Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator which has an excellent usability with rich storage variations and can improve an operability of a height adjustment.SOLUTION: A cooling device of an embodiment includes: a storage chamber; a shelf provided inside the storage chamber; a first recess provided on each of right and left side wall surfaces of the storage chamber: a first projection part provided to project from right and left side surfaces of the shelf and capable of engaging with the first recess; and a first urging member for applying an urging force in a direction in which the first projection part projects. Upon receiving an external force, the first projection part retracts to an engagement release position with respect to the first recess. When the external force is released, the first projection part projects by the urging force of the first urging member to move to an engageable position with respect to the first recess.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] It is known to variably adjust the height of a shelf in a storage compartment of a refrigerator in about two steps. Further, when varying the shelf, it is necessary to remove the shelf once to vary it, and the operability for height adjustment is not good. Therefore, there are few variations in storage in the storage compartment. There are cases where the refrigerator is used for storing a whole pot for the purpose of preparing in advance, and a refrigerator with about two-step variability has been required to be user-friendly.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that is rich in storage variations, excellent in usability, and can improve the operability for height adjustment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The refrigerator according to the embodiment includes a storage compartment, a shelf provided in the storage compartment, first recesses provided on respective left and right side wall surfaces of the storage compartment, first protrusions provided so as to be able to protrude from left and right side surfaces of the shelf and engageable with respective first recesses, and a first biasing member that applies a biasing force in a protruding direction of the first protrusion. The first protrusion retracts to a locking release position with respect to the first recess when receiving an external force, and protrudes by the biasing force of the first biasing member and moves to a locking possible position with respect to the first recess when the external force is released.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the refrigerator of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to configurations having the same or similar functions. And the overlapping descriptions of those configurations may be omitted.

[0008] In this specification, left and right are defined based on the direction in which the refrigerator is viewed from a user standing in front of the refrigerator. Also, the side closer to the user standing in front of the refrigerator as viewed from the refrigerator is defined as "front", and the side farther away is defined as "rear". In this specification, the "width direction" means the width direction Y in the above definition. In this specification, the "front-rear direction X" means the depth direction. In this specification, the "vertical direction" means the height direction of the refrigerator. Also, in the drawings, the front side and the front are indicated by the reference sign X1, and the rear side and the rear are indicated by the reference sign X2.

[0009] [Overall Configuration of Refrigerator] Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 of the embodiment will be described. First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be described. However, the refrigerator 1 does not necessarily have all of the configurations described below, and some configurations may be appropriately omitted.

[0010] The refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a housing and a plurality of doors. The housing has an inner box 10 that forms the inner surface of the housing and an outer box (not shown) that is located outside the inner box 10 and forms the outer surface of the housing. The inner box 10 has an upper wall surface 10a, a lower wall surface 10b, left and right side wall surfaces 10c, 10c, and a rear wall surface 10d. The upper wall surface 10a and the lower wall surface 10b extend in the horizontal direction. The left and right side wall surfaces 10c stand up upward from the left and right ends of the lower wall surface 10b and are connected to the left and right ends of the upper wall surface 10a. The rear wall surface 10d stands up upward from the rear end of the lower wall surface 10b and is connected to the rear end of the upper wall surface 10a.

[0011] A plurality of storage chambers 11 are provided inside the inner box 10. The plurality of storage chambers 11 include, for example, a refrigerating chamber 11A, a chilled chamber, a vegetable chamber 11B, and a freezing chamber 11C (an ice-making chamber, a small freezing chamber, and a main freezing chamber).

[0012] In this embodiment, the refrigerating chamber 11A is arranged at the uppermost part, the vegetable chamber 11B is arranged below the refrigerating chamber 11A, and the freezing chamber 11C is arranged below the vegetable chamber 11B. However, the arrangement of the storage chambers 11 is not limited to the above example. The inner box 10 has an opening on the front side of each storage chamber 11 that enables the loading and unloading of foodstuffs into and from each storage chamber 11.

[0013] The inner box 10 has a plurality of partition parts 15. In FIG. 1, only the partition part 15 that divides the vegetable compartment 11B and the freezer compartment 11C in the vertical direction is shown. The partition part 15 is, for example, a partition wall that extends along a substantially horizontal direction respectively.

[0014] The plurality of storage compartments 11 are closably closed by a plurality of doors (not shown). The plurality of doors 20 include, for example, the left and right refrigerator doors that close the opening of the refrigerator compartment 11A, the vegetable compartment door that closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 11B, and the freezer doors that close the openings of the respective compartments of the freezer compartment. The left and right refrigerator doors constitute, for example, French doors (butterfly doors). Each of the vegetable compartment door and the freezer doors is a pull-out door that can be pulled out to the front side of the refrigerator 1.

[0015] The refrigerator 1 is provided with a plurality of containers, flow path forming components, a cooling device, a control device, and the like. A movable shelf 30 (shelf) is provided in the refrigerator compartment 11A of the storage compartment 11.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of first recesses 41 are arranged in the vertical direction on the left and right side wall surfaces 11c of the storage compartment 11. A plurality of second recesses 42 are arranged in the vertical direction on the rear wall surface 11d of the storage compartment 11.

[0017] The first recess 41 is recessed inward from the side wall surface 11c of the storage compartment 11 and extends linearly and slenderly in the front-rear direction X. A plurality of first recesses 41 arranged in the vertical direction constitute a first rail portion 40A. The first recess 41 guides the movable shelf 30 in the vertical direction while restricting the position in the depth direction when moving the movable shelf 30 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) in the vertical direction.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the first recesses 41 arranged on the respective left and right side wall surfaces face each other in the width direction Y. A plurality of first recesses 41 arranged vertically on one side wall surface 11c extend in parallel with a predetermined interval therebetween. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the first rail portion 40A is arranged at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction X of the side wall surface 11c. The first rail portion 40A guides the vertical movement of the movable shelf 30 and regulates the vertical movement positions of the movable shelf 30 in multiple stages.

[0019] The first rail portion 40A has the plurality of first recesses 41 described above and a pair of locking guides 43 located on both sides in the front-rear direction X and extending vertically. The pair of locking guides 43 form the side surfaces in the front-rear direction X of the first rail portion 40A. The locking guide 43 regulates the position of the side edge portion in the front-rear direction X at the lockable position P1 (see Fig. 7) of the first protrusion 35 described later.

[0020] The first recesses 41 are provided on the respective left and right side wall surfaces 11a of the storage chamber 11. As shown in Fig. 7, the upper surface of the first recess 41 forms a first inclined surface 41a that slopes downward from the opening upper edge 41b to the bottom (lower surface 41c). The lower surface 41c of the first recess 41 forms a horizontal plane. The first recess 41 has a triangular shape in a side view seen from the front, in which the first inclined surface 41a slopes toward the lower surface 41c. The inclination angle formed by the first inclined surface 41a and the lower surface 41c is, for example, 45 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less. Thereby, the first rail portion 40A has a serrated concavo-convex structure.

[0021] The first inclined surface 41a locks the second inclined surface 35b of the first protrusion 35 described later from below. Further, the first inclined surface 41a is inclined so as to be able to press the second inclined surface 35b toward the unlocking position P2 as the second inclined surface 35b of the first protrusion 35 moves upward from the lockable position P1.

[0022] The quantity, vertical arrangement pitch, etc. of the plurality of first recesses 41 provided can be appropriately set according to the number of adjustment stages and the adjustment height of the movable shelf 30.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second recess 42 is recessed inward from the rear wall surface 11d of the storage chamber 11 and extends linearly and elongatedly in the width direction Y. A plurality of second recesses 42 arranged in the vertical direction constitute the second rail portion 40B. When moving the movable shelf 30 described later in the vertical direction, the second recess 42 guides the movable shelf 30 in the vertical direction while restricting the position in the width direction Y.

[0024] A plurality of second recesses 42 arranged vertically on the rear wall surface 11d extend in parallel with a predetermined interval therebetween. The second rail portion 40B is disposed at substantially the central portion in the width direction Y of the rear wall surface 11d. The second rail portion 40B guides the vertical movement of the movable shelf 30 and restricts the vertical movement position of the movable shelf 30 in multiple stages.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second rail portion 40B is provided on the rear wall surface 11d of the storage chamber 11. The upper surface of the second recess 42 forms a first inclined surface 42a that faces downward from the opening upper edge 42b to the bottom (lower surface 42c). The lower surface 42c of the second recess 42 forms a horizontal plane. The second recess 42 has a triangular shape in which the first inclined surface 42a inclines toward the lower surface 42c in a side view seen from the width direction Y. The inclination angle formed by the first inclined surface 42a and the lower surface 42c is, for example, 45 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less. Thereby, a serrated concavo-convex structure is formed in the second rail portion 40B.

[0026] The first inclined surface 42a locks the second inclined surface 51b of the second protrusion 51 described later from below. Further, the first inclined surface 42a is inclined so as to be able to press the second inclined surface 51b toward the unlocking position P2 as the second inclined surface 51b of the second protrusion 51 moves upward from the lockable position P1.

[0027] The quantity, vertical arrangement pitch, etc. of the plurality of provided second recesses 42 can be appropriately set according to the number of adjustment steps and the adjustment height of the movable shelf 30.

[0028] Next, the specific configuration of the movable shelf 30 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the movable shelf 30 is movable vertically along a pair of left and right first rail portions 40A and second rail portions 40B provided on the wall surfaces 11c and 11d of the storage chamber 11. The movable shelf 30 is fixed in the vertical position by engaging with any one of a plurality of first recesses 41 and second recesses 42 in each of the rail portions 40A and 40B.

[0029] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the movable shelf 30 includes a case body 31, an operation lever 32 (operation portion), a container 33, a holding frame body 34 (holding member), a first protruding portion 35, and a first biasing member 36. The case body 31 is in a flat plate shape formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The case body 31 includes a bottom substrate 310, a lower cover 311, and an upper cover 312.

[0030] The bottom substrate 310 forms part of the lower cover 311. The bottom substrate 310 has a length dimension in the front-rear direction X smaller than the length of the entire movable shelf 30 and a length dimension in the width direction Y the same as that of the entire movable shelf 30. An operation lever 32 is provided at the central portion in the width direction Y on the front lower surface of the bottom substrate 310. A container 33 and a holding frame body 34 that houses the first protruding portion 35 and the first biasing member 36 are assembled to the bottom substrate 310.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 10, the bottom substrate 310 has a guide portion 310B that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate 310A. The guide portion 310B includes a front guide portion 310Ba, a rear guide portion 310Bb, and side guide portions 310Bc. Inside the guide portion 310B, a container 33 arranged at the center and holding frame bodies 34 arranged on both the left and right sides of the container 33 are housed in a state without a gap in the width direction Y.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 6, the container 33 has a side edge portion 33a facing the side wall surface 11c of the storage chamber 11 and is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction X. The container 33 has a flat plate shape that is rectangular in plan view and is long in the width direction Y and fits inside the guide portion 310B of the bottom substrate 310. An operation lever 32 is integrally provided on the front lower surface 33b of the container 33.

[0033] In a plan view of the housing 33, an opening 33c is formed in the central portion, and it is supported by a bottom plate 310A (see FIG. 10) with a spring member 331 interposed therebetween. The spring member 331 is, for example, a compression coil spring. One end of the spring member 331 is supported by the bottom plate 310A, and the other end is supported by the housing 33. The spring member 331 biases the housing 33 to a lockable position P1 described later. That is, the housing 33 is held in the depth direction (rearward) within the frame portion 310B of the bottom substrate 310 by the biasing force of the spring member 331 at the lockable position P1. At this time, a gap is formed between the housing 33 and the front guide portion 310Ba of the bottom substrate 310.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, on one side edge portion 33a of the housing 33, a first protrusion 37 (transmission portion) having a mountain shape in a top view that protrudes convexly toward the side wall surface 11c is provided. A plurality (here, two) of the first protrusions 37 are provided at intervals along the side edge portion 33a of the housing 33. The pair of first protrusions 37 are arranged at positions sandwiching the center of the housing 33 in the front-rear direction X.

[0035] The front guide portion 310Ba of the bottom substrate 310 is formed with a notch portion 31a (see FIG. 6) in which the center in the width direction Y is cut out. As shown in FIG. 6, the operation lever 32 has a frame shape extending in the width direction Y. The operation lever 32 is provided to move the first protrusion 35 to the unlocking position P2 regardless of an external force F (see FIG. 7) described later. The operation lever 32 is exposed forward from the notch portion 31a so that a user can access the operation lever 32. By pulling the operation lever 32 forward X1, the housing 33 provided integrally with the operation lever 32 can also move forward X1 against the biasing force of the spring member 331.

[0036] The operation lever 32 is provided to move both the left and right first protrusions 35 to the unlocking position P2. Note that the operation lever 32 may be provided for each of the left and right first protrusions 35 and may be provided so that they can be operated separately.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 10, the holding frame 34 is disposed to face the side edge portion 33a of the housing 33 and is provided so as to be movable in the width direction Y. The holding frame 34 is a rectangular parallelepiped box that is long in the front-rear direction X in plan view. The first protruding portion 35 and the first biasing member 36 are accommodated in the holding frame 34.

[0038] An opening 34b is formed in the holding frame 34 on the side facing the side wall surface 11c of the storage chamber 11. The first protruding portion 35 is provided so as to be able to protrude from the opening 34b. When the first protruding portion 35 receives an external force F, it retracts to the unlocking position P2 with respect to the first recess 41, and when the external force F is released, it protrudes by the biasing force of the first biasing member 36 and moves to the locking position P1 where it can be locked to the first recess 41.

[0039] The holding frame 34 moves between a locking position P1 where the first protruding portion 35 is locked to the first recess 41 and an unlocking position P2 where it is not locked, enabling the movable shelf 30 to move in the vertical direction. The holding frame 34 is provided between the bottom substrate 310 and the upper cover 312. The holding frame 34 has an inner wall surface 340 facing the side edge portion 33a of the housing 33. The inner wall surface 340 is spaced apart from the side edge portion 33a at the locking position P1.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 10, the holding frame 34 is provided so as to be able to protrude from the left and right side surfaces of the movable shelf 30, and includes a first protruding portion 35 that can be locked to each of the first recesses 41, and a first biasing member 36 that applies a biasing force in the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 35.

[0041] The holding frame 34 is provided so as to be movable in the width direction Y. Spring members 341 are provided on both the front and rear sides in the plan view of the holding frame 34. The spring member 341 is, for example, a compression coil spring. One end of the spring member 341 is supported by the side guide portion 310Bc of the bottom substrate 310, and the other end is supported by the inner wall surface 340 of the holding frame 34. That is, the holding frame 34 is supported by the bottom substrate 310 with the spring member 341 interposed therebetween. The spring member 341 biases the holding frame 34 in the direction to the unlocking position P2. That is, at the unlocking position P2, the holding frame 34 is held at a position where the first protruding portion 35 accommodated in the holding frame 34 retreats from the first recess 41 in the direction approaching the housing 33 by the biasing force of the spring member 341. At this time, a gap is formed between the holding frame 34 and the side guide portion 310Bc of the bottom substrate 310.

[0042] On the inner wall surface 340 of the holding frame 34, there is provided a second protruding portion 38 (transmission portion) in a mountain shape in a top view that protrudes convexly toward the side edge portion 33a of the housing 33. A plurality (here, two) of the second protruding portions 38 are provided at intervals along the wall surface 340 without the holding frame 34. The pair of second protruding portions 38 are arranged at positions sandwiching the center of the holding frame 34 in the front-rear direction X.

[0043] When the operation lever 32 is not operated, the first protruding portion 37 and the second protruding portion 38 are in contact with each other at their respective top portions 37a and 38a. When the housing 33 is moved forward during the operation of the operation lever 32, the top portions 37a and 38a of the first protruding portion 37 and the second protruding portion 38 are in a non-contact state, and the holding frame 34 moves in the direction approaching the housing 33 so that the first protruding portion 35 reaches the unlocking position P2.

[0044] The first protruding portion 35 is integrally provided on a flat plate portion 351 that extends in the front-rear direction X and is movable in the width direction Y inside the holding frame 34. The flat plate portion 351 is arranged with its plane portion orthogonal to the width direction Y. On the outer surface 351a of the flat plate portion 351, the first protruding portion 35 that extends in the front-rear direction X is provided.

[0045] A pair of first biasing members 36 are disposed between the inner surface 351b of the flat plate portion 351 and the inner wall surface 342 of the holding frame 34. The first protrusion 35 is biased in the protruding direction by the biasing force of the first biasing member 36 together with the flat plate portion 351. The first biasing member 36 is, for example, a compression coil spring. One end 36a of the first biasing member 36 is supported by the flat plate portion 351, and the other end 36b is supported by the inner wall surface 340 of the holding frame 34. That is, the first protrusion 35 is supported by the inner wall surface 340 of the holding frame 34 with the first biasing member 36 interposed therebetween.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, the first protrusion 35 has a rectangular shape in plan view that is long in the front-rear direction X. The upper surface of the locking tip portion 35a of the first protrusion 35 forms a second inclined surface 35b that follows the first inclined surface 41a of the first recess 41. The second inclined surface 35b is an inclined surface that gradually approaches the side wall surface 11c from the upper end to the lower end. The second inclined surface 35b is formed over the entire length of the first protrusion 35 in the front-rear direction X. By moving the movable shelf 30 upward, an external force F is generated and the second inclined surface 35b moves along the first inclined surface 41a. Here, the external force F generated in the first protrusion 35 is a force that moves the first protrusion 35 in a direction to retract to the side opposite to the protruding direction.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rear edge portion 30b of the movable shelf 30 includes a holder portion 50, a second protrusion 51, and a second biasing member 52. The holder portion 50 is fixed to the lower cover 311 or the upper cover 312. The holder portion 50 is a rectangular parallelepiped box that is long in the width direction Y in plan view. The second protrusion 51 and the second biasing member 52 are accommodated in the holder portion 50.

[0048] An opening 50a is formed in the holder portion 50 on the side facing the rear wall surface 11d of the storage chamber 11. The second protrusion 51 is provided so as to be able to protrude from the opening 50a. When the second protrusion 51 receives an external force F, it retracts to the unlocking position P2 with respect to the second recess 42, and when the external force F is released, it protrudes by the biasing force of the second biasing member 52 and moves to the locking position P1 with respect to the second recess 42.

[0049] The holder portion 50 is provided so as to be able to project from the trailing edge portion 30b of the movable shelf 30, and includes a second projecting portion 51 that can be locked to the second recessed portion 42, and a second biasing member 52 that applies a biasing force in the projecting direction of the second projecting portion 51.

[0050] A pair of second biasing members 52 are arranged between the proximal end 51c of the second projecting portion 51 and the holder portion 50. The second projecting portion 51 is biased in the projecting direction by the biasing force of the second biasing member 52. The second biasing member 52 is, for example, a compression coil spring. One end 52a of the second biasing member 52 is supported by the second projecting portion 51, and the other end 52b is supported by the holder portion 50. That is, the second projecting portion 51 is supported by the holder portion 50 with the second biasing member 52 interposed therebetween.

[0051] The second projecting portion 51 has a rectangular shape in plan view that is long in the width direction Y. The upper surface of the locking tip portion 51a of the second projecting portion 51 forms a second inclined surface 51b that follows the first inclined surface 42a of the second recessed portion 42. The second inclined surface 51b is an inclined surface that gradually faces the rear wall surface 11d from the upper end to the lower end. The second inclined surface 51b is formed over the entire width direction Y of the second projecting portion 51. The second inclined surface 51b moves along the first inclined surface 42a by generating an external force F when the movable shelf 30 is moved upward. Here, the external force F generated in the second projecting portion 51 is a force that moves in a direction to retract to the side opposite to the projecting direction of the second projecting portion 51. Note that, in the present embodiment, since the second projecting portion 51 is not structured to be interlocked with the operation lever 32, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of components such as the transmission drive portion.

[0052] Next, the operation of the movable shelf 30 described above will be described. As shown in Fig. 11(a), at the lockable position P1 of the first protruding portion 35, the position of the holding frame body 34 in the width direction Y is fixed. In contrast, although the first protruding portion 35 is biased by the biasing force of the first biasing member 36 inside the holding frame body 34, it is movable in the direction away from the side wall surface 11c of the storage chamber 11 in the width direction Y (retreat direction E2). Therefore, when the locking tip portion 35a of the first protruding portion 35 is pressed in the retreat direction E2 with a force greater than the biasing force of the first biasing member 36, the first protruding portion 35 moves in the retreat direction E2. In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11(b), the first protruding portion 35 is movable such that its tip (locking tip portion 35a) moves into a state of retracting inside the holding frame body 34 (locking release position P2).

[0053] Next, as shown in Fig. 11(b), the user can raise the movable shelf 30 by performing the pushing-up operation and the unlocking operation described below. The pushing-up operation is an operation in which the user applies an external force F in the retreat direction E2 to the first protruding portion 35 of the movable shelf 30 to move it upward. The user may apply force to any part of the movable shelf 30, but when the user places a hand on the lower surface (lower cover 311) of the movable shelf 30 and pushes up the entire movable shelf 30, an upward force is applied near the locking position of the first protruding portion 35, and an external force F is applied to the first protruding portion 35, so a smoother operation is possible. When pushing up the lower surface of the movable shelf 30, for example, compared with the case of gripping and lifting the upper end portion of the movable shelf 30, it is easier to apply force, and even a user of short stature can easily move the movable shelf 30.

[0054] When the user pushes up the movable shelf 30, as shown in Fig. 7, the second inclined surface 35b of the first protruding portion 35 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 41a of the first recess 41, and due to the horizontal component of the reaction force from the first inclined surface 41a, the first protruding portion 35 is pushed into the inside of the holding frame 34 (retreat direction E2) against the biasing force of the first biasing member 36. As a result, the first protruding portion 35 reaches the unlocking position P2. Further, when the first protruding portion 35 reaches the upper first recess 41 due to the upward push of the movable shelf 30, the reaction force that pushes the first protruding portion 35 in the retreat direction E2 from the first inclined surface 41a disappears, so the first protruding portion 35 protrudes outside the holding frame 34. That is, if the user releases their hand from the movable shelf 30 and stops the upward push operation, the first protruding portion 35 reaches the lockable position P1 and locks into the first recess 41. Since the first protruding portion 35 at the lockable position P1 abuts against the lower surface 41c of the first recess 41 from above, the movable shelf 30 is fixed at a desired height position without falling. By such an upward push operation, the user can raise the movable shelf 30 and lock the movable shelf 30 into the upper first recess 41.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 9, the second protruding portion 51 disposed on the rear end surface of the movable shelf 30 also moves between the unlocking position P2 and the lockable position P1 with respect to the second recess 42 by the same operation as the first protruding portion 35, so that the movable shelf 30 can be raised.

[0056] In the upward push operation, the movable shelf 30 can be locked higher, but the movable shelf 30 cannot be lowered. For this reason, for example, even if the user removes their hand from the movable shelf 30 before reaching the upper first recess 41, the first protruding portion 35 is surely locked to the nearest lower first recess 41. Therefore, in the upward push operation, the movable shelf 30 is prevented from falling.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 11(c), the unlocking operation is an operation that forcibly releases the locking state of the first recess 41 by the first protruding portion 35. When the operation lever 32 of the movable shelf 30 is pulled forward by the user to X1, as shown in FIG. 10, the housing 33 provided integrally with the operation lever 32 also moves forward to X1 against the biasing force of the spring member 331. At this time, the pair of front and rear first protrusions 37 provided on the side edge portion 33a of the housing 33 also move forward to X1. As a result, the contact state between the top portion 37a of the first protrusion 37 and the top portion 38a of the second protrusion 38 provided on the holding frame 34 is released, and the holding frame 34 moves in the retracting direction E2 by the biasing force of the spring member 341. Then, the first protrusion 35 and the first biasing member 36 housed in the holding frame 34 also move and are retracted in the retracting direction E2 together with the holding frame 34, so that the first protrusion 35 comes out of the outside of the first recess 41 and reaches the unlocking position P2. At this time, since the spring members 341 are arranged at two positions in the front-rear direction X, the biasing force by the spring members 341 is uniform in the front-rear direction X, and the first protrusion 35 moves in parallel in the retracting direction E2.

[0058] In this embodiment, at the unlocking position P2 of the first protrusion 35, although the first protrusion 35 retracts inside the holding frame 34, as long as it cannot contact the first recess 41, the first protrusion 35 cannot be locked to the first recess 41, so the first protrusion 35 may slightly protrude from the holding frame 34.

[0059] As a result, the regulation of the vertical movement of the movable shelf 30 is eliminated, and the movable shelf 30 becomes movable in the vertical direction. Therefore, the user can lower the movable shelf 30 to a desired height while maintaining the state of pulling the operation lever 32. In this embodiment, since the second protrusion 51 is locked to the second recess 42 at the rear edge portion 30b of the movable shelf 30, when lowering the movable shelf 30, the entire movable shelf 30 is moved forward so as to reach the unlocking position P2 where the second protrusion 51 comes out of the second recess 42, and then lowered.

[0060] Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11(c), after stopping the movable shelf 30 at a desired height, the movable shelf 30 is moved rearward to lock the second protruding portion 51 on the rear end surface of the movable shelf 30 to the second recessed portion 42. Then, when the user releases their hand from the operation lever 32, the housing 33 moves rearward due to the biasing force of the spring member 331. As a result, while the pair of first protruding portions 37 also move rearward, the second protruding portion 38 provided on the holding frame 34 is pushed out in the protruding direction E1, and returns to the position where the top portion 37a of the first protruding portion 37 and the top portion 38a of the second protruding portion 38 are in contact. At this time, the holding frame 34 moves in the protruding direction E1 against the biasing force of the spring member 341. As a result, the first protruding portion 35 and the first biasing member 36 housed inside the holding frame 34 also move in the protruding direction E1 at the same time. That is, the first protruding portion 35 protrudes from the side surface of the movable shelf 30 to reach the lockable position P1, and locks into the first recessed portion 41, so that the movable shelf 30 is fixed at the desired height.

[0061] Next, the effects of the refrigerator 1 will be described. In the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, there are provided a storage chamber 11, a movable shelf 30 provided in the storage chamber 11, first recessed portions 41 provided on the left and right side wall surfaces 11c of the storage chamber 11, first protruding portions 35 that are provided so as to be able to protrude from the left and right side surfaces of the movable shelf 30 and can be locked to the respective first recessed portions 41, and a first biasing member 36 that applies a biasing force in the direction in which the first protruding portion 35 protrudes. When the first protruding portion 35 receives an external force F, it retracts to the unlocking position P2 with respect to the first recessed portion 41, and when the external force F is released, it protrudes due to the biasing force of the first biasing member 36 and moves to the lockable position P1 with respect to the first recessed portion 41.

[0062] In the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, the first protruding portion 35 that has come out of the locked state with the first recess 41 and reached the unlocking position P2 due to receiving an external force F can be returned to the lockable position P1 where it is locked with the first recess 41 by the first biasing member 36. Therefore, for example, when raising the movable shelf 30, the user can lift the movable shelf 30 from below to generate an external force F on the first protruding portion 35 and move it from the lockable position P1 to the unlocking position P2. Then, by moving the movable shelf 30 in the vertical direction when it is at the unlocking position P2, the first protruding portion 35 can be locked to another first recess 41 located in the vertical direction to adjust the height of the movable shelf 30. In this way, as a support structure for fixing the movable shelf 30 at a desired height in the storage chamber 11, the first protruding portion 35 and the first biasing member 36 can be used to easily move the movable shelf 30 in the vertical direction without performing an operation of taking out the movable shelf 30 from the storage chamber 11. Therefore, the height in the vertical direction can be adjusted without once removing the movable shelf 30 from the storage chamber 11, and a refrigerator 1 with rich storage variations and excellent usability can be provided.

[0063] In the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, the upper surface of the first recess 41 forms a first inclined surface 41a that faces downward from the upper edge 41b of the opening to the lower surface 41c. The upper surface of the locking tip portion 35a of the first protruding portion 35 forms a second inclined surface 35b that follows the first inclined surface 41a. By moving the movable shelf 30 upward, an external force F is generated and the second inclined surface 35b moves along the first inclined surface 41a. In the present embodiment, an operation portion for moving the first protruding portion 35 in the retracting direction E2 against the biasing force of the first biasing member 36 is not required, and without performing an operation of moving the movable shelf 30 forward in the X1 direction, the user can simply lift the movable shelf 30, and the second inclined surface 35b of the first protruding portion 35 is pressed against the first inclined surface 41a of the first recess 41 to apply an external force F to the first protruding portion 35. As a result, the first protruding portion 35 moves to the unlocking position P2, and the movable shelf 30 can be moved upward. Then, when no external force F is acting on the first protruding portion 35, it protrudes by the first biasing member 36 to reach the lockable position P1 and is locked to the first recess 41.

[0064] In the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, an operation lever 32 for moving the first protrusion 35 to the unlocking position P2 is provided on the front lower surface 33b of the movable shelf 30. Therefore, the user can easily operate the operation lever 32 disposed on the front lower surface 33b of the movable shelf 30, and by operating only this operation lever 32, the first protrusion 35 can be moved to the unlocking position P2 to be disengaged from the first recess 41.

[0065] In the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, a first protrusion 37 and a second protrusion 38 for moving the first protrusion 35 to the unlocking position P2 by operating the operation lever 32 without receiving an external force F are provided. A plurality of the first protrusions 37 and the second protrusions 38 are arranged in the front-rear direction X of the movable shelf 30.

[0066] As a result, since a plurality of the first protrusions 37 and the second protrusions 38 for transmitting the operation of the operation lever 32 to the first protrusion 35 are provided in the front-rear direction X respectively, the length dimension of the first protrusion 35 in the front-rear direction X can be increased. Therefore, the locking length in the front-rear direction X between the first protrusion 35 and the first recess 41 can be set to be long, and the posture of the movable shelf 30 supported by the first protrusion 35 can be stabilized. Thereby, the load received by the movable shelf 30 can be reliably supported. Further, by setting the locking length in the front-rear direction X between the first protrusion 35 and the first recess 41 to be long, when lifting the front portion of the movable shelf 30, the rear portion of the movable shelf 30 can be prevented from lowering and tilting, and the stored items on the shelf can be prevented from moving rearward.

[0067] In the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, the operation lever 32 moves the first protrusion 35 provided on the left side surface of the movable shelf 30 and the first protrusion 35 provided on the right side surface of the movable shelf 30 to the unlocking position P2. In this case, with one operation lever 32, an operation of moving both the pair of left and right first protrusions 35 to the unlocking position P2 can be performed. Therefore, the user can operate the operation lever 32 with one hand and support the movable shelf 30 with the other hand to adjust the height of the movable shelf 30, and the work efficiency can be improved.

[0068] In the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, a second recess 42 provided on the rear wall surface 11d of the storage chamber 11 and a second protrusion 51 provided so as to be protrudable from the rear surface of the movable shelf 30 and engageable with the second recess 42 are provided. In the present embodiment, since the second recess 42 is also provided on the rear wall surface 11d in the storage chamber 11, the second protrusion 51 provided at the rear edge 30b of the movable shelf 30 can be locked to the second recess 42. In this case, the side portions of the movable shelf 30 are supported by the pair of first protrusions 35 on both sides in the width direction Y described above, and the rear portion of the movable shelf 30 is further supported by the second protrusion 51. Therefore, the movable shelf 30 fixed at a desired height can be supported in a stable posture.

[0069] In the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, a second biasing member 52 that applies a biasing force in a direction of locking to the second recess 42 with respect to the second protrusion 51 is provided. When the second protrusion 51 receives an external force F, it retracts to the unlocking position P2 with respect to the second recess 42, and when the external force F is released, it protrudes by the biasing of the second biasing member 52 and moves to the locking position P1 where it can be locked to the second recess 42. Thereby, the second protrusion 51 that has been disengaged from the locked state with the second recess 42 and has reached the unlocking position P2 due to the external force F can be returned to the locking position P1 where it can be locked to the second recess 42 by the second biasing member 52. Therefore, for example, when the movable shelf 30 is lifted, the user can lift the movable shelf 30 from below to generate an external force F on the second protrusion 51 and move it from the locking position P1 to the unlocking position P2.

[0070] According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that is rich in storage variations, has excellent usability, and can improve the operability related to height adjustment.

[0071] As described above, the embodiment of the refrigerator according to the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist thereof.

[0072] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the one operation lever 32 (operation unit) is configured to be commonly provided for the left and right first protruding portions 35, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an operation unit corresponding to each of the left and right first protruding portions 35 may be provided. In this case, the structure is suitable for the way of operating the operation unit with both hands. That is, both operation units can be reliably supported by both hands. Further, the operation unit and the housing 33 can be provided on each of the pair of left and right first protruding portions 35, and the shelf portion between these mechanisms can be a transparent shelf, and the lower side of the shelf can be seen through from the upper side.

[0073] Further, the second protruding portion 51 provided at the rear end portion of the movable shelf 30 may not be configured to be biased by the second biasing member 52 as in the above-described embodiment, but may be fixed in a state of protruding from the rear surface of the movable shelf 30. In this case, the movable shelf 30 is provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction X, and when the movable shelf 30 is moved forward, the second protruding portion 51 is retracted to the unlocking position P2 with respect to the second recess 42. In this case, since the second protruding portion 51 is fixed, the user moves the entire movable shelf 30 forward to release the engagement between the second protruding portion 51 and the second recess 42 and retracts to the unlocking position P2. The movable shelf 30 can move up and down.

[0074] Further, the configuration of the rail portion 40 provided on the side wall surface 11c and the rear wall surface 11d of the storage chamber 11 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as in the first modification shown in FIG. 12, the first recesses 41 may be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction X. In this case, since two first protruding portions 35 are also provided in the front-rear direction X, the pair of first protruding portions 35 are respectively locked to the first recesses 41, so that the movable shelf 30 is more reliably supported.

[0075] Furthermore, in the second modification example shown in FIG. 13, on the left and right side wall surfaces 11c of the storage chamber 11, a pair of roller engagement grooves 60A and 60B extending in the vertical direction are provided on both sides in the front-rear direction X of a plurality of first recesses 41 arranged in the vertical direction. A roller portion 61 (the guided portion) guided by each of the roller engagement grooves 60A and 60B is provided on the movable shelf 30. The roller engagement groove has a front roller engagement groove 60A (front guiding portion) and a rear roller engagement groove 60B (rear guiding portion). In the second modification example, when moving the movable shelf 30 in the vertical direction, the roller portion 61 can be guided by the roller engagement grooves 60A and 60B to move in a stable posture. Note that the roller engagement grooves 60A and 60B are not limited to being arranged on both sides of the plurality of first recesses 41, and may be provided inside the plurality of first recesses 41.

[0076] Furthermore, the shapes, thicknesses, lengths, and other dimensions of the movable shelf 30, the housing 33, the holding frame 34, the first protrusion 35, and the second protrusion 51 are not limited to those of the above-described embodiment, and can be set as appropriate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0077] 1... refrigerator, 11... storage chamber, 11A... refrigerating chamber, 30... movable shelf, 31... case body, 32... operation lever (operation portion), 33... housing, 331... spring member, 34... holding frame (holding member), 341... spring member, 35... first protrusion, 36... first biasing member, 37... first protrusion portion (transmission portion), 37a... top portion, 38... second protrusion portion (transmission portion), 38a... top portion, 40... rail portion, 41... first recess, 42... second recess, 50... holder portion, 51... second protrusion, 52... second biasing member, 60A, 60B... roller engagement grooves, 61... roller portion (guided portion), E1... protruding direction, E2... retracting direction, F... external force, P1... lockable position, P2... unlocking position.

Claims

1. A storage room, a shelf provided in the storage room, first recesses provided on respective left and right side wall surfaces of the storage room, first protrusions provided so as to be protrudable from left and right side surfaces of the shelf and engageable with respective ones of the first recesses, a first biasing member that applies a biasing force in a direction in which the first protrusions protrude, and the first protrusions retract to a disengaged position with respect to the first recesses when receiving an external force, and protrude by the biasing force of the first biasing member and move to an engageable position with respect to the first recesses when the external force is released, a refrigerator.

2. An upper surface of the first recess forms a first inclined surface that slopes downward from an opening side toward a bottom, an upper surface of a locking tip portion of the first protrusion forms a second inclined surface that follows the first inclined surface, By moving the shelf upward, the external force is generated and the second inclined surface moves along the first inclined surface, the refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. An operation portion for moving the first protrusion to the disengaged position is provided on a lower surface of a front side of the shelf, the refrigerator according to claim 1.

4. A transmission portion is provided for moving the first protrusion to the disengaged position by an operation of the operation portion without receiving the external force, the transmission portions are arranged in a plurality in a front - rear direction of the shelf, the refrigerator according to claim 3.

5. The operation portion moves the first protrusion provided on a left side surface of the shelf and the first protrusion provided on a right side surface of the shelf to the disengaged position, the refrigerator according to claim 3.

6. The operation portion is provided on each of the left and right first protrusions, the refrigerator according to claim 3.

7. a second recess provided on a rear wall surface of the storage room, a second protrusion provided so as to be protrudable from a rear surface of the shelf and engageable with the second recess, the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A second biasing member that applies a biasing force in a direction in which the second protrusion engages with the second recess is provided, the second protrusion retracts to the disengaged position with respect to the second recess when receiving an external force, and protrudes by the biasing of the second biasing member and moves to an engageable position with respect to the second recess when the external force is released, the refrigerator according to claim 7.

9. The second protrusion is fixed in a state of protruding from a rear surface of the shelf, the shelf is provided so as to be movable in a front - rear direction, The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein when the shelf is moved forward, the second protruding portion retracts to the unlocking position with respect to the second recessed portion.

10. On the left and right side wall surfaces of the storage chamber, a front guide portion and a rear guide portion extending in the vertical direction are provided. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the shelf is provided with a guided portion guided by the front guide portion and the rear guide portion.

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