JP2012093089A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator high in usability for the cap opening/closing operation of the storage chamber of a gas adjustment chamber such as a decompression chamber.SOLUTION: The refrigerator including a storage chamber with an opening formed therein includes: a member for closing the opening of the storage chamber; a pressure reducing unit for reducing pressure in the storage chamber so as to be lower than atmospheric pressure, and a seal member provided to the storage chamber side of the member for closing the opening or to the opening edge of the storage chamber. In the seal member, when the member for closing the opening closes the opening, a recessed part where the outer peripheral center of the cross section of the seal member is recessed is formed. When the recessed part abuts on the opening within a flexibly deformable range and pressure is reduced by the pressure reducing unit, the recessed part adheres to the opening and is deformed to generate surface pressure, thus sealing the opening.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

  The refrigerator described in patent document 1 arrange | positions the refrigerator compartment in the uppermost part of the storage space inside the refrigerator main body which consists of a heat insulation box, and the vegetable compartment hold | maintained at high temperature and a little higher temperature than the refrigerator compartment below it. The temperature switching room and the ice making storage room are separated from each other by a heat insulating partition wall below the vegetable room, and the freezing room is independent at the bottom. A dedicated opening / closing door is provided at the front opening of each storage chamber to close it.

  A storage container is provided in the temperature switching chamber for decompressing food and storing and storing it. A pair of left and right support frames extending in the back direction are attached to the inner surface of the temperature switching chamber door, and the storage container is placed between the support frames. By mounting and holding, the storage container of the temperature switching chamber can be pulled out of the cabinet together with the door.

JP 2004-218924 A (paragraphs 0019, 0022, 0039, FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, etc.)

  By the way, the above-mentioned patent document 1 is a configuration in which the storage container of the storage chamber is pulled out of the storage together with the door, that is, a slide-type configuration, and the upper portion of the lid of the storage chamber rotates forward to open the lid. There is a problem in terms of usability.

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that is easy to use for opening and closing the lid of a storage chamber of a gas control chamber such as a decompression chamber.

  The present invention provides a refrigerator including a storage chamber in which an opening is formed, a member that closes the opening of the storage chamber, a decompression unit that depressurizes the storage chamber below atmospheric pressure, and the storage of the member that closes the opening. And a seal member provided at the opening edge of the storage chamber or the storage chamber, and the seal member is a member that closes the opening, and the center of the outer periphery of the cross-section of the seal member is recessed inside when the opening is closed. A concave portion is formed, the concave portion abuts in a range that can be flexibly deformed, and when the pressure is reduced by the pressure reducing means, the seal member is pressed and deformed so that the concave portion is brought into close contact and a surface pressure is generated, The opening is sealed.

  Further, in a refrigerator including an outer member in which an opening is formed and a storage space is formed therein, a member for closing the opening of the outer member, a means for discharging oxygen or air in the outer member, and the opening A sealing member provided on a portion of the closing member that contacts the outer shell member or a portion of the outer member that contacts the member that closes the opening, and the sealing member closes the opening with a member that closes the opening When the oxygen or air in the outer member is exhausted by the means for discharging the oxygen of the outer member by contacting the outer member or the member that closes the opening within a flexibly deformable range, The opening is sealed by deforming the sealing member to generate contact pressure with the outer member or the member that closes the opening.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a refrigerator that is easy to use for opening and closing the lid of the gas control chamber.

It is the perspective view which looked at the refrigerator 1 of embodiment which applied this invention from the front. FIG. 2 is a conceptual cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. It is the BB sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the structure of the decompression chamber from diagonally forward upper direction. It is a C direction arrow conceptual diagram of the decompression chamber shown in FIG. It is the DD sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a perspective view which removes the protection board material made from the steel plate attached to the side surface of the decompression chamber shown in FIG. 4, and shows a principal part. It is a right view of the decompression chamber which shows the process in which the decompression chamber lid of a decompression chamber is made into a full open state from a obstruction | occlusion state. It is a right view of the decompression chamber which shows the process in which the decompression chamber lid of a decompression chamber is made into a full open state from a obstruction | occlusion state. It is a right view of the decompression chamber which shows the process in which the decompression chamber lid of a decompression chamber is made into a full open state from a obstruction | occlusion state. It is a right view of the decompression chamber which shows the process in which the decompression chamber lid of a decompression chamber is made into a full open state from a obstruction | occlusion state. It is a right view of the decompression chamber which shows the process in which the decompression chamber lid of a decompression chamber is made into a full open state from a obstruction | occlusion state. It is a right view of the decompression chamber which shows the process in which the decompression chamber lid of a decompression chamber is made into a full open state from a obstruction | occlusion state. It is a right view of the decompression chamber which shows the process in which the decompression chamber lid of a decompression chamber is made into a full open state from a obstruction | occlusion state. It is a right view of the decompression chamber which shows the process in which the decompression chamber lid of a decompression chamber is made into a full open state from a obstruction | occlusion state. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 9. It is the perspective view which looked at the decompression chamber lid at the time of the fully open state of the decompression chamber lid shown in FIG. 16 from back diagonally upward. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a decompression chamber lid unlocked state by the decompression chamber lid and the opening / closing handle support portion of the decompression chamber shown in FIG. 9 and the opening / closing handle around the lid lock guide groove member. FIG. 10 is a view showing a state before locking around the pressure-reducing chamber lid and the opening / closing handle supporting portion and the lid locking guide groove member of the pressure-reducing chamber shown in FIG. 9. It is the figure which showed the decompression chamber lid lock state by the decompression chamber cover of the decompression chamber shown in FIG. 9, the support part of an opening / closing handle, and the opening / closing handle around a lid lock guide groove member. FIG. 10 is a view showing unlocking of the decompression chamber lid and the opening / closing handle supporting portion of the decompression chamber shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the state before the lock | rock of the decompression chamber cover of the decompression chamber shown in FIG. 9 of a modification, the support part of an opening-and-closing handle, and a lid lock guide groove member. It is the figure which showed the lock | rock state of the decompression chamber cover of the decompression chamber shown in FIG. 9 of a modification, the support part of an opening-and-closing handle, and the lid lock guide groove member periphery. FIG. 6 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the decompression chamber lid shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the decompression chamber lid shown in FIG. 5 showing the action of the urging force of the torsion coil spring when the opening / closing handle is rotated downward relative to the decompression chamber lid to close the decompression chamber lid to the closed state. It is. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line GG of FIG. 5 when the opening / closing handle is rotated with respect to the decompression chamber lid and the urging force of the torsion coil spring is in the neutral position. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line GG of the decompression chamber lid of FIG. 5 illustrating the action of the biasing force of the torsion coil spring when the opening / closing handle is rotated upward with respect to the decompression chamber lid. It is a perspective view which shows the decompression chamber lid which cut | disconnected the decompression chamber lid of FIG. 5 in the HH line cross section. It is a perspective view which shows the decompression chamber lid which cut | disconnected the decompression chamber lid of FIG. 5 in the II cross section. It is a perspective view which shows the decompression chamber lid which cut | disconnected the decompression chamber lid of FIG. 5 in the DD sectional view. It is the DD sectional view taken on the line which showed the valve closing state of the differential pressure release valve of FIG. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to a cross section taken along the line D-D of FIG. 5, showing a closed state of the differential pressure release valve V. FIG. 6 is a conceptual right side view showing a state in which a claw portion of a support portion of the opening / closing handle is engaged with a holding protrusion of a handle holding member of the decompression chamber lid to prevent the opening / closing handle from rotating downward. A conceptual right side view showing a state in which the claw portion of the support portion of the opening / closing handle is disengaged from the holding projection of the handle holding member of the decompression chamber lid, and the prevention of the downward rotation of the opening / closing handle is released FIG. (A) is a conceptual side view showing a lid opening / closing guide mechanism in a state where the decompression chamber lid is upright when the decompression chamber lid shown in FIG. 9 is closed. It is a notional side view showing the lid opening / closing guide mechanism in an inclined state. (A) is a right side view showing an operation of unlocking the decompression chamber lid from the locked state by the opening / closing handle and opening the decompression chamber lid by the opening / closing handle, and (b) to (d) are operations by the opening / closing handle. FIG. 5 is a conceptual side view showing a transition of a mechanism around an opening / closing handle that starts an operation of releasing the lock from the locked state of the decompression chamber lid and opening the decompression chamber lid by the opening / closing handle. (A) is a right side view showing the operation of locking the decompression chamber lid with the opening / closing handle from the state where the decompression chamber lid is opened, and (b) to (d) are opened and closed from the state where the decompression chamber lid is opened. It is a conceptual side view showing the transition of the mechanism around the opening / closing handle in the process of locking the decompression chamber lid with the handle. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the decompression chamber of the refrigerator of the modification 1. It is the top view which looked at the decompression chamber of modification 2 from the back. It is the HH sectional view taken on the line of FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied as viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional conceptual diagram taken along line AA in FIG.

<< Overall configuration of refrigerator 1 >>
As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 to which the present invention is applied is a refrigerating room 2 that is a refrigerating room having a refrigerating temperature zone of about 6 ° C. at the top and a refrigerating room having a refrigerating temperature zone of about 6 ° C. at the bottom. A vegetable room 5 is disposed, and a freezing temperature zone of 0 ° C. or less (for example, about −20 ° C. to −18 ° C.) that is adiabatically partitioned from both the refrigerator room 2 and the vegetable room 5. The ice making room 3a, the quick freezing room 3b, and the freezing room 4 that are freezing rooms in the temperature zone are partitioned and arranged by partition walls k1, k2, and k3, respectively, as shown in FIG.

  The refrigerator 1 is provided with doors 6 to 10 having a heat insulating structure that closes the front openings of the storage chambers 2 to 5 on the front surface, and the outer casing except for the doors 6 to 10 is made of a steel plate outer box 11 and a resin. A urethane foam heat insulating material and a vacuum heat insulating material (not shown) for heat insulation from the outside air are provided between the inner box and the inner box.

  The refrigerator compartment door 6 (6a, 6b) which closes the front opening part of the refrigerator compartment 2 is comprised with the double doors of a double door type, on the other hand, the ice making compartment door 7 which obstruct | occludes the front opening part of the ice making compartment 3a, A quick freezer door 8 that closes the front opening of the quick freeze room 3b, a freezer door 9 that closes the front opening of the freezer room 4, and a vegetable room door 10 that closes the front opening of the vegetable room 5 are stored. It is comprised by the drawer-type door from which an indoor container is pulled out together.

  In the refrigerator 1, the refrigeration cycle for performing refrigeration and refrigeration is configured in such a manner that a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, an evaporator serving as a cooling source that takes away the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant, and a compressor are connected again in this order. ing.

  The evaporator serving as the cooling source is installed behind the freezer compartments 3 and 4, and the cooler air of the evaporator is sent to the ice making chamber 3 a, the quick freezer compartment 3 b, and the freezer compartment 4 by the blower fan, and is below the refrigeration temperature. Then, it is sent to each storage room of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 through the openable and closable damper device. The cool air has a cool air circulation structure that is circulated after each storage chamber is cooled, and each of the storage chambers 2 to 5 is maintained at a predetermined temperature by temperature control by a control device using a temperature sensor. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 3 of the sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 1, the refrigerator compartment door 6a is supported so as to be rotatable about a support shaft S1, and is made of a semi-transparent resin-molded pocket-shaped resin. The door storage 6a1 protrudes on the inner side, and a rotating partition 6a2 configured to be swingable by a biasing force of a torsion coil spring and a guide is provided on the rear surface thereof.

  The rotating partition 6a2 prevents cold air from leaking between the refrigerator compartment doors 6a and 6b at a position along the left refrigerator compartment door 6a when the refrigerator compartment doors 6a and 6b are closed (see FIG. 1). When the refrigerator compartment door 6a is opened, the refrigerator compartment door 6a swings in the thickness direction (indicated by a two-dot chain line) so as not to disturb the user.

  Further, the right refrigerator compartment door 6b is supported so as to be swingable about the support shaft S2, and a pocket-like semi-transparent resin-molded door storage 6b1 is provided on the inner side so as to store a drink or the like. .

<< Configuration of decompression chamber 13 which is a gas regulating chamber >>
The gas control chamber (hereinafter referred to as the decompression chamber 13) for changing the gas state shown in FIG. 3 is a gas control chamber in which internal air is sucked by the vacuum pump 12 and decompressed to 0.7 atm (70 kPa) or the like. It creates a special air atmosphere to prevent food oxidation and maintain the freshness of vegetables.

  Note that if the atmospheric pressure is higher than 0.7 atmospheric pressure, for example, 0.8 atmospheric pressure (80 kPa), the pressure difference from the external atmospheric pressure is reduced, so the strength of the decompression chamber 13 can be reduced, and the vacuum pump Twelve abilities can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the refrigerator compartment door 6b is closed, a predetermined space is formed between the door storage 6b1 of the refrigerator compartment door 6b and the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13 so as not to contact each other. It is configured. And the decompression chamber 13 is comprised by the box shape of the width | variety same or narrower than the width | variety of the refrigerator compartment door 6b which is one door of a double door.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the configuration of the decompression chamber 13 as viewed obliquely from above.

  The decompression chamber 13 has an opening on the upper surface and the front surface and has a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shell member 14, a glass plate G formed of transparent tempered glass that closes the upper surface, and an opening below the opening on the front surface. An outer peripheral wall is formed by a decompression chamber lid 16 that is a lid member that is supported so as to be rotatable about the horizontal support shaft 24S and that opens and closes in order to put in and out the stored items forward and backward.

  When the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened, it is erected while being pulled forward by a link mechanism which will be described later, and moved and opened with a predetermined distance, for example, 10 mm, while the upper part is rotated forward after moving.

  On the other hand, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, the upper part is moved backward while being pushed back while being moved backward, and then erects and moves to a predetermined distance to be closed.

  The outer member 14 is resin-molded using ABS (resin containing acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene), AS (resin containing acrylonitrile, styrene) or the like, and has side walls 14a, 14b, a bottom wall 14c, a rear wall 14d, and a front surface. The upper surface having the wall 14e and the front surface are formed in an open shape.

  Reinforcing ribs that increase the section modulus and improve the strength are erected on the outer surfaces of the side walls 14a and 14b, the bottom wall 14c, and the rear wall 14d of the outer member 14 in a straight line shape, a lattice shape, or the like.

  And as shown in FIG. 3, the pressure switch connection part 14j connected to the pump connection part 14i of the insertion hole which is a connection part with the vacuum pump 12, and the pressure switch is located behind the outer surface of the left side wall 14a of the outer shell member 14. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of mounting ribs 14h for mounting the reinforcing plate 15 in contact with the inner surfaces of the side walls 14a, 14b and the rear wall 14d are provided. Is formed to have an attachment lower surface 14h1 that comes into contact.

  5 is a conceptual diagram of the decompression chamber 12 shown in FIG. 4 in the direction of arrow C, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a line EE of FIG. It is sectional drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, since the outer member 14 is subjected to a large load due to the differential pressure between the external atmospheric pressure and the internal low pressure when decompressed by the vacuum pump 12, the outer member 14 includes the outer member 14. A high-strength reinforcing plate 15 for reinforcing the member 14 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the front and upper surfaces opened along the shape of the outer shell member 14, and is accommodated.

  The reinforcing plate 15 is formed by drawing using a metal plate such as a 1.6 mm thick steel plate, for example, and both side walls 15a and 15b, a bottom wall 15c, and a rear wall 15d are continuously formed with curved surfaces. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of reinforcing portions 15h projecting inward are formed on the side walls 15a and 15b and the bottom wall 15c.

  In this way, the reinforcing plate 15 is formed in a box shape with a curved surface, and has a plurality of inwardly projecting reinforcing portions 15h, so that the rigidity is increased, and the differential pressure between the external atmospheric pressure and the internal low pressure It is possible to withstand a large load due to.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, rectangular attachment portions 15t for holding the reinforcing plate 15 in the outer member 14 are provided on the upper edges of the side walls 15a, 15b and the rear wall 15d. However, it is projecting.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a pair of concave guide grooves 15m and 15m for guiding the food tray 17 are formed on both sides of the bottom wall 15c of the reinforcing plate member 15 in the front-rear direction (left and right sides of the paper surface of FIG. 4). The food tray 17 can be taken in and out smoothly.

  The food tray 17 disposed in the reinforcing plate 15 is a transparent resin molded product such as AS. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, both side walls 17a and 17b, a bottom wall 17c, a rear wall 17d, and a front surface A wall 17e is provided.

  The front wall 17e of the food tray 17 is formed with a concave portion 17f for placing a reinforcing support portion H, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 6, at the lower ends of both side surfaces of the front wall 17e forming the concave portion 17f. The food tray 17 is attached to the decompression chamber lid 16, and a pair of attachment claws 17t, 17t for interlocking with the opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 is formed.

  The mounting claws 17t, 17t are formed in a semi-cylindrical shape with an opening at the bottom, and the food tray 17 is placed on the reinforcing plate 15 in the decompression chamber 12 and the protrusion 16g on the back side of the decompression chamber lid 16 is placed. , 16g (see FIG. 18), the food tray 17 is attached to the decompression chamber lid 16 and interlocked with the opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16.

  Therefore, the user can easily take out the food in the food tray 17 by visually recognizing the inside of the food tray 17 pulled out with the opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the glass plate G is tempered glass as a transparent material having sufficient rigidity and strength, and is formed in a transparent rectangular flat plate shape.

  The annular packing Gp attached to the periphery of the glass plate G is a member for maintaining the airtightness between the glass plate G and the outer member 14, and rubber or the like having an elastic property to ensure the airtightness. This material is used to have a concave groove for inserting the glass plate G on the inner peripheral surface, and is formed in an annular shape.

  In addition, the structure which does not use the glass plate G using a metal box-shaped case in the outer shell member 14 can be selected as appropriate. By using a metal box-like case, the decompression chamber 13 can be increased in strength.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the main part by removing the steel plate protective plate 19 attached to the side surface of the decompression chamber 13 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, on the outer surfaces of the side wall surfaces 14a and 14b of the outer shell member 14, the decompression chamber lid 16 in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 4) by the guide members 24 and 25 (see FIGS. 17 and 29), respectively. , A guide member (not shown) having second guide grooves 20b and 20b extending in the front-rear direction of the decompression chamber 13 is screwed to horizontally guide the movement in the left-right direction of FIG. At the same time, guide rollers 21a and 21b (see FIG. 7) are pivotally supported.

  9 to 16 are right side views of the decompression chamber 13 showing the process of bringing the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13 from the closed state to the fully opened state, and FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. is there.

  9 shows a state in which the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled upward and the decompression chamber lid 16 is slightly pulled out and moved forward (left side in FIG. 9). FIG. After the decompression chamber lid 16 is pulled upward and moved horizontally and forward by a predetermined distance, the upper portion of the decompression chamber lid 16 rotates forward while moving horizontally and the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened and fully opened. Yes.

  Here, FIGS. 10 to 15 show the process from the state of FIG. 9 to the state of FIG.

  When the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13 is opened from the closed state to the fully opened state, the process shown in FIGS. 9 to 16 is performed. On the other hand, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed from the fully opened state to the closed state, Conversely, the process shown in FIGS. 16 to 9 is transited.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 17, a rotation synchronizing shaft 23 with pinion gears 22a and 22b fixed to the left and right is rotatable below the bottom wall 14c of the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13. The left and right are synchronized in the operation from closing to opening of the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIGS. 9 to 16 or in the operation from opening to closing. For this reason, the decompression chamber lid 16 can be pulled straight without tilting. According to this configuration, the lid member of the gas control chamber can be opened and closed stably.

  In addition, a refrigerator having double doors 6 (6a, 6b) having hinges on the left and right respectively, and a decompression chamber 13 configured in a box shape having a width that is the same as or slightly narrower than the width of one of the double doors 6 is provided. The decompression chamber 13 includes an opening having a front surface opened, a decompression chamber lid 16 that closes the opening, and a guide member 24 that is provided on the left and right of the decompression chamber lid 16 and moves the decompression chamber lid 16 in the front-rear direction. , 25 and synchronizing means (a rack gear 24g and pinion gears 22a, 22b described later) for synchronizing the movement of the guide members 24, 25. By providing the box-shaped decompression chamber 13 having a width equal to or narrower than the width of one door of the double door 6, the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened when the door 6 b on the decompression chamber 13 side of the double door 6 is opened. Although it is necessary to pull it out stably so that it does not collide when it is opened, it is possible to draw it out stably by providing a synchronizing means.

  In addition, a rotating partition 6a2 provided so as to eliminate a gap between the doors is provided on one side 6a of the double doors 6 and a decompression chamber 13 is provided on the back side of the other door 6b at a joint portion between the double doors 6a and 6b. It is characterized by that. According to this configuration, since the door 6b on the dominant arm side (for example, the right hand side) that is frequently used is not provided with the rotation partition 6a2, the decompression chamber 13 is provided on the back side of the double door 6b on the side where the rotation partition 6a2 is not provided. Thus, a user who frequently uses the decompression chamber 13 can use the decompression chamber 13 by opening the refrigerator compartment door 6b without the rotational load of the rotary partition 6a2.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, guide members 24 and 25 are provided on the left and right sides of the decompression chamber 13 as members for moving the decompression chamber lid 16 in the front-rear direction (left and right direction of the paper surface of FIGS. 9 to 16). A pair is provided. Since the guide members 24 and 25 have the same configuration, only the guide member 24 will be described.

  The guide member 24 is formed using a resin such as Duracon (registered trademark of Polyplastic Co., Ltd.) having excellent mechanical properties. A rack gear 24g is formed along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface, and the guide roller 21b guides the guide member 24. The first guide groove 24a is extended substantially in the center in the front-rear direction. The rack gear 24g and the pinion gears 22a and 22b constitute synchronizing means for synchronizing the movement of the guide members 24 and 25. Further, since the guide member is provided below the gas regulating chamber, the guide member 24 can be disposed so as not to get in the way.

  Further, behind the upper part of the guide member 24, the guide member 24 is guided in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction of the paper in FIGS. 4 and 8) by the second guide groove 20b extending horizontally from the front to the rear on the right side of the decompression chamber 13. A guide roller 24r is pivotally supported.

  A decompression chamber lid 16 is supported at the front end portion of the guide member 24 on the right side of the decompression chamber 13 so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 24 s, and in front of the guide member 25 on the left side of the decompression chamber 13. A decompression chamber lid 16 is supported at the tip so as to be rotatable around a similar support shaft.

  In this way, the guide roller 24r of the guide member 24 is guided in the front-rear direction by the second guide groove 20b on the right side of the decompression chamber 13, and as shown in FIGS. One guide groove 24 a is guided by a guide roller 21 b on the right front side of the decompression chamber 13.

  Similarly to the guide member 24, the guide roller of the left guide member 25 is guided in the front-rear direction by a second guide groove on the left side of the decompression chamber 13 (corresponding to the second guide groove 20b on the right side). As shown in FIG. 17, the first guide groove 25 a of the left guide member 25 is guided by the left front guide roller 21 a of the decompression chamber 13.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 17, the rotation synchronization shaft 23 in which the rack gear 24 g of the guide member 24 and the rack gear 25 g of the guide member 25 are rotatably supported below the decompression chamber 13, respectively. The guide members 24 and 25 are synchronized in the left and right directions and moved in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction on the paper in FIGS. 9 to 16).

  With this configuration, the decompression chamber lid 16 is supported at two points on both sides in the front-rear direction (left-right direction of the paper in FIGS. 9 to 16) in the opening and closing operation shown in FIGS. 9 to 16 with respect to the decompression chamber 13. Can move horizontally to

  In addition, since the decompression chamber lid 16 is synchronized with the left and right by being driven by the synchronized left and right pinion gears 22a and 22b, smooth reciprocating linear motion is possible without tilting left and right in the horizontal plane.

  With the above configuration, the decompression chamber lid 16 can be opened and closed stably.

<< Configuration of Decompression Chamber Lid 16 >>
The decompression chamber lid 16 rotatably supported at the lower portion by the support shafts 24s, (25s) of the guide members 24, 25 is provided on both sides thereof as shown in FIGS. An opening / closing handle 26 is rotatably supported around the shaft 16s, and a differential pressure relief valve V shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is configured.

  The user holds the opening / closing handle 26, and the opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 and the locking when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed are performed, and the differential pressure release valve V is opened / closed.

  Note that the differential pressure relief valve V means that when the decompression chamber 13 is decompressed by the vacuum pump 12, the pressure is reduced by the differential pressure between the atmospheric pressure outside the decompression chamber 13 and the decompressed pressure inside the decompression chamber 13. Since the load applied to the chamber lid 16 becomes large, it is impossible to open the decompression chamber lid 16 directly by hand without applying any means.

  Therefore, the pressure reducing valve V is inserted through the inner and outer space of the decompression chamber lid 16 to eliminate the pressure difference between the inside and outside, so that the load due to the differential pressure is eliminated, and the decompression chamber lid 16 can be easily opened.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, an elastic material packing 16 p is disposed on an inner peripheral edge portion that abuts the outer shell member 14, and the packing 16 p is connected to the outer shell member 14 and the decompression chamber. Sealing between the lids 16 is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the packing 16 p has a V-shaped recess 16 p 1 whose lateral cross section is recessed inward at the center of the outer periphery, and is molded in an annular shape. Thereby, the sealing performance of the decompression chamber lid 16 and the decompression chamber 13 can be enhanced.

  Even when the decompression chamber lid 16 is tilted and closed to some extent with respect to the outer shell member 14, the packing 16p is elastically deformed in the recess 16p1 and absorbs the deviation, and the outer shell member 14 and the decompression chamber lid are absorbed. It is possible to reliably seal the space between the sixteen. The packing 16p can be provided on the outer member 14 side without being provided on the decompression chamber lid 16.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the decompression chamber lid 16 is formed of a resin such as ABS whose outer peripheral portion 16 g is opaque, and a transparent portion such as a transparent AS so that the central portion 16 c can visually recognize food stored in the decompression chamber 13. Molded with resin.

  As shown in FIG. 4, both side portions 16 c 1 and 16 c 1 of the central portion 16 c of the decompression chamber lid 16 are provided between the on-off handle 26 and the decompression chamber lid 16 when the on-off handle 26 is rotated with respect to the decompression chamber lid 16. The space of the opening / closing handle 26 is set so that the distance between the side portions 16c1, 16c1 of the decompression chamber lid 16 and the turning locus of the rod body 27 of the opening / closing handle 26 is less than a predetermined value, for example, 7 mm or less. It is formed in a shape projecting outward substantially along an arcuate trajectory along which the body 27 moves.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the central portion 16 c 2 of the decompression chamber lid 16 is recessed on the inner side so that the outer surface of the central portion 16 c 2 has a space for the user's hand and the handle operating portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 occupies. It is formed into a shape.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, a reinforcing support portion H that is an upper and lower support portion having a full-surface opening that protrudes inward is formed on the inner side of the central portion 16 c 2 of the decompression chamber lid 16.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the decompression chamber lid 16 when the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the reinforcing support portion H of the decompression chamber lid 16 is formed by continuously forming an outer peripheral upper wall surface H1, an outer peripheral lower wall surface H2, and both side wall surfaces H3 standing on the inner side, and the outer peripheral upper wall surface H1. A plurality of reinforcing ribs hr are formed between the outer peripheral lower wall surface H2 so as to extend in the vertical direction.

  Further, columnar projections 16g and 16g for interlocking the food tray 17 with the opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 are formed on the outer surfaces of both side walls H3 of the reinforcing support portion H of the decompression chamber lid 16.

  A pair of attachment claws 17t, 17t (see FIG. 6) of the food tray 17 is engaged with the projections 16g, 16g, and the food tray 17 is linked to the opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 and pulled out to the outside. However, the food in the food tray 17 can be easily seen and taken out.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, the reinforcing support H on the inner side of the decompression chamber lid 16 is the lower surface of the glass G and the front wall 14e of the outer member 14 in the decompression chamber 13 and Due to the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure outside the decompression chamber 12 and the low pressure inside the decompression chamber 12 due to contact with the bottom wall 15c of the reinforcing plate 15 in the decompression chamber 13, the upper surface 14e of the outer member 14 and the glass plate G are And a load due to a differential pressure applied to the bottom wall 14c of the outer shell member 14 from below, and the deformation of the decompression chamber 13 is suppressed by these loads.

  5 and 6, the central portion 16c2 of the decompression chamber lid 16 is provided with a differential pressure relief hole 16a inserted into the decompression chamber 13 of the differential pressure relief valve V, and the differential pressure relief hole. A valve seat 16z made of rubber having elastic properties and flexibility is disposed around 16a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the decompression chamber lid 16 is provided with a valve opening / closing member 35 having a valve body 35t for opening / closing the differential pressure relief valve V so as to be rotatable around a support shaft 35s.

  Here, the support shaft 35 s on which the valve opening / closing member 35 rotates and the support shaft 16 s (see FIGS. 8 and 10) on which the opening / closing handle 26 rotates are configured concentrically. The valve opening / closing member 35 is linked to the opening / closing operation of the valve body 35t.

  29 is a perspective view showing the decompression chamber lid 16 obtained by cutting the decompression chamber lid 16 of FIG. 5 along the line HH, and FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the decompression chamber lid 16 of FIG. 5 taken along the line II. It is a perspective view which shows the decompression chamber lid | cover 16 which was made. FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing the decompression chamber lid 16 obtained by cutting the decompression chamber lid 16 of FIG. 5 along the line D-D.

  As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the valve opening / closing member 35 is provided with opening / closing guides 35g and 35h for interlocking the turning operation of the opening / closing handle 26 with the opening / closing valve operation of the valve body 35t. The shafts 35s1, 35g2, 35h1, and 35h2 are parallel to a straight line that connects the center of 35 support shafts 35s (see FIG. 6) and the center of the rod 27 of the opening / closing handle 26, and is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, on both the left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16, a handle is held to hold the opening / closing handle 26 in a predetermined position so that the opening / closing handle 26 can be guided by lid lock guide groove members 30, 30 described later. The members 37 and 37 are rotatably supported around the support shafts 37s and 37s, and are biased upward by a torsion coil spring 32 (see FIGS. 25 and 26) and the like.

  The handle holding members 37 and 37 are formed with holding projections 37t and 37t, respectively, and the holding projections 37t and 37t are claw portions 28t of the support portions 28 and 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 (see FIGS. 10, 11, and 13). , 29t (see FIG. 18) to hold the opening / closing handle 26 in a predetermined position.

<< Configuration of Open / Close Handle 26 >>
As shown in FIGS. 4, 9, and 18, the opening / closing handle 26 includes a rod body 27 made of an aluminum rod and a metal support portion having one end portion fixed to each of the left and right ends of the rod body 27. 28 and 29, and a handle operating part 36 through which a rod 27 is inserted and used for a handle operation at the center.

  The left and right support portions 28 and 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 are supported at their center portions so as to be rotatable around the left and right support shafts 16 s and 16 s of the decompression chamber lid 16, and at the other end portion are guide rollers 28 r. , 29r are rotatably supported, and a protruding claw portion 28t for fitting to a handle holding member 37 for holding the opening / closing handle 26 at the upper end position is formed.

<< Lock mechanism of opening / closing handle 26 >>
As shown in FIG. 8, the opening / closing handle 26 is rotatably supported around the support shafts 16s, 16s on the left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16, and the rod 27 is moved around the left and right support shafts 16s, 16s. When the lower end of the rotation locus is positioned, the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed and locked by the opening / closing handle 26. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the rod 27 is moved to the left and right support shafts 16s, 16s. When positioned above the rotation trajectory, the decompression chamber lid 16 is unlocked by the opening / closing handle 26.

  The guide rollers 28r and 29r of the left and right support portions 28 and 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 are fitted into lid lock guide groove members 30 and 30 provided on the side walls 14a and 14b on both sides of the decompression chamber 13 so as to open and close. The decompression chamber lid 16 is locked by the handle 26.

  19, 20, and 21 are enlarged views showing a process of locking the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13, the support 28 of the opening / closing handle 26, and the opening / closing handle 26 around the lid lock guide groove member 30 shown in FIG. 9. It is.

  19 is a diagram showing the unlocked state of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26, FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the locked state of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26, and FIG. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state before the lock of FIG.

  Since the left lid lock guide groove member 30 has the same configuration as the right lid lock guide groove member 30, the right lid lock guide groove member 30 will be described, and the left lid lock guide groove member 30 will be described. Description is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 19, 20, and 21, the lid lock guide groove member 30 is a resin-molded member, for example, and guides the guide roller 28r by contacting the curved inner wall guide 30a in a side view. To do.

  The inner wall guide 30a of the lid lock guide groove member 30 is formed in the following shape in a side view.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 19, when the opening / closing handle 26 unlocks the decompression chamber lid 16, the intersection 30a1 between the support shaft 16s and the straight inner wall guide 30a connecting the shaft center of the guide roller 28r is between the support shaft 16s. As shown in FIG. 20, the intersection 30a2 of the straight inner wall guide 30a connecting the support shaft 16s before the decompression chamber lid 16 is locked by the opening / closing handle 26 and the axis of the guide roller 28r, as shown in FIG. The dimension between the support shafts 16s is b, and, as shown in FIG. 21, a straight inner wall guide 30a that connects the support shaft 16s and the shaft center of the guide roller 28r when the decompression chamber lid 16 is locked by the opening / closing handle 26. If the dimension between the intersection 30a3 and the support shaft 16s is a,

Between a, b and c,
b (state before locking (FIG. 20))> a (locking state (FIG. 21))> c (lock releasing state (FIG. 19))
The shape of the inner wall guide 30a shown in FIGS. 19, 20, and 21 is formed in a side view.

  Due to the shape of the inner wall guide 30a of the lid lock guide groove member 30, in the state before the decompression chamber lid 16 is locked by the opening / closing handle 26 shown in FIG. 20, a straight line connecting the support shaft 16s and the axis of the guide roller 28r is formed. Since the dimension between the intersection 30a2 with the inner wall guide 30a and the support shaft 16s is as large as b, as shown in FIG. 20, the guide roller 28r of the support portion 28 is strong against the inner wall guide 30a of the lid lock guide groove member 30. The inner wall guide 30a is formed so as to give a heavy feeling to a user who opens or closes the opening / closing handle 26 supported by the support portion 28 by abutting or twisting, and locks after giving a click feeling.

That is, the user grasps the handle operating portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 and pushes down the handle operating portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 downward from the state before the locking shown in FIG. 20 to reach the locked state shown in FIG. If
b (state before locking (FIG. 20))> a (locking state (FIG. 21))
Therefore, the degree to which the guide roller 28r of the support 28 in the neutral state squeezes the inner wall guide 30a of the lid lock guide groove member 30, that is, strongly abuts, softens, and the user shifts to the lock of the opening / closing handle 26. The opening / closing handle 26 is configured to give a feeling of being pulled from the state before the lock to the lock state.

  Then, the user grasps the handle operating portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 and lifts the bar 27 of the opening / closing handle 26 upward from the state before the locking shown in FIG. 20 to reach the unlocking state shown in FIG. In this case, the dimension between the intersection of the straight inner wall guide 30a connecting the support shaft 16s and the shaft center of the guide roller 28r and the support shaft 16s is a, the state before the lock (see FIG. 20), and the locked state (FIG. 21). The guide roller 28r of the support portion 28 is covered with the lid lock guide groove member during the period from the state shown in FIG. 20 to the open state shown in FIG. The inner wall guide 30a is formed so that the opening / closing handle 26 can be operated with a gentle feel without contacting the inner wall guide 30a.

<< Modification of Locking Mechanism of Opening / Closing Handle 26 >>
Next, a modified example of the locking mechanism of the opening / closing handle 26 will be described.

  22, 23, and 24 illustrate a process from the unlocking of the lid locking mechanism of the opening / closing handle 26 according to the modification to the locked state through the neutral state, and FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the unlocking. FIG. 23 is a view showing a state before the lock according to the modified example, and FIG. 24 is a view showing the locked state.

  The lid lock mechanism of the opening / closing handle 26 according to the modification has a configuration in which the guide roller 28r of the support portion 28 is changed to a notch guide of the support portion, and the inner wall guide 30a of the lid lock guide groove member 30 is changed to a guide roller. Since there is no change in the configuration other than this, the same components are indicated by adding “′” to the reference numerals of the components in the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 22, a guide roller r1 'is rotatably supported on the side wall 14b' of the outer member 14 'of the decompression chamber 13' in place of the lid lock guide groove member.

  The support portion 28 ′ of the opening / closing handle 26 ′ is manufactured, for example, by pressing a steel plate and is supported so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 16 s ′, and has an aluminum rod 27 ′ at one end. At the other end side, a roller guide 28a 'for sliding and guiding the guide roller r1' is formed in a curved shape in a side view.

  In the unlocked state shown in FIG. 22, the roller guide 28a 'of the support portion 28' of the opening / closing handle 26 'is formed so as to completely release the guide roller r1' of the outer member 14 '.

In the state before the lock shown in FIG. 23, the distance between the contact point between the guide roller r1 ′ of the outer member 14 ′ and the roller guide 28a ′ and the support shaft 16s ′ is b ′, and the outer shell in the locked state shown in FIG. When the distance between the contact point between the guide roller r1 'of the member 14' and the roller guide 28a 'and the support shaft 16s' is a',
b ′ (state before locking (FIG. 23))> a ′ (locking state (FIG. 24))
The shape of the roller guide 28a ′ shown in FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 is formed in a side view so as to be continuous with a curve having the relationship of FIG.

  In the modified example, in the unlocked state shown in FIG. 22, the roller guide 28 a ′ of the support portion 28 ′ of the opening / closing handle 26 ′ is the same as the embodiment except that the guide roller r 1 ′ of the outer member 14 ′ is completely released. Since this is a simple configuration and the same operational effects can be obtained, detailed omission will be described.

As in the above embodiment, in the unlocked state, the roller guide 28a ′ of the support portion 28 ′ of the opening / closing handle 26 ′ is configured to come into contact with the guide roller r1 ′ of the outer member 14 ′.
b ′ ((state before locking (FIG. 23))> a ′ (locking state (FIG. 24))> c ′ (unlocking state)
Needless to say, the shape of the roller guide 28a 'shown in FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 may be formed in a side view so as to be continuous with a curve having the above relationship.

<< Biasing spring of the opening / closing handle 26 >>
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional conceptual diagram of the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG. 5 taken along the line F-F. FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram of the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG. On the other hand, the action of the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 when the open / close handle 26 is rotated downward to bring the decompression chamber lid 16 close to the closed state is shown.

  27 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line GG of FIG. 5 when the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated with respect to the decompression chamber lid 16 and the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 is in the neutral position.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 25, and 26, a torsion coil spring 32 is disposed between the decompression chamber lid 16 and the opening / closing handle 26 supported by the decompression chamber lid 16. 27, the operation of turning the opening / closing handle 26 downward from the neutral position of the torsion coil spring 32 shown in FIG. 27 to lock the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG. 21 is energized, that is, the opening / closing handle 26 is biased downward. And assisting with the lock operation.

  Further, in the range of operation for turning the opening / closing handle 26 upward from the neutral position of the torsion coil spring 32 shown in FIG. 27 to bring the decompression chamber lid 16 into the unlocked state shown in FIG. 19, the opening / closing handle 26 is moved upward. Energizes and assists opening operation.

  FIG. 28 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line GG of the decompression chamber lid 16 of FIG. 5 showing the action of the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 when the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated upward with respect to the decompression chamber lid 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 26, 27, and 28, the opening / closing handle 26 is supported so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 16s of the decompression chamber lid 16, and in the spring force neutral position shown in FIG. The fulcrum 16s of the rotation fulcrum 26 and the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 are in the same straight line, and the length of the Ude between the fulcrum 16s of the rotation fulcrum of the opening / closing handle 26 and the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 is 0, and the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 32 does not act on the opening / closing handle 26.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 26, when the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated downward from the spring force neutral position shown in FIG. 27, the opening / closing handle up to the urging force represented by the white arrow of the torsion coil spring 32 is provided. The length of the Ude from the support shaft 16s of the rotation fulcrum 26 becomes u1, and the downward biasing force of the torsion coil spring 32 acts on the opening / closing handle 26, and a downward moment is applied by the biasing force.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 28, when the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated upward from the spring force neutral position shown in FIG. 27, the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated to the urging force indicated by the white arrow of the torsion coil spring 32. The length of the Ude from the support shaft 16s of the dynamic fulcrum becomes u2, and the upward biasing force of the torsion coil spring 32 acts on the opening / closing handle 26, and an upward moment is applied by the biasing force.

  Here, the biasing force by which the coil spring 32 pivots the opening / closing handle 26 upwards exceeds the weight of the opening / closing handle 26, and the opening / closing handle 26 moves the coil spring 32 even when the user releases his / her hand from the opening / closing handle 26. It is configured to rotate upward by an urging force.

  A handle operating portion 36 (see FIG. 29) in the opening / closing handle 26 has a function of a grip portion when a user operates the opening / closing handle 26 and a function of guiding opening / closing of the differential pressure relief valve V.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the handle operating portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 has both side surfaces 35g1, 35g2 of the opening / closing guide 35g of the valve opening / closing member 35 rotatably supported by the decompression chamber lid 16 in the extending direction. A valve guide recess 30a is formed to guide the valve.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 30, the handle operating portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 is formed with a valve guide recess 30b for guiding both side surfaces 35h1, 35h2 of the opening / closing guide 35h of the valve opening / closing member 35 in the extending direction thereof. Has been.

  As described above, the opening / closing operation by turning the opening / closing handle 26 is linked to the opening / closing valve operation of the valve body 35t via the valve opening / closing member 35, whereby the valve body of the differential pressure release valve V is directly connected to the opening / closing handle 26. The valve opening / closing operation failure due to the dimensional error due to the warp of the resin portion of the opening / closing handle 26 and the decompression chamber lid 16 that occurs when the valve is provided is prevented.

  32 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 5 and shows the closed state of the differential pressure relief valve V. FIG. 33 shows the open state of the differential pressure relief valve V of FIG. It is a figure equivalent to a D line section.

  As shown in FIG. 32, when the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated downward as indicated by an arrow to close and lock the decompression chamber lid 16, the opening / closing handle 26 can be rotated regardless of the dimensional error of the opening / closing handle 26. The operation is interlocked by a valve opening / closing member 35 that operates integrally with the opening / closing handle 26, and the differential pressure release valve V can be closed by the valve body 35 t of the valve opening / closing member 35.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 33, when the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated upward from the locked state shown in FIG. The rotation operation is interlocked by a valve opening / closing member 35 that rotates integrally with the opening / closing handle 26, and the differential pressure relief valve V is opened by the valve body 35 t of the valve opening / closing member 35.

  When the valve is opened, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 33, the outside air enters the decompression chamber 13 which has been decompressed by the pressure difference, the differential pressure is eliminated, and the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened when the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened. The load due to the applied differential pressure is eliminated, and the decompression chamber lid 16 can be opened smoothly.

<< Holding mechanism of opening / closing handle 26 >>
34, the claw portion 28t of the support portion 28 of the opening / closing handle 26 is engaged with the holding projection 37t of the handle holding member 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16, thereby preventing the opening / closing handle 26 from rotating downward. FIG. 35 is a conceptual right side view showing a state, and FIG. 35 shows that the claw portion 28t of the support portion 28 of the opening / closing handle 26 is disengaged from the holding projection 37t of the handle holding member 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16, FIG. 6 is a conceptual right side view showing a state in which the prevention of the downward rotation of the handle is released.

  As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, projecting handle holding release members 39 and 39 are fixed to both sides of the outer shell member 14.

  As shown in FIG. 34, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is separated from the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13 by a predetermined distance, the handle holding release members 39, 39 on both sides of the outer member 14 are attached to the decompression chamber lid 16. It is away from the handle holding members 37, 37 and does not press the handle holding members 37, 37.

  In this case, the holding projections 37t and 37t of the handle holding members 37 and 37 biased upward of the decompression chamber lid 16 are engaged with the claw portions 28t and 29t of the support portions 28 and 29 of the opening and closing handle 26, and the opening and closing handle. The downward rotation indicated by the arrow 26 is prevented.

  34, the decompression chamber lid 16 is moved in the closing direction, and as shown in FIG. 35, the decompression chamber lid 16 approaches the predetermined distance from the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13. In this case, the handle holding release members 39 and 39 on both sides of the outer member 14 press the handle holding members 37 and 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 to rotate in the direction of arrow a, and the handle holding members 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are rotated. , 37 are disengaged from the claw portions 28t, 29t of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26, the holding of the opening / closing handle 26 is released, and the opening / closing handle 26 rotates downward as indicated by an arrow. Can be done freely.

  As a result, the opening / closing handle 26 can be completely rotated downward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 can be brought into close contact with the outer member 14. The support portions 28 and 29 and the claw portions 28t and 29t of the handle holding member 37 and the opening / closing handle 26 may be provided on only one side instead of the left and right sides.

<< Cover Opening / Closing Guide Mechanism for Decompression Chamber Lid 16 >>
Next, the lid opening / closing guide mechanism of the decompression chamber lid 16 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the decompression chamber 13 has a lid opening / closing guide mechanism for opening and closing the decompression chamber lid 16 from the closed state shown in FIG. 9 to the open state shown in FIG. I have.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the protective plate 19 attached to the right side of the decompression chamber 13 has a first horizontal guide hole 42 a extending horizontally from the front to the back, and the first horizontal guide hole. A first inclined guide hole 42b that extends continuously in the back and downward, a second horizontal guide hole 42c that extends continuously in the back and continues to the first inclined guide hole 42b, and the second horizontal guide hole 42c. A lid opening / closing guide hole 42 having a second inclined guide hole 42d that extends continuously in the back and upwards, and a third horizontal guide hole 42e that continues to the second inclined guide hole 42d and extends horizontally in the back. It has been drilled.

  Due to the presence of the third horizontal guide hole 42e, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, the decompression chamber lid 16 can be moved straight and brought into contact with the outer member 14 without being rotated just before closing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a first connection link 43 is provided as an opening / closing guide mechanism for the decompression chamber lid 16, and the first connection link 43 is rotatably supported by the guide member 24 at its central shaft 43o. The Further, the guide roller 24r inserted through the back side of the central shaft 43o is guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. 8 and moves in the front-rear direction.

  Further, the first connecting link 43 is formed with a direction changing projection 43t having a shape in which the tip edge of one end protrudes with a curvature and extends narrowly, and the direction changing projection 43t is closer to the center. A guide roller 43r guided in the lid opening / closing guide hole 42 is pivotally supported, and one end of a second connection link 44 is rotatably connected to the other end around a shaft 43j.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 18, the second connecting link 44 has a long dimension in the front-rear direction, and the other end is a support shaft on which the opening / closing handle 26 is rotatably supported by the decompression chamber lid 16. It is rotatably supported by 16s.

  Further, a V-shaped direction changing guide member 45 shown in FIG. 8 is fixed to the inner surface of the protective plate 19 disposed on the right side of the decompression chamber 13 shown in FIG. The direction change protrusion 43t of the first connection link 43 is guided by the guide surface 45a of the direction change guide member 45, and the first connection link 43 changes the front-rear direction.

  36 (a) is a conceptual side view showing the lid opening / closing guide mechanism in a state where the decompression chamber lid 16 is upright when the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG. 9 is closed, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a conceptual side view showing a lid opening / closing guide mechanism in a state where the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened and tilted to the maximum.

  36 (a) and 36 (b), when the decompression chamber lid 16 is upright when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, and when the decompression chamber lid 16 is inclined when the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened. Both the support shaft 16s (A) point and the shaft 43j (B) point on which the second connection link 44 is supported, and the central shaft 43o (C) point and the shaft 43j (B) on which the first connection link 43 is supported. The three points (A), (B), and (C) are positioned in a substantially straight line. Therefore, when the lid opening / closing force F is applied, it becomes difficult for the rotational moment to act on the first connecting link 43, and the lid opening / closing force F is transmitted straight to the point (C) provided in the guide member 24. The guide member 24 moves horizontally. Therefore, the decompression chamber lid 16 does not rotate and can move horizontally while maintaining an upright or inclined state.

  The opening / closing guide mechanism for the decompression chamber lid 16 is provided only on the right side of the decompression chamber 13 and is not provided on the left side. The opening / closing guide mechanism for the decompression chamber lid 16 may be provided on the left side instead of being provided on the right side.

<< Opening / Closing Process by Lid Opening / Closing Guide Mechanism of Decompression Chamber Lid 16 >>
Next, the opening / closing process of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing guide mechanism of the decompression chamber lid 16 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 8, 17, and 18, the decompression chamber lid 16 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 24s of the guide member 24 and a support shaft of a similar guide member 25, and is also supported by the support shaft 24s. The second connecting link 44 is rotatably supported by the shaft 16s.

  Therefore, the decompression chamber lid 16 moves horizontally without rotating if the support shaft 24s of the guide member 24 and the support shaft 16s of the second connecting link 44 perform the same horizontal movement. .

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 36 (a), in a state where the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, the third horizontal where the guide roller 43 r of the first connection link 43 extends horizontally to the lid opening / closing guide hole 42. The center shaft 43o of the first connection link 43 is concentric with the guide roller 24r of the guide member 24 and is guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. The second connecting link 44 to be connected is in the position shown in the figure.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8, the user holds the handle operating portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26, rotates the opening / closing handle 26 upward as indicated by the arrow, and the decompression chamber cover by the opening / closing handle 26. 16 is unlocked.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the user holds the handle operating portion 36 (see FIG. 4) of the opening / closing handle 26 and pulls the opening / closing handle 26 forward (left side in FIG. 9) indicated by an arrow, The guide roller 43r of the first connecting link 43 is guided forward (to the left in FIG. 9) in the third horizontal guide hole 42e extending horizontally of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, and the central shaft of the first connecting link 43 43o is concentric with the guide roller 24r of the guide member 24 and is guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. 8 and moves forward (to the left in FIG. 9), and the first connecting link 43 moves forward without tilting. Move to the left side of the sheet of FIG.

  In this case, since the first connection link 43 moves the same distance horizontally in the same manner as the guide members 24 and 25, the first connection link 43 and the second connection link 44 connected by the shaft 43j are It moves in the same direction and in the same direction as the first connecting link 43.

  Therefore, the decompression chamber lid 16 supported by the guide members 24 and 25 and the first connection link 43 does not rotate and moves forward (left side in FIG. 9) with the guide members 24 and 25 and the first connection link. 43 and move forward in the horizontal direction.

  As described above, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened, the decompression chamber lid 16 is separated from the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber lid 13 by a predetermined distance in the horizontal direction without being inclined, and conversely, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, It approaches the abutting member 14 in the horizontal direction without inclining and abuts.

  Therefore, the packing 16p of the decompression chamber lid 16 is separated from the outer member 14 without inclining, and approaches and comes into contact with the outer member 14 without inclining, so that the packing 16p is not twisted by the outer member 14 and is almost uniform. High sealing performance due to contact. Moreover, deterioration of the packing 16p can be prevented.

  Subsequently, when the user pulls the opening / closing handle 26 forward (left side in FIG. 9), the central shaft 43o of the first connection link 43 is concentric with the guide roller 24r of the guide member 24 as shown in FIG. 8 is guided in the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. 8 and is guided forward (left side in FIG. 10), but the guide roller 43r of the first connection link 43 is in the second inclined guide hole 42d of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42. Is guided forward and downward.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the guide members 24 and 25 move horizontally forward, but the first connection link 43 has a shaft on which the guide roller 43 r is inclined downward and the second connection link 44 is connected. 43j moves upward.

  Then, the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 and the support shaft 16s moves forward while rotating so that the upper part is inclined forward.

  Further, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 10, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (left side in FIG. 10), as shown in FIG. 11, the central shaft 43o of the first connecting link 43 is 8 is guided forward (left side in FIG. 11), but the direction change projection 43t of the first connection link 43 is guided by the guide rear surface 45a1 of the direction change guide member 45. However, the guide roller 43r of the first connection link 43 moves in the second horizontal guide hole 42c (see FIG. 9) of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42.

  In this process, in the first connection link 43, the guide roller 43r is inclined downward, and the shaft 43j to which the second connection link 44 is connected moves upward.

  Then, the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 and the support shaft 16s moves forward while rotating so that the upper part is inclined forward.

  Subsequently, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (left side in FIG. 11) as shown by an arrow in FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. 12, the central shaft 43o of the first connecting link 43 is Although guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. 8 and guided forward (left side in FIG. 12), the direction change projection 43t of the first connection link 43 is a concave guide bottom surface 45a2 of the direction change guide member 45. The guide roller 43r of the first connection link 43 moves in the second horizontal guide hole 42c of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, and the first connection link 43 is brought into an upright state.

  In this process, the shaft 43j to which the second connection link 44 is connected moves upward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 by the support shaft 16s rotates so that the upper part is inclined forward. While moving forward.

  As described above, since the decompression chamber lid 16 is inclined, the food in the decompression chamber 13 can be easily seen, and the food in the decompression chamber 13 can be taken out without completely pulling out the decompression chamber lid 16.

  Furthermore, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 12, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (left side in FIG. 12), as shown in FIG. 13, the central shaft 43o of the first connecting link 43 is 8 is guided forward (left side in FIG. 13), but the direction change projection 43t of the first connection link 43 is guided by the guide front surface 45a3 of the direction change guide member 45. At the same time, the guide roller 43r of the first connecting link 43 moves in the second horizontal guide hole 42c of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, and the first connecting link 43 rotates around the direction changing projection 43t and changes its direction.

  In this process, the shaft 43j to which the second connection link 44 is connected moves forward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 and the support shaft 16s opens forward so that the upper part is inclined forward. Move to.

  Subsequently, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (left side in FIG. 13) as shown by the arrow in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 14, the central shaft 43o of the first connecting link 43 is Although guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. 8 and guided forward (left side in FIG. 14), the guide roller 43r of the first connecting link 43 is in the first inclined guide hole 42b of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42. The first connecting link 43 is further rotated around the direction changing projection 43t side.

  In this process, the shaft 43j to which the second connection link 44 is connected moves upward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 by the support shaft 16s rotates so that the upper part is inclined forward. While moving forward.

  Furthermore, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 14, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (left side in FIG. 14), as shown in FIG. 15, the central shaft 43o of the first connecting link 43 is The guide roller 43r of the first connecting link 43 extends in the horizontal direction of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42. The first guide link 43r is guided in the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. The first connecting link 43 is rotated and guided forward through the horizontal guide hole 42a, and moves forward.

  In this process, the shaft 43j to which the second connection link 44 is connected moves forward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 by the support shaft 16s is fully opened so that the upper part is inclined forward. When the guide roller 43r enters the first horizontal guide hole 42a of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, the opening operation stops.

  After the guide roller 43r of the first connection link 43 moves to the first horizontal guide hole 42a (see FIG. 9) of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, the first connection link 43 and the guide member 24 are equidistant forward. Therefore, the decompression chamber lid 16 moves forward (left side in FIG. 15) in a fully opened state.

  Subsequently, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 15, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (left side in FIG. 15), as shown in FIG. 16, the central shaft 43o of the first connecting link 43 is The guide roller 43r of the first link link 43 is guided in the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. The guide roller 21b on the right front side of the decompression chamber 13 comes into contact with the edge 24a1 of the first guide groove 24a of the guide member 24, and the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened forward (see FIG. 16 is stopped, and the decompression chamber lid 16 is fully opened.

  The above is the operation of opening the decompression chamber lid 16 using the lid opening / closing guide mechanism.

  The process of closing the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG. 9 from the fully opened state of the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG. 16 is carried out by reversing the above process.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 16, considering the case where the decompression chamber 13 is arranged in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 6 or the like, the user's gap between the bottom surface of the decompression chamber 13 indicated by a two-dot chain line and the opening / closing handle 26 is In order to secure a space for a finger to enter, the user performs the opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 with the opening / closing handle 26 in the vicinity of the upper end of the decompression chamber lid 16.

<< Lock opening / closing operation of decompression chamber lid 16 >>
Next, the lock opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 will be described.

  FIG. 37 (a) is a right side view showing an operation of unlocking the decompression chamber lid 16 from the locked state by the opening / closing handle 26 and opening the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26, from FIG. 37 (b). FIG. 37 (d) is a conceptual diagram showing the transition of the mechanism around the opening / closing handle 26 for releasing the lock from the locked state of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26 and starting the operation of opening the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 37A, when the decompression chamber 13 is closed by the decompression chamber lid 16 and the decompression chamber lid 16 is locked by the opening / closing handle 26, the opening / closing handle 26 is positioned below the decompression chamber lid 16. .

  The operation of opening the decompression chamber lid 16 from the locked state of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26 is as shown by the arrow α2 when the opening / closing handle 26 is completely lifted to the upper end to release the lock as represented by the arrow α1. In addition, it is necessary to pull the opening / closing handle 26 forward (to the left in FIG. 37A).

  This process will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 (b) to 37 (d).

  As shown in FIG. 37 (b), when the decompression chamber lid 16 is locked by the opening / closing handle 26, the guide roller 28r of the support portion 28 of the opening / closing handle 26 intersects with the inner wall guide 30a of the lid locking guide groove member 30. It is contacted and locked at 30a3 (see FIG. 21).

  In this case, as shown in FIGS. 37 (b) and 35, the handle holding release members 39 and 39 on both sides of the outer member 14 press the handle holding members 37 and 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16, and The claw portions 28t, 29t of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 are on the upper side, and are disengaged from the holding projections 37t of the handle holding members 37, 37.

  When the opening / closing handle 26 is lifted from this state as shown in FIG. 37 (c), the opening / closing handle 26 rotates, and the tabs 28t, 29t of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 are positioned below. The handle holding member 37 is positioned near the holding projection 37t.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 28, the opening / closing handle 26 is supported at the raised position by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 having a force stronger than its own weight.

  Subsequently, when the user holds the opening / closing handle 26 and pulls it toward the front (left side in FIG. 37 (d)) as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 37 (d), the decompression chamber lid 16 is in an upright state. The handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are moved from the handle holding release members 39, 39 on both sides of the outer member 14 on the decompression chamber 13 main body side. They are separated and their engagement with each other is released.

  Therefore, since the handle holding members 37 and 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are biased upward by an elastic material such as a torsion coil spring, the handle holding members 37 and 37 rotate upward to hold the handle holding members 37 and 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16. The protrusions 37t and 37t are engaged with the claw portions 28t and 29t of the support portions 28 and 29 of the opening / closing handle 26, so that the downward rotation of the opening / closing handle 26 is locked, and the opening / closing handle 26 is locked at the upper end position. .

  In this way, the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled out to the front (left side in FIG. 16) fully open position as shown in FIGS.

  Next, the operation of closing and locking the decompression chamber lid 16 with the opening / closing handle 26 from the state in which the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened will be described.

  FIG. 38A is a right side view showing an operation of locking the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26 from the state in which the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened, and FIG. 38B to FIG. FIG. 6 is a conceptual side view showing the transition of the mechanism around the opening / closing handle 26 in the process of locking the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26 from the state where the decompression chamber lid 16 is open.

  As shown in FIG. 38A, the opening / closing handle 26 is opened and closed after the decompression chamber lid 16 is returned to the rear (right side in FIG. 38A) as shown by the arrow β0 from the fully opened state. When any mechanism is not provided in 26, the opening / closing handle 26 is returned as shown by the broken line arrow β1.

  In this case, since the guide rollers 28r and 29r of the support portions 28 and 29 on both sides of the opening / closing handle 26 do not enter the lid lock guide groove members 30 and 30 on both sides, the decompression chamber lid 16 can be closed. It becomes impossible.

  Therefore, the opening / closing handle 26 is held in the decompression chamber in a state where the guide rollers 28r, 29r of the support portions 28, 29 are held at the upper end position where the guide rollers 28r, 29r enter the lid lock guide groove members 30, 30 as indicated by the broken line arrow β2. The lid 16 is configured as follows so as to be closed.

  As shown in FIG. 37 (d), when the decompression chamber lid 16 is separated from the decompression chamber 13 by a predetermined distance, the holding projections 37t and 37t of the handle retaining members 37 and 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are opened and closed. 26, which are engaged with the claw portions 28t and 29t of the support portions 28 and 29, the downward rotation of the opening / closing handle 26 is locked, and the opening / closing handle 26 is locked at the upper end position.

  From this position, in the opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 in which the decompression chamber lid 16 is separated from the decompression chamber 13, the handle holding release members 39, 39 on both sides of the outer member 14 on the decompression chamber 13 main body side are decompressed. Since the handle holding members 37, 37 of the chamber lid 16 are separated from each other, they are not pressed by the handle holding release members 39, 39.

  Therefore, the holding projections 37t, 37t of the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are locked and locked to the claw portions 28t, 29t of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26, and the opening / closing handle 26 is in the upper end position. The decompression chamber lid 16 is opened / closed in the state held in step.

  Then, from the state where the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened and the opening / closing handle 26 is held at the upper end position, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. When moved to the left side of FIG. 38B, the guide rollers 28r and 29r of the support portions 28 and 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 enter the lid lock guide groove members 30 and 30, respectively.

  Then, after the guide rollers 28r, 29r of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 enter the lid lock guide groove members 30, 30, the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed as shown in FIG. 38 (c). Therefore, when the outer shell member 14 of the decompression chamber 13 is further approached, the handle holding members 37 and 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are pressed by the handle holding release members 39 and 39 on both sides of the outer shell member 14 on the decompression chamber 13 main body side. The holding projections 37t, 37t of the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are unlocked from the support portions 28, 29t of the opening / closing handle 26, and the opening / closing handle 26 can be moved up and down. Become.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 38 (d), the user pushes down the opening / closing handle 26, and the guide rollers 28r, 29r of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 are guided by the lid lock guide groove members 30, 30, The decompression chamber lid 16 is pulled in by the opening / closing handle 26, and the decompression chamber lid 16 is locked to the outer member 14 on the decompression chamber 13 body side.

  By pressing down the opening / closing handle 26, the left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16 are drawn into the outer member 14, so that even if the decompression chamber lid 16 is warped or deformed, the packing is securely attached to the outer member 14. To ensure good sealing performance.

  Furthermore, since the packing is provided with the recess 16p1, it is flexible, and when locking with the handle, the setting force is set so that the recess is only pushed to the extent that it is not completely crushed. The lock operation can be performed lightly.

  After the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, for example, the user presses an operation switch (not shown) or the refrigerator door 6b is closed and a door switch (not shown) is turned on, and then the operation of the vacuum pump 12 is started. Then, the air in the decompression chamber 13 is sucked and decompression is started.

  When decompression is started, the decompression chamber lid 16 is pressed from the outside by the differential pressure between the atmospheric pressure and the internal low pressure, and the packing 16p is pressed against the outer member 14 by a pressing force greater than the locking force by the handle. . The recesses of the packing 16p are brought into close contact with each other, and the state shown in FIGS. 26 to 32 is obtained. Since the packing 16p is crushed by a large load due to the differential pressure between the atmospheric pressure and the internal low pressure, a large surface pressure is generated. It becomes good and the internal negative pressure can be maintained.

  According to the above configuration, the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13 is opened while rotating forward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13 is closed while pivoting rearward. The operability of the opening and closing operation is good and user-friendly.

  In addition, the decompression chamber lid 16 is highly reliable in operation because the left-right synchronization is taken and the opening / closing operation of moving forward or backward is performed.

  Since the decompression chamber lid 16 stands upright and separates or abuts against the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13, the packing 16p of the decompression chamber lid 16 is not twisted, the wear of the packing 16p is prevented, and the sealing performance is high.

<< Modification 1 >>
Next, Modification 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the decompression chamber 13 of the refrigerator according to the first modification.

  The decompression chamber 13 of the refrigerator of the first modification shown in FIG. 39 has a first connection link 43 and a second connection that open while rotating the decompression chamber lid 16 provided on the right side of the decompression chamber 13 of the embodiment shown in FIG. Since the configuration is the same except that the lid opening / closing guide mechanism such as the link 44 is not provided, the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment are given and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to the first modification, the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened and closed in a synchronized manner on the left and right, so that the operation reliability is high.

  Further, since the decompression chamber lid 16 stands upright and contacts or separates from the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13, the packing 16p of the decompression chamber lid 16 is not distorted, and wear of the packing 16p is prevented and sealing performance is achieved. Is expensive. In the above-described embodiment, the decompression chamber 13 is installed in the refrigerating chamber 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. Even if it is the structure which installs the decompression chamber 13 in the freezer compartment 4, there exists an effect equivalent to embodiment mentioned above. At that time, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the decompression chamber door 16 is not inclined.

<< Modification 2 >>
Next, Modification 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 is a plan view of the decompression chamber 13 of Modification 2 as viewed from the back surface, and FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HH of FIG.

  In the second modification, instead of the rack gears of the guide members 24 and 25 of the decompression chamber 13 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the guide members 124 and 125 are directed inward as shown in FIGS. Rack gears 124g, 125g formed horizontally are provided, and an even number of spur gears 71, 72, 73, 74 are provided between the rack gears 124g, 125g in a substantially horizontal direction. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the embodiment, the same reference numerals as those of the embodiment are attached and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to the second modification, rack gears 124g and 125g formed horizontally inwardly on the guide members 124 and 125 are provided, and an even number of spur gears 71, 72, 73, Since 74 is provided, the vertical dimension can be reduced, and a compact configuration is possible.

  Moreover, the effect which is show | played by the said embodiment is show | played similarly.

  In the present embodiment described above, the decompression chamber that sucks and decompresses the indoor air as the gas regulation chamber has been described as an example. However, in addition to the decompression chamber, the storage chamber that encloses nitrogen gas is used as the gas regulation chamber. , Can be widely applied to gas control chambers other than decompression chambers such as storage chambers where oxygen separation membranes are provided and oxygen is exhausted from the chambers by pumps, and storage chambers that control humidity using silica gel, zeolite, etc. Is not to be done.

  Moreover, although the decompression chamber 13 which is a gas control chamber was illustrated and demonstrated in the said embodiment, the structure of this invention is applicable widely to storage rooms, such as a freezer compartment, besides a refrigerator compartment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gas control chamber in which the drawer doors of the freezing chambers 3 and 4 are configured by the decompression chamber lid 16 may be used. In that case, the decompression chamber lid 16 needs to have a heat insulating property.

  In the embodiment, the rack gear and the pinion gear, and the rack gear and the spur gear are exemplified as the moving means of the decompression chamber lid 16, but the guide rollers on both sides connected by the synchronous shaft and the guide rollers are guided. You may comprise the rail of a both-side part.

1 Refrigerator 13 Decompression room (storage room, gas control room)
16 Decompression chamber lid (lid member)
16p packing (seal member)
20b Second guide groove (second groove)
21a, 21b Guide roller (first guide roller)
22a, 22b Pinion gear (moving means)
23 Rotation synchronization axis (moving means)
24, 25 Guide member (moving means)
24a, 25a First guide groove (first groove)
24g, 25g Rack gear (moving means)
24r guide roller (second guide roller)
24s Support shaft (support)
28r, 29r guide roller (first engaging portion)
30 Lid lock guide groove member (second engagement portion)
42 Lid opening / closing guide hole (link mechanism, third groove)
43r guide roller (third guide roller)
43 First link (link mechanism)
44 Second link (link mechanism)
45 Direction change guide member (link mechanism)

Claims (2)

In a refrigerator equipped with a storage room with an opening,
A member for closing the opening of the storage chamber;
Decompression means for decompressing the storage chamber below atmospheric pressure;
A seal member provided on the storage chamber side of the member for closing the opening or the opening edge of the storage chamber,
The sealing member is a member that closes the opening, and when the opening is closed, a concave portion is formed in which the center of the outer periphery of the cross section of the sealing member is recessed, and the concave portion comes into contact within a range that can be flexibly deformed, and the pressure reduction The refrigerator is characterized in that when the pressure is reduced by the means, the seal member is pressed and the recess is brought into close contact with each other so as to generate a surface pressure, thereby sealing the opening. In a refrigerator including an outer member in which an opening is formed and a storage space is formed therein,
A member for closing the opening of the outer member;
Means for discharging oxygen or air of the outer member;
A portion that contacts the outer member of the member that closes the opening, or a seal member that is provided on a portion that contacts the member that closes the opening of the outer member,
When the opening is closed with a member that closes the opening, the sealing member comes into contact with the outer member or the member that closes the opening within a range that can be flexibly deformed, and discharges oxygen from the outer member. When the oxygen or air in the outer member is exhausted, the sealing member is deformed to generate a surface pressure on the outer member or the member that closes the opening, thereby sealing the opening. refrigerator.