Refrigerator

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator which can restrain unexpected deformation of a door surface material and can install the door surface material on an end part component. A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a refrigerator body (11) having a storage chamber therein, and a door (40) provided on the refrigerator body (11), the door (40) including a door surface material (50) forming a front surface of an outer side of the refrigerator, and end members (60, 80) attached to an end of the door surface material (50). The door surface material (50) is provided with mounting surfaces (54, 55) protruding rearward from the upper side or the lower side, and locked parts (57, 58) provided on the mounting surfaces (54, 55). The end members (60, 80) are provided with groove parts (62, 82) into which the mounting surfaces (54, 55) are inserted, and locking parts (71, 91) protruding into the groove parts (62, 82) and inserted into the locked parts (57, 58).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The door of a refrigerator is composed of a door panel forming the front surface of the outside of the refrigerator, a door inner panel forming the rear surface of the inside of the refrigerator, and end parts forming the upper and lower ends of the door, and is filled with foam insulation material (for example, refer to patent document 1).

[0003] In such a door, the end member is sometimes attached to the door facing material such that a bent portion, where the end portion of the door facing material is bent toward the inside of the door, is inserted into a groove provided in the end member.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Patent No. 6392144 Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, in the door of the above patent document, since the bent portion of the door panel is sandwiched between the upper groove wall of the groove portion and the interlocking rib protruding from the lower groove wall toward the upper groove wall, the insertion amount of the bent portion is easily unbalanced, which may cause the door panel to be installed in a deformed state.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which a door panel can be attached to an end member while suppressing the occurrence of deformation.

[0009] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a refrigerator body having a storage chamber therein, and a door arranged on the refrigerator body, the door comprising: a door panel forming a front surface of the outer side of the refrigerator, and an end member mounted on an end portion of the door panel, the door panel comprising: an installation surface protruding rearward from an upper side or a lower side, and a stopped portion arranged on the installation surface, the end member comprising: a groove portion for inserting the installation surface, and a stopping portion protruding into the groove portion and inserted into the stopped portion.

[0010] According to the configuration of the refrigerator, the door panel material can be attached to the end member while suppressing the occurrence of deformation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal cross-section of a refrigerator.

[0012] Figure 2 This is the front view of the refrigerator.

[0013] Figure 3The diagram is a perspective view showing a state in which the door, the upper door support portion, and the lower door support portion are disassembled, as viewed obliquely from the front and below.

[0014] Figure 4 The diagram is a perspective view showing a state in which the door, the upper door support portion, and the lower door support portion are disassembled, as viewed from obliquely above and rearward.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the door.

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of the main part.

[0017] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing the door front panel viewed from an oblique rear upper perspective.

[0018] Figure 8 It is a plan view of the door front panel.

[0019] Figure 9 It is a perspective view showing the upper end member as viewed from obliquely front and bottom.

[0020] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 An enlarged view of the main part.

[0021] Figure 11 It is a perspective view showing the lower end member as viewed from obliquely above and front.

[0022] Description of Reference Numerals

[0023] 10…Refrigerator; 11…Refrigerator body; 20…Refrigerator compartment; 22…Vegetable compartment; 26…Fresh food compartment; 27…Small freezer compartment; 28…Freezer compartment; 40…Refrigerator compartment door; 42…Vegetable compartment door; 43…Ice maker compartment door; 44…Small freezer compartment door; 45…Freezer compartment door; 50…Door panel; 51…Front surface; 54…Upper mounting surface; 54a…Wide width area; 54b…Narrow width area; 55…Lower mounting surface; 55a…Wide width area; 55b…Narrow width area; 57…Interlocking portion; 58…Interlocking portion; 60…Upper end member; 61…Outer surface; 61a…Outer side wall; 62…Front groove; 63…Horizontal Groove portion; 65…rear wall; 66…bearing portion; 67…shaft receiving recess; 68…equipment receiving recess; 69…inner wall; 69a…through hole; 70…groove protrusion; 70a…inclined portion; 71…stopping portion; 71a…inclined portion; 80…lower end member; 81…outer portion; 81a…outer wall; 82…front groove portion; 83…horizontal groove portion; 85…rear wall; 86…bearing portion; 87…shaft receiving recess; 88…handle recess; 89…inner wall; 90…groove protrusion; 90a…inclined portion; 91…stopping portion; 91a…inclined portion; 99…recess; 100…door inner panel; P…protrusion amount. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] (1) Configuration of Refrigerator 10

[0026] Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 A refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment is shown. A refrigerator body 11, which forms the housing of refrigerator 10, includes an outer box 12 that defines the outer contour of refrigerator 10, an inner box 13 combined with outer box 12, and a heat insulating portion 14 located between outer box 12 and inner box 13. Heat insulating portion 14 is filled with a heat insulating material. This heat insulating material is sandwiched between outer box 12 and inner box 13.

[0027] The interior of the refrigerator body 11 is divided into upper and lower sections by an insulating partition wall 21. Above the insulating partition wall 21 is the refrigerated space, which is maintained at a temperature suitable for refrigerated storage, also known as the refrigeration temperature. Furthermore, below the insulating partition wall 21 is the freezer space, which is maintained at a temperature suitable for frozen storage, also known as the freezing temperature.

[0028] The refrigeration space and the freezing space are respectively provided with a plurality of storage chambers for storing food. Each storage chamber has an opening at the front, and a user can take out or put in food through the opening.

[0029] The refrigerated space includes, from top to bottom, a refrigerated room 20 (serving as a storage room) and a vegetable room 22. Multiple shelves 24 are located within the refrigerated room 20. The surrounding area of ​​the shelves 24 within the refrigerated room 20 is maintained at a refrigerated temperature within the temperature range, for example, 2 to 5°C. A fresh-keeping room 26 is located at the bottom of the refrigerated room 20. The fresh-keeping room 26 maintains a temperature within the refrigerated room 20, for example, 0 to 3°C, even in locations where temperatures are maintained low.

[0030] The front opening of the refrigerator compartment 20 is opened and closed by a refrigerator compartment door 40. The refrigerator compartment door 40 is rotatably supported on the refrigerator body 11 at either the upper portion on the left or right side of the refrigerator body 11 by an upper door support member 16, and is rotatably supported on the refrigerator body 11 at the lower left end by a lower door support member 17.

[0031] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4As shown, the upper door support component 16 is formed by forming a metal plate, such as a steel plate, into a predetermined shape, and supports the upper part of the refrigerator door 40 so that it can rotate around the upper rotating shaft 16a. The upper door support component 16 includes: a fixed portion 16b fixed to the right front end portion of the refrigerator body 11 by screws or the like, and a protruding portion 16c protruding forward from the fixed portion 16b and arranged on the upper surface of the refrigerator door 40. The protruding portion 16c is formed in a shape that extends forward from the fixed portion 16b and then bends at a right angle to the outside (right side) in the width direction. The upper rotating shaft 16a protruding downward is provided at the front end portion of the protruding portion 16c. The upper rotating shaft 16a is formed in a cylindrical shape that is rotatably inserted into the bearing portion 66 provided on the upper surface of the refrigerator door 40.

[0032] The lower door support member 17 is formed from a metal plate, such as steel, into a predetermined shape. It supports the lower portion of the refrigerator compartment door 40 so that it can rotate about a lower rotation axis 17a. The lower door support member 17 includes a fixing portion 17b, which is fixed to the front end 20a of the partition wall between the refrigerator compartment 20 and the vegetable compartment 22 using screws or the like, and a shaft support portion 17c, which is bent and protrudes forward and approximately horizontally from the fixing portion 17b. The lower rotation axis 17a, which protrudes upward, is fixed to the shaft support portion 17c.

[0033] The lower rotating shaft 17a is cylindrical and rotatably inserted into the bearing portion 86 provided on the lower surface of the refrigerator door 40. The lower rotating shaft 17a is vertically coaxial with the upper rotating shaft 16a provided on the upper door support member 16, and together with the upper rotating shaft 16a, forms the center of rotation of the refrigerator door 40. Furthermore, the shaft support portion 17c is provided with a hook 17d that engages with the door closer 18. The hook 17d protrudes horizontally toward the front. When the opening angle of the refrigerator door 40 relative to the refrigerator body 11 is below a predetermined angle, the door closer 18 engages with the hook 17d, closing the refrigerator door 40.

[0034] The refrigerator door 40 is provided with an operation panel 15. The operation panel 15 is a portion for the user to operate the refrigerator 10 and is also a portion that displays necessary information to the user. A plurality of storage boxes 29 are mounted on the refrigerator inner surface of the refrigerator door 40.

[0035] Vegetable compartment 22 is maintained at a refrigerated temperature range of, for example, 4 to 7° C. Sliding storage containers are stored in vegetable compartment 22. The front opening of vegetable compartment 22 is opened and closed by a sliding vegetable compartment door 42.

[0036] An ice-making compartment (not shown) is provided on the upper left side of the freezer space. Furthermore, a small freezer compartment 27 is provided on the upper right side of the freezer space (to the right of the ice-making compartment). A freezer compartment 28 is provided below the ice-making compartment and the small freezer compartment 27. Push-pull storage containers are respectively stored in the ice-making compartment, the small freezer compartment 27, and the freezer compartment 28. During normal operation, the interiors of the ice-making compartment, the small freezer compartment 27, and the freezer compartment 28 are maintained within a freezing temperature range, for example, -20 to -18°C.

[0037] The front opening of the ice making compartment is opened and closed by a sliding ice making compartment door 43. The front opening of the small freezer compartment 27 is opened and closed by a sliding small freezer compartment door 44. The front opening of the freezer compartment 28 is opened and closed by a sliding freezer compartment door 45.

[0038] A first cooling chamber 35 is provided behind the refrigerated space. The first cooling chamber 35 is a space formed between the inner box 13 of the refrigerator body 11 and the inner wall 19 that forms the storage compartment. This first cooling chamber 35 houses a first cooler 30 that generates cold air and a first fan 32 that serves as a ventilation device for circulating the generated cold air. The cold air generated by the first cooler 30 passes through a duct 31 extending upward from the first cooler 30 and is blown toward the refrigerated space, where it circulates. The cold air that circulates in the refrigerated space returns to the first cooler 30.

[0039] Furthermore, behind the refrigerated space, there are provided a second cooler 33 for generating cold air and a second fan 34 as a ventilation device for circulating the generated cold air. The cold air generated by the second cooler 33 is blown toward the refrigerated space, circulates within the refrigerated space, and then returns to the location of the second cooler 33.

[0040] A machine compartment 36 is provided at the lower rear portion of the refrigerator 10. The compressor 37 and the condenser (not shown) are housed in the machine compartment 36. The compressor 37, condenser, first cooler 30, and second cooler 33 together constitute a well-known refrigeration cycle. As the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 37 flows alternately through the first cooler 30 and the second cooler 33, cold air is generated alternately in the first cooler 30 and the second cooler 33.

[0041] (2) Structure of Refrigerator Door 40

[0042] Next, the structure of the refrigerator compartment door 40 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "door 40") according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0043] In the following description, the terms front, back, left, right, and top and bottom are used when viewing the refrigerator 10 from the front. The center side of the door 40 in the left-right direction is referred to as the "widthwise inner side." The end sides of the door 40 in the left-right direction are referred to as the "widthwise outer side." The center side of the door 40 in the up-down direction is referred to as the "door up-down inner side." The end sides of the door 40 in the up-down direction are referred to as the "door up-down outer side."

[0044] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the door 40 includes: a front door panel 50, a rear door inner panel 100, upper and lower end components 60, 80, and an insulating material 120 such as foam polyurethane arranged between the door panel 50, the door inner panel 100 and the upper and lower end components 60, 80.

[0045] (3) Facade material 50

[0046] The door panel 50 is formed by bending a metal plate such as a steel plate, and constitutes the front, side, and left and right side edges of the back of the door 40 .

[0047] Specifically, if Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the door panel 50 includes: a generally rectangular front surface portion 51, which constitutes the front surface of the door 40 and is surrounded by an upper end edge, a lower end edge, a left end edge, and a right end edge; a pair of left and right side surfaces 52, which protrude rearward from the left and right end edges of the front surface portion 51; and a rear surface portion 53, which protrudes inward in the width direction from the rear end edges of the side surfaces 52. The front surface portion 51 may be flat, and the cross-sectional shape in the width direction may also be a curved surface, such as a curved surface that bulges forward at the center portion in the width direction.

[0048] In addition, the door panel material 50 includes an upper mounting surface 54 protruding rearward from the upper end edge of the front surface portion 51, a lower mounting surface 55 protruding rearward from the lower end portion of the front surface portion 51, and a horizontal mounting surface 56 protruding inward in the door width direction from the lower end portions of the left and right side portions 52.

[0049] The amount of protrusion of the upper mounting surface 54 from the front surface portion 51 toward the rear varies in the width direction of the door 40, and the upper mounting surface 54 includes: a wide area 54a having a larger protrusion amount, and a narrow area 54b having a smaller protrusion amount than the wide area 54a. A plurality of wide areas 54a are provided at intervals in the width direction of the door 40. A latched portion 57 is provided in each of the wide areas 54a of the upper mounting surface 54. The latched portion 57 is latched with a latching portion 71 described later, and the latching portion 71 is composed of a hole portion that passes through the upper mounting surface 54 in the up-down direction or a recessed portion provided in the upper mounting surface 54. In the present embodiment, a narrow area 54b is provided between the wide areas 54a where the latched portions 57 are provided.

[0050] In addition, although the wide area 54a of the upper mounting surface 54 and the locked portion 57 can be set at any position in the width direction of the door 40, it is preferably set at a position avoiding the bearing portion 66 or the shaft storage recess 67 or equipment storage recess 68 described later, which are recessed inward in the up and down directions of the door.

[0051] In addition, although the upper mounting surface 54 can protrude horizontally from the front surface 51 of the door panel 50, it can also be inclined toward the outer side in the vertical direction of the door the further away from the front surface 51 of the door panel 50, that is, the further toward the rear.

[0052] The lower mounting surface 55, like the upper mounting surface 54, has a protrusion amount from the front surface portion 51 toward the rear that varies in the width direction of the door 40. The lower mounting surface 55 includes a wide region 55a having a larger protrusion amount and a narrow region 55b having a smaller protrusion amount than the wide region 55a. A plurality of wide regions 55a are provided at intervals in the width direction of the door 40. A latched portion 58 is provided in each of the wide regions 55a of the lower mounting surface 55. The latched portion 58 is latched with a latching portion 91 described later, and the latching portion 91 is composed of a hole portion that passes through the lower mounting surface 55 in the vertical direction or a recessed portion provided in the lower mounting surface 55. In this embodiment, a narrow region 55b is provided between the wide regions 55a where the latched portions 58 are provided.

[0053] In addition, although the wide area 55a of the lower mounting surface 55 and the locked portion 58 can be set at any position in the width direction of the door 40, it is preferably set at a position avoiding the bearing portion 86 or the shaft receiving recess 87 or handle recess 88 or recess 99 described later, which are recessed inward in the up and down directions of the door.

[0054] In addition, although the lower mounting surface 55 can protrude horizontally from the front surface 51 of the door panel 50, it can also be inclined toward the outer side in the vertical direction of the door the further away from the front surface 51 of the door panel 50, that is, the further toward the rear.

[0055] (4) Door inner panel 100

[0056] The door inner panel 100 is a molded product of synthetic resin. Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the door inner panel 100 constitutes the refrigerator inner side surface of the door 42. The door inner panel 100 is provided with a bulging portion 101 bulging toward the rear along the upper and lower sides and the left and right sides at its peripheral edge.

[0057] An attachment portion 102 is provided on the periphery of the door inner panel 100 so as to surround the outer side of the bulging portion 101. A sealing member (not shown) called a gasket is attached to the attachment portion 102. The sealing member is disposed at a position opposed to the periphery of the front surface opening of the vegetable compartment 22 in the front-to-back direction. The sealing member is brought into close contact with the periphery of the opening of the refrigerator body 11 by the magnetic force of a magnet disposed inside the sealing member, thereby sealing the area between the door 40 and the front surface opening of the refrigeration compartment 20.

[0058] (5) Upper end member 60

[0059] The upper end member 60 is formed of a synthetic resin molded product and forms a surface at the upper end of the door 40 to be joined to the door surface material 50 and the upper end portion of the door inner panel 100 .

[0060] like Figures 4 to 6 as well as Figure 9 As shown, the upper end member 60 includes an outer surface portion 61 , a front groove portion 62 , left and right lateral groove portions 63 , and a rear wall 65 .

[0061] The outer portion 61 is a portion disposed on the outer side of the door panel 50 in the vertical direction of the door and forming the outer side of the door 40. Figure 4 as well as Figure 9 As shown, the outer surface 61 has shaft receiving recesses 67 recessed inwardly in the door vertical direction at both left and right ends. The shaft receiving recesses 67 have bearings 66 recessed inwardly in the door vertical direction at the bottoms thereof.

[0062] A device storage recess 68 is provided between the left and right shaft storage recesses 67 of the outer surface 61. Devices such as speakers and a refrigerator external temperature sensor (not shown) are stored in the device storage recess 68.

[0063] like Figure 6 、 Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, the front groove 62 is a groove that is provided at the front end of the upper end member 60 and opens forward. The front groove 62 is provided over the entire left-right direction of the upper end member 60 and receives the upper mounting surface 54 of the door panel 50.

[0064] The front groove 62 is formed between an outer wall 61a formed by the front end of the outer portion 61 and a flat inner wall 69 extending in the left-right direction. The inner wall 69 is spaced apart from the outer wall 61a toward the inner side of the door in the vertical direction. The front groove 62 is provided with an in-groove protrusion 70 and a locking portion 71.

[0065] The in-groove protrusion 70 is a protrusion that protrudes from the inner wall 69 toward the outer wall 61a into the front groove portion 62. The front end of the in-groove protrusion 70 is spaced apart from the outer wall 61a in the vertical direction. The vertical distance between the front end of the in-groove protrusion 70 and the outer wall 61a is set to be greater than the plate thickness of the upper mounting surface 54. In this embodiment, a plurality of in-groove protrusions 70 are provided at intervals in the left-right direction. Figure 6 as well as Figure 10 As shown, an inclined portion 70 a that is inclined so as to approach the inner wall 69 as it goes forward is provided on the front side of the in-groove protrusion 70 .

[0066] The locking portion 71 is a claw-shaped protrusion that protrudes from the outer wall 61a toward the inner wall 69 into the front groove portion 62. The locking portion 71 is provided at a position corresponding to the locked portion 57, and the locked portion 57 is provided on the upper mounting surface 54 of the door panel 50. When the upper end member 60 is mounted on the door panel 50, the locking portion 71 is inserted into the locked portion 57 provided on the upper mounting surface 54 and locked. In addition, an inclined portion 71a is provided on the front side of the locking portion 71 so as to be inclined closer to the outer wall 61a as it approaches the front. A through hole 69a is provided on the inner wall 69 at a position opposite to the locking portion 71 in the upper and lower directions.

[0067] The transverse grooves 63 are grooves that are provided on the left and right ends of the upper end member 60 and are open forward and downward. The front ends of the transverse grooves 63 are connected to the left and right ends of the front groove 62. When the upper end member 60 is attached to the door panel 50, the upper ends of the side portions 52 of the door panel 50 are received in the transverse grooves 63.

[0068] The rear wall 65 is a flat plate-shaped protrusion that protrudes from the rear end of the outer surface 61 toward the door vertically inward and extends in the left-right direction. The rear wall 65 contacts the door inner panel 100 on the door inner side.

[0069] (6) Lower end member 80

[0070] The lower end member 80 is formed of a synthetic resin molded product and forms a surface at the lower end of the door 40 to be joined to the door surface material 50 and the lower end portion of the door inner panel 100 .

[0071] like Figures 3 to 5 as well as Figure 11As shown, the lower end member 80 includes an outer surface portion 81 , a front groove portion 82 , left and right lateral groove portions 83 , and a rear wall 85 , similarly to the upper end member 60 .

[0072] The outer portion 81 is arranged on the outer side of the door surface material 50 in the door vertical direction and is a portion constituting the outer side of the door 40. Figure 4 as well as Figure 9 As shown, a shaft receiving recess 87, which is recessed inwardly in the vertical direction of the door, is provided at one of the left and right ends of the outer portion 81. The bottom of the shaft receiving recess 87 is provided with a bearing portion 86, which is further recessed inwardly in the vertical direction of the door, and a recess 99 for inserting the anti-rotation shaft of the door closer 18. Furthermore, a recess 88, which is recessed inwardly in the vertical direction of the door and functions as a handle for the door 40, is formed at the other left and right end of the outer portion 81.

[0073] The front groove portion 82 is a groove formed between the outer side wall 81a and the flat inner side wall 89 extending in the left-right direction and opening forward. The outer side wall 81a is provided on the lower end member 80 and, like the front groove portion 62, is formed by the front end portion of the outer side portion 81. The inner side wall 89 is provided at a distance from the outer side wall 81a toward the inner side of the door in the vertical direction. The front groove portion 82 is provided along the entire left-right direction of the lower end member 80 and accommodates the lower mounting surface 55 of the door panel 50.

[0074] The front groove portion 82 includes an in-groove protrusion 90 that projects from the inner wall 69 toward the outer wall 61 a into the front groove portion 62 and a locking portion 91 that projects from the outer wall 61 a toward the inner wall 69 into the front groove portion 62 .

[0075] The front end of the groove protrusion 90 is spaced apart from the outer wall 81a in the vertical direction. The vertical distance between the front end of the groove protrusion 90 and the outer wall 81a is set to be greater than the thickness of the lower mounting surface 55. In this embodiment, a plurality of groove protrusions 90 are provided at intervals in the left-right direction. Figure 11 As shown, an inclined portion 90 a that is inclined so as to approach the inner wall 89 as it goes forward is provided on the front side of the in-groove protrusion 90 .

[0076] The locking portion 91 is provided at a position corresponding to the locked portion 58, and the locked portion 58 is provided on the lower mounting surface 55 of the door panel 50. When the lower end member 80 is mounted on the door panel 50, the locking portion 91 is inserted into the locked portion 58 provided on the lower mounting surface 55. Furthermore, an inclined portion 91a is provided on the front side of the locking portion 91 so as to approach the outer side wall 81a as it approaches the front. A through hole 69a is provided on the inner side wall 89 at a position vertically opposite the locking portion 91, penetrating the inner side wall 69.

[0077] The transverse grooves 83 are laterally open grooves formed on the left and right ends of the lower end member 80. The front ends of the transverse grooves 83 are connected to the left and right ends of the front grooves 82. When the lower end member 80 is mounted on the door panel 50, the transverse mounting surface 56 of the door panel 50 is received in the transverse grooves 83.

[0078] The rear wall 85 is a flat plate-shaped projection that projects from the rear end of the outer surface 81 toward the door's vertical inner side and extends in the left-right direction. The rear wall 85 contacts the door inner panel 100 on its door inner side.

[0079] (7) Method of manufacturing door 40

[0080] Next, a method for manufacturing the door 40 will be described. In the manufacturing process of the door 40, first, an operator assembles the upper end member 60, the lower end member 80, and the door surface material 50.

[0081] Specifically, the operator slides the upper end member 60 forward on the upper end of the door panel 50 , inserts the upper mounting surface 54 of the door panel 50 into the front groove 62 , and inserts the horizontal mounting surface 56 of the door panel 50 into the horizontal groove 63 .

[0082] The upper mounting surface 54 inserted into the front groove portion 62 is guided by the inclined portion 70a of the groove protrusion 70 and inserted between the groove protrusion 70 and the outer wall 61a. At this time, the wide area 54a of the upper mounting surface 54 is guided by the inclined portion 71a of the locking portion 71 and inserted between the groove protrusion 70 and the outer wall 61a, so that the locking portion 71 is inserted into the locked portion 57 provided in the wide area 54a.

[0083] The operator slides the lower end member 80 forward at the lower end of the door panel 50 , inserts the lower mounting surface 55 of the door panel 50 into the front groove 82 , and inserts the horizontal mounting surface 56 of the door panel 50 into the horizontal groove 83 .

[0084] The lower mounting surface 55 inserted into the front groove portion 82 is guided by the inclined portion 90a of the groove protrusion 90 and is inserted between the groove protrusion 90 and the outer wall 81a. At this time, the wide area 55a of the lower mounting surface 55 is guided by the inclined portion 91a of the locking portion 91 and is inserted between the groove protrusion 90 and the outer wall 81a, so that the locking portion 91 is inserted into the locked portion 58 provided in the wide area 55a.

[0085] When the upper end member 60 and the lower end member 80 are mounted toward the door panel 50 , the door 40 is in an assembled state, and a space with an open back side is formed by the door panel 50 and the end members 60 and 80 .

[0086] In this way, when the door 40 is assembled, the operator injects a fluid foam resin solution, such as polyurethane foam, into the interior space of the door 40 from the rear opening. The rear surface of the door 40 is then closed by the door inner panel 100. The foam resin solution expands due to foaming and flows into the interior space of the door 40, filling the interior space of the door 40 and then solidifying, thereby completing the manufacture of the door 40.

[0087] The operator also manufactures the other doors using the same process as that for the refrigerator compartment door 40. The operator then mounts the manufactured doors and various devices to the refrigerator body 11, thereby completing the manufacture of the refrigerator 10.

[0088] (8) Effect

[0089] In this embodiment, locking portions 71 and 91 are provided in the front grooves 62 and 82 of the end members 60 and 80. When the mounting surfaces 54 and 55 of the door panel 50 are inserted into the front grooves 62 and 82, the locking portions 71 and 91 are inserted into the locked portions 57 and 58 provided on the mounting surfaces 54 and 55 of the door panel 50. The operator can easily feel the locking portions 71 and 91 being inserted into the locked portions 57 and 58, making it easy to determine that the mounting surfaces 54 and 55 have been inserted into the predetermined positions of the front grooves 62 and 82. This prevents deformation, allowing the door panel 50 to be mounted on the end members 60 and 80.

[0090] In particular, when the mounting surfaces 54, 55 are further away from the front surface 51 of the door panel 50 and thus tilted outward in the vertical direction of the door, the front ends of the wide regions 54a, 55a of the mounting surfaces 54, 55 are elastically deformed to tilt inward in the vertical direction of the door until the locking portions 71, 91 are inserted into the locked portions 57, 58. Thereafter, when the locking portions 71, 91 are inserted into the locked portions 57, 58, the deformation of the wide regions 54a, 55a of the mounting surfaces 54, 55 is released and the wide regions 54a, 55a of the mounting surfaces 54, 55 are returned to their original shapes. This allows the operator to more easily feel the insertion of the locking portion 71 into the locked portion 57, thereby enabling the mounting surfaces 54, 55 to be inserted into the predetermined positions of the front grooves 62, 82.

[0091] As in the present embodiment, when the locking portions 71, 91 are provided on the outer walls 61a, 81a, the appearance of the door 40 will not be affected, and the locking portions 71, 91 protruding toward the front groove portions 62, 82 can be integrally formed together with other portions of the end parts 60, 80.

[0092] As in this embodiment, when the latched portion 57 is provided in the wide area 54a of the mounting surface 54, the strength of the mounting surface 54 can be ensured while the latched portion 57 can be provided. Furthermore, by providing the narrow area 54b having a smaller protrusion than the wide area 54a in the portion where the latched portion 57 is not provided, deformation of the front surface 51 of the door panel 50 can be suppressed by the bending process of the mounting surface 54. In addition, when the latched portion 57 is provided in the central portion in the front-to-back direction of the wide area 54a, the strength around the latched portion 57 can be easily ensured.

[0093] Similarly, when the latched portion 58 is provided in the wide region 55a of the mounting surface 55, the strength of the mounting surface 55 can be ensured while the latched portion 58 can be provided. Furthermore, by providing the narrow region 55b, which protrudes less than the wide region 55a, in the area where the latched portion 58 is not provided, deformation of the front surface 51 of the door panel 50 caused by the bending process of the mounting surface 55 can be suppressed. Furthermore, when the latched portion 58 is provided in the center of the wide region 55a in the front-to-back direction, the strength around the latched portion 58 can be easily ensured. The latched portion 58 can be provided in the center of the wide region 55a in the front-to-back direction.

[0094] As in the present embodiment, the locked portions 57, 58 are arranged in the width direction of the door 40 at positions avoiding the recesses 66 to 68, 86 to 88, 99 that are recessed inward in the vertical direction of the door, thereby easily ensuring the protrusion amount of the mounting surfaces 54, 55 at the positions where the locked portions 57, 58 are arranged.

[0095] (9) Modification examples

[0096] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is provided as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments may be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also intended to be within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0097] In the above embodiment, although the refrigerator compartment door 40 is described as an example, the present invention can also be applied to other doors such as the vegetable compartment door 42 and the freezer compartment door 45 .

[0098] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the locking portion 71 is provided on the end member 60, and the locked portion 57 locked with the locking portion 71 is provided on the upper mounting surface 54 of the door panel 50, the locking portion may be provided on the upper mounting surface 54 of the door panel 50, and the locked portion locked with the locking portion provided on the upper mounting surface 54 may be provided on the end member 60. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the locking portion 91 is provided on the end member 80, and the locked portion 58 locked with the locking portion 91 is provided on the lower mounting surface 55 of the door panel 50, the locking portion may be provided on the lower mounting surface 55 of the door panel 50, and the locked portion locked with the locking portion provided on the lower mounting surface 55 may be provided on the end member 80.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator body having a storage compartment therein, and a door provided on the refrigerator body, wherein: The door includes: a door panel forming a front surface of the outside of the refrigerator, and an end member attached to an end of the door panel. The door panel material comprises: a mounting surface protruding rearward from an upper side or a lower side, and a locked portion provided on the mounting surface. The end member includes a groove portion into which the mounting surface is inserted, and a locking portion that protrudes into the groove portion and is inserted into the locked portion.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The end member includes an outer wall constituting the exterior side of the door, and an inner wall provided at a distance from the outer wall and forming the groove portion between the inner wall and the outer wall. The locking portion protrudes from the outer wall toward the inner wall.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The mounting surface includes a wide area and a narrow area that protrudes rearward less than the wide area. The locked portion is provided in the wide area.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The end member includes a recessed portion recessed toward the inner side of the door, The locked portion is provided at a position away from the recessed portion in the width direction of the door.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The end member includes a bearing portion that rotatably supports a rotation shaft provided on the refrigerator body. The locked portion is provided at a position away from the bearing portion in the width direction of the door.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that The mounting surface includes a plurality of the locked portions spaced apart in the width direction of the door, and the narrow width region is provided between the locked portions.

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