Cooling storage

Abstract

To provide a highly convenient storage.SOLUTION: A cooling storage 1 includes a casing 50 having a cooling chamber 10, and a tray 40 arranged in the cooling chamber 10. The tray 40 has a bottom wall 45, a first wall 41 rising from one side end in one direction of the bottom wall 45, and a second wall 42 rising from the other side end in the one direction of the bottom wall 45 and higher than the first wall 41. The second wall 42 has an engaging portion 47 positioned on an upper end 42a thereof. A rear wall 25 exposed to the cooling chamber 10 of the casing 50 has an engaged portion 61 which can be engaged with the engaging portion 47. When the second wall 42 is located behind the first wall 41, the engaging portion 47 and the engaged portion 61 are engaged with each other, and the tray 40 cannot be drawn in a longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] The interior of a cooling compartment such as a refrigerator is divided by shelves or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-34652 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A flat shelf board is easy to place and take out low-profile items. However, if a tall item is placed on the shelf board, the shelf board may lack stability. From the viewpoint of storing tall items, a so-called box-type shelf board having walls on the front and back is preferable.

[0005] Therefore, in one aspect of the present invention, an object is to provide a cooling cabinet equipped with highly convenient shelves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A cooling box according to one aspect of the present invention includes a housing having a cooling chamber, and a shelf arranged in the cooling chamber. The shelf has a bottom wall, a first wall rising from one end of the bottom wall in one direction, and a second wall rising from the other end of the bottom wall in the one direction and higher than the first wall. The second wall has an engaging portion located at an upper end of the second wall, and a rear wall of the housing exposed to the cooling chamber has an engaged portion engageable with the engaging portion, and when the second wall is located rearward of the first wall, the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other, preventing the shelf from being pulled out in the front-rear direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a highly convenient refrigerator can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling box according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a cooling chamber of the cooling box shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cooling box in which the storage shelves are arranged in a first state. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cooling box in which the storage shelves are arranged in a second state. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view of the storage shelf shown in FIG. 5, seen from a different direction. [Figure 7] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an engaging portion of the storage shelf and an engaged portion of the cooling chamber are engaged with each other. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the storage shelf in the first state removed from the cooling chamber. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the state in which the storage shelf is arranged in the second state. [Figure 10] 5 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a storage shelf and a rear wall of a cooling chamber in the cooling box shown in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. In the following description, directions such as front, back, left and right refer to directions as viewed from the user using the refrigerator.

[0010] In this embodiment, a refrigerator 1 having one cooling chamber will be described as an example. However, in the present invention, the refrigerator is not limited to the refrigerator 1. In the present invention, the "refrigerating chamber" refers to any chamber having an internal space (cooling chamber) at a temperature lower than the outside air temperature and capable of lowering the temperature of the contents contained therein. The refrigerator may be, for example, a refrigerator or a freezer. The refrigerator may have only one cooling chamber or may have multiple cooling chambers. The cooling chamber may be a chamber in which the temperature inside the cooling chamber is controlled to approach a predetermined cooling temperature, such as, for example, about 5°C, about 0°C, about -18°C, or about -23°C. The cooling chamber may be set to multiple cooling temperatures. When the refrigerator has multiple cooling chambers, the multiple cooling chambers may include at least two of a refrigerator chamber, a freezer chamber, a vegetable chamber, a chilled chamber, a partial chamber, and the like.

[0011] (Overall configuration of the cooling cabinet) The refrigerator 1 will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the refrigerator 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the inside of a housing 50. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the housing 50.

[0012] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the refrigerator 1 includes a housing 50. The housing 50 may be, for example, a thermally insulated box. The term "thermally insulated box" refers to a box having walls that include a thermally insulated material. Examples of the thermally insulated material include a foam material having multiple pores, a member having a reduced pressure internal space, and the like.

[0013] The housing 50 has a cooling chamber 10. The cooling chamber 10 is a chamber for cooling an item. In this embodiment, the housing 50 has one cooling chamber 10. The cooling chamber 10 opens toward the front. The cooling box 1 has a door 11 in addition to the housing 50. The door 11 is attached to the housing 50 so as to be able to open and close the opening of the cooling chamber 10. Specifically, the door 11 is attached to the housing 50 so as to be able to rotate. The opening of the cooling chamber 10 is opened and closed by the door 11 rotating relative to the housing 50. The door 11 is preferably an insulated door having a heat insulating material.

[0014] The housing 50 includes an outer box 51, an inner box 52, and a heat insulating material 53. The inner box 52 is disposed inside the outer box 51. The inner box 52 and the outer box 51 are spaced apart from each other. The heat insulating material 53 is disposed between the inner box 52 and the outer box 51.

[0015] A cooling chamber 10 for accommodating food and the like, and a cooler accommodating chamber 20 are provided within the housing 50. The cooler accommodating chamber 20 is disposed on the rear side of the cooling chamber 10. A cooler 21 and the like are provided within the cooler accommodating chamber 20. The air within the cooler accommodating chamber 20 is cooled by the cooler 21.

[0016] A machine room 30 is provided on the rear side of the bottom of the cooling box 1. In the machine room 30, a compressor 31 and the like are provided.

[0017] (Configuration of cooling chamber) The inner wall of the cooling chamber 10 is formed by the inner box 52, the rear wall 25, the duct forming member 70, etc. The rear wall 25 is disposed between the cooling chamber 10 and the cooler accommodating chamber 20. The rear wall 25 forms the lower portion of the wall on the rear side of the cooling chamber 10.

[0018] The duct forming member 70 is disposed on the front side of the rear wall 25. The duct forming member 70 forms a cool air duct 72. The cool air duct 72 supplies air cooled in the cooler housing chamber 20 to the cooling chamber 10 via an outlet (for example, a first outlet 71a).

[0019] The duct forming member 70 has a plurality of air outlets. In one example, the plurality of air outlets are, in order from the top, a first air outlet 71a, a second air outlet 71b, a third air outlet 71c, and a fourth air outlet 71d.

[0020] A cool air inlet 73 is provided below the rear wall 25. The inlet 73 is connected to the cooler housing chamber 20. The cool air that has flowed through the cooling chamber 10 is returned to the cooler housing chamber 20 from the inlet 73.

[0021] In Fig. 3, the flow of cool air in the cooling chamber 10 is indicated by dashed arrows. As shown in Fig. 3, the cool air discharged into the cooling chamber 10 from the first air outlet 71a, the second air outlet 71b, the third air outlet 71c, and the fourth air outlet 71d flows toward the front side (door 11 side) of the cooling chamber 10, and then flows downward along the back surface of the door 11. The cool air then flows backward along the underside of the cooling chamber 10 and returns to the cooler housing chamber 20 from the inlet 73.

[0022] A plurality of shelves are provided within the cooling chamber 10. In one example, two substantially flat shelves 12 and 13 are provided above the cooling chamber 10, and one storage shelf 40 is provided below the cooling chamber 10. The storage shelf 40 is an example of a shelf board.

[0023] The shelves 12 and 13 are removable from the cooling chamber 10. Once the shelves 12 or 13 are removed from the cooling chamber 10, they can be repositioned in a different location within the cooling chamber 10.

[0024] The storage shelf 40 is also removable from the cooling chamber 10. Once removed from the cooling chamber 10, the storage shelf 40 can be rearranged in a state different from that shown in FIG.

[0025] Fig. 4 shows a state in which the arrangement of shelf 13 and storage shelf 40 has been changed from the state shown in Fig. 3. The state shown in Fig. 3 is called the first state, and the state shown in Fig. 4 is called the second state. In the first state, shelf 13 is arranged below shelf 12, but in the second state, shelf 13 is arranged above shelf 12. Also, the front-to-back orientation of storage shelf 40 in the second state is reversed from that of storage shelf 40 in the first state.

[0026] (Storage Shelf Configuration) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the storage shelf 40. Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams showing the external appearance of the storage shelf 40.

[0027] The storage shelf 40 has a box shape. The storage shelf 40 is disposed at the lowest level in the cooling chamber 10 and is suitable for storing relatively heavy items S (for example, one-liter bottles, beverage bottles, etc.).

[0028] The storage shelf 40 has a bottom wall portion 45, a first wall portion 41, a second wall portion 42, a third wall portion 43, and a fourth wall portion 44. The bottom wall portion 45 forms the bottom surface of the box-shaped storage shelf 40. The first wall portion 41 stands up from one end of the bottom wall portion 45 in the first direction. The second wall portion 42 stands up from the other end of the bottom wall portion 45 in the first direction. The second wall portion 42 is higher than the first wall portion 41. The third wall portion 43 stands up from one end of the bottom wall portion 45 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The fourth wall portion 44 stands up from the other end of the bottom wall portion 45 in the second direction.

[0029] The second wall portion 42 has an engagement portion 47 at its upper end 42a. The engagement portion 47 is capable of engaging with an engaged portion 61 provided on the rear wall 25 of the cooling chamber 10. The engagement portion 47 has a shape in which the upper end 42a of the second wall portion 42 is bent downward. The engagement portion 47 is also used as a handle when the storage shelf 40 is pulled out toward the front.

[0030] When the storage shelf 40 is arranged in the cooling chamber 10 in the first state (i.e., in the state shown in Figs. 2 and 3), the first wall portion 41 is located forward of the second wall portion 42. That is, the first wall portion 41 forms the front portion of the storage shelf 40, and the second wall portion 42 forms the rear portion of the storage shelf 40. The third wall portion 43 forms the left side portion when viewed from the front of the cooling chamber 1. The fourth wall portion 44 forms the right side portion when viewed from the front of the cooling chamber 1.

[0031] When the storage shelf 40 is placed in the cooling chamber 10 in the first state, the second wall portion 42 located on the rear side is in a state close to the rear wall 25 of the cooling chamber 10. The engaging portion 47 provided on the upper end 42a of the second wall portion 42 is engaged with an engaged portion 61 provided on the rear wall 25. As a result, in the first state, the storage shelf 40 cannot be pulled out in the front-rear direction.

[0032] Fig. 7 shows an example of a state in which the engaging portion 47 of the storage shelf 40 and the engaged portion 61 of the cooling chamber 10 are engaged. As shown in Fig. 7, the engaged portion 61 protrudes forward from the rear wall 25. A protrusion that protrudes upward is provided at the front end of the engaged portion 61. When the engaging portion 47 of the storage shelf 40 gets caught on this protrusion, the engaging portion 47 and the engaged portion 61 are engaged, and the storage shelf 40 cannot be pulled out toward the front.

[0033] The engaged portion 61 may be formed integrally with the rear wall 25, or may be formed of a separate member from the rear wall 25. When the engaged portion 61 is a separate member from the rear wall 25, the engaged portion 61 is fixedly connected to the rear wall 25. In another embodiment, the engaged portion 61 may be provided on the rear wall 52a of the inner box 52.

[0034] When the storage shelf 40 is arranged in the cooling chamber 10 in the second state (i.e., in the state shown in FIG. 4), the first wall portion 41 is located rearward of the second wall portion 42. That is, the second wall portion 42 becomes the front portion of the storage shelf 40, and the first wall portion 41 becomes the rear portion of the storage shelf 40. The third wall portion 43 becomes the right side portion when the cooling chamber 1 is viewed from the front. The fourth wall portion 44 becomes the left side portion when the cooling chamber 1 is viewed from the front.

[0035] When the storage shelf 40 is arranged in the cooling chamber 10 in the second state, the first wall portion 41 located on the rear side is in a state close to the rear wall 25 of the cooling chamber 60. The first wall portion 41 is not provided with an engagement portion that engages with a part of the rear wall. Therefore, in the second state, the storage shelf 40 can be pulled out in the front-rear direction.

[0036] When changing the storage shelf 40 from the first state to the second state, first, as shown in Fig. 8, the storage shelf 40 is removed from the cooling chamber 10 (see arrow A in Fig. 8). Next, the front-to-back orientation of the storage shelf 40 is reversed (see arrow B in Fig. 8) to the state shown in Fig. 9. Thereafter, the storage shelf 40 is pushed into the cooling chamber 10 (see arrow C in Fig. 9).

[0037] As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment can arrange the storage shelves 40 in the cooling chamber 10 in two different states, the first state and the second state. By selectively using the first state and the second state depending on the purpose of the refrigerator 1 and the type of items to be stored in the cooling chamber 10, a more convenient refrigerator 1 can be provided.

[0038] For example, when storage shelf 40 is in the first state, it is desirable to store heavier contents S, such as one-liter bottles, in storage shelf 40 (see FIG. 3). Note that heavier contents S are often relatively tall. For this reason, it is advisable to secure a larger space above storage shelf 40, for example, by arranging shelf 13 above shelf 12.

[0039] In the first state, the first wall portion 41, which is shorter, is located on the front side. This makes it easier to take in and out relatively tall stored items S, such as one-liter bottles and beverage bottles, from the cooling chamber 10.

[0040] On the other hand, when the storage shelf 40 is in the second state, the storage shelf 40 may be used, for example, as a vegetable case for storing vegetables, fruits, etc. In this case, it is preferable to place the shelf 13 further downward as shown in Fig. 4. By bringing the shelf 13 and the upper end 42a of the second wall portion 42 of the storage shelf 40 closer to each other, the closedness of the space within the storage shelf 40 can be increased, and drying within the space can be suppressed.

[0041] As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment can be used for various purposes depending on how the storage shelf 40 is arranged. For example, when the storage shelf 40 is arranged in the first state, tall bottles such as one-liter bottles can be refrigerated in an upright state. On the other hand, when the storage shelf 40 is arranged in the second state, the storage shelf 40 can be used as a box-shaped storage space. By using the storage shelf 40 as a box-shaped storage space, for example, relatively small items that tend to roll, such as vegetables and fruits, can be suitably stored.

[0042] (About the flow of cold air inside the cooling chamber) Next, a description will be given of the flow of cool air inside the cooling chamber 10. First, a description will be given of the flow of cool air inside the cooling chamber 10 when the storage shelf 40 is arranged in the first state, with reference to FIG.

[0043] As described above, the cooling chamber 10 is provided with a plurality of cold air outlets (specifically, the first outlet 71a, the second outlet 71b, the third outlet 71c, and the fourth outlet 71d). Each outlet is formed in a duct forming member 70 disposed on the rear surface of the cooling chamber 10. These outlets are disposed above the arrangement area of ​​the storage shelf 40. Specifically, the fourth outlet 71d disposed at the bottom is provided at a position higher than the upper end 42a of the second wall portion 42 of the storage shelf 40. The cold air sent from the fourth outlet 71d to the cooling chamber 10 flows downward along the shape of the rear wall 25.

[0044] In the first state, the taller second wall portion 42 is located at the rear side within the cooling chamber 10. The engaging portion 47 provided on the upper end 42a of the second wall portion 42 engages with an engaged portion 61 provided on the rear wall 25.

[0045] As a result, the cool air flowing downward from the fourth air outlet 71d along the shape of the rear wall 25 is blocked by the engagement point between the engaging portion 47 and the engaged portion 61, and flows toward the front side of the cooling chamber .

[0046] In addition, the cool air sent into the cooling chamber 10 from the air outlets other than the fourth air outlet 71d (i.e., the first air outlet 71a, the second air outlet 71b, and the third air outlet 71c) flows toward the front side of the cooling chamber 10 (toward the door 11) and then flows downward along the back surface of the door 11.

[0047] The cool air that flows to the front side of the cooling chamber 10 flows downward, then flows rearward along the underside of the cooling chamber 10, and returns to the cooler accommodating chamber 20 through the inlet 73.

[0048] As described above, in the first state, the engaging portion 47 and the engaged portion 61 are engaged with each other, thereby preventing the cold air blown out from the fourth air outlet 71d from flowing along the rear wall 25 into the inlet 73 located on the underside of the cooling chamber 10, thereby preventing short-circuiting of the cold air.

[0049] Next, the flow of cool air inside the cooling chamber 10 when the storage shelf 40 is arranged in the second state will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 10. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of the storage shelf 40 arranged in the second state and a part of the rear wall 25 of the cooling chamber 10.

[0050] In the second state, the shorter first wall portion 41 is located at the rear side within the cooling chamber 10. At this time, a part of the first wall portion 41 is in contact with a part of the rear wall 25 of the cooling chamber 10. Specifically, an upper surface portion 41a located at the upper end of the first wall portion 41 is in contact with a protrusion 62 provided on the rear wall 25.

[0051] The protruding portion 62 is a plate-like member protruding forward from the rear wall 25. The protruding portion 62 is disposed at a position that matches the height of the first wall portion 41. Therefore, the protruding portion 62 is located lower than the engaged portion 61. The protruding portion 62 may be formed integrally with the rear wall 25, or may be formed of a member separate from the rear wall 25. When the protruding portion 62 is a member separate from the rear wall 25, the protruding portion 62 is fixedly connected to the rear wall 25.

[0052] As described above, in the second state, the contact between the first wall portion 41 and the protrusion portion 62 prevents the cold air blown out from the fourth air outlet 71d from flowing along the rear wall 25 into the inlet 73 located on the underside of the cooling chamber 10, thereby preventing short-circuiting of the cold air.

[0053] It is preferable that the first wall portion 41 and the protruding portion 62 are in surface contact. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 10, the upper surface portion 41a of the first wall portion 41 is in contact with the lower surface of the protruding portion 62. By having the first wall portion 41 and the protruding portion 62 in surface contact, it is possible to more reliably prevent short circuiting of the cool air, in which the cool air blown out from the fourth air outlet 71d flows along the rear wall 25 and into the inlet 73 located on the lower surface of the cooling chamber 10.

[0054] (Summary of the embodiment) As described above, the cooling box 1 according to this embodiment includes a housing 50 having a cooling chamber 10, and a storage shelf (shelf) 40 arranged in the cooling chamber 10. The storage shelf 40 has a bottom wall 45, a first wall 41 standing from one end of the bottom wall 45 in one direction, and a second wall 42 standing from the other end of the bottom wall 45 in the one direction and higher than the first wall 41. The second wall 42 has an engagement portion 47 located at its upper end 42a. The rear wall 25 of the housing 50 exposed to the cooling chamber 10 has an engaged portion 61 engageable with the engagement portion 47.

[0055] In the above-mentioned storage shelf 40, when the second wall portion 42 is located behind the first wall portion 41 (i.e., in the first state), the engaging portion 47 and the engaged portion 61 engage with each other, making it impossible to pull out the storage shelf 40 in the front-rear direction. In this case, the storage shelf 40 can be used as a tray that can store tall stored items S, such as one-liter bottles, in an upright state (see FIG. 3). By making the storage shelf 40 impossible to pull out, it is possible to prevent the stored items S in an upright state from tipping over. In addition, since the first wall portion 41, which is shorter than the front end of the storage shelf 40, is provided, it is possible to prevent the stored items S from unintentionally tilting forward.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned storage shelf 40, when the first wall portion 41 is located rearward of the second wall portion 42 (i.e., in the case of the second state), the storage shelf 40 can be pulled out in the front-rear direction. In this case, the taller second wall portion 42 is located at the front end of the storage shelf 40, and the storage shelf 40 becomes a box-type storage shelf (see FIG. 4). At this time, a user of the cooling box 1 can easily pull out the storage shelf 40 by using the engagement portion 47 formed on the upper end 42a of the second wall portion 42 as a handle.

[0057] As described above, according to the configuration of this embodiment, by changing the arrangement of the storage shelves 40 in the cooling chamber 10, one storage shelf 40 can be used in both the form of a tray and a box. Therefore, a more convenient cooling cabinet 1 can be provided.

[0058] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In addition, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1: Refrigerator 10: Cooling room 25: Back wall 40: Storage shelf (shelf) 41:First wall part 41a: Upper surface of the first wall 42:Second wall part 42a: Upper end of the second wall 43:Third wall part 44: 4th wall 45: Bottom wall 47: Engagement part 50: Cabinet 61: Engaged part 62:Protrusion 71d: 4th outlet (outlet) 73:Inlet

Claims

1. A housing having a cooling chamber; A shelf plate disposed in the cooling chamber; Equipped with The shelf board is A bottom wall portion; a first wall portion standing upright from one end portion of the bottom wall portion in one direction; a second wall portion standing upright from the other end of the bottom wall portion in the one direction and higher than the first wall portion; having the second wall portion has an engagement portion located at an upper end of the second wall portion, a rear wall of the housing exposed to the cooling chamber has an engaged portion engageable with the engaging portion, A cooling cabinet, wherein when the second wall portion is positioned rearward of the first wall portion, the engaging portion and the engaged portion engage with each other, preventing the shelf from being pulled out in the front-to-rear direction.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the shelf board is capable of being pulled out in the front-rear direction when the first wall portion is located rearward of the second wall portion.

3. The rear wall is provided with an air outlet that is lower than the shelf plate when the shelf plate is placed in the cooling chamber and higher than an upper end of the second wall portion and that blows cool air into the cooling chamber. The cooling box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear wall has a portion that comes into contact with the first wall portion when the first wall portion is positioned rearward of the second wall portion.

4. The cooling box according to claim 3 , wherein the rear wall has a protrusion that protrudes toward the first wall portion and contacts the first wall portion when the first wall portion is located rearward of the second wall portion.

5. The cooling box according to claim 4 , wherein the protruding portion is in surface contact with the first wall portion when the first wall portion is positioned rearward of the second wall portion.

6. The cooling box according to claim 3 , wherein the rear wall has an inlet through which cool air flowing rearward beneath the shelf can enter when the shelf is placed in the cooling chamber.

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