refrigerator

Abstract

This embodiment provides a technical proposal relating to a support structure for supporting a container housed in a special cooling space. [Solution] The refrigerator according to this embodiment comprises a storage compartment provided with a special cooling space, containers housed in an upper cooling space and a lower cooling space of the special cooling space, an outer member provided outside the inner box forming the storage compartment, and an inner member that engages with the outer member inside the inner box, wherein a plurality of containers are housed in one of the upper cooling space and the lower cooling space in a left-right direction, and a wide container, whose left and right ends are supported by the inner member, is housed in the other of the upper cooling space and the lower cooling space.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a refrigerator includes a plurality of storage chambers having different target cooling temperatures, and these plurality of storage chambers are partitioned by a heat insulation wall or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this type of refrigerator, for example, a special cooling space such as a chiller chamber is provided in the refrigerating chamber, and a container is accommodated in this chiller chamber.

[0005] Therefore, the present embodiment provides a technical solution regarding a support structure for supporting a container accommodated in the special cooling space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a storage chamber in which a special cooling space is provided, containers respectively accommodated in the upper-stage cooling space and the lower-stage cooling space of the special cooling space, an outer member provided outside the inner box forming the storage chamber, and an inner member engaging with the outer member inside the inner box. In one of the upper-stage cooling space and the lower-stage cooling space, a plurality of containers are accommodated side by side in the left-right direction, and in the other of the upper-stage cooling space and the lower-stage cooling space, a wide container supported by the inner member at both left and right ends is accommodated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] [Figure 1] Front view schematically showing an example of the refrigerator configuration according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Front view schematically showing an example of the internal configuration of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This exploded perspective view schematically shows an example of the configuration of the chilled cooling space according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This perspective view schematically shows an example of the configuration of the receiving member according to this embodiment, viewed from the inside. [Figure 5] This perspective view schematically shows an example of the configuration of the receiving member according to this embodiment, viewed from the outside. [Figure 6] A schematic side view showing an example of the configuration of the receiving member according to this embodiment, viewed from the inside. [Figure 7] A schematic side view showing an example of the configuration of the receiving member according to this embodiment, viewed from the outside. [Figure 8] This plan view schematically shows an example of the configuration of the portion of the receiving member in this embodiment in which the engaging projection is formed. [Figure 9] A schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing some examples of the configuration of the receiving member and insulation material according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] A perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the support member according to this embodiment, viewed from the inside. [Figure 11] This perspective view schematically shows an example of the configuration of the support member according to this embodiment, viewed from the outside. [Figure 12] A schematic side view showing an example of the configuration of the support member according to this embodiment, viewed from the inside. [Figure 13] A schematic side view showing an example of the configuration of the support member according to this embodiment, viewed from the outside. [Figure 14] This perspective view schematically shows an example of the configuration of the portion of the inner wall in this embodiment in which the support structure is provided. [Figure 15] This figure illustrates an example of how a support member is engaged with a receiving member according to this embodiment. [Figure 16] A schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the part where the support member is fastened to the receiving member according to this embodiment. [Figure 17]Vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration example of a portion for fastening an inner member according to a comparative example of the present embodiment [Figure 18] Front view schematically showing a configuration example of a tilted cooling space according to the present embodiment [Figure 19] View schematically showing a receiving member provided with a sealing member according to the present embodiment from the outside [Figure 20] Perspective view (part 1) schematically showing a configuration example of a right vertical partition plate according to the present embodiment [Figure 21] Perspective view (part 2) schematically showing a configuration example of a right vertical partition plate according to the present embodiment [Figure 22] Side view (part 1) schematically showing a configuration example of a right vertical partition plate according to the present embodiment [Figure 23] Side view (part 2) schematically showing a configuration example of a right vertical partition plate according to the present embodiment [Figure 24] Front view schematically showing a configuration example of a right vertical partition plate and a wind shielding portion according to the present embodiment [Figure 25] Side view schematically showing a configuration example of a right vertical partition plate and a wind shielding portion according to the present embodiment [Figure 26] Plan view schematically showing a configuration example of a right vertical partition plate and an upper wind shielding portion according to the present embodiment [Figure 27] Plan view schematically showing a configuration example of a right vertical partition plate and a lower wind shielding portion according to the present embodiment [[ID=3X]] [Figure 28] Side view schematically showing a configuration example of a right vertical partition plate and a rear wind shielding portion according to the present embodiment [Figure 29] Plan view schematically showing an example of the size relationship of a gap formed between a right vertical partition plate and a wind shielding portion according to the present embodiment [Figure 30] Perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of an outer member according to a modification of the present embodiment from the inside [Figure 31] Vertical cross-sectional side view (part 1) schematically showing a configuration example on the left side surface of a refrigerator compartment according to a modification of the present embodiment [[ID=4A]] [Figure 32] Vertical cross-sectional side view (part 2) schematically showing a configuration example on the left side surface of a refrigerator compartment according to a modification of the present embodiment [Figure 33] It should be noted that in the above translation, the "3X" in the original text is likely a misprint. I translated it as it is in the context. If it is an incorrect tag, you may need to correct it according to the actual situation.A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional side view (part 3) showing an example of the configuration on the left side of the refrigerator compartment according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 34] A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional side view (part 4) showing an example of the configuration on the left side of the refrigerator compartment according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 35] A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional side view (part 5) showing an example of the configuration on the left side of the refrigerator compartment according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 36] A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional side view (part 6) showing an example of the configuration on the left side of the refrigerator compartment according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes one embodiment of a refrigerator with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the directions such as the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions are defined based on a front view of the refrigerator 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0009] As illustrated in Figure 1, the refrigerator 10 has multiple storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 inside a rectangular box-shaped insulated box 11. Various items, such as food products, can be cooled and stored inside the storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. The insulated box 11 is an example of a refrigerator body, and has an insulating material 23 provided between the outer wall 21 and the inner wall 22. The outer wall 21 is a component that is sometimes called the "outer box," and forms the outer casing of the insulated box 11 in the refrigerator 10. The outer wall 21 is made of metal, for example. The inner wall 22 is a component that is sometimes called the "inner box," for example, and is incorporated inside the outer wall 21 in the refrigerator 10. The inner wall 22 forms the storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 on the inside, opposite to the insulating material 23. The inner wall 22 is made of resin, for example.

[0010] The refrigerator 10 is equipped with a vacuum insulation panel 23A and a foamed insulation material 23B as insulation material 23. The vacuum insulation panel 23A is an example of a molded insulation material. The vacuum insulation panel 23A is an insulation material that is molded before the outer wall 21 and inner wall 22 are combined to assemble the insulated box body 11, and is formed in a predetermined shape, in this case, a thin rectangular plate. The foamed insulation material 23B is formed after the outer wall 21 and inner wall 22 are combined, that is, after the insulated box body 11 is assembled, by foaming and solidifying a liquid foamed insulation material with fluidity that is injected between the outer wall 21 and the inner wall 22. Note that the molded insulation material is not limited to the vacuum insulation panel 23A, and may be made of, for example, expanded polystyrene, aerogel, carbon fiber, etc.

[0011] Storage room 12 is a refrigerator that is maintained at a refrigerated temperature. Hereafter, storage room 12 may be referred to as "refrigerated room 12". Storage room 13 is a vegetable compartment that is maintained at a refrigerated temperature. Hereafter, storage room 13 may be referred to as "vegetable compartment 13". Storage room 14 is an ice-making compartment that is maintained at a freezing temperature. Hereafter, storage room 14 may be referred to as "ice-making compartment 14". Storage room 15 is a small freezer that is maintained at a freezing temperature. Hereafter, storage room 15 may be referred to as "small freezer compartment 15". Storage room 16 is a large freezer that is maintained at a freezing temperature. Hereafter, storage room 16 may be referred to as "large freezer compartment 16".

[0012] The refrigerator compartment 12 is the uppermost of the multiple storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 provided by the refrigerator 10. The vegetable compartment 13 is located below the refrigerator compartment 12 and is situated in or near the center in the vertical direction of the insulated box 11. The refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13 are separated by a storage compartment partition wall 11K. The ice-making compartment 14 and the small freezer compartment 15 are located below the vegetable compartment 13 and are arranged along the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10 within the insulated box 11. The large freezer compartment 16 is located below the ice-making compartment 14 and the small freezer compartment 15 within the insulated box 11. The large freezer compartment 16 is the lowermost of the multiple storage compartments 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 provided by the refrigerator 10.

[0013] The refrigerator compartment 12 has a rectangular opening 12a at its front. The front opening 12a of the refrigerator compartment 12 is opened and closed by two storage compartment doors that can rotate left and right, so-called double-hinged refrigerator compartment doors 12D[L] and 12D[R]. That is, the front opening 12a of the refrigerator compartment 12 is opened and closed by at least two storage compartment doors, in this case the left refrigerator compartment door 12D[L] and the right refrigerator compartment door 12D[R]. Note that the refrigerator compartment doors may also be a single storage compartment door that opens and closes the front opening 12a of the refrigerator compartment 12.

[0014] The vegetable compartment 13 has a rectangular opening 13a at its front. The front opening 13a of the vegetable compartment 13 is opened and closed by a storage door that is movable in the front-to-back direction, a so-called pull-out type vegetable compartment door 13D. The ice-making compartment 14 has a rectangular opening 14a at its front. The front opening 14a of the ice-making compartment 14 is opened and closed by a storage door that is movable in the front-to-back direction, a so-called pull-out type ice-making compartment door 14D. The small freezer compartment 15 has a rectangular opening 15a at its front. The front opening 15a of the small freezer compartment 15 is opened and closed by a storage door that is movable in the front-to-back direction, a so-called pull-out type small freezer compartment door 15D. The large freezer compartment 16 has an opening 16a at its front. The front opening 16a of the large freezer compartment 16 is opened and closed by a storage door that is movable in the front-to-back direction, a so-called pull-out type large freezer compartment door 16D.

[0015] As illustrated in Figure 2, the refrigerator 10 has a configuration in which one storage compartment, in this case one refrigerator compartment 12, is divided into multiple cooling spaces. More specifically, the refrigerator compartment 12 is divided into multiple, in this case two, cooling spaces 12A and 12B by an upper horizontal partition plate 100. Cooling space 12A is a normal cooling space capable of cooling to the target cooling temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12. Hereinafter, cooling space 12A may be referred to as "normal cooling space 12A". The target cooling temperature can be set, for example, by operating an operation panel (not shown) located on the front of the refrigerator compartment door 12D[L] or refrigerator compartment door 12D[R]. On the other hand, cooling space 12B is a chilled cooling space capable of cooling to a temperature lower than the target cooling temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12. Hereinafter, cooling space 12B may be referred to as "chilled cooling space 12B". The normal cooling space 12A is an example of "other cooling spaces," and the chilled cooling space 12B is an example of "special cooling spaces."

[0016] A cold air duct 31 is provided at the rear of the refrigerator compartment 12, and a cold air generation unit 32 is provided at the bottom of this cold air duct 31. Inside the cold air generation unit 32 are a cooler and a cooling fan (not shown). The cooler, together with a compressor, heater, and throttler (not shown) of the refrigerator 10, constitutes the refrigeration cycle. The cooler can generate cold air when the refrigerant is circulated by the compressor in the refrigeration cycle. The cold air generated by the cooler is supplied into the refrigerator compartment 12 by the blowing action of a cooling fan (not shown). As a result, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 12 is cooled to the target cooling temperature.

[0017] Furthermore, the cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment 12 is also supplied to the vegetable compartment 13 through a communication hole (not shown) in the storage compartment wall 11K that connects the refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13. As a result, the vegetable compartment 13 is also cooled to the target cooling temperature. The cold air supplied to the vegetable compartment 13 is returned to the cold air generation unit 32 by the airflow action of a cooling fan (not shown) and cooled again by a cooler (not shown). This circulation of cold air is repeated, maintaining the target cooling temperature in both the refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13.

[0018] As described above, the refrigerator 10 is equipped with a refrigeration cooling system that cools the refrigerator compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 13, which are storage compartments in the refrigeration temperature range, to the target cooling temperature of the refrigeration temperature range. Although a detailed explanation is omitted, the refrigerator 10 is also equipped with a refrigeration cooling system that cools the ice-making compartment 14, the small freezer compartment 15, and the large freezer compartment 16, which are storage compartments in the freezer temperature range, to the target cooling temperature of the freezer temperature range. This refrigeration cooling system also consists of a refrigeration cycle including a cooler and a cooling fan. The refrigerator 10 may also be configured to cool both the storage compartments in the refrigeration temperature range and the storage compartments in the freezer temperature range with a common cooling system.

[0019] The cold air duct 31 has a cold air outlet (not shown) that blows cold air into the normal cooling space 12A, and a cold air outlet (not shown) that blows cold air into the chilled cooling space 12B. A damper device (not shown) is provided between the cold air duct 31 and the cold air generation unit 32. The damper device is configured to allow adjustment of the amount of cold air blown into the normal cooling space 12A and the amount of cold air blown into the chilled cooling space 12B by adjusting its opening. Therefore, the refrigerator 10 can, for example, cool the normal cooling space 12A to the target cooling temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 and cool the chilled cooling space 12B to a temperature lower than the target cooling temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 by controlling the operation of the damper device so that the amount of cold air blown into the chilled cooling space 12B is greater than the amount of cold air blown into the normal cooling space 12A.

[0020] The chilled cooling space 12B is further divided into multiple cooling spaces 12B1, 12B2, 12B3, and 12B4. More specifically, the chilled cooling space 12B is divided into multiple cooling spaces 12B1, 12B2, 12B3, and 12B4 by the lower horizontal partition plate 101, the right vertical partition plate 102, and the left vertical partition plate 103, as illustrated in Figure 3. Hereinafter, cooling space 12B1 may be referred to as "upper chilled cooling space 12B1", cooling space 12B2 as "lower right chilled cooling space 12B2", cooling space 12B3 as "lower left chilled cooling space 12B3", and cooling space 12B4 as "ice-making tank cooling space 12B4".

[0021] As illustrated in Figure 2, the upper chilled cooling space 12B1 is a long cooling space that extends across the entire left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 12. The lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 is a cooling space formed below the upper chilled cooling space 12B1, in the area to the right of the center in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 12. The left-right dimension of the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 is shorter than the left-right dimension of the upper chilled cooling space 12B1. The lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 is a cooling space formed below the upper chilled cooling space 12B1, in the area to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the refrigerator compartment 12. The left-right dimension of the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 is shorter than the left-right dimension of the upper chilled cooling space 12B1, and also shorter than the left-right dimension of the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2. The ice-making tank cooling space 12B4 is a cooling space formed below the upper chilled cooling space 12B1 and to the left of the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3. The left-right dimension of the ice-making tank cooling space 12B4 is shorter than the left-right dimension of any of the other cooling spaces: the upper chilled cooling space 12B1, the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2, and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3.

[0022] As illustrated in Figure 3, a rectangular upper chilled container 104 with an open top is housed in the upper chilled cooling space 12B1 so as to be able to be pulled out in the front-to-back direction. The upper chilled container 104 is a long container that extends across the entire left-to-right length of the upper chilled cooling space 12B1. Furthermore, the dimensions of the upper chilled container 104 in the left-to-right direction are longer than its dimensions in the front-to-back direction. The upper chilled container 104 is also equipped with a handle portion 104a at its front end. The handle portion 104a is provided along the entire left-to-right length of the upper chilled container 104. Furthermore, the handle portion 104a extends linearly in the left-to-right direction. The user can place their fingers on this handle portion 104a and move the upper chilled container 104 in the front-to-back direction.

[0023] Within the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2, a rectangular lower right chilled container 105 with an open top is housed so as to be able to be pulled out in the front-to-back direction. The lower right chilled container 105 has a left-to-right dimension that is shorter than its front-to-back dimension. Also, the left-to-right dimension of the lower right chilled container 105 is shorter than the left-to-right dimension of the upper chilled container 104. Also, the vertical dimension of the lower right chilled container 105 is longer than the vertical dimension of the upper chilled container 104. The lower right chilled container 105 is also equipped with a handle portion 105a at its front end. The handle portion 105a is provided along the entire left-to-right length of the lower right chilled container 105. Also, the handle portion 105a extends linearly in the left-to-right direction. The user can place their fingers on this handle portion 105a and pull the lower right chilled container 105 in and out in the front-to-back direction.

[0024] Within the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3, a rectangular lower left chilled container 106 with an open top is housed so as to be retractable in the front-to-back direction. The lower left chilled container 106 has a left-to-right dimension that is shorter than its front-to-back dimension. Furthermore, the left-to-right dimension of the lower left chilled container 106 is shorter than the left-to-right dimension of the upper chilled container 104, and also shorter than the left-to-right dimension of the lower right chilled container 105. Furthermore, the vertical dimension of the lower left chilled container 106 is longer than the vertical dimension of the upper chilled container 104. Furthermore, the vertical dimension of the lower left chilled container 106 is the same as the vertical dimension of the lower right chilled container 105. The lower left chilled container 106 is also equipped with a handle portion 106a at its front end. The handle portion 106a is provided along the entire left-to-right length of the lower left chilled container 106. Furthermore, the handle portion 106a extends linearly in the left-right direction. The user can place their fingers on this handle portion 106a and insert or remove the lower left chilled container 106 in the front-back direction.

[0025] An ice-making tank (not shown) is housed within the ice-making tank cooling space 12B4 so as to be able to be moved in and out in the front-to-back direction. The ice-making tank is capable of storing a predetermined amount of water for ice making. The ice-making tank can also supply water for ice making to an ice-making machine (not shown) located in the ice-making chamber 14, via a pump (not shown).

[0026] The upper horizontal partition plate 100 is formed in the shape of a thin rectangular plate extending in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The upper horizontal partition plate 100 forms the lower surface of the normal cooling space 12A and the upper surface of the chilled cooling space 12B. A chilled door 107, which opens and closes the front opening of the upper chilled cooling space 12B1, is provided at the front end of the upper horizontal partition plate 100 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The upper horizontal partition plate 100 is an example of an upper surface forming member.

[0027] The lower horizontal partition plate 101 is formed in the shape of a thin rectangular plate that extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The lower horizontal partition plate 101 constitutes the lower surface of the upper chilled cooling space 12B1, and also constitutes the upper surface of the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2, the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3, and the ice-making tank cooling space 12B4.

[0028] The right vertical partition plate 102 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that extends in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. The right vertical partition plate 102 divides the space below the lower horizontal partition plate 101 into the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3. The right vertical partition plate 102 is an example of a partition member. The right vertical partition plate 102 prevents cold air from one cooling space from mixing into the other cooling space between the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3. As a result, the right vertical partition plate 102 suppresses the exchange of cold air and heat exchange between the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3, maintaining each cooling space 12B2 and 12B3 at their respective target cooling temperatures.

[0029] The left vertical partition plate 103 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate that extends in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. The left vertical partition plate 103 divides the space below the lower horizontal partition plate 101 into the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 and the ice-making tank cooling space 12B4. The left vertical partition plate 103 is also an example of a partition member. The left vertical partition plate 103 prevents cold air from one cooling space from mixing into the other cooling space between the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 and the ice-making tank cooling space 12B4. As a result, the left vertical partition plate 103 suppresses the exchange of cold air and heat between the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 and the ice-making tank cooling space 12B4, maintaining each cooling space 12B3 and 12B4 at their respective target cooling temperatures. Furthermore, the left vertical partition plate 103 prevents the ice-making tank cooling space 12B4 from being cooled to a temperature lower than the target cooling temperature, thereby preventing the water in the ice-making tank from freezing.

[0030] Next, an example of the configuration of the support structure 200 that supports the upper horizontal partition plate 100 and the like described above will be explained. The support structure 200 is a combination of a receiving member 201 and a support member 202. The receiving member 201 is an example of an outer member and is provided outside the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment 12, i.e., on the outside of the compartment. The support member 202 is an example of an inner member and is provided inside the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment 12, i.e., on the inside of the compartment.

[0031] The support structure 200 is provided symmetrically on the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment 12. Therefore, the following description will mainly explain the configuration of the support structure 200 provided on the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12, and will omit the explanation of the configuration of the support structure 200 provided on the right side of the refrigerator compartment 12.

[0032] As illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, the receiving member 201 is made of metal, for example, and has a plate-shaped main body portion 210 located outside the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12. The main body portion 210 is a thin plate shape in which the dimension in the front-to-back direction is longer than the dimension in the up-to-down direction. In this case, the front end of the main body portion 210 is inclined to descend from the rear upper part to the front lower part.

[0033] Furthermore, the receiving member 201 has a plurality of engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, 214, and 215 that protrude inward from the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12, i.e., toward the interior of the refrigerator. The plurality of engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, 214, and 215 are integrally formed with the main body 210, for example, by deforming a part of the main body 210. Of these, the two engaging protrusions 211 and 212 formed on the upper part of the main body 210 have openings 211a and 212a at the top and bottom, respectively, and both ends in the direction intersecting the vertical direction, in this case the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator 10, are connected to the main body 210. Similarly, the engaging protrusion 213 formed on the upper part of the main body 210 also has openings 213a at the top and bottom, and both ends in the direction intersecting the vertical direction, in this case the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator 10, are connected to the main body 210.

[0034] Furthermore, the vertical dimensions of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 are the same. In contrast, the vertical dimension of the engaging protrusion 213 is shorter than that of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212. Also, the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 have a slit extending in the front-to-back direction in the central part in the vertical direction. In contrast, the engaging protrusion 213 does not have a slit extending in the front-to-back direction. The engaging protrusion 213 is formed between the two engaging protrusions 211 and 212. In this case, the engaging protrusion 213 is formed closer to the front engaging protrusion 211 than to the rear engaging protrusion 212.

[0035] Furthermore, the two engaging protrusions 214 and 215 formed on the lower part of the main body 210 have openings 214a and 215a at their upper ends, and their lower ends are connected to the main body 210. Of these, the front engaging protrusion 214 is located in front of the front engaging protrusion 211. On the other hand, the rear engaging protrusion 215 is located below the rear engaging protrusion 212. The vertical dimensions of the engaging protrusions 214 and 215 are the same.

[0036] Furthermore, the receiving member 201 is configured to have multiple through holes 211b, 212b, 213b, 214b, and 215b that penetrate the main body 210, due to the provision of engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, 214, and 215. In a side view of the receiving member 201, the through holes 211b, 212b, 213b, 214b, and 215b have a shape in which the front-to-back dimension is longer than the vertical dimension. Also, the front-to-back dimension of the through holes 211b and 212b is longer than the front-to-back dimension of the through hole 213b. Also, the front-to-back dimension of the through holes 211b and 212b is the same length as the front-to-back dimension of the through holes 214b and 215b. Furthermore, the vertical dimensions of the through holes 211b, 212b, and 213b are shorter than the vertical dimensions of the through holes 214b and 215b. The through holes 211b, 212b, and 213b are located above and below the engaging projections 211, 212, and 213, respectively. On the other hand, the through holes 214b and 215b are located above the engaging projections 214 and 215, but not below them.

[0037] As illustrated in Figure 8, when the receiving member 201 is viewed in the vertical direction, the main body portion 210 and the engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, 214, 215 are connected in an annular shape, and trapezoidal openings 211a, 212a, 213a, 214, 215a are formed surrounded by the main body portion 210 and the engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, 214, 215.

[0038] Furthermore, the receiving member 201 has a fastening projection 216 that protrudes inward from the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12. The fastening projection 216 bulges out in a circular shape from the outside to the inside, that is, from the outside of the compartment to the inside of the compartment, and a screw hole 216a into which a screw 203 can be screwed is formed at its tip. The fastening projection 216 is also formed on the upper part of the main body 210, between the rear engaging projection 212 and the engaging projection 213. The fastening projection 216 is also formed closer to the engaging projection 213 than to the rear engaging projection 212. The fastening projection 216 is also located in the central part of the main body 210 in the front-rear direction.

[0039] Furthermore, the receiving member 201 has a temporary fastening portion 217. The temporary fastening portion 217 is formed on the upper part of the main body portion 210, between the front engaging projection 211 and the engaging projection 213. The temporary fastening portion 217 is also formed closer to the engaging projection 213 than to the front engaging projection 211. The temporary fastening portion 217 is formed to extend downward by cutting and bending a part of the main body portion 210. In addition, the tip of the temporary fastening portion 217 is elastically deformable.

[0040] Furthermore, the receiving member 201 has a contact area increasing portion 218. In this case, the contact area increasing portion 218 bulges out from the inside to the outside of the main body portion 210, that is, from the inside to the outside of the storage compartment. Also, the contact area increasing portion 218 extends linearly along the front-rear direction of the main body portion 210. In addition, the contact area increasing portion 218 is formed in the central part of the main body portion 210 in the vertical direction.

[0041] As illustrated in Figure 9, the vacuum insulation panel 23A is positioned outside the receiving member 201, i.e., on the outside of the storage unit, and facing the receiving member 201. Foamed insulation material 23B is filled between the vacuum insulation panel 23A and the receiving member 201. The contact area increasing portion 218 is positioned so as to be pressed into the foamed insulation material 23B, which is provided outside the inner wall 22, thereby increasing the contact area with the foamed insulation material 23B. By increasing the contact area with the foamed insulation material 23B, the contact area increasing portion 218 suppresses displacement of the receiving member 201. Furthermore, since the contact area increasing portion 218 is formed by deforming the main body portion 210 of the receiving member 201, it can function as a reinforcing bead or reinforcing rib that reinforces the main body portion 210, and by extension, the entire receiving member 201.

[0042] The receiving member 201 may have a configuration that includes multiple contact area increasing portions 218. The contact area increasing portions 218 may be configured to be along the vertical direction of the main body portion 210, or they may be configured to be along a direction that is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction and the vertical direction.

[0043] As illustrated in Figures 10 to 13, the support member 202 is made of, for example, resin and has a plate-shaped main body portion 230 located inside the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12. The main body portion 230 has a shape in which the dimension in the front-to-back direction is longer than the dimension in the up-to-down direction. In this case, the front end of the main body portion 230 is inclined to descend from the upper rear to the lower front. The thickness of the main body portion 230 of the support member 202 is greater than the thickness of the main body portion 210 of the receiving member 201.

[0044] Furthermore, the support member 202 has a plurality of engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 that engage with the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 214 of the receiving member 201, located inside the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12. Of these, the two engaging portions 231 and 232 formed on the upper part of the main body portion 230 extend downward from the front and rear of the main body portion 230, respectively. The engaging portion 234 formed on the lower part of the main body portion 230 extends downward in front of the front engaging portion 231. The amount of downward extension of the engaging portion 234 is shorter than the amount of downward extension of the engaging portions 231 and 232.

[0045] Furthermore, the support member 202 has a fastening portion 236 that is fastened to the fastening projection 216 on the inner wall 22, inward from the portion forming the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12. In this case, the fastening portion 236 is screwed to the fastening projection 216 of the receiving member 201 by a screw 203. Note that the method of fastening the receiving member 201 and the support member 202 is not limited to screw fastening; for example, they may be fastened using a pin-shaped member or using bolts and nuts. In other words, various methods of fastening the receiving member 201 and the support member 202 can be applied as long as they can be fastened together.

[0046] Next, an example of an installation method for attaching the support member 202 and the receiving member 201 described above to the inner wall 22 of the refrigerator compartment 12 will be explained. As illustrated in Figure 14, the temporary fixing portion 217 of the receiving member 201 is inserted into a temporary fixing hole 22a provided in the part of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12, and clamps the periphery of the hole 22a, in this case the lower part of the hole 22a. As a result, the receiving member 201 is temporarily fixed on the outside of the part of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12. At this time, the multiple engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, 214, and 215 of the receiving member 201 are each inserted into insertion holes 22b formed in the part of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12, and enter the interior of the refrigerator compartment.

[0047] The support member 202 is then installed such that its entirety moves from top to bottom inside the inner wall 22, that is, inside the refrigerator compartment, beyond the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12. At this time, the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 of the support member 202 engage from above with some of the engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, 214, and in this case, the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 214, which have entered inside the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12.

[0048] More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 15, the support member 202 moves from top to bottom in the part of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12, so that the front engaging portion 231 is inserted from above into the upper opening 211a of the front engaging projection 211, the rear engaging portion 232 is inserted from above into the upper opening 212a of the rear engaging projection 212, and the engaging portion 234 is inserted from above into the upper opening 214a of the front engaging projection 214.

[0049] As illustrated in Figure 16, the support member 202 is firmly fixed by fastening portion 236 to fastening projection 216 with screw 203. When fastening portion 236 is fastened to fastening projection 216 with screw 203, the tip of screw 203 is positioned inward, i.e., on the inside of the storage compartment, relative to the outer surface of the receiving member 201. In other words, the tip of screw 203 is configured so that it does not protrude outward from the outer surface of the receiving member 201. Therefore, contact, insertion, or penetration of the insulation material 23, such as the vacuum insulation panel 23A or foam insulation material 23B, is suppressed.

[0050] In the conventional refrigerator configuration illustrated in Figure 17 as a comparative example, the inner member 202z, which is located inside the inner wall 22z of the storage compartment, is directly fixed to the inner wall 22z of the storage compartment by a screw 203z. As a result, the tip of the screw 203z reaches the insulation material 23z, such as the vacuum insulation panel 23Az or foam insulation material 23Bz, which is located outside the inner wall 22z, and contacts, inserts into, or penetrates the insulation material 23z. Consequently, the insulation material 23z is damaged by the tip of the screw 203z, resulting in a problem where the insulation performance of the insulation material 23z is impaired.

[0051] As described above, the refrigerator 10 of this disclosure is configured in such a way that the tip of the screw 203 does not reach the insulation material 23. Therefore, it is possible to avoid damaging the insulation material 23 with the tip of the screw 203, and consequently, to avoid impairing the insulation performance of the insulation material 23.

[0052] As described above, the support member 202, which is located inside the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12, is firmly fixed by the receiving member 201, which is located outside the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12.

[0053] The temporary fastening portion 217 may have a gap between it and the temporary fastening hole 22a. In this case, the gap formed between the temporary fastening portion 217 and the temporary fastening hole 22a should be larger than the gap formed between the engaging protrusions 211, 212, 214 and the engaging portions 231, 232, 234.

[0054] Furthermore, when the receiving member 201 is attached to the outer side of the inner wall 22, beyond the portion forming the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12, the upper ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 are located at a position corresponding to the upper edge of the insertion hole 22b, and the lower ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 are located at a position corresponding to the lower edge of the insertion hole 22b. More specifically, the upper ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 face the upper edge of the insertion hole 22b with a small gap between them, and the lower ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 face the lower edge of the insertion hole 22b with a small gap between them. In other words, the vertical dimensions of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 are almost the same as, or slightly shorter than, the vertical dimensions of the insertion hole 22b.

[0055] The small gap formed between the upper ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 and the upper edge of the insertion hole 22b is assumed to be, for example, about 0.5 millimeters to 1.0 millimeter. Similarly, the small gap formed between the lower ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 and the lower edge of the insertion hole 22b is assumed to be, for example, about 0.5 millimeters to 1.0 millimeter.

[0056] Furthermore, the refrigerator 10 may be configured such that the upper ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 are in contact with the upper edge of the insertion hole 22b. Alternatively, the refrigerator 10 may be configured such that the lower ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 are in contact with the lower edge of the insertion hole 22b.

[0057] On the other hand, the upper ends of the engaging protrusions 214 and 215 are spaced a predetermined distance from the upper edge of the insertion hole 22b. In other words, the distance between the upper ends of the engaging protrusions 214 and 215 and the upper edge of the insertion hole 22b is at least longer than the distance between the upper ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 and the upper edge of the insertion hole 22b.

[0058] As illustrated in Figure 15, when the front engaging portion 231 is inserted into the upper opening 211a of the front engaging projection 211, and when the rear engaging portion 232 is inserted into the upper opening 212a of the rear engaging projection 212, the entire engaging portion 231 is inserted into the engaging projection 211, and the entire engaging portion 232 is inserted into the engaging projection 212. In other words, the flat portion 231a that constitutes the base of the engaging portion 231 contacts the upper end of the engaging projection 211, and the flat portion 232a that constitutes the base of the engaging portion 232 contacts the upper end of the engaging projection 212.

[0059] On the other hand, when the engaging portion 234 is inserted into the upper opening 214a of the front engaging projection 214, the lower end portion of the engaging portion 234 is inserted into the engaging projection 214, and the upper end of the engaging portion 234 is located above the upper end of the engaging projection 214. In other words, the flat portion 234a that constitutes the base of the engaging portion 234 does not come into contact with the upper end of the engaging projection 214, but is slightly separated from it.

[0060] If the flat portion 234a that forms the base of the engaging portion 234 is configured to contact the upper end of the engaging projection 214, there is a concern that, due to dimensional errors or mounting position errors, the flat portion 234a of the engaging portion 234 may contact the upper end of the engaging projection 214 before the flat portions 231a and 232a that form the base of the engaging portions 231 and 232 contact the upper ends of the engaging projections 211 and 212, causing the flat portions 231a and 232a of the engaging portions 231 and 232 to be lifted away from the upper ends of the engaging projections 211 and 212. In other words, there is a concern that the amount of insertion of the engaging portions 231 and 232 into the engaging projections 211 and 212 will be insufficient. And if this condition occurs, the mounting state of the support member 202 may become unstable.

[0061] According to the refrigerator 10 of this disclosure, when the flat portions 231a and 232a of the engaging portions 231 and 232 are in contact with the upper ends of the engaging projections 211 and 212, the flat portion 234a of the engaging portion 234 is spaced apart from the upper end of the engaging projection 214. Therefore, the flat portion 234a of the engaging portion 234 does not come into contact with the upper end of the engaging projection 214 before the flat portions 231a and 232a of the engaging portions 231 and 232 come into contact with the upper ends of the engaging projections 211 and 212. Consequently, the configuration makes it easier to form a state in which the flat portions 231a and 232a of the engaging portions 231 and 232 are in contact with the upper ends of the engaging projections 211 and 212. With this configuration example, it is possible to prevent the flat portions 231a and 232a of the engaging portions 231 and 232 from floating away from the upper ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212, thereby stabilizing the mounting state of the support member 202.

[0062] Furthermore, even if the support member 202 is pushed downward due to load or other factors, causing deformation in which the flat portions 231a and 232a of the engaging portions 231 and 232 bite into the upper ends of the engaging projections 211 and 212, the flat portion 234a of the engaging portion 234 is spaced apart from the upper end of the engaging projection 214, thus preventing the flat portion 234a of the engaging portion 234 from biting into the upper end of the engaging projection 214. Therefore, even if the engaging portions 231 and 232 deform to bite into the upper ends of the engaging projections 211 and 212, it is possible to avoid the engaging portion 234 deforming to bite into the upper end of the engaging projection 214, thus preventing deformation or breakage of all engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 that contribute to the fixing of the support member 202.

[0063] As illustrated in Figure 14, a bead portion 22F is formed on the lower part of the inner wall 22 where the receiving member 201 is attached. This bead portion 22F supports the left and right ends of the lower horizontal partition plate 101 from below. In the refrigerator 10, the lower end of the support member 202 is configured not to contact this bead portion 22F. However, the refrigerator 10 may be configured so that the lower end of the support member 202 contacts the bead portion 22F, in which case the bead portion 22F can be used as a lower support bead portion that supports the support member 202 from below.

[0064] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figures 10 and 12, the support member 202 has a plurality of bead portions 237, 238, and 239 that extend from the outside to the inside, that is, from the outside of the storage unit to the inside of the storage unit. The bead portions 237, 238, and 239 are examples of specific protrusions. The bead portions 237, 238, and 239 protrude inward to perform a specific function different from the engagement function of engaging with the receiving member 201, in this case, a support function to support members placed inside the storage unit. Note that the specific function is not limited to the support function, and various other functions are concealed, such as a guiding function to guide the movement of members placed inside the storage unit, a guiding function to guide the flow of cold air inside the storage unit, and a concealing function to hide the part of the support member 202 that engages with the receiving member 201.

[0065] Furthermore, the bead portions 237, 238, and 239 extend linearly along the front-rear direction of the main body portion 230. Of these, bead portion 237, located at the top of the main body portion 230, extends from the rear end of the main body portion 230 to an area in front of the center of the main body portion 230 in the front-rear direction, but does not reach the front end of the main body portion 230. Similarly, bead portion 238, located in the center of the main body portion 230 in the vertical direction, extends from the rear end of the main body portion 230 to an area in front of the center of the main body portion 230 in the front-rear direction, but does not reach the front end of the main body portion 230. However, bead portion 238 is shorter than bead portion 237. Also, bead portion 239, located at the bottom of the main body portion 230, extends from the rear end of the main body portion 230, and its front end reaches the front end of the main body portion 230. The bead portion 239 is longer than the bead portions 237 and 238.

[0066] As illustrated in Figure 12, of the multiple engaging portions 231 and 232 described above, the rear engaging portion 232 is entirely located on the opposite side of the bead portion 237, i.e., on the outside of the wedge. In this case, the engaging portion 232 is located on the opposite side of the recess 237a located at the rear of the bead portion 237, i.e., on the outside of the wedge. The front engaging portion 231 is also located on the opposite side of the bead portion 237, i.e., on the outside of the wedge. In this case, the engaging portion 231 is located on the opposite side of the tip of the bead portion 237. More specifically, the front part of the engaging portion 231 is located on the outside of the wedge in front of the front end surface of the bead portion 237, and the rear part of the engaging portion 231 is located on the outside of the wedge in rear of the front end surface of the bead portion 237. The engaging portion 234 is also located entirely on the opposite side of the bead portion 239, i.e., on the outside of the wedge. In this case, the engaging portion 234 is located on the outside of the cavity, behind the front end surface of the bead portion 239. The upper ends of the engaging portions 231 and 232 are lower than the highest part of the bead portion 237, and the lower ends of the engaging portions 231 and 232 are higher than the lowest part of the bead portion 237. The upper end of the engaging portion 234 is lower than the highest part of the bead portion 239, and the lower end of the engaging portion 234 is higher than the lowest part of the bead portion 238.

[0067] As described above, the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 are configured such that all or part of them are provided on the opposite side of the area where the bead portions 237, 238, and 239 are formed within the support member 202, i.e., on the outside of the storage area. In other words, the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 are provided on the opposite side of the portion where the bead portions 237, 238, and 239 are formed or a portion close to that portion, and are not provided at a position far from the portion where the bead portions 237, 238, and 239 are formed.

[0068] Furthermore, the amount of protrusion of bead portions 237, 238, and 239 toward the inside, i.e., toward the interior side, is smaller than the amount of protrusion of bead portion 22F toward the inside, i.e., toward the interior side, as illustrated in Figure 14. Bead portion 22F is configured to extend in the front-rear direction below the support member 202 attached to the interior side of the inner wall 22.

[0069] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 12, the fastening portion 236 is provided at the bottom of one of the multiple bead portions 237, 238, and 239, in this case, the uppermost bead portion 237. In this case, the fastening portion 236 is provided so as to be embedded in the lower part of the central portion in the front-to-back direction of the bead portion 237. According to this configuration example, the fastening portion 236 can be covered from above by the bead portion 237. This makes the fastening portion 236 difficult to see and prevents the fastening portion 236 from spoiling the appearance. Also, since the fastening portion 236 is hidden by utilizing the bead portion 237, there is no need to provide a new structure to hide the fastening portion 236.

[0070] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 15, the support member 202 has a covering portion 240. The covering portion 240 extends from the upper end of the support member 202 toward the inner wall 22, that is, toward the outside of the storage compartment. The end of the covering portion 240 facing the inner wall 22, that is, the end on the outside of the storage compartment, abuts against the inner wall 22. Therefore, the structure is such that it is difficult for a gap to be formed between the end of the covering portion 240 facing the inner wall 22 and the inner wall 22. It is preferable to configure the structure so that as little gap as possible is formed between the end of the covering portion 240 facing the inner wall 22 and the inner wall 22, but a small gap may be formed between the end of the covering portion 240 facing the inner wall 22 and the inner wall 22 due to, for example, errors in the mounting position or dimensional errors of the support member 202.

[0071] Furthermore, the covering portion 240 extends in the front-rear direction of the main body portion 230. The dimensions of the covering portion 240 in the front-rear direction are longer than those of the bead portion 237. Also, the dimensions of the covering portion 240 in the front-rear direction are shorter than those of the bead portion 239. The covering portion 240 covers the upper part of the portion where the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 engage with the engaging projections 211, 212, and 214. In this case, the covering portion 240 covers the entire portion where the engaging portions 231, 232 engage with the engaging projections 211, 212 from above. In addition, the covering portion 240, with its front end, covers a portion of the portion where the engaging portion 234 engages with the engaging projection 214 from above.

[0072] Support members 202, attached to the left and right sides of the inner wall 22, respectively, are capable of supporting multiple components, in this case, at least the upper horizontal partition plate 100 and the upper chilled container 104. More specifically, the support members 202 support both the left and right ends of the upper horizontal partition plate 100 by bead portions 237. In this case, the support members 202 support the upper horizontal partition plate 100 so that it cannot move in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0073] Furthermore, the support member 202 attached to the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the left side of the refrigerator compartment 12 supports the left end of the upper chilled container 104 by its bead portion 238. Similarly, the support member 202 attached to the portion of the inner wall 22 that forms the right side of the refrigerator compartment 12 supports the right end of the upper chilled container 104 by its bead portion 238. In this case, the left and right support members 202 support the upper chilled container 104 so that it can move in the front-rear direction. The upper chilled container 104, supported by the left and right support members 202, is suspended above the lower horizontal partition plate 101. The upper horizontal partition plate 100 is an example of a partition member. The upper chilled container 104 is an example of a special member.

[0074] The upper chilled container 104 is a component located below the upper horizontal partition plate 100, which is an example of an upper surface forming component. Furthermore, the upper chilled container 104 is a component whose front surface is visible from the front of the refrigerator compartment 12 when the refrigerator compartment doors 12D[L] and 12D[R] are open. As described above, the upper chilled container 104 is supported together with the upper horizontal partition plate 100 by a common support component 202. Therefore, misalignment and tilting of the upper chilled container 104 relative to the upper horizontal partition plate 100 can be suppressed.

[0075] According to the refrigerator 10, when the refrigerator doors 12D[L] and 12D[R] are open, the displacement and tilting of the upper chilled container 104, which is a component visible from the front of the refrigerator compartment 12, can be suppressed. Therefore, the appearance of the interior of the refrigerator when the refrigerator doors 12D[L] and 12D[R] are open can be improved.

[0076] Furthermore, since the upper chilled container 104 has its lower surface facing the upper surface of the lower horizontal partition plate 101, it is generally assumed that the upper chilled container 104 is placed on the lower horizontal partition plate 101. However, if the upper chilled container 104 is placed on the lower horizontal partition plate 101, the upper chilled container 104 will be supported by the lower horizontal partition plate 101, which is a different component from the support member 202 that supports the upper horizontal partition plate 100. As a result, it becomes impossible to suppress misalignment or tilting of the upper chilled container 104 relative to the upper horizontal partition plate 100.

[0077] According to the refrigerator 10 of this disclosure, the upper chilled container 104 is not placed on the lower horizontal partition plate 101, but is supported by a support member 202 that supports the upper horizontal partition plate 100. Therefore, the refrigerator 10 has been made capable of suppressing misalignment and tilting of the upper chilled container 104 relative to the upper horizontal partition plate 100 compared to conventional configurations.

[0078] Furthermore, the refrigerator 10 may also be configured to support the lower right chilled container 105, the lower left chilled container 106, and the lower horizontal partition plate 101 by the support member 202. According to this configuration example, it is possible to suppress the shifting or tilting of the positions of multiple components arranged in the chilled cooling space 12B, specifically the upper horizontal partition plate 100, the lower horizontal partition plate 101, the upper chilled container 104, the lower right chilled container 105, the lower left chilled container 106, etc., thereby improving the overall appearance of the chilled cooling space 12B.

[0079] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 18, the chilled door 107 is formed in a rectangular shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. When the front opening of the upper chilled cooling space 12B1 is closed, the lower end of the chilled door 107 forms an outline line L1 that extends linearly in the left-right direction. The upper end of the handle portion 104a provided on the front of the upper chilled container 104 forms an outline line L2 that extends linearly in the left-right direction parallel to the outline line L1 formed by the lower end of the chilled door 107, below the outline line L1 formed by the lower end of the chilled door 107. By forming these two outline lines L1 and L2 that extend parallel to each other in the same direction, the appearance can be further improved.

[0080] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 19, the receiving member 201 is configured such that two or more of the multiple engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, 214, 215 in the main body 210, in this case the portion where the engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213 are formed, is sealed by a single common sealing member 220. The sealing member 220 is an example of a sealing member, and in this case it seals the multiple through holes 211b, 212b, 213b that are formed as a result of the formation of the engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213 among the multiple engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, 214, 215. This prevents, and more preferably prevents, the raw liquid of the fluid foam insulation material 23B injected between the outer wall 21 and the inner wall 22 from passing through the through holes 211b, 212b, 213b from the outside to the inside and entering the interior, i.e., the interior of the storage room.

[0081] In this case, the sealing member 220 also seals the temporary fastening portion 217 and the fastening projection 216. Therefore, it is possible to prevent, for example, the undiluted foam insulation material 23B from passing through the through-holes around the temporary fastening portion 217 and entering the inside, i.e., the inside of the storage area, and also to prevent, for example, the undiluted foam insulation material 23B from filling into the fastening projection 216.

[0082] In the configuration example shown in Figure 19, the receiving member 201 has a configuration in which multiple engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213 arranged in the front-rear direction are sealed by a single common sealing member 220, while engaging protrusions 214 and 215 are not sealed. However, the engaging protrusions 214 and 215 may also be sealed by a different sealing member 220 from the one that seals the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213. Alternatively, the receiving member 201 may have a configuration in which multiple engaging protrusions arranged in the vertical direction, which is an example of a direction different from the front-rear direction, for example, engaging protrusions 212 and 215 are sealed by a single common sealing member 220. Or, the receiving member 201 may have a configuration in which multiple engaging protrusions arranged in the inclined direction, which is an example of a direction different from the front-rear direction, for example, engaging protrusions 212 and 214 or engaging protrusions 211 and 215 are sealed by a single common sealing member 220.

[0083] As illustrated in Figures 20 to 23, the right vertical partition plate 102 is made of resin, for example, and is a rectangular member having an upper edge portion 110, a lower edge portion 111, a rear edge portion 112, and a front edge portion 113. The upper edge portion 110 is an example of a first edge portion, the lower edge portion 111 is an example of a second edge portion, and the rear edge portion 112 is an example of a third edge portion. The main body portion 114 of the right vertical partition plate 102 has a shape in which the dimension in the front-to-back direction is longer than the dimension in the up-to-down direction.

[0084] As illustrated in Figure 24, the refrigerator 10 includes an upper air block 301, a lower air block 302, and a rear air block 303. The upper air block 301, lower air block 302, and rear air block 303 are all examples of air blockers. More specifically, the upper air block 301 is an example of a first air blocker, the lower air block 302 is an example of a second air blocker, and the rear air block 303 is an example of a third air blocker.

[0085] The upper windbreak portion 301 extends from the lower surface of the lower horizontal partition plate 101, which is a member facing the upper edge portion 110 of the right vertical partition plate 102, toward the upper edge portion 110, and is configured to block the flow of air between the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3. The lower horizontal partition plate 101 is an example of an upper surface forming member, and in this case, it forms the upper surfaces of the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2, the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3, and the ice-making tank cooling space 12B4. Note that the upper surface forming member only needs to be configured to form the upper surfaces of at least the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3.

[0086] The lower windbreak portion 302 extends from the upper surface toward the lower edge 111 of the storage compartment wall 11K, which is a member facing the lower edge 111 of the right vertical partition plate 102, and is configured to block the flow of air between the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3. The storage compartment wall 11K is an example of a lower surface forming member, and in this case, it forms the lower surfaces of the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2, the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3, and the ice-making tank cooling space 12B4. The lower surface forming member only needs to be configured to form the lower surfaces of at least the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3.

[0087] The rear air block 303 extends from the front surface toward the rear edge 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102, and is configured to block the flow of air between the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3. The cold air duct 31 is an example of a rear surface forming member, and in this case, it forms the rear surfaces of the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3. The rear surface forming member only needs to be configured to form the rear surfaces of at least the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3. The cold air duct 31 is provided as a separate member from the lower horizontal partition plate 101 and the storage room partition wall 11K.

[0088] In this case, the refrigerator 10 is configured to have one of the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 as an example of a "special cooling space," and the other as an "other cooling space." In other words, the refrigerator 10 may be configured to have the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 as a "special cooling space" and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 as an "other cooling space," or it may be configured to have the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 as an "other cooling space" and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 as a "special cooling space." The refrigerator 10 has a configuration in which one storage compartment, in this case one refrigerator compartment 12, is divided into multiple cooling spaces. The refrigerator 10 has at least one of the multiple cooling spaces as an example of a "special cooling space," and at least one of the multiple cooling spaces that is different from the "special cooling space" as an example of an "other cooling space."

[0089] The lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10. The right vertical partition plate 102 is a plate-like or wall-like member that extends in the front-to-back and up-and-down directions between the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3, which are arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction of the refrigerator 10.

[0090] As illustrated in Figure 25, the rear edge 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102 faces the cold air duct 31 that forms the rear surfaces of the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 at a predetermined distance. In other words, the rear edge 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102 is spaced at a predetermined distance from the cold air duct 31, taking into account dimensional errors and mounting position errors of the right vertical partition plate 102 and the cold air duct 31. The rear windbreak portion 303 extends forward from the front of the cold air duct 31, that is, toward the rear edge 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102. In other words, the rear windbreak portion 303 extends in such a way as to close as possible the gap between the rear edge 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102 and the cold air duct 31.

[0091] Furthermore, the upper edge 110 of the right vertical partition plate 102 faces the lower horizontal partition plate 101, which forms the upper surface of the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3, at a predetermined distance. In other words, the upper edge 110 of the right vertical partition plate 102 is spaced at a predetermined distance from the lower horizontal partition plate 101, taking into account dimensional errors and mounting position errors of the right vertical partition plate 102 and the lower horizontal partition plate 101. The upper windbreak portion 301 extends downward from the lower surface of the lower horizontal partition plate 101, that is, toward the upper edge 110 of the right vertical partition plate 102. In other words, the upper windbreak portion 301 extends in such a way as to close as possible the gap between the upper edge 110 of the right vertical partition plate 102 and the lower horizontal partition plate 101. Furthermore, the lower horizontal partition plate 101 may be configured to form the upper surface of at least one of the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3.

[0092] The right vertical partition plate 102 is configured such that its entire upper edge 110 is not separated from the lower horizontal partition plate 101, but rather a portion of it is in contact with the lower horizontal partition plate 101. More specifically, the right vertical partition plate 102 has a projection 115 at the front of its upper edge 110. The upper surface of the projection 115 abuts against the lower surface of the lower horizontal partition plate 101, supporting the lower horizontal partition plate 101 from below. In addition, the right vertical partition plate 102 has a separation portion 116 in a part of its upper edge 110, in this case, the portion behind the projection 115, which is separated from the lower surface of the lower horizontal partition plate 101. The upper windbreak portion 301 is provided to at least close this separation portion 116.

[0093] The separation portion 116 forms a gap between the upper edge 110 of the right vertical partition plate 102 and the lower horizontal partition plate 101. Because of this gap, that is, the region where the right vertical partition plate 102 is separated from the lower horizontal partition plate 101, the contact area between the upper edge 110 of the right vertical partition plate 102 and the lower horizontal partition plate 101 is reduced. Therefore, compared to a configuration without such separation portion 116, it is possible to remove the lower horizontal partition plate 101 with less force.

[0094] Furthermore, the right vertical partition plate 102 has legs 117 at the front of its lower edge 111. The lower surface of the legs 117 abuts against the upper surface of the storage compartment wall 11K, supporting the right vertical partition plate 102 from below. The right vertical partition plate 102 also has a detached portion 118 on a part of its lower edge 111, in this case, the portion behind the legs 117, which is separated from the upper surface of the storage compartment wall 11K. The lower windbreak portion 302 is provided to at least close this detached portion 118. The lower windbreak portion 302 also has a stepped portion that fills this detached portion 118. The detached portion 118 of the lower edge 111 of the right vertical partition plate 102 is supported from below by the stepped portion of the lower windbreak portion 302.

[0095] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figures 20 to 23, ribs 120 are formed on both the left and right sides of the right vertical partition plate 102. The ribs 120 extend linearly from the rear to the front of the right vertical partition plate 102. The front end of the ribs 120 is inclined upward from the rear to the front. Note that the rear end of the ribs 120 does not reach the rear end of the right vertical partition plate 102. In addition, a small rib 121 is formed on the right side of the right vertical partition plate 102. The small rib 121 is formed on the upper part of the rear of the right vertical partition plate 102. The front end of the small rib 121 is located in front of the rear end of the rib 120, but the rear end of the small rib 121 is located behind the rear end of the rib 120. The tip of the small rib 121 is inclined downward from the rear to the front.

[0096] The upper air block 301, lower air block 302, and rear air block 303 are all provided so as to sandwich the right vertical partition plate 102 from the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 side and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 side. In this case, the direction in which the upper air block 301, lower air block 302, and rear air block 303 sandwich the right vertical partition plate 102 is the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10. Therefore, the upper air block 301, lower air block 302, and rear air block 303 can be defined as sandwiching the right vertical partition plate 102 from the left and right sides, respectively.

[0097] The upper air block 301, lower air block 302, and rear air block 303, which are provided to sandwich the right vertical partition plate 102 in the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10, can provide a higher air blockage effect compared to an air block provided on only one side in the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10. Furthermore, a positional displacement suppression effect can be expected, as the upper air block 301, lower air block 302, and rear air block 303 suppress the positional displacement of the right vertical partition plate 102 in the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10.

[0098] Furthermore, the upper windbreak section 301, the lower windbreak section 302, and the rear windbreak section 303 should extend as far as possible toward the right vertical partition plate 102. This will allow for even greater windbreak and displacement suppression effects. However, if the extension of the upper windbreak section 301, the lower windbreak section 302, and the rear windbreak section 303 toward the right vertical partition plate 102 is made too large, there is a concern that these upper windbreak section 301, the lower windbreak section 302, and the rear windbreak section 303 will reduce the internal volume of the cooling space. Therefore, the extension of the upper windbreak section 301, the lower windbreak section 302, and the rear windbreak section 303 toward the right vertical partition plate 102 should be kept to an extent that sufficient internal volume of the cooling space can be secured.

[0099] As illustrated in Figure 26, the upper air barrier 301 has a portion 301a on the right lower chilled cooling space side and a portion 301b on the left lower chilled cooling space side, sandwiching the right vertical partition plate 102. The portion 301a on the right lower chilled cooling space side is located on the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 side of the right vertical partition plate 102, in this case to the right of the right vertical partition plate 102. On the other hand, the portion 301b on the left lower chilled cooling space side is located on the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 side of the right vertical partition plate 102, in this case to the left of the right vertical partition plate 102.

[0100] The upper air-shielding portion 301 is longer on one side of the refrigerator 10 in the left-right direction, in this case the left lower chilled cooling space side portion 301b, in the direction that intersects the direction that sandwiches the right vertical partition plate 102, in this case the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator 10, than on the other side, in this case the right lower chilled cooling space side portion 301a. More specifically, the dimensions of the left lower chilled cooling space side portion 301b in the front-to-back direction are at least longer than the dimensions of the separation portion 116 in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the left lower chilled cooling space side portion 301b can block the entire separation portion 116 in the front-to-back direction. On the other hand, the dimensions of the right lower chilled cooling space side portion 301a in the front-to-back direction are at least shorter than the dimensions of the separation portion 116 in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the right lower chilled cooling space side portion 301a can block a part of the separation portion 116, in this case the rear part, rather than the entire separation portion 116, in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the right lower chilled cooling space side portion 301a is supported from below by small ribs 121 provided on the side surface of the right vertical partition plate 102. In addition, the upper air barrier portion 301 may be configured such that the right lower chilled cooling space side portion 301a is longer than the left lower chilled cooling space side portion 301b in the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator 10, or the right lower chilled cooling space side portion 301a and the left lower chilled cooling space side portion 301b may be of the same length.

[0101] Furthermore, the upper windbreak section 301 has a rear guide section 311 at its rear end. The rear guide section 311 is an example of a first guide section, and is formed such that the distance between the upper windbreak section 301 and the right vertical partition plate 102, that is, the distance in the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10, gradually increases from the front to the rear. When manufacturing the refrigerator 10, the storage compartment wall 11K is installed inside the insulated box body 11, which is made up of an inner box 11A and an outer box 11B. Then, the right vertical partition plate 102 is installed on the upper surface of the storage compartment wall 11K, and then, the lower horizontal partition plate 101 is installed on the upper part of the right vertical partition plate 102. The rear guide portion 311 is shaped to facilitate the guidance of the upper edge 110 of the right vertical partition plate 102 between the upper windbreak portions 301 provided on the lower surface of the lower horizontal partition plate 101 when the lower horizontal partition plate 101 is attached to the upper part of the right vertical partition plate 102 after the right vertical partition plate 102 has been attached to the upper surface of the storage room partition wall 11K.

[0102] Furthermore, the upper windbreak portion 301 has a stopper 312 at its front. When the lower horizontal partition plate 101 is pushed to a predetermined mounting position on the upper part of the right vertical partition plate 102, the stopper 312 provided on the lower surface of the lower horizontal partition plate 101 comes into contact with the front end of the protrusion 115 of the right vertical partition plate 102. This prevents the lower horizontal partition plate 101 from being pushed further back than the predetermined mounting position.

[0103] In this case, the stopper 312 has a shape that abuts against the front end surface and the right side surface of the protruding portion 115, a so-called "L" shape. However, the shape of the stopper 312 may be any shape that can restrict the lower horizontal partition plate 101 to a predetermined mounting position, such as a wall shape that abuts against the front end surface of the protruding portion 115, or a shape that abuts against the front end surface and both left and right sides of the protruding portion 115, a so-called "U" shape.

[0104] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 27, the lower air barrier 302 has a portion 302a on the right lower chilled cooling space side and a portion 302b on the left lower chilled cooling space side, sandwiching the right vertical partition plate 102. The portion 302a on the right lower chilled cooling space side is located on the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 side of the right vertical partition plate 102, in this case, to the right of the right vertical partition plate 102. On the other hand, the portion 302b on the left lower chilled cooling space side is located on the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 side of the right vertical partition plate 102, in this case, to the left of the right vertical partition plate 102.

[0105] The lower air barrier portion 302 is configured such that, in the direction intersecting the right vertical partition plate 102, in the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator 10, one side in the left-to-right direction of the refrigerator 10, in this case the left lower chilled cooling space side portion 302b, and the other side, in this case the right lower chilled cooling space side portion 302a, are the same length. The right lower chilled cooling space side portion 302a and the left lower chilled cooling space side portion 302b can block most of the separation portion 118, in this case the portion excluding the rear. The lower air barrier portion 302 may also be configured such that the right lower chilled cooling space side portion 302a and the left lower chilled cooling space side portion 302b are different lengths in the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator 10.

[0106] Furthermore, the lower windbreak portion 302 has a front guide portion 321 at its front. The front guide portion 321 is an example of a second guide portion, and is formed such that the distance between the lower windbreak portion 302 and the right vertical partition plate 102, that is, the distance in the left-right direction of the refrigerator 10, gradually increases from the rear to the front. The front guide portion 321 is shaped to facilitate the guidance of the lower edge portion 111 of the right vertical partition plate 102 between the lower windbreak portions 302 provided on the upper surface of the storage compartment wall 11K when the right vertical partition plate 102 is attached to the upper surface of the storage compartment wall 11K.

[0107] As illustrated in Figure 28, the rear windbreak portion 303 has a basic extension portion 331 that extends forward toward the rear edge portion 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102, and an additional extension portion 332 that extends further forward toward the rear edge portion 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102 than the basic extension portion 331. The basic extension portion 331 is an example of a first extension portion, and the additional extension portion 332 is an example of a second extension portion. The additional extension portion 332 is formed integrally with the basic extension portion 331 and extends forward from the lower part of the front end of the basic extension portion 331. Note that the additional extension portion 332 may be a separate part from the basic extension portion 331.

[0108] The lower end of the cold air duct 31 is provided with a rectangular projection 31a that protrudes forward. On the other hand, the lower part of the rear edge 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102 is provided with a rectangular notch 112a that is cut out to match the shape of the projection 31a. The additional extension 332 extends forward to close the gap formed between the projection 31a and the notch 112a. Furthermore, the upper end of the basic extension 331 is lower than the upper end of the right vertical partition plate 102, meaning that the upper part of the rear edge 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102 is not blocked by the basic extension 331. Therefore, when the lower horizontal partition plate 101 is attached to the upper part of the right vertical partition plate 102, it is possible to avoid the rear part of the upper windbreak 301 interfering with the basic extension 331.

[0109] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 29, the gap S1 formed between the rear windbreak 303 and the right vertical partition plate 102 in the left-right direction is larger than the gap S2 formed between the lower windbreak 302 and the right vertical partition plate 102 in the left-right direction.

[0110] In the refrigerator 10 configured as described above, the receiving member 201, which is provided on the outside of the inner wall 22, i.e., on the outside of the refrigerator, has a plurality of engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 214 that protrude inward from the inner wall 22, i.e., on the inside of the refrigerator. In addition, the support member 202, which is provided on the inside of the inner wall 22, has a plurality of engaging parts 231, 232, and 234 that engage with the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 214, respectively, on the inside of the inner wall 22.

[0111] According to this configuration example, the support member 202, which is located inside the inner wall 22, can be fixed by engaging it with the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 214 that the receiving member 201 extends inward from the inner wall 22. Therefore, the support member 202 can be fixed without damaging or penetrating any components located outside the inner wall 22, such as the heat insulating material 23.

[0112] Furthermore, the receiving member 201 also has engaging protrusions 213 and 215. Therefore, the refrigerator 10 may be configured such that the support member 202 is provided with engaging parts that can engage with these engaging protrusions 213 and 215, and these engaging parts engage with the engaging protrusions 213 and 215 on the inside of the refrigerator, i.e., on the inside of the refrigerator. According to this configuration example, the number of parts that the support member 202 engages with the receiving member 201 can be increased, and the support member 202 can be fixed in a more stable state.

[0113] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, a vacuum insulation panel 23A is provided as the insulation material 23, and this vacuum insulation panel 23A is provided in a position opposite the receiving member 201. According to the refrigerator 10, the support member 202 can be fixed without damaging or penetrating the vacuum insulation panel 23A, and the insulation performance of the vacuum insulation panel 23A that would be impaired as a result of fixing the support member 202 can be avoided.

[0114] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 are configured to engage with the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 214 from above as the support member 202 moves from top to bottom inside the inner wall 22, i.e., inside the refrigerator. In this configuration, the load applied to the support member 202 can push the support member 202 in the direction in which the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 engage with the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 214, in this case, downward. Therefore, the fixation of the support member 202 to the receiving member 201 can be maintained in an even more secure state.

[0115] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 214 have openings 211a, 212a, and 214a into which the engaging parts 231, 232, and 234 are inserted. With this configuration, the engaging parts 231, 232, and 234 can be easily inserted into the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 214 through the openings 211a, 212a, and 214a. In addition, with a structure in which the engaging parts 231, 232, and 234 are inserted from above into the openings 211a, 212a, and 214a of the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 214, the support member 202 can be positioned in the vertical direction as well as in the horizontal direction.

[0116] Furthermore, the positioning of the support member 202 may be achieved by providing a projection on the receiving member 201 that protrudes inward from a part different from the engaging projections 211, 212, and 214, and simply hooking or locking a part of the support member 202 onto this projection. Alternatively, a positioning member may be provided as a separate member from the receiving member 201 and the support member 202, and the positioning member may be used to position the support member 202 relative to the receiving member 201. Alternatively, the support member 202 may be positioned relative to the receiving member 201 by fixing it to the receiving member 201 with screws or by claws. Alternatively, the support member 202 may be positioned relative to the receiving member 201 by directly or indirectly fixing it to the side or bottom surface of the refrigerator compartment 12.

[0117] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 10, the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213 are connected to the main body 210 at both ends in the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator 10, in a direction that intersects with the vertical direction. This configuration allows for improved strength of the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213. It also prevents the formation of sharp edges on the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213, thus preventing injuries to workers during the manufacturing of the refrigerator 10.

[0118] The structure of the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213, which are connected to the main body 210 at both ends in the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator 10, can be formed by creating elongated holes in the portion of the main body 210 where the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213 are to be formed, corresponding to the lengths of the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213 along the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator 10, and then bending the portion sandwiched between these elongated holes. These elongated holes then form the through holes 211b, 212b, and 213b described above after the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213 have been formed. Furthermore, the structure of the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213, which are connected to the main body 210 at both ends in the front-to-back direction of the refrigerator 10, can be formed without increasing the amount of protrusion from the main body 210. Therefore, the amount of protrusion of the engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213 toward the inside of the refrigerator can be suppressed.

[0119] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 are provided, in whole or in part, on the opposite side of the portion of the support member 202 where the bead portions 237, 238, and 239 are formed, and in a position facing the bead portions 237, 238, and 239. In this configuration example, the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 engage with the engaging projections 211, 212, and 214 on the opposite side of the load-bearing bead portions 237, 238, and 239. Therefore, the load applied to the bead portions 237, 238, and 239 can be utilized to increase the degree of engagement of the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 with the engaging projections 211, 212, and 214, thereby forming a stronger engagement state.

[0120] Furthermore, the front surface of the parts where the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 are formed can be covered by the bead portions 237, 238, and 239, so that even if deformation or distortion occurs on the surface side due to the formation of the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234, such areas can be hidden. In addition, the bead portions 237, 238, and 239, which are provided to protrude inward to perform a specific function different from the engaging function of engaging the support member 202 with the receiving member 201, can be used to hide deformed or distorted parts, eliminating the need to provide a new structure to hide deformed or distorted parts.

[0121] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 10, two or more of the multiple engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, in this case the engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213 and the multiple through holes 211b, 212b, 213b formed as a result of the provision of the engaging protrusions 211, 212, 213, are sealed by a single common sealing member 220. With this configuration, as many engaging protrusions and through holes as possible can be sealed with as few sealing members 220 as possible. Therefore, the amount of sealing member 220 used can be reduced, which is advantageous in terms of cost, and the number of times the sealing member 220 needs to be applied can be reduced, which is also advantageous in terms of manufacturing work.

[0122] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the receiving member 201 has a fastening projection 216 that protrudes inward from the inner wall 22, i.e., towards the inside of the refrigerator, and the support member 202 has a fastening portion 236 that is fastened to the fastening projection 216 on the inside of the refrigerator, i.e., towards the inside of the refrigerator. With this configuration example, the support member 202 can be fixed to the receiving member 201 not only by the engagement of the engaging portions 231, 232, and 234 with the engaging projections 211, 212, and 214, but also by the fastening of the fastening portion 236 with the fastening projection 216, thereby fixing the support member 202 even more firmly.

[0123] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the support member 202 is provided with a covering portion 240 that covers the portion where the engaging portions 231, 232, 234 engage with the engaging projections 211, 212, 214. With this configuration example, the portion where the engaging portions 231, 232, 234 engage with the engaging projections 211, 212, 214 can be made difficult to see from above, and the appearance that would be impaired by providing a configuration in which the engaging portions 231, 232, 234 engage with the engaging projections 211, 212, 214 can be avoided.

[0124] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the support member 202 can support multiple members, in this case, at least both the upper horizontal partition plate 100 and the upper chilled container 104. With this configuration example, since the upper horizontal partition plate 100 and the upper chilled container 104 are supported by a common support member 202, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of misalignment in the positional relationship between the upper horizontal partition plate 100 and the upper chilled container 104.

[0125] In the example configuration in which multiple members are supported by a common support member 202, there is a concern that the support member 202 may fall off due to the large load applied to it. However, in the refrigerator 10, the support member 202 is supported by engaging multiple engaging portions 231, 232, 234 with multiple engaging protrusions 211, 212, 214 of the receiving member 201. Therefore, even if the load applied to the support member 202 increases, the fall off the support member 202 can be sufficiently suppressed.

[0126] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the receiving member 201 has a contact area increasing portion 218 that increases the contact area with the foamed insulation material 23B. With this configuration example, the area over which the receiving member 201 is supported by the foamed insulation material 23B is increased, so displacement and tilting of the receiving member 201 can be suppressed. In addition, the contact area increasing portion 218, which is formed by deforming the main body portion 210 of the receiving member 201, can function as a reinforcing bead or reinforcing rib that reinforces the main body portion 210 of the receiving member 201, thereby improving the strength of the receiving member 201.

[0127] Furthermore, the contact area increasing portion 218 is provided to extend linearly along the front-rear direction of the main body portion 210. With the contact area increasing portion 218 configured in this way, the vertical load applied to the receiving member 201 via the support member 202 can be easily distributed in the front-rear direction, thereby suppressing displacement and deformation of the receiving member 201. Note that the contact area increasing portion 218 may have a shape such as a bend, curve, or meander, that is, a shape other than a straight line.

[0128] Furthermore, in the refrigerator 10, the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 have openings at the top and bottom, respectively. When the receiving member 201 is attached to the outside of the inner wall 22, i.e., on the outside of the refrigerator, the upper ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 are located at a position corresponding to the upper edge of the insertion hole 22b, and the lower ends of the engaging protrusions 211 and 212 are located at a position corresponding to the lower edge of the insertion hole 22b. This configuration allows for the positioning of the receiving member 201 relative to the inner wall 22 of the refrigerator compartment 12, particularly in the vertical direction. In addition, because the receiving member 201 is positioned relative to the inner wall 22 of the refrigerator compartment 12, it is possible to avoid, for example, the receiving member 201 rotating or tilting when fastening it with screws 203.

[0129] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the engaging protrusions 214 and 215 have an open top but are connected to the main body 210 at the bottom. With this configuration, the portion of the engaging protrusions 214 and 215 that is connected to the main body 210 is increased, thus improving the strength of the engaging protrusions 214 and 215.

[0130] In this embodiment, the upper engaging protrusions 211, 212, and 213 of the receiving member 201 have openings 211a, 212a, and 213a at the top and bottom, respectively, while the lower engaging protrusions 214 and 215 of the receiving member 201 have openings 214a and 215a at the top and are connected to the main body 210 at the bottom. However, the refrigerator 10 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the upper engaging protrusion of the receiving member 201 may have an opening at the top but be connected to the main body 210 at the bottom, while the lower engaging protrusion of the receiving member 201 may have openings at both the top and bottom. Alternatively, the refrigerator 10 may have any of the engaging protrusions have openings at both the top and bottom. Or, the refrigerator 10 may have any of the engaging protrusions have an opening at the top but be connected to the main body 210 at the bottom.

[0131] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the receiving member 201 has a temporary fixing portion 217 that protrudes inward from the inner wall 22, i.e., toward the inside of the refrigerator, and the inner wall 22 has a temporary fixing hole 22b into which this temporary fixing portion 217 is inserted. With this configuration example, the receiving member 201 can be temporarily fixed by engaging the temporary fixing portion 217 with the temporary fixing hole 22b, and the engaging portions 231, 232, 234 can be engaged with the engaging protrusions 211, 212, 214, and the fastening portion 236 can be fastened with the fastening protrusion 216, allowing for more stable engagement and fastening.

[0132] Furthermore, the refrigerator 10 is configured to divide the inside of one refrigerator compartment 12 into a right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 and a left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 by a right vertical partition plate 102 having at least an upper edge 110, a lower edge 111, and a rear edge 112. The refrigerator 10 configured in this way has an upper air blockage section 301, a lower air blockage section 302, and a rear air blockage section 303 as windbreaks to block the flow of air between the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3.

[0133] The upper windbreak section 301 extends from the lower horizontal partition plate 101 facing the upper edge section 110 toward the upper edge section 110. The lower windbreak section 302 extends from the storage room partition wall 11K facing the lower edge section 111 toward the lower edge section 111. The rear windbreak section 303 extends from the cold air duct 31 facing the rear edge section 112 toward the rear edge section 112.

[0134] According to this configuration example, in a refrigerator 10 in which one refrigerator compartment 12 is divided into multiple cooling spaces 12B2, 12B3 by a right vertical partition plate 102, even if the right vertical partition plate 102 is not in gapless contact with the lower horizontal partition plate 101, storage compartment wall 11K, and cold air duct 31 opposite the right vertical partition plate 102, the airflow between the multiple cooling spaces 12B2, 12B3 can be sufficiently blocked by the upper air block 301, the lower air block 302, and the rear air block 303.

[0135] Furthermore, even without providing wind-blocking members such as plates or insulation between the right vertical partition plate 102, the lower horizontal partition plate 101 facing the right vertical partition plate 102, the storage room partition wall 11K, and the cold air duct 31, the airflow between the multiple cooling spaces 12B2 and 12B3 can be blocked by the upper wind-blocking section 301, the lower wind-blocking section 302, and the rear wind-blocking section 303. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the reduction in the volume within the cooling space 12B2 and cooling space 12B3 due to wind-blocking members. In addition, it is possible to suppress structural complexity and increased manufacturing costs due to wind-blocking members.

[0136] Furthermore, the right vertical partition plate 102 may be configured such that one of its upper edge 110, lower edge 111, or rear edge 112 is directly fixed to the member opposite to that edge, and no windbreak is provided on that edge, while windbreaks are provided on the other edges. According to this configuration example, one of the upper edge 110, lower edge 111, or rear edge 112 can be firmly fixed, and consequently, the right vertical partition plate 102 can be firmly fixed. In addition, a sufficient windbreak effect can be obtained on the fixed edge even without providing a windbreak. Also, on the other edges, a sufficient windbreak effect can be obtained by providing a windbreak without fixing it to the opposing member. Furthermore, since the other edges do not need to be fixed to the member opposite to that edge, dimensional errors and mounting position errors between the right vertical partition plate 102 and the opposing member can be easily absorbed.

[0137] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 are aligned horizontally when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 10, and the right vertical partition plate 102 is a member that extends in the front-to-back and vertical directions between the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3. The rear edge portion 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102 faces the cold air duct 31 that forms the rear surface of the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3. The cold air duct 31 is a different member from the lower horizontal partition plate 101 that forms the upper surface of the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3, and the storage compartment wall 11K that forms the lower surface of the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 and the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3. The rear windbreak section 303 is configured to extend forward from the front of the cold air duct 31.

[0138] In conventional refrigerators, partition members that separate adjacent cooling spaces in the left-right direction are fixed by fitting their upper and lower edges into mounting grooves, and this fixing structure provides an air-blocking effect at the upper and lower edges of the partition member. Furthermore, if the upper and lower edges of the partition member can be fixed, the entire partition member can be fixed in a sufficiently stable state. Therefore, in conventional refrigerators, there is no motivation to provide a fixing structure on the rear edge side of the partition member, and consequently, an air-blocking effect due to a fixing structure is not obtained on the rear edge side of the partition member.

[0139] Furthermore, in conventional refrigerators, adjacent cooling spaces are simply separated by partition members, resulting in the same cooling intensity within each space. Consequently, it was not possible to set a high-temperature cooling mode in one cooling space and a low-temperature cooling mode in the other for multiple cooling spaces separated by partition members. Therefore, in conventional refrigerators, there was little need to enhance the airflow barrier effect between multiple cooling spaces separated by partition members. Consequently, no ingenuity was employed to enhance the airflow barrier effect not only on the upper and lower edges of the partition members but also on the rear edges.

[0140] The refrigerator 10 of this embodiment takes into account the recent need to cool multiple cooling spaces separated by partition members to different temperatures, and in order to meet this need, it also realizes an air-blocking effect on the rear side of the partition members, which was not considered in conventional refrigerators. In other words, the refrigerator 10 of this disclosure is configured to have a rear air-blocking portion 303 that extends forward from the cold air duct 31 that forms the rear surface of the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3. With the refrigerator 10 configured in this way, not only is an air-blocking effect achieved on the upper side 110 and the lower side 111 of the right vertical partition plate 102, but an air-blocking effect on the rear side 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102, which was not considered in conventional refrigerators, can also be sufficiently realized.

[0141] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the upper edge 110 of the right vertical partition plate 102 faces at least the lower horizontal partition plate 101 that forms the upper surface of the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 or the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3, and the upper air block 301 extends downward from this lower horizontal partition plate 101. The right vertical partition plate 102 has a detached portion 116 on a part of its upper edge 110 that separates from the lower horizontal partition plate 101, and the upper air block 301 is provided to block at least the detached portion 116.

[0142] According to this configuration example, a detached section 116 is provided to allow the removal of the lower horizontal partition plate 101 with less force, while the airflow through this detached section 116 can be blocked by the upper windbreak section 301. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the reduction in windbreak effect that would occur as a result of providing the detached section 116.

[0143] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the upper air block 301 is provided on the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 side and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 side, with the right vertical partition plate 102 in between. The lower air block 302 is provided on the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 side and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 side, with the right vertical partition plate 102 in between. The rear air block 303 is provided on the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 side and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 side, with the right vertical partition plate 102 in between.

[0144] With the upper windbreak section 301, lower windbreak section 302, and rear windbreak section 303 configured in this way, the airflow from the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 to the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 can be blocked by the portion on the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 side, while the airflow from the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 to the lower right chilled cooling space 12B2 can be blocked by the portion on the lower left chilled cooling space 12B3 side. In other words, airflow from either side of the cooling spaces 12B2 or 12B3 can be sufficiently blocked.

[0145] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the upper air barrier portion 301 is configured such that the left lower chilled compartment portion 301b is longer than the right lower chilled compartment portion 301a in the front-to-back direction intersecting the right vertical partition plate 102, in this case the left-to-right direction. According to this configuration example, the left lower chilled compartment portion 301b can sufficiently block the separation portion 116, and even if the right lower chilled compartment portion 301a is short, a sufficient air barrier effect can be obtained. Note that the upper air barrier portion 301 may also be configured such that the right lower chilled compartment portion 301a is longer than the left lower chilled compartment portion 301b, or the right lower chilled compartment portion 301a and the left lower chilled compartment portion 301b are the same length.

[0146] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the rear windbreak portion 303 has a basic extension portion 331 and an additional extension portion 332. The basic extension portion 331 extends toward the rear edge portion 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102, and the additional extension portion 332 extends even further toward the rear edge portion 112 of the right vertical partition plate 102 than the basic extension portion 331.

[0147] Here, a notch 112a is formed at the lower rear end of the right vertical partition plate 102, cut out to avoid the protruding portion 31a of the cold air duct 31, and a gap is formed between the protruding portion 31a and the notch 112a. The rear windbreak portion 303, which has an additional extension portion 332 that extends further toward the rear edge portion 112 than the basic extension portion 331, can sufficiently block the airflow through such a gap.

[0148] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the upper air block 301 is provided on the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 side and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 side, with the right vertical partition plate 102 in between, and also has a rear guide portion 311 that guides the right vertical partition plate 102. The rear guide portion 311 is formed such that the distance between the upper air block 301 and the right vertical partition plate 102 gradually increases from the front to the rear.

[0149] According to this configuration example, after the right vertical partition plate 102 is attached to the upper surface of the storage room partition wall 11K, when the lower horizontal partition plate 101 is attached to the upper part of the right vertical partition plate 102, the upper edge 110 of the right vertical partition plate 102 can be guided by the rear guide portion 311 between the upper windbreak portions 301. Therefore, the lower horizontal partition plate 101 can be attached to the upper part of the right vertical partition plate 102 smoothly.

[0150] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the lower air block 302 is provided on the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 side and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 side, respectively, with the right vertical partition plate 102 in between, and also has a front guide portion 321 that guides the right vertical partition plate 102. The front guide portion 321 is formed such that the distance between the lower air block 302 and the right vertical partition plate 102 gradually increases from the rear to the front.

[0151] In this configuration example, when the right vertical partition plate 102 is attached to the upper surface of the storage compartment wall 11K, the lower edge 111 of the right vertical partition plate 102 can be guided by the front guide portion 321 between the lower windbreak portions 302. Therefore, the right vertical partition plate 102 can be attached to the upper surface of the storage compartment wall 11K smoothly.

[0152] Furthermore, according to the refrigerator 10, the lower air block 302 is provided on the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 side and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 side, with the right vertical partition plate 102 in between. The rear air block 303 is provided on the right lower chilled cooling space 12B2 side and the left lower chilled cooling space 12B3 side, with the right vertical partition plate 102 in between. The gap S1 formed between the rear air block 303 and the right vertical partition plate 102 is larger than the gap S2 formed between the lower air block 302 and the right vertical partition plate 102.

[0153] Here, the storage compartment wall 11K, where the lower air barrier 302 is formed, is a component that forms the skeletal part of the refrigerator 10, and is a component that is relatively less prone to dimensional errors and mounting position errors. On the other hand, the cold air duct 31, where the rear air barrier 303 is formed, is a component that is installed after the storage compartment wall 11K is attached to the refrigerator 10 and the refrigerator compartment 12 is formed, a so-called add-on component, and is a component that is relatively prone to dimensional errors and mounting position errors. Therefore, by making the gap S1 between the rear air barrier 303 and the right vertical partition plate 102 larger than the gap S2 between the lower air barrier 302 and the right vertical partition plate 102, even if dimensional errors or mounting position errors occur in the cold air duct 31, these errors can be absorbed, making it easier to install the right vertical partition plate 102.

[0154] (Other embodiments) This embodiment is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from its essence. For example, the storage room to which this embodiment can be applied is not limited to the refrigerator room 12, but may be any other storage room. Furthermore, this embodiment can be applied not only to refrigerators equipped with a refrigerator room and a freezer room, but also to refrigerators equipped only with a refrigerator room, or freezers equipped only with a freezer room, for example.

[0155] In this disclosure, the engagement between the receiving member 201 and the support member 202 can be effective if it is performed on the inside of the inner wall 22, i.e., on the storage chamber side. Therefore, the direction of engagement of the support member 202 with respect to the receiving member 201 is not limited to the vertical direction, but may also be, for example, in the front-to-back direction, or in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical or front-to-back direction. Furthermore, the direction of engagement of the support member 202 with respect to the receiving member 201 may be configured to engage from the inside of the storage chamber toward the outside of the storage chamber in the left-to-right direction. In addition, a projection that protrudes from the receiving member 201 toward the inside of the storage chamber may be inserted into a hole formed in the support member 202.

[0156] The outer member 401 illustrated in Figure 30 has a plurality of engaging protrusions 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, and 416. The plurality of engaging protrusions 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, and 416 are provided by cutting and bending a plate-shaped main body 410, which is positioned outside the inner wall 22, i.e., on the outside of the storage compartment, inwards, i.e., on the inside of the storage compartment. The plurality of engaging protrusions 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, and 416 enter the inside of the inner wall 22, i.e., on the inside of the storage compartment, through a slit-shaped hole (not shown) provided in the inner wall 22.

[0157] The engaging protrusions 411, 412, 413, and 414 are provided on the upper part of the main body 410. The lower part of the engaging protrusions 411, 412, 413, and 414 is inclined upward from the outside to the inside of the compartment. In addition, the engaging protrusions 411, 412, 413, and 414 have claw portions 411a, 412a, 413a, and 414a that protrude upward at the tip on the inside of the compartment.

[0158] The engaging protrusions 415 and 416 are provided at the lower part of the main body 410. The upper part of the engaging protrusions 415 and 416 is inclined downward from the outside of the compartment to the inside. In addition, the engaging protrusions 415 and 416 have claw portions 415a and 416a that protrude downward at the tip on the inside of the compartment.

[0159] An inner member (not shown), provided on the inside of the storage unit in correspondence with the outer member 401, has an engaging portion into which the claw portions 411a, 412a, 413a, 414a, 415a, and 416a can engage. The inner member (not shown) is fixed to the inside of the inner wall 22 by engaging at least one of the claw portions 411a, 412a, 413a, 414a, 415a, and 416a of the outer member 401 with its engaging portion.

[0160] The outer member 401 configured in this way can also fix the inner member without damaging or penetrating any members, such as insulation material 23, that are provided outside the inner wall 22.

[0161] Furthermore, the inner member may be a shelf support member that supports a shelf installed in the storage room. Such a shelf support member can also be configured to engage with an engaging portion of an outer member that protrudes inward from the inner wall of the storage room. Moreover, such a shelf support member may be fastened to a receiving member by screws. In this case, the fastening portion fastened by screws should be located in a position that overlaps with or near the portion where the shelf hook engages with the shelf support member. As a more specific example, the fastening portion fastened by screws should be located near the portion where the shelf hook engages with the shelf support member, for example, on the rear side. This allows the fastening portion to be hidden by the portion where the shelf hook engages with the shelf support member, thus avoiding any deterioration of the appearance due to the fastening portion.

[0162] Examples of configurations that include shelf support members include the following. For example, as illustrated in Figure 31, a configuration may be provided in which multiple shelf support members 502, which are long in the vertical direction, are arranged in the front-to-back direction. Each shelf support member 502 has multiple shelf support portions 502a that protrude inward, i.e., into the storage area, in order to support the shelf. In the configuration example shown in Figure 31, one shelf support member 502 is fixed by one outer member 501. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 32, multiple shelf support members 502 may be fixed by one outer member 501.

[0163] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 33, the configuration may include multiple shelf support members 602 that are long in the front-to-back direction and multiple shelf support members 602 that are arranged vertically. Each shelf support member 602 has multiple shelf support portions 602a that protrude inward, i.e., into the storage area, in order to support the shelf. In the configuration example shown in Figure 33, one shelf support member 602 is fixed by one outer member 601. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 34, multiple shelf support members 602 may be fixed by one outer member 601.

[0164] Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 35, the configuration may include a single shelf support member 702 that is long in both the vertical and front-to-back directions. The shelf support member 702 has a plurality of shelf support portions 702a that protrude inward, i.e., into the storage area, in order to support the shelf. In the configuration example shown in Figure 35, one shelf support member 702 is fixed by one outer member 701. As illustrated in Figure 36, one shelf support member 702 may be fixed by a plurality of outer members 701.

[0165] Furthermore, according to the configuration examples illustrated in Figures 31 and 32, or Figures 33 and 34, the weight and size of each shelf support member 502 and 602 can be suppressed, which is advantageous when considering the ease of installation of the shelf support members 502 and 602. In addition, according to the configuration examples illustrated in Figures 31 and 32, or Figures 33 and 34, there is a high degree of freedom in the placement of each shelf support member 502 and 602, and therefore, the degree of freedom in changing the shelf height can be improved. Also, according to the configuration examples illustrated in Figures 33 and 34, the end of one shelf can be supported by the same shelf support member 602, making it easier to suppress the tilting of the shelf. Furthermore, according to the configuration examples illustrated in Figures 32, 34, and 35, a large contact area can be secured between the outer members 501, 601, and 701 and the foamed insulation material, thereby realizing a configuration that can easily suppress displacement of the outer members 501, 601, and 701, and consequently, displacement of the shelf support members 502, 602, and 702. However, the configuration examples illustrated in Figures 31 and 32, or the configuration examples illustrated in Figures 33 and 34, can also sufficiently suppress displacement of the outer members 501, 601, and 701 and the shelf support members 502, 602, and 702.

[0166] Furthermore, as illustrated in the configuration examples in Figures 31 and 32, by making the mounting positions of the multiple shelf support members 502 different in height from front to back, the number of height positions to which shelves can be mounted can be increased, that is, the degree of freedom in selecting the mounting position of the shelves can be improved.

[0167] Furthermore, according to the configuration examples shown in Figures 33, 34, 35, and 36, one shelf can be supported by one shelf support member 602 or shelf support member 702, making it easier to maintain the levelness of the shelf.

[0168] Furthermore, the outer member with which the shelf support member engages or fastens should be sized to cover the entire area where the shelf support member is installed, or to exceed the area where the shelf support member is installed. According to this configuration, the entire shelf support member can be sufficiently supported, and the mounting state of the shelf support member can be stabilized. In addition, the contact area between the outer member and the foam insulation material can be increased, improving the effect of suppressing displacement of the outer member and reinforcing the strength of the outer member.

[0169] Furthermore, the inner member may be configured such that the entire structure is located inside the inner wall of the storage chamber, or at least a portion of it may be located inside the inner wall of the storage chamber and the remaining portion may be located outside the inner wall of the storage chamber. Similarly, the outer member may be configured such that the entire structure is located outside the inner wall of the storage chamber, or at least a portion of it may be located outside the inner wall of the storage chamber and the remaining portion may be located inside the inner wall of the storage chamber.

[0170] The windbreak portion only needs to be provided on at least one of the two sides that sandwich the partition member. The windbreak portion may cover the entire front-to-back edge of the partition member, or it may cover only a part of it. The windbreak portion may also be configured such that one side of the windbreak portion that sandwiches the partition member covers a part of the front-to-back edge of the partition member, and the other side of the windbreak portion that covers the remaining part of the front-to-back edge of the partition member. Furthermore, the windbreak portion may be configured such that one side of the windbreak portion that sandwiches the partition member continuously covers the entire front-to-back edge of the partition member, and the other side of the windbreak portion that partially covers the entire front-to-back edge of the partition member.

[0171] The increased contact area portion may be formed, for example, by press processing that causes a bead-like bulge in a part of the main body portion 210 of the receiving member 201, or by embossing. The increased contact area portion is a concept that also includes configurations in which the surface roughness is greater than that of parts of the main body portion 210 that have not been processed or parts other than the increased contact area portion, or configurations in which the surface roughness of the outer surface of the main body portion 210 is greater than that of the inner surface. Therefore, the increased contact area portion may be realized by surface processing that can be described as, for example, "rough" or "bumpy". Furthermore, various configurations can be applied to the increased contact area portion as long as they can increase the contact area with the foamed insulation material 23B.

[0172] Furthermore, the increased contact area is a concept that includes various configurations capable of increasing the contact area, such as making the cross-sectional shape of the plate material different from that of a flat plate, or applying processing to the surface of the plate material to reduce its smoothness. In addition, it is preferable to limit the amount of bulging of the increased contact area from the main body portion 210 of the receiving member 201 to a range in which the tip of the increased contact area does not reach the vacuum insulation panel 23A.

[0173] Furthermore, the portion with increased contact area should bulge out from the main body portion 210 of the receiving member 201 at an angle as close to a right angle as possible. This allows the portion with increased contact area to wedge into the foamed insulation material 23B, creating a so-called "anchor effect," that is, an adhesive effect of the receiving member 201 to the foamed insulation material 23B. In addition, it is preferable to provide the portion with increased contact area over as wide an area as possible on the main body portion 210 of the receiving member 201.

[0174] The refrigerator 10 only needs to have a configuration that includes at least one cooling space formed by partitioning within a single storage compartment by a partition member. Furthermore, the cooling space formed by partitioning within a single storage compartment by a partition member may be a switching compartment capable of switching target cooling temperatures, a cooling space with some special function, or simply a cooling space without any special function. In other words, the cooling space formed by partitioning within a single storage compartment by a partition member may be used for any purpose whatsoever.

[0175] Furthermore, the partition member may divide a single storage compartment horizontally, vertically, or in the front-to-back direction. In other words, any member that divides a single storage compartment into multiple cooling spaces can be defined as an example of a "partition member" in this disclosure, such as an upper horizontal partition plate 100, a lower horizontal partition plate 101, shelves installed in the refrigerator compartment 12, or partition walls provided in the vegetable compartment 13 or the large freezer compartment 16.

[0176] For example, if the upper horizontal partition plate 100, the lower horizontal partition plate 101, and shelves installed inside the refrigerator compartment 12 are defined as examples of "partition members" in this disclosure, then the bead portions 22F, 237, 238, 239, etc. described above can be defined as examples of "windbreak portions." Furthermore, the refrigerator 10 may be configured to have windbreak portions extending from the front of the cold air duct 31 and the cold air generating unit 32 toward the upper horizontal partition plate 100, the lower horizontal partition plate 101, shelves installed inside the refrigerator compartment 12, etc.

[0177] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented merely as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment in this disclosure can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its 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]

[0178] In the drawing, 10 is the refrigerator, 11 is the insulated box (refrigerator body), 11K is the storage compartment wall (bottom forming member), 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 are the storage compartments, 21 is the outer wall, 22 is the inner wall, 22a is the temporary fixing hole, 22b is the insertion hole, 23A is the vacuum insulation panel (insulation material, molded insulation material), 23B is the foamed insulation material (insulation material), 31 is the cold air duct (rear forming member), 100 is the upper horizontal partition plate (partition member, top forming member), 102 is the lower horizontal partition plate (partition member), 104 is the upper chilled container (special member), 116 is the detached part, 201 is the receiving member (outer member), 202 is the support member (inner member), 210 is the main body. 211, 212, 213, 214, 215 are engaging protrusions, 216 is a fastening protrusion, 217 is a temporary fastening part, 218 is a contact area increasing part, 220 is a sealing member (blocking member), 231, 232, 234 are engaging parts, 236 is a fastening part, 237, 238, 239 are bead parts (specific protrusions), 240 is a covering part, 301 is an upper windbreak part (windbreak part, first windbreak part), 302 is a lower windbreak part (windbreak part, second windbreak part), 303 is a rear windbreak part (windbreak part, third windbreak part), 311 is a rear guide part (first guide part), 321 is a front guide part (second guide part), 331 is a basic extension part (first extension part), and 332 is an additional extension part (second extension part).

Claims

1. A storage room equipped with a special cooling space, Containers housed in the upper and lower cooling spaces of the special cooling space, respectively, An outer member provided outside the inner box that forms the storage chamber, An inner member that engages with the outer member inside the inner box, Equipped with, In one of the upper and lower cooling spaces, multiple containers are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. A refrigerator in which a wide container is housed in the other of the upper and lower cooling spaces, with both the left and right ends of which are supported by the inner member.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a partition plate is provided in one of the upper cooling space and the lower cooling space to separate the plurality of containers.

3. An ice-making tank for storing water for ice making is housed in one of the upper and lower cooling spaces. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the other of the upper cooling space and the lower cooling space overlaps the ice-making tank in the vertical direction.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein one of the upper cooling space and the lower cooling space is provided with a partition plate that separates the plurality of containers, and a partition plate that separates the container on the ice-making tank side from the ice-making tank among the plurality of containers.

5. The special cooling space is provided with a partition member that divides it into the upper cooling space and the lower cooling space. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the partition member is also supported by the inner member.

6. The wide container is housed in the upper cooling space. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the partition plate forming the upper surface of the upper cooling space is also supported by the inner member.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein a door for opening and closing the opening of the upper cooling space is rotatably provided on a partition plate that constitutes the upper surface of the upper cooling space.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the wide container is a container that extends across the entire left-right portion of the space in which the wide container is housed within the upper cooling space and the lower cooling space.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the space in which the wide container is accommodated among the upper cooling space and the lower cooling space is a space that extends throughout the entire left-right direction of the storage chamber.

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