refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of corresponding to various product size while ensuring heat insulation properties.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 100 made by assembling a plurality of panels P, includes a projecting portion 10 in which a connection structure X interposed between adjacent panels P is provided on a side part of one panel P, a recessed portion 20 that is provided on a side part of the other panel P, and an elastically deformable clip member 30 that is attached to the recessed portion 20. The projecting portion 10 is configured to be locked to the recessed portion 20 through a clip member 30, and the projecting portion 10 and the recessed portion 20 are partially provided on the side parts of the panels P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Recently, refrigerators have been developed in a variety of models with different heights, widths, or depths to meet the diversifying needs of users.

[0003] In this situation, if a conventional integrated cabinet is used and a variety of cabinet sizes are to be developed, a mold facility is required for each size.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a refrigerator configured by assembling a plurality of panels. With such a configuration, it is possible to accommodate a variety of product sizes by changing the size of the panels.

[0005] Specifically, the refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1 employs a structure for connecting panels in which a convex frame member is provided across the entire width of one panel and a concave frame member is provided across the entire width of the other panel, with a connecting member as an elastic body interposed between the convex frame member and the concave frame member. As a result, when the convex frame member is fitted into the concave frame member, the elastic force of the connecting member biases the convex frame member toward the concave frame member and fixes them in place.

[0006] However, if the convex or concave frame material is provided across the entire width in this manner, it will not be possible to fill the areas where the convex or concave frame material is provided with urethane, resulting in a decrease in heat insulation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-168820 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems at once, and its main objective is to provide a refrigerator that can accommodate a variety of product sizes while ensuring insulation properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In other words, the refrigerator according to the present invention is a refrigerator formed by assembling a plurality of panels, and the connecting structure interposed between adjacent panels has a convex portion provided on an edge of one of the panels, a concave portion provided on an edge of the other panel, and an elastically deformable clip member attached to the concave portion, and the convex portion is configured to engage with the concave portion via the clip member, and the convex portion and the concave portion are partially provided on the edge portion of the panel.

[0010] In a refrigerator configured in this manner, the convex and concave portions are partially provided on the sides of the panel, so that the parts of the sides of the panel where the convex and concave portions are not provided can be filled with insulating material such as urethane. This ensures better heat insulation than a configuration in which convex and concave portions are provided across the entire width of the side portions, and also makes it possible to accommodate a wide variety of product sizes. Furthermore, the panels can be assembled by fitting together the convex and concave parts provided on the sides of adjacent panels, so the panels can be assembled with little force without using tools or the like without damaging the appearance, and yet strong bonding strength can be obtained. Furthermore, the protrusions are simply engaged with the clip members, and in some cases, the assembled panel can be removed.

[0011] It is preferable that the clip member is attached to the recess by being pushed into the recess, and that the hooking portion provided at the tip of the clip member is configured to hook onto the hooked portion provided at the bottom of the recess. With this configuration, the clip member can be attached to the recess simply by pushing the clip member into the recess, which is easy to work with.

[0012] It is preferable that the connection structure has a second hooking portion provided on one of the outer surface of the convex portion or the inner surface of the clip member, and a second hooked portion provided on the other of the outer surface of the convex portion or the inner surface of the clip member with which the second hooking portion engages, and that when the convex portion is fitted into the clip member, the clip member elastically deforms, and when the second hooking portion engages with the second hooked portion, the shape of the clip member is restored. With this configuration, the clip member returns to its original position after the second hooking portion engages with the second hooked portion, so the assembled panels cannot be easily separated from each other.

[0013] It is preferable that the clip member is detachable from the recess. With this configuration, even if the panel is assembled incorrectly, the work can be redone.

[0014] It is preferable that the clip member be broken when a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied, thereby allowing the one panel and the other panel to be separated. With this configuration, the panel can be removed without damaging it by breaking the relatively inexpensive and replaceable clip member.

[0015] It is preferable that a second recess or a second protrusion is provided on both sides or one side of the recess in the width direction, and the other second recess or second protrusion is provided on both sides or one side of the protrusion in the width direction, and that these second recess and second protrusion are fitted together, and that the inside of the second protrusion is filled with insulating material. With this configuration, the assembly strength and heat insulation properties can be further improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that can accommodate a variety of product sizes while ensuring thermal insulation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] Schematic diagrams showing the configuration of a refrigerator before and after assembly in this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a connection structure in the embodiment. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of convex portions and concave portions in the embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of convex portions and concave portions in the embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a clip member in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 shows one example of a procedure for connecting panels using the connection structure in the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 shows one example of a procedure for connecting panels using the connection structure in the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 shows one aspect of a method for assembling a refrigerator using the connection structure in the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 shows one aspect of a method for assembling a refrigerator using the connection structure in the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a second recess in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment is an assembly type that is assembled using a plurality of panels P. The panels P are insulated by sealing in a heat insulating material such as urethane, and a plurality of panels P are prepared in advance in sizes corresponding to the size of the interior of the refrigerator.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 100 is characterized by a connection structure X that is interposed between adjacent panels P and connects these panels P, which will be described in detail below.

[0021] The connecting structure X temporarily fastens adjacent panels P, and in this embodiment is provided between each pair of adjacent panels P. However, the connecting structure X does not necessarily have to be provided between all of the panels P, and adjacent panels P may be connected using appropriate fasteners such as screws or bolts in addition to the connecting structure X.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the connection structure X of this embodiment has a convex portion 10 provided on an edge of one of adjacent panels P, a concave portion 20 provided on an edge of the other panel P, and an elastically deformable clip member 30 attached to the concave portion 20. Each part will be explained below.

[0023] <Protrusion 10> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the protrusion 10 protrudes from one panel P toward the other panel P, and is attached to a recess 20 to be described later and engage with a clip member 30.

[0024] This protrusion 10 is integrally formed with the side of one panel P and protrudes from the surface Pa of the side of one panel P facing the other panel P (in other words, the surface Pa with which the other panel P comes into contact when assembled).

[0025] 4, the protrusions 10 of this embodiment are provided partially on the side of one panel P, and here, a plurality of protrusions 10 are provided intermittently. Note that it is not necessary to provide a plurality of protrusions 10, and one protrusion 10 may be provided on the side.

[0026] <Recess 20> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the recess 20 is formed by recessing one panel P in a direction away from the other panel P, and forms an attachment space 20S in which a clip member 30 (described later) is attached.

[0027] This recess 20 is formed by recessing the surface Pb of the side of the other panel P that faces the one panel P (in other words, the surface Pb that comes into contact with the one panel P when assembled).

[0028] 4, the recesses 20 of this embodiment are provided partially on the other panel P, and here, a plurality of recesses 20 are provided intermittently. That is, these recesses 20 are provided on the side of the other panel P at positions corresponding to the above-mentioned protrusions 10 on the side of one panel P. Note that, like the protrusions 10, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of recesses 20, and one recess 20 may be provided on the side.

[0029] <Clip member 30> As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the clip member 30 is an elastically deformable member that is attached to the recess 20 described above, and in this case, it is seated in the counterbore 21 formed at the opening of the recess 20 described above.

[0030] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the opening of recess 20 is wider than the back side (bottom side), and the resulting step is formed as the above-mentioned countersunk portion 21. The base end portion 31 of clip member 30 is shaped to fit into this countersunk portion 21 without any play or with a slight gap, and here it has the shape of a rectangular frame into which the above-mentioned protrusion 10 can be inserted (see Fig. 5).

[0031] 5, this clip member 30 extends from a base end 31 and has a pair of clamping portions 32 that clamp and hold the inserted protrusion 10. The pair of clamping portions 32 are bifurcated and can be separated from each other while elastically deforming, and the tip ends 33 are free ends.

[0032] The tip 33 of this clip member 30, that is, the tip 33 of the clipping portion 32, is provided with a hooking portion 331 that hooks onto the hooked portion 22 formed on the bottom of the recess 20 described above.

[0033] More specifically, the hooked portions 22 are formed by cutting out the inner surface 23 at the bottom of the recess 20, as shown in Fig. 3, and the hooking portions 331 protrude from the outer surface at the tip 33 of the clip member 30, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. These hooked portions 22 and hooking portions 331 constitute the connection structure X of this embodiment. Here, a pair of hooked portions 22 is provided on each of the inner surfaces 23 facing each other at the bottom of the recess 20, and a pair of hooking portions 331 is provided on each of the outer surfaces facing opposite each other at the tip 33 of the clip member 30.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, a second hooking portion 35 is provided on the inner surface 34 of the clip member 30, in other words, on the opposing surface 34 of the pair of clamping portions 32 described above, and a second hooking portion 11 that hooks onto this second hooking portion 35 is provided on the outer surface 12 of the above-mentioned protrusion 10.

[0035] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the second hooked portion 35 is formed by cutting out the opposing surface 34 of the clamping portion 32, and the second hooking portion 11 protrudes from a location on the outer surface 12 of the protrusion 10 that faces the clamping portion 32, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The second hooked portion 35 and the second hooking portion 11 constitute the connection structure X of this embodiment.

[0036] 2 and 5, a tapered guide surface 36 that gradually widens from the second hooked portion 35 toward the base end 31 is interposed between the second hooked portion 35 and the base end 31 of the clip member 30. With this configuration, when the protrusion 10 is inserted into the clip member 30, the second hooking portion 11 formed at the tip of the protrusion 10 moves toward the second hooked portion 35 along the guide surface 36 while pushing apart the pair of clamping portions 32.

[0037] The procedure for connecting a pair of panels P using this connecting structure X will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0038] 6, clip member 30 is pushed into recess 20, causing hooking portion 331 provided at tip 33 of clip member 30 to hook onto hooked portion 22 provided at the bottom of recess 20, thereby attaching clip member 30 to recess 20. Note that clip member 30 of this embodiment is designed to break when a force greater than a predetermined level is applied, thereby allowing one panel P and the other panel P to be separated.

[0039] 7, the protrusion 10 is fitted into the clip member 30. As a result, the second hooking portion 11 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 10 is pushed into the pair of clamping portions 32 while spreading them apart, and is hooked onto the second hooked portions 35 provided on these clamping portions 32. This causes the shape of the clip member 30 to be restored.

[0040] In this way, the clip members 30 are attached to the recessed portions 20, and the protruding portions 10 are fitted into and fixed to the clip members 30, thereby connecting the pair of panels P together.

[0041] In this manner, the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment is assembled by sequentially connecting the multiple panels P. The order in which the multiple panels P are assembled is not particularly limited, but an example thereof may be a procedure in which the lower interior is assembled first and then the upper interior is assembled, in consideration of workability, as shown in Figs.

[0042] Here, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 10, the connection structure X of this embodiment further includes a second convex portion 40 provided on both sides or one side of the convex portion 10 in the width direction, and a second recessed portion 50 provided on both sides or one side of the recessed portion 20 in the width direction.

[0043] The second protrusion 40 is provided at a different location on the side of one panel P from the above-mentioned protrusion 10, and like the protrusion 10, it protrudes from the surface Pa of the side of one panel P that faces the other panel P (in other words, the surface Pa that comes into contact with the other panel P when assembled). The second protrusions 40 of this embodiment are elongated and at least longer than the protrusions 10, and here, a plurality of second protrusions 40 are provided on one side. As shown in Fig. 10, the second protrusions 40 are filled with a heat insulating material 41 such as urethane.

[0044] The second recess 50 is provided at a different location on the edge of the panel P from the recess 20 described above, and like the recess 20, is formed by recessing the surface Pb facing the one panel P on the edge of the other panel P (in other words, the surface Pb with which the one panel P comes into contact when assembled). The second recesses 50 of this embodiment are elongated and at least longer than the recesses 20, and here, a plurality of second recesses 50 are provided on one side.

[0045] According to the refrigerator 100 configured in this manner, the convex portions 10 and the concave portions 20 are partially provided on the sides of the panel P, so that the parts of the sides of the panel P where the convex portions 10 and the concave portions 20 are not provided can be filled with insulating material such as urethane. This ensures better heat insulation than a configuration in which the protrusions 10 and recesses 20 are provided over the entire width of the side portions, and also makes it possible to accommodate a wide variety of product sizes. Furthermore, the panels P can be assembled by fitting together the convex parts 10 and the concave parts 20 provided on the sides of the adjacent panels P, so that the panels P can be assembled with a light force without using tools or the like without impairing the appearance, and a strong joining force can be obtained. Furthermore, the protrusions 10 are simply engaged with the clip members 30, and in some cases, the assembled panel P can be removed.

[0046] Furthermore, the hooking portion 331 provided at the tip 33 of the clip member 30 is configured to hook onto the hooked portion 22 provided at the bottom of the recess 20, so that the clip member 30 can be attached to the recess 20 simply by pushing the clip member 30 into the recess 20, which improves workability.

[0047] Furthermore, by fitting the protrusion 10 into the clip member 30, the second hooking portion 11 engages with the second hooked portion 35 while the clip member 30 elastically deforms, and this engagement causes the clip member 30 to restore its original shape, resulting in a structure in which the assembled panels P cannot be easily detached from each other.

[0048] Furthermore, the clip member 30 breaks when a force greater than a predetermined level is applied, thereby allowing one panel P and the other panel P to be separated. Therefore, by breaking the clip member 30, which is relatively inexpensive and replaceable, the panel P can be removed without being damaged.

[0049] In addition, since the interior of the second protrusion 40 is filled with a heat insulating material, the assembly strength and heat insulating properties can be further improved.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0051] For example, in the above embodiment, the hooking portion 11 is provided on the outer surface 12 of the convex portion 10, and the hookable portion 22 is provided on the inner surface 34 of the clip member 30 (the opposing surface 34 of the clamping portion 32), but the hookable portion 22 such as a notch may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 10, and the hooking portion 11 such as a protrusion may be provided on the inner surface 34 of the clip member 30 (the opposing surface 34 of the clamping portion 32).

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the second hooking portion 11 is provided on the outer surface 12 at the tip of the convex portion 10, and the second hookable portion 35 is provided on the inner surface 23 at the bottom of the concave portion 20, but the second hookable portion 35 may be provided on the outer surface 12 at the tip of the convex portion 10, and the second hookable portion 11 may be provided on the inner surface 23 at the bottom of the concave portion 20.

[0053] Furthermore, during assembly in the above embodiment, the clip member 30 is attached to the recess 20 and the protrusion 10 is fitted into the clip member 30, but a configuration may also be adopted in which the clip member 30 is attached to the protrusion 10 and the protrusion 10 can be fitted into the recess 20 together with the clip member 30.

[0054] The clip member 30 in the above embodiment is designed to break when a predetermined force is applied, thereby allowing one panel P and the other panel P to be separated, but the clip member 30 may also be one that can be attached and detached to the recess 20 without breaking. In this way, even if you make a mistake in assembling the panel P, you can redo the work.

[0055] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100... Refrigerator P... Panel X Connection structure 10 Convex part 11 Second hook 12...outer surface Pa...face 20 recess 21 Counterbore 22...Caught part 23 Inner surface Pb...plane 30 Clip member 31...Proximal end 32 Clamping part 33...Tip 34 Inner surface (opposing surface) 35 Second hook 36 Guide surface 40 Second protrusion 50 Second recess

Claims

1. A refrigerator formed by assembling a plurality of panels, A connecting structure interposed between adjacent panels is a protrusion provided on a side of one of the panels; a recess provided on a side portion of the other panel; a clip member that is elastically deformable and attached to the recess; The clip member is attached to the recess by being pressed into the recess, The protrusion is configured to be engaged with the recess via the clip member by inserting and fitting the protrusion between a pair of opposing inner surfaces of the clip member, The refrigerator is characterized in that the convex portion and the concave portion are partially provided on the side portion of the panel.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a hook portion provided at a tip of the clip member is configured to be hooked onto a hooked portion provided at a bottom of the recess.

3. The connection structure is a second hook portion provided on one of the outer surface of the protrusion or the inner surface of the clip member; a second hooked portion provided on the other of the outer surface of the protrusion or the inner surface of the clip member, with which the second hooking portion engages; The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the clip member is elastically deformed by fitting the convex portion into the clip member, and the shape of the clip member is restored by engaging the second hooking portion with the second hooked portion.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the clip member is detachable from the recess.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the clip member is broken when a force equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied, thereby allowing the one panel and the other panel to be separated.

6. a second recess or a second protrusion is provided on either one or both sides of the recess in the width direction, the other of the second recess or the second protrusion is provided on one or both sides in the width direction of the protrusion, The refrigerator according to claim 1 , wherein the second recess and the second protrusion are fitted together, and the second protrusion is filled with a heat insulating material.

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