Refrigerator

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator that realizes a reduction in the number of components and a reduction in manufacturing costs, and that has a configuration that enables automatic closing and free stopping. A refrigerator (1) in which a plurality of recesses (532, 533) are formed in the peripheral surface of a cam (53) for less than half a revolution, in which a heat-insulating door (16) is maintained in a state in which it is opened at a predetermined angle by being set in a state in which a leaf spring (55) engages with one of the recesses (533), and in which the heat-insulating door (16) is rotated to a state in which it closes the front of a storage compartment by rotating the leaf spring (55) along the peripheral surface of the cam (53) and engaging the leaf spring (55) with another of the recesses (532).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to refrigerators. Background Technology

[0002] A refrigerator is known to have a structure in which an insulated door is provided for the insulated cabinet that forms a storage compartment inside. This insulated door rotates about a rotation axis supported by the insulated cabinet and opens and closes the front opening of the storage compartment (for example, see Patent Documents 1-3). The refrigerator's insulated door has a so-called automatic closing structure that allows it to automatically close from a state where it is open at an angle smaller than a predetermined angle.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4264838

[0004] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 5169706

[0005] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-134002

[0006] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent No. 6145697

[0007] On the one hand, the refrigerators described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have a so-called automatic closing mechanism, but they cannot achieve a so-called free stop that can temporarily maintain the refrigerator in a state open at a predetermined angle. On the other hand, Patent Document 4 describes a refrigerator with a structure for free stop. If the structure for free stop described in Patent Document 4 is added to the refrigerators described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the structure becomes more complex, making it difficult to reduce the number of parts and lower manufacturing costs. Utility Model Content

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a refrigerator with the following structure: reducing the number of parts and manufacturing costs, and enabling automatic shut-off and free stopping.

[0009] (1) This disclosure relates to a refrigerator comprising: an insulated cabinet having a storage compartment inside; an insulated door supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis supported by the insulated cabinet, and capable of opening and closing the front opening of the storage compartment by rotating about the rotation axis; a hinge mounted on the insulated cabinet and supporting the insulated door; a cam fixed to the hinge in a manner that prevents rotation relative to the hinge, and having a recess formed on its circumferential surface; and a leaf spring that presses against the circumferential surface of the cam while rotating along the circumferential surface of the cam in a manner that engages with the recess of the cam, wherein multiple recesses are formed on the circumferential surface of the cam in less than half a circumference, and the insulated door is maintained in a state of being open at a predetermined angle by engaging the leaf spring with one of the recesses, and the insulated door is rotated to a state of closing the front opening of the storage compartment by rotating the leaf spring along the circumferential surface of the cam and engaging the leaf spring with another of the recesses.

[0010] According to the refrigerator in (1), a simple structure consisting of a cam and a leaf spring that moves along the circumference of the cam can not only achieve the function of automatically closing the insulated door, but also the function of free stopping. Therefore, it can become a refrigerator with a compact structure that reduces the number of parts and manufacturing costs.

[0011] (2) In the refrigerator described in (1), the leaf spring is composed of a C-shaped metal plate with a rectangular central portion, and the one type of recess and the other type of recess are each formed in a pair at symmetrical positions centered on the axis of the cam.

[0012] According to the refrigerator in (2), the cam is clamped by a leaf spring in the diameter direction, which allows the leaf spring to reliably engage with one type of recess and another type of recess. Thus, the automatic closing and free stopping functions can be effectively performed.

[0013] (3) In the refrigerator described in (2), a metal leaf spring retaining member is provided, which abuts against and surrounds a pair of side portions of the central portion of the leaf spring and an inner wall portion that connects the pair of side portions.

[0014] According to the refrigerator in (3), the force of the cam held by the C-shaped leaf spring can be strengthened, and the leaf spring can be reliably engaged with one recess and another recess respectively.

[0015] (4) In the refrigerator described in (3), the cam is held and supported by the leaf spring retaining member and the metal support member.

[0016] According to the refrigerator in (4), the cam is clamped and supported by metal components, thus avoiding structural damage to the supporting cam and improving reliability.

[0017] (5) The cam engages with the base member through a through hole formed in the base member, and the base member is disposed on the upper side of the support member.

[0018] According to the refrigerator in (5), the cam engages with the base component. Therefore, by making the cam and base component from resin or the like, it is possible to prevent abnormal noise from occurring when the insulated door is opened and closed.

[0019] (6) In the refrigerator described in (4), the support member is composed of a stop that prevents the rotation of the insulation door at a predetermined position.

[0020] According to the refrigerator in (6), the cam is clamped and supported by a high-strength stop and a leaf spring retainer, thus effectively avoiding the structure of the supporting cam from being easily damaged, and thus improving reliability.

[0021] (7) In the refrigerator described in (1), the depths of the various recesses of the cam are different.

[0022] According to the refrigerator in (7), the depths of one type of recess and another type of recess on the cam are different. Therefore, when the leaf spring engages with the deeper recess, it is less likely for the engaged portion of the leaf spring to disengage from the recess compared to when the leaf spring engages with the shallower recess.

[0023] (8) In the refrigerator described in (1), in a cross section orthogonal to the axis of the cam, the curvatures of the various concave portions of the cam are different.

[0024] According to the refrigerator of (8), it can be configured such that, compared with a concave part with a small radius of curvature, it is easier to engage the leaf spring in a concave part with a large radius of curvature.

[0025] According to this disclosure, a refrigerator with the following structure can be provided: reducing the number of parts and lowering manufacturing costs, and enabling automatic closing and free stopping. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a refrigerator representing an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a side sectional view showing an automatic closing device for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a top sectional view showing the automatic closing device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 4This is an exploded perspective view showing the automatic shut-off device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and the portion on which the automatic shut-off device is installed.

[0030] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view showing an automatic shut-off device for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a top view of the cam of the automatic closing device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the state in which the insulated door of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is freely stopped when opened.

[0033] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the state in which the insulation door of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is closed by automatic closing.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0035] 1...Refrigerator; 11...Insulated cabinet; 16...Upper left side insulated door; 31...Lower hinge; 32...Lower rotating shaft; 35...Stop (support member); 53...Cam; 54...Leaf spring retaining member; 55...Leaf spring; 532, 533...Recess; 552...Side; 5511...Inner wall; d1, d2...Depth; r1, r2...Radius of curvature. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the width of the refrigerator 1 will be used to indicate the direction of the refrigerator. Figure 1 The direction from the lower right to the upper left is defined as left, and the opposite direction is defined as right. Furthermore, the depth direction of refrigerator 1 (from...) Figure 1 The direction from the lower left to the upper right (as shown) is defined as the rear, and the opposite direction is defined as the front. Furthermore, the height direction of refrigerator 1 is... Figure 1 The direction above is defined as above, and the opposite direction is defined as below.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the refrigerator 1 has: an insulated cabinet 11, which forms a storage compartment inside, the storage compartment opening to the front, having a refrigerator compartment 12 on the upper side and a freezer compartment 13 on the lower side; an upper left-side insulated door 16; an upper right-side insulated door 17; a first middle-side insulated door 18; a second middle-side insulated door 19; and a lower-side insulated door 20.

[0038] The refrigerator 1 is configured to be divided into the following four layers: an upper layer that can be opened and closed by the upper left side door 16 and the upper right side door 17; a first middle layer that can be opened and closed by the first middle layer door 18; a second middle layer that can be opened and closed by the second middle layer door 19; and a lower layer that can be opened and closed by the lower layer door 20.

[0039] The upper left-side insulated door 16 is a revolving door that can rotate to open from the center to the left, centered on an axis located at the upper part of the front end of the left side of the insulated box 11. The upper right-side insulated door 17 is a revolving door that can rotate to open from the center to the right, centered on an axis located at the upper part of the front end of the right side of the insulated box 11. The first middle-layer insulated door 18, the second middle-layer insulated door 19, and the lower-layer insulated door 20 are drawer-type doors that can be pulled out and pushed in by moving forward and backward in a forward-opening manner. The upper left-side insulated door 16, the upper right-side insulated door 17, the first middle-layer insulated door 18, the second middle-layer insulated door 19, and the lower-layer insulated door 20 can close the front opening of the storage compartment of the insulated box 11.

[0040] The insulated enclosure 11 is constructed with, for example, a frame made of steel plate and vacuum insulation material housed inside the frame. Alternatively, the vacuum insulation material may not be provided. A mechanical chamber (not shown) for housing a compressor is provided between the frame forming the lower part of the refrigerator 1 and the vacuum insulation material within the insulated enclosure 11. A cooling chamber (not shown) for housing an evaporator is formed in the portion of the insulated enclosure 11 forming the rear side of the refrigerator 1.

[0041] The evaporator and compressor are connected to an expansion unit (not shown) and a condenser (not shown) via refrigerant piping, forming a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. A blower is installed at the top of the cooling chamber, which blows the cold air cooled by the evaporator from inside the cooling chamber to the upper and lower sections of refrigerator 1. A defrost heater (not shown) is installed below the evaporator to melt the frost on the evaporator.

[0042] On the left side of the heat insulation box 11, there is a pair of upper and lower hinges that curve to the left. Figure 4 The lower hinge 31 is shown, and the upper hinge (not shown) is also shown. Figure 4 As shown, a lower rotating shaft 32 is provided at the end of the lower hinge 31. An upper rotating shaft (not shown) is provided at the end of the upper hinge. The upper and lower parts of the upper left door 16 are supported by the upper rotating shaft and lower rotating shaft 32 (not shown) respectively, allowing them to rotate relative to the insulation box 11.

[0043] Similarly, a pair of hinges, one above the other and one below, are provided on the right side of the insulation box 11, both curving to the right. A rotating shaft (not shown) is provided at the end of each hinge. The upper and lower parts of the upper right-side insulation door 17 are supported by the rotating shaft (not shown) so that they can rotate relative to the insulation box 11.

[0044] In the following description, the structure in which the upper right-side insulated door 17 is supported by the insulated cabinet 11 and is rotatable is symmetrical to the structure in the refrigerator 1 where the upper left-side insulated door 16 is supported by the insulated cabinet 11 and is rotatable. Therefore, only the structure in which the upper left-side insulated door 16 is supported by the insulated cabinet 11 and is rotatable will be described, and the description of the structure in which the upper right-side insulated door 17 is supported by the insulated cabinet 11 and is rotatable will be omitted.

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, the lower hinge 31 has: a vertical plate-shaped portion 311 fixed to the heat insulation box 11; and a horizontal portion 312. The horizontal portion 312 is composed of a metal plate integrally formed with the vertical plate-shaped portion 311 and bent at a right angle relative to the horizontal portion 312. A lower rotating shaft 32 extending upward is fixed to the outer end of the horizontal portion 312. A ring-shaped hinge washer 33 passes through the base of the lower rotating shaft 32, which is connected to the horizontal portion 312, and the hinge washer 33 is disposed on the upper surface of the horizontal portion 312. A pair of opposite-side cut surfaces 321 forming a pair of parallel planes are formed on the upper part of the lower rotating shaft 32. The lower rotating shaft 32 passes through a stop member 35, which serves as a support member, and a cam 53 of the automatic closing device 50.

[0046] The stop 35 has a metal plate-shaped portion 351, on which through holes 352 and 353 are formed. The cam 53 of the automatic closing device 50 and the lower rotating shaft 32 of the through cam 53 pass through the through hole 352, and the stop 35 supports the lower end of the cam 53. The stop 35 can rotate around the axis of the lower rotating shaft 32, and by this rotation, a portion of the stop 35 abuts against a portion of the lower hinge 31, preventing the rotation of the upper left door 16 at a predetermined position.

[0047] The automatic closing device 50 is housed in the receiving portion 36 and abuts against the stop member 35. The receiving portion 36 is a hollow portion formed by a part of the door cover installed on the lower side of the upper left door 16 protruding upward in a vertical direction into an insulation material receiving space formed inside the upper left door 16 for the injection of insulation material. The automatic closing device 50 is housed in this hollow portion. Specifically, as Figure 5As shown, the automatic closing device 50 includes a resin base member 51, a resin cam 53, a metal spring retaining member 54, and a metal leaf spring 55. The cam 53 is fixed relative to the insulated housing 11, the lower hinge 31, and the lower rotation axis 32 in a manner that prevents them from rotating. The components constituting the automatic closing device 50, excluding the cam 53, the stop member 35, and the lower door cover with the receiving portion 36, are fixed to the upper left side insulated door 16, and they rotate about the axis of the lower rotation axis 32 relative to the insulated housing 11.

[0048] like Figure 5 As shown, the base member 51 is formed into a cuboid shape with multiple ribs, and has through holes 512, 513, and 514. A recess is formed on the lower surface of the base member 51, such as... Figure 2 As shown, a stop 35 is housed in the recess. A through hole 353 is formed on the stop 35. A screw 34 passes through the through hole 353 and the through hole 513 and is threaded together, thereby fixing the stop 35 to the lower surface of the base member 51.

[0049] like Figure 5 As shown, the spring retaining member 54 has a base plate portion 5411, a back plate portion 542, a side plate portion 543, and an upper plate portion 5441, which are constructed by bending metal plates. The base plate portion 5411 is formed into a rectangular plate shape. A through hole 5412 is formed in the base plate portion 5411. A screw 52, ​​which passes through the through hole 5412 from the lower side of the base member 51, is threaded through the through hole 5412, thereby fixing the base plate portion 5411 of the spring retaining member 54 to the base member 51.

[0050] The back plate portion 542 is formed as a rectangle extending upward from one short side of the rectangular base plate portion 5411. The side plate portions 543 are formed as rectangles extending upward from the portions of the back plate portion 542 corresponding to a pair of long sides of the rectangular base plate portion 5411. Figure 3 As shown, a wall in the shape of the Japanese katakana character コ is formed by the back plate portion 542 and a pair of side plate portions 543.

[0051] Upper plate part 5441 (refer to Figure 5The cam 53 is formed as a rectangular plate extending parallel to the bottom plate 5411 from the upper end of the back plate portion 542. A through hole 5442 is formed at the outer end of the upper plate portion 5441. The upper end of the cam 53 and the upper end of the lower rotating shaft 32 pass through the through hole 5442, and the upper plate portion 5441 of the spring retaining member 54 supports the upper end of the cam 53. As described above, the stop member 35 supports the lower end of the cam 53. Therefore, the cam 53 is supported by being sandwiched between the upper plate portion 5441 of the metal spring retaining member 54 and the metal stop member 35 as a support member.

[0052] The leaf spring 55 has an inner sidewall portion 5511, a pair of side portions 552, and a locking protrusion 553, which are made of bent metal plates and integrally connected. The inner sidewall portion 5511 is formed into a rectangular plate shape. A screw 56 passes through a through hole 5512 formed in the inner sidewall portion 5511 and a through hole formed in the back plate portion 542 and is threadedly connected, thereby fixing the inner sidewall portion 5511 relative to the back plate portion 542 in a face-to-face contact state.

[0053] A pair of side portions 552 extend from the pair of long sides of the inner sidewall portion 5511 of the rectangle in a direction perpendicular to the inner sidewall portion 5511. Figure 5 Extending to the lower right (in the middle), each portion is formed into a rectangular plate of the same shape. A pair of side portions 552 abut against a pair of side plate portions 543 of the spring retaining member 54 in the form of surfaces. Thus, the inner wall portion 5511 and the pair of side portions 552 abut against and surround the back plate portion 542 and the pair of side plate portions 543 of the spring retaining member 54 in the form of surfaces. The pair of side plate portions 543 suppress the elastic deformation of the pair of side portions 552 and the engaging protrusion 553 in a direction of separation from each other.

[0054] A pair of side portions 552 are integrally connected to their outer ends, each having a V-shaped bend and protruding engagement protrusion 553. The protruding portions of the pair of engagement protrusions 553 protrude towards each other in a manner that brings them close together. Through these structures, the leaf spring 55 is formed by the inner side wall portion 5511, the pair of side portions 552, and the engagement protrusions 553, such that the central portion (the portion formed by the inner side wall portion 5511 and the pair of side portions 552) is formed into a rectangular C-shape. The rectangular portion of the central portion, as described above, abuts against and is surrounded by and supported by the katakana-shaped wall formed by the back plate portion 542 and the pair of side plate portions 543 of the spring retaining member 54.

[0055] like Figure 6As shown, the cam 53 includes a cam body 531 formed in a cylindrical shape. On the inner circumferential surface of the cam body 531, a thick-walled portion 534 is integrally formed with the cam body 531 and has a pair of parallel inner surfaces that increase the radial thickness of the cam body 531. A pair of thick-walled portions 534 are provided at radial positions on the cam body 531. A lower rotating shaft 32 is inserted into the internal space formed by the inner circumferential surface of the cam body 531, and the thick-walled portion 534 engages with the opposite-side cut surface 321 formed on the circumferential surface of the lower rotating shaft 32. This fixes the cam 53 so that it cannot rotate relative to the lower hinge 31 and the lower rotating shaft 32.

[0056] like Figure 6 As shown, on the circumferential surface of the cam body 531, there are multiple (specifically two types) recesses 532 and 533 of different depths formed on less than half of the circumference of the cam body 531, totaling four recesses. The shapes of the recesses 532 and 533 in the cross section orthogonal to the axis of the cam body 531 are arc shapes with different curvatures, and a pair of recesses are formed at symmetrical positions centered on the axis of the cam body 531.

[0057] More specifically, a pair of recesses 532 are formed at a set of radial positions on the cam body 531, where thick-walled portions 534 are provided. Thus, the thick-walled portions 534, which increase the wall thickness, can strengthen the portion of the cam body 531 that has become thin-walled due to the formation of recesses 532.

[0058] The radius of curvature of recess 532 is r1, and its depth, measured from the circumferential surface of cam body 531, is d1. A pair of recesses 533 are formed at positions where they are rotated 90 degrees relative to recess 532 along the circumferential direction of cam body 531, centered on the axis of cam body 531. The radius of curvature of recess 533 is r2, which is smaller than the radius of curvature r1 of recess 532. The depth of recess 533, measured from the circumferential surface of cam body 531, is d2, and the depth of recess 532 is shallower than d1.

[0059] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, a pair of engaging protrusions 553 abut against and press against the circumferential surface of the cam body 531, clamping the cam body 531 at a set of radial positions. As the upper left side insulation door 16 rotates relative to the insulation box 11, the pair of engaging protrusions 553 move along the circumferential surface of the cam body 531 while pressing against it, thereby causing the leaf spring 55 to rotate around the axis of the lower rotating shaft 32.

[0060] like Figure 4As shown, the receiving part 36 includes a leaf spring receiving part 3611 and a base receiving part 3621. The leaf spring receiving part 3611 is formed in a cuboid shape and covers part of the receiving base member 51 and the automatic closing device 50 from the top. A cylindrical protrusion 3612 is provided on the upper surface of the leaf spring receiving part 3611. The upper end of the lower rotating shaft 32 is inserted into the protrusion 3612.

[0061] The base receiving portion 3621 is connected to the leaf spring receiving portion 3611, and accommodates the remaining portion of the base member 51 other than the portion accommodated in the leaf spring receiving portion 3611. A plate-shaped portion 363 is provided protruding in the horizontal direction on the side opposite to the portion of the base receiving portion 3621 that is connected to the leaf spring receiving portion 3611.

[0062] On the upper surface of the base receiving portion 3621, a pair of rectangular plate-shaped portions 3622 are provided protruding upwards. A reinforcing plate 37 is provided between the pair of plate-shaped portions 3622. Each reinforcing plate 37 has a rectangular plate-shaped bottom 371 and a pair of plate-shaped side portions 372. The pair of plate-shaped side portions 372 extend from a pair of long sides of the rectangular plate-shaped bottom 371 in a direction that forms a right angle with the plate-shaped bottom 371, i.e., upwards, and are integrally formed with and connected to the plate-shaped bottom 371.

[0063] A through hole is formed in the plate-shaped bottom 371, and a screw 38 passes through the through hole. The screw 38 passes through the through hole in the plate-shaped bottom 371 and the through hole 3623 on the upper surface of the base receiving portion 3621 and is threaded together, thereby fixing the reinforcing plate 37 to the upper surface of the base receiving portion 3621.

[0064] Next, the automatic closing and free stopping via the automatic closing device 50 will be explained. If the upper left side insulated door 16 is closed from the front opening of the storage compartment of the insulated box 11, and the upper left side insulated door 16 is rotated relative to the insulated box 11 and gradually opened, the pair of engaging protrusions 553 of the leaf spring 55 press against the portion of the circumferential surface of the cam body 531 where the recesses 532 and 533 are not formed, and move circumferentially along the circumferential surface.

[0065] Furthermore, if a pair of engaging protrusions 553 begin to enter the recess 533, the pair of engaging protrusions 553 are guided towards the deepest part of the recess 533 and fall into the recess 533. The upper left-side insulated door 16 then opens at a predetermined angle of approximately 90 degrees, maintaining the front opening of the storage compartment (which is closed relative to the upper left-side insulated door 16) at a position similar to when it was previously closed. Figure 7 The so-called state of free stop shown.

[0066] Next, if we make it become Figure 7 When the upper left-side insulated door 16, in its freely stopped state, rotates relative to the insulated box 11 toward the front opening of the storage compartment that closes the insulated box 11, a pair of engaging protrusions 553 of the leaf spring 55 crawl from the recess 533 onto the portion of the circumferential surface of the cam body 531 where the recess 533 is not formed. Furthermore, while pressing the portion of the circumferential surface of the cam body 531 where the recesses 532 and 533 are not formed, the pair of engaging protrusions 553 move circumferentially along that portion of the circumferential surface.

[0067] Furthermore, if a pair of engaging protrusions 553 begin to enter the recess 532, the pair of engaging protrusions 553 are guided towards the deepest part of the recess 532 and fall into the recess 532, thereby, as Figure 8 As shown, the upper left-side insulated door 16 rotates to close the front opening of the storage compartment of the insulated box 11. Furthermore, the deepest part of the recess 532 is positioned such that it is located relative to the upper left-side insulated door 16. Figure 8 As shown, the upper left-side insulating door 16 closes the front opening of the storage compartment of the insulated box 11. Furthermore, when this state is hypothetically rotated at a predetermined angle, the position of the engaging protrusion 553 is assumed to be reached. This prevents the upper left-side insulating door 16 from being slightly open at the front opening of the storage compartment of the insulated box 11, thus preventing it from being left unclosed.

[0068] According to the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment with the above-described structure, the following effects can be obtained. In this embodiment, multiple recesses 532 and 533 are formed on the circumferential surface of the cam 53, less than half a circumference. The upper left-side door 16 is kept open at a predetermined angle by engaging with the recess 533, which is a type of recess. By rotating the leaf spring 55 along the circumferential surface of the cam 53, the leaf spring 55 engages with the recess 532, which is another type of recess, causing the upper left-side door 16 to rotate towards a state where the front opening of the storage compartment is closed. Thus, with a simple structure consisting of a cam 53 and a leaf spring 55 that moves along the circumferential surface of the cam 53, not only can the upper left-side door 16 be automatically closed, but it can also be freely stopped. As a result, the number of parts is reduced and the manufacturing cost is lowered, enabling a refrigerator with a compact structure.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the leaf spring 55 is composed of a C-shaped metal plate with a rectangular central portion. Recesses 532 and 533 are each formed in pairs at symmetrical positions centered on the axis of the cam 53, i.e., at a set of diameter positions. Thus, by clamping the cam 53 along a set of radial directions of the cam 53, the leaf spring 55 can engage with the recesses 532 and 533 respectively. This ensures reliable automatic closing and free stopping functions.

[0070] Furthermore, the central portion of the leaf spring 55 is rectangular, making it easy to manufacture the leaf spring 55 with high precision and reducing manufacturing costs. In addition, the leaf spring 55, which is slender in the direction in which the pair of side portions 552 extend from the inner sidewall portion 5511, can be used, resulting in a shorter distance between the pair of side portions 552 and a more compact shape. Correspondingly, a larger space can be ensured for the heat insulation material to be contained in the upper left side insulation door 16, and a greater amount of heat insulation material in the thickness direction of the upper left side insulation door 16 can be ensured, thus preventing the increase in power consumption and the effects of condensation that accompany the deterioration of heat insulation.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a metal leaf spring retaining member 54 is provided, which abuts against and surrounds a pair of side portions 552 at the center of the leaf spring 55 and an inner wall portion 5511 connecting the pair of side portions 552. This strengthens the force with which the C-shaped leaf spring 55 holds the cam 53, ensuring that the leaf spring 55 reliably engages with the recesses 532 and 533 respectively. Moreover, a thicker leaf spring 55 is not necessary, thus simplifying the manufacturing process of the leaf spring 55.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cam 53 is held and supported by a leaf spring retaining member 54 and a stop member 35, which is a metal support member. Thus, since the cam 53 is held and supported by metal members, the structure supporting the cam 53 can be prevented from becoming easily damaged, thereby improving reliability.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the support member is composed of a stop 35 that prevents rotation of the upper left-side door insulation 16 at a predetermined position. Thus, the cam 53 can be clamped and supported by the high-strength stop 35 and the leaf spring retaining member 54, thereby effectively preventing the structure supporting the cam 53 from becoming easily damaged, and further improving reliability.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the depths of the recesses 532 and 533 of the cam 53 are different. For example... Figure 8As shown, the recess 532, which is deeper than the recess 533, is positioned such that when the front opening of the storage compartment of the insulated box 11 is closed by the upper left side insulation door 16, the engaging protrusion 553 of the leaf spring 55 engages with the recess 532. Figure 7 As shown, the recess 533, which is shallower than the recess 532, is positioned such that when the upper left door 16 is in a free-stopped state, which is in a state where the front opening of the storage compartment of the heat-insulating box 11 is closed relative to the upper left door 16, the spring 55's engaging protrusion 553 engages with the recess 532.

[0075] Therefore, when the engaging protrusion 553 of the leaf spring 55 engages with the deep recess 532, it becomes less likely to disengage from the recess 532 compared to when the engaging protrusion 553 of the leaf spring 55 engages with the shallow recess 533. This reliably promotes the engagement of the engaging protrusion 553 of the leaf spring 55 with the recess 532, preventing the upper left-side door insulation 16 from being partially open. Conversely, the shallower recess 533 makes it easier for the user of the refrigerator 1 to switch to the free-stop state, and does not cause significant stress to the user when releasing from the free-stop state. Furthermore, when the user wants to open or close the upper left-side door insulation 16 to an opening angle (e.g., fully open) beyond the free-stop position, the engaging protrusion 553 of the leaf spring 55 does not exert significant stress on the user when passing through the recess 533.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the cross-section of the cam 53 orthogonal to the axis, the recesses 532 and 533 of the cam 53 each have arc shapes with different curvatures. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the recess 532, with a radius of curvature larger than that of the recess 533, is positioned such that, when the front opening of the storage compartment of the insulated box 11 is closed by the upper left side insulation door 16, the engaging protrusion 553 of the leaf spring 55 engages with the recess 532. Figure 7 As shown, the recess 533, which has a smaller radius of curvature than the recess 532, is positioned such that when the upper left door 16 is in a free-stopped state, which is in a state where the front opening of the storage compartment of the heat-insulating box 11 is closed relative to the upper left door 16, the spring 55's engaging protrusion 553 engages with the recess 532.

[0077] Therefore, compared to the recess 533 with a small radius of curvature, the recess 532 with a large arc shape can be designed to allow the engaging protrusion 553 of the leaf spring 55 to easily enter. Thus, even if the user applies less force to close the upper left-side door 16, it can reliably guide the door to automatic closing.

[0078] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications can be made within the technical scope of the claims. For example, the shape and structure of the automatic closing device and the component supporting the automatic closing device are not limited to the shape and structure of the automatic closing device 50 and the component supporting the automatic closing device 50 in this embodiment. For example, a stop member 35 can be used as a metal support component, but it is not limited to this; other components can be used as long as they are made of metal. Furthermore, a total of four recesses 532 and 533 are formed, but the number is not limited to this; there can be more than four, as long as multiple recesses are formed on the circumferential surface of less than half a circumference of the cam.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an automatic closing device 50 is provided at the lower part of the upper left-side insulation door 16, but this is not a limitation. Alternatively, the automatic closing device may be provided at the upper part of the upper left-side insulation door and the upper part of the upper right-side insulation door.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a side-cutting surface 321 is formed on the lower rotating shaft 32, and a pair of thick-walled portions 534 with a pair of parallel inner surfaces are provided on the cam 53, but this is not a limitation. For example, it is also possible that only one side of the pair of thick-walled portions 534 is provided on the cam, and a D-shaped shaft hole with a single-sided cut surface shape, which is not a side-cutting surface, is formed on the lower rotating shaft in a manner that can engage with the thick-walled portion.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, have: The insulated enclosure has a storage compartment inside; An insulated door is supported so as to be able to rotate about a rotation axis supported by the insulated box, and the front opening of the storage room can be opened and closed by rotating about the rotation axis. A hinge, which is installed in the insulated box and supports the insulated door; A cam, fixed to the hinge in a manner that prevents it from rotating relative to the hinge, and having a recess formed on its circumferential surface; and A leaf spring that, while pressing against the circumferential surface of the cam, rotates along the circumferential surface of the cam in a manner that engages with the recess of the cam. The recess is formed in various ways on the less than half circumference of the cam's circumference. The door is kept open at a predetermined angle by engaging the leaf spring with one of the recesses, and the door is rotated to close the front opening of the storage compartment by rotating the leaf spring along the circumferential surface of the cam and engaging the leaf spring with another recess.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The leaf spring consists of a C-shaped metal plate with a rectangular central section. The first type of recess and the second type of recess are each formed in a pair at symmetrical positions centered on the axis of the cam.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, It has a metal leaf spring retaining member that abuts against and surrounds a pair of side portions of the central portion of the leaf spring and an inner sidewall portion connecting the pair of side portions.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cam is held and supported by the leaf spring retaining member and the metal support member.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cam engages with the base member through a through hole formed in the base member, the base member being disposed on the upper side of the support member.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support member is composed of a stop that prevents the rotation of the insulation door at a predetermined position.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The depths of the various recesses on the cam are different.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the cross-section of the cam orthogonal to the axis, the various concave portions of the cam each have an arc shape with different curvatures.

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