refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator in which a decorative plate can be attached to a front face of a partition after the injection and foaming of urethane, and the decorative plate can be exchanged after the manufacturing, shipment or the like of the refrigerator.SOLUTION: There is provided a refrigerator 100 having a partition 111X for vertically partitioning the inside of the refrigerator, a plate 113 attached to a front face of the partition 111X, and a heat radiation pipe 114 arranged between the partition 111X and the plate 113. One end part 113X of the plate 113 is fixed to one end part of the partition 111X, the other end part 113Y of the plate 113 is fixed to the other end part of the partition 111X, and at least one rib inserted into a hole which is formed at the partition is formed at a rear side of the plate 113.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to refrigerator technology, and more particularly to technology for a decorative plate disposed on a front face of a partition inside a refrigerator compartment. [Background Art]

[0002] Various technologies related to partitions for partitioning the interior of a refrigerator have been conventionally known. A technology of disposing a heat dissipation condenser at a front end portion of the partition is also known. For example, according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-295955 (Patent Document 1), the partition is formed of a plurality of members including one on a first compartment side and the other on a second compartment side, a partition plate is disposed between the plurality of partitions, and a heat dissipation pipe is attached to a back surface of the partition plate. Accordingly, heat from the heat dissipation pipe is directly transferred to the partition plate, so dew condensation on the partition plate can be reliably prevented. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-295955 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the partition plate is sandwiched between a plurality of partitions, the partition plate has to be attached before filling the heat insulating material. An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which a decorative plate can be attached to a front face of a partition after urethane injection and foaming, or the decorative plate can be replaced after the refrigerator is manufactured and shipped. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator is provided comprising a partition for dividing the interior of the refrigerator into upper and lower sections, a plate attached to the front of the partition, and a heat dissipation pipe positioned between the partition and the plate. One end of the plate is fixed to one end of the partition, and the other end of the plate is fixed to the other end of the partition, and at least one rib is formed on the back side of the plate for insertion into a hole provided in the partition. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator in which a decorative plate can be attached to the front of the partition after urethane injection and foaming, or in which the decorative plate can be replaced after the refrigerator has been manufactured and shipped. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a front-upper perspective view showing the entire insulated box of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a front view showing the entire insulated box of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a front-upper perspective view showing a decorative plate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a rear-upper perspective view showing a decorative plate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a front-upper perspective view showing the entire insulated casing of the refrigerator before the decorative plate according to the first embodiment is attached. [Figure 6] This is a plan cross-sectional view, or cross-sectional view AA in Figure 2, showing the process of attaching the decorative plate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a front-up perspective view showing the entire insulated casing of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment, with the end of the decorative plate inserted into the gap between the partition shelf and the outer shell. [Figure 8] This is a side cross-sectional view, or BB cross-section in Figure 2, showing the process of attaching the decorative plate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a front-up perspective view showing the entire insulated box of a refrigerator in the process of pushing a decorative plate into a partition shelf, according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a front-downward perspective view showing a decorative plate according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a rear-upper perspective view showing a decorative plate according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated. [First Embodiment]

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

[0010] The refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment is mainly composed of an insulated box 110. The insulated box 110 according to this embodiment has a freezer compartment 110F at the top and a refrigerator compartment 110R at the bottom.

[0011] The insulated box body 110 is composed of a hood liner 111 for forming the inner freezer compartment 110F and refrigerator compartment 110R, and an outer shell 112 for forming the outside. A partition shelf 111X is formed in the hood liner 111 to separate the freezer compartment 110F and the refrigerator compartment 110R. Vacuum insulation material is placed between the hood liner 111 and the outer shell 112, or polyurethane foam is filled in between.

[0012] In particular, in this embodiment, a decorative panel 113 is attached to the front of the partition shelf 111X. More specifically, the front end of the partition shelf 111X of the hood liner 111 is closed, and after urethane foaming agent is filled between the hood liner 111 and the outer shell 112 and inside the partition shelf 111X, the decorative panel 113 is attached to the front of the front end of the partition shelf 111X.

[0013] The decorative panel 113 according to this embodiment is a thin, plate-like member, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and is formed to have the same shape and size as the partition shelf 111X in a plan view, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The decorative panel 113 is mainly composed of a surface portion 113S and side wall portions 113D, 113D, and a DP capacitor, which will be described later, is arranged on the inside of the decorative panel 113, that is, on the back side of the surface portion 113S.

[0014] The decorative panel 113 has an insertion portion 113X formed at its left end. The insertion portion 113X is inserted between the front left end of the partition shelf 111X and the back front end of the outer shell 112.

[0015] The decorative panel 113 has screw holes 113Y, 113Y formed on its right side. In this embodiment, the screw holes 113Y, 113Y are located on the hinge portion of the refrigerator door 100 when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, screws for attaching and fixing hinge components to the insulated box 110 pass through the screw holes 113Y, 113Y. In other words, the right side of the decorative panel 113 is fastened and fixed to the right side of the front of the partition shelf 111X by these screws.

[0016] In the present embodiment, on the back surface of the decorative panel 113, upper ribs 113T, 113T that stand upright toward the rear are formed at the upper end portion thereof. Further, on the back surface of the decorative panel 113, lower ribs 113B, 113B that stand upright toward the rear are formed at the lower end portion thereof. That is, the decorative panel 113 according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of pairs of the upper rib 113T and the lower rib 113B.

[0017] Further, in the present embodiment, barb portions 113Z, 113Z are formed on the upper ribs 113T, 113T and the lower ribs 113B, 113B to prevent the ribs from coming off when inserted into upper holes 111T, 111T and lower holes 111B, 111B which will be described later.

[0018] Further, in the present embodiment, the upper ribs 113T, 113T and the lower ribs 113B, 113B are formed at a position offset toward the left side of the decorative panel 113. More specifically, the distance from the left end of the leftmost upper rib 113T to the left end of the decorative panel 113 is shorter than the distance from the right end of the rightmost upper rib 113T to the right end of the decorative panel 113. Similarly, the distance from the left end of the leftmost lower rib 113B to the left end of the decorative panel 113 is shorter than the distance from the right end of the rightmost lower rib 113B to the right end of the decorative panel 113.

[0019] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, at the upper end portion of the front surface of the partition shelf 111X, the upper holes 111T, 111T are formed at positions facing the above-described upper ribs 113T, 113T. Further, at the lower end portion of the front surface of the partition shelf 111X, the lower holes 111B, 111B are formed at positions facing the above-described lower ribs 113B, 113B. That is, on the front surface of the partition shelf 111X according to the present embodiment, a plurality of pairs of the upper hole 111T and the lower hole 111B are provided.

[0020] Hereinafter, a method for attaching the decorative panel 113 to the front surface of the partition shelf 111X after filling and foaming urethane according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 14.

[0021] First, as shown in Figures 5 and 6(A), the decorative panel 113 is brought closer to the partition shelf 111X from the front. At this time, the left end of the decorative panel 113, i.e., the insertion part 113X, is brought closer to the left end of the partition shelf 111X.

[0022] Next, as shown in Figures 6(B), 7, and 8(A), the left end of the decorative panel 113, i.e., the insertion part 113X, is inserted into the gap between the front left end of the partition shelf 111X and the back of the outer shell 112.

[0023] Next, as shown in Figures 6(C), 8(B), and 9, the right side of the decorative panel 113 is moved backward, using the left end of the decorative panel 113 as an axis. That is, the right end of the decorative panel 113 is brought closer to the partition shelf 111X. As a result, the upper rib 113T and lower rib 113B on the back of the decorative panel 113 are inserted into the upper hole 111T and lower hole 111B of the partition shelf 111X, starting from the left side.

[0024] In this embodiment, a sealant 111Z is applied to the front end of the partition shelf 111X behind the upper holes 111T, 111T and the lower holes 111B, 111B to prevent urethane leakage. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(C), the upper ribs 113T, 113T and the lower ribs 113B, 113B pass through the upper holes 111T, 111T and the lower holes 111B, 111B before being inserted into the sealant 111Z.

[0025] Finally, as shown in Figures 6(D), 8(D), and 1, all the upper ribs 113T, 113T and lower ribs 113B, 113B on the back of the decorative panel 113 are inserted into the upper holes 111T, 111T and lower holes 111B, 111B of the partition shelf 111X up to their bases. Finally, they are secured by driving screws into the screw holes 113Y, 113Y.

[0026] More specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 8(A) to (D), a heat dissipation DP capacitor 114 is attached to the front of the partition shelf 111X. A resin member 115 with high thermal conductivity is then attached to the front of the DP capacitor 114. In other words, the DP capacitor 114 and the resin member 115 are sandwiched between the partition shelf 111X and the decorative panel 113. More specifically, the DP capacitor 1114 is placed, the urethane is foamed, the resin member 115 is attached, and then the decorative panel 113 is installed and fixed.

[0027] Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, after the upper ribs 113T, 113T and lower ribs 113B, 113B are inserted into the upper holes 111T, 111T and lower holes 111B, 111B, the return portions 113Z, 113Z will catch on the periphery of the upper holes 111T, 111T and lower holes 111B, 111B of the partition shelf 111X. As a result, the upper ribs 113T, 113T and lower ribs 113B, 113B will be less likely to come out of the upper holes 111T, 111T and lower holes 111B, 111B. Consequently, the decorative panel 113 will be less likely to lift up from the surface of the partition shelf 111X or detach from the partition shelf 111X.

[0028] If the decorative panel 113 needs to be replaced or removed after shipment, the worker can remove the screws from the screw holes 113Y,113Y, then insert a flathead screwdriver or similar tool into the upper holes 111T,111T and lower holes 111B,111B, and pry out the upper ribs 113T,113T and lower ribs 113B,113B from the upper holes 111T,111T and lower holes 111B,111B, thereby removing the decorative panel 113 from the partition shelf 111X. After that, the new decorative panel 113 can be reattached to the partition shelf 111X using the method shown in Figures 5 to 14.

[0029] In this embodiment, as described above, the upper ribs 113T, 113T and lower ribs 113B, 113B are formed closer to the left end of the decorative panel 113, that is, the side where the insertion portion 113X is provided. As shown in Figure 6, the upper ribs 113T and lower ribs 113B are inserted into the upper holes 111T and lower holes 111B of the partition shelf 111X, starting from the side closest to the insertion portion 113X. Therefore, the upper rib 113T and lower rib 113B at the left end, which are inserted first, are supported only by the insertion portion 113X. By shortening the distance between the insertion portion 113X and the upper rib 113T and lower rib 113B at the left end, it becomes easier to maintain the rigidity of the decorative panel 113 in this area, and deformation such as bending of the decorative panel 113 can be suppressed when the decorative panel 113 is inserted into the partition shelf 111X. When the upper rib 113T and lower rib 113B at the left end are inserted into the partition shelf 111X, the decorative panel 113 between the insertion part 113X and the upper rib 113T and lower rib 113B at the left end becomes fixed, and the length of the remaining unfixed decorative panel 113 becomes shorter. Therefore, compared to when the upper rib 113T and lower rib 113B at the left end are inserted, it becomes easier to maintain the rigidity of the decorative panel 113 and deformation can be suppressed. In other words, since the upper rib 113T and lower rib 113B are inserted in order from the side closer to the insertion part 113X, the pivot point moves in order from the insertion part 113X to the upper rib 113T and lower rib 113B at the left end, and by taking advantage of this, the positions of the upper rib 113T and lower rib 113B can be determined so that the distance to the point of action does not become too large, thus suppressing deformation of the decorative panel 113. [Second Embodiment]

[0030] In the above embodiment, the upper ribs 113T, 113T and lower ribs 113B, 113B had "return portions 113Z" that protruded in the vertical direction. However, the embodiment is not limited to this form. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the upper ribs 213T, 213T and lower ribs 213B, 213B may have a convex shape in the left-right direction. In this case, after inserting the upper ribs 213T, 213T and lower ribs 213B, 213B into the upper holes 111T, 111T and lower holes 111B, 111B, the decorative panel 113 itself is slid in the left-right direction to move the convex shape to a position offset from the upper holes 111T, 111T and lower holes 111B, 111B. This makes it more difficult for the upper ribs 213T,213T and the lower ribs 213B,213B to come loose from the upper holes 111T,111T and the lower holes 111B,111B. [Third Embodiment]

[0031] In the above embodiment, two pairs of upper ribs 113T and lower ribs 113B are provided, but there may be one pair of upper ribs 113T and lower ribs 113B, or three or more. When there are two or more pairs of upper ribs 113T and lower ribs 113B, it is preferable that the upper rib 113T and lower rib 113B that are furthest from the insertion portion 113X are located on the side further away from the insertion portion 113X than the intermediate position of the decorative panel 113 (on the right side in Figure 6). [Fourth Embodiment]

[0032] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the insertion portion 113X was provided on the left side and the screw hole 113Y was provided on the right side, but it is also possible for the insertion portion 113X to be provided on the right side and the screw hole 113Y to be provided on the left side. [summary]

[0033] In the above embodiment, a refrigerator is provided comprising a partition for dividing the interior of the refrigerator vertically, a plate attached to the front of the partition, and a heat dissipation pipe positioned between the partition and the plate. One end of the plate is fixed to one end of the partition. The other end of the plate is fixed to the other end of the partition. At least one rib is formed on the back side of the plate for insertion into a hole provided in the partition.

[0034] Each of at least one rib is provided with a locking portion that engages with a hole in the partition.

[0035] At least one rib includes a plurality of upper ribs erected rearward from the upper end of the plate and a plurality of lower ribs erected rearward from the lower end of the plate.

[0036] At least one rib is positioned so that it is predominantly located on the insertion side of the plate.

[0037] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. Configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described herein are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 100: Refrigerator 110: Insulated box 110F: Freezer room 110R: Refrigerated compartment 111: Food Liner 111B: Pilot hole 111T: Upper hole 111X: Partition shelf 111Z: Sheila 112: Outer shell 113: Decorative panel 113B: Lower rib 113T: Upper rib 113X: Plug-in part 113Y: Screw hole 113Z: Return section 114: DP Capacitor 115: Resin component

Claims

1. An insulated box having an internal storage space, A partition for dividing the aforementioned storage space vertically, A plate attached to the front of the partition, A refrigerator comprising a heat dissipation pipe disposed between the partition and the plate, An insertion portion is provided at one end of the plate in the left-right direction. The insertion portion is inserted between the outer shell of the heat-insulating box and the partition, so that one end of the plate is fixed to one end of the partition in the left-right direction. A hole is formed in the other end of the plate in the left-right direction into which a fixing member is inserted, which is to be detachably fixed to the other end of the partition in the left-right direction. Multiple ribs are formed on the back side of the plate for insertion into the holes provided in the partition. A refrigerator in which the distance between the rib closest to one end of the plate and the one end of the plate is shorter than the distance between the rib closest to the other end of the plate and the other end of the plate.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ribs is provided with a locking portion that catches on the hole in the partition.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of ribs include a plurality of upper ribs erected rearward from the upper end of the plate and a plurality of lower ribs erected rearward from the lower end of the plate.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the locking portion has a convex shape that protrudes toward one end of the plate.

Images