Refrigerator

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator in which the shape of a rear member is easy to maintain. A refrigerator according to an embodiment is provided with a door (40) for opening and closing a storage chamber, the door (40) comprising a front portion (51) constituting a front surface, a rear member (56) constituting a rear surface, a frame (60) constituting one surface in the vertical direction, and an internal heat insulating material, the refrigerator being characterized in that: the rear member (56) is formed with a protruding strip (98a) protruding toward the inside of the door (40) and extending along the left and right sides of the door (40); an extending part (90) extending from the frame (60) in the direction along the protruding strip (98a) is arranged in the door (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a refrigerator door is constituted by combining an outer plate portion (front portion) forming the outer surface of the refrigerator, an inner plate portion (rear member) forming the inner surface of the refrigerator, and upper and lower frames forming the upper and lower ends of the door. A heat insulating material is filled inside the door. When manufacturing the door, after an operator combines the front portion, the rear member, and the frames to form the outer contour of the door, a fluid foaming heat insulating material is injected into the door from an injection port provided on the surface of the door. The foaming heat insulating material cures inside the door.

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

[0004] However, the rear member of the door is liable to flex, and it is difficult to maintain its shape, especially during the period from assembling the outer contour of the door to finishing the injection of the foaming heat insulating material into the door. For this reason, it has been difficult to manufacture the door. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which the shape of the rear member can be easily maintained.

[0006] The refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a door for opening and closing a storage compartment. The door includes a front portion constituting the front side surface, a rear member constituting the rear side surface, a frame constituting one surface in the vertical direction, and an internal heat insulating material. The refrigerator is characterized in that a rib protruding toward the inside of the door and extending along the left and right sides of the door is formed on the rear member, and a protruding portion extending from the frame in a direction along the rib is provided inside the door.

[0007] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0008] The refrigerator of the present invention can easily maintain the shape of the rear member. 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 of the door as viewed obliquely from the front.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the door as viewed obliquely from the rear.

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

[0014] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the rear component from the oblique front.

[0015] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing the upper frame from the oblique front and below.

[0016] Figure 8 It is a perspective view showing the upper frame from the oblique rear and below.

[0017] Figure 9 It is a perspective view of the left side of the upper frame observed from the rear and below.

[0018] Figure 10 It is a perspective view of the left side of the upper frame observed from the oblique rear and below.

[0019] Figure 11 It is a bottom view of the left side of the upper frame.

[0020] Figure 12 It is a bottom view of the left side of the upper frame in a state where the fixing member is fixed and the front panel is not fitted.

[0021] Figure 13 It is a perspective view showing the fixing member from the rear and below.

[0022] Figure 14 It is a perspective view of the fixing member observed from the oblique rear and below.

[0023] Figure 15 It is a bottom view of the fixing member.

[0024] Figure 16 It is equivalent to Figure 3 A cross-sectional view at the position of A1 - A1 in

[0025] Figure 17 It is equivalent to Figure 16 A cross-sectional view at the position of A2 - A2 in

[0026] Figure 18 It is equivalent to Figure 16 A cross-sectional view at the position of A3 - A3 in

[0027] Figure 19 It is a right side view of the front panel and the frame. (a) is a view before installing the frame on the front panel. (b) is a view in the middle of installing the frame on the front panel. (c) is a view after installing the frame on the front panel.

[0028] Symbol Explanation:

[0029] 10: Refrigerator; 11: Cabinet; 12: Outer case; 13: Inner case; 14: Heat insulation part; 15: Operation panel; 19: Wall; 20: Refrigerating compartment; 21: Heat insulation partition wall; 22: Vegetable compartment; 24: Placing shelf; 26: Chilling compartment; 27: Small freezing compartment; 28: Freezing compartment; 29: Storage bag; 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 compartment door; 42: Vegetable compartment door; 43: Ice making compartment door; 44: Small freezing compartment door; 45: Freezing compartment door; 50: Front panel; 51: Front part; 52: Side part; 53: Rear part; 54: Flange; 55: Flange; 56: Rear part component; 60: Frame; 60a: Inner surface; 61: Side wall; 62: Groove forming wall; 63a: First insertion groove; 63b: Second insertion groove; 63c: Third insertion groove; 64: Rear wall; 65: Engaging claw; 65a: Base; 65b: Protrusion; 65c: Connecting wall; 66: First inner wall; 66a: Surface; 67: Second inner wall; 67a: Surface; 68: Third inner wall; 70: Cylindrical part; 75: Frame; 80: Fixing member; 81: Fitting part; 82: Bottom; 83: Left - right direction center side wall part; 83a: End face; 83b: Through - groove; 84: Left - right direction end side wall part; 84a: End face; 85: Front wall part; 85a: End face; 85b: Cutout; 85c: First small wall part; 85d: Second small wall part; 85e: Wide surface; 85f: First high wall part; 85g: Second high wall part; 86: Rear wall part; 86a: End face; 86b: Concave shape part; 88: First sealing part; 89: Second sealing part; 90: Protruding part; 90a: End; 95: Rib; 96: Engaging part; 97a: Longitudinal groove; 97b: Transverse groove; 98a: Ridge; 98b: Ridge. Detailed implementation mode

[0030] The implementation mode will be described based on the drawings. The following implementation modes are illustrative, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. The following implementation modes can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The following implementation modes and their modifications are included in the invention described in the technical solution and the scope equivalent thereto.

[0031] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 the refrigerator 10 of the implementation mode is shown. The cabinet 11 of the refrigerator 10 has an outer case 12 forming the outer contour of the refrigerator 10, an inner case 13 combined with the outer case 12, and a heat insulation part 14 between the outer case 12 and the inner case 13. A heat insulation material is filled in the heat insulation part 14. The outer case 12 and the inner case 13 sandwich this heat insulation material.

[0032] The inside of the cabinet 11 is vertically partitioned by a heat-insulating partition wall 21. Above the heat-insulating partition wall 21 is a refrigerating space. The refrigerating space is maintained at a temperature suitable for refrigerated storage, i.e., the refrigerating temperature. In addition, below the heat-insulating partition wall 21 is a freezing space. The freezing space is maintained at a temperature suitable for frozen storage, i.e., the freezing temperature.

[0033] In the refrigerating space and the freezing space, there are respectively provided a plurality of storage chambers for storing foods. Each storage chamber has an opening at the front, and the user can take out or put in foods through this opening.

[0034] In the refrigerating space, a refrigerator compartment 20 and a vegetable compartment 22 serving as storage chambers are successively provided from above. In the refrigerator compartment 20, a plurality of placement shelves 24 are provided. The periphery of the placement shelves 24 in the refrigerator compartment 20 is maintained within the range of the refrigerating temperature, for example, 2 to 5 °C. In the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 20, a quick-chilling chamber 26 is provided. The quick-chilling chamber 26 is a place where an especially low temperature is also maintained inside the refrigerator compartment 20, for example, it is maintained at 0 to 3 °C.

[0035] The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 20 is opened and closed by a refrigerator compartment door 40. The refrigerator compartment door 40 can be opened from either the left or the right. An operation panel 15 is provided on the refrigerator compartment door 40. The operation panel 15 is the part where the user operates the refrigerator 10 and is also the part that displays necessary information to the user. A plurality of storage bags 29 are installed on the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment door 40 on the refrigerator side.

[0036] The vegetable compartment 22 is maintained within the range of the refrigerating temperature, for example, 4 to 7 °C. A drawer-type storage container is stored in the vegetable compartment 22. The front opening of the vegetable compartment 22 is opened and closed by a drawer-type vegetable compartment door 42.

[0037] An ice-making chamber (not shown) is provided at the upper left of the freezing space. In addition, a small freezing chamber 27 is provided at the upper right 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 the freezing temperature, for example, -20 to -18 °C during normal operation.

[0038] 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.

[0039] There is a first cooling chamber 35 provided behind the refrigerating space. The first cooling chamber 35 is a space formed between the inner box 13 of the cabinet 11 and the wall 19 constituting the back of the storage chamber. In this first cooling chamber 35, there is a first cooler 30 that generates cold air, and a first fan 32 as a blowing device that circulates the generated cold air. The cold air generated by the first cooler 30 is blown into the refrigerating space through a duct 31 extending upward from the first cooler 30 and circulates in the refrigerating space. The place where the cold air circulating in the refrigerating space returns to the first cooler 30.

[0040] In addition, there is a second cooler 33 that generates cold air and a second fan 34 as a blowing device that circulates the generated cold air provided behind the freezing space. The cold air generated by the second cooler 33 circulates in the freezing space after being blown into the freezing space and then returns to the place of the second cooler 33.

[0041] There is a machine room 36 provided at the rear of the lower part of the refrigerator 10. A compressor 37, a condenser (not shown), etc. are housed in the machine room 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 flows alternately in the first cooler 30 and the second cooler 33, and thus cold air is alternately generated in the first cooler 30 and the second cooler 33.

[0042] Next, the structure of the refrigerating chamber door 40 of the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, left and right are the representations when observing the refrigerator 10 from the front. And, the center side in the left - right direction of the refrigerating chamber door 40 is set as the "center side in the door left - right direction", which is indicated by an arrow X1 in the figure. In addition, the end side in the left - right direction of the refrigerating chamber door 40 is set as the "end side in the door left - right direction", which is indicated by an arrow X2 in the figure. In addition, the center side in the up - down direction of the refrigerating chamber door 40 is set as the "center side in the door up - down direction", which is indicated by an arrow Y1 in the figure. In addition, the end side in the up - down direction of the refrigerating chamber door 40 is set as the "end side in the door up - down direction", which is indicated by an arrow Y2 in the figure. In addition, the front direction is indicated by an arrow Z1 in the figure, and the rear direction is indicated by an arrow Z2 in the figure.

[0043] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the refrigerating chamber door 40 is composed of a front plate 50 at the front, a rear member 56 at the rear, upper and lower frames 60, 75 respectively, a heat - insulating material (not shown) filled inside, and a fixing member 80 fixed to the upper frame 60 (refer to Figures 13 to 18 etc.). The refrigerating chamber door 40 is longer in the up - down direction than in the left - right direction.

[0044] The front plate 50 is formed by bending a single metal plate at a plurality of bending lines at right angles respectively. As Figure 5As shown, a front portion 51 is formed at the front of the front panel 50, side portions 52 extending rearward from the left and right ends of the front portion 51 respectively, and rear portions 53 extending from the rear ends of the respective side portions 52 toward the center side in the left - right direction of the door. The side portions 52 are not formed at the upper part of the front panel 50.

[0045] Furthermore, flanges 54 extending rearward from the upper and lower ends of the front portion 51 respectively, and flanges 55 extending rearward from the portions of the left and right ends of the front portion 51 where the side portions 52 are not provided are formed on the front panel 50.

[0046] The front portion 51 is the portion that constitutes the surface on the outside of the refrigerator of the refrigerating chamber door 40. The front portion 51 is longer in the up - down direction than in the left - right direction. In addition, the left and right side portions 52 are the portions that constitute the left and right sides of the refrigerating chamber door 40. In addition, the flanges 54, 55 are the portions for fitting into the fitting frames 60, 75.

[0047] The rear member 56 is a molded product of synthetic resin. The rear member 56 constitutes the surface on the inside of the refrigerator of the refrigerating chamber door 40. The rear member 56 is longer in the up - down direction than in the left - right direction. As Figure 4 shown, four ribs 95 are formed on the rear surface of the rear member 56. The four ribs 95 extend parallel to the four sides of the rear member 56 when viewed from the rear and are connected to each other. The region surrounded by the four ribs 95 becomes the inner surface of the refrigerating chamber 20. A plurality of engaging portions 96 for mounting the storage bag 29 are provided inside the region surrounded by the four ribs 95.

[0048] In addition, on the rear surface of the rear member 56, a groove that surrounds the four sides of the rear member 56 when viewed from the rear is formed outside the region surrounded by the four ribs 95. Specifically, vertical grooves 97a (refer to Figure 4 ) extending in the up - down direction are formed on the left and right sides respectively, and horizontal grooves 97b (refer to Figure 4 ) extending in the left - right direction are formed on the upper and lower sides respectively. The end portions in the extending direction of these grooves 97a, 97b are connected to each other to form a circular groove. Washers (not shown) are installed in these grooves 97a, 97b.

[0049] The washer surrounds the four sides of the rear member 56 in a circular shape and is a suppression member that suppresses the outflow of cold air from the refrigerating chamber 20 by being sandwiched between the front of the frame body 11 and the refrigerating chamber door 40. The washer has a known structure with a magnet, an air chamber, and being able to expand and contract in the front - rear direction inside.

[0050] The rear member 56 is a molded product with a substantially uniform thickness. Therefore, on the front surface of the rear member 56, ridges having a cross-sectional shape (a cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the extending direction of each groove) substantially the same as those of the grooves 97a and 97b are formed at positions on the back side of the grooves 97a and 97b. Specifically, as Figure 6 shown, ridges 98a extending in the vertical direction along the left and right sides respectively, and ridges 98b extending in the horizontal direction along the upper and lower sides respectively are formed. The end portions in the extending direction of these ridges 98a and 98b are connected to each other to form a continuous loop of ridges. The ridge 98a extending in the vertical direction is longer than the ridge 98b extending in the horizontal direction. For reference, in Figure 16 the cross-sectional shape of the ridge 98a is shown.

[0051] The length of the ridge 98a extending in the vertical direction from the upper end to the lower end is 95% or more of the length of the rear member 56 from the upper end to the lower end. In addition, the length of the ridge 98b extending in the horizontal direction from the left end to the right end is 95% or more of the length of the rear member 56 from the left end to the right end.

[0052] The upper and lower frames 60 and 75 are molded products of synthetic resin. The upper frame 60 constitutes the upper end surface of the refrigerator door 40, and the lower frame 75 constitutes the lower end surface of the refrigerator door 40.

[0053] In Figures 7 to 11 the upper frame 60 is shown. As Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the upper frame 60 has a predetermined height in the vertical direction. As Figure 7 shown, a first insertion groove 63a that opens forward and extends in the horizontal direction is formed in the upper part of the front surface of the frame 60. The first insertion groove 63a extends to both left and right sides of the frame 60 in the horizontal direction. In addition, second insertion grooves 63b that extend in the vertical direction are formed from both left and right ends of the first insertion groove 63a to the lower end of the frame 60. The first insertion groove 63a is a groove for inserting the flange 54 formed on the upper edge of the front part 51 of the front plate 50. In addition, the two second insertion grooves 63b on the left and right are grooves for inserting the flanges 55 formed on the upper part of the front plate 50 and on both left and right sides respectively.

[0054] In addition, as Figures 7 to 9 shown, a third insertion groove 63c that opens toward the center side in the vertical direction of the door and extends in the front-rear direction is formed on the surface of the frame 60 on the center side in the vertical direction of the door. The front end of the third insertion groove 63c is connected to the lower end of the second insertion groove 63b. The third insertion groove 63c is a groove for inserting the upper end of the side part 52 of the front plate 50.

[0055] At the rear end of the upper frame 60, a rear wall 64 stands up from the surface on the center side in the vertical direction of the door of the frame 60 (i.e., the lower surface. This surface is designated as the inner surface 60a) toward the center side in the vertical direction of the door. The rear wall 64 extends along the left - right direction to the left - right ends of the frame 60. A rear member 56 is closely attached to the end on the center side in the vertical direction of the door of the rear wall 64.

[0056] Next, the structure on the end side in the left - right direction of the door in the frame 60 will be described. Since the structures on the left and right sides in the frame 60 are substantially left - right symmetric, the left side will be taken as an example for description.

[0057] As Figures 9 to 11 shown, at the left end of the upper frame 60, a side wall 61 stands up from the inner surface 60a of the frame 60 toward the center side in the vertical direction of the door (in Figure 9 and Figure 10 it is the upper side). The side wall 61 extends along the front - rear direction from the front end to the rear end of the frame 60. In addition, on the center side in the left - right direction of the door compared to the side wall 61, a groove - forming wall 62 stands up from the inner surface 60a of the frame 60 toward the center side in the vertical direction of the door. The groove - forming wall 62 extends in parallel with the side wall 61 in front of the frame 60. And the side wall 61 and the groove - forming wall 62 form a third insertion groove 63c. The front end of the groove - forming wall 62 reaches the front end of the frame 60, and the rear end of the groove - forming wall 62 is located near the center in the front - rear direction of the frame 60.

[0058] In the upper frame 60, a first inner wall 66 and a second inner wall 67 also stand up from the inner surface 60a of the frame 60 toward the center side in the vertical direction of the door. The first inner wall 66 extends along the front - rear direction behind the frame 60 and is connected to the rear wall 64. The front end of the first inner wall 66 is located near the center in the front - rear direction of the frame 60. In addition, the second inner wall 67 extends along the left - right direction. The end on the end side in the left - right direction of the door of the second inner wall 67 is connected to the rear end of the groove - forming wall 62. The end on the center side in the left - right direction of the door of the second inner wall 67 is connected to the front end of the first inner wall 66.

[0059] As Figures 9 to 12 shown, in front of the frame 60, a cylindrical tube portion 70 is formed at a place located between the groove - forming wall 62 and the first inner wall 66 in the left - right direction. The tube portion 70 protrudes from the inner surface 60a of the frame 60 toward the center side in the vertical direction of the door. In addition, the rear end of the tube portion 70 overlaps with the second inner wall 67. A rotating shaft that serves as the axis for the opening and closing movement of the refrigerator door 40 is accommodated inside the tube portion 70. The rotating shaft is a shaft member that becomes the rotating axis when the refrigerator door 40 opens and closes and is a constituent member of the hinge.

[0060] As Figure 10As shown, the third inner wall 68 extends from the surface 66a on the door left - right direction end side of the first inner wall 66 toward the door left - right direction end side. The third inner wall 68 stands up from the inner surface 60a of the frame 60 toward the door up - down direction center side and extends along the left - right direction. The end on the door left - right direction center side of the third inner wall 68 is connected to a portion of the first inner wall 66 that is slightly forward of the front - rear direction center. The third inner wall 68 is shorter in the left - right direction than the second inner wall 67, and is, for example, more than 10% and less than 30% of the length of the second inner wall 67.

[0061] In addition, engaging claws 65 are provided at a location behind the second inner wall 67. As Figure 10 shown, the engaging claw 65 is a claw shaped by a base portion 65a that protrudes from the inner surface 60a of the frame 60 toward the door up - down direction center side and a protrusion 65b that protrudes rearward from the front end of the base portion 65a. From Figure 10 and Figure 11 it can be seen that the engaging claw 65 is separated from the first inner wall 66, the second inner wall 67, and the third inner wall 68, but is connected to the rear surface 67a of the second inner wall 67 by a connecting wall 65c that extends along the front - rear direction. This engaging claw 65 is used to fix the fixing member 80 to the frame 60.

[0062] From Figure 10 etc., it can be seen that the end on the door up - down direction center side of the cylindrical portion 70 is located on the door up - down direction center side (upper side in Figure 10 ) relative to the ends on the door up - down direction center side of each of the side wall 61, the rear wall 64, the groove - forming wall 62, the first inner wall 66, the second inner wall 67, the third inner wall 68, and the engaging claw 65.

[0063] The portion of the structure composed of the side wall 61, the rear wall 64, the groove - forming wall 62, the first inner wall 66, the second inner wall 67, the third inner wall 68, the engaging claw 65, and the cylindrical portion 70 as described above is taken as the fitting structure portion.

[0064] In Figures 13 to 15 the fixing member 80 is shown. As Figure 13 and Figure 14 shown, the fixing member 80 is composed of a fitting portion 81 that fits with the frame 60 and a protruding portion 90 that protrudes from the fitting portion 81 toward the door up - down direction center side.

[0065] The fitting portion 81 is composed of a bottom portion 82 that contacts the inner surface 60a of the frame 60 (refer to Figure 15 , Figure 17 and Figure 18) and is composed of a plurality of wall portions standing upright from the edge of the bottom 82 toward the center side in the up-and-down direction of the door. As the wall portions, there are provided a left-right direction center side wall portion 83 as the wall portion on the center side in the left-right direction of the door, a left-right direction end side wall portion 84 as the wall portion on the end side in the left-right direction of the door, a front wall portion 85 as the front wall portion, and a rear wall portion 86 as the rear wall portion. These wall portions are connected to form a wall that surrounds the edge of the bottom 82 in a circle.

[0066] The surface on the center side in the left-right direction of the door in the left-right direction center side wall portion 83 is the end face 83a on the center side in the left-right direction of the entire fixing member 80. In addition, a slit-shaped through groove 83b is formed near the center in the front-rear direction in the left-right direction center side wall portion 83. The through groove 83b is formed throughout the up-and-down direction of the left-right direction center side wall portion 83, and further, from Figure 15 it can be seen that the through groove 83b is continuously formed to the bottom 82. This through groove 83b is a groove for inserting the third inner wall 68 of the frame 60.

[0067] In addition, the surface on the end side in the left-right direction of the door in the left-right direction end side wall portion 84 is the end face 84a on the end side in the left-right direction of the entire fixing member 80.

[0068] In addition, the front surface in the front wall portion 85 is the front end face 85a of the entire fixing member 80. In addition, a cutout 85b is formed at the end side in the left-right direction of the door in the front wall portion 85. The cutout 85b is formed throughout the up-and-down direction of the front wall portion 85, and further, from Figure 15 it can be seen that it is continuously formed to the bottom 82.

[0069] As Figures 13 to 15 shown, this cutout 85b is formed at the edge by two first small wall portions 85c extending rearward from the front wall portion 85 and a second small wall portion 85d connecting the rear ends of the two first small wall portions 85c to each other in the left-right direction. Each first small wall portion 85c is formed toward the inside of the fitting portion 81, is perpendicular to the left-right direction, and is a wall portion connected to the front wall portion 85 and the bottom 82.

[0070] As Figures 13 to 15 shown, a wide surface 85e wider than the front wall portion 85 is formed at the end on the center side in the up-and-down direction of the door of the second small wall portion 85d. This wide surface 85e is a surface for hooking the engaging claw 65 of the frame 60.

[0071] In addition, the portion on the center side in the left-right direction of the rear wall portion 86 becomes a concave-shaped portion 86b that is recessed forward. As Figure 16As shown, the concave-shaped portion 86b forms a place for arranging the rib 98a of the rear member 56. Further, in the rear wall portion 86, the rear surface of the portion on the door left-right direction end side with respect to the concave-shaped portion 86b is the rear end surface 86a of the entire fixing member 80.

[0072] The protruding portion 90 of the fixing member 80 stands up from the bottom 82 of the fitting portion 81 toward the center side in the door up-down direction. As Figure 12 , Figure 16 shown, etc., in the state where the fixing member 80 is fitted to the frame 60, the protruding portion 90 is a plate-shaped portion inclined with respect to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and is a portion extending along the up-down direction.

[0073] Further, the protruding portion 90 protrudes toward the center side in the door up-down direction from the wall portions of the fitting portions 81. As Figure 17 and Figure 18 shown, in the state where the fixing member 80 is fitted to the frame 60, the protruding portion 90 protrudes toward the center side in the door up-down direction (upper side in Figure 17 and Figure 18 ) from the cylindrical portion 70. The protruding portion 90 protruding toward the center side in the door up-down direction from the cylindrical portion 70 is suitable for a length (for example, 10 mm or more) that an operator can pinch with fingertips to perform an operation (for example, an operation of fitting the fixing member 80 to the frame 60).

[0074] From Figure 14 it can be seen that the portion in the front wall portion 85 located in front of the protruding portion 90 is the first high wall portion 85f that is higher toward the center side in the door up-down direction than other portions in the front wall portion 85. The first high wall portion 85f is a part of the front wall portion 85. Further, the end portions on the door left-right direction end side of the first high wall portion 85f and the end portions on the door left-right direction end side of the protruding portion 90 are connected by the second high wall portion 85g having the same height as the first high wall portion 85f. The protruding portion 90 is supported by the first high wall portion 85f and the second high wall portion 85g.

[0075] As Figure 17 and Figure 18 shown, the protruding portion 90 protrudes from the frame 60 into the interior of the refrigerator door 40. And, as Figure 16 shown, when viewed from the up-down direction, the protruding portion 90 approaches the rib 98a of the rear member 56. The interval (interval at the shortest distance) between the protruding portion 90 and the rib 98a is an interval at which the protruding portion 90 can abut against the rib 98a when the rear member 56 is deflected inward of the door, and is, for example, the thickness L1 of the protruding portion 90 (refer to Figure 130.1 times or more and 3.0 times or less of (). In addition, the protruding portion 90 extends from the frame 60 in the direction along the rib 98a. In a state where the inner space of the refrigerator door 40 is filled with heat insulating material, the heat insulating material can be blocked between the protruding portion 90 and the rib 98a, or there can be a space without heat insulating material between the protruding portion 90 and the rib 98a.

[0076] As Figure 16 and Figure 18 shown, the protruding portion 90 is located at a place between the cylindrical portion 70 and the rear member 56. More specifically, the protruding portion 90 is located at a place between the half portion on the door left - right direction center side in the cylindrical portion 70 and the rear member 56.

[0077] In addition, the protruding portion 90 is inclined with the door left - right direction end side being more rearward. And, the end portion 90a of the protruding portion 90 in the door left - right direction end side approaches the portion of the rib 98a that is closer to the door left - right direction end side than the left - right direction center.

[0078] As Figure 17 shown, in a state where the fixing member 80 is fitted to the frame 60, the end face 83a on the door left - right direction center side of the fixing member 80 approaches or contacts the face 66a on the door left - right direction end side of the first inner wall 66. Thus, these faces form the first sealing portion 88 where it is difficult for the heat insulating material to pass through when the heat insulating material has fluidity.

[0079] In addition, as Figure 16 shown, in a state where the fixing member 80 is fitted to the frame 60, the front end face 85a of the fixing member 80 approaches or contacts the rear face 67a of the second inner wall 67. Thus, these faces form the second sealing portion 89 where it is difficult for the heat insulating material to pass through when the heat insulating material has fluidity.

[0080] In addition, in a state where the fixing member 80 and the front plate 50 are fitted to the frame 60, as Figure 17 shown, the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 is clamped by the end face 84a on the door left - right direction end side of the fixing member 80 and the side wall 61 of the frame 60. In addition, in a state where the fixing member 80 and the front plate 50 are fitted to the frame 60, as Figure 16 shown, the rear portion 53 of the front plate 50 is clamped by the rear end face 86a of the fixing member 80 and the front face of the rear wall 64 of the frame 60. In this way, by clamping the side portion 52 and the rear portion 53 of the front plate 50 by the fixing member 80 and the frame 60, it is difficult for the front plate 50 to shake relative to the frame 60.

[0081] So far, the upper part on the left side of the refrigerator door 40 has been described. On the upper part on the right side, a fitting structure portion identical to that on the left side is also formed and the fixing member is fitted.

[0082] The manufacturing process of such a refrigerator door 40 will be described. In the manufacturing process of the refrigerator door 40, first, an operator assembles the upper frame 60, the lower frame 75, the front panel 50, the rear member 56, and the fixing member 80.

[0083] Specifically, first, the operator mounts Figure 19 the upper frame 60 shown in (a) of Figure 19 on the front panel 50. In detail, first, the operator tilts the upper part of the frame 60 forward, and makes the upper end of the frame 60 advance toward the flange 54 at the upper end of the front part 51 as indicated by the arrow in (a) of Figure 19 , and inserts the flange 54 into the first insertion groove 63a of the frame 60 as shown in (b) of Figure 7 . Then, the operator moves the lower part of the frame 60 obliquely forward as indicated by the arrow in (b) of Figure 19 , inserts the left and right flanges 55 of the front panel 50 into the second insertion groove 63b of the frame 60 (refer to Figure 7 ), and inserts the upper end of the side part 52 of the front panel 50 into the third insertion groove 63c of the frame 60 (refer to Figure 7 ). Thus, as shown in (c) of Figure 19 , the installation of the upper frame 60 on the front panel 50 is completed.

[0084] After the operator mounts the upper frame 60 on the front panel 50, the operator inserts the fixing member 80 into the fitting structures on both left and right sides of the frame 60. In detail, the operator holds the fixing member 80 by pinching the protruding part 90, and presses the fitting part 81 of the fixing member 80 into the inside of the fitting structure of the frame 60. Then, the third inner wall 68 of the frame 60 is inserted into the through groove 83b of the fixing member 80, and the fixing member 80 does not shift relative to the frame 60.

[0085] In addition, as shown in Figure 18 , the engaging claw 65 is hooked on the wide surface 85e of the fixing member 80, and the fixing member 80 is fixed to the frame 60. By fixing the fixing member 80 to the frame 60, the side part 52 and the rear part 53 of the front panel 50 are clamped by the fixing member 80 and the frame 60. Thus, the front panel 50 is fixed so as not to shake relative to the frame 60.

[0086] In addition, the operator mounts the lower frame 75 on the front panel 50. In addition, the operator mounts the rear member 56 on the rear parts 53 of the upper and lower frames 60, 75 and the front panel 50. Thus, the refrigerator door 40 is in an assembled state, and an internal space surrounded by the front panel 50, the frames 60, 75, and the rear member 56 is formed.

[0087] Here, the rear member 56 is easily flexed, and thus it is usually difficult to maintain the shape of the rear member 56 in the assembled state and before the injection of the heat insulating material. However, in the present embodiment, if the rear member 56 is flexed, the protruding portion 90 of the fixing member 80 abuts against the rib 98a of the rear member 56, and it becomes difficult for the rear member 56 to be further flexed, and thus the shape of the rear member 56 can be maintained.

[0088] After thus becoming the assembled state, the operator injects a heat insulating material having fluidity into the internal space of the refrigerator door 40 from an injection port (not shown) formed in a part of the refrigerator door 40. The heat insulating material used is a foaming resin such as polyurethane foam. The heat insulating material flows in the internal space of the refrigerator door 40 and cures after reaching every corner of the internal space of the refrigerator door 40.

[0089] In the case where the heat insulating material is polyurethane foam, the operator injects the raw material of polyurethane foam from the injection port formed in the refrigerator door 40. The injected raw material foams and flows in the internal space of the refrigerator door 40 and cures after reaching every corner of the internal space.

[0090] Here, as Figure 16 shown, the first seal portion 88 is formed by the end face 83a on the center side in the left-right direction of the door of the fixing member 80 and the face 66a on the end side in the left-right direction of the door of the first inner wall 66, and the second seal portion 89 is formed by the front end face 85a of the fixing member 80 and the face 67a on the rear side of the second inner wall 67. Therefore, it is difficult for the flowing heat insulating material to pass through these seal portions 88 and 89. Therefore, it is difficult for the heat insulating material to intrude between the fixing member 80 and the frame 60, and it is difficult to leak to the outside of the refrigerator door 40 from the gap between the front plate 50 and the frame 60.

[0091] The refrigerator door 40 is completed by the heat insulating material curing in the internal space of the refrigerator door 40. The operator also manufactures other doors, mounts the completed respective doors and various devices on the frame 11, and completes the refrigerator 10.

[0092] The effects of the above-described embodiments will be described. In the present embodiment, a rib 98a is formed on a rear member 56 on the rear side (inside of the refrigerator) of the surface constituting the refrigerator compartment door 40. The rib 98a protrudes toward the inside of the refrigerator compartment door 40 (the side of the heat insulating material) and extends along the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment door 40. Further, inside the refrigerator compartment door 40, an extending portion 90 of a fixing member 80 extends from a frame 60 in a direction along the rib 98a. Here, when the heat insulating material is not filled in the internal space of the inner refrigerator compartment door 40, the rear member 56 is likely to be deflected. However, in the present embodiment, when the rear member 56 is deflected inward of the refrigerator compartment door 40, the extending portion 90 abuts against the rib 98a. Therefore, the rear member 56 is difficult to be further deflected, and the shape of the rear member 56 is easily maintained. Accordingly, the manufacture of the refrigerator compartment door 40 becomes easy.

[0093] Further, a longitudinal groove 97a for holding a gasket is formed on the rear surface (the surface on the inside of the refrigerator) of the rear member 56. The longitudinal groove 97a forms a rib 98a on the front surface (the surface on the inside of the refrigerator compartment door 40) of the rear member 56. Therefore, the rib 98a can be used as a portion against which the extending portion 90 abuts. Further, the rib 98a is a portion of the rear member 56 that is difficult to be deflected. Therefore, by supporting the rib 98a by the extending portion 90, the overall shape of the rear member 56 can be effectively maintained. Further, the gasket surrounds the edge of the refrigerator compartment door 40 in a circle. Therefore, by supporting the rib 98a, which is the back side of the longitudinal groove 97a for holding the gasket, by the extending portion 90, the overall shape of the rear member 56 can be effectively maintained.

[0094] Further, the refrigerator compartment door 40 is longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. In the rear member 56, the rib 98a extending in the vertical direction along the left and right sides is longer than the rib 98b extending in the horizontal direction along the upper and lower sides. And, compared with the case where the shorter rib 98b is deflected, when the longer rib 98a is deflected, the rear member 56 is deformed more greatly. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the extending portion 90 abuts against the longer rib 98a. Therefore, such a large deformation is difficult to occur.

[0095] Further, in order to prevent the front plate 50 from shaking relative to the frame 60 or to prevent the heat insulating material from leaking through the gap between the front plate 50 and the frame 60, fixing members 80 are provided on the left and right sides that are inserted into the frame 60. An extending portion 90 for preventing the deflection of the rear member 56 is formed on the fixing member 80. Therefore, the fixing member 80 is effectively used for multiple purposes. Thus, by using the fixing member 80 for multiple purposes, the number of components constituting the refrigerator compartment door 40 is not increased, and the structure of the refrigerator compartment door 40 is simplified.

[0096] In addition, the protruding portion 90 protrudes from the fitting portion 81 of the fixing member 80 toward the center side in the up-down direction of the door, and is also the portion for an operator to grip when fitting the fixing member 80 into the frame 60. Therefore, the protruding portion 90 is also effectively used for multiple purposes.

[0097] In addition, the protruding portion 90 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Therefore, when the operator grips the protruding portion 90 and fits the fixing member 80 into the frame 60, the rear member 56 extending in the left-right direction near the protruding portion 90 and the cylindrical portion 70 located in front of the protruding portion 90 are less likely to be obstructive.

[0098] In addition, when the protruding portion 90 is parallel to the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 or the rear member 56, it is necessary to change the position of the protruding portion 90 in order to design the protruding portion 90 to approach the rib 98a, which causes design difficulties. However, in the present embodiment, the protruding portion 90 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Therefore, by adjusting the inclination angle, the protruding portion 90 can be made to approach the rib 98a, and the design for making the protruding portion 90 approach the rib 98a becomes easy.

[0099] In addition, since the protruding portion 90 protrudes toward the center side in the up-down direction of the door more than the cylindrical portion 70, it is easy for the operator to grip the protruding portion 90 and fit the fixing member 80 into the frame 60. In addition, since the protruding portion 90 protrudes more than the cylindrical portion 70, the relatively long protruding portion 90 supports the rib 98a, so that deformation is less likely to occur in the rear member 56.

[0100] Various modifications can be made to Embodiment 1. Any one of the modification examples described below 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.

[0101] <Modification Example 1>

[0102] The configuration including the fixing member and the fitting structure portion formed in the frame only needs to be implemented in any one or more doors of the refrigerator.

[0103] In addition, the configuration including the fixing member and the fitting structure portion formed in the frame only needs to be implemented in either or both of the upper and lower sides of the door.

[0104] In addition, the configuration including the fitting structure portion formed in the frame and the fixing member only needs to be implemented in one of the left and right sides of the frame, but it can also be implemented on both the left and right sides of the frame.

[0105] <Modification Example 2>

[0106] A sealing member may also be clamped between the end face 83a of the fixing member 80 and the face 66a of the first inner wall 66, and a first sealing portion is formed by the sealing member and the two faces clamping the sealing member. As the sealing member, for example, a foamed resin member such as a polyurethane sponge or a tape made of resin, paper, cloth, etc. can be used. The tape may or may not have adhesiveness.

[0107] Similarly, a sealing member may also be clamped between the end face 85a of the fixing member 80 and the face 67a of the second inner wall 67, and a second sealing portion is formed by the sealing member and the two faces clamping the sealing member.

[0108] In addition, the sealing member may also be clamped between a part of the front plate 50 and a part of the frame 60, or between a part of the front plate 50 and a part of the fixing member 80. Examples of the places where the sealing member is clamped include between the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 and the end face 84a of the fixing member 80, and between the side portion 52 of the front plate 50 and the side wall 61 of the frame 60 (see the above Figure 17 ), between the rear portion 53 of the front plate 50 and the end face 86a of the fixing member 80, and between the rear portion 53 of the front plate 50 and the rear wall 64 of the frame 60 (see the above Figure 18 ), etc.

[0109] By clamping the sealing member in the above places, the heat insulating material with fluidity is more difficult to leak. In addition, if the sealing member has adhesiveness, the two faces clamping the sealing member can be bonded to firmly fix it.

[0110] <Modification Example 3>

[0111] The protruding portion is not limited to being formed on the fixing member separated from the frame as in the above-described embodiment. For example, the protruding portion may also stand directly from the frame as a part of the frame.

[0112] <Modification Example 4>

[0113] It may also be that the front opening of the refrigerator's fresh food compartment is opened and closed by a single door, and the door can be opened and closed only from one of the left and right sides.

[0114] In addition, it may also be that the front opening of the refrigerator's fresh food compartment is opened and closed by two left and right doors, and each door can be opened and closed only from the center side in the left and right directions of the fresh food compartment.

[0115] In these modification examples, the cylindrical portion of the rotary shaft for storing the opening and closing operation of the door exists only on one side in the left and right directions of the door. In this case, the structure including the fitting structure portion formed on the frame and the fixing member fixed thereto is provided only on the side where the cylindrical portion exists in the left and right, only on the side where the cylindrical portion does not exist in the left and right, or on both the left and right sides.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising a door for opening and closing a storage chamber, the door comprising a front portion constituting a front surface, a rear portion constituting a rear surface, a frame constituting a surface in the up-down direction, and an internal heat insulating material, wherein: The rear member is provided with a convex strip which protrudes toward the inner side of the door and extends along the left and right sides of the door. A protruding portion extending from the frame in a direction along the convex strip is provided inside the door.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerator includes a suppression member, which is sandwiched between the front face of the frame body in which the storage chamber is formed and the door, and suppresses the outflow of cold air from the storage chamber. A groove for holding the suppressing member is formed on the rear surface of the rear member. The grooves form the convex strips.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The door is provided with a fixing member that engages with at least one of the left and right sides of the frame. The protruding portion is formed on the fixing member.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The protruding portion is a plate-shaped portion that is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The frame includes a cylindrical portion that protrudes toward the inner side of the door and accommodates the rotation axis of the door. The extension portion protrudes further toward the inner side of the door than the tube portion.

Images