JP4671914B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a storage room that can block the flow of cold air and keep stored items higher in temperature than normal temperature.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator that includes a temperature switching chamber in addition to a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment. This refrigerator includes a damper device that opens and closes a passage of cool air sent to the temperature switching chamber, and a heater that raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber. Thereby, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber can be switched to a desired low temperature range such as freezing, refrigeration, partial, chilled, etc. according to the user's application.

In addition, a refrigerator is known that can maintain the temperature switching chamber at a temperature higher than room temperature by heating with a heater. Thereby, heat insulation, warm cooking, etc. of heated food can be performed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-288440

  However, according to the above-described conventional refrigerator, there is a risk that an infant or the like may inadvertently touch the stored item or the temperature switching chamber to be burned while keeping a high temperature stored item in the temperature switching chamber.

  An object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator which can improve safety | security.

In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerator according to the present invention provides a door locking mechanism for opening and closing a first storage chamber in a refrigerator capable of keeping stored items having a temperature higher than room temperature in the first storage chamber. A recessed portion to which a packing for sealing between the periphery of one storage chamber is engaged is provided in the rear peripheral portion of the door, and the lock mechanism is arranged on the door and partially moves around the first storage chamber A moving portion that engages with the door, and a driving portion that is disposed on the door and moves the moving portion, and disposes the recess facing at least a part of the moving portion, and an inner periphery of the recess The drive unit is disposed on the side, and the moving unit includes a movable unit that engages with the periphery of the first storage chamber, and a connecting unit that is coupled to the movable unit, and the driving unit is connected to the movable unit via the coupling unit. The movable part is driven, and the connecting part is separated from the packing. Formed in a side view U-shaped bent in a heat insulating material to be filled into the inner door is characterized in that protrudes toward the said U-shaped.

According to this configuration, the packing provided on the back surface of the door is in close contact with the front surface of the peripheral wall of the first storage chamber, and the first storage chamber is sealed. The packing is engaged with a recess provided on the back surface of the door. In addition, the first storage chamber is insulated and isolated, so that high temperature stored items can be kept warm. The door of the first storage chamber is locked by a lock mechanism, and the door cannot be opened unless the lock is released.

  When the drive unit is driven, the movable unit moves and protrudes from the door, and engages with a hole or the like provided around the first storage chamber. The movable part and the drive part are arranged apart from each other and are connected via a connecting part. The concave portion is disposed between the movable portion and the driving portion so as to face the connecting portion. The movable part may move in parallel to the front surface of the door, or may move in a direction intersecting with a plane parallel to the front surface of the door.

Also, since the front Symbol connecting portion is formed in a side view U-shaped bent in a direction away from the packing, it is possible to increase the distance between the recess and the connecting portion.

In the refrigerator configured as described above, the movable portion may be engaged with the periphery of the first storage chamber by ascending, and the driving portion may raise the movable portion when energized through the connecting portion and It is characterized by lowering the movable part .

According to the present invention, in the refrigerator configured as described above, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the first storage chamber is provided, and the lock mechanism is detected when the temperature sensor detects that the temperature in the first storage chamber is higher than a predetermined temperature. The door is locked by the above .

In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the present invention further includes a second storage chamber in which cool air generated by the cooler flows in parallel with the first storage chamber, and closes the cool air path between the first storage chamber and the cooler. Thus, a stored item having a temperature higher than room temperature can be kept in the first storage chamber, and a release unit for unlocking the lock mechanism is provided in the upper front portion of the refrigerator or in the second storage chamber .

  According to this configuration, the cold air generated by the cooler is guided to the first and second storage chambers, and the stored items in the first and second storage chambers are cooled and stored. When the cool air path between the first storage chamber and the cooler is closed by a damper or the like, the cool air generated by the cooler is guided to the second storage chamber and the stored items in the second storage chamber are cooled and stored. Further, when the user operates a release portion provided on the upper wall of the refrigerator main body, the door of the storage room disposed above the refrigerator, the inner wall of the second storage room, etc., the lock mechanism is unlocked.

According to the present invention, it is provided with the door locking mechanism for opening and closing the first storage compartment capable kept hot reservoir than normal temperature, due to touching by mistake the storage of high temperature to be kept at the first storage compartment Burns can be prevented.

  Further, according to the present invention, the door is locked when it is detected that the temperature in the first storage chamber is higher than the predetermined temperature, so that it is not necessary to perform an operation of locking the door, and the convenience of the refrigerator is improved. Can do.

  According to the present invention, since the unlocking part is provided in the upper front part of the refrigerator or in the second storage chamber, the infant cannot easily unlock. Accordingly, it is possible to more reliably prevent infants from being burned.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the concave portion for engaging the packing is provided opposite to the connecting portion that connects the movable portion and the driving portion that are arranged apart from each other, the large-volume driving portion and the concave portion are not opposed to each other. The movable part can be driven. Therefore, it is possible to secure the thickness of the heat insulating material in the portion where the concave portion is formed and prevent the heat insulating performance from being lowered.

  According to the present invention, since the connecting portion is formed in a U-shape in a side view bent in a direction away from the packing, the heat insulating material can be secured thicker.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when the drive unit is energized, the movable unit rises to lock the door, and when the drive unit is energized, the movable unit descends to release the lock. The moving part descends by its own weight. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a state in which the door cannot be unlocked.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are a front view and a right side view showing the refrigerator of the first embodiment. The refrigerator 1 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 2 in the upper stage, and a temperature switching room 3 and an ice making room 4 in the middle stage. A vegetable room 5 and a freezer room 6 are arranged in the lower stage of the refrigerator 1.

  The refrigerating room 2 has a double door and stores stored items in a refrigerator. The temperature switching chamber 3 is provided on the left side of the middle stage, and the room temperature can be switched by the user. The ice making chamber 4 is provided on the right side of the middle stage and performs ice making. The vegetable room 5 is provided on the lower left side, and is maintained at a temperature suitable for storing vegetables (for example, about 8 ° C.). The freezer compartment 6 is provided on the lower right side and communicates with the ice making compartment 4 to store the stored items in a frozen state.

  FIG. 3 is a right side sectional view of the refrigerator 1. The freezing compartment 6 and the ice making compartment 4 are provided with a storage case 11 for storing stored items. A similar storage case 11 is also provided in the vegetable room 5 and the temperature switching room 3. The refrigerator compartment 2 is provided with a plurality of storage shelves 41 on which stored items are placed. A storage pocket 42 is provided on the door of the refrigerator compartment 2. Thereby, the usability of the refrigerator 1 is improved. A chilled chamber 23 maintained at a chilled temperature zone (about −3 ° C.) is provided in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  A cold air passage 31 is provided behind the freezer compartment 6, and a cooler 17 connected to the compressor 35 is disposed in the cold air passage 31. A cold air passage 32 communicating with the cold air passage 31 is provided behind the refrigerator compartment 2. A refrigerant such as isobutane is circulated by driving a compressor 35 connected to a condenser and an expander (both not shown) to operate a refrigeration cycle. Thereby, cold air | gas is produced | generated by heat exchange with the cooler 17 used as the low temperature side of a refrigerating cycle.

  Further, blowers 18 and 28 are arranged in the cold air passages 31 and 32, respectively. As will be described in detail later, the cool air generated by the cooler 17 is supplied to the freezer compartment 6, the ice making chamber 4, the chilled chamber 23, and the temperature switching chamber 3 through the cool air passage 31 by driving the blower 18. Further, the fan 28 is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 through the cold air passage 32.

  FIG. 4 is a right side sectional view showing the temperature switching chamber 3. The upper and lower surfaces of the temperature switching chamber 3 are partitioned from the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 by the partition walls 7 and 8. The front surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be opened and closed by a rotating door 9. The back surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 is covered with a back plate 33. A drawer type storage case 11 is provided in the temperature switching chamber 3.

  An introduction ventilation path 12 is provided behind the back plate 33 and the heat insulating wall 10 that forms the outer wall. The introduction air passage 12 connects an inflow port 33a provided in the back plate 33 and a cold air passage 31 (see FIG. 3). Further, a temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is provided in the introduction ventilation path 12. By opening the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13, cold air generated in the cooler 17 (see FIG. 3) is guided to the temperature switching chamber 3.

  A blower 14 is provided between the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the inflow port 33a. An outflow port 33b opens below the back plate 33, and the cool air in the cold air passage 31 is easily guided to the temperature switching chamber 3 through the inflow port 33a by the drive of the blower 14, and flows out from the outflow port 33b. Further, the air volume flowing into the temperature switching chamber 3 from the introduction ventilation path 12 is adjusted by opening and closing the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13.

  A return ventilation path 19 for returning air to the cooling device 17 is provided behind the outflow port 33b. A temperature switching chamber return damper 20 that opens to face the outlet 33 b is provided in the return ventilation path 19. Openings 20b and 20c are formed behind and above the temperature switching chamber return damper 20, and a rotatable baffle 20a that alternatively closes the openings 20b and 20c is provided.

  By closing the opening 20 c and opening the opening 20 b, the air flowing out from the outlet 33 b can flow through the return ventilation path 19. When the opening 20b is closed and the opening 20c is opened, the air flowing out from the outlet 33b is guided to the intake side of the blower 14 as shown in FIG. As a result, a communication passage 36 is formed which communicates from the outlet port 33b to the intake side of the blower 14 through the opening 20c of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. Therefore, the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 can be circulated through the communication path 36 by driving the blower 14.

  A heater 15 is provided at the rear upper part of the back plate 33 of the temperature switching chamber 3. The heater 15 is formed of a heat radiation type glass tube heater, and raises the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 by radiant heat released through the back plate 33. The blower 14 is arranged to blow air toward the surface of the heater 15. Thereby, the surface temperature of the heater 15 can be lowered and safety can be improved.

  A temperature sensor 16 is provided in the lower part behind the back plate 33. The temperature sensor 16 detects the temperature in the temperature switching chamber 3 and sends a detection signal to a control unit (not shown). Thereby, a control part controls the heater 15, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13, and the air blower 14 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 16, and maintains the inside of the temperature switching chamber 3 at preset temperature.

  Further, a temperature sensor 24 is provided adjacent to the heater 15. The temperature sensor 24 is in close contact with the upper surface of the back plate 33 provided so as to surround the heater 15. Thus, the temperature sensor 24 detects the temperature in the vicinity of the upper part of the heater 15 that is most easily heated by the rise of the air that has received the radiant heat of the heater 15.

  Accordingly, when the temperature sensor 24 detects an abnormally high temperature in the vicinity of the heater 15, the heater 15 can be stopped to prevent the heater 15 and the vicinity of the heater 15 from being broken, ignited, or smoked. A temperature fuse 30 is provided above the temperature sensor 16. When the temperature fuse 30 reaches a predetermined temperature, the heater 15 is turned off. Thereby, safety can be further improved.

  FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing details of the upper part of the door 9 of the temperature switching chamber 3. The door 9 is fitted with a door cap 55 on the upper and lower sides of a door panel 53 arranged on the front side and a door back 54 arranged on the back side, and a foam heat insulating material 56 is filled therein.

  An annular packing 61 is provided on the peripheral portion on the back side of the door 9. The packing 61 is provided with a magnetized body 62 on the back side, and is attached to a recess 54a provided in the door back 54 with a projection 61a attached thereto. The packing 61 is in close contact with the surroundings of the temperature switching chamber 3, and leakage of heat and cold from the temperature switching chamber 3 can be prevented.

  The door back 54 is formed with a protrusion 54 b protruding on the back side on the inner peripheral side of the packing 61. The auxiliary packing 60 is fitted to the protruding portion 54b. The auxiliary packing 60 extends from the protruding portion 54 b to the outer peripheral side, and closes the gap with the peripheral wall of the temperature switching chamber 3. Thereby, the leakage of heat and cold can be prevented more reliably.

  A front portion 55a of the upper door cap 55 is provided so as to extend below the protruding portion 54b. The liquid crystal panel 52 is attached to the front side of the front part 55a, and the electrical cover 57 is attached to the back side. A space 57 a is formed between the electrical cover 57 and the door cap 55. The electrical cover 57 is formed in a U-shape in a side view in which a central portion 57d in the vertical direction is bent in a direction away from the concave portion 54a. Thereby, the space part 57a above and below the recessed part 54a is widened in the depth direction.

  A rib 57 c is formed on the back side of the central portion 57 d of the electrical cover 57. The upper part and the lower part of the central part 57d are connected by the rib 57c, and the electrical cover 57 is reinforced. Also, a rib 57b that extends vertically is formed on the front surface side of the central portion 57d, and a rib 55b that extends vertically is formed on the back surface side of the front surface portion 55a of the door cap 55.

  Between the ribs 55b and 57b, a U-shaped connecting portion 73 is disposed so as to be movable up and down. The connecting portion 73 is made of a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel or brass. If necessary, the connecting portion 73 may be formed of a resin reinforced with ribs or the like. If magnetism does not affect the connecting portion 73, the connecting portion 73 may be formed of iron or an iron alloy. The lower surface of the connecting portion 73 is positioned in contact with the stopper 55c protruding rearward from the lower end of the rib 55b. The connecting portion 73 has a small contact area with the ribs 55b and 57b, and is guided in the vertical direction with a small sliding friction by the ribs 55b and 57b.

  You may provide in the connection part 73 the horizontal rib (not shown) extended in a horizontal direction with the height which does not exceed the ribs 55b and 57b. Thereby, the sealing effect which prevents the convection of the air in the space part 57a can be acquired, and the heat insulation effect can be improved. If the horizontal rib is formed at a height lower by about 0.2 mm than the ribs 55b and 57b, for example, sliding with the connecting portion 73 can be avoided and the generation of abnormal noise can be prevented. If a sponge-like foam is provided independently in the vicinity of the ribs 55b and 57b to sandwich the connecting portion 73, the sealing effect can be further improved.

  A lock pin 71 (movable part) placed on the coupling part 73 via a cushion 76 is arranged in the upper space part 57a. The cushion 76 is made of a flexible resin (foamed polyethylene or the like), rubber, or the like, and is bonded to the connecting portion 73 with a double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive. The cushion 76 may be fitted into the connecting portion 73.

  The lock pin 71 is made of a hollow resin molded product such as polyacetal, polypropylene, and ABS. The lock pin 71 is fitted in a hole 55d provided on the upper surface of the door cap 55 and is movable in the vertical direction. An enlarged flange 71a is formed on the lower surface of the lock pin 71, and a compression spring 72 is disposed between the flange 71a and the inner surface of the door cap 55. Thereby, the lock pin 71 is urged downward. The compression spring 72 is inserted into a rising portion 55e protruding downward from the periphery of the hole portion 55d.

  A drive unit 74 that drives the lock pin 71 is disposed in the lower space 57a. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing details of the drive unit 74. In the drive unit 74, a coil 78 wound around a bobbin 78 a is disposed around the movable iron core 75. The bobbin 78a is covered with a frame 79 having a through hole 79a on the shaft. The movable iron core 75 has a pressing portion 75a made of a non-magnetic material screwed to the upper end and protrudes from the through hole 79a. When the coil 78 is energized, the movable iron core 75 is raised by the magnetic force, and when the coil 78 is de-energized, the movable iron core 75 is lowered. Thereby, the lock pin 71 moves up and down via the connecting portion 73 and the cushion 76.

  A good heat conductor such as nonmagnetic stainless steel, brass, or aluminum foil may be provided between the drive unit 74 and the door cap 55. As a result, the heat generated when the coil 78 is energized is dissipated through the door cap 55, thereby preventing the cooling efficiency from decreasing and preventing the front surface of the door 9 from dewing.

  In FIG. 6, a hinge angle 63 that supports the door of the refrigerator compartment 2 is provided above the door 9. The hinge angle 63 is made of a resin molded product in which an L-shaped metal plate is insert-molded, and a boss 63d facing the lock pin 71 is formed to protrude downward. The boss 63d is provided with a lock hole 63a into which the rising lock pin 71 can be fitted.

  An inclined surface 63c is formed on the front side of the boss 63d. A through hole 63b having a small diameter on the side of the lock hole 63a is provided above the lock hole 63a. The upper part of the through hole 63b is closed by a plug 64 made of rubber or the like. In addition, you may provide the plate-shaped member which has the lock hole 63a by the hinge angle 63 and another member.

  When the lock pin 71 rises against the urging force of the compression spring 72 by energization of the coil 78 of the drive unit 74, the lock pin 71 is fitted into the lock hole 63a. Thereby, the state which closed the door 9 is locked. Therefore, the drive part 74, the connection part 73, the lock pin 71, and the lock hole 63a constitute a lock mechanism that locks the door 9.

  The coil 78 is deenergized by an operation of a release switch 51 (release unit, see FIG. 1) provided at the top of the refrigerator 1. When the energization of the coil 78 is stopped, the lock pin 71 is lowered by the urging force of the compression spring 72 and the door 9 is unlocked. At this time, the position of the connecting portion 73 is regulated by the stopper 55c.

  Since the lock pin 71 is raised by energization of the coil 78 and locks the door 9, the lock pin 71, the connecting portion 73, and the movable iron core 75 are lowered by its own weight when the coil 78 cannot be energized due to failure. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a state in which the door 9 cannot be unlocked.

  Further, when the lock pin 71 is caught by the lock hole 63a and does not come out when the coil 78 is insulated, the upper portion of the lock pin 71 can be pressed by removing the stopper 64 and inserting a wire or bamboo comb from the through hole 63b. As a result, the lock pin 71 can be lowered to release the lock.

  Further, the front end of the inclined surface 63 a is formed above the raised lock pin 71. For this reason, when the lock pin 71 rises with the door 9 opened, when the door 9 is closed, the lock pin 71 can be guided by the inclined surface 63a and guided to the lock hole 63a. Thereby, the lock pin 71 can be fitted into the lock hole 63a and the door 9 can be locked.

  The rear part of the upper surface of the door cap 55 is an inclined surface 55f that decreases as it goes rearward. The hinge angle 63 and the door 9 usually require a gap of about 3 mm. However, since the door 9 is provided with the inclined surface 55f and the lock hole 63a is provided in the boss 63d, the lock pin 71 and the lock hole 63a can be brought close to each other.

  Thereby, even if there is little moving amount | distance of the lock pin 71 by the drive part 74, it can lock reliably. In addition, since the drive unit 74 has a solenoid structure having a coil 78, the current value during operation can be lowered when the vertical movement amount is small. As a result, energy saving can be achieved, and the amount of heat generated can be reduced to reduce energy loss during cooling.

  Instead of the drive unit 74 and the compression spring 72, an urging unit (for example, a coil spring or a leaf spring) that urges the lock pin 71 upward may be provided. As a result, when the lock pin 71 that is always lifted closes the door 9, it can be fitted into the lock hole 63 a by the guide of the inclined surface 63 a and the door 9 can be locked. Further, the lock 64 can be released by removing the plug 64 and inserting a wire or a bamboo comb into the through hole 63b.

  The door 9 is formed as follows. First, the compression spring 72 is inserted into the rising portion 55e with the door front side of the door cap 55 facing downward. Next, the lock pin 71 is inserted through the compression spring 72 and the hole 55d. Next, the connecting portion 73 to which the cushion 76 is attached is inserted between the stopper 55 c and the lock pin 71, and the connecting portion 73 is pressed against the stopper 55 c by the urging force of the compression spring 72. Next, the drive unit 74 is attached to the door cap 55, and the electrical cover 57 is attached to the door cap 55 so as to cover each of the above members.

  The left and right ends of the door panel 53 are bent rearward, and the upper and lower door caps 55 are fitted on the door panel 53 to form an assembly. Each member to be attached to the door cap 55 may be incorporated and covered with the electrical cover 57 after the assembly is formed. Next, the assembly is placed in a foaming jig and a stock solution of the foam insulation material 56 is injected, the assembly is covered with a door back 54, and the foam insulation material 56 is foamed and then taken out from the foaming jig. Thereby, the door 9 filled with the foam heat insulating material 56 is obtained.

  Note that the door cap 55 on the side different from the side where the lock mechanism including the lock pin 71 and the like is disposed may have a structure that fits the door panel 53 and contacts the door back 54. Further, the door cap 55 on the side where the lock mechanism is arranged may be formed by a plurality of members by fitting with unevenness or the like. Furthermore, the lower end of the door cap 55 may be formed above the liquid crystal panel 52, and the door panel 53 may be extended upward and fitted. At this time, an opening may be provided in the door panel 53 to fit the frame of the liquid crystal panel 52.

  FIG. 8 shows a front sectional view of the vicinity of the middle stage of the refrigerator 1. The cool air passage 31 behind the freezer compartment 6 opens at the upper front of the blower 18, and air is sent to the ice making chamber 4 by the blower 18. A freezer compartment damper 22 is provided below the freezer compartment 6 that communicates with the ice making compartment 4. A return ventilation path 21 (see FIG. 3) is provided in the lower rear part of the freezer compartment 6 to guide air to the cooler 17 via the freezer damper 22 and return it to the cool air passage 31. The air volume of the air coming out of the freezer compartment 6 is adjusted by opening and closing the freezer compartment damper 22.

  The upper part of the cold air passage 31 communicates with the cold air passage 32 via the refrigerator compartment damper 27. Further, the cold air passage 31 is branched to form the introduction ventilation path 12, which communicates with the chilled chamber 23 via the chilled chamber damper 25, and enters the temperature switching chamber 3 via the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 as described above. Communicate.

  A refrigerator outlet (not shown) is opened below the back of the refrigerator compartment 2, and a vegetable compartment inlet (not shown) is provided in the vegetable compartment 5. The refrigerator compartment outlet and the vegetable compartment inlet are connected by a passage (not shown) passing through the back surface of the temperature switching chamber 3 so that the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 communicate with each other.

  A return ventilation path 19 communicating with the temperature switching chamber 3 extends downward from the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 and is disposed behind the temperature switching chamber 3 and the vegetable chamber 5. The air in the temperature switching chamber 3 is guided to the cooler 17 through the return ventilation paths 19 and 21 by opening the temperature switching chamber return damper 20. In addition, a vegetable room outlet (not shown) communicating with the return ventilation path 19 is provided on the back of the vegetable room 5.

  FIG. 9 is a cold air circuit diagram showing the flow of cold air in the refrigerator 1. The cool air generated by the cooler 17 is sent up to the ice making chamber 4 by raising the cool air passage 31 as shown by an arrow A (see FIG. 8) by driving the blower 18. The cold air sent to the ice making room 4 flows through the ice making room 4 and the freezing room 6 and flows out from the freezing room damper 22. And it returns to the cooler 17 via the return ventilation path 21. As a result, the ice making chamber 4 and the freezing chamber 6 are cooled.

  The cold air branched at the top of the cold air passage 31 by driving the blower 28 flows through the cold air passage 32 through the cold room damper 27 as shown by an arrow B (see FIG. 8), and is sent to the cold room 2. Further, as shown by an arrow C (see FIG. 8), the air flows through the introduction ventilation path 12 and is sent to the chilled chamber 23. The cold air sent to the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled compartment 23 flows through the refrigerator compartment 2 and the chilled compartment 23 and then flows into the vegetable compartment 5. The cold air flowing into the vegetable compartment 5 flows through the vegetable compartment 5 and returns to the cooler 17 through the return passages 19 and 21. Thereby, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 is cooled, and if it becomes preset temperature, the refrigerator compartment damper 27 and the chilled compartment damper 23 will be closed.

  Further, the cold air branched at the upper portion of the cold air passage 31 by the drive of the blower 14 flows through the introduction ventilation path 12 and reaches the temperature via the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 as shown by an arrow D (see FIGS. 4 and 8). It flows into the switching chamber 3. The cold air flowing into the temperature switching chamber 3 flows through the temperature switching chamber 3 and flows out from the outlet 33b. And as shown to the arrow E (refer FIG. 4, FIG. 8), it returns to the cooler 17 via the return ventilation path 19 and 21. FIG. Thereby, the inside of the temperature switching chamber 3 is cooled.

  As described above, the temperature switching chamber 3 can switch the room temperature by the user. For example, the user can select each temperature zone such as frozen (−15 ° C.), partial (−8 ° C.), chilled (−3 ° C.), refrigerated (3 ° C.), and vegetables (8 ° C.). . Thus, the user can store the stored product in a frozen state or a refrigerated state at a desired temperature. The indoor temperature can be switched by changing the amount of opening the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 and the air volume of the blower 14.

  At this time, the baffle 20a of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is disposed so as to open the return air passage 19 and close the communication passage 36 as shown in FIG. For this reason, the cold air flowing in from the inflow port 33 a flows through the return ventilation path 19 via the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 without circulating through the communication path 36. Therefore, a short circuit due to the communication path 36 can be prevented, and the blowing efficiency of the blower 14 can be improved.

  For example, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the freezing indoor temperature to the refrigerated indoor temperature, the heater 15 may be energized to raise the temperature. Thereby, it can switch to desired room temperature rapidly. Further, by energizing the heater 15, the room temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 can be switched from a low temperature side where the stored item is stored in a frozen state or a refrigerated state to a high temperature side higher than normal temperature. Temporary heat insulation, warm cooking, etc. of the cooked heated food can be performed by the temperature switching chamber 3 on the high temperature side.

  When the temperature of the temperature switching chamber 3 is set to the high temperature side, as shown in FIG. 5 described above, the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is closed and the baffle 20a of the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 closes the return ventilation path. Thus, the communication path 36 is disposed at a position where the communication path 36 is opened. When the heater 15 and the blower 14 are driven, the air sent from the blower 14 as shown by the arrow F flows through the communication path 36 through the outlet 33b as shown by the arrow G.

  As a result, the air in the temperature switching chamber 3 is guided to the blower 14 via the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 and circulates as indicated by a broken line S in FIG. Therefore, the temperature switching chamber 3 is sealed to prevent the warm air from flowing out, the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3 on the high temperature side can be made uniform, and deformation, ignition, smoke generation, and the like around the heater 15 and the heater can be prevented. be able to. In addition, it is possible to provide a highly convenient refrigerator that does not require a heat-reserving chamber or the like for retaining the heated food, reduces the user's economic burden, and does not require the installation location of the heat-retaining chamber.

  Since the growth temperature of the main food poisoning bacteria is 30 ° C. to 45 ° C., the indoor temperature on the high temperature side is preferably set to 50 ° C. or more in consideration of the tolerance of the heater capacity, the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3, and the like. Thereby, propagation of miscellaneous bacteria can be prevented. Moreover, since the heat-resistant temperature of the general resin parts used for a refrigerator is 80 degreeC, when the room temperature of a high temperature side shall be 80 degrees C or less, it can implement | achieve cheaply.

  In order to sterilize food poisoning bacteria, for example, in the case of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (pathogenic E. coli O157), heating at 75 ° C. for 1 minute is required. Therefore, it is more desirable to set the room temperature on the high temperature side to 75 ° C. to 80 ° C. in consideration of the tolerance of the heater capacity and the temperature distribution in the temperature switching chamber 3.

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

  When the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched to the high temperature side and the temperature sensor 16 detects that the predetermined temperature has been exceeded, the door 9 is locked by the lock mechanism. At this time, the liquid crystal panel 52 (see FIG. 1) arranged on the front surface of the door 9 is displayed as being in a high temperature state and a locked state. Thereby, the user can easily understand the locked state. Further, as described above, the lock state of the door 9 is released by operating the release switch 51.

  Instead of the liquid crystal panel 52, the high temperature state and the locked state may be notified by LEDs or the like. As shown in the top view of FIG. 10, a notification switch 80 may be provided on the handle 9 a provided at the tip of the door 9. When the handle 9a is gripped, the notification switch 80 is turned on, and it is notified that the door 9 is locked by a buzzer or sound. Thereby, even an infant can understand a locked state easily.

  According to this embodiment, the cold air circuit closes the cold air path between the temperature switching chamber 3 and the cooler 17 provided in parallel with the refrigerator compartment 2, the vegetable compartment 5, and the freezer compartment 6, and is maintained at a temperature higher than room temperature. Since the door 9 has a locking mechanism for opening and closing the temperature switching chamber 3, it is possible to prevent burns caused by accidentally touching the temperature switching chamber 3 maintained at a high temperature.

  Note that the heater 15 of the temperature switching chamber 3 may be omitted, and a storage chamber that can keep stored items higher than room temperature may be used. Similarly, in this case, since the lock mechanism for the door 9 that opens and closes the temperature switching chamber 3 is provided, it is possible to prevent burns caused by accidentally touching a high-temperature stored item kept in the temperature switching chamber 3.

  Further, since the door 9 is locked when it is detected that the temperature switching chamber 3 has become higher than a predetermined temperature, there is no need to perform an operation of locking the door 9, and the convenience of the refrigerator 1 is improved. Can do. An operation switch for driving the drive unit 74 may be provided.

  Moreover, since the release switch 51 for releasing the lock of the lock mechanism is provided at the upper front portion of the refrigerator 1, the infant cannot easily release the lock. Accordingly, it is possible to more reliably prevent infants from being burned. Similarly, even if the release switch 51 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 3 or the vegetable compartment 5, it is possible to more reliably prevent infants from being burned.

  Further, since the concave portion 54a for engaging the packing 61 is provided opposite to the connecting portion 73 for connecting the lock pin 71 and the driving portion 74 that are arranged apart from each other, the large-volume driving portion 74 and the concave portion 54a are opposed to each other. The lock pin 71 can be driven without doing so. Accordingly, it is possible to secure the thickness of the heat insulating material 56 in the portion where the concave portion 54a is formed and prevent the heat insulating performance from being lowered.

  Further, since the connecting portion 73 is formed in a U-shape in a side view bent in a direction away from the packing 61, the heat insulating material 56 can be secured thicker.

  In the present embodiment, a lock mechanism is provided at the upper part of the door 9, but a lock mechanism may be provided at the lower part of the door 9. The lock hole 63 a is provided in a hinge angle 81 (see FIG. 11) that supports the lower surface of the door 9, and a lock pin 71 that protrudes downward from the peripheral surface of the door 9 is fitted therein. At this time, a biasing means for biasing the movable iron core 75 upward is required separately.

  The urging means can be easily realized by a tension spring or the like that pulls up the movable iron core 75. Even if a cushion is provided between the connecting portion 73 and the pressing portion 75a to increase the urging force of the compression spring 72, the urging means can be easily realized. Similarly, a lock mechanism may be provided on the side portion of the door 9, and the lock pin 71 may be protruded laterally from the peripheral surface of the door 9.

  Next, FIG. 11 is a front view showing a temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of the second embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. In the present embodiment, the drive unit 74 of the lock mechanism is provided at the hinge angle 81 that supports the lower surface of the door 9, and the lock pin 71 is provided integrally with the movable iron core 75 (see FIG. 7). A lock hole 9 b facing the lock pin 71 is formed on the lower surface of the door 9. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  When the coil 78 (see FIG. 7) of the drive unit 74 is energized, the lock pin 71 rises together with the movable iron core 75 and is fitted into the lock hole 9b. Thereby, the state which closed the door 9 is locked. Therefore, the drive unit 74, the lock pin 71, and the lock hole 9b constitute a lock mechanism that locks the door 9.

  The coil 78 is deenergized by an operation of a release switch 51 (release unit, see FIG. 1) provided at the top of the refrigerator 1. When energization of the coil 78 is stopped, the lock pin 71 is lowered together with the movable iron core 75 by its own weight, and the door 9 is unlocked.

  According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, since the drive part 74 with a large volume is provided at the hinge angle 81, leakage of heat and cold from the door 9 can be further prevented. Furthermore, since the compression spring 72 and the connection part 73 (refer FIG. 6) are not required, the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, although the lock mechanism is provided in the lower part of the door 9, you may provide a lock mechanism in an upper part or a side part.

  In the first and second embodiments, air in the temperature switching chamber 3 may be circulated when the temperature switching chamber 3 reaches a predetermined temperature on the low temperature side. That is, the return air passage 19 is closed by the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 and the communication passage 36 is opened, and the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13 is closed and the blower 14 is driven. Thereby, the temperature distribution of the temperature switching chamber 3 on the low temperature side can be made more uniform.

  Further, the return ventilation path 19 and the communication path 36 are opened and closed by the temperature switching chamber return damper 20, but the introduction ventilation path 12 and the communication path 36 may be opened and closed by the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13. That is, a baffle similar to the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 is provided in the temperature switching chamber discharge damper 13.

  And if a baffle is arrange | positioned in the position which opens the introductory ventilation path 12 and closes the communicating path 36, the cold air which flowed in into the temperature switching chamber 3 from the inflow port 33a will return via the temperature switching chamber return damper 20 from the outflow port 33b. It is guided to the ventilation path 19. Further, when the baffle is disposed at a position where the communication path 36 is opened and the introduction ventilation path 12 is closed, the air circulates in the temperature switching chamber 3. Thereby, the cost reduction of the refrigerator 1 and the improvement of volumetric efficiency can be aimed at similarly to the above.

  A damper may be provided at the outlet of the vegetable compartment 5. Thereby, when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, it is possible to prevent the hot air from the temperature switching chamber 3 from flowing backward into the vegetable chamber 5 by closing the damper. In addition, when the blower 18 is stopped when the temperature switching chamber 3 is switched from the high temperature side to the low temperature side, the freezer compartment damper 22 is closed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent hot air from flowing backward from the freezer damper 22 into the freezer compartment 6 by driving the blower 14.

  In addition, although the case where the door 9 is a rotational type is demonstrated, even if it is a case of a sliding type door, the same effect can be acquired by the same structure.

  According to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator which has the storage chamber which interrupts | blocks distribution | circulation of cold air | heated, and can keep the stored matter higher than normal temperature.

The front view which shows the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The right view which shows the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing on the right side showing the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Cross section of the right side showing the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of the first embodiment of the present invention Cross section of the right side showing the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of the first embodiment of the present invention Sectional drawing on the right side showing details of the door of the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the drive part of the locking mechanism of the door of the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention Front sectional drawing which shows the middle step part of the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The cold air circuit diagram which shows the flow of the cold air of the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention The top view which shows the door of the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the temperature switching chamber of the refrigerator of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigerating room 3 Temperature switching room 4 Ice making room 5 Vegetable room 6 Freezing room 9 Door 9a Lock hole 12 Introduction ventilation path 13 Temperature switching room discharge damper 14, 18, 28 Blower 15 Heater 17 Cooler 16, 24 Temperature sensor 19 , 21 Return ventilation path 20 Temperature switching chamber return damper 22 Freezing chamber damper 25 Chilled chamber damper 30 Thermal fuse 31, 32 Cold air passage 33 Back plate 33a Inlet 33b Outlet 35 Compressor 36 Communication passage 51 Release switch 52 Liquid crystal panel 53 Door panel 54 Door back 54a Recess 55 Door cap 55a Rib 56 Foam insulation 57 Electrical cover 57a Space 57b, 57c Rib 60 Auxiliary packing 61 Packing 63 Hinge angle 63a Lock hole 71 Lock pin 72 Compression spring 73 Connection part 74 Drive part 75 Movable iron core 7 Coil 80 informing switch

Claims (4)

In the refrigerator that can keep stored items higher than room temperature in the first storage room,
A door locking mechanism for opening and closing the first storage chamber is provided, and a concave portion to which a packing for sealing between the door and the periphery of the first storage chamber is engaged is provided in the rear peripheral portion of the door,
The lock mechanism has a moving part that is arranged on the door and partially engages with the periphery of the first storage chamber by movement, and a drive part that is arranged on the door and moves the moving part,
While disposing the concave portion facing at least a part of the moving portion, disposing the driving portion on the inner peripheral side of the concave portion ,
The moving part includes a movable part that engages with the periphery of the first storage chamber, and a connecting part connected to the movable part, and the driving part drives the movable part via the connecting part,
The connecting portion is formed in a U-shaped side view bent in a direction away from the packing,
The refrigerator characterized in that the heat insulating material filled in the door protrudes into the U-shape . The movable part is engaged with the periphery of the first storage chamber by raising, and the driving part raises the movable part when energized through the connecting part and lowers the movable part when interrupted. The refrigerator according to claim 1. A temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the first storage chamber is provided, and the door is locked by the lock mechanism when the temperature sensor detects that the temperature in the first storage chamber is higher than a predetermined temperature. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2 . A second storage chamber in which the cool air generated in the cooler flows in parallel with the first storage chamber is provided, the cool air path between the first storage chamber and the cooler is closed, and the temperature in the first storage chamber is higher than normal temperature. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a release portion that can keep the stored items warm and release the lock mechanism is provided in the upper front portion of the refrigerator or in the second storage chamber .

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