CN1743774B

CN1743774B - Refrigerator and locking device of refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN1743774B
Application number: CN2005100932469A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山下太一郎; 永盛敏彦
Original assignee: Hitachi Appliances Inc
Current assignee: Hitachi Appliances Inc
Priority date: 2004-08-30
Filing date: 2005-08-19
Publication date: 2010-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-19
Also published as: JP2006064341A; JP4076528B2; CN1743774A; KR20060053128A; KR100726320B1; TW200607968A; TWI301882B

Abstract

The invention provides a door closing device to put brake on a door to reduce its speed even when the door is swiftly closed, and to surely close the door to a refrigerator body. This door closing device of a refrigerator is provided with: the swingable door; drawing members mounted on the door; and a door closing means capable of contacting or separating to/from the drawing members. The door closing means includes: a rotating plate journaled rotatably between a closed position and an opened position, a spring causing the rotating plate to execute toggle action; and a rotation damping means connected to the rotating plate; the rotating plate includes a recessed part capable of contacting or separating to/from the drawing members; the spring is stretched to cause the rotating plate to execute toggle action; and the drawing member contacts the recessed part to rotate the rotating plate in response to the closing operation from the opened position of the door, decelerates the closing operation of the door by receiving resistance of the rotation damping means, and keeps the door at the closed position by the toggle action of the spring in the vicinity of the closed position of the door.

Description

Refrigerator and locking device of refrigerator

Technical field

The present invention relates to locking device of refrigerator, relate to particularly that door of refrigerator can undisturbedly be closed and the door locking apparatus that do not have half-open door state.

Background technology

In recent years, dietetic life gradually changes, and buys in the dietetic life that the food of every day is cooked obligingly from nigh food supply retail shop, has changed to general large supermarket in the countryside and has waited a moment and buy in for example food in a week, is housed in the refrigerator.In addition, corresponding to the increase of the utilization of frozen food, generally also popularized the large-scale refrigerator that surpasses 400 liters capacity in family.

Yet, being accompanied by the maximization of refrigerator, door also maximizes, because the amount of door itself and the food of folding and unfolding in door also increases, door and the collision of refrigerator main body can produce very big impact sound at closing time.

In addition, concerning refrigerator, close at closing time inadequate words, and become so-called half-open position.To this,, the technology of opening among the 2004-3774 to be announced patent documentation 1-spy has been proposed as the original technology that in the door locking apparatus of refrigerator, prevents half-open position.Put down in writing in this patent documentation 1 with motor and on door, be provided with the structure that the follower of a shut-off block is closed the door by drawing at closing time, with the reliable in action of the irreducible minimum of necessity close the door.

Yet because of the food of the maximization folding and unfolding that is accompanied by door in original technology becomes heavy, the impact sound when door lock closes is given uncomfortable feeling, and simultaneously, the food of folding and unfolding in door collides and injures the surface and produce impression with door or food oneself.Particularly, bigger to the damage of food firmly at closing time.

In addition,, can produce cold air and drain to the outside and reduce cold storage function in the half-open position of door, the food spoilage that is saved, and the outer air of refrigerator enters in the refrigerator and frosting the problem of adhering to water droplet and so in refrigerator.

Have again, in the technology of above-mentioned patent documentation 1, main record be when the half-open position of door, close structure to the doorstep forcibly, specifically, record be to carry out closing of door with motor power, do not consider and relax the impact of putting forth one's strength when door lock closes at closing time.

Summary of the invention

The purpose of this invention is to provide a kind of locking device of refrigerator,, simultaneously door is locked on the refrigerator main body effectively even under the situation of firmly closing the door rapidly, also can make a braking deceleration.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention mainly adopts following structure, possesses:

Can be supported on the door on the refrigerator main body with opening and closing, be located at the parts that draw on the above-mentioned door, and be located on the above-mentioned refrigerator main body, can draw in the door lock locking mechanism that parts contact or break away from above-mentioned,

Above-mentioned door lock locking mechanism has: possess can with above-mentionedly draw in the portion of bearing that parts contact or break away from, support and can draw in that parts contacts and the locked position and the above-mentioned portion and the above-mentioned swivel plate that rotates between the open position of parts disengaging that draws in of bearing of above-mentioned of locking with above-mentioned in the above-mentioned portion of bearing with axle; Elastomeric element, an end with the mode with tension force be supported on the above-mentioned swivel plate, the other end is supported on the above-mentioned refrigerator main body in the mode with tension force,

Above-mentioned elastomeric element is arranged in that to have tension force between above-mentioned locked position and the above-mentioned open position be maximum position,

Near the locked position of above-mentioned door, utilize above-mentioned elastomeric element, bear portion and the above-mentioned parts that draw in remain on locked position to above-mentioned by above-mentioned.

A kind of door locking apparatus of refrigerator possesses to be located at and draws in parts on the door that can be supported on the refrigerator main body with opening and closing, and is located on the above-mentioned refrigerator main body, can draws in the door lock locking mechanism that parts contact or break away from above-mentioned,

Above-mentioned door lock locking mechanism has: possess and can draw in that parts contact or the portion of bearing that breaks away from and support and can draw in that parts contacts and the locked position and the above-mentioned portion and the above-mentioned swivel plate that rotates between the open position of parts disengaging that draws in of bearing of above-mentioned of locking with above-mentioned in the above-mentioned portion of bearing with axle with above-mentioned; One end is with the spring on the framework that the mode with tension force is supported on the above-mentioned swivel plate, the other end is supported on above-mentioned refrigerator main body in the mode with tension force; And can combine with above-mentioned swivel plate and the rotation of above-mentioned swivel plate is applied the resistance applying mechanism of load resistance,

Above-mentioned spring is so that above-mentioned swivel plate is done the mode of toggle-action between above-mentioned locked position and above-mentioned open position set up,

Corresponding to the closing motion that the open position of above-mentioned door begins, above-mentionedly draw in that parts contacts with the above-mentioned portion of bearing and when making above-mentioned swivel plate rotation, be subjected to the resistance of above-mentioned resistance applying mechanism, make above-mentioned closing motion deceleration,

The next door of the locked position of above-mentioned door, the toggle-action that utilizes above-mentioned spring to form is born portion and the above-mentioned parts that draw in remain on locked position with above-mentioned door by above-mentioned.

In addition, in the door locking apparatus of above-mentioned refrigerator, above-mentioned resistance applying mechanism be at above-mentioned swivel plate when above-mentioned locked position moves to above-mentioned open position, above-mentioned swivel plate is not applied the movement in one direction resistance applying mechanism of rotary load impedance.

The present invention has following effect

According to the present invention, when closing, owing to applied the damping force that the movement in one direction brake produces, when therefore closing collision is reduced and quietization, simultaneously, also eliminated the phenomenon of collision between the food of carrying in the door and damage.

In addition, when closing, apply the power of closing direction, and after door lock closes, also continue to close direction and apply power, so just can prevent the appearance of half-open door state to door lock by the spring opposite house.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the stereogram of refrigerator outward appearance that expression possesses the locking device of refrigerator of the present invention's the 1st embodiment.

Fig. 2 is the stereogram that the door of the 1st embodiment is in the locking device of refrigerator of locked position.

Fig. 3 is the stereogram that the door of the 1st embodiment is in the locking device of refrigerator of open position.

Fig. 4 is the figure that the door of explanation the 1st embodiment is in the locking device of refrigerator manner of execution of locked position.

Fig. 5 is the figure that the door of explanation the 1st embodiment is in the locking device of refrigerator manner of execution of open position.

Fig. 6 is the figure of illustration in the turning moment neutral position of the locking device of refrigerator of the 1st embodiment manner of execution.

Fig. 7 is the figure of illustration in the manner of execution on the next door, turning moment neutral position of the locking device of refrigerator of the 1st embodiment.

Fig. 8 is the vertical view that the door of the 1st embodiment is in the locking device of refrigerator of open position.

Fig. 9 is the figure of cross-section structure of the locking device of refrigerator of expression the 2nd embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is near the profile of the basic structure the swivel plate in locking device of refrigerator of expression the 2nd embodiment.

Figure 11 is the stereogram of the configuration structure of expression locking device of refrigerator medi-spring of the 2nd embodiment and swivel plate.

Figure 12 is the profile of the configuration structure of expression locking device of refrigerator medi-spring of the 2nd embodiment and swivel plate.

Figure 13 is the sectional structure chart of the locking device of refrigerator of expression the 3rd embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 is that swivel plate recovers vertical view with handle in the locking device of refrigerator of expression the 4th embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 is that swivel plate recovers with the stereogram of handle with cover position relation in the locking device of refrigerator of expression the 4th embodiment.

Figure 16 is that rotation recovers stereogram with other positions relations of handle and cover in the locking device of refrigerator of expression the 4th embodiment.

Figure 17 is the locking device of refrigerator of the 5th embodiment of the present invention, is the stereogram (door lock closes the position) that is applicable to the formation example of drawer type door.

Figure 18 is the locking device of refrigerator of the 5th embodiment of the present invention, is the figure (door open position) that is applicable to the formation example of drawer type door.

Figure 19 is the locking device of refrigerator of the 5th embodiment of the present invention, is the figure (door lock closes the position) that is applicable to other formation examples of drawer type door.

Figure 20 is the locking device of refrigerator of the 5th embodiment of the present invention, is the figure (door open position) that is applicable to other formation examples of drawer type door.

Figure 21 is the figure of formation example that the locking device of refrigerator of expression embodiments of the present invention is applicable to the simple gate formula refrigerator of one-sided open type.

Among the figure: 1-refrigerator main body framework, 2-refrigerating chamber, 2R, 2L-door, the 3-pivot point, 4-vegetable compartment, 5-ice-making compartment, the 6-performance is selected chamber, 7-refrigerating chamber, 8-base element, 10-door lock locking mechanism, 11-pivot point, 12-swivel plate, the 13-spring carrier arm, 14-fixing spring hook, 15-spring, the 22-carriage, the 23-bolt, 24-bears portion, the 25-outer side edges, 26-inner side edge, 27-open position block, 28-draws in position stop, and 30-recovers to use handle, and 31-door lock locking mechanism is with covering, 70-rotates damping mechanism, 71-gear, 72-gear, 145-drawer type door, the 146-guide rail.

The specific embodiment

Followingly be elaborated with reference to the locking device of refrigerator of accompanying drawing to embodiments of the present invention.

What Fig. 1～Fig. 8 represented is the locking device of refrigerator of the 1st embodiment of the present invention.Fig. 1 is the stereogram of refrigerator outward appearance that expression possesses the locking device of refrigerator of the present invention's the 1st embodiment.Fig. 2 is the stereogram that the door of the 1st embodiment is in the locking device of refrigerator of locked position.Fig. 3 is the stereogram that the door of the 1st embodiment is in the locking device of refrigerator of open position.Fig. 4 is the figure that the door of explanation the 1st embodiment is in the locking device of refrigerator manner of execution of locked position.Fig. 5 is the figure that the door of explanation the 1st embodiment is in the locking device of refrigerator manner of execution of open position.Fig. 6 is the figure of illustration in the turning moment neutral position of the locking device of refrigerator of the 1st embodiment manner of execution.Fig. 7 is the figure of illustration in the manner of execution on the next door, turning moment neutral position of the locking device of refrigerator of the 1st embodiment.Fig. 8 is the vertical view that the door of the 1st embodiment is in the locking device of refrigerator of open position.

In Fig. 1, the 1st, refrigerator main body framework, door 2R, the 2L of refrigerating chamber 2 be about the door of the two so-called opposite openeds of opening, be that the pivot point 3 that covers with tegmentum is the structure that switch is carried out at the center. the downside at refrigerating chamber 2 is the vegetable compartment 4 of past front drawer type, can set the temperature that is fit to preserve vegetables. the lower left side in vegetable compartment has ice-making compartment 5

Utilize the not shown mechanism for ice maker that goes out, carry out ice making and ice is stored in the ice-making compartment.In case the ice in the ice-making compartment is removed, just utilize the ice amount detection machine structure at not shown place to detect the minimizing of ice amount, automatically carry out ice making and replenish ice in the ice-making compartment.The right side of ice-making compartment is covered by ice-making compartment door 5, can be by taking out the ice of storage ice chest in the ice-making compartment in front of being pulled out to.The right side of ice-making compartment for example is that performance is selected the chamber, can be according to user's selection, set the arbitrary temp of refrigerating chamber, refrigerating chamber or the cooling chamber close with the temperature of ice.In addition, hypomere disposes refrigerating chamber 7, can place frozen food etc.This structure make that door of refrigerator has around the pivot point Unscrew, what have opens to almost parallel the pulling out in front, the user both can take out also refrigerator supplement in the past of food.

Refrigerating chamber 2, vegetable compartment 4, ice-making compartment 5, performance are selected chamber 6, refrigerating chamber 7, and the knocker of each chamber is whole around being connected with framework, and are provided with and are used to prevent that each indoor cold air from draining to the seal member of outside.The sealing parts are fixed on reveal, have generally used at inner sealing the magnetic seal packing ring of magnet.At door during, inhale on the iron plate that constitutes framework 1 and, obtain sealing with respect to framework 1 even contact by magnet by locking.

On refrigerator framework 1, it in detail as described later, being provided with can be with to be located at bolt 23 (Fig. 3) on the refrigerating chamber door 2 chimeric or break away from, when the locking door by drawing in the door lock locking mechanism 10 that bolt 23 comes locking door 2, especially, when locking door 2, utilize damping mechanism 70 to make decelerative force act on the bolt 23 of front end.

Therefore, when locking door 2, door is decelerated, owing to be located at the seal member of door on 2 when contacting with main body 1,2 is low speed, thereby can not produce impact sound.Therefore, also quiet during the locking door, in addition owing to do not produce impulsive force, thus the Food ﹠ Drink that are kept at an inside can not run into mutually and damage, most suitable.

Next, utilize Fig. 2～Fig. 8 that the formation example of above-mentioned door lock locking mechanism 10 is described.

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are the stereograms of structure of the door locking apparatus of the expression state that takes off the cover that covers the door lock locking mechanism 10 be located at framework top, and Fig. 4 to Fig. 8 is a vertical view.Among the later figure, the offside door locking mechanism 10R of locking offside door 2R is described in detail, concerning offside door locking mechanism 10L because only to make the point of symmetrical shape different, structure with move all identical.

From Fig. 2 to Fig. 5, door 2R is supported for and can freely rotates around the pivot point that the end possessed 3 of framework 1, becomes the structure that can open and close.

Support the swivel plate 12 that can rotate freely around the pivot point 11 that is configured on the base plate 8 possessing on the door lock locking mechanism 10 with axle.Swivel plate 12 comes back rotation between position that door 2 is opened and the position closed.Form the portion 24 of bearing in the external margin side of this swivel plate 12, this bear portion 24 become be fixed on a 2R on the bolt 23 that draws in of carriage 22 contact or break away from and to the unlimited peristome in outside.In addition, on swivel plate 12, be provided with spring carrier arm 13, at spring carrier arm 13 and be located between the fixing spring hook 14 on the base plate 8 and hang with spring 15.

Be provided with on the carriage 22 that is fixed on the 2R and draw in bolt 23, this draws in the unlimited angle θ that bolt 23 is arranged in certain door, and the position that can enter from the peristome of this end or break away from corresponding to the portion of bearing 24 that is located at swivel plate 12 concerns.(referring to Fig. 6).Drawing in bolt 23 is switches of following a 2R and swivel plate 12, and the peristome that passes through an end that bears portion 24 enters the inside of the portion of bearing 24, otherwise, break away from the structure of bearing portion 24 through peristome.In the portion of bearing 24, the periphery in the portion of bearing 24, and with draw among the limit that bolt 23 joins, a side near from door 2R is called outer side edges 25, is called inner side edge 26 from door 2 sides far away.About draw in bolt 23 and have outer side edges 25 and the portion of bearing 24 of inner side edge 26 between action and effect, it will be narrated in detail in the back.

Fig. 2 (stereogram) is a 2R state in the closed position with Fig. 4 (vertical view) expression, swivel plate 12 is shown in arrow C CW, being in the locking states after being rotated counterclockwise. the bolt 23 that is located on the 2R is chimeric with the portion of bearing 24 that is located on the swivel plate 12, and bolt 23 contacts the also locking direction reinforcing of opposite house 2R with the outer side edges 25 of the portion of bearing 24.

Possessed on the base plate 8 draw in position stop 28 and open position block 27 is the open position (referring to Fig. 8) to swivel plate and draws in the block that the rotation angle range rotation angle range carries out regulation between the position (referring to Fig. 4), possess the height that contacts with swivel plate 12 as far as possible.

Closing a 2R, under the portion of the bearing 24 contacted states of bolt 23 and swivel plate 12, swivel plate 12 with draw in position stop 28 and do not contact and have a gap.One end of spring 15 hangs on the spring carrier arm that is located on the swivel plate 12, and the other end of spring hangs on the fixing spring hook 14 that is located on the framework, tightens with decided tension force F 1.(with reference to Fig. 4)

At this, spring 15 1 ends are supported on the spring carrier arm of being located on the swivel plate 12 13, the other end is supported on the fixing spring hook of being located on the framework 1 14, because making the straight line that links spring 15 two ends between the open position of swivel plate 12 and locked position concerns from the position that a side of the pivot point 11 of swivel plate 12 moves to opposite side, therefore can keep swivel plate 12 to be in open position or locked position, in other words, employing utilizes spring 15 to make swivel plate 12 do the structure of toggle-action.

Rotation damping mechanism 70 is the resistance applying mechanisms that apply the load resistance to the rotation of swivel plate, in the present embodiment, damping force is had an effect when the CW direction is rotated, and damping force is not had an effect but dallied when the CCW direction is rotated, and becomes the structure that carries out the one-way attenuation action.This movement in one direction plays a role at damping force at closing time, and damping force does not play a role but dallies when opening.As this rotation damping mechanism 70, can adopt the known mechanism that can carry out folk prescription to the decay action.

Be provided with fan-shaped gear part 72 in the part of swivel plate 12, on rotation damping mechanism 70, also be provided with gear part 71, make and make these gear interlocks and make swivel plate 12 rotation, thereby also make 70 rotations of rotation damping mechanism, have again, make the gear ratio of the gear part 72 of the part that is located at swivel plate 12 be located at the number of teeth more structural of the gear 71 of rotation damping mechanism 70.The ratio that makes this number of teeth is 1: N (N＞1), because rotation damping mechanism 70 is to rotate than swivel plate 12 higher N high speed doubly, so rotation damping mechanism 70 can be applicable to that this damping force is the midget plant of 1/N.

Have again, when door 2R closes, what swivel plate 12 was subjected to bears from the pivot point 11 of the power that draws in bolt 23 by swivel plate 12, because only the revolving force of swivel plate 12 is sent on the rotation damping mechanism 70, so needn't make the axle of rotation damping mechanism 70 have required above intensity, can use cheapness and simply rotate damping mechanism 70, be suitable for low price.

In addition, the detailed construction of handle 30 is to be in opening-wide state as door 2R as hereinafter described, when swivel plate 12 rotates to the locking direction because of carelessness, makes swivel plate 12 return to the handle of open position.

Fig. 4 is to represent door in detail time switch to Fig. 8, the vertical view of swivel plate 12 and the position relation that draws in bolt 23.As the front had illustrated, what Fig. 4 represented was that swivel plate 12 rotates to the CCW direction, applies the figure that power P1 (by the toggle-action of spring 15 formation) closes a 2R to bolt 23.Fig. 5 is expression, makes a 2R slowly open this state to the rotation of CCW direction.Bolt 23 an and then door 2R moves to the P2 direction, and the outer side edges 25 of the set portion of bearing 24 contacts on bolt 23 and the swivel plate 12 like this, makes swivel plate 12 rotate to the CW direction.What Fig. 6 represented is, door 2R reaches the state of angle θ, spring 15 be positioned at swivel plate 12 pivot point 11 directly over.In this position,, neither, be in the neutral point of neutral position to opening the direction rotation also not to the closing direction rotation because the tensile force F1 of spring 15 does not produce moment near the pivot point 11 of swivel plate 12.Like this, the elastomeric element of spring 15 is configured to, door 2R by the locked position of locking and bear the portion of bearing of portion 24 with the open position that draws in bolt 23 disengagings between, the position of tension force maximum.

Continue to open a 2R in case exceed neutral point, swivel plate 12 is just to the CW sideway swivel, because spring 15 surmounts pivot point 11, swivel plate is applied the turning moment of CW direction, so swivel plate just rotates to the CW direction, as shown in Figure 7, bolt 23 with bear portion 24 and join, if move from outer side edges 25 inside sides 26. continue to open a 2R, bolt 23 just breaks away from the portion of bearing 24 of swivel plate 12, the part of swivel plate 12 and open position block 27 join and stop, and wait in this position during door 2R is opened wide. and what Fig. 8 represented is this unlimited state.

Action during next, to locking door 2R describes.When closing, as shown in Figure 8, door 2R press the order of Fig. 7, Fig. 6, Fig. 5, Fig. 4 from opening-wide state, and the user is to arrow C W direction revolving door 2R, an action of closing.But closing the situation of door very lentamente is different with the situation action of firmly closing door.Therefore, below each action is described respectively.

At first be the situation of closing door very lentamente, this situation refers to door and does not also reach and just stop before the buttoned-up status, forms so-called half-open door state and leaves the state in slit.As shown in Figure 7, bolt 23 contacts with the inner side edge 26 of the portion of bearing 24, and swivel plate 12 beginnings are rotated to arrow C CW direction.At this moment, swivel plate 12 does not contact with the outer side edges 25 of the portion of bearing 24 at bolt 23, and waits at bolt 23 and inner side edge 26 certain position contacting.

Further close a 2R, arrive the state of Fig. 5, because the position that spring 15 is crossed the pivot point 11 of swivel plate 12, so swivel plate 12 produces the turning moment of diagram arrow C CW direction.Therefore, swivel plate 12 is to the rotation of CCW direction, and the outer side edges 25 of bearing portion 24 contacts with contact bolt 23.At this moment, owing to swivel plate 12 produces the moment of arrow C CW direction because of spring 15, thereby the power of arrow P 1 direction is applied on the door, because this is the direction of closing a 2R by contact bolt 23, so door 2R continues to close the action of door, finally arrive door 2R closing state shown in Figure 4.In the closing motion at this moment, owing to apply the damping force of spinning damping mechanism 70, door is closed lentamente, so the speed when the magnetic seal sheet contacts with refrigerator main body 1 is low speed, the sound that produces when locking is few, can undisturbedly close.

Secondly the occasion of closing a 2R is hastily described.

When door 2R closes hastily, though the damping force that rotation damping mechanism 70 produces between from Fig. 7 to Fig. 5 is decelerated a 2R, but owing to still keep enough speed when Fig. 5, so bolt 23 utilizes swivel plate 12 that spring 15 produces to continue to move to closing direction with the speed bigger than the speed that draws in of the portion of bearing 24 along the rotation of CCW direction.Therefore, contact bolt 23 continues to push the inner side edge 26 of the portion of bearing 24 to the P1 direction, rotates to the CCW direction while swivel plate 12 pushes bolt 23.Around here, owing to continue to apply the damping force of rotation damping mechanism 70, so bolt 23 continues to be subjected to the power (so-called reaction force) of P2 direction and slows down.Because by suitably setting rotation damping force that decay applying unit 70 produces just can before door 2R arrives locked position shown in Figure 4, slow down fully (close the power of door as long as will exert oneself rapidly and rotate damping force and be set at proper states), thereby the speed when making a 2R touch main body becomes low speed, and the sound that produces in the time of can making locking is few and undisturbedly close.

In addition, when the user is closed with strength to the doorstep 2R,, thereby produce impact sound because bolt 23 is run into the inner side edge 26 of the portion of bearing 24 sharp.As the mechanism that prevents this impact sound,, just can avoid the generation of above-mentioned impact sound by paste for example padded coaming such as rubber slab at the inner side edge 26 of the portion of bearing 24.When opening the door, increase owing to apply words user's power of opening the door of rotation damping force, so be undesirable from operability.Therefore, hope is the rotation damping mechanism of a rotation damping force movement in one direction that moves when door is closed, dallies when opening the door.

The 2nd embodiment

Fig. 9 represents the locking device of refrigerator of the 2nd embodiment of the present invention to Figure 12.Fig. 9 is the figure of cross-section structure of the locking device of refrigerator of expression the 2nd embodiment of the present invention.Figure 10 is near the profile of the basic structure the swivel plate in locking device of refrigerator of expression the 2nd embodiment.Figure 11 is the stereogram of the configuration structure of expression locking device of refrigerator medi-spring of the 2nd embodiment and swivel plate.Figure 12 is the profile of the configuration structure of expression locking device of refrigerator medi-spring of the 2nd embodiment and swivel plate.

Because locking device of refrigerator of the present invention is installed in the top of refrigerator, so preferably can make door locking apparatus thinner, the whole height of refrigerator is low.Therefore, the locking device of refrigerator of the 2nd embodiment of the present invention uses Fig. 9 that the structure that realizes its slimming is described to Figure 12.

Among Fig. 9 and since spring 15 door open wide and closing motion during cross the pivot point 11 of swivel plate 12, in order not allow spring 15 and swivel plate 12 and swivel plate fulcrum 11 intersect, must be installed in it the top of swivel plate 12.In addition, because bolt 23 will come in and go out in the portion of bearing 24, bolt 23 and bear portion 24 in the whole actuating range that door opens wide and closes must be configured to and spring 15 hands-off states.

In order to be set to slimly satisfying these conditions and door lock locking mechanism, at spring 15 with rotate aspect the structure configuration of damping mechanism 70, effective is does not allow about both overlappingly, but is arranged side by side.In other words, rotation damping mechanism 70 is not subjected to the restriction of original configuration, such as, can be overlapped into coaxial shape with swivel plate fulcrum 11, (refer to and adopt gear part 72 that is provided with around the swivel plate 12 and the structure that is arranged on gear 71 interlocks on the rotation damping mechanism 70) is not set like that, as shown in Figure 9, by being set to rotate damping mechanism 70 and spring 15 side by side, door lock locking mechanism 10 becomes slim structure.

Figure 10 is the cutaway view of length direction of the structure medi-spring 15 of Fig. 9, and the helix of spring 15 partly is configured to be provided with clearance G ap with respect to swivel plate 12.In this configuration, making the tensile force from spring 15 is F, is H1 at the height of the impetus of the spring 15 of spring carrier arm 13, and the turning moment T along the CCW direction that is applied on the swivel plate 12 is T=F * H1.Utilize this turning moment, swivel plate 12 just as shown dotted line be out of shape like that.

Secondly, with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 12 an example of the deformed configurations of the sort of swivel plate 12 that prevents above-mentioned explanation is described.

The hook portion that the structure example of Figure 11 and Figure 12 and the difference of Figure 10 are to prolong spring 15, the helix part of spring 15 is not overlapping with swivel plate 12.

As Figure 11 and shown in Figure 12, the L length that makes hook portion is bigger than the crown circle that is located at the gear part 72 on the swivel plate 12, the helix that can realize spring 15 not with gear part 72 contacting structure.Adopt this structure since overlapping above swivel plate 12 only be the hook portion 15a portion of spring 15, thereby can make height that spring 15 hangs over the position on the spring carrier arm 13 very near the upper surface of swivel plate 12.

Therefore, can make the height of the impetus of spring 15 be H2 (＜H1).At this moment, since be applied on the swivel plate 12 (＜F * H1) is so can suppress the distortion of the sort of swivel plate 12 shown in Figure 10 dotted line for T '=F * H2 along the turning moment T ' of CCW direction.

The 3rd embodiment

What show among Figure 13 is the sectional structure chart of the locking device of refrigerator of the 3rd embodiment of the present invention.The 3rd embodiment is represented is other the example of structure that prevents swivel plate and be out of shape because of the tension force of spring.

Among Figure 13,12 ' is second swivel plate that is positioned at the top of spring 15, and it is connected with swivel plate 12, forms one and the structure of rotating.Above pedestal 8 ' link to each other with pedestal 8 by attaching parts 19, second pivot point 11 ' is arranged on the top pedestal, be configured to pivot point 11 coaxial, with to be arranged on hole on second swivel plate chimeric and rotate freely.

Adopt this structure, dispose swivel plate 12,12 ' and pivot point 11,11 ' up and down at spring 15, because the power that can apply from the support spring up and down 15 of spring 15 is out of shape to the state 12 ' of dotted line so can prevent the swivel plate 12 that makes shown in Figure 10.

The 4th embodiment

Figure 14 represents the locking device of refrigerator of the 4th embodiment of the present invention to Figure 16. and Figure 14 is the top view that be used for to recover the handle of swivel plate in the locking device of refrigerator of expression the 4th embodiment of the present invention. and Figure 15 is that the locking device of refrigerator of the 4th embodiment of the present invention is used for recovering the handle of swivel plate and the stereogram of the position relationship of cover. and Figure 16 represents that the locking device of refrigerator of the 4th embodiment of the present invention is used for the stereogram of other position relationships of the handle of recovery swivel plate and cover.

In the 1st to the 3rd embodiment of the present invention, when door was opened wide, as shown in Figure 8, swivel plate 12 can remain on open position, and when door was pent, bolt 23 can remain on the position relation of inserting the inside of bearing portion 24.But, if the user runs into swivel plate 12 because of carelessness, or be subjected to the contact of other article and make swivel plate 12 rotations, rely on the tensile force pulling of spring 15, as shown in figure 14, can only put swivel plate 12 rotation retractable carries.Swivel plate 12 becomes the state that inserts block 28 that stops at.In this state, close a 2R even become, bolt 23 can not insert the inside of groove 24, can not close the state of a 2R.

To this, a part that prolongs swivel plate 12 is provided with pull bar 30, and this pull bar 30 makes that the user can operate when swivel plate 12 turns to the insertion position as shown in Figure 14 to the front is side-prominent, and the user can apply the structure of power to illustrated A direction.Be that side door 2R is in open position, the situation of recovering to be in as shown in figure 14 with handle 30 that draws in the position is abnormal.In order very clearly to inform the user, the handle 30 that recovers usefulness is in out-of-the way position, and it is very effective coating chromatic colour on the handle top of recovering usefulness.

The user applies power to the direction of diagram A, and swivel plate 12 is rotated up to touching block 27 to diagram CW direction, can make it to rotate up to releasing position shown in Figure 8 to return to opening-wide state.Because spring 15 is crossed the pivot point 11 of swivel plate 12 between rotational action position, swivel plate 12 can keep open position shown in Figure 8, so, next at closing time, can carry out the locking action between Fig. 7～Fig. 4.Particularly,, do not increase the quantity of part by the handle 30 and the swivel plate 12 that recover usefulness are made as one, very effective to reducing price.

In possessing the refrigerator of this structure, about the cover 31 that covers door lock locking mechanism 10 and example such as Figure 15 and shown in Figure 16 of recovering with the position relation of handle 30.For more directly perceived, omitted door 2R in the drawings.Door locking apparatus possesses the groove 32 that is used to recover to use handle 30 rotations in front with cover 31, is provided with the groove of bolt 23 rotations in the above.Figure 15 represents that swivel plate 12 is in the situation when drawing in the position, has considered the situation that door is normally closed, and perhaps as shown in figure 14, only swivel plate 12 rotates to the situation that draws in the position because of carelessness.

In Figure 15, recover outstanding from covering 31 surface with handle 30, with finger tip the front end of handle 30 is applied power to illustrating the A direction, swivel plate 12 can rotate to open position from drawing in the position.Here, when the handle 30 front end track 30a shown in the dotted line rotate to open position, reduce from the outstanding protrusion amount of covering 31 surfaces, in open position, handle 30 is positioned at the position that more draws in than the surface of covering 31, here, before the leading section of handle 30 draws in, with shown in Figure 6 the same, be in the position that spring 15 surpasses pivot point 11, rotate to the structure of position that swivel plate 12 is produced the moment of CW directions.Then, by the moment of the CW direction that produced by spring 15, swivel plate 12 rotates to and open position block 27 position contacting and waiting for always.

Adopt this structure, even a door 2R is when being in opening-wide state, swivel plate 12 moves to the situation that draws in the position because of carelessness, also can recover make swivel plate 12 rotate to open position with handle 30 with finger push.Therefore, can normally close a 2R.On the other hand, when opening the door, swivel plate 12 is under the situation of normal open position, because handle 30 is positioned at the position that more draws in than the surface of covering 31, the user can not move to swivel plate 12 and draw in the position and move from open position, thereby can not take place because mischief or operate miss make swivel plate 12 move to the situation that draws in the position and a 2R can not be closed.

The 5th embodiment

The locking device of refrigerator of having represented the 5th embodiment of the present invention among Figure 17 to Figure 20.Figure 17 is the locking device of refrigerator of the 5th embodiment of the present invention, is the figure (door lock closes the position) that expression is applicable to the structure example of drawer type door.Figure 18 is the locking device of refrigerator of the 5th embodiment of the present invention, is the figure (door open position) that expression is applicable to the structure example of drawer type door.Figure 19 is the locking device of refrigerator of the 5th embodiment of the present invention, is the figure (door lock closes the position) that expression is applicable to other structure example of drawer type door.Figure 20 is the locking device of refrigerator of the 5th embodiment of the present invention, is the figure (door open position) that expression is applicable to other structure example of drawer type door.

In the 1st to the 4th embodiment of the present invention, though what illustrate is the example of structure of on revolving door door locking apparatus being installed, but door locking apparatus of the present invention also is applicable to the door of drawer types such as vegetable compartment, utilizes Figure 17 to Figure 20 that the 5th form of implementation of this situation is described.

What Figure 17 represented is the situation that drawer type door 145 is in locked position, and what Figure 18 represented is the situation that it is in open position.The structure of door lock locking mechanism 10 is identical to the structure of the 1st form of implementation shown in Figure 8 with Fig. 2, and same structure is represented with same symbol.Drawer type door 145 is the structures that can move along guide rail 146, can be with the drawer type switch.

Draw in bolt 23 and be set at the mid portion of drawer type door 145 bottoms.When drawer type door 145 is closed to 148 directions from open position, contact with the portion of bearing of swivel plate 12 on being located at door lock locking mechanism 10, and be subjected to rotating the damping force effect that damping mechanism 70 produces and slow down, utilize spring 15 to be drawn in and close simultaneously.In addition, drawer type door 145 begins when 147 directions move and open from locked position, being located at swivel plate 12 utilization on the door lock locking mechanism 10 draws in moving of bolt 23 and rotates, only can be drawn out position apart from S at the drawer type door, the pivot 11 that surmounts swivel plate 12 for spring 15 reaches the structure of neutral point.

Adopt this structure, with shown in Figure 6 the same, when drawing back drawer type door 145 to the front, draw in bolt 23 and make swivel plate 12 rotations, extension spring 15 gathers strength, when open position, because swivel plate 12 rotates to the position that spring 15 surpasses neutral point, therefore, as shown in figure 19, swivel plate 12 can remain on unlimited position.

When closing drawer type door 145, reach open apart from S before, can freely close by the user, when reach leave apart from S after, draw in bolt 23 and enter on the swivel plate 12 inside of the portion of bearing 24 that is provided with, make swivel plate 12 rotations, rotate to spring 15 when surmounting neutral point, the energy that gathers on the spring 15 discharges, and draws in drawer type door 145, at this time, because rotation damping mechanism 70 is with swivel plate 12 rotations, thereby generation brake force is slowed down swivel plate 12, and drawer type door 145 slows down to the speed of arrow 148 directions.Drawer type door 145 is spurred by spring 15, while and owing to slow down and close, so can reduce the bump of drawer type door 145 when closing.Like this, even if the drawer type door also can suppress strike note when firmly shutting rapidly, undisturbedly shut.

What Figure 19 and Figure 20 represented is in the 5th embodiment, and door locking apparatus is located at formation example on the left and right rail set on the side of drawer type door 146.In this constitutes example because door lock locking mechanism 10 possesses two, from about guide rail near both sides pulling drawer type door 145, so have the more stable effect of pulling action that makes the drawer type door.

In the above description, though be that refrigerator to the door of the so-called opposite opened that possesses 2 gate-types is illustrated,, the present invention is not limited in 2 gate-types, also is applicable to the refrigerator of the simple gate formula of one-sided opening door shown in Figure 21.Its effect and effect are identical with 2 gate-types.But because of door than 2 gate-types more greatly, so, the spring of door locking apparatus and rotation damping mechanism will be stronger just suitable.

In addition, though the embodiments of the present invention of above-mentioned explanation are the examples that is applicable to home-use refrigerator, but the present invention is not limited in home-use refrigerator, the refrigerator of commercial usefulness also can obtain same effect by same structure. further, it also be applicable to as temporary transient preserve heat also the incubator of cooked food, take out the door of putting the device that is housed in inner food etc. into and can use too possessing shutter door, can access same effect with same structure.

As described above, the characteristics of the locking device of refrigerator of embodiments of the present invention are, the portion of bearing is set on swivel plate, swivel plate can draw in rotation or recovery between position and the open position, and under spring action, can draw in the position and the open position both sides keep its position, an above-mentioned end that bears portion is a peristome, have on the door and draw in bolt, the above-mentioned bolt that draws in enters near the pivot point of the portion of bearing of swivel plate when door is in closed condition, use fixed thrust framework is pushed, when door is opened under user's effect, draw in bolt and move with door, swivel plate rotates to open position and remains on this position, because door can be removed joining of swivel plate and bolt, thereby the user is the switch door freely.In addition, the damping mechanism that harness of the present invention is rotated with the swivel plate interlock is fully closed door time, joins by door and framework, temporarily makes a deceleration in the front, has reduced the bump when closing.

Like this, in the present embodiment, owing to adopt when door rotates toward closing direction, can apply the damping force that the movement in one direction brake produces, door and the structure of having slowed down and slowly having shut before main body contact are so when closing door, clash into less, sound is quiet, makes can not run foul of each other between the food of carrying in the door and damage.And, close door time, apply the power of closing direction by spring, because this spring power continues to play a role, so can prevent the appearance of half-open state door is closed after.

Claims

1. refrigerator is characterized in that: possesses the door that can be supported on the refrigerator main body with opening and closing, is located at the parts that draw on the above-mentioned door, and be located on the above-mentioned refrigerator main body, can draw in the door lock locking mechanism that parts contact or break away from above-mentioned,

Above-mentioned door lock locking mechanism has:

Swivel plate, it possesses and can draw in the portion of bearing that parts contact or break away from above-mentioned, and supports and can contact and make above-mentioned to be rotated between portion and the above-mentioned open position that draws in the parts disengaging by the locked position of locking and above-mentioned bearing with the above-mentioned parts that draw in the above-mentioned portion of bearing with axle;

Elastomeric element, an end with the mode with tension force be supported on the above-mentioned swivel plate, the other end is supported on the above-mentioned refrigerator main body in the mode with tension force,

Near the locked position of above-mentioned door, utilize above-mentioned elastomeric element, bear portion and the above-mentioned parts that draw in remain on locked position with above-mentioned door by above-mentioned.

2. locking device of refrigerator possesses the parts that draw in that are located on the door that can be supported on the refrigerator main body with opening and closing, and is located on the above-mentioned refrigerator main body, can draws in the door lock locking mechanism that parts contact or break away from above-mentioned, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned door lock locking mechanism has: possess and can draw in that parts contact or the portion of bearing that breaks away from and support and can contact and make above-mentioned by the locked position of locking and above-mentioned portion and the above-mentioned swivel plate that rotates between the open position of parts disengaging that draws in of bearing with the above-mentioned parts that draw in the above-mentioned portion of bearing with axle with above-mentioned; One end is with the spring on the framework that the mode with tension force is supported on the above-mentioned swivel plate, the other end is supported on above-mentioned refrigerator main body in the mode with tension force; And can combine with above-mentioned swivel plate and the rotation of above-mentioned swivel plate is applied the resistance applying mechanism of load resistance,

Above-mentioned spring so that above-mentioned swivel plate between above-mentioned locked position and above-mentioned open position, do the mode of toggle-action and set up,

Near the locked position of above-mentioned door, the toggle link motion that utilizes above-mentioned spring to form is born portion and the above-mentioned parts that draw in remain on locked position with above-mentioned door by above-mentioned.

3. locking device of refrigerator according to claim 2 is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned resistance applying mechanism be at above-mentioned swivel plate when above-mentioned locked position moves to above-mentioned open position, above-mentioned swivel plate is not applied the movement in one direction resistance applying mechanism of rotary load resistance.

4. locking device of refrigerator according to claim 2 is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned spring and above-mentioned resistance applying mechanism on above-mentioned refrigerator main body on the framework mutually and row arrangement.

5. according to claim 2,3 or 4 described locking device of refrigerator, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned spring is the coil extension spring with hook portion and coiler part, on one side hook portion be configured in the top of above-mentioned swivel plate, above-mentioned coiler part is configured in the outside of above-mentioned swivel plate.

6. according to claim 2,3 or 4 described locking device of refrigerator, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned swivel plate has can make swivel plate recover mechanism from the swivel plate that its locked position rotates to open position.

7. locking device of refrigerator according to claim 6 is characterized in that:

It is the outstanding jut of a part that makes swivel plate that above-mentioned swivel plate recovers mechanism.

8. locking device of refrigerator according to claim 7 is characterized in that:

The cover that covers above-mentioned door locking apparatus is set on the framework of above-mentioned refrigerator main body,

Above-mentioned jut is outstanding from above-mentioned cover when above-mentioned swivel plate is arranged in its locked position, when above-mentioned swivel plate is positioned at its open position, is positioned at the position that more draws in than above-mentioned cover.

9. according to claim 2,3 or 4 described locking device of refrigerator, it is characterized in that:

Drawing in above-mentioned interior all sides of bearing portion that parts contact or break away from above-mentioned, be provided with from the nearer outer side edges of above-mentioned door with from above-mentioned door inner side edge far away,

Locking action corresponding to above-mentioned door is provided with the damp impacts material at the above-mentioned parts that draw in the above-mentioned inner side edge that the above-mentioned portion of bearing contacts at first.

10. according to claim 2,3 or 4 described locking device of refrigerator, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned door lock locking mechanism possesses above-mentioned swivel plate is limited in the open position block in the scope of open position and locked position and draws in position stop,

Opening above-mentioned when door, the part of above-mentioned swivel plate contacts with above-mentioned unlimited block, when closing above-mentioned, above-mentionedly draws in parts and above-mentioned bearing under portion's state of contact, and other parts of above-mentioned swivel plate and the above-mentioned position stop that draws in maintain the gap.