refrigerator

Abstract

To increase the storage capacity of food items on multiple shelves arranged at different heights. [Solution] The refrigerator of the present invention comprises a storage compartment in which a first shelf rib and a second shelf rib are arranged at different heights, a long shelf, a short shelf having a shorter front-to-back dimension than the long shelf, a door that opens and closes the front opening of the storage compartment, and a door pocket arranged on the door that forms a storage space overlapping the first shelf rib when viewed from the front. When the long shelf is placed on the second shelf rib, the door pocket and its contents do not interfere with the long shelf when attempting to close the door. However, when the long shelf is placed on the first shelf rib, the door pocket or its contents interfere with the long shelf when attempting to close the door.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] In a storage room where shelves are arranged, if tall foods are not stored, it is possible to increase the storage capacity of foods by expanding the total area of the shelves. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that in one shelf, in order to avoid interference with the door pocket, the front-rear dimensions are made different on the left and right sides (FIG. 4 of the said document).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, regarding a plurality of shelves arranged at different heights, since the front-rear dimensions are all the same, there is room to increase the storage capacity of foods.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In view of the above problems, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a storage room in which a first shelf rib and a second shelf rib are arranged at different heights, a long shelf, a short shelf whose front-rear dimension is shorter than that of the long shelf, a door for opening and closing an opening in front of the storage room, and a door pocket arranged on the door and forming a storage space that overlaps the first shelf rib in a front view. When the long shelf is placed on the second shelf rib, even if an attempt is made to close the door, the door pocket and the stored items in the door pocket do not interfere with the long shelf. However, when the long shelf is placed on the first shelf rib and an attempt is made to close the door, the door pocket or the stored items in the door pocket interfere with the long shelf.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] A front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] Figure 1, section AA (longitudinal section of the refrigerator compartment). [Figure 2B] A cross-sectional view showing the shelf removed from Figure 2A. [Figure 3] A perspective view illustrating the basic structure of a removable shelf. [Figure 4A] An enlarged side view of the area near the stopper (dotted line B in Figure 3) of the long shelf according to Example 1. [Figure 4B] An enlarged side view of the area near the stopper (dotted line B in Figure 3) of the short shelf according to Example 1. [Figure 4C] A side view showing the configuration of the shelf ribs according to Example 1. [Figure 5A] An enlarged side view of the vicinity of the clamping portion (dotted line E in Figure 3) of the long shelf according to Example 2. [Figure 5B] An enlarged side view of the vicinity of the clamping portion (dotted line E in Figure 3) of the short shelf according to Example 2. [Figure 5C] A side view showing the configuration of the shelf ribs according to Example 2. [Figure 6A] An enlarged side view of the vicinity of the clamping portion (dotted line E in Figure 3) of the short shelf according to a modified example of Example 2. [Figure 6B] A side view showing the long shelf supported by the second shelf rib. [Figure 6C] A side view showing a modified example of Example 2, where a short shelf is supported by the second shelf rib. [Figure 6D] A side view showing a modified example of Example 2, where a short shelf is supported by the first shelf rib. [Figure 6E] A side view showing how the long shelf cannot be supported by the first shelf rib. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the left and right directions refer to the left and right when viewed from the front by the user.

[0008] First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a front view of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the refrigerator 1 has storage compartments in the following order from top to bottom: a refrigerator compartment 2, an ice-making compartment 3 and an upper freezer compartment 4, a lower freezer compartment 5 and a vegetable compartment 6. Storage compartment doors are provided at the front openings of each compartment to open and close these openings. The arrangement of each storage compartment is not limited to this.

[0009] The storage compartment door consists of a rotating refrigerator compartment door 2a, 2b that rotates around a hinge (not shown), a pull-out ice maker compartment door 3a, an upper freezer compartment door 4a, a lower freezer compartment door 5a, and a vegetable compartment door 6a. In this embodiment, the refrigerator compartment 2 has two doors that open outwards (French type), but it may also have a single door.

[0010] The insulated casing of refrigerator 1 comprises an outer casing made of steel plate and an inner casing made of synthetic resin. Foamed insulation material such as rigid polyurethane foam is provided in the space formed by the outer and inner casings to insulate each storage compartment inside the insulated casing from the outside.

[0011] Fig. 2A is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 1 (a longitudinal sectional view of the refrigerator compartment 2), and Fig. 2B is a sectional view showing the state where the shelf in Fig. 2A is removed. As shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, on the inner side of the refrigerator compartment door 2a, a plurality of door pockets are arranged in the order of the first door pocket 21a, the second door pocket 21b, the third door pocket 21c, and the fourth door pocket 21d from the bottom. The number of door pockets is not limited to four, but the lowermost first door pocket 21a protrudes rearward compared to the other door pockets, and can accommodate a relatively large amount of drinks. Also, the bottom surface of the first door pocket 21a is lower on the rear side than on the front side, and the rear wall of the first door pocket 21a has an inclination that falls backward from the vertical direction. For this reason, it is easy to take in and out the drinks stored in the first door pocket 21a.

[0012] Also, the refrigerator compartment 2 is partitioned into a plurality of storage spaces by arranging a plurality of shelves. The three shelves from the top are detachable, and the lowermost shelf is fixed to the inner box. Note that a storage space in the chilled temperature zone is formed below the lowermost shelf (fixed shelf 24), and a drawer container is arranged in this space.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an outline of the detachable shelf. As shown in Fig. 3, stoppers (long shelf stoppers 22a and short shelf stoppers 23a described later) that protrude downward are formed at the rear parts of the left and right side surfaces of the shelf. The stoppers regulate the position of the shelf in the front-rear direction by being fitted into stopper receivers of shelf ribs described later. Also, clamping portions (long shelf clamping portions 22b and short shelf clamping portions 23b described later) are formed at the front parts of the left and right side surfaces of the shelf. The clamping portions suppress the rattling of the shelf in the vertical direction by clamping the shelf ribs described later from above and below.

[0014] The detachable shelf has two long shelves 22 and one short shelf 23, and the long shelf 22 has a larger dimension in the front-rear direction than the short shelf 23. In this embodiment, by properly using the long shelf 22 and the short shelf 23, the storage efficiency in the refrigerator compartment 2 is enhanced. This will be specifically described below.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, compared with the first door pocket 21a, the other door pockets have a smaller overhang amount to the rear. Therefore, even when the long shelf 22 is arranged in the upper region of the refrigerator compartment 2 (for example, the region above the lower surface of the second door pocket 21b), the second door pocket 21b and the third door pocket 21c do not interfere, and the refrigerator door 2a can be closed. That is, by arranging the long shelf 22 in the upper region, the storage area can be expanded.

[0016] On the other hand, in the lower region of the refrigerator compartment 2 (for example, the region below the lower surface of the second door pocket 21b), the drinks stored in the first door pocket 21a may protrude rearward beyond the rear wall of the second door pocket 21b or the like. Therefore, when the user tries to close the refrigerator door 2a with the long shelf 22 arranged in the lower region of the refrigerator compartment 2, the upper part of the drink (the stored item in the door pocket) may hit the front end of the long shelf 22 and interfere. In particular, containers with a height of about 280 mm or more and 300 mm or less, such as PET bottles or wine bottles with a capacity of 1.5 liters or more, are highly likely to interfere. Also, if the refrigerator door 2a is pushed in as it is even after the stored item hits the long shelf 22, the stored item may move forward or tilt within the first door pocket 21a, and the refrigerator door 2a may be able to be closed, but if the movement or tilt becomes difficult, the refrigerator door 2a cannot be closed. Therefore, by arranging the short shelf 23 in the lower region of the refrigerator compartment 2, interference with the drinks stored in the first door pocket 21a can be avoided. Also, the front end of the short shelf 23 is located behind the rear end of the bottom surface of the first door pocket 21a, and preferably, it is located behind a virtual surface extending perpendicularly to the bottom surface from the rear end of the bottom surface of the first door pocket 21a.

[0017] Also, on the side surface of the inner box of the refrigerator compartment 2, a plurality of shelf ribs for supporting the detachable shelves are arranged at different heights in the order of one first shelf rib 25 and four second shelf ribs 26 from the bottom. Note that the number of the long shelf 22 and the short shelf 23, and the number of the first shelf rib 25 and the second shelf rib 26 are not limited to these.

[0018] The first shelf rib 25 is located in the lower area of ​​the refrigerator compartment 2 and, in a front view, overlaps with the storage space of the first door pocket 21a (dashed line F in Figure 2A). Furthermore, since the first shelf rib 25 supports only the short shelf 23, its front-to-back dimension is shorter than that of the second shelf rib 26, and its front end is located further back than that of the second shelf rib 26.

[0019] The second shelf ribs 26 are all located in the upper area of ​​the refrigerator compartment 2 and, in a front view, do not overlap with the storage space of the first door pocket 21a. In addition, the second shelf ribs 26 mainly support long shelves 22, but they can also support short shelves 23 depending on the user's needs. One example of a user's need is when they want to store food that exceeds the height of the first shelf ribs 25 on top of the fixed shelves 24, and they want to place a short shelf 23 between the long shelves 22 in the upper area, or in place of one of the long shelves 22 in the upper area. Figure 2A shows a state in which long shelves 22 are placed on the bottommost second shelf rib 26 and the third second shelf rib 26 from the bottom of the four second shelf ribs 26.

[0020] As mentioned above, the first shelf rib 25 is intended only to support the short shelf 23. However, if the first shelf rib 25 could support the long shelf 22, there is a risk that if a user mistakenly places the long shelf 22 on the first shelf rib 25, the top of the beverage stored in the first door pocket 21a may come into contact with the long shelf 22. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the first shelf rib 25 cannot support the long shelf 22, while the second shelf rib 26 can support the long shelf 22. Note that being able to support a shelf with a shelf rib means not only that the shelf rib can support the load of the shelf (that a shelf can be placed on the shelf rib), but also that it can be mechanically assembled. The specific configuration will be described below using Examples 1 and 2. [Examples]

[0021] Example 1 will be described based on Figures 4A-4C. Figure 4A is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the stopper of the long shelf according to Example 1 (dotted line B in Figure 3), Figure 4B is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the stopper of the short shelf according to Example 1 (dotted line B in Figure 3), and Figure 4C is a side view showing the configuration of the shelf ribs according to Example 1.

[0022] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the stopper for the long shelf 22 (long shelf stopper 22a) has a larger front-to-back dimension compared to the stopper for the short shelf 23 (short shelf stopper 23a). On the other hand, the shelf ribs are divided in the front-to-back direction, and the rear end of the front shelf rib and the front end of the rear shelf rib form a stopper receiver for receiving the shelf stopper. As shown in Figure 4C, the front-to-back dimension C1 of the stopper receiver for the first shelf rib 25 (first stopper receiver 25a) is smaller than the front-to-back dimension C2 of the stopper receiver for the second shelf rib 26 (second stopper receiver 26a). However, the front end position of the first stopper receiver 25a is approximately the same as the front end position of the second stopper receiver 26a. Note that the stopper receiver may be formed in a recess or the like without dividing the shelf rib, as long as it can receive the shelf stopper.

[0023] The front-to-back dimension of the long shelf stopper 22a is slightly smaller than the front-to-back dimension C2 of the second stopper receiver 26a. Therefore, the long shelf stopper 22a can be fitted into the second stopper receiver 26a, and the long shelf 22 can be supported by the second shelf rib 26. When the second shelf rib 26 supports the long shelf 22, the front end of the second stopper receiver 26a (the rear end of the front shelf rib) restricts the position of the front end of the long shelf stopper 22a, thereby preventing the long shelf 22 from shifting forward.

[0024] However, the front-to-back dimension of the long shelf stopper 22a is larger than the front-to-back dimension C1 of the first stopper receiver 25a. Therefore, even if the long shelf 22 is to be supported by the first shelf rib 25, the long shelf stopper 22a cannot be fitted into the first stopper receiver 25a.

[0025] On the other hand, the front-to-back dimension of the short shelf stopper 23a is slightly smaller than the front-to-back dimension C1 of the first stopper receiver 25a. Therefore, the short shelf stopper 23a can be fitted into the first stopper receiver 25a, and the short shelf 23 can be supported by the first shelf rib 25. When the first shelf rib 25 supports the short shelf 23, the front end of the first stopper receiver 25a (the rear end of the front shelf rib) restricts the position of the front end of the short shelf stopper 23a, thereby preventing the short shelf 23 from shifting forward.

[0026] Furthermore, the front-to-back dimension of the short shelf stopper 23a is sufficiently smaller than the front-to-back dimension C2 of the second stopper receiver 26a. Therefore, the long shelf 22 can also be supported by the second shelf rib 26. As mentioned above, the front end position of the second stopper receiver 26a is approximately the same as the front end position of the first stopper receiver 25a, so the front end position of the short shelf stopper 23a is restricted, preventing the short shelf 23 from shifting forward. Rearward shifting of the short shelf 23 is prevented by the rear end of the short shelf 23 abutting against the rear surface of the inner box.

[0027] In Example 1, both the long shelf 22 and the short shelf 23 have the same dimensions for the clamping portion, and both the first shelf rib 25 and the second shelf rib 26 have the same vertical dimensions (thickness). [Examples]

[0028] Example 2 will be described based on Figures 5A-5C. Figure 5A is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the clamping portion of the long shelf according to Example 2 (dotted line E in Figure 3), Figure 5B is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the clamping portion of the short shelf according to Example 2 (dotted line E in Figure 3), and Figure 5C is a side view showing the configuration of the shelf ribs according to Example 2.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the distance D1 between the upper and lower locking surfaces constituting the clamping portion (long shelf clamping portion 22b) of the long shelf 22 is smaller than the distance D2 between the upper and lower locking surfaces constituting the clamping portion (short shelf clamping portion 23b) of the short shelf 23. Also, as shown in Figure 5C, the vertical dimension E1 from the front end of the first shelf rib 25 to a predetermined position is larger than the vertical dimension E2 from the front end of the second shelf rib 26 to a predetermined position.

[0030] The distance D1 at the long shelf clamping portion 22b is slightly larger than the vertical dimension E2 at the front of the second shelf rib 26. Therefore, the long shelf clamping portion 22b can be inserted into the front of the second shelf rib 26, and the long shelf 22 can be supported by the second shelf rib 26. Furthermore, when the long shelf clamping portion 22b is inserted to a predetermined position, the long shelf stopper 22a fits into the second stopper receiver 26a, preventing the long shelf 22 from shifting in the front-rear direction. Vertical rattling of the long shelf 22 is suppressed by the long shelf clamping portion 22b engaging with the second shelf rib 26.

[0031] However, the distance D1 at the long shelf clamping portion 22b is smaller than the vertical dimension E1 at the front of the first shelf rib 25. Therefore, even if the long shelf 22 is to be supported by the first shelf rib 25, the long shelf clamping portion 22b cannot be inserted into the front of the first shelf rib 25.

[0032] On the other hand, the distance D2 at the short shelf clamping portion 23b is slightly larger than the vertical dimension E1 at the front of the first shelf rib 25. Therefore, the short shelf clamping portion 23b can be inserted into the front of the first shelf rib 25, and the short shelf 23 can be supported by the first shelf rib 25. Furthermore, when the short shelf clamping portion 23b is inserted to a predetermined position, the short shelf stopper 23a fits into the first stopper receiver 25a, preventing the short shelf 23 from shifting in the front-rear direction. In addition, vertical rattling of the short shelf 23 is suppressed by the short shelf clamping portion 23b engaging with the first shelf rib 25.

[0033] Furthermore, the distance D2 at the short shelf clamping portion 23b is sufficiently larger than the vertical dimension E2 at the front of the second shelf rib 26. Therefore, the short shelf 23 can also be supported by the second shelf rib 26. Also, when the short shelf clamping portion 23b is inserted to the predetermined position, the short shelf stopper 23a fits into the second stopper receiver 26a, preventing the short shelf 23 from shifting in the front-rear direction. However, because the distance D2 at the short shelf clamping portion 23b is too large relative to the vertical dimension E2 at the front of the second shelf rib 26, there is a possibility that the vertical rattle of the short shelf 23 may not be completely suppressed.

[0034] (Modified version of Example 2) A modification of Example 2 suppresses vertical rattling when the short shelf 23 is supported by the second shelf rib 26 in Example 2. The modification of Example 2 will be explained with reference to Figures 6A-6E. Figure 6A is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the clamping portion of the short shelf (dotted line E in Figure 3) related to the modification of Example 2.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6A, the short shelf clamping portion 23b has a first lower locking surface 23b1 and a second lower locking surface 23b2 of different heights, and the distance between the lower locking surface and the upper locking surface changes in stages. The distance D1 between the first lower locking surface 23b1 and the upper locking surface is the same as in the case of the long shelf 22, and the distance D2 between the second lower locking surface 23b2 and the upper locking surface is the same as in the case of the short shelf 23 of Example 2.

[0036] Figure 6B is a side view showing the long shelf supported by the second shelf rib. The distance D1 at the long shelf clamping portion 22b is slightly larger than the vertical dimension E2 of the second shelf rib 26. Therefore, the long shelf clamping portion 22b can be inserted through the second shelf rib 26, and the long shelf 22 can be supported by the second shelf rib 26.

[0037] Figure 6C is a side view showing a modified version of Embodiment 2 with the short shelf supported by the second shelf rib. In the modified short shelf 23, the second lower locking surface 23b2 located on the rear side of the short shelf clamping portion 23b has a wide distance D2 from the upper locking surface, allowing it to be inserted into the second shelf rib 26 with ample clearance. In addition, the first lower locking surface 23b1 located on the front side of the short shelf clamping portion 23b in the modified short shelf 23 has a relatively narrow distance D1 from the upper locking surface, which is only slightly larger than the vertical dimension E2 of the second shelf rib 26. Therefore, once the insertion of the short shelf clamping portion 23b is complete, the first lower locking surface 23b1 locks onto the lower surface of the second shelf rib 26, thereby suppressing vertical rattling of the short shelf 23.

[0038] Figure 6D is a side view showing a modified version of Embodiment 2 with the short shelf supported by the first shelf rib. In the modified version, the first shelf rib 25 has a smaller vertical dimension at the front than at the rear, creating a step. The vertical dimension E2 at the front of the first shelf rib 25 is the same as the vertical dimension of the second shelf rib 26. Therefore, once the insertion of the short shelf clamping portion 23b is complete, the second lower locking surface 23b2 locks onto the rear lower surface of the first shelf rib 25, and the first lower locking surface 23b1 locks onto the front lower surface of the first shelf rib 25, thereby suppressing vertical rattling of the short shelf 23.

[0039] Figure 6E is a side view showing that the long shelf cannot be supported by the first shelf rib. The distance D1 at the long shelf clamping portion 22b is slightly larger than the vertical dimension E2 on the front side of the first shelf rib 25, but smaller than the vertical dimension E1 on the rear side of the first shelf rib 25. Therefore, the long shelf clamping portion 22b cannot be inserted through the rear side of the first shelf rib 25, and it is impossible to support the long shelf 22 with the first shelf rib 25.

[0040] (Note) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible. Furthermore, it is possible to replace or add parts of the configuration of one embodiment to the configuration of another embodiment. For example, in Embodiment 2 or its modified form, the front-to-back dimensions of the stoppers may be made different for the long shelf 22 and the short shelf 23, as in Embodiment 1, and the front-to-back dimensions of the stopper receivers may be made different for the first shelf rib 25 and the second shelf rib 26. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1...Refrigerator, 2...Refrigerator compartment, 2a,2b...Refrigerator compartment door, 3...Ice maker compartment, 3a...Ice maker compartment door, 4...Upper freezer compartment, 4a...Upper freezer compartment door, 5...Lower freezer compartment, 5a...Lower freezer compartment door, 6...Vegetable compartment, 6a...Vegetable compartment door, 21a...First door pocket, 21b...Second door pocket, 21c...Third door pocket, 21d...Fourth door pocket, 22...Long shelf, 22a...Long shelf stopper, 22b...Long shelf clamping part, 23...Short shelf, 23a...Short shelf stopper, 23b...Short shelf clamping part, 23b1...First lower locking surface, 23b2...Second lower locking surface, 24...Fixed shelf, 25...First shelf rib, 25a...First stopper receiver, 26...Second shelf rib, 26a...Second stopper receiver

Claims

1. A storage room in which the first shelf rib and the second shelf rib are arranged at different heights, Long shelves and A shorter shelf with a shorter front-to-back dimension than the longer shelf, A door that opens and closes the front opening of the storage room, The door includes a door pocket that is positioned in the door and forms a storage space that overlaps with the first shelf rib when viewed from the front, When the long shelf is placed on the second shelf rib, the door pocket and the items stored in the door pocket do not interfere with the long shelf even when attempting to close the door. A refrigerator in which, when the long shelf is placed on the first shelf rib, attempting to close the door causes the door pocket or the contents of the door pocket to interfere with the long shelf.

2. In claim 1, A refrigerator in which, when the short shelf is placed on the first shelf rib, the door pocket and the contents of the door pocket do not interfere with the short shelf even when attempting to close the door.

3. In claim 1, The long shelf stopper on the long shelf differs from the short shelf stopper on the short shelf, The first stopper receiver of the first shelf rib differs from the second stopper receiver of the second shelf rib, The first stopper receiver cannot accommodate the long shelf stopper, but can accommodate the short shelf stopper. The refrigerator is such that the second stopper receiver can accommodate both the long shelf stopper and the short shelf stopper.

4. In claim 3, The aforementioned long shelf stopper has a larger front-to-back dimension than the aforementioned short shelf stopper. The first stopper receiver is smaller in front-to-back dimensions than the second stopper receiver in the refrigerator.

5. In claim 4, A refrigerator in which the front end position of the first stopper receiver is substantially the same as the front end position of the second stopper receiver.

6. In claim 1, The distance between the upper locking surface and the lower locking surface of the long shelf clamping portion of the long shelf is smaller than the distance between the upper locking surface and the lower locking surface of the short shelf clamping portion of the short shelf. A refrigerator in which the vertical dimension of the front side of the first shelf rib is greater than the vertical dimension of the front side of the second shelf rib.

7. In claim 6, The aforementioned short shelf clamping section is a refrigerator in which the distance between the upper locking surface and the lower locking surface changes in stages.

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