refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that ensures the water tank is positioned correctly while maintaining sufficient tank capacity. [Solution] The refrigerator comprises a storage compartment, a water tank for storing water inside, and a mounting surface provided at the bottom of the storage compartment on which the water tank is placed. The water tank has a protrusion on its lower surface that projects downward. The mounting surface has a recess formed by being recessed downward to receive the protrusion when the water tank is placed on the mounting surface, and a raised portion provided in front of the recess and projecting upward from the recess. In the mounting state, the vertical height of the first position on the mounting surface that contacts the water tank at the foremost side is set to be the same as or higher than the vertical height of the highest part of the raised portion.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice-making function, a water supply tank for water supply is installed in the refrigerator compartment, and water in this water supply tank is supplied to an ice-making device to make ice. The water supply tank is detachably provided, for example, in a storage section provided adjacent to a chilled compartment provided at the bottommost part of the refrigerator compartment. A configuration for ensuring the positioning of the water supply tank has been proposed so that there is no water leakage from the water supply tank and water can be supplied.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, there are provided a water supply tank detachably provided in a refrigerator body, a water supply pump disposed in the water supply tank and provided with a discharge port protruding outward from the tank, a water supply pipe having one end connected to the discharge port, and a drive unit installed outside the water supply tank adjacent to the water supply pump. The water supply pump drives the power of the drive unit non-contact by a magnetic coupling. In this case, a positioning concave portion that engages with a convex step portion of the mounting floor surface is formed on the bottom surface of the water supply tank so as to be disposed close to the drive unit, and a convex portion is provided in front of the bottom surface of the tank mounting so that the tip of the discharge port faces downward and coincides with the water supply pipe opening at the tank position immediately before the engagement between the discharge port and the water supply pipe. A water supply device is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In order to achieve both a larger internal storage capacity and an increased water storage capacity in the water tank, it is necessary to reduce the clearance between the partition plate separating the water tank from the storage space above the water tank and the top surface of the water tank. In this case, when the water tank is placed in the storage compartment, if it attempts to overcome the positioning protrusion, the front of the water tank may tilt upwards, potentially causing interference between the top surface of the water tank and the partition plate.

[0006] To provide a refrigerator that ensures the water tank is positioned correctly while maintaining sufficient tank capacity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The refrigerator of this embodiment comprises a storage compartment, a water tank for storing water inside, and a mounting surface provided at the bottom of the storage compartment on which the water tank is placed. The water tank has a protrusion on its lower surface that projects downward. The mounting surface has a recess formed by being recessed downward to receive the protrusion when the water tank is placed on the mounting surface, and a raised portion provided in front of the recess and projecting upward from the recess. In the mounting state, the vertical height of the first position on the mounting surface that contacts the water tank at the foremost side is set to be the same as or higher than the vertical height of the highest part of the raised portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Front view showing an example of the schematic configuration of the top of a refrigerator according to one embodiment, with the door removed. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the water tank and partition wall in the installed state of an example of a refrigerator according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a water supply tank according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] A bottom view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a water supply tank according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a part of a partition wall according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a plan view showing a partition wall of an example of a refrigerator according to one embodiment, with the lower surface of the water tank in its installed state indicated by a dashed line. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 6 [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 6 [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view along line IX-IX in Figure 6 [Figure 10] This is a plan view showing a partition wall of an example of a refrigerator according to one embodiment, with the lower surface of the water tank during sliding operation indicated by a dashed line. [Figure 11] A perspective view (part 1) showing the water tank and partition wall during sliding operation of an example of a refrigerator according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] A perspective view (part 2) showing the water tank and partition wall during sliding operation of an example of a refrigerator according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] Side view showing a modified water tank [Figure 14] Plan view showing a modified arrangement of multiple recesses on the mounting surface and multiple protrusions on the water supply tank. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A refrigerator according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As partially shown in Figure 1, the refrigerator 10 is mainly composed of an insulated box 11 with an open front, and has multiple storage compartments inside. In the following description, as shown in Figure 1, the side with the opening of the box 11 will be referred to as the front of the refrigerator 10, and the side opposite the opening will be referred to as the rear of the refrigerator 10. Also, the vertical direction with respect to gravity when the refrigerator 10 is placed on the floor in the position shown in Figure 1 will be referred to as the vertical direction of the refrigerator 10. Also, the left-right direction when the refrigerator 10 in Figure 1 is viewed from the front will be referred to as the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10.

[0010] The box body 11 includes multiple storage compartments for storing items, such as a refrigerator compartment 12, a vegetable compartment 13, an ice-making compartment (not shown), a small freezer compartment, and a freezer compartment. The refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13 are storage compartments for refrigeration. The ice-making compartment, small freezer compartment, and freezer compartment are storage compartments for freezing. The refrigerator compartment 12 is located at the top of the box body 11. The vegetable compartment 13 is located below the refrigerator compartment 12. The ice-making compartment, small freezer compartment, and freezer compartment are located below the vegetable compartment 13. The refrigerator 10 has multiple doors (not shown), each of which opens and closes the front openings of the refrigerator compartment 12, the vegetable compartment 13, the ice-making compartment, the small freezer compartment, and the freezer compartment.

[0011] The refrigerator 10 is equipped with a partition wall 14. The partition wall 14 is a wall that separates the refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13, and constitutes the bottom surface of the refrigerator compartment 12 and the top surface of the vegetable compartment 13.

[0012] The refrigerator compartment 12 has multiple shelves 15, in this case two shelves, and a chilled compartment 16. The multiple shelves 15 are distributed vertically and support the food stored in the refrigerator compartment 12 from below. The chilled compartment 16 is located at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 12, that is, below the multiple shelves 15. The inside of the chilled compartment 16 can be set to a chilled temperature range. The chilled temperature range is a temperature range below the refrigeration temperature range but higher than the freezing temperature range, for example, it can be a temperature range of 0°C to 3°C.

[0013] The chilled compartment 16 has a two-tiered structure consisting of an upper chilled compartment 161 and a lower chilled compartment 162. The upper chilled compartment 161 extends across the entire width of the refrigerator compartment 12 in the left-right direction. The lower chilled compartment 162 is located below the upper chilled compartment 161 and is situated on one of the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment 12, in this case the right side. Inside each chilled compartment 161 and 162, a case (details not shown) is retractably housed. In this case, the lower chilled compartment 162 is divided into two sections in the left-right direction.

[0014] The refrigerator 10 includes an ice making device 20. The ice making device 20 includes a water supply pump 21 and an ice tray (not shown), and also includes a water supply tank 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 etc. The water supply tank 30 has a function of storing water to be supplied to the ice tray, and is stored in the refrigerator compartment 12 which is a storage room in the refrigerated temperature zone so that it can be taken in and out. The ice tray is provided in the ice making compartment which is a storage room in the freezing temperature zone. The ice making device 20 supplies the water stored in the water supply tank 30 to the ice tray by the water supply pump 21 to generate ice.

[0015] The water supply tank 30 is accommodated in the lowermost part of the refrigerator compartment 12. In the present embodiment, the water supply tank 30 is located below the upper chilled compartment 161 and is accommodated on one side in the left - right direction of the lower chilled compartment 162, in this case, on the left side.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the partition wall 14 has a placement surface 50 and a sliding surface 60 on its upper surface portion, that is, the surface forming the bottom surface of the refrigerator compartment 12. The placement surface 50 is a portion that overlaps with the water supply tank 30 in a plan view in the placement state where the water supply tank 30 is arranged at an appropriate position where water can be supplied to the refrigerator compartment 12. The sliding surface 60 is a region where the placement surface 50 is extended forward, and is a surface for sliding the water supply tank 30 when the user takes out the water supply tank 30 from the placement surface 50 or accommodates it on the placement surface 50.

[0017] Next, referring also to FIGS. 3 and 4, the configuration of the water supply tank 30 will be described. The water supply tank 30 includes a tank body 31 and a lid member 32. In the following description, the front - rear, left - right directions regarding the tank body 31, the lid member 32, and their constituent members refer to the front - rear, left - right directions in the state where the lid member 32 is attached to the tank body 31 and stored in the refrigerator 10, unless otherwise specified. The outside of the tank body 31 or the center side of the tank body 31 regarding the tank body 31, the lid member 32, and their constituent members refers to the outside of the tank body or the center side of the tank body 31, unless otherwise specified.

[0018] The tank body 31 is formed in the shape of a generally rectangular container with an opening 33 on its top surface, and is configured to store water inside. The lid member 32 is configured to be detachably attached to the tank body 31 and has the function of being attached to the tank body 31 to close the opening 33.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the tank body 31 has a front portion 34, a left side portion 35, a right side portion 36, a rear portion 37, and a bottom portion 38. The front portion 34 forms a surface that is generally perpendicular to the front-rear direction and constitutes the front surface of the tank body 31. The left side portion 35 forms a surface that is generally perpendicular to the left-right direction and constitutes the left side surface of the tank body 31. The right side portion 36 forms a surface that is generally perpendicular to the left-right direction and constitutes the right side surface of the tank body 31. The rear portion 37 forms a surface that is generally perpendicular to the front-rear direction and constitutes the rear surface of the tank body 31. The bottom portion 38 forms a surface that is generally perpendicular to the up-down direction and constitutes the bottom surface of the tank body 31.

[0020] The rear section 37 is composed of an upper rear section 371, a lower rear section 372, and a stepped section 373. The upper rear section 371 is located at the top of the rear section 37, that is, closer to the opening 33. The lower rear section 372 is located at the bottom of the rear section 37, that is, closer to the bottom surface 38. The upper rear section 371 is located behind the lower rear section 372. The stepped section 373 is provided between the upper rear section 371 and the lower rear section 372 and forms an inclined surface that slopes backward as it goes upward, or a horizontal surface. In this embodiment, the stepped section 373 forms an inclined surface that slopes backward as it goes upward.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the tank body 31 has one or more protrusions 41, 42 and a supported portion 43. The protrusions closer to the front portion 34 of the tank body 31 are referred to as the first protrusion 41, and the protrusions located behind the first protrusion 41 are referred to as the second protrusion 42. The first protrusion 41, the second protrusion 42, and the supported portion 43 are all formed by protruding downward from the lower surface portion 38 of the tank body 31 or by protruding downward from the lower surface portion 38. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 41 and the supported portion 43 are formed by protruding downward from the lower surface portion 38. The second protrusion 42 is also formed by protruding downward from the lower surface portion 38.

[0022] The lower ends of the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 are located at the very bottom of the tank body 31 when it is placed on a surface. Even when the water supply tank 30 is removed from the refrigerator compartment 12, when the water supply tank 30 is placed on a workbench, the lower ends of the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 are in contact with the workbench, and the orientation of the tank body 31 can be kept horizontal. In other words, the lower ends of the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first protrusion 41 is located closer to the front portion 34 than the center of the tank body 31 in the front-rear direction. The first protrusion 41 is not provided across the entire width of the tank body 31 in the left-right direction, but rather in a portion of the width in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 41 is provided on the edge of the lower surface portion 38 near the left surface portion 35 and the edge near the right surface portion 36, respectively. The front-rear positions of the two first protrusions 41 coincide.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first protrusion 41 is formed in a rib shape that is generally U-shaped when viewed from the bottom. The first protrusion 41 has an inner surface portion 411, an outer surface portion 412, and a back surface portion 413. The inner surface portion 411 and the outer surface portion 412 form a surface that is generally perpendicular to the left-right direction. The inner surface portion 411 is located closer to the center of the tank body 31 than the outer surface portion 412. The front end of the inner surface portion 411 and the front end of the outer surface portion 412 are formed to be inclined so that they move backward as they go downward. The inner surface portion 411 and the outer surface portion 412 are formed so that they partially or completely overlap each other when viewed from the side. In this embodiment, the inner surface portion 411 and the outer surface portion 412 are formed so that they completely overlap each other when viewed from the side. The back surface portion 413 connects the inner surface portion 411 and the outer surface portion 412 and forms a surface that is generally perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second protrusion 42 is located closer to the rear surface 37 than the center of the tank body 31 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the rear end of the second protrusion 42 is connected to the lower rear surface 372. The second protrusion 42 is located such that at least a portion of it does not overlap with the first protrusion 41 in a front view in the left-right direction. The second protrusion 42 may be located on a portion of the left-right width of the lower surface 38, or it may extend across its entire width. In this embodiment, the second protrusion 42 is located on a portion closer to the left surface 35. The front portion 421 of the second protrusion 42 forms an inclined surface that rises as it moves forward.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the supported portion 43 is positioned closer to the front portion 34 than the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42. The height of the lower end of the supported portion 43 is set higher than the height of the lower ends of the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42. In other words, the lower end of the supported portion 43 is not on the same plane as the lower ends of the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the supported portion 43 is formed in a rib shape that is generally U-shaped when viewed from the bottom. The supported portion 43 has a left side portion 431, a right side portion 432, and a front portion 433. The left side portion 431 and the right side portion 432 form a surface that is generally perpendicular to the left-right direction. The left side portion 431 is located closer to the center of the tank body 31 than the right side portion 432. The rear end of the left side portion 431 and the rear end of the right side portion 432 are formed to be inclined so that they move backward as they go upward. The left side portion 431 and the right side portion 432 are formed so that they partially or completely overlap each other when viewed from the side. In this embodiment, the left side portion 431 and the right side portion 432 are formed so that they completely overlap each other when viewed from the side. The front portion 433 connects the left side portion 431 and the right side portion 432 and forms a surface that is generally perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0028] The supported portion 43 is formed over approximately 80% of the total width of the lower surface portion 38 in the left-right direction. The left side surface portion 431 and the outer surface portion 412 of the first protrusion 41 provided near the left edge are formed on approximately the same plane. The right side surface portion 432 and the outer surface portion 412 of the first protrusion 41 provided near the right edge are formed on approximately the same plane.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the mounting surface 50 is formed by recessing the upper surface of the partition wall 14 downwards. In other words, the height of the mounting surface 50 is set lower than the height of the bottom surface of the lower chilled compartment 162.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the mounting surface 50 is composed of one or more recesses 51, 52, one or more raised portions 53, 54, and a rising portion 55. The recesses 51, 52 are formed by recessing the mounting surface 50 downwards. The raised portions 53, 54 form surfaces that protrude upwards from the recesses 51, 52. The rising portion 55 is formed by raising a part of the mounting surface 50 upwards. A back wall portion 56 is formed behind the mounting surface 50, forming a surface that is generally perpendicular to the front-to-back direction.

[0031] Of the multiple recesses 51 and 52, the recess closer to the front portion 34 of the tank body 31 is referred to as the first recess 51, and the recess located further back than the first recess 51 is referred to as the second recess 52. Of the multiple raised portions 53 and 54, the raised portion closer to the rear portion 37 of the tank body 31 is referred to as the first raised portion 53, and the raised portion located further forward than the first raised portion 53 is referred to as the second raised portion 54.

[0032] The first recess 51 and the second recess 52 are located on the same plane and form the lowest height surface of the mounting surface 50. The first recess 51 receives the first protrusion 41 of the tank body 31 when it is mounted. The second recess 52 receives the second protrusion 42 of the tank body 31 when it is mounted.

[0033] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first recess 51 is formed slightly forward of the center of the mounting surface 50 in the front-to-back direction. The first recess 51 is not provided across the entire width of the mounting surface 50 in the left-to-right direction, but rather in a portion of its width. In this embodiment, the first recess 51 is provided on the left edge and the right edge of the mounting surface 50, respectively. The front-to-back positions of the two first recesses 51 coincide.

[0034] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first recess 51 is formed including an inclined surface 511 and a horizontal surface 512. The inclined surface 511 is formed at the front of the first recess 51 and forms an inclined surface that slopes downward as it moves towards the rear. The horizontal surface 512 is formed behind the inclined surface 511 and forms a horizontal surface. The horizontal surface 512 forms the surface of the mounting surface 50 that is at the lowest height. In the mounting state, the horizontal surface 512 is in contact with the lower end of the first protrusion 41. The length dimension of the horizontal surface 512 in the front-rear direction is set to be approximately the same as or slightly longer than the length dimension of the lower end of the first protrusion 41 in the front-rear direction.

[0035] When the user places the water tank 30 on the mounting surface 50, the inclined surface 511 gently guides the first recess 51 along the inclination to the horizontal surface 512 below, so that the water tank 30 can be placed without impact. Also, when the user removes the water tank 30 from the mounting surface 50, the first protrusion 41 can move from the horizontal surface 512 along the inclined surface 511 to overcome the first recess 51, so that the water tank 30 can be removed smoothly.

[0036] The second recess 52 is formed further back than the center of the mounting surface 50 in the front-to-back direction. The second recess 52 is provided between the first raised portion 53 and the back wall portion 56. In addition, a rising portion 55 is provided on one side of the second recess in the left-to-right direction, in this case the right side.

[0037] The length of the second recess 52 in the front-rear direction is set to be approximately the same as the length of the second protrusion 42 in the front-rear direction, and slightly longer than the length of the second protrusion 42 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the second protrusion 42 is received by the second recess 52 in the mounted state, the movement of the water supply tank 30 in the front-rear direction is restricted by the back wall 56 and the first raised portion 53. When a forward external force of a predetermined size or more is applied to the water supply tank 30, the second protrusion 42 can overcome the front end of the second recess 52, the restriction on the forward movement of the tank body 31 is released, and the tank body 31 can be removed from the mounting surface 50.

[0038] The first raised portion 53 is provided between the first recess 51 and the second recess 52 in the front-rear direction. The first raised portion 53 forms the surface of the mounting surface 50 that is the second highest in the vertical direction after the rising portion 55. The first raised portion 53 is provided on one side in the left-right direction, in this case slightly to the left. The rising portion 55 is formed to the right of the first raised portion 53.

[0039] The second raised portion 54 is located further forward of the mounting surface 50 than the center in the front-to-back direction. The second raised portion 54 is located on at least one side of the first recess 51 in the left-to-right direction. In this embodiment, the second raised portion 54 is formed between the first recess 51 located on the left edge and the first recess 51 located on the right edge.

[0040] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 9, the second raised portion 54 and the second recessed portion 52 are positioned so that at least a portion of them in the left-right direction overlaps vertically in a front view. In other words, as shown in Figure 10, when the water tank 30 is placed on or removed from the mounting surface 50, at least a portion of the second protrusion 42 in the left-right direction passes over the second raised portion 54. Therefore, the second protrusion 42 does not fall into the first recessed portion 51, making it possible to smoothly insert and remove the water tank 30.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 9, the first raised portion 53 and the second raised portion 54 are formed on the same plane. Furthermore, the first raised portion 53 and the second raised portion 54 are formed continuously. Therefore, when inserting or removing the water tank 30, the second protrusion 42 can move even more smoothly along the same plane from the front to the center of the mounting surface 50.

[0042] The rising portion 55 is provided at the rear of the mounting surface 50, shifted to one side in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the rising portion 55 is provided on the right side. The rising portion 55 forms the highest surface of the mounting surface 50. The rising portion 55 is inclined so that its left edge moves towards the right as it moves forward.

[0043] In the mounted state, the supported portion 43 is supported in contact with the front end of the mounting surface 50. This prevents the water tank 30 from tilting even if a downward external force acts on the front end of the water tank 30 in the mounted state. The front end of the mounting surface 50 is formed in continuous with the second raised portion 54. The vertical height position of the front end of the mounting surface 50 is set to be the same as or higher than the vertical height position of the highest part of the second raised portion 54. In this embodiment, the vertical height position of the front end of the mounting surface 50 is set to be the same as the vertical height position of the highest part of the second raised portion 54.

[0044] As shown in Figure 9, in the mounted state, the position in the front-to-back direction where the frontmost part of the mounting surface 50 contacts the water supply tank 30 is referred to as the first position P1. Also, in the mounted state, the part of the mounting surface 50 that overlaps with the front end of the tank body 31 in a plan view is referred to as the second position P2. In this case, the vertical height of the first position P1 is set to be the same as or higher than the vertical height of the highest part of the first raised section 53 in the vertical direction. Also, in the mounted state, the vertical height of the second position P2 is set to be the same as or higher than the vertical height of the highest part of the first raised section 53 in the vertical direction. That is, when a user places the water supply tank 30 on the mounting surface 50, from the time the rear part 37 of the tank body 31 begins to overlap with the mounting surface 50 in a plan view until it is mounted, the posture of the water supply tank 30 is either a horizontal posture or a tilted posture that slopes downward as it moves backward, and it does not need to take a tilted posture that slopes upward as it moves backward. Therefore, interference between the lid member 32 and the lower surface of the upper chilled compartment 161 is suppressed.

[0045] As shown in Figure 10, when inserting or removing the water tank 30, at least a portion of the second protrusion 42 in the left-right direction passes through at least a portion of the first recess 51, in this case the first recess 51 provided on the left edge. The length dimension of the first recess 51 in the front-rear direction is set to be shorter than the length dimension of the second recess 52 in the front-rear direction. That is, the length dimension of the first recess 51 in the front-rear direction is set to be shorter than the length dimension of the second protrusion 42 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second protrusion 42 from falling into the first recess 51.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, the vertical height of the sliding surface 60 is set to be higher than or equal to the vertical height of the mounting surface 50. Furthermore, the sliding surface 60 is formed to include an inclined surface that rises towards the front end. That is, as shown in examples in Figures 2, 11, and 12, when the water supply tank 30 slides in the front-rear direction on the sliding surface 60 and the mounting surface 50 when inserting or removing the water supply tank 30, the posture of the water supply tank 30 will be either a horizontal posture or an inclined posture that descends as it moves backward, and it will not take an inclined posture that rises as it moves backward.

[0047] Furthermore, when the water supply tank 30 passes over the sliding surface 60, the maximum inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane is θ. In this case, the shape of the protrusions 41 and 42 is designed so that even if they are inclined at an angle θ from the horizontal plane in a downward direction towards the rear, water will not leak from the water outlet provided on the lid member 32. The maximum inclination angle θ can be set, for example, within a range of approximately 13° to approximately 17°.

[0048] According to the embodiment described above, the refrigerator 10 comprises a refrigerator compartment 12 as a storage compartment, a water supply tank 30 for storing water inside, and a mounting surface 50 provided at the bottom of the storage compartment 12 on which the water supply tank 30 is placed. The water supply tank 30 has protrusions 41 and 42 projecting downward on its lower surface 38. The mounting surface 50 has recesses 51 and 52 formed by being recessed downward to receive the protrusions 41 and 42 when the water supply tank 30 is placed on the mounting surface 50, and raised portions 53 and 54 provided in front of the recesses 52 and projecting upward above the recesses 51 and 52. In the mounted state, the vertical height position of the first position P1 on the mounting surface 50 that contacts the water supply tank 30 at the foremost side is set to be the same as or higher than the vertical height position of the highest part of the raised portions 53 and 54.

[0049] According to this, when the protrusions 41 and 42 pass over the raised parts 53 and 54 from front to back, the water tank can overcome the raised parts without having to tilt so that it is higher towards the rear. In other words, when the water tank 30 is placed on the mounting surface 50, it is not necessary for it to take an inclined position where it rises towards the rear. As a result, the upper part of the water tank 30, in this case the lid member 32, is less likely to interfere with the lower surface of the upper component, such as the upper chilled compartment 161. Therefore, the clearance between the water tank 30 and the upper component can be set smaller than in the conventional design. Thus, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that ensures the positioning of the water tank while securing the tank's capacity.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the protrusion is composed of a first protrusion 41 and a second protrusion 42 located behind the first protrusion 41. The recess is composed of a first recess 51 that receives the first protrusion 41 in the mounted state and a second recess 52 located behind the first recess 51 that receives the second protrusion 42 in the mounted state. The mounting surface 50 has a second raised portion 54 that protrudes above the first recess 51 on at least one side in the left-right direction of the first recess 51. In the mounted state, the second raised portion 54 is formed in a position that overlaps vertically with at least a part of the second protrusion in a front view.

[0051] According to this, when the water supply tank 30 is slid in the front-rear direction to be placed on or removed from the mounting surface 50, the second protrusion 42 is prevented from falling into the first recess 51. Therefore, the insertion and removal of the water supply tank 30 becomes smoother.

[0052] According to this embodiment, the first protrusion 41 is formed behind the front end of the water supply tank 30, and the water supply tank 30 has a supported portion 43 that is supported on the mounting surface 50 when placed in front of the first protrusion 41.

[0053] According to this, in the mounted state, at least three points—the lower surface of the first protrusion 41, the lower surface of the second protrusion 42, and the lower surface of the supported portion 43—are in contact with the mounting surface 50. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the front end of the water supply tank 30 from tilting downward due to external force, thereby preventing the connection between the water supply tank 30 and the water supply pipe (not shown) from being severed.

[0054] According to this embodiment, the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 12 has an inclined surface that slopes upward towards the front of the mounting surface 50. When the water supply tank 30 slides in the front-rear direction on the inclined surface, the maximum inclination angle of the water supply tank 30 is θ, and the protrusions 41 and 42 are designed so that water does not spill even when tilted at an angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0055] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 12(1), the first protrusion 41 and the supported portion 43 are rib-shaped and protrude from the lower surface portion 38 of the tank body 31, and the second protrusion 42 is formed by the lower surface portion 38 itself protruding downward, but it is not limited to this. The first protrusion 41, the second protrusion 42, and the supported portion 43 may each be a part of the lower surface portion 38 of the tank body 31, that is, a part of the structure surrounding the water storage space S, or they may be formed protruding from the lower surface portion 38.

[0056] For example, in the modified example shown in (2), the first protrusion 41 and the supported portion 43 are integrally formed rib shapes, and the second protrusion 42 is formed by making the lower surface portion 38 itself protrude downward. In the modified example shown in (3), the first protrusion 41 is a rib shape formed by protruding downward from the lower surface portion 38, and the supported portion 43 and the second protrusion 42 are part of the configuration that surrounds a part of the lower surface portion 38 of the tank body 31, i.e., the water storage space S. In the modified example shown in (4), the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42 are rib shapes formed by protruding downward from the lower surface portion 38, and the supported portion 43 is part of the configuration that surrounds a part of the lower surface portion 38 of the tank body 31, i.e., the water storage space S. In all cases, the lower surface portion 38 is at its lowest position at the rear of the tank body 31 where the water supply pump 21 is located, that is, at a position that overlaps vertically with the second protrusion 42. This allows water to be efficiently collected near the water supply pump 21. This method also achieves the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0057] (Modification 2) Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the arrangement of the protrusions 41, 42 and recesses 51, 52 is such that, in the mounted state, at least a portion of the second protrusion 42 does not overlap with the first recess 51 in the vertical direction when viewed from the front, and various embodiments are possible. For example, in the modified example shown in (1), the first recess 51 is provided separately on the left and right edges of the front part of the mounting surface 50, and the second recess 52 is provided on the rear part of the mounting surface 50 over the entire width in the left-right direction. On the lower surface 38 of the tank body 31, the first protrusion 41 is provided separately near the left surface 35 and near the right surface 36. The second protrusion 42 is formed over the entire width in the left-right direction in the portion of the lower surface 38 near the rear surface 37. In the modified example shown in (2), the second protrusion 42 is formed in the central part in the left-right direction in the portion of the lower surface 38 near the rear surface 37. In the modified example shown in (3), the first protrusion 41 and the second protrusion 42, and the first recess 51 and the second recess 52 are each located on opposite sides in the left-right direction, i.e., diagonally opposite. In this modified example, the first protrusion 41 and the first recess 51 are formed towards the left side, and the second protrusion 42 and the second recess 52 are formed towards the right side. Even in this configuration, the same effects as in the above embodiment are achieved.

[0058] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 10...Refrigerator, 12...Refrigerator compartment (storage compartment), 30...Water tank, 38...Bottom surface, 41...First protrusion (protrusion), 42...Second protrusion (protrusion), 43...Supported part, 50...Placement surface, 51...First recess (recess), 52...Second recess (recess), 53...First raised part (raised part), 54...Second raised part

Claims

1. Storage room and A water tank that stores water inside, The storage chamber comprises a mounting surface provided at the bottom on which the water supply tank is placed, The water supply tank has a protrusion on its lower surface that projects downward, The mounting surface has a recess formed by being recessed downwards to receive the protrusion when the water supply tank is placed on the mounting surface, and a raised portion provided in front of the recess and protruding upward from the recess. In the aforementioned mounting state, the vertical height of the first position that contacts the water supply tank at the foremost end of the mounting surface is set to be the same as or higher than the vertical height of the highest part of the raised portion. refrigerator.

2. The aforementioned protrusion includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion located behind the first protrusion. The recess includes a first recess that receives the first protrusion in the aforementioned position, and a second recess located behind the first recess that receives the second protrusion in the aforementioned position. The mounting surface has a second raised portion that protrudes above the first recess on at least one side in the left-right direction of the first recess, The second raised portion is formed in a position that overlaps with at least a part of the second protrusion in the vertical direction when viewed from the front, in the position described above. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned protrusion is formed behind the front end of the water supply tank, and the water supply tank has a supported portion in front of the aforementioned protrusion that is supported by the aforementioned mounting surface in the aforementioned mounting state. The refrigerator according to claim 2.

4. The bottom of the storage chamber has an inclined surface that slopes upward towards the front of the aforementioned surface, When the water supply tank slides in the forward and backward direction on the inclined surface, the maximum inclination angle of the water supply tank with respect to the horizontal direction is θ, The aforementioned protrusion is designed so that water does not leak even when tilted at an angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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