refrigerator

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator (100) comprising a housing (101) that constitutes a refrigerator compartment, and a door (111) that is rotatably attached to the housing, wherein the door is able to be converted between a mode in which the door opens and closes with the left end thereof as an axis, and a mode in which the door opens and closes with the right end thereof as an axis. The refrigerator comprises: an upper left metal member (131L) which is fixed to the top surface of the housing, on the left end thereof; an upper right metal member (131R) that is fixed to the top surface of the housing, on the right end thereof; an upper hinge pin (135) that is inserted into the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the top surface of the door; and a resin member (133) that is sandwiched between the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the upper hinge pin.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to refrigerator technology, and more particularly to door hinge technology. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, refrigerators have been known in which the refrigerator compartment door can be changed from a right-opening to a left-opening. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-64279 (Patent Document 1) discloses a refrigerator door opening and closing structure. According to Patent Document 1, the door opening direction can be easily changed to a left-opening direction by removing the hinge pin inserted into the mounting hole on the right side of the door and the through-hole of the right hinge holding member, and inserting the hinge pin into the mounting hole on the left side of the door and the through-hole of the left hinge holding member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-64279 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator whose door can be changed between a configuration in which the door is opened and closed around the left end portion as an axis and a configuration in which the door is opened and closed around the right end portion as an axis, and in which the distance between the left hinge position and the right hinge position can be easily manufactured accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator including a housing defining a refrigeration compartment and a door pivotably attached to the housing, the door being switchable between a configuration in which the door is opened and closed about an axis at its left end and a configuration in which the door is opened and closed about an axis at its right end. The refrigerator includes an upper-left metal member fixed to the left end of a top surface of the housing, an upper-right metal member fixed to the right end of the top surface of the housing, an upper hinge pin inserted into the upper-left metal member or the upper-right metal member and an upper surface of the door, and a resin member sandwiched between the upper-left metal member or the upper-right metal member and the upper hinge pin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator in which the door can be changed between a configuration in which it is opened and closed around the left end portion as an axis and a configuration in which it is opened and closed around the right end portion as an axis, and in which the distance between the left hinge position and the right hinge position can be easily manufactured accurately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a front upper perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment with the door swinging to the left and open. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment with the door opening to the right. [Figure 4] 1 is a front upper perspective view of a refrigerator with a hinge cover removed according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front upper perspective view of the vicinity of the upper right hinge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front-upper perspective view of the upper right hinge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of the upper right hinge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a front upper perspective view of the vicinity of the upper right hinge with the door in an open state according to the first embodiment; FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the left and right lower hinges according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing the right lower hinge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view showing the right lower hinge according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a front upper perspective view of the vicinity of the upper right hinge according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a right perspective view of the upper right hinge according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the upper right hinge according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a front-upper perspective view of the vicinity of the upper right hinge in a state where the rotating member has been slightly moved according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a front-upper perspective view of the vicinity of the upper right hinge in a state where the rotating member is inserted between the hinge pin and the resin member according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a front upper perspective view of the vicinity of the upper right hinge in a state in which the rotating member and the hinge pin are lifted up according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a rear upper perspective view of the vicinity of the upper right hinge according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a rear upper perspective view of the upper right hinge according to the third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the upper right hinge according to the third embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a rear upper perspective view of the vicinity of the upper right hinge in a state where the hinge pin is lifted according to the third embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a front and upper perspective view of the upper right hinge with the hinge pin raised according to the third embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a front upper perspective view of the vicinity of the upper right hinge according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the upper right hinge according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 13 is a front-upper perspective view of the vicinity of the upper right hinge with the door open according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. [First embodiment]

[0009] First, the overall configuration of refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Hereinafter, the upper side in Fig. 2 will be referred to as the upper side of refrigerator 100 and each component, the lower side in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the lower side of refrigerator 100 and each component, the right side in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the right side of refrigerator 100 and each component, the left side in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the left side of refrigerator 100 and each component, the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the front or front direction of refrigerator 100 and each component, and the back side of the paper in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the rear or back direction of refrigerator 100 and each component.

[0010] Refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment has refrigeration compartment 110 provided in the upper part of housing 101, and freezer compartment 120 provided in the lower part of housing 101. Refrigeration compartment door 111 is attached to the front of refrigeration compartment 110, and freezer compartment door 121 is attached to the front of freezer compartment 120. Inside refrigeration compartment 110 according to this embodiment, vegetable case 113 is arranged at the bottom thereof so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction.

[0011] In particular, refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment can easily switch between a state in which door 111 is opened and closed around its right end as an axis, as shown in Fig. 2, and a state in which door 111 is opened and closed around its left end as an axis, as shown in Fig. 3. The following describes a structure for attaching door 111 to housing 101. <Installation configuration for the top edge of the door>

[0012] 4, in this embodiment, upper left hinge 130L is provided at the left end of the upper part of the front surface of refrigeration compartment 110. More specifically, metal hinge holding plate 131L is fixed with a bolt to the left end of the front end of top surface 101T of metal casing 101 that constitutes refrigerator 100, and a hinge pin is pivotally supported in a hinge hole formed in hinge holding plate 131L.

[0013] Similarly, upper right hinge 130R is provided at the right end of the upper part of the front surface of refrigerator compartment 110. More specifically, metal hinge holding plate 131R is fixed with a bolt to the right end of the front end of top surface 101T of metal casing 101 that constitutes refrigerator 100, and a hinge pin is pivotally supported in a hinge hole formed in hinge holding plate 131R.

[0014] Thus, in this embodiment, the left hinge hole is formed in the metal hinge holding plate 131L, the right hinge hole is formed in the hinge holding plate 131L, and the two plates are positioned on the metal top surface 101T, so that the assembly precision of the spacing between the two hinge holes is high.

[0015] The configuration of the upper right hinge 130R will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 7. In this embodiment, the hinge holding plate 131R, the resin sleeve member 133R, and the head of the hinge pin 135 are arranged in this order from bottom to top.

[0016] In this embodiment, the hinge holding plate 131R is made of a metal plate. A rear half portion 131B of the hinge holding plate 131R is fixed to the right end of the front end of the top surface 101T by three bolts 132, 132, 132. A front half portion 131F of the hinge holding plate 131R is formed so as to be higher than the rear half portion 131B via a step 131M in the middle. A recess 131X recessed to the left is formed on the right side of the rear of the front half portion 131F. In other words, the hinge holding plate 131R extends forward from the left side of the center in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view and then bends to the right. A hinge hole 131S is formed in the right end of the front end of the front half portion 131F, and a pin hole 131T is formed to the left of that.

[0017] A resin sleeve member 133R is attached to the upper surface of the front end of the upper right hinge 130R. The resin sleeve member 133R is fixed to the front and right end of the hinge holding plate 131R by screws 134 that are screwed in from below the hinge holding plate 131R. A hinge hole 133S is also formed in the resin sleeve member 133R. The hinge hole 133S is formed in a cylindrical shape facing downward. In this manner, in this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the hinge hole 131S of the hinge holding plate 131R is covered by the cylindrical portion 133H. In other words, the hinge pin 135 is configured to rotate smoothly within the hinge hole 131S without the bottom surface of the head of the hinge pin 135 or the side surface of the body of the hinge pin 135 directly rubbing against the upper surface of the hinge holding plate 131R or the inner periphery of the hinge hole 131S. In other words, the resin sleeve member 133R is sandwiched between the metal hinge pin 135 and the metal hinge holding plate 131R.

[0018] In this embodiment, the resin sleeve member 133R has a rising portion 133X formed on the left side of the hinge hole 133S, and a slip-out prevention portion 133Y formed on the upper part of the rising portion 133X to the right rear.

[0019] In this embodiment, the head and the lower part of the body of the hinge pin 135 are D-cut. When the door 111 is closed, the hinge pin 135 is inserted into the hinge hole 131S with the cut part 135D aligned with the direction of the slip-out prevention part 133Y, and then inserted into the hinge hole 111TR at the right end of the top surface of the door 111. The hinge pin 135 rotates together with the door 111 as the door 111 opens and closes.

[0020] Because of this configuration, even if a user attempts to pull hinge pin 135 upward from hinge hole 131S with door 111 open, the uncut portion of hinge pin 135 hits the bottom surface of fall-out prevention portion 133Y, as shown in Fig. 8, and hinge pin 135 cannot be pulled out from resin sleeve member 133R, hinge holding plate 131R, or door 111. In other words, in this embodiment, hinge pin 135 cannot be removed from housing 101 or hinge holding plate 131R when door 111 is open.

[0021] Naturally, when the door 111 is closed, the hinge pin 135 can be pulled out without hitting the anti-slip portion 133Y in the same state as when the hinge pin 135 is inserted, i.e., with the cut portion 135D of the hinge pin 135 facing the front of the anti-slip portion 133Y.

[0022] The configuration of upper left hinge 130L is approximately symmetrical to that of upper right hinge 130R, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here. <Installation configuration for the bottom edge of the door>

[0023] 9, in this embodiment, lower left hinge 140L is provided at the left end of the lower part of the front surface of refrigeration compartment 110. More specifically, metal hinge holding plate 141L is fixed with a bolt to the left end of the front end of partition frame 103 provided in approximately the vertical center of housing 101 that constitutes refrigerator 100, and hinge pin 145 is pivotally supported in a hinge hole formed in hinge holding plate 141L.

[0024] Similarly, a right-bottom hinge 140R is provided at the right end of the lower part of the front surface of refrigeration compartment 110. More specifically, a metal hinge holding plate 141R is fixed with a bolt to the right end of the front end of partition frame 103 provided in approximately the center in the vertical direction of housing 101 that constitutes refrigerator 100, and a hinge pin 145 is pivotally supported in a hinge hole formed in hinge holding plate 141R.

[0025] 9 to 11, bolt holes 141H, 141H... are formed in the vertical surface of the rear part of right hinge holding plate 141R for fixing to the left end part of the front end part of partition frame 103 between refrigerator compartment 110 and freezer compartment 120. And, hinge hole 141S into which hinge pin 145 is inserted is formed in the horizontal surface of the front part of the right part of hinge holding plate 141R.

[0026] A resin cover 143R is attached to the upper surface of the hinge holding plate 141R. More specifically, the resin cover 143R covers the upper surface of the hinge holding plate 141R, the periphery of the side surfaces, and the inner peripheral surface of the hinge hole 141S. In other words, the resin cover 143R has a hinge hole 143S formed in a cylindrical shape downward in a portion corresponding to the hinge hole 141S of the hinge holding plate 141R.

[0027] This allows the metal hinge pin 145 to be pivotally supported in the hinge hole 141S via the resin cover 143R so as not to rub directly against the hinge hole 141S of the metal hinge holding plate 141L.

[0028] The portion of hinge holding plate 141R in front of hinge hole 141S is configured in an arc shape. In the present embodiment, abutment portion 143X having a substantially flat shape is formed in the portion of resin cover 143R that covers the portion in front of hinge hole 141S. As a result, even when door 111 is closed forcefully while opening with its left end portion pivoted, or when refrigerator 100 is transported with door 111 facing up, stopper 112R on the back surface of door 111 hits abutment portion 143X having a flat shape of resin cover 143R, and therefore the door is less likely to be damaged.

[0029] More specifically, if the front end of hinge hole 141S of hinge holding plate 141R or resin cover 143R is arc-shaped, stopper 112R on the back surface of door 111 and the front end portion come into point contact or line contact, which increases the likelihood of scratching or denting the front surface of resin cover 143R or the back surface of stopper 112R of door 111. In this embodiment, the front end portion of resin cover 143R is flat, which reduces the likelihood of scratching or denting the front surface of resin cover 143R or the back surface of door 111, as the back surface of door 111 and the front end portion come into surface contact.

[0030] The configuration of the lower left hinge is approximately symmetrical to lower right hinge 140R, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here. [Second embodiment]

[0031] Another embodiment will be described in which a resin sleeve member is sandwiched between the hinge pin 135 and the metal hinge holding plates 131L, 131R. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the hinge pin 135 can be easily pulled out from the resin sleeve member or the metal hinge holding plates 131L, 131R.

[0032] The configurations of hinge holding plates 131L, 131R and hinge pin 135 according to this embodiment are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. That is, in this embodiment as well, the left hinge hole is formed in metal hinge holding plate 131L, the right hinge hole is formed in hinge holding plate 131R, and these two plates are positioned on metal top surface 101T, so that the assembly precision of the spacing between these two hinge holes is high.

[0033] The configuration of the upper right hinge 230R will be described below with reference to Figures 12 to 14. In this embodiment, the hinge holding plate 131R, resin sleeve member 233R, rotating member 236R, and the head of the hinge pin 135 are arranged in this order from bottom to top.

[0034] A resin sleeve member 233R is disposed on the upper surface of the front end portion of the right hinge holding plate 131R. A hinge hole 233S is formed in the resin sleeve member 233R. The hinge hole 233S is formed in a cylindrical shape facing downward. In this manner, in this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 233H covers the inner peripheral surface of the hinge hole 131S of the hinge holding plate 131R. In other words, the hinge pin 135 is configured to smoothly rotate within the hinge hole 131S without the bottom surface of the head of the hinge pin 135 or the side surface of the body of the hinge pin 135 directly rubbing against the upper surface of the hinge holding plate 131R or the inner periphery of the hinge hole 131S. In other words, the resin sleeve member 233R is configured to be sandwiched between the metal hinge pin 135 and the metal hinge holding plate 131R.

[0035] In the present embodiment, a slide portion 233X is formed facing upward at the left end of the resin sleeve member 233R. The slide portion 233X is fixed to the front end of the hinge holding plate 131R by screws 134 that are inserted from below the hinge holding plate 131R, thereby fixing the resin sleeve member 233R to the front end of the hinge holding plate 131R.

[0036] A rotation member 236R is fitted into the slide portion 233X from above. The rotation member 236R is attached so as to be rotatable about the slide portion 233X as an axis and so as to be slidable in the up and down direction.

[0037] The rotation member 236R is formed with a slip-out prevention portion 236Y at a position higher than the head of the hinge pin 135 and extending rightward from the slide portion 233X.

[0038] The rotating member 236R is formed with a sharp portion 236X to be inserted from behind between the head of the hinge pin 135 and the resin sleeve member 233R. Further to the right of the sharp portion 236X, an operating portion 236W is formed for pinching or pushing the rotating member 236R with fingers.

[0039] In this embodiment, when door 111 is closed, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, an operator can push operating portion 236W forward toward cut portion 135D on the back surface of hinge pin 135. This allows sharp portion 236X to be inserted between the underside of the head of hinge pin 135 and the upper surface of resin sleeve member 233R, thereby pushing the head of hinge pin 135 upward. At the same time, rotation of rotating member 236R moves slip-out prevention portion 236Y forward, clearing the area above hinge pin 135.

[0040] In this embodiment, a slit 236V is formed in the vertical direction on the right portion of the rotating member 236R, i.e., between the slip-out prevention portion 236Y and the sharp portion 236X, and a convex portion 233V is formed on the right portion of the upper end of the slide portion 233X of the resin sleeve member 233R. As shown in Fig. 16, when the sharp portion 236X is inserted between the underside of the head of the hinge pin 135 and the upper surface of the resin sleeve member 233R, the slip-out prevention portion 236Y moves forward, there is no longer an obstacle above the hinge pin 135, and the convex portion 233V is positioned above the slit 236V.

[0041] In this state, as shown in FIG. 17, the rotating member 236R and the hinge pin 135 can be lifted up, and the hinge pin 135 can be pulled out from the hinge hole 111TR of the door 111 and the hinge holding plate 131R.

[0042] In this embodiment, when door 111 is open, even if an attempt is made to push operating unit 236W forward, front surface 236Z of operating unit 236W hits the uncut portion of hinge pin 135, preventing pivoting member 236R from pivoting. Therefore, slip-out prevention portion 236Y remains above hinge pin 135, preventing hinge pin 135 from being pulled out of resin sleeve member 233R, hinge holding plate 131R, or door 111. Furthermore, because protrusion 233V does not come to the top of slit 236V, pivoting member 236R cannot be pulled out of resin sleeve member 233R. In other words, when door 111 is open, door 111 cannot be removed from housing 101.

[0043] The configuration of the upper left hinge is approximately symmetrical to the upper right hinge 230R, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here. [Third embodiment]

[0044] In this embodiment, another configuration for making it easier to pull out the hinge pin 135 from the resin sleeve member or the metal hinge holding plates 131L, 131R will be described.

[0045] The configurations of the hinge holding plates 131L, 131 and the hinge pin 135 according to this embodiment are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. That is, also in this embodiment, the left hinge hole is formed in the metal hinge holding plate 131L, the right hinge hole is formed in the hinge holding plate 131L, and these two plates are positioned on the metal top surface 101T, so that the assembly precision of the spacing between the two hinge holes is high.

[0046] The configuration of the upper right hinge 130R will be described below with reference to Figures 18 to 20. In this embodiment, the hinge holding plate 131R, the resin sleeve member 333R, the gap member 336, and the head of the hinge pin 135 are arranged in this order from bottom to top.

[0047] A resin sleeve member 333R is disposed on the upper surface of the front end of the hinge holding plate 131R. A hinge hole 333S is formed in the resin sleeve member 333R. The hinge hole 333S is formed in a cylindrical shape facing downward. In this manner, in this embodiment, the inner peripheral surface of the hinge hole 131S of the hinge holding plate 131R is covered by the cylindrical portion 333H. In other words, the hinge pin 135 is configured to smoothly rotate within the hinge hole 131S without the bottom surface of the head of the hinge pin 135 or the side surface of the body of the hinge pin 135 directly rubbing against the upper surface of the hinge holding plate 131R or the inner periphery of the hinge hole 131S. In other words, the resin sleeve member 333R is configured to be sandwiched between the metal hinge pin 135 and the metal hinge holding plate 131R.

[0048] In the present embodiment, gap member 336 is sandwiched between the upper surface of resin sleeve member 333R and the bottom surface of the head of hinge pin 135. More specifically, gap member 336 is composed of bottom surface 336A, vertical portion 336B extending vertically upward from the left portion of bottom surface 336A, and top surface 336C extending horizontally from the upper end of vertical portion 336B toward hinge hole 131S. Top surface 336C is located at a higher position than hinge pin 135. With the right portion of bottom surface 336A sandwiched between the upper surface of resin sleeve member 333R and the bottom surface of the head of hinge pin 135, screw 334 is threaded from above into screw hole 336T of vertical portion 336B, thereby fastening gap member 336 to resin sleeve member 333R from above.

[0049] As a result, in this embodiment, an operator can remove the screw 334, lift the hinge pin 135 together with the gap member 336, and pull out the hinge pin 135 from the hinge hole 111TR of the door 111 and the hinge holding plate 131R.

[0050] More specifically, in this embodiment, the lower portion of the vertical portion 336B of the resin sleeve member 333R is recessed. Referring to Figures 21 and 22, after removing the screw 334, the worker pushes the left portion of the gap member 336 downward and, by using the principle of leverage, pushes up the right portion of the gap member 336, thereby lifting up the bottom surface of the head of the hinge pin 135, and then the hinge pin 135 can be pulled out from the hinge hole 111TR of the door 111 and the hinge holding plate 131R. Note that hinge pin 135 may have cut portion 135D, and upper surface 336C of gap member 336 may have the same positional relationship with respect to portion 135D as slip-out prevention portion 133Y of the first embodiment. This makes it possible to prevent hinge pin 135 from being removed from housing 101 or hinge holding plate 131R when door 111 is open.

[0051] The configuration of the upper left hinge is approximately symmetrical to the upper right hinge 330R, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here. [Fourth embodiment]

[0052] In addition to the above embodiment, it is possible to add an action of stabilizing the door 111 in a closed state by utilizing the D-cut hinge pin 135. For example, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, a pressing portion 433Z is formed in the right resin sleeve member 433R, which abuts against the cut portion 135D of the hinge pin 135 when the door 111 is closed. More specifically, it is preferable that the tip of the pressing portion 433Z presses the right portion of the surface of the cut portion 135D of the hinge pin 135 forward when the door 111 is closed.

[0053] 23 to 25, door 111 can be prevented from opening by itself when vibrations or the like are applied to door 111. Furthermore, when a user opens door 111, the resistance that occurs when pressing portion 433Z moves from cut portion 135D to an uncut portion can be felt by the user's hand, thereby reducing the chance of forgetting to close door 111.

[0054] Conversely, the left resin sleeve member 433L also has a pressing portion 433Z formed thereon that abuts against the D-cut portion of the hinge pin 135 when the door 111 is closed. More specifically, it is preferable that the tip of the pressing portion 433Z presses the left portion of the cut surface of the hinge pin 135 forward when the door 111 is closed. This reduces the possibility that the door 111 will open on its own or that the user will forget to close the door 111.

[0055] The configuration of the upper left hinge is approximately symmetrical to the upper right hinge 430R, and therefore description thereof will not be repeated here. [summary]

[0056] In the above embodiment, a refrigerator is provided that includes a housing that defines a refrigerating compartment and a door that is pivotally attached to the housing, and the door can be opened and closed between a configuration in which it is pivoted about its left end and a configuration in which it is pivoted about its right end. The refrigerator includes an upper-left metal member fixed to the left end of a top surface of the housing, an upper-right metal member fixed to the right end of the top surface of the housing, an upper hinge pin that is inserted into the upper-left metal member or the upper-right metal member and an upper surface of the door, and a resin member that is sandwiched between the upper-left metal member or the upper-right metal member and the upper hinge pin.

[0057] Preferably, the resin member includes a first member sandwiched between the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the upper hinge pin, and a second member that rotates horizontally. The second member is formed with a pointed portion that is inserted between the head of the upper hinge pin and the first member, and an operating portion for rotating the second member.

[0058] Preferably, the hinge assembly further includes a clamping member that is inserted between the head of the upper hinge pin and the resin member and is screwed to the resin member.

[0059] Preferably, the upper hinge pin is D-cut. The resin member has a retaining portion formed in a portion that is located above the upper hinge pin when the door is open.

[0060] Preferably, the upper hinge pin is D-cut. A holding portion is formed in the resin member to hold down the D-cut portion from the horizontal direction when the door is closed.

[0061] Preferably, the refrigerator further includes a lower hinge pin that rotatably supports the left or right end of the lower end of the door, a lower left metal member and a lower right metal member that are fixed to the front of the housing and pivotally support the lower hinge pin, a left cover member that covers the lower left metal member and has a substantially flat shape in a position opposite the back surface of the door, and a right cover member that covers the lower right metal member.

[0062] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 100: Refrigerator 101: Housing 101T: Top 103: Divider frame 110: Refrigerator 111: Door 111TR: Hinge hole 112R: Stopper 113: Vegetable case 120: Freezer 121: Door 130L: Upper left hinge 130R: Upper right hinge 131L: Hinge retaining plate 131R: Hinge retaining plate 131B: Second half 131F: First half 131M: Step 131S: Hinge hole 131T: Pin hole 131X: Recess 132: Bolt 133H: Cylindrical part 133L: Resin sleeve material 133R: Resin sleeve material 133S: Hinge hole 133X: Rising section 133Y: Anti-slip part 133Z: Pressure area 134: Screw 135: Hinge pin 135D: Part 140L: Lower left hinge 140R: Lower right hinge 141H: Bolt hole 141L: Hinge retaining plate 141R: Hinge retaining plate 141S: Hinge hole 143R: Resin cover 143X: Contact part 230R: Upper right hinge 233H: Cylindrical part 233R: Resin sleeve material 233S: Hinge hole 233V: Convex part 233X: Slide part 236R: Rotating member 236V: Slit 236W:Operation unit 236X: Sharp part 236Y: Anti-slip part 236Z:Front 330R: Upper right hinge 333H: Cylindrical part 333R: Resin sleeve material 333S: Hinge hole 334: Screw 336: Gap members 336A: Bottom 336B: Vertical section 336C:Top surface 336T: screw hole 430R: Upper right hinge 433R: Resin sleeve material 433Z: Pressing part

Claims

1. A housing that forms a refrigeration compartment; a door pivotably attached to the housing, The refrigerator is capable of changing the door between a state in which the door is opened and closed around a left end portion as an axis and a state in which the door is opened and closed around a right end portion as an axis, an upper left metal member fixed to the left end of the top surface of the housing; an upper right metal member fixed to the right end of the top surface of the housing; an upper hinge pin inserted into the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the top surface of the door; a resin member sandwiched between the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the upper hinge pin, The resin member is a first member sandwiched between the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the upper hinge pin; a second member that rotates horizontally; The second member is formed with a tip that is inserted between the head of the upper hinge pin and the first member, and an operating portion for rotating the second member.

2. A housing that forms a refrigeration compartment; a door pivotably attached to the housing, The refrigerator is capable of changing the door between a state in which the door is opened and closed around a left end portion as an axis and a state in which the door is opened and closed around a right end portion as an axis, an upper left metal member fixed to the left end of the top surface of the housing; an upper right metal member fixed to the right end of the top surface of the housing; an upper hinge pin inserted into the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the top surface of the door; a resin member sandwiched between the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the upper hinge pin, The refrigerator further includes a clamping member that is inserted between a head of the upper hinge pin and the resin member and is screwed to the resin member.

3. A housing that forms a refrigeration compartment; a door pivotably attached to the housing, The refrigerator is capable of changing the door between a state in which the door is opened and closed around a left end portion as an axis and a state in which the door is opened and closed around a right end portion as an axis, an upper left metal member fixed to the left end of the top surface of the housing; an upper right metal member fixed to the right end of the top surface of the housing; an upper hinge pin inserted into the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the top surface of the door; a resin member sandwiched between the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the upper hinge pin, The upper hinge pin is D-cut, The resin member has a retaining portion formed in a portion that is located above the upper hinge pin when the door is open.

4. A housing constituting a refrigeration compartment; a door pivotably attached to the housing, The refrigerator is capable of changing the door between a state in which the door is opened and closed around a left end portion as an axis and a state in which the door is opened and closed around a right end portion as an axis, an upper left metal member fixed to the left end of the top surface of the housing; an upper right metal member fixed to the right end of the top surface of the housing; an upper hinge pin inserted into the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the top surface of the door; a resin member sandwiched between the upper left metal member or the upper right metal member and the upper hinge pin, The upper hinge pin is D-cut, The refrigerator has a holding portion formed in the resin member for holding down the D-cut portion from a horizontal direction when the door is closed.

5. a lower hinge pin that rotatably supports the left or right end of the lower end of the door; a lower left metal member and a lower right metal member fixed to the front surface of the housing for pivotally supporting the lower hinge pin; The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a left cover member that covers the lower left metal member and has a substantially planar shape at a position opposite the back surface of the door; and a right cover member that covers the lower right metal member.

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