DESCRIPTION REFRIGERATOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a refrigerator including a heat insulation box.

BACKGROUND ART

A heat insulation box used in a refrigerator has a concave portion in a lower part of the rear side as disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 1. Fig. 18 is a sectional view of a refrigerator disclosed in Patent Literature 1. Heat insulation box 2 of refrigerator 1 includes outer box 3 made of a steel plate and inner box 4 made of resin. Between outer box 3 and inner box 4, heat insulation material 5 is filled by foaming. Heat insulation box 2 has concave portion 2a in the lower part of the rear side. Concave portion 2a is formed in a shape in which a part of the lower part of the rear side of heat insulation box 2 is cut out in all the right and left direction. Concave portion 2a is provided with machine chamber 8. Machine chamber 8 is provided with compressor 6 and compressor supporter 7 for supporting compressor 6. Compressor 6 forms a part of a refrigerating cycle.

The configuration of the lower part of heat insulation box 2 largely affects the rigidity of heat insulation box 2. However, since heat insulation box 2 having the above-mentioned configuration has concave portion 2a in the lower part of the rear side, the rigidity is lowered. When the rigidity of heat insulation box 2 is lowered, heat insulation box 2 is deformed, and thereby the durability of heat insulation box 2 is lowered. Furthermore, due to the deformation, a gap is generated in heat insulation box 2. Due to the gap, the heat insulation property of heat insulation box 2 is lowered.

[Citation List] [Patent Literatures]
PTL1: Japanese Patent No. 2846602

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a refrigerator including a heat insulation box having high rigidity. The refrigerator according to the present invention includes a refrigerator main body having a heat insulation box provided inside with compartments. Furthermore, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, the heat insulation box includes an outer box, an inner box, and a heat insulation wall formed of a heat insulation material filled between the outer box and the inner box. Furthermore, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes an external device exposed to the outside air among refrigerating cycle-related devices including a device constituting a refrigerating cycle. Furthermore, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, the housing portion is disposed at a lower part of the rear side of the storage compartment in the lowermost part of the heat insulation box. Furthermore, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a heat insulation wall formed by integrating a bottom surface part of the storage compartment in the lowermost part and a bottom surface part of the housing portion of the storage compartment. With such a configuration, since the rigidity of the lower part of the outer box is increased, the rigidity of the entire heat insulation box is increased.

Thus, according to the present invention, the rigidity of the heat insulation box is increased. Accordingly, a refrigerator having less deformation and having high reliability can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box in accordance with this exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box in accordance with this exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing another configuration of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box in accordance with this exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box in accordance with this exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box in accordance with this exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box in accordance with this exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of a conventional refrigerator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT (FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator seen from the right side. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment. In Fig. 2, the left side is a front surface of the refrigerator. In Fig. 4, the lower part is a front of the refrigerator.

Heat insulation box 21 of refrigerator main body 20 includes inner box 22, outer box 23, and heat insulation material 24. Inner box 22 is formed of resin. Outer box 23 is formed of a metallic magnetic substance such as a steel plate which has high thermal conductivity. Heat insulation material 24 is filled between inner box 22 and outer box 23. Inner box 22, outer box 23, and heat insulation material 24 filled therebetween form a heat insulation wall. That is to say, heat insulation material 24 sandwiched by walls constituting inner box 22, outer box 23, and the like, works as a heat insulation wall. Heat insulation box 21 has front surface opening portion 21a at the front surface. The inside of heat insulation box 21 is divided by partition walls 25, 26, 27, and 28. Thus, a plurality of storage compartments are formed in heat insulation box 21. The plurality of storage compartments include refrigerating compartment 29, ice making compartment 30, first refrigerating compartment 31, second refrigerating compartment 32, and vegetable compartment 33 from the upper side. As shown in Fig. 1, ice making compartment 30 and first refrigerating compartment 31 are formed side by side.

Each storage compartment has a door. Specifically, the doors include refrigerating compartment door 29a, ice making compartment door 30a, first refrigerating compartment door 31a, second refrigerating compartment door 32a, and vegetable compartment door 33a. Each door has a heat insulation wall. When each door is closed, front surface opening portion 21a is closed. In other words, each storage compartment is opened and closed by each door. Refrigerating compartment door 29a have upper hinge 34 at the right upper end, and lower hinge 35 at the right lower end. Upper hinge 34 and lower hinge 35 have a rotating axis, respectively. Thus, refrigerating compartment door 29a move rotationally with respect to heat insulation box 21 to be opened and closed. Doors of the other storage compartments are a drawing type door. That is to say, with rail member 36 provided on each storage compartment, each door is opened and closed in the forward and backward direction with respect to heat insulation box 21.

Rail member 36 is formed according to drawer capacity and a drawer length of each storage compartment. For example, rail member 36 of ice making compartment 30 having small capacity and rail member 36 of vegetable compartment 33 having large capacity are formed of different members and in the different positions.

When each door is closed, space 37 of about 5 mm is formed between a surface at heat insulation box 21 side of each door and front surface opening portion 21a. In the periphery of the surface at heat insulation box 21 side of each door, gasket 38 is provided. Fig. 1 shows gasket 38 provided on refrigerating compartment door 29a, but gasket 38 is similarly provided on the door of another storage compartment. Gasket 38 includes a magnet. With magnetic force of the magnet, gasket 38 is brought into close contact with a steel plate constituting outer box 23, which is in the periphery of front surface opening portion 21a. Thus, each storage compartment is hermetically closed.

Heat insulation box 21 is provided with a refrigerating cycle for cooling refrigerator main body 20. The refrigerating cycle is formed by communicating compressor 50, a condenser composed of side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 and the like, a decompressor (not shown ), and evaporator 51, sequentially. In this way, a series of refrigerant flow channels are formed.

Furthermore, frost occurs on evaporator 51 due to the operation of the refrigerating cycle. Defrosting is to melt frost into water. Water produced by melting frost is referred to as defrosted water. Thus, refrigerator main body 20 includes defrosted water disposal portion 100 for evaporating defrosted water, as a refrigerating cycle-related device necessary for the refrigerating cycle.

External devices exposed to the outside air among the refrigerating cycle-related devices including these devices of the refrigerating cycles are compressor 50 and defrosted water disposal portion 100. As compressor 50 that is an external device exposed to the outside air, a reciprocating compressor is used. The reciprocating compressor compresses a refrigerant when a piston reciprocates in a cylinder. Examples of the refrigerant include isobutane. Isobutane is a carbohydrate refrigerant. Isobutane is generally used for a refrigerant of a household refrigerator as a chlorofluorocarbon alternative. Isobutane is combustible, and has a larger specific gravity than the air.

Defrosted water disposal portion 100 as an external device exposed to the outside air is provided in the lower part of the rear side of heat insulation box 21. Specifically, hole 61a is formed on the lower part of rear surface member 61. Housing portion 101 made of resin is attached to hole 61a. Housing portion 101 is opened at the rear surface side, and provided with compressor 50 and defrosted water disposal unit 102 inside therein. Housing portion 101, compressor 50, and defrosted water disposal unit 102 constitute defrosted water disposal portion 100.

As shown in Fig. 4, side refrigerant piping 52 as a condenser is fixed at the inner side, that is, at heat insulation material 24 side of the right and left side surfaces of outer box 23. Front refrigerant piping 53 as a condenser is fixed in the vicinity of front surface opening portion 21a of outer box 23 and at heat insulation material 24 side. That is to say, side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 are located at the inner side of the heat insulation wall. Side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 occupy 80% or more of the whole length of the condenser.

Herein, a position in which front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed in outer box 23 is described. Front refrigerant piping 53 is formed by one piping with the upper side of heat insulation box 21 opened as shown in Fig. 3. Similar to side refrigerant piping 52, front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed at a position 90 mm from front surface opening portion 21a to the rear side, in the side part of the upper part from partition wall 25, that is, refrigerating compartment 29. In other words, front refrigerant piping 53 is fixed to the heat insulation material 24 side of outer box 23.

On the other hand, front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed at the further front surface side in the lower part from partition wall 25. Fig. 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 in Fig. 1. In other words, Fig. 5 is a sectional view in which a position at the left side in the lower part from partition wall 25 of heat insulation box 21 is sectioned horizontally. In Fig. 5, the lower side is a front side of refrigerator main body 20. Front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed along front flange 23a of outer box 23 in the lower part from partition wall 25. Front flange 23a of front flange outer box 23 includes outer flange 23b of the front surface of a storage compartment, and inner flange 23c formed at the rear surface side of outer flange 23b. Therefore, the lower part of front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed at the side in which heat insulation material 24 is filled in a corner part formed of inner flange 23c and front flange 23a.

As mentioned above, side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 as condensers constitute a part of the refrigerating cycle. Side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 radiate heat of condensation when a refrigerant condensates. With this heat radiation, dew condensation in the right and left side surfaces of heat insulation box 21, the vicinity of front surface opening portion 21a, and gasket 38 are prevented. In other words, side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 operate as a heat generator.

As shown in Figs. 3 and Fig. 4, outer box 23 includes main member 60, upper surface member 62 and rear surface member 61. Main member 60 is formed by integrating bottom surface part 60a and right and left side surface parts 60b. Upper surface member 62 forms the upper surface of outer box 23. Rear surface member 61 forms the rear part of outer box 23, that is, the rear surface of refrigerator main body 20.

A portion of side refrigerant piping 52 which faces at least ice making compartment 30, first refrigerating compartment 31, and second refrigerating compartment 32 is provided with vacuum heat insulation material 70. Vacuum heat insulation material 70 is fixed at heat insulation material 24 side of main member 60 with side refrigerant piping 52 sandwiched therebetween. The thermal conductivity of vacuum heat insulation material 70 is smaller than the thermal conductivity of heat insulation material 24.

Heat insulation box 21 has two front-side supporting legs 80 and two rear-side supporting legs 90 as supporting legs on the bottom surface. Front-side supporting legs 80 are provided on the right and left corners at the front side of refrigerator main body 20. Rear-side supporting legs 90 are provided on right and left corners at the rear side of refrigerator main body 20.

Specifically, front-side supporting leg 80 is fixed at the inner side from the both side surfaces on the bottom surface of main member 60. Front side tip portion 81 of front-side supporting leg 80 is provided in such a manner that it protrudes from front surface opening portion 21a to the position that is the same as the front surface of vegetable compartment door 33a. Refrigerator main body 20 is supported by front side tip portion 81.

Rear-side supporting legs 90 are provided in right and left chamfered area 21c at the right and left corners of the rear side of heat insulation box 21 on the bottom surface of main member 60. Chamfered area 21c is a area surrounded by surfaces of chamfered portions 21b provided on the right and left corners at the rear side of heat insulation box 21, an extended surface of the side surface of refrigerator main body 20, and an extended surface of refrigerator main body 20 provided on the rear side. Rear side tip portion 91 of rear-side supporting leg 90 is provided in such a manner that it protrudes to the vicinity of the rearmost side of heat insulation box 21. Refrigerator main body 20 is supported by rear side tip portion 91.

For front-side supporting leg 80 and rear-side supporting leg 90, for example, an adjuster and a caster are used. The adjuster is a leg having a height-adjusting function. The attitude of refrigerator main body 20 with respect to the set surface is adjusted by the adjuster. The caster is a leg having a roller and the like. The caster facilitates moving of refrigerator main body 20.

At the lower part of the rear side of vegetable compartment 33, that is, at the lower part of the rear side of inner box 22, lower concave portion 22b is formed. Lower concave portion 22b is formed in a form corresponding to the shape of housing portion 101 for housing defrosted water disposal portion 100 as an external device exposed to the outside air. Heat insulation material 24 is filled between lower concave portion 22b and housing portion 101. Furthermore, heat insulation material 24 is also filled between the right and left side surfaces and the bottom surface of housing portion 101 and main member 60. In this way, a heat insulation wall in the periphery of housing portion 101 is formed. The heat insulation wall in the periphery of housing portion 101 has the same thickness as that of the right and left side surfaces and the bottom surface of vegetable compartment 33.

This same thickness includes a substantially the same thickness. Specifically, the thickness of the heat insulation wall of the bottom surface at the most front surface side of housing portion 101 is ±10%, namely, 90% to 110% of the heat insulation wall of the bottom surface of the most rear side of vegetable compartment 33.

Furthermore, a heat insulation wall of the side surface other than the heat insulation wall on the bottom surface is formed in the periphery of housing portion 101. The heat insulation wall of the side surface includes right and left heat insulation walls constituting the right and left surfaces of heat insulation box 21, and heat insulation wall formed between housing portion 101 and vegetable compartment 33. It is desirable that the thickness of the heat insulation wall of the side surface of housing portion 101 is +10%, namely, 90% to 110% of the thickness of the heat insulation wall of the bottom surface of housing portion 101. However, by the limitation of design, and the like, the thickness of the heat insulation wall of housing portion 101 may be ±15%, namely, 85% to 115% of the thickness of the heat insulation wall of the bottom surface of housing portion 101. Also in this case, rigidity in the periphery of the bottom surface part is not changed, heat insulation box 21 having high rigidity is formed. The heat insulation wall on the lower part of housing portion 101 is substantially horizontal (including horizontal) to the heat insulation wall on the bottom surface of vegetable compartment 33, and formed continuously integral with the heat insulation wall of heat insulation box 21.

Housing portion 101 provided on the lower part of the rear side of vegetable compartment 33 that is a storage compartment in the lowermost part of heat insulation box 21 includes extending portion 101a extending from heat insulation wall 60a on the bottom surface of vegetable compartment 33. Heat insulation wall 60a on the bottom surface of vegetable compartment 33 and extending portion 101a are integrally formed. Furthermore, the rear surface side of housing portion 101 is covered with cover 101b. Cover 101b is provided with an opening that communicates to the outside air as the air around a refrigerator. The outside air and the air flow into/from housing portion 101 through this opening. That is to say, the inside of housing portion 101 is exposed to the outside air.

When a foam heat insulation material is used as heat insulation material 24, heat insulation material 24 is filled between inner box 22 and outer box 23. At the same time of this filling, heat insulation material 24 is filled in the periphery of housing portion 101, and thereby the rigidity of heat insulation box 21 is further increased.

Operation and effect of a refrigerator configured as mentioned above are described. When compressor 50 is operated, a refrigerant is compressed. The compressed refrigerant has a high temperature and a high pressure, and is discharged from compressor 50. The discharged refrigerant radiates heat by heat exchange with the air in the periphery of refrigerator main body 20 in a condenser. With the heat radiation, dew condensation in right and left side surface parts 60b of main member 60, the vicinity of front surface opening portion 21a, and gasket 38 is prevented. With heat radiation, a refrigerant is condensed, and formed into a condensed solution. The pressure of the refrigerant in a form of a condensed solution is reduced by a decompressor. The pressure-reduced refrigerant evaporates in an evaporator when it exchanges heat with the air in the storage compartment. With the evaporation, the temperature of the air in the periphery of the evaporator becomes low. The low temperature air is allowed to circulate inside the storage compartment, thereby cooling the storage compartment. Most of the amount of radiated heat necessary for the condenser is generated by side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53.

In this exemplary embodiment, isobutane is used as a refrigerant. Isobutane is a carbohydrate refrigerant.

Table 1 shows physical property values at -30°C of saturated solutions of isobutane, R134a, and CO2. R134a is a conventional chlorofluorocarbon alternative. CO2 is a natural refrigerant.

[Table 1]

As shown in Table 1, the refrigerating ability per unit volume of isobutane is 520.8 kJ. On the contrary, the refrigerating ability per unit volume of R134a is 971.6 kJ. That is to say, the refrigerating ability per unit volume of isobutane is about half of that of R134a. Therefore, in order to make the refrigerating ability of isobutane to be equal to that of R134a, compressor 50 is configured to have about twice cubic capacity.

The refrigerating ability per unit volume of CO2 is 11258.5 kJ. That is to say, the refrigerating ability per unit volume of isobutane is about 1/20 of that of CO2. Therefore, in order to make the refrigerating ability by isobutane to be equal to that of CO2, compressor 50 is configured to have about 20 times cubic capacity.

In general, a compressor having a large cubic capacity has a large unbalance amount in a compressor. Therefore, vibration tends to increase in compressor 50 having a large cubic capacity. In this exemplary embodiment, the rigidity of the lower part of heat insulation box 21 is improved, so that the rigidity of heat insulation box 21 is improved. Therefore, even if compressor 50 having a large cubic capacity is installed, vibration of a refrigerator due to the vibration of compressor 50 is suppressed.

Furthermore, lower concave portion 22b, housing portion 101, and heat insulation material 24 filled therebetween form machine chamber 104. Compressor 50 is disposed in machine chamber 104. Since heat insulation material 24 is filled, the rigidity of machine chamber 104 is increased. Therefore, even when compressor 50 having a large cubic capacity is installed, the transmission of the vibration of compressor 50 to a refrigerator is reduced. That is to say, it is possible to install compressor 50 having a large cubic capacity.

As mentioned above, at the storage side from side refrigerant piping 52, vacuum heat insulation material 70 is provided. Thus, intrusion of heat radiated from side refrigerant piping 52 to the storage compartment is reduced.

In this exemplary embodiment, vacuum heat insulation material 70 is provided in a place facing at least ice making compartment 30, first refrigerating compartment 31, and second refrigerating compartment 32. In general, vacuum heat insulation material 70 has larger specific gravity than that of heat insulation material 24. Therefore, by reducing the amount of use of vacuum heat insulation material 70, the weight of refrigerator main body 20 is reduced.

On the other hand, when the weight of refrigerator main body 20 may be increased, vacuum heat insulation materials 70 is provided in many places. Specifically, vacuum heat insulation material 70 is provided in both side surfaces, a bottom surface, and a rear surface of heat insulation box 21. Thus, the intrusion of heat into the storage compartment is further reduced. The intrusion of heat is reduced, and thereby the amount of power consumption of refrigerator main body 20 is reduced. In addition, vacuum heat insulation material 70 has higher rigidity than that of a heat insulation material made of urethane. Therefore, vacuum heat insulation material 70 has an effect of improving the rigidity of heat insulation box 21.

Outer box 23 includes main member 60, rear surface member 61 and upper surface member 62. By producing each member separately, each molding processing is simplified. On the other hand, when each member is produced separately, there is a concern that the rigidity of heat insulation box 21 may be reduced. However, the prevent inventors have confirmed that when foods are stored in a storage compartment, refrigerator main body 20 is deformed from the vicinity of the bottom surface of heat insulation box 21.

The reason why heat insulation box 21 is deformed is estimated to be because the largest force is applied to the front surface side of the upper part of heat insulation box 21 due to opening and closing of refrigerating compartment door 29a. Since refrigerating compartment 29 is a storage compartment provided on the uppermost part of heat insulation box 21, the effect of the force is large. Refrigerating compartment door 29a has the largest weight in doors of the refrigerator. Since refrigerating compartment door 29a has a door pocket, stuff having a large weight such as a beverage bottle is stored. Therefore, when refrigerating compartment door 29a is opened, a large load is applied to upper hinge 34 and lower hinge 35 which support refrigerating compartment door 29a.

In heat insulation box 21, on the diagonal of refrigerating compartment door 29a on which the above-mentioned large load is applied, lower concave portion 22b forming machine chamber 104 is located. As in this exemplary embodiment, by improving the rigidity in the vicinity of lower concave portion 22b, deflection of the entire refrigerator when refrigerating compartment door 29a is opened is suppressed.

In this exemplary embodiment, housing portion 101 for housing the external device exposed to the outside air among the refrigerating cycle-related devices is disposed in the lower part of the rear side of vegetable compartment 33 as the storage compartment in the lowermost part of heat insulation box 21. Furthermore, heat insulation box 21 has a heat insulation wall formed by integrating a bottom surface part of vegetable compartment 33 and a bottom surface part of housing portion 101. With this configuration, the rigidity in the vicinity of the bottom surface of heat insulation box 21 becomes high.

Furthermore, since main member 60 is formed by integrating bottom surface part 60a and right and left side surface parts 60b, the rigidity of the side walls of heat insulation box 21 is enhanced. Therefore, change of the shape of heat insulation box 21 due to a large load of refrigerating compartment door 29a is suppressed for a long time. Furthermore, the rigidity in the vicinity of the bottom surface of heat insulation box 21 is enhanced, thereby preventing deformation of heat insulation box 21.

In this exemplary embodiment, main member 60 does not have a cut-away portion in bottom surface part 60a. However, if a cut-way portion is required, it is desirable that a cut-away portion is provided in a small area and in the rear side of heat insulation box 21 where possible. The front side of main member 60 supports refrigerating compartment door 29a via upper hinge 34 and lower hinge 35. A stress forward is applied to refrigerator main body 20 with opening and closing of refrigerating compartment door 29a. Thus, refrigerator main body 20 is inclined slightly forward. In other words, stress is concentrated in the front lower part of heat insulation box 21, in particular, in the vicinity of the attached part of front-side supporting leg 80. Therefore, when a cut-away portion is provided in main member 60, the cut-away portion is provided in the rear side of heat insulation box 21 where possible.

Recently, refrigerating compartment door 29a often has a food storage part called a door pocket for holding, for example, a beverage bottle. In other words, the total weight of refrigerating compartment door 29a is often increased in use. Therefore, much more attention needs to be paid on concentration of stress by opening and closing of refrigerating compartment door 29a.

Herein, when heat insulation box 21 in the vicinity of refrigerating compartment 29 is deformed, for example, in the vicinity of an engagement part of outer box 23 and refrigerating compartment door 29a, a gap is generated. Specifically, a gap is generated between outer box 23 and heat insulation material 24, or between outer box 23 and inner box 22. In this case, cold air enters the gap, dew condensation may be generated in the periphery of the engagement part between outer box 23 and refrigerating compartment door 29a. However, in this exemplary embodiment, since the rigidity of heat insulation box 21 is high, deformation is suppressed. Therefore, the generation of dew condensation as mentioned above is suppressed.

The reliability with respect to the prevention of falling forward of refrigerator main body 20 is determined by the position of front side tip portion 81 of front-side supporting leg 80 in the backward and forward direction. The reliability with respect to the prevention of falling is improved as front side tip portion 81 protrudes from front surface opening portion 21a. Herein, when front side tip portion 81 is disposed in such a manner that it protrudes from front surface opening portion 21a, a stress is concentrated on a fixed portion of front-side supporting leg 80 by the principle of the lever. Therefore, it is desirable that the protruding amount of the fixed portion of front-side supporting leg 80 to the rear side with respect to front surface opening portion 21a as the reference surface is equal to or more than that of the protruding amount of front side tip portion 81 to the front part. On the other hand, as shown in this exemplary embodiment, it is desirable from the viewpoint of beautiful appearance that front side tip portion 81 does not protrude from the front surface of vegetable compartment door 33a.

Similarly, it is desirable that rear-side supporting leg 90 is disposed in the rear side with respect to heat insulation box 21 where possible. Thus, falling backward of refrigerator main body 20 is prevented. On the other hand, when rear-side supporting leg 90 is disposed in such a manner that it protrudes to the rear side from the rear surface of heat insulation box 21, a depth dimension necessary for installing refrigerator main body 20 is increased.

Defrosted water disposal by evaporator 51 is described. When operation of the refrigerating cycle is stopped, frost attached to evaporator 51 melts. Defrosted water produced when frost melts flows into defrosted water disposal unit 102. Defrosted water disposal unit 102 evaporates defrosted water by the use of heat from a heat source or wind from a blower. The evaporated defrosted water is exhausted from the rear side of defrosted water disposal portion 100. Thus, the defrosted water does not leak from defrosted water disposal unit 102. Defrosted water disposal unit 102 is provided at the side of compressor 50. Therefore, as a heat source for evaporating defrosted water, heat radiated from compressor 50 is used.

The timing of the defrosted water disposal is regularly set in the conditions of, for example, continuous operation time of the refrigerating cycle, temperatures of the outside air and humidity. When the time interval between the previous defrosted water disposal and the next time defrosted water disposal is short, the amount of frost attached on evaporator 51 is small. Therefore, disposal time for evaporating the defrosted water is set to be short. On the contrary, when the time interval is long, the amount of frost attached on evaporator 51 is large. Therefore, disposal time for evaporating the defrosted water is set to be long. By setting in this way, defrosted water does not leak from defrosted water disposal unit 102.

A conventional refrigerator has a compressor supporting stand for supporting a compressor. The compressor supporting stand supports the compressor for a long time. The compressor supporting stand is formed by using a steel plate having a larger thickness than that of the outer box in order to obtain sufficient rigidity. Therefore, a conventional refrigerator has large weight.

Defrosted water disposal portion 100 in this exemplary embodiment is entirely covered with heat insulation material 24 except for the opened surface of housing portion 101. With this configuration, even if housing portion 101 is made of resin, sufficient rigidity can be obtained. Therefore, even if a compressor supporting stand as in a conventional refrigerator is used, sufficient rigidity can be obtained. That is to say, housing portion 101 made of resin substitutes a conventional compressor supporting stand, the weight of refrigerator main body 20 is reduced.

As mentioned above, the rigidity of the rear part of the lower surface of heat insulation box 21 is remarkably improved. In addition, since the rear part of the lower surface and the side wall of heat insulation box 21 are integrally formed, the rigidity of the side wall is remarkably improved.

A heat insulation wall in the periphery of housing portion 101 as a contour of defrosted water disposal portion 100 has substantially the same thickness as a heat insulation wall of the right and left side surfaces and the bottom surface of vegetable compartment 33, which is a heat insulating wall as a part of heat insulation box 21. A heat insulation wall at the lower part of housing portion 101 is substantially horizontal (including horizontal) to the heat insulation wall on a bottom surface of vegetable compartment 33. Furthermore, a heat insulation wall in the periphery of housing portion 101 is integrated continuously to a heat insulation wall of heat insulation box 21. Thus, even if a stress due to load by foods contained in each storage compartment is applied to bottom surface part 60a of heat insulation box 21, the generation of a bending point on bottom surface part 60a is suppressed. Therefore, heat insulation box 21 is not easily deformed, and durability with respect to the long time use is improved.

As mentioned above, main member 60 is formed by integrating bottom surface part 60a and right and left side surface parts 60b, so that heat insulation box 21 is formed. Therefore, when the rigidity of the lower part of outer box 23 is increased, the rigidity of heat insulation box 21 is increased.

Defrosted water disposal portion 100 has a heat insulation wall continuing to bottom surface part 60a of heat insulation box 21. That is to say, heat insulation box 21 does not have a cut-away portion of bottom surface part 60a. Thus, the rigidity of heat insulation box 21 is increased.

Right and left side parts of defrosted water disposal portion 100 have a heat insulation wall connected to right and left side surface parts 60b of heat insulation box 21. That is to say, defrosted water disposal portion 100 and heat insulation box 21 are coupled to each other via heat insulation material 24. Thus, the rigidity of heat insulation box 21 is further increased.

The heat insulation wall of bottom surface part 60a of heat insulation box 21 and the heat insulation wall of the lower part of defrosted water disposal portion 100 are substantially horizontal (including horizontal) to each other and have substantially the same thickness. Thus, a bending point is not easily generated on bottom surface part 60a of heat insulation box 21. Therefore, the rigidity and durability of heat insulation box 21 are increased. Furthermore, in this configuration, heat insulation material 24 is uniformly filled. That it so say, when heat insulation material 24 is filled by foaming from the rear surface of heat insulation box 21 by allowing front surface opening portion 21a to face downward, the flow of foam is not hindered. Thus, heat insulation material 24 foams uniformly, and heat insulation performance is improved.

Chamfered area are provided on the right and left corners of the rear side of heat insulation box 21. Rear-side supporting leg 90 of refrigerator main body 20 is provided in a position in such a manner that it does not extend off the chamfered area. Thus, rear-side supporting leg 90 can be provided on the rear side of heat insulation box 21 without increasing the depth dimension of refrigerator main body 20. With this configuration, the setting property of refrigerator main body 20 is secured, and the falling backward of refrigerator main body 20 is suppressed.

Since the upper side of front refrigerant piping 53 is opened, refrigerant piping passing through the upper surface of refrigerator main body 20 is not required to be disposed. Therefore, intrusion of heat to the storage compartment is reduced. Generally, in the upper part of front surface opening portion 21a, a cold air flows downward. Therefore, in the upper part of front surface opening portion 21a, dew condensation is not easily generated. In particular, in this exemplary embodiment, the storage compartment located at the uppermost part is refrigerating compartment 29. In other words, the difference between the temperature of the inside the storage compartment and the temperature of the outside air is small. Therefore, the tendency in which dew condensation does not easily occur is remarkable. Therefore, since the dew condensation does not easily occurs, it is not necessary to thicken the heat insulation wall of heat insulation box 21 in a portion in which no refrigerant piping is provided. That is to say, the capacity of the storage compartment can be increased.

On the other hand, the lower part of front surface opening portion 21a is provided near the installed surface. Therefore, the convection of the air does not easily occur. As a result, in the lower part of front surface opening portion 21a, dew condensation easily occurs. In this exemplary embodiment, side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 pass through the bottom surface of heat insulation box 21. Therefore, generation of dew condensation in the lower part of front surface opening portion 21a is prevented.

Note here that in the case of an electronically controlled refrigerator, by disposing a control board on upper surface member 62, heat generated from the control board can be used. Thus, dew condensation is prevented more reliably.

Furthermore, on both side parts of refrigerating compartment 29 of front surface opening portion 21a, the generation of dew condensation is not remarkable. Therefore, in both side parts of refrigerating compartment 29, front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed apart from front flange 23a. Specifically, front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed in the position 90 mm from the front surface to the rear side and on heat insulation material 24 side of main member 60. Front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed more distant from the front surface of heat insulation box 21 in the upper part than in lower part. Therefore, the intrusion of heat into the storage compartment is suppressed, and the dew condensation in front surface opening portion 21a is prevented. The present inventors have confirmed that when outer box 23 is made of a steel plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm, front refrigerant piping 53 set in the position 100 mm from front surface opening portion 21a to the rear side, heat sufficient for preventing dew condensation in front surface opening portion 21a is transferred. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, the refrigerant piping is located in the position 90 mm, not more than 100 mm, from front surface opening portion 21a to the rear side.

Note here that when side refrigerant piping 52 is disposed in the position that is 100 mm from the rear side from front surface opening portion 21a, the upper part of front refrigerant piping 53 can be removed. That is to say, the total length of the refrigerant piping is further shortened.

When dew condensation does not easily occur in the both side parts of refrigerating compartment 29, the upper part of front refrigerant piping 53 can be removed. The upper surface of refrigerating compartment 29 faces bottom surface part 60a. By providing an integrally formed heat generator in the part other than this upper surface, the energy consumption amount can be reduced. In this case, front refrigerant piping 53 bent at partition wall 25 is formed by one unit as side refrigerant piping 52, the energy consumption amount is further reduced.

In the above-mentioned case, since side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 become short, an amount of heat radiation is reduced. By disposing a condenser at the outer side of heat insulation box 21, the reduced amount of heat radiation can be compensated. By disposing a condenser on the outer side of heat insulation box 21, a necessary amount of heat radiation can be secured without increasing the intrusion of heat to the storage compartment.

Note here that examples of the configuration in which the upper part of front refrigerant piping 53 is removed include a configuration in which front refrigerant piping 53 is provided in the periphery of front surface opening portion 21a of inner box 22. However, in this configuration, a distance between the storage compartment and the refrigerant piping is extremely short. That is to say, intrusion of heat into the storage compartment is increased.

Front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed at heat insulation material 24 side of inner flange 23c front flange 23a. Thus, since front refrigerant piping 53 is brought into contact with front flange 23a, dew condensation is prevented. In this configuration, since the distance from the refrigerant piping to the storage compartment is long, the intrusion of heat to the storage compartment is reduced.

Front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed in such a manner that it is brought into contact with front flange 23a and then apart from front surface opening portion 21a. In other words, front refrigerant piping 53 is apart from front flange 23a in the middle of the route. In the above-mentioned configuration, when front refrigerant piping 53 is apart from front flange 23a, it is not necessary to provide a cut-away portion in inner flange 23c. Since the cut-away portion is not provided, when heat insulation material 24 is filled by foaming, the possibility of leakage of heat insulation material 24 is reduced. Furthermore, damage of front refrigerant piping 53 due to the contact of front refrigerant piping 53 to the cut-away portion is prevented.

Front refrigerant piping 53 is formed in a state in which the upper side is an open end. Main member 60 includes bottom surface part 60a and right and left side surface parts 60b which are formed integrally in state in which the upper side of heat insulation box 21 is opened. Since front refrigerant piping 53 and main member 60 are formed in a state in which they have an open end at the upper side, assembly of refrigerator main body 20 is facilitated.

As mentioned above, in this exemplary embodiment, front refrigerant piping 53 is formed in a state in which at least a part of side surface part 60b of outer box 23 and bottom surface part 60a are formed integrally. Thus, a heat generator is not necessary to be provided on the upper part of front surface opening portion 21a. Furthermore, since intrusion of heat to the storage compartment is reduced, power consumption is reduced. Furthermore, since a refrigerant piping is used as a heat generator, it is not necessary to provide a heat generator such as a heater. That is to say, since power supply to the heater is not required, power consumption is further reduced.

A storage compartment that is located in the uppermost part in heat insulation box 21 is refrigerating compartment 29. The cooling temperature of refrigerating compartment 29 is in a refrigeration temperature zone. Therefore, even if a heat generator is not provided on the upper surface of heat insulation box 21, dew condensation is prevented. That is to say, power consumption is reduced.

Front refrigerant piping 53 is disposed at heat insulation material 24 side of inner flange 23c of front flange 23a. When front refrigerant piping 53 is brought into contact with front flange 23a, dew condensation is prevented and a distance from the refrigerant piping to the storage compartment is long. Thus, intrusion of heat to the storage compartment is reduced. That is to say, dew condensation is prevented, and power consumption is reduced.

The upper part of front refrigerant piping 53 is located at the position 90 mm, not more than 100 mm, from front surface opening portion 21a to the rear side. Thus, the length of front refrigerant piping 53 that is brought into contact with front flange 23a is shorter. On the other hand, the intrusion of heat from front refrigerant piping 53 that is brought into contact with front flange 23a to the storage compartment is large. Therefore, the intrusion of heat to the storage compartment is reduced, and power consumption is reduced.

SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a sectional view seen from the right side of the refrigerator. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration in the first exemplary embodiment.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, heat insulation box 201 of refrigerator main body 200 includes inner box 202 made of resin, outer box 203 made of a metallic magnetic substance, and heat insulation material 24 filled therebetween. Inner box 202, outer box 203, and heat insulation material 24 constitute a heat insulation wall. Heat insulation box 201 has front surface opening portion 201a on the front surface thereof. Heat insulation box 201 has top surface housing portion 201b that is a concave portion in the upper part of the rear side of a heat insulation box.

Outer box 203 includes main member 260, upper-surface front side member 262, upper-surface rear side member 213 and rear surface member 261. Main member 260 is formed by integrating bottom surface part 260a and right and left side surface parts 260b.

Upper-surface front side member 262 forms the front side of the upper surface of outer box 203. Upper-surface rear side member 213 is made of resin and forms top surface housing portion 201b as a concave portion of the heat insulation box. Rear surface member 261 forms a rear side of outer box 203, that is, the rear surface of refrigerator main body 200.
Compressor 220 constituting a refrigerating cycle is supported by upper-surface rear side member 213. That is to say, compressor 220 is housed in top surface housing portion 201b as a concave portion of the heat insulation box.

Upper-surface rear side member 213 has a box shape whose upper surface and rear surface are opened. Upper-surface rear side member 213 is formed in such a manner that it faces upper concave portion 202a provided in the upper part of the rear side of inner box 202. Heat insulation material 24 is filled between the upper surface and lower surface of upper-surface rear side member 213 and inner box 202. In addition, heat insulation material 24 is filled between right and left side surfaces of upper-surface rear side member 213 and the right and left side surface parts 260b of main member 260.

Defrosted water disposal portion 230 is provided in a lower part of the rear side of heat insulation box 201. Specifically, housing portion 231 made of resin is attached to a hole formed in a lower part of rear surface member 261. Housing portion 231 is opened in the rear surface side, and houses an external device exposed to the outside air among the refrigerating cycle-related devices as disposal unit 232. Housing, portion 231 and defrosted water disposal unit 232 constitute defrosted water disposal portion 230.

In the lower part of the rear side of vegetable compartment 33, that is, lower part of the rear side of inner box 202, lower concave portion 202b is formed. Lower concave portion 202b is formed in such a manner that it corresponds to the shape of housing portion 231 as a contour of defrosted water disposal portion 230. Heat insulation material 24 is filled between lower concave portion 202b and housing portion 231. Furthermore, heat insulation material 24 is also filled between right and left side surfaces and the bottom surface of housing portion 231 and main member 260. In this way, a heat insulation wall periphery housing portion 231 is formed. The heat insulation wall in the periphery of housing portion 231 has substantially the same thickness as that of the heat insulation wall of the right and left side surfaces and the bottom surface of vegetable compartment 33. The heat insulation wall of the lower part of housing portion 231 is substantially horizontal (including horizontal) to the heat insulation wall on a bottom surface of vegetable compartment 33. The heat insulation wall in the periphery of housing portion 231 is integrated continuously to a heat insulation wall of heat insulation box 201.

When a foam heat insulation material is used as heat insulation material 24, heat insulation material 24 is filled between inner box 22 and outer box 23, and heat insulation material 24 is filled in the periphery of housing portion 231. Thus, the rigidity of heat insulation box 201 is increased.

Operation and effect of a refrigerator configured as mentioned above are described. As described in the first exemplary embodiment, the rigidity of bottom surface part 260a affects deformation of heat insulation box 201. Heat insulation box 201 has top surface housing portion 201b as a concave portion of a heat insulation box for disposing compressor 220 not in bottom surface part 260a but in the rear side of the storage compartment in the upper part of heat insulation box 201. Therefore, as compared with the case where compressor 220 is housed in housing portion 231 of the lower part of the rear side, a space volume of housing portion 231 of the lower part of the rear side is reduced. In addition, since compressor 220 that is a vibration source is not housed, the rigidity of heat insulation box 201 is not easily reduced.

Open ends of compressor 220, side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 are located in the upper part of heat insulation box 201. With this configuration, as compared with the case where the compressor is disposed in the lower part, a waste of a route in which a refrigerant piping is allowed to move forward and backward. In other words, side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 can be shortened. Therefore, the intrusion of heat to the storage compartment can be reduced.

Compressor 220 and defrosted water disposal portion 230 are disposed in the upper and lower parts of heat insulation box 201, separately. In the first exemplary embodiment, both compressor 50 and defrosted water disposal portion 100 are disposed in housing portion 101. Therefore, lower concave portion 202b and housing portion 231 in this exemplary embodiment can be made smaller than lower concave portion 22b and housing portion 101 in the first exemplary embodiment.

As mentioned above, compressor 220 is disposed on top surface housing portion 201b in the upper part of the rear side of refrigerator main body 200. Thus, it is possible to reduce the size of lower concave portion 202b and housing portion 231 in the lower part of the rear side of heat insulation box 201. As a result, the rigidity of heat insulation box 201 is increased.

Since compressor 220 is disposed in the upper part of the rear side of refrigerator main body 200, waste heat of compressor 220 can be allowed to circulate in the upper surface of refrigerator main body 200. Thus, dew condensation on the upper surface of refrigerator main body 200 can be prevented. It is not necessary to dispose a heat generator for preventing dew condensation on the upper surface. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the heat insulation wall on the upper surface of heat insulation box 201, and to increase the volume of the storage compartment.

Side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 have an open end in the upper side of heat insulation box 201. Therefore, without extending the piping, welding portions of the piping can be concentrated in top surface housing portion 201b of a concave portion of the heat insulation box. Therefore, workability at the time of manufacturing is improved.

THIRD EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing another configuration of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment. Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views of the refrigerator seen from the right side. In this exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration in the first exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, when there is no problem in applying the combination of the configurations and the technical ideas in the above-mentioned first and second exemplary embodiments, the combination can be applied.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, heat insulation box 301 of refrigerator main body 300 includes inner box 302 made of resin, outer box 303 made of a metallic magnetic substance, and heat insulation material 24 filled therebetween. Inner box 302, outer box 303, and heat insulation material 24 constitute a heat insulation wall. Heat insulation box 301 has front surface opening portion 301a on the front surface thereof.

Outer box 303 includes main member 360, upper-surface front side member 362, and rear surface member 361. Main member 360 is formed by integrating bottom surface part 360a and right and left side surface parts.

Heat insulation box 301 has top surface housing portion 301b that is a concave portion of the heat insulation box in which compressor 220 is to be disposed. Note here that top surface housing portion 301b is disposed not in bottom surface part 360a but in the upper part of the rear side of the uppermost storage compartment of heat insulation box 301.

Heat insulation box 301 includes rear surface member 361 forming a rear surface of heat insulation box 301, upper-surface front side member 362 forming an upper surface of heat insulation box 301, and upper-surface rear side member 313 forming the rear side and the lower surface side of top surface housing portion 301b.

Control board 358 is disposed in the position that is lower than compressor 220. A housing portion of control board 358 is formed by upper-surface rear side member 313. Upper-surface rear side member 313 is formed of a metal plate.

Upper-surface rear side member 313 has a box shape whose upper surface and rear surface are opened. Upper-surface rear side member 313 is disposed in such a manner that it faces top surface housing portion 301b provided in the upper part of the rear side of inner box 302. Upper-surface rear side member 313 is formed by integrating rear surface member 361 and upper-surface front side member 362. Heat insulation box 301 is formed by filling heat insulation material 24 between inner box 302 and outer box 303.
As shown in Fig. 8, upper-surface rear side member 313 houses control board 358 that is an external device exposed to the outside air among refrigerating cycle-related devices in addition to compressor 220 supported by compressor supporting portion 313a. Even in this case, heat insulation box 301 has high rigidity in the upper part of the rear side in addition to the bottom surface part.

Furthermore, since upper-surface rear side member 313 is made of a metal plate, the rigidity of heat insulation box 301 is further increased. Thus, durability of refrigerator main body 300 is improved.

In the configuration of Fig. 8, compressor 220 having a large weight is disposed in the upper side. Thus, the center of weight refrigerator main body 300 is in the rear side. Upper-surface rear side member 313 is formed of a metal plate whose specific gravity is larger than resin. Thus, even when the center of weight refrigerator main body 300 is in the rear side, falling forward of refrigerator main body 300 is suppressed. That is to say, the safety of the refrigerator is improved.

Since heat insulation material 24 connected to heat insulation box 301 is filled in the lower surface of compressor supporting portion 313a, the rigidity of the lower surface of compressor supporting portion 313a and the rigidity of heat insulation box 301 become higher. Thus, the durability of refrigerator main body 300 is improved. In this exemplary embodiment, top surface housing portion 301b is provided with a step-shaped part. Houses control board 358 in addition to compressor 220 are housed in this step-shaped part. Also in this configuration, the rigidity of top surface housing portion 301b is enhanced.

On the other hand, Fig. 9 shows another configuration of a refrigerator in this exemplary embodiment in which compressor 220 and control board 358 are disposed in the lower part. Furthermore, in this configuration, housing portion 331 is provided in a step-shaped part.

Inside housing portion 331, defrosted water disposal portion 330 and compressor 220 are disposed. Furthermore, a step-shaped part is provided above the upper part of defrosted water disposal portion 330 and compressor 220, and control board 358 is disposed therein. Heat insulation box 301 includes rear surface member 361 forming a rear surface of heat insulation box 301, upper-surface front side member 362 forming an upper surface of heat insulation box 301, and lower rear side member 323 forming a machine chamber in a lower part of the rear side of housing portion 331.

Control board 358 is disposed in the position higher than compressor 220. A housing portion of control board 358 is formed of lower rear side member 323. Lower rear side member 323 is formed of a metal plate in a step-shaped part.

Lower rear side member 323 has a box shape whose rear surface is opened. Lower rear side member 323 is formed by integrating rear surface member 361 and upper-surface front side member 362. Heat insulation box 301 is formed by filling heat insulation material 24 between inner box 302 and outer box 303. In this way, with a configuration which has a step-shaped part in housing portion 331 and control board 358 in addition to compressor 220 are housed therein, the rigidity of housing portion 331 is enhanced.

FOURTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the refrigerator seen from the right side. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration in the first to third exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, with reference to the same configurations of the first to third exemplary embodiments, the advantageous effects are the same, and therefore description therefor is omitted. This exemplary embodiment is different from the second exemplary embodiment in that control board 458 is disposed in the position that is lower than compressor 220.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, heat insulation box 401 of refrigerator main body 400 includes inner box 202, outer box 403, and heat insulation material 24 filled therebetween. Heat insulation box 401 has top surface housing portion 401b that is a concave portion of the heat insulation box in the upper part of the rear side. In other words, heat insulation box 401 has high rigidity.

Outer box 403 includes main member 260, upper-surface front side member 262, upper-surface rear side member 413 and rear surface member 461. Upper-surface rear side member 413 is made of resin, and has a shape in which the upper surface and the rear surface are opened. Upper-surface rear side member 413 is formed in such a manner that it faces upper concave portion 202a provided in the upper part of the rear side of inner box 202. Heat insulation material 24 is filled between upper-surface rear side member 413 and main member 260 and inner box 202. In this way, top surface housing portion 401b is formed.

Upper-surface rear side member 413 includes compressor supporting portion 413a, and flange portion 413b extending downward from compressor supporting portion 413a. Control board housing portion 413c is formed in the center in the right and left direction of the flange portion 413b. Compressor 220 is supported by compressor supporting portion 413a. Control board 458 for controlling the operation of refrigerator main body 400 is housed in control board housing portion 413c.

Vacuum heat insulation material 70 is provided in a portion of side refrigerant piping 52, which faces at least ice making compartment 30, first refrigerating compartment 31, and second refrigerating compartment 32. Vacuum heat insulation material 70 is fixed to heat insulation material 24 side of main member 260 with side refrigerant piping 52 sandwiched therebetween. Vacuum heat insulation material 70 in this exemplary embodiment has a larger specific gravity and smaller thermal conductivity than those of heat insulation material 24.

Vacuum heat insulation material 70 has a larger area or thickness in a portion that is lower from the center in the upper and lower direction of heat insulation box 401 than the area or thickness in the upper part. The center in the upper and lower direction of heat insulation box 401 is a center of partition wall 25 in the upper and lower direction of partition wall 25 as shown by lower end surface 29b of refrigerating compartment 29 or alternate long and short dash line 25a.

Compressor cover 423 covers the upper surface and the rear surface of upper-surface rear side member 413. Compressor cover 423 has exhaust port 423a at the outer side in the right and left direction of control board housing portion 413c of upper-surface rear side member 413.

A compressor supporting stand in a conventional refrigerator supports a compressor for a long time. Therefore, a conventional compressor supporting stand is formed of a steel plate that is thicker than the outer box in order to obtain sufficient rigidity. Therefore, a conventional refrigerator has a larger weight. In this exemplary embodiment, an upper surface rear side of refrigerator main body 400 is formed by filling heat insulation material 24 between upper-surface rear side member 413 and inner box 202. With this configuration, sufficient rigidity is obtained. As a result, a compressor supporting stand made of a steel plate having a large weight is not necessary.

Furthermore, since control board housing portion 413c is integrally molded, a separate configuration for housing a control board is not necessary. Furthermore, upper-surface rear side member 413 is made of resin. Therefore, number of components and weight of a refrigerator are reduced. Thus, workability at the time of assembling a refrigerator is improved. In particular, since the weight in the upper part of a refrigerator is reduced, the refrigeration does not easily fall.

Compressor 220 is supported by compressor supporting portion 413a. Control board 458 is housed in control board housing portion 413c located lower from compressor supporting portion 413a. In other words, control board 458 is disposed in the lower position from compressor 220. Since warm air rises, control board 458 is not warmed by waste heat from compressor 220. In other words, the temperature rise of control board 458 is suppressed.

In this exemplary embodiment, isobutane is used as a refrigerant. Isobutane is combustible, and has a larger specific gravity than the air. Compressor cover 423 has exhaust port 423a at the outer side in the right and left directions of control board 458. That is to say, on the immediately upper part of control board 458, exhaust port 423a is not provided. Therefore, even if combustible refrigerant leaks, the refrigerant flows downward through the side of control board 458. Therefore, contact of the refrigerant with control board 458 is suppressed.

In this exemplary embodiment, control board 458 is disposed in the middle in the right and left direction of heat insulation box 401, and exhaust ports 423a are formed on both sides of control board 458.

On the other hand, control board 458 can be disposed in one side of heat insulation box 401. In this case, exhaust port 423a can be formed in one side with respect to control board 458. Furthermore, by providing a ventilation mechanism such as a fan adjacent to compressor 220, a wind can be allowed to flow from control board 458 side to exhaust port 423a side. With this configuration, the contact of the refrigerant to control board 458 is further suppressed, and the temperature rise of compressor 220 is suppressed.

Vacuum heat insulation material 70 is disposed between side refrigerant piping 52 and storage compartments. Thus, intrusion of heat radiated from side refrigerant piping 52 into the storage compartment can be significantly reduced.

Top surface housing portion 401b is located in the upper part of heat insulation box 401. Compressor 220, a condenser, a piping and the like are disposed in top surface housing portion 401b, and thereby the position of the center of the weight of refrigerator main body 400 is located in higher position. In particular, compressor 220 has a large weight in components constituting refrigerator main body 400. Therefore, refrigerator main body 400 easily falls down. In this exemplary embodiment, vacuum heat insulation material 70 has a larger area or thickness in a portion that is lower from the center in the upper and lower direction of heat insulation box 401 than the area or thickness in the upper part. Therefore, since the center of weight of refrigerator main body 400 moves downward, falling of refrigerator main body 400 is prevented.

Vacuum heat insulation material 70 is made of an inorganic material. The density of vacuum heat insulation material 70 is 200 to 250 kg/m3. Heat insulation material 24 is made of a foam heat insulation material such as urethane. The density of heat insulation material 24 is 20 to 50 kg/m3. Therefore, vacuum heat insulation material 70 has four times larger or more of the density of heat insulation material 24.

Refrigerating compartment door 29a is a rotatable door type, and ice making compartment door 30a, first refrigerating compartment door 31a, second refrigerating compartment door 32a, and vegetable compartment door 33a are drawer type. On the other hand, when ice making compartment door 30a, first refrigerating compartment door 31a, second refrigerating compartment door 32a, and vegetable compartment door 33a are a rotatable door type, change of the position of the center of weight of refrigerator main body 400 due to opening and closing is smaller as compared with the case where they are a drawer type door. That is to say, when a door is a rotatable door type, falling of refrigerator main body 400 is further prevented.

Compressor 220 is disposed at the rear side of heat insulation box 401. That is to say, the weight in the front side of refrigerator main body 400 is increased from the weight of the rear side. Thus, refrigerator main body 400 is prevented from falling forward, that is, in the direction of a user.

Compressor 220 is disposed in top surface housing portion 401b formed in the upper part of the rear side of heat insulation box 401. Thus, the width height of refrigerating compartment 29, which is equal to the conventional one, can be secured without increasing the height of refrigerator main body 400. That is to say, usability is not lost. The upper part of the rear side of refrigerating compartment 29 is a place hard to get it for a user. Therefore, although upper concave portion 202a of inner box 202 has a shape that protrudes to the inner side of refrigerating compartment 29, usability is not lost.

As mentioned above, in this exemplary embodiment, compressor supporting portion 413a and control board housing portion 413c are integrated into each other so as to constitute upper-surface rear side member 413. Thus, number of components of refrigerator main body 400 is reduced. Furthermore, assembly of refrigerator main body 400 is facilitated.

Control board 458 is disposed in a position that is lower from compressor 220. Thus, the temperature rise of control board 458 by waste heat from compressor 220 is prevented. That is to say, the reliability of refrigerator main body 400 is improved.

Heat insulation box 401 includes upper-surface rear side member 413, outer box 403, inner box 202, and heat insulation material 24 filled therebetween. With such a configuration, compressor 220 is supported. Furthermore, upper-surface rear side member 413 is made of a resin material. That is to say, strength for supporting compressor 220 is secured and the weight of upper part of refrigerator main body 400 is reduced. Thus, refrigerator main body 400 is prevented from falling, and thus safety is improved.

Vacuum heat insulation material 70 having a specific gravity that is larger than that of heat insulation material 24 is disposed in a larger amount in a part lower from the center in the upper and lower direction of heat insulation box 401. Thus, since the center of the weight of refrigerator main body 400 moves downward, refrigerator main body 400 is prevented from falling.

Exhaust port 423a of compressor cover 423 is formed in the outer side in the right and left direction of control board housing portion 413c. Thus, even when isobutane as a combustible refrigerant leaks, since isobutane has a larger specific gravity than the air, flowing of isobutane into control board housing portion 413c is suppressed. In other words, safety of refrigerator main body 400 is secured.

Compressor 220 is disposed in top surface housing portion 401b formed in the upper part of the rear side of heat insulation box 401. Thus, an area of front surface opening portion 201a, which is equal to that of a conventional one, can be secured without increasing the height of refrigerator main body 400. That is to say, usability is not lost.

FIFTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the refrigerator seen from the right side. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration in the first to fourth exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, with reference to the same configurations of the first to fourth exemplary embodiments, the advantageous effects are the same, and therefore description therefor is omitted. This exemplary embodiment is different from the fourth exemplary embodiment in that control board 458 is disposed in the position that is higher from compressor 220.

Outer box 503 includes main member 260, upper-surface front side member 262, upper-surface rear side member 513 and rear surface member 561. Upper-surface rear side member 513 is made of resin, and has a shape whose upper surface and rear surface are opened. Upper-surface rear side member 513 is formed in such a manner that it faces upper concave portion 202a formed at the upper part of the rear side of inner box 202. Heat insulation material 24 is filled between upper-surface rear side member 513 and main member 260 and inner box 202. In this way, top surface housing portion 501b as a concave portion of heat insulation box is formed.

Upper-surface rear side member 513 has a double bottom structure. Upper-surface rear side member 513 has compressor supporting portion 513a on the lower side bottom. Upper-surface rear side member 513 has control board housing portion 513c on bottom surface of the upper side. Compressor 220 is supported by compressor supporting portion 513a. Control board 458 is disposed in control board housing portion 513c. In this way, compressor 220 and control board 458 are disposed in top surface housing portion 501b.

Compressor cover 523 covers an upper surface and a rear surface of upper-surface rear side member 513. Compressor cover 523 has exhaust port 523a in a position at the rear side of refrigerator main body 500.

Isobutane is used as a refrigerant. Isobutane is an inflammable gas. Isobutane has an explosion limit in the air is 1.8 to 8.4 vol%. Isobutane has an ignition temperature of 460°C. Therefore, isobutane leaks and flows into control board 458, the isobutane may be brought into contact with a spark generated in control board 458.

Isobutane has a larger specific gravity than the air. Control board housing portion 513c is located in the bottom surface of the upper side of upper-surface rear side member 513. That is to say, control board 458 is located in the upper part of compressor 220. Therefore, even when isobutane leaks, isobutane does not easily flow into control board 458. In other words, safety of refrigerator main body 500 is secured.

Compressor 220 is located in the lower part of control board housing portion 513c. Herein, by providing a heat insulation material in control board housing portion 513c, transfer of waste heat of compressor 220 to control board housing portion 513c is reduced. That is to say, temperature rise of control board 458 is suppressed. Furthermore, by filling heat insulation material 24 into the inside of the bottom surface at the upper side of upper-surface rear side member 513, an insulation effect can be further obtained without increasing the number of components.

When control board 458 is disposed in a position displaced in the right and left directions instead of immediately above compressor 220, a distance between control board 458 and compressor 220 is increased. Thus, heat conduction from compressor 220 to control board 458 is reduced. Furthermore, since space in the upper and lower direction of top surface housing portion 501b can be efficiently used, the size of upper concave portion 202a is reduced, so that the volume of a storage compartment can be increased.

A cover of control board 458 is integrally formed with compressor cover 523. Therefore, the number of components of refrigerator main body 500 is reduced. Furthermore, assembly of refrigerator main body 500 is facilitated.

Compressor cover 523 can be formed in a detachable type from the upper side with respect to the rear surface of refrigerator main body 500. In this case, compressor cover 523 is detached onto heat insulation box 501, and then fixed by screw from the upper part. In other words, only with operation from the upper part, compressor cover 523 can be attached and detached. Refrigerator main body 500 is often placed in the vicinity of the wall at the backside. With this configuration, when control board 458 is out of order, maintenance can be carried out without moving refrigerator main body 500 forward.

Isobutane used as a refrigerant is combustible, and has a larger specific gravity than the air. When a refrigerant leaks from compressor 220 or welded portions in the vicinity thereof, a refrigerant is exhausted from exhaust port 523a to the back part of refrigerator main body 500. Therefore, the refrigerant is prevented from flowing into control board housing portion 513c. In other words, the safety of refrigerator main body 500 is improved.

SIXTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the refrigerator seen from the right side. Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration in the first to fifth exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, with reference to the same configurations of the first to fifth exemplary embodiments, the advantageous effects are the same, and therefore description therefor is omitted. This exemplary embodiment is different from the second to fifth exemplary embodiments in the configuration of an upper part of heat insulation box 601.

Outer box 603 includes main member 260, upper surface member 662 and rear surface member 661. A configuration of upper surface member 662 is described in detail later. Heat insulation material 24 is filled between outer box 603 and inner box 602. In this way, heat insulation box 601 is configured.

As shown in Fig. 15, upper surface member 662 is made of resin, and has a shape in which the upper surface and the rear surface are opened. As shown in the alternate long and short dash line in Fig. 15, upper surface member 662 is disposed between right and left side surface parts 260b of outer box 603 such that the position in the height direction of the upper end of upper surface member 662 agrees with the position in the height direction of the upper end of main member 260.

Upper surface member 662 has compressor supporting portion 613a on the bottom surface of the rear side. Compressor 220 is supported by compressor supporting portion 613a. Upper surface member 662 has control board housing portion 613c in the front side. Control board 458 is disposed in control board housing portion 613c. Upper surface member 662 has partition plate 662c between compressor supporting portion 613a and control board housing portion 613c. The height of partition plate 662c is higher than at least a portion at which compressor 220 is welded. In upper surface member 662, condenser 669 is disposed at compressor 220 side from partition plate 662c. In this way, machine chamber 604 is formed inside of upper surface member 662.

Partition plate 662c is provided with fan 611. Fan 611 allows the air inside upper surface member 662, that is, the air in machine chamber 604, to flow from the front side to the back side.

Refrigerator main body 600 has operation portion (not shown) for which a user sets temperatures. The operation portion is disposed inside of surface concave portion 662d provided in the front surface of upper surface member 662. The operation portion is joined to control board 458.

On the front surface of upper surface member 662, air inlet ports 662e are formed in the right and left outer sides of front surface concave portion 662d. Exhaust ports 662f are formed on the rear surface of upper surface member 662.

Upper surface member 662 is bound to inner box 602 via front surface member 612. Front surface member 612 includes a metallic magnetic substance such as a steel plate. With this configuration, gasket 38 adheres to the entire periphery of front surface opening portion 201a. Therefore, each storage compartment is hermetically closed.

In this exemplary embodiment, upper surface member 662 is made of resin. On the other hand, upper surface member 662 can be integrally formed with front surface member 612 with a metallic magnetic substance such as a steel plate. In this case, the number of components of refrigerator main body 600 is reduced and assembly is facilitated.

Refrigerator main body 600 has a plate-shaped machine chamber cover 623. Machine chamber cover 623 covers an upper surface of machine chamber 604. Machine chamber cover 623 is provided with air hole 623a if necessary.

Operation and effect of a refrigerator configured as mentioned above is described. Control board 458 is disposed in the upper of the front side of refrigerator main body 600. Thus, when control board 458 is exchanged, working can be carried out from the front surface side of refrigerator main body 600. In other words, maintenance is facilitated. Furthermore, control board 458 is directly joined to operation portion. Therefore, number of components of refrigerator main body 600 is reduced, and assembly is facilitated.

In this exemplary embodiment, operation portion is disposed inside front surface concave portion 662d in upper surface member 662. On the other hand, the operation portion can be disposed on the front surface of refrigerating compartment door 29a or on a wall surface of the inside of refrigerating compartment 29. In this case, the operation portion is disposed in the position with the usability of a user is taken into consideration. Specifically, the operation portion is disposed in a position that is higher than center line 25a of partition wall 25, and in a position in the vicinity of the front surface of refrigerator main body 600 or in the vicinity of front surface opening portion 201a. In any of the above-mentioned positions, the distance from control board 458 disposed on the upper portion of heat insulation box 601 is short. In other words, wiring and a configuration can be simplified.

Compressor 220 is disposed in the most rear part of refrigerator main body 600. Control board 458 is disposed in the most front of refrigerator main body 600. With this configuration, the distance between compressor 220 and control board 458 is long. Therefore, waste heat to control board 458 from compressor 220 is small. In other words, the temperature rise of control board 458 is suppressed. Therefore, the reliability of control board 458 is improved.

Since the inside of upper surface member 662 is machine chamber 604, the entire surface of the upper part of heat insulation box 601 is machine chamber 604. Therefore, regardless of where in heat insulation box 601, side refrigerant piping 52, front refrigerant piping 53, and the like, are disposed, by extending wiring to the immediately upward, it can be introduced into machine chamber 604. In other words, the shape of the piping and the like can be simplified. In addition, assembly such as joining of piping is facilitated.

In this exemplary embodiment, upper surface member 662 has a shape whose upper, and right and left parts are opened. In other words, machine chamber 604 is formed in which a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface are integrated. On the other hand, box-shaped machine chamber 604 can be mounted on plane-shaped upper surface member 662. With this configuration, interior components such as compressor 220, control board 458, condenser 669, and fan 611 can be previously disposed inside of machine chamber 604. By using machine chamber 604 in which interior components are previously disposed, assembly of refrigerator main body 600 is facilitated. With this configuration, when a dew condensation prevention device other than side refrigerant piping 52 and front refrigerant piping 53 is provided in heat insulation box 601, and a condenser constituting a refrigerating cycle is only condenser 669, welding between heat insulation box 601 and machine chamber 604 is not necessary. Thus, assembly of refrigerator main body 600 is facilitated.

Upper surface member 662 forms an entire surface of the upper part of heat insulation box 601. Front surface member 612 is formed as a different member from upper surface member 662. Therefore, as compared with the configuration using upper-surface front side member 262 in the fourth exemplary embodiment, the size of front surface member 612 can be reduced. In general, front surface member 612 makes much of beautiful appearance. Therefore, processing such as painting is applied to front surface member 612. In other words, material cost for front surface member 612 is more expensive as compared with members, for example, rear surface member 661 to which a user cannot see. Therefore, since the area of front surface member 612 is small, the manufacturing cost is reduced.

As a refrigerant, isobutane is used. Isobutane is combustible, and has a larger specific gravity than the air. The height of partition plate 662c is higher than that of the welding position of compressor 220. Therefore, even if a refrigerant leaks, the refrigerant is prevented from flowing into control board housing portion 613c. In other words, the safety of refrigerator main body 600 is secured.

With fan 611 disposed in partition plate 662c, a current of air is allowed to flow from control board housing portion 613c to compressor supporting portion 613a. Thus, a refrigerant is further prevented from flowing into control board housing portion 613c. Furthermore, the current of air suppresses the temperature rise of compressor 220. In other words, the reliability of compressor 220 is improved.

As mentioned above, since control board 458 is disposed in the front side of compressor 220, a maintenance property of refrigerator main body 600 is improved and assembly is facilitated. Machine chamber 604 is disposed on the entire surface of the upper part of heat insulation box 601. Thus, shapes of the components which are input to or output from machine chamber 604 can be simplified. Therefore, assembly of refrigerator main body 600 is facilitated.

SEVENTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a refrigerator in accordance with a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16 is a sectional view seen from the right side of the refrigerator. Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a heat insulation box of the refrigerator in accordance with this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration in the first to sixth exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, with reference to the same configurations of the first to sixth exemplary embodiments, the advantageous effects are the same, and therefore description therefor is omitted. This exemplary embodiment is different from the sixth exemplary embodiment in that the bottom surface of the rear side of upper surface member 762 is configured in the position that is lower than the front side.

Outer box 703 includes main member 260, upper surface member 762 and rear surface member 661. The configuration of upper surface member 762 is described in detail later. Heat insulation material 24 is filled between outer box 703 and inner box 702. In this way, heat insulation box 701 is configured.

As shown in Fig. 17, upper surface member 762 is made of resin, and has a shape in which the upper part and the right and left parts are opened. As shown in an alternate long and short dash line in Fig. 17, upper surface member 762 is disposed on outer box 703 such that the position of the upper end of upper surface member 762 in the height direction agree with the position of the upper end of main member 260 in the height direction.

Upper surface member 762 has compressor supporting portion 713a on the bottom surface of the rear side. Compressor 220 is supported by compressor supporting portion 713a. Upper surface member 762 has control board housing portion 713c at the front side. Control board 458 is disposed on control board housing portion 713c. Furthermore, upper surface member 762 is configured in such a manner that the bottom surface of the rear side is lower when the bottom surface of the rear side and the bottom surface of the front side are compared with each other. In other words, compressor 220 is disposed in a position that is lower than control board 458. In this way, the inside of upper surface member 762 constitutes machine chamber 704.

On the front surface of upper surface member 762, air inlet ports 762e are formed on the right and left outer sides of front surface concave portion 762d. Exhaust ports 762f are formed on the rear surface of upper surface member 762. Refrigerator main body 700 has plate-shaped machine chamber cover 623 as in the sixth exemplary embodiment. Machine chamber cover 623 covers the upper surface of machine chamber 704. Machine chamber cover 623 is provided with air hole 623a if necessary. Isobutane is used as a refrigerant.

Isobutane is combustible, and has a larger specific gravity than the air.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, compressor 220 is disposed in a position that is lower than control board 458. Therefore, if a refrigerant leaks, the refrigerant is prevented from flowing into control board 458. In other words, the safety of refrigerator main body 700 is secured.
Furthermore, when a ventilation mechanism such as a fan is provided between control board 458 and compressor 220, a current of air can be allowed to flow from control board housing portion 713c to compressor supporting portion 713a. Thus, the leaking refrigerant is further prevented from flowing into control board housing portion 713c. Furthermore, with the current of air, the temperature rise of compressor 220 is suppressed. In other words, the reliability of compressor 220 is improved.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As mentioned above, the present invention can provide a refrigerator including a heat insulation box having high rigidity without increasing the weight. Therefore, the present invention is usable for other storage compartments using a heat insulation box, for example, a heat retaining compartment.

REFERENCE MARKS IN DRAWINGS

20, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 refrigerator main body
21, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701 heat insulation box
21a, 201a, 301a front surface opening portion
21b chamfered portion

22, 202, 302, 602, 702 inner box 22b, 202b lower concave portion
23, 203, 303, 403, 503, 603, 703 outer box
23a front flange
23b outer flange
23c inner flange
24 heat insulation material (heat insulation wall)
25, 26, 27, 28 partition wall
29 refrigerating compartment (storage compartment)
29a refrigerating compartment door
30 ice making compartment (storage compartment)
30a ice making compartment door
31 first refrigerating compartment (storage compartment)
31a first refrigerating compartment door
32 second refrigerating compartment (storage compartment)
32a second refrigerating compartment door
33 vegetable compartment (storage compartment)
33a vegetable compartment door
34 upper hinge
35 lower hinge
36 rail member
37 space
38 gasket
50, 220 compressor (refrigerating cycle)
51 evaporator (refrigerating cycle)
52 side refrigerant piping (heat generator, condenser)
53 front refrigerant piping (heat generator, condenser)
60, 260, 360 main member
60a, 260a, 360a bottom surface part 60b, 260b side surface part
61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661 rear surface member 61a hole
62, 662, 762 upper surface member
70 vacuum heat insulation material
80 front-side supporting leg (supporting leg)
81 front side tip portion
90 rear-side supporting leg (supporting leg)
91 rear side tip portion
100, 230, 330 defrosted water disposal portion
101, 231, 331 housing portion
102, 232 defrosted water disposal unit 104, 604, 704 machine chamber
201b, 401b, 501b top surface housing portion
202a upper concave portion
213, 313, 413, 513 upper-surface rear side member
262, 362 upper-surface front side member
301b top surface housing portion
313a, 413a, 513a, 613a, 713a compressor supporting portion
358, 458 control board
413b flange portion
413c, 513c, 613c, 713c control board housing portion
423, 523 compressor cover
423a, 523a, 662f, 762f exhaust port
604, 704 machine chamber
611 fan
612 front surface member
623 machine chamber cover
623a air hole
662c partition plate
662d, 762d front surface concave portion
662e, 762e air inlet port

[Table 1]

CLAIMS

1. A refrigerator comprising a refrigerator main body having a heat insulation box provided inside with storage compartments,

wherein the heat insulation box includes an outer box, an inner box, a heat insulation wall formed of a heat insulation material filled between the outer box and the inner box,

a housing portion for housing an external device exposed to outside air among refrigerating cycle-related devices including a device constituting a refrigerating cycle is disposed at a lower part of a rear side of the storage compartment in a lowermost part of the heat insulation box, and

a bottom surface part of the storage compartment in the lowermost part and a bottom surface part of the housing portion are integrated to form a heat insulation wall.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1,

wherein the external device is a defrosted water disposal portion for evaporating water produced when frost formed by operation of the refrigerating cycle melts, and

a lower part of the defrosted water disposal portion is provided with a heat insulation wall connected to a bottom surface of the heat insulation box.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1,

wherein the external device is a compressor, and a lower part of the defrosted water disposal portion is provided with a heat insulation wall connected to a bottom surface of the heat insulation box.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the outer box comprises a main member including a side surface part constituting right and left side surfaces of the heat insulation box, and a bottom surface part constituting at least a part of a lower surface of the heat insulation box, and the main member is formed by integrating the side surface part and the bottom surface part.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein right and left side parts of the housing portion have a heat insulation wall connected to right and left side parts of the heat insulation box.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a heat insulation wall of the bottom surface of the heat insulation box and a heat insulation wall on a lower part of the housing portion are horizontal to each other and have a same thickness.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the heat insulation box has a chamfered portion in right and left corners of a rear side, and

a supporting leg of the refrigerator main body is provided in a chamfered area surrounded by a surface of the chamfered portion, an extended surface of a side surface of the refrigerator main body, and an extended surface of a rear surface of the refrigerator main body.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, comprising a heat generator integrally formed in a portion excluding an upper surface of the heat insulation box facing the bottom surface part.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein a cooling temperature of a storage compartment including the upper surface is in a refrigeration temperature zone.

10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the heat generator is disposed at the heat insulation material side of the outer box.

11. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the heat generator is disposed at one side nearer to a front surface opening portion of the heat insulation box than a position 100 mm from the front surface opening portion to the rear side.

12. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the heat generator is a part of a condenser that forms the refrigerating cycle.

13. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a top surface housing portion provided on an upper part of the rear side of the storage compartment in an uppermost part of the heat insulation box, in addition to the housing portion provided on the lower part of the rear side of the storage compartment in the lowermost part of the heat insulation box, and

comprising a rear surface member forming a rear surface of the heat insulation box, an upper surface member forming an upper

surface of the heat insulation box, and a top surface rear side member forming a rear side and a lower surface of the top surface housing portion,

wherein the upper surface member, the top surface rear side member, and the rear surface member are formed integrally.

14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the heat insulation material is filled between a lower surface of a compressor supporting portion of the upper surface member and the inner box.

15. The refrigerator, of claim 13, comprising:

a control hoard ,for controlling the refrigerating cycle wherein the top surface housing portion of the heat insulation box houses a compressor , and

a compressor; supporting portion .that supports the compressor and a control board housing portion that houses the control board are formed integrally.

16. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a; compressor forming the refrigerating cycle is disposed on the upper part of the rear side of the refrigerator main body.