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 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.   
   
   
       2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 ,
 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.   
   
   
       3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , 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.   
   
   
       4 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is swingably supported by a pivot shaft extending horizontally along a top end of the baffle. 
   
   
       5 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein a heat insulator is provided on a surface of the baffle. 
   
   
       6 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 ,
 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.