refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator in which a switch with excellent operability is provided on a door.SOLUTION: The present invention comprises a heat insulation box body 10, a storage case 5y housed in the heat insulation box body 10, and a drawer door 5a of the heat insulation door 10 to which the storage case 5y is attached. The drawer door 5a comprises an outer panel 5b, an edge member 7u arranged around the outer panel 5b, and an operating member 8 provided in an extension direction of the edge member 7u and moving rearward to operate a switch 12. When viewed from the front, a surface 8m1 of the operating member 8 opposite the outer panel 5b side is exposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] There are refrigerators with drawer doors and double doors. In some cases, a switch is provided on the drawer door. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an operating unit 25 arranged on an inclined rib surface 24 of a drawer door. Moreover, Patent Document 2 describes a pull-out door in which a push button 115 is provided on a portion of the front surface of a handle 112 of the pull-out door that extends downward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. CN110462318A (Fig. 3, etc.) [Patent Document 2] JP 2008-196745 A (Figure 23, paragraph 0085, etc.) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If a control panel or switch mechanism is provided on the door side of the refrigerator, the specifications will differ significantly depending on whether or not there is a control panel or switch mechanism due to the wiring structure, etc. For this reason, it is desirable to keep the structure on the door side simple. Therefore, if the switch on the door side is mechanically operated to cause a receiving switch on the box side to react, it is possible to install it on an inclined surface or on the front, like the operation unit 25 in Patent Document 1 or the push button 115 in Patent Document 2.

[0005] However, since the opening edge of the box that comes into contact with the door is located directly behind the edge of the door, it is not easy to operate the switch on the door side on the box side. Also, the operation unit 25 and the push button 115 are easy to observe from the front. Therefore, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of design when the outer panel (front side surface 23, outer panel 109) is important. The details of the operation unit 25 in Patent Document 1 are unclear, and the mechanism by which the operation unit 25 moves and acts on other members is not disclosed. Therefore, it is assumed that it is simply a control panel such as a touch panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a thermally insulated box, a storage case accommodated in the thermally insulated box, and a drawer door to which the storage case is attached. The drawer door includes an outer plate, an edge member disposed around the outer plate, and an operating member that is disposed in an extending direction of the edge member and moves rearward to operate a switch. The operating member is: The drawer door When viewed from the front, the surface opposite the outer panel is exposed. Cage , The pull-out door is pulled out toward the user in response to the operation of the switch caused by the rearward movement of the operating member, and includes a handle portion disposed at the rear of the edge member and extending toward the outer panel side in a front view of the pull-out door. do. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] An enlarged view of the first selectable room door in Figure 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of the first selectable room door as viewed in the direction of the arrow I in FIG. 2. [Figure 4A] Cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 3 of a modified example. [Diagram 5] Cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an exploded enlarged perspective view of the assist switch as viewed obliquely from above and in front. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assist switch as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 9A] 4 is an enlarged view of part IV in FIG. 3 with the assist control switch on the box side added before the assist switch push button is pressed. [Figure 9B] 4 is an enlarged view of part IV in FIG. 3 with the assist control switch on the box side added after the assist switch push button is pressed. [Figure 9C] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the box-side assist control switch as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 10] 13 is a top view of the assist switch push button with the top plate omitted when the user has released his / her hand from the assist switch push button. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a top view of the assist switch push button with the top plate omitted when a user presses the assist switch push button with his / her hand. FIG. [Figure 12A] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first switching chamber door of the first modified example. [Figure 12B] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a first switching chamber door of the first modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assist switch provided on a first switching chamber door of a second embodiment, as viewed obliquely from the front. [Figure 14] 14 is a view taken in the direction of arrow IV in FIG. 13 . [Figure 15A] FIG. [Figure 15B] VV cross-sectional view of Figure 15A. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an assist switch provided on a first switching chamber door of a third embodiment, as viewed obliquely from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The present invention relates to an assist switch for pulling out a drawer door of a refrigerator. The assist switch has a switch (As) for driving a control mechanism provided on the drawer door side (5a) and a main switch control mechanism (12) provided on the box body (10).

[0009] <<First embodiment>> FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment. In the following, a six-door refrigerator 1 will be described as an example, but the refrigerator 1 is not limited to a six-door refrigerator. The refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment includes a heat-insulating body 10 and doors (2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a) for opening and closing the opening of the heat-insulating body 10.

[0010] The refrigerator 1 has, from the top, a refrigerator compartment 2, an ice-making compartment 3, a freezer compartment 4 (first freezer compartment), a first switchable compartment 5, and a second switchable compartment 6. The first switchable compartment 5 may be a freezer compartment (second freezer compartment). The internal volume of the freezer compartment 4 may be smaller than the internal volume of the first switchable compartment 5.

[0011] The first selectable compartment 5 can change its temperature zone from a refrigerated temperature zone (e.g., 1°C to 6°C) to a long-term frozen storage temperature zone (e.g., about -20°C to -15°C, preferably -18°C or lower). Similarly, the second selectable compartment 6 can change its temperature zone from the refrigerated temperature zone of the vegetable compartment to the long-term frozen storage temperature zone. In the refrigerator 1, it is also possible to change to a frozen storage temperature zone (e.g., -10°C to -14°C, preferably about -12°C) which is a temperature zone higher than the long-term frozen storage temperature zone. Since there is a risk that food may not be completely frozen, the upper limit temperature of the frozen storage temperature zone can be set to -6°C.

[0012] The refrigerator compartment 2 is set to a refrigeration temperature range (for example, 6° C.). The ice-making compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4 are set to a freezing temperature range.

[0013] Refrigerator 1 is provided with, on the front side of insulated box 10, refrigerator compartment doors 2a, 2b, ice-making compartment door 3a, freezer compartment door 4a, first selectable compartment door 5a, and second selectable compartment door 6a. The refrigerator compartment doors 2a and 2b open and close the refrigerator compartment 2. The ice-making compartment door 3a opens and closes the ice-making compartment 3. The freezer compartment door 4a opens and closes the freezer compartment 4. The first selectable compartment door 5a opens and closes the first selectable compartment 5. The second selectable compartment door 6a opens and closes the second selectable compartment 6. The refrigerator compartment doors 2a and 2b are configured as double doors. The ice-making compartment door 3a, the freezer compartment door 4a, the first selectable compartment door 5a, and the second selectable compartment door 6a are pull-out doors that can be pulled out toward the front. The refrigerator compartment doors 2a and 2b, the ice-making compartment door 3a, the freezer compartment door 4a, the first selectable compartment door 5a, and the second selectable compartment door 6a are heat-insulating doors that insulate the interior of the refrigerator from the outside space. In addition, an operating section (not shown) for operating the interior temperature setting and the like is provided on the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 2a.

[0014] The refrigerator compartment 2 is separated from the freezer compartment 4 and the ice-making compartment 3 by an insulating partition wall 28. The freezer compartment 4 and the ice-making compartment 3 are separated from the first switchable compartment 5 by an insulating partition wall 29. The insulating partition wall 29 is filled with vacuum insulation material (not shown). The first switching chamber 5 and the second switching chamber 6 are separated by a heat insulating partition wall 30. The heat insulating partition wall 30 is filled with a vacuum insulating material (not shown).

[0015] Door hinges (not shown) for fixing the doors 2a and 2b to the insulating box 10 are provided on the front side of the top exterior of the insulating box 10 and on the left and right front edges of the insulating partition wall 28. The upper door hinge is covered with a door hinge cover 16. The refrigerator compartment 2 is provided with a water supply tank 11 for storing water. An automatic ice maker 12 equipped with an ice tray (not shown) is disposed in the ice making compartment 3. Water in a water supply tank 21 is supplied to the ice tray via a water supply pipe.

[0016] The heat-insulating box 10 is formed by filling a space between an outer box 10a made of a steel plate and an inner box (not shown) made of a synthetic resin with a foam heat-insulating material (not shown). In the refrigerator 1, the outside and the inside are separated by a heat-insulating box 10 and heat-insulating doors (2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a) that close the opening of the heat-insulating box 10. In addition to the foam insulation material, multiple vacuum insulation materials, which have a lower thermal conductivity (higher insulation performance) than the foam insulation material, are mounted between the outer box 10a and the inner box of the insulated box 10. These vacuum insulation materials suppress a decrease in the internal volume of the refrigerator 1 and improve the insulation performance. In detail, vacuum insulation material is mounted on the back surface of the insulated box 10, on the underside (bottom surface), and on each of the left and right sides. The mounting of the vacuum insulation material with high insulation performance suppresses the intrusion of heat from outside the refrigerator, which has a higher temperature than the storage compartment, thereby improving the insulation performance.

[0017] Similarly, the first selectable compartment door 5a and the second selectable compartment door 6a are provided with vacuum insulation material, thereby improving the insulation performance of the refrigerator 1.

[0018] The refrigerator compartment doors 2a and 2b are provided with multiple door pockets on the inside of the compartment. The refrigerator compartment 2 is divided into multiple storage spaces by shelves. The ice-making compartment door 3a, the freezer compartment door 4a, the first selectable compartment door 5a, and the second selectable compartment door 6a are provided with an ice-making compartment container, a freezer compartment container, a first selectable compartment container, and a second selectable compartment container, which are pulled out together, respectively. A power supply board 39 for supplying power to the refrigerator 1 is provided at the upper rear of the refrigerator 1.

[0019] <First switching room door 5a and assist switch push button 8> FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the first selectable compartment door 5a in FIG. A pair of support frames 5s for supporting the first switchable chamber container 5y from below are extended rearward from the lower rear portion of the first switchable chamber door 5a. A synchronous shaft 5j is fixed to the tip of each support frame 5s. The first switching chamber door 5a has an outer plate 5b, an outer edge plate 7, and an assist switch As.

[0020] Fig. 3 shows a top view of the first selectable compartment door 5a as seen in the direction of the arrow I in Fig. 2. Note that the support frame 5s is omitted in Fig. 3. An assist switch push button 8 of the assist switch As is provided in the center of the top surface of the first switching room door 5a. The assist switch push button 8 has a surface 8m1 (see FIG. 2) facing away from the outer plate 5b and exposed to the outside. This makes it easy to slide the assist switch push button 8 backwards or to press it in. The assist switch push button 8 is a user interface that is operated by the user when pulling out the first switching room door 5a towards himself.

[0021] Upper door outer edge members 7u are provided on the left and right of the assist switch push button 8. When a user opens the first switchable room door 5a, the assist switch push button 8 assists the user in pulling the first switchable room door 5a forward by pressing (pushing) the assist switch push button 8 backward. In other words, when the user presses the assist switch push button 8 backward, the force required to pull the first switchable room door 5a forward is reduced, making the pull-out operation easier. The assist switch push button 8 protrudes forward from the upper door outer edge member 7u by a stroke s1 (see FIG. 3) when the user presses it backward. As shown in FIG. 2, the front end side of the assist switch push button 8 has a surface 8m1 facing away from the outer plate 5b and a surface 8m2 facing the outer plate 5b exposed, ensuring ease of use when the assist switch push button 8 is pressed backward.

[0022] 3, a pair of recessed handle portions 7u3 are formed near the assist switch push button 8. This allows a user to press the assist switch push button 8 and then immediately place their hands on the handle portions 7u3 to pull out the first switching chamber door 5a forward. The first switching compartment door 5a has an assist switch push button 8 at its upper end, and a handle portion 7u3 disposed near the assist switch push button 8. This provides good operability when opening the first switching compartment door 5a.

[0023] FIG. 4A shows a cross section taken along line II-II of FIG. A first rib 7u1 is formed on the upper door outer edge member 7u, extending rearward, below the rear of the assist switch push button 8. Furthermore, a second rib 7u2 is formed on the first rib 7u1, extending upward and forward. The second rib 7u2 is provided on the side surface of the upper door outer edge member 7u facing away from the outer plate 5b. In this case, the first rib 7u1 and the second rib 7u2 are molded integrally with the upper door outer edge member 7u at the rear part of the upper door outer edge member 7u.

[0024] The presence of the first rib 7u1 and the second rib 7u2 prevents the user's hand from reaching the rear or lower rear portion of the assist switch push button 8. This prevents the assist switch push button 8 from being pulled upward or forward from the rear side by the user's hand and coming off, as indicated by the arrow α11 in FIG. 4A. Alternatively, the first rib 7u1 may not be provided, and only the second rib 7u2 may be provided. In this case, the second rib 7u2 is integrally formed with the rear part of the upper door outer edge member 7u.

[0025] FIG. 4B shows a cross section of a modified example taken along line II-II of FIG. 4B, the second rib 7u2 may not be provided, and only the first rib 7u1 may be provided. In this case, the first rib 7u1 is molded integrally with the upper door outer edge member 7u at the rear part of the upper door outer edge member 7u.

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. A lower handle portion 7u3 is provided at the rear of the upper door outer edge member 7u, which is one step lower. The handle portion 7u3 is a place where a user places his / her hand when opening the first switchable chamber door 5a. When opening the first selectable chamber door 5a toward the user, the user first presses the assist switch push button 8 backward as shown by the arrow α21 in FIG. 1. This causes the first selectable chamber door 5a to be pulled out slightly toward the user. After that, as shown in FIG. 5, the user hooks the finger p1 on the handle 7u3 and pulls it toward the user as shown by the arrow α12 in FIG. 5. This causes the first selectable chamber door 5a and the first selectable chamber container 5y (see FIG. 2) provided at the rear of the door to be pulled out toward the user.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, a first rib 7u1 and / or a second rib 7u2 is formed below the assist switch press button 8, thereby preventing the assist switch press button 8 from being turned upward (arrow α11 in Figure 4A) by the user's finger p1 (see Figure 5).

[0028] <First change room door 5a> FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the first switchable chamber door 5a. The first switching compartment door 5a has an outer plate 5b, an inner plate 5c, an upper door outer edge member 7u, a lower door outer edge member 7s, and an assist switch As. The assist switch As is also shown in a disassembled state. The outer plate 5b is made of steel plate and has a front plate 5b1 and side plates 5b2 bent to the left and right.

[0029] <Assist switch As> FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assist switch As seen obliquely from below. FIG. 8 is an exploded enlarged perspective view of the assist switch As seen obliquely from above and in front. The assist switch As has an assist switch push button 8, a protruding pin portion 9, a first link 20, a second link 21, and a torsion coil spring 12.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the assist switch push button 8 has a surface 8m2 on the side of the outer panel 5b and a surface 8m1 on the side opposite to the outer panel 5b exposed to the outside. Therefore, the assist switch push button 8 can slide easily in the front-rear direction. In addition, operability is ensured when the assist switch push button 8 is provided on the upper edge of the outer panel 5b.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 8, a pair of cylindrical link support bosses 7u6, 7u7 are formed on the upper door outer edge member 7u so as to protrude upward. The link support bosses 7u6, 7u7 serve as pivot points for the first link 20 and the second link 21, respectively. The upper door outer edge member 7u is formed with a spring engagement portion 7u10 (see Fig. 7) with which one arm portion 12b of the torsion coil spring 12 is engaged.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, the lower surface of the assist switch push button 8 is provided with a first support boss 8b1 and a second support boss 8b2 that protrude downward. As shown in FIG. 8, the first link 20 is provided with a rotation support hole 20a, a push button interlocking hole 20b, and a first link interlocking elongated hole 20c. The second link 21 is provided with a rotation shaft hole 21a, a push button interlocking hole 21b, and a first link interlocking boss 21c. The second link 21 is also provided with a spring engagement portion 21d on one side, and a plate-shaped ejector pin operation portion 21e on the other side.

[0033] A first support boss 8b1 (see FIG. 7) of the assist switch push button 8 is fitted into a push button interlocking hole 20b of the first link 20 (see FIG. 8). The second support boss 8b2 (see FIG. 7) of the assist switch push button 8 is fitted into the push button interlocking hole 21b of the second link 21 (see FIG. 8). Due to these engagements, the movement of the assist switch push button 8 in the forward and backward directions is linked to the rotational movements of the first link 20 and the second link 21.

[0034] <Protruding pin of assist switch As> 8, the protruding pin portion 9 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-rear direction. A pair of engaging protrusions 9a1, 9a2 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that engage with the pin operating portion 21e of the second link 21 are formed facing each other at the rear of the protruding pin portion 9.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, the plate-shaped ejector pin operating portion 21e of the second link 21 is inserted between the engaging protrusions 9a1 and 9a2. The protruding pin portion 9 has, at its front portion, a pressing portion 9b (see FIG. 8) that presses the switch portion 12a (see FIGS. 9A and 9C) of the box-side assist control switch 12.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, the upper door outer edge member 7u is provided with left and right guide portions 7u9 on the left and right of the protruding pin portion 9 for guiding the movement of the protruding pin portion 9 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 7, a support boss 7u8 for the torsion coil spring 12 is formed on the upper door outer edge member 7u so as to protrude downward. <Operation of ejector pin 9>

[0037] As shown by arrow α12 in Fig. 9A, the user presses the assist switch push button 8 backward. When the assist switch push button 8 is pressed backward, the protruding pin portion 9 having the engaging protrusions 9a1 and 9a2 is guided by the left and right guide portions 7u9 (see Fig. 8) of the upper door outer edge member 7u due to the rotational movement of the protruding pin operating portion 21e (see Fig. 7) of the second link 21, and moves in the front-rear direction. The protruding pin portion 9 is guided and slid by the left and right guide portion 7u9, and can move in the front-rear direction without swinging in the left-right direction.

[0038] FIG. 9A shows an enlarged view of part IV in FIG. 3, including the box-side assist control switch 12 before the assist switch push button 8 is pressed. A box-side assist control switch 12 for the door opening mechanism of the first switching chamber door 5a is provided on the heat-insulating box 10 side. FIG. 9B shows an enlarged view of part IV in FIG. 3, including the box-side assist control switch 12 after the assist switch push button 8 is pressed.

[0039] FIG. 9C shows a perspective view of the box-side assist control switch 12 as viewed obliquely from above. As the protruding pin portion 9 moves rearward, the pressing portion 9b of the protruding pin portion 9 presses the switch portion 12a (see FIG. 9C) of the box-side assist control switch 12 (see FIG. 9B). Pressing the switch portion 12a of the box-side assist control switch 12 performs an opening assist operation, which is the forward movement of the first switching chamber door 5a.

[0040] The assist switch push button 8 moves from the door frame position in a substantially horizontal direction in the front-to-rear direction, so it is easy to act on the box-side assist control switch 12. Here, the stroke amount by which the protruding pin portion 9 linked to the assist switch push button 8 presses the switch portion 12a of the box-side assist control switch 12 is set to s0 (see FIG. 9B). When the switch portion 12a is pressed by the ejection pin portion 9 with a stroke amount s0 (the switch portion 12a is turned ON), the motor is driven under the control of the control unit, and the first switching chamber door 5a is assisted to be pulled out toward the front via a reduction mechanism and gears, as shown by the white arrow α13 in Figure 1.

[0041] <Assembly of the assist switch As> As shown in FIG. 7, the helical coil portion 12a of the torsion coil spring 12 is fitted into the support boss 7u8 of the upper door outer edge member 7u. Next, the rotation support hole 21a (see FIG. 8) of the second link 21 is fitted into the link support boss 7u7 of the upper door outer edge member 7u to attach the second link 21 to the upper door outer edge member 7u. Also, one arm 12b of the torsion coil spring 12 shown in FIG. 8 is engaged with the spring engagement portion 7u10 (see FIG. 7) of the upper door outer edge member 7u, and the other arm 12c is engaged with the spring engagement portion 21d of the second link 21.

[0042] The push button operation portion 21e of the second link 1 is fitted from below between the engaging protrusions 9a1 and 9a2 at the rear of the protrusion pin portion 9. This allows the rotational motion of the second link 21 to be transmitted as forward and backward motion to the protrusion pin portion 9 via the engaging protrusions 9a1 and 9a2 with the push button operation portion 21e. Next, the rotation support shaft hole 20a of the first link 20 shown in Fig. 8 is fitted into the link support boss 7u6 (see Fig. 7) of the upper door outer edge member 7u. Also, the second link interlocking elongated hole 20c (see Fig. 8) of the first link 20 is fitted into the first link interlocking boss 21c of the second link 21 from above.

[0043] 8, an E-ring e1 for preventing the link from coming off is engaged with the upper part of the link support boss 7u6 of the upper door outer edge member 7u into which the rotation shaft hole 20a of the first link 20 is fitted. Similarly, an E-ring e2 for preventing the link from coming off is engaged with the upper part of the link support boss 7u7 of the upper door outer edge member 7u into which the rotation shaft hole 21a of the second link 21 is fitted.

[0044] <Operation of assist switch As> FIG. 10 shows a top view of the assist switch push button 8 with the top plate 8a thereof omitted when the user has released his / her hand from the assist switch push button 8. In FIG. When the user is not touching the assist switch push button 8, the assist switch push button 8 protrudes forward from the upper door outer edge member 7u by a protrusion amount s1. The forward protrusion amount s1 of the assist switch push button 8 and the stroke amount s0 of the protrusion pin portion 9 (see FIG. 9A) have a relationship of s1>s0.

[0045] Due to this relationship, before the assist switch push button 8 is pushed to the front position of the upper door outer edge member 7u, the assist switch push button 8 can push the switch portion 12a of the box-side assist control switch 12 as shown in FIG. 9B. Therefore, the user can press the switch portion 12a (see Figure 9C) of the case-side assist control switch 12 with the protruding pin portion 9 without placing his or her hand between the first switchable compartment door 5a and the ice-making compartment door 3a and between the first switchable compartment door 5a and the freezer compartment door 4a shown in Figure 1.

[0046] When the user presses the first switching room door 5a as indicated by the outlined arrow α10 in FIG. 10, the first support boss 8b1 and the second support boss 8b2 of the assist switch push button 8 move rearward together with the assist switch push button 8. Due to the rearward movement of the first support boss 8b1 and the second support boss 8b2 (arrows α11 and α12 in FIG. 10), the first link 20 rotates around the link support boss 7u6 (β11 in FIG. 11) and the second link 21 rotates around the link support boss 7u7 (β12 in FIG. 11).

[0047] FIG. 11 shows a top view of the assist switch push button 8 with the top plate 8a omitted when the assist switch push button 8 is pressed by a user's hand. Here, the first link 20 and the second link 21 are fitted with the first link interlocking boss 21c of the second link 21 into the first link interlocking slot 20c of the first link 20. Due to this fitting, the first link 20 and the second link 21 are constrained to each other and move synchronously on the left and right. Therefore, whether the assist switch push button 8 is pressed backward at a position biased to the left (arrow α13 in Figure 10) or whether the assist switch push button 8 is pressed backward at a position biased to the right (arrow α14 in Figure 10), the assist switch push button 8 can move backward in sync so as not to tilt left or right.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 11, when the second link 21 rotates around the link support boss 7u7 (β12 in FIG. 11), the ejector pin operating portion 21e rotates rearward. As shown in Fig. 7, the ejector pin operating portion 21e is located between the engaging protrusions 9a1 and 9a2, so that the ejector pin portion 9 moves rearward. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9B, the pressing portion 9b of the ejector pin portion 9 presses the switch portion 12a (see Fig. 9C) of the box-side assist control switch 12. At this time, the assist switch push button 8 moves rearward substantially horizontally from the position of the door outer edge member 7 of the door frame, so that it is likely to act on the insulating box 10.

[0049] When the box-side assist control switch 12 is turned on, the motor is driven under the control of the control unit (not shown), and the first switching room door 5a is assisted and pulled slightly forward via a reduction mechanism and gears, as shown by the white arrow α13 in Figure 1. Thereafter, the user puts his / her hand on the handle 7u3 (see FIG. 2) and pulls it towards himself / herself, whereby the first switchable chamber door 5a and the first switchable chamber container 5y provided at the rear of the door 5a are pulled out towards himself / herself.

[0050] According to the above configuration, if a control panel or control mechanism is provided on the first switching compartment door 5a on the door side, the specifications will vary significantly depending on the presence or absence of the wiring structure, etc. Therefore, the configuration of the assist switch As on the first switching compartment door 5a on the door side is simplified. The main control mechanism (box-side assist control switch 12) is provided on the side of the insulated box 10 rather than on the door (first switching room door 5a) side, and an assist switch As (see FIG. 7) for driving the control mechanism is provided on the door (5a) side.

[0051] Therefore, it is possible to realize the refrigerator 1 in which an easy-to-operate switch is provided on the first selectable compartment door 5a. <Variation 1>

[0052] FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of the first switchable chamber door 25a of the first modification. FIG. 12B shows an exploded perspective view of the first switching chamber door 25a of the first modified example. The first switchable compartment door 25a of the first modification has an outer plate 25b made of glass instead of the steel plate of the first embodiment. The first switching chamber door 25a of the first modified example has an outer plate 25b, an inner plate 25c, an upper door outer edge member 27u, a lower door outer edge member 27s, a side door outer edge member 27m, a side door outer edge member 27h, and an assist switch As.

[0053] The outer plate 25b is made of glass and is formed into a flat plate shape. According to the first modification, by making the first selectable compartment door 25a out of glass, the appearance is improved and visibility is enhanced. Therefore, the design of the first selectable compartment door 25a is improved, and the design of the refrigerator 1 is improved.

[0054] <<Second embodiment>> FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the assist switch As2 provided on the first switching chamber door 5a of the second embodiment, as viewed obliquely from the front.

[0055] FIG. 14 shows a view taken along the line IV in FIG. In the second embodiment, instead of the assist switch As of the first embodiment, an assist switch As2 is provided on one side surface of the first switching chamber door 5a. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted. The first selectable compartment door 5a of the second embodiment has an outer plate 5b made of a steel plate, and an outer edge plate 7 on the outer edge of the outer plate 5b.

[0056] An assist switch push button 28 for the assist switch As2 is provided in the center of one side surface of the first switching chamber door 5a. Side plates 5b2 formed by bending the steel outer plate 5b are provided above and below the assist switch push button 28. When a user opens the first switchable room door 5a, the user presses the assist switch push button 28 backward to assist in pulling the first switchable room door 5a forward.

[0057] Since there is no door on the outer side of the assist switch push button 28, the assist switch push button 28 does not protrude forward. The assist switch push button 28 is formed so that a front surface 28m and one surface 28i are flush with the side plate 5b2 of the outer plate 5b. An anti-slip portion 28s is formed in the center of the assist switch push button 28.

[0058] FIG. 15A shows a perspective view of the assist switch push button 28. FIG. 15B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 15A. The assist switch push button 28 is made of resin and formed in a generally elongated lid shape. The anti-slip portion 28s is integrally molded in a generally wavy shape when the assist switch push button 28 is molded, as shown in Fig. 15B. The anti-slip portion 28s may be formed separately from the assist switch push button 28 and attached to the center of the assist switch push button 28.

[0059] The box-side assist control switch 12 is provided on the insulating box 10 side at a position where the protruding pin portion 9 linked to the assist switch push button 28 can press the switch portion 12a (see FIG. 9C). When the user opens the first switching room door 5a, the user touches the non-slip surface 28s of the assist switch push button 28 and pushes it backwards using friction. This causes the protruding pin portion 9 to press the switch portion 12a (see FIG. 9C), assisting in opening the first switching room door 5a.

[0060] As in the first embodiment, the stroke amount s21 (see FIG. 14) by which the user presses the assist switch push button 28 backward has a relationship of s21>s0 between the switch portion 12a and the stroke amount s0 (see FIG. 9A) of the protruding pin portion 9 of the assist switch push button 28. According to the second embodiment, the assist switch push button 28 of the assist switch As2 can be disposed without protruding forward or to the side from the first switching chamber door 5a.

[0061] Furthermore, since the assist switch push button 28 is formed with a non-slip surface 28s, the user can operate the assist switch push button 28 reliably and smoothly by using the non-slip surface 28s. The assist switch As2 may be provided on the other side surface of the first switching compartment door 5a instead of on one side surface of the first switching compartment door 5a, or the assist switch As2 may be provided on both one side surface and the other side surface of the first switching compartment door 5a.

[0062] <<Third embodiment>> FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the assist switch As3 provided on the first switching chamber door 5a of the third embodiment, as viewed obliquely from the front. In the third embodiment, the assist switch As3 is provided on one upper end edge of the first switching chamber door 5a so as to protrude laterally. Specifically, the assist switch push button 38 of the assist switch As3 is provided protruding from one side of the heat-insulating box 10 by a dimension s3.

[0063] When the user opens the first switching room door 5a forward, the user presses the pressing point 38a of the assist switch push button 38, which protrudes on one side of the insulated box body 10, backward (arrow α22 in Figure 16), thereby assisting in the opening of the first switching room door 5a forward. According to the third embodiment, the assist switch push button 38 can be configured so as not to protrude forward of the refrigerator 1. In addition, when the user opens the first switching compartment door 5a forward, the user can open it by pressing the pressing point 38a of the assist switch push button 38 backward (arrow α22 in Figure 16), so that the user's fingers will not get caught between the first switching compartment door 5a and the freezer compartment door 4a.

[0064] In the third embodiment, the assist switch push button 38 protrudes to one side, but the second assist switch push button 38 may protrude to the other side, as opposed to Fig. 16. Alternatively, the assist switch push button 38 may be provided on both one side and the other side.

[0065] <<Other embodiments>> 1. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified configurations, and various modifications and specific forms are possible within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Refrigerator 3a Ice room door (separate door) 4a Freezer door (separate door 5y First switching chamber container (storage case) 5a First switching room door (drawer door) 5b Outer plate 7 Outer edge plate (edge ​​member) 7u1 First rib (part of drawer door, structure) 7u2 Second rib (part of drawer door, structure) 7u3 Handle 8 Assist switch push button (operating part) 8m1 Face opposite the outer plate 8m2 Outer panel surface 9. Ejector pin (operating member mechanism) 10 Insulated box 12 Torsion coil spring (operating member mechanism) 12 Assist control switch on the box side (switch) 20 First link (operating member mechanism) 21 Second link (operating member mechanism) 28s Anti-slip

Claims

1. A heat-insulating box; A storage case accommodated in the heat-insulating box; and a heat-insulating drawer door to which the storage case is attached. The drawer door is The outer plate and An edge member disposed around the outer panel; an operating member provided in an extending direction of the edge member and movable rearward to activate the switch; The operating member has a surface opposite to the outer panel when viewed from the front of the drawer door, The pull-out door is pulled out toward the user in response to the operation of the switch caused by the rearward movement of the operating member, A handle portion is provided at the rear of the edge member and is low toward the outer panel side in a front view of the drawer door. A refrigerator characterized by:

2. In the refrigerator according to claim 1, There is another door on the opposite side of the handle to the outside panel. A refrigerator characterized by:

3. A heat-insulating box; A storage case accommodated in the heat-insulating box; and a heat-insulating drawer door to which the storage case is attached. The drawer door is The outer plate and An edge member disposed around the outer panel; an operating member provided in an extending direction of the edge member and movable rearward to activate the switch; The operating member has a surface opposite to the outer panel when viewed from the front of the drawer door, There is no other door on the opposite side of the outer panel of the operating member, A non-slip surface is provided on the surface of the operating member opposite the outer plate. A refrigerator characterized by:

4. In the refrigerator according to claim 1, The surface of the rear end of the operating member on the outer plate side or the surface opposite to the outer plate side is covered with a structure, The structure is a part of the edge member, and suppresses the force of the user's hand applied to the rear or lower rear side of the operating member from acting on the operating member. A refrigerator characterized by:

5. A heat-insulating box; A storage case accommodated in the heat-insulating box; and a heat-insulating drawer door to which the storage case is attached. The drawer door is The outer plate and An edge member disposed around the outer panel; an operating member provided in an extending direction of the edge member and movable rearward to activate the switch; The operating member has a surface opposite to the outer panel when viewed from the front of the drawer door, The drawer door is The upper end portion is provided with the operating member and a handle portion that is disposed near the operating member and on which a user places his / her hand when opening the drawer door. A refrigerator characterized by:

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