CN113375393A

CN113375393A - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN113375393A
Application number: CN202110059913.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 岩元浩二; 秋吉浩一; 山尾明
Original assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Priority date: 2020-03-09
Filing date: 2021-01-18
Publication date: 2021-09-10
Also published as: JP2021139605A; JP7445466B2

Abstract

The invention aims to provide a refrigerator capable of efficiently accommodating various accommodated objects in a door container. The refrigerator of an embodiment has a refrigerator main body, a door, a lower stage door container, a middle stage door container, and an upper stage door container. The refrigerator main body includes a storage chamber. The door openably and closably closes the storage chamber. The lower door container is detachably fixed at the lowest position on the inner side of the door. The middle door container is arranged on the inner side of the door and above the lower door container in a manner of moving along the vertical direction. The upper door container is disposed above the middle door container on the inner side of the door, and the upper door container has a vertically movable range larger than that of the middle door container.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator.

Background

There is known a structure in which a door rack (door container) is provided on a door of a storage room of a refrigerator. It is desirable to efficiently store various kinds of stored items in the door rack.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2010-185628

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The invention provides a refrigerator capable of efficiently accommodating various accommodated objects in a door container.

Means for solving the problems

The refrigerator of an embodiment has a refrigerator main body, a door, a lower stage door container, a middle stage door container, and an upper stage door container. The refrigerator main body includes a storage chamber. The door openably and closably closes the storage chamber. The lower door container is detachably fixed at the lowest position on the inner side of the door. The middle door container is arranged on the inner side of the door and above the lower door container in a manner of moving along the vertical direction. The upper door container is disposed above the middle door container on the inner side of the door, and the upper door container has a vertically movable range larger than that of the middle door container.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, various kinds of stored articles can be efficiently stored in the door container.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the refrigerating compartment door of embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a rear member of the refrigerating compartment door of embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a rear member of the refrigerating compartment door of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line F5-F5 in fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line F6-F6 in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line F7-F7 in fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the door container according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the door container (upper door container) shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line F10-F10 in fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line F11-F11 in fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along line F12-F12 in fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along line F13-F13 in fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the 1 st locking part of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view illustrating the operation of the 1 st locking portion of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view illustrating the operation of the 1 st locking portion of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view showing a locking structure of the door container according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing an example of the door container (middle door container) according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing an example of a door container (lower stage door container) according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing an example of use of the door container according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 21 is a sectional view showing an example of use of the door container according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view showing an example of use of the door container according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 23 is a front view showing the refrigerator of embodiment 2.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing a refrigerating compartment door of embodiment 2.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing a modification of the door container usable in the refrigerator according to each embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing a modification example of the 2 nd engaging portion usable in the refrigerator of each embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, structures having the same or similar functions are given the same reference numerals. For example, members having shapes that are plane-symmetrical to each other may be given the same reference numerals. Moreover, a repetitive description of these configurations may be omitted.

In the present specification, the top, bottom, left, and right are defined with reference to a direction in which a user standing from the front of the refrigerator views the refrigerator unless otherwise specified. Further, as viewed from the refrigerator, a closer side from a user standing on the front of the refrigerator is defined as "front", and a farther side is defined as "rear". The "lateral width direction" in the present specification means the lateral direction in the above definition. The "depth direction" in the present specification means the front-rear direction in the above definition. The "vertical direction" refers to a height direction of the refrigerator.

In the figure, the + X direction is the right direction, the-X direction is the left direction, the + Y direction is the rear direction, the-Y direction is the front direction, the + Z direction is the upper direction, and the-Z direction is the lower direction.

In the description of the components included in the door of the refrigerator according to the embodiment, the description will be made based on the arrangement of the state in which the door is closed unless otherwise specified. For example, in the case of describing a rotary door, unless otherwise specified, the description will be given assuming that the ± X direction and the ± Y direction are fixed to the door even in the opened state.

(embodiment 1)

A refrigerator according to embodiment 1 will be described.

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

The overall configuration of a refrigerator 1A according to embodiment 1 shown in fig. 1 will be described. However, the refrigerator 1A does not need to have all of the structures described below, and some of the structures may be omitted as appropriate.

The refrigerator 1A includes, for example, a cabinet 10 and a plurality of doors 11.

The cabinet 10 includes, for example, an inner box, an outer box, and an insulating material.

The inner box is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and has a shape recessed from the front side toward the rear side at a plurality of locations. A plurality of storage chambers 27 are formed in each recess of the inner box. In the example shown in fig. 1, the plurality of storage compartments 27 include a refrigerating compartment 27A, a vegetable compartment 27B, and a freezing compartment 27C. Refrigerating room 27A, vegetable room 27B, and freezing room 27C are arranged in this order from the upper side toward the lower side. The box 10 has openings on the front side of the storage chambers 27, through which the food can be taken in and out of the storage chambers 27.

The outer box is a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an outer surface portion except the front surface of the casing 10. The outer box is formed of, for example, metal or a composite material of metal and resin.

The heat insulating material is, for example, a foamed heat insulating material such as foamed polyurethane, and is filled between the inner box and the outer box. Thus, the case 10 has heat insulation properties.

In the casing 10, various components forming the refrigerator main body 5 together with the casing 10 are disposed between the inner box and the outer box. Examples of the components forming the refrigerator main body 5 include a cooling unit that forms cold air, a flow path forming member that forms a flow path that circulates the cold air between each storage chamber 27 and the cooling unit, a cooling fan that delivers the cold air to each storage chamber 27 via the flow path, and a control board that controls the operation of the cooling unit and the cooling fan.

Each of doors 11 includes a refrigerating chamber door 11A, a vegetable chamber door 11B, and a freezing chamber door 11C for opening and closing refrigerating chamber 27A, vegetable chamber 27B, and freezing chamber 27C.

The temperature in refrigerating compartment 27A is maintained lower than that in vegetable compartment 27B and higher than that in freezing compartment 27C. In the interior of refrigerating room 27A, for example, a shelf, a frozen (chilled) room container, an ice making water container, and the like are disposed to partition the room.

The front face of the refrigerating compartment 27A is openably and closably covered by the refrigerating compartment door 11A.

The refrigerating chamber door 11A is connected to the + X-direction end of the casing 10 by hinges 30 provided at the upper and lower ends in the + X direction, for example. The refrigerating chamber door 11A can rotate in a horizontal plane around the rotation axis of the hinge 30 extending in the up-down direction. The refrigerating chamber door 11A is a rotary type single-door that is opened by being rotated to the right.

The detailed structure of the refrigerating chamber door 11A will be described later.

The temperature in vegetable compartment 27B is maintained higher than that in refrigerating compartment 27A. Inside the vegetable compartment 27B, for example, a vegetable compartment container for storing stored items such as vegetables and a guide rail for moving the vegetable compartment container in the front-rear direction are provided.

The front surface of the vegetable compartment 27B is openably and closably covered by a drawer-type vegetable compartment door 11B.

A heat insulating material is disposed inside the vegetable compartment door 11B. A gasket is provided at an outer edge portion of the rear surface side of the vegetable compartment door 11B to abut against a front surface of an inner box forming an opening of the front surface of the vegetable compartment 27B.

If the vegetable compartment door 11B is closed, the opening of the vegetable compartment 27B is heat-insulated closed.

A vegetable compartment container is connected to the rear surface side of the vegetable compartment door 11B. The vegetable compartment door 11B is movable in the front-rear direction together with the vegetable compartment container along a guide rail on which the vegetable compartment container is placed.

The temperature in the chamber of the freezing chamber 27C is maintained at a temperature capable of freezing the stored matter. Inside freezing chamber 27C, for example, an ice making chamber, a small freezing chamber, a freezing chamber container that accommodates stored frozen objects, and a guide rail for moving the freezing chamber container in the front-rear direction are provided.

The front face of the freezing chamber 27C is openably and closably covered by a drawer-type freezing chamber door 11C.

A heat insulating material is disposed inside the freezing chamber door 11C. A gasket is provided at the outer edge of the rear surface of freezing chamber door 11C to abut against the front surface of the inner box forming the front opening of freezing chamber 27C.

If the freezing compartment door 11C is closed, the opening of the freezing compartment 27C is thermally insulated and closed.

The freezing chamber container is connected to the rear surface side of the freezing chamber door 11C. The freezing chamber door 11C is movable in the front-rear direction together with the freezing chamber container along a rail on which the freezing chamber container is placed.

The above-described configurations of the storage compartments 27 and the doors 11 are examples, and are not limited to the above-described examples.

Next, the detailed structure of the refrigerating chamber door 11A will be described.

As shown in fig. 2, the refrigerating chamber door 11A includes, for example, an outer member 50 and a gasket 55. The outer shell member 50 is formed in a box shape. The term "box-like" as used herein includes a flat box-like shape. The outer frame member 50 includes, for example, a frame 51, a front panel 52 (see fig. 1), and a back member 53.

Upper cassettes 56A and 56Bc (door container, upper door container), a middle cassette 62 (door container, middle door container, lower door container), and a lower cassette 63 (door container, lower door container) are detachably mounted on the inner surface side of the refrigerating chamber door 11A.

The frame body 51 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. The frame 51 includes an upper member 51a, a lower member 51b, a left member 51c, and a right member 51 d. The upper member 51A is plate-shaped along the lateral width direction and the depth direction, and forms the upper surface of the refrigerating chamber door 11A. The lower member 51b is plate-shaped along the lateral width direction and the depth direction, and forms the lower surface of the refrigerating chamber door 11A. The left member 51c is plate-shaped along the vertical direction and the depth direction, and forms the left surface of the refrigerating chamber door 11A. The right member 51d is plate-shaped along the vertical direction and the depth direction, and forms the right side surface of the refrigerating chamber door 11A. The upper member 51a, the lower member 51b, the left member 51c, and the right member 51d are combined with each other to form the housing 51. The frame 51 is made of, for example, synthetic resin.

The front panel 52 (see fig. 1) is attached to the frame 51 and positioned at the front end of the refrigerating chamber door 11A. The front panel 52 is a plate member extending in the vertical direction and the lateral width direction, and forms the front surface of the refrigerating chamber door 11A. The front panel 52 is, for example, a glass plate. However, the front panel 52 is not limited to a glass plate, and may be formed of a synthetic resin or other material.

The front panel 52 may be a flat plate or a curved plate. Hereinafter, an example in which the front panel 52 is a flat plate will be described.

The rear member 53 is attached to the frame 51 from the side opposite to the front panel 52 and is positioned at the rear end of the refrigerating chamber door 11A. The rear surface member 53 has a rectangular shape along the frame body 51 when viewed from the-Y direction. The rear face part 53 forms the rear face, i.e., the inner face, of the refrigerating chamber door 11A. The rear member 53 is made of, for example, synthetic resin.

The rear member 53 has

flat portions

53a and 53b along the flat surface of the front panel 52 and ribs 61 projecting rearward from the

flat portions

53a and 53 b. In the example shown in fig. 3, the

flat portions

53a, 53b are parallel to the front panel 52.

In a state where refrigerating compartment door 11A is closed with respect to casing 10, rib 61 protrudes from frame 51 and

flat portions

53a, 53b in the + Y direction toward refrigerating compartment 27A (storage compartment).

In the present specification, the "rib" is a name for convenience of description, and generally refers to a portion protruding rearward from the rear member 53, and is not limited to a specific shape or function.

Rib 61 includes, for example, an annular rib group that is smaller than the outer shape of frame 51. The "ring shape" in the present specification is not limited to a case where the ring shape is completely continuous over the entire circumference, and includes a case where the ring shape is partially broken by providing a notch or the like.

Examples of the annular rib group of the rib 61 include a rib 61F extending in the lateral width direction along the upper member 51A, a rib 61G extending in the lateral width direction along the lower member 51b, a rib 61C extending in the vertical direction along the left member 51C, and a rib 61A extending in the vertical direction along the right member 51 d. The

ribs

61F, 61G have the same length in the lateral width direction. The

ribs

61C and 61A have the same vertical length.

The rib 61 includes, in addition to the annular rib group, a rib 61B extending in the up-down direction between the

ribs

61A and 61C in the lateral direction. The rib 61B extends in the-Z direction from the same position as the upper ends of the

ribs

61A, 61C, but the length of the rib 61B is shorter than the

ribs

61A, 61C. For example, in the example shown in fig. 3 and 4, the length of the rib 61B is about two fifths of the total length of the

ribs

61A and 61C.

The rib 61 protrudes largely to the rear (+ Y direction). For example, the amount of rearward projection of the rib 61 is equal to or more than half the depth-wise thickness of the outer shell member 50 excluding the rib 61. In the present embodiment, the protruding amount of the rib 61 is larger than the depth-direction thickness of the outer shell member 50 excluding the rib 61.

Although not particularly shown, a foamed heat insulating material is filled between the back member 53 and the front panel 52 and inside the convex shape of the rib 61.

The annular rib group of rib 61 is provided mainly for suppressing the cool air in refrigerating room 27A from escaping from the gap between refrigerating room door 11A and casing 10.

Gasket 55 is provided to seal refrigerating compartment 27A so that cold air in refrigerating compartment 27A does not leak to the outside from between refrigerating compartment door 11A and cabinet 10 when refrigerating compartment door 11A is closed.

The washer 55 is attached to the rear member 53 in a ring shape surrounding the outer periphery of the rib 61. The manner of attaching the gasket 55 is not particularly limited. For example, the gasket 55 is attached by fitting a convex portion for attachment provided on the gasket 55 into a concave portion for attachment provided on the rear member 53.

Here, the detailed structure of the following member 53 will be described.

Fig. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing a rear member 53 of the refrigerating compartment door according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 and 4 are different only in the oblique direction. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line F5-F5 in fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line F6-F6 in fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line F7-F7 in fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the flat portion 53a of the refrigerating compartment door 11A is formed in the rear member 53 in a range of about two thirds from the upper end of the rear member 53. The flat portion 53b is located slightly on the + Y direction side than the flat portion 53 a. The flat portions 53b are connected via stepped portions at the lower ends of the flat portions 53 a.

As shown in fig. 3, the rib 61A protrudes in the + Y direction from the end of the flat portion 53a in the + X direction. Rib 61A extends in the up-down direction from rib 61F to the position of rib 61G.

The rib 61A has front end portions in the projecting direction including a1 st front end portion 61A, a2 nd front end portion 61c, and a 3 rd front end portion 61e from the upper side toward the lower side.

The projection heights of the 1 st and 3 rd leading

end portions

61a and 61e from the flat portion 53a are substantially equal to each other. The 2 nd tip portion 61c has a height of projection from the flat portion 53a lower than both the 1 st tip portion 61a and the 3 rd tip portion 61 e. Therefore, a step portion 61b is formed between the 1 st and 2 nd leading

end portions

61a and 61 c. A step portion 61d is formed between the 3 rd and 2 nd leading

end portions

61e and 61 c.

As shown in fig. 3, a side surface S of the rib 61A on the-X direction side is a plane substantially orthogonal to the lateral width direction. On the side surface S, a step portion 53c and a rail portion 64 are provided.

The step portion 53c protrudes from the side surface S of the rib 61A in the-X direction and from the flat portion 53a intersecting the rib 61A in the + Y direction.

The side surface of the step portion 53c in the-X direction is substantially parallel to the side surface S. The height of the step portion 53c protruding from the side surface S in the-X direction is not particularly limited. For example, the height of the step portion 53c protruding from the side surface S in the-X direction may slightly exceed the height of the rail portion 64 protruding in the-X direction, which will be described later. In this case, the side surface of the stepped portion 53c in the-X direction is close to the side surface of the upper stage cartridge 56A in the + X direction, which will be described later, and can function as a guide surface in the lateral width direction of the upper stage cartridge 56A.

As shown in fig. 5, an end surface 53cy of the stepped portion 53c in the + Y direction is a plane orthogonal to the depth direction and extending in the up-down direction.

The upper end of the step portion 53c is connected to the lower surface 61g of the rib 61F. The lower end of the step portion 53c extends to a position slightly beyond the step portion 61b in the-Z direction.

As shown in fig. 3, the rail portion 64 is a protrusion that protrudes from the side surface S in the-X direction and is elongated in the vertical direction as a whole and extends linearly. The rail portion 64 guides the upper stage cartridge 56A in the vertical direction while restricting the position in the depth direction when the upper stage cartridge 56A described later is moved in the vertical direction.

As shown in fig. 5, the rail portion 64 extends parallel to the end surface 53cy of the stepped portion 53c with a gap therebetween. A gap G1 is formed between the upper end of the rail portion 64 and the lower surface 61G of the rib 61F.

The lower end of the rail portion 64 extends to substantially the same position as the step portion 61 b.

The rail portion 64 has a1 st rail portion 64a and a2 nd rail portion 64b from below toward above.

The 1 st rail portion 64a guides the vertical movement of the upper stage cartridge 56A described later, and regulates the vertical movement position of the upper stage cartridge 56A in multiple stages.

The 1 st rail portion 64a has a1 st guide 64c, a2 nd guide 64d, a plurality of locking plates 64e, an upper end plate 64g, and a plurality of inclined ribs 64 f.

The 1 st guide 64c forms a side surface of the rail portion 64 in the-Y direction. The 1 st guide 64c is a flat plate projecting from the side surface S in the-X direction and extending in the vertical direction. The 1 st guide 64c extends to the 2 nd rail portion 64 b.

The 2 nd guide 64d forms the + Y direction side surface of the rail portion 64. The 2 nd guide 64d is a flat plate projecting from the side surface S in the-X direction and extending in the up-down direction. The 2 nd guide 64d is parallel to the 1 st guide 64 c. The 2 nd guide 64d extends to the 2 nd rail portion 64b, similarly to the 1 st guide 64 c.

The 1 st guide 64c and the 2 nd guide 64d have their leading ends located on the same plane orthogonal to the depth direction.

The plurality of locking plates 64e are plate-shaped extending in the depth direction between the 1 st guide 64c and the 2 nd guide 64d and protruding from the side surface S in the-X direction. The plurality of locking plates 64e are provided apart from each other in the vertical direction from the lower ends of the 1 st guide 64c and the 2 nd guide 64d to the upper end of the 1 st rail portion 64 a. The vertical pitch of the locking plates 64e may not be constant, and is constant in the example shown in fig. 5.

The size of the pitch Δ is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 10mm to 70mm, and more preferably 10mm to 22 mm.

In the example shown in fig. 5, 6 locking plates 64e are arranged. When the locking plates 64e are distinguished from each other, the locking plates 64e1, 64e2, …, and 64e6 are described from the lower side toward the upper side.

The front end of each locking plate 64e in the protruding direction is located on the same plane as the front ends of the 1 st guide 64c and the 2 nd guide 64 d.

The upper end plate 64g is a plate-like member similar to the plurality of locking plates 64e, except that the upper surface thereof is connected to the lower end of the 2 nd rail portion 64 b. The upper end plate 64g is spaced apart from the uppermost locking plate 64e and is disposed between the 1 st guide 64c and the 2 nd guide 64 d. In the example shown in fig. 5, the upper end plate 64g is disposed at a position separated from the locking plate 64e6 in the + Z direction by a distance Δ.

The plurality of inclined ribs 64f are plate-shaped extending from the lower surface of each locking plate 64e except the locking plate 64e1 and the lower surface of the upper end plate 64g toward the side surface S in parallel with the 1 st guide 64c and the 2 nd guide 64d, respectively. As shown in fig. 6, the shape of each inclined rib 64f as viewed from the-Y direction is a triangular shape that is inclined toward the side surface S as it goes from the respective front ends of the respective locking plates 64e and the upper end plate 64g in the-X direction, excluding the locking plate 64e1, in the-Z direction.

The lower end of each inclined rib 64f is located in the middle of the pitch Δ. The inclination angle Φ measured counterclockwise in the figure with respect to the horizontal plane of each inclined rib 64f is, for example, 45 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less.

The number of the inclined ribs 64f provided on the same lower surface in the depth direction is not particularly limited as long as it is 1 or more. In the example shown in fig. 5, the number of the inclined ribs 64f provided on the same lower face is 2.

With this configuration, a plurality of projections are vertically arranged at a pitch Δ from the lower side toward the upper side as viewed from the-Y direction on the inner side of the 1 st rail portion 64 a. The plurality of protrusions are formed by inclined surfaces 64j formed by the inclined ribs 64f, the front end surfaces of the locking plates 64e, and locking surfaces 64i formed by the upper surfaces of the locking plates 64e and extending in the horizontal direction. Between the convex portions protruding from the side surface S in the-X direction, opposing concave portions are formed. Therefore, a zigzag uneven structure in which the inclined surface 64j faces downward is formed inside the 1 st rail portion 64 a.

The locking surfaces 64i of the plurality of locking plates 64e lock the 1 st locking portion 70, which will be described later, from below.

The inclined surfaces 64j at the lower ends of the plurality of inclined ribs 64f are inclined so that the 1 st locking portion 70 can be pressed toward the upper stage case 56A as the 1 st locking portion 70 moves upward from the locking surface 64i, which will be described later.

The plural locking plates 64e and the plural inclined ribs 64f provided on the rib 61A constituting the inner surface portion of the refrigerating compartment door 11A are examples of the 2 nd locking portion having the plural locking surfaces 64i and the plural inclined surfaces 64 j.

The plurality of locking surfaces may be flat or curved as long as the locking member 73 described later can lock the locking surface. The contact form of the portion of the plurality of locking surfaces to which the locking member 73 is locked may be any of surface contact, line contact, and point contact as long as the locking member 73 can be locked.

The plurality of inclined surfaces may be flat surfaces or curved surfaces as long as the locking member 73 described later can slide. The contact form of the portion of the plurality of inclined surfaces where the locking member 73 slides may be any of surface contact, line contact, and point contact as long as the locking member 73 can slide.

As shown in fig. 5, the 2 nd rail portion 64b includes a1 st guide 64c and a2 nd guide 64d extending in the + Z direction from the 1 st rail portion 64a, and an intermediate rib 64h extending in the + Z direction between the 1 st guide 64c and the 2 nd guide 64 d.

The intermediate rib 64h is flat and parallel to the 1 st guide 64c and the 2 nd guide 64 d. The length of the intermediate rib 64h in the up-down direction is equal to the length from the upper end plate 64g to the front ends of the 1 st guide 64c and the 2 nd guide 64 d. The lower end of the intermediate rib 64h is connected to the upper surface of the upper end plate 64 g. The height of the intermediate rib 64h in the-X direction is equal to the height of the 1 st guide 64c and the 2 nd guide 64d in the-X direction.

The number of the intermediate ribs 64h is not particularly limited as long as it is 1 or more. In the example shown in fig. 5, the intermediate ribs 64h are 1.

The 2 nd rail portion 64b is a linear projection projecting from the side surface S in the-X direction and extending in the + Z direction as a whole. the-X direction end surface of the 2 nd rail portion 64b is on the same plane as a plane orthogonal to the lateral width direction.

Between the rail portion 64 and the end surface 53cy of the stepped portion 53c, a groove g1 extending in the up-down direction is formed.

Between the lower end of the rail portion 64 and the step portion 53c, a1 st stopper 53d is provided. The 1 st stopper 53d is provided to limit the lowering position of the upper stage cartridge 56A.

The shape of the 1 st stopper 53d is not particularly limited as long as the lowered position of the upper stage cartridge 56A can be restricted by protruding from the side surface S into the groove g 1. In the example shown in fig. 5, the 1 st stopper 53d is a flat plate shape extending in the-Y direction from the 1 st guide 64c toward the end surface 53 cy. In this case, the 1 st stopper 53d is a plate shape that closes the groove g1 from below.

The vertical position of the 1 st stopper 53d is an appropriate position corresponding to the lowest position of the upper stage cartridge 56A. In the example shown in fig. 5, the 1 st stopper 53d is formed at a position corresponding to a position between the catch plates 64e2, 64e3 in the up-down direction.

In the side surface S in which the height range of the 2 nd leading end portion 61c is formed, the locking

projections

66A, 66B and the locking guides 53ea, 53eb are provided below the rail portion 64 and the stepped portion 53c, respectively.

The locking

projections

66A and 66B are provided to detachably lock the middle stage case 62 described later. The shapes of the locking

projections

66A, 66B are not particularly limited as long as the middle stage case 62 can be detachably locked.

In the example shown in fig. 5, both the locking

projections

66A, 66B are substantially rectangular in shape that is vertically long when viewed from the-X direction. However, the corner 66A on the-Y direction side of the upper end of the locking

projection

66A, 66B has a rounded curved surface or a chamfered shape.

The locking

projections

66A, 66B have approximately the same width as the rail portion 64 in the depth direction, and are arranged in this order directly below the rail portion 64.

If the middle stage case 62 is caught by the catching projection 66A, the middle stage case 62 is located at the 1 st position on the uppermost side in its moving range.

If the middle stage case 62 is caught by the catching projection 66B, the middle stage case 62 is located at the 2 nd position of the lowermost side in its moving range.

The difference in the vertical positions of the locking

projections

66A, 66B is δ. Therefore, the difference in the up-down direction between the 1 st position and the 2 nd position of the middle stage cartridge 62 is δ.

The size of δ is not particularly limited. For example, δ may be 50mm to 100 mm.

A gap G2 is formed between the lower end of the rail portion 64 and the upper end of the locking projection 66A. A gap G3 is formed between the lower end of the locking projection 66A and the upper end of the locking projection 66B. The gaps G2 and G3 are of a suitable size that does not hinder the attachment and detachment of the middle stage cartridge 62.

The locking guides 53ea and 53eb are formed in a step shape facing the side surfaces of the locking

projections

66A and 66B in the-Y direction with gaps g2 and g3 in the depth direction, respectively. The widths of the gaps g2 and g3 in the depth direction are equal to each other.

The depth-wise width of the gap g2 is a size that allows an engagement projection provided on the middle box 62 described later to be inserted from above.

In the example shown in fig. 5, the locking guides 53ea and 53eb have the same shape as the stepped portion 53c except that they extend in the depth direction in the range facing the locking

projections

66A and 66B, respectively.

As shown in fig. 3, the locking projection 65 and the locking guide 53f protrude in the-X direction on the side surface S in which the height range of the 3 rd leading end portion 61e is formed.

The locking projection 65 is used to detachably lock a lower case 63 described later. The locking projection 65 is linear as a whole extending in the vertical direction in the vicinity of the 3 rd leading end portion 61 e. The number of the locking projections 65 may be 1, but in the example shown in fig. 3, the locking projections are constituted by 2 projections which are vertically separated.

The locking guide 53f extends in the + Z direction from the back side of the rib 61G to a height slightly higher than the upper end of the locking protrusion 65. A groove g4 extending in the vertical direction is formed between the end surface 53fy of the locking guide 53f in the + Y direction and the locking projection 65.

The depth-wise width of the recessed groove g4 is a size that allows an engagement projection provided on a lower-stage cartridge 63 described later to be inserted from above.

As shown in fig. 4, rib 61C has a shape that is plane-symmetric to rib 61A with a plane orthogonal to the depth direction as a symmetric plane. Therefore, the side surface S on the + X direction side of the rib 61C is provided with the rail portion 64, the step portion 53C, the 1 st stopper 53d, the locking

projections

66A, 66B, the locking guides 53ea, 53eb, the locking projection 65, and the locking guide 53f, which are similar to the rib 61A, except that the side surface S projects in the + X direction.

The rib 61G has a1 st plate-like portion 61Ga extending in the + Y direction from the lower end of the flat portion 53b and a2 nd plate-like portion 61Gb extending in the + Y direction from the 1 st plate-like portion 61 Ga. However, the 1 st plate-like portion 61Ga and the 2 nd plate-like portion 61Gb have upper surfaces inclined in the-Z direction as they go in the + Y direction.

The 2 nd plate-like portion 61Gb has a front end in the + Y direction formed at the same position as the 3 rd front end 61e of each

rib

61A, 61C.

The locking guides 53f of the

ribs

61A, 61C are formed on the 1 st plate-like portion 61 Ga.

The locking projections 65 of the

ribs

61A, 61C are formed above the 2 nd plate-like portion 61 Gb.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the rib 61B protrudes in the + Y direction from the flat portion 53a between the

ribs

61A and 61C. The rib 61B extends from the rib 61F to a substantially central portion of the flat portion 53a in the up-down direction.

As shown in fig. 2, the upper stage case 56A is detachably attached between the

ribs

61A, 61B. The upper stage case 56B is detachably attached between the

ribs

61C, 61B.

The arrangement position of the rib 61B in the lateral direction is appropriately set according to the respective widths of the

upper stage cases

56A, 56B in the lateral direction. In the present embodiment, as an example, since the

upper cassettes

56A and 56B have the same width, the rib 61B is disposed at a position that bisects the distance between the

ribs

61A and 61C in the lateral direction.

As shown in fig. 3, a side surface Sm of the rib 61B in the-X direction is provided with a rail portion 64, a step portion 53c, and a1 st stopper 53d, which are similar to those of the rib 61A.

As shown in fig. 4, the rib 61B is provided on the side Sp in the + X direction with a track portion 64, a step portion 53C, and a1 st stopper 53d, which are similar to those of the rib 61C.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 7, the side surfaces Sm and Sp of the rib 61B have a zigzag uneven structure in which inclined surfaces face downward, formed at positions facing each other in the lateral width direction by the plurality of locking plates 64e, the plurality of inclined ribs 64f, and the upper end plate 64 g.

In rear member 53,

ribs

61A, 61B, and 61C are examples of the 1 st wall body portion that protrudes in the depth direction (+ Y direction) of refrigerating room 27A (storage room) from the inner surface of refrigerating room door 11A and extends in the up-down direction. For example, when the

ribs

61A, 61B and the

ribs

61B, 61C facing each other in the lateral width direction are respectively the 1 st wall portion, the other is an example of the 2 nd wall portion facing the 1 st wall portion in the lateral width direction.

Next, the

upper cassettes

56A and 56B will be described.

As shown in fig. 2, the upper stage case 56A is movable in the vertical direction along the rail portions 64 facing each other between the

ribs

61A, 61B. The upper stage case 56B is movable in the vertical direction along the rail portions 64 facing each other between the

ribs

61C and 61B.

The width, depth, and depth of the

upper cassettes

56A and 56B may be different from each other, and the

upper cassettes

56A and 56B are assumed to have the same shape, and the above example of the upper cassette 56A will be described below. The description of the upper stage box 56A applies to the upper stage box 56B in addition to the difference in the arrangement location.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the door container according to embodiment 1. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the door container (upper door container) shown in fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line F10-F10 in fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line F11-F11 in fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along line F12-F12 in fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along line F13-F13 in fig. 10.

As shown in fig. 8, the upper case 56A is a box-shaped container opened upward as a whole. The upper stage cartridge 56A has a cartridge main body 57 (container main body) and a lift table 67.

The box main body 57 accommodates the stored items stored in the refrigerating chamber 27A.

The elevating table 67 detachably supports the cartridge main body 57, and is movable in the vertical direction along the rail portions 64 between the

ribs

61A and 61B in a state where the cartridge main body 57 is supported. The elevating table 67 is locked to one of the plurality of locking plates 64e of each rail portion 64, and thereby the position in the vertical direction is fixed.

The box main body 57 is a box-shaped container opened upward, and is detachably mounted on the elevating table 67. The cartridge main body 57 may not be plane-symmetric with respect to a plane orthogonal to the lateral width direction, but may be plane-symmetric as an example below. Therefore, the member disposed on the side surface on the-X direction side is also disposed on the side surface on the + X direction side.

As shown in fig. 9, the cartridge main body 57 includes a bottom surface portion 57a on a flat plate horizontally arranged, and a1 st wall portion 57b, a2 nd wall portion 57c, a1 st side wall portion 57f, a2 nd side wall portion 57d, and a step portion 57e formed at an outer edge portion of the bottom surface portion 57 a.

The bottom surface portion 57a has a substantially rectangular shape having a peripheral edge extending in the lateral width direction and the depth direction in a plan view (in the-Z direction). The width of the bottom surface portion 57a in the lateral width direction is narrower on the-Y direction side than the substantially center in the depth direction than on the + Y direction side.

The 1 st wall portion 57b extends in the + Z direction and the-Z direction from the peripheral edge of the bottom portion 57a in the + Y direction. However, the 1 st wall portion 57b extending in the-Z direction is a length covering a bottom plate portion of the elevating table 67, which will be described later, from the-Y direction.

The 2 nd wall portion 57c extends in the + Z direction from the peripheral edge of the bottom portion 57a in the-Y direction.

The 1 st side wall portion 57f extends in the + Z direction and the-Z direction from a wider portion on the + Y direction side of the peripheral edges in the + X direction and the-X direction of the bottom surface portion 57 a. However, each of the 1 st side wall portions 57f extending in the-Z direction has a length that covers a bottom plate portion of the elevating table 67, which will be described later, from the + X direction and the-X direction. The end of each 1 st side wall 57f in the + Y direction is smoothly connected to the 1 st wall 57 b.

Each of the 1 st side wall portions 57f of the present embodiment is formed of a curved surface that bulges outward in the lateral width direction as it goes from the 1 st wall portion 57b in the-Y direction.

The 2 nd side wall portion 57d extends in the + Z direction from a narrow-width portion on the-Y direction side of the peripheral edges in the + X direction and the-X direction of the bottom surface portion 57 a. Each of the 2 nd side wall portions 57d is flat and orthogonal to the lateral width direction.

The end portions of the 2 nd side wall portions 57d in the-Y direction are smoothly connected to the end portions of the 2 nd wall portions 57c in the lateral width direction.

The stepped portions 57e extend in the + Z direction from respective end edges formed in the lateral width direction by narrowing the width of the bottom portion 57 a. Each step portion 57e is a flat plate shape perpendicular to the depth direction. The widthwise end of the stepped portion 57e is smoothly connected to the-Y direction end of the 1 st side wall portion 57f and the + Y direction end of the 2 nd side wall portion 57d above the 1 st wall portion 57b, respectively.

A flange portion 57g extending outward of the cartridge body 57 in the lateral width direction is formed at the upper end of each 2 nd side wall portion 57 d.

In the depth direction intermediate portion of each flange portion 57g, a locking projection 57h (projection) projecting outward from each 2 nd side wall portion 57d and extending in the-Z direction is formed. The locking projection 57h is used to position the cartridge main body 57 in the depth direction when attached to the elevating table 67.

In the present embodiment, the locking projection 57h is formed at a position opposed to the rail portion 64 in the lateral width direction when the upper stage cartridge 56A is attached. However, the projecting height of the locking projection 57h from the 2 nd side wall portion 57d is set such that the distance in the lateral width direction of each locking projection 57h becomes narrower than the interval in the lateral width direction between the rail portions 64 of the

ribs

61A, 61B. Therefore, the rail portion 64 and the locking projection 57h do not come into contact when the upper stage cartridge 56A is attached and moved in the vertical direction.

A flange portion 57j extending in the-Y direction is formed at the upper end of the 2 nd wall portion 57 c. The flange 57j has the same height and thickness as those of the flange 57 g.

In the flange portion 57j, a ridge 57i (1 st contact portion) extending in the lateral width direction protrudes in the + Z direction.

The vertical distance from the lower surface of the flange portion 57j to the upper end of the ridge 57i is L57 i.

The cartridge main body 57 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. The cartridge body 57 may be formed of either a transparent material or a translucent or opaque material. In the case where the cartridge main body 57 is formed of a transparent material or a translucent material, it is more preferable since the inside of the cartridge main body 57 can be seen from the outside. The cartridge body 57 may be formed of a transparent material in a part thereof, or a translucent material or an opaque material in the other part thereof. The portion formed of a translucent material or an opaque material may be a portion that covers the elevating table 67 described later from above or outside. In this case, the appearance of the upper stage case 56A is improved because the elevating table 67 is not visible from above or from the outside.

The main body 57 may be formed with an opaque or translucent colored layer, pattern, or the like on the surface of a molded article made of a transparent material. In this case, the portion where the opaque or translucent colored layer or pattern is formed is difficult to see from the outside, and the appearance of the upper case 56A is improved.

The elevating table 67 includes all the components of the upper stage cartridge 56A except the cartridge main body 57.

For example, the lifting table 67 includes the lifting table main body 58, the operation member 59, the lower cover 60, and the 1 st locking portion 70. The shape of the elevating platform 67 may not be plane-symmetric with respect to a plane orthogonal to the lateral width direction, but will be described below assuming plane-symmetry.

The elevating platform main body 58 has a bottom surface portion 58a constituting a part of a bottom plate portion of the elevating platform 67, and a1 st wall portion 58b, a1 st side wall portion 58f, a2 nd side wall portion 58d, and a2 nd wall portion 58c constituting side plate portions of the elevating platform 67.

The bottom surface portion 58a is a flat plate having a size and shape on the upper surface that can overlap with the bottom surface portion 57a of the case main body 57.

The end edge of the bottom surface portion 58a in the + Y direction has the same shape as the end edge of the bottom surface portion 57 a. The bottom surface portion 58a has an edge (hereinafter referred to as a wide portion edge) having a peripheral edge in the + X direction and the-X direction and a wide portion on the + Y direction side, the edge having the same shape as the edge of the bottom surface portion 57 a.

The bottom surface portion 58a has a shape in which the end edge (hereinafter referred to as a narrow-width portion end edge) which is a peripheral edge in the + X direction and the-X direction and is a narrow portion on the side of the-Y direction is slightly expanded outward from the same end edge of the bottom surface portion 57 a. The bottom surface portion 58a has an end edge in the-Y direction that slightly extends outward from the same end edge of the bottom surface portion 57 a.

In the example shown in fig. 9, the outer shape of the bottom surface portion 58a is line-symmetric with respect to the axis C extending in the depth direction. The overall shape of the lift table 67 is plane-symmetric with respect to a plane Ss passing through the axis C and orthogonal to the lateral width direction.

The 1 st wall portion 58b extends in the-Z direction from the end edge of the bottom surface portion 58a in the + Y direction. The length of the 1 st wall portion 58b is a length hidden inside the 1 st wall portion 57b of the cartridge main body 57 protruding in the Z direction when the cartridge main body 57 is attached.

The 1 st side wall portion 58f extends in the-Z direction from each wide end edge of the bottom surface portion 58 a. The length of the 1 st side wall portion 58f is a length that is hidden inside the 2 nd side wall portion 57d of the cartridge main body 57 protruding in the-Z direction when the cartridge main body 57 is attached.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the side plate portion extending in the + Z direction is not formed along the outer edges of the bottom surface portion 58a of the 1 st wall portion 57b and the 1 st side wall portion 57f of the cartridge main body 57, and the side plate portion overlapping with the 1 st wall portion 57b and the 1 st side wall portion 57f is not formed when the cartridge main body 57 is attached as viewed in the horizontal direction.

The 2 nd side wall portion 58d extends in the + Z direction and the-Z direction from the end edge on the-Y direction side of each wide edge in the + X direction and the-X direction peripheral edges of the bottom surface portion 58 a.

The height of each 2 nd side wall portion 58d in the + Z direction from the bottom surface portion 58a is equal to the height from the lower surface of the bottom surface portion 57a of the cartridge main body 57 to the lower surface of the flange portion 57 g.

The height of each 2 nd side wall portion 58d in the-Z direction is equal to the height of each 1 st side wall portion 58 f.

A concave groove 58j opened upward is formed at the upper end of each 2 nd side wall portion 58 d. Each locking projection 57h of the cartridge main body 57 can enter the recessed groove 58j from above, and the locking projection h is fitted in the front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 8, the 2 nd side wall portion 58d is provided with a locking projection 58A (guide member) and a guide plate 58B (guide member). The shapes and the arrangement positions of the locking projections 58A and the guide plates 58B are plane-symmetrical with respect to the plane Ss. Hereinafter, an example of the locking projection 58A and the guide plate 58B provided on the 2 nd side wall portion 58d in the-X direction will be described.

The locking projection 58A projects in the-X direction and has a width in the depth direction that can be inserted into the gap between the rail portion 64 and the 2 nd wall portion 58 c. The locking projection 58A can be locked from the + Y direction to the surface of the rail portion 64 in the-Y direction when attached to the refrigerating compartment door 11A.

The locking projection 58A is provided at an upper end portion closer to the upper end surface 58h than the opening of the guide hole portion 58u is to the-Y direction in the depth direction. The vertical distance from the upper end surface 58h of the 2 nd side wall portion 58d to the lower end 58Ac of the locking projection 58A is L58A.

In the present embodiment, the sum of L57i and L58A is greater than the distance in the vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as the gap distance) of the gap G1 between the contact position where the raised projection 57i of the upper stage case 56A contacts the lower surface 61G of the rib 61F and the upper end of the rail portion 64, but L58A is smaller than the gap distance. Therefore, the upper stage cartridge 56A in which the cartridge main body 57 is mounted on the lift table 67 cannot pass through the gap G1 in the + Y direction, but can pass through the gap G1 in the + Y direction if only the lift table 67 is used.

As shown in fig. 8, the locking projection 58A includes a plate-like portion 58Aa extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of projections 58Ab projecting in the + Y direction from the surface of the plate-like portion 58Aa in the + Y direction and extending in the lateral width direction.

The plurality of projections 58Ab are provided for the purpose of reducing the contact area with the rail portion 64. In each of the plurality of projections 58Ab, the cross section orthogonal to the lateral width direction is, for example, a semicircular shape convex in the + Y direction.

The guide plate 58B protrudes in the-X direction. A gap through which the rail portion 64 can be inserted in the vertical direction is formed between the guide plate 58B and the locking projection 58A. The guide plate 58B faces the surface of the rail portion 64 in the + Y direction from the + Y direction when attached to the refrigerating compartment door 11A.

The guide plate 58B is formed in a range from a position lower than the upper end of the locking projection 58A to the lower end of the 2 nd side wall portion 58d, apart from the opening of the guide hole portion 58u in the depth direction in the + Y direction.

The guide plate 58B has a plate-like portion 58Ba extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 58Bb reinforcing the plate-like portion 58Ba from the + Y direction side.

The plate-like portion 58Ba may also be in contact with the rail portion 64 at the time of attachment to the refrigerating compartment door 11A, but in the present embodiment, is separated from the rail portion 64 at the time of attachment. However, when the upper stage box 56A is attached to and detached from the refrigerating compartment door 11A, a plurality of projections similar to the plurality of projections 58Ab may be provided on the surface in the-Y direction in order to reduce the contact area with the rail portion 64.

The 2 nd wall portion 58c extends in the + Z direction from the end edge of the bottom surface portion 58a in the-Y direction. The height of the 2 nd side wall portion 58d in the + Z direction is the same as that of each 2 nd side wall portion 58d, and is equal to the height from the lower surface of the bottom surface portion 57a of the cartridge main body 57 to the lower surface of the flange portion 57 j.

According to such a structure, when the cartridge main body 57 is attached, each of the 2 nd side wall portions 58d faces each of the step portions 57e and each of the 2 nd side wall portions 57d from the outside. The flange 57g of the cartridge body 57 is locked to the upper end surface 58g of each 2 nd side wall portion 58d from above. The flange 57j of the case main body 57 is locked to the upper end surface 58h of the 2 nd wall portion 58c from above.

The locking projections 57h of the cartridge main body 57 are fitted into the grooves 58 j.

In this attached state, the cartridge main body 57 is placed on the bottom surface portion 58a, the respective 2 nd side wall portions 58d, and the 2 nd wall portion 58 c. The cartridge main body 57 is positioned in the lateral width direction by being sandwiched between the 2 nd side wall portions 58 d. The locking projections 57h of the cassette main body 57 are fitted into the recessed grooves 58j, whereby the cassette main body 57 is positioned in the Y direction with respect to the elevating table main body 58.

As shown in fig. 8, when the cartridge body 57 is placed on the elevating table 67, the respective 2 nd side wall portions 57d of the cartridge body 57 are inserted between the respective 2 nd side wall portions 58 d. The step portions 57e of the cartridge main body 57 face the end portions of the 2 nd side wall portions 58d in the + Y direction.

As shown in fig. 2, in the upper stage case 56A, the

ribs

61A and 61B are inserted between the stepped portions 57e on the-Y direction side.

Therefore, in the upper stage case 56A, the

ribs

61A and 61B protrude in the + Y direction further to the + Y direction side than the respective step portions 57 e.

In the present embodiment, no side plate portion overlapping the cartridge main body 57 is formed above the wide portion end edge of the bottom surface portion 58 a. Therefore, when at least the 1 st wall portion 57b and the 1 st side wall portions 57f are formed of a transparent material or a translucent material, the contents inside the cartridge main body 57 can be viewed from the horizontal direction through the 1 st wall portion 57b and the 1 st side wall portions 57 f.

Next, the internal structure of the bottom plate portion of the elevating table 67 will be described together with the structure of the lower surface side of the elevating table main body 58.

As shown in fig. 10, the bottom plate portion is provided with an engagement release mechanism 80.

The lock release mechanism 80 can move the 1 st locking portion 70, which will be described later, to an unlockable position where it cannot be locked by the 2 nd locking portion, and can move the upper stage case 56A in the vertical direction.

The locking release mechanism 80 is provided between the elevating table main body 58 and the lower cover 60, and includes an operation member 59 and an urging member 77.

First, a structure of the lifting platform main body 58 on the lower side of the bottom surface portion 58a where the locking release mechanism 80 is disposed will be described.

On the lower surface of the bottom surface portion 58a, a1 st guide portion 58n, an engaging portion 58p, a2 nd guide portion 58t, and fixing

bosses

58q, 58r, and 58s protrude in the-Z direction. The 1 st guide 58n, the locking portion 58p, the 2 nd guide 58t, the shock absorber holder 58m, and the fixing

bosses

58q, 58r, and 58s each have a smaller projection amount than the bottom surface 57a in the-Z direction.

The 1 st guide portion 58n is a wall-shaped body that guides movement of the operation member 59 in the depth direction, which will be described later. The shape of the 1 st guide portion 58n is not particularly limited as long as the operation member 59 can be guided in the depth direction.

In the example shown in fig. 10, the 1 st guide portion 58n is formed with 3 guide grooves 58k which are separated from each other in the depth direction and each extend in the depth direction, by a combination of wall bodies which are long in the depth direction when viewed from the + Z direction. Each guide groove 58k is open in the-Z direction. The number of the guide grooves 58k is not limited to 3, and may be 1 or more.

The 1 st guide portion 58n is located at two positions separated in the lateral width direction across the plane Ss. The 1 st guide portions 58n have a shape and a positional relationship that are plane-symmetrical with each other with respect to the plane Ss.

the-Y direction end of each 1 st guide portion 58n is located in the vicinity of the-Y direction end of the bottom surface portion 58a, if viewed from the + Z direction. A tip wall portion 58w extending in the lateral width direction is provided at the end portion of each 1 st guide portion 58n closest to the + Y direction. The front end wall portion 58w is connected to the inner surface of the 1 st side wall portion 58 f.

The locking portion 58p is a projection for locking an end (2 nd end 77b) in the + Y direction of the biasing member 77 described later. The shape of the locking portion 58p is not particularly limited as long as it can lock the 2 nd end 77b of the biasing member 77. For example, the locking portion 58p may be a projection having a recess into which the 2 nd end 77b of the biasing member 77 is inserted from the + Y direction.

In the example shown in fig. 10, 1 locking portion 58p is provided between the 1 st guide portion 58n and the axis C. The position of each locking portion 58p in the depth direction is substantially the same as the end of the 1 st guide portion 58n in the + Y direction. The locking portions 58p are separated from each other in the lateral width direction, and are provided in a shape and a positional relationship that are plane-symmetrical with each other about the plane Ss.

The 2 nd guide portion 58t is a frame-shaped protrusion for guiding the movement of the 1 st locking portion 70 in the lateral width direction, which will be described later. In the example shown in fig. 10, the 2 nd guide portion 58t has 2 wall bodies sandwiching the 1 st locking portion 70 in the depth direction. Each wall is connected to the inner surface of the adjacent 2 nd side wall portion 58 d.

In the 2 nd side wall portion 58d, a guide hole portion 58u through which a locking member 73 of the 1 st locking portion 70 described later is inserted in the lateral width direction is provided in a portion facing inward of each wall of the 2 nd guide portion 58 t. In the depth direction, the center of the guide hole portion 58u coincides with the center of each wall of the 2 nd guide portion 58 t.

The 2 nd guide portions 58t and the guide hole portions 58u are provided in the 2 nd side wall portions 58d in the number of 1, respectively, and are provided in a shape and a positional relationship that are plane-symmetrical with each other about the plane Ss.

The shock absorber holder 58m holds a shock absorber 78 described later. The shape of the shock absorber holder 58m is not particularly limited as long as the shock absorber 78 can be held. In the example shown in fig. 10, the shock absorber holder 58m has flat plate-like projections orthogonal to the depth direction. At the end of the shock absorber holder 58m in the projecting direction, a holding groove 58v is formed into which the shock absorber 78 is inserted.

The arrangement position and the number of the shock absorber holders 58m are not particularly limited. In the example shown in fig. 10, the vibration absorber holder 58m is provided at the center of the bottom surface portion 58a in the lateral width direction at a position closer to the + Y direction than the end portion of the 1 st guide portion 58 n.

The vibration absorbing member 78 is provided to reduce a hitting sound caused by an impact applied from the operating member 59 to the elevating platform main body 58 when the operating member 59 described later moves. For example, the shock absorbing member 78 is formed of an elastic body having shock absorbing properties.

The shock absorber 78 includes a head 78a deformable by an impact force from the operating member 59, and a mounting portion 78b inserted into the holding groove 58v of the shock absorber holder 58 m. The attachment portion 78b deforms when inserted into the holding groove 58v, and sandwiches the shock absorber holder 58m between the head portion 78a and the attachment portion.

The head 78a is disposed on the + Y direction side surface of the shock absorber holder 58 m.

The fixing

bosses

58q, 58r, and 58s are provided to fix a lower cover 60, which will be described later, to the elevating table main body 58 with screws. The fixing

bosses

58q, 58r, and 58s are cylindrical projections having a height that can fix the lower surface of the lower cover 60 to the position of the lower end of the 1 st wall portion 58b (see fig. 11 and 12). Fixing holes into which screws 76 (see fig. 9) can be screwed are formed in the center portions of the fixing

bosses

58q, 58r, and 58 s.

The fixing boss 58q is provided at a position facing the absorber holder 58m on the-Y direction side of the absorber holder 58 m.

The fixing bosses 58r are provided at positions facing the biasing member holders 59b on the-Y direction side of the biasing member holders 59b of the operating member 59, which will be described later.

The fixing bosses 58s are provided at positions facing the 2 nd guide portions 58t on the-Y direction side of the 2 nd guide portion 58 t.

As shown in fig. 9, the operation member 59 is held between the bottom surface portion 58a and a lower cover 60 described later so as to be movable in the depth direction.

The operation member 59 includes an operation portion 59a, an urging member holder 59b, a guide member 59c, and a pressing member 59 d.

As shown in fig. 10, the operation portion 59a is in the shape of a frame extending in the lateral width direction, and is disposed to face the 1 st wall portion 58b from the + Y direction. A groove portion 59h (see fig. 11) into which the fingertip of the user enters from below is opened on the lower surface side of the operation portion 59 a.

The biasing member holder 59b is a housing that holds a biasing member 77 (3 rd biasing member) that biases the operation member 59 in the-Y direction. The urging member 77 is, for example, a compression coil spring.

The biasing member holder 59b extends in the-Y direction from the end surface of the operation portion 59a in the-Y direction, and at the end in the extending direction, a locking portion 59i for locking the 1 st end 77a of the biasing member 77 in the + Y direction is provided. On the surface of the locking portion 59i on the + Y direction side, a guide shaft 59j inserted into the urging member 77 extends in the + Y direction. The length of the guide shaft 59j is not particularly limited as long as it is separated from the locking portion 58p when the operation member 59 moves to the maximum in the + Y direction. From the viewpoint of suppressing the bending of the biasing member 77, the locking portion 59i is more preferably as long as possible in a range not in contact with the locking portion 58 p.

The 2 nd end 77b of the biasing member 77 opposite to the 1 st end 77a is locked to the locking portion 58p from the + Y direction.

The guide member 59c is a projection extending in the-Y direction from the end surface of the operation portion 59a in the-Y direction. The guide members 59c are provided at two locations covering the 1 st guide portion 58n of each group of the elevating table main body 58 from below. Therefore, the guide members 59c are disposed in a shape and a positional relationship that are plane-symmetrical with respect to the plane Ss, with the biasing member holders 59b being sandwiched from the outside in the lateral width direction.

Each guide member 59c includes 3 guide plates 59k protruding in the + Z direction from a plate-shaped portion 59m (see fig. 13) parallel to the bottom surface portion 58a and extending in the depth direction.

The guide plates 59k are inserted into the guide grooves 58k of the 1 st guide part 58n in the-Y direction and are movable in the depth direction along the guide grooves 58 k.

The plate-like portion 59m faces the lower end of the 1 st guide portion 58n from below.

Since the guide members 59c are provided at both ends of the operation portion 59a spaced apart in the lateral width direction, the operation member 59 is restrained from snaking and rotating in the horizontal plane, and therefore the operation member 59 can linearly move in the depth direction.

Hereinafter, as indicated by a solid line in fig. 10, a position at which the operation member 59 is maximally moved in the-Y direction by the biasing force of the biasing member 77 is referred to as a locking position. As indicated by the two-dot chain line, the position at which the operation portion 59a is moved maximally in the + Y direction by the user operation is referred to as the locking release position.

In the locking position, the side surface of the operating portion 59a in the-Y direction abuts against the head 78a of the shock absorber 78. Thereby, a gap is formed between the end surface of the operation portion 59a in the-Y direction and each of the front end wall portions 58 w.

In the locking release position, the end surface of operation portion 59a in the + Y direction is close to first wall portion 58 b.

The depth-direction movement distance (hereinafter referred to as the movement distance) from the locking position to the locking release position is shorter at the locking position than the length (hereinafter referred to as the insertion length) of the guide plate 59k inserted into each guide plate 59 k. Thus, even if the operation member 59 is moved to the locking release position, the entire guide plate 59k does not come off from the guide groove 58 k. The insertion length is more preferably 2 times or more and 10 times or less the movement distance. In the example shown in fig. 10, the insertion length is about 7 times the movement distance.

As shown in fig. 9, pressing members 59d are provided on the-X direction side of the guide members 59c on the-X direction side and on the + X direction side of the guide members 59c on the + X direction side, respectively. The pressing members 59d are provided in a shape and a positional relationship that are plane-symmetrical with each other about the plane Ss.

The pressing member 59d moves the 1 st locking portion 70, which will be described later, toward the 2 nd side wall portion 58d, which is closer to the pressing member 59d, in accordance with the amount of movement of the operating member 59 in the depth direction.

The pressing member 59d has a flat plate portion 59g connected to the end edge of the plate-shaped portion 59m and parallel to the guide plate 59k, and a protruding portion 59e (the 2 nd protruding portion) protruding outward from the flat plate portion 59 g.

The protrusion 59e has a mountain shape having a peak 59f in the protruding direction when viewed from the + Z direction. The top portion 59f may be a flat surface parallel to the flat plate portion 59g, or may be a curved surface in a convex arc shape when viewed from the + Z direction. In the example shown in fig. 10, the outer shape of the projecting portion 59e as viewed from the + Z direction is an isosceles triangle shape, and the apex portion 59f is a curved surface in a convex circular arc shape.

The depth-direction width of the projection 59e is about 2 times the moving distance of the operation member 59.

The projection 59e is provided on the flat plate portion 59g such that the top 59f is located at the center of the 2 nd guide portion 58t at the locking position.

As shown in fig. 9, the lower cover 60 is a box-shaped cover that covers the lower surface of the platform main body 58 in a state where the operation member 59, the urging members 77, the vibration absorbing member 78, and the 1 st locking portions 70 are attached to the platform main body 58. The lower cover 60 forms the outer shape of the bottom plate portion of the lift table 67 together with the lift table main body 58.

The lower cover 60 has a bottom plate portion 60a and

side plate portions

60b and 60c extending in the + Z direction from the outer edge of the bottom plate portion 60 a.

The bottom plate portion 60a has substantially the same outer shape as the bottom surface portion 58a except that a notch 60h into which the operation portion 59a can be inserted is provided at the end in the + Y direction.

In the bottom plate portion 60a,

screw fixing bosses

60d, 60e, and 60f having through holes through which the screws 76 to be screwed are inserted are provided at positions facing the fixing

bosses

58q, 58r, and 58s of the elevating table main body 58. The

screw fixing bosses

60d, 60e, and 60f are recessed in the + Z direction on the rear side so that the screw heads of the screws 76 do not protrude.

The bottom plate portion 60a forms the bottom surface of the lift table 67 except for the notch 60 h.

The side plate portions 60b are provided at the end edges of the bottom plate portion 60a in the lateral width direction. The end of each side plate 60b in the + Y direction extends to the end of the notch 60h in the + Y direction in the lateral width direction.

As shown in fig. 10, the end of each side plate portion 60b in the-Y direction extends to the vicinity of the 2 nd guide portion 58 t.

The side plate portion 60b is inserted close to the inside of the 1 st wall portion 58b, the 1 st side wall portion 58f, and the 2 nd side wall portion 58d when the lower cover 60 is attached to the lifter main body 58.

The side plate portions 60c are provided on the outer edge of the bottom plate portion 60a in the lateral width direction on the-Y direction side of each 2 nd guide portion 58t and on the outer edge in the-Y direction.

The side plate portion 60c provided on the outer edge in the lateral width direction is inserted close to the inside of the 2 nd side wall portion 58 d. The side plate portion 60c provided on the outer edge in the-Y direction forms a side surface of the second wall portion 58c (see fig. 9) of the lower lifting table 67.

The lower cover 60 is fixed by screws in a state of being fitted into a lower portion of the elevating table main body 58 from below. Specifically, the lower cover 60 is fixed to the lift table main body 58 by screwing a plurality of small screws 76 inserted into the

screw fixing bosses

60d, 60e, and 60f into the fixing

bosses

58q, 58r, and 58 s.

The bottom plate portion 60a of the lower cover 60 is disposed parallel to the bottom surface portion 58a with a certain gap. Therefore, the position of the member sandwiched between the bottom plate portion 60a and the bottom surface portion 58a is restricted in the vertical direction. This can suppress vertical displacement of the member sandwiched between the bottom plate portion 60a and the bottom surface portion 58 a. For example, the bottom plate portion 60a can suppress the vertical vibration of the biasing member holder 59b, the biasing member 77 in the biasing member holder 59b, and the guide member 59 c. As a result, the movement of operation member 59 in the depth direction becomes smooth.

Next, the 1 st locking part 70 will be explained. As described above, the 1 st locking portions 70 are provided at both ends of the vertically movable platform 67 in the lateral width direction, and the shapes and the arrangement positions thereof are plane-symmetrical with respect to the plane Ss. Hereinafter, an example of the 1 st locking part 70 arranged on the-X direction side will be described. The shape and arrangement of the 1 st locking part 70 arranged on the + X direction side may be changed to the-X direction from the + X direction and to the + X direction from the-X direction in the following description.

As shown in fig. 14, the 1 st locking portion 70 includes a1 st holder 71 (holding member), a locking member 73, an urging member 74 (1 st urging member), and a2 nd holder 75 (holding member).

The 1 st holder 71 is a rectangular parallelepiped box open in the + X direction. The 1 st holder 71 has a bottom plate portion 71a and a side plate portion 71 d.

The bottom plate portion 71a has a rectangular shape elongated in the depth direction when viewed from the + X direction. In the center of the bottom plate portion 71a, a rectangular opening portion 71b (opening) penetrates in the thickness direction when viewed from the + X direction.

The side plate portion 71d extends from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom plate portion 71a in the + X direction along the outer shape of the bottom plate portion 71 a. Locking projections 71e for locking a coupling portion 75f of a2 nd retainer 75 described later are projected on both side surfaces of the side plate portion 71d in the depth direction.

The locking member 73 has a flat plate portion 73c perpendicular to the lateral width direction and a body portion 73a extending from the flat plate portion 73c in the-X direction.

The flat plate portion 73c has a rectangular shape larger than the opening 71b when viewed in the + X direction and insertable into the inner side of the inner peripheral surface of the side plate portion 71d of the 1 st holder 71.

A columnar projection 73e projecting in the + X direction is provided at the center of the flat plate portion 73 c. The projection 73e is inserted into an urging member 74 described later.

The body 73a has a rectangular shape with a cross section perpendicular to the lateral width direction that is long in the depth direction, and has a rod shape extending in the lateral width direction. The width of the body 73a in the depth direction is slightly smaller than the width of the opening 71b in the depth direction.

At the front end of the main body 73a in the-X direction, an inclined surface 73b inclined in the + X direction as it goes forward in the + Z direction from a lower surface 73f (see fig. 13) parallel to the horizontal plane is formed. Guide ribs 73d are formed on both ends in the depth direction of the surface in the + Z direction of the body 73 a.

Each guide rib 73d protrudes in the + Z direction and extends from the flat plate portion 73c to the vicinity of the front end of the main body portion 73a in the lateral width direction. The leading end of each guide rib 73d in the-X direction is retracted in the + X direction more than the inclined surface 73 b.

The locking member 73 is inserted from the opening in the + X direction of the 1 st retainer 71 toward the opening 71b with the inclined surface 73b as the tip.

An urging member 72 (2 nd urging member) indicated by a two-dot chain line is disposed outside the body portion 73a protruding from the opening portion 71b so as to surround the body portion 73 a. The biasing member 72 is a compression coil spring through which the body portion 73a can be inserted and which can be locked to the bottom plate portion 71a of the 1 st holder 71 from the + X direction.

The biasing member 74 is disposed between the 1 st locking portion 70 and a2 nd holder 75 described later, and biases the locking member 73 in the-X direction, the locking member 73 being inserted into the 1 st holder 71. In the example shown in fig. 13, the urging member 74 is a compression coil spring. The inner diameter of the urging member 74 is larger than the outer diameter of the projection 73 e. The outer diameter of the biasing member 74 is large enough to be inserted into the 1 st holder 71 from the-X direction. The 1 st end 74a of the urging member 74 in the-X direction is locked to the + X direction side of the flat plate portion 73 c. The 2 nd end 74b of the biasing member 74 in the + X direction is locked to the inside of the 2 nd retainer 75 described later.

The 2 nd holder 75 is fixed to the end of the 1 st holder 71 in the + X direction, and constitutes the end of the 1 st locking portion 70 in the + X direction.

The 2 nd retainer 75 has a projection 75a (1 st projection) and a coupling portion 75 f.

An end surface 75e of the protrusion 75a in the-X direction is a plane perpendicular to the lateral width direction. The protrusion 75a has a mountain-like shape having a top 75b in the protruding direction when viewed from the + Z direction in the + X direction. The top portion 75b may be a plane parallel to the end face 75e, or may be a curved surface in a convex arc shape when viewed from the + Z direction.

In the example shown in fig. 10, the peak shape of the protrusion 75a is an isosceles triangle shape, and the apex 75b is a curved surface in a convex circular arc shape.

The slope of the protrusion 75a with respect to the end face 75e is not particularly limited as long as it is equal to or greater than the slope of the protrusion 59 e. In the example shown in fig. 10, the slope of the protrusion 75a is substantially equal to the slope of the protrusion 59 e.

As shown in fig. 14, a recess 75d into which the 2 nd end 74b of the biasing member 74 can be inserted is formed in the center of the end surface 75 e. The 2 nd end 74b is locked to the protrusion 75a from the + X direction in the recess 75 d.

The coupling portions 75f are sheet-shaped protruding in the-X direction from both ends of the protruding portion 75a in the depth direction. At the end in the protruding direction of each coupling portion 75f, a locking portion 75g that locks with the locking projection 71e in a state where the end face 75e abuts on the end face in the + X direction of the 1 st retainer 71 is provided.

As shown in fig. 13, the 1 st locking portion 70 in the assembled state accommodates the biasing member 74 and the locking member 73 in an internal space formed by the projection 75a and the 1 st retainer 71 being coupled, and a part of the body portion 73a protrudes from the opening 71b in the-X direction. The flat plate portion 73c is biased by the biasing member 74 and abuts against the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 71a on the + X direction side. At this time, the amount of protrusion of the body 73a is the maximum.

As shown in fig. 10 and 13, if the operation member 59 is disposed at the locking position, the top 75b of the projection 75a of the 1 st locking portion 70 abuts against the top 59f of the pressing member 59 d. The 1 st retainer 71 is biased in the + X direction by a biasing member 72 disposed between the 2 nd side wall portion 58d and the bottom plate portion 71 a. Therefore, the arrangement position of the 1 st locking part 70 in the lateral width direction at the locking position is positioned by the top 59 f. The arrangement position of the 1 st locking part 70 is hereinafter referred to as the locking position of the 1 st locking part 70.

The main body portion 73a of the 1 st locking portion 70 in the locking position is inserted into the guide hole portion 58u and projects outward of the 2 nd side wall portion 58 d. The guide hole portion 58U is formed with a rectangular opening through which the body portion 73a is inserted, and U-shaped grooves in which the guide ribs 73d are slidable in the lateral width direction. The guide ribs 73d are slidably engaged with the U-shaped grooves of the guide hole portions 58U in the lateral width direction, whereby the position of the moving body portion 73a in the depth direction is stabilized.

In the present embodiment, the biasing member 74 and the locking member 73 are arranged substantially coaxially in series, and the locking member 73 protruding from the 1 st holder 71 is inserted into the biasing member 72. Therefore, the biasing member 72, the locking member 73, the 1 st holder 71, and the biasing member 72 are arranged substantially coaxially with each other.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the biasing member 72 and the 1 st locking portion 70 are arranged substantially coaxially, space saving can be achieved as compared with a case where the biasing member 72 and the 1 st locking portion 70 are arranged in parallel in at least one of the depth direction and the vertical direction, for example.

Here, the operation of the 1 st locking portion 70 and the operation member 59 will be described.

Fig. 15 and 16 are sectional views illustrating the operation of the 1 st locking portion of the refrigerator according to embodiment 1.

As described above, the positions of the 1 st retainer 71 and the 2 nd retainer 75 in the lateral width direction are fixed at the locking position of the 1 st locking portion 70. In contrast, the locking member 73 is biased by the biasing member 74 inside the 1 st holder 71 and the 2 nd holder 75, but can move in the + X direction. Therefore, if the distal end of the locking member 73 in the-X direction is pressed in the + X direction with a force greater than the biasing force of the biasing member 74, the locking member 73 moves in the + X direction.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 15, the locking member 73 can move to a state where the tip end thereof is retracted into the inside of the guide hole portion 58 u.

When the operation member 59 is moved to the lock release position by the user, each pressing member 59d moves in the + Y direction as indicated by the two-dot chain line in fig. 10. At this time, the guide members 59c of the operation member 59, which are arranged at two positions in plane symmetry with respect to the plane Ss, are guided in the depth direction by the 1 st guide portion 58n, respectively. Further, the operating member 59 moves in the + Y direction against the biasing force of the biasing members 77 disposed at two positions that are plane-symmetrical with respect to the plane Ss. The biasing force of each biasing member 77 is uniform in the lateral width direction.

Therefore, even if the position of the operation portion 59a operated by the user is shifted in the lateral width direction in the groove portion 59h, the operation member 59 moves in parallel in the + Y direction. As a result, the pressing members 59d move in the + Y direction in synchronization with each other.

When each pressing member 59d moves in the + Y direction, the 1 st locking portion 70 biased toward the pressing member 59d by the biasing member 72 moves toward the pressing member 59 d. The biasing member 72 extends between the 2 nd side wall portion 58d and the bottom plate portion 71 a.

When the pressing member 59d is withdrawn from the opening of the 2 nd guide portion 58t, as shown in fig. 16, the 1 st locking portions 70 move simultaneously toward the flat plate portion 59g, and the top portion 75b abuts against the flat plate portion 59 g.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the locking member 73 protruding from the 1 st retainer 71 is also moved in parallel in the + Y direction, and is thereby retracted into the inside of the guide hole portion 58 u. That is, the locking member 73 is retracted to the inside of the guide hole portion 58u in a state biased toward the bottom plate portion 71a by the biasing member 74.

Thus, if the operation member 59 is moved to the locking release position, the 1 st locking portion 70 does not move and can be raised from the guide hole portion 58u of each locking member 73. In this state, since the locking member 73 of each 1 st locking portion 70 cannot be locked to the 2 nd locking portion, the position of the 1 st locking portion 70 corresponding to the locking release position of the operation member 59 is referred to as a non-lockable position.

In the present embodiment, the locking member 73 is retracted inside the guide hole portion 58u at the position where the 1 st engaging portion 70 cannot be locked, but cannot be locked with the 2 nd locking portion as long as it cannot contact with the 2 nd locking portion, so the locking member 73 may protrude from the guide hole portion 58 u.

When the user moves his or her hand away from the operation portion 59a, the operation member 59 is moved in the-Y direction by the biasing force of the biasing member 77, and the operation member 59 and the 1 st locking portions 70 return to their respective locking positions. At this time, the operation member 59 moved by the biasing force from the biasing member 77 abuts against the vibration absorbing member 78 without colliding with a member of the elevating table main body 58 such as the front end wall portion 58 w. The kinetic energy of the operation member 59 is absorbed by the vibration absorber 78, and the operation member 59 stops at the locking position. Therefore, the impact sound due to the impact of the operation member 59 is reduced.

A certain degree of impact force acting on the lift table main body 58 via the shock absorbers 78 is transmitted to the lift table main body 58. In the present embodiment, the fixing

bosses

58r and 58q on which the external force acts by the expansion and contraction of the biasing member 77 and the collision of the operating member 59 are provided at positions facing the locking portions 58p and the holding grooves 58v on which the external force acts in the direction of the external force. Therefore, by screwing the lower cover 60 to the fixing

bosses

58r and 58q, a reinforcing structure that efficiently overcomes the external force can be obtained. As a result, even if an external force such as an impact force is transmitted to the lifting table main body 58 to some extent, vibration is suppressed, and therefore, a stable operation feeling can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the locking member 73 protrudes outward of the guide hole portion 58u at the locking position thereof, and is retracted inward of the guide hole portion 58u by an external force acting on the locking member 73. Similarly, if the operation member 59 is moved to the locking release position, the 1 st locking part 70 is moved in parallel as a whole to the non-locking position.

Next, a locking structure when the upper case 56A is attached to the refrigerating chamber door 11A will be described.

The solid-line upper stage case 56A shown in fig. 17 is attached by being latched from above to the 5 th latching plate 64e5 from below.

Since the operating member 59 is in the locking position, the body portion 73a of the locking member 73 protrudes outside the 2 nd side wall portion 58 d. The body portion 73a is inserted inside a recess surrounded by the 1 st rail portion 64a, the locking plate 64e5, the 2 nd rail portion 64b, and the locking plate 64e 6.

Since the width of the distal end portion of the body portion 73a in the depth direction is slightly smaller than the interval between the 1 st rail portion 64a and the 2 nd rail portion 64b, if the body portion 73a is inserted into the recess, the upper-stage cartridge 56A is also in the locking state in the depth direction.

The locking projection 58A and the guide plate 58B sandwich the rail portion 64. The lower surface 73f of the body 73a is pressed against the locking surface 64i of the locking plate 64e5 by gravity.

Since the center of gravity of the upper stage case 56A is located in the + Y direction with respect to the rail portion 64, the upper end portion of the locking projection 58A presses the 2 nd rail portion 64 in the + Y direction.

The upper stage case 56A at the time of attachment cannot be pulled out in the + Y direction, suppressing the drop in the-Z direction.

In the present embodiment, the upper stage cartridge 56A can be moved by the user performing the push-up operation and the lock release operation described below.

The push-up operation is an operation in which the user applies a force to the upper stage cartridge 56A in the + Z direction to move it in the + Z direction. The user can apply any force to the upper stage case 56A, but if the user pushes up the upper stage case 56A by placing his hand under the lift table 67, an upward force is applied near the locking position of the 1 st locking portion 70, and therefore, a smoother operation can be performed.

When the lower surface of the elevating table 67 is pushed up, for example, force is easily applied to the upper stage casing 56A as compared with a case where the upper end portion of the upper stage casing 56A is gripped and lifted up, and even a user with a short height can easily move the upper stage casing 56A.

Since the locking structure of the present embodiment does not include a member for locking the upper stage case 56A from above, if the user applies an upward force to the upper stage case 56A, the upper stage case 56A can be raised along the rail portion 64. That is, the user lifts the locking member 73, and the locking member 73 moves upward of the locking plate 64e 5.

When the locking member 73 is raised to the position where the 1 st guide 64c is disposed, the inclined surface 73b abuts against the 1 st guide 64c, and the locking member 73 is pushed inward by the horizontal component of the reaction force from the 1 st guide 64 c.

If the locking member 73 reaches the upper recess of the locking plate 64e6, the reaction force of the rail portion 64 pushing the locking member 73 is no longer applied, and therefore the locking member 73 protrudes outward from the 2 nd side wall portion 58 d. At this time, if the user separates his hand and stops the pushing-up operation, the locking member 73 is locked to the locking plate 64e6 from above.

By such a push-up operation, the user can move the upper stage case 56A in the + Z direction, and lock the upper stage case 56A to the lock plate 64e on the upper side.

In the push-up operation, the upper stage case 56A can be locked to the upper side, but the upper stage case 56A cannot be lowered. Therefore, for example, even when the hand is moved away before reaching the upper side of the upper locking plate 64e, the hand can be reliably locked to the nearest lower locking plate 64 e. Thus, the upper stage cartridge 56A is prevented from falling in the push-up operation.

The locking release operation is an operation to forcibly release the locking in the vertical direction by the locking member 73.

In this operation, the user operates the operation member 59 to move the operation member 59 to the locking release position. For example, the user moves the operation member 59 in the + Y direction by manually holding the operation portion 59a and the lower end of the 1 st wall portion 58b in the depth direction. In the present embodiment, if the distance between the operation portion 59a and the 1 st wall portion 58b is minimized, the operation member 59 is moved to the locking release position.

In the locking release position, the locking members 73 are retracted inside the 2 nd side wall portion 58d, and thus the locking by the locking members 73 is released. The user can move the upper stage case 56A freely as long as it is within the movable range of the upper stage case 56A. For example, the user can move the upper stage cartridge 56A in the vertical direction while holding the operation portion 59a and the lower end of the 1 st wall portion 58b with one hand.

When the user releases the grip of the lower ends of the operation portion 59a and the 1 st wall portion 58b at the destination of movement, the locking member 73 is projected outward of the 2 nd wall portion 58d by the urging force of the urging member 77, and therefore the locking member 73 projects into the recess of the nearest lower locking plate 64 e. When the hand is separated in this state, the locking member 73 is locked to the nearest lower locking plate 64e at the destination of movement.

By such an engagement releasing operation, the user can engage the upper stage case 56A with any of the engagement plates 64e that face each other in the horizontal direction. That is, the upper stage cartridge 56A can be moved in the vertical direction and the movement position can be fixed in units of the pitch Δ.

According to the upper stage cartridge 56A of the present embodiment, the user can move the upper stage cartridge 56A by a simple operation with one hand on the front surface of the upper stage cartridge 56A in the push-up operation and the lock release operation.

Here, the movable range of the upper stage cartridge 56A is explained.

The lowermost lowered position of the upper stage case 56A is a position at which the lower end of the locking projection 58A is locked to the 1 st stopper 53d from above. In the example shown in fig. 17, the state is the same as the state in which the locking member 73 of the upper stage cassette 56AL in the lowermost descending position is locked to the lowermost locking plate 64e 1. However, if the 1 st stopper 53d is disposed further downward, the lowermost descending position can be set further downward.

In the present embodiment, the 2 nd rail portion 64b is formed on the upper portion of the rail portion 64. Since the 2 nd rail portion 64b does not have a recess into which the locking member 73 can enter, the position at which the upper stage box 56A can be locked is up to the position of the locking plate 64e 6.

The rail portion 64 is also sandwiched between the locking projection 58A and the guide plate 58B above the locking plate 64e6, and therefore can move up and down along the rail portion 64.

In the present embodiment, the upper case 56A can be raised until the upper end of the upper case 56A abuts against the lower surface 61g of the rib 61F, as in the upper case 56AH shown by the two-dot chain line. Specifically, the position where the ridge 57i of the cartridge main body 57 abuts the lower surface 61g is the uppermost raised position.

In the present embodiment, since the sum (1 st distance) of L57i and L58A is larger than the above-described gap distance at the gap G1, the lower end portion of the locking projection 58A and the upper end portion of the rail portion 64 overlap each other when viewed from the-Y direction at the uppermost raised position. Therefore, the upper stage cartridge 56A cannot be pulled out in the + Y direction.

According to the present embodiment, when the user raises the upper cassette 56A attached to the cassette main body 57, the upper cassette 56A can be prevented from being detached by inertia or force at the time of raising.

Thus, the gap G1 serves as an opening for preventing the upper case 56A from coming loose. The lower surface 61g of the rib 61F is an example of a2 nd stopper for restricting the ascending position of the upper stage case 56A and preventing the upper stage case 56A from coming off from the upper side of the rail portion 64.

The projection 57i is an example of the 1 st abutting portion which can abut against the 2 nd stopper when attached to the elevating platform 67.

The upper stage box 56A is preferably removed from the refrigerating chamber door 11A for cleaning or the like, for example. In the present embodiment, no projection capable of locking from the-Y direction side of the rail portion 64 is provided on the side surface of the cartridge main body 57. Therefore, if the cartridge main body 57 is moved in the + Z direction while the locking projection 57h is coming out of the recessed groove 58j, the cartridge main body 57 can be detached from the lift table 67. The removed cartridge main body 57 can be taken out in the + Y direction through the gap G1 or between the rail portions 64 facing each other.

Thus, the lifting table 67 can be attached to and detached from the lifting table 67 without being removed. Therefore, the single cartridge body 57, which requires a high necessity of cleaning because the stored material is in direct contact therewith, can be easily cleaned. Since the cartridge main body 57 is lighter than the elevating table 67, the load of the user accompanying the attachment and detachment is reduced. Since the lift table 67 does not need to be moved when the cartridge main body 57 is detached, the operation of returning to the position before the detachment is not required after the cartridge main body 57 is attached.

Since only the cartridge main body 57 can be removed, the stored materials in the cartridge main body 57 can be easily taken out of the box.

In the lift table 67 from which the cartridge main body 57 is removed, L58A (distance No. 2) is larger than the above-described gap distance. Therefore, if at least the elevating table 67 is raised to the uppermost position of the elevating table 67 where the upper end surface 58G of the elevating table 67 abuts against the lower surface 61G, the locking projection 58A can pass through the gap G1 in the + Y direction.

In this way, the lifting table 67 from which the cartridge main body 57 has been removed is lifted by the above-described push-up operation or the above-described lock release operation, and can be taken out in the + Y direction through the gap G1.

The upper end surface 58h is an example of a2 nd abutting portion which can abut against the 2 nd stopper in the moving direction along the rail portion when the container body is removed.

The vertical position of the elevating table 67 can be changed in a state where the cartridge main body 57 is removed. Therefore, if the cassette main body 57 is taken out of the refrigerator 1A together with the stored material and the elevating platform 67 is moved when the locking position of the upper stage cassette 56A is changed, the load of the user is reduced.

Next, the middle stage cartridge 62 will be explained.

As shown in fig. 2, the middle stage case 62 can be attached to a space sandwiched by

ribs

61A, 61C as between the

upper stage cases

56A, 56B and the lower stage case 63.

The middle stage case 62 can be locked to any of the locking

projections

66A and 66B shown in fig. 3 and 4, thereby changing the attachment position in the vertical direction.

As shown in fig. 18, the middle box 62 is formed in a box shape with an open upper side.

The middle stage case 62 has substantially the same configuration as the case main body 57 of the upper stage case 56A except that the end portions on the-Y direction side have a lateral width dimension which can be inserted between the

ribs

61A and 61C in proximity to the

ribs

61A and 61C and a dimension in the vertical direction differs depending on the type of stored material.

The middle stage case 62 includes a bottom surface portion 62a, a1 st wall portion 62b, a2 nd wall portion 62c, a1 st side wall portion 62f, a step portion 57e, and a2 nd side wall portion 62d instead of the bottom surface portion 57a, the 1 st wall portion 57b, the 2 nd wall portion 57c, the 1 st side wall portion 57f, the step portion 57e, and the 2 nd side wall portion 57d of the case main body 57. Hereinafter, description will be given centering on points different from the cartridge main body 57.

The bottom surface portion 62a is the same as the bottom surface portion 57a except that the dimension in the lateral width direction is longer.

The 1 st wall portion 62b is similar to the 1 st wall portion 57b except that it extends only in the + Z direction from the bottom surface portion 62a and is lower than the 1 st wall portion 57 b.

The 2 nd wall portion 62c is the same as the 2 nd wall portion 57c except that it does not have the flange portion 57j and the ridge 57i and has the same height as the 1 st wall portion 62 b.

The 1 st side wall portion 62f is the same as the 1 st side wall portion 57f except that it extends only in the + Z direction from the bottom surface portion 62a and has the same height as the 1 st wall portion 62 b.

The step portion 62e is the same as the step portion 57e except that it has the same height as the first wall portion 62 b.

The 2 nd side wall portion 62d is the same as the 2 nd side wall portion 57d except that it has a flange portion 62g and a locking projection 62h instead of the flange portion 57g and the locking projection 57h and has the same height as the 1 st wall portion 62 b.

The flange portion 62g extends outward of the middle case 62 in the lateral width direction from the upper end of the 2 nd side wall portion 62d, and can be locked to the upper end of the locking projection 66A or the locking projection 66B from above. That is, the middle case 62 is disposed at the 1 st position when the flange portion 62g is locked to the locking projection 66A, and the middle case 62 is disposed at the 2 nd position δ below the 1 st position when the flange portion 62g is locked to the locking projection 66B.

The locking projection 62h projects from the 2 nd side wall portion 62d toward the outside of the middle stage case 62 in the lateral width direction. The locking projection 62h has a width in the depth direction that can be detachably fitted in the gaps g2 and g3 of the

ribs

61A and 61C from above. The length of the locking projection 62h in the vertical direction is shorter than the vertical gap between the locking

projections

66A and 66B.

The locking projection 62h is provided at a position of a slight gap formed between the 2 nd wall portion 62c and the flat portion 53a when fitted into the gap g2 or the gap g 3.

The middle box 62 may be provided with a storage material directly or with an internal container for storing the storage material. Examples of the inner container include a box-shaped container opened upward and an egg tray for vertically storing eggs. In the example shown in fig. 18, an egg tray 62i is disposed as an inner container.

Next, the lower stage cartridge 63 will be explained.

As shown in fig. 2, the lower stage case 63 can be attached to a space sandwiched by

ribs

61A, 61C below the middle stage case 62.

The lower case 63 is detachably disposed on the rib 61G by being locked to the locking projection 65 shown in fig. 3 and 4. However, the arrangement position of the lower stage cartridge 63 at the time of attachment is fixed in the up-down direction.

The lower stage cartridge 63 has a1 st housing portion 63A and a2 nd housing portion 63B. The 1 st housing part 63A and the 2 nd housing part 63B are arranged in this order in the + Y direction.

The 2 nd accommodating portion 63B has a2 nd bottom plate 63a2 placed on the 2 nd plate-like portion 61Gb of the rib 61G. The 2 nd bottom plate 63a2 is inclined similarly to the 2 nd plate-like portion 61 Gb. When the lower stage cartridge 63 is attached, the-Y direction end portion of the 2 nd bottom plate 63a2 is connected to the + Y direction end portion of the 1 st plate-like portion 61Ga substantially without a step.

The 2 nd wall portion 63c projects upward at the end edge in the + Y direction of the 2 nd bottom plate 63a2, and the 2 nd side wall portion 63d projects upward at each end edge in the lateral width direction. The projecting direction of the 2 nd wall portion 63c and the 2 nd side wall portions 63d is the normal direction of the 2 nd bottom plate 63a 2.

An end surface 63i of each 2 nd side wall portion 63d in the Y direction extends in the up-down direction. As shown in fig. 2, when the lower cassette 63 is attached, each end surface 63i is arranged along the end surface 55fy of the locking guide 53f, and abuts against the end surface 53fy from the + Y direction side.

The 2 nd wall portion 63c and the 2 nd side wall portions 63d form recesses that open in the + Z direction with the flat portions 53 b. Therefore, the 1 st plate-like portion 61Ga and the 2 nd bottom plate 63a2 can store the stored substance while being inclined in the + Y direction according to the inclination of each inclined surface.

In each of the 2 nd side wall portions 63d, the locking projection 63h projects outward of the lower cassette 63 in the lateral width direction. The locking projection 63h has a width in the depth direction that can be detachably fitted in each groove g4 of the

ribs

61A, 61C from above.

As shown in fig. 2, the 1 st receiving portion 63A protrudes in the + Y direction from the rib 61G and the 1 st receiving portion 63A when attached.

As shown in fig. 19, the 1 st receiving portion 63A has a1 st base plate 63A1 inclined similarly to the 2 nd base plate 63A 2.

The 1 st wall portion 63b projects upward at the end edge in the + Y direction of the 1 st bottom plate 63a1, and the 1 st side wall portion 63f projects upward at each end edge in the lateral width direction. The 1 st wall portion 63b and the 1 st side wall portions 63f protrude in the direction normal to the 1 st bottom plate 63a 1.

The end portions of the 1 st side wall portion 63f in the-Y direction are connected to the 2 nd side wall portion 63d from the outside, and a step portion 63e in the lateral width direction is formed between the 1 st side wall portion 63f and the 2 nd side wall portion 63 d.

As shown in fig. 2, when the lower stage case 63 is attached, each step portion 63e abuts against each 3 rd leading end portion 61e of the

rib

61A, 61B from the + Y direction side. The end surface 63i is disposed along the end surface 55fy of the locking guide 53f, and abuts against the end surface 53fy from the-Y direction.

The 1 st housing portion 63A can house the stored object in a state inclined in the + Y direction, as in the 2 nd housing portion 63B.

Such a lower case 63 can be attached between the

ribs

61A, 61C by inserting the respective locking projections 63h into the grooves g4 from above.

In the refrigerating compartment door 11A of the present embodiment, the vertical positions of the

upper cassettes

56A and 56B can be changed in multiple stages in units of Δ in the respective movement ranges. The middle stage case 62 can change the vertical arrangement position in two stages between the 1 st position and the 2 nd position. The movement pitch Δ of the

upper stage cartridges

56A, 56B is smaller than the movement pitch δ of the middle stage cartridge 62.

The relationship between the movement range (5 × Δ) of the

upper stage cartridges

56A, 56B and the movement range (δ) of the middle stage cartridge 62 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, δ is smaller than 5 × Δ.

The movement pitch and the movement range of the

upper stage cartridges

56A and 56B and the movement pitch and the movement range of the middle stage cartridge 62 are set so that the relative arrangement positions when the upper and lower stage cartridges are moved can be appropriately set according to the heights of the stored items.

Hereinafter, an example of the arrangement positions of the

upper stage cartridges

56A and 56B and the middle stage cartridge 62 will be described based on a specific use example.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing an example of use of the door container according to embodiment 1. Fig. 21 and 22 are sectional views showing examples of use of the door container according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 20 shows an example of the storage items in the refrigerating compartment door 11A and the arrangement positions of the

upper cassettes

56A and 56B and the middle cassette 62 suitable for the arrangement of the storage items.

In the example shown in fig. 20, an egg tray 62i is disposed in the middle stage box 62 below the upper stage box 56B. In this case, since a space required to take out the eggs is sufficient above the egg tray 62i, a large accommodation space can be secured in the upper stage box 56B by lowering the upper stage box 56B. For efficient use of the storage space, for example, the milk box 82 may be disposed in the upper case 56B. In the case where the milk box 82 is a 1L carton container, the height H2 (see fig. 21) is about 70 mm.

In contrast, the space between the

ribs

61A and 61B above the middle stage case 62 is divided into two in the vertical direction according to the arrangement position of the upper stage case 56A. The middle stage box 62 may contain a medium-height content, for example, a sauce container 83, and the upper stage box 56A may contain a 350mL can 81. For example, the height H3 (see FIG. 21) of the sauce container 83 having an internal volume of 280mL and the height H4 (see FIG. 21) of the 350mL jar 81 are about 125mm and about 122mm, respectively.

By storing the sauce container 83 in the middle stage box 62 at a higher height and storing the can 81 in the upper stage box 56A at a lower height of 350mL, the sauce container 83 can be easily taken out.

Examples of preferable contents to be stored in the middle box 62 include a 1L plastic bottle containing liquid seasoning such as soy sauce and noodle sauce. The height of a 1L plastic bottle is about 270 mm.

Since the hinge 30 of the refrigerating chamber door 11A of the present embodiment is located on the right side, a large centrifugal force acts on the stored items arranged in the-X direction in the lateral width direction. From the viewpoint of making the contents less likely to fall down by centrifugal force, it is preferable to arrange the higher contents in the + X direction. When the milk box 82 is likely to fall over, the above-described left and right arrangements may be reversed.

The high-height and easily toppled-over storage items may not be arranged in the

upper cassettes

56A and 56B and the middle cassette 62. For example, the height of the storage space above the lowermost

upper cassettes

56A and 56B, or the height of the storage space between the middle cassette 62 and the

upper cassettes

56A and 56B when the

upper cassettes

56A and 56B are disposed at the uppermost position and the middle cassette 62 is disposed at the lowermost position, may be set to a size that cannot store the 2L plastic bottles 84. The height H1 (see FIG. 21) of the 2L plastic bottle 84 is about 306 mm.

It is more preferable that the lower stage cartridge 63 be configured to accommodate a high-height and high-mass container. For example, it is more preferable that a 2L plastic bottle 84, a milk box 82, and the like can be disposed in the lower stage box 63.

Fig. 21 shows a positional relationship in the case where the upper stage cartridge 56A is at the uppermost position, the upper stage cartridge 56B is at the lowermost position, and the middle stage cartridge 62 is at the uppermost position. In this case, the storage space between the lower stage case 63 and the middle stage case 62 becomes the largest.

d1 is the distance in the up-down direction from the upper end of the 1 st wall part 63b to the lower surface of the middle box 62. In order to easily take out and store the 2L plastic bottle 84 having the height H1, the d1 may be 200mm to 300 mm. d1 is more preferably 267mm + -10 mm.

h1 is the height of the 1 st wall portion 62b of the middle section box 62. When the thickness of h1 is 3mm, it may be 50mm to 100mm from the viewpoint of preventing the stored material from falling over. More preferably h1 is 70mm + -10 mm. In this case, the height from the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 62a to the upper end of the 1 st wall portion 62b (the depth of the middle stage case 62) is 67mm ± 10 mm.

The vertical distances from the upper end of the middle box 62 to the respective lower ends of the lowermost upper box 56B and the uppermost upper box 56A are d2 and d 3.

For example, d2 may be 50mm to 100mm in order to facilitate removal of the egg 85. d2 is more preferably 54.8mm or more.

If d2 is of such a size, the height of the storage space from the upper case 56B to the rib 61F can be set to 146mm or more and 257mm or less, and therefore, for example, the milk case 82 of height H2 can be easily removed and stored.

d2 may be of a size that can be entered by the user's finger even when the upper case 56B is in the lowermost position with the operating portion 59a held when the user performs the latch release operation. For example, if d2 is 50mm or more, the user's finger can enter even if the upper stage cartridge 56B falls during the latch release operation. Even if the upper case 56B drops in a state where fingers are put in, the fingers are not caught between the middle case 62 and the upper case 56B. D2 is also a size that allows the user to push up the upper-stage box 56B by performing the latch release operation even when the upper-stage box 56B is at the lowermost position.

However, when d2 is reduced, the height of the space from the upper box 56B to the rib 61F is more preferably set to be smaller than H1 so that the 2L plastic bottle 84 can be disposed.

d3 may be 160mm to 240mm, for example, to easily take out the sauce container 83 having a height H3. Since d3 is smaller than H1, it is a size that enables the 2L plastic bottle 84 to be disposed.

The dimension h2 from the lower end to the upper end of the

upper cassettes

56A, 56B may be, for example, 45mm to 130 mm. More preferably, h2 is 91.3 mm. + -. 10 mm. If h2 is of such a size, the height from the lower surface of bottom surface portion 57a of box main body 57 to the upper end of box main body 57 can be set to 70mm ± 10mm, and a storage space in which the stored contents are unlikely to fall down can be formed, as in the case of middle-stage box 62.

If H2 is of such a size, 350mL of can 81 having a height H4 can be disposed below rib 61F in upper box 56A. Therefore, even if the 350mL tank 81 is densely stored in the upper stage cartridge 56A, the user can easily take out the 350mL tank 81.

Fig. 22 shows a positional relationship in the case where the upper stage cartridge 56A is at the uppermost position, the upper stage cartridge 56B is at the lowermost position, and the middle stage cartridge 62 is at the lowermost position. That is, the middle stage cassette 62 is lowered by δ from the state shown in fig. 22. In this case, the storage space between the lower stage case 63 and the middle stage case 62 is minimized.

The distance in the up-down direction from the upper end of the 1 st wall portion 63b to the lower surface of the middle box 62 is reduced from D1 to D1 (D1- δ). In order to easily store the milk box 82 having the height H2, D1 may be 180mm to 220 mm. D1 is more preferably 197.5mm + -10 mm.

The vertical distances from the upper end of the middle box 62 to the lowermost upper box 56B and the uppermost lower end of the upper box 56A increase from D2 and D3 to D2 (D2 + δ) and D3 (D3 + δ).

For example, D2 may be 50mm to 130mm in order to facilitate removal of food.

If D2 is of such a size, the height of the space from upper box 56B to rib 61F can be 120mm or more and 200mm or less, and therefore, for example, eggs, sauce, and the like can be easily taken out and stored.

However, in the case of reducing D2, it is more preferable to set the height of the housing space from the upper stage box 56B to the rib 61F to be smaller than H1 so that the 2L plastic bottle 84 cannot be arranged.

If D2 is of such a size, the arrangement position of the middle box 62 is lowered, and therefore even a short user can easily take out the stored article.

As described above, according to the refrigerator 1A of the present embodiment, the lower stage box 63 detachably fixed to the lowermost position, the middle stage box 62 disposed above the lower stage box 63 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and the

upper stage boxes

56A and 56B disposed above the middle stage box 62 and having a vertically movable range larger than that of the middle stage box 62 are provided inside the refrigerating chamber door 11A, so that various kinds of stored articles can be efficiently stored in the door container.

(embodiment 2)

A refrigerator according to embodiment 2 will be described.

Fig. 23 is a front view showing the refrigerator of embodiment 2.

The overall configuration of a refrigerator 1B according to embodiment 2 shown in fig. 23 will be mainly described focusing on differences from embodiment 1. However, the refrigerator 1B does not need to have all of the structures described below, and some of the structures may be omitted as appropriate.

The refrigerator 1B includes a cabinet 110 and a plurality of doors 111 instead of the cabinet 10 and the plurality of doors 11 of the refrigerator 1A.

The cabinet 110 includes an inner cabinet, an outer cabinet, and an insulating material similar to the cabinet 10. In the case 110, various members forming the refrigerator main body 105 are disposed between the inner box and the outer box, as in the case 10.

The cabinet 110 includes a plurality of storage chambers 127 instead of the plurality of storage chambers 27 of the cabinet 10.

The storage compartments 127 include a refrigerating compartment 127A, a vegetable compartment 127B, an ice making compartment 127C, a small freezing compartment 127D, and a main freezing compartment 127E. Refrigerating room 127A and vegetable room 127B are the same as refrigerating room 27A and vegetable room 27B.

The main freezing chamber 127E is located at the lowermost side of the cabinet 110. Ice making compartment 127C and small freezing compartment 127D are arranged in this order in the + X direction between vegetable compartment 127B and main freezing compartment 127E.

The openings of the storage chambers 127 are openably and closably closed by the doors 111. The plurality of doors 111 include, for example, a right refrigerating compartment door 111Aa (door) that closes the opening of the refrigerating compartment 127A, a left refrigerating compartment door 111Ab (door), a vegetable compartment door 111B that closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 127B, an ice making compartment door 111C that closes the opening of the ice making compartment 127C, a freezer compartment door 111D that closes the opening of the freezer compartment 127D, and a main freezer compartment door 111E that closes the opening of the main freezer compartment 127E.

The right and left refrigerating chamber doors 111Aa and 111Ab are split doors provided adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, and each has the same configuration as the refrigerating chamber door 11A of embodiment 1. In the present embodiment, the width of the right refrigerating compartment door 111Ab in the lateral width direction is larger than the width of the left refrigerating compartment door 111Aa in the lateral width direction.

The vegetable compartment door 111B, ice making compartment door 111C, freezer compartment door 111D, and main freezer compartment door 111E are drawer-type doors similar to the vegetable compartment door 11B and freezer compartment door 11C of embodiment 1.

Since the right refrigerating chamber door 111Aa and the left refrigerating chamber door 111Ab have substantially the same configuration except for the size in the lateral width direction, the right refrigerating chamber door 111Aa will be described below.

As shown in fig. 24, the right refrigerating chamber door 111Aa has substantially the same structure as the refrigerating chamber door 11A except for its different size. For example, the right refrigerating chamber door 111Aa is provided with a well-known rotation partition plate at the end on the + Y direction side in the-X direction so as to be opened in two. Hereinafter, the explanation will be centered on points different from the refrigerating chamber door 11A except for the size.

The right refrigerating chamber door 111Aa has an outer frame member 150 including a rear member 153 instead of the outer frame member 50 including the rear member 53. The right refrigerating chamber door 111Aa includes an upper stage box 156 (door container, upper stage door container), a middle stage box 162 (door container, middle stage door container, lower side door container), and a lower stage box 163 (door container, lower stage door container) in place of the

upper stage boxes

56A and 56B, the middle stage box 62, and the lower stage box 63.

Rear member 153 is identical to rear member 53 except that rib 61B is omitted. A gasket 55 similar to that of embodiment 1 is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the rear member 153 on the + Y direction side.

The upper stage case 156 is locked to the respective rail portions 64 of the

ribs

61A, 61C of the rear surface member 153, as in embodiment 1. Therefore, the upper case 156 is configured similarly to the upper case 56A, except that the width in the lateral width direction matches the width of the

ribs

61A, 61C of the rear surface member 153.

The middle stage case 162 is locked to locking

projections

66A, 66B, not shown, formed on

ribs

61A, 61C of the rear member 153, as in embodiment 1. Therefore, the middle stage case 162 is configured similarly to the middle stage case 62 except that the width in the lateral width direction matches the width of the

ribs

61A, 61C of the rear face member 153.

The lower cassette 163 is locked to the locking projections 65, not shown, formed on the

ribs

61A and 61C of the rear member 153, as in embodiment 1. Therefore, the lower stage cartridge 163 is configured similarly to the lower stage cartridge 63, except that the width in the lateral direction matches the width of the

ribs

61A and 61C.

According to the right refrigerating chamber door 111Aa, a single upper stage box 156 is provided above the middle stage box 162 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The upper stage cassette 156 can be locked to and unlocked from the rail portion 64 by the same locking structure as that of embodiment 1. Therefore, the upper stage case 156 can be moved in the vertical direction along the rail portion 64 by performing the push-up operation or the lock release operation, similarly to the upper stage case 56A of embodiment 1.

The right refrigerating compartment door 111Aa is an example in which the door container of embodiment 1 is provided as one of the split doors.

According to the refrigerator 1B of the present embodiment, the lower stage box 163 detachably fixed to the lowermost position, the middle stage box 162 disposed above the lower stage box 163 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and the upper stage box 156 disposed above the middle stage box 162 and having a vertically movable range larger than that of the middle stage box 162 are provided inside the refrigerating chamber door 111A, and therefore, various kinds of stored materials can be efficiently stored in the door container.

In the above-described embodiment, the door container has the container body and the lifting table, and the container body is detachably attached to the lifting table. For example, the door container may be such that the container body and the lifting table are not detachably fixed. For example, the door container may be provided with the 1 st locking portion on a member having the function of the container body, and may not be divided into the container body and the lifting table.

The upper stage cartridge 256 (door container, upper stage door container) shown in fig. 25 can be used in place of the

upper stage cartridges

56A, 56B, 156 of the

refrigerators

1A, 1B of the above embodiments by appropriately setting the width in the lateral width direction. Hereinafter, the upper stage cartridge 256 of the present modification will be described centering on differences from the upper stage cartridge 56A of embodiment 1.

The upper stage cassette 256 has a cassette main body 258 (container main body) instead of the lift table main body 58, with the cassette main body 57 of the upper stage cassette 56A removed.

The cartridge main body 258 includes a1 st wall portion 57b, a1 st side wall portion 57f, a2 nd side wall portion 258d, and a stepped portion 258e instead of the 1 st wall portion 58b, the 1 st side wall portion 58f, the 2 nd side wall portion 58d, and the stepped portion 58e of the elevating platform main body 58.

The 1 st wall portion 57b and the 1 st wall portion 57f of the present modification are different from those of the 1 st embodiment in that they are provided at the end edges of the wide portions of the bottom surface portion 58 a.

The 2 nd side wall portion 258d is different from the 2 nd side wall portion 58d in that it has the locking projection 58A and the guide plate 58B as in the 1 st embodiment and the recessed groove 58j of the 2 nd side wall portion 58d is removed.

The

flange portions

57g and 57j similar to those of embodiment 1 are formed at the upper ends of the 2 nd side wall portion 258d and the 2 nd wall portion 58c in this modification. The flange portion 57j is not provided with the ridge 57 i.

The length L258 from the upper end of the flange portion 57j to the lower end 58Ac of the locking projection 58A is shorter than the gap distance of the gap G1.

The

flange portions

57g and 57j of the present modification do not have a function of locking the upper end of the elevating table main body 58. Therefore, the

flanges

57g and 57j may be omitted as long as the strength required for the upper stage case 256 can be obtained.

The stepped portion 258e is connected to the-Y direction end of the 1 st side wall portion 57f and the + Y direction end of the 2 nd side wall portion 258d in the lateral width direction. Each step 258e faces the front end of

rib

61A, 61B in the protruding direction when upper case 256 is attached to refrigerating chamber door 11A.

A lower cover 60 similar to that of embodiment 1 is fixed to the lower surface side of the cassette main body 258, and a bottom plate portion similar to the elevating table main body 58 is formed. The bottom plate portion is provided with the 1 st locking portion 70 as in embodiment 1.

The 1 st locking portion 70 is movable to a locking position and a non-locking position by the operation member 59 and the urging member 77, which are not shown, as in embodiment 1.

According to the present modification, the upper stage cartridge 256 can be pulled out in the + Y direction from the gap G1. Since the 1 st locking portion 70 of the upper stage cartridge 256 is provided on the bottom plate portion of the cartridge main body 258, only the cartridge main body 258 cannot be removed from the upper stage cartridge 256, but the upper stage cartridge 256 is locked so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the rail portion 64, as in the case of the upper stage cartridge 56A.

Therefore, in the refrigerator having the upper stage box 256 according to the modification, the vertical position of the upper stage box 256 can be easily changed as in embodiment 1.

In the above-described embodiment, the concave-convex structure of the rail portion 64 has been described as having the plurality of locking surfaces extending in the horizontal direction and the plurality of inclined surfaces inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, but the shape of the concave-convex structure is not limited to this.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing a modification example of the 2 nd locking portion that can be used in the refrigerator of each embodiment.

The rail portion 64A shown in fig. 26 (a) has a1 st rail portion 64Aa instead of the 1 st rail portion 64A of the rail portion 64. The 1 st rail portion 64Aa includes a plurality of engagement plates 64Ae instead of the plurality of engagement plates 64 e.

The locking plate 64Ae differs from the plurality of locking plates 64e of embodiment 1 in that the locking surface 64Ai on the upper side is inclined downward in the protruding direction of the locking plate 64Ae due to a change in plate thickness in the protruding direction. The inclination angle of the locking surface 64Ai with respect to the horizontal plane is ψ smaller than the inclination angle φ of the inclined rib 64 f.

According to the present modification, since the locking surface 64Ai is inclined, when the locking member 73 is raised, the front end of the locking member 73 slides on the locking surface 64Ai and gradually enters toward the side surface after passing the front ends of the plurality of locking plates 64 Ae. At this time, the locking member 73 and the inclined rib 64f contact the inclined surface 73b in a wide range, and contact the locking surface 64Ai linearly or in a dot shape at the lower end portion of the tip end of the body 73 a. Therefore, the locking member 73 smoothly enters while sliding with respect to the locking surface 64Ai, in addition to the inclination angle ψ being smaller than Φ. Therefore, the occurrence of the impact sound at the time of the entry of the locking member 73 can be suppressed.

If the locking member 73 is locked to the locking surface 64Ai, the load of the upper stage case 56A concentrates on the locking portion and the pressure increases, so that the locking member 73 is less likely to slip downward.

This modification is an example in which the locking surface may be inclined from the horizontal plane.

The track portion 64B shown in fig. 26 (B) has a1 st track portion 64Ba in place of the 1 st track portion 64a of the track portion 64. The 1 st rail portion 64ba has a plurality of flat plates 64Be instead of the plurality of locking plates 64e, and a plurality of inclined ribs 64Bf are added.

The plurality of flat plates 64Be are similar to the plurality of locking plates 64e, except that they do not have locking surfaces for locking the locking members 73.

The plurality of inclined ribs 64Bf are triangular in shape provided between the upper surfaces of the plurality of flat plates 64e and the side surfaces S (Sm, Sp). The plurality of inclined ribs 64Bf are arranged in the same number as the plurality of inclined ribs 64f in the depth direction. The inclination angles of the plurality of inclined ribs 64Bf with respect to the horizontal plane are phi with respect to the upper surface of the flat plate 64 Be. Therefore, the inclined ribs 64f, 64Bf have a shape and an arrangement that are plane-symmetrical with each other in the vertical direction with respect to the center of the flat plate 64Be, with respect to the flat plate 64Be interposed therebetween.

The upper end surfaces of the plurality of inclined ribs 64Bf constitute locking surfaces to which the locking members 73 are locked.

According to the present modification, since the inclined ribs 64Bf, 64f are plane-symmetric in the up-down direction, the magnitudes of the inclinations of the uneven structure are equal in the up-down direction. Therefore, the generation of the impact sound at the time of the entry of the locking member 73 can be further suppressed as compared with the 1 st rail portion 64 Aa.

Since the inclined surface 73b is formed only on the upper surface at the front end of the locking member 73, resistance at the time of lowering becomes larger than that at the time of raising. Therefore, the locking member 73 can be locked to the inclined rib 64Bf by setting the inclination angle Φ to an appropriate magnitude.

In the present modification, the uneven shape of the uneven structure may have a shape that is symmetrical in the vertical direction.

Further, in the present modification, the locking surface for locking the locking member is formed by the tip end of the inclined rib 64 Bf.

In the above embodiment, the description has been given of an example in which the 1 st locking portion is provided on the door container and the 2 nd locking portion is provided on the inner surface portion of the door. In this case, the inner surfaces of the door container and the door are examples of the 1 st member and the 2 nd member, respectively. However, the 1 st and 2 nd components may be substituted. That is, the 1 st locking part may be provided on the inner surface of the door, and the 2 nd locking part may be provided on the door container.

In the above embodiment, the description was given assuming that the shapes and the arrangements of the door container, the 1 st locking portion, the 2 nd locking portion, the 1 st stopper, and the lock release mechanism are bilaterally symmetrical, but the shapes and the arrangements of the door container, the 1 st locking portion, the 2 nd locking portion, the 1 st stopper, and the lock release mechanism may not be bilaterally symmetrical.

In the above embodiment, the description has been given of an example in which the 1 st locking portion, the 2 nd locking portion, and the 1 st stopper are provided at two positions sandwiching the door container in the lateral width direction. However, in the case where the 1 st locking portion and the 2 nd locking portion are 1 respectively and can support the door container and the stored article thereof, the 1 st locking portion, the 2 nd locking portion and the 1 st stopper may be provided at 1 position.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the engaging surface of the 2 nd engaging portion is provided at the pitch Δ of five equal parts of the moving range was described, but the pitch Δ may be reduced to a small extent by increasing the number of engaging surfaces and the number of concave and convex portions.

In the above embodiment, the door container is assumed to have the locking projection, and the 1 st stopper is locked to the locking projection to regulate the lowering position of the door container. However, the 1 st stopper may be locked to the door container other than the locking projection as long as the stopper can restrict the lowering position of the door container. For example, the 1 st stopper may be locked to a concave-convex shape formed on a surface other than the locking projection of the door container. For example, the 1 st stopper may be locked to the lower surface of the door container.

In the above embodiment, the 1 st stopper is provided between the rail portion and the stepped portion. In this case, since the movement path of the locking projection is formed between the rail portion and the stepped portion, the lowering position of the door container can be restricted by preventing the movement of the locking projection. For example, if the 1 st stopper is coupled to the rail portion and the step portion as in the 1 st stopper 53d, there is an advantage that the strength of the 1 st stopper is increased by the rail portion and the step portion.

However, the 1 st stopper may be provided in a range where the door container is lowered between the rail portion and the inner surface portion. For example, the 1 st stopper may be provided on the flat portion 53 a.

In the above embodiment, the explanation has been made on the assumption that each locking protrusion is constituted by 1 protrusion which is long in the vertical direction. However, each of the locking projections may be a plurality of projections separated in the vertical direction and projecting in the lateral width direction. Further, the shape of the locking projection is not limited to a vertically long shape. For example, the shape of the locking projection may have a round bar shape or a square bar shape having substantially the same length in the vertical direction and the depth direction.

In the above embodiment, the example was described in which the middle stage cartridge 62 positioned between the

upper stage cartridges

56A and 56B and the lower stage cartridge 63 can be moved in two stages between the 1 st position and the 2 nd position, but the middle stage cartridge 62 may be moved to 3 stages or more.

Further, the middle stage cartridge 62 may be movable in multiple stages as in the upper stage cartridge 56A by having the 1 st locking portion and the locking release mechanism as in the upper stage cartridge 56A.

In the above embodiment, the

upper cassettes

56A and 56B are disposed in the lateral width direction as the upper door containers, but the number of the upper door containers is not limited to 2. For example, the upper door container may be provided in a number of 3 or more in the lateral width direction. For example, 2 or more upper door containers may be provided so as to overlap in the vertical direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the upper limit values and the lower limit values of the movement ranges of the plurality of upper door containers are equal to each other has been described, but at least one of the upper limit values and the lower limit values of the movement ranges of the plurality of upper door containers may be different from each other. The upper limit value of the moving range of the upper door container is determined by the length of the 2 nd locking part in the vertical direction. The lower limit of the moving range of the upper door container is determined by the position of the lowermost locking surface or the position of the 1 st stopper.

From the viewpoint that a high content can be easily disposed at a portion where the centrifugal force acting when the refrigerating chamber door 11A is opened and closed is small, for example, the lower limit value of the movement range of the upper door container is more preferably the highest lower limit value of the upper door container closest to the hinge of the door. In this case, the high-level stored items can be arranged in the middle door container below the upper door container closest to the hinge.

Also, for example, it is more preferable that the upper limit value of the range of movement of the upper door container is highest at the upper door container closest to the hinge of the door. In this case, the high-level stored items can be arranged in the middle door container below the upper door container closest to the hinge.

According to at least one embodiment described above, the present invention includes: a lower door container detachably fixed at the lowest position inside the door; a middle door container which is arranged on the inner side of the door and above the lower door container in a manner of moving along the vertical direction; and an upper door container disposed above the middle door container at an inner side of the door, the upper door container having a vertically movable range larger than that of the middle door container; therefore, it is possible to provide a refrigerator capable of efficiently storing various kinds of stored articles in the door container.

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and do not limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments may be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Description of the reference symbols

1A, 1B … refrigerator; 5. 105 … refrigerator main body; 11. 111 … a plurality of doors; 11a … refrigerator compartment door (door); 27. 127 … a plurality of storage compartments; 27A, 127A … refrigerator compartment; 53. 153 … rear part; 53c … step; 53d … stop 1; 56A, 56B, 56AH, 56AL, 156, 256 … upper box (door container, upper door container); 57. 258 … box body (container body); 57h … locking projection (protrusion); a 57i … ridge (1 st abutting portion); 58 … elevator platform body (housing); 58a … locking projection (guide member); 58B … guide plate (guide member); 58h … upper end face (2 nd abutting part); 58a … bottom surface portion (bottom plate portion); 58j … groove; 59 … operating parts; 59d … urging member; a 59e … projection (No. 2 projection); 60 … lower cover (bottom plate part); 61A, 61B, 61C … ribs (1 st wall part, 2 nd wall part); 61F … rib plate; 61g … below (stop 2); 62. 162 … middle section box (door container, middle section door container, lower side door container); 63. 163 … lower box (door container, lower door container); 64 … rail portion 64e … a plurality of catch plates; 64i, 64Ai, 64Bi … locking surfaces; 64j … inclined surface, 64e1, 64e2, 64e3, 64e5, 64e6 … locking plate; 64f … diagonal rib(s); 67 … lifter plate; 70 st engagement portion 70 …; 71 … 1 st retainer (holding member); 71b … opening part (opening); 72 … force application member (2 nd force application member); 73 … a stop member; 74 … force application member (1 st force application member); 75 … 2 nd holder (holding member); 75a … projection (1 st projection); 76 … small screws; 77 … force application component (No. 3 force application component); 78 … shock absorbers; 81 … 350mL canister; 82 … milk boxes; 83 … sauce container; 84 … 2L plastic bottles; 85 … egg; s, Sm, Sp … side.

Claims

1. A refrigerator is characterized in that a refrigerator body is provided with a refrigerator door,

the disclosed device is provided with:

a refrigerator main body including a storage chamber;

a door for openably and closably closing the storage chamber;

a lower door container detachably fixed at the lowest position inside the door;

a middle door container which is arranged on the inner side of the door and above the lower door container in a manner of moving along the vertical direction; and

and an upper door container disposed above the middle door container inside the door, the upper door container having a movable range in the vertical direction larger than that of the middle door container.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1,

the minimum moving amount in the up-down direction of the upper door container is smaller than the minimum moving amount in the up-down direction of the middle door container.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2,

the disclosed device is provided with:

a1 st locking part which is provided on the upper door container, is energized in the horizontal direction, is provided to be movable forward and backward in the horizontal direction, and protrudes outward of the upper door container when entering;

a2 nd locking part provided on an inner surface of the door and having a plurality of locking surfaces for locking the 1 st locking part from below and a plurality of inclined surfaces inclined so that the 1 st locking part can be pressed toward the upper door container as the 1 st locking part moves upward from the plurality of locking surfaces, respectively; and

a lock release mechanism for moving the 1 st lock portion to an unlocked position where the 1 st lock portion cannot be locked with the 2 nd lock portion, and for allowing the upper door container to move in the vertical direction;

the upper door container is pushed by an upward force, and the 1 st locking part can slide along the 2 nd locking part and rise.

4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the maximum accommodating height of the middle door container below the upper door container is lower than the maximum accommodating height of the lower door container when the middle door container is disposed at the uppermost position.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

at the lowest position of the upper section door container, a gap with a size at least allowing fingers to enter is formed between the upper end of the middle section door container and the lower surface of the upper section door container.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the upper door container is provided in plurality in the lateral width direction of the door.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6,

the lower limit value of the moving range of the upper door container is the highest lower limit value of the upper door container closest to the hinge of the door.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 6 or 7,

the upper limit value of the moving range of the upper door container is the highest upper limit value of the upper door container closest to the hinge of the door.