JP2003336427A - Door device and refrigerator using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make relatively small the operating force required to open or close doors and to increase sealing properties between two doors when the doors close an opening. <P>SOLUTION: The door device has two doors 2 and 3 at the top and bottom on each side of an opening 11a, with each of the doors being rotatably supported at one side via upper supports 21 and 31 and a lower support, and the other sides 2b and 3b of the doors making contact with each other at the center of the opening 11a. The upper support 21 enables the doors 2 and 3 to slide from the other sides 2b and 3b to the one sides 2a and 3a by means of projections 21a and 31a and slide-guiding recesses 21c and 31c into which the projections 21a and 31a are inserted in a manner enabling relative sliding movement between the doors. The lower support, using its projections and slide- precluding recesses into which the projections are inserted, precludes the doors from sliding. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a door device in which two doors open and close an opening, and a refrigerator using the door device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A door device having two left and right double-sided doors is used, for example, in a refrigerator. This door device
One side of the two doors is pivotally supported on both sides of the opening, and the other side of the two doors contact each other on the center side of the opening so that the two doors seal the opening. It is configured to stop.

[0003]

However, in the conventional door device having the double-sided open / close doors, when the two doors close the opening, the other side of the two doors opens. Since the gaps between the door bodies are eliminated by making contact with each other at the center side of the two doors to improve the sealing performance, the contact resistance of the other side portions of the two door bodies is large when the openings are closed. As a result, the operating force required to open and close one of the doors becomes large, and the opening and closing operability of the door deteriorates.
The sealing material provided on the other side portion of the door body is damaged or torn, and an improvement measure has been demanded.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the support portion of the door body of the door device previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention, with a part omitted, and FIG. 9 was previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the upper support part and lower support part of the door body in a door apparatus, and the relationship of the gravity center load added to a door body. Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has determined that the upper and lower portions of one side of the two door bodies 4 and 5 are fixed shafts 41 and 51 whose longitudinal directions are up and down, and the fixed shafts 41 and 51 are the door body 4. , 5 sliding guide recesses 42, 52 inserted to allow relative sliding from the other side to one side.
One of the door bodies 4 is supported by being rotatably supported via
Alternatively, when the door body 4 or 5 starts to open, the door body 4 or 5 slides away from the other side portion of the other door body 5 or 4, and in other words, a clearance is generated between the two door bodies 4 and 5. A door device which has been slid on and which is capable of opening and rotating one of the door bodies 4 or 5 in this sliding state was previously proposed.

However, in this door device, 2
Energizing the door bodies 4 and 5 from the one side portion to the other side portion in order to enhance the sealing property between the door bodies 4 and 5 in a state where the two door bodies 4 and 5 have their openings closed. Since the spring is provided, it is desired to further enhance the effect of reducing the operating force required when opening and closing one of the door bodies 4 and 5.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an upper support part and a lower support part with one of the upper support part and the lower support part of the two door bodies having a sliding means. Since the other of the two has a sliding prohibition means, the operating force required for opening and closing the door can be made relatively small, and moreover, with the two doors having their openings closed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a door device and a refrigerator that can improve the sealing performance between door bodies.

Further, for another purpose, the structure of the sliding means can be simplified by providing a sliding means having a convex portion and a sliding guide concave portion into which the convex portion is relatively slidably inserted. To provide a door device and a refrigerator.

Another object is to provide a door device and a refrigerator in which the structure of the sliding prohibition means can be simplified by providing a sliding prohibition means having a convex portion and a sliding prohibition concave portion into which the convex portion is inserted. To provide.

Another object is to insert two convex portions spaced apart in the sliding direction of the two door bodies and one of the two convex portions so that relative sliding is possible, and the longitudinal direction thereof is the sliding direction. And a second concave portion in which the other of the two convex portions is inserted so that relative sliding is possible, and a longitudinal direction thereof is a second concave portion in which the door body is rotated. By doing so, it is an object of the present invention to provide a door device and a refrigerator that can rotate the door body while suppressing backlash in the sliding direction of the door body.

Another object of the present invention is that the upper support portion has a sliding means and the lower support portion has a sliding prohibition means, so that the upper support portion and the lower support portion are provided with other door members. It is an object of the present invention to provide a door device and a refrigerator that can prevent the door body from sliding due to the center of gravity load even when the weight of the center of gravity of the door body applied to the position biased to the side is relatively large.

[0011]

A door device according to the present invention comprises:
Two door bodies, one side of which is rotatably supported by an upper support portion and a lower support portion on both sides of the opening portion, and whose other side portions are in contact with each other at the center side of the opening portion, are provided. In the provided door device, one of the upper support portion and the lower support portion of the two door bodies has a sliding means that allows the two door bodies to slide from the other side toward the one side. The other one of the lower support portions is characterized by having a slide inhibiting means for inhibiting the sliding of the two door bodies.

According to the present invention, the sliding means provided in one of the upper support portion and the lower support portion of the two door bodies creates a gap between the other door body when the opening of one door body starts. Since it is possible to perform the opening operation while making the door open, it is possible to relatively reduce the operation force required when opening and closing one of the door bodies. In addition, the sliding prohibition means provided on the other of the upper support portion and the lower support portion of the two door bodies can enhance the sealing performance between the door bodies when the two door bodies have their openings closed.

Further, the door device according to the present invention is characterized in that the sliding means has a convex portion and a slide guide concave portion into which the convex portion is relatively slidably inserted. In this invention, the sliding means can be configured by providing the convex portion on one side of the opening and the door body and providing the sliding guide concave portion on the other side of the opening side and the door body. The structure of the sliding means is simple.

Further, the door device according to the present invention is characterized in that the slide inhibiting means has a convex portion and a slide inhibiting concave portion into which the convex portion is inserted. In the present invention, since the protrusion is provided on one of the opening side and the door body, and the slide inhibiting recess is provided on the other side of the opening side and the door body, the slide inhibiting means can be configured. The structure of this sliding prohibition means is simple.

Further, in the door device according to the present invention, the sliding means has two convex portions which are separated from each other in a sliding direction of the two door bodies, and one of the two convex portions is relatively slidably inserted. The first concave portion whose longitudinal direction is the sliding direction, and
The other of the two convex portions is inserted so as to allow relative sliding, and has a second concave portion whose longitudinal direction is the direction of rotation of the door body.

According to the present invention, the door body can be rotated while sliding the door with the first concave portion and the convex portion inserted in the first concave portion as a pivotal fulcrum. The recess and the protrusion inserted into the second recess can rotate the door while suppressing rattling in the sliding direction of the door, and can further improve the operability of opening and closing the door. .

Further, the door device according to the present invention is characterized in that the upper supporting portion has the sliding means and the lower supporting portion has the sliding inhibiting means. In this invention, even when the center of gravity load of the door body applied to the position biased to the other side of the door body with respect to the upper support portion and the lower support portion is relatively large,
It is possible to prohibit sliding of the door body due to this center of gravity load,
It is possible to maintain the closed state of the opening by the door body.

Further, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, the storage chamber having the opening, the refrigerator main body having the storage chamber, and the door device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which are arranged in the opening. And is provided.

In this invention, the sliding means allows
Since the opening operation can be performed while a gap is generated between the one door body and the other door body at the beginning of opening, it is possible to relatively reduce the operation force required for opening and closing one of the door bodies. In addition, the sliding prohibition means can enhance the sealing property between the door bodies when the two door bodies have their openings closed, and when the object to be refrigerated is placed inside the door bodies. Also, the closed state of the opening by the door can be maintained.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a refrigerator using a door device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a refrigerator door is opened.

The refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has an upper storage chamber 11b in which the items to be refrigerated are accommodated through the opening 11a on the front surface thereof, and two lower compartments in which the items to be refrigerated are accommodated through the opening portions 11c and 11d on the front surface. One intermediate storage chamber 1 in which the side storage chambers 11e and 11f and the items to be refrigerated are stored through the opening 11g on the front surface thereof
Refrigerator body 11 having 1h and the upper housing chamber 11b
2 for opening and closing the door device A arranged in the opening 11a of the above and the openings 11c and 11d of the lower accommodation chambers 11e and 11f.
The two lower door bodies 12 and 13 and the intermediate door body 14 that opens and closes the opening 11g of the intermediate storage chamber 11h are provided.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a structure of an upper support portion of a door body in the door device, and a cross sectional view showing a structure of a lower support portion of the door body in the door device. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a process of opening a door body having a sliding means of a door device, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a process of opening a door body having a sliding prohibition means of the door device. is there. Door device A is
One side part 2a, 3a of the upper part and the lower part of both sides of the opening part 11a has upper support parts 21, 31 and lower support parts 22, 3 respectively.
Two door bodies 2 and 3 of a left and right double-sided gynon that are rotatably supported via 2 and are sealed by contact of the other side portions 2b and 3b with each other at the center side of the opening portion 11a are provided. There is.

The upper support portions 21, 31 of the door bodies 2, 3 have a sliding means for allowing the door bodies 2, 3 to slide from the other side portions 2b, 3b toward the one side portions 2a, 3a. Cage, lower support 2
Reference numerals 2 and 32 have sliding prohibition means for prohibiting sliding of the door bodies 2 and 3.

The sliding means is provided with two convex portions 21a, 21b, 31a, 3 projecting at positions separated in the sliding direction of the door bodies 2 and 3 (horizontal direction) so that the longitudinal direction thereof is vertical.
1b and the convex portion 21a on the side close to the one side portion 2a, 3a,
The first concave portions 21c and 31c (sliding guide concave portions) in which 31a is inserted so as to be relatively slidable and whose longitudinal direction is the sliding direction, and the convex portions on the side far from the one side portions 2a and 3a. Two
The second concave portion 21 in which 1b and 31b are inserted so that they can slide relative to each other, and the longitudinal direction thereof is the rotational direction of the door bodies 2 and 3.
d, 31d (sliding guide recess).

The first recesses 21c and 31c have an oval shape, and when the door bodies 2 and 3 are closed, the second recesses 21d and 3c.
The convex portions 21a and 31a are located at the first positions (positions in FIG. 5a) on the side separated from 1d, and on the side closer to the second concave portions 21d and 31d when the door bodies 2 and 3 are open. The convex portions 21a and 31a are located at the second position (position in FIG. 5c). The second recesses 21d and 31d have the first
21a, 31a inserted into the recesses 21c, 31c of the
The doors 2 and 3 are curved along the path of rotation of the doors 2 and 3, and one end in the longitudinal direction serves as a cam having the convex portions 21b and 31b as the entrance and exit, and when the doors 2 and 3 are closed. ,
The convex portion 21 is provided at the end opposite to the entrance (the position shown in FIG. 5a).
b and 31b are positioned. Further, the first and second recesses 21c, 31c, 21d, 31d are the door body 2,
3 is provided on the upper surface of the convex portion 21a, 21b, 31
a and 31b are provided in the refrigerator main body 11 on the side of the opening 11a. The first and second recesses 21c and 31
c, 21d, 31d may be provided on the refrigerator main body 11 on the side of the opening 11a, and the convex portions 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b may be provided on the upper surfaces of the door bodies 2, 3.

The sliding prohibition means are the other side portions 2b of the door bodies 2 and 3,
Convex portions 22a and 32a provided at the pivotal center positions where the door bodies 2 and 3 pivot while the 3b are in contact with each other, and the convex portion 2
Cylindrical slide-prohibiting recess 22 into which 2a and 32a are inserted
b, 32b, and the convex portion 22 inserted into the slide-prohibited concave portions 22b, 32b without sliding the door bodies 2, 3.
The door bodies 2 and 3 are rotated around a and 32a. In addition, the sliding-prohibited recesses 22b and 32b are provided on the door body 2,
The protrusions 22a and 32a are provided on the lower surface of the refrigerator 3, and are provided on the refrigerator body 11 on the opening 11a side. The sliding-prohibited recesses 22b and 32b are provided in the refrigerator main body 11 on the opening 11a side.
The projections 22a and 32a may be provided on the lower surface of the door bodies 2 and 3.

In the door device A constructed as described above, when the door bodies 2 and 3 close the opening portion 11a, the other side portions 2b and 3b of the door bodies 2 and 3 are in contact with each other. Recess 2
The protrusions 21a and 31a are located at the first positions 1c and 31c (positions in FIG. 5a), and the protrusions 21b and 31b are located at the ends opposite to the entrances and exits of the second recesses 21d and 31d (FIG. 5a). 5a position). When one of the door bodies 2 or 3 is opened in this state, for example, the left door body 2 is opened, the convex portion 21a moves from the first position (the position of FIG. 5a) of the first concave portion 21c at the beginning of opening the door body 2. Sliding relatively to the second position (position of FIG. 5c), further, the convex portion 21b relatively slides from the end opposite to the entrance / exit of the second recess 21d to the entrance / exit side, and the door body 2 becomes the other side part. 2b from one side 2a to the convex portion 2 of the upper support portion 21 while sliding.
1a and the convex portion 22a of the lower support portion 22 are rotated.

By sliding on the upper support portion 21 of the door body 2, the entire door body 2 slightly tilts around the convex portion 22a of the lower support portion 22, and the other lower end portion of the door body 2 is the right door. It makes point contact with the lower end of the other side of the body 3. As a result, it is possible to open the door body 2 in a state where the contact resistance between the door bodies 2 and 3 is extremely reduced, so that the operating force required when opening and closing the door body 2 is relatively small. You can

At the beginning of opening the door body 2, the convex portion 21b relatively slides from the end opposite to the entrance and exit of the second recess 21d to the entrance and exit side, and from the other side 2b of the door 2 to one side. The door body 2 rotates while suppressing sliding toward 2a. As a result,
The door body 2 can be rotated while suppressing the rattling of the door body 2 in the sliding direction, and the opening / closing operability of the door body 2 can be further improved.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the upper and lower support portions of the door body and the center of gravity load applied to the door body in the door device. Moreover, the sliding of the door bodies 2 and 3 is prohibited by the sliding prohibition means in the lower support portions 22 and 32 of the door bodies 2 and 3, so that the upper support portions 21 and 31 and the lower support portions 22 and 32 are prevented from sliding. Even when the center of gravity load of the door bodies 2 and 3 applied to the positions biased to the other side portions 2b and 3b of the door bodies 2 and 3 is relatively large, in other words, it is provided on the inner surfaces of the door bodies 2 and 3. Even if the load of the center of gravity of the door bodies 2 and 3 is relatively large due to the fact that the items to be refrigerated are stored in the storage unit, the sliding of the door bodies 2 and 3 due to the load of the center of gravity can be eliminated, and It is possible to enhance the sealing property between the door bodies 2 and 3 when the door bodies 2 and 3 close the opening 11a. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a biasing spring that counteracts the load of the center of gravity as in the conventional case, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of operability due to the biasing spring.

Second Embodiment In the door device A of the second embodiment, the upper support portions 21 and 31 have sliding means, and the lower support portions 22 and 32 have sliding prohibition means. The upper supporting portions 21 and 31 have the sliding inhibiting means, and the lower supporting portions 22 and 32 have the sliding means.

Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals,
The detailed description and the description of the operation will be omitted.

In the embodiment described above, the two convex portions 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b are used as the sliding means.
And the first and second recesses 21c, 21d, 31c, 31
In addition to the above configuration, the sliding guide concave portion composed of d is provided, but in addition, the convex portions 21b and 31b and the second concave portion 21 are provided.
It is also possible to eliminate d and 31d and to provide a configuration including the convex portions 21a and 31a and a slide guide concave portion formed of the first concave portions 21c and 31c. Further, the door device A according to the present invention
Besides being used in a refrigerator, it may be used to open and close an opening such as a window.

[0034]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, 2
Since one of the upper support portion and the lower support portion of the two door bodies has a sliding means and the other of the upper support portion and the lower support portion has a sliding prohibition means, one of the door bodies starts to open and the other of the other supports. The opening operation can be performed while a gap is generated between the door body and the operation force required when opening and closing one of the door bodies can be made relatively small. Moreover, by the sliding prohibition means,
It is possible to enhance the sealing property between the door bodies when the two door bodies have their openings closed.

Further, according to the present invention, since the sliding means has the convex portion and the sliding guide concave portion into which the convex portion is slidably inserted, the structure of the sliding means is simple. .

Further, according to the present invention, since the sliding prohibition means has the convex portion and the sliding prohibition concave portion into which the convex portion is inserted,
The structure of this sliding prohibition means is simple.

Further, according to the present invention, the sliding means has two convex portions which are separated from each other in the sliding direction of the two door bodies, and one of the convex portions is inserted so as to be slidable relative to each other. A first concave part whose direction is the sliding direction and a second concave part in which the other of the two convex parts is inserted so that relative sliding is possible, and the longitudinal direction thereof is the rotational direction of the door body. Therefore, the door body can be rotated while suppressing the rattling of the door body in the sliding direction, and the opening / closing operability of the door body can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, since the upper supporting portion has the sliding means and the lower supporting portion has the sliding inhibiting means, the upper supporting portion and the lower supporting portion are provided on the other side of the door body. Even when the center of gravity load of the door body applied to the biased position is relatively large,
It is possible to prohibit sliding of the door body due to this center of gravity load,
It is possible to maintain the closed state of the opening by the door body.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a refrigerator using a door device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a door of a refrigerator using the door device according to the present invention is opened.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view with a part omitted showing a configuration of an upper support portion of a door body in the door device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in which a part of the lower support portion of the door body of the door device according to the present invention is shown with a part thereof omitted.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a process of opening the door body on the side having the sliding means of the door device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a process of opening the door body on the side having the sliding prohibition means of the door device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between an upper support portion and a lower support portion of a door body and a center of gravity load applied to the door body in the door apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view with a part omitted showing the configuration of the support portion of the door body in the door device previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between an upper support portion and a lower support portion of a door body and a center-of-gravity load applied to the door body in the door device previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Refrigerator 11 Refrigerator body 11a Opening 2,3 Doors 2a, 3a One side 2b, 3b Other side 21, 31 Upper support 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b Convex part (sliding means) 21c, 31c 1st Recesses (sliding guide recesses, sliding means) 21d, 31d second recesses (sliding guide recesses, sliding means) 22,32 lower support parts 22a, 32a convex parts (sliding prohibition means) 22b, 32b recesses (Sliding-prohibited recess, sliding-prohibition means)

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An upper portion and a lower portion on both sides of the opening portion, one side portion of which is rotatably supported via an upper supporting portion and a lower supporting portion, and the other side portion of which is on the central side of the opening portion. In a door device including two door bodies that come into contact with each other, one of the upper support portion and the lower support portion of the two door bodies is a slide device that allows the two door bodies to slide from the other side portion to the one side portion. A door device having a moving means, and the other of the upper support portion and the lower support portion having a slide inhibiting means for inhibiting sliding of the two door bodies. 2. The door device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding means has a convex portion and a slide guide concave portion into which the convex portion is inserted so that relative sliding is possible. 3. The door device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding inhibiting means has a convex portion and a sliding inhibiting concave portion into which the convex portion is inserted. 4. The sliding means has two convex portions spaced apart in a sliding direction of two door bodies, and one of the two convex portions is inserted so that relative sliding is possible, and a longitudinal direction thereof is the sliding direction. 2. A first recess, which is a moving direction, and a second recess, in which the other of the two protruding portions is inserted so that relative sliding is possible, and the longitudinal direction thereof is the rotating direction of the door body. Door device described. 5. The door device according to claim 1, wherein the upper support portion has the sliding means, and the lower support portion has the sliding prohibition means. 6. A storage chamber having the opening, a refrigerator main body having the storage chamber, and the door device according to claim 1 disposed in the opening. Refrigerator to do.