Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator ( 1 ) having a temperature switchable compartment ( 3 ) whose interior temperature can be switched among more than one alternatives is provided with: a cooling device ( 17 ) for producing cold air; a blower ( 14 ) for sending out the cold air produced by the cooling device ( 17 ) into the temperature switchable compartment ( 3 ); a temperature switchable compartment discharge damper ( 13 ) for opening and closing an air introduction path ( 12 ) through which the cooling device ( 17 ) communicates with the blower ( 14 ); and a temperature switchable compartment return damper ( 20 ) for opening and closing an air return path ( 19 ) through which an outlet port ( 33 b ), from which air in the temperature switchable compartment ( 3 ) flows out, communicates with the cooling device ( 17 ) and opens and closes a communication path ( 36 ) through which the outlet port ( 33 b ) communicates with the inlet side of the blower ( 14 ). When the communication path ( 36 ) is closed and the air return path ( 19 ) is opened by the temperature switchable compartment return damper ( 20 ) and the blower ( 14 ) is driven after the temperature switchable compartment discharge damper ( 13 ) is opened, cold air is introduced into the temperature switchable compartment ( 3 ). When the communication path ( 36 ) is opened and the air return path ( 19 ) is closed by the temperature switchable compartment return damper ( 20 ) and the blower ( 14 ) is activated after the temperature switchable compartment discharge damper ( 13 ) is closed, the air in the temperature switchable compartment ( 3 ) is circulated. In the temperature switchable compartment discharge damper ( 13 ), a baffle ( 42 ) is arranged closer to the cooling device ( 17 ) than an opening ( 40 a ) is, so that the baffle ( 42 ) is swingable even if moisture condensation occurs on the baffle ( 42 ) and the condensed water freezes.

1 . A refrigerator including a temperature switchable compartment whose interior temperature can be switched among more than one alternatives, the refrigerator comprising: 
 a cooling device for producing cold air;    a blower for sending the cold air produced by the cooling device into the temperature switchable compartment;    an introduction gate for opening and closing an air introduction path through which the cooling device communicates with the blower;    a return gate for opening and closing an air return path through which the cooling device communicates with an outlet port through which air flows out of the temperature switchable compartment; and    a circulation gate for opening and closing a communication path through which a circulation port formed in the temperature switchable compartment communicates with an inlet side of the blower,    wherein,    when the introduction gate and the return gate are opened, the circulation gate is closed, and    when the circulation gate is opened, the introduction gate and the return gate are closed.    
   
   
       2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising a heater for raising the interior temperature of the temperature switchable compartment, 
 wherein    with the heater operated, the interior temperature of the temperature switchable compartment can be switched to a hot setting for keeping cooked food warm.    
   
   
       3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the heater is a heat-radiating glass-tube heater arranged so as to face the blower.  
   
   
       4 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , 
 wherein    a single temperature switchable compartment return damper is shared to serve as both the return gate and the circulation gate,    a single opening is formed to serve as both the outlet port and the circulation port so that the return path and the communication path extending from the opening branch off each other at the temperature switchable compartment return damper, and    the temperature switchable compartment return damper has a double-sided baffle that swings between a position in which the baffle closes the communication path and a position in which the baffle closes the air return path.    
   
   
       5 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the double-sided baffle is swingably supported by a pivot shaft extending horizontally along a top end of the double-sided baffle.  
   
   
       6 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , 
 wherein    a single damper is shared to serve as both the introduction gate and the circulation gate,    the air introduction path and the communication path join at the damper so as to be led to the inlet side of the blower, and    the damper has a double-sided baffle that swings between a position in which the baffle interrupts the communication path and a position in which the baffle interrupts the air introduction path.    
   
   
       7 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , 
 wherein    a temperature switchable compartment discharge damper has an opening that communicates with the temperature switchable compartment and a movable baffle that is arranged on a cooling device side of the opening so as to open and close the opening.    
   
   
       8 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , wherein the baffle is swingably supported by a pivot shaft extending horizontally along a top end of the baffle.  
   
   
       9 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , wherein a heat insulator is provided on a surface of the baffle.  
   
   
       10 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , wherein, at a rim of the opening, at a side thereof opposite from the baffle, there is formed a step lower than the opening or a slope slanting downward from the rim of the opening.  
   
   
       11 . A refrigerator in which cold air produced by a cooling device is supplied to a storage compartment through a cold air path, 
 wherein    a damper for varying an amount of cold air supplied to the storage compartment is arranged in the cold air path, and    the damper includes an opening that communicates with the storage compartment and a movable baffle that is arranged on a cooling device side of the opening so as to open and close the opening.    
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , 
 wherein    the storage compartment is a temperature switchable compartment whose interior temperature can be switched among more than one alternatives, and    a cooling compartment is provided that is arranged parallel with the storage compartment so as to receive cold air through a path branching off the cold air path.    
   
   
       13 . The refrigerator of  claim 12 , further comprising a heater for raising the interior temperature of the temperature switchable compartment, 
 wherein, with the heater operated, the interior temperature of the temperature switchable compartment can be switched to a hot setting for keeping cooked food warm.    
   
   
       14 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the baffle is swingably supported by a pivot shaft extending horizontally along a top end of the baffle.  
   
   
       15 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein a heat insulator is provided on a surface of the baffle.  
   
   
       16 . The refrigerator of  claim 11 , 
 wherein,    at a rim of the opening, at a side thereof opposite from the baffle, there is formed a step lower than the opening or a slope slanting downward from the rim of the opening.