is possible to further increase the heat release by the cooling cycle unit, and thus enhance the energy efficient of the cooling cycle unit.

[0033] Moreover, in the refrigerator according to the other aspect of the present invention, the second vacuum heat insulating material may have a width at least greater than or equal to a width of the freezer compartment.

[0034] With this configuration, it is possible not only to cover, with the first vacuum heat insulating material, the entire rear of the freezer compartment having a significant temperature difference from the ambient air, but also to reduce heat penetrating the freezer compartment since the freezer compartment is unaffected by the heat of the second condenser, thereby enhancing the energy efficiency of the entire refrigerator.

[0035] Furthermore, the refrigerator according to the other aspect of the present invention may include: a machine compartment that contains the compressor, the first condenser, and a cooling fan that cools the compressor and the first condenser, the machine compartment being provided in a lower rear part of the refrigerator; and a cover that covers an opening of the machine compartment and includes an air inlet and an air outlet.

[0036] With this configuration, even in a configuration where the cooling fan forcibly cools the first condenser, it is possible to further increase the heat release by the cooling cycle unit, and thus enhance the energy efficient of the cooling cycle unit.

[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0037] The present invention provides the refrigerator which is capable of contributing to the energy conservation while maintaining and enhancing the refrigeration performance.

[0038] Moreover, the present invention provides the refrigerator which includes the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and provides the efficient cooling while increasing the capacity of the storage compartments.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0039] 

[FIG. 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a refrigerator.

[FIG. 2]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator of which a third door and a fourth door are open.

[FIG. 3]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator of which a first door and a second door are open.

[FIG. 4]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator from which the first door and the second door are omitted.

[FIG. 5]
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a cooling cycle unit.

[FIG. 6]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing constituent elements of the cooling cycle unit which are attached to a refrigerator.

[FIG. 7]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a lower rear part of a refrigerator seen from the rear of the refrigerator.

[FIG. 8]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the lower rear part of the refrigerator seen from above the refrigerator.

[FIG. 9]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the lower rear part of the refrigerator seen from a side of the refrigerator.

[FIG. 10]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an opening state of each of a front air inlet and a front air outlet.

[FIG. 11]
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a refrigerator in Embodiment 2.

[FIG. 12]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 2 of which a first door and a second door are open.

[FIG. 13]
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 2 from which the first door and the second door are omitted.

[FIG. 14]
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing layout positions of vacuum heat insulating materials in the refrigerator according to Embodiment 2.

[FIG. 15]
FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically showing constituent elements of a cooling cycle unit which are attached to the refrigerator in Embodiment 2.

[FIG. 16]
FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship among a first body, a second body, an outer case, a second condenser, a first vacuum heat insulating material, and a second vacuum heat insulating material of the refrigerator in Embodiment 2.

[FIG. 17]
FIG. 17 is a perspective view schematically showing constituent elements of a cooling cycle unit which are attached to a refrigerator in Embodiment 3.

[Description of Embodiments]

[0040] The following describes a refrigerator according to Embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a refrigerator.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator of which a third door and a fourth door are open.

[0043] A refrigerator 100 is an apparatus which keeps, in refrigeration storage or cold storage, a storage item to be stored inside. The refrigerator 100 includes a main body 150, a first door 111, a second door 121, a third door 112, a through hole 113, and a fourth door 122. In addition, the refrigerator 100 is a rectangular body having a height that is largest among the height, width, and depth.

[0044] The first door 111 is a door that covers, to allow opening and closing, an opening on the right with respect to the main body 150. In this embodiment, the first door 111 is attached to the main body 150 using a hinge (not shown) so as to rotate centering on an axis that vertically extends in front of the right wall of the main body 150. In addition, the first door 111 has a vertically long rectangular shape, and is provided from top to bottom of the refrigerator 100 with the axis passing through a right-end rim portion of the first door 111.

[0045] The second door 121 is a door that covers, to allow opening and closing, an opening on the left with respect to the main body 150. In this embodiment, the second door 121 is attached to the main body 150 using a hinge (not shown) so as to rotate centering on an axis that vertically extends in front of the left wall of the main body 150. In addition, the second door 121 has a vertically long rectangular shape, and is provided from top to bottom of the refrigerator 100 with the axis passing through a left-end rim portion of the second door 121.

[0046] The through hole 113 is a hole penetrating the first door 111 in a thickness direction. The through hole 113 is a hole through which a storage item stored behind the first door 111 is taken out or a storage item is stored behind the first door 111, without opening the first door 111.

[0047] The third door 112 is a door that covers, to allow opening and closing, the through hole 113. In this embodiment, the third door 112 is attached to the first door 111 using a hinge (not shown) so as to rotate centering on an axis that horizontally extends along a lower end rim of the through hole 113. In addition, the third door 112 has a substantially square shape (with rounded corners) when viewed from the front, and the axis passes through a lower end rim portion of the third door 112.

[0048] The fourth door 122 is a door that covers, to allow opening and closing, a feed opening 123 of a water cooling device 114 which is connected to a water tap, and cools, using a cooling cycle unit 110 of the refrigerator 100, tap water supplied to the inside of the refrigerator 100.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator of which the first door and the second door are open.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator from which the first door and the second door are omitted.

[0051] It is to be noted that FIG. 3 also shows a storage item A stored in the refrigerator 100.

[0052] As shown by the figures, the refrigerator 100 includes the first body 151, the second body 152, and an outer case 156.

[0053] The first body 151 is a vertically long body with a heat insulation property which has an opening in a front face and forms a refrigerator compartment. In this embodiment, the first body 151 is provided in the right side of the refrigerator 100 in an entire vertical direction of the refrigerator 100. It is to be noted that the refrigerator compartment is a compartment which keeps a temperature within a range that is lower than a temperature outside the refrigerator 100 and higher than a water-freezing temperature, and stores a storage item such as a vegetable.

[0054] The second body 152 is a vertically long body with a heat insulation property which has an opening in a front face and forms a freezer compartment. In this embodiment, the second body 152 is provided in the left side of the refrigerator 100 in the entire vertical direction of the refrigerator 100. It is to be noted that the freezer compartment is a compartment which keeps a temperature lower than the temperature in the refrigerator compartment, and stores a storage item such as a frozen food.

[0055] The outer case 156 is a metal plate covering the first body 151 and the second body 152 that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction.

[0056] Here, in this embodiment, the main body 150 is produced in the following manner. An inner case 157 that separates the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment by a partition 153 is produced by casting with resin. The outer case is provided outside the inner case 157 at predetermined intervals from the inner case 157 so as to cover the inner case 157. A space is provided inside the partition 153 which communicates with the space between the outer case 156 and the inner case 157. The space provided between the outer case 156 and the inner case 157 or the space inside the partition 153 is filled with a heat insulating material such as a rigid urethane foam. The main body 150 is thus produced.

[0057] Consequently, in this embodiment, the wall to which the first body 151 and the second body 152 are adjacent is an integral part, and the partition 153 is shared by the first body 151 and the second body 152 as a wall portion.

[0058] Next, the following describes a cooling cycle unit provided to the refrigerator 100, and other elements.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the cooling cycle unit.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing constituent elements of the cooling cycle unit which are attached to the refrigerator.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a lower rear part of the refrigerator seen from the rear of the refrigerator.

[0062]  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the lower rear part of the refrigerator seen from above the refrigerator.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the lower rear part of the refrigerator seen from a side of the refrigerator.

[0064] The cooling cycle unit 110 functions to forcibly transfer heat from one space to another by causing the condenser 102 to release the heat and an evaporator 103 to absorb the heat. In the cooling cycle unit 110, the evaporator 103 is provided at a position for cooling the inside of the refrigerator 100, and the condenser 102 is provided outside the refrigerator 100, thereby cooling the inside of the refrigerator 100. As shown by those figures, the cooling cycle unit used by the refrigerator 100 is a device including the compressor 101, the condenser 102, and the evaporator 103, and achieves a cooling cycle by connecting circularly the elements with a main pipe 104 that is a path of a refrigerant, and circulating the refrigerant. In this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 further includes a bypass pipe 105, and a machine compartment 120 which contains a switching valve 106, a valve 107, an evaporating pan 140, and an air blower 141.

[0065] The compressor 101 is a device which compresses a gaseous refrigerant circulating in the main pipe 104, to increase the pressure of the refrigerant. The compressor 101 is provided inside the machine compartment 120 located in the lower rear part of the refrigerator 100. The compressor 101 is attached to the machine compartment 120 via an insulator 115 in a manner that the vibration of the compressor 101 is less likely to propagate to the refrigerator 100.

[0066] The condenser 102 is a device which cools the gaseous refrigerant having the increased pressure by releasing the heat of the refrigerant, to convert the refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant having a high pressure. In this embodiment, the condenser 102 includes a first condenser 124, a second condenser 125, and a third condenser 126.

[0067]  The first condenser 124 is a condenser which provides direct heat exchange with the air. The first condenser 124 is provided below the first body 151 that is the refrigerator compartment, and is provided inside the machine compartment 120 located in the lower rear part of the refrigerator 100, being exposed to the air.

[0068] The second condenser 125 is a condenser which is provided in a meandering manner between an outer side wall of the first body 151 and the outer case 156, and provides heat exchange with the air via the metal outer case 156. It is to be noted that the heat insulating material between the second condenser 125 and the inside of the first body 151 makes it difficult for heat generated by the second condenser 125 to influence the inside of the first body 151. In addition, because the inside of the first body 151 is the refrigerator compartment having a relatively high temperature, a heat gradient between the second condenser 125 and the inside of the first body 151 is small, and the heat is not conducted therebetween easily.

[0069] The third condenser 126 is a condenser provided along the rim of the opening of the second body 152, and functions to cool the refrigerant and prevent dew condensation by raising the temperature of the rim of the opening of the second body 152.

[0070] With the above structure of the condenser 102, even when the first condenser 124 exposed to the air has a performance decline due to accumulation of dust or the like, the second condenser 125 complements the performance as the condenser 102. As a result, it is possible to maintain the performance of the cooling cycle unit 110 over a long period of time without any maintenance.

[0071] Moreover, the prevention of the dew condensation of the opening of the freezer compartment prevents frost formation from reducing sealing performance of the second door 121, and thus it is possible to enhance or maintain the energy efficiency of the refrigerator 100.

[0072]  The evaporator 103 is a device which evaporates a refrigerant internally, and absorbs heat of the surrounding air or the like. In this embodiment, the evaporator 103 includes a first evaporator 131 and a second evaporator 132 that are connected in series by the main pipe 104.

[0073] The first evaporator 131 is an evaporator which is connected in series with the third condenser 126 and provided in the rear part of the first body 151. The first evaporator 131 assumes a role of cooling the inside of the first body 151. It is to be noted that the first evaporator 131 is designed to be smaller in size than the second evaporator 132, because the first evaporator 131 is for cooling the refrigerator compartment.

[0074] The second evaporator 132 is an evaporator which is connected in series with the first evaporator 131 and provided in the rear part of the second body 152. The second evaporator 132 assumes a role of cooling the inside of the second body 152. It is to be noted that the second evaporator 132 is designed to be larger in size than the first evaporator 131, because the second evaporator 132 is for cooling the freezer compartment.

[0075] Although a fin and tube heat exchanger is used together with the first evaporator 131 and the second evaporator 132 in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. It is possible to use a given heat exchanger such as a heat exchanger having a corrugated fin and a flattened tube.

[0076] As stated above, the refrigerator includes, as separate devices, the first evaporator 131 for cooling the first body 151 (the refrigerator compartment) and the second evaporator 132 for cooling the second body 152 (the freezer compartment), and thus makes it possible to provide cooling suitable for respective preset temperature ranges of the first evaporator 131 and the second evaporator 132.

[0077] In particular, when the refrigerator includes the vertically long freezer compartment as described in this embodiment, the refrigerator needs to include an evaporator having a sufficient cooling capacity so that a difference in temperature in the vertical direction of the freezer compartment is reduced. There is, however, a possibility that the refrigerator compartment is cooled excessively when such an evaporator is located in the rear part of the refrigerator compartment, and thus it is necessary to insulate sufficiently the refrigerator compartment and the evaporator. In this case, a heat insulating material decreases the capacity of the refrigerator compartment. In view of this, it is possible to attempt increasing the capacity of the refrigerator compartment by providing, in the rear part of the first body 151 (the refrigerator compartment) and in the rear part of the second body 152 (the freezer compartment), the first evaporator 131 suitable for cooling the refrigerator compartment and the second evaporator 132 suitable for cooling evenly the freezer compartment, respectively, as in the present invention.

[0078] The air blower 141 is a device capable of generating a flow of air. In this embodiment, the air blower 141 uses an axial fan. The air blower 141 is provided, in an upright state, between the first condenser 124 and the compressor 101 in the machine compartment 120. In addition, the air blower 141 is oriented so as to generate the flow of air from the first condenser 124 toward the compressor 101.

[0079] This sends the air from the first condenser 124 toward the compressor 101, that is, from a lower temperature side toward a higher temperature side, and thus it is possible to cool efficiently the compressor 101 and the first condenser 124 and prevent the bearing of the air blower 141 from being exposed to high-temperature air resulting from cooling the compressor 101. Consequently, it is possible to enhance reliability of the air blower 141.

[0080] As shown by FIGS. 8 and 9, the machine compartment 120 is a space provided in the lower rear part of the refrigerator 100, and includes a rear space in which the first condenser 124, the air blower 141, and the compressor 101 are arranged side by side in this order, and a front space separated by a lateral rib 161.

[0081]  In this embodiment, the rear space has a rectangular parallelepiped (substantially cubic) shape, and the front space is extended in the left-right direction to have a triangle pole shape. The machine compartment 120 is a space formed by raising the bottom of the main body 150, and includes a wall surface formed by the bottom of the main body 150, a base panel 160 provided on the bottom, and a space surrounded by a cover 165 provided on the rear. The front space of the space separated in the front-rear direction by the lateral rib 161 is further separated horizontally by a vertical rib 162 provided ahead of the lateral rib 161.

[0082] Moreover, the lateral rib 161 is shorter in width than the refrigerator 100. A front air inlet 166 is provided on the first condenser 124 side of the lateral rib 161 in the left-right direction, and a front air outlet 167 is provided on the compressor 101 side of the lateral rib 161 in the left-right direction.

[0083] A bottom air inlet 163 and a bottom air outlet 164 are provided to a part of the base panel 160 which is ahead of the lateral rib 161. In this embodiment, the bottom air inlet 163 and the bottom air outlet 164 each are formed by slits provided to the base panel 160, and the slits on the side of the first condenser 124 and the slits on the side of the compressor 101 that are separated by the vertical rib 162 function as the bottom air inlet 163 and the bottom air outlet 164, respectively.

[0084] The switching valve 106 is a three-way valve which selects between supplying a refrigerant from the third condenser 126 to the first evaporator 131 and directly supplying the refrigerant from the third condenser 126 to the second evaporator 132.

[0085] The valve 107 is a valve which is connected to a water tap and selects between supplying tap water to the refrigerator 100 and blocking the supply of the tap water to the refrigerator 100.

[0086] The valve 107 is a device included in the water cooling device 114. Here, the water cooling device 114 is a device which is connected to a water pipe 116, and is for causing the feed opening 123 to supply the tap water cooled by the first evaporator 131 and for supplying water to an automatic ice-making device (not shown).

[0087] The bypass pipe 105 is a pipe which directly connects through the switching valve 106 the third condenser 126 and the second evaporator 132. Here, the direct connection means not that the refrigerant is introduced into the second evaporator 132 through the first evaporator 131 but that the refrigerant is directly introduced into the second evaporator 132 from the switching valve 106 by bypassing the first evaporator 131.

[0088] The refrigerant for use in the cooling cycle unit 110 of the refrigerator 100 is not particularly limited. For example, a hydrocarbon refrigerant can be used.

[0089] Here, examples of the hydrocarbon refrigerant include propane and isobutane. These are preferable because of their very small influence on global warming in comparison to hydrochlorofluorocarbon and hydrofluorocarbon.

[0090] As stated above, providing the bypass pipe 105 and the switching valve 106 makes it possible to select the introduction of the refrigerant into the first evaporator 131 while maintaining the introduction of the refrigerant into the second evaporator 132. Thus, it is possible to perform control suitable for the first body 151 (the refrigerator compartment) on the first evaporator 131 even when the second evaporator 132 is continuously operated for a long period of time so as to prevent a temperature variation from occurring in the second body 152 (the freezer compartment) that is vertically long.

[0091] Moreover, it is possible to arrange the first evaporator 131 and the second evaporator 132 side by side, and thus reduce the length of a bypass path, that is, the length of the bypass pipe 105. As a result, it is possible to enhance the cooling efficiency of the second evaporator 132 when the refrigerant is introduced into only the second evaporator 132.

[0092]  With the refrigerator 100 thus configured, it is possible to enhance the entire energy efficiency, and thus contribute to the energy conservation.

[0093] Moreover, it is possible to expand the bottom air inlet 163 and the bottom air outlet 164, and thus increase an amount of air generated by the air blower 141. Furthermore, because the lateral rib 161 forms the air path in the machine compartment 120 in a U-shape, air which is sucked in through the bottom air inlet 163 cools the first condenser 124 by way of the front air inlet provided on the side of the lateral rib 161, and air which is generated by the air blower 141 cools the compressor 101 and is blown out through the bottom air outlet 164 by way of the front air outlet provided on the other side of the lateral rib 161. Consequently, it is possible to enhance the cooling efficiency of the first condenser 124 and the compressor 101, and thus enhance the cooling efficiency of the cooling cycle unit 110.

[0094] In the cooling cycle unit 110 of the refrigerator 100, the compressor 101 and the first condenser 124 are respectively provided below the second body 152 forming the freezer compartment and the first body 151 forming the refrigerator compartment, and the second condenser 125 is provided on the outer side wall of the first body 151. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the length of the pipes connecting these, and thus enhance the energy efficiency of the cooling cycle unit 110. In addition, simple piping installation at the time of assembly of the refrigerator 100 facilitates the assembly of the refrigerator 100.

[0095] Moreover, the compressor 101 is lower in height than the first condenser 124 provided in the machine compartment 120, and thus it is possible to expand sufficiently a space between the second body 152 and the compressor 101 without sacrificing the capacity of the second body 152. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the influence of the heat generated by the compressor 101 on the second body 152. Furthermore, the space between the second body 152 and the compressor 101 allows the evaporating pan 140 to be provided in the space. This makes it possible to further reduce the influence of the heat generated by the compressor 101.

[0096]  Moreover, it is possible to expand the bottom air inlet 163 and the bottom air outlet 164 without causing the air generated by the air blower 141 to short-circuit the first condenser 124 and the compressor 101, and thus enhance the cooling efficiency of the first condenser 124 and the compressor 101.

[0097] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing in detail an opening state of each of the front air inlet 166 and the front air outlet 167.

[0098] As shown by the figure, the lateral rib 161 extends in the left-right direction from a vicinity of the center of the first condenser 124 to a vicinity of the center of the compressor 101. The front air inlet 166 is on the first condenser 124 side of the lateral rib 161 in the left-right direction, and the front air outlet 167 is on the compressor 101 side of the lateral rib 161 in the left-right direction. Thus, the front air inlet 166 opens with a width starting from a side wall of the refrigerator, that is, an inner wall of the machine compartment 120 to a vicinity of the center of the condenser 124 in the left-right direction. In addition, the front air outlet 167 opens with a width starting from a side wall of the refrigerator, that is, the inner wall of the machine compartment 120 to a vicinity of the center of the compressor 101 in the left-right direction.

[0099] As described above, expanding the bottom air inlet 163 and the bottom air outlet 164 for the air generated by the air blower 141 and opening the front air inlet 166 and the front air outlet 167 respectively to the vicinities of the centers of the condenser 124 and the compressor 101 allow the air generated by the air blower 141 to flow directly to the first condenser 124 through the bottom air inlet 163 and flow out directly from the compressor 101 through the bottom air outlet 164, and thus it is possible to enhance the cooling efficiency of the first condenser 124 and the compressor 101 without shortcutting the air.

(Embodiment 2)

[0100] Next, the following describes a refrigerator according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that this embodiment does not limit the present invention. Moreover, the same reference signs are assigned to components or devices having the same functions or operations as in Embodiment 1, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0101] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment.

[0102] The refrigerator 100 is an apparatus which keeps, in refrigeration storage or cold storage, a storage item to be stored inside.

[0103] The third door 112 is a door that covers, to allow opening and closing, the through hole 113. In this embodiment, the third door 112 is attached to the first door 111 using a hinge (not shown) so as to rotate centering on an axis that horizontally extends along a lower end rim of the through hole 113. In addition, the axis passes through a lower end rim portion of the third door 112.

[0104] The fourth door 122 is a door that covers, to allow opening and closing, the feed opening 123 for receiving ice that is supplied from inside of the refrigerator 100.

[0105] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator 100 of which the first door 111 and the second door 121 are open.

[0106] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the refrigerator 100 of which the first door 111 and the second door 121 are omitted.

[0107] As shown by the figures, the refrigerator 100 includes the first body 151, the second body 152, and the outer case 156.

[0108] The first body 151 is a vertically long body which has an opening in a front face and forms a refrigerator compartment. In this embodiment, the first body 151 is provided in the right side of the refrigerator 100 in an entire vertical direction of the refrigerator 100. It is to be noted that the refrigerator compartment is a compartment which keeps a temperature within a range that is lower than a temperature outside the refrigerator 100 and higher than a water-freezing temperature, and stores a storage item such as a vegetable.

[0109] The second body 152 is a vertically long body which has an opening in a front face and forms a freezer compartment. In this embodiment, the second body 152 is provided in the left side of the refrigerator 100 in the entire vertical direction of the refrigerator 100. It is to be noted that the freezer compartment is a compartment which keeps a temperature lower than the temperature in the refrigerator compartment, and stores a storage item such as a frozen food.

[0110] In addition, containers 162 in which a food item or the like is stored and shelves 161 on which the food item or the like is placed are attached inside of the first body 151 and the second body 152.

[0111] The outer case 156 is a metal plate covering the first body 151 and the second body 152 that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction.

[0112] As above, the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment is a SBS refrigerator in which the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are arranged side by side in the left-right direction.

[0113] Here, in this embodiment, the main body 150 is produced in the following manner. The inner case 157 that separates the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment by the partition 153 is produced by casting with resin.

[0114] The outer case 156 is provided outside of the inner case 157 having a shape shown by FIG. 13, at predetermined intervals from the inner case 157 so as to cover the inner case 157. A space is provided inside the partition 153 which communicates with the space between the outer case 156 and the inner case 157.

[0115] The space provided between the outer case 156 and the inner case 157 or the space inside the partition 153 is filled with a heat insulating material such as a rigid urethane foam. The main body 150 is thus produced.

[0116] Moreover, vacuum heat insulating materials are provided to the space between the outer case 156 and the inner case 157. Layout positions of vacuum heat insulating materials are described below with reference to FIG. 14.

[0117] As above, in this embodiment, the partition 153 which separates the first body 151 and the second body 152 is an integral part. In addition, the first body 151 and the second body 152 are structured to share the partition 153 as a wall portion.

[0118] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing layout positions of vacuum heat insulating materials in the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment. To clearly show the respective layout positions of the vacuum heat insulating materials, in FIG. 14, the inner case 157, the first door 111, and the second door 121 are not shown, and only the positional relationship between the outer case 156 and each vacuum heat insulating material is shown.

[0119] As shown by FIG. 14, the outer case 156 includes a main plate 156a formed by folding a metal plate into a U-shape, a rear plate 156b, and a bottom plate 156c.

[0120] In addition, as shown by FIG. 14, eight vacuum heat insulating materials, a first vacuum heat insulating material 240 to an eighth vacuum heat insulating material 247, are provided in the refrigerator 100.

[0121] Specifically, the first vacuum heat insulating material 240 is provided between the rear of the first body 151 and the outer case 156.

[0122] The second vacuum heat insulating material 241 is provided between the rear of the second body 152 and the outer case 156, side by side and not overlapping with the first vacuum heat insulating material 240.

[0123]  The third vacuum heat insulating material 242 is provided between a lateral face of the second body 152 opposite to the first body 151, and the outer case 156.

[0124] The fourth vacuum heat insulating material 243 is provided between a lateral face of the first body 151 opposite to the second body 152, and the outer case 156.

[0125] The fifth vacuum heat insulating material 244 is provided between the first body 151 and the second body 152.

[0126] The sixth vacuum heat insulating material 245 is provided between the bottom of the second body 152 and the outer case 156.

[0127] The seventh vacuum heat insulating material 246 is provided between the top face of the second body 152 and the outer case 156.

[0128] The eighth vacuum heat insulating material 247 is provided inside the second door 121 which covers, to allow opening and closing, the opening in the front face of the second body 152.

[0129] Thus, the refrigerator compartment formed of the first body 151 and the freezer compartment formed of the second body 152 are effectively insulated from the ambient air, by the first vacuum insulating material 240, the second vacuum insulating material 241, the third vacuum insulating material 242, the fourth vacuum heat insulating material 243, the fifth vacuum heat insulating material 244, the sixth vacuum insulating material 245, the seventh vacuum insulating material 246, and the eighth vacuum heat insulating material 247.

[0130] In addition, the fifth vacuum heat insulating material 244 performs effective insulation between the freezer compartment formed of the second body 152 and the refrigerator compartment formed of the first body 151.

[0131] Moreover, these vacuum insulating materials have a higher thermal insulation capacity than a heat insulating material such as rigid urethane foam. Therefore, even when a vacuum heat insulating material has a thickness smaller than a heat insulating material formed of the rigid urethane foam or the like (for example, approximately 15 mm), it is possible to produce a sufficient thermal insulation effect.

[0132] In other words, assuming that the outer case 156 has a certain size, it is possible to ensure the sufficient thermal insulation effect even when a distance between the outer case 156 and the inner case 157 is shortened more in the case of using the vacuum insulating material than in the case of not using the vacuum insulating material. As a result, it is possible to increase the size of the inner case 157, that is, an internal capacity of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

[0133] Specifically, by providing each of the third vacuum heat insulating material 242, the fourth vacuum heat insulating material 243, and the fifth vacuum heat insulating material 244, it is possible to increase a horizontal length of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

[0134] In addition, by providing each of the sixth vacuum heat insulating material 245 and the seventh vacuum heat insulating material 246, it is possible to increase a length in the height direction of the freezer compartment.

[0135] In addition, by providing each of the second vacuum heat insulating material 241 and the eighth vacuum heat insulating material 247, it is possible to increase a length in the depth direction of the freezer compartment.

[0136] In other words, it is possible to increase the internal capacity of at least one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment by providing, in the refrigerator 100, at least one of the first vacuum heat insulating material 240 to the eighth vacuum heat insulating material 247.

[0137] In addition, a condenser which releases heat is provided between the rear of the first body 151 and the second body 152, and the outer case 156.

[0138] FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically showing constituent elements of a cooling cycle unit which are attached to the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment.

[0139] As shown by FIG. 15, the cooling cycle unit included in the refrigerator 100 is a device including the compressor 101, a first condenser 202, a second condenser 203, a third condenser 204, and evaporators 205 and 206.

[0140] The condensers 102, 103, and 104 include a series of heat-releasing pipes that forms a flow path of the refrigerant. Thus, the first condenser 202, the second condenser 203, and the third condenser 204 can be considered as one condenser.

[0141] The cooling cycle unit releases heat by the first condenser 202, the second condenser 203, and the third condenser 204, and absorbs heat by the evaporators 205 and 206. This makes it possible to transfer forcibly the heat from one space to another.

[0142] The compressor 101 is a device which compresses a gaseous refrigerant circulating in the cooling cycle unit, to increase the pressure of the refrigerant.

[0143] Each of the first condenser 202, the second condenser 203, and the third condenser 204 is a device which cools the gaseous refrigerant having the increased pressure by releasing the heat of the refrigerant, to convert the refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant having a high pressure.

[0144] As the refrigerant for use in the cooling cycle unit included in the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment, for instance, a hydrocarbon refrigerant is used.

[0145] In addition, as an insulation material to be filled between the outer case 156 and the inner case 157, for example, a foam resin including hydrocarbon cyclopentane as a foaming agent is used.

[0146] Here, although the hydrocarbon material used as the refrigerant and so on is flammable, such a hydrocarbon material has a small influence on global warming. Therefore, by using the hydrocarbon material as the refrigerant or the like in the refrigerator 100, it is possible to minimize the influence on the global warming.

[0147] Each of the evaporators 205 and 206 is a device which evaporates the refrigerant having passed through the first condenser 202, the second condenser 203, and the third condenser 204, to cool the ambient air.

[0148] In this embodiment, the evaporator 205 is provided in the rear of the first body 151, and functions to cool the inside of the refrigerator compartment. In addition, the evaporator 206 is provided in the rear of the second body 152, and functions to cool the inside of the freezer compartment.

[0149] In addition, the second condenser 203 is provided in the rear of the first body 151 and the rear of the second body 152, to be in contact with the outer case 156. In addition, the third condenser 204 is provided along a rim of the opening in the front face of the second body 152, to be in contact with the outer case 156. In other words, the second condenser 203 and the third condenser 204 release the heat through the outer case 156.

[0150] The third condenser 204 is a condenser provided along the rim of the opening of the second body 152, and functions to cool the refrigerant and prevent dew condensation by raising the temperature of the rim of the opening of the second body 152.

[0151] With the above structure of the condenser, even when the first condenser 202 exposed to the air has a performance decline due to accumulation of dust or the like, the second condenser 203 and the third condenser 204 complement the performance as the condenser. As a result, it is possible to maintain the performance of the cooling cycle unit 110 over a long period of time without any maintenance.

[0152] Moreover, the prevention of the dew condensation of the opening of the freezer compartment prevents frost formation from reducing sealing performance of the second door 121, and thus it is possible to enhance or maintain the energy efficiency of the refrigerator 100.

[0153] In a large refrigerator such as the SBS refrigerator, greater heat release by the condenser increases the performance of the cooling cycle unit, and extending as much as possible the second condenser 203 having a high degree of freedom in shape promotes the heat release by the second condenser 203. Consequently, it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the cooling cycle unit. In addition, even when the performance of the first condenser 202 is declined due to a prolonged operation, it is possible to maintain a condensation capacity.

[0154] FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship among the first body, the second body, the outer case, the second condenser, the first vacuum heat insulating material, and the second vacuum heat insulating material of the refrigerator in this embodiment.

[0155] As shown by FIG. 16, the first vacuum heat insulating material 240 and the second vacuum heat insulating material 241 are provided in the rear of the first body 151 and the rear of the second body 152, respectively. The second vacuum heat insulating material 241 has a width greater than that of the second body 152. In addition, a space is provided between the first vacuum heat insulating material 240 and the second vacuum heat insulating material 241 so that the vacuum heat insulating materials do not contact and damage each other.

[0156] In addition, the second condenser 203 is provided to be in contact with a vicinity of a ridge of the rear of the outer case 156, and has an M-shape such that two pipes pass through the space between the first vacuum heat insulating material 240 and the second vacuum heat insulating material 241.

[0157] Here, the second vacuum heat insulating material 241 has a width greater than that of the second body 151, and thus the rear of the freezer compartment formed of the second body 152 is covered completely with the vacuum heat insulating material. Consequently, it is possible to enhance the heat insulation property of the freezer compartment.

[0158] In addition, the pipes of the second condenser 203 are not located in the rear of the freezer compartment, which also prevents heat penetration from the second condenser 203 to the freezer compartment.

[0159] Although it is conceivable, as a method of preventing the heat penetration from the second condenser 203 to the freezer compartment, that a groove having a depth which allows the pipes of the second condenser 203 to pass is made on a vacuum heat insulating material and the vacuum heat insulating material is put over the second condenser 203, this causes problems such as higher processing costs for the vacuum heat insulating material, a reduced heat insulation property, and fragility of a grooved portion.

[0160] As stated above, the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment includes the first vacuum heat insulating material 240 to the eighth vacuum heat insulating material 247, and the second condenser 203. This achieves the increase in the storage capacity of the refrigerator 100 and the efficient cooling made possible by the effective insulation and the heat release by the cooling cycle unit.

[0161] It is to be noted that in this embodiment the same advantageous effects can be produced without the third vacuum heat insulating material 242 to the eighth vacuum heat insulating material 247.

[0162] Moreover, the SBS refrigerator as described in this embodiment includes the storage compartments which are arranged side by side, and thus the SBS refrigerator has a large horizontal width. For this reason, providing a sheet of vacuum heat insulating material in the rear requires that the sheet of vacuum heat insulating material be wide.

[0163]  Such a wide vacuum heat insulating material requires that equipment be enlarged, resulting in increased costs. In addition, the vacuum heat insulating material warps greatly, so that the vacuum heat insulating material is likely to be damaged by touching other parts in urethane.

[0164] In addition, the second condenser 203 is provided to be in contact with the vicinity of the ridge of the rear of the outer case 156, and has the M-shape such that the two pipes pass through the space between the first vacuum heat insulating material 240 and the second vacuum heat insulating material 241.

[0165] With this structure, the space between the first vacuum heat insulating material 240 and the second vacuum heat insulating material 241 in the rear of the refrigerator 100 has a reduced heat insulation property, and a lower temperature due to a thermal effect from the inside of the refrigeration having a low temperature. The second condenser 203, however, passes through the space between the first vacuum heat insulating material 240 and the second vacuum heat insulating material 241, and thus it is possible to raise a rear temperature.

[0166] This makes it possible not only to enhance the performance of the second condenser 102 but also to prevent moisture in the air from condensing in the rear of the refrigerator 100.

[0167] Here, the second vacuum heat insulating material 241 has a width greater than that of the second body 151, and thus the rear of the freezer compartment formed of the second body 152 is covered completely with the vacuum heat insulating material. Consequently, it is possible to enhance the heat insulation property of the freezer compartment.

[0168] In addition, the pipes of the second condenser 203 are not located in the rear of the freezer compartment, which also prevents heat penetration from the second condenser 203 to the freezer compartment.

[0169] Although it is conceivable, as a method of preventing the heat penetration from the second condenser 203 to the freezer compartment, that a groove having a depth which allows the pipes of the second condenser 203 to pass is made on a vacuum heat insulating material and the vacuum heat insulating material is put over the second condenser 203, this causes problems such as higher processing costs for the vacuum heat insulating material, a reduced heat insulation property, and fragility of a grooved portion.

[0170] As stated above, the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment includes the first vacuum heat insulating material 240 to the eighth vacuum heat insulating material 247, and the second condenser 203. This achieves the increase in the storage capacity of the refrigerator 100 and the efficient cooling made possible by the effective insulation and the heat release by the cooling cycle unit.

[0171] It is to be noted that in this embodiment the same advantageous effects can be produced without the third vacuum heat insulating material 242 to the eighth vacuum heat insulating material 247.

[0172] In addition, although the condenser includes the first condenser 202, the second condenser 203, and the third condenser 204 in this embodiment, even when, for instance, the first condenser 202 is not included, and another condenser is provided on the lateral face, the top face, the bottom face, or the like, it is possible to produce an effect of enhancing the performance of the second condenser.

(Embodiment 3)

[0173] The refrigerator 100 includes, in the lower rear part, a machine compartment 207, and the compressor 101, the first condenser 202, and a cooling fan 108 are contained in the machine compartment 207. In addition, an opening in the rear of the machine compartment 207 is covered with a cover (not shown) including an air inlet (not shown) and an air outlet (not shown). While the compressor 101 is operating, the cooling fan 108 shown by FIG. 17 operates. When the cooling fan 108 operates, the ambient air is sucked in through the air inlet, and is blown out through the air outlet after cooling the first condenser 202 and the compressor 101.

[0174] This further enhances the performance of the first condenser 202, and thus it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the cooling cycle.

[0175] There is, however, a possibility that the cooling fan 108 takes up dust in the air by cooling the first condenser 202 and the air inlet of the cover 109 is clogged up with the dust, which results in reducing an amount of air generated by the cooling fan 108 and declining the performance of the first condenser 202. Even in such a case, the second condenser 203 and the third condenser 204 complement the performance as the condenser. As a result, it is possible to maintain the performance of the cooling cycle unit 110 over a long period of time without any maintenance.

[0176] In addition, this embodiment produces the same advantageous effect as Embodiment 2.

[Industrial Applicability]

[0177] The present invention is applicable to household or industrial refrigerators, and refrigerators in which a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment are arranged side by side in the left-right direction.

[0178] In addition, the present invention provides a refrigerator which includes a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and provides efficient cooling while capacity of the storage compartments is intended to increase. Accordingly, the present invention is useful as refrigerators and the like of various types and sizes for household and industrial uses, and so on.

[Reference Signs List]

[0179] 

100

Refrigerator

101

Compressor

102

Condenser

103

Evaporator

104

Main pipe

105

Bypass pipe

106

Switching valve

107

Valve

108

Cooling fan

110

Cooling cycle unit

111

First door

112

Third door

113

Through hole

114

Water cooling device

115

Insulator

116

Water pipe

120

Machine compartment

121

Second door

122

Fourth door

123

Feed opening

124

First condenser

125

Second condenser

126

Third condenser

131

First evaporator

132

Second evaporator

133

Water guide path

134

Second water guide path

140

Evaporating pan

141

Air blower

143

Recessed portion

145

Inclined portion

147

Introduction hole

150

Main body

151

First body

151a

Inclined face

152

Second body

153

Partition

156

Outer case

156a

Main plate

156b

Rear plate

156c

Bottom plate

157

Inner case

160

Base panel

161

Lateral rib

162

Vertical rib

163

Bottom air inlet

164

Bottom air outlet

165

Cover

166

Front air inlet

167

Front air outlet

202

First condenser

203

Second condenser

204

Third condenser

205, 206

Evaporator

207

Machine compartment

240

First vacuum heat insulating material

241

Second vacuum heat insulating material

242

Third vacuum heat insulating material

243

Fourth vacuum heat insulating material

244

Fifth vacuum heat insulating material

245

Sixth vacuum heat insulating material

246

Seventh vacuum heat insulating material

247

Eighth vacuum heat insulating material

Claims

1. A refrigerator which includes a compressor, a condenser connected to the compressor, and an evaporator that is connected to the condenser and evaporates a refrigerant, and further includes, in a lower rear part, a machine compartment that contains the compressor, the condenser, and an air blower that generates air that cools the condenser and the compressor in this order, the refrigerator comprising:

a base panel on which the condenser, the air blower, and the compressor contained in the machine compartment are mounted side by side in a left-right direction;

a lateral rib which is in contact with the base panel and extends in the left-right direction and in an upright state with respect to the base plate, the lateral rib separating, in a front-rear direction, a front space and a rear space in which the condenser, the air blower, and the compressor contained in the machine compartment are provided, and being located in front of the rear space;

a front air inlet which is provided on one of right and left sides of the lateral rib, and passes air in the front-rear direction;

a front air outlet which is provided on the other of the right and left sides of the lateral rib, and passes air in the front-rear direction;

a vertical rib which is in contact with the base panel, and separates the machine compartment in the left-right direction at a position ahead of the lateral rib;

a bottom air inlet which is on the condenser side of the base panel and opens ahead of the lateral rib in a forward direction; and

a bottom air outlet which is on the compressor side of the base panel and opens ahead of the lateral rib in the forward direction.

2. The refrigerator according to Claim 1,
wherein the front air inlet opens with a width starting from a side wall of the refrigerator to a vicinity of a center of the condenser in the left-right direction.

3. The refrigerator according to Claim 1 or Claim 2,
wherein the front air outlet opens with a width starting from a side wall of the refrigerator to a vicinity of a center of the compressor in the left-right direction.

4. A refrigerator comprising:

a first body which is vertically constructed, and has an opening in a front face, the first body forming a refrigerator compartment;

a second body which is vertically constructed, and has an opening in a front face, the second body forming a freezer compartment ; and

an outer case which covers the first body and the second body that are arranged side by side in a left-right direction,

wherein a first vacuum heat insulating material and a second vacuum heat insulating material are provided between the outer case and a rear of the first body and the second body.

5. The refrigerator according to Claim 4, further comprising:

a compressor;

a first condenser which is connected to the compressor, and provides direct heat exchange with air;

a second condenser which is connected to the first condenser, is provided between the outer case and the first and second bodies and outside the first and second vacuum heat insulating materials, and provides heat exchange with air via the outer case; and

an evaporator which is connected to the second condenser, and evaporates a refrigerant.

6. The refrigerator according to Claim 5,
wherein the second condenser has an M-shape, and provides, for a space between the first and second vacuum heat insulating materials, the heat exchange with air via the outer case.

7. The refrigerator according to Claim 6,
wherein the second vacuum heat insulating material has a width at least greater than or equal to a width of the freezer compartment.

8. The refrigerator according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, further comprising:

a machine compartment which contains the compressor, the first condenser, and a cooling fan that cools the compressor and the first condenser, the machine compartment being provided in a lower rear part of the refrigerator; and

a cover which covers an opening of the machine compartment, and includes an air inlet and an air outlet for air generated by the cooling fan.

Drawing