refrigerator

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator capable of suppressing the gap between a door body and a handle portion.　This refrigerator has: a housing having an opening in the front; a rectangular plate-shaped door body that opens and closes the opening; and a handle portion that is fixed to the mounting surface of the door body. This refrigerator is also equipped with an action mechanism that exerts force so that the edge of the front wall of the handle portion on the side of the mounting surface of the door body approaches the mounting surface of the door body.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-017919, filed on February 8, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, refrigerators have been disclosed that have handles on the side surfaces of their doors (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, a handle portion is provided on the left end surface of the right door body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-178055 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If a gap occurs between the door body and the handle, there is a risk that foreign matter such as dust may get into this gap.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator that can reduce the gap between the door body and the handle portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A refrigerator according to one embodiment comprises a housing having an opening at the front, a rectangular plate-shaped door body for opening and closing the opening, a handle portion fixed to a side surface of the door body, and an action mechanism that applies a force to one end of the door body on the side surface side of the front wall of the handle portion so that it approaches the side surface of the door body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the handle portion and the operating mechanism of the refrigerator. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the handle portion and the operating mechanism. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a handle portion and an action mechanism in a refrigerator according to a modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an action mechanism in the refrigerator according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a handle portion and an action mechanism in a refrigerator according to a modification of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a handle portion and an action mechanism in a refrigerator according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the following embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) A refrigerator 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] The refrigerator 1 includes a rectangular box-shaped housing 2 having an opening 20 on one side, and a pair of upper doors 21R and a pair of lower doors 21F for opening and closing the opening 20 of the housing 2. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the housing 2 is defined as the up-down direction (third direction), the lateral direction of the housing 2 is defined as the left-right direction (first direction), and the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-right direction is defined as the front-rear direction (second direction) (see FIG. 1). However, these directions are defined for the convenience of explanation and are not intended to limit the directions during use.

[0012] The housing 2 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box with an opening 20 on the front. The housing 2 defines a storage compartment therein. The storage compartment is vertically divided by a bottom plate. Specifically, the interior of the housing 2 is divided by the bottom plate into an upper first storage compartment and a lower second storage compartment. In the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the first storage compartment is a so-called refrigeration compartment, and the internal temperature is kept at, for example, about 4°C. The second storage compartment is a so-called freezer compartment, and the internal temperature is kept at, for example, about -18°C.

[0013] The pair of upper doors 21R are connected to the housing 2 via hinges and are configured to open and close the first storage chamber. The pair of upper doors 21R are so-called double doors (French doors) and have a right door body 21RR and a left door body 21RL. The first storage chamber can be fully opened or fully closed by the right door body 21RR and the left door body 21RL.

[0014] The pair of lower doors 21F are connected to the housing 2 via hinges and are configured to open and close the second storage chamber. The pair of lower doors 21F are so-called double doors (French doors) and have a right door body 21FR and a left door body 21FL. The second storage chamber can be fully opened or fully closed by the pair of lower doors 21F.

[0015] The right door body 21RR of the pair of upper doors 21R and the right door body 21FR of the pair of lower doors 21F have the same configuration. Furthermore, the left door body 21RL of the pair of upper doors 21R and the left door body 21FL of the pair of lower doors 21F have the same configuration. Details of the pair of upper doors 21R and the pair of lower doors 21F will be described later. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 1, the pair of upper doors 21R and the pair of lower doors 21F are each double-doors, but one or both of the upper door 21R and the lower door 21F may be single-doors (right-doors or left-doors).

[0016] The refrigerator 1 is equipped with a cooling mechanism that cools the air in the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment. The cooling mechanism is configured to cool the air in the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment by utilizing the heat of vaporization generated when the refrigerant is vaporized. The cooling mechanism includes a compressor, an evaporator, a blower, etc.

[0017] The compressor is disposed in the housing 2. Specifically, the compressor is disposed in a recess formed at the rear end and bottom end of the housing 2, and is separated from the internal space of the housing 2. The compressor compresses the refrigerant to convert it into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas. The refrigerant output from the compressor is sent to the evaporator via a condenser and a capillary tube. The condenser converts the high-temperature, high-pressure vaporized refrigerant sent from the compressor into a room-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant by dissipating heat. The capillary tube limits the flow rate of the liquid refrigerant to facilitate evaporation of the refrigerant.

[0018] The evaporator expands and vaporizes the liquid refrigerant sent from the capillary tube. The heat of vaporization generated when the liquid refrigerant evaporates cools the air around the evaporator. The refrigerant vaporized by the evaporator is sent to the compressor, where it is compressed again. The evaporator is located, for example, behind the second storage chamber. The air cooled by the evaporator is circulated through the first and second storage chambers by a blower.

[0019] The configuration of the pair of upper doors 21R will be described. Note that the pair of upper doors 21R and the pair of lower doors 21F have the same configuration, so the pair of upper doors 21R will be described in detail, and a description of the pair of lower doors 21F will be omitted.

[0020] In the following description, the pair of upper doors 21R will be described as fully closing the opening 20 of the housing 2.

[0021] The right door member 21RR of the pair of upper doors 21R is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The right door member 21RR has a recess 211 formed in a side plate that faces the left door member 21RL in the left-right direction. The recess 211 is formed so as to be recessed toward the right. The recess 211 is formed in a groove shape that extends in the up-down direction. A user can open the right door member 21RR by placing a hand on the recess 211 and pulling it forward.

[0022] Next, the left door 21RL will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. In the following description, the direction along the left front and right rear is defined as the X direction, and the direction along the left rear and right front is defined as the Y direction (see Figure 4).

[0023] The left door 21RL is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and the handle portion 4 is fixed thereto.

[0024] The left door body 21RL has a frame body 30, a front panel 31, and a handle fixing portion 32.

[0025] The frame body 30 is formed in a rectangular frame shape with its longitudinal direction extending vertically, and is open at its front and rear. The front plate 31 is formed in a rectangular plate shape with its longitudinal direction extending vertically, and is provided to close the front of the frame body 30. The left door body 21FL also has a rear plate provided to close the rear of the frame body 30. The rear plate is formed in a rectangular plate shape with its longitudinal direction extending vertically. A thermal insulator is provided in the space surrounded by the frame body 30, the front plate 31, and the rear plate. The thermal insulator is, for example, a foam material such as rigid urethane foam, and is filled in the space formed by the frame body 30, the front plate 31, and the rear plate. In addition to its thermal insulation function, the thermal insulator also functions as an adhesive.

[0026] The front plate 31 has an inclined portion 311 formed along the X direction. The inclined portion 311 is formed so as to continue from the right end of the front surface of the front plate 31, and is inclined to the right from the right end of the front surface toward the rear. In other words, a mounting surface 312, which is the surface of the inclined portion 311, is continuous with the front surface of the front plate 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the inclined portion 311 has a plurality of rail insertion holes 313 and a plurality of screw insertion holes 314 formed therein.

[0027] The rail insertion holes 313 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each rail insertion hole 313 is a rectangular through-hole that penetrates the inclined portion 311. A rail portion 322 formed on the handle fixing portion 32 arranged on the back surface of the inclined portion 311 is inserted into each rail insertion hole 313 (see FIG. 4).

[0028] The plurality of screw insertion holes 314 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each screw insertion hole 314 is a circular through-hole that penetrates the inclined portion 311. A screw 61 is inserted into each screw insertion hole 314 to fix the handle portion 4, which is disposed on the surface (mounting surface 312) of the inclined portion 311, to the left door body 21RL.

[0029] The handle fixing portion 32 is disposed on the rear surface of the inclined portion 311. The handle fixing portion 32 has a main body portion 321, a plurality of rail portions 322, and a plurality of screw holes 323.

[0030] The main body 321 is formed in a rectangular plate shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. The main body 321 faces the rear surface of the inclined portion 311.

[0031] The rail portions 322 are formed to protrude in the Y direction from one surface of the main body 321 that faces the inclined portion 311. The rail portions 322 are formed side by side at predetermined intervals in the up-down direction. The rail portions 322 protrude from the inclined portion 311 through rail insertion holes 313 formed in the inclined portion 311.

[0032] Each rail portion 322 has a base portion 3221, a first protrusion 3222, and a second protrusion 3223. The base portion 3221 is formed in a rectangular shape and protrudes from the main body portion 321 in the Y direction. The first protrusion 3222 protrudes from the tip of the base portion 3221 toward the left front in the X direction. The second protrusion 3223 protrudes from the tip of the base portion 3221 toward the right rear in the X direction. A space is formed between the main body portion 321 and the first protrusion 3222. In addition, a space is formed between the main body portion 321 and the second protrusion 3223. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 3222 and the second protrusion 3223 are formed so that the dimension of the gap between the main body portion 321 and the first protrusion 3222 is smaller than the dimension of the gap between the main body portion 321 and the second protrusion 3223. In other words, the space between the main body 321 and the first protrusion 3222 is smaller than the space between the main body 321 and the second protrusion 3223.

[0033] The handle fixing portion 32 also has a plurality of protrusions 324 that protrude in the Y direction from one surface of the main body portion 321 on the opposite side. Each protrusion 324 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a screw hole 323 that opens into one surface of the main body portion 321 is formed therein. The screw hole 323 is a bottomed hole with a screw groove formed on the inner peripheral surface. Each screw hole 323 is continuous with a screw insertion hole 314 formed in the inclined portion 311.

[0034] Each protrusion 324 protrudes toward the left rear from the other surface of the main body 321. Specifically, each protrusion 324 protrudes in a direction inclined toward the left front from the normal to the main body 321. In other words, the angle formed between the surface of the main body 321 in front of the protrusion 324 and the protrusion 324 is an acute angle.

[0035] The handle fixing portion 32 is temporarily fixed to the rear surface of the inclined portion 311 with an adhesive material such as tape, and is fixed to the rear surface of the inclined portion 311 by filling the inside of the frame body 30 with a heat insulating material.

[0036] The handle portion 4 is attached to the mounting surface 312 of the inclined portion 311. The handle portion 4 is formed in a hollow rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. The handle portion 4 has a front wall 41 and a rear wall 42. The front wall 41 is a flat surface along the Y direction, while the rear wall 42 is curved so that its center approaches the front wall 41 to make it easier for the user to grip with their fingers. In addition, a plurality of screw holes 421 are formed in the rear wall 42. The plurality of screw holes 421 are formed in a line at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Screws 62 are fitted into the screw holes 421 to fix the fixing piece 50, which will be described later, to the handle portion 4.

[0037] The handle portion 4 has an opening 43 formed on a surface thereof facing the mounting surface 312. The opening 43 is formed from the upper end to the lower end of the surface of the handle portion 4 facing the mounting surface 312. A plurality of rail portions 322 protruding from the inclined portion 311 pass through the opening 43. Specifically, the width of the opening 43 is slightly larger than the width of the base portion 3221 of the rail portion 322 and smaller than the distance between the tip of the first protrusion 3222 and the tip of the second protrusion 3223. The handle portion 4 is provided on the left door 21RL so that the base portion 3221 is inserted through the opening 43 and the edge of the opening 43 fits into the space between the first protrusion 3222 and the main body portion 321 and the space between the second protrusion 3223 and the main body portion 321. For example, the handle portion 4 is attached to the left door body 21RL by being moved in the vertical direction from one end side of the opening 43 in the vertical direction so that the plurality of rail portions 322 are inserted in order.

[0038] The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment includes an action mechanism 5. The action mechanism 5 is configured to apply a force to the front wall 41 of the handle portion 4, the end 411 of which faces the mounting surface 312 of the left door body 21RL, so that the end 411 approaches the mounting surface 312 of the left door body 21RL. In this embodiment, the action mechanism 5 includes a fixing piece 50 and a screw 61.

[0039] The fixing piece 50 is configured to fix the handle portion 4 to the left door body 21RL. The fixing piece 50 has a substantially L-shaped cross section and includes a first fixing plate portion 51 and a second fixing plate portion 52.

[0040] The first fixing plate 51 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate with the longitudinal direction extending in the vertical direction, and is provided along the rear wall 42 of the handle portion 4. A plurality of screw insertion holes 511 are formed in the first fixing plate 51. The plurality of screw insertion holes 511 are formed in a line at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. The screw insertion holes 511 are circular through-holes that pass through the first fixing plate 51 and are continuous with screw holes 421 formed in the handle portion 4. A screw 62 is inserted into the screw hole 421. The screw 62 is engaged with the screw hole 421 formed in the handle portion 4 via the screw insertion hole 511 formed in the first fixing plate 51. This fixes the fixing piece 50 to the handle portion 4.

[0041] The second fixing plate 52 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate with its longitudinal direction extending in the vertical direction. The second fixing plate 52 is formed so as to protrude in the X direction from the end of the first fixing plate 51 on the mounting surface 312 side toward the mounting surface 312. In other words, the second fixing plate 52 is inclined so as to approach the mounting surface 312 as it extends rearward. The second fixing plate 52 is formed with a plurality of screw insertion holes 521. The plurality of screw insertion holes 521 are formed in a line at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Each screw insertion hole 521 is a circular through-hole that penetrates the second fixing plate 52 and is continuous with the screw insertion hole 314 formed in the inclined portion 311 and the screw hole 323 of the handle fixing portion 32. A screw 61 is inserted into the screw insertion hole 521. The screw 61 is coupled to the screw hole 323 of the handle fixing part 32 via the screw insertion hole 521 formed in the second fixing plate part 52 and the screw insertion hole 314 formed in the inclined part 311. This fixes the fixing piece 50 to the mounting surface 312 of the inclined part 311.

[0042] In this way, the first fixing plate portion 51 of the fixing piece 50 is fixed to the handle portion 4, and the second fixing plate portion 52 is fixed to the mounting surface 312. As a result, the handle portion 4 is fixed to the mounting surface 312 via the fixing piece 50.

[0043] The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment also includes a cover 7. The cover 7 is formed in a rectangular plate shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction, and is provided so as to cover the fixing pieces 50, the screws 61, and the screws 62. The cover 7 prevents the fixing pieces 50, the screws 61, and the screws 62 from being exposed.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3 , in the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the vertical dimension of the handle portion 4 is longer than the vertical dimensions of the fixed piece 50 and the cover 7. The handle portion 4 is provided with a pair of fixed pieces 50 and a pair of covers 7. The pair of fixed pieces 50 and the pair of covers 7 are provided spaced apart in the vertical direction. The vertical dimension of the upper fixed piece 50 and the cover 7 is longer than the vertical dimension of the lower fixed piece 50 and the cover 7. A user can open and close the left door body 21RL by placing their fingers between the pair of fixed pieces 50 and the pair of covers 7 on the handle portion 4. As shown in FIG. 3 , in the lower left door body 21FL, the vertical dimension of the upper fixed piece 50 and the cover 7 is shorter than the vertical dimension of the lower fixed piece 50 and the cover 7.

[0045] In the fixing piece 50 of this embodiment, the second fixing plate 52 is inclined so as to approach the mounting surface 312 as it extends rearward, and the peripheral portion of the screw insertion hole 521 is spaced apart from the mounting surface 312. Therefore, when a screw 61 is fastened to the screw hole 323 through the screw insertion hole 521, a portion of the second fixing plate 52 rearward of the screw insertion hole 521 first contacts the mounting surface 312, and a force is applied by the head of the screw 61 to the second fixing plate 52 toward the mounting surface 312 using this contact portion as a fulcrum so as to narrow the gap between the portion of the second fixing plate 52 forward of the screw insertion hole 521 and the mounting surface 312 (see the arrow in FIG. 4 ). This force is transmitted to the handle 4 via the first fixing plate 51. Therefore, a force acts on the handle 4 so as to move the end 411 closer to the mounting surface 312. This reduces the gap between the end 411 of the front wall 41 of the handle portion 4 on the mounting surface 312 side and the mounting surface 312. This prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the gap between the end 411 and the mounting surface 312, thereby preventing a decrease in the design of the refrigerator 1.

[0046] In addition, the action mechanism 5 applies a force to bring the end 411 of the handle portion 4 closer to the mounting surface 312, so even if a dimensional error occurs in the handle portion 4, the gap between the end 411 and the mounting surface 312 is closed.

[0047] In this embodiment, the rear edge of the periphery of the opening 43 in the handle portion 4 is formed to be more inward than the front edge, and a gap is formed between the rear edge and the mounting surface 312. This makes it easier for the end portion 411 of the handle portion 4 to come into contact with the mounting surface 312, and further reduces the gap between the end portion 411 and the mounting surface 312.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the space between main body 321 and first protrusion 3222 in rail portion 322 is smaller than the space between main body 321 and second protrusion 3223. Therefore, for example, even if a user applies force to handle 4 so that end 411 of handle 4 moves away from mounting surface 312, the edge of opening 43 in handle 4 catches on first protrusion 3222. This makes it possible to reduce the gap between end 411 of handle 4 and mounting surface 312. Furthermore, the large space between main body 321 and second protrusion 3223 makes it less likely to hinder movement of end 411 of handle 4 due to tightening of screw 61. Furthermore, during assembly, handle 4 can be easily passed through rail portion 322, improving the ease of assembly of refrigerator 1.

[0049] (Variation) Next, a refrigerator 1 according to a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0050] The refrigerator 1 of this modification differs from the above embodiment in that the main body part 321A and the rail part 322A of the handle fixing part 32A are configured as separate parts.

[0051] The handle fixing portion 32A of this modification has a main body portion 321A, a rail portion 322A, a plurality of first screw holes 323A, a plurality of first protrusions 324A, a plurality of second screw holes 325A, and a plurality of second protrusions 326A. Note that the main body portion 321A, the plurality of first protrusions 324A, and the plurality of first screw holes 323A have the same configurations as the main body portion 321, the plurality of protrusions 324, and the plurality of screw holes 323 described in the above embodiment, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] The multiple second protrusions 326A protrude from the other surface of the main body 321A in the normal direction to the other surface. Each second protrusion 326A is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a second screw hole 325A is formed in one surface of the main body 321A. The second screw hole 325A is a bottomed hole and has a screw groove formed on the inner circumferential surface. The multiple second screw holes 325A are formed in a line at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the inclined portion 311 of this modified example is formed with multiple screw insertion holes 315A. The multiple screw insertion holes 315A are formed in a line at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. Each second screw hole 325A is continuous with the screw insertion hole 315A. A screw 63 is fastened to each second screw hole 325A via the screw insertion hole 315A.

[0053] The rail portion 322A of this modification is formed separately from the main body portion 321A, and is attached to the main body portion 321A using screws 63. The rail portion 322A has a base portion 3221A, a first protrusion 3222A, a second protrusion 3223A, and a plurality of screw insertion holes 3224A.

[0054] The base 3221A is formed in a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the up-down direction. The first protrusion 3222A protrudes from the tip of the base 3221A toward the left front in the X direction. The second protrusion 3223A protrudes from the tip of the base 3221A toward the right rear in the X direction.

[0055] A plurality of screw insertion holes 3224A are formed in the base 3221A. The plurality of screw insertion holes 3224A are arranged vertically at predetermined intervals. Each screw insertion hole 3224A is a circular through-hole that penetrates the base 3221A. Each screw insertion hole 3224A is continuous with the screw insertion hole 315A of the inclined portion 311 and the second screw hole 325A of the main body 321A, and a screw 63 is inserted through each screw insertion hole 3224A. The screw 63 is coupled to the second screw hole 325A via the screw insertion hole 3224A formed in the base 3221A and the screw insertion hole 315A formed in the inclined portion 311. This fixes the handle fixing portion 32A to the inclined portion 311. Specifically, the main body 321 and the rail portion 322 are fixed to the inclined portion 311.

[0056] (Embodiment 2) The refrigerator 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0057] The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment differs from the fixing piece 50 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the fixing piece 50B. The same components as those of the refrigerator 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0058] The action mechanism 5B of this embodiment has a fixing piece 50B and a screw 61. The fixing piece 50B of this embodiment differs from the fixing piece 50 of embodiment 1 in that it has a protrusion 522. The fixing piece 50B has a first fixing plate portion 51B, a second fixing plate portion 52B, and a connecting plate portion 53B. Note that the first fixing plate portion 51B has the same configuration as the first fixing plate portion 51 described in embodiment 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] The second fixing plate 52B is formed in a rectangular plate shape with the vertical direction as its longitudinal direction. The second fixing plate 52B is provided so as to face the mounting surface 312 of the inclined portion 311. The connecting plate 53B is formed in a rectangular plate shape with the vertical direction as its longitudinal direction, and is configured to connect the rear end of the first fixing plate 51B and the front end of the second fixing plate 52B. In other words, the connecting plate 53B is inclined so as to approach the mounting surface 312 as it extends rearward.

[0060] A plurality of screw insertion holes 521B are formed in the second fixing plate portion 52B. The plurality of screw insertion holes 521B are arranged vertically at predetermined intervals. Each screw insertion hole 521B is a circular through-hole that penetrates the second fixing plate portion 52B and is continuous with the screw insertion hole 314 formed in the inclined portion 311 and the screw hole 323 of the handle fixing portion 32. Note that the handle fixing portion 32 of this embodiment is formed so that the protruding direction of the protrusion 324 and the central axis of the screw hole 323 are aligned along the normal direction of the mounting surface 312. A screw 61 is inserted into the screw insertion hole 521B. The screw 61 is fastened to the screw hole 323 of the handle fixing portion 32 via the screw insertion hole 521B formed in the second fixing plate portion 52B and the screw insertion hole 314 formed in the inclined portion 311.

[0061] A protrusion 522 is formed on the second fixing plate 52B of this embodiment. The protrusion 522 protrudes from the surface of the second fixing plate 52 facing the mounting surface 312 toward the mounting surface 312. The protrusion 522 is formed at the tip of the second fixing plate 52 on the side opposite the connecting plate 53. In other words, the protrusion 522 is formed rearward of the screw insertion hole 521B. The protrusion 522 is in contact with the mounting surface 312. The protrusion 522 forms a gap between the second fixing plate 52B and the mounting surface 312. In other words, the periphery of the screw insertion hole 521B and the front portion of the screw insertion hole 521B on the second fixing plate 52B are spaced apart from the mounting surface 312.

[0062] Therefore, when screw 61 is fastened to screw hole 323 through screw insertion hole 521B, a force is applied by the head of screw 61 toward mounting surface 312, with the contact portion between protrusion 522 and mounting surface 312 as a fulcrum, so that the gap between the portion of second fixing plate 52B forward of screw insertion hole 521B and mounting surface 312 is narrowed (see the arrow in FIG. 6 ). This force is transmitted to handle 4 via connecting plate 53B and first fixing plate 51B. Therefore, the force acts on handle 4 so that handle 4 approaches mounting surface 312. This reduces the gap between end 411 of front wall 41 of handle 4 on the mounting surface 312 side and mounting surface 312. This prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the gap between end 411 and mounting surface 312, thereby preventing a deterioration in the design of refrigerator 1.

[0063] (Variation) Next, a refrigerator 1 according to a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0064] In the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, as in the refrigerator 1 according to the modified example of embodiment 1, the main body portion 321A and the rail portion 322A in the handle fixing portion 32A may be configured separately, and the rail portion 322A may be configured to the main body portion 321A using a screw 63.

[0065] (Embodiment 3) The refrigerator 1 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0066] In the refrigerator 1 of this embodiment, the orientation of the screw 61 that fixes the fixing piece 50C to the mounting surface 312 is different from that of the refrigerator 1 of the first and second embodiments. The same components as those of the refrigerator 1 of the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0067] The action mechanism 5C of this embodiment includes a fixing piece 50C and a screw 61.

[0068] The fixing piece 50C of this embodiment has a first fixing plate portion 51C, a second fixing plate portion 52C, and a connecting plate portion 53C. Note that the first fixing plate portion 51C and the connecting plate portion 53C have the same configurations as the first fixing plate portion 51B and the connecting plate portion 53B described in the second embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] The second fixing plate portion 52C is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and differs from the second fixing plate portion 52B of the second embodiment in that it does not have the protrusion 522 described in the second embodiment.

[0070] The second fixing plate portion 52C has a plurality of screw insertion holes 521C formed therein. The plurality of screw insertion holes 521C are arranged vertically at predetermined intervals. Each screw insertion hole 521C is a circular through-hole that penetrates the second fixing plate portion 52C and is continuous with the screw insertion hole 314 formed in the inclined portion 311 and the screw hole 323 of the handle fixing portion 32.

[0071] The handle fixing part 32 of this embodiment is formed so that the protruding direction of the protrusion 324 and the central axis of the screw hole 323 are inclined rearward with respect to the normal direction of the mounting surface 312. In other words, the angle formed between the protrusion 324 and the surface of the main body 321 to the left of the protrusion 324 is an obtuse angle. A screw 61 is inserted into the screw insertion hole 521C. The screw 61 is fastened to the screw hole 323 of the handle fixing part 32 via the screw insertion hole 521B formed in the second fixing plate part 52B and the screw insertion hole 314 formed in the inclined part 311.

[0072] In this embodiment, the screw 61 is inserted into the screw hole 323 along the central axis of the screw hole 323. Therefore, the screw 61 is engaged with the screw hole 323 with the central axis of the shank inclined rearward from the normal direction of the mounting surface 312. In other words, the screw 61 is engaged with the screw hole 323 with the front end 611a of the head 611 of the screw 61 in contact with the second fixing plate portion 52C of the fixing piece 50C and the rear end 611b of the head 611 inclined from the normal direction of the mounting surface 312 so that the head 611 contacts the second fixing plate portion 52C of the fixing piece 50C and the rear end 611b of the head 611 is away from the second fixing plate portion 52C. As a result, a force is applied from the head 611 of the screw 61 toward the mounting surface 312 to a portion of the second fixing plate portion 52C forward of the insertion hole 521C (see the arrow in FIG. 8 ). This force is transmitted to the handle portion 4 via the connecting plate portion 53C and the first fixing plate portion 51C. Therefore, a force acts on the handle portion 4 so that the handle portion 4 approaches the mounting surface 312. This reduces the gap between the end 411 of the front wall 41 of the handle portion 4 on the mounting surface 312 side and the mounting surface 312. This prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the gap between the end 411 and the mounting surface 312, thereby preventing a decrease in the design of the refrigerator 1.

[0073] In this embodiment, as in the modified example of embodiment 1 or 2, the main body portion 321A and the rail portion 322A in the handle fixing portion 32A may be configured separately, and the rail portion 322A may be configured to the main body portion 321A using a screw 63.

Claims

1. a housing having an opening at the front; a rectangular plate-shaped door body that opens and closes the opening; A handle portion fixed to a mounting surface that is at least a part of the front surface of the door body; a fixing piece for fixing the handle portion to the mounting surface; a handle fixing portion disposed on the rear side of the mounting surface; a screw that is coupled to a screw hole formed in the handle fixing portion via an insertion hole formed in the fixing piece and a screw insertion hole formed in the mounting surface, By engaging the screw with the screw hole, the fixing piece applies a force so that the end of the front wall of the handle portion on the mounting surface side of the door body approaches the mounting surface of the door body, The end of the handle portion and the handle fixing portion sandwich the mounting surface. refrigerator.

2. The fixing piece is located rearward of the front wall of the handle portion, the portion forward of the insertion hole is separated from the mounting surface, and at least a portion of the portion rearward of the insertion hole is in contact with the mounting surface. The refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. The fixing piece is inclined so as to approach the mounting surface as it extends rearward. The refrigerator according to claim 2.

4. The fixing piece has a protrusion formed rearward of the insertion hole and in contact with the mounting surface. The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A housing having an opening at the front, a rectangular plate-shaped door body that opens and closes the opening; A handle portion fixed to a mounting surface that is at least a part of the front surface of the door body; a fixing piece for fixing the handle portion to the mounting surface; an action mechanism that applies a force to an end portion of the front wall of the handle portion on the mounting surface side of the door body so that the end portion approaches the mounting surface of the door body, the operating mechanism has a screw that is coupled to a screw hole formed in the door body via an insertion hole formed in the fixing piece, The screw is coupled to the screw hole so that a front end of the head contacts the fixing piece and a rear end of the head is separated from the fixing piece. refrigerator.

6. The central axis of the screw hole is inclined rearward with respect to the normal direction of the mounting surface of the door body. The refrigerator according to claim 5.

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