JP2008151389A

JP2008151389A - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: JP2008151389A
Application number: JP2006338804A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Shunsuke Kojima; 俊介小嶋; Katsuyoshi Fujisawa; 活佳藤沢; Hidenao Suzuki; 秀直鈴木
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2006-12-15
Filing date: 2006-12-15
Publication date: 2008-07-03

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator with a simple structure, facilitating attachment and detachment of components, and provided with a water supply passage capable of improving assembly efficiency and a cleaning property, and to provide a refrigerator preventing accumulation of water in connecting parts of components of the water supply passage, and inflow of water into an ice tray. <P>SOLUTION: The refrigerator is composed such that a refrigeration compartment 5 is provided in an upper part and a freezing compartment 7 is provided in a lower part, and water supplied is carried out from a water supply tank 15 arranged in the refrigeration compartment 5 to the ice tray 21 of an icemaker mounted in the freezing compartment 7 by a water supply passage 30. The water supply passage 30 is composed of a water supply hose 31 detachably installed in the refrigeration compartment 5, and having an upper end attached to a water receptor 17 supplied with water from the water supply tank 15, a water supply pipe 35 detachably inserted with the water supply hose 31 in an upper end, and having a lower end opened above the ice tray 21 of the freezing compartment, and a connection auxiliary member 40 detachably fixed to an upper part of the water supply pipe 35 and guiding the water supply hose 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は冷蔵庫に係り、より詳しくは、上部の冷蔵室に配設された給水タンクから、上下に離隔した下部の冷凍室内に配設される自動製氷機の製氷皿に水を導く給水装置を備えた冷蔵庫に関するものである。 The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more specifically, a water supply device that guides water from a water supply tank disposed in an upper refrigerator compartment to an ice tray of an automatic ice maker disposed in a lower freezer compartment that is vertically separated. This relates to the refrigerator provided.

近年、中容量以上の冷蔵庫においては、冷凍室の上部に冷蔵室、野菜室を配設するタイプのものが多く発売されており、多くの機種では、冷凍室に自動製氷機、冷蔵室に給水タンクが配設され、給水タンクから自動製氷機に給水するようになっている。 In recent years, refrigerators with a medium capacity or more have been put on the market with a refrigerator room and a vegetable room at the top of the freezer room. In many models, automatic ice machines are used in the freezer room, and water is supplied to the refrigerator room. A tank is provided to supply water from the water supply tank to the automatic ice making machine.

上記のような冷蔵庫においては、冷蔵庫本体は、樹脂製の内箱と鋼板製の外箱との間に、断熱材としてウレタンフォームなどの発泡断熱材を充填して構成され、内箱内には、上部から冷蔵室、野菜室及び冷凍室が設けられ、冷蔵室と野菜室との間は、仕切り壁で仕切られ、野菜室と冷凍室との間は断熱仕切り壁で仕切られている。 In the refrigerator as described above, the refrigerator body is configured by filling a foam heat insulating material such as urethane foam as a heat insulating material between the resin inner box and the steel plate outer box, A refrigerator room, a vegetable room, and a freezer room are provided from the top, the refrigerator room and the vegetable room are partitioned by a partition wall, and the vegetable room and the freezer room are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall.

そして、冷蔵室の底部を構成する仕切壁の上面には、給水タンク、水受け皿部等からなる給水部が設けられており、この水受け皿部は冷蔵室の奥側に設けられた水受け皿受部内に取外し自在に保持されて、所定の位置に設置されるようになっている。
また、冷凍室の一方の側の上部には製氷部が設けられており、給水部と製氷部との間には、中継給水パイプとこれに着脱可能に接続された製氷皿給水パイプとからなり、給水経路を形成する給水パイプが配設されている。 A water supply unit including a water supply tank and a water tray unit is provided on the upper surface of the partition wall constituting the bottom of the refrigerator compartment. The water tray unit is a water tray receiver provided on the back side of the refrigerator room. It is detachably held in the unit and is installed at a predetermined position.
In addition, an ice making unit is provided at the upper part of one side of the freezer compartment. Between the water supply unit and the ice making unit, there are a relay water supply pipe and an ice tray water supply pipe detachably connected thereto. A water supply pipe forming a water supply path is disposed.

この給水パイプを構成する中継給水パイプは、水受け皿部に着脱可能に連結され、その下端部に接続された製氷皿給水パイプは、断熱仕切り壁に設けた開口部に挿入され、その先端部が製氷皿上に開口している。
このように、給水部と製氷部との間に配設された給水パイプは、中継給水パイプと製氷皿給水パイプを分離し、冷蔵庫本体から取出して洗浄することができる。 The relay water supply pipe constituting the water supply pipe is detachably connected to the water tray, and the ice tray water supply pipe connected to the lower end of the water supply pipe is inserted into the opening provided in the heat insulating partition wall, and the tip thereof is Open on the ice tray.
Thus, the water supply pipe disposed between the water supply unit and the ice making unit can be separated from the relay water supply pipe and the ice tray water supply pipe, taken out from the refrigerator body, and washed.

また、断熱仕切壁に設けた開口部内には、製氷皿給水パイプの凍結を防止する凍結防止ヒータが設けられており、開口部の内壁と製氷皿給水パイプとの間には、この凍結防止ヒータを覆って製氷皿給水パイプと絶縁、隔離し、かつ製氷皿給水パイプを保持するヒータカバーが設けられ、製氷皿給水パイプは工具等を使用せずに取り外せるようになっている。
さらに、給水パイプの野菜室側は、給水パイプが見えないように、工具等が不要で着脱可能な中継パイプカバーによって覆れている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 In addition, an anti-freezing heater for preventing freezing of the ice tray water supply pipe is provided in the opening provided in the heat insulating partition wall, and the anti-freezing heater is provided between the inner wall of the opening and the ice tray water supply pipe. A heater cover that covers and insulates and isolates the ice tray water supply pipe and holds the ice tray water supply pipe is provided, and the ice tray water supply pipe can be removed without using a tool or the like.
Furthermore, the vegetable room side of the water supply pipe is covered with a detachable relay pipe cover that does not require tools or the like so that the water supply pipe cannot be seen (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

特開２００３−５６９５８号公報（第５−７頁、図２−４）Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-56958 (page 5-7, FIG. 2-4)

特許文献１の冷蔵庫によれば、中間に野菜室を有する給水経路の長い給水パイプにおいても、その清掃性が向上して衛生的に保つことができ、また、製氷皿給水パイプを凍結防止ヒータから容易かつ確実に絶縁できる等、多くの効果が得られる。
しかしながら、製氷皿給水パイプと断熱仕切り壁の開口部の内壁との間には、凍結防止ヒータと絶縁するためのヒータカバーが設けられており、このヒータカバーは製氷皿給水パイプと凍結防止ヒータの両者を狭持して保持しているので、大型になってコストがかかるばかりでなく、組付けが面倒で時間がかかるという問題があった。 According to the refrigerator of Patent Literature 1, even in a water supply pipe having a vegetable room in the middle and having a long water supply path, the cleanability can be improved and the hygiene tray water supply pipe can be kept hygienic. Many effects are obtained such as easy and reliable insulation.
However, a heater cover for insulation from the antifreeze heater is provided between the ice tray water supply pipe and the inner wall of the opening of the heat insulating partition wall. The heater cover is provided between the ice tray water supply pipe and the antifreeze heater. Since both of them are held and held, there is a problem that not only the size is increased and the cost is increased, but also the assembly is troublesome and takes time.

また、ヒータカバーの製氷皿給水パイプの組付部の上部に水が付着した場合、ヒータカバーの下側には凍結防止ヒータが配設されているため水抜穴を設けることができないので、ヒータカバーに付着した水が製氷皿給水パイプに沿って下降し、製氷皿に流入してしまうおそれがあった。 Also, if water adheres to the upper part of the heater tray ice tray water supply pipe assembly, a water drain hole cannot be provided because the anti-freeze heater is located under the heater cover. There was a risk that water adhering to the ice would fall along the ice tray water supply pipe and flow into the ice tray.

本発明は、上記の課題を解決するためになされたもので、給水タンクから離隔した製氷皿に給水するために、構造が簡単で構成部品の着脱が容易であり、組立性、清掃性を向上することのできる給水路を備えた冷蔵庫、及び給水路の構成部品の接続部に水が溜ったり、この水が製氷皿内に流入したりすることのない冷蔵庫を提供することを目的としたものである。 The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. In order to supply water to an ice tray that is separated from a water supply tank, the structure is simple and the components can be easily attached and detached, and the assembling property and the cleaning property are improved. An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator provided with a water supply channel that can be used, and a refrigerator in which water does not accumulate in the connection parts of the water supply channel components or flow into the ice tray. It is.

本発明に係る冷蔵庫は、上部に冷蔵室が設けられ下部に冷凍室が設けられて、前記冷蔵室に配設した給水タンクから前記冷凍室に搭載した製氷機の製氷皿に給水路により給水するように構成し、前記給水路を、前記冷蔵室に着脱可能に設置されて前記給水タンクから給水される水受け皿に上端部が取付けられた給水ホースと、上端部に前記給水ホースが着脱可能に挿入され、下端部が前記冷凍室の製氷皿上に開口する給水管と、該給水管の上部に着脱可能に固定され前記給水ホースを案内する接続補助部材とによって構成したものである。
また、上記の接続補助部材の前記給水ホースと給水管の接続部の近傍に、水抜き穴を設けたものである。 The refrigerator according to the present invention has a refrigerator compartment at the top and a freezer compartment at the bottom, and supplies water from a water supply tank provided in the refrigerator compartment to an ice tray of an ice making machine mounted in the refrigerator compartment through a water supply channel. The water supply path is detachably installed in the refrigerating chamber and has a water supply hose with an upper end attached to a water tray that is supplied with water from the water supply tank, and the water supply hose can be attached to and detached from the upper end. A water supply pipe that is inserted and whose lower end opens on the ice tray in the freezer compartment, and a connection auxiliary member that is detachably fixed to the upper part of the water supply pipe and guides the water supply hose.
Moreover, the drain hole is provided in the vicinity of the connection part of the water supply hose and the water supply pipe of the connection auxiliary member.

本発明によれば、水タンクから離隔した製氷皿に給水するための給水路を、水タンクの水受け皿に取付けた給水ホースと、この給水ホースに接続され他端が製氷皿上に開口する給水管との接続部に、一端が給水管に固定されて給水ホースを案内する接続補助部材を設けたので、給水ホースの給水管への着脱がきわめて容易になり、清掃性を向上することができる。また、接続補助部材は、樹脂により小形に形成されており、給水管に固定するだけなので組立作業が容易であり、コストを低減することができる。
さらに、接続補助部の給水ホースと給水管との接続部の近傍に水抜穴をもうけたので、これら接続部の近傍に水が溜ったり、この水が製氷皿に流入することもない。 According to the present invention, a water supply path for supplying water to an ice tray that is separated from the water tank, a water supply hose attached to the water tray of the water tank, and a water supply that is connected to the water supply hose and has the other end opened on the ice tray. Since a connection auxiliary member that guides the water supply hose with one end fixed to the water supply pipe is provided at the connection portion with the pipe, the water supply hose can be attached to and detached from the water supply pipe very easily, and the cleaning property can be improved. . Further, the connection assisting member is formed in a small size with resin and is simply fixed to the water supply pipe, so that the assembly work is easy and the cost can be reduced.
Further, since the drain hole is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion between the water supply hose and the water supply pipe of the connection assisting portion, water does not accumulate near the connection portion and this water does not flow into the ice tray.

図１は本発明の一実施の形態に係る冷蔵庫の要部の断面図、図２は本発明に係る冷蔵庫の本体の斜視図、図３は図２のＡ−Ａ断面に対応する本発明に係る冷蔵庫の縦断面図、図４は図１の要部の分解斜視図である。
本発明に係る冷蔵庫の冷蔵庫本体１は、鋼板製の外箱２と、樹脂製の内箱３と、両者の間に充填されたウレタンフォームの如き発泡断熱材４とによって外壁が構成されており、上部から冷蔵室５、野菜室６及び冷凍室７が形成されている。 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body of the refrigerator according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of FIG. 1.
The refrigerator main body 1 of the refrigerator according to the present invention has an outer wall composed of a steel plate outer box 2, a resin inner box 3, and a foam heat insulating material 4 such as urethane foam filled therebetween. The refrigerator compartment 5, the vegetable compartment 6, and the freezer compartment 7 are formed from the upper part.

冷蔵室５と野菜室６との間は仕切り壁８によって仕切られており、野菜室６と冷凍室７との間は断熱仕切り壁９によって仕切られてる。そして、冷蔵室５と野菜室６の奥側に設けた断熱壁１０と後壁との間には、冷却器１１、送風機１２、ダンパ装置１３などが配設されており、また、冷凍室７の奥側において後壁の外側には、圧縮機１４が設置されている。 The refrigerator compartment 5 and the vegetable compartment 6 are partitioned by a partition wall 8, and the vegetable compartment 6 and the freezer compartment 7 are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 9. And between the heat insulation wall 10 and the back wall provided in the back | inner side of the refrigerator compartment 5 and the vegetable compartment 6, the cooler 11, the air blower 12, the damper apparatus 13, etc. are arrange | positioned, and the freezer compartment 7 The compressor 14 is installed on the outer side of the rear wall on the back side.

冷蔵室５の底部を構成する仕切り壁８の一方の側壁（図２の左壁の側壁で、以下１ａと記す）側の前面側には凹部８ａが形成されて、この凹部８ａ内には着脱可能に給水タンク１５が収容されており、また、仕切り壁８の凹部８ａの隅部には、図５に示すように、係止段部８ｂが設けられて、給水タンク１５内には、この係止段部８ｂを２辺とする上面が開口した箱状の水受け皿収容部１６が形成されている。１６ａは後述する給水ガイド部材２５に連通する開口部である。 A recess 8a is formed on the front side of one side wall of the partition wall 8 constituting the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 5 (the side wall of the left wall in FIG. 2, hereinafter referred to as 1a), and is attached to and detached from the recess 8a. A water supply tank 15 is accommodated, and a locking step 8b is provided at the corner of the recess 8a of the partition wall 8 as shown in FIG. A box-shaped water tray receiving portion 16 having an open top surface with two sides of the locking step portion 8b is formed. An opening 16a communicates with a water supply guide member 25 described later.

水受け皿収容部１６内に収容される水受け皿１７は、図５に示すように、上端部外周に仕切り壁８の係止段部８ｂに係止するフランジ部１７ｂを有するＬ字状の支持壁１７ａと、この支持壁１７ａの内側に形成された上面が開口する箱状部１７ｃとからなっている。１７ｄは水受け皿１７の底部に設けられ、後述の給水ホース３１が接続される給水口である。 As shown in FIG. 5, the water receiving tray 17 accommodated in the water receiving tray receiving portion 16 has an L-shaped support wall having a flange portion 17 b that engages with the engaging step portion 8 b of the partition wall 8 on the outer periphery of the upper end portion. 17a and a box-shaped portion 17c formed on the inner side of the support wall 17a and having an upper surface opened. Reference numeral 17d denotes a water supply port provided at the bottom of the water tray 17 and connected to a water supply hose 31 described later.

この水受け皿１７は、開口部から水受け皿収容部１６内に収容され、そのフランジ部１７ｂが仕切り壁８の係止段部８ｂに係止して、着脱可能に保持される。そして、給水タンク１５内の水は、ポンプ１８により吸引され、吐出パイプ１９から水受け皿１７に給水される。 The water receiving tray 17 is accommodated in the water receiving tray accommodating portion 16 from the opening, and the flange portion 17b is engaged with the engaging step portion 8b of the partition wall 8 and is detachably held. Then, the water in the water supply tank 15 is sucked by the pump 18 and supplied to the water receiving tray 17 from the discharge pipe 19.

また、側壁１ａの発泡断熱材４内の上下方向には、インサートされた樹脂製の給水路ガイド部材２５が一体に設けられており、この給水路ガイド部材２５は、上部が内箱３の仕切り壁８の凹部８ａの近傍に設けた開口部３ａに対応した形状に形成され、開口部３ａに結合された上部開口部２５ａと、下部が内箱３の野菜室６の下部に設けた開口部３ｂ（図８参照）に対応した形状に形成され、開口部３ｂに結合された下部開口部２５ｂとを有し、これらの間が断面円形に形成されている。 Further, an inserted resin water supply path guide member 25 is integrally provided in the vertical direction in the foamed heat insulating material 4 of the side wall 1a, and the upper portion of the water supply path guide member 25 is a partition of the inner box 3. An upper opening 25a formed in a shape corresponding to the opening 3a provided in the vicinity of the recess 8a of the wall 8 and coupled to the opening 3a, and an opening provided at the lower part of the vegetable compartment 6 of the inner box 3 It has a shape corresponding to 3b (see FIG. 8), and has a lower opening 25b coupled to the opening 3b, and the space between them is formed in a circular shape.

断熱仕切り壁９の側壁１ａ側には、図６に示すように、上面長穴状の凹部９ａが設けられており、その側壁１ａ側の壁面は、後述の給水管３５の傾斜部３５ｃに対応した傾斜面に形成されており、底部には、給水管３５の吐出口３５ｄが挿入される挿入穴９ｃが設けられている。
また、冷凍室７の断熱仕切り壁９の側壁１ａ側の下面には、自動製氷機２０が搭載されており、この自動製氷機２０は、製氷皿２１とこの製氷皿２１を反転させる反転装置２２を備えている。 As shown in FIG. 6, the heat insulating partition wall 9 is provided with a recess 9a having a long hole shape on the side wall 1a, and the wall surface on the side wall 1a corresponds to an inclined portion 35c of a water supply pipe 35 described later. An insertion hole 9c into which the discharge port 35d of the water supply pipe 35 is inserted is provided at the bottom.
Further, an automatic ice making machine 20 is mounted on the lower surface of the heat insulating partition wall 9 in the freezer compartment 7 on the side wall 1a side. The automatic ice making machine 20 has an ice making plate 21 and a reversing device 22 for inverting the ice making plate 21. It has.

３０は側壁１ａに設けた給水路ガイド部材２５内に挿脱可能に挿入されて、給水タンク１５内の水を製氷皿２１に給水する給水路で、上部が水受け皿１７の給水口１７ｄに接続された給水ホース３１と、上部が給水路ガイド部材２５の下部開口部２５ｂ内において給水ホース３１に着脱可能に接続され、下部が製氷皿２１上に開口した給水管３５と、これら給水ホース３１と給水管３５をガイドし保持する接続補助部材４０とからなっている。 A water supply path 30 is removably inserted into a water supply guide member 25 provided on the side wall 1 a and supplies water in the water supply tank 15 to the ice tray 21. The upper part is connected to a water supply port 17 d of the water receiving tray 17. The water supply hose 31, the upper part is detachably connected to the water supply hose 31 in the lower opening 25b of the water supply channel guide member 25, and the lower part is opened on the ice tray 21, and these water supply hoses 31 It consists of a connection auxiliary member 40 that guides and holds the water supply pipe 35.

給水ホース３１の上端部には水受け皿１７の給水口１７ｄに接続する接続具３１ａが設けられており、下端部から５〜１５ｍｍ程度の範囲が冷蔵庫本体１の幅方向の中央部側に向ってゆるやかに折曲げられて折曲げ部３１ｂが形成され、かつ徐々に縮径されてテーパ状に形成されている。 A connection tool 31a connected to the water supply port 17d of the water tray 17 is provided at the upper end portion of the water supply hose 31, and a range of about 5 to 15 mm from the lower end portion is directed toward the central portion side in the width direction of the refrigerator body 1. The bent portion 31b is formed by being bent gently, and the diameter is gradually reduced to form a taper shape.

また、給水管３５は熱伝導性がよく耐熱性すぐれたアルミニウムなどの金属材料からなり、上部はラッパ状に拡径されて拡径部３５ａが形成され、その上端部外周にはフランジ３５ｂが設けられている。そして、下部は冷蔵庫本体１の幅方向中央部側に緩やかに折曲げられて傾斜部３５ｃが形成されたのち、下方にほぼ垂直に折曲げられて吐出口３５ｄが設けられている。なお、５５は給水管３５の傾斜部３５ｃに装着された凍結防止ヒータである。 The water supply pipe 35 is made of a metal material such as aluminum having good heat conductivity and excellent heat resistance, and the upper part is enlarged in a trumpet shape to form an enlarged diameter part 35a, and a flange 35b is provided on the outer periphery of the upper end part. It has been. The lower portion is gently bent toward the widthwise central portion of the refrigerator body 1 to form an inclined portion 35c, and is then bent substantially vertically downward to provide a discharge port 35d. Reference numeral 55 denotes a freeze prevention heater attached to the inclined portion 35c of the water supply pipe 35.

４０は例えばピリプロピレンなどの合成樹脂からなり、ゆるやかな円弧状に形成された接続補助部材で、図７に示すように、給水ホース３１の外径よりやや大きい内壁で断面ほぼＵ字状に形成された本体部４１を有し、下端部には給水管３５が接続されて固定される給水管固定部４２が設けられている。この給水管固定部４２は、給水管３５の外形に対応した半円状の嵌合部４３と、先端部に係止爪４６を有し、薄肉部４４を介して嵌合部４３に連結されたほぼ半円状の固定片４５とからなり、嵌合部４３には固定片４５の係止爪４６が係止する係止部４７が設けられている。 40 is a connection auxiliary member made of a synthetic resin such as pyripropylene and formed in a gentle arc shape. As shown in FIG. 7, the inner wall is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the water supply hose 31 and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. The main body 41 is provided, and a water supply pipe fixing part 42 to which the water supply pipe 35 is connected and fixed is provided at the lower end. This water supply pipe fixing part 42 has a semicircular fitting part 43 corresponding to the outer shape of the water supply pipe 35 and a locking claw 46 at the tip part, and is connected to the fitting part 43 via a thin part 44. The engaging portion 43 is provided with a locking portion 47 to which the locking claw 46 of the fixing piece 45 is locked.

また、給水管固定部４２の上部は、給水管３５の拡径部３５ａに対応して拡径され（以下、嵌合拡径部４８という）、その上端部には給水管３５のフランジ３５ｂに係合する係合溝４９が設けられており、この係合溝４９の上方の底部、つまり、給水ホース３１と給水管３５の接続部の近傍には水抜き穴５０が設けられている。さらに、嵌合拡径部４８の上方には周壁が内側に凸状に曲げられたくびれ部５１が設けられており、その上方の外周には四角形状のリブ５２が形成されている。 Further, the upper part of the water supply pipe fixing part 42 is enlarged in correspondence with the enlarged diameter part 35a of the water supply pipe 35 (hereinafter referred to as the fitting enlarged diameter part 48), and the upper end thereof is connected to the flange 35b of the water supply pipe 35. An engaging groove 49 is provided to be engaged, and a drain hole 50 is provided in the bottom portion above the engaging groove 49, that is, in the vicinity of the connecting portion between the water supply hose 31 and the water supply pipe 35. Further, a constricted portion 51 whose peripheral wall is bent inward is provided above the fitting enlarged diameter portion 48, and a rectangular rib 52 is formed on the outer periphery thereof.

次に、上記のような各部からなる給水路３０の冷蔵庫本体１への取付手順の一例について説明する。
先ず、給水管３５の上部に接続補助部材４０の下部を嵌合し、給水管３５のフランジ３５ｂに係合溝４９を係合させると共に、その嵌合拡径部４８を給水管３５の拡径部３５ａに、給水管固定部４２の嵌合部４３を拡径部３５ａの下部にそれぞれ嵌合させる。このとき、係合溝４９を給水管３５のフランジ３５ａに係合することにより、接続補助部材４０の位置決めがなされるとと共に、上下方向の移動が規制される。ついで、給水管固定部４２の固定片４５を薄肉部４４により給水管３５の上面を覆うように折曲げて、その係止爪４６を嵌合部４３の係止部４７に係止し、嵌合部４３と固定片４５により給水管３５を固定する。なお、接続補助部材４０の取付前又は取付後に、給水管３５に凍結防止ヒータ５５を取付ける。 Next, an example of a procedure for attaching the water supply channel 30 including the above parts to the refrigerator main body 1 will be described.
First, the lower part of the connection auxiliary member 40 is fitted to the upper part of the water supply pipe 35, the engagement groove 49 is engaged with the flange 35 b of the water supply pipe 35, and the fitting enlarged diameter portion 48 is expanded to the diameter of the water supply pipe 35. The fitting part 43 of the water supply pipe fixing part 42 is fitted into the lower part of the enlarged diameter part 35a in the part 35a. At this time, by engaging the engaging groove 49 with the flange 35a of the water supply pipe 35, the connection auxiliary member 40 is positioned and the movement in the vertical direction is restricted. Next, the fixing piece 45 of the water supply pipe fixing part 42 is bent so as to cover the upper surface of the water supply pipe 35 by the thin part 44, and the locking claw 46 is locked to the locking part 47 of the fitting part 43. The water supply pipe 35 is fixed by the joint portion 43 and the fixing piece 45. The antifreeze heater 55 is attached to the water supply pipe 35 before or after the connection auxiliary member 40 is attached.

ついで、図１、図８に示すように、接続補助部材４０の上部を、内箱３に設けた開口部３ｂから給水路ガイド部材２５の下部開口部２５ｂ内に挿入すると共に、給水管３５の下部を断熱仕切り壁９に設けた凹部９ａ内に挿入し、その吐出口３５ｄを挿入穴９ｃに挿入する。そして、傾斜部３５ｃを凹部９ａの壁面９ｂに沿って設置する。このとき、接続補助部材４０に設けたリブ５２が、給水路ガイド部材２５の内壁に当接し、上下左右方向の位置及び回転が規制される。 Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the upper portion of the connection assisting member 40 is inserted into the lower opening 25 b of the water supply path guide member 25 from the opening 3 b provided in the inner box 3, and the water supply pipe 35. The lower part is inserted into a recess 9a provided in the heat insulating partition wall 9, and the discharge port 35d is inserted into the insertion hole 9c. And the inclination part 35c is installed along the wall surface 9b of the recessed part 9a. At this time, the rib 52 provided in the connection auxiliary member 40 contacts the inner wall of the water supply path guide member 25, and the position and rotation in the vertical and horizontal directions are restricted.

次に、接続具３１ａにより水受け皿１７が接続された給水ホース３１を、水受け皿収容部１６の開口部１６ａから給水路ガイド部材２５内に挿入し、水受け皿１７を水受け皿収容部１６内に収容して、そのフランジ１７ｂを仕切り壁８の係止段部８ｂに係止させる。このとき、給水パイプ３１は給水路ガイド部材２５内を下降する。 Next, the water supply hose 31 to which the water tray 17 is connected by the connection tool 31a is inserted into the water supply path guide member 25 from the opening 16a of the water tray storage section 16, and the water tray 17 is inserted into the water tray storage section 16. The flange 17b is accommodated, and the locking step 8b of the partition wall 8 is locked. At this time, the water supply pipe 31 descends in the water supply path guide member 25.

給水ホース３１の下降にあたっては、その先端部３１ｂが前述のように冷蔵庫本体１の幅方向の中心部側に折曲げられており、かつ、先端部になるにしたがって徐々に縮径されてテーパ状に形成されているので、先端部３１ｂが給水路ガイド部２５の冷蔵庫本体１の中央部側の内壁のみに接触して通過し、接続補助部材４０の本体部４１の底面に引掛ることなく下降することができ、くびれ部５１によってその先端部が給水管３５の中心部に案内され、図９に示すように、容易かつ確実に給水管３５に挿入され、接続される。 When the water supply hose 31 is lowered, the tip 31b is bent toward the center in the width direction of the refrigerator body 1 as described above, and the diameter is gradually reduced toward the tip and tapered. The tip 31b passes through only the inner wall on the central side of the refrigerator main body 1 of the water supply channel guide 25, and descends without being caught on the bottom surface of the main body 41 of the connection assisting member 40. As shown in FIG. 9, the tip portion of the constricted portion 51 is guided to the central portion of the water supply pipe 35, and is easily and reliably inserted into and connected to the water supply pipe 35.

水受け皿１７と給水路３０の取付けが終っとたきは、内箱３の開口部３ｂから断熱仕切り壁９ａにかけて、これらを覆うようにカバー６０を取付ける。このカバー６０はねじあるいは係止爪（図示せず）によって側壁１ａ及び断熱仕切り壁９に固定され、工具等を使用しなければ取外せないようになっており、凍結防止ヒータ５５に外部から接触できないようにしてある。なお、このカバー６０の背面に凍結防止ヒータ５５の位置に対応して突部６１を設け、カバー６０を取付けたときに、この突部６１が凍結防止ヒータ５５に当接するようにすれば、給水管３５が凹部９ａの壁面９ｂに押し付けられて、より安定して保持される。 When the attachment of the water tray 17 and the water supply channel 30 is finished, the cover 60 is attached so as to cover the insulating partition wall 9a from the opening 3b of the inner box 3 to the heat insulating partition wall 9a. The cover 60 is fixed to the side wall 1a and the heat insulating partition wall 9 by screws or locking claws (not shown), and cannot be removed unless a tool or the like is used. I can't do that. If a protrusion 61 is provided on the back surface of the cover 60 corresponding to the position of the anti-freezing heater 55 and the protrusion 61 comes into contact with the anti-freezing heater 55 when the cover 60 is attached, The tube 35 is pressed against the wall surface 9b of the recess 9a and is held more stably.

このようにして、冷蔵庫本体１の側壁１ａ内に設置された給水路３０により、給水タンク１５内の水を製氷皿２１に給水するにあたっては、給水タンク１５に設けたポンプ１８を駆動し、これによって吸引された水を吐出パイプ１９から水受け皿１７に送る。水受け皿１７に送られた水は、給水ホース３１、給水管３５を通って、その吐出口３５ｄから製氷皿２１に給水される。このとき、給水ホース３１の周壁や接続補助部材４０の内壁などに付着した水は、接続補助部材４０の水抜き穴５０から外部へ排出されるので、接続部に溜ったり製氷皿２１に流入したりするこはない。 In this way, when water in the water supply tank 15 is supplied to the ice tray 21 by the water supply path 30 installed in the side wall 1a of the refrigerator body 1, the pump 18 provided in the water supply tank 15 is driven, The water sucked by the water is sent from the discharge pipe 19 to the water receiving tray 17. The water sent to the water tray 17 passes through the water supply hose 31 and the water supply pipe 35 and is supplied to the ice tray 21 from the discharge port 35d. At this time, the water adhering to the peripheral wall of the water supply hose 31 and the inner wall of the connection auxiliary member 40 is discharged to the outside from the drain hole 50 of the connection auxiliary member 40, so that it accumulates in the connection part or flows into the ice tray 21. I will not.

清掃等のため、給水路３０を冷蔵庫本体１から取出す場合は、先ず、工具等を用いてカバー６０を取外す。ついで、水受け皿１７を上方に持上げれば、給水ホース３１が接続された水受け皿３１を冷蔵室５から外部に取出すことができる。
ついで、給水管３５を引上げてその吐出口３５ｄを挿入口９ｃから引き抜き、接続補助部材４０と共に野菜室６から外部に取出す。そして、必要に応じて、水受け皿１７と給水ホース３１、給水管３５と接続補助部材４０及び凍結防止ヒータ５５をそれぞれ分離し、洗浄して清掃する。 When taking out the water supply path 30 from the refrigerator main body 1 for cleaning etc., first, the cover 60 is removed using a tool etc. Next, when the water tray 17 is lifted upward, the water tray 31 to which the water supply hose 31 is connected can be taken out from the refrigerator compartment 5.
Next, the water supply pipe 35 is pulled up and the discharge port 35 d is pulled out from the insertion port 9 c and taken out from the vegetable compartment 6 together with the connection auxiliary member 40. And if necessary, the water tray 17, the water supply hose 31, the water supply pipe 35, the connection auxiliary member 40, and the antifreezing heater 55 are separated, washed and cleaned.

清掃が終わったときは、前述の要領で水受け皿１７及び給水路３０を再び冷蔵庫本体１に組込む。
なお、上記の給水路３０の取付け、取外し、清掃等の平順はその一例を示すもので、適宜変更することができる。 When cleaning is completed, the water tray 17 and the water supply channel 30 are assembled into the refrigerator main body 1 again as described above.
In addition, the order of the above-mentioned attachment, removal, cleaning, etc. of the water supply channel 30 shows an example, and can be changed as appropriate.

図１０は本発明に係る接続補助部材の他の例の斜視図である。なお、図７の接続補助部材と同じ部分にはこれと同じ符号を付し、説明を省略する。
本例に係る接続補助部材４０は、給水管固定部４２を、半円より大きい円弧状で、その内径を給水管３５の外径とほぼ等しいか又はこれより若干小径に形成し、その弾性を利用して給水管３５に嵌合し、固定するようにしたものである。
本例の作用は、図７の接続補助部材４０の場合と同様であるが、給水管３５への固定をより容易に行うことができる。 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example of the connection assisting member according to the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part as the connection auxiliary member of FIG. 7, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
The connection assisting member 40 according to this example has the water supply pipe fixing portion 42 formed in an arc shape larger than a semicircle and has an inner diameter substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the water supply pipe 35, and its elasticity is increased. It is adapted to be fitted and fixed to the water supply pipe 35.
The operation of this example is the same as that of the connection assisting member 40 of FIG. 7, but can be more easily fixed to the water supply pipe 35.

本発明によれば、給水路ガイド部材２５を冷蔵庫本体１の側壁１ａ内に設け、この給水路ガイド部材２５内に給水路３０を挿入して組込むようにしたので、野菜室６の空間効率を向上することができ、内容積を拡大することができる。
また、水受け皿１７に接続された給水ホース３１と、吐出口３５ｄが冷凍室７に開口する給水管３５との接続部に接続補助部材４０を配設し、給水ホース３１の給水管３５への接続時に給水ホース３１を案内するようにしたので、給水管３５への着脱がきわめて容易であり、給水路３０の接続性、清掃性を向上することができる。 According to the present invention, the water supply channel guide member 25 is provided in the side wall 1a of the refrigerator main body 1, and the water supply channel 30 is inserted into the water supply channel guide member 25 so that the space efficiency of the vegetable compartment 6 is improved. It is possible to improve the internal volume.
Further, a connection auxiliary member 40 is disposed at a connection portion between the water supply hose 31 connected to the water receiving tray 17 and the water supply pipe 35 whose discharge port 35d opens into the freezer compartment 7, and the water supply hose 31 is connected to the water supply pipe 35. Since the water supply hose 31 is guided at the time of connection, the attachment / detachment to the water supply pipe 35 is extremely easy, and the connectivity and cleanability of the water supply path 30 can be improved.

さらに、接続補助部材４０は小型で安価に製造でき、組付けにあたっては、給水管３５に固定するだけなので、組立作業が容易である。
また、接続補助部材４０に水抜き穴５０を設け、給水ホース３１の周壁や接続補助部材４０の内壁に付着した水をこの水抜き穴５０から外部へ排出するようにしたので、これらの水が接続部に溜ったり製氷皿２１に流入したりすることがなく、また接続補助部材４０の内壁にカビが発生することもない。 Furthermore, since the connection auxiliary member 40 is small and can be manufactured at low cost and is only fixed to the water supply pipe 35 when assembled, the assembly work is easy.
Moreover, since the drainage hole 50 was provided in the connection auxiliary member 40 and the water adhering to the surrounding wall of the water supply hose 31 or the inner wall of the connection auxiliary member 40 was discharged outside from this drainage hole 50, these water was It does not accumulate in the connection part or flow into the ice tray 21, and mold does not occur on the inner wall of the connection auxiliary member 40.

また、給水補助部材４０の給水管３５への接続にあたっては、その係合溝４９を給水管３５のフランジ３５ｂに係合して位置決め及び上下方向の移動を防止し、さらに、給水管固定部４２の固定片４５を折曲げて係止爪４６を係止部４７に係止し、又はその弾性を利用して嵌合し、給水管３５に固定するようにしたので、少ない部品で簡単に組付けることができる。 Further, when the water supply auxiliary member 40 is connected to the water supply pipe 35, the engaging groove 49 is engaged with the flange 35 b of the water supply pipe 35 to prevent positioning and vertical movement, and the water supply pipe fixing portion 42. The locking piece 45 is bent and the locking claw 46 is locked to the locking portion 47, or is fitted using its elasticity and fixed to the water supply pipe 35. Can be attached.

さらに、接続補助部材４０の背面にリブ５２を設け、その上部を野菜室６の開口部３ｂから給水路ガイド部材２５内に挿入するようにしたので、リブ５２が給水路ガイド部材２５の内壁に接触して左右方向及び上下方向の位置決めを行うことができると共に、回転を防止することができるので、給水ホース３１の給水管３５の接続の際に位置ずれを生ずることがなく、確実に案内することができる。 Furthermore, since the rib 52 was provided in the back surface of the connection auxiliary member 40, and the upper part was inserted in the water supply path guide member 25 from the opening part 3b of the vegetable compartment 6, the rib 52 is formed in the inner wall of the water supply path guide member 25. Positioning in the left-right direction and up-down direction can be performed by contact, and rotation can be prevented, so that there is no positional shift when the water supply pipe 35 of the water supply hose 31 is connected, and the guide is reliably provided. be able to.

また、接続補助部材４０はポリプロピレンなどの樹脂製であり、給水管３５は凍結防止ヒータ５５からの熱伝導性がよく、耐熱性にすぐれたアルミニウムなどの金属性のため、樹脂製より高価になる。本発明は、樹脂製の接続補助部材４０を設けたことにより、高価な給水管３５を短かくできるので、コストを低減することができる。 Further, the connection auxiliary member 40 is made of resin such as polypropylene, and the water supply pipe 35 has high thermal conductivity from the anti-freezing heater 55 and is more expensive than resin because it is metallic such as aluminum having excellent heat resistance. . In the present invention, by providing the resin connection auxiliary member 40, the expensive water supply pipe 35 can be shortened, so that the cost can be reduced.

上記の説明では、水受け皿１７を給水タンク１５内に配置した場合を示したが、給水タンクの外側に水受け皿を設けた冷蔵庫にも、他の部品の構造、形状をほとんど変更することなく本発明を実施することができる。
また、給水ホース３１を水受け皿１７に着脱可能に接続する場合を示したが、水受け皿と給水ホースを一体に形成した場合においても、上記と同様に本発明を実施することができる。 In the above description, the case where the water receiving tray 17 is disposed in the water supply tank 15 is shown. However, the refrigerator having a water receiving tray outside the water supply tank can be used without changing the structure and shape of other parts. The invention can be implemented.
Moreover, although the case where the water supply hose 31 was connected to the water tray 17 so that attachment or detachment was possible was shown, also when a water tray and a water supply hose are formed integrally, this invention can be implemented similarly to the above.

本発明の一実施の形態に係る冷蔵庫の要部の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the principal part of the refrigerator which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 本発明の係る冷蔵庫の本体の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the main body of the refrigerator which concerns on this invention. 図２のＡ−Ａ断面に対応する本発明に係る冷蔵庫の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the refrigerator which concerns on this invention corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG. 図１の要部の分解斜視図である。It is a disassembled perspective view of the principal part of FIG. 図１の水受け皿収容部及び水受け皿の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of the water receiving tray accommodating part and water receiving tray of FIG. 図１の断熱仕切り壁に設けた凹部の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of the recessed part provided in the heat insulation partition wall of FIG. 図１の接続補助部材の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the connection auxiliary member of FIG. 給水路の冷蔵庫への組付手順の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of the assembly | attachment procedure to the refrigerator of a water supply channel. 給水路の冷蔵庫への組付手順の説明図である。It is explanatory drawing of the assembly | attachment procedure to the refrigerator of a water supply channel. 接続補助部材の他の例の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the other example of a connection auxiliary member.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１冷蔵庫本体、１ａ側壁、５冷蔵室、６野菜室、７冷凍室、８仕切り壁、８ａ凹部、９断熱仕切り壁、９ａ凹部、１５水タンク、１６水受け皿収容部、１７水受け皿、２１製氷皿、２５給水路ガイド部材、３０給水路、３１給水ホース、３５給水管、３５ｂフランジ、４０接続補助部材、４２給水管固定部、４９係合溝、５０水抜穴、５１くびれ部、５２リブ、５５冷凍防止ヒータ、６０カバー。 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator main body, 1a Side wall, 5 Refrigeration room, 6 Vegetable room, 7 Freezing room, 8 Partition wall, 8a Recessed part, 9 Thermal insulation partition wall, 9a Recessed part, 15 Water tank, 16 Water tray receiving part, 17 Water tray, 21 Ice making Dish, 25 Water supply channel guide member, 30 Water supply channel, 31 Water supply hose, 35 Water supply tube, 35b Flange, 40 Connection auxiliary member, 42 Water supply tube fixing part, 49 Engaging groove, 50 Water drain hole, 51 Constriction part, 52 Rib, 55 Anti-freezing heater, 60 cover.

Claims

上部に冷蔵室が設けられ下部に冷凍室が設けられて、前記冷蔵室に配設した給水タンクから前記冷凍室に搭載した製氷機の製氷皿に給水路により給水するように構成し、
前記給水路を、前記冷蔵室に着脱可能に設置されて前記給水タンクから給水される水受け皿に上端部が取付けられた給水ホースと、上端部に前記給水ホースが着脱可能に挿入され、下端部が前記冷凍室の製氷皿上に開口する給水管と、該給水管の上部に着脱可能に固定され前記給水ホースを案内する接続補助部材とによって構成したことを特徴とする冷蔵庫。 A refrigeration room is provided in the upper part and a freezing room is provided in the lower part, configured to supply water from a water supply tank provided in the refrigeration room to an ice tray of an ice making machine mounted in the freezing room through a water supply channel,
The water supply path is detachably installed in the refrigerator compartment, and a water supply hose having an upper end attached to a water tray that is supplied with water from the water supply tank, and the water supply hose is detachably inserted into the upper end, A refrigerator comprising: a water supply pipe that opens on an ice tray in the freezer compartment; and a connection auxiliary member that is detachably fixed to an upper portion of the water supply pipe and guides the water supply hose.

前記接続補助部材の前記給水ホースと給水管の接続部の近傍に、水抜き穴を設けたことを特徴とする請求項１記載の冷蔵庫。 The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a drain hole is provided in the vicinity of a connection portion between the water supply hose and the water supply pipe of the connection auxiliary member.

前記接続補助部材を、合成樹脂により断面ほぼＵ字状に形成し、その下端部に前記給水管に固定する固定部を設けたことを特徴とする請求項１又は２記載の冷蔵庫。 The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection auxiliary member is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section with a synthetic resin, and a fixing portion is provided at a lower end portion thereof to be fixed to the water supply pipe.

前記接続補助部材の固定部の上方に、前記給水管の上端部外周に設けたフランジが係合する係合溝を設けたことを特徴とする請求項３記載の冷蔵庫。 The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein an engagement groove for engaging a flange provided on an outer periphery of an upper end portion of the water supply pipe is provided above the fixing portion of the connection auxiliary member.

前記接続補助部材の係合溝の上方において底部に前記水抜き穴を設けると共に、該水抜き穴の上方の外周に前記給水ホースを案内するくびれ部を設けたことを特徴とする請求項４記載の冷蔵庫。 5. The drain hole is provided at the bottom above the engagement groove of the connection auxiliary member, and a constriction for guiding the water supply hose is provided at the outer periphery above the drain hole. Refrigerator.

前記接続補助部材の背面に、位置決め及び回転防止のための四角形のリブを設けたことを特徴とする請求項１〜５のいずれかに記載の冷蔵庫。 The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a square rib for positioning and preventing rotation is provided on a back surface of the connection auxiliary member.

前記給水路を、冷蔵庫本体の側壁内に着脱可能に配設したことを特徴とする請求項１〜６のいずれかに記載の冷蔵庫。 The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the water supply path is detachably disposed in a side wall of the refrigerator body.

前記給水パイプを、水受け皿に着脱可能に取付けたことを特徴とする請求項１〜７のいずれかに記載の冷蔵庫。 The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the water supply pipe is detachably attached to a water tray.