JP2021060151A - refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator capable of being used simply without causing cost increase, and capable of appropriately adjusting the volume of an ice storage container according to ice consumption circumstances of a refrigerator user.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 comprises a freezing chamber 4, and a storage container 40 that can store an ice storage container 50. The ice storage container 50 comprises a plurality of container frame parts 51 that are sequentially connected in a vertical direction. Each container frame part 51 has a side peripheral wall 52 that can surround stored ices I, and is connected to other container frame parts 51 so as to be relatively movable in the vertical direction, at least the side peripheral walls 52 of the container frame parts 51 arranged adjacent to each other are in a state where they can be overlapped with each other, and the container frame part 51 expands and contracts by the relative movement in the vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

As a conventional refrigerator, for example, a type in which an ice making room (ice storage room) and a freezing room are separated and ice and other objects to be frozen other than ice are stored in a separate room (the ice making room of this type of refrigerator). Is sometimes called an "independent ice making room"), or a type in which a box-shaped ice storage container with an open top is placed in the freezing room to store ice and other objects to be frozen in the same room. Be done.

In the case of a type of refrigerator equipped with an independent ice making chamber, the ice making chamber and the freezing chamber are arranged side by side at the same height position of the refrigerator. Here, when a center pillar separating each of these chambers is arranged between the ice making chamber and the freezing chamber, the volumes of both the ice making chamber and the freezing chamber are reduced by that amount. Moreover, the volumes of the ice making chamber and the freezing chamber are fixed. Similarly, in the case of a refrigerator of the type in which the ice storage container is stored in the freezing chamber, the volume of the ice storage space is fixed because the size of the ice storage container is constant.

On the other hand, the amount of ice consumed can fluctuate according to the attributes (family composition, lifestyle, preference) of the refrigerator user. In addition, for example, ice consumption fluctuates due to seasonal factors, such as an increase in ice consumption in the summer and a decrease in ice consumption in the winter. Furthermore, an event such as a home party may cause a temporary increase in ice consumption. However, in the refrigerators provided so far, the volume of the ice storage space is fixed, and it is not possible to appropriately respond to fluctuations in ice consumption.

Here, a refrigerator in which the volume of the storage chamber can be adjusted is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes balloons that are detachably arranged in a storage chamber such as an ice making chamber or a freezing chamber. When the storage capacity of the stored object is small, the balloon arranged in the storage chamber reduces the volume of the storage chamber and adjusts the space requiring cooling to be narrowed. This saves energy in the refrigerator.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a refrigerator in which the volume of a compartment defined in the storage chamber can be adjusted. The refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a ceiling shelf that covers the upper part of the compartment in the storage chamber and is installed so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The volume of the compartment is adjusted by moving the ceiling shelf up and down.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-75167 JP-A-2010-71577

However, the refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a product cost in that a balloon that is not used in a general refrigerator must be prepared separately and that if the balloon deteriorates over time, it must be replaced with another balloon. Brings soaring prices.

Further, in the refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the volume of the storage space is reduced, it is possible to deal with it by arranging a balloon in the storage room, while the consumption of ice increases and the storage space (ice storage space) is created. Since it does not have a means for adjusting the volume, it cannot properly meet the demand.

On the other hand, in the refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 2, the space whose volume is adjusted by moving the ceiling shelf up and down is the space in the refrigerating room (compartment room), not the space in the freezing room. Therefore, adjusting the volume of the space in the freezing chamber (particularly, the ice storage space) is neither disclosed nor suggested in Patent Document 2.

Further, the ceiling shelf in the refrigerator disclosed in Patent Document 2 is moved up and down via a predetermined elevating mechanism. However, this elevating mechanism has a complicated structure composed of various mechanical elements and has a large number of parts, which leads to an increase in product cost.

In view of these problems, the present invention provides a refrigerator that can be easily used without causing a cost increase and that the volume of the ice storage container can be appropriately adjusted according to the ice consumption situation of the refrigerator user. The purpose.

In order to solve the above problems, the refrigerator according to the present invention
Freezing room and
A storage container that is arranged in the freezing chamber and can store an ice storage container,
With
The ice storage container includes a plurality of container frame portions that are sequentially connected in the vertical direction.
Each container frame has a side peripheral wall that can surround the stored ice, and is connected to the other container frames so as to be relatively movable in the vertical direction.
The side peripheral walls of the plurality of container frames to be connected are in a state where they can be overlapped with each other.
The container frame portion expands and contracts by relatively moving in the vertical direction.

Further, the refrigerator according to the present invention is
A through hole is provided in the side peripheral wall of each container frame portion.
The through hole provided in the side peripheral wall of one container frame portion to be connected and the through hole provided in the side peripheral wall of the other container frame portion can be overlapped with each other.
The ice storage container is
A through hole insertion portion to be inserted into the superimposed through hole is provided, and a container frame portion locking member for engaging a plurality of container frame portions while fixing the height position of each container frame portion is further provided. And.

Further, the refrigerator according to the present invention
Screw threads are formed on the outer surface of the through hole insertion portion and the inner surface of the through hole, respectively.
The container frame portion locking member is screwed into the through hole.

Further, the refrigerator according to the present invention
A protrusion is provided on the side peripheral wall of one adjacent container frame portion, and a fitting hole for fitting the protrusion is provided on the side peripheral wall of the other container frame portion.
By fitting the protruding portion into the fitting hole, the one container frame portion is connected to the other container frame portion at a predetermined height position.

Further, the refrigerator according to the present invention
In the adjacent container frame portions, a first flange edge is provided that projects horizontally from the lower end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion located on the upper side, and horizontally projects from the upper end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion located on the lower side. A second flange edge is provided,
When the upper end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion located on the lower side moves relative to the height position of the lower end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion located on the upper side, the first flange edge and the second flange The container frame portion located on the lower side is prevented from further moving due to the contact with the edge.

The refrigerator according to the present invention includes side peripheral walls that can be superposed on each other, and includes an ice storage container that expands and contracts by relatively moving a plurality of connected container frame portions in the vertical direction. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator in which the expansion and contraction of the ice storage container can be realized with a simple structure, the product cost does not rise, and the internal volume of the ice storage container can be appropriately adjusted according to the user's request. .. Further, since the ice storage container can be expanded and contracted by moving the plurality of container frames up and down, the internal volume of the ice storage container can be adjusted extremely easily.

Further, according to the present invention, a through hole provided in the side peripheral wall of one container frame portion and a through hole provided in the side peripheral wall of the other container frame portion are superimposed and penetrated through the superimposed through hole. A plurality of container frame portions can be connected at a predetermined height position by using a container frame portion locking member provided with a hole insertion portion. Therefore, according to the present invention, since the plurality of container frame portions to be connected are commonly engaged by the container frame portion locking member having a simple structure, the connection of the container frame portions is carelessly released. Problems can be effectively prevented. Further, since the container frame portion locking member having a simple structure is used, the product cost does not increase.

Further, screw threads are formed on the outer surface of the through hole insertion portion and the inner surface of the through hole, respectively, and the container frame portion locking member is screwed into the through hole. As a result, the through-hole insertion portion (container frame portion locking member) is fixed in the through-hole, and it is possible to prevent the through-hole insertion portion from being detached from the inside of the through-hole. As a result, according to the present invention, a plurality of container frame portions anchored by the container frame portion locking member can be more firmly connected.

Further, among the container frame portions in the present invention, a protrusion is provided on the side peripheral wall of one adjacent container frame portion, and the protrusion is fitted into the side peripheral wall of the other container frame portion. A joint hole is provided. According to the present invention, the one container frame portion and the other container frame portion can be connected by such a simple structure. As a result, a plurality of container frame portions can be appropriately connected while preventing a rise in product cost.

Further, among the container frame portions in the present invention, a first flange edge is provided that horizontally projects from the lower end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion located on the upper side of the adjacent container frame portion, and the container is located on the lower side. A second flange edge is provided that projects horizontally from the upper end of the side peripheral wall of the frame portion. Therefore, according to the present invention, for example, the means for fastening the plurality of container frame portions (such as the container frame portion locking member described above and the pair of the protruding portion and the engaging hole) do not function and are on the lower side. Even when the container frame portion is dropped, the first flange edge and the second flange edge are in contact with each other, and further movement of the dropped container frame portion can be prevented.

The perspective view which shows the whole structure of the refrigerator which concerns on 1st Embodiment. A side view vertical sectional view which shows the whole structure of the refrigerator which concerns on 1st Embodiment. A front view vertical sectional view (FIG. 3 (a)) showing the inside of the freezing chamber according to the first embodiment, and an AA sectional view (FIG. 3 (b)) of the inside of the storage container. The perspective view of the ice storage container which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the operation of the ice storage container which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view of the ice storage container which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the operation of the ice storage container which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In explaining the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, the "up and down" direction corresponds to the height direction of the refrigerator 1, the "left and right" direction corresponds to the width direction of the refrigerator 1, and the "front and back" direction corresponds to the width direction of the refrigerator 1. , Corresponds to the depth direction of the refrigerator 1.

[First Embodiment]
The overall configuration according to the first embodiment of the refrigerator according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is a side view vertical sectional view of the refrigerator 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes a heat insulating box 2 corresponding to the refrigerator body. The heat insulating box 2 includes a plurality of storage chambers as shown in FIG. Further, each of the plurality of storage chambers corresponds to the refrigerator compartment 3, the freezer compartment 4, and the vegetable compartment 5 in this order from the top. However, the arrangement of the refrigerator compartment 3, the freezer compartment 4, and the vegetable compartment 5 is not limited to this.

The front surface of each storage chamber provided in the heat insulating box 2 is open. Insulated doors 10, 11 and 12 are provided so as to open and close each of these openings. Here, in the heat insulating door 10, for example, the upper and lower ends of the right end of the refrigerator are rotatably supported by the heat insulating box 2 to close the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 3. Further, the heat insulating door 11 is arranged so as to be able to be pulled out in the front-rear direction with respect to the heat insulating box 2, and closes the front opening of the freezing chamber 4. Similarly, the heat insulating door 12 is arranged so as to be able to be pulled out in the front-rear direction with respect to the heat insulating box 2, and closes the front opening of the vegetable compartment 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the heat insulating box 2 is formed by foaming the outer box 2a made of steel plate, the inner box 2b made of synthetic resin, and the gap formed between the outer box and the inner box. It is provided with a heat insulating material 2c made of polyurethane. Inside the heat insulating box body 2, a plurality of heat insulating partition walls (for example, members shown by reference numerals 6a and 6b in FIG. 1) are arranged. The refrigerator compartment 3, the freezer compartment 4, and the vegetable compartment 5 are partitioned by the heat insulating partition walls 6a and 6b.

Next, the details of the freezing chamber 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is a front view vertical sectional view of the freezing chamber 4 according to the present embodiment. Further, where the storage container 40 and the like, which will be described later, are arranged inside the refrigerating chamber 4, FIG. 3 (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the storage container 40 (lines AA in FIG. 3 (a)). (Cut with).

As shown in FIG. 3A, the freezing chamber 4 is separated from other storage chambers (refrigerating chamber 3, vegetable compartment 5) adjacent to each other in the vertical direction by partition walls 6a and 6b. Further, inside the freezing chamber 4, a storage container 40 for storing the object to be frozen is arranged. The storage container 40 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape corresponding to the shape of the internal space of the freezing chamber 4. Further, the upper part of the storage container 40 is opened.

The storage container 40 may be attached to the back surface of the heat insulating door 11 and supported by a pair of left and right side frames 7 extending horizontally further rearward from the storage container 40. The storage container 40 and the heat insulating door 11 are integrally supported by the side frame 7. The side frame 7 is engaged with a side rail formed on the side surface 4S of the freezing chamber so as to be movable back and forth, and the storage container 40 is pulled out as the heat insulating door 11 moves forward.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the ice storage container 50 for storing ice is arranged inside the storage container 40. The ice storage container 50 includes a plurality of container frame portions 51a, 51b, 51c, ..., 51n connected in the vertical direction. Further, each of the container frame portions 51a, 51b, 51c, ..., 51n is connected so as to be relatively movable in the vertical direction with respect to the other container frame portions. The ice storage container 50 is expanded and contracted by relatively moving each container frame portion 51 in the vertical direction. Thereby, the internal volume of the ice storage container 50 can be adjusted and the ice storage space can be changed. The details of the operation of the container frame portion will be described later.

The "relative" movement means that when another container frame portion is viewed from an arbitrary container frame portion, the arbitrary container frame portion moves in the vertical direction with respect to the other container frame portion. means. Therefore, the fact that any container frame part actually moves up and down corresponds to "relative movement in the vertical direction" with respect to any container frame part, and of course, any fixed container frame part also has other fixed container frame parts. Since it moves up and down when viewed from the container frame, this case also corresponds to "relative movement in the vertical direction" with respect to any container frame.

In the case of this embodiment, three container frame portions 51a, 51b and 51c are provided. The container frame portion 51a located at the uppermost position and the container frame portion 51b connected to the lower side of the container frame portion 51a are open at the top and bottom, and are circulated around the front, back, left and right in order to define an ice storage space. A side peripheral wall 52 to be provided is provided (in FIG. 3, the side peripheral wall 52 of the container frame portion 51a is indicated by reference numeral 52a, and the side peripheral wall 52 of the container frame portion 51b is indicated by reference numeral 52b).

On the other hand, the container frame portion 51c located at the bottom is provided with a side peripheral wall 52c as well as an opening at the upper side, and further includes a bottom wall 53 connected to the bottom edge of the side peripheral wall 52c. The ice I housed in the ice storage container 50 is surrounded by at least the side peripheral wall 52c of the container frame portion 51c located at the bottom (in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the ice I is the side peripheral walls 52a, 52b. , 52c.).

In each container frame portion 51, the width and depth of the container frame portion 51 located on the lower side is smaller than the width and depth of the container frame portion 51 located on the upper side thereof. Therefore, the container frame portion 51 located on the lower side is designed to be fitted in the container frame portion 51 on the upper side to be connected in the same posture. As a result, at least the side peripheral walls 52 of the adjacent container frame portions 51 are in a state of being superimposing on each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the width and depth of the container frame portion 51 on the lower side is larger than the width and depth of the container frame portion 51 located on the upper side thereof, and the container frame portion 51 located on the lower side is larger than the width and depth of the container frame portion 51. It may be designed so that the container frame portion 51 on the upper side to be connected is fitted therein.

When the ice storage container 50 is stored in the storage container 40, the container frame portion 51a located at the uppermost position is supported at predetermined height positions on the front wall and the rear wall of the storage container 40. By supporting the container frame portion 51a in such a state, the ice storage container 50 is bridged between the front wall and the rear wall of the storage container 40. At this time, the outer surface of the bottom wall of the ice storage container 50 (the bottom wall 53 of the container frame portion 51c) and the inner surface of the bottom wall of the storage container 40 are separated from each other with a predetermined interval. As a result, the space 40S is formed on the lower side of the container frame portion 51c located at the bottom. In the present embodiment, the space 40S can be used as a storage space for the object to be frozen, and is also used as a surplus space for allowing the container frame portions 51b and 51c to move downward.

By utilizing the space 40S in this way, it is not necessary to separately provide a means for adjusting the internal volume of the ice storage container 50 on the storage container 40 side. Therefore, according to the ice storage container 50 according to the present embodiment, a general-purpose storage container 40 arranged in the general freezing chamber 4 can be used, and it is possible to avoid an increase in product cost. However, the installation mode of the ice storage container 50 is not limited to this. For example, the container frame portion 51c located at the bottom may be placed on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the storage container 40, and the container frame portion 51a located at the top may be installed so as to be movable upward. At this time, the surplus space corresponding to the space 40S is formed on the upper side of the container frame portion 51a.

In the case of the present embodiment, the container frame portion 51a located at the uppermost position is fixed at a predetermined height position in the storage container 40, but according to the definition of "relative movement", the container frame portion 51b or In other words, when the 51c moves up and down, the container frame portion 51a moves relative to the up and down direction.

Next, the structure of the ice storage container 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Here, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ice storage container 50. Further, FIG. 5 is a front view vertical sectional view of the ice storage container 50.

As described above, when the ice storage container 50 in the present embodiment includes the container frame portions 51a, 51b, 51c connected in the vertical direction, a through hole 54 is formed in the side peripheral wall 52 of each container frame portion 51. In the case shown in FIG. 4, through holes 54a1, 54a2 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the side peripheral wall 52a, through holes 54b1, 54b2 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the side peripheral wall 52b, and the left and right side surfaces of the side peripheral wall 52c are formed. Through holes 54c1 and 54c2 are formed in the hole.

As shown in FIG. 4, the through holes 54 formed on the same side of each side peripheral wall 52 are arranged along the vertical direction (in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, 54a1, 54b1, 54c1 or 54a2). , 54b2, 54c2). By arranging the through holes 54 in this way, it is possible to superimpose a plurality of through holes 54 formed on different side peripheral walls 52 by moving the container frame portions 51b and 51c up and down (shown in FIG. 4). In the case of the embodiment, 54a1 and 54b1, 54b1 and 54c1, 54a1 and 54b1 and 54c1 can be overlapped. Similarly, 54a2 and 54b2, 54b2 and 54c2, 54a2 and 54b2 and 54c2 can be overlapped).

Here, as shown in FIG. 5A, it is preferable that the ice storage container 50 in the present embodiment further includes a container frame portion locking member 55 for connecting a plurality of container frame portions 51. Further, the container frame portion locking member 55 includes a through hole insertion portion 551 that is inserted through a plurality of superimposed through holes 54. The through-hole insertion portion 551 in the present embodiment has a substantially columnar shape. The through-hole insertion portion 551 anchors the plurality of container frame portions in a state where their height positions are fixed.

In this way, since the plurality of container frame portions 51 to be connected are engaged by the container frame portion locking member 55, problems such as disconnection and dropping of some container frame portions 51 can be effectively prevented. Can be done. Further, since the container frame portion locking member 55 has a simple structure, the product cost does not increase.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, screw threads are formed on the outer surface (side peripheral surface of the cylinder) of the through hole insertion portion 551 and the inner surface of the through hole 54, respectively (through holes in the drawing). The screw thread formed on the outer surface of the insertion portion 551 is indicated by reference numeral 552. The screw thread formed on the inner surface of the through hole 54 is indicated by reference numeral 541). In the present embodiment, the screw thread formed on the outer surface of the through hole insertion portion 551 corresponds to a male screw, and the screw thread formed on the inner surface of the through hole 54 corresponds to a female screw.

With this structure, the through-hole insertion portion 551 is screwed into the through-hole 54, and the through-hole insertion portion 551 is fixed in the through-hole 54. As a result, it is possible to prevent the through hole insertion portion 551 from detaching from the through hole 54, and it is possible to more firmly connect the plurality of container frame portions 51.

Further, the container frame portion locking member 55 may include a knob 553 attached to the end portion of the through hole insertion portion 551. Through the rotation operation to the knob 553, the through hole insertion portion 551 can be rotated in the through hole 54. As a result, the through hole insertion portion 551 located in the through hole 54 can be easily moved forward and backward.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the container frame portion locking member 55 is inserted into the through hole 54 from the inside of the innermost container frame portion 51 to the outside of the outermost container frame portion 51. , Not limited to this. That is, the container frame portion locking member 55 may be inserted into the through hole 54 from the outside of the outermost container frame portion 51 toward the inside of the innermost container frame portion 51.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, each container frame portion 51 has a first flange edge 56 that projects horizontally from the lower end of the side peripheral wall 52 and a second flange edge that horizontally projects from the upper end of the side peripheral wall 52. 57 may be provided. In the case of the present embodiment, the first flange edge 56 projects horizontally toward the inside of the ice storage container 50. Further, the second flange edge 57 projects horizontally toward the outside of the ice storage container 50. However, the overhanging directions of the first flange edge 56 and the second flange edge 57 are not limited to this. For example, unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the container frame portion 51 located on the upper side is arranged inside the container frame portion 51 located on the lower side, the first flange edge 56 may project outside the ice storage container 50, and the second flange edge 57 may project inside the ice storage container 50.

The operation when the container frame portion 51 includes the first flange edge 56 and the second flange edge 57 is as follows. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the upper end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion 51 located on the lower side reaches the height position of the lower end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion 51 located on the upper side. When moved, the first flange edge 56 and the second flange edge 57 come into contact with each other. As a result, the container frame portion 51 located on the lower side is supported by the second flange edge 57, and further lowering is prevented. For example, even if the container frame portion locking member 55 is detached from the through hole 54 and the lower container frame portion 51 falls, the container frame portion is affected by the action of the first flange edge 56 and the second flange edge 57. It is possible to prevent the 51 from further descending, and it is possible to maintain the connected state with the other container frame portion 51.

However, the aspect of the present invention is not limited to the case where the container frame portion 51 is provided with the first flange edge 56 and the second flange edge 57. When the first flange edge 56 and the second flange edge 57 are not provided, each side peripheral wall 52 of the container frame portions 51 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the side peripheral wall 52a, the side peripheral wall 52b, and the side peripheral wall) 52b and the side peripheral wall 52c) can be closer to each other because the first flange edge 56 and the second flange edge 57 are not present. Further, when the container frame portion 51c located at the bottom is not locked to another container frame portion 51 by the container frame portion locking member 55, the bottom wall 53 of the container frame portion 51c collides with the bottom wall of the storage container 40. It descends until it does. As a result, the container frame portion 51c is placed on the bottom wall of the storage container 40.

Next, the operation of the ice storage container 50 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A shows the ice storage container 50 in the most contracted state. Further, FIG. 5B shows an ice storage container 50 extending downward from the state shown in FIG. 5A. Further, FIG. 5 (c) shows the ice storage container 50 in the most extended state.

As shown in FIG. 5A, one of the two container frame portion locking members 55 is a through hole 54a1 of the container frame portion 51a, a through hole 54b1 of the container frame portion 51b, and a through hole 54c1 of the container frame portion 51c. The other side of the container frame portion locking member 55 is inserted into the through hole 54a2 of the container frame portion 51a, the through hole 54b2 of the container frame portion 51b, and the through hole 54c2 of the container frame portion 51c. As a result, the three container frame portions 51 are anchored by the container frame portion locking member 55. That is, most of the container frame portion 51b fits inside the container frame portion 51a, and most of the container frame portion 51c fits inside the container frame portion 51b.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the container frame portion locking member 55 is removed from the through hole 54, and the container frame portions 51b and 51c are lowered. At this time, the second flange edge 57b of the container frame portion 51b is brought into contact with the first flange edge 56a of the container frame portion 51a, and the container frame portion 51b is engaged (connected) to the container frame portion 51a.

On the other hand, the superposition of the through hole 54b1 of the container frame portion 51b and the through hole 54c1 of the container frame portion 51c (the same applies to the through hole 54b2 and the through hole 54c2) is maintained, and the container is placed in the overlapping through holes 54. The frame portion locking member 55 is inserted. As a result, the container frame portion 51c is engaged (connected) to the container frame portion 51b. Compared to the ice storage container 50 shown in FIG. 5A, the ice storage container 50 in this state has an increased internal volume (ice storage space) by the amount of lowering of the container frame portions 51b and 51c.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the container frame portion locking member 55 is removed from the through hole 54, and the container frame portion 51c is lowered. At this time, the second flange edge 57c of the container frame portion 51c is brought into contact with the first flange edge 56b of the container frame portion 51b, and the container frame portion 51c is engaged (connected) to the container frame portion 51b. The internal volume of the ice storage container 50 in this state is further increased by the amount of lowering of the container frame portion 51c as compared with the ice storage container 50 shown in FIG. 5 (b). On the other hand, when reducing the internal volume of the ice storage container 50, the reverse operation may be performed. By these operations, the ice storage space in the ice storage container 50 is appropriately adjusted.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the refrigerator according to the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the portion different from the first embodiment is the locking structure of the plurality of container frame portions 51. Since the other parts are common to the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted. First, the structure of the ice storage container 150 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the ice storage container 150.

As shown in FIG. 6, a protruding portion 153 projecting outward is formed on the side peripheral wall 152 of the container frame portion 151 provided in the ice storage container 150 (however, the container frame portion 151a located at the uppermost position has a protruding portion 153). , The protrusion 153 is not formed.) Further, a fitting hole 154 for fitting the protrusion 153 is formed in the side peripheral wall 152 of the container frame portion 151 (however, the fitting hole 154 is not formed in the container frame portion 151c located at the bottom). ..

At this time, of the adjacent container frame portions 151, the protruding portion 153 provided in one container frame portion 151 is fitted into the fitting hole 154 provided in the other container frame portion 151. As a result, both container frame portions 151 are locked. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the protruding portion 153b provided in the container frame portion 151b is fitted into the fitting hole 154a provided in the container frame portion 151a. Further, the protruding portion 153c provided in the container frame portion 151c is fitted into the fitting hole 154b provided in the container frame portion 151b.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that a plurality of projecting portions 153 arranged along the front-rear direction of the container frame portion 151 are formed on each side peripheral wall 152. Further, it is preferable that a plurality of fitting holes 154 arranged along the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the container frame portion 51 are formed in each side peripheral wall 152. By forming a plurality of the protrusions 153 and the fitting holes 154 in the front-rear direction, it is possible to stably engage the other container frame portion 151 to one container frame portion 151. Further, by forming a plurality of fitting holes 154 in the vertical direction, the height position of the container frame portion 151 to be anchored can be appropriately adjusted, and the internal volume of the ice storage container 150 can be increased or decreased.

The protruding portion 153 shown in FIG. 6 projects toward the outside of the container frame portion 151, but the aspect of the protruding portion 153 is not limited to this. Unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the container frame portion 151b located on the lower side is arranged outside the container frame portion 151a located on the upper side, the protrusion formed on the container frame portion 151b is formed. The portion 153 may be projected toward the inside of the container frame portion 151.

Next, the operation of the ice storage container 150 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7A shows the ice storage container 150 in the most contracted state. Further, FIG. 7B shows an ice storage container 150 extending downward from the state shown in FIG. 7A. Further, FIG. 7 (c) shows the ice storage container 150 in the most extended state.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the protruding portion 153b of the container frame portion 151b is fitted into the fitting hole 154a1 arranged on the upper side of the container frame portion 151a. As a result, the container frame portion 151b is anchored (connected) to the container frame portion 151a in a state where most of the container frame portion 151b is contained inside the container frame portion 151a.

Similarly, the protruding portion 153c of the container frame portion 151c is fitted into the fitting hole 154b1 arranged on the upper side of the container frame portion 151b. As a result, the container frame portion 151c is anchored (connected) to the container frame portion 151b in a state where most of the container frame portion 151c is housed inside the container frame portion 151b.

Next, the protruding portion 153b of the container frame portion 151b is pulled out from the fitting hole 154a1 and the container frame portion 151b is lowered. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7B, the protruding portion 153b of the container frame portion 151b is fitted into the fitting hole 154a2 on the lower side of the container frame portion 151a. As a result, the container frame portion 151b is anchored to the container frame portion 151a at a position lower than the state shown in FIG. 7A. As a result, the internal volume of the ice storage container 150 increases.

Next, the protruding portion 153c of the container frame portion 151c is pulled out from the fitting hole 154b1 and the container frame portion 151c is lowered. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7C, the protruding portion 153c of the container frame portion 151c is fitted into the fitting hole 154b2 on the lower side of the container frame portion 151b. As a result, the container frame portion 151c is anchored to the container frame portion 151b at a position lower than the state shown in FIG. 7B. As a result, the internal volume of the ice storage container 150 is further increased. On the other hand, when reducing the internal volume of the ice storage container 150, the reverse operation may be performed. By these operations, the ice storage space in the ice storage container 150 is appropriately adjusted.

According to the second embodiment, the locking structure of the plurality of container frame portions 151 can be realized by such a simple means. Therefore, a plurality of container frame portions 151 can be stably connected so that the internal volume of the ice storage container 150 can be appropriately adjusted without causing a rise in product cost.

The embodiments according to the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the above description is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for the purpose of limiting the present invention. The present invention may include those that can be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Further, the present invention includes an equivalent thereof.

1 ... Refrigerator 4 ... Freezer chamber 40 ... Storage container 50, 150 ... Ice storage container 51, 151 ... Container frame 52, 152 ... Side peripheral wall 54 of container frame 54 ... Through hole 541 ... Screw formed on the inner surface of the through hole Mountain 55 ... Container frame portion locking member 551 ... Through hole insertion portion 552 ... Screw ridges 56, 57 formed on the outer surface of the through hole insertion portion ... Flange edge 153 ... Projection portion 154 ... Fitting hole

Claims (5)

Freezing room and
A storage container that is arranged in the freezing chamber and can store an ice storage container,
With
The ice storage container includes a plurality of container frame portions that are sequentially connected in the vertical direction.
Each container frame has a side peripheral wall that can surround the stored ice, and is connected to the other container frames so as to be relatively movable in the vertical direction.
The side peripheral walls of the plurality of container frames to be connected are in a state where they can be overlapped with each other.
A refrigerator characterized in that the container frame portion expands and contracts by moving relative to each other in the vertical direction. A through hole is provided in the side peripheral wall of each container frame portion.
The through hole provided in the side peripheral wall of one container frame portion to be connected and the through hole provided in the side peripheral wall of the other container frame portion can be overlapped with each other.
The ice storage container is
A through hole insertion portion to be inserted into the superimposed through hole is provided, and a container frame portion locking member for engaging a plurality of container frame portions while the height position of each container frame portion is fixed is further provided. The refrigerator according to claim 1. Screw threads are formed on the outer surface of the through hole insertion portion and the inner surface of the through hole, respectively.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the container frame portion locking member is screwed into the through hole. A protrusion is provided on the side peripheral wall of one adjacent container frame portion, and a fitting hole for fitting the protrusion is provided on the side peripheral wall of the other container frame portion.
Claims 1 to 3, wherein the one container frame portion is connected to the other container frame portion at a predetermined height position by fitting the protruding portion into the fitting hole. The refrigerator according to any one item. In the adjacent container frame portions, a first flange edge is provided that projects horizontally from the lower end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion located on the upper side, and horizontally projects from the upper end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion located on the lower side. A second flange edge is provided,
When the upper end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion located on the lower side moves relative to the height position of the lower end of the side peripheral wall of the container frame portion located on the upper side, the first flange edge and the second flange The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the edge is in contact with the container to prevent further movement of the container frame portion located on the lower side.

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