Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that can be arranged in a narrow space.SOLUTION: A refrigerator according to an embodiment comprises a case including housing parts, and a plurality of drawer doors housed in the housing parts so as to be capable of being advanced and retreated in a front-back direction. The case comprises a left side wall constituting a left end, and a right side wall constituting a right end. The plurality of drawer doors is arranged in a vertical direction. The plurality of drawer doors comprises storage parts capable of storing articles. The storage parts comprise shelves opened on at least one of left and right sides. The storage parts are advanced and retreated in the front-back direction along left guide parts provided on the side of an inner surface of the left side wall, and right guide parts provided on the side of an inner surface of the right side wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Refrigerators having a rotating door or a drawer door are known. By the way, the refrigerator may preferably have a narrow width.

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 can be arranged in a narrow space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The refrigerator of the embodiment has a housing including a storage section and a plurality of drawer doors that are retractably stored in the storage section in the front-rear direction. The housing has a left side wall that constitutes the left end and a right side wall that constitutes the right end. The plurality of drawer doors are arranged in the vertical direction. The plurality of drawer doors have a storage section in which objects can be stored. The storage section has a shelf with at least one of the left and right sides open. The storage section moves forward and backward along a left guide provided on the inner surface side of the left side wall and a right guide provided on the inner side surface of the right side wall.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0008] In this specification, the left and right are defined based on the direction of viewing the refrigerator 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 far side as "rear". In this specification, the "lateral direction" means the left - right direction in the above - defined sense. In this specification, the "depth direction" means the front - rear direction in the above - defined sense. In the drawings, the +X direction is the right direction, the -X direction is the left direction, the +Y direction is the rear direction, the -Y direction is the front direction, the +Z direction is the upward direction, and the -Z direction is the downward direction.

[0009] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment will be described. First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 100 will be described. However, the refrigerator 100 does not necessarily have all of the configurations described below, and some configurations may be appropriately omitted.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the refrigerator 100. The refrigerator 100 is a refrigerator in which all the doors are composed of a plurality of drawer doors 3, a plurality of drawer doors 3 are provided in the vertical direction, and a single drawer door 3 is provided in the lateral direction. The refrigerator 100 includes a housing 1, a plurality of drawer doors 3, a refrigeration cycle device 7, and a control board 8.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the refrigerator 100. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the refrigerator 100 excluding the plurality of drawer doors 3. The housing 1 has an upper wall 11, a lower wall 12, a left side wall 13, a right side wall 14, and a rear wall 15. The upper wall 11 and the lower wall 12 extend substantially horizontally. The left side wall 13 stands up upward from the left end of the lower wall 12 and is connected to the left end of the upper wall 11. The left side wall 13 constitutes the left end of the housing 1. The right side wall 14 stands up upward from the right end of the lower wall 12 and is connected to the right end of the upper wall 11. The right side wall 14 constitutes the right end of the housing 1. The rear wall 15 stands up upward from the rear end of the lower wall 12 and is connected to the rear end of the upper wall 11.

[0012] The housing 1 has an inner box 16, an outer box 17, and a heat insulating portion 18. The inner box 16 is a member that forms the inner surface of the housing 1. The outer box 17 is a member that forms the outer surface of the housing 1. The outer box 17 is formed to be slightly larger than the inner box 16 and is disposed outside the inner box 16. A heat insulating portion 18 including a foamed heat insulating material such as urethane foam is provided between the inner box 16 and the outer box 17.

[0013] A plurality of storage portions 2 are provided inside the housing 1. The plurality of storage portions 2 include a refrigerating compartment 21, a switching compartment 22, and a freezing compartment 23. In the present embodiment, the refrigerating compartment 21 is disposed at the uppermost stage, the switching compartment 22 is disposed below the refrigerating compartment 21, and the freezing compartment 23 is disposed below the switching compartment 22. The housing 1 has an opening on the front side of the plurality of storage portions 2 that enables food to be taken in and out of the plurality of storage portions 2. The switching compartment 22 is a storage portion in which the user can appropriately set the temperature inside the compartment.

[0014] The plurality of storage compartments 2 are divided so as to be able to separately store a plurality of drawer doors 3. The plurality of storage compartments 2 are divided into a plurality of temperature zones including a refrigerating temperature zone and a freezing temperature zone lower than the refrigerating temperature zone for each place where the plurality of drawer doors 3 are stored. The temperature of the refrigerating compartment 21 is in the refrigerating temperature zone. The temperature of the freezing compartment 23 is in the freezing temperature zone. The temperature of the switching compartment 22 can be switched between the refrigerating temperature zone and the freezing temperature zone.

[0015] The refrigerating compartment 21 has an upper wall 211, a lower wall 212, a left side wall 213, a right side wall 214, and a rear wall 215. The upper wall 211 and the lower wall 212 extend substantially horizontally. The left side wall 213 stands up upward from the left end of the lower wall 212 and is connected to the left end of the upper wall 211. The right side wall 214 stands up upward from the right end of the lower wall 212 and is connected to the right end of the upper wall 211. The rear wall 215 stands up upward from the rear end of the lower wall 212 and is connected to the rear end of the upper wall 211. The left side wall 213 has an inner surface 213s. The right side wall 214 has an inner surface 214s. In the present embodiment, the refrigerating compartment 21 is formed from the left end to the right end of the housing 1. In the present embodiment, the left side wall 213 of the refrigerating compartment 21 is a part of the left side wall 13 that constitutes the left end of the housing 1. In the present embodiment, the right side wall 214 of the refrigerating compartment 21 is a part of the right side wall 14 that constitutes the right end of the housing 1.

[0016] On the inner surface 213s of the left side wall 213 of the refrigerating compartment 21, a left guide portion 213r for movably holding a refrigerating compartment door 4 described later is provided. The left guide portion 213r extends in the depth direction. The left guide portion 213r supports the refrigerating compartment door 4 described later from the left side. The left guide portion 213r is provided so that the left guided portion 412a of the refrigerating compartment door 4 described later can advance and retreat in the depth direction.

[0017] On the inner surface 214s of the right side wall 214 of the refrigerating compartment 21, a right guide portion 214r for movably holding a refrigerating compartment door 4 described later is provided. The right guide portion 214r extends in the depth direction. The right guide portion 214r supports the refrigerating compartment door 4 described later from the right side. The right guide portion 214r is provided so that the right guided portion 412b of the refrigerating compartment door 4 described later can advance and retreat in the depth direction.

[0018] The switching chamber 22 has an upper wall 221, a lower wall 222, a left side wall 223, a right side wall 224, and a rear wall 225. The upper wall 221 and the lower wall 222 extend substantially horizontally. The left side wall 223 stands up upward from the left end of the lower wall 222 and is connected to the left end of the upper wall 221. The right side wall 224 stands up upward from the right end of the lower wall 222 and is connected to the right end of the upper wall 221. The rear wall 225 stands up upward from the rear end of the lower wall 222 and is connected to the rear end of the upper wall 221. The left side wall 223 has an inner surface 223s. The right side wall 224 has an inner surface 224s. In the present embodiment, the switching chamber 22 is formed from the left end to the right end of the housing 1. In the present embodiment, the left side wall 223 of the switching chamber 22 is a part of the left side wall 13 that constitutes the left end of the housing 1. In the present embodiment, the right side wall 224 of the switching chamber 22 is a part of the right side wall 14 that constitutes the right end of the housing 1.

[0019] On the inner surface 223s of the left side wall 223 of the switching chamber 22, a left guide portion 223r that movably holds a switching chamber door 5 described later is provided. The left guide portion 223r extends in the depth direction. The left guide portion 223r supports the switching chamber door 5 described later from the left side. The left guide portion 223r is provided with a left guided portion 512a of the switching chamber door 5 described later so as to be able to advance and retreat in the depth direction.

[0020] On the inner surface 224s of the right side wall 224 of the switching chamber 22, a right guide portion 224r that movably holds a switching chamber door 5 described later is provided. The right guide portion 224r extends in the depth direction. The right guide portion 224r supports the switching chamber door 5 described later from the right side. The right guide portion 224r is provided with a right guided portion 512b of the switching chamber door 5 described later so as to be able to advance and retreat in the depth direction.

[0021] The freezer compartment 23 has an upper wall 231, a lower wall 232, a left side wall 233, a right side wall 234, and a rear wall 235. The upper wall 231 and the lower wall 232 extend substantially horizontally. The left side wall 233 stands up upward from the left end of the lower wall 232 and is connected to the left end of the upper wall 231. The right side wall 234 stands up upward from the right end of the lower wall 232 and is connected to the right end of the upper wall 231. The rear wall 235 stands up upward from the rear end of the lower wall 232 and is connected to the rear end of the upper wall 231. The left side wall 233 has an inner surface 233s. The right side wall 234 has an inner surface 234s. In the present embodiment, the freezer compartment 23 is formed from the left end to the right end of the housing 1. In the present embodiment, the left side wall 233 of the freezer compartment 23 is a part of the left side wall 13 that constitutes the left end of the housing 1. In the present embodiment, the right side wall 234 of the freezer compartment 23 is a part of the right side wall 14 that constitutes the right end of the housing 1.

[0022] On the inner surface 233s of the left side wall 233 of the freezer compartment 23, a left guide portion 233r for movably holding the freezer compartment door 6 described later is provided. The left guide portion 233r extends in the depth direction. The left guide portion 233r supports the freezer compartment door 6 described later from the left side. The left guide portion 233r is provided with a left guided portion 612a of the freezer compartment door 6 described later so as to be able to advance and retreat in the depth direction.

[0023] On the inner surface 234s of the right side wall 234 of the freezer compartment 23, a right guide portion 234r for movably holding the freezer compartment door 6 described later is provided. The right guide portion 234r extends in the depth direction. The right guide portion 234r supports the freezer compartment door 6 described later from the right side. The right guide portion 234r is provided with a right guided portion 612b of the freezer compartment door 6 described later so as to be able to advance and retreat in the depth direction.

[0024] The openings of the plurality of storage compartments 2 are closably closed by a plurality of drawer doors 3. The plurality of drawer doors 3 are arranged in the vertical direction. The plurality of drawer doors 3 open and close the openings of the plurality of storage compartments 2 by advancing and retracting in the depth direction. The plurality of drawer doors 3 include a refrigerator door 4 that closes the opening of the refrigerator compartment 21, a switching compartment door 5 that closes the opening of the switching compartment 22, and a freezer door 6 that closes the opening of the freezer compartment 23. In the present embodiment, the refrigerator door 4 is the uppermost drawer door, and the freezer door 6 is the lowermost drawer door.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the plurality of drawer doors 3. However, in the present embodiment, the refrigerator door 4 and the switching compartment door 5 are not provided with wheels 62w. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the plurality of drawer doors 3. However, in the present embodiment, the refrigerator door 4 and the switching compartment door 5 are not provided with wheels 62w.

[0026] The refrigerator door 4 has a storage portion 41 capable of storing objects and a front plate 42 attached to the front side of the storage portion 41. The refrigerator door 4 advances and retracts in the depth direction along a left guide portion 213r provided on the inner surface 213s of the left side wall 213 of the refrigerator compartment 21 and a right guide portion 214r provided on the inner surface 214s of the right side wall 214 of the refrigerator compartment 21. In the present embodiment, the refrigerator door 4 is only one in the lateral width direction.

[0027] The storage portion 41 of the refrigerator door 4 has a lower wall 412, a rear wall 415, and a shelf board 416. The lower wall 412 and the shelf board 416 extend substantially horizontally. The rear wall 415 stands upward from the rear end portion of the lower wall 412. The shelf board 416 extends rearward from the rear surface 42s of the front plate 42 and is connected to the front surface of the rear wall.

[0028] The storage part 41 of the refrigerator door has a shelf 43 with at least one of the left and right sides open. The shelf 43 includes a lower wall 412 and a shelf board 416, and items can be stored on the lower wall 412 and the shelf board 416. In the storage part 41 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right side is open. Here, being open means that at least the whole of one of the left and right sides of the storage part 41 may be open as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, or only a part may be open. If it is possible to take out or store the items stored in the storage part 41 from at least one of the left and right sides, it is considered open.

[0029] The storage part 41 of the refrigerator door 4 may have a transverse wall 413. In the drawer door 3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the storage part 41 of the refrigerator door 4 has a transverse wall 413. The transverse wall 413 is attached to one side of either the left or right side of the storage part 41. In the drawer door 3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transverse wall 413 is attached to the left side.

[0030] At least one of the left and right sides of the storage part 41 of the refrigerator door 4 is open. In the drawer door 3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right side of the storage part 41 of the refrigerator door 4 is open.

[0031] The front plate 42 of the refrigerator door 4 is attached to the front side of the storage part 41. The front plate 42 is a plate member along the vertical and horizontal width directions, forms the front surface of the refrigerator door 4, and closes the opening of the refrigerator compartment 21. The front plate 42 is formed to be slightly larger than the rear wall 415.

[0032] On the left side of the refrigerator door 4, a left guided part 412a guided by the left guide part 213r is provided. The left guided part 412a extends rearward from the left side surface of the front plate 42, for example, and is connected to the left side surface of the rear wall 415. By the left guided part 412a moving forward and backward in the depth direction along the left guide part 213r of the refrigerator compartment 21, the refrigerator door 4 can be moved forward and backward in the depth direction.

[0033] On the right side of the refrigerator door 4, a right guided part 412b guided by a right guide part 214r is provided. The right guided part 412b extends rearward from the right side surface of the front plate 42, for example, and is connected to the right side surface of the rear wall 415. By moving the right guided part 412b forward and backward in the depth direction along the right guide part 214r of the refrigerator compartment 21, the refrigerator door 4 can be moved forward and backward in the depth direction.

[0034] The refrigerator door 4 has a leak prevention material 42g (gasket) on the rear surface 42s of the front plate 42. The leak prevention material 42g is formed in an annular shape at the edge of the rear surface 42s of the front plate 42. The leak prevention material 42g is in contact with the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 21 when the refrigerator door 4 is closed, and prevents the air inside the refrigerator compartment 21 from leaking to the outside. The leak prevention material 42g is, for example, a buffer member.

[0035] The switching chamber door 5 has a storage part 51 in which objects can be stored, and a front plate 52 attached to the front side of the storage part 51. The switching chamber door 5 moves forward and backward in the depth direction along a left guide part 223r provided on the inner surface 223s of the left side wall 223 of the switching chamber 22 and a right guide part 224r provided on the inner surface 224s of the right side wall 224 of the switching chamber 22. In this embodiment, there is only one switching chamber door 5 in the lateral width direction.

[0036] The storage part 51 of the switching chamber door has a shelf 53 with at least one of the left and right sides open. The shelf 53 includes a lower wall 512 and a shelf board 516, and objects can be stored on the lower wall 512 and the shelf board 516. In the storage part 51 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right side is open. In the storage part 51 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right side is open. Here, being open means that at least the whole of one of the left and right sides of the storage part 51 may be open as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, or only a part may be open. If it is possible to take out and store the items stored in the storage part 51 from at least one of the left and right sides, it is considered open.

[0037] The storage part 51 of the switching chamber door 5 has a lower wall 512, a rear wall 515, and a shelf board 516. The lower wall 512 and the shelf board 516 extend substantially horizontally. The rear wall 515 stands upward from the rear end part of the lower wall 512. The shelf board 516 extends rearward from the rear surface 52s of the front board 52 and is connected to the front surface of the rear wall 515.

[0038] The storage part 51 of the switching chamber door 5 may have a transverse wall 513. In the drawer door 3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the storage part 51 of the switching chamber door 5 has a transverse wall 513. The transverse wall 513 is attached to either the left or right side of the storage part 51. In the drawer door 3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transverse wall 413 is attached to the left side.

[0039] At least one of the left and right sides of the storage part 51 of the switching chamber door 5 is open. In the drawer door 3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right side of the storage part 51 of the switching chamber door 5 is open.

[0040] The front board 52 of the switching chamber door 5 is attached to the front side of the storage part 51. The front board 52 is a plate member along the vertical direction and the lateral width direction, forms the front surface of the switching chamber door 5, and closes the opening of the switching chamber 22. The front board 52 is formed to be slightly larger than the rear wall 515.

[0041] On the left side of the switching chamber door 5, a left guided part 512a guided by the left guide part 223r is provided. The left guided part 512a extends rearward from the left side surface of the front board 52, for example, and is connected to the left side surface of the rear wall 515. By the left guided part 512a advancing and retreating in the depth direction along the left guide part 223r of the switching chamber 22, the switching chamber door 5 can be advanced and retreated in the depth direction.

[0042] On the right side of the switching chamber door 5, a right guided part 512b guided by the right guide part 224r is provided. The right guided part 512b extends rearward from the right side surface of the front board 52, for example, and is connected to the right side surface of the rear wall 515. By the right guided part 512b advancing and retreating in the depth direction along the right guide part 224r of the switching chamber 22, the switching chamber door 5 can be advanced and retreated in the depth direction.

[0043] The switching chamber door 5 has a leakage prevention material 52g (gasket) on the rear surface 52s of the front plate 52. The leakage prevention material 52g is formed in an annular shape at the edge of the rear surface 52s of the front plate 52. The leakage prevention material 52g is in contact with the front surface of the switching chamber 22 when the switching chamber door 5 is closed, and prevents the air inside the switching chamber 22 from leaking to the outside. The leakage prevention material 42g is, for example, a buffer member.

[0044] The freezer door 6 has a storage portion 61 capable of storing objects and a front plate 62 attached to the front side of the storage portion 61. The freezer door 6 moves forward and backward in the depth direction along a left guide portion 233r provided on the inner surface 233s of the left side wall 233 of the freezer chamber 23 and a right guide portion 234r provided on the inner surface 234s of the right side wall 234 of the freezer chamber 23. In this embodiment, there is only one freezer door 6 in the lateral width direction.

[0045] The storage portion 61 of the freezer door 6 has a lower wall 612, a rear wall 615, and a shelf board 616. The lower wall 612 and the shelf board 616 extend substantially horizontally. The rear wall 615 stands upward from the rear end portion of the lower wall 612. The shelf board 616 extends rearward from the rear surface 62s of the front plate 62 and is connected to the front surface of the rear wall.

[0046] The storage portion 61 of the freezer door has a shelf 63 with at least one of the left and right sides open. The shelf 63 includes the lower wall 612 and the shelf board 616, and objects can be stored on the lower wall 612 and the shelf board 616. In the storage portion 61 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right side is open. Here, being open means that at least the whole of one of the left and right sides of the storage portion 61 may be open as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, or only a part may be open. If it is possible to take out or store the items stored in the storage portion 61 from at least one of the left and right sides, it is considered open.

[0047] The storage section 61 of the freezer door 6 may have a transverse wall 613. In the drawer door 3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the storage section 61 of the freezer door 6 has a transverse wall 613. The transverse wall 613 is attached to either the left or right side of the storage section 61. In the drawer door 3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transverse wall 613 is attached to the left side.

[0048] At least one of the left and right sides of the storage section 61 of the freezer door 6 is open. In the drawer door 3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right side of the storage section 61 of the freezer door 6 is open.

[0049] The front plate 62 of the freezer door 6 is attached to the front side of the storage section 61. The front plate 62 is a plate member along the vertical and horizontal width directions, forms the front surface of the freezer door 6, and closes the opening of the freezer compartment 23. The front plate 62 is formed to be slightly larger than the rear wall 615.

[0050] On the left side of the freezer door 6, a left guided portion 612a guided by the left guide portion 233r is provided. The left guided portion 612a extends rearward from, for example, the left side surface of the front plate 62 and is connected to the left side surface of the rear wall 615. By moving the left guided portion 612a forward and backward in the depth direction along the left guide portion 233r of the freezer compartment 23, the freezer door 6 can be moved forward and backward in the depth direction.

[0051] On the right side of the freezer door 6, a right guided portion 612b guided by the right guide portion 234r is provided. The right guided portion 612b extends rearward from, for example, the right side surface of the front plate 62 and is connected to the right side surface of the rear wall 615. By moving the right guided portion 612b forward and backward in the depth direction along the right guide portion 234r of the freezer compartment 23, the freezer door 6 can be moved forward and backward in the depth direction.

[0052] The freezer door 6 has a leak prevention material 62g (gasket) on the rear surface 62s of the front plate 62. The leak prevention material 62g is formed in an annular shape at the edge of the rear surface 62s of the front plate 62. The leak prevention material 62g contacts the front surface of the freezer compartment when the freezer door 6 is closed and prevents the air inside the freezer compartment 23 from leaking to the outside. The leak prevention material 62g is, for example, a buffer member.

[0053] The front plate 62 of the freezer door 6 has wheels 62w that support the freezer door 6 on the bottom surface 62b. The wheels 62w roll on the ground surface where the refrigerator 100 is placed, such as the floor of the room, to smooth the movement of the freezer door 6. The wheels 62w may be spherical, such as the ball casters shown in FIG. 4, or circular ones that rotate about an axis. When the freezer door 6 moves forward and backward in the depth direction, the wheels 62w move forward and backward in the same direction as the direction in which the freezer door 6 moves forward and backward. In the present embodiment, the wheels 62w are installed on the front side of the leakage prevention material 62g. In the present embodiment, one wheel 62w is provided on each of the left and right sides of the bottom surface 62b. The wheels 62w may be provided singly or in plural.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F2 - F2 of the refrigerator 100 shown in FIG. 2. The refrigeration cycle device 7 has a compressor 71, a condenser 72, and a cooling unit 73. The refrigeration cycle device 7 circulates the refrigerant and cools the air inside the housing 1. The refrigeration cycle device 7 is attached to the back surface inside the housing 1.

[0055] The compressor 71 compresses the refrigerant to make it a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant that has become gaseous by the compressor 71 is sent to the condenser 72.

[0056] The condenser 72 dissipates heat from the gaseous refrigerant to make it a medium-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant that has become liquid by the condenser 72 is sent to the cooling unit 73.

[0057] The cooling unit 73 includes an evaporator 73a, a fan 73f, and a damper 73d. In the evaporator 73a, the liquid refrigerant sent from the condenser 72 is vaporized, thereby performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air inside the housing 1, and the air inside the housing 1 is cooled. The fan 73f circulates the air cooled by the evaporator 73a to the plurality of storage units 2 by blowing air. The damper 73d adjusts the amount of air cooled by the evaporator 73a sent to the plurality of storage units 2 by opening and closing. The refrigerant vaporized by the evaporator 73a returns to the compressor 71.

[0058] The control board 8 comprehensively controls the entire refrigerator 100. For example, the control board 8 controls the cooling unit 73 and the like based on the detection results of the temperature sensors provided in the refrigerating chamber 21, the freezing chamber 23, and the like.

[0059] Next, the operation of the refrigerator 100 will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state where a user takes out an object from the storage unit 41 of the refrigerator 100. The user can open at least one of the plurality of drawer doors 3 of the refrigerator 100 by moving at least one of the plurality of drawer doors 3 to the front side. At this time, for example, when moving the refrigerating chamber door 4 to the front side, the left guiding portion 213r guides the left guided portion 412a in the depth direction, and the right guiding portion 214r guides the right guided portion 412b in the depth direction.

[0060] The user can open the plurality of drawer doors 3 of the refrigerator 100 and store objects in the storage unit 41, the storage unit 51, and the storage unit 61. When the user stores objects in the storage unit 41, the storage unit 51, and the storage unit 61, at least one of the left and right sides of the storage unit 41, the storage unit 51, and the storage unit 61 is open, so the user can store objects from at least one of the left side and the right side. For example, when the right side of the storage unit 41 is open, the user can store objects in the storage unit 41 from the right side. For example, when the left side of the storage unit 41 is open, the user can store objects in the storage unit 41 from the left side.

[0061] The user can open the plurality of drawer doors 3 of the refrigerator 100 and take out items from the storage compartments 41, 51, and 61. When the user takes out items from the storage compartments 41, 51, and 61, at least one of the left and right sides of the storage compartments 41, 51, and 61 is open, so the user can take out items from at least one of the left and right sides. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, when the right side of the storage compartment 41 is open, the user can take out items from the right side of the storage compartment 41. For example, when the left side of the storage compartment 41 is open, the user can take out items from the left side of the storage compartment 41.

[0062] The user can close the plurality of drawer doors 3 by moving the plurality of drawer doors 3 of the refrigerator 100 to the rear side. At this time, for example, when moving the refrigerator door 4 to the front side, the left guide portion 213r guides the left guided portion 412a in the depth direction, and the right guide portion 214r guides the right guided portion 412b in the depth direction.

[0063] According to the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment, since all the doors are composed of the drawer doors 3, it can be opened and closed without hitting the wall even when there is a wall next to the refrigerator 100. For example, it can be opened and closed without hitting the wall even when there is a wall on the left side. For example, it can be opened and closed without hitting the wall even when there is a wall on the right side. Therefore, the refrigerator 100 can be arranged in a narrow space.

[0064] According to the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment, since at least one of the left and right sides of the storage compartments 41, 51, and 61 is open, the stored items are easier to see and the stored items are easier to take out. For example, even if the storage compartment 41 of the refrigerator door 4 is above the user's line of sight, since the stored items are easy to see, it is easier to take out the items above the line of sight.

[0065] According to the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment, since items can be taken out from at least one of the left and right sides, even if the user is in the middle of cooking, it is easier to take out the stored items.

[0066] According to the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment, since the lateral walls 413, 513, and 613 can be provided, it is possible to prevent cold air leakage when taking out the stored items.

[0067] According to the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment, since it has the wheels 62w, in addition to the left guide part 233r and the right guide part 234r, the wheels 62w can also bear the load of the freezer door 6 (the lowermost drawer door). For example, even if the capacity of the freezer door 6 (the lowermost drawer door) is increased, tipping can be suppressed.

[0068] According to the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment, since the wheels 62w are installed in front of the leakage prevention material 62g (gasket), for example, even when a heavy object is stored in the freezer door 6 (the lowermost drawer door), the freezer door 6 (the lowermost drawer door) can be opened more stably. Also, interference between the wheels 62w and the leakage prevention material 62g (gasket) can be prevented.

[0069] (Modification 1) Next, a modification of the refrigerator 100 will be described. In the above embodiment, the lateral wall 413 is non-detachable. However, the lateral wall 413 may be detachable. For example, a member for easily fitting the lateral wall 413 to the lower wall 412 may be provided, and the lateral wall 413 may be detachable from the lower wall 412. For example, magnets may be provided on the lower wall 412 and the lateral wall 413, and the lateral wall 413 may be detachable from the lower wall 412.

[0070] The structure of detaching the lateral wall 413 is not limited to the two examples given above. Note that a detachable structure may be provided for the lateral wall 513, or a detachable structure may be provided for the lateral wall 613.

[0071] (Modification 2) In Modification 1, when the lateral wall 413 is detachable, the storage unit 41 may have a structure in which the lateral wall 413 can be installed on the left side of the storage unit 41 and also on the right side of the storage unit 41 (a structure in which the lateral wall 413 can be installed on either the left or the right). For example, by providing a detachable structure for the lateral wall 413 on both the left and right sides of the storage unit 41, the lateral wall 413 can be installed on either side. Note that the storage unit 51 may have a structure in which the lateral wall 513 can be installed on either the left or the right, and the storage unit 61 may have a structure in which the lateral wall 613 can be installed on either the left or the right.

[0072] The user can install the lateral wall 413, the lateral wall 513, and the lateral wall 613 on the storage unit 41, the storage unit 51, and the storage unit 61 according to the usage environment. For example, if there is a wall on the left side of the installation location, the lateral wall 413, the lateral wall 513, and the lateral wall 613 can be installed on the left side of the storage unit 41, the storage unit 51, and the storage unit 61. For example, some households have a wall on the left side of the installation location, while some have a wall on the right side of the installation location. However, the refrigerator 100 can be installed in either usage environment.

[0073] (Modification 3) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the refrigerator door 4 with the lateral wall 413C, which is a modification of the lateral wall 413, in the placement position. The lateral wall 413C has a placement surface 413s on which objects can be placed, and the lateral wall 413C is movably provided from the position where it is stored in the storage unit 41 (the storage position) to a placement position where objects can be placed on the placement surface 413s. The lateral wall 413C is formed in a plate shape and has a flat placement surface 413s on the surface in the plate thickness direction. Note that the placement surface 413s may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

[0074] When the lateral wall 413C is provided in the placement position, as shown in FIG. 8, the lateral wall 413C extends in the lateral direction from the left end or the right end of the lower wall 412. At this time, the placement surface 413s extends in the lateral direction and the depth direction. Note that the placement position is preferably a position where the placement surface 413s is horizontal (the horizontal position), but it may be inclined.

[0075] For example, the lateral wall 413C may be rotatably attached to the bottom wall 412, and the lateral wall 413C may be movable between a placement position and a storage position by rotation.

[0076] For example, the lateral wall 413C may be detachable and movable from the storage position to the placement position by detachment. Note that the detachable structure of the lateral wall 413C may be a structure in which a fitting member for easily removing the lateral wall 413C from the storage unit 41 is provided, or a structure using a magnet.

[0077] The structure that enables the lateral wall 413C to move from the storage position to the placement position is not limited to the two examples mentioned above. Note that the storage unit 51 may have a structure that enables the lateral wall 513 to move from the storage position to the placement position, or the storage unit 61 may have a structure that enables the lateral wall 613 to move from the storage position to the placement position.

[0078] The user can use the lateral wall 413C, the lateral wall 513, and the lateral wall 613 as a temporary placement stand by setting them in the placement position. For example, when there are ingredients that the user frequently uses during cooking, the user can use the lateral wall located at an appropriate height as a temporary placement stand and place them temporarily.

[0079] (Modification Example 4) The storage unit 41 may have an upper wall. The upper wall extends substantially horizontally. The upper wall extends rearward from the rear surface of the front plate 42 and is connected to the front surface of the rear wall 415. Note that the storage unit 51 may have an upper wall, or the storage unit 61 may have an upper wall.

[0080] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, a refrigerator can be provided in which all the doors are composed of a plurality of drawer doors 3, and the plurality of drawer doors 3 are provided in a plurality in the vertical direction, so that it can be arranged in a narrow space.

[0081] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] 100... Refrigerator, 1... Housing, 2... Plurality of storage compartments, 3... Plurality of drawer doors, 4... Refrigerator door, 5... Switching compartment, 6... Freezer door, 7... Refrigeration cycle device, 8... Control board, 11... Upper wall, 12... Lower wall, 13... Left side wall, 14... Right side wall, 15... Rear wall, 16... Inner box, 17... Outer box, 18... Heat insulation part, 21... Refrigerator compartment, 211... Upper wall, 212... Lower wall, 213... Left side wall, 213s... Inner surface, 213r... Left guide part, 214... Right side wall, 214s... Inner surface, 214r... Right guide part, 215... Rear wall, 22... Switching compartment, 221... Upper wall, 222... Lower wall, 223... Left side wall, 223s... Inner surface, 223r... Left guide part, 224... Right side wall, 224s... Inner surface, 224r... Right guide part, 225... Rear wall, 23... Freezer compartment, 231... Upper wall, 232... Lower wall, 233... Left side wall, 233s... Inner surface, 233r... Left guide part, 234... Right side wall, 234s... Inner surface, 234r... Right guide part, 235... Rear wall, 41... Storage part, 412... Lower wall, 412a... Left covered guide part, 412b... Right covered guide part, 413, 413C... Cross wall, 413s... Placing surface, 415... Rear wall, 416... Shelf board, 42... Front plate, 42s... Rear surface, 42g... Leakage prevention material, 51... Storage part, 512... Lower wall, 512a... Left covered guide part, 512b... Right covered guide part, 513... Cross wall, 513s... Placing surface, 515... Rear wall, 516... Shelf board, 52... Front plate, 52s... Rear surface, 52g... Leakage prevention material, 61... Storage part, 612... Lower wall, 612a... Left covered guide part, 612b... Right covered guide part, 613... Cross wall, 613s... Placing surface, 615... Rear wall, 616... Shelf board, 62... Front plate, 62s... Rear surface, 62g... Leakage prevention material, 62b... Bottom surface, 62w... Wheel, 71... Compressor, 72... Condenser, 73... Cooling part, 73e... Evaporator, 73f... Fan, 73d... Damper

Claims

1. A housing including a storage section, a plurality of drawer doors retractably stored in the storage section in the front-rear direction, and the housing has a left side wall constituting the left end of the housing and a right side wall constituting the right end of the housing, the plurality of drawer doors are arranged in the vertical direction, the plurality of drawer doors have a storage section capable of storing objects, the storage section has a shelf with at least one of the left and right sides open, the storage section advances and retracts in the front-rear direction along a left guide provided on the inner surface of the left side wall and a right guide provided on the inner surface of the right side wall, a refrigerator.

2. The storage section is divided so as to be able to separately store the plurality of drawer doors, the storage section is divided into a plurality of temperature zones for each place where the plurality of drawer doors are stored, The refrigerator according to Claim 1.

3. The storage section has a transverse wall, the transverse wall is detachable, The refrigerator according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The transverse wall has a placement surface on which the object can be placed, the transverse wall is movable to a placement position where the object can be placed on the placement surface, The refrigerator according to Claim 3.

5. At least one of the left and right sides of the storage section of the uppermost drawer door among the plurality of drawer doors is open, The refrigerator according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

6. The plurality of drawer doors have a front plate attached to the front side of the storage section, the front plate of the lowermost drawer door among the plurality of drawer doors has wheels for supporting the lowermost drawer door on the bottom surface, The refrigerator according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

7. The plurality of drawer doors have a leakage prevention material on the inner surface of the front plate, the wheels are installed in front of the leakage prevention material, The refrigerator according to Claim 6.

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