refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of improving cold air circulation and enhancing cooling capacity. [Solution] The system comprises a housing 1 and at least two internal cases 3 housed within the housing 1 in an arrangement in the z direction, each of the two internal cases 3 having a case body 31 and an outer edge portion 32 projecting outward from the upper or lower end of the case body 31, and a first opening 35 penetrating in the z direction is formed in the outer edge portion 32 of each of the two internal cases 3, with at least a portion of the first openings 35 of the two internal cases 3 overlapping each other in the z direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

Background Art

[0002] Refrigerators are widely used as storage for refrigerating articles accommodated inside a refrigerator compartment. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional refrigerator. The refrigerator disclosed in this document includes an upper case and a lower case that are accommodated arranged vertically in the refrigerator compartment. The upper case is provided with an opening serving as a cooling circulation air duct.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the refrigerator described above, the lower case is not provided with an opening that can serve as a cooling circulation air duct. For this reason, cold air circulating in the refrigerator compartment is obstructed by the lower case, which may impair the cooling capacity.

[0005] The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of improving cold air circulation and enhancing cooling capacity.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The refrigerator provided by the present invention comprises a housing and at least two internal cases housed in a vertically aligned manner within the housing, each of the two internal cases having a case body and an outer edge portion projecting outward from the upper or lower end of the case body, and a first opening penetrating vertically is formed in the outer edge portion of each of the two internal cases, with at least a portion of the first openings of the two internal cases overlapping vertically.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first openings of the two internal cases overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing further comprises a door supported so as to be openable and closable, the outer edge of each of the two internal cases includes a front portion that protrudes toward the door and is used as a handle, and the first opening is formed in the front portion.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the door has two door protrusions that project toward the rear of the housing on both sides in the left-right direction, and the front portion of each of the two internal cases has two recesses that face the two door protrusions.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first gap exists between the front portion and the door, and the area of ​​the first gap is equal to or greater than the area of ​​one of the first openings formed in the front portion.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a second gap exists between the recess and the door, and the area of ​​the second gap is equal to or greater than the area of ​​one of the first openings formed in the front portion.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the case bodies of the two internal cases has a bottom plate portion, and each bottom plate portion has a second opening that penetrates in the vertical direction, and at least a portion of the second openings of the two internal cases overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second openings of the two internal cases overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first openings of all the internal cases housed in the enclosure in a vertically aligned manner overlap at least partially in the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve cold air circulation and enhance cooling capacity.

[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a partial perspective view showing an example of a refrigerator according to the present invention, with the door omitted. [Figure 2] This is a partially enlarged perspective view showing an example of a refrigerator according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a refrigerator according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the interior case of an example of a refrigerator according to the present invention. [Figure 5] (a) is a plan view and (b) is a side view showing the interior case of an example of a refrigerator according to the present invention. [Figure 6] (a) to (f) are plan views showing modified examples of the first and second openings in the refrigerator according to the present invention. [Figure 7](a) to (f) are plan views showing other modified examples of the first opening and the second opening in the refrigerator according to the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of the refrigerator according to the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of the refrigerator according to the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing another example of the inner case in the refrigerator according to the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view showing still another example of the inner case in the refrigerator according to the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a partial plan view showing still another example of the inner case in the refrigerator according to the present invention. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] The terms "first", "second", "third" and the like in the present disclosure are merely used for identification, and are not intended to assign permutations to the objects thereof.

[0020] Figures 1 to 6 show an example of the refrigerator according to the present invention. The refrigerator A1 of the present embodiment includes a housing 1, a door 2, a plurality of inner cases 3, a compressor 5, a cooler 6, a ventilation duct 7, and a blower fan 8. The refrigerator A1 is used, for example, for refrigerating articles such as food in homes, stores, or the like.

[0021] In these figures, the z-direction corresponds to the vertical direction. In the following description, one side in the z-direction may be referred to as "upper" and the other side as "lower". The x-direction and the y-direction are directions along a horizontal plane. The x-direction corresponds to, for example, the width direction, and one side may be referred to as "left" and the other side as "right". The y-direction corresponds to, for example, the front-rear direction, and one side in the y-direction may be referred to as "front" or "near side", and the other side as "rear" or "inner side".

[0022] The enclosure 1 may house multiple internal cases 3, and may also house a compressor 5, a cooler 6, a ventilation duct 7, and a blower fan 8. The specific configuration of the enclosure 1 is not limited in any way, and in this embodiment, it is box-shaped with an opening at the front in the y-direction.

[0023] Door 2 is supported by the housing 1 so as to be openable and closable. Door 2 has a closed state that closes the opening of the housing 1 and an open state that opens the housing 1 to allow items to be placed in and out of the housing 1. The mounting structure of door 2 to the housing 1 is not limited in any way. Door 2 may be attached to the housing 1 via a hinge, for example. Also, unlike this embodiment, there may be a configuration with multiple doors 2. Any of the doors 2 may be an integral structure with the internal case 3. That is, there may be a structure in which the internal case 3 is pulled out by pulling door 2 forward in the y direction.

[0024] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of refrigerator A1 at the center in the x-direction. As shown in the figure, the compressor 5, cooler 6, ventilation duct 7, and blower fan 8 are an example of a cooling mechanism for cooling the inside of the enclosure 1. The cooling mechanism in the present invention is not limited in any way.

[0025] The compressor 5 is for circulating the refrigerant. The compressor 5 may have, for example, an electric motor (not shown) as a drive source. The compressor 5 is connected to a refrigerant pipe (not shown) that leads to the cooler 6.

[0026] The cooler 6 has a compressor 5 that causes refrigerant to flow through its internal pipes. The refrigerant supplied from the cooler 6 dissipates heat to the outside in a condenser (not shown), for example, and absorbs heat in the cooler 6.

[0027] The ventilation duct 7 is a duct for passing the cold air obtained by the heat absorption of the refrigerant in the cooler 6 in the z direction. The blower fan 8 is installed in the upper part of the ventilation duct 7 in the z direction. The blower fan 8 is for sending the cold air from the ventilation duct 7 into the enclosure 1. The flow direction F shown in Figure 3 is an example of the cold air sent from the blower fan 8 to the enclosure 1.

[0028] The multiple internal cases 3 are for storing items to be refrigerated by refrigerator A1. The multiple internal cases 3 are arranged vertically within the housing 1. As shown in Figure 1(b), each internal case 3 may be slidable in the y-direction along rails (not shown) or the like provided on the inner surface of the housing 1.

[0029] In this invention, refrigerator A1 comprises at least two internal cases 3 arranged vertically. The number of internal cases 3 is not limited to two, but may be three or more. Three or more internal cases 3 constitute a variation including at least two internal cases 3. In the illustrated example, the number of internal cases 3 is four. The configuration of each internal case 3 may be the same or different. At least two internal cases 3 arranged in the z direction have the configuration described below.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5(a) and 5(b), the internal case 3 has a case body 31 and an outer edge portion 32. The internal case 3 may be, for example, a resin molded product and may consist of one part or multiple parts.

[0031] The case body 31 is the main body portion for housing articles. In the illustrated example, the case body 31 opens upward in the z direction and includes a bottom plate portion 311, a front plate portion 312, a rear plate portion 313, and two side plate portions 314.

[0032] The bottom plate portion 311 is located downward in the z direction. The front plate portion 312 is connected to the front end of the bottom plate portion 311 in the y direction and stands upright along the z direction. The rear plate portion 313 is connected to the front end of the bottom plate portion 311 in the y direction and stands upright along the z direction. The two side plate portions 314 are connected to both ends of the bottom plate portion 311 in the x direction and stand upright along the z direction.

[0033] The outer edge portion 32 is a part that protrudes outward (away from the bottom plate portion 311) when viewed in the z direction from the upper or lower end of the case body 31. The specific configuration of the outer edge portion 32 is not limited in any way, and in the illustrated example, it includes a front portion 321, a rear portion 322, two upper lateral portions 323, and two lower lateral portions 324.

[0034] The front portion 321 protrudes forward in the y-direction (towards the door 2) from the upper z-direction end of the front panel portion 312. The front portion 321 may be used as a handle when sliding the internal case 3 in the y-direction. The rear portion 322 protrudes backward in the y-direction from the upper z-direction end of the rear panel portion 313. The two upper lateral portions 323 protrude outward in the x-direction from the upper z-direction ends of the two side panel portions 314. The two lower lateral portions 324 protrude outward in the x-direction from the lower z-direction ends of the two side panel portions 314.

[0035] A first opening 35 is formed in the outer edge portion 32. The first opening 35 penetrates the outer edge portion 32 in the z direction. In the illustrated example, the first opening 35 is formed in the front portion 321. The number of first openings 35 is not limited and may be one or more. In the illustrated example, four first openings 35 are arranged in the x direction.

[0036] In two interior cases 3 aligned in the z direction, the first openings 35 overlap at least partially when viewed in the z direction. In two interior cases 3 aligned in the z direction, the first openings 35 may be the same shape or may be different shapes. In the illustrated example, in two interior cases 3 aligned in the z direction, the first openings 35 are the same shape (oval shape) and the same size. Also, in two interior cases 3 aligned in the z direction, the first openings 35 overlap and coincide when viewed in the z direction.

[0037] A second opening 36 is formed in the bottom plate portion 311. The second opening 36 penetrates the bottom plate portion 311 in the z direction. The number of second openings 36 is not limited; there may be one or more. Also, the arrangement of the second openings 36 is not limited. In the illustrated example, four second openings 36 are provided in the front in the y direction, and four second openings 36 are provided in the rear in the y direction.

[0038] In two interior cases 3 aligned in the z direction, the second openings 36 overlap at least partially when viewed in the z direction. In two interior cases 3 aligned in the z direction, the second openings 36 may be the same shape or may be different shapes. In the illustrated example, in two interior cases 3 aligned in the z direction, the second openings 36 are the same shape (oval shape) and the same size. Also, in two interior cases 3 aligned in the z direction, the second openings 36 overlap and coincide when viewed in the z direction.

[0039] Figure 6 illustrates the first opening 35 and the second opening 36. The figure shows variations in the shape of the first opening 35 and the second opening 36, and each of the first opening 35 and the second opening 36 can be the shape shown. In the example in Figure (a), the first opening 35 and the second opening 36 are oval-shaped. In the example in Figure (b), the first opening 35 and the second opening 36 are elliptical-shaped. In the example in Figure (c), the first opening 35 and the second opening 36 are circular-shaped. In the example in Figure (d), the first opening 35 and the second opening 36 are rectangular-shaped. In the example in Figure (e), the first opening 35 and the second opening 36 are polygonal, specifically hexagonal. In the example in Figure (f), the first opening 35 and the second opening 36 are rhombic-shaped.

[0040] Figure 7 illustrates the relationship between the first opening 35 and the second opening 36 in two internal cases 3 aligned in the z direction. In these figures, the first opening 35U and the second opening 36U are the first opening 35 and the second opening 36 of the internal case 3 located above in the z direction. The first opening 35L and the second opening 36L are the first opening 35 and the second opening 36 of the internal case 3 located below in the z direction, and are shown by dashed lines for ease of understanding.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure (a), the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L, the second opening 36L, overlap and coincide with each other when viewed in the z direction.

[0042] In the example in Figure (b), the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L and second opening 36L are the same shape and size as each other, but their positions are offset in the left-right direction in the figure. However, even in this example, the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L and second opening 36L overlap in parts when viewed in the z direction. In the example in Figure (c), the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L and second opening 36L are the same shape and size as each other, but their positions are offset in the up-down direction in the figure. However, even in this example, the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L and second opening 36L overlap in parts when viewed in the z direction.

[0043] Referring to Figure 3, the first opening 35U and second opening 36U of two internal cases 3 arranged in the z direction, and their corresponding first opening 35L and second opening 36L, are shown as overlapping in at least a portion of each other when viewed in the z direction. However, as disclosed in Figure 3, some or all of the first openings of all internal cases 3 arranged vertically in the z direction may overlap when viewed in the z direction. In addition, as disclosed in Figure 3, some or all of the second openings of all internal cases 3 arranged vertically in the z direction may overlap when viewed in the z direction.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure (d), the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L and second opening 36L are of different sizes. Therefore, although the centers of the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L and second opening 36L coincide, a portion of each of the first opening 35L and second opening 36L protrudes from the first opening 35U and second opening 36U.

[0045] In the example shown in Figure (e), the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L and second opening 36L have different shapes. Although the centers of the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L and second opening 36L coincide, a portion of the first opening 35U and second opening 36U protrudes from the first opening 35L and second opening 36L, respectively.

[0046] In the example shown in Figure (f), the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L, the second opening 36L, have different shapes, and their centers are offset in the left-right direction in the figure. In this example as well, the first opening 35U, the second opening 36U, and their corresponding first opening 35L, the second opening 36L, overlap in parts when viewed in the z direction.

[0047] Figures 8 and 9 are enlarged cross-sectional views of a refrigerator A1 in the xy plane located directly above one of the internal cases 3. As shown in the figures, in this example, the door 2 has two door protrusions 21. The two door protrusions 21 project inwards in the y direction on both sides of the door 2 in the x direction. The door protrusions 21 may be, for example, a hinge mechanism for supporting the door 2 on the housing 1 so that it can be opened and closed, or a cover that covers the hinge mechanism, etc. If the door 2 can open from both sides, the door 2 may have two door protrusions 21, and if the door 2 can open from one side, the door 2 may have only one door protrusion 21.

[0048] The front section 321 has two recesses 3211 and a protruding end 3212. The two recesses 3211 face the two door protrusions 21, are located on both sides of the front section 321 in the x-direction, and are recessed toward the rear in the y-direction. Preferably, the number of recesses 3211 corresponds to the number of door protrusions 21. The protruding end 3212 is located between the two recesses 3211 in the x-direction and protrudes forward in the y-direction.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, in this example, a first gap g1 exists between the front section 321 and the door 2. In this figure, for ease of understanding, the door 2 and the front section 321 are each hatched with multiple diagonal lines, and the first gap g1 and the multiple first openings 35 are each hatched with multiple dots. It is preferable that the area of ​​the first gap g1 is greater than or equal to the sum of the areas of the multiple first openings 35 provided in the front section 321. To give a specific example of these areas, for example, the area of ​​the first gap g1 is 1225 mm². 2 The total area of ​​the multiple first openings 35 is 1056 mm². 2 That is the case.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the gap between the door 2 and the recess 3211 is defined as the second gap g2. In the illustrated example, two second gaps g2 are formed. Preferably, the area of ​​each second gap g2 is greater than or equal to the area of ​​one first opening 35 provided in the front portion 321.

[0051] Next, I will explain the function of refrigerator A1.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, the cold air sent from the blower fan 8 flows in the direction F and descends along the door 2. The descending cold air reaches the front part 321 of the uppermost interior case 3 and passes through the first opening 35. In this embodiment, the first openings 35 of the interior cases 3 arranged in the z direction overlap at least a portion of each other when viewed in the z direction. As a result, as shown in Figure 2, the cold air that has passed through the first opening 35 of the upper interior case 3 can pass through the first opening 35 of the lower interior case 3. This allows the cold air to pass through more smoothly in a configuration where two interior cases 3 are arranged vertically. As shown in Figure 3, by providing first openings 35 in all of the multiple interior cases 3, the cold air can be smoothly distributed from the top to the bottom between the door 2 and the multiple interior cases 3 inside the housing 1. Therefore, refrigerator A1 can improve cold air circulation and enhance cooling capacity.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first openings 35 of the two internal cases 3, which are aligned in the z direction, overlap and coincide with each other when viewed in the z direction. This prevents obstruction of the cold air descending in the z direction, allowing it to pass through more smoothly and further improving the cooling capacity.

[0054] The front portion 321, which is provided with the first opening 35, is used as a handle portion of the interior case 3. Since the front portion 321 used as a handle portion needs to be of a size that is easy for the user to grasp, it cannot be made extremely small. In this embodiment, the interior case 3 is positioned such that a first gap g1 is formed between the front portion 321 and the door 2. Furthermore, by positioning the protruding end 3212 of the front portion 321 in the space formed between the two door protrusions 21, the area of ​​the front portion 321 used as a handle portion can be made larger, thus realizing an interior case 3 that is easy to pick up (easy to grasp). In addition, by making the area of ​​the front portion 321 used as a handle portion larger, the area of ​​the first opening 35 can also be made larger, and as a result, cold air passing downwards can be made to pass more easily through the front portion 321.

[0055] Furthermore, by making the area of ​​the first gap g1 the same as or greater than the area of ​​one first opening 35 provided in the front section 321, it is possible to facilitate the passage of cold air in the z direction, thereby improving cooling efficiency. The area of ​​the first gap g1 may be greater than or equal to the sum of the areas of the multiple first openings 35 provided in the front section 321. In addition, the internal case 3 is arranged such that a second gap g2 is formed between the recess 3211 and the door 2. In this case, by making the area of ​​the second gap g2 the same as or greater than the area of ​​one first opening 35 provided in the front section 321, it is possible to facilitate the passage of cold air in the z direction. Furthermore, if there are two second gaps g2 as in this example, it is also possible to facilitate the passage of cold air in the z direction by making the sum of the areas of the two second gaps g2 the same as or greater than the area of ​​one first opening 35 provided in the front section 321.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, the front portion 321 is provided with two recesses 3211 corresponding to the two door protrusions 21 of the door 2. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the door protrusions 21 and the front portion 321 while appropriately securing the size of the central portion in the x-direction of the front portion 321. Therefore, it is possible to improve cooling capacity while enhancing ease of use.

[0057] Furthermore, the area of ​​the first gap g1 is greater than or equal to the sum of the areas of the multiple first openings 35. This reduces extreme disturbance of the cold airflow between the door 2 and the multiple internal cases 3, resulting in a more uniform airflow distribution. Alternatively, the area of ​​the first gap g1 is greater than or equal to the area of ​​one of the first openings 35.

[0058] In this embodiment, a second opening 36 is formed in the bottom plate portion 311. This improves the circulation of cold air in the region where the bottom plate portion 311 overlaps when viewed in the z direction.

[0059] Figures 10 to 12 show other examples of the present invention. In these figures, elements identical or similar to those in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the configurations of each part in each modification and each embodiment can be appropriately combined with each other to the extent that no technical inconsistencies arise.

[0060] Figure 10 shows another example of the internal case 3. In this example of the internal case 3, first openings 35 are formed in the upper lateral portion 323 and the lower lateral portion 324. The first openings 35 formed in the upper lateral portion 323 and the lower lateral portion 324 may be, for example, those shown in the example in Figure 6. Furthermore, the relationship between the first opening 35 formed in the upper lateral portion 323 and the first opening 35 formed in the lower lateral portion 324 may be, for example, the relationship between the first opening 35U and the first opening 35L shown in Figure 7. Similarly, in two internal cases 3 aligned in the z direction, the relationship between the first opening 35 formed in the lower lateral portion 324 of the upper internal case 3 and the first opening 35 formed in the upper lateral portion 323 of the lower internal case 3 may be, for example, the relationship between the first opening 35U and the first opening 35L shown in Figure 7.

[0061] This example also demonstrates how to improve cold air circulation and enhance cooling capacity. Furthermore, in this example, it is possible to improve the circulation of cold air on the sides of multiple internal cases 3, thereby improving cooling capacity.

[0062] Figure 11 shows another example of the interior case 3. In this example of the interior case 3, a first opening 35 is formed in the rear portion 322. The first opening 35 in the rear portion 322 may be, for example, the one shown in Figure 6. Also, the relationship between the first openings 35 in the rear portions 322 of two interior cases 3 aligned in the z direction may be, for example, the relationship between the first opening 35U and the first opening 35L shown in Figure 7.

[0063] This example also demonstrates how to improve cold air circulation and enhance cooling capacity. Furthermore, in this example, it is possible to improve the circulation of cold air behind multiple internal cases 3, thereby improving cooling capacity. In particular, when circulating cold air in the z-direction on the rear side 322, it is effective in suppressing obstruction of cold air passing through the first opening of the internal case 3 when viewed in the z-direction.

[0064] Figure 12 shows yet another example of the interior case 3. In this example, the rear plate portion 313 has a recess 3131, and the rear portion 322 has a recess 3221. Both the recess 3131 and the recess 3221 are located near the center in the x-direction and are recessed forward in the y-direction. Multiple first openings 35 are formed in the rear portion 322. The multiple first openings 35 are formed in the recess 3221, and also in the portions of the rear portion 322 on both sides of the recess 3221. For example, if the ventilation duct 7 is shaped to protrude forward in the y-direction from other peripheral parts of the housing 1, the ventilation duct 7 may be configured to fit into the recesses 3131 and 3221.

[0065] This example also improves cold air circulation and enhances cooling capacity. Furthermore, by providing the recess 3131, it is possible to avoid interference between the internal case 3 and the ventilation duct 7 while securing storage space for the internal case 3 on both sides of the ventilation duct 7 in the x-direction. Additionally, by providing the recess 3221, it is possible to improve the circulation of cold air on both sides of the ventilation duct 7 in the x-direction while avoiding interference with the ventilation duct 7. In particular, when circulating cold air in the z-direction on the rear side 322, it is effective in suppressing obstruction of the cold air passing through the first opening of the internal case 3 as viewed in the z-direction.

[0066] The refrigerator according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The specific configuration of each part of the refrigerator according to the present invention can be modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] A1: Refrigerator 1: Cabinet 2: Door 3: Interior case 5: Compressor 6:Cooler 7: Ventilation duct 8: Blower fan 21: Door protrusion 31: Case body 32: Outer edge 35,35L,35U: 1st opening 36,36L,36U: 2nd opening 311: Bottom plate part 312: Front plate part 313: Rear plate part 314: Side plate part 321: Front section 322: Posterior part 323: Upper lateral part 324:Lower lateral part 3131,3211,3221: recessed F :Direction g: gap

Claims

1. The casing and The enclosure comprises at least two internal cases arranged vertically within the enclosure, Each of the two internal cases has a case body and an outer edge that protrudes outward from the upper or lower end of the case body. Each of the two internal cases has a first opening formed in its outer edge that penetrates vertically. A refrigerator in which the first openings of the two interior cases overlap in the vertical direction by at least a portion.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first openings of the two internal cases overlap each other in the vertical direction.

3. The housing further includes a door that is supported so as to be openable and closable, Each of the two interior cases has an outer edge portion that protrudes toward the door and is used as a handle portion, The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first opening is formed in the front portion.

4. The door has two door protrusions that project towards the rear of the housing on both sides in the left-right direction. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the front portion of each of the two interior cases has two recesses facing the two door protrusions.

5. A first gap exists between the front section and the door. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the area of ​​the first gap is equal to or greater than the area of ​​one of the first openings formed in the front portion.

6. A second gap exists between the recess and the door. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the area of ​​the second gap is equal to or greater than the area of ​​one of the first openings formed in the front portion.

7. Each of the two internal cases has a bottom plate, Each of the aforementioned bottom plates has a second opening that penetrates vertically. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second openings of the two internal cases overlap each other in the vertical direction.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the second openings of the two internal cases overlap each other in the vertical direction.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first openings of all the internal cases housed in the enclosure in a vertically arranged manner overlap at least partially in the vertical direction.

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