JP2004044365A

JP2004044365A - Door device and refrigerator using the door device

Info

Publication number: JP2004044365A
Application number: JP2002307614A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Yasuo Takenaka; 竹中　康雄; Takashi Yoshikawa; 義川　隆司
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2002-05-23
Filing date: 2002-10-22
Publication date: 2004-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-22
Also published as: JP3748072B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To close a door body by itself by a rolling element and a self-closing face even when the closing rotating operation of the door body is not performed with the opening rotating angle of the door body relatively large. <P>SOLUTION: This door device comprises the door body 2 having both side parts thereof supported on an opening part 11a through a support part so as to be locked and disengaged and allowing, when one of two support parts is locked, the other to be disengaged, a rolling element 3 installed on the lower part of the door body 2 so as to be rolled, and a rotating guide part 4 having a guide face 41 guiding the rotation of the door body 2 by the contact thereof with the rolling element 3 and the self-closing face 42 continued with the guide face 41 through a boundary 40 and automatically close-rotating the door body 2 by a gravity applied to the door body 2 due to the contact thereof with the rolling element 3. The self-closing face 42 is so designed that the angle thereof relative to the guide face 41 is changed at the self-closing face 42 side end (boundary 40) of the guide face 41. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は扉体に加わる荷重によって扉体を自動的に閉回動させることができるように構成された扉装置及びこれを用いた冷蔵庫に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図１０は従来の扉装置における扉体の支持部構成を示す説明図、図１１は従来の扉装置における扉体の回動過程を示す説明図、図１２は従来の扉装置における回動案内部及び転動体部分の構成を示す拡大断面図である。
扉体に加わる荷重によって扉体を自動的に閉回動させることができるように構成された扉装置は例えば冷蔵庫に使用されている。この扉装置は、図１０〜図１２に示すように冷蔵庫本体１００の開口部１０１にその両側部が左支持部１０２及び右支持部１０３を介して係止／離脱を可能に支持され、左支持部１０２及び右支持部１０３の一方が係止されたとき左支持部１０２及び右支持部１０３の他方が離脱する扉体１０４と、該扉体１０４の下部に転動可能に設けられる転動体１０５と、該転動体１０５との接触で前記扉体１０４の回動を案内する案内面１０６及び該案内面１０６に中継面１０７を介して連なり、前記転動体１０５との接触で扉体１０４に加わる荷重によって扉体１０４を自動的に閉回動させる自閉面１０８を有する回動案内部１０９とを備え、該回動案内部１０９が前記開口部１０１の下部に配設されている。また、転動体１０５は扉体１０４の一側部側と他側部側とに配置されている。（例えば、特許文献１、２参照。）
【０００３】
回動案内部１０９は、扉体１０４の回動方向と平行な中継面１０７と、該中継面１０７の前記開口部１０１側端から下向きに傾斜する前記自閉面１０８と、前記中継面１０７の前記開口部１０１と反対側端から下向きに傾斜する前記案内面１０６とからなる。また、前記転動体１０５は扉体１０４が開口部１０１を閉じている状態で前記自閉面１０８と接触するように設けられている。
【０００４】
このように構成された扉装置にあっては、開回動されている扉体１０４を閉回動させつつ開口部１０１を閉じる途中で転動体１０５が回動案内部１０９の案内面１０６と接触し、該案内面１０６及び中継面１０７に沿って扉体１０４が閉回動し、この扉体１０４が開口部１０１をほぼ閉じるとき、転動体１０５が自閉面１０８と接触し、扉体１０４に加わる荷重によって扉体１０４が自動的に閉回動され、扉体１０４の閉状態を維持することができる。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−１２４４６３号公報
【特許文献２】
特開２００１−１７３３０３号公報
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、扉体１０４に加わる荷重によって扉体１０４を自動的に閉回動させることができるように構成された従来の扉装置は、扉体１０４の回動方向と平行な中継面１０７と、該中継面１０７の開口部側端から下向きに傾斜する自閉面１０８と、前記中継面１０７の開口部と反対側端から下向きに傾斜する案内面１０６とからなる回動案内部１０９を備え、扉体１０４が開口部１０１をほぼ閉じるとき、換言すれば、扉体１０４の開回動角がほぼなくなる回動域で転動体１０５が自閉面１０８と接触するようになっているため、扉体１０４が開口部１０１を閉じるとき、扉体１０４の開回動角がほぼなくなる回動域に至るまで扉体１０４を手動で操作する必要がある。この結果、扉体１０４の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で扉体１０４の閉回動操作がされなくなったとき、扉体１０４が自閉することなく回動停止し、開口部１０１を確実に閉じることができなくなり、改善策が要望されていた。
【０００７】
本発明は斯かる事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、主たる目的は自閉面を案内面の自閉面側端で案内面に対する角度が変わるように構成することにより、扉体の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で扉体の閉回動操作がされなくなった場合においても転動体及び自閉面によって扉体を自閉させることができる扉装置及び冷蔵庫を提供することにある。
【０００８】
また、他の目的は自閉面の案内面側を緩傾斜とし、案内面と反対側を急傾斜とすることにより、扉体の自閉状態を維持することができるとともに、自閉面の扉体回動方向両端間の高さを比較的低くすることができる扉装置及び冷蔵庫を提供することにある。
【０００９】
また、他の目的は自閉面に接触している転動体が案内面と接触する位置に至るまで扉体を開回動させる操作体を扉体が備えることにより、扉体の自閉性能を向上することができるにかかわらず、扉体の開回動初期の開操作性を向上できる扉装置及び冷蔵庫を提供することにある。
【００１０】
また、他の目的は前記操作体が、扉体に枢支されたレバーと、該レバーに連動して回動する連動杆と、該連動杆に突設されたカム部とを有する構成とすることにより、操作体の構造を簡単にでき、操作体の組込み性を向上できる扉装置及び冷蔵庫を提供することにある。
【００１１】
また、他の目的は前記カム部が、扉体が開口部を閉じているときに当接部と当接する第１位置から該第１位置を扉体の閉回動方向へ越えた第２位置にかけて前記当接部との当接ができる面を有する構成とすることにより、扉体の開回動初期の開操作性を向上することができるとともに、カム部の長さを比較的短くすることができる扉装置及び冷蔵庫を提供することにある。
【００１２】
また、他の目的は扉体の一側部側と、他側部側と、一側部及び他側部の間の途中とに転動体が配置された構成とすることにより、自閉面及び案内面の間の境界を転動体が通過するときの負荷を複数の転動体に分散することができ、扉体をスムーズに回動操作することができる扉装置及び冷蔵庫を提供することにある。
【００１３】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明に係る扉装置は、開口部にその一側部が回動可能に支持される扉体と、該扉体又は前記開口部に転動可能に設けられる転動体と、該転動体との接触で前記扉体の回動を案内する案内面及び該案内面に連なり、前記転動体との接触で扉体に加わる荷重によって扉体を自動的に閉回動させる自閉面を有する回動案内部とを備えた扉装置において、前記自閉面は前記案内面の自閉面側端で案内面に対する角度が変わるようにしてあることを特徴とする。
【００１４】
この発明にあっては、自閉面が案内面の自閉面側端で案内面に対する角度を変えてあるため、扉体の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で転動体を自閉面に接触させることができる。この結果、扉体の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で扉体の閉回動操作がされなくなった場合においても転動体及び自閉面によって扉体を自閉させることができ、扉体の自閉性能を向上できる。
【００１５】
また、本発明に係る扉装置は、開口部にその両側部が支持部を介して係止／離脱を可能に支持され、２つの支持部の一方が係止されたとき２つの支持部の他方が離脱する扉体と、該扉体の下部に転動可能に設けられる転動体と、該転動体との接触で前記扉体の回動を案内する案内面及び該案内面に連なり、前記転動体との接触で扉体に加わる荷重によって扉体を自動的に閉回動させる自閉面を有する回動案内部とを備えた扉装置において、前記自閉面は前記案内面の自閉面側端で案内面に対する角度が変わるようにしてあることを特徴とする。
【００１６】
この発明にあっては、自閉面が案内面の自閉面側端で案内面に対する角度を変えてあるため、扉体の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で転動体を自閉面に接触させることが可能である。この結果、扉体の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で扉体の閉回動操作がされなくなった場合においても転動体及び自閉面によって扉体を自閉させることができ、扉体の自閉性能を向上できる。
【００１７】
また、本発明に係る扉装置は、前記案内面と自閉面とは、前記扉体の回動方向と交差するように互いに反対方向へ傾斜しており、自閉面は案内面側を緩傾斜とし、案内面と反対側を急傾斜としてあることを特徴とする。
【００１８】
この発明にあっては、扉体を閉回動するとき、自閉面の緩傾斜部分で扉体を閉回動方向へ助走させることができ、しかも、急傾斜部分で扉体の自閉状態を維持することができるとともに、自閉面の扉体回動方向両端間の高さを比較的低くすることができ、扉体の回動操作性を向上できる。
【００１９】
また、本発明に係る扉装置は、前記扉体は前記自閉面に接触している前記転動体が前記案内面と接触する位置に至るまで扉体を開回動させる操作体を備えることを特徴とする。
【００２０】
この発明にあっては、扉体の操作体を操作することにより、自閉面に接触している転動体が案内面と接触する位置に至るまで扉体を開回動させることができるため、前記したように扉体の自閉性能を向上することができるにかかわらず、扉体の開回動初期の開操作性を向上できる。
【００２１】
また、本発明に係る扉装置は、前記操作体は前記扉体に枢支されたレバーと、該レバーに連動して回動する連動杆と、該連動杆に突設され、前記開口部に設けられる当接部との当接により前記扉体を開回動させるカム部とを備えることを特徴とする。
【００２２】
この発明にあっては、扉体のレバーを操作することにより、該レバーに連動して連動杆が回動し、該連動杆に突設されたカム部が開口部側の当接部に当接して扉体を、自閉面に接触している転動体が案内面と接触する位置に至るまで強制的に開動作させるため、前記したように扉体の自閉性能を向上することができるにかかわらず、扉体の開回動初期の開操作性を向上することができ、しかも、レバーと連動杆とカム部とによって操作体が構成されているため、操作体の構造が簡単であり、操作体の組込み性を向上できる。
【００２３】
また、本発明に係る扉装置は、前記カム部は、前記扉体が開口部を閉じているときに当接部と当接する第１位置から該第１位置を前記扉体の閉回動方向へ越えた第２位置にかけて前記当接部との当接ができる面を有することを特徴とする。
この発明にあっては、扉体の開回動初期の開操作性を向上することができるとともに、カム部の長さを比較的短くすることができる。
【００２４】
また、本発明に係る扉装置は、前記転動体は前記扉体の一側部側と、他側部側と、一側部及び他側部の間の途中とに配置されていることを特徴とする。
この発明にあっては、扉体が回動するとき、自閉面及び案内面の間の境界を複数の転動体が順次通過することになるため、転動体が前記境界を通過するときの負荷を複数の転動体に分散することができ、扉体をスムーズに回動操作することができる。
【００２５】
また、本発明に係る冷蔵庫は、要冷蔵物が収容される収容室が設けられた冷蔵庫本体と、前記収容室に開口する開口部に配置される請求項１〜７のいずれかに記載の扉装置とを備えることを特徴とする。
【００２６】
この発明にあっては、自閉面が案内面の自閉面側端で案内面に対する角度を変えてあるため、扉体の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で転動体を自閉面に接触させることが可能である。この結果、手動による扉体の閉回動操作量が不足する場合においても転動体及び自閉面によって扉体を自閉させることができ、扉体の自閉性能を向上できる。
【００２７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下本発明をその実施の形態を示す図面に基づいて詳述する。
図１は本発明に係る扉装置を用いた冷蔵庫の構成を示す斜視図である。
図１の冷蔵庫１は要冷蔵物がその前面の開口部１１ａから収容される収容室、野菜がその前面の開口部１１ｂから収容される野菜室、要冷凍物がその前面の開口部１１ｃ，１１ｄから収容される冷凍室を有する冷蔵庫本体１１と、前記上側の収容室の開口部１１ａに配置される扉装置Ａと、前記野菜室の開口部１１ｂを開閉する野菜室扉１２と、冷凍室の開口部１１ｃ，１１ｄを開閉する冷凍室扉１３，１４とを備えている。
【００２８】
図２は開口部における扉体の支持部構成を示す平面図、図３は扉体の底面図、図４は扉体の支持部構成及び扉体の回動過程を示す説明図である。
扉装置Ａは、前記開口部１１ａの両側の上部と下部とで、その一側部２ａが上側の支持部及び下側の支持部２０ａを介して回動可能に支持され、その他側部２ｂが上側の支持部及び下側の支持部２０ｂを介して回動可能に支持された左右回動式の１つの扉体２と、該扉体２の下部にその軸芯が扉体２の左右方向となる軸３１を介して転動自在に設けられる転動体３と、該転動体３との接触で前記扉体２の回動を案内する回動案内部４と、扉体２を開回動させる操作体５とを備えている。
【００２９】
扉体２の上側の支持部及び下側の支持部２０ａ，２０ｂは扉体２の左右方向への摺動を可能とする摺動手段と、扉体２の一側部２ａ側で開口部１１ａを開くとき他側部２ｂ側で係止し、扉体２の他側部２ｂ側で開口部１１ａを開くとき一側部２ａ側で係止する係止手段とを夫々有している。上側の支持部と下側の支持部２０ａ，２０ｂとは基本的に同じ構成であり、しかも、上側の支持部の摺動手段及び係止手段と、下側の支持部２０ａ，２０ｂの摺動手段及び係止手段とは基本的に同じ構成であるため、以下の説明では、上側の支持部と、上側の支持部の摺動手段及び係止手段についての説明を省略する。
【００３０】
摺動手段は前記開口部１１ａの上部及び下部に突設された支持軸２１，２１と、該支持軸２１，２１が相対摺動を可能に挿入され、その長手方向が前記摺動する方向となる摺動案内凹部２２，２２とを有しており、該摺動案内凹部２２，２２が扉体２の下面に設けられている。また、この扉体２の下面には前記摺動案内凹部２２，２２の長手方向内側となる端部からその長手方向が扉体２の閉回動方向となる回動案内凹部２３，２３が設けられており、扉体２が開回動するとき、該回動案内凹部２３，２３に前記支持軸２１，２１が嵌まるようにしてある。
【００３１】
摺動案内凹部２２，２２は長円形になっており、扉体２が開口部１１ａを開く側では前記回動案内凹部２３，２３が支持軸２１，２１に近い側の第１位置（図４ａの位置）となり、扉体２が開口部を開かない側、即ち、扉体２の回動中心となる側では回動案内凹部２３，２３が支持軸２１，２１と離間する側の第２位置となるようにしてある。また、摺動案内凹部２２，２２は前記支持軸２１，２１の軸心間の直線に対して傾斜しており、扉体２の一側部２ａ側又は他側部２ｂ側が開口部１１ａを開くとき、扉体２の重力によって扉体２が開口部１１ａに対して左方向、又は右方向へ摺動するようにしてある。
回動案内凹部２３，２３は、摺動案内凹部２２，２２と反対側端を前記支持軸２１，２１の出入口としたカム部になっている。
【００３２】
係止手段は前記支持軸２１，２１の周りに支持軸２１，２１と離間して前記開口部１１ａの下部から突設された半円形の係止壁２４，２４と、前記摺動案内凹部２２，２２の周りに設けられ、前記支持軸２１，２１及び係止壁２４，２４の間の嵌合凹部に嵌合される断面Ｃ字形の嵌合凸部２５，２５とを有しており、扉体２が開口部１１ａを開く側では嵌合凸部２５が前記嵌合凹部から抜け出し、扉体２が開口部１１ａを開かない側、即ち、扉体２の回動中心となる側では支持軸２１が摺動案内凹部２２の第２位置となる状態で嵌合凸部２５が前記嵌合凹部に嵌合され、嵌合凸部２５を係止、引いては扉体２を開口部１１ａ側の冷蔵庫本体に係止するようにしてある。
また、前記支持部２０ａ，２０ｂの近傍には扉体２が開回動及び閉回動するとき、互いに接触して扉体２の回動を案内する回動案内凸部２６，２７の一方が前記扉体２の下面に突設され、他方が開口部１１ａの下部から突設されている。
【００３３】
転動体３は扉体２の一側部２ａ側と他側部２ｂ側と、一側部２ａ及び他側部２ｂ間の中央近傍位置とに夫々同軸的に複数個設けられている。また、転動体３を支持する軸３１は前記支持軸２１，２１の軸心間の直線と平行に配置されており、さらに、転動体３は軸３１に対して該軸３１の軸長方向へ移動可能としてある。尚、一側部２ａ及び他側部２ｂ間の中央近傍位置に設ける転動体３は、一側部２ａ及び他側部２ｂ間のほぼ中央に１つ設けてもよい。
【００３４】
図５は回動案内部及び転動体部分の構成を示す拡大断面図である。
この転動体３が接触する前記回動案内部４は、転動体３との接触で扉体２の回動を案内する案内面４１と、該案内面４１に境界４０を介して連なり、前記転動体３との接触で扉体２に加わる荷重によって扉体２を自動的に閉回動させる自閉面４２とを有しており、前記支持軸２１，２１の軸心間の直線と平行に配置されている。この案内面４１及び自閉面４２は扉体２の回動方向に対して傾斜しており（図５参照）、さらに、自閉面４２は案内面４１の自閉面４２側端（境界４０）で案内面４１に対する角度が変わるようにしてある。また、自閉面４２は案内面４１側が緩傾斜となり、案内面４１と反対側が急傾斜となるように２段階に角度が変わっており、緩傾斜部分４２ａでは閉回動中の扉体２を助走させ、急傾斜部分４２ｂでは扉体２に加わる荷重によって扉体２が開回動することを確実に禁止するようにしてある。
【００３５】
具体例としては、回動案内部４の水平部４ａの幅寸法（扉体回動方向の幅寸法）を６１ｍｍ、自閉面４２の緩傾斜部分４２ａの幅寸法を１１．７ｍｍ、自閉面４２の急傾斜部分４２ｂの幅寸法を８．２ｍｍとした。さらに、自閉面４２の緩傾斜部分４２ａの水平面（扉体の回動域となる面）からの角度を５度、自閉面４２の急傾斜部分４２ｂの水平面（扉体の回動域となる面）からの角度を１１度とした。回動案内部４の水平部４ａの前側表面は開口部１１ａを閉じている扉体２の前側表面より越えないようにすればよい。
尚、前記水平部４ａ、緩傾斜部分４２ａ、急傾斜部分４２ｂのそれぞれの幅寸法は、前記した幅寸法に２ｍｍ以下の寸法を加算又は減算した寸法としてもよいし、また、前記緩傾斜部分４２ａの水平面からの角度は、前記した角度に２度以下の角度を加算又は、１度以下の角度を減算した角度及び急傾斜部分４２ｂの水平面からの角度は、前記した角度に２度以下の角度を加算又は減算した角度としてもよい。
【００３６】
図６は操作体部分の拡大横断面図、図７は操作体部分の一部を切欠いた拡大正面図である。
【００３７】
操作体５は、扉体２の一側部２ａ及び他側部２ｂに凹設された凹所２ｃ内にその一端部が軸５０ａ，５０ｂを介して枢支されたレバー５１と、その上端が前記レバー５１の一端部に結合され、その下端が扉体２の下端部に配置され、レバー５１に連動して回動する連動杆５２と、該連動杆５２の下端に前記レバー５１と反対方向へ突設され、前記開口部１１ａに突設される当接部５３との当接により前記扉体２を強制的に開回動させるカム部５４とを有する。このカム部５４は、前記扉体２が開口部１１ａを閉じているときに当接部５３と当接する第１位置から該第１位置を前記扉体２の閉回動方向へ越えた第２位置にかけて前記当接部５３との当接ができる面５４ａを有しており、前記自閉面４２の急傾斜部分４２ｂに接触している前記転動体３が前記境界４０を越えて前記案内面４１と接触する位置に至るまで扉体２を開回動させることができるようにしてある（図３、図８参照）。
【００３８】
図８及び図９は扉体の回動過程を示す説明図である。
以上のように構成された扉装置Ａは、扉体２が開口部１１ａを閉じているとき、扉体２の下部に設けられている転動体３の全てが自閉面４２の急傾斜部分４２ｂと接触し、扉体２に加わる荷重によって転動体３の自閉面４２との接触状態が維持されている（図８のａ）。
【００３９】
このように扉体２が開口部１１ａを閉じている状態で、例えば扉体２の他側部２ｂが開口部１１ａを開く場合、扉体２の他側部２ｂに設けられたレバー５１を引き操作することにより、連動杆５２が回動し、該連動杆５２に突設されたカム部５４と当接部５３との当接位置が変わり、一側部２ａ側の上側の支持部及び下側の支持部２０ａを回動中心として扉体２が強制的に開回動される。
このとき、扉体２は、前記自閉面４２の急傾斜部分４２ｂに接触している転動体３が境界４０を越えて案内面４１と接触する位置に至るため（図９のｄ）、扉体２の開き始めを比較的小さい操作力で容易に開回動させることができる。このように開回動された扉体２は、転動体３が案内面４１を転動しつつさらに開回動され、開回動の途中で転動体３の案内面４１との接触が離脱し、扉体２を大きく開くことができる。尚、扉体２の開回動に伴い、転動体３を支持する軸３１（図８、９では図示せず）は前記支持軸２１，２１の軸心間の直線、換言すれば回動案内部４に対して交差する方向へ変位する。
【００４０】
また、扉体２が開口部１１ａを閉じる場合、扉体２を閉回動させる途中で転動体３が回動案内部４の案内面４１と接触し、該転動体３が境界４０を越えて自閉面４２と接触することになる（図８のａ）。
このとき、自閉面４２は案内面４１の自閉面４２側端で案内面４１に対する角度が変わるようになっているため、換言すれば、自閉面４２は案内面４１との境界４０で角度が変わっているため（図５参照）、扉体２の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で転動体３を自閉面４２に接触させることができる。この結果、扉体２の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で扉体２の閉回動操作がされなくなった場合においても転動体３及び自閉面４２によって扉体２を自閉させることができ、扉体２の自閉性能を向上できる。また、前記自閉面４２は、案内面４１側が緩傾斜となり、案内面４１と反対が急傾斜となっているため、緩傾斜部分４２ａでは扉体２を助走させつつ閉回動させることができ、急傾斜部分４２ｂでは扉体２に加わる荷重によって扉体２が開回動することを確実に禁止する。
【００４１】
しかも、扉体２が開口部１１ａを閉じる場合、扉体２の閉回動に伴い扉体２の一側部２ａ側に配置された複数の転動体３が順次境界に接触し、次に扉体２の一側部２ａ及び他側部２ｂ間の中央部に配置された複数の転動体３が順次境界４０に接触し、さらに、扉体２の他側部２ｂ側に配置された複数の転動体３が順次境界４０に接触することになり（図８及び図９参照）、扉体２に加わる荷重が境界４０に加わる点を順次変えることができるため、閉回動に必要な操作力を比較的小さくすることができる。
【００４２】
また、レバー５１の操作で扉体２の他側部２ｂが開口部１１ａを開くとき、扉体２の開回動に伴い扉体２の他側部２ｂ側に配置された複数の転動体３が順次境界４０に接触し、次に扉体２の一側部２ａ及び他側部２ｂ間の中央部に配置された複数の転動体３が順次境界４０に接触し、さらに、扉体２の一側部２ａ側に配置された複数の転動体３が順次境界４０に接触することになり、扉体２に加わる荷重が境界４０に加わる点を順次変えることができるため、開回動に必要な操作力を比較的小さくすることができる。
【００４３】
因に、扉体２の一側部２ａ及び他側部２ｂ間の中央部に転動体３が設けられていない場合、扉体２が開回動するとき、扉体２の一側部２ａ側に配置された転動体３が自閉面４２に接触している状態で、扉体２の他側部２ｂ側に配置された転動体３が境界４０を越えて案内面４１と接触し、転動体３が前記境界４０と接触しない領域が発生することになるため、扉体２の開回動に必要な操作力が前記した実施の形態に比べて大きくなる。また、扉体２が閉回動するとき、扉体２の他側部２ｂ側に配置された転動体３が案内面４１に接触している状態で、扉体２の一側部２ａ側に配置された転動体３が境界４０を越えて自閉面４２と接触し、転動体３が前記境界４０と接触しない領域が発生することになるため、扉体２の閉回動に必要な操作力が前記した実施の形態に比べて大きくなる。
【００４４】
尚、以上説明した実施の形態では、回動案内部４の自閉面４２を緩傾斜面４２ａと急傾斜部分４２ｂとの２段階としたが、その他、湾曲した１つの面としてもよいし、また、１つの傾斜面としてもよい。
【００４５】
また、以上説明した実施の形態では、扉体２の一側部２ａ側と、他側部２ｂ側と、一側部２ａ及び他側部２ｂ間の中央部とに夫々複数の転動体３を配置したが、その他、前記３つの箇所の転動体３を夫々１つとしてもよいし、また、一側部２ａ及び他側部２ｂ間の中央部の転動体３をなくし、前記一側部２ａ側及び他側部２ｂ側に転動体３を配置してもよい。
【００４６】
また、本発明に係る扉装置Ａは扉体２の一側部２ａと他側部２ｂとが開口部１１ａに回動可能に支持された構成である他、扉体２の一側部２ａだけが開口部１１ａに回動可能に支持された構成であってもよい。　また、本発明に係る扉装置Ａは冷蔵庫に用いる他、例えば窓等の開口部を開閉するのに用いてもよい。
【００４７】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述したように本発明によれば、扉体の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で転動体を自閉面に接触させることができるため、扉体の開回動角が比較的大きい状態で扉体の閉回動操作がされなくなった場合においても転動体及び自閉面によって扉体を自閉させることができ、扉体の自閉性能を向上できる。
【００４８】
また、本発明によれば、自閉面は案内面側を緩傾斜とし、案内面と反対側を急傾斜としてあるため、扉体を閉回動するとき、自閉面の緩傾斜部分で扉体を閉回動方向へ助走させることができ、しかも、急傾斜部分で扉体の自閉状態を維持することができるとともに、自閉面の扉体回動方向両端間の高さを比較的低くすることができ、扉体の回動操作性を向上できる。
【００４９】
また、本発明によれば、扉体の操作体を操作することにより、自閉面に接触している転動体が案内面と接触する位置に至るまで扉体を開回動させることができるため、扉体の自閉性能を向上することができるにかかわらず、扉体の開回動初期の開操作性を向上できる。
【００５０】
また、本発明によれば、レバーと連動杆とカム部とによって操作体が構成されているため、操作体の構造が簡単であり、操作体の組込み性を向上できる。
また、本発明によれば、カム部の長さを比較的短くすることができ、カム部の動作空間を少なくすることができる。
【００５１】
また、本発明によれば、扉体が回動するとき、自閉面及び案内面の間の境界を複数の転動体が順次通過することになるため、転動体が前記境界を通過するときの負荷を複数の転動体に分散することができ、扉体をスムーズに回動操作することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る扉装置を用いた冷蔵庫の構成を示す斜視図である。
【図２】本発明に係る扉装置の開口部における扉体の支持部構成を示す平面図である。
【図３】本発明に係る扉装置における扉体の底面図である。
【図４】本発明に係る扉装置における扉体の支持部構成及び扉体の回動過程を示す説明図である。
【図５】本発明に係る扉装置の回動案内部及び転動体部分の構成を示す拡大断面図である。
【図６】本発明に係る扉装置の操作体部分の拡大横断面図である。
【図７】本発明に係る扉装置における操作体部分の一部を切欠いた拡大正面図である。
【図８】本発明に係る扉装置の扉体の回動過程を示す説明図である。
【図９】本発明に係る扉装置の扉体の回動過程を示す説明図である。
【図１０】従来の扉装置における扉体の支持部構成を示す説明図である。
【図１１】従来の扉装置における扉体の回動過程を示す説明図である。
【図１２】従来の扉装置における回動案内部及び転動体部分の構成を示す拡大断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１　　　冷蔵庫
１１　　冷蔵庫本体
１１ａ　開口部
２　　　扉体
２ａ　　一側部
２ｂ　　他側部
２０ａ，２０ｂ　支持部
３　　　転動体
４１　　案内面
４２　　自閉面
５　　　操作体
５１　　レバー
５２　　連動杆
５３　　当接部
５４　　カム部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a door device configured so that a door body can be automatically closed and rotated by a load applied to the door body, and a refrigerator using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a supporting portion of a door body in a conventional door device, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a turning process of the door body in the conventional door device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a rolling element portion.
A door device configured so that the door body can be automatically closed and rotated by a load applied to the door body is used in a refrigerator, for example. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, both sides of the door device are supported by an opening 101 of the refrigerator main body 100 via a left support portion 102 and a right support portion 103 so as to be locked / unfastened. A door body 104 from which the other of the left support section 102 and the right support section 103 is disengaged when one of the section 102 and the right support section 103 is locked; and a rolling element 105 rotatably provided below the door body 104. And a guide surface 106 that guides the rotation of the door 104 by contact with the rolling element 105 and is connected to the guide surface 106 via a relay surface 107, and is added to the door 104 by contact with the rolling element 105. A rotation guide section 109 having a self-closing surface 108 for automatically closing and rotating the door body 104 by a load, and the rotation guide section 109 is disposed below the opening 101. The rolling elements 105 are disposed on one side and the other side of the door 104. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2.)
[0003]
The rotation guide section 109 includes a relay surface 107 parallel to the rotation direction of the door 104, the self-closing surface 108 inclined downward from an end of the relay surface 107 on the opening 101 side, and a relay surface 107. It comprises the opening 101 and the guide surface 106 inclined downward from the opposite end. The rolling element 105 is provided so as to come into contact with the self-closing surface 108 in a state where the door 104 closes the opening 101.
[0004]
In the door device configured as described above, the rolling element 105 contacts the guide surface 106 of the rotation guide section 109 while closing the opening 101 while closing and rotating the door body 104 that is being opened and rotated. Then, the door 104 closes and rotates along the guide surface 106 and the relay surface 107, and when the door 104 almost closes the opening 101, the rolling element 105 contacts the self-closing surface 108, and the door 104 , The door body 104 is automatically closed and rotated by the load applied to the door, and the closed state of the door body 104 can be maintained.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-124463 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-173303 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional door device configured to be able to automatically close and rotate the door body 104 by a load applied to the door body 104 includes a relay surface 107 that is parallel to the rotation direction of the door body 104, A self-closing surface that is inclined downward from the opening side end of the relay surface; and a guide surface that is inclined downward from the end opposite to the opening of the relay surface. When the body 104 substantially closes the opening 101, in other words, the rolling element 105 comes into contact with the self-closing surface 108 in a rotation region where the opening rotation angle of the door body 104 is almost zero. When the opening 104 closes the opening 101, it is necessary to manually operate the door 104 until it reaches a rotation region where the opening rotation angle of the door 104 is almost zero. As a result, when the closing rotation operation of the door body 104 is not performed in a state where the opening rotation angle of the door body 104 is relatively large, the door body 104 stops rotating without self-closing, and the opening 101 is securely closed. It was not possible to close it, and an improvement measure was requested.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to configure the self-closing surface so that the angle with respect to the guide surface changes at the self-closing surface side end of the guide surface, thereby opening and closing the door body. An object of the present invention is to provide a door device and a refrigerator that can close a door body by a rolling element and a self-closing surface even when the door body is not closed and rotated in a state where a corner is relatively large.
[0008]
Another object is to make the self-closing surface of the door self-closed by keeping the guide surface side of the self-closing surface gently inclined and making the opposite side of the guide surface steeply inclined. An object of the present invention is to provide a door device and a refrigerator that can make the height between both ends in the body rotation direction relatively low.
[0009]
Another object is to improve the self-closing performance of the door body by providing the door body with an operation body that opens and rotates the door body until the rolling element that is in contact with the self-closing surface reaches the position where it comes into contact with the guide surface. An object of the present invention is to provide a door device and a refrigerator that can improve the opening operability in the initial stage of the opening rotation of the door body regardless of the improvement.
[0010]
Another object is that the operating body has a lever pivotally supported by a door, an interlocking rod that rotates in conjunction with the lever, and a cam portion protruding from the interlocking rod. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a door device and a refrigerator that can simplify the structure of the operating body and improve the incorporation of the operating body.
[0011]
Another object is to provide a second position in which the cam portion moves beyond the first position in the closing rotation direction of the door from the first position in contact with the contact portion when the door closes the opening. With the configuration having a surface capable of making contact with the contact portion, the opening operability in the initial stage of the opening rotation of the door body can be improved, and the length of the cam portion can be made relatively short. It is an object of the present invention to provide a door device and a refrigerator that can perform the same.
[0012]
Another purpose is to arrange the rolling elements on one side of the door body, on the other side, and halfway between the one side and the other side, so that the self-closing surface and An object of the present invention is to provide a door device and a refrigerator capable of distributing a load when a rolling element passes through a boundary between guide surfaces to a plurality of rolling elements, and capable of smoothly rotating a door body.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A door device according to the present invention includes a door body whose one side is rotatably supported by an opening, a rolling element rotatably provided in the door or the opening, and a rolling element. A rotation surface having a guide surface for guiding rotation of the door body by contact and a self-closing surface connected to the guidance surface and automatically closing and rotating the door body by a load applied to the door body by contact with the rolling element; In the door device provided with a guide portion, the self-closing surface is configured such that an angle with respect to the guide surface changes at an end of the guide surface on the self-closing surface side.
[0014]
In the present invention, since the self-closing surface changes the angle with respect to the guide surface at the end of the guide surface on the self-closing surface side, the rolling element is moved to the self-closing surface in a state where the opening rotation angle of the door body is relatively large. Can be contacted. As a result, even when the closing rotation operation of the door body is not performed in a state where the opening rotation angle of the door body is relatively large, the door body can be closed by the rolling element and the self-closing surface, and the door body can be closed. The self-closing performance can be improved.
[0015]
Further, the door device according to the present invention is configured such that both sides thereof are supported by the opening via the support portion so as to be locked / unfastened, and when one of the two support portions is locked, the other of the two support portions is provided. A door body from which the door body is detached, a rolling element rotatably provided at a lower portion of the door body, a guide surface for guiding the rotation of the door body by contact with the rolling element, A rotation guide portion having a self-closing surface for automatically closing and rotating the door body by a load applied to the door body in contact with a moving body, wherein the self-closing surface is a self-closing surface of the guide surface. The angle with respect to the guide surface is changed at the side end.
[0016]
In the present invention, since the self-closing surface changes the angle with respect to the guide surface at the end of the guide surface on the self-closing surface side, the rolling element is moved to the self-closing surface in a state where the opening rotation angle of the door body is relatively large. It is possible to make contact. As a result, even when the closing rotation operation of the door body is not performed in a state where the opening rotation angle of the door body is relatively large, the door body can be closed by the rolling element and the self-closing surface, and the door body can be closed. The self-closing performance can be improved.
[0017]
Further, in the door device according to the present invention, the guide surface and the self-closing surface are inclined in directions opposite to each other so as to intersect with a rotation direction of the door body, and the self-closing surface gently moves the guide surface side. It is characterized by a slope and a steep slope on the side opposite to the guide surface.
[0018]
According to the present invention, when the door body is closed and rotated, the door body can be advanced in the closing and rotating direction at the gently inclined portion of the self-closing surface, and the door body is in the self-closed state at the steeply inclined portion. Can be maintained, and the height of the self-closing surface between both ends in the door body rotation direction can be made relatively low, and the operability of the door body to rotate can be improved.
[0019]
In the door device according to the present invention, the door body may include an operating body that opens and rotates the door body until the rolling element that is in contact with the self-closing surface reaches a position that contacts the guide surface. Features.
[0020]
In the present invention, by operating the operating body of the door, the door can be opened and rotated until the rolling element that is in contact with the self-closing surface reaches the position that comes into contact with the guide surface. Although the self-closing performance of the door body can be improved as described above, the opening operability at the initial stage of the opening rotation of the door body can be improved.
[0021]
Further, in the door device according to the present invention, the operating body is a lever pivotally supported by the door body, an interlocking rod that rotates in conjunction with the lever, and is protruded from the interlocking rod, and is provided at the opening. And a cam portion for opening and rotating the door body by contact with the provided contact portion.
[0022]
According to the present invention, by operating the lever of the door, the interlocking rod rotates in conjunction with the lever, and the cam portion protruding from the interlocking rod contacts the contact portion on the opening side. Since the door body is forcibly opened until the rolling element in contact with the self-closing surface comes into contact with the guide surface, the self-closing performance of the door body can be improved as described above. Irrespective of this, it is possible to improve the opening operability in the initial stage of the opening rotation of the door body, and since the operating body is constituted by the lever, the interlocking rod, and the cam portion, the structure of the operating body is simple. In addition, the incorporation of the operation body can be improved.
[0023]
Further, in the door device according to the present invention, the cam portion may move the first position from the first position in contact with the contact portion when the door body closes the opening in the closing rotation direction of the door body. And a contact surface with which the contact portion can be brought to a second position beyond the contact position.
According to the present invention, the opening operability at the initial stage of the opening rotation of the door body can be improved, and the length of the cam portion can be relatively shortened.
[0024]
Further, the door device according to the present invention is characterized in that the rolling elements are arranged on one side of the door, on the other side, and halfway between the one side and the other side. And
According to the present invention, when the door rotates, the plurality of rolling elements sequentially pass through the boundary between the self-closing surface and the guide surface, so that the load when the rolling elements pass through the boundary is determined. Can be distributed to a plurality of rolling elements, and the door can be smoothly rotated.
[0025]
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the refrigerator according to the present invention is arranged at a refrigerator main body provided with an accommodation room for accommodating refrigerated objects, and at an opening opening to the accommodation room. And a device.
[0026]
In the present invention, since the self-closing surface changes the angle with respect to the guide surface at the end of the guide surface on the self-closing surface side, the rolling element is moved to the self-closing surface in a state where the opening rotation angle of the door body is relatively large. It is possible to make contact. As a result, even when the amount of manual operation of closing and rotating the door body is insufficient, the door body can be self-closed by the rolling element and the self-closing surface, and the self-closing performance of the door body can be improved.
[0027]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a refrigerator using the door device according to the present invention.
The refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a storage room in which refrigerated products are stored through an opening 11a on the front surface thereof, a vegetable room in which vegetables are stored through an opening portion 11b on the front surface, and openings 11c and 11d on the front surface where frozen products are required. Refrigerator body 11 having a freezer compartment accommodated from above, a door device A disposed in opening 11a of the upper accommodation compartment, vegetable compartment door 12 opening and closing opening 11b of the vegetable compartment, Freezer compartment doors 13 and 14 for opening and closing the openings 11c and 11d are provided.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the support of the door in the opening, FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the door, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the support of the door and the process of turning the door.
In the door device A, one side portion 2a is rotatably supported via an upper support portion and a lower support portion 20a at an upper portion and a lower portion on both sides of the opening 11a, and the other side portion 2b is provided. A left-right pivotable door body 2 rotatably supported via an upper support portion and a lower support portion 20b, and a shaft center of the lower portion of the door body 2 in the left-right direction of the door body 2. A rolling member 3 rotatably provided via a shaft 31 serving as a rotating member; a rotation guide portion 4 for guiding rotation of the door body 2 by contact with the rolling member 3; And an operating body 5 to be operated.
[0029]
The upper support portion and the lower support portions 20a and 20b of the door body 2 are provided with sliding means for enabling the door body 2 to slide in the left-right direction, and an opening 11a on one side 2a side of the door body 2. When the door is opened, it is locked on the other side 2b side, and when the opening 11a is opened on the other side 2b side of the door 2, locking means is locked on one side 2a side. The upper support portion and the lower support portions 20a, 20b have basically the same configuration, and furthermore, the sliding means and the locking means of the upper support portion, and the sliding of the lower support portions 20a, 20b. Since the means and the locking means have basically the same configuration, in the following description, the description of the upper support, the sliding means and the locking means of the upper support will be omitted.
[0030]
The sliding means includes support shafts 21 and 21 protruding from upper and lower portions of the opening 11a, and the support shafts 21 and 21 are inserted so as to be relatively slidable. The sliding guide recesses 22 are provided on the lower surface of the door body 2. Further, on the lower surface of the door 2, there are provided rotation guide recesses 23, 23 whose longitudinal direction is the closing rotation direction of the door 2, from the ends inside the slide guide recesses 22, 22 in the longitudinal direction. When the door 2 is opened and rotated, the support shafts 21 and 21 are fitted into the rotation guide recesses 23 and 23.
[0031]
The sliding guide recesses 22, 22 are oval, and when the door 2 opens the opening 11a, the rotation guide recesses 23, 23 are located at a first position close to the support shafts 21, 21 (FIG. 4A). At the side where the door 2 does not open the opening, that is, on the side where the door 2 is the center of rotation, the second position on the side where the rotation guide recesses 23 and 23 are separated from the support shafts 21 and 21. It is made to become. The sliding guide recesses 22 are inclined with respect to the straight line between the axes of the support shafts 21, 21, and one side 2 a or the other side 2 b of the door 2 opens the opening 11 a. At this time, the gravity of the door 2 causes the door 2 to slide leftward or rightward with respect to the opening 11a.
The rotation guide recesses 23, 23 are cam portions having ends opposite to the slide guide recesses 22, 22 as entrances and exits of the support shafts 21, 21.
[0032]
The locking means includes semi-circular locking walls 24, 24 protruding from the lower portion of the opening 11 a around the support shafts 21, 21 and separated from the support shafts 21, 21. , 22 are provided around the support shafts 21, 21 and the engaging walls 24, 24, and have fitting protrusions 25, 25 having a C-shaped cross section. On the side where the door 2 opens the opening 11a, the fitting projection 25 comes out of the fitting recess, and the side where the door 2 does not open the opening 11a, that is, the side on which the door 2 is the center of rotation is supported. With the shaft 21 at the second position of the sliding guide concave portion 22, the fitting convex portion 25 is fitted into the fitting concave portion, and the fitting convex portion 25 is locked and pulled. It locks to the refrigerator body on the side.
In the vicinity of the support portions 20a and 20b, one of the rotation guide projections 26 and 27 that come into contact with each other and guide the rotation of the door body 2 when the door body 2 opens and closes and rotates. The other end is projected from the lower part of the opening 11a.
[0033]
A plurality of rolling elements 3 are provided coaxially at one side 2a side and the other side 2b side of the door body 2 and at a position near the center between the one side 2a and the other side 2b. The shaft 31 for supporting the rolling element 3 is arranged in parallel with the straight line between the axes of the support shafts 21 and 21. Further, the rolling element 3 moves in the axial direction of the shaft 31 with respect to the shaft 31. It is possible to move. The rolling element 3 provided near the center between the one side 2a and the other side 2b may be provided substantially at the center between the one side 2a and the other side 2b.
[0034]
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the configuration of the rotation guide section and the rolling element portion.
The rotary guide 4 with which the rolling element 3 comes into contact is connected to a guide surface 41 for guiding the rotation of the door body 2 by contact with the rolling element 3, and is connected to the guide surface 41 via a boundary 40. A self-closing surface 42 that automatically closes and rotates the door body 2 by a load applied to the door body 2 in contact with the moving body 3, and is provided in parallel with a straight line between the axes of the support shafts 21 and 21. Are located. The guide surface 41 and the self-closing surface 42 are inclined with respect to the direction of rotation of the door 2 (see FIG. 5). The angle with respect to the guide surface 41 is changed in (). In addition, the angle of the self-closing surface 42 is changed in two steps so that the guide surface 41 side is gently inclined and the opposite side to the guide surface 41 is steeply inclined. The door body 2 is made to approach, and the steeply inclined portion 42b is reliably prohibited from opening and rotating the door body 2 due to the load applied to the door body 2.
[0035]
As a specific example, the width of the horizontal portion 4a of the rotation guide portion 4 (width in the door body rotation direction) is 61 mm, the width of the gently inclined portion 42a of the self-closing surface 42 is 11.7 mm, and the width of the self-closing surface is 11.7 mm. The width of the steeply inclined portion 42b was set to 8.2 mm. Further, the angle of the gentle inclination portion 42a of the self-closing surface 42 from the horizontal plane (the surface serving as the rotation area of the door body) is 5 degrees, and the horizontal plane of the steeply inclined portion 42b of the self-closing surface 42 (the rotation area of the door body). From the surface to be formed) was 11 degrees. It is sufficient that the front surface of the horizontal portion 4a of the rotation guide portion 4 does not exceed the front surface of the door body 2 closing the opening 11a.
The width of each of the horizontal portion 4a, the gentle slope portion 42a, and the steep slope portion 42b may be a size obtained by adding or subtracting a dimension of 2 mm or less to or from the above-described width size. The angle from the horizontal plane is an angle obtained by adding an angle of 2 degrees or less to the above angle or subtracting an angle of 1 degree or less, and the angle of the steeply inclined portion 42b from the horizontal plane is an angle of 2 degrees or less to the above angle. May be added or subtracted.
[0036]
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the operating body portion, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of the operating body portion with a part cut away.
[0037]
The operating body 5 has a lever 51 whose one end is pivotally supported via shafts 50a and 50b in a recess 2c formed in one side 2a and the other side 2b of the door 2, and an upper end thereof. An interlocking rod 52, which is coupled to one end of the lever 51 and whose lower end is disposed at the lower end of the door body 2 and rotates in conjunction with the lever 51, a lower end of the interlocking rod 52 in a direction opposite to the lever 51. And a cam part 54 forcibly opening and rotating the door body 2 by contact with a contact part 53 protruding from the opening 11a. The cam portion 54 extends from the first position where it comes into contact with the contact portion 53 when the door 2 closes the opening 11a in the second pivoting direction beyond the first position in the closing rotation direction of the door 2. The rolling element 3 is provided with a surface 54a that can contact the contact portion 53 over a position thereof, and the rolling element 3 that is in contact with the steeply inclined portion 42b of the self-closing surface 42 crosses the boundary 40 and the guide surface. The door body 2 can be opened and rotated until it reaches a position where the door body 41 contacts (see FIGS. 3 and 8).
[0038]
FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are explanatory views showing the turning process of the door body.
In the door device A configured as described above, when the door body 2 closes the opening 11a, all of the rolling elements 3 provided at the lower part of the door body 2 are steeply inclined portions 42b of the self-closing surface 42. The contact state with the self-closing surface 42 of the rolling element 3 is maintained by the load applied to the door body 2 (FIG. 8A).
[0039]
In the state where the door 2 closes the opening 11a, for example, when the other side 2b of the door 2 opens the opening 11a, the lever 51 provided on the other side 2b of the door 2 is pulled. By the operation, the interlocking rod 52 is rotated, the contact position between the cam portion 54 protrudingly provided on the interlocking rod 52 and the contact portion 53 changes, and the upper support portion and the lower The door body 2 is forcibly opened and rotated about the side support portion 20a as the center of rotation.
At this time, the door 2 reaches the position where the rolling element 3 in contact with the steeply inclined portion 42b of the self-closing surface 42 contacts the guide surface 41 beyond the boundary 40 (FIG. 9D). The opening of the body 2 can be easily opened and rotated with a relatively small operation force. The door body 2 that has been opened and rotated in this manner is further opened and rotated while the rolling elements 3 are rolling on the guide surface 41, and the contact of the rolling elements 3 with the guide surface 41 is released during the opening and rotating operation. The door 2 can be opened greatly. With the opening rotation of the door 2, a shaft 31 (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) supporting the rolling element 3 is a straight line between the axes of the support shafts 21 and 21, in other words, a rotation guide. It is displaced in a direction crossing the part 4.
[0040]
When the door 2 closes the opening 11 a, the rolling element 3 comes into contact with the guide surface 41 of the rotation guide section 4 while the door 2 is closed and rotated, and the rolling element 3 moves beyond the boundary 40. It comes into contact with the self-closing surface 42 (FIG. 8A).
At this time, since the angle of the self-closing surface 42 with respect to the guide surface 41 changes at the end of the guide surface 41 on the side of the self-closing surface 42, in other words, the self-closing surface 42 is at the boundary 40 with the guide surface 41. Since the angle is changed (see FIG. 5), the rolling element 3 can be brought into contact with the self-closing surface 42 in a state where the opening rotation angle of the door 2 is relatively large. As a result, even when the closing rotation operation of the door body 2 is not performed in a state where the opening rotation angle of the door body 2 is relatively large, the door body 2 can be self-closed by the rolling elements 3 and the self-closing surface 42. As a result, the self-closing performance of the door body 2 can be improved. In addition, the self-closing surface 42 has a gentle inclination on the guide surface 41 side and a steep inclination on the opposite side of the guide surface 41. Therefore, in the gentle inclination portion 42a, the door body 2 can be closed and rotated while approaching. In the steeply inclined portion 42b, the door 2 is reliably prevented from opening and rotating due to the load applied to the door 2.
[0041]
In addition, when the door 2 closes the opening 11a, a plurality of rolling elements 3 arranged on one side 2a of the door 2 sequentially contact the boundary with the closing rotation of the door 2, and then the door 2 closes. A plurality of rolling elements 3 arranged at the center between one side 2a and the other side 2b of the body 2 sequentially contact the boundary 40, and further, a plurality of rolling elements 3 arranged on the other side 2b of the door 2 The rolling elements 3 sequentially come into contact with the boundary 40 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), and the point at which the load applied to the door body 2 is applied to the boundary 40 can be changed sequentially, so that the operating force required for the closing rotation is required. Can be made relatively small.
[0042]
When the other side 2b of the door 2 opens the opening 11a by operating the lever 51, the plurality of rolling elements 3 arranged on the other side 2b of the door 2 with the opening rotation of the door 2 are opened. Contact the boundary 40 sequentially, and then a plurality of rolling elements 3 arranged at the center between one side 2a and the other side 2b of the door 2 sequentially contact the boundary 40, and further, The plurality of rolling elements 3 arranged on the one side 2a side sequentially come into contact with the boundary 40, and the point at which the load applied to the door body 2 is applied to the boundary 40 can be sequentially changed. Operating force can be made relatively small.
[0043]
When the rolling element 3 is not provided in the center between the one side 2a and the other side 2b of the door 2, when the door 2 opens and rotates, the side of the side 2a of the door 2 is opened. In a state where the rolling elements 3 disposed on the other side 2b of the door 2 are in contact with the self-closing surface 42, the rolling elements 3 contact the guide surface 41 beyond the boundary 40, and Since an area where the moving body 3 does not come into contact with the boundary 40 is generated, the operating force required for the opening rotation of the door body 2 is larger than in the above-described embodiment. When the door body 2 is closed and rotated, the rolling element 3 arranged on the other side 2b side of the door body 2 is in contact with the guide surface 41, and is moved toward the one side 2a side of the door body 2. Since the arranged rolling element 3 comes into contact with the self-closing surface 42 beyond the boundary 40 and an area where the rolling element 3 does not come into contact with the boundary 40 is generated, an operation required for the closing rotation of the door 2 is performed. The force is greater than in the previous embodiment.
[0044]
In the above-described embodiment, the self-closing surface 42 of the rotation guide portion 4 has two stages, that is, the gentle inclined surface 42a and the steeply inclined portion 42b, but may have another curved surface. Also, one inclined surface may be used.
[0045]
Further, in the embodiment described above, the plurality of rolling elements 3 are respectively provided on one side 2a side of the door body 2, on the other side 2b side, and on the center between the one side 2a and the other side 2b. However, in addition to the above, the three rolling elements 3 at the three positions may be each one, or the rolling element 3 at the center between the one side 2a and the other side 2b may be eliminated, and the one side 2a The rolling elements 3 may be arranged on the side and the other side 2b side.
[0046]
Further, the door device A according to the present invention has a configuration in which one side 2a and the other side 2b of the door 2 are rotatably supported by the opening 11a, and only the one side 2a of the door 2 is provided. May be rotatably supported by the opening 11a. The door device A according to the present invention may be used not only for a refrigerator but also for opening and closing an opening such as a window.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the rolling element can be brought into contact with the self-closing surface in a state where the opening rotation angle of the door body is relatively large, so that the opening rotation angle of the door body is relatively large. Even when the closing rotation operation of the door body is not performed in the state, the door body can be closed by the rolling element and the self-closing surface, and the self-closing performance of the door body can be improved.
[0048]
Further, according to the present invention, the self-closing surface has a gentle inclination on the guide surface side and a steep inclination on the opposite side to the guide surface. The body can move in the closing rotation direction, and the door body can be maintained in the self-closing state at the steeply inclined portion, and the height of the self-closing surface between both ends of the door body rotating direction can be relatively high. It can be lowered, and the turning operability of the door body can be improved.
[0049]
Further, according to the present invention, by operating the operating body of the door, the door can be opened and rotated until the rolling element in contact with the self-closing surface reaches the position in contact with the guide surface. In spite of the fact that the self-closing performance of the door body can be improved, the opening operability in the initial stage of the opening rotation of the door body can be improved.
[0050]
Further, according to the present invention, since the operating body is constituted by the lever, the interlocking rod, and the cam portion, the structure of the operating body is simple, and the incorporation of the operating body can be improved.
Further, according to the present invention, the length of the cam portion can be made relatively short, and the operating space of the cam portion can be reduced.
[0051]
According to the present invention, when the door rotates, a plurality of rolling elements sequentially pass through the boundary between the self-closing surface and the guide surface, so that when the rolling element passes through the boundary, The load can be distributed to a plurality of rolling elements, and the door can be smoothly rotated.
[Brief description of the 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 plan view showing a configuration of a support portion of a door body at an opening of the door device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a door body in the door device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a support portion of the door body and a turning process of the door body in the door device according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a configuration of a rotation guide section and a rolling element portion of the door device according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an operation body of the door device according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of the door device according to the present invention in which a part of an operating body is cut away.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a turning process of the door body of the door device according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a turning process of the door body of the door device according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a support portion of a door body in a conventional door device.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a turning process of a door body in a conventional door device.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a rotation guide section and a rolling element portion in a conventional door device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 refrigerator
11 Refrigerator body
11a Opening
2 door body
2a one side
2b Other side
20a, 20b support
3 rolling elements
41 Guideway
42 Self-closing surface
5 Operation body
51 lever
52 Interlocking rod
53 Contact part
54 Cam

Claims

A door whose one side is rotatably supported by the opening; a rolling element rotatably provided in the door or the opening; and rotation of the door by contact with the rolling element A door device comprising: a guide surface for guiding the guide member; and a rotation guide portion connected to the guide surface and having a self-closing surface that automatically closes and rotates the door member by a load applied to the door member in contact with the rolling element. 3. The door device according to claim 1, wherein an angle of the self-closing surface with respect to the guide surface changes at an end of the guide surface on the self-closing surface side.

A door body having both sides thereof supported by the opening via a supporting portion so as to be capable of locking / removing, and when one of the two supporting portions is locked, the other of the two supporting portions is released; and a door body. A rolling element rotatably provided at a lower portion of the door, a guide surface for guiding rotation of the door body by contact with the rolling element, and a load connected to the guide surface and applied to the door body by contact with the rolling element And a rotation guide portion having a self-closing surface for automatically closing and rotating the door body by the self-closing surface, wherein the angle of the self-closing surface with respect to the guide surface changes at the self-closing surface side end of the guide surface. A door device characterized in that:

The guide surface and the self-closing surface are inclined in directions opposite to each other so as to intersect with the turning direction of the door body, and the self-closing surface has a gentle inclination on the guide surface side and a sharp inclination on the opposite side to the guide surface. 3. The door device according to claim 1, wherein the door device is inclined.

The door according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the door body includes an operating body that opens and rotates the door body until the rolling element that is in contact with the self-closing surface reaches a position where the rolling element contacts the guide surface. apparatus.

The operating body is provided by a lever pivotally supported by the door body, an interlocking rod that rotates in conjunction with the lever, and an abutting portion that is provided on the interlocking rod and that is provided in the opening. The door device according to claim 4, further comprising a cam portion that opens and rotates the door body.

The cam portion may be configured such that the contact portion extends from a first position in contact with the contact portion when the door body closes the opening to a second position beyond the first position in the closing rotation direction of the door body. 6. The door device according to claim 5, wherein the door device has a surface capable of abutting the part.

The door device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rolling elements are disposed on one side of the door, on the other side, and halfway between the one side and the other side. .

A refrigerator main body provided with a storage room for storing refrigerated products, and the door device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is disposed in an opening that opens to the storage room. refrigerator.