Refrigerator

Abstract

This refrigerator comprises: a box body that has an opening in the front surface and has therein a storage space; and a door that has a handle part on a first side surface which is one side surface in the left-right direction, is attached to the box body on the side opposite to the first side surface, and opens and closes the opening. The door has a front outer plate, a rear outer plate, a connection component that connects the front outer plate and the rear outer plate in the front-rear direction, and an upper cap that constitutes the upper surface of the door. The front outer plate has a front plate, a front folding part, and a first flange provided at the upper end of the front folding part. The rear outer plate has a rear plate, a rear folding part, and a second flange provided at the upper end of the rear folding part. The upper cap has an upper wall, an outer peripheral wall, a first flange housing part provided on the outer peripheral wall and housing the first flange, and a second flange housing part provided on the outer peripheral wall and housing the second flange. The handle part is formed by the front folding part, a portion of the connection component, and the rear folding part, and has a shape recessed toward a second side surface side.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator having a handle on the door.

[0002] In a conventional refrigerator, a storage compartment is formed inside a box body, and the storage compartment is opened and closed by a door corresponding to the storage compartment. For example, a refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 includes a door having a handle formed on the side surface by a front outer panel and a rear outer panel.

[0003] Patent No. 5178208

[0004] In the refrigerator door of Patent Document 1, the front outer panel, which constitutes the majority of the front surface of the door, is provided with a handle protrusion for opening and closing the door, and the rear outer panel, formed behind the handle protrusion, is provided with an insertion recess for inserting a hand and a rear protrusion. The front and rear outer panels are connected by a retainer, and the handle is formed on the side of the door. However, in the refrigerator door described in Patent Document 1, the upper cap provided on the door sandwiches the upper end of the front outer panel from the front and rear, which makes the upper cap thicker and causes the front surface of the upper cap to protrude forward of the front outer panel, affecting the refrigerator's design.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a refrigerator that can improve the design of a door with a handle on the side.

[0006] The refrigerator according to the present disclosure comprises a box body having an opening on its front side and a storage space therein, and a door having a handle on a first side which is one of the left and right sides and attached to the box body on a second side which is the side opposite to the first side for opening and closing the opening, the door having a front outer panel, a rear outer panel provided on the rear side of the front outer panel, a connecting part which connects the front outer panel and the rear outer panel in the front-to-rear direction and constitutes at least a part of the first side of the door, and an upper cap which is provided on the front outer panel, the rear outer panel and the connecting part and constitutes the upper surface of the door, the front outer panel comprising a front panel which constitutes at least a part of the front surface of the door, a front fold part which is folded back from the end of the front panel on the first side side towards the second side side at the rear of the front panel, and a handle provided at the upper end of the front fold part and which connects the front fold part and the front the outer rear panel has a back panel that forms at least a part of the back surface of the door, a back fold portion that is folded back in front of the back panel from the end of the back panel on the first side surface side towards the second side surface side, and a second flange that is provided at the upper end of the back fold portion and extends towards the area surrounded by the back fold portion and the back panel; the upper cap has an upper wall, an outer peripheral wall that extends downward from the outer periphery of the upper wall, a groove-shaped first flange accommodating portion that is provided on the outer peripheral wall and accommodates the first flange, and a groove-shaped second flange accommodating portion that is provided on the outer peripheral wall and accommodates the second flange; and the handle portion is formed by the front fold portion, a part of the connecting part and the back fold portion, and has a shape that is concave towards the second side surface side.

[0007] In the refrigerator door of the present disclosure, a front outer panel and a rear outer panel are connected by connecting parts on a first side surface, which is one of the left and right sides. A handle portion is formed in a recessed shape on the first side surface of the door by the front outer panel, the rear outer panel, and the connecting parts. The front outer panel and the rear outer panel each have a flange, and are connected to the upper cap by fitting the respective flanges into flange receiving portions provided in the upper cap. As a result, the handle portion is provided on the side surface of the door without affecting the design, thereby improving the design of the door.

[0008] 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a refrigerator door according to embodiment 1. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a refrigerator door according to embodiment 1. FIG. 13 is an enlarged front perspective view of area A of FIG. 3. FIG. 14 is an enlarged front perspective view of area B of FIG. 3. FIG. 15 is a bottom view of an upper cap of a refrigerator according to embodiment 1. FIG. 16 is an enlarged front view of area C of FIG. 7. FIG. 17 is an enlarged front view of area D of FIG. 7. FIG. 18 is a top view of a refrigerator door according to embodiment 1. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 10. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F in FIG. 21. FIG. 22 is a front view of a refrigerator door according to embodiment 1. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G in FIG. 22. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H in FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in FIG. 23. FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of an upper part of one side surface of a refrigerator door according to embodiment 2. FIG. 27 is an exploded front perspective view of an upper part of one side surface of a refrigerator door according to embodiment 2. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator door according to embodiment 2 taken along line G-G in FIG. 25, showing an enlarged view of a handle.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, in the following drawings, including FIG. 1, components denoted with the same reference numerals are identical or equivalent, and are common throughout the following embodiments. In each embodiment, components that are identical or equivalent to those described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted with the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted. The forms of components shown throughout the specification are merely examples and are not limited to the forms described in the specification. Furthermore, the following embodiments may be partially combined with each other, even if not specifically stated, as long as there is no particular problem with the combination.

[0010] In each drawing, the relative dimensional relationship or shape of each component may differ from the actual ones. The up-down direction of refrigerator 100 may be referred to as the height direction. The left-right direction of refrigerator 100 may be referred to as the width direction. The front-rear direction of refrigerator 100 may be referred to as the depth direction.

[0011] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment 1. The refrigerator 100 includes a box 1 having an opening on the front and having storage spaces therein: a refrigerator compartment 2, a vegetable compartment 3, and a freezer compartment 4; and a door 10 attached to the box 1 for opening and closing the opening. The refrigerator compartment 2 is opened and closed by the door 10. The door 10 has a handle 50 on the left side surface in the left-right direction and a second handle 51 on the top surface. The door 10 is hinged, and is fixed to the box 1 by hinges 5 at the top and bottom of the right side. The door 10 rotates around the hinge 5 to open and close the refrigerator compartment 2. The door 20 for opening and closing the vegetable compartment 3 and the door 30 for opening and closing the freezer compartment 4 are both drawer-type doors. The vegetable compartment 3 and the freezer compartment 4 can be opened and closed by moving the drawer-type doors 20 and 30 back and forth.

[0012] 1 shows an example in which the box body 1 has, as storage spaces, a refrigerator compartment 2, a vegetable compartment 3, and a freezer compartment 4. However, the refrigerator 100 may have only one refrigerator compartment 2 that is opened and closed by a door 10. Alternatively, the storage space may have two or more refrigerator compartments 2, and the multiple refrigerator compartments 2 may be opened and closed by multiple hinged doors 10.

[0013] In the present disclosure, a configuration is described in which the handle 50 is provided on the left side surface of the door 10 and the hinge 5 is provided on the right side surface when viewed from the front. However, in the refrigerator 100 of the present disclosure, the door 10 may have a bilaterally symmetrical configuration. Therefore, the handle 50 may be provided on the right side surface of the door and the hinge 5 may be provided on the left side surface.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the door 10 of the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. The door 10 includes a front outer panel 110, a rear outer panel 120, a connecting part 130, an upper cap 140, a lower cap 150, and an inner panel 160. The front outer panel 110 constitutes the front surface of the door 10. The rear outer panel 120 and the inner panel 160 are provided rearward of the front outer panel 110 and constitute the rear surface of the door 10. The connecting part 130 is provided between the front outer panel 110 and the rear outer panel 120 in the front-to-rear direction and connects the front outer panel 110 and the rear outer panel 120 in the front-to-rear direction. The connecting part 130 is made of resin and constitutes at least a part of the left side surface of the door 10. A handle 50 is formed on the left side surface of the door 10 by the front outer panel 110, the connecting part 130, and the rear outer panel 120. The handle 50 has a shape with a recessed portion recessed toward the right side and extending in the vertical direction. The handle 50 will be described in detail later.

[0015] The upper cap 140 is a member provided on the front skin 110, the rear skin 120, and the connecting part 130, and covers the upper ends of these parts. A second handle 51 is formed on the upper cap 140. The second handle 51 has a downward concave shape, where a portion of the upper surface of the upper cap 140 is recessed downward, and extends in the left-right direction. The lower cap 150 is provided below the front skin 110, the rear skin 120, and the connecting part 130. A third handle 52 is formed on the lower cap 150. The third handle 52 has an upward concave shape, where a portion of the bottom surface of the lower cap 150 is recessed upward, and extends in the left-right direction. The concave portions of the handle 50, the second handle 51, and the third handle 52 are continuous and form a series of handles.

[0016] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the door 10 of the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. Note that the inner panel 160 is not shown in Fig. 3 .

[0017] The door 10 has a vertically symmetrical configuration, and the upper cap 140 and the lower cap 150 also have vertically symmetrical configurations. Therefore, in the following explanation, the configuration of the upper cap 140 and the second handle portion 51 will be explained, and an explanation of the lower cap 150 and the third handle portion 52 corresponding to the second handle portion 51 will be omitted.

[0018] The front outer panel 110 includes a front panel 110a, a second front panel 110b, a third front panel 110c, a fourth front panel 110d, a fifth front panel 110e, and a first flange 115. The front panel 110a constitutes at least a portion of the front surface of the door 10. The second front panel 110b extends from the left end of the front panel 110a toward the rear and forms a portion of the left side surface of the door 10. The third front panel 110c extends from the rear end of the second front panel 110b toward the right side surface. The fourth front panel 110d extends from the right end of the front panel 110a toward the rear and forms the right side surface of the door 10. The fifth front panel 110e extends from the rear end of the fourth front panel 110d toward the left side surface.

[0019] The second front panel 110b and the third front panel 110c form a front folded portion 110A. The front folded portion 110A is folded back from the left end of the front panel 110a to the right side surface behind the front panel 110a. The front folded portion 110A forms part of the handle portion 50.

[0020] A first flange 115 is provided at the upper end of the front outer panel 110. The first flange 115 extends from the upper end of the front folded portion 110A toward the area surrounded by the front folded portion 110A and the front panel 110a. Details of the first flange 115 will be described later.

[0021] The rear outer panel 120 includes a rear panel 120a, a second rear panel 120b, a third rear panel 120c, and a second flange 125. The rear panel 120a extends parallel to the front panel 110a and constitutes at least a portion of the rear surface of the door 10 in this embodiment. The second rear panel 120b extends from the left end of the rear panel 120a toward the front and forms a portion of the left side surface of the door 10. The third rear panel 120c extends from the front end of the second rear panel 120b toward the right side surface. The second rear panel 120b and the third rear panel 120c constitute a rear fold portion 120A. The rear fold portion 120A is shaped by being folded back from the left end of the rear panel 120a toward the right side surface in front of the rear panel 120a. The rear fold portion 120A constitutes a portion of the handle portion 50.

[0022] A second flange 125 is provided at the upper end of the rear outer panel 120. The second flange 125 extends toward the area surrounded by the rear folded portion 120A and the rear panel 120a. The second flange 125 will be described in detail later.

[0023] The connecting component 130 has a connecting plate 130a, a second connecting plate 130b, a third connecting plate 130c, a first fixing portion 131, and a second fixing portion 132. The connecting plate 130a extends in the front-rear and up-down directions and constitutes a part of the handle portion 50. The second connecting plate 130b extends from the front end of the connecting plate 130a toward the right side surface. The third connecting plate 130c extends from the rear end of the connecting plate 130a toward the right side surface.

[0024] The first fixed portion 131 is provided on the second connecting plate 130b, and the second fixed portion 132 is provided on the third connecting plate 130c. Details of the first fixed portion 131 and the second fixed portion 132 will be described later.

[0025] The upper cap 140 has an upper wall 140a and an outer peripheral wall 140b. The upper wall 140a forms the upper surface of the door 10. The second handle 51 is provided on a portion of the upper wall 140a and is formed by a portion that is recessed downward and extends in the left-right direction. The outer peripheral wall 140b extends downward from the outer periphery of the upper wall 140a. The left end of the upper cap 140 is bifurcated, and has a recess that is recessed to the right in a plan view.

[0026] Next, the connection between the front skin 110, the rear skin 120, the connecting parts 130, and the upper cap 140 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of area A in Figure 3. Figure 5 is an enlarged front perspective view of area A in Figure 3. Figure 6 is an enlarged front perspective view of area B in Figure 3.

[0027] 4 and 5, the first flange 115 of the front outer panel 110 has a first flange portion 115a provided at the upper end of the front panel 110a and extending toward the rear surface, a second flange portion 115b provided at the upper end of the second front panel 110b and extending toward the right side surface, and a third flange portion 115c provided at the upper end of the third front panel 110c and extending toward the front surface. As shown in Fig. 6, the first flange 115 further has a fourth flange portion 115d provided at the upper end of the fourth front panel 110d and extending toward the left side surface. The first flange portion 115a, the second flange portion 115b, the third flange portion 115c, and the fourth flange portion 115d are connected to surround the area surrounded by the front plate 110a, the second front plate 110b, the third front plate 110c, the fourth front plate 110d, and the fifth front plate 110e.

[0028] The first flange 115a is provided at the upper end of the front plate 110a, from the left end to the right end, as shown in Figures 4 to 6. The second flange 115b is provided at the upper end of the second front plate 110b, from the front end to the rear end, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0029] The third flange portion 115c extends from the left end to the right end at the upper end of the third front plate 110c, but is not provided at the upper end of the right end portion 111. A notch 116, which will be described later, is provided at the upper end of the third front plate 110c, and the third flange portion 115c is provided at the upper end of the third front plate 110c, between the left end and the notch 116.

[0030] 6, the fourth flange 115d is provided at the upper end of the fourth front plate 110d, from the front end to the rear end. The fifth front plate 110e has a notch 117 (described later) at its upper end, but does not have the first flange 115.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second flange 125 of the rear outer panel 120 has a first flange portion 125a provided at the upper end of the second rear panel 120b and extending toward the right side surface, and a second flange portion 125b provided at the upper end of the third rear panel 120c and extending toward the rear. The first flange portion 125a is provided from the front end to the rear end of the second rear panel 120b. The second flange portion 125b extends from the left end to the right end at the upper end of the third rear panel 120c, but is not provided at the upper end of the right end 121. A notch 126 (described later) is provided at the upper end of the third rear panel 120c, and the second flange portion 125b is provided at the upper end of the third rear panel 120c, between the left end and the notch 126. The first flange portion 125a and the second flange portion 125b are connected to surround the area surrounded by the rear plate 120a, the second rear plate 120b, and the third rear plate 120c.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first fixing portion 131 of the connecting part 130 is formed by folding back the right end portion of the second connecting plate 130b toward the left side surface, and fixes the front skin panel 110 to the connecting part 130. The first fixing portion 131 overlaps a portion of the outer peripheral surface on the front side of the second connecting plate 130b. The second fixing portion 132 of the connecting part 130 is formed by folding back the right end portion of the third connecting plate 130c toward the left side surface, and fixes the rear skin panel 120 to the connecting part 130. The second fixing portion 132 overlaps a portion of the outer peripheral surface on the rear side of the third connecting plate 130c. The connecting part 130, the first fixing portion 131, and the second fixing portion 132 are formed integrally with each other. In this embodiment, the upper end surfaces of the connecting plate 130 a, the second connecting plate 130 b, the third connecting plate 10 c, the first fixing portion 131 and the second fixing portion 132 are collectively referred to as the upper end surface 133 of the connecting part 130.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the outer peripheral wall 140b of the upper cap 140 is provided with a horizontally extending groove-shaped flange accommodating portion 142. The left end of the upper cap 140 is bifurcated, with a first protrusion 143 located on the front side and a second protrusion 144 located on the rear side. The flange accommodating portion 142 has a groove-shaped first flange accommodating portion 142a provided on the outer peripheral wall 140b of the first protrusion 143 and a groove-shaped second flange accommodating portion 142b provided on the outer peripheral wall 140b of the second protrusion 144. The first flange accommodating portion 142a provided on the outer peripheral wall 140b of the first protrusion 143 extends to the right end.

[0034] The second flange accommodating portion 142b may be provided on the left side and front side of the outer peripheral wall 140b of the second protruding portion 144. The second flange accommodating portion 142b does not have to be provided on the back side of the outer peripheral wall 140b.

[0035] As shown by the dashed arrows in Figure 4, the front skin panel 110 and the rear skin panel 120 are connected to the connecting component 130. An end 111 of the third front panel 110c is sandwiched between a first fixing portion 131 of the connecting component 130 and the second connecting plate 130b. An end 121 of the third rear panel 120c is sandwiched between a second fixing portion 132 of the connecting component 130 and the third connecting plate 130c. Thus, the front skin panel 110 and the rear skin panel 120 are connected by the connecting component 130.

[0036] The first flange 115 of the front outer panel 110 is accommodated in the first flange accommodating portion 142a of the upper cap 140. More specifically, the first flange portion 115a of the front outer panel 110 is inserted into the first flange accommodating portion 142a provided on the outer peripheral wall 140b on the front side of the upper cap 140. The second flange portion 115b and the third flange portion 115c of the front outer panel 110 are inserted into the first flange accommodating portions 142a provided on the first protrusion 143 of the upper cap 140. The fourth flange portion 115d of the front outer panel 110 is inserted into the first flange accommodating portion 142a provided on the right outer peripheral wall 140b.

[0037] The second flange 125 of the rear outer panel 120 is accommodated in the second flange accommodating portion 142b of the upper cap 140. More specifically, the first flange portion 125a and the second flange portion 125b of the rear outer panel 120 are inserted into the second flange accommodating portions 142b provided on the left and front side surfaces of the second protruding portion 144 of the upper cap 140.

[0038] An upper cap 140 is connected on top of the interconnected front skin 110, connecting part 130, and rear skin 120. The first flange 115 of the front skin 110 is accommodated in the first flange accommodating portion 142a of the upper cap 140, and the second flange 125 of the rear skin 120 is accommodated in the second flange accommodating portion 142b. An upper end surface 133 of the connecting part 130 is connected to be continuous with the lower surface of the concave upper wall 140a that constitutes the second handle portion 51 of the upper cap 140.

[0039] 5 and 6, the cutouts 116 and 117 in the front skin panel 110 and the cutouts 126 and 127 in the rear skin panel 120 will be described. Each cutout is provided in a location that is not visible from the outside of the assembled door 10 and cannot be touched by the user.

[0040] The notch 116 is provided at the upper end of the third front panel 110c, and the notch 117 is provided at the upper end of the fifth front panel 110e, both of which have a recessed shape from top to bottom. The notch 116 is located below the second handle 51 of the upper cap 140 in the vertical direction. The notch 117 is located on the right side of the fifth front panel 110e.

[0041] The notch 126 is provided at the upper end of the third rear panel 120c, and the notch 127 is provided at the upper end of the rear panel 120a, and has a recessed shape from top to bottom. The notch 126 is located below the second handle 51 of the upper cap 140. The notch 127 is located on the left side of the rear panel 120a.

[0042] 5 and 6, the length in the left-right direction of the notch 117 and the notch 127 is longer than the length in the left-right direction of the other notches, but the length in the left-right direction and the height of each notch are not particularly limited. Each notch may be provided in a downwardly recessed shape at the upper end of the front skin panel 110 and the rear skin panel 120.

[0043] Next, with reference to Figures 7 to 12, the claws that engage with notches 116, 117, 126, and 127 (see Figures 5 and 6) will be described. Figure 7 is a bottom view of upper cap 140 of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of area C in Figure 7. In Figure 8, the back of the page is the upper side and the front of the page is the lower side. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of area D in Figure 7. Figure 10 is a top view of door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F in Figure 11.

[0044] In region C of Fig. 7, as shown in Fig. 8, a first claw portion 145a is provided on the lower surface of the first protrusion 143 of the upper cap 140, and second claw portions 146a and 146b are provided on the lower surface of the second protrusion 144. In region D of Fig. 7, as shown in Fig. 9, a first claw portion 145b is provided on the lower surface of the right rear end of the upper cap 140. The first claw portions 145a, 145b and the second claw portions 146a, 146b protrude downward.

[0045] At the position of line E-E in Fig. 10, the second claw portion 146a is engaged with the notch 126 of the third rear panel 120c. As shown in Fig. 11, the second claw portion 146a and the notch 126 are convex downward, and the second claw portion 146a is fitted into the notch 126. The second claw portion 146a also protrudes toward the rear surface as shown in Fig. 12. Therefore, the second claw portion 146a is engaged with the notch 126.

[0046] 12, the first claw 145a has the same shape as the second claw 146a and protrudes toward the front. The first claw 145a is engaged with the notch 116 in the third front plate 110c. Although not shown, the first claw 145b is engaged with the notch 117 in the fifth front plate 110e (see FIG. 6), and the second claw 146b is engaged with the notch 127 in the rear plate 120a (see FIG. 5).

[0047] In the present disclosure, the claw portion that engages with the notch provided in the front skin 110 is referred to as the first claw portion 145, and the claw portion that engages with the notch provided in the rear skin 120 is referred to as the second claw portion 146. The left-right length, the height of the convex shape, and the length in the front-rear direction of the first claw portion 145 and the second claw portion 146 are not particularly limited, as long as each claw portion engages with the corresponding notch. Furthermore, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the first claw portion 145a and the first claw portion 145b, they will be referred to as the first claw portion 145, and when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the second claw portion 146a and the second claw portion 146b, they will be referred to as the second claw portion 146. The claw portions and the notches may be provided as needed, and the number thereof is not particularly limited.

[0048] After being assembled into refrigerator 100, front outer panel 110 and rear outer panel 120 tend to spread outward due to springback. However, first claw portion 145a is engaged with notch 116, thereby preventing third front panel 110c and upper cap 140 from being misaligned in the left-right direction. Furthermore, first claw portion 145b is engaged with notch 117, thereby preventing fifth front panel 110e and upper cap 140 from being misaligned in the left-right direction. Furthermore, second claw portion 146a is engaged with notch 126, thereby preventing third rear panel 120c and upper cap 140 from being misaligned in the left-right direction. Furthermore, second claw portion 146b is engaged with notch 127, thereby preventing rear panel 120a and upper cap 140 from being misaligned in the left-right direction. In this way, the upper cap 140, the front outer panel 110, and the rear outer panel 120 are fixed so as not to be misaligned in the left-right direction.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8 , a cover portion 147 is provided on the lower end surface 148 of the second handle portion 51 of the upper cap 140. The cover portion 147 is provided on the lower end surface of the left end of the second handle portion 51 and is in surface contact with the upper end surface of the connecting plate 130a of the connecting component 130. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the area surrounded by the upper cap 140, the front outer panel 110, and the rear outer panel 120 is filled with foam insulation 17, which will be described later. When the connecting component 130 is a resin component formed by extrusion molding, the upper and lower edges of the connecting component 130 formed by cutting may be sharp and require edge treatment. Even in such cases, covering the edges from the outside with the cover portion 147 prevents a user's fingers or other objects from coming into contact with the edges of the connecting component 130 when using the door 10.

[0050] Next, the connecting part 130 and the foam insulation material 17 will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 15. Fig. 13 is a front view of the door 10 of the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 13 is a diagram for facilitating understanding of which cross-sections of the door 10 are shown in Figs. 14 to 17. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of region J in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H in Fig. 13. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in Fig. 13.

[0051] As shown in Figure 14, the interior of the door 10 is filled with foam insulation 17. The foam insulation 17 is, for example, urethane. The second connecting plate 130b, the third connecting plate 130c, the first fixing portion 131, and the second fixing portion 132 of the connecting part 130 are embedded in the foam insulation 17. In addition, a portion of the third front panel 110c of the front outer panel 110 sandwiched between the first fixing portion 131 and the second connecting plate 130b of the connecting part 130, and a portion of the third rear panel 120c of the rear outer panel 120 sandwiched between the second fixing portion 132 of the connecting part 130 and the third connecting plate 130c are also embedded in the foam insulation 17.

[0052] 15, a clamping piece 131a that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the front side of the second connecting plate 130b is provided at the tip of the first fixing portion 131 of the connecting part 130. Furthermore, a pressing portion 131b that protrudes toward the second connecting plate 130b is provided between the clamping piece 131a and the folded portion 131c of the first fixing portion 131. A gap is formed between the pressing portion 131b and the second connecting plate 130b.

[0053] The right end 111 of the third front panel 110c is inserted and clamped between the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting plate 130b and the clamping piece 131a, and between the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting plate 130b and the retaining portion 131b. The end 111 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting plate 130b by the clamping piece 131a and clamped, so it is less likely to shift left and right or front and rear. Furthermore, the retaining portion 131b prevents the end 111 from wobbling forward and rearward in the gap between the retaining portion 131b and the second connecting plate 130b. Fixing the end 111 of the third front panel 110c with the clamping piece 131a and the retaining portion 131b of the first fixing portion 131 in this manner prevents the front outer panel 110 from moving forward and rearward or left and right, or from wobbling.

[0054] 15, a clamping piece 132a that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the rear side of the third connecting plate 130c is provided at the tip of the second fixing portion 132 of the connecting part 130. In addition, a pressing portion 132b that protrudes toward the third connecting plate 130c is provided on the second fixing portion 132 between the clamping piece 132a and the folded portion 132c. A gap is formed between the pressing portion 132b and the third connecting plate 130c.

[0055] The right end 121 of the third rear panel 120c is inserted and clamped between the outer peripheral surface of the third connecting plate 130c and the clamping piece 132a, and between the outer peripheral surface of the third connecting plate 130c and the retaining portion 132b. The end 121 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the third connecting plate 130c by the clamping piece 132a and clamped, so it is less likely to shift left and right or front and rear. Furthermore, the retaining portion 132b prevents the end 121 from wobbling forward and rearward in the gap between the retaining portion 132b and the third connecting plate 130c. Fixing the end 121 of the third rear panel 120c with the clamping piece 132a and the retaining portion 132b of the second fixing portion 132 in this manner prevents the rear outer panel 120 from moving forward and rearward and left and right, or from wobbling.

[0056] 15 , the left-right lengths of the second connecting plate 130b and the third connecting plate 130c are shorter than the front-rear length of the connecting plate 130a, but longer than the left-right lengths of the first fixing portion 131 and the second fixing portion 132. Therefore, using the second connecting plate 130b as a guide, the end 111 of the third front plate 110c can be inserted between the clamping piece 131a of the first fixing portion 131 and the third front plate 110c. Also, using the third connecting plate 130c as a guide, the end 121 of the third rear plate 120c can be inserted between the clamping piece 132a of the second fixing portion 132 and the third rear plate 120c.

[0057] Next, the arrangement of the upper cap 140 and the front plate 110a will be described with reference to Figures 13, 16, and 17. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in Figure 13. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Figure 12.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the first flange portion 115a of the front plate 110a is accommodated in the first flange accommodating portion 142a of the upper cap 140, so that no irregularities are formed on the front surface of the door 10.

[0059] When assembling the door 10, the front skin panel 110 and the rear skin panel 120 are connected by the connecting parts 130, and then the upper cap 140 and the lower cap 150 are attached. Alternatively, vacuum insulation may be provided inside the door 10 before the foam insulation material 17 is injected. The vacuum insulation material may not be provided depending on the temperature difference between the set temperature of the storage space and the outside air temperature. Alternatively, the foam insulation material 17 may be injected after the front skin panel 110, the rear skin panel 120, the connecting parts 130, the upper cap 140, and the lower cap 150 are connected. In this case, the inner panel 160 may be attached to the front skin panel 110, the rear skin panel 120, the upper cap 140, and the lower cap 150 after the foam insulation material 17 is injected.

[0060] The following describes the effects of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. Refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1 includes box 1 having an opening on the front side and a storage space therein, and door 10 having handle 50 on a first side surface that is one of the left and right sides and attached to box 1 on a second side surface that is the side opposite to the first side surface for opening and closing the opening. Door 10 includes front outer panel 110, rear outer panel 120 provided rearward of front outer panel 110, connecting component 130 that connects front outer panel 110 and rear outer panel 120 in the front-to-rear direction and constitutes at least a part of the first side surface of door 10, and upper cap 140 provided on front outer panel 110, rear outer panel 120, and connecting component 130 and constitutes the upper surface of door 10. The front outer panel 110 has a front panel 110a that constitutes at least a portion of the front surface of the door 10, a front fold portion 110A that is folded back from the end of the front panel 110a on the first side surface toward the second side surface behind the front panel 110a, and a first flange 115 that is provided at the upper end of the front fold portion 110A and extends toward the area surrounded by the front fold portion 110A and the front panel 110a. The rear outer panel 120 has a back panel 120a that constitutes at least a portion of the back surface of the door 10, a back fold portion 120A that is folded back from the end of the back panel 120a on the first side surface toward the second side surface behind the back panel 120a, and a second flange 125 that is provided at the upper end of the back fold portion 120A and extends toward the area surrounded by the back fold portion 120A and the back panel 120a. Upper cap 140 has an upper wall 140a, an outer peripheral wall 140b extending downward from the outer periphery of upper wall 140a, a groove-shaped first flange accommodating portion 142a provided in outer peripheral wall 140b to accommodate first flange 115, and a groove-shaped second flange accommodating portion 142b provided in outer peripheral wall 140b to accommodate second flange 125. Handle portion 50 is formed by front folded portion 110A, a part of connecting part 130, and rear folded portion 120A, and has a shape recessed toward the second side surface.

[0061] According to the above configuration, a recessed handle portion 50 is formed on the first side surface of the door 10 of the refrigerator 100 by the front outer panel 110, the rear outer panel 120, and the connecting part 130. This allows a user to place their hand on the first side surface of the door 10 to open the door 10. This improves the convenience of the refrigerator 100.

[0062] Furthermore, the front skin panel 110 is connected to the upper cap 140 by receiving the first flange 115 in the first flange receiving portion 142a, and the rear skin panel 120 is connected to the upper cap 140 by receiving the second flange 125 in the second flange receiving portion 142b. Because the first flange 115 is inserted into the outer peripheral wall 140b of the upper cap 140, the vertical dimension of the upper cap 140 exposed to the outside can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the upper cap 140 covers the upper end of the front skin panel 110. As a result, the upper cap 140 is less noticeable in the exterior of the door 10, and the upper cap 140 is less likely to affect the design. Furthermore, because each flange is received in each flange receiving portion, the connection between the front skin panel 110 and the upper cap 140 and the connection between the rear skin panel 120 and the upper cap 140 are strengthened.

[0063] In this embodiment, the front outer panel 110 having the front fold portion 110A and the rear outer panel 120 having the rear fold portion 120A are connected by a connecting component 130, which is a separate component. If flanges are provided on the front outer panel 110 and the rear outer panel 120, bending the flanges in the direction opposite to the flange extension direction could cause the flanges to tear, which could lead to leakage of the foam insulation. In this embodiment, the front fold portion 110A having the flanges and the rear fold portion 120A are connected by the connecting component 130, so the handle 50 can be configured without bending the flange in a direction that would cause it to tear. This makes it possible to connect the front outer panel 110 and the upper cap 140 with a flange that reduces the possibility of leakage of the foam insulation 17, thereby improving the design of the door 10 having the handle 50 on its side.

[0064] Furthermore, in door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment, connecting part 130 has first fixing part 131 fixed to front outer panel 110, second fixing part 132 fixed to rear outer panel 120, and connecting plate 130a provided between first fixing part 131 and second fixing part 132, extending in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of door 10 and constituting part of handle part 50. Therefore, front outer panel 110 and rear outer panel 120 are firmly fixed to connecting part 130 by first fixing part 131 and second fixing part 132.

[0065] Furthermore, the first fixing portion 131 of the connecting component 130 is provided on the second connecting plate 130b of the connecting component 130, and sandwiches the third front plate 110c between itself and the second connecting plate 130b. Therefore, the third front plate 110c can be firmly sandwiched between the second connecting plate 130b and the first fixing portion 131. Furthermore, the second fixing portion 132 of the connecting component 130 is provided on the third connecting plate 130c of the connecting component 130, and sandwiches the third rear plate 120c between itself and the third connecting plate 130c. Therefore, the third rear plate 120c can be firmly sandwiched between the second connecting plate 130b and the first fixing portion 131.

[0066] Furthermore, first fixing portion 131 of connecting part 130 is formed by folding back from the end portion on the second side surface side of second connecting plate 130b toward the first side surface side. Also, second fixing portion 132 of connecting part 130 is formed by folding back from the end portion on the second side surface side of third connecting plate 130c toward the first side surface side. Therefore, since there is no need to manufacture and connect connecting part 130, first fixing portion 131, and second fixing portion 132 as separate parts, the manufacturing process of refrigerator 100 can be simplified.

[0067] Furthermore, in door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment, connecting part 130 is made of resin, and upper end surface 133 of connecting part 130 is in surface contact with lower end surface 148 of upper cap 140. Therefore, connecting part 130 and upper cap 140 are connected flush with each other, which can prevent the design of door 10 from being affected.

[0068] Furthermore, because the connecting part 130 is made of resin, there is little risk that the end of the connecting part 130 will injure the user. This eliminates the need to cover the end of the connecting part 130 with a cover to prevent injury to the user, simplifying the manufacturing process of the refrigerator 100. Furthermore, because there is no need to cover the end of the connecting part 130 with a cover, the upper end surface 133 of the connecting part 130 and the lower end surface 148 of the upper cap 140 can be directly connected by surface contact. Since no unevenness occurs at the contact point between the connecting part 130 and the upper cap 140, this reduces any impact on the design of the door 10. Furthermore, because the connecting part 130 is made of resin, it is easy to correct dimensional variations in the connecting part 130. This makes it easy to manage the dimensions of the door 10.

[0069] In door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment, upper cap 140 has first claw portion 145 protruding downward and second claw portion 146 protruding downward. Front outer panel 110 has concave cutouts 116 and 117 in which first claw portions 145a and 145b are engaged, in a portion of its upper end where first flange 115 is not provided. Rear outer panel 120 has concave cutouts 126 and 127 in which second claw portions 146a and 146b are engaged, in a portion of its upper end where second flange 125 is not provided.

[0070] According to the above configuration, when the first flange 115 is accommodated in the first flange accommodating portion 142a, the first claw portion 145a of the upper cap 140 and the front skin 110 is engaged with the notch 116, and the first claw portion 145b ... second claw portion 146b of the upper cap 140 and the rear skin 120 is engaged with the notch 126, and the second claw portion 146b of the upper cap 140 and the rear skin 120 is engaged with the notch 127, and the rear skin 120 is therefore inhibited from moving in the front-rear and left-right directions. Therefore, the possibility that the front outer panel 110 and the rear outer panel 120 will come off the upper cap 140 during assembly of the door 10 is reduced, improving the manufacturing efficiency of the refrigerator 100. Furthermore, since doors 10 of the same quality in which the front outer panel 110 and the rear outer panel 120 are firmly connected to the upper cap 140 can be stably assembled, variation in the quality of the refrigerators 100 can be reduced.

[0071] Furthermore, the notch 116 in the third front panel 110c, the notch 117 in the fifth front panel 110e, the notch 127 in the rear panel 120a, and the notch 126 in the third rear panel 120c are all provided in locations that cannot be touched by the user to prevent injury to the user, thereby improving the safety of the refrigerator 100.

[0072] Furthermore, in door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment, first fixing portion 131 and second fixing portion 132 of connecting part 130 are embedded in foam insulation 17 filled between front outer panel 110 and rear outer panel 120. With this configuration, the connecting portion between front outer panel 110 and connecting part 130 and the connecting portion between rear outer panel 120 and connecting part 130 are not visible from the outside of door 10, improving the design of door 10. Note that the connecting portion between front outer panel 110 and connecting part 130 is second connecting plate 130b and first fixing portion 131 of connecting part 130, and end portion 111 of third front panel 110c sandwiched between second connecting plate 130b and first fixing portion 131. Furthermore, the connection portion between the rear outer panel 120 and the connecting part 130 is the third connecting plate 130c of the connecting part 130, the second fixing part 132, and the end portion 121 of the third rear panel 120c that is clamped between the third connecting plate 130c and the second fixing part 132.

[0073] Furthermore, door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment has second handle 51 recessed downward and extending in the left-right direction on upper wall 140a of upper cap 140. Second handle 51 is connected to handle 50 on the first side surface. A user can open and close door 10 by placing their hand on second handle 51 provided on the top surface of door 10, improving the convenience of refrigerator 100.

[0074] Furthermore, door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment includes hinge 5 provided on the second side surface. Hinge 5 rotatably supports door 10. With this configuration, a user can open and close door 10 using handle 50.

[0075] The door 10 may also be provided with a bottom cap 150 having a vertically symmetrical configuration to the top cap 140. The bottom cap 150 has a third handle 52, allowing a user to place their hand on the third handle 52 provided on the bottom surface of the door 10 to open or close the door 10. The recessed portions of the handle 50, the second handle 51, and the third handle 52 are connected in a continuous manner, providing continuous handles on the top, bottom, and one side of the door 10. This makes it easier for the user to open and close the door 10. Furthermore, the user can open and close the door 10 from any of the top, bottom, and one side of the door 10 without visually checking the handle 50, the second handle 51, and the third handle 52. This improves the convenience of the refrigerator 100.

[0076] Embodiment 2. In this embodiment, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described. In this embodiment, parts common to embodiment 1 are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment differs from embodiment 1 in the configurations of the front skin 110, rear skin 120, connecting part 130, and upper cap 140. The connecting part 130 in this embodiment is made of steel plate, and the first fixing part 131 and the second fixing part 132 are provided as separate bodies. Accordingly, the configurations of the front skin 110, rear skin 120, and upper cap 140 differ from those in embodiment 1.

[0077] A connecting part 130 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 20. Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of the upper part of one side surface of door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 2. Figure 19 is an exploded front perspective view of the upper part of one side surface of door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 2. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view of door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 2 taken along line G-G in Figure 13, and is an enlarged view of handle portion 50.

[0078] 18 and 19 , the connection component 130 includes a main body 130A having a connection plate 130a, a second connection plate 130b, and a third connection plate 130c. The first fixing portion 131 is provided on the right outer peripheral surface of the second connection plate 130b as a separate body from the main body 130A. The second fixing portion 132 is provided on the right outer peripheral surface of the third connection plate 130c as a separate body from the main body 130A.

[0079] A third flange 135 extending toward the right side surface is provided at the upper end of the connecting plate 130a. A groove-shaped third flange accommodating portion 142c for accommodating the third flange 135 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 140b of the upper cap 140. More specifically, the third flange accommodating portion 142c is provided on the outer peripheral wall 140b that extends downward from the outer periphery on the left side of the second handle portion 51.

[0080] As shown in Figure 19, a notch 136 is provided at the upper end of the second connecting plate 130b, and a notch 137 is provided at the upper end of the third connecting plate 130c. The notches 136 and 137 are recessed from top to bottom. In this embodiment, the right end of the second connecting plate 130b is referred to as end 138. The right end of the third connecting plate 130c is referred to as end 139.

[0081] As shown in Figure 20, the first fixing portion 131 and the second fixing portion 132 are the same component with the same configuration. The first fixing portion 131 and the second fixing portion 132 each have a base portion 171, 181 extending in the front-to-rear direction, a first clamping piece 172, 182 extending leftward from the front end of the base portion 171, 181, and a second clamping piece 173, 183 extending obliquely from the rear end of the base portion 171, 181 toward the left end of the first clamping piece 172, 182. The first clamping piece 172, 182 and the second clamping piece 173, 183 are configured to contact each other and clamp an object therebetween. The base portion 171, 181 is provided with a retaining portion 176, 186 extending leftward. The holding portions 176, 186 protrude into the space surrounded by the first clamping pieces 172, 182, the second clamping pieces 173, 183, and the bases 171, 181, and have a structure that allows an object to be held between the holding portions 176, 186 and the first clamping pieces 172, 182. A gap is formed between the holding portions 176, 186 and the first clamping pieces 172, 182.

[0082] In the first fixing portion 131, the first clamping piece 172, the second clamping piece 173, and the pressing portion 176 constitute a clamping portion 174. The clamping portion 174 of the first fixing portion 131 clamps the second connecting plate 130b of the overlapping connecting component 130 and the third front plate 110c of the front outer panel 110. Specifically, the second clamping piece 173 presses the end 138 of the second connecting plate 130b, and the first clamping piece 172 presses the end 111 of the third front plate 110c, thereby clamping the second connecting plate 130b and the third front plate 110c. Because the second connecting plate 130b and the third front plate 110c are sandwiched between the first clamping piece 172 and the second clamping piece 173, the second connecting plate 130b and the third front plate 110c are less likely to shift in the left-right and front-rear directions. Furthermore, the end 138 of the second connecting plate 130b and the end 111 of the third front plate 110c are inserted into the gap between the retaining portion 176 and the first clamping piece 172. Being sandwiched between the retaining portion 176 and the first clamping piece 172 prevents the second connecting plate 130b and the third front plate 110c from wobbling back and forth.

[0083] In the second fixing portion 132, the first clamping piece 182, the second clamping piece 183, and the pressing portion 186 constitute a clamping portion 184. The clamping portion 184 of the second fixing portion 132 clamps the overlapping third connecting plate 130c of the connecting component 130 and the third rear panel 120c of the rear outer panel 120. Specifically, the second clamping piece 183 presses the end 121 of the third rear panel 120c, and the first clamping piece 182 presses the end 139 of the third connecting plate 130c, thereby clamping the third connecting plate 130c and the third rear panel 120c. Because the third connecting plate 130c is sandwiched between the first clamping piece 182 and the second clamping piece 183, the third connecting plate 130c and the third rear panel 120c are less likely to shift in the left-right and front-rear directions. Furthermore, end 139 of third connecting plate 130c and end 121 of third back plate 120c are inserted into the gap between retainer 186 and first clamping piece 182. Being sandwiched between retainer 186 and first clamping piece 182 prevents third connecting plate 130c and third back plate 120c from wobbling back and forth.

[0084] Next, the front skin 110 and the rear skin 120 will be described with reference to Figure 19. The notch 116 and the upper end of the end 111 of the third front skin 110c of the front skin 110 are located below the third flange 115c. Furthermore, the notch 126 and the upper end of the end 121 of the third rear skin 120c of the rear skin 120 are located below the second flange 125b. When the front skin 110 and the rear skin 120 are connected with the connecting part 130, the notch 116 of the third front skin 110c overlaps with the notch 136 of the second connecting skin 130b, and the notch 137 of the third connecting skin 130c overlaps with the notch 126 of the third rear skin 120c. Furthermore, the notch 116 of the third front plate 110c, the notch 136 of the second connecting plate 130b, the notch 137 of the third connecting plate 130c, and the notch 126 of the third rear plate 120c are aligned in a straight line in the front-rear direction.

[0085] A first claw portion 145a of the upper cap 140 is engaged with the notch 116 of the third front plate 110c and the notch 136 of the second connecting plate 130b. A second claw portion 146a of the upper cap 140 is engaged with the notch 137 of the third connecting plate 130c and the notch 126 of the third rear plate 120c. Note that the first claw portion 145a and the second claw portion 146a only need to be able to be engaged with the corresponding notches, and there are no particular limitations on the locations and shapes at which they are provided.

[0086] The effects of refrigerator 100 according to the second embodiment will be described below. Door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to the second embodiment includes main body 130A in which connecting component 130 includes connecting plate 130a, second connecting plate 130b extending from the front end of connecting plate 130a toward the second side surface, and third connecting plate 130c extending from the rear end of connecting plate 130a toward the second side surface. First fixing portion 131 and second fixing portion 132 are provided separately from main body 130A. First fixing portion 131 has clamping portion 174 that clamps second connecting plate 130b of connecting component 130 and third front panel 110c of front outer panel 110, which are overlapped with each other. The second fixing portion 132 has a clamping portion 184 that clamps the third connecting plate 130 c of the connecting part 130 and the third rear plate 120 c of the rear outer plate 120 , which are overlapped.

[0087] In this embodiment, a connecting part 130 composed of a main body 130A, a first fixing part 131, and a second fixing part 132 connects the front outer panel 110 and the rear outer panel 120. However, since the configurations of the first flange 115 of the front outer panel 110 and the first flange accommodating part 142a of the upper cap 140 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the upper cap 140 becomes less noticeable in the appearance of the door 10, and the upper cap 140 is less likely to affect the design.

[0088] As in the first embodiment, the first flange 115 of the front outer panel 110 and the second flange 125 of the rear outer panel 120 are provided at the upper ends of the front folded portion 110A and the rear folded portion 120A, respectively. In this embodiment, the front folded portion 110A and the rear folded portion 120A are connected by the connecting part 130, so that the handhold 50 can be formed without bending the flange in a tearing direction. Therefore, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0089] In this embodiment, the clamping portion 174 of the first fixed portion 131 and the clamping portion 184 of the second fixed portion 132 each have a pair of clamping pieces that clamp an object at their tips, and a base 171, 181 that connects the pair of clamping pieces. The base 171, 181 is provided with a pressing portion 176, 186 that protrudes into the space formed between the pair of clamping pieces and the base 171, 181 and comes into contact with the object. The pair of clamping pieces of the clamping portion 174 are the first clamping piece 172 and the second clamping piece 173, and the pair of clamping pieces of the clamping portion 184 are the first clamping piece 182 and the second clamping piece 183.

[0090] The above-described configuration of the first fixing portion 131 and the second fixing portion 132 allows the front outer panel 110 and the rear outer panel 120 to be firmly fixed to the connecting part 130. As a result, the front outer panel 110 and the rear outer panel 120 are less likely to shift in the front-rear and left-right directions, and are prevented from wobbling forward and backward. This improves the quality of the refrigerator 100.

[0091] Furthermore, in door 10 of refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment, connecting part 130 is made of a steel plate. Connecting part 130 has third flange 135 extending horizontally toward the second side surface at the upper end of connecting plate 130a. Furthermore, outer peripheral wall 140b of upper cap 140 is provided with groove-shaped third flange accommodating portion 142c in which third flange 135 of connecting part 130 is accommodated.

[0092] In the above configuration, since the connecting part 130 is made of steel plate, the design of the door 10 is improved. Furthermore, since the third flange 135 at the upper end of the connecting plate 130a is accommodated in the third flange accommodating portion 142c of the upper cap 140, when a user places their hand on the handle portion 50, they will not come into contact with the end face of the connecting plate 130a made of steel plate. This improves the safety of the refrigerator 100. Furthermore, since the third flange 135 is accommodated in the third flange accommodating portion 142c, the connecting part 130 and the upper cap 140 are connected flush with each other, which can prevent the design of the door 10 from being affected.

[0093] 1 Box body, 2 Refrigerator compartment, 3 Vegetable compartment, 4 Freezer compartment, 5 Hinge, 10 Door, 17 Foam insulation material, 20 Vegetable compartment door, 30 Freezer compartment door, 50 Handle portion, 51 Second handle portion, 52 Third handle portion, 100 Refrigerator, 110 Front outer panel, 110A Front folded portion, 110a Front panel, 110b Second front panel, 110c Third front panel, 110d Fourth front panel, 110e Fifth front panel, 111 End portion, 115 First flange, 115a First flange portion, 115b Second flange portion, 115c Third flange portion, 115d Fourth flange portion, 116 Notch, 117 Notch, 120 Back outer panel, 120A Back folded portion, 120a Rear plate, 120b Second rear plate, 120c Third rear plate, 121 End, 125 Second flange, 125a First flange portion, 125b Second flange portion, 126 Notch, 127 Notch, 130 Connecting part, 130A Main body portion, 130a Connecting plate, 130b Second connecting plate, 130c Third connecting plate, 131 First fixing portion, 131a Clamping piece, 131b Pressing portion, 131c Folded portion, 132 Second fixing portion, 132a Clamping piece, 132b Pressing portion, 132c Folded portion, 133 Upper end surface, 135 Third flange, 136 Notch, 137 Notch, 138 End, 139 End, 140 Upper cap, 140a Upper wall, 140b Outer peripheral wall, 142 flange accommodating portion, 142a first flange accommodating portion, 142b second flange accommodating portion, 142c third flange accommodating portion, 143 first protrusion, 144 second protrusion, 145 first claw portion, 145a first claw portion, 145b first claw portion, 146 second claw portion, 146a second claw portion, 146b second claw portion, 147 cover portion, 148 lower end surface, 150 lower cap, 160 inner plate, 171 base portion, 172 first clamping piece, 173 second clamping piece, 174 clamping portion, 176 holding portion, 181 base portion, 182 first clamping piece, 183 second clamping piece, 184 clamping portion, 186 holding portion.

Claims

1. A box having an opening on its front and a storage space therein; and a door having a handle on a first side which is one of the left and right sides and attached to the box on a second side which is the side opposite to the first side for opening and closing the opening, wherein the door comprises: a front outer panel; a rear outer panel provided on the rear side of the front outer panel; a connecting part which connects the front outer panel and the rear outer panel in the front-to-rear direction and constitutes at least a part of the first side of the door; and an upper cap provided on the front outer panel, the rear outer panel and the connecting part and constitutes the upper surface of the door, wherein the front outer panel comprises: a front panel which constitutes at least a part of the front surface of the door; a front fold part which is folded back from the end of the front panel on the first side side towards the second side side at the rear of the front panel; and a first flange which is provided at the upper end of the front fold part and extends towards the area surrounded by the front fold part and the front panel, and the rear outer panel comprises: a rear panel constituting at least a part of the rear surface of the door; a rear fold portion folded back in front of the rear panel from an end portion on the first side surface side of the rear panel toward the second side surface side; and a second flange provided at an upper end of the rear fold portion and extending toward an area surrounded by the rear fold portion and the rear panel; wherein the upper cap has: an upper wall; an outer circumferential wall extending downward from an outer circumferential portion of the upper wall; a groove-shaped first flange accommodating portion provided on the outer circumferential wall and in which the first flange is accommodated; and a groove-shaped second flange accommodating portion provided on the outer circumferential wall and in which the second flange is accommodated; and wherein the handle portion is formed by the front fold portion, a part of the connecting part, and the rear fold portion, and has a shape concave toward the second side surface side.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the connecting parts include a first fixing part fixed to the front outer panel, a second fixing part fixed to the rear outer panel, and a connecting plate provided between the first fixing part and the second fixing part, extending in the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions of the door and constituting part of the handle portion.

3. The front fold portion of the front outer panel comprises: a second front panel extending from an end portion of the front panel on the first side surface side toward the rear surface and forming a part of the first side surface of the door; and a third front panel extending from a rear end of the second front panel toward the second side surface; the rear fold portion of the rear outer panel comprises: a second rear panel extending from an end portion of the rear panel on the first side surface side of the rear panel of the rear outer panel toward the front surface and forming a part of the first side surface of the door; and a third rear panel extending from a front end of the second rear panel of the rear outer panel toward the second side surface; the connecting part comprises: a second connecting plate extending from a front end of the connecting plate toward the second side surface; and a third connecting plate extending from a rear end of the connecting plate toward the second side surface; the first fixing portion of the connecting part is provided on the second connecting plate of the connecting part and holds the third front panel between the second connecting plate and the third connecting plate; The refrigerator according to claim 2 , wherein the second fixing portion of the connection part is provided on the third connection plate of the connection part, and holds the third rear panel between the second fixing portion and the third connection plate.

4. The refrigerator described in claim 3, wherein the first fixing portion of the connecting part is formed by folding back from the end portion on the second side surface of the second connecting plate toward the first side surface, and the second fixing portion of the connecting part is formed by folding back from the end portion on the second side surface of the third connecting plate toward the first side surface.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting part is made of resin, and an upper end surface of the connecting part is in surface contact with a lower end surface of the upper cap.

6. The front fold portion of the front outer panel has a second front panel extending from an end of the front panel on the first side surface side toward the rear surface and forming a part of the first side surface of the door, and a third front panel extending from a rear end of the second front panel toward the second side surface, the rear fold portion of the rear outer panel has a second rear panel extending from an end of the rear panel on the first side surface side of the rear panel of the rear outer panel toward the front surface and forming a part of the first side surface of the door, and a third rear panel extending from a front end of the second rear panel of the rear outer panel toward the second side surface, the connecting part comprises a main body portion having the connecting plate, a second connecting plate extending from a front end of the connecting plate toward the second side surface, and a third connecting plate extending from a rear end of the connecting plate toward the second side surface, the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion being provided separately from the main body portion, The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the first fixing portion has a clamping portion that clamps the second connection plate of the overlapping connection parts and the third front plate of the front outer plate, and the second fixing portion has a clamping portion that clamps the third connection plate of the overlapping connection parts and the third rear plate of the rear outer plate.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the clamping portion of the first fixing portion and the clamping portion of the second fixing portion each have a pair of clamping pieces that clamp an object at their tips and a base that connects the pair of clamping pieces, and the base is provided with a pressing portion that protrudes into a space formed between the pair of clamping pieces and the base and comes into contact with the object.

8. A refrigerator as described in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the connecting part is made of steel plate, the upper end of the connecting plate has a third flange extending horizontally toward the second side surface, and the outer peripheral wall of the upper cap is provided with a groove-shaped third flange accommodating portion in which the third flange of the connecting part is accommodated.

9. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the upper cap has a first claw portion protruding downward and a second claw portion protruding downward, the front outer panel has a concave notch in which the first claw portion engages at a portion of the upper end where the first flange is not provided, and the rear outer panel has a concave notch in which the second claw portion engages at a portion of the upper end where the second flange is not provided.

10. A refrigerator as described in any one of claims 3, 4, or 6 to 9, wherein the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion of the connecting part are embedded in foam insulation filled between the front outer panel and the rear outer panel.

11. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the upper wall of the upper cap is provided with a second handle portion that is recessed downward and extends in the left-right direction, and the second handle portion is connected to the handle portion on the first side surface side.

12. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a hinge provided on the second side surface of the door, the hinge supporting the door so as to be rotatable.

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