Refrigerator

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator. A foaming heat insulation material with fluidity is not easy to leak when a door is manufactured. The refrigerator is provided with a door (44) for opening and closing the front opening part of the storage chamber, the door comprises a front part (51) forming the surface of the outer side of the refrigerator, a rear part (56) forming the surface of the inner side of the refrigerator, side surface parts (52) forming the surfaces in the left-right direction, frames (60, 75) forming the surfaces in the up-down direction, and an internal heat insulation material, a first inner wall (61) is formed at a location separated from the side surface portion (52) in the left-right direction, and a fixing tool (80), which is an independent member, is fitted between the side surface portion and the first inner wall in at least one of the left-right direction. A seal portion (78) is formed between the first inner wall and an end surface of the fixture on the first inner wall side, the seal portion preventing the heat insulation material from passing through when the heat insulation material has fluidity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a refrigerator door is composed of an outer panel that forms the outer surface of the refrigerator cabinet, an inner panel that forms the inner surface of the cabinet, and upper and lower frames that form the upper and lower ends of the door. A heat insulating material is filled inside the door. When manufacturing the door, a foam heat insulating material with fluidity is injected into the door from an injection port provided on the surface of the door, and the foam heat insulating material flows inside the door and fills the entire inside of the door with the foam heat insulating material. The foam heat insulating material filled in the entire inside of the door then cures and loses its fluidity.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6392144

[0004] However, there are minute gaps between the frames and the outer panel, and it is possible for the foam heat insulating material with fluidity to leak from these gaps during door manufacturing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which a foam heat insulating material with fluidity is less likely to leak during door manufacturing.

[0006] The refrigerator according to the embodiment includes a door that opens and closes the front opening of a storage compartment. The door includes a front portion that forms the outer surface of the cabinet, a rear member that forms the inner surface of the cabinet, side surface portions that form the surfaces in the left - right direction, frames that form the surfaces in the up - down direction, and an internal heat insulating material. The refrigerator is characterized in that in at least one of the frames, a first inner wall is formed at a location separated from the side surface portion in the left - right direction. On at least one side in the left - right direction, a fixing device as an independent component is fitted between the side surface portion and the first inner wall, and a sealing portion that prevents the heat insulating material with fluidity from passing through is formed between the first inner wall and the end surface on the first inner wall side of the fixing device.

[0007] Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the refrigerator of the present invention, a foam heat insulating material with fluidity is less likely to leak during door manufacturing. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator.

[0010] Figure 2 is a front view of the refrigerator.

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the door from an obliquely front direction.

[0012] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the door from the obliquely rear side.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the front panel from the obliquely rear side.

[0014] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the upper frame from the obliquely front and lower side.

[0015] Figure 7 It is the front view of the upper frame.

[0016] Figure 8 It is the right side view of the upper frame.

[0017] Figure 9 It is the bottom view of the right side part of the upper frame.

[0018] Figure 10 It is an exploded perspective view of the upper frame and the fixture.

[0019] Figure 11 It is a perspective view showing the lower frame from the obliquely front and upper side.

[0020] Figure 12 It is a perspective view showing the fitting state of the front panel, the upper frame and the fixture from the obliquely rear side.

[0021] Figure 13 It is the bottom view showing the right side part of the upper frame and the fixture.

[0022] Figure 14 It is related to Figure 13 The cross-sectional view at the position corresponding to A1 - A1 in

[0023] Figure 15 It is related to Figure 13 The cross-sectional view at the position corresponding to A2 - A2 in

[0024] Figure 16 It is related to Figure 13 The cross-sectional view at the position corresponding to A3 - A3 in

[0025] Figure 17 It is the bottom view of the fixture.

[0026] Figure 18 It is a perspective view showing the fixture from the obliquely front and upper side.

[0027] Figure 19 It is a perspective view showing the fixture from the obliquely front and upper side.

[0028] Figure 20 It is a perspective view showing the fixture from the obliquely front and lower side.

[0029] Figure 21 It is a diagram showing the steps of installing the frame on the front panel.

[0030] Figure 22 It is a bottom view of the frame of the modification example.

[0031] Figure 23 It is a perspective view of the fixture of the modification example.

[0032] Figure 24 It is an exploded perspective view of the frame and the fixture of the modification example.

[0033] Figure 25 It is a bottom view showing the frame and the fixture of the modification example.

[0034] Figure 26 It is related to Figure 25 a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to A4 - A4 in

[0035] Figure 27 It is related to Figure 25 a cross-sectional view at a position corresponding to A5 - A5 in

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals

[0037] 10: Refrigerator, 11: Housing, 12: Outer box, 13: Inner box, 14: Heat insulation part, 15: Operation panel, 19: Wall, 20: Refrigerating chamber, 21: Heat insulation partition wall, 22: Vegetable chamber, 24: Placing rack, 26: Quick-freezing chamber, 27: Small refrigerating chamber, 28: Refrigerating chamber, 29: Storage door pocket, 30: First cooler, 31: Pipe, 32: First fan, 33: Second cooler, 34: Second fan, 35: First cooling chamber, 36: Machine room, 37: Compressor, 40: Refrigerating chamber door, 42: Vegetable chamber door, 43: Ice-making chamber door, 44: Small refrigerating chamber door, 45: Refrigerating chamber door, 50: Front plate, 50a: Bending part, 50b: Bending part, 51: Front part, 52: Side part, 53: Rear part, 54: Flange, 55: Flange, 56: Rear part component, 58: Fitting structure part, 59a: Horizontal insertion groove, 59b: Horizontal insertion groove, 60: Upper frame, 61: First inner wall, 61a: Front part, 61b: Rear part, 61c: Bending part, 62: Second inner wall, 62a: Connecting wall, 63a: Front insertion groove, 63b: Front insertion groove, 64: Rear wall, 65: Engaging claw, 65a: Notch, 65b: Rib, 66: Small wall, 66a: Connecting wall, 67: Concave part, 68: Small protrusion, 69: Small groove, 70: Surface on the center side in the up-down direction of the door, 71: Pulling part, 72: Bulging part, 73: Wall, 74: Inclined surface, 75: Lower frame, 76: Frame part, 77: Bulging shape part, 78: First sealing part, 79: Second sealing part, 80: Fixing appliance, 81: Fitting part, 81a: First wall part, 82: First end face, 82a: Connecting face, 82b: Wide part, 83: Second end face, 84a: First groove, 84b: Second groove, 84c: Third groove, 85: Notch, 86: Concave surface, 87: Convex shape part, 88: Bottom surface, 89: Side wall surface, 90: Handle, 91: Base part, 92: Extension part, 110a: Third inner wall, 110b: Third inner wall, 111a: Fourth inner wall, 111b: Fourth inner wall, 160: Frame, 160a: Small section, 160b: Small section, 160c: Small section, 161: First inner wall, 161a: Front part, 161b: Rear part, 161c: Bending part, 162: Second inner wall, 162a: Connecting wall, 164: Rear wall, 166: Small wall, 166a: Connecting wall, 167: Concave part, 168: Small protrusion, 178: First sealing part, 179: Second sealing part, 180: Fixing appliance, 182: First end face, 183: Second end face, 184a: First groove, 184b: Second groove, 184c: Third groove, 184d: Fourth groove, 184e: Fifth groove, 184f: Sixth groove, 185: Notch, 187: Convex shape part Detailed implementation mode

[0038] The embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are illustrative, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. The following embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The following embodiments and their modifications are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

[0039] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A refrigerator 10 representing an embodiment. The housing 11 of the refrigerator 10 has an outer box 12 that forms the outer contour of the refrigerator 10, an inner box 13 combined with the outer box 12, and a heat insulation part 14 between the outer box 12 and the inner box 13. A heat insulating material is filled in the heat insulation part 14. The outer box 12 and the inner box 13 sandwich the heat insulating material.

[0040] The inside of the housing 11 is vertically partitioned by a heat insulation partition wall 21. Above the heat insulation partition wall 21 is a refrigerating space. The refrigerating space is maintained at a refrigerating temperature suitable for refrigerated storage. In addition, below the heat insulation partition wall 21 is a freezing space. The freezing space is maintained at a freezing temperature suitable for frozen storage.

[0041] A plurality of storage chambers for storing food are provided in the refrigerating space and the freezing space respectively. Each storage chamber has an opening in the front, and the user can take out and put in food from the opening.

[0042] In the refrigerating space, a refrigerating chamber 20 and a vegetable chamber 22 are sequentially provided from above as storage chambers. A plurality of mounting racks 24 are provided in the refrigerating chamber 20. The surroundings of the mounting racks 24 in the refrigerating chamber 20 are maintained within the range of the refrigerating temperature, for example, 2 to 5 °C. A quick-freezing chamber 26 is provided at the lower part in the refrigerating chamber 20. The quick-freezing chamber 26 is a place that is particularly maintained at a low temperature inside the refrigerating chamber 20, for example, maintained at 0 to 3 °C.

[0043] The front opening of the refrigerating chamber 20 is opened and closed by a single refrigerating chamber door 40. The refrigerating chamber door 40 can be opened from either the left or the right. An operation panel 15 is provided on the refrigerating chamber door 40. The operation panel 15 is a part for the user to operate the refrigerator 10 and is also a part for displaying necessary information to the user. A plurality of storage door pockets 29 are provided on the inner surface of the refrigerating chamber door 40 on the box side.

[0044] The vegetable chamber 22 is maintained within the range of the refrigerating temperature, for example, 4 to 7 °C. A pull-out storage container is stored in the vegetable chamber 22. The front opening of the vegetable chamber 22 is opened and closed by a pull-out vegetable chamber door 42.

[0045] An ice-making chamber (not shown) is provided on the upper left side of the freezing space. In addition, a small freezing chamber 27 is provided on the upper right side of the freezing space (on the right side of the ice-making chamber). A freezing chamber 28 is provided below the ice-making chamber and the small freezing chamber 27. Drawer-type storage containers are respectively stored in the ice-making chamber, the small freezing chamber 27, and the freezing chamber 28. The interiors of the ice-making chamber, the small freezing chamber 27, and the freezing chamber 28 are maintained within the range of freezing temperature, for example, -20 to -18 °C, during normal operation.

[0046] The front opening of the ice-making chamber is opened and closed by a drawer-type ice-making chamber door 43. In addition, the front opening of the small freezing chamber 27 is opened and closed by a drawer-type small freezing chamber door 44. In addition, the front opening of the freezing chamber 28 is opened and closed by a drawer-type freezing chamber door 45.

[0047] A first cooling chamber 35 is provided behind the refrigerating space. The first cooling chamber 35 is a space formed between the inner box 13 of the housing 11 and the wall 19 constituting the back surface of the storage chamber. A first cooler 30 that generates cold air and a first fan 32 as a blowing device that circulates the generated cold air are provided in the first cooling chamber 35. The cold air generated by the first cooler 30 is blown into the refrigerating space via a pipe 31 extending upward from the first cooler 30 and circulates in the refrigerating space. The cold air that has circulated in the refrigerating space returns to the location of the first cooler 30.

[0048] In addition, a second cooler 33 that generates cold air and a second fan 34 as a blowing device that circulates the generated cold air are provided behind the freezing space. The cold air generated in the second cooler 33 is blown into the freezing space and circulates in the freezing space, and then returns to the location of the second cooler 33.

[0049] A mechanical chamber 36 is provided at the rear of the lower part of the refrigerator 10. A compressor 37, a condenser (not shown), etc. are stored in the mechanical chamber 36. The compressor 37, the condenser, the first cooler 30, the second cooler 33, etc. constitute a known refrigeration cycle device. The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 37 alternately flows into the first cooler 30 and the second cooler 33, and thus cold air is alternately generated by the first cooler 30 and the second cooler 33.

[0050] Next, taking the small freezer door 44 (hereinafter simply referred to as "door 44") as an example, the structure of the door in this embodiment will be described. In the following description, left and right refer to the appearance when observing the refrigerator 10 from the front. Moreover, the center side in the left-right direction of the door 44 is set as the "center side in the left-right direction of the door", and is indicated by the arrow X1 in the figure. In addition, the end side in the left-right direction of the door 44 is set as the "end side in the left-right direction of the door", and is indicated by the arrow X2 in the figure. In addition, the center side in the up-down direction of the door 44 is set as the "center side in the up-down direction of the door", and is indicated by the arrow Y1 in the figure. In addition, the end side in the up-down direction of the door 44 is set as the "end side in the up-down direction of the door", and is indicated by the arrow Y2 in the figure. In addition, the front is indicated by the arrow Z1 in the figure, and the rear is indicated by the arrow Z2 in the figure.

[0051] As will be described later, the structure of the door 44 is different on the left and right. The left side of the door 44 is the ice-making chamber side, which is another storage chamber. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the door 44 includes a front panel 50 at the front, a rear member 56 at the rear, upper and lower frames 60, 75 respectively, a heat insulating material filled inside (not shown), a fixing device 80 fixed to the upper frame 60 (refer to Figure 10 、 Figure 12 etc.), and a fixing device (not shown) fixed to the lower frame 75.

[0052] The front panel 50 is formed by bending a single metal plate at right angles along multiple bending lines. As Figure 5 shown, a front portion 51 at the front, side portions 52 extending rearward from the left and right ends of the front portion 51 respectively, and rear portions 53 extending toward the center side in the left-right direction of the door from the rear ends of the respective side portions 52 are formed on the front panel 50.

[0053] Moreover, flanges 54 extending rearward from the upper and lower ends of the front portion 51 respectively, and flanges 55 extending toward the center side in the left-right direction from the upper and lower ends of the side portions 52 on both left and right sides are formed on the front panel 50. The upper flanges 54, 55 and the lower flanges 54, 55 are parallel. In addition, the front portion 51 and the rear portions 53 on both left and right sides are parallel. Near the bending portion 50a, which is the boundary between the front portion 51 and the side portion 52, and near the bending portion 50b, which is the boundary between the side portion 52 and the rear portion 53, the width of the flanges 54, 55 becomes narrower.

[0054] The front portion 51 is the part that constitutes the outer surface of the box in the door 44. In addition, the left and right side portions 52 are the parts that constitute the left and right sides of the door 44. In addition, the flanges 54, 55 are the parts that are fitted into the frames 60, 75.

[0055] The rear member 56 is a molded product of synthetic resin. The rear member 56 forms the inner surface of the box in the door 44. Although not shown, washers with a known structure are mounted along the upper, lower, left, and right edges on the rear surface of the rear member 56.

[0056] The upper and lower frames 60 and 75 are molded products of synthetic resin. The upper frame 60 forms the upper end surface of the door 44, and the lower frame 75 forms the lower end surface of the door 44.

[0057] Figures 6 - 9 The upper frame 60 is shown. As Figures 6 - 8 shown, a front insertion groove 63a that opens forward is formed at the front end of the upper frame 60. The front insertion groove 63a extends to both left and right ends of the frame 60 in the left - right direction. This front insertion groove 63a is the portion into which the flange 54 of the front portion 51 of the front plate 50 is inserted.

[0058] At the rear end of the upper frame 60, a rear wall 64 extending in the left - right direction stands up toward the center of the door in the up - down direction. The rear wall 64 is the portion that contacts the inner - door - side surface (front surface) of the rear member 56.

[0059] As Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, on the surface 70 on the center side of the door in the up - down direction on the right side of the upper frame 60, a first inner wall 61 and a second inner wall 62 are formed as walls that stand up toward the center of the door in the up - down direction and extend in the front - rear direction. No through - holes are provided in the first inner wall 61 and the second inner wall 62.

[0060] In a state where the front plate 50 and the frame 60 are combined, as can be seen from Figure 15 and Figure 16 the first inner wall 61 and the second inner wall 62 are separated from the right - hand side surface portion 52 of the front plate 50 in the left - right direction. The first inner wall 61 is located closer to the center of the door in the left - right direction than the second inner wall 62. In addition, the first inner wall 61 is higher than the second inner wall 62. The height (length in the up - down direction) of the first inner wall 61 is, for example, three times or more the height of the second inner wall 62.

[0061] As can be seen from Figure 9 the front end of the first inner wall 61 coincides with the front end of the upper frame 60. When the flange 54 of the front portion 51 of the front plate 50 is inserted into the front insertion groove 63a, the front end of the first inner wall 61 contacts the front portion 51 of the front plate 50. In addition, the rear end of the first inner wall 61 is connected to the rear wall 64. Due to these features, the first inner wall 61 extends from the front end to the rear end inside the door 44.

[0062] The first inner wall 61 bends twice at the rear. And asFigure 9 As shown, a front portion 61a extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the first inner wall 61 at the front, a rear portion 61b extending in the front-rear direction is formed at the rear, and a curved portion 61c extending in the left-right direction is formed between the front portion 61a and the rear portion 61b. The rear portion 61b is located at a position closer to the door left-right direction end side than the front portion 61a.

[0063] As Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, a small wall 66 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the front between the first inner wall 61 and the second inner wall 62 in the upper frame 60. The length of the small wall 66 in the front-rear direction is, for example, 1 / 3 or less of the length of the first inner wall 61 in the front-rear direction. The front end of the small wall 66 and the front end of the first inner wall 61 are connected by a short connecting wall 66a extending in the left-right direction. The first inner wall 61, the small wall 66, and the connecting wall 66a have the same height.

[0064] The portion between the first inner wall 61 and the small wall 66 is a concave portion 67 into which a convex portion 87 described later is fitted. The bottom of the concave portion 67 is raised. That is, the bottom surface of the concave portion 67 is located on the door up-down direction center side with respect to the surface 70 on the door up-down direction center side of the frame 60.

[0065] As Figure 8 ~As Figure 10 shown, near the center in the front-rear direction in the first inner wall 61, an engaging claw 65 protruding toward the door up-down direction center side is formed. The engaging claw 65 is a claw that protrudes toward the door up-down direction center side from the first inner wall 61 and has a protrusion toward the door left-right direction end side formed at its front end. This engaging claw 65 is used to fix a fixing device 80 to the frame 60.

[0066] The engaging claw 65 is smaller relative to the first inner wall 61. The length of the engaging claw 65 in the front-rear direction is, for example, 5% or more and 30% or less of the length of the first inner wall 61 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the length L1 of the engaging claw 65 in the up-down direction (the length protruding from the first inner wall 61. Refer to Figure 8 ) is, for example, 5% or more and 30% or less of the length L2 of the first inner wall 61 in the up-down direction (refer to Figure 8 ).

[0067] As Figure 8 , Figure 10 etc. shown, cuts 65a are respectively formed at two positions at the ends on the door up-down direction end side in the first inner wall 61. The engaging claw 65 is provided between the two cuts 65a. However, the engaging claw 65 and each cut 65a are separated in the front-rear direction. The depth L3 of the cut 65a (the length in the up-down direction. Refer to Figure 8)is, for example, 10% or more and 40% or less of the length L2 of the first inner wall 61 in the vertical direction. Due to the presence of such a cutout 65a, the engaging claws 65 can easily move in the left-right direction.

[0068] As Figure 12 shown, etc., two ribs 65b are formed on the surface of the first inner wall 61 on the center side in the left-right direction of the door. The two ribs 65b are formed at the front and rear ends of the engaging claws 65 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the two ribs 65b extend from the upper end to the lower end of the first inner wall 61 along the vertical direction respectively.

[0069] As Figures 8 - 10 shown, on the surface of the second inner wall 62 on the end side in the left-right direction of the door, two small protrusions 68 protruding toward the end side in the left-right direction of the door are formed at intervals in the front-rear direction. The two small protrusions 68 are separated from the surface 70 of the frame 60 on the end side in the vertical direction of the door. Moreover, gaps are respectively formed between the two small protrusions 68 and the surface 70 of the frame 60 on the end side in the vertical direction of the door. These gaps are respectively small grooves 69 for inserting the flange 55 of the side portion 52 of the front plate 50.

[0070] As Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, the rear end of the second inner wall 62 is connected to the rear wall 64. In addition, the front end of the second inner wall 62 is connected to a connecting wall 62a extending along the left-right direction. The connecting wall 62a extends from the front end of the second inner wall 62 to the small wall 66 along the left-right direction and is connected to the small wall 66. The connecting wall 62a is in the same position as the bottom surface of the front insertion groove 63a in the front-rear direction.

[0071] Due to such a wall structure, a region surrounded by the first inner wall 61, the second inner wall 62, the connecting wall 62a, the connecting wall 66a, the small wall 66, and the rear wall 64, that is, an inner-wall region, is formed. The fixing device 80 is fitted and fixed to a place including this inner-wall region.

[0072] On the other hand, there are no walls corresponding to the first inner wall 61 and the second inner wall 62 on the left side of the upper frame 60. A horizontal insertion groove 59a that opens to the left and extends along the front-rear direction is formed at the left end of the upper frame 60 (refer to Figure 7 ). The horizontal insertion groove 59a is connected to the front insertion groove 63a at the front end of the frame 60. The horizontal insertion groove 59a is a part for inserting the flange 55 of the side portion 52 of the front plate 50.

[0073] In addition, as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, a handle portion 71, which is a recess when viewed from the outside of the door 44, is formed on the upper surface of the upper frame 60. Since the frame 60 has a substantially uniform thickness except for protruding portions such as various walls, a portion on the inner side (i.e., the door inner side) of the handle portion 71 is formed as a bulging portion 72 that bulges toward the center side in the up-and-down direction of the door (see Figures 6 - 8 etc.). The bulging portion 72 has the same shape as the handle portion 71.

[0074] As Figure 7 shown, the shape of the bulging portion 72 is asymmetric left and right, and the bulging shape is gentler on the outer side in the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10, i.e., the right side, than on the adjacent storage chamber side, i.e., the left side. The left end of the bulging portion 72 becomes a wall 73 that extends substantially downward, and the right side of the bulging portion 72 becomes a gentle inclined surface 74. As can be seen from Figure 9 、 Figure 10 , a portion of the inclined surface 74 on the right side of the bulging portion 72 penetrates the first inner wall 61. However, the bulging portion 72 is in contact with the first inner wall 61 without a gap, and no hole is formed in the first inner wall 61. In addition, the left end of the bulging portion 72 is near the left end of the frame 60.

[0075] The structural portion of the upper frame 60 from the first inner wall 61 to the second inner wall 62 (including two small protrusions 68) in the left-right direction is defined as a fitting structure portion.

[0076] As Figure 11 shown, the lower frame 75 has a shape in which a frame portion 76 having substantially the same shape as the front plate 50 when viewed from above and a bulging portion 77 bulging downward from the frame portion 76 are connected. At the upper end and the right side of the bulging portion 77, a fitting structure portion 58 for fitting a lower fixing device is formed. The structure of the fitting structure portion 58 is vertically symmetric with the fitting structure portion in the upper frame 60.

[0077] A front insertion groove 63b that opens forward and extends in the left-right direction is formed at the front end of the frame portion 76. In addition, a horizontal insertion groove 59b that opens to the left and extends in the front-rear direction is formed at the left end of the frame portion 76. The front insertion groove 63b and the horizontal insertion groove 59b are connected.

[0078] As Figures 12 - 16 shown, when the frames 60, 75, the front plate 50, and the rear member 56 are assembled, the upper and lower flanges 54 of the front portion 51 of the front plate 50 are inserted into the front insertion grooves 63a, 63b of the frames 60, 75. In addition, as Figure 14As shown, at a position in front of the connecting wall 62a, the upper and lower flanges 54 of the front part 51 of the front plate 50 are sandwiched between the fixing device 80 and the frame 60. In addition, the flange 55 of the left side surface part 52 of the front plate 50 is inserted into the horizontal insertion grooves 59a and 59b on the left side of the frames 60 and 75.

[0079] In addition, when the frames 60 and 75, the front plate 50, and the rear member 56 are combined, as Figure 16 shown, the flange 55 of the right side surface part 52 of the front plate 50 is inserted into the small groove 69 on the right side of the frames 60 and 75. In addition, at a place where the small protrusion 68 forming the small groove 69 does not exist, as Figure 15 shown, the flange 55 of the right side surface part 52 of the front plate 50 is sandwiched between the part at the left - right end side of the door in the fixing device 80 and the frame 60.

[0080] When the frames 60 and 75, the front plate 50, and the rear member 56 are combined, further, the rear member 56 is engaged with the rear walls 64 of the frames 60 and 75. And the fixing device 80 is fitted into a specified position of the upper frame 60, and a fixing device is also fitted into a specified position of the lower frame 75. Thus, the state in which the front plate 50, the upper frame 60, the lower frame 75, the rear member 56, the upper fixing device 80, and the lower fixing device are combined is called the assembled state.

[0081] The upper fixing device 80 is provided only on the right side in the upper frame 60. The lower fixing device is provided only on the right side in the lower frame 75. These fixing devices are molded products of synthetic resin.

[0082] Figures 17 - 20 The upper fixing device 80 is shown. As Figures 18 - 20 shown, the upper fixing device 80 includes a fitting part 81 fitted between the side surface part 52 of the front plate 50 and the first inner wall 61 of the frame 60, and a handle 90 protruding from the fitting part 81 toward the center side in the up - down direction of the door.

[0083] The fitting part 81 is composed of a bottom part that becomes the end side in the up - down direction of the door and a wall part that stands up from the edge of the bottom part toward the center side in the up - down direction of the door, and has a container - like shape that opens toward the center side in the up - down direction of the door. The part on the center side in the left - right direction of the door (the first inner wall 61 side) of the wall part of the fitting part 81 is set as the first wall part 81a.

[0084] As Figure 19 and Figure 20As shown, on the surface of the first wall portion 81a on the center side in the left-right direction of the door, there are formed the first end face 82 which is the end face on the center side in the left-right direction of the fitting portion 81, and the concave face 86 which is recessed with respect to the first end face 82. The first end face 82 is continuously provided at locations on the front and rear sides and on the center side in the up-down direction of the door with respect to the concave face 86. The face of the first end face 82 at a position on the center side in the up-down direction of the door with respect to the concave face 86 is defined as the connecting face 82a.

[0085] In addition, as Figure 18 shown, the end face on the end side in the left-right direction of the fitting portion 81 (on the side of the side portion 52 of the front plate 50) is defined as the second end face 83. In addition, the face on the end side in the up-down direction of the bottom of the fitting portion 81 is defined as the bottom face 88. This bottom face 88 is also the face on the side of the frame 60 of the fitting portion 81.

[0086] As Figures 17 - 19 shown, on the bottom face 88 of the fitting portion 81, a first groove 84a extending in the front-rear direction is formed between the first end face 82 and the second end face 83. In addition, notches 85 extending toward the second end face 83 are formed respectively from two locations in the front-rear direction of the first groove 84a. Each of the two notches 85 has one end opening to the first groove 84a and the other end reaching the second end face 83.

[0087] In addition, as Figures 17 - 20 shown, on the side of the bottom face 88 of the fitting portion 81, at the location of the corner on the center side in the left-right direction (on the side of the first inner wall 61) and in the front, a convex-shaped portion 87 is formed. The convex-shaped portion 87 is located at a position on the side of the first inner wall 61 (on the side of the first end face 82) with respect to the first groove 84a. In addition, the convex-shaped portion 87 is formed at a position on the center side in the up-down direction of the door with respect to the bottom face 88 of the fitting portion 81. In addition, as Figure 17 and Figure 19 shown, the convex-shaped portion 87 is separated from the portion on the end side in the left-right direction (on the side of the second end face 83) with respect to the second groove 84b by the second groove 84b extending in the front-rear direction at a position in the front and on the side of the first inner wall 61 (on the side of the first end face 82) with respect to the first groove 84a. In addition, the front end of the first groove 84a and the second groove 84b are connected by a third groove 84c extending in the left-right direction.

[0088] In addition, as Figure 20 shown, at the portion in the front-rear direction where the connecting face 82a exists, the end portion on the center side in the up-down direction of the first inner wall 61 expands in the left-right direction to form a wide portion 82b. This wide portion 82b is the portion for hooking the engaging claw 65 protruding from the first inner wall 61. In addition, the concave face 86 at a position on the end side in the up-down direction with respect to the connecting face 82a is the passage for the engaging claw 65 when the operator fits and fixes the fixture 80 to the frame 60.

[0089] In addition, the handle 90 has a shape suitable for an operator to hold when the fixing device 80 is mounted on the frame 60. In the present embodiment, the handle 90 is a plate-like portion perpendicular to the front-rear direction. As Figure 15 and Figure 16 shown, the handle 90 includes a base portion 91 extending toward the center side in the up-down direction of the door, and an extension portion 92 extending from a portion at the extended front end of the base portion 91 toward the center side in the left-right direction of the door, which is an L-shaped portion when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0090] As Figure 12 shown, in the assembled state, the fixing device 80 is fitted between the first inner wall 61 of the frame 60 and the side portion 52 of the front plate 50.

[0091] As Figure 15 and Figure 16 shown, in the assembled state, a first sealing portion 78 that prevents the heat insulating material in a fluid state from passing through is formed between the first end face 82 of the fixing device 80 and the first inner wall 61 of the frame 60. The function of preventing the heat insulating material from passing through by the first sealing portion 78 is achieved by opposing the first inner wall 61 of the frame 60 and the first end face 82 of the fixing device 80 and setting the interval therebetween to be narrow. In the first sealing portion 78, a minute (for example, 0.5 mm or less) gap may exist between the first inner wall 61 and the first end face 82, and the first inner wall 61 and the first end face 82 may also be in contact. In the manufacturing process of the door 44, it is preferable that the heat insulating material in a fluid state cannot pass from one end to the other end of the first sealing portion 78.

[0092] In addition, a first sealing portion 78 is formed between the engaging claw 65 and the concave surface 86 formed on the first wall portion 81a of the fixing device 80, and between the connecting surface 82a of the first inner wall 61 of the frame 60 and the first wall portion 81a.

[0093] In the door 44 after the heat insulating material is filled, when the first inner wall 61 of the frame 60 and the first end face 82 of the fixing device 80 are not in contact, the heat insulating material may intrude between the first inner wall 61 and the first end face 82, and there may also be a space where nothing exists between the first inner wall 61 and the first end face 82.

[0094] In addition, in the assembled state, as Figure 15 and Figure 16 shown, the second end face 83 of the fixing device 80 is close to or in contact with the side portion 52 of the front plate 50.

[0095] In addition, as Figure 15As shown, in the assembled state, between the portion of the bottom surface 88 of the fixing fixture 80 that is closer to the door left - right direction end side than the first groove 84a (excluding the notch 85), and the frame 60, the flange 55 of the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 is sandwiched. Thus, the front plate 50 is fixed so as not to come off from the frame 60.

[0096] In addition, as can be seen from Figure 16 As is known, in the assembled state, the notch 85 formed on the bottom surface 88 side of the fixing fixture 80 is covered by the small protrusion 68.

[0097] In addition, as Figure 15 As shown, in the assembled state, the second inner wall 62 of the frame 60 is inserted into the first groove 84a of the fixing fixture 80. Moreover, between the side wall surfaces 89 of one or both sides of the first groove 84a and the second inner wall 62, a second sealing portion 79 that prevents the heat - insulating material in a fluid state from passing through is formed. The function of preventing the heat - insulating material from passing through by the second sealing portion 79 is achieved by the second inner wall 62 of the frame 60 facing the side wall surfaces 89 of the first groove 84a of the fixing fixture 80 and setting their interval to be narrow. In the second sealing portion 79, there may be a minute (e.g., 0.5 mm or less) gap between the second inner wall 62 and the side wall surfaces 89 of the first groove 84a, and the second inner wall 62 and the side wall surfaces 89 of the first groove 84a may also be in contact. In the manufacturing process of the door 44, it is preferable that the heat - insulating material in a fluid state cannot pass from one end to the other end of the second sealing portion 79.

[0098] In the door 44 after the heat - insulating material is filled, when the second inner wall 62 and the side wall surfaces 89 of the first groove 84a are not in contact, heat - insulating material may intrude between the second inner wall 62 and the side wall surfaces 89 of the first groove 84a, or there may be a space where nothing exists between the second inner wall 62 and the side wall surfaces 89 of the first groove 84a.

[0099] In addition, in the assembled state, the convex - shaped portion 87 of the fixing fixture 80 is fitted into the concave - shaped portion 67 of the frame 60. At this time, it is preferable that the left and right surfaces of the convex - shaped portion 87 are in contact with the inner walls of the concave - shaped portion 67.

[0100] In addition, as can be seen from Figure 12 As is known, in the assembled state, the handle 90 protrudes longer toward the center side in the door up - down direction than the bulging portion 72 of the frame 60. It is preferable that the entire extension portion 92 of the handle 90 is in a position closer to the center side in the door up - down direction than the bulging portion 72.

[0101] As described above, the fitting structure portion 58 formed on the right side of the lower frame 75 is a structure that is vertically symmetric with the structure from the first inner wall 61 to the second inner wall 62 (including the two small protrusions 68) in the upper frame 60. Therefore, a fixing appliance (not shown) having a vertically symmetric shape with the above-described fixing appliance 80 is fitted in the fitting structure portion 58 of the lower frame 75.

[0102] So far, the small freezer door 44 has been described. However, in all other pull-out doors, namely the vegetable compartment door 42, the ice-making compartment door 43, and the freezer door 45, they have the same structure as the small freezer door 44. That is, in all other pull-out doors, a fitting structure portion identical to that of the small freezer door 44 is formed on one side in the left-right direction in each of the upper and lower frames, and a fixing appliance identical to that of the small freezer door 44 is fitted in each fitting structure portion. In addition, a fitting structure portion identical to that of the small freezer door 44 is also formed on one side in the left-right direction in the lower frame of the refrigerator door 40, and a fixing appliance identical to that of the small freezer door 44 is fitted in this fitting structure portion.

[0103] Taking the small freezer door 44 as an example, the manufacturing process of such a door will be described. In the manufacturing process of the door 44, first, an operator assembles the upper frame 60, the lower frame 75, the front panel 50, the rear member 56, the upper fixing appliance 80, and the lower fixing appliance.

[0104] Specifically, first, the operator mounts the upper frame 60 shown in (a) of Figure 21 on the front panel 50. In detail, first, as indicated by the arrow in (b) of Figure 21 , the operator slides the frame 60 to the left at the upper end of the front panel 50, and inserts the flange 55 of the left side portion 52 of the front panel 50 into the horizontal insertion groove 59a on the left side of the frame 60. Then, as indicated by the arrow in (c) of Figure 21 , while maintaining the state where the left flange 55 of the front panel 50 is inserted into the horizontal insertion groove 59a on the left side of the frame 60, the operator moves the right side portion of the frame 60 backward relative to the front panel 50. Next, as indicated by the arrow in (d) of Figure 21 , the operator slides the right side portion of the frame 60 forward.

[0105] When the operator slides the right side portion of the frame 60 forward, the flange 55 of the right side portion 52 of the front panel 50 passes through the two small grooves 69 on the right side of the frame 60 (refer to Figure 10 ). Then, the operator inserts the flange 54 of the front portion 51 of the front panel 50 into the front insertion groove 63a in front of the frame 60. Thus, the installation of the upper frame 60 on the front panel 50 is completed.

[0106] Designed such that a gap can be formed between the bottom of the two small grooves 69 on the right side of the upper frame 60 and the flange 55 of the side portion 52 on the right side of the front plate 50, so that the upper frame 60 can be installed on the front plate 50 according to the steps of Figure 21 (b) to (d). Therefore, when the installation of the upper frame 60 on the front plate 50 is completed, some looseness is generated between the upper frame 60 and the front plate 50.

[0107] After the operator installs the upper frame 60 on the front plate 50, the fixing device 80 is fitted between the first inner wall 61 of the frame 60 and the side portion 52 of the front plate 50. Specifically, the operator presses the fixing device 80 deep into the frame 60. Then, as Figure 12 shown, the engaging claw 65 protruding from the first inner wall 61 hooks onto the wide portion 82b formed on the first wall portion 81a of the fixing device 80, and the fixing device 80 is fixed to the frame 60. Thus, the looseness between the upper frame 60 and the front plate 50 disappears.

[0108] When the fixing device 80 is fixed to the frame 60, as Figure 15 shown, the flange 55 of the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 is clamped and fixed between the frame 60 and the fixing device 80. In addition, as Figure 14 shown, the flange 54 of the front portion 51 of the front plate 50 is also clamped and fixed between the frame 60 and the fixing device 80. In addition, as Figure 15 、 Figure 16 shown, the second end face 83 of the fixing device 80 approaches or contacts the side portion 52 of the front plate 50. In addition, the above-mentioned first sealing portion 78 and second sealing portion 79 are formed between the frame 60 and the fixing device 80.

[0109] In addition, the operator installs the lower frame 75 on the front plate 50 according to the same steps as those for the upper frame 60, and fits and fixes the fixing device at a specified position. In addition, the operator installs the rear member 56 on the rear portions 53 of the upper and lower frames 60, 75 and the front plate 50. Thus, the door 44 is in an assembled state, and an internal space surrounded by the front plate 50, the frames 60, 75 and the rear member 56 is formed.

[0110] After being in the assembled state in this way, the operator injects a fluid heat insulating material into the internal space of the door 44 from an injection port (not shown) provided in a part of the door 44. The heat insulating material used is a foaming resin such as polyurethane foam. The heat insulating material flows in the internal space of the door 44 and cures after covering all corners of the internal space of the door 44.

[0111] When the heat insulating material is polyurethane foam, an operator injects the raw material of the polyurethane foam through an injection port formed in the door 44. The injected raw material foams while flowing in the internal space of the door 44, and solidifies after covering every corner of the internal space.

[0112] On the right side of the upper frame 60, a first sealing portion 78 is formed between the first end face 82 of the fixing fixture 80 and the first inner wall 61 of the frame 60, so that it is possible to prevent the heat insulating material from invading between the fixing fixture 80 and the frame 60 across the first sealing portion 78. Even if the heat insulating material invades between the fixing fixture 80 and the frame 60 by any chance, since a second sealing portion 79 is formed between the first groove 84a of the fixing fixture 80 and the second inner wall 62 of the frame 60, it is possible to prevent the heat insulating material from approaching the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 across the second sealing portion 79. Therefore, the heat insulating material is not likely to leak out of the door 44 through the gap between the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 and the frame 60.

[0113] On the right side of the lower frame 75, similar to the upper side, the heat insulating material is not likely to leak out of the door 44.

[0114] Other doors are also manufactured by an operator through the same process as the small freezer door 44. Moreover, the operator installs the completed respective doors and various equipment on the housing 11 to complete the refrigerator 10.

[0115] The effects of the above embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a first inner wall 61 is formed in the frame 60, and the fixing fixture 80 as an independent component is fitted into the frame 60 between the side portion 52 of the surface in the left - right direction of the door 44 and the first inner wall 61. Moreover, a first sealing portion 78 that prevents the heat insulating material having fluidity from passing through is formed between the first inner wall 61 and the end face on the center side in the left - right direction of the door (the first inner wall 61 side) of the fixing fixture 80, that is, the first end face 82. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to prevent the heat insulating material from invading between the fixing fixture 80 and the frame 60 across the first sealing portion 78, and it is possible to prevent the heat insulating material from leaking out of the door 44 through the gap between the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 and the frame 60.

[0116] Here, since the end face (the first end face 82) of the fixing fixture 80 is used as the face for forming the first sealing portion 78, there is no restriction on the height of the first inner wall 61 that coincides with this end face, and the first inner wall 61 can be heightened. Therefore, the first sealing portion 78 formed by the end face of the fixing fixture 80 and the first inner wall 61 can be enlarged. In addition, since the end face of the fixing fixture 80 is used as the face for forming the first sealing portion 78, there are also the following advantages: it is easy for the operator to align its end face with the first inner wall 61; it is easy to ensure a relatively wide first sealing portion 78; and it is easy for the operator to confirm that the first sealing portion 78 is formed.

[0117] In addition, the fixing fixture 80 can be used for both fixing the front plate 50 to the frame 60 and preventing the leakage of the heat insulating material, with relatively high efficiency.

[0118] In addition, a second inner wall 62 is formed at a position in the frame 60 on the door left - right direction end side relative to the first inner wall 61. On the other hand, a first groove 84a is formed in the fixing fixture 80, and a second sealing portion 79 that prevents the heat insulating material in a fluid state from passing through is formed between the second inner wall 62 and the side wall surface 89 of the first groove 84a. Therefore, even if the heat insulating material accidentally passes through the first sealing portion 78, it can be prevented from approaching the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 beyond the second sealing portion 79, and it can be prevented from leaking outside the door 44 through the gap between the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 and the frame 60.

[0119] In addition, since the second inner wall 62 is lower than the first inner wall 61, even if the first groove 84a formed in the fixing fixture 80 is shallow, the second inner wall 62 can be inserted into the first groove 84a, and the second sealing portion 79 can be formed by the second inner wall 62 and the first groove 84a.

[0120] In addition, since a handle 90 that protrudes toward the center side in the door up - down direction is formed in the fixing fixture 80, it is easy for the operator to fit the fixing fixture 80 into the frame 60, and the workability is relatively good.

[0121] In addition, a handle portion 71 that is recessed when viewed from the outside of the door 44 is formed in the frame 60, and the inner portion of the handle portion 71 is formed as a bulging portion 72 that bulges toward the center side in the door up - down direction. Moreover, the handle 90 protrudes longer toward the center side in the door up - down direction than the bulging portion 72. Therefore, when the operator holds the handle 90 and tries to fit it into the frame 60, the bulging portion 72 is not likely to become an obstacle, and the workability is relatively good.

[0122] In addition, the fixing fixture 80 is configured to be fitted to the gentle inclined surface 74 side, that is, the right - hand side, of the asymmetric bulging portion 72, so it is easy for the operator to fit the fixing fixture 80.

[0123] In addition, in the handle 90, not only is there a base portion 91 extending toward the center side in the up-and-down direction of the door, but also an extension portion 92 extending from a portion at the extended front end of the base portion 91 toward the center side in the left-and-right direction of the door, so that an operator can grasp the extension portion 92. Therefore, the workability when fitting the fixing device 80 to the frame 60 is relatively good.

[0124] In addition, since the engaging claws 65 are provided on the first inner wall 61, the fixing device 80 can be firmly fixed to the frame 60 by hooking the engaging claws 65 on the fixing device 80. Here, the engaging claws 65 are provided in a form protruding from the larger first inner wall 61, so they are not easily bent.

[0125] In addition, the convex-shaped portion 87 of the fixing device 80 is fitted into the concave-shaped portion 67 of the frame 60, so the fixing device 80 is not easily loosened relative to the frame 60.

[0126] Various changes can be made to Embodiment 1. Any one of the following modification examples can be applied to the above-described embodiment, or any two or more of them can be combined and applied to the above-described embodiment.

[0127] <Modification Example 1>

[0128] The configuration including the fitting structure portion formed on the frame and the fixing device only needs to be implemented in at least one of the upper and lower sides of any one or more doors of the refrigerator.

[0129] In addition, the configuration including the fitting structure portion formed on the frame and the fixing device only needs to be implemented in one of the left and right sides of the frame, but it can also be implemented in both the left and right sides of the frame.

[0130] <Modification Example 2>

[0131] It can also be that a sealing member is sandwiched between the first inner wall 61 and the first end face 82 of the fixing device 80 as a component for improving the close contact, and the first sealing portion is formed by the sealing member and the two surfaces sandwiching the sealing member. As the sealing member, for example, a member made of a highly flexible material such as polyurethane sponge or rubber, or a tape formed of resin, paper, cloth, etc. can be used.

[0132] Similarly, it can also be that a sealing member is sandwiched between the second inner wall 62 and the side wall surface 89 of the first groove 84a, and the second sealing portion is formed by the sealing member and the two surfaces sandwiching the sealing member.

[0133] <Modification Example 3>

[0134] In Figures 22 - 27In the modified example shown, similar to the above-described embodiment, a first inner wall 161 and a second inner wall 162 are formed in the frame 160. Additionally, similar to the above-described embodiment, a small wall 166 is formed between the first inner wall 161 and the second inner wall 162, and the front end of the small wall 166 and the front end of the first inner wall 161 are connected by a connecting wall 166a (refer to Figure 22 ). The portion sandwiched between the first inner wall 161 and the small wall 166 is a concave-shaped portion 167 into which a convex-shaped portion 187 described later is fitted. Additionally, similar to the above-described embodiment, two small protrusions 168 are formed on the second inner wall 162 (refer to Figure 22 ).

[0135] Similar to the above-described embodiment, the rear end of the first inner wall 161 is connected to the rear wall 164. Additionally, the front end of the second inner wall 162 and the small wall 166 are connected by a connecting wall 162a. Due to this wall configuration, a region surrounded by the first inner wall 161, the second inner wall 162, the small wall 166, the connecting wall 162a, the connecting wall 166a, and the rear wall 164, that is, an inner-wall region, is formed. The fixing fixture 180 of the modified example is fitted in a place including this inner-wall region.

[0136] The first inner wall 161 bends twice backward. Therefore, as Figure 22 shown, a front portion 161a extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the first inner wall 161, a rear portion 161b extending in the front-rear direction is formed at the rear, and a bent portion 161c extending in the left-right direction is formed between the front portion 161a and the rear portion 161b. The rear portion 161b is located at a position closer to the door left-right direction end side than the front portion 161a.

[0137] In this modified example, compared with the above-described embodiment, the interval between the first inner wall 161 and the second inner wall 162 becomes larger. Moreover, as Figure 22 shown, between the first inner wall 161 and the second inner wall 162, two third inner walls 110a, 110b extending in the front-rear direction and two fourth inner walls 111a, 111b extending in the left-right direction are formed.

[0138] As Figure 22 shown, the two third inner walls 110a, 110b are formed on the extension line of the small wall 166. The front third inner wall 110a is connected to the small wall 166. On the other hand, the rear third inner wall 110b is connected to the bent portion 161c of the first inner wall 161. The front third inner wall 110a and the rear third inner wall 110b are not connected.

[0139] As Figure 22As shown, the rear end of the front third inner wall 110a and the second inner wall 162 are connected by the front fourth inner wall 111a. Additionally, the front end of the rear third inner wall 110b and the second inner wall 162 are connected by the rear fourth inner wall 111b.

[0140] Here, the second inner wall 162, the connecting wall 162a, the third inner walls 110a, 110b, the fourth inner walls 111a, 111b are lower (shorter in the vertical direction) than the first inner wall 161, the small wall 166, and the connecting wall 166a.

[0141] Through the two third inner walls 110a, 110b and the two fourth inner walls 111a, 111b, the above-mentioned wall inner region is divided into three small intervals. The three small intervals are the small interval 160a on the side of the first inner wall 161, the small interval 160b divided from the small interval 160a by the front third inner wall 110a and the fourth inner wall 111a, and the small interval 160c divided from the small interval 160a by the rear third inner wall 110b and the fourth inner wall 111b.

[0142] As Figure 23 and Figure 24 shown, similar to the above-described embodiment, the fixing device 180 of this modification example has a first end face 182 on the center side in the left-right direction of the door (the side of the first inner wall 161) and a second end face 183 on the end side in the left-right direction of the door (the side of the side portion 52 of the front plate 50). Moreover, as Figure 23 shown, a first groove 184a extending in the front-rear direction is formed between the first end face 182 and the second end face 183. Additionally, notches 185 extending toward the second end face 183 are formed respectively from two positions in the front-rear direction of the first groove 184a.

[0143] Moreover, a second groove 184b extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the fixing device 180 at a position in front and closer to the center side in the left-right direction of the door (the side of the first inner wall 161) than the first groove 184a, a third groove 184c extending in the front-rear direction at a position behind the second groove 184b and on the extension line of the second groove 184b, a fourth groove 184d extending in the left-right direction to connect the front end of the first groove 184a and the second groove 184b, a fifth groove 184e extending in the left-right direction to connect the rear end of the second groove 184b and the first groove 184a, and a sixth groove 184f extending in the left-right direction to connect the front end of the third groove 184c and the first groove 184a.

[0144] When the fixing device 180 is fitted into the frame 160, the respective inner walls of the frame 160 enter into these grooves formed in the fixing device 180. Specifically, the second inner wall 162 enters into the first groove 184a, the small wall 166 and the front third inner wall 110a enter into the second groove 184b, the rear third inner wall 110b enters into the third groove 184c, the connecting wall 162a enters into the fourth groove 184d, the front fourth inner wall 111a enters into the fifth groove 184e, and the rear fourth inner wall 111b enters into the sixth groove 184f.

[0145] As Figure 26 shown, also in this modification example, a first sealing portion 178 that prevents the heat insulating material in a fluid state from passing through is formed between the first end face 182 of the fixing device 180 and the first inner wall 161 of the frame 160. In addition, a second sealing portion 179 that prevents the heat insulating material in a fluid state from passing through is formed between at least one side wall surface of the first groove 184a of the fixing device 180 and the second inner wall 162 of the frame 160.

[0146] Moreover, a sealing portion that prevents the heat insulating material from moving in the left - right direction is also formed between the side wall surface of the third groove 184c in the fixing device 180 and the rear third inner wall 110b in the frame 160 (refer to Figure 26 ). In addition, a sealing portion that prevents the heat insulating material from moving in the left - right direction is also formed between the side wall surface of the second groove 184b in the fixing device 180 and the front third inner wall 110a in the frame 160.

[0147] In addition, a sealing portion that prevents the heat insulating material from moving in the front - rear direction is formed between the side wall surface of the fifth groove 184e in the fixing device 180 and the front fourth inner wall 111a in the frame 160. In addition, a sealing portion that prevents the heat insulating material from moving in the front - rear direction is also formed between the side wall surface of the sixth groove 184f in the fixing device 180 and the rear fourth inner wall 111b in the frame 160.

[0148] In any of the sealing portions, there may be a minute gap (for example, 0.5 mm or less) between the two surfaces, and the two surfaces may also be in contact. In addition, it is preferable that the heat insulating material in a fluid state cannot pass from one end to the other end of each sealing portion.

[0149] Thus, in this modification example, the movement of the heat insulating material is also blocked inside the wall inner region between the first inner wall 161 and the second inner wall 162, so that the heat insulating material is not likely to leak outside the door 44. Further, as described above, the wall inner region is divided into three small sections 160a, 160b, and 160c, so that even if the heat insulating material should intrude into any of the small sections by any chance, the heat insulating material is not likely to intrude into the other small sections. In view of this, the heat insulating material is not likely to leak outside the door 44.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising a door for opening and closing a front opening of a storage chamber, the door comprising a front portion constituting a front surface, a rear portion constituting a rear surface, side portions constituting left and right surfaces, frames constituting up and down surfaces, and an internal heat insulating material, characterized in that: In at least one of the frames, a first inner wall is formed at a location separated from the side portion in the left-right direction. A fixing device as an independent component is fitted between the side portion and the first inner wall in at least one of the left and right directions. A sealing portion is formed between the first inner wall and an end surface of the fixture on the first inner wall side for preventing the heat insulating material from passing therethrough when it has fluidity.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the frame, a second inner wall is formed at a location between the side portion and the first inner wall, In the fixing device, a groove is formed at a location between the side portion and the first inner wall, A sealing portion is formed between the second inner wall and the side wall surface of the groove to prevent the heat insulating material from passing therethrough when it has fluidity.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The fixing device is formed with a handle that protrudes toward the inner side of the door.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The frame is provided with a handle portion which is a recessed portion when viewed from the outside of the door, and a portion on the inner side of the handle portion is formed as a bulging portion bulging toward the inner side of the door. The handle protrudes longer than the bulging portion toward the inner side of the door.

Images