Refrigerator

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator capable of suppressing a gap between a door body and a handle portion. The refrigerator includes a housing having an opening in a front direction; a rectangular plate-shaped door body that opens and closes the opening; a handle portion fixed with respect to a mounting surface of the door body; and an acting mechanism that acts a force in a manner in which an end portion of a front wall of the handle portion on a mounting surface side of the door body approaches the mounting surface of the door body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a refrigerator. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-017919, filed in Japan on February 8, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, refrigerators with handles on the side of the door have been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, a handle is provided on the left end face of the right door.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-178055 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0008] When a gap exists between the door and the handle, foreign objects such as trash may enter the gap.

[0009] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a refrigerator capable of suppressing the gap between the door and the handle.

[0010] Solution for solving the problem

[0011] One type of refrigerator includes: a shell having an opening at the front; a rectangular plate-shaped door for opening and closing the opening; a handle fixed relative to a mounting surface of the door; and an actuating mechanism that applies force by approaching the mounting surface of the door with one end of the front wall of the handle close to the mounting surface of the door. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a front view of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a 3D view of the refrigerator mentioned above.

[0014] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the handle and its operating mechanism in the aforementioned refrigerator.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the handle and the actuating mechanism described above.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the handle and operating mechanism in a refrigerator according to a variation of the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the operating mechanism in the refrigerator according to the second embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the handle and operating mechanism in a refrigerator according to a variation of the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the handle and operating mechanism of the refrigerator according to the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the following embodiments are merely illustrative. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0021] (First Implementation)

[0022] The following is for reference Figures 1-4 Refrigerator 1, as described in this embodiment.

[0023] Refrigerator 1 includes: a rectangular box-shaped shell 2 with an opening 20 on one side; and a pair of upper doors 21R and a pair of lower doors 21F for opening and closing the opening 20 of the shell 2. In the following description, the length direction of the shell 2 is defined as the vertical direction (third direction), the direction of the short side of the shell 2 is defined as the horizontal direction (first direction), and the direction orthogonal to the vertical and horizontal directions is defined as the front-back direction (second direction) (see reference). Figure 1 However, these directions are provided for ease of explanation and are not intended to specify the directions for actual use.

[0024] The housing 2 is formed as a rectangular box with an opening 20 on its front surface. The housing 2 has internal storage compartments. The housing 2 is divided into the storage compartments vertically by a bottom plate. Specifically, the bottom plate divides the interior of the housing 2 into an upper first storage compartment and a lower second storage compartment. In the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the first storage compartment is a refrigerator compartment, and its internal temperature is maintained at, for example, approximately 4°C. The second storage compartment is a freezer compartment, and its internal temperature is maintained at, for example, approximately -18°C.

[0025] A pair of upper doors 21R are connected to the housing 2 via hinges, forming an opening and closing mechanism for the first receiving chamber. The pair of upper doors 21R are so-called French doors, having a right door body 21RR and a left door body 21RL. The first receiving chamber can be fully opened or fully closed via the right door body 21RR and the left door body 21RL.

[0026] A pair of lower doors 21F are hinged to the housing 2, forming a second storage compartment that can be opened and closed. The pair of lower doors 21F are so-called French doors, having a right door body 21FR and a left door body 21FL. The second storage compartment can be fully opened or fully closed through the pair of lower doors 21F.

[0027] The right door body 21RR of the pair of upper doors 21R and the right door body 21FR of the pair of lower doors 21F have the same configuration. Furthermore, the left door body 21RL of the pair of upper doors 21R and the left door body 21FL of the pair of lower doors 21F have the same configuration. Details regarding the pair of upper doors 21R and the pair of lower doors 21F will be explained later. In addition, in Figure 1 In the example shown, the pair of upper doors 21R and the pair of lower doors 21F are double doors, but one or both of the upper doors 21R and the lower doors 21F can also be single doors (right-opening door, left-opening door).

[0028] The refrigerator 1 is equipped with a cooling mechanism for cooling the air in the first and second compartments. The cooling mechanism is configured to cool the air in the first and second compartments using the heat of vaporization generated when the refrigerant is vaporized. The cooling mechanism includes a compressor, an evaporator, and a blower.

[0029] The compressor is located within the housing 2. Specifically, the compressor is positioned at the rear end of the housing 2 and formed in a recess at the lower end, separated from the internal space of the housing 2. The compressor compresses the refrigerant, turning it into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas. The refrigerant output from the compressor is delivered to the evaporator via a condenser and a capillary tube. The condenser dissipates heat from the high-temperature, high-pressure vaporized refrigerant delivered from the compressor, forming a room-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The capillary tube restricts the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant to facilitate its vaporization.

[0030] The evaporator expands and vaporizes the liquid refrigerant supplied from the capillary tube. The heat of vaporization during refrigerant vaporization is used to cool the air surrounding the evaporator. The vaporized refrigerant in the evaporator is then sent to the compressor and compressed again. The evaporator is, for example, located behind the second containment chamber. The air cooled by the evaporator circulates between the first and second containment chambers via a blower.

[0031] The configuration of the pair of upper doors 21R will be explained. Furthermore, since the pair of upper doors 21R and the pair of lower doors 21F have the same configuration, the description of the pair of upper doors 21R will be provided in detail, while the description of the pair of lower doors 21F will be omitted.

[0032] In the following description, the pair of upper doors 21R are described in a state where the opening 20 of the housing 2 is fully closed.

[0033] The right door 21RR of a pair of upper doors 21R is formed as a rectangular plate. A recess 211 is formed on the side panel of the right door 21RR, which is opposite to the left door 21RL in the left-right direction. The recess 211 is formed in a rightward-recessed manner. The recess 211 is formed as a groove along the vertical direction. The user can open the right door 21RR by grasping the recess 211 and pulling it forward.

[0034] Next, refer to Figure 3 Figure 4 The left door body 21RL will be described. In the following description, the direction along the left front and right rear will be defined as the X direction, and the direction along the left rear and right front will be defined as the Y direction (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0035] The left door body 21RL is formed into a rectangular plate shape and has a handle 4 fixed to it.

[0036] The left door body 21RL has a housing 30, a front panel 31, and a handle fixing part 32.

[0037] The housing 30 is formed as a rectangular frame with its length in the vertical direction, and has openings on the front and rear surfaces. The front panel 31 is formed as a rectangular plate with its length in the vertical direction, and is provided to block the front surface of the housing 30. Additionally, the left door 21FL also has a rear panel provided to block the rear surface of the housing 30. The rear panel is formed as a rectangular plate with its length in the vertical direction. Thermal insulation material is provided in the space surrounded by the housing 30, the front panel 31, and the rear panel. The thermal insulation material is, for example, a rigid polyurethane foam or other foamed material, and is filled in the space formed by the housing 30, the front panel 31, and the rear panel. The thermal insulation material not only has a thermal insulation function but also functions as an adhesive.

[0038] The front panel 31 has an inclined portion 311 formed along the X direction. The inclined portion 311 is formed to be continuous with the right end of the front surface of the front panel 31, and is inclined in a manner that slopes rearward and to the right from the right end of the front surface. That is, the mounting surface 312, which is the surface of the inclined portion 311, is continuous with the front surface of the front panel 31. Figure 4 As shown, multiple guide rail insertion holes 313 and multiple screw insertion holes 314 are formed in the inclined portion 311.

[0039] Multiple guide rail through holes 313 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each guide rail through hole 313 is a rectangular through hole that passes through the inclined portion 311. Each guide rail through hole 313 is inserted into a guide rail portion 322 (see reference) formed on the handle fixing portion 32 disposed on the back of the inclined portion 311. Figure 4 ).

[0040] Multiple screw holes 314 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each screw hole 314 is a circular through hole that passes through the inclined portion 311. Each screw hole 314 is fitted with a screw 61 for fixing the handle portion 4, which is disposed on the surface (mounting surface 312) of the inclined portion 311, to the left door body 21RL.

[0041] The handle fixing part 32 is disposed on the back of the inclined part 311. The handle fixing part 32 has a main body part 321, a plurality of guide rail parts 322 and a plurality of threaded holes 323.

[0042] The main body 321 is formed as a rectangular plate with the vertical direction as its length. The back of the main body 321 faces the inclined part 311.

[0043] Multiple guide rail portions 322 are formed protruding in the Y direction from the side of the main body portion 321 opposite to the inclined portion 311. The multiple guide rail portions 322 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. The multiple guide rail portions 322 protrude from the inclined portion 311 through multiple guide rail insertion holes 313 formed in the inclined portion 311.

[0044] Each guide rail portion 322 has a base 3221, a first protrusion 3222, and a second protrusion 3223. The base 3221 is rectangular and protrudes from the main body portion 321 in the Y direction. The first protrusion 3222 protrudes from the front end of the base 3221 towards the left front in the X direction. The second protrusion 3223 protrudes from the front end of the base 3221 towards the right rear in the X direction. A space is formed between the main body portion 321 and the first protrusion 3222. Additionally, a space is formed between the main body portion 321 and the second protrusion 3223. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 3222 and the second protrusion 3223 are configured such that the size of the gap between the main body portion 321 and the first protrusion 3222 is smaller than the size of the gap between the main body portion 321 and the second protrusion 3223. That is, the space between the main body portion 321 and the first protrusion 3222 is smaller than the space between the main body portion 321 and the second protrusion 3223.

[0045] Furthermore, the handle fixing part 32 has a plurality of protrusions 324 protruding in the Y direction from the side opposite to one side of the main body part 321. Each protrusion 324 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a threaded hole 323 with an opening is formed on one side of the main body part 321. The threaded hole 323 is a bottomed hole, and a threaded groove is formed on its inner circumferential surface. Each threaded hole 323 is continuous with the threaded insertion hole 314 formed in the inclined part 311.

[0046] Each protrusion 324 protrudes to the left and rear from the other side of the main body 321. Specifically, each protrusion 324 protrudes in a direction that is more inclined to the left and forward than the normal of the main body 321. That is, the angle formed between the surface of the main body 321 that is forward of the protrusion 324 and the protrusion 324 is an acute angle.

[0047] The handle fixing part 32 is temporarily fixed to the back of the inclined part 311 by adhesive components such as tape, and is fixed to the back of the inclined part 311 by filling the inside of the housing 30 with heat insulation material.

[0048] The handle portion 4 is mounted on the mounting surface 312 of the inclined portion 311. The handle portion 4 is formed as a hollow rectangular body with the vertical direction as its length. The handle portion 4 has a front wall 41 and a rear wall 42. The front wall 41 is a plane along the Y direction, and opposite it, the rear wall 42 is curved with its central portion close to the front wall 41 so that the user's fingers can easily hook on it. In addition, a plurality of threaded holes 421 are formed in the rear wall 42. The plurality of threaded holes 421 are formed at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Screws 62 for fixing the fixing piece 50 (described later) to the handle portion 4 are engaged in the threaded holes 421.

[0049] Furthermore, the handle portion 4 has an opening 43 formed on the surface opposite to the mounting surface 312. The opening 43 extends from the upper end to the lower end of the surface of the handle portion 4 opposite to the mounting surface 312. Multiple guide rail portions 322 protruding from the inclined portion 311 pass through the opening 43. Specifically, the width of the opening 43 is slightly larger than the width of the base 3221 of the guide rail portion 322, and smaller than the dimension between the front ends of the first protrusion 3222 and the front ends of the second protrusion 3223. The handle portion 4 is provided on the left door body 21RL such that the base 3221 is inserted through the opening 43, the edge of the opening 43 is embedded in the space between the first protrusion 3222 and the main body portion 321, and the space between the second protrusion 322 and the main body portion 321. For example, the handle portion 4 is provided on the left door body 21RL such that multiple guide rail portions 322 are sequentially inserted from one end of the opening 43 in the vertical direction, moving in the vertical direction.

[0050] The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment includes an operating mechanism 5. The operating mechanism 5 is configured to exert a force that brings the end 411 on the front wall 41 of the handle portion 4, on the side of the mounting surface 312 of the left door body 21RL, close to the mounting surface 312 of the left door body 21RL. In this embodiment, the operating mechanism 5 includes a fixing plate 50 and a screw 61.

[0051] The fixing plate 50 is configured to fix the handle portion 4 to the left door body 21RL. The cross-section of the fixing plate 50 is roughly L-shaped, and it has a first fixing plate portion 51 and a second fixing plate portion 52.

[0052] The first fixing plate portion 51 is formed as a rectangular plate with the vertical direction as its length, and is arranged along the rear wall 42 of the handle portion 4. A plurality of screw insertion holes 511 are formed in the first fixing plate portion 51. The plurality of screw insertion holes 511 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. The screw insertion holes 511 are circular through holes penetrating the first fixing plate portion 51 and are continuous with the threaded holes 421 formed in the handle portion 4. Screws 62 are inserted into the threaded holes 421. The screws 62 are engaged with the screw holes 421 formed in the handle portion 4 through the screw insertion holes 511 formed in the first fixing plate portion 51. Thus, a fixing piece 50 is fixed to the handle portion 4.

[0053] The second fixing plate portion 52 is formed as a rectangular plate with the vertical direction as its length. The second fixing plate portion 52 is formed to protrude in the X direction from the end of the first fixing plate portion 51 on the mounting surface 312 side toward the mounting surface 312. That is, the second fixing plate portion 52 is inclined in a manner that it approaches the mounting surface 312 as it moves rearward. A plurality of screw insertion holes 521 are formed in the second fixing plate portion 52. The plurality of screw insertion holes 521 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each screw insertion hole 521 is a circular through hole penetrating the second fixing plate portion 52, and is continuous with the screw insertion holes 314 formed in the inclined portion 311 and the screw holes 323 of the handle fixing portion 32. A screw 61 is inserted into the screw insertion hole 521. The screw 61 is engaged with the threaded hole 323 of the handle fixing portion 32 through the screw insertion holes 521 formed in the second fixing plate portion 52 and the screw insertion holes 314 formed in the inclined portion 311. Thus, the fixing piece 50 is fixed to the mounting surface 312 of the inclined portion 311.

[0054] Thus, the first fixing plate portion 51 of the fixing plate 50 is fixed to the handle portion 4, and the second fixing plate portion 52 is fixed to the mounting surface 312. As a result, the handle portion 4 is fixed to the mounting surface 312 via the fixing plate 50.

[0055] Furthermore, the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment includes a cover 7. The cover 7 is formed as a rectangular plate with the vertical direction as its length, and is provided to cover the fixing piece 50, screw 61, and screw 62. The cover 7 prevents the fixing piece 50, screw 61, and screw 62 from being exposed.

[0056] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, in the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the vertical dimension of the handle portion 4 is longer than the vertical dimension of the fixing plate 50 and the cover 7. A pair of fixing plates 50 and a pair of covers 7 are provided on the handle portion 4. The pair of fixing plates 50 and the pair of covers 7 are separated vertically. The vertical dimension of the upper fixing plate 50 and the cover 7 is longer than the vertical dimension of the lower fixing plate 50 and the cover 7. The user can open and close the left door 21RL by hooking their finger between the pair of fixing plates 50 and the pair of covers 7 on the handle portion 4. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, in the lower left door body 21FL, the vertical dimension of the upper fixing piece 50 and cover 7 is shorter than that of the lower fixing piece 50 and cover 7.

[0057] In this embodiment, the fixing plate 50 is inclined such that the second fixing plate portion 52 approaches the mounting surface 312 as it moves rearward, and the periphery of the screw insertion hole 521 moves away from the mounting surface 312. Therefore, when the screw 61 is engaged in the screw hole 323 via the screw insertion hole 521, the portion of the second fixing plate portion 52 that is rearward of the screw insertion hole 521 contacts the mounting surface 312 first. Using this contact portion as a fulcrum, the gap between the portion of the second fixing plate portion 52 that is forward of the screw insertion hole 521 and the mounting surface 312 narrows, and the second fixing plate portion 52 is forced against the mounting surface 312 by the head of the screw 61 (see reference). Figure 4 (The arrow). The force is transmitted to the handle portion 4 via the first fixing plate portion 51. Therefore, the force acts on the handle portion 4 in such a way that the end 411 approaches the mounting surface 312. As a result, the gap between the end 411 on the mounting surface 312 side of the front wall 41 of the handle portion 4 and the mounting surface 312 is blocked. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign objects such as garbage from entering the gap between the end 411 and the mounting surface 312, and to prevent the reduction of the appearance of the refrigerator 1.

[0058] In addition, the action mechanism 5 applies force to the end 411 of the handle 4 in a manner close to the mounting surface 312, so that even if the handle 4 has a dimensional error, the gap between the end 411 and the mounting surface 312 is blocked.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear edge of the peripheral portion of the opening 43 in the handle portion 4 is formed more inwardly than the front edge, creating a gap between the rear edge and the mounting surface 312. This facilitates contact between the end 411 of the handle portion 4 and the mounting surface 312, further suppressing the gap between the end 411 and the mounting surface 312.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the space between the main body 321 and the first protrusion 3222 in the guide rail portion 322 is smaller than the space between the main body 321 and the second protrusion 3223. Therefore, for example, even if the user applies force to the handle portion 4 to disengage the end 411 of the handle portion 4 from the mounting surface 312, the edge of the opening 43 in the handle portion 4 will hook onto the first protrusion 3222. This suppresses the gap between the end 411 of the handle portion 4 and the mounting surface 312. Additionally, the space between the main body 321 and the second protrusion 3223 is relatively large, making it difficult to obstruct the movement of the end 411 of the handle portion 4 caused by tightening the screw 61. Furthermore, during assembly, the handle portion 4 easily passes through the guide rail portion 322, improving the assemblability of the refrigerator 1.

[0061] (Modified Example)

[0062] Next, refer to Figure 5 Refrigerator 1, a modified example of the first embodiment, is described.

[0063] The difference between this modified refrigerator 1 and the above-described embodiment is that the main body 321A of the handle fixing part 32A and the guide rail part 322A are separately constructed.

[0064] The handle fixing part 32A in this modified example has a main body part 321A, a guide rail part 322A, a plurality of first threaded holes 323A, a plurality of first protrusions 324A, a plurality of second threaded holes 325A, and a plurality of second protrusions 326A. Furthermore, the main body part 321A, the plurality of first protrusions 324A, and the plurality of first threaded holes 323A have the same configuration as the main body part 321, the plurality of protrusions 324, and the plurality of threaded holes 323 described in the above embodiment, therefore, their description is omitted.

[0065] Multiple second protrusions 326A protrude from one side of the main body 321A in the normal direction to the other side. Each second protrusion 326A is formed as a bottomed cylinder and has a second threaded hole 325A that opens on one side of the main body 321A. The second threaded hole 325A is a bottomed hole with a threaded groove formed on its inner circumferential surface. The multiple second threaded holes 325A are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. In addition, multiple screw insertion holes 315A are formed in the inclined portion 311 of this modified example. The multiple screw insertion holes 315A are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each second threaded hole 325A is continuous with the screw insertion hole 315A. In each second threaded hole 325A, a screw 63 is engaged via the screw insertion hole 315A.

[0066] In this modified example, the guide rail portion 322A and the main body portion 321A are separate components, and the guide rail portion 322A is mounted to the main body portion 321A using screws 63. The guide rail portion 322A has a base portion 3221A, a first protrusion portion 3222A, a second protrusion portion 3223A, and a plurality of screw insertion holes 3224A.

[0067] The base 3221A is formed into a rectangular shape with the vertical direction as its length. The first protrusion 3222A protrudes from the front end of the base 3221A toward the left front in the X direction. The second protrusion 3223A protrudes from the front end of the base 3221A toward the right rear in the X direction.

[0068] Multiple screw insertion holes 3224A are formed in the base 3221A. These holes are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each screw insertion hole 3224A is a circular through-hole penetrating the base 3221A. Each screw insertion hole 3224A is continuous with the screw insertion hole 315A in the inclined portion 311 and the second screw hole 325A in the main body 321A, and a screw 63 is inserted through it. The screw 63 engages with the second threaded hole 325A via the screw insertion holes 3224A formed in the base 3221A and the screw insertion holes 315A formed in the inclined portion 311. Thus, the handle fixing portion 32A is fixed to the inclined portion 311. Specifically, the main body 321 and the guide rail portion 322 are fixed to the inclined portion 311.

[0069] (Second Implementation)

[0070] Reference Figure 6 Refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment is described.

[0071] In the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the structure of the fixing piece 50B differs from that of the fixing piece 50 in the first embodiment described above. For structures identical to those in the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are used, and descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0072] The operating mechanism 5B of this embodiment includes a fixing plate 50B and a screw 61. The fixing plate 50B of this embodiment differs from the fixing plate 50 of the first embodiment in that it has a protrusion 522. The fixing plate 50B has a first fixing plate portion 51B, a second fixing plate portion 52B, and a connecting plate portion 53B. Furthermore, since the first fixing plate portion 51B has the same configuration as the first fixing plate portion 51 described in the first embodiment, its description is omitted.

[0073] The second fixing plate portion 52B is formed as a rectangular plate with its length in the vertical direction. The second fixing portion B is provided opposite to the mounting surface 312 of the inclined portion 311. The connecting plate portion 53B is formed as a rectangular plate with its length in the vertical direction, and is configured to connect the rear end of the first fixing plate portion 51B and the front end of the second fixing plate portion 52B. That is, the connecting plate portion 53B is inclined in a way that it approaches the mounting surface 312 as it moves rearward.

[0074] A plurality of screw insertion holes 521B are formed on the second fixing plate portion 52B. The plurality of screw insertion holes 521B are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each screw insertion hole 521B is a circular through hole penetrating the second fixing plate portion 52B, and is continuous with the screw insertion holes 314 formed in the inclined portion 311 and the screw holes 323 of the handle fixing portion 32. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the handle fixing portion 32 is formed such that the protruding direction of the protrusion 324 and the central axis of the threaded hole 323 are along the normal direction of the mounting surface 312. A screw 61 is inserted into the screw insertion hole 521B. The screw 61 is engaged with the threaded hole 323 of the handle fixing portion 32 through the screw insertion holes 521B formed in the second fixing plate portion 52B and the screw insertion holes 314 formed in the inclined portion 311.

[0075] In this embodiment, a protrusion 522 is formed in the second fixing plate portion 52B. The protrusion 522 protrudes from the mounting surface 312 of the second fixing plate portion 52. The protrusion 522 is formed at the front end of the second fixing plate portion 52 on the side opposite to the connecting plate portion 53. That is, the protrusion 522 is formed rearward than the screw insertion hole 521B. The protrusion 522 contacts the mounting surface 312. Through this protrusion 522, a gap is formed between the second fixing plate portion 52B and the mounting surface 312. In other words, the periphery of the screw insertion hole 521B in the second fixing plate portion 52B and the portion in front of the screw insertion hole 521B are separated from the mounting surface 312.

[0076] Therefore, when the screw 61 is engaged in the screw hole 323 via the screw insertion hole 521B, with the contact portion between the protrusion 522 and the mounting surface 312 as the fulcrum, the gap between the portion of the second fixing plate portion 52B forward of the screw insertion hole 521B and the mounting surface 312 narrows, and a force is applied to the mounting surface 312 through the head of the screw 61 (see reference). Figure 6 (The arrow). This force is transmitted to the handle portion 4 via the connecting plate portion 53B and the first fixing plate portion 51B. Therefore, the force acts on the handle portion 4 in such a way that the handle portion 4 approaches the mounting surface 312. As a result, the gap between the end portion 411 on the mounting surface 312 side of the front wall 41 of the handle portion 4 and the mounting surface 312 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign objects such as garbage from entering the gap between the end portion 411 and the mounting surface 312, and to suppress the deterioration of the appearance of the refrigerator 1.

[0077] (Modified Example)

[0078] Next, refer to Figure 7 Refrigerator 1, a modified example of the second embodiment, is described.

[0079] In the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, similar to the refrigerator 1 of the modified example of the first embodiment, the main body 321A of the handle fixing part 32A and the guide rail part 322A are separately constructed, and the guide rail part 322A is constructed to the main body 321A using screws 63.

[0080] (Third Implementation)

[0081] Reference Figure 8 The refrigerator 1 involved in the third embodiment is described.

[0082] In the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the orientation of the screw 61 that fixes the fixing plate 50C to the mounting surface 312 is different from that in the first and second embodiments described above. For components identical to those in the refrigerator 1 of the first or second embodiments described above, the same reference numerals are used, and descriptions are omitted where appropriate.

[0083] The action mechanism 5C in this embodiment has a fixing plate 50C and a screw 61.

[0084] The fixing plate 50C in this embodiment has a first fixing plate portion 51C, a second fixing plate portion 52C, and a connecting plate portion 53C. Furthermore, since the first fixing plate portion 51C and the connecting plate portion 53C have the same configuration as the first fixing plate portion 51B and the connecting plate portion 53B described in the second embodiment, their description is omitted.

[0085] The second fixing plate portion 52C is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. The difference between it and the second fixing plate portion 52B in the second embodiment is that it does not have the protrusion 522 described in the second embodiment.

[0086] A plurality of screw insertion holes 521C are formed on the second fixing plate portion 52C. The plurality of screw insertion holes 521C are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each screw insertion hole 521C is a circular through hole that penetrates the second fixing plate portion 52 and is continuous with the screw insertion hole 314 formed in the inclined portion 311 and the screw hole 323 in the handle fixing portion 32.

[0087] In this embodiment, the handle fixing part 32 is formed such that the protruding direction of the protrusion 324 and the central axis of the threaded hole 323 are inclined rearward relative to the normal direction of the mounting surface 312. That is, the angle formed between the surface on the main body 321 that is to the left of the protrusion 324 and the protrusion 324 is obtuse. A screw 61 is inserted into the screw insertion hole 521C. The screw 61 is engaged with the threaded hole 323 of the handle fixing part 32 through the screw insertion hole 521C formed in the second fixing plate part 52C and the screw insertion hole 314 formed in the inclined part 311.

[0088] In this embodiment, the screw 61 is inserted into the threaded hole 323 along the central axis of the threaded hole 323. Therefore, the screw 61 engages with the threaded hole 323 in a state where the central axis of its shaft is inclined rearward relative to the normal direction of the mounting surface 312. That is, the screw 61 engages with the threaded hole 323 in a state where the front end 611a of the screw head 611 contacts the second fixing plate portion 52C of the fixing plate 50C, and the rear end 611b of the screw head 611 moves away from the second fixing plate portion 52C, thus engaging with the threaded hole 323 in a state inclined relative to the normal direction of the mounting surface 312. As a result, a force is applied to the portion of the second fixing plate portion 52C that is forward of the through hole 521C, from the head 611 toward the mounting surface 312 (see reference). Figure 8 (The arrow). This force is transmitted to the handle portion 4 via the connecting plate portion 53C and the first fixing plate portion 51C. Therefore, the force acts on the handle portion 4 in such a way that the handle portion 4 approaches the mounting surface 312. As a result, the gap between the end portion 411 on the mounting surface 312 side of the front wall 41 of the handle portion 4 and the mounting surface 312 is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign objects such as garbage from entering the gap between the end portion 411 and the mounting surface 312, and to suppress the deterioration of the appearance of the refrigerator 1.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, similar to the variations of the first or second embodiment, the main body 321A and the guide rail 322A of the handle fixing part 32A can also be separately constructed, and the guide rail 322A is constructed to the main body 321A using screws 63.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, have: A housing with an opening at the front; A rectangular, plate-shaped door that opens and closes the opening; The handle portion is fixed relative to a mounting surface that is at least a part of the front surface of the door body; A fixing piece secures the handle portion to the mounting surface; A handle fixing part is disposed on the rear side of the mounting surface; and A screw, which engages with a threaded hole formed in the handle fixing part via a through hole formed in the fixing plate and a screw through hole formed in the mounting surface, By engaging the screw with the threaded hole, and positioning the end of the front wall of the handle portion on the mounting surface side of the door body close to the mounting surface of the door body, the fixing plate is subjected to force. The mounting surface is sandwiched between the end of the handle and the handle fixing part.

2. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing piece is located behind the front wall of the handle, away from the mounting surface in the front part of the insertion hole, and at least a portion of the rear part of the insertion hole is in contact with the mounting surface.

3. The refrigerator as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing plate is tilted so as to approach the mounting surface as it faces rearward.

4. The refrigerator as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The retaining piece has a protrusion formed behind the insertion hole and in contact with the mounting surface.

5. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The screw is engaged in the threaded hole such that the front end of the head contacts the fixing plate and the rear end of the head is separated from the fixing plate.

6. The refrigerator as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The central axis of the threaded hole is inclined backward relative to the normal direction of the mounting surface of the door body.

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