Insulated doors, and refrigerators

Abstract

This disclosure provides an insulated door and a refrigerator that can suppress condensation on the handle while ensuring sufficient internal volume. [Solution] The insulated door 5 in this disclosure is an insulated door that separates the inside and outside of a refrigerator 1, and has a housing 50 filled with foamed insulation material 50A inside, the housing 50 is provided with a handle 52A recessed on the inside of the housing 50 and an inner plate portion 53 located on the inside of the housing, the inner plate portion 53 is provided with a recess 56 that is recessed from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing, and a vacuum insulation material 60 is provided inside the housing 50 that is bent along the recess 56 and attached to the inner plate portion 53, the vacuum insulation material 60 intersects with a virtual line L1 that connects the handle 52A and the recess 56 by the shortest distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat-insulating door and a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator that maintains heat-insulating performance and enhances the mounting stability of a foam heat-insulating material to an outer plate. This refrigerator includes a vacuum heat-insulating material disposed on the back surface of the outer plate of the heat-insulating door.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a heat-insulating door and a refrigerator that can suppress dew condensation on a handle while ensuring the volume inside the compartment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The heat-insulating door in the present disclosure is a heat-insulating door that partitions the inside and outside of a refrigerator compartment, and has a housing filled with a foam heat-insulating material inside. The housing is provided with a handle recessed inside the housing and an inner plate portion located on the inside of the compartment. The inner plate portion is provided with a recess recessed from the inside of the compartment toward the outside of the compartment. Inside the housing, a vacuum heat-insulating material is provided that bends along the recess and is attached to the inner plate portion, and the vacuum heat-insulating material intersects a virtual line that connects the handle and the recess at the shortest distance.

[0006] The refrigerator in the present disclosure includes the above heat-insulating door.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The insulated door and refrigerator in this disclosure ensure internal volume through the recess, while also insulating the handle from the interior by using vacuum insulation material attached to the inner panel along the recess. Therefore, condensation on the handle can be suppressed while maintaining internal volume. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view II in Figure 1 [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the first insulated door in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction. [Figure 4] Diagram showing the inner box as seen from the outside of the storage unit. [Figure 5] Diagram showing the inner box as seen from the inside of the storage unit. [Figure 6] Figure 5, VI-VI cross-sectional view [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived this disclosure, the technology for refrigerators required a compact external size while maintaining sufficient internal volume. Therefore, in the industry, the common practice to make refrigerators compact was to design products with a recessed handle on the insulated door, facing inward. Under these circumstances, the inventors were inspired by the idea that making the insulated door thinner would secure internal volume, and conceived the idea of ​​creating a recess in the insulated door to secure internal volume. The inventors then discovered that in order to realize this idea, if a recessed handle was formed in the insulated door, and a recess was also formed to secure internal volume, the distance between the handle and the recess would become small, resulting in insufficient insulation and making the handle prone to condensation. The subject matter of this disclosure was formed to solve this problem. This disclosure provides an insulated door and a refrigerator that can suppress condensation on the handle while ensuring sufficient internal volume.

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Overall configuration of the refrigerator] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator 1 according to Embodiment 1. In the figure, the reference numeral X indicates the left side of the refrigerator 1, the reference numeral Y indicates the front side of the refrigerator 1, and the reference numeral Z indicates the top side of the refrigerator 1.

[0012] Refrigerator 1 is a storage unit for cooling food and other items stored inside. Refrigerator 1 has a refrigerator body 2 that opens towards the front. The refrigerator body 2 is composed of a metal outer casing, a rigid resin inner casing, and foam insulation material filled between the outer and inner casings. Inside the refrigerator body 2, a space 2A is formed where food and other items are stored.

[0013] Space 2A is divided into multiple storage rooms S by multiple insulated partition walls 3. In this embodiment, space 2A is divided into three storage rooms S. Note that there may be one or more storage rooms S. Each storage room S is cooled by cold air introduced from a cooling room (not shown) having an evaporator. Each storage room S may be any room such as a refrigerator room, vegetable room, freezer room, or conversion room. The refrigerator room is cooled to a temperature low enough that food does not freeze, specifically about 1°C to 5°C, and is for refrigerating and storing food. The vegetable room is cooled to a temperature equivalent to or slightly higher than the refrigerator room, specifically about 2°C to 7°C. The freezer room is cooled to a temperature low enough that food freezes, specifically about -22°C to -18°C, and is for freezing and storing food. Note that the freezer room may be cooled to a low temperature such as -30°C or -25°C to improve the frozen storage condition. A switching compartment is a compartment that can switch between the temperature range of the freezer compartment and the temperature range of the refrigerator or vegetable compartment.

[0014] Hereafter, when distinguishing between the storage rooms S, they will be referred to as the first storage room S1, the second storage room S2, and the third storage room S3. The first storage room S1 is a storage room S partitioned off at the bottom of space 2A. The second storage room S2 is a storage room S partitioned off above the first storage room S1. The third storage room S3 is a storage room S partitioned off above the second storage room S2.

[0015] The front of the refrigerator 1 is provided with a first insulated door 5 that closes the first storage compartment S1, a second insulated door 6 that closes the second storage compartment S2, and third insulated doors 7 and 8 that close the third storage compartment S3. In other words, the first insulated door 5, the second insulated door 6, and the third insulated doors 7 and 8 partition the interior space of the refrigerator 1, which consists of the first storage compartment S1, the second storage compartment S2, and the third storage compartment S3, from the space outside the refrigerator. The first insulated door 5 and the second insulated door 6 are retractable doors. The third insulated doors 7 and 8 are retractable doors attached to the refrigerator body 2 via hinges. The first insulated door 5 corresponds to an example of an "insulated door" in this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the II section in Figure 1, and is a view of the first storage chamber S1 seen from the right side in a section orthogonal to the left-right direction. As described above, the first heat insulation door 5 partitions the outside of the cabinet and the first storage chamber S1 which is the space inside the cabinet, front and back. In the first heat insulation door 5, the front side is the side opposite to the first storage chamber S1, that is, the outside of the cabinet. Also, in the first heat insulation door 5, the rear side is the side of the first storage chamber S1, that is, the inside of the cabinet. Further, in the first heat insulation door 5, the front-rear direction is parallel to the direction from the inside of the cabinet to the outside of the cabinet. In the first storage chamber S1, a pair of left and right guides 11 are provided. The guides 11 are provided on the inner surfaces on both the left and right sides of the first storage chamber S1 and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0017] A pair of left and right frames 13 are attached to the first heat insulation door 5. The frame 13 is a rod-shaped member extending in the front-rear direction. The front end of the frame 13 is connected to the rear surface of the first heat insulation door 5. The pair of left and right frames 13 are connected at their rear ends by a connecting member 14. The pair of left and right frames 13 are supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction by the pair of left and right guides 11. The first heat insulation door 5 is opened and closed by the frame 13 moving back and forth along the guide 11.

[0018] A storage container 15 is provided in the first storage chamber S1. The storage container 15 is a container for storing food etc. inside. The storage container 15 is a container with an open top surface and is formed of, for example, resin. The storage container 15 is supported by the frame 13 and the connecting member 14 by the edge of the opening being hooked on the frame 13 and the connecting member 14. Also, the storage container 15 is pulled out in front of the first storage chamber S1 when the first heat insulation door 5 is opened.

[0019] [1-1-2. Structure of the first heat insulation door] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the first heat insulation door 5 in a section orthogonal to the left-right direction. The first heat insulation door 5 has a housing 50. The housing 50 has a hollow plate-like structure along the left-right direction and the up-down direction. The housing 50 constitutes the outer surface of the first heat insulation door 5. The space inside the housing 50 is filled with a foamed heat insulating material 50A. The foamed heat insulating material 50A is, for example, rigid urethane foam etc.

[0020] The enclosure 50 has an outer panel 51. The outer panel 51 is a plate-shaped member provided on the outside of the enclosure 50. That is, the outer panel 51 constitutes the front surface of the enclosure 50. The outer panel 51 is made of, for example, metal. When viewed from the outside of the enclosure, the outer panel 51 is generally rectangular. The outer panel 51 is provided approximately perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0021] The housing 50 has an upper frame member 52. The upper frame member 52 is a member that constitutes the upper surface of the housing 50. The upper frame member 52 is made of, for example, resin. The upper frame member 52 fits onto the upper end of the outer plate 51. The upper frame member 52 is provided over the entire housing 50 in the left-right direction.

[0022] A handle 52A is formed on the upper frame member 52. The handle 52A is the part of the housing 50 that the user grasps when opening and closing the first insulated door 5. The handle 52A is recessed downwards toward the inside of the housing 50 on the upper frame member 52. In other words, the handle 52A is recessed downwards toward the top surface of the housing 50.

[0023] The housing 50 has an inner box 53. The inner box 53 is a plate-shaped member provided on the interior side of the housing 50. That is, the inner box 53 constitutes the rear surface of the housing 50. The upper end of the inner box 53 is fitted to the upper frame member 52 from below. The inner box 53 is made of, for example, resin. When viewed from the interior side, the inner box 53 is generally rectangular. The inner box 53 is provided substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The inner box 53 corresponds to an example of an "inner plate portion" in this disclosure.

[0024] An edge portion 54 is formed on the inner box 53. The edge portion 54 is a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and is provided in an annular shape along the outer circumference of the inner box 53. A fitting groove 54A is formed on the edge portion 54. The fitting groove 54A is a groove that extends along the edge portion 54 and is recessed inward into the housing 50. The fitting groove 54A fits with the gasket 16 (see Figure 2) and supports the gasket 16. When the first insulated door 5 is closed, the gasket 16 contacts the edge of the opening of the first storage chamber S1 from the outside of the storage chamber, sealing the first storage chamber S1. The gasket 16 is made of, for example, rubber or silicone.

[0025] In the inner box 53, an insertion portion 55 is formed on the inner circumference side of the edge portion 54. The insertion portion 55 extends inward from the inner circumference end of the edge portion 54. The insertion portion 55 is inserted into the first storage chamber S1 through the opening of the first storage chamber S1, along the inner surface of the opening. The insertion portion 55 has an upper surface portion 55A. The upper surface portion 55A is a substantially horizontal plane facing upward. The upper surface portion 55A is located at the upper end of the insertion portion 55. The upper surface portion 55A is a structure that bends inward from the lower end of the portion of the edge portion 54 that runs along the upper edge of the inner box 53. The insertion portion 55 also has a lower surface portion 55B. The lower surface portion 55B is a substantially horizontal plane facing downward. The lower surface portion 55B is a structure that bends inward from the upper end of the portion of the edge portion 54 that runs along the lower edge of the inner box 53.

[0026] A recess 56 is formed in the inner box 53. The recess 56 is a portion that is recessed toward the outside of the storage chamber on the inner circumference side of the edge 54 and the insertion portion 55. By forming a recess 56 that is recessed toward the outside of the storage chamber, the first storage chamber S1 expands toward the outside of the storage chamber, thereby securing the capacity of the first storage chamber S1, i.e., the capacity inside the storage chamber.

[0027] The recess 56 has an upper inclined surface portion 56A. The upper inclined surface portion 56A is a plane that is inclined along the left-right direction and with its lower side facing outwards. The upper inclined surface portion 56A is provided at the top of the recess 56. In detail, the upper inclined surface portion 56A is bent downwards from the inner end of the upper surface portion 55A, with its lower side facing outwards. In this embodiment, the lower end of the upper inclined surface portion 56A is located below the lower end of the handle 52A. Also, the upper end of the upper inclined surface portion 56A is located above the lower end of the handle 52A. The upper inclined surface portion 56A in this embodiment corresponds to an example of an "inclined surface portion" in this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 shows the shortest straight line connecting the handle 52A and the recess 56 as a virtual line L1. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the virtual line L1 connects the lower end of the handle 52A and the upper inclined surface portion 56A. That is, the portion of the recess 56 closest to the handle 52A is the upper inclined surface portion 56A.

[0029] Furthermore, Figure 3 shows a virtual line L2 extending diagonally downward from the upper inclined surface portion 56A toward the outside of the storage compartment. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the virtual line L2 intersects the outer plate 51 above the lower end of the vertical surface portion 56B, which will be described later. In this way, by making the angle of inclination of the upper inclined surface portion 56A closer to horizontal than vertical so that the virtual line L2 intersects the outer plate 51 above the lower end of the vertical surface portion 56B, the volume that can be secured by forming the recess 56 can be increased.

[0030] The recess 56 has a vertical surface portion 56B. The vertical surface portion 56B is structured to bend downward from the lower end of the upper inclined surface portion 56A. In this embodiment, the vertical surface portion 56B is a plane parallel to the left-right direction and the vertical direction. The vertical surface portion 56B may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction as long as it bends downward from the upper inclined surface portion 56A and extends in a direction closer to the vertical than the upper inclined surface portion 56A. The vertical surface portion 56B is provided at the height of the middle section of the recess 56. The vertical surface portion 56B is the part of the recess 56 that is closest to the outer plate 51.

[0031] In this embodiment, the vertical surface portion 56B is located outside the interior cavity of the handle 52A, beyond the interior end portion 52B of the handle 52A. Figure 3 also shows a virtual line L3 extending upward from the vertical surface portion 56B. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the virtual line L3 is located outside the interior cavity of the handle 52A, beyond the interior end portion 52B of the handle 52A. By positioning the vertical surface portion 56B outside the interior cavity to such an extent that the virtual line L3 is located outside the interior cavity of the handle 52A, the interior volume that can be secured by forming the recess 56 can be increased.

[0032] The recess 56 has a lower inclined surface portion 56C. The lower inclined surface portion 56C is a plane that is inclined along the left-right direction and in a direction in which the interior side is located downwards. The lower inclined surface portion 56C is provided at the bottom of the recess 56. The lower inclined surface portion 56C has a structure that is bent from the lower end of the vertical surface portion 56B toward the interior side in a direction in which the interior side is located downwards.

[0033] In this embodiment, the recess 56 does not have a portion that is recessed from the upper inclined surface 56A toward the inside of the housing 50. In other words, the upper inclined surface 56A is formed flat on the inside of the housing 50. Therefore, a flat object can be in close contact with the upper inclined surface 56A from the inside of the housing 50 without being obstructed by a portion that is recessed from the upper inclined surface 56A toward the inside of the housing 50. Note that "the upper inclined surface 56A is formed flat on the inside of the housing 50" means that there is no portion that is recessed from the upper inclined surface 56A toward the inside of the housing 50, and may include cases where a portion that protrudes toward the outside of the housing 50 is formed on the upper inclined surface 56A.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recess 56 does not have a portion that is recessed inward from the vertical surface 56B toward the inside of the housing 50. In other words, the vertical surface 56B is formed flat on the inside of the housing 50. Therefore, a flat object can be in close contact with the vertical surface 56B from the inside of the housing 50 without being obstructed by a portion that is recessed inward from the vertical surface 56B toward the inside of the housing 50. Note that "the vertical surface 56B is formed flat on the inside of the housing 50" means that there is no portion that is recessed inward from the vertical surface 56B toward the inside of the housing 50, and may include cases where a portion that protrudes toward the outside of the housing 50 is formed on the vertical surface 56B.

[0035] The housing 50 has a lower frame member 58. The lower frame member 58 is a member that constitutes the lower surface of the housing 50. The lower frame member 58 is attached to the lower end of the outer plate 51 and the lower end of the inner box 53. The lower frame member 58 is made of, for example, resin.

[0036] A vacuum insulation material 60 is provided inside the housing 50. The vacuum insulation material 60 is a plate-shaped insulation material constructed by vacuum-sealing a core material 61 with an outer covering material 62.

[0037] The core material 61 is a plate-shaped member that has heat insulation and flexibility. The core material 61 may be formed into a plate shape by laminating chopped strand mats, for example. A chopped strand mat is made by cutting strands of glass fiber, dispersing them uniformly with an irregular fiber direction, and forming it into a sheet shape using a binder.

[0038] The outer covering material 62 is a flexible film that suppresses the intrusion of outside air. The outer covering material 62 may be, for example, a laminate of a heat-sealable film, a gas barrier film as an intermediate layer, and a surface protection film as the outermost layer. As the heat-sealable film of the outer covering material 62, for example, a resin film such as a low-density polyethylene film can be used. As the gas barrier film, a known film having gas barrier properties can be used. As the surface protection film, for example, a foil film such as an aluminum foil film can be used.

[0039] The vacuum insulation material 60 is attached to the recess 56 from the inside of the housing 50. As described above, in this embodiment, the imaginary line L2 intersects the outer plate 51 above the lower end of the vertical surface portion 56B described later, and the imaginary line L3 is located outside the interior of the handle 52A above the interior end portion 52B. For this reason, if the vacuum insulation material 60 were flat, simply attaching the vacuum insulation material 60 to the upper inclined surface portion 56A would not allow the vacuum insulation material 60 to be positioned downward to the lower end of the vertical surface portion 56B. Also, if the vacuum insulation material 60 were flat, simply attaching the vacuum insulation material 60 to the vertical surface portion 56B would not allow the vacuum insulation material 60 to be positioned between the handle 52A and the upper inclined surface portion 56A. In this case, the outer plate 51 or the handle 52A may be cooled through the area where the vacuum insulation material 60 could not be placed, potentially causing condensation.

[0040] In contrast, in this embodiment, the vacuum insulation material 60 is folded to position it along the recess 56. This positions the vacuum insulation material 60 between the handle 52A and the upper inclined surface portion 56A, and also positions the vacuum insulation material 60 downward to the lower end of the vertical surface portion 56B. Specifically, the vacuum insulation material 60 is folded into a first surface portion 63A and a second surface portion 63B.

[0041] The first surface portion 63A is a flat plate-shaped part of the vacuum insulation material 60 that includes the core material 61, and it runs along the upper inclined surface portion 56A. The first surface portion 63A intersects with the imaginary line L1. That is, the first surface portion 63A is located between the handle 52A and the recess 56 at the point where the handle 52A and the recess 56 are closest together. Furthermore, the first surface portion 63A is provided over a range from a position above the lower end of the handle 52A to the lower end of the upper inclined surface portion 56A.

[0042] The second surface portion 63B is a flat plate-like portion of the vacuum insulation material 60 that includes the core material 61, and it lies along the vertical surface portion 56B. The second surface portion 63B extends downward from the lower end of the first surface portion 63A and is provided over a range from the upper end of the vertical surface portion 56B to below the lower end of the vertical surface portion 56B. In other words, the second surface portion 63B is located between the outer plate 51 and the recess 56 in the entire vertical surface portion 56B, which is the part where the outer plate 51 and the recess 56 are closest.

[0043] A groove 64 is formed between the first surface 63A and the second surface 63B of the vacuum insulation material 60. The groove 64 is formed to make it easier to fold the vacuum insulation material 60 into the first surface 63A and the second surface 63B. The groove 64 is formed, for example, by press working. The vacuum insulation material 60 is folded into the first surface 63A and the second surface 63B, starting from the groove 64. In this embodiment, the vacuum insulation material 60 is attached to the recess 56 with the groove 64 facing inward.

[0044] As described above, the upper inclined surface portion 56A and the vertical surface portion 56B are each formed flat on the inside of the housing 50. For this reason, the first surface portion 63A and the second surface portion 63B are easily positioned in close contact with the upper inclined surface portion 56A and the vertical surface portion 56B.

[0045] Fin portions 65 are formed on the outer edges of the vacuum insulation material 60, including the upper and lower ends. The fin portions 65 are sheet-like portions made of heat-welded outer covering material 62. The fin portions 65 are formed when the outer covering material 62 is formed into a bag shape, and when the core material 61 is placed inside the bag-shaped outer covering material 62 and then vacuum-sealed, by heat-welding or bonding the outer covering material 62 outside the outer circumference of the core material 61 with adhesive. As shown in Figure 3, the fin portions 65 are bent toward the outside of the chamber. This makes it difficult for the fin portions 65 to get caught between the vacuum insulation material 60 and the inner box 53, and makes it easier for the vacuum insulation material 60 and the inner box 53 to adhere tightly.

[0046] Figure 4 shows the inner box 53 as seen from the outside of the enclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the vertical surface portion 56B is formed near the center of the housing 50 in the left-right direction. In the inner box 53, frame fixing portions 59 are formed on both the left-right sides of the vertical surface portion 56B. The frame fixing portions 59 are the parts of the inner box 53 to which the frame 13 is attached. The frame fixing portions 59 are planes perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The frame fixing portions 59 are located on the inside of the enclosure more than the vertical surface portion 56B. The pair of left and right frame fixing portions 59 each overlap the second surface portion 63B in the front-rear direction. On the inner surface of each frame fixing portion 59 of the housing 50, a mounting plate 70 is provided. The mounting plate 70 is a plate-shaped member to which the frame 13 is fastened. The mounting plate 70 is made of, for example, sheet metal.

[0047] Figure 5 shows the inner box 53 as seen from the inside of the enclosure. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the inside of the enclosure 50 is provided with a first double-sided tape 81 and a second double-sided tape 82 for attaching the vacuum insulation material 60 to the recess 56. The first double-sided tape 81 and the second double-sided tape 82 are each rectangular double-sided tapes, with the left-right direction being the longitudinal direction.

[0048] The first double-sided tape 81 adheres to the upper inclined surface portion 56A and the first surface portion 63A. The entire surface of one side of the first double-sided tape 81 is attached to the upper inclined surface portion 56A, and the entire surface of the other side is attached to the first surface portion 63A.

[0049] The second double-sided tape 82 adheres to the vertical surface portion 56B and the second surface portion 63B. The second double-sided tape 82 is attached to the vertical surface portion 56B near the center of one side, and to the second surface portion 63B with the entire other side.

[0050] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the section VI-VI in Figure 5, showing a cross-section obtained by horizontally cutting the inner box 53 at the height of the second double-sided tape 82. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, a support member 71 is attached to the mounting plate 70. The support member 71 is, for example, a resin or metal member and is attached to the mounting plate 70 by fastening or the like. The support member 71 has a surface in the front-rear direction that is in the same position as the vertical surface portion 56B. In other words, the support member 71 is provided flush with the vertical surface portion 56B. Therefore, the support member 71 supports the second surface portion 63B, which is attached to the vertical surface portion 56B, from the inside of the enclosure. This prevents the portion of the second surface portion 63B that is not attached to the vertical surface portion 56B by the second double-sided tape 82 from curling up when the foam insulation material 50A is filled inside the enclosure 50.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, both ends of one side of the second double-sided tape 82 are attached to the pair of support members 71. That is, the second double-sided tape 82 adheres the support members 71 to the second surface portion 63B. As a result, the vacuum insulation material 60 can be firmly fixed to the inner box 53.

[0052] [1-2. Operation] The operation of refrigerator 1, configured as described above, will be explained below.

[0053] While the refrigerator 1 is in operation, each storage compartment S, including the first storage compartment S1, is cooled. The inner box 53 of the first insulated door 5, located on the interior side, is cooled by the cold air inside the first storage compartment S1. When the inner box 53 is cooled, the foamed insulation material 50A inside the casing 50 is cooled from the part closest to the inner box 53. If the part of the casing 50 that does not face the first storage compartment S1, i.e., the outer panel 51, the upper frame member 52, or the lower frame member 58, is cooled via the foamed insulation material 50A, the cooled part may come into contact with the outside air, and condensation may occur.

[0054] In this embodiment, a recess 56 is provided in the inner box 53 in order to secure the volume of the first storage chamber S1. As a result, the foamed insulation material 50A is thinner in the area between the vertical surface portion 56B of the recess 56 and the outer plate 51. In contrast, in this embodiment, the second surface portion 63B of the vacuum insulation material 60 is attached to the entire surface of the vertical surface portion 56B, so even if the vertical surface portion 56B is cooled by the cold air of the first storage chamber S1, the outer plate 51 is less likely to be cooled.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing 50 is provided with a handle 52A recessed on the inside of the housing 50, so the thickness of the foamed insulation material 50A is thin in the area between the upper inclined surface portion 56A of the recess 56 and the handle 52A. In contrast, in this embodiment, the first surface portion 63A of the vacuum insulation material 60 is provided between the handle 52A and the upper inclined surface portion 56A, so even if the upper inclined surface portion 56A is cooled by the cold air of the first storage chamber S1, the handle 52A is less likely to be cooled. In particular, since the first surface portion 63A is provided so as to intersect with the imaginary line L1, which is the shortest straight line connecting the handle 52A and the upper inclined surface portion 56A, the cooling of the handle 52A can be effectively suppressed.

[0056] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the first insulated door 5 separates the inside and outside of the refrigerator 1 and has a housing 50 filled with foamed insulation material 50A inside. The housing 50 is provided with a handle 52A recessed on the inside of the housing 50 and an inner box 53 located on the inside of the housing. The inner box 53 is provided with a recess 56 that is recessed from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing. Inside the housing 50, there is a vacuum insulation material 60 that is bent along the recess 56 and attached to the inner box 53. The vacuum insulation material 60 intersects with a virtual line L1 that connects the handle 52A and the recess 56 by the shortest distance. This allows the internal volume to be secured by the recess 56, while the vacuum insulation material 60 attached to the inner box 53 along the recess 56 insulates the handle 52A from the inside of the compartment. Therefore, condensation on the handle 52A can be suppressed while maintaining the internal volume.

[0057] As in this embodiment, the first insulated door 5 may be configured such that the recess 56 is inclined downwards toward the outside of the storage compartment and is located at the top of the recess 56, and a vertical surface portion 56B is bent downwards from the lower end of the upper inclined surface portion 56A and extends downwards, and the handle 52A is located above the vertical surface portion 56B and is recessed downwards from the top surface of the housing 50. This allows the internal volume to be secured by the recess 56, while the vacuum insulation material 60 attached to the inner box 53 along the recess 56 insulates the handle 52A from the inside of the compartment. Therefore, condensation on the handle 52A can be suppressed while maintaining the internal volume.

[0058] As in this embodiment, in the first insulated door 5, the vertical surface portion 56B may be located on the outside of the interior of the handle 52A, and the imaginary line L1 may connect the handle 52A and the upper inclined surface portion 56A. This allows the internal volume to be secured by the recess 56, while the vacuum insulation material 60 attached to the inner box 53 along the recess 56 insulates the handle 52A from the inside of the compartment. Therefore, condensation on the handle 52A can be suppressed while maintaining the internal volume.

[0059] As in this embodiment, the upper inclined surface portion 56A and the vertical surface portion 56B may be formed flat on the inside of the housing 50, and the vacuum insulation material 60 may be attached to the upper inclined surface portion 56A and the vertical surface portion 56B. This allows the vacuum insulation material 60 to be tightly attached to the upper inclined surface 56A and the vertical surface 56B. As a result, condensation on the handle 52A can be suppressed while maintaining the internal volume.

[0060] As in this embodiment, the vacuum insulation material 60 in the first insulated door 5 may have a fin portion 65 on its outer edge, and the fin portion 65 may be bent toward the outside of the storage compartment. This makes it difficult for the fin portion 65 to get trapped between the vacuum insulation material 60 and the inner box 53. As a result, the vacuum insulation material 60 can more easily adhere to the inner box 53.

[0061] As in this embodiment, the first insulated door 5 may be configured such that the vacuum insulation material 60 has grooves 64 that serve as the starting point for bending. This makes it easier to bend the vacuum insulation material 60 along the groove 64. As a result, the vacuum insulation material 60 can more easily adhere to the inner box 53.

[0062] As in this embodiment, in the first insulated door 5, the vacuum insulation material 60 may be configured to extend below the lower end of the vertical surface portion 56B. As a result, the vacuum insulation material 60 can insulate the area up to the lower end of the vertical surface portion 56B. Therefore, condensation on the outer panel 51 located on the outside of the first insulated door 5 can be suppressed.

[0063] As in this embodiment, in the first insulated door 5, a mounting plate 70 to which the frame 13 is fastened is attached to the inner box 53, and a support member 71 flush with the vertical surface portion 56B is attached to the mounting plate 70, and the vacuum insulation material 60 is supported from the inside of the box by the support member 71. This makes it easier to stabilize the position of the vacuum insulation material 60 when filling the inside of the enclosure 50 with foam insulation material 50A. As a result, it is easier to suppress condensation on the outer panel 51 located on the outside of the first insulated door 5.

[0064] As in this embodiment, in the first insulated door 5, the vacuum insulation material 60 may be attached to the inner box 53 by a first double-sided tape 81 attached to the upper inclined surface portion 56A and a second double-sided tape 82 attached to the vertical surface portion 56B, and the second double-sided tape 82 may be attached to the support member 71. This allows the support member 71 and the vacuum insulation material 60 to be bonded together, making it easier to stabilize the position of the vacuum insulation material 60 when filling the inside of the housing 50 with foam insulation material 50A. As a result, condensation on the outer panel 51 located on the outside of the first insulated door 5 can be easily suppressed.

[0065] The refrigerator 1 in this embodiment is equipped with one of the first insulated doors 5 described above. This allows the internal volume to be secured by the recess 56, while the vacuum insulation material 60 attached to the inner box 53 along the recess 56 insulates the handle 52A from the inside of the compartment. Therefore, condensation on the handle 52A can be suppressed while maintaining the internal volume.

[0066] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in Embodiment 1 above. Therefore, other embodiments are illustrated below.

[0067] In Embodiment 1, a first insulated door 5 partitioning the first storage room S1 was described as an example of an insulated door, but this is just one example. The insulated doors in this disclosure may partition the inside and outside of any storage room S, in addition to the second storage room S2 or the third storage room S3.

[0068] In Embodiment 1, the inner box 53 was described as an example of an inner panel, but this is just one example. The inner panel does not need to be an independent single component; for example, it may be formed integrally with the outer panel 51, the upper frame member 52, or the lower frame member 58.

[0069] Since the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes of the technology described herein, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the claims or their equivalents.

[0070] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed. (Technical 1) An insulated door for separating the inside and outside of a refrigerator, having a housing filled with foamed insulation material, the housing being provided with a handle recessed on the inside of the housing and an inner plate portion located on the inside of the refrigerator, the inner plate portion being provided with a recess that extends from the inside of the refrigerator to the outside of the refrigerator, and inside the housing being provided a vacuum insulation material that is bent along the recess and attached to the inner plate portion, the vacuum insulation material intersects with a virtual line connecting the handle and the recess at the shortest distance, the insulated door. This design ensures that the internal volume is maintained by the recess, while the vacuum insulation material attached to the inner panel along the recess provides insulation between the handle and the interior. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the internal volume while suppressing condensation on the handle.

[0071] (Technical 2) The insulated door according to Technical 1, wherein the recess is provided with an inclined surface portion located at the top of the recess, with its lower side inclined toward the outside of the storage area, and a vertical surface portion that bends downward from the lower end of the inclined surface portion and extends downward, and the handle is located above the vertical surface portion and has a shape that is recessed downward from the top surface of the housing. This design ensures that the internal volume is maintained by the recess, while the vacuum insulation material attached to the inner panel along the recess provides insulation between the handle and the interior. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the internal volume while suppressing condensation on the handle.

[0072] (Technical 3) The insulated door according to Technical 2, wherein the vertical surface portion is located on the outside of the storage compartment than the end of the handle on the inside of the storage compartment, and the dashed line connects the handle and the inclined surface portion. This design ensures that the internal volume is maintained by the recess, while the vacuum insulation material attached to the inner panel along the recess provides insulation between the handle and the interior. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the internal volume while suppressing condensation on the handle.

[0073] (Technical 4) The insulated door according to Technical 2 or 3, wherein the inclined surface and the vertical surface are each formed flat on the inside of the housing, and the vacuum insulation material is attached to the inclined surface and the vertical surface. This allows the vacuum insulation material to be tightly attached to both inclined and vertical surfaces. As a result, condensation on the handle can be suppressed while maintaining the internal volume of the storage compartment.

[0074] (Technical 5) The vacuum insulation material has a fin portion on its outer edge, and the fin portion is bent toward the outside of the storage area, as described in any one of Technical 1 to 4. This makes it less likely for the fin portion to get caught between the vacuum insulation material and the inner plate. As a result, the vacuum insulation material adheres more easily to the inner plate.

[0075] (Technology 6) The vacuum insulation material has grooves formed in it that serve as starting points for bending, as described in any one of Techniques 1 to 5. This makes it easier to bend the vacuum insulation material along the groove. As a result, the vacuum insulation material adheres more closely to the inner plate.

[0076] (Technical 7) The vacuum insulation material extends below the lower end of the vertical surface portion, as described in any one of Technical 2 to 4. This allows for insulation by the vacuum insulation material over the entire area up to the bottom edge of the vertical surface. As a result, condensation on the outside of the insulated door can be suppressed.

[0077] (Technical 8) An insulated door according to any one of Technical 2 to 4, wherein a mounting plate to which a frame is fastened is attached to the inner plate portion, a support member flush with the vertical surface portion is attached to the mounting plate, and the vacuum insulation material is supported from the inside of the chamber by the support member. This makes it easier to stabilize the position of the vacuum insulation material when filling the inside of the enclosure with foam insulation material. As a result, it is easier to suppress condensation on the outside of the insulated door.

[0078] (Technical 9) The vacuum insulation material is attached to the inner plate by a first double-sided tape attached to the inclined surface and a second double-sided tape attached to the vertical surface, and the second double-sided tape is attached to the support member, as described in Technical 8. This allows the support member and the vacuum insulation material to be bonded together, making it easier to stabilize the position of the vacuum insulation material when filling the inside of the enclosure with foam insulation material. As a result, condensation on the outside of the insulated door can be easily suppressed.

[0079] (Technology 10) A refrigerator having an insulated door as described in any of the technologies 1 to 9. This design ensures that the internal volume is maintained by the recess, while the vacuum insulation material attached to the inner panel along the recess provides insulation between the handle and the interior. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the internal volume while suppressing condensation on the handle. [Industrial applicability]

[0080] This disclosure is applicable to refrigerators. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to commercial refrigerators or household refrigerators, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 1. Refrigerator 2. Refrigerator unit 2A space 3. Insulated partition wall 5. First insulated door (insulated door) 6. Second insulated door 7. Third insulated door 8. Third insulated door 11 Guide 13 frames 14 Connecting members 15 Storage containers 16 Gaskets 50 cabinets 50A foamed insulation 51 Outer panel 52 Upper frame member 52A Handle 52B End (the end of the handle that faces the inside of the cabinet) 53 Inner box (inner plate part) 54 Edge 54A Fitting groove 55 Insertion part 55A Top part 55B Bottom part 56 Recess 56A Upper slope part (slope part) 56B Vertical surface 56C Lower slope section 58 Lower frame member 59 Frame fixing part 60 Vacuum insulation material 61 Core material 62 Outer cover material 63A First side 63B 2nd side part 64 groove 65 Fin section 70 Mounting plate 71 Support member 81. First double-sided tape 82. Second double-sided tape L1 virtual line L2 virtual line L3 virtual line S Storage Room S1 Storage Room 1 S2 Second Storage Room S3 Storage Room 3

Claims

1. It is an insulated door that separates the inside and outside of the refrigerator. It has a casing filled with foam insulation material inside, The housing is provided with a handle recessed on the inside of the housing and an inner plate located on the inside of the storage area. The inner plate portion is provided with a recess that extends from the inside of the storage compartment toward the outside of the storage compartment. Inside the housing, a vacuum insulation material is provided that is bent along the recess and attached to the inner plate portion. The vacuum insulation material intersects with an imaginary line connecting the handle and the recess by the shortest distance, Insulated door.

2. The recess is provided with an inclined surface portion located at the top of the recess, with its lower side inclined toward the outside of the storage compartment, and a vertical surface portion that bends downward from the lower end of the inclined surface portion and extends downward. The handle is located above the vertical surface and has a shape that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the housing. The insulated door according to claim 1.

3. The vertical surface portion is located on the outside of the storage compartment, rather than the end of the handle that is on the inside of the storage compartment. The dashed line connects the handle and the inclined surface. The insulated door according to claim 2.

4. The inclined surface portion and the vertical surface portion are each formed flat on the inside of the housing. The vacuum insulation material is attached to the inclined surface and the vertical surface. The insulated door according to claim 2.

5. The vacuum insulation material has fins on its outer edge, The fin portion is bent toward the outside of the storage area. The insulated door according to claim 1.

6. The vacuum insulation material has grooves formed in it that serve as the starting point for bending. The insulated door according to claim 1.

7. The vacuum insulation material extends below the lower end of the vertical surface portion. The insulated door according to claim 2.

8. A mounting plate to which the frame is fastened is attached to the inner plate portion. A support member is attached to the mounting plate, which is flush with the vertical surface. The vacuum insulation material is supported from the inside of the chamber by the support member. The insulated door according to claim 2.

9. The vacuum insulation material is attached to the inner plate portion by means of a first double-sided tape attached to the inclined surface portion and a second double-sided tape attached to the vertical surface portion. The second double-sided tape is attached to the support member. The insulated door according to claim 8.

10. Having an insulated door according to any one of claims 1 to 9, refrigerator.

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