Refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of easily fixing an operation part to a door.SOLUTION: A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a housing in which a storage compartment is provided, a door supported by the housing so as to be openable and closable and configured to close the storage compartment, and an operation unit configured to operate a setting of the refrigerator, wherein the door is provided with an operation unit storage portion in which the operation unit is stored, and the operation unit storage portion is provided with an operation unit engagement portion with which the operation unit is engaged and fixed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to refrigerators. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator configured so that a storage compartment can be opened and closed with a pair of hinged gates. In Patent Document 1, a user interface is provided on the side of the gates, where the pair of gates face each other when closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Patent No. 102906517 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a refrigerator in which an operating unit can be easily fixed to a door. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The refrigerator of the present disclosure is a refrigerator comprising a housing having a storage compartment provided therein, a door that is supported on the housing so as to be openable and closable and closes the storage compartment, and an operation unit that operates the refrigerator settings, wherein the door is provided with an operation unit storage section in which the operation unit is stored, and the operation unit storage section is provided with an operation unit engagement section with which the operation unit engages and is fixed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] In the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, the operation unit can be easily fixed to the door by engaging with the operation unit engaging portion. Therefore, according to the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a refrigerator in which the operation unit can be easily fixed to the door. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment, seen from the front side; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment, seen from the rear side; [Figure 3] 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a right-side refrigerator compartment door according to the first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover panel of a refrigerator compartment door according to the first embodiment, seen from the front side; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover panel of a refrigerator compartment door according to the first embodiment, seen from the rear side; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an operation unit according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the front side of the operation unit; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an operation unit according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the rear side of the operation unit; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the periphery of the bottom wall portion after the case is assembled in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an upper part of a cover according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a left side view of a right refrigerator compartment door in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] Cross section of Figure 11 along line XII-XII [Figure 13] Cross section of line XIII-XIII in Figure 11 [Figure 14] Cross section of line XIV-XIV in Figure 11 [Figure 15] Cross section of line XV-XV in Figure 11 [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upper portion of a cover according to the first embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time when the inventors came up with the idea of ​​the present disclosure, there was a technology in which, in a refrigerator configured so that the storage compartment can be opened and closed with a pair of hinged doors, an operating unit was provided on the side of the doors where the pair of doors face each other when closed. However, when fixing an operating unit to a refrigerator, generally, fastening members such as screws are often used, which poses a problem that the fixing method is complicated. In particular, when fixing an operating unit to a door that is subject to significant restrictions such as thickness and size, there is a problem that fastening points of the fastening members are likely to be limited, which tends to impose layout restrictions. The inventors discovered these problems and have come to constitute the subject matter of the present disclosure in order to solve the problems. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a refrigerator in which the operating unit can be easily fixed to the door.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Refrigerator configuration] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1 as seen from the front side. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1 as seen from the back side. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of refrigerator 1 in embodiment 1. In the description of this specification, when referring to refrigerator 1, front, back, left and right are used relative to the user who takes out stored items from refrigerator 1. In other words, the front side from the user's perspective corresponds to the front side of refrigerator 1, and the back side from the user's perspective corresponds to the rear side of refrigerator 1. Also, the right side from the user's perspective corresponds to the right side of refrigerator 1, and the left side from the user's perspective corresponds to the left side of refrigerator 1. Note that the term "front" may be used to refer to the front side of refrigerator 1. Also, the term "rear" may be used to refer to the rear side of refrigerator 1. In the drawings, the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the refrigerator 1 are indicated by arrows FR, RE, LE, RI, UP, and DO, respectively.

[0012] 1 to 3, refrigerator 1 has a heat-insulating box body 2. As shown in Fig. 3, heat-insulating box body 2 is made up of an outer box (housing) 3 mainly made of steel plate, an inner box 4 molded from a resin such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), and a foamed heat insulating material 5 such as rigid foamed urethane that is filled and foamed into the space between outer box 3 and inner box 4.

[0013] The heat-insulating box 2 is insulated from the surroundings and is divided into a plurality of storage compartments. A refrigerator compartment 6 is provided at the top of the insulated box 2. Below the refrigerator compartment 6, a switchable compartment 7 and an ice-making compartment (not shown) are provided side by side. The switchable compartment 7 and the ice-making compartment are separated left and right by an insulated wall. A freezer compartment 9 is provided below the switchable compartment 7 and the ice-making compartment. Below the freezer compartment 9, i.e., at the bottom of the insulated box 2, a vegetable compartment 10 is provided.

[0014] The temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 6 is usually set to 1°C to 5°C. The temperature of the selectable compartment 7 is set to between -18°C and 5°C, and can be switched from a freezing temperature range to a refrigerating temperature range. The temperature of the freezer compartment 9 is usually set to -22°C to -15°C, but may be set to a lower temperature such as -30°C or -25°C to improve the frozen storage condition. The temperature of the vegetable compartment 10 is set to 2°C to 7°C, which is the same as or slightly higher than that of the refrigerator compartment 6.

[0015] A pair of left and right hinged refrigerator compartment doors 11, 12 (see Figure 1) are provided at the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 6 so as to be able to open and close freely. The left end of the left refrigerator compartment door 11 is supported so as to be able to rotate freely by a hinge 11a (see Figure 1) that extends in the vertical direction. The right end of the right refrigerator compartment door 12 (see Figure 1) is supported so as to be able to rotate freely by a hinge 12a (see Figure 1) that extends in the vertical direction. When the refrigerator compartment doors 11, 12 are closed, a gasket seals the gap between the refrigerator compartment doors 11, 12 and the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 6.

[0016] A drawer-type switchable compartment door 13 and a drawer-type ice-making compartment door 14 (see Figure 1) are provided at the front openings between the switchable compartment 7 and the ice-making compartment. When the switchable compartment door 13 is closed, a gasket seals the gap between the switchable compartment door 13 and the front opening of the switchable compartment 7. When the ice-making compartment door 14 is closed, a gasket seals the gap between the ice-making compartment door 14 and the front opening of the ice-making compartment. When the switchable compartment door 13 is pulled out forward, the switchable compartment container 15 (see Figure 3), which is housed in the switchable compartment 7 and has an open top, is pulled out together with the switchable compartment door 13.

[0017] A drawer-type freezer compartment door 16 is provided at the front opening of freezer compartment 9. When freezer compartment door 16 is closed, a gasket seals the gap between freezer compartment door 16 and the front opening of freezer compartment 9. The freezer compartment 9 is provided with two tiers, an upper freezer compartment container section 17 and a lower freezer compartment container section 18, which are open at the top. The upper freezer compartment container section 17 is placed on the periphery of the top opening of the lower freezer compartment container section 18. The upper freezer compartment container section 17 and the lower freezer compartment container section 18 are configured to be pulled out in conjunction with the forward pulling operation of the freezer compartment door 16.

[0018] A drawer-type vegetable compartment door 19 is provided at the front opening of the lowest vegetable compartment 10. When vegetable compartment door 19 is closed, a gasket seals the gap between vegetable compartment door 19 and the front opening of vegetable compartment 10. A vegetable compartment container 20 having an open top is provided inside vegetable compartment 10. Vegetable compartment container 20 is configured to be drawn out in conjunction with the drawing operation of vegetable compartment door 19.

[0019] A cooling chamber 23 that generates cold air is provided behind the freezing chamber 9. A cooler (evaporator) 24 that constitutes a refrigeration cycle is disposed within the cooling chamber 23. A compressor 25 that constitutes a refrigeration cycle is disposed at the upper rear of the refrigerator chamber 6. The compressor 25, the condenser, the expansion mechanism, and the cooler 24 are connected by refrigerant piping to constitute a refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant is discharged from the compressor 25 and circulated through the refrigeration cycle, whereby the refrigerant is cooled to a predetermined temperature and heat is exchanged between the cooler 24 and the air inside the cooling chamber 23, generating cold air inside the cooling chamber 23.

[0020] A blower fan 26 is provided in the space above the cooler 24. When the blower fan 26 is operated, the air that has undergone heat exchange in the cooler 24 is blown into the refrigerator compartment 6, the selectable compartment 7, the ice-making compartment, the freezer compartment 9, and the vegetable compartment 10. At this time, the amount of cold air blown is adjusted and controlled to cool each compartment to a predetermined temperature.

[0021] [1-1-2. Right-side refrigerator door configuration] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the right refrigerator compartment door 12 in the first embodiment. The right-side refrigerator compartment door 12 has a cover panel 31 as an exterior component, an inner panel 36 that forms the interior of the refrigerator compartment 6, a gasket 37 provided around the inner panel 36, and a door pocket member 32 that is supported by the inner panel 36 and has a plurality of door pockets 32a. The right-side refrigerator compartment door 12 also has a heat insulating foam material filled between the cover panel 31, the inner panel 36, and caps (not shown) arranged above and below the refrigerator compartment door 12, and an operating unit 33 supported by the cover panel 31.

[0022] A left refrigerator compartment door 11 is disposed to the left of the right refrigerator compartment door 12 (see FIG. 1). The right refrigerator compartment door 12, together with the left refrigerator compartment door 11, can close a refrigerator compartment 6, which is an example of a storage compartment. In the following description of refrigerator compartment door 12, front, back, left and right are used based on the state in which refrigerator compartment door 12 is closed. In the following description of refrigerator compartment door 12, the hinge 12a side is also referred to as the outer door end, and the side away from hinge 12a is also referred to as the inner door end.

[0023] [1-1-3. Configuration of the refrigerator door cover panel] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cover panel 31 of the refrigerator compartment door 12 in embodiment 1 as seen from the front side. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cover panel 31 of the refrigerator compartment door 12 in embodiment 1 as seen from the back side. The cover panel 31 is made of sheet metal. The cover panel 31 has a rectangular front portion 31a, a rectangular inner side portion 31b that bends backward from the inner door edge of the front portion 31a, and a rectangular outer side portion 31c (see FIG. 6) that bends backward from the outer door edge of the front portion 31a. The inner side portion 31b and the outer side portion 31c correspond to the side surfaces that make up the thickness of the right-side refrigerator compartment door 12. In particular, the inner side portion 31b faces the left-side refrigerator compartment door 11 when closed. Therefore, the inner side portion 31b cannot be seen from the front side of the refrigerator 1 when closed.

[0024] An operation unit storage section 40 is formed in the inner side surface section 31b. The operation unit storage section 40 has an opening 41 penetrating the inner side surface section 31b in the thickness direction. The opening 41 is an elongated hole extending in the longitudinal direction of the inner side surface section 31b. In this embodiment, the inner side surface section 31b extends in the up-down direction. The inner periphery of the opening 41 is formed with bent portions 41a, 41b, and 41c that are bent toward the hinge 12a side, i.e., toward the right, relative to the inner side surface section 31b (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the bent portion 41a is formed on the front side (one side in the thickness direction of the refrigerator compartment door 12), the bent portion 41b is formed on the rear side (the other side in the thickness direction of the refrigerator compartment door 12), and the bent portion 41c is formed on the upper side.

[0025] The front bent portion 41a extends along the inner circumferential front edge of the opening 41. The rear bent portion 41b extends along the inner circumferential rear edge of the opening 41. The upper bent portion 41c extends along the inner circumferential upper edge of the opening 41. The bent portions 41a, 41b, 41c are bent so that the angles θ1, θ2, θ3 formed by the inner surfaces of the bent portions 41a, 41b, 41c with respect to the inner surface of the inner side surface portion 31b are greater than 90 degrees (see FIGS. 12 to 14 for angles θ1 and θ2, and see FIG. 15 for angle θ3).

[0026] The front and rear bent portions 41a, 41b have operation unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1 formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the bent portions 41a, 41b. A plurality of operation unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1 are formed. The operation unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1 are formed in a strip shape. The operation unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1 protrude toward the hinge 12a beyond the bent portions 41a, 41b. The operation unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1 have engaging holes 41a2, 41b2 formed through them in the thickness direction.

[0027] Here, the operation unit engaging portions 41a1 and 41b1 are formed by so-called cutting and raising. In this embodiment, the front operation unit engaging portion 41a1 and the rear operation unit engaging portion 41b1 are formed alternately along the longitudinal direction of the bent portions 41a and 41b. Therefore, before the cutting and raising, the operation unit engaging portions 41a1 and 41b1 can be positioned to be offset from each other in the longitudinal direction, thereby overlapping their positions in the front-to-rear direction (thickness direction). Therefore, the front-to-rear width of the formation positions of the operation unit engaging portions 41a1 and 41b1 can be made smaller than when they are formed at the same position in the longitudinal direction and do not overlap in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the front-to-rear width of the opening 41 of the operation unit storage portion 40 can be made smaller. Since the front-to-rear width of the opening of the operation unit storage portion 40 can be made smaller, the thickness of the refrigerator compartment door 12 can also be made thinner.

[0028] [1-1-4. Configuration of the operation unit] Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the operation unit 33 according to the first embodiment as seen from the front side of the operation unit 33. Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the operation unit 33 according to the first embodiment as seen from the rear side of the operation unit 33. The operation unit 33 extends in the vertical direction. The operation unit 33 has a front-to-rear width (width) that is smaller than the thickness of the refrigerator compartment door 12. The operation unit 33 has a board 50, a cover (cover control) 70 that houses the board 50, a case (base control) 60 that houses the cover 70 that houses the board 50, and a label 80 that is affixed to the cover 70.

[0029] The case 60 has a container-shaped case body 61 recessed on the right side (toward the hinge 12a) and a flange 62 protruding from the open end of the case body 61 toward the outer periphery of the open end. The case 60 also has a wall 62a (see FIGS. 7 and 12 to 14) protruding from the outer periphery of the flange 62 toward the inner side surface 31b of the cover panel 31. The wall 62a is rectangular and annular. A rectangular and annular sealing material (such as a tape sealing material) 100 (see FIGS. 12 to 15) is provided along the inner periphery of the wall 62a. The sealing material 100 is preferably closed in an annular shape, but may also be segmented.

[0030] Case main body 61 has a substantially rectangular bottom wall 63 (see FIG. 8) and an outer peripheral wall 64 formed on the outer periphery of bottom wall 63. In this embodiment, outer peripheral wall 64 has an upper outer peripheral wall 64a, a lower outer peripheral wall 64b, a front outer peripheral wall 64c (see FIG. 8), and a rear outer peripheral wall 64d.

[0031] Reinforcing ribs 65 are formed on the outer surface of the case main body 61. The reinforcing ribs 65 have a pair of vertical ribs 65a and multiple horizontal ribs 65b that intersect with the vertical ribs 65a. The vertical ribs 65a are formed on the bottom wall 63. The horizontal ribs 65b are formed across the left outer peripheral wall 64c, the bottom wall 63, and the right outer peripheral wall 64d. The reinforcing ribs 65 reinforce the case main body 61. Note that both the vertical ribs 65a and the horizontal ribs 65b of the reinforcing ribs 65 may be formed on the inner surface of the bottom wall 63.

[0032] 9 is a diagram showing the periphery of bottom wall portion 63 after assembly of case 60 in embodiment 1. Fig. 9 corresponds to a view seen in the direction of arrow IX in Fig. 7. A circular harness passage opening 63a (see FIG. 8) penetrating the bottom wall 63 in the thickness direction is formed in the lower part of the case main body 61. An L-shaped claw-shaped harness engagement portion 63b is formed above the harness passage opening 63a on the inner surface of the bottom wall 63. A harness 55 that connects the board 50 to the control device and power supply is passed through the harness passage opening 63a. The harness 55 is hooked onto the harness engagement portion 63b. This allows the harness 55 to be temporarily fastened during assembly.

[0033] Panel cover connecting portions (base engaging portions) 66 are formed on the inner surfaces of the front and rear outer peripheral walls 64c, 64d of the case main body 61. The panel cover connecting portions 66 in this embodiment have a claw-shaped cross section that protrudes from the inner surfaces of the outer peripheral walls 64c, 64d toward the inside of the outer peripheral wall 64. Specifically, the panel cover connecting portions 66 have an inclined surface 66a (see FIGS. 12 to 14) that protrudes more toward the bottom wall 63 from the flange 62, i.e., toward the right, and a hooking surface 66b (see FIGS. 12 to 14) that connects from the right end of the inclined surface 66a to the outer peripheral walls 64c, 64d approximately perpendicularly. A plurality of panel cover connecting portions 66 are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the case main body 61.

[0034] A cover coupling portion (cover engaging portion) 67 is formed to the right of the panel-cover coupling portion 66, in other words, on the bottom wall 63 side of the case main body 61. In this embodiment, the cover coupling portion 67 has a mountain-shaped cross section that protrudes inward from the inner surfaces of the front and rear outer peripheral walls 64c, 64d of the case main body 61. Specifically, the cover coupling portion 67 has an outer inclined surface 67a (see FIGS. 12 to 14) whose protrusion amount increases toward the right, a central surface 67b (see FIGS. 12 to 14) extending rightward from the right end of the outer inclined surface 67a, and an inner inclined surface 67c (see FIGS. 12 to 14) extending rightward from the right end of the central surface 67b and whose protrusion amount decreases toward the right. The cover coupling portion 67 is formed at a different position from the panel-cover coupling portion 66 in the longitudinal direction of the case main body 61, that is, alternately.

[0035] The case main body 61 houses a cover 70 that houses the board 50. The board 50 has a plate-shaped board main body 51 that extends in the vertical direction. Various electronic components 52, 53, and 54 are mounted on the board main body 51.

[0036] The substrate 50 is covered by a cover 70. The cover 70 extends in the vertical direction. The cover 70 has a flat operation panel portion 71 that also extends in the vertical direction. Appropriate buttons 71a, such as those shaped like push-down pieces, are formed on the operation panel portion 71. A substantially rectangular, annular outer wall portion 72 that protrudes to the right is formed on the inner surface of the operation panel portion 71. The outer wall portion 72 is larger than the substrate 50 and smaller than the surrounding shape of the outer wall portion 64 of the case 60. In other words, when the cover 70 covers the substrate 50, the outer wall portion 72 of the cover 70 surrounds the substrate 50, and the outer wall portion 72 enters inside the outer wall portion 64 of the case 60.

[0037] The outer peripheral wall 72 has upper, lower, front, and rear outer peripheral walls 72a, 72b, 72c, and 72d. Cover engagement portions 77 are formed on the outer surfaces of the front and rear outer peripheral walls 72c and 72d. In this embodiment, the cover engagement portions 77 have a triangular cross section that protrudes from the outer surface of the outer peripheral wall 72 to the outside of the outer peripheral wall 72. Specifically, the cover engagement portions 77 have an outer inclined surface 77a (see FIGS. 12 to 14) whose protrusion amount increases toward the right, and an inner inclined surface 77b (see FIGS. 12 to 14) that extends rightward from the right end of the outer inclined surface 77a and whose protrusion amount decreases toward the right. A plurality of cover engagement portions 77 are formed in the longitudinal direction of the cover 70. The cover engagement portions 77 are formed to correspond to the positions of the cover coupling portions 67 of the case 60.

[0038] 10 is a diagram showing the upper part of the cover 70 in embodiment 1. Fig. 10 corresponds to a view seen in the direction of arrow X in Fig. 8. In this embodiment, thin-walled portions 72c1 and 72d1 are formed in the front and rear outer peripheral wall portions 72c and 72d where the cover engagement portion 77 is formed. The thin-walled portions 72c1 and 72d1 are formed thinner in the thickness direction than the other portions of the front and rear outer peripheral wall portions 72c and 72d other than the thin-walled portions 72c1 and 72d1. Furthermore, a reinforcing rib 75 may be formed on the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 72 of the cover 70 near the cover engagement portion 77. Although the thin-walled portions 72c1 and 72d1 are preferable, they are not necessarily formed.

[0039] A label 80 indicating the operating positions of the operation panel section 71 is attached to the operation panel section 71 of the cover 70. The label 80 is, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film or a polycarbonate film. An instruction image is drawn on the label 80. When the user operates the label 80, for example by pressing the label 80 based on the instruction image on the label 80, the button section 71a of the operation panel section 71 is deformed and comes into contact with a tactile switch (not shown) arranged on the circuit board 50. At this time, the circuit board 50 detects the operation of the button section 71a and transmits a signal corresponding to the operation of the button section 71a to the control device. This allows the settings of the refrigerator 1, such as the temperature settings of each compartment of the refrigerator 1, to be changed and operated.

[0040] [1-1-5. Configuration of the engagement parts] Fig. 11 is a left side view of the right refrigerator compartment door 12 in embodiment 1. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 11. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in Fig. 11. In Fig. 14, the cover panel 31 and the like are partially omitted from the illustration. The operation unit 33 is stored in the operation unit storage compartment 40 of the right refrigerator compartment door 12.

[0041] Here, an example of a method for storing the operation unit 33 in the operation unit storage unit 40 will be described. First, the sealant 100 is attached to the flange portion 62 of the case 60. Then, the case 60 is attached to the operation unit housing portion 40 of the cover panel 31 by pressing the case 60 into the operation unit housing portion 40 from the right side of the operation unit housing portion 40, covering the bent portions 41a, 41b, and 41c. At this time, the inclined surface 66a of the panel cover connecting portion 66 of the case 60 comes into contact with the operation unit engaging portions 41a1 and 41b1, causing the panel cover connecting portion 66 to elastically deform. As the case 60 is pressed further, the panel cover connecting portion 66 enters the engaging holes 41a2 and 41b2, allowing the hooking surface 66b to abut against the inner circumferential surfaces of the engaging holes 41a2 and 41b2. This allows the case 60 to engage with and be fixed to the operation unit engaging portions 41a1 and 41b1 of the cover panel 31.

[0042] At this time, the wall portion 62a of the flange portion 62 of the case 60 abuts against the inner surface of the inner side surface portion 31b of the cover panel 31. In addition, the sealant 100 arranged between the flange portion 62 and the cover panel 31 is held in a state in which the flange portion 62 is pressed against the inner side surface portion 31b.

[0043] Next, the inner panel 36, the door pocket member 32 supported by the inner panel 36, and caps (not shown) arranged above and below the refrigerator compartment door 12 are attached to the inner surface of the cover panel 31. Furthermore, the harness 55 extending from the control device is passed through the harness passage opening 63a. The harness 55 passed through the harness passage opening 63a is temporarily fastened to a harness engaging portion 63b provided on the case 60.

[0044] Then, foam insulation material is filled between the cover panel 31, the inner panel 36, and the caps (not shown) arranged above and below the refrigerator compartment door 12. At this time, since the seal material 100 is arranged between the case 60 and the cover panel 31, it is easy to prevent the foam insulation material from entering the case 60. Furthermore, since the harness 55 is temporarily fastened to the harness engaging portion 63b, it is possible to prevent the harness 55 from being damaged or broken when filling with the foam insulation material.

[0045] Once the foam insulation material has been filled, the harness 55 is removed from the harness engaging portion 63 b and led to the outside through the opening 41 in the inner side surface portion 31 b of the cover panel 31 and connected to the board 50 .

[0046] Next, the board 50 with the harness 55 attached is attached and fixed inside the outer wall 72 of the cover 70. The cover 70 and board 50 are then pushed into the opening 41 of the operation unit housing 40 from the outside, i.e., the left side, of the operation unit housing 40. Because the bent portions 41a, 41b, and 41c extend so that the opening widths of the bent portions 41a, 41b, and 41c decrease toward the right, the cover 70 is easily positioned and pushed into the center in the front-to-rear direction. This reduces the likelihood of gaps forming between the cover 70 and the bent portions 41a, 41b, and 41c. As the cover 70 is pushed into the operation unit housing 40, the inner inclined surface 77b of the cover engaging portion 77 elastically deforms by contacting the outer inclined surface 67a of the cover connecting portion 67. As the cover 70 is further pushed, it moves past the cover connecting portion 67, and the outer inclined surface 77a contacts the inner inclined surface 67c of the cover connecting portion 67. In this way, the substrate 50 and the cover 70 are assembled to the case 60.

[0047] 12 to 14, in case 60, panel-cover connecting portion 66 and cover connecting portion 67 are configured so as not to overlap in the longitudinal direction on the same side in the front-to-rear direction. As a result, the engaging portion of panel-cover connecting portion 66 and the engaging portion of cover connecting portion 67 are separated, thereby reducing the front-to-rear width of case 60.

[0048] With respect to the cover 70 assembled to the case 60, the label 80 is attached to the operation panel portion 71 of the cover 70. As a result, the operation portion 33, which is an integral combination of the label 80, the cover 70, the circuit board 50, and the case 60, is housed in the cover panel 31. In this way, the operating unit 33 is stored in the operating unit storage compartment 40 of the right-side refrigerator compartment door 12.

[0049] The label 80 is positioned recessed to the right of the inner side surface 31b of the cover panel 31 (see FIGS. 12 to 14). Because the label 80 is positioned recessed from the inner side surface 31b of the cover panel 31, it is less likely to come into contact with foreign matter when the right-side refrigerator door 12 is opened or closed. The operation panel unit 71 is also positioned recessed from the inner side surface 31b of the cover panel 31.

[0050] [1-1-6. Configuration of drainage path for operation unit] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in Fig. 11. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the upper part of cover 70 according to the first embodiment. Here, the substrate 50 is disposed in a state surrounded by the outer peripheral wall portion 72 of the cover 70 and the outer peripheral wall portion 64 of the case 60. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15 , the upper outer peripheral wall portion 72 of the cover 70 and the like are positioned above the substrate 50.

[0051] Here, a drainage path 79 is formed in the outer peripheral wall 72 of the cover 70. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8, 15, and 16, an inclined surface 72a1 is formed on the upper surface of the upper outer peripheral wall 72a, sloping downward from the bottom wall 63 of the case 60 toward the operation panel 71 (see FIG. 15). A wall 72a2 protruding upward is formed at a higher position of the inclined surface 72a1, i.e., at the end of the inclined surface 72a1 on the bottom wall 63 side. The wall 72a2 prevents water on the inclined surface 72a1 from overflowing outside the inclined surface 72a1. A drainage groove 72a3 extending along the operation panel 71 is formed at a lower position of the inclined surface 72a1, i.e., at the end of the inclined surface 72a1 on the operation panel side. Water flowing down from the inclined surface 72a1 enters the drainage groove 72a3.

[0052] In this embodiment, the inclined surface 72a1 and the drain groove 72a3 are inclined outward in the front-rear direction from the center in the front-rear direction. Therefore, water that has entered the inclined surface 72a1 or the drain groove 72a3 from the inclined surface 72a1 is guided to the outer surface of the front outer peripheral wall portion 72c or the outer surface of the rear outer peripheral wall portion 72d. Therefore, the water that has entered the inclined surface 72a1 can be drained below the substrate 50 while being kept away from the substrate 50. The inclined surface 72a1, the wall portion 72a2, the drain groove 72a3, the front outer peripheral wall portion 72c, the rear outer peripheral wall portion 72d, etc. form a drain path 79 of the cover 70 of this embodiment.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 15, an inverted U-shaped wall 68 that protrudes toward the cover 70 is formed on the bottom wall 63 of the case 60. The wall 68 is located below the upper outer peripheral wall 72a of the cover 70. The wall 68 of this embodiment has an upper wall 68a that extends horizontally in a flat, generally inverted U-shape, a front wall (not shown in FIG. 15) that extends downward from the front end of the upper wall 68a, and a rear wall 68c that extends downward from the rear end of the upper wall 68a. The front wall and the upper wall 68a extend downward below the board 50.

[0054] The upper wall portion 68a is located below a gap S formed between the wall portion 72a2 of the upper outer peripheral wall portion 72 and the bottom wall portion 63 of the case 60. In the present embodiment, the upper wall portion 68a is positioned closer to the board 50 than the wall portion 72a2. Therefore, even if water overflows from the inclined surface 72a1 and reaches the upper wall portion 68a through the gap S, the water that has reached the upper wall portion 68a is guided in the front-to-rear direction along the upper wall portion 68a and can be drained downward along the outer surface of the front wall portion or the outer surface of the rear wall portion 68c. The upper wall portion 68a, the front wall portion, the rear wall portion 68c, etc. form a drainage path 69 of the case 60 of this embodiment.

[0055] [1-2. Operation, etc.] Next, the operation of the refrigerator 1 in the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, compressor 25 is driven to circulate refrigerant through the refrigeration cycle, and cooler 24 exchanges heat with the air inside cooling compartment 23 to generate cool air. Then, blower fan 26 is driven to blow the air that has exchanged heat in cooler 24 into refrigerator compartment 6, switchable compartment 7, ice maker compartment, freezer compartment 9, and vegetable compartment 10, and the amount of cool air blown in is adjusted and controlled to cool each compartment to a predetermined temperature.

[0056] At this time, if the user wishes to change the set temperature of each compartment, the right-side refrigerator compartment door 12 is opened and the temperature setting of the refrigerator 1 is changed by the user operating the operating unit 33 provided on the inner side surface portion 31b of the refrigerator compartment door 12.

[0057] In this embodiment, the operation unit 33 is fixed by engagement between the operation unit engagement portions 41a1, 41b1 and the panel cover joining portion 66. This allows the operation unit 33 to be fixed to the operation unit storage portion 40 of the cover panel 31 more easily than when fastening with screws or the like. Furthermore, because no fastening members such as screws are required, there is no need to ensure work space for installation or installation space, making it easier to make the refrigerator compartment door 12 thinner. In other words, it is possible to make the refrigerator compartment door 12 thinner relative to its heat retention performance.

[0058] In addition, refrigerators 1 generally store liquids such as beverages. Therefore, it is conceivable that a user may splash water on operation unit 33 when opening refrigerator compartment door 12. In contrast, in this embodiment, bent portions 41a, 41b, and 41c facilitate reducing the gap between operation unit 33 and circuit board 50, making it difficult for water to penetrate. Even if water penetrates the operation unit toward circuit board 50 through opening 41 of operation unit housing 40, circuit board 50 is covered by outer peripheral wall 64 of case 60 and outer peripheral wall 72 of cover 70, making it difficult for water to reach circuit board 50. In particular, this embodiment is structured so that water can be drained away from circuit board 50 by drainage path 79 of cover 70 and drainage path 69 of case 60. Therefore, this embodiment facilitates preventing water from reaching circuit board 50, which serves as an electronic component.

[0059] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, refrigerator 1 is a refrigerator 1 comprising outer case 3 having refrigerator compartment 6 therein, refrigerator compartment door 12 that is supported on outer case 3 so as to be openable and closable and closes refrigerator compartment 6, and operation unit 33 that operates the settings of refrigerator 1, and refrigerator compartment door 12 is provided with operation unit storage section 40 that stores operation unit 33, and operation unit storage section 40 is provided with operation unit engagement sections 41a1, 41b1 with which operation unit 33 engages and is fixed. According to this configuration, by engaging with operation-unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1, operation unit 33 can be easily fixed to refrigerator compartment door 12. Therefore, screws and the like are not required, and operation unit 33 can be fixed to refrigerator compartment door 12 without providing parts such as screws.

[0060] As in this embodiment, operation unit storage section 40 is formed on the side surface of refrigerator compartment door 12 which forms the thickness of refrigerator compartment door 12, and operation unit engagement sections 41a1, 41b1 are provided on both sides of operation unit storage section 40 in the thickness direction of refrigerator compartment door 12, respectively, and operation unit engagement section 41a1 on one side in the thickness direction and operation unit engagement section 41b1 on the other side in the thickness direction may be formed so as not to face each other. According to this configuration, when the operation section engaging portion 41a1 on one side in the thickness direction and the operation section engaging portion 41b1 on the other side in the thickness direction are formed by bending a plate, the operation section engaging portion 41a1 on one side in the thickness direction and the operation section engaging portion 41b1 on the other side in the thickness direction are not formed in opposing positions, so that the operation section engaging portion 41a1 on one side in the thickness direction and the operation section engaging portion 41b1 on the other side in the thickness direction can be made to overlap in positions in the thickness direction, thereby reducing the thickness of the refrigerator compartment door 12.

[0061] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the operating unit 33 comprises a substrate 50, a cover 70 that houses the substrate 50, and a case 60 that houses the cover 70 that houses the substrate 50, and the case 60 is provided with a panel cover connecting portion 66 that engages with the operating unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1, and a cover connecting portion 67 with which the cover 70 is engaged, and the panel cover connecting portion 66 and the cover connecting portion 67 may be formed alternately in the longitudinal direction of the case 60. According to this configuration, by providing only one of the panel cover connecting portion 66 and the cover connecting portion 67 at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the case 60, the positions at which the panel cover connecting portion 66 and the cover connecting portion 67 are formed can be dispersed more widely than when both the panel cover connecting portion 66 and the cover connecting portion 67 are provided at the same position. This allows the thickness of the refrigerator compartment door 12 on which the operation unit storage portion 40 is provided to be thinner.

[0062] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, refrigerator compartment door 12 comprises a plate-shaped inner side surface portion 31b forming the side surface, an opening-shaped operation unit storage section 40 formed in inner side surface portion 31b, and operation unit engagement portions 41a1, 41b1 formed in the shape of a plate bent from the inner peripheral edge of operation unit storage section 40, and bending angles θ1, θ2 formed by the inner surface of inner side surface portion 31b and the inner surfaces of operation unit engagement portions 41a1, 41b1 may be 90 degrees or more. According to this configuration, the operation unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1 approach the operation unit 33 as they move toward the tip, so the gap that occurs between the operation unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1 and the operation unit 33 can be made smaller. This improves the appearance compared to when the gap is large. Also, compared to when the gap is large, it is possible to prevent water from entering the operation unit storage portion 40. Furthermore, because the operation unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1 approach the operation unit 33 as they move toward the tip, the operation unit 33 is more easily positioned by the operation unit engaging portions 41a1, 41b1, and lateral rattle of the operation unit 33 can be reduced.

[0063] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the operating section 33 may be located at a position recessed inward of the refrigerator compartment door 12 from the side surface. This configuration prevents foreign objects from coming into contact with operation unit 33 when opening or closing refrigerator compartment door 12, thereby preventing erroneous operation due to foreign objects. Furthermore, if label 80 is affixed to operation unit 33, peeling of label 80 can be easily prevented.

[0064] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the cover 70 and the case 60 may be provided with drainage paths 69, 79, respectively, that extend from above the substrate 50. According to this configuration, even if water may enter the operation unit housing 40, the substrate 50 can be made less susceptible to getting wet with water.

[0065] (Other embodiments) Note that the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made.

[0066] In the first embodiment, the configuration of the refrigerator 1 is described as being equipped with a refrigerator compartment 6, a vegetable compartment 10, etc., but the refrigerator may also be one in which the refrigerator compartment 6, vegetable compartment 10, etc. are omitted and only the freezer compartment 9 is provided as a storage compartment.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the operating unit 33 is provided on the side surface of the hinged refrigerator compartment door 12 has been described, but the side surface of the door on which the operating unit is provided is not limited to the hinged door, and it may be provided on a drawer-type door. For example, when providing it on a drawer-type freezer compartment door 16, the operating unit 33 may be provided on the upper side surface that forms the thickness of the freezer compartment door 16.

[0068] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0069] (Technology 1) A refrigerator comprising a housing with a storage compartment provided therein, a door that is supported on the housing so as to be able to open and close and close the storage compartment, and an operation unit for operating settings of the refrigerator, wherein the door is provided with an operation unit storage section in which the operation unit is stored, and the operation unit storage section is provided with an operation unit engagement section with which the operation unit engages and is fixed. According to this configuration, the operation unit can be easily fixed to the door by engaging with the operation unit engaging portion. Therefore, screws or the like are not required, and the operation unit can be fixed to the door without using parts such as screws.

[0070] (Technology 2) The refrigerator according to Technology 1, wherein the operation unit storage section is formed on a side surface of the door that forms the thickness of the door, the operation unit engagement sections are provided on both sides of the operation unit storage section in the thickness direction of the door, and the operation unit engagement section on one side in the thickness direction and the operation unit engagement section on the other side in the thickness direction are formed so as not to face each other. According to this configuration, when the operating unit engagement portion on one side in the thickness direction and the operating unit engagement portion on the other side in the thickness direction are formed by bending a plate, the operating unit engagement portion on one side in the thickness direction and the operating unit engagement portion on the other side in the thickness direction are not formed in opposing positions, so the operating unit engagement portion on one side in the thickness direction and the operating unit engagement portion on the other side in the thickness direction can be made to overlap in position in the thickness direction, thereby reducing the thickness of the door.

[0071] (Technology 3) The refrigerator according to Technology 2, wherein the operating unit includes a base plate, a cover control that houses the base plate, and a base control that covers the base plate and the cover control, and the base control is provided with a base engagement portion that engages with the operating unit engagement portion and a cover engagement portion with which the cover control is engaged, and the base engagement portion and the cover engagement portion are formed alternately in the longitudinal direction of the base control. With this configuration, by providing only the base engagement portion or the cover engagement portion at the same longitudinal position of the base control, the formation locations of the base engagement portion and the cover engagement portion can be dispersed compared to when both are provided at the same position, and therefore the thickness of the door on which the operation unit housing is provided can be made thinner.

[0072] (Technology 4) The door is a refrigerator according to Technology 2 or 3, which includes a plate-shaped side portion that forms the side surface, an opening-shaped operation unit storage portion formed in the side portion, and the operation unit engagement portion formed in a plate shape bent from the inner peripheral edge of the operation unit storage portion, and the bending angle formed by the inner surface of the side portion and the inner surface of the operation unit engagement portion is 90 degrees or more. According to this configuration, the operating part engaging portion approaches the operating part as it moves toward the tip, so the gap between the operating part engaging portion and the operating part can be reduced. This improves the appearance compared to when the gap is large. Also, compared to when the gap is large, it is possible to prevent water from entering the operating part storage portion. Furthermore, because the operating part engaging portion approaches the operating part as it moves toward the tip, the operating part is more easily positioned by the operating part engaging portion, and lateral rattle of the operating part can be reduced.

[0073] (Technical Aspect 5) The refrigerator according to any one of Technical Aspects 2 to 4, wherein the operating unit is located at a position recessed inward of the door from the side surface. This configuration can prevent foreign objects from coming into contact with the operating unit when opening or closing the door, thereby preventing erroneous operation due to foreign objects. Also, if a label is attached to the operating unit, it can be easily prevented from peeling off.

[0074] (Technology 6) The refrigerator according to Technology 3, wherein the cover control and the base control are provided with respective drainage paths extending from above the base plate. With this configuration, even if water may enter the operation unit housing, the substrate can be made less susceptible to water. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] As described above, the refrigerator according to the present disclosure can be suitably used in refrigerators in which an operating unit for operating refrigerator settings is provided on a door that closes a storage compartment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 refrigerator 2. Insulated box 3 Outer box (casing) 4 Inner box 5. Foam insulation 6 Refrigerator (storage room) 7. Switch Room 9 Freezer 10 Vegetable compartment 11 Refrigerator door 11a Hinge 12 Refrigerator door (door) 12a Hinge 13 Switch compartment door 14 Ice maker door 15. Switchable chamber container 16 Freezer door 17 Upper freezer compartment container section 18 Lower freezer compartment container section 19 Vegetable compartment door 20 Vegetable compartment container 23 Cooling room 24 Cooler 25 Compressor 26 Blower fan 31 Cover Panel 31a Front section 31b Inner side part (side part) 31c Outer side part 32 Door pocket member 32a Door pocket 33 Operation section 36 Inner panel 37 Gasket 40 Control unit storage area 41 Aperture 41a Bend part 41a1 Operation part engaging part 41a2 Engagement hole 41b Bent part 41b1 Operation part engaging part 41b2 Engagement hole 41c Bend part 50 boards 51 Board body 52 Electronic Components 53 Electronic Components 54 Electronic Components 55 Harness 60 cases (base control) 61 Case body 62 Flange 62a wall 63 Bottom wall 63a Harness passage 63b Harness engagement part 64 Outer wall 64a Outer wall 64b Outer wall 64c Outer wall 64d Outer wall 65 Reinforcing rib 65a vertical rib 65b horizontal rib 66 Panel cover joint (base engagement part) 66a Slope 66b Hook surface 67 Cover joint (cover engagement part) 67a Outside slope 67b Central plane 67c inner slope 68 Wall 68a Upper wall 68c rear wall 69 Drainage route 70 Cover (Cover Control) 71 Operation panel 71a Button section 72 Outer wall 72a Outer wall 72a1 Slope 72a2 wall 72a3 Drainage ditch 72b Outer wall 72c Outer wall 72c1 Thin wall part 72d Outer wall 72d1 Thin section 75 Reinforcing rib 77 Cover engagement part 77a Outside slope 77b Internal slope 79 Drainage route 80 Labels 100 sealing material S Gap θ1 angle θ2 angle θ3 angle

Claims

1. a housing having a storage chamber provided therein; a door that is supported on the housing so as to be openable and closable and closes the storage chamber; An operation unit for operating settings of the refrigerator, The door is provided with an operation unit storage section in which the operation unit is stored, The operation unit storage section is provided with an operation unit engagement section with which the operation unit is engaged and fixed. refrigerator.

2. The operation unit storage section is formed on a side surface of the door that forms a thickness of the door, The operation unit engaging portions are provided on both sides of the operation unit storage portion in the thickness direction of the door, The operation portion engaging portion on one side in the thickness direction and the operation portion engaging portion on the other side in the thickness direction are formed so as not to face each other. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. the operation unit includes a substrate, a cover control that houses the substrate, and a base control that covers the substrate and the cover control; The base control is provided with a base engagement portion that engages with the operation portion engagement portion and a cover engagement portion that engages with the cover control, The base engaging portion and the cover engaging portion are formed alternately in the longitudinal direction of the base control. The refrigerator according to claim 2.

4. the door includes a plate-shaped side surface portion that forms the side surface, the operation unit storage portion that is an opening formed in the side surface portion, and the operation unit engagement portion that is formed in a plate shape bent from an inner peripheral edge of the operation unit storage portion, The bending angle formed between the inner surface of the side surface portion and the inner surface of the operation portion engagement portion is 90 degrees or more. The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The operating portion is located at a position recessed inward of the door from the side surface. The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The cover control and the base control are provided with respective drainage paths extending from above the substrate. The refrigerator according to claim 3.

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