JP2001174146A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator for opening a door by a motor drive by operating a door opening mechanism provided at a refrigerator body, by pressing a door opening switch provided on the front surface of the door of a cold storage chamber and having good productivity and excellent appearance at a low cost. SOLUTION: This refrigerator comprises a door switch 40 for detecting the opening/closing state of the door 3, a door opening switch 5 provided at the door 3, and a door opening mechanism 10 provided at the body 1 to push to open the door 3 by operating the mechanism according to the signal from the switch 5. In this case, the switch 40 is disposed in the mechanism 10. More particularly, the mechanism 10 has a push rod 18 movable in a longitudinal direction to push to open the door 3 by moving the rod 18 from the rear waiting state forward. Thus, the switch 40 is provided to detect the opening/closing state of the door by detecting the position of the rod 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A refrigerator is generally provided with a door switch for detecting whether a door is open or closed. Also recently,
There is a refrigerator in which a door opening switch is provided in front of a door of a refrigerator, and when the door opening switch is pressed, a door opening mechanism provided in the refrigerator body is operated to open the door electrically.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator 1 having such an opening switch, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper refrigerator compartment 2 is opened. The refrigerating compartment 2 is provided with a pivotable door 3 that opens and closes a front surface thereof. A front and rear portion of the door 3 has a display operation panel 4 for displaying a state inside the refrigerator 1 and operating the refrigerator. A handle-type door opening switch 5 is provided underneath.

[0004] Based on the signal of the door opening switch 5, the door 3
The door opening mechanism 100 for pushing the door 3 is provided on the ceiling of the refrigerator main body 1. The push rod 101 protrudes based on the signal, and pushes the abutting part 102 of the door 3 forward to open the door. Have been. For details, see FIG.
As shown in FIG.
, And includes a coil 104 and a push rod 101 that moves in the coil 104 in the front-rear direction. The push rod 101 is composed of a plunger 105 and a rod 106 attached to the tip thereof.
When a current is applied to the coil 104 from the standby state shown in FIG. 2, the plunger 105 is drawn into the central portion of the coil 104, whereby the front end 106 of the rod 106 is
a rubber pad 10 attached to the rear surface of the pad 102
By pushing 2a forward, the door 3 is opened. Coil 104
When the current is stopped, the push rod 101 is pulled backward by the urging force of the return spring 107 mounted on the plunger 105. And, with the door 3 closed,
Push spring 1 arranged behind push rod 101
08, the front end 106a of the rod 106 is
02a is constantly pressed with a force of about 1 to 2N. This is because when a gap is formed between the rubber contact 102a and the rod 106, the operation of the solenoid 103 is very vigorous, so that a loud striking sound is generated and a large impact is applied to the contact portion 102 and the door 3. In addition, there is a possibility that the life and the reliability may be deteriorated.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, a door switch 110 for detecting the opening and closing of the door 3 is buried in a side wall on the hinge side of the door 3 in the refrigerator compartment 2. See Figure 1 for details.
As shown in FIG. 3, a dedicated cover 111 is buried in the side wall of the refrigerator body 1 in which the insulating material 8 of urethane foam is filled between the outer box 6 and the inner box 7, and a push button type is provided inside the cover 111. Is stored. Door switch 1
10 detects the closed state when the button 113 protruding into the refrigerator compartment 2 is pushed by the door inner member 114 of the door 3, and detects the door opened state when the pressing by the door inner member 114 is released. It has become.

[0006] Due to the function of the refrigerator, it is necessary to turn on the internal lamp when the door is opened or to stop the fan motor in order to prevent cold air from leaking. A switch for obtaining necessary information. In particular, in a refrigerator having the above-described door opening mechanism, the refrigerator further functions to know the state in which the door opening mechanism 100 is operated. For example, the door opening switch 5 may be touched even when the door is open, but in that case, it is meaningless even if the door opening mechanism 100 operates, and there is also a case where the push rod 101 protrudes and is dangerous. Therefore, to prevent this, it is necessary to detect the open / closed state. In addition, there is practically insufficient operation to operate immediately after the door is closed. This is because it is assumed that the door is closed while touching the open switch 5. For this reason, the door opening mechanism 100 is operated only when the door is in the closed state, and furthermore, the door opening switch 5 is controlled to receive a signal of the door opening switch 5 after a predetermined delay time after the door is closed.

[0007]

As described above, the door switch obtains information necessary for controlling the refrigerator. In the conventional refrigerator, the door switch 110 is provided separately from the door opening mechanism 100. The lead wire 11 for the door switch 110 is embedded in the side wall of the refrigerator compartment 2.
The routing process of No. 5 is troublesome. Also, the door 3 of the refrigerator compartment 2
Because there are two types of opening directions, left opening and right opening,
It is necessary to change the side wall on which the door switch 110 is provided depending on the difference in the opening direction. Further, since a dedicated cover 111 is required for the door switch 110, it is expensive. Furthermore, in the embedded portion of the door switch 110, when the heat insulating material 8 becomes thin and affects the heat insulating property, and the embedded portion interferes with the filling of the foaming liquid at the time of urethane foaming, and distortion occurs on the outer surface of the refrigerator. There is also. In addition, since the door inner member 114 of the door 3 that presses the door switch 110 is usually a thin-walled vacuum molded product, there is a possibility that the door is broken.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of these points, and provides a refrigerator having the above-described door opening mechanism and door switch, which is inexpensive, has good manufacturability, and has excellent appearance. With the goal.

[0009]

A refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a door for opening and closing the front of a cooling chamber, a door switch for detecting the open / closed state of the door, an open door switch provided on the door, and a refrigerator body. And a door opening mechanism that operates in response to a signal from the door opening switch and pushes the door open. The door switch is disposed in the door opening mechanism.

In this refrigerator, the door switch is provided in the door opening mechanism for pushing and opening the door provided on the refrigerator main body, so that the door switch is more exclusive than the conventional structure in which the door switch is separately provided. This eliminates the need for a cover, thereby reducing costs. Further, since the lead wire of the door switch can be routed together with the lead wire of the door opening mechanism, the process of leading the lead wire is simplified and the manufacturability is excellent. Furthermore, since there is no need to separately provide a buried portion of the door switch, it is possible to eliminate molding defects due to the buried portion and improve the appearance.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, a push rod movable in the front-rear direction is provided on the door opening mechanism, and the push rod moves forward based on the signal from a state of waiting rearward to push the door open. Preferably, a rod is provided, and the door switch detects the open / closed state of the door by detecting the position of the push rod.

By detecting the position of the push rod of the door opening mechanism and detecting the open / closed state of the door in this way, compared to the case where the open / closed state is detected by direct contact with the door, it is caused by the door switch. The door can be prevented from being damaged. Further, the structure can be simplified as compared with a case where a push button type door switch that detects opening / closing by contact with the door is provided in the door opening mechanism along with the push rod.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the door switch is a push button type switch, and is disposed behind the push rod, and a button of the door switch is provided at a rear end of the push rod which waits rearward. The door switch may detect the closed state of the door.

In this case, when the door is closed, the button of the door switch is pushed in at the rear end of the push rod. Then, when the push rod moves forward based on the signal of the door open switch from this state, the push of the push rod is stopped, so that the button of the door switch protrudes forward by the urging force of its own spring, and the door is pushed out. Is detected. Further, in the closed state, the push rod is constantly pressed against the door by the urging force of the spring of the button of the door switch, and the generation of the gap between the door and the push rod can be prevented.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the door switch includes a magnet attached to a rear end of the push rod, and a magnetic sensor disposed behind the push rod to detect a position of the magnet. In some cases, the magnetic sensor detects that the push rod is at the rear standby position to detect the closed state of the door.

In this case, when the door is closed, a magnetic sensor disposed behind the push rod detects a magnet attached to the rear end of the push rod to detect the closed state of the door.
When the push rod moves forward and the magnet moves away from the magnetic sensor, the open state of the door is detected.

Here, a magnet may be arranged behind the magnetic sensor so as to face the same pole as the magnet attached to the rear end of the push rod. Accordingly, in the closed state, the push rod is constantly pressed against the door by the repulsive force of the magnet behind the magnetic sensor and the magnet at the rear end of the push rod, thereby preventing the generation of a gap between the door and the push rod. it can.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, the door switch comprises an optical sensor for detecting the push rod, and the optical sensor detects that the push rod is at the rear standby position and closes the door. The state may be detected.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, a push rod movable in the front-rear direction is provided on the door opening mechanism, and moves forward from the state of waiting rearward based on the signal to push the door. An open push rod may be provided, and a push button type door switch which is pressed by the door and detects the open / closed state may be provided alongside the push rod.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a door opening mechanism 10 in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the door opening mechanism 10.

The refrigerator according to the present embodiment is a refrigerator having a refrigerator 2 in the upper half, like the conventional refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. A display operation panel 4 and a door opening switch 5 are provided on the front of the door 3. The components having the same reference numerals as those of the above-described conventional refrigerator have the same configuration and will not be described unless otherwise described.

The door opening mechanism 10 is operated by a signal from the door opening switch 5 to push open the door 3 of the refrigerator compartment 2 and is provided on the ceiling of the refrigerator body 1. A recess 12 is provided on the ceiling surface of the refrigerator body 1, and the door opening mechanism 10 is arranged in the recess 12. The door opening mechanism 10 is covered with a detachable cover 14. FIG. 1 shows a state where the cover 14 is removed (the same applies to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6).

The door opening mechanism 10 is constituted by a solenoid 20 comprising a cylindrical coil 16 for generating a magnetic field, and a push rod 18 which slides in a longitudinal direction along a central axis in the coil 16. I have.

The coil 16 functions as a drive unit for moving the push rod 18 forward in response to a signal from the door open switch 5, and a lead wire 26 extending from the door open switch 5 via a control unit (not shown). It is connected.
A thermal fuse 28 is connected to the lead wire 26 as a safety device for heating the coil 16. The outer circumference of the coil 16 is molded with a resin 22 and further surrounded by an iron plate 24.

The push rod 18 is a member that moves forward by the action of the coil 16 and presses the rear surface of the door 3 forward from the standby state. It comprises a plunger 30 to be retracted and an elongated rod 32 attached to the tip of the plunger 30.

In the closed state shown in FIG. 1, the plunger 30 has a front end portion inserted into the coil 16 and a rear portion protruding rearward from the coil 16 from the center. A return spring 34 is mounted around the plunger 30 at the protruding portion.
The return spring 34 is a spring that functions to return the push rod 18 that has moved forward by the action of the coil 16 to the rear, and constantly urges the push rod 18 rearward.

The rod 32 projects forward beyond the front surface of the refrigerator body 1 from the door opening mechanism 10, and its distal end 32 a contacts a contact portion 36 provided on the door cap 3 a at the upper end of the door 3. They are arranged in contact. More specifically, a rubber pad 3 for absorbing impact is provided on the rear surface of the rubber pad 36.
7 is attached, and the tip 32a of the rod 32 is arranged in a state of contacting the rubber contact 37.

In the refrigerator of the present embodiment, a push button type switch is used as the door switch 40 for detecting the open / closed state of the door 3, and this switch 40 is connected to the push rod 1
8 behind. The door switch 40 does not directly contact the door 3 to detect the opening and closing thereof, but indirectly detects the opening and closing of the door 3 by detecting the position of the push rod 18.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the door is closed, the plunger 3 which waits rearward is closed.
The button 42 on the front part is pushed backward by the rear end of 0, and the switch 40 is turned on, whereby it is detected that the door 3 is in the closed state. On the other hand, when the door is open,
As shown in FIG. 3A, since the pressing force of the rear end of the plunger 30 is eliminated, the button 40 is protruded forward by the urging force of the spring (not shown) of the button 42, and the switch 40 is turned ON.
FF is performed, thereby detecting that the door 3 is in the open state. Reference numeral 44 denotes a lead wire drawn from the door switch 40, which is connected to a control unit (not shown) and sends information relating to opening and closing of the door to the control unit.

Here, the forward biasing force of the spring provided on the button 42 of the door switch 40 is applied to the push rod 1.
8 is set to be larger than the rearward biasing force of the return spring 34.

Next, the door 3 in the refrigerator of this embodiment will be described.
The operation at the time of opening and closing will be described.

In the closed state shown in FIG. 1, the push rod 18 is waiting at the rear, and the button 42 of the door switch 40 is pushed in by the rear end of the plunger 30.
It is detected that the door 3 is in the closed state. In this closed state, the rear end of the push rod 18 is urged forward by the urging force of a spring provided on the button 42 of the door switch 40. Is always pressed, so that the door 3
There is no gap between the push rod 18 and the push rod 18.

In this state, when the door open switch 5 on the front of the door 3 is pressed, a signal is input to a control unit (not shown),
The control unit causes a current to flow through the coil 16 of the solenoid 20 to generate a magnetic field. Thereby, the push rod 18
Moves so that it protrudes forward, and the tip 3 of the rod 32
2a pushes out the contact portion 36 of the door 3, and the door 3 is pushed open (see FIG. 3A). As the push rod 18 moves forward in this manner, the door switch 40
The button 42 protrudes forward by the biasing force of its own spring and is turned off, whereby it is detected that the door 3 is open.

After the solenoid 20 is energized for a certain period of time (about one second), the current is cut off and the push rod 18 is retracted by the urging force of the return spring 34. When the rear end of the push rod 18 comes into contact with the door switch 40, the urging force of the button 42 toward the front of the button 42 is set to be greater than the urging force of the return spring 34 toward the rear. As shown in ()), the balance is stopped without the button 42 being pressed. Therefore, in this state, the door switch 40 is still in the OFF state, and it is detected that the door 3 is in the open state.

Thereafter, when the door 3 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the push rod 18 is pushed backward by the contact portion 36 of the door 3 and returns to the original standby position, so that the door switch 40 is pushed. Then, it is detected that the door 3 is in the closed state.

According to the above-described embodiment, since the door switch 40 is disposed on the door opening mechanism 10 provided on the ceiling of the refrigerator body 1, a cover dedicated to the door switch is not required, and the cost can be reduced. Can be. In addition, since the lead wire 44 of the door switch 40 can be routed together with the lead wire 26 of the door opening mechanism 10, the lead wire routing process is simplified and the manufacturability is excellent. Further, a common inner box 7 can be used regardless of whether the door 3 opens leftward or rightward.

Further, since the door switch 40 does not directly contact the door 3 to detect opening / closing, it is possible to prevent the door from being damaged due to the contact with the door switch.

Further, since the effect of the above-mentioned conventional pressing spring is obtained by the spring of the button 42 of the door switch 40, the pressing spring can be eliminated and the structure can be simplified.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a door opening mechanism 10a of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the door 3
A magnetic sensor 52 is used in place of the push button switch 40 as a door switch for detecting the opening and closing of the door. The same reference numerals as in the above embodiment denote
Unless otherwise described, the description is omitted assuming that they have the same configuration.

In this embodiment, the door switch 50 is
Magnet 54 attached to the rear end face of push rod 18
A magnetic sensor 52 such as a Hall IC that is disposed behind the push rod 18 and detects the position of the magnet 54; and a magnet 5 of the push rod 18 behind the magnetic sensor 52.
4 and a magnet 56 arranged with the same poles facing each other. The magnetic sensor 52 detects whether the push rod 18 is at the rear standby position. Reference numeral 58 denotes a lead wire drawn from the magnetic sensor 52 of the door switch 50.

The magnetic sensor 52 has directivity and is turned on / off depending on how much magnetic flux passes through the sensor. In this embodiment, when the magnetic flux passing through the sensor 52 exceeds the threshold value and is turned on, the door 3 is detected to be in the open state, and when the magnetic flux passing through the sensor 52 is below the threshold value, the door 3 is in the closed state. Is to be detected.

The urging force of the return spring 34 attached to the push rod 18 is such that the repulsive force of the magnets 54 and 56 prevents the push rod 18 from approaching a certain amount or more, as shown in FIG. The size is set. Moreover, in this state, the threshold value, which is the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor 52, is set so that the magnetic sensor 52 cannot detect the magnet 54 at the rear end of the push rod 18.

In this embodiment, when the door is closed, as shown in FIG.
Since the magnetic fluxes are close to each other, the magnetic fluxes cancel each other, the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic sensor 52 becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, and it is detected that the door 3 is in the closed state. And
As shown in FIG. 5B, when the push rod 18 protrudes and the door 3 is opened, the magnet 54 at the rear end of the push rod 18 moves away from the magnetic sensor 52, so that the magnet 56 behind the magnetic sensor 52 causes Since the magnetic flux passing through the sensor 52 exceeds the threshold value, it is detected that the door 3 is in the open state. Thereafter, the push rod 18 is retracted by the action of the return spring 34, but stops at a position separated by a certain distance from the magnetic sensor 52 due to the repulsive force of the magnets 54 and 56, as shown in FIG. Moreover, at this position, the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic sensor 52 remains above the threshold value, and it is detected that the door 3 is kept open. Thereafter, when the door 3 is closed, the state returns to the original state shown in FIG. 5A, and the magnetic sensor 52 detects the magnet 54, so that it is detected that the door 3 is in the closed state.

In this embodiment, in the closed state, the push rod 18 can be constantly pressed against the door 3 by the repulsive force of the magnet 56 behind the magnetic sensor 52 and the magnet 54 at the rear end of the push rod 18. Since the effect of the conventional pressing spring is obtained, the structure can be simplified by eliminating the pressing spring.

The magnet 56 behind the magnetic sensor 52 may be omitted. In this case, contrary to the above, in the closed state, the magnet 54 at the rear end of the push rod 18 approaches, so that the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic sensor 52 increases, and the door 3 is closed. Is detected. In the open state, the magnet 54 at the rear end of the push rod 18 is used.
Is moved away, the magnetic flux passing through the magnetic sensor 52 is reduced, and the state is turned off, and it is detected that the door 3 is in the open state.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a door opening mechanism 10b of a refrigerator according to still another embodiment. In this embodiment, an optical sensor 60 such as a photo interrupter is used as a door switch for detecting opening and closing of the door 3 instead of the push button switch 40. Note that the components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment will be described unless otherwise specified.
The description is omitted assuming that they have the same configuration.

The optical sensor 60 is provided opposite to the left and right sides of the rear end portion so as to detect the rear end portion of the push rod 18 waiting rearward. In addition, reference numeral 62
Is a lead wire drawn from the optical sensor 60,
Reference numeral 64 denotes a pressing spring for urging the rear end of the push rod 18 forward.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the door is closed, the rear end of the push rod 18 enters between the optical sensors 60 facing left and right. It is detected that the door 18 is at the standby position, thereby detecting that the door 3 is in the closed state. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the push rod 18 protrudes and the door 3 is opened, the rear end of the push rod 18 does not exist between the optical sensors 60, so that the push rod 18 is in the standby position. Is detected, it is detected that the door 3 is in the open state. Thereafter, when the push rod 18 is retracted by the action of the return spring 34, as shown in FIG.
As a result, the rear end of the push rod 18 is
, The door 3 is detected to remain open. Thereafter, when the door 3 is closed, the state returns to the original state shown in FIG. 7A, and the optical sensor 60 detects the rear end of the push rod 18 and detects that the door 3 is in the closed state.

According to this embodiment, since the optical sensor 60 has excellent detection accuracy, the detection accuracy of a half door or the like is improved.
In addition, since the optical sensor 60 is provided in the door opening mechanism 10b outside the refrigerator compartment, problems such as dirt, dew, and cloudiness of the sensor hardly occur.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a door opening mechanism 10c of a refrigerator according to still another embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the door opening mechanism 10c. In this embodiment, the door 3
As a door switch for detecting the opening and closing of the door 3, a push-button switch 70 for detecting the opening and closing of the door 3 by contacting with the door 3 is used instead of detecting the position of the push rod 18 as in the above embodiment. It is to be noted that components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment have the same configuration and will not be described unless otherwise described.

In this embodiment, the door opening mechanism 10c includes
A solenoid 20 having a push rod 18 for pushing and opening the door 3 and a push button type door switch 70 which is pressed by the door 3 and detects the open / closed state thereof are provided side by side. Reference numeral 72 denotes a lead wire drawn from the door switch 70.

The door switch 70 is, as shown in FIG.
The button 71 is attached to the cover 14 of the door opening mechanism 10c, and a button 71 protrudes forward from the front surface of the cover 14. When the button 71 is pushed backward by the backing plate portion 3b provided on the door cap 3a to turn on the switch 70, it is detected that the door 3 is closed, and when the door 3 is opened, the button 71 is opened. Protrudes forward to be in the OFF state, whereby it is detected that the door 3 is in the open state.

In this embodiment, opening / closing is detected by contact with the door 3, but it is not contact with the door inner member as in the above-mentioned conventional case, but a door cap 3 having a sufficient thickness.
Since the contact is made with a, damage to the door due to the door switch can be prevented.

[0055]

According to the refrigerator of the present invention, since the door switch is provided in the door opening mechanism provided in the refrigerator body, a cover dedicated to the door switch is not required, and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the lead wire of the door switch can be routed together with the lead wire of the door opening mechanism, the process of leading the lead wire is simplified and the manufacturability is excellent. Furthermore, since there is no need to separately provide a buried portion of the door switch, it is possible to eliminate molding defects due to the buried portion and improve the appearance.

In particular, by detecting the position of the push rod for pushing and opening the door disposed on the door opening mechanism to detect the open / closed state of the door, the door can be prevented from being damaged due to the door switch. And the structure can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a door opening mechanism of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the door opening mechanism.

3A is a plan view of the door opening mechanism in an opened state, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged plan view of a main part of the door opening mechanism before the door is closed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a door opening mechanism of a refrigerator according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are enlarged plan views showing door switches of the door opening mechanism. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a door opening mechanism of a refrigerator according to still another embodiment.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are enlarged plan views showing door switches of the door opening mechanism. FIG.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a door opening mechanism of a refrigerator according to still another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the door opening mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a conventional refrigerator.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional refrigerator in an open state.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a door opening mechanism in a conventional refrigerator.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a door switch in a conventional refrigerator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Refrigerator main body 2 ... Refrigerator room 3 ... Door 5 ... Door opening switch 10, 10a, 10b, 10c ... Door opening mechanism part 18 ... Push rod 20 ... Solenoid 40, 50, 70 ... Door Switch 42 Button 52 Magnetic sensor 54 Magnet 60 Optical sensor

Claims (7)

[Claims] A door for opening and closing a front surface of the cooling chamber; a door switch for detecting an open / closed state of the door; an open switch provided on the door; A door opening mechanism that operates in response to a signal to push and open the door, wherein the door switch is disposed in the door opening mechanism. 2. A push rod movable in the front-rear direction, wherein the push rod moves forward based on the signal and pushes the door open from a state of waiting rearward in the door opening mechanism, The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the door switch detects an open / closed state of the door by detecting a position of the push rod. 3. The door switch is a push button type switch, and is disposed behind the push rod, and a button of the door switch is pushed in at a rear end of the push rod waiting behind, 3. The door switch according to claim 2, wherein the door switch detects a closed state of the door.
The refrigerator as described. 4. The door switch comprises: a magnet attached to a rear end of the push rod; and a magnetic sensor disposed behind the push rod to detect a position of the magnet. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the closed state of the door is detected by detecting that the push rod is at the rear standby position. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein a magnet is arranged behind the magnetic sensor so that the magnet has the same polarity as the magnet attached to the rear end of the push rod. 6. A door switch comprising an optical sensor for detecting the push rod, wherein the optical sensor detects that the push rod is at a rear standby position and detects a closed state of the door. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein 7. A push rod movable in the front-rear direction, wherein the push rod moves forward based on the signal and pushes the door open from a state of waiting rearward in the door opening mechanism, 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a push button type door switch which is pressed by the door and detects an open / closed state thereof is provided alongside the push rod.