JP6360688B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  This invention has the 1st door and 2nd door which block the front opening part of a refrigerator main body, and made it possible to open and close only the 2nd door as needed while opening and closing the 1st and 2nd door integrally. It relates to the refrigerator.

  Conventionally, this type of refrigerator pivotally supports a first door that opens and closes a part in the width direction at the side of the front opening of the refrigerator main body, and the width of the front opening at the open end of the first door. A front door is closed by pivotally supporting a second door that opens and closes the remaining portion of the direction. And what is provided with the interlocking operation member which opens and closes the 1st door and the 2nd door in the 1st door, and provided the handle which opens and closes this independently in the 2nd door is known (for example, patent documents) 1).

  In the above-described refrigerator, when the first door is opened and closed by the interlocking operation member, the second door is interlocked with the first door, so that the first and second doors can be operated integrally to open and close the entire front opening. Compared with a door that opens two doors, the door can be opened and closed easily and quickly. Further, when only the second door is opened and closed by the handle, the front opening can be opened and closed by the width facing the second door, and the leakage of cold air accompanying the taking in and out of the stored product can be reduced.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-23271 (page 1-2, FIG. 1)

  In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, in order to open and close the first door and the second door in conjunction with each other, or to open and close the second door alone, an interlock operation member that also serves as a handle is provided at the upper end of the first door. Fix it. And the front-end | tip part of an interlocking operation member is made to protrude to the 2nd door side, a handle is fixed to the upper end part of a 2nd door, and the front-end | tip part of an interlocking operation member engages inside this handle. For this reason, when the second door is opened and closed independently, the front end of the interlocking operation member is exposed, the appearance is impaired, and when the first and second doors are opened and closed interlockingly, the steering wheel and interlocking operation are performed. There was a problem that the member was disengaged and the second door was inadvertently opened and closed. In addition, since it is necessary to open and close the first and second doors at the upper ends of the first and second doors, in the case of a tall refrigerator, it is particularly inconvenient for short people such as children. There was a drawback.

  The present invention may impair the appearance of a refrigerator in which the first and second doors are integrally opened and closed with respect to the front opening of the refrigerator main body, and only the second door is opened and closed as necessary. And to improve reliability and improve operability.

The refrigerator of the present invention includes a first door and a second door arranged side by side in a width direction that opens and closes a front opening of the refrigerator main body, and the first door and the second door pivotally supported by the refrigerator main body. A pivot mechanism that pivots, and an operation signal detection mechanism that operates the pivot mechanism. One end of the pivot mechanism is fixed to the first door with a rotation shaft, and the other end is A connection bracket fixed to the second door with a fixed shaft, and the operation portion of the operation signal detection mechanism is disposed on a lateral or lower side of the second door on the open side, and the operation signal detection mechanism operating the pivot mechanism after detecting a predetermined operation signal through the operation unit, the second door is opened and closed by individually to the first door, opening and closing the first door integral or wherein the opening and closing together with the first door was opened and closed to said first door and overlapped with each other, alone To.

  In the present invention, the second door is pivotally supported by the first door by the pivot mechanism, and the pivot mechanism is operated by the operation signal detection mechanism to open and close the first door and the second door integrally, or The second door can be opened and closed independently.

  Further, in the present invention, the operation portion of the operation signal detection mechanism is disposed on the lateral side surface or the lower side surface on the open side of the second door, so that the operation position is easily touched by the user and the operability is improved. .

  In the present invention, the operation portion of the operation signal detection mechanism is arranged on the back side of the handle of the second door, so that the user can change the second door by the grip depth when the second door is opened and closed. The door can be opened or closed independently, improving operability.

  Moreover, in this invention, the external appearance property of a refrigerator is improved by incorporating operation signal detection mechanisms, such as a latch mechanism, in the 1st and 2nd door.

  Moreover, in this invention, the operativity, reliability, and durability of a door are improved by arrange | positioning a pair of pivot support mechanism and a latch mechanism in the up-and-down side surface of a 1st and 2nd door.

It is an external view explaining the schematic structure of the refrigerator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an external view explaining the schematic structure of the refrigerator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an external view explaining the schematic structure of the refrigerator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is (A) perspective view and (B) perspective view explaining schematic structure of the pivot support mechanism and latch mechanism which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is (A) top view, (B) top view, (C) top view, (D) top view, (E) top view explaining the operation of the pivot mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is (A) schematic and (B) schematic explaining the principal part schematic structure of the pivot mechanism and latch mechanism which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view explaining the schematic structure of the operation means and detection means which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the operating method of the door of the refrigerator which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the operating method of the door of the refrigerator which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the operating method of the door of the refrigerator which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the refrigerator which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated in detail based on drawing.

  First, FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the first door and the second door of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 are integrally opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where only the second door of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 is opened alone.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a heat insulating box 2 as a refrigerator main body, and forms a storage room for storing food and the like inside the heat insulating box 2. The interior of the storage room is divided into a plurality of storage rooms 3 to 7 according to storage temperature and usage. The uppermost stage is the refrigerator compartment 3, the lower left side is the ice making room 4, the right side is the upper freezer room 5, the lower stage is the lower stage freezer room 6, and the lowermost stage is the vegetable room 7.

  The front surface of the heat insulation box 2 is opened, and doors 8 to 13 are provided to be openable and closable at openings corresponding to the storage chambers 3 to 7, respectively. As will be described in detail later, the first door 8 and the second door 9 close the front of the refrigerator compartment 3, and the upper and lower side surfaces on the left side of the first door 8 are a pair of upper and lower upper pivot mechanisms 14 and a lower pivot. The mechanism 15 is rotatably supported with respect to the heat insulating box 2. On the other hand, the upper and lower side surfaces on the left side of the second door 9 are pivotally supported with respect to the first door 8 by a pair of upper and lower upper support mechanisms 16 and a lower support mechanism 17.

  Further, the doors 10 to 13 are drawer type doors, and the doors 10 to 13 are provided in front of the refrigerator 1 so as to be freely drawable and are supported by the heat insulating box 2 respectively. The doors 9 to 13 are respectively provided with handles 18 to 22 for opening and closing.

  Although details will be described later, as indicated by dotted lines, an upper latch mechanism 51, a lower latch mechanism 52, and a proximity sensor 63 are disposed in the first door 8, and an operation handle 60, An operation rod 61 and a metal body 62 are arranged.

  The heat insulation box 2 is a foam filled and foamed in a gap between the outer box made of a steel plate, an inner box made of synthetic resin with a gap on the inner side, and the outer box and the inner box. It is composed of a heat insulating material made of polyurethane. Further, each of the doors 8 to 13 adopts a heat insulating structure similar to that of the heat insulating box 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the upper pivot mechanism 16 is locked by both latch mechanisms 51 and 52 (see FIG. 4) to be described later and the second door 9 is prevented from rotating relative to the first door 8. The doors 8 and 9 are integrally opened and closed with respect to the front opening 23 by pulling a handle 22 (see FIG. 1) provided on the right side surface of the second door 9. The handle 22 has a structure in which the right side surface of the second door 9 is recessed from the other part so that it can be easily put on.

  The first door 8 and the second door 9 are arranged side by side in the lateral width direction with respect to the front opening 23 of the refrigerator compartment 3, and the front opening 23 can be closed by the first door 8 and the second door 9. It has become. For example, the first door 8 is set to a width that can open and close the left half of the front opening 23 of the refrigerator compartment 3 in the width direction, and the second door 9 can open and close the remaining right half of the front opening 23 in the width direction. The width dimension is set. The width dimensions of the first door 8 and the second door 9 can be arbitrarily changed.

  The pair of upper pivot mechanism 14 and lower pivot mechanism 15 are arranged in the heat insulating box 2 in the vertical direction on the left side of the front opening 23, and the first door 8 has the upper pivot mechanism 14 and the lower pivot mechanism 15. Thus, it is pivotally supported with respect to the heat insulating box 2. Note that the upper pivot mechanism 14 and the lower pivot mechanism 15 are the same as well-known mechanisms, and a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  As will be described in detail later, a pair of upper pivot mechanism 16 and lower pivot mechanism 17 (see FIG. 1) are arranged on the upper and lower side surfaces of the doors 8 and 9 so as to cover the upper surface of the boundary area between the doors 8 and 9. Then, the second door 9 opens and closes integrally with the first door 8, or opens and closes independently.

  Storage racks 24 and 25 for storing plastic bottles and the like are attached to the back surfaces of the first door 8 and the second door 9. In addition, gaskets 26 and 27 are attached to the back surface peripheral portions (refrigeration chamber 3 side peripheral portions) of the first door 8 and the second door 9, respectively, and when the first door 8 and the second door 9 are closed, the gaskets are attached. 26 and 27 are in close contact with the heat insulating box 2 at the peripheral edge of the front opening 23.

  Furthermore, the seal pieces 28 and 29 which engage with the projections and depressions are formed to project at the opposing portions of the gaskets 26 and 27 of the first door 8 and the second door 9, and when the first door 8 and the second door 9 are closed, The seal pieces 28 and 29 are fitted to each other. For this reason, when the first door 8 and the second door 9 are closed, cold air in the refrigerator compartment 3 leaks from the periphery of the first door 8 and the second door 9 and between the first door 8 and the second door 9. Can be prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper pivot mechanism 16 and the lower pivot mechanism 17 (see FIG. 1) are unlocked by both latch mechanisms 51 and 52 (see FIG. 4) described later, and the second door 9 is the first door. When the second door 9 rotates relative to the front door 8, the second door 9 can be rotated with respect to the first door 8 by pulling the handle 22 of the second door 9 toward the front, Open and close independently. At this time, the first door 8 is in a state where the left half of the front opening 23 is closed.

  Next, FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the upper pivot mechanism and the upper latch mechanism that connect the first door and the second door, and FIG. 4B connects the first door and the second door. It is a perspective view of a lower pivot support mechanism and a lower latch mechanism. The front face shown is the door side of the refrigerator 1, the back face is the inside of the refrigerator 1, the right face is the right side face of the refrigerator 1, and the left face is the left side face of the refrigerator 1.

  First, the upper pivot structure 16 and the lower pivot structure 17 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the upper pivot mechanism 16 mainly includes bases 31 and 32, connection brackets 33 and 34, and a link receiver 35.

  For example, the pedestals 31 and 32 have a substantially L-shaped cross section, and the pedestal 31 is fixed to the upper surface near the corner portion of the first door 8 with bolts or the like, and the pedestal 32 is near the corner portion of the second door 9. It is fixed to the upper side with bolts.

  The connection bracket 33 has, for example, a substantially L shape in plan view, and the connection bracket 34 has, for example, a substantially triangular shape in plan view. The connecting brackets 33 and 34 constitute a so-called link mechanism.

  One ends (rotating end portions 33A, 34A) of the connecting brackets 33, 34 are rotatably attached to the pedestal 31 around the rotation main shaft portions 36, 37, and the other ends (fixed end portions) of the connecting brackets 33, 34 are fixed. The 33B, 34B) side is fixed to the pedestal 32 by bolts 38, 39 as fixed shafts.

  The rotation end portions 33A and 34A of the coupling brackets 33 and 34 are located on the front side of the upper side surface of the first door 8, and the rotation end portion 33A is located on the left side of the rotation end portion 34A. On the other hand, the fixed end portions 33B and 34B of the connecting brackets 33 and 34 are arranged on the upper side surface of the second door 9 so as to be shifted in the front-rear direction so that the fixed end portion 34B is located on the front side of the fixed end portion 33B. And the left-right surface direction is arrange | positioned in the substantially same position.

  In order to prevent mutual interference between the connection brackets 33 and 34, the pedestals 31 and 32 are provided with step portions 31A and 32A, the connection bracket 33 is disposed on the upper surface of the step portions 31A and 32A, and the connection bracket 34 is provided with the step portion. It is arranged in a recessed area between 31A and 32A. With this structure, the connection brackets 33 and 34 are prevented from contacting in the height direction of the bases 31 and 32.

  Furthermore, a link receiver 35 for preventing rattling between the connection brackets 33 and 34 is disposed at an intermediate height position between the connection brackets 33 and 34. One end side of the link receiver 35 is fixed to the upper surface of the connection bracket 34 in the vicinity of the rotation end portion 34 </ b> A of the connection bracket 34, and the other end side of the link receiver 35 is engaged with the fixed end portion 34 </ b> B side of the connection bracket 34. The link receiver 35 rotates integrally with the connection bracket 34 to prevent rattling between the connection brackets 33 and 34.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the lower pivot support mechanism 17 mainly includes bases 41 and 42, connection brackets 43 and 44, and a link receiver 45.

  The pedestals 41 and 42 have, for example, a substantially L-shaped cross section, the pedestal 41 is fixed to the lower surface in the vicinity of the corner portion of the first door 8 with a bolt or the like, and the pedestal 42 is in the vicinity of the corner portion of the second door 9. It is fixed to the lower surface of the machine with bolts.

  The connection bracket 43 has, for example, a substantially L shape in plan view, and the connection bracket 44 has, for example, a substantially triangular shape in plan view. The connecting brackets 43 and 44 constitute a so-called link mechanism.

  One end (rotating end portions 43A, 44A) side of the connecting brackets 43, 44 is rotatably attached to the pedestal 41 around the rotating main shaft portions 46, 47, and the other end (fixed end portion) of the connecting brackets 43, 44. The 43B, 44B) side is fixed to the pedestal 42 by bolts 48, 49 as fixed shafts.

  The rotation end portions 43A and 44A of the connection brackets 43 and 44 are located on the front side of the lower surface of the first door 8, and the rotation end portion 43A is located on the left side of the rotation end portion 44A. On the other hand, the fixed end portions 43B and 44B of the connection brackets 43 and 44 are arranged on the lower side surface of the second door 9 so as to be shifted in the front-rear direction so that the fixed end portion 44B is located on the front side of the fixed end portion 43B. And the left-right surface direction is arrange | positioned in the substantially same position.

  Further, in order to prevent mutual interference between the connecting brackets 43 and 44, the pedestals 41 and 42 are provided with step portions 41A and 42A, the connecting bracket 43 is disposed on the upper surface of the step portions 41A and 42A, and the connecting bracket 44 is provided with the step portion. It is arranged in a recessed area between 41A and 42A. With this structure, the connection brackets 43 and 44 are prevented from contacting in the height direction of the bases 41 and 42.

  Furthermore, a link receiver 45 for preventing rattling between the connection brackets 43 and 44 is disposed at an intermediate height position between the connection brackets 43 and 44. One end side of the link receiver 45 is fixed to the lower surface of the connection bracket 44 in the vicinity of the rotation end portion 44 </ b> A of the connection bracket 44, and the other end side of the link receiver 45 is engaged with the fixed end portion 44 </ b> B side of the connection bracket 44. The link receiver 45 rotates integrally with the connection bracket 44 and prevents rattling between the connection brackets 43, 44.

  The upper pivot mechanism 16 and the lower pivot mechanism 17 have the same configuration that is vertically symmetrical except that a cover 50 is attached on the upper pivot mechanism 16 as shown in FIGS. is there.

  Next, the upper latch mechanism 51 and the lower latch mechanism 52 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the upper latch mechanism 51 is disposed in the first door 8 (see FIG. 1), and the engaging pin 54 of the upper latch mechanism 51 is normally moved upward by a spring (not shown). And is led out from the upper side surface of the first door 8 and is engaged with the engagement hole 53 of the connection bracket 33. The upper latch mechanism 51 has an electromagnetic coil 55 that moves the engaging pin 54 in the vertical direction. The electromagnetic coil 55 is energized by an ON signal of a proximity sensor 63 (see FIG. 7) described later. The engaging pin 54 is moved downward (in the first door 8). Since the engaging pin 54 is disengaged from the engaging hole 53, the connecting bracket 33 can rotate, and the upper pivot mechanism 16 is unlocked by the upper latch mechanism 51. The electromagnetic coil 55 is deenergized by an OFF signal of a proximity sensor 63 described later, and the engagement pin 54 is again urged upward by a spring.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the lower latch mechanism 52 is disposed in the first door 8 (see FIG. 1), and the engaging pin 57 of the lower latch mechanism 52 is normally lowered by a spring (not shown). And is led out from the lower surface of the first door 8 and engaged with the engagement hole 56 of the connection bracket 43. The lower latch mechanism 52 has an electromagnetic coil 58 that moves the engagement pin 57 in the vertical direction. The electromagnetic coil 58 is energized by an ON signal of a proximity sensor 63 (see FIG. 7) described later, The engaging pin 57 is moved upward (inside the first door 8). The engagement pin 57 is disengaged from the engagement hole 56, whereby the connection bracket 43 can be rotated, and the lower pivot mechanism 17 is unlocked by the lower latch mechanism 52. The electromagnetic coil 58 is deenergized by an OFF signal of a proximity sensor 63 described later, and the engagement pin 57 is again urged downward by a spring.

  As described above, both the latch mechanisms 51 and 52 are configured to be engaged with the both pivotal support mechanisms 16 and 17 to reduce the number of parts, so that the first latch 8 can be compactly incorporated. Appearance is not impaired.

  Next, FIGS. 5A to 5E are top views for explaining an operation state in which the second door is opened and closed independently. FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams for explaining a state in which the pivot mechanism by the latch mechanism is locked. In addition, the cover on the upper surface of the upper pivot mechanism is removed and illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the first door 8 and the second door 9 are fully closed, the engagement pin 54 of the upper latch mechanism 51 (see FIG. 4A) is engaged with the engagement hole 53 of the connection bracket 33. The upper pivot mechanism 16 is locked by the upper latch mechanism 51.

  As shown in FIGS. 5B to 5E, the operation handle 60 (see FIG. 7) is pushed in, the engagement hole 53 and the engagement pin 54 are disengaged, and the upper pivot mechanism 16 is locked. The state is released and the second door 9 is opened with respect to the first door 8. Note that the second door 9 is gradually opened from the state shown in FIG. 5B toward the state shown in FIG.

  As illustrated, the fixed end portions 33B and 34B of the connection brackets 33 and 34 of the upper pivot mechanism 16 are fixed to the second door 9, and the connection brackets 33 and 34 are the rotation main shaft portions 36 and 37 on the first door 8. The second door 9 gradually moves in a substantially front direction with respect to the first door 8 by rotating clockwise about the rotation center. And if the 2nd door 9 rotates exceeding 90 degree | times, the 2nd door 9 comes to approach the 1st door 8. FIG. Thereafter, in the state shown in FIG. 5E, the second door 9 rotates approximately 180 degrees, and the front surface thereof overlaps the front surface of the first door 8.

  In the state of the upper pivot mechanism 16 shown in FIG. 5A, the rotation end 33A of the connection bracket 33, the rotation end 34A of the connection bracket 34, and the fixed end 34B of the connection bracket 34 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Has been. On the other hand, in the state of the upper pivot mechanism 16 shown in FIG. 5E, the rotating end 33A of the connecting bracket 33, the fixed end 34B of the connecting bracket 34, and the fixed end 33B of the connecting bracket 33 are aligned in the front-rear direction. Is arranged in. The operation of the lower pivot mechanism 17 is the same as the operation of the upper pivot mechanism 16.

  As described above, the second door 9 is pivotally supported by the two connecting brackets 33, 34, 43, 44 on the upper and lower side surfaces thereof, so that the storage rack 25 of the second door 9 (see FIG. 2). Even when the weight of the stored item is large, the second door 9 can be rotated with respect to the first door 8 in a smooth and stable state.

  When the second door 9 is fully closed, the engagement pins 54 and 57 of the latch mechanisms 51 and 52 are engaged with the connection brackets 33 and 43 by operating in the reverse order as described above. The upper pivot mechanism 16 and the lower pivot mechanism 17 are locked by engaging with the holes 53 and 56.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), at the front end side of the engaging pins 54, 57, an oblique notch 54A, so as to incline toward the right surface (second door 9) side. 57A is provided. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example, when the second door 9 is fully closed, the engagement holes 53 and 56 of the connection brackets 33 and 43 are engaged with the engagement pins 54 and 54, respectively. The position 57 moves from the right side (second door 9) side to the left side (first door 8) side. At this time, since the engaging pins 54 and 57 are biased upward or downward by a spring (not shown), they collide with the side surfaces of the connecting brackets 33 and 34 and once enter the inside of the first door 8. After being pushed in, it engages with the engagement holes 53 and 56. In addition, oblique cutout portions 54 </ b> A and 57 </ b> A are provided on the collision surfaces of the engagement pins 54 and 57. With this structure, the engagement pins 54 and 57 are easily pushed into the lower surfaces of the connection brackets 33 and 34, and the impact at the time of collision between the engagement pins 54 and 57 and the connection brackets 33 and 34 is greatly reduced. The operation when the second door 9 is fully closed is performed smoothly.

  Next, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the operation unit incorporated in the second door and the proximity sensor incorporated in the first door.

  As shown in FIG. 7, an operation handle (operation unit) 60 is provided on the back side in the handle 22 (see FIG. 3) on the right side surface of the second door 9. The operation handle 60 is pressed by a spring (not shown) from the inside of the second door 9, and is always kept on the back surface constituting the space of the handle 22. An operation bar 61 extending horizontally toward the first door 8 is attached to the operation handle 60, and a metal body 62 is attached to the tip of the operation bar 61. An operating rod 61 having a metal body 62 is slidably held inside the second door 9. When the operation handle 60 is pushed inward, the operation rod 61 moves toward the left surface (first door 8), and the metal body 62 approaches the first door 8. When the hand is released from the operation handle 60, the operation handle 60 is returned to the original position by the spring.

  Further, as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1, a proximity sensor (detection means) 63 is built in the vicinity of the right side surface of the first door 8. This proximity sensor 63 detects that the metal body 62 has approached within a predetermined distance in a non-contact manner, and generates an ON signal when the metal body 62 approaches within a predetermined distance, so that the metal body 62 is more than the predetermined distance. An OFF signal is emitted when leaving. For example, various proximity sensors 63 such as a capacitance type, an induction type, and a magnetic type can be used.

  In this embodiment, the operation handle 60, the operation rod 61, the metal body 62, the proximity sensor 63, and the latch mechanisms 51 and 52 constitute an operation signal detection mechanism, which is arranged in the first and second doors 8 and 9. However, as will be described later, the operation signal detection mechanism has various modifications.

  Operation | movement of the refrigerator 1 of the structure mentioned above is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first door 8 is pivotally supported by both pivotal support mechanisms 14, 15 on the left side of the front opening 23 of the heat insulating box 2, and the second door 9 is pivotally pivoted. It is pivotally supported on the first door 8 by the support mechanisms 16 and 17. When the pivot mechanisms 16 and 17 are locked by the latch mechanisms 51 and 52, when the handle 22 is pulled forward, the first door 8 and the second door 9 are integrally opened, The storage racks 24 and 25 of the door 8 and the second door 9 and the stored items in the refrigerator compartment 3 can be taken in and out. At this time, when the first door 8 and the second door 9 are integrally opened and closed, even if a strong force is applied, the operations of the pivot mechanisms 16 and 17 are locked by the latch mechanisms 51 and 52. There is no worry that the second door 9 opens and closes carelessly.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the operation handle 60 on the inner side of the handle 22 of the second door 9 is pushed inward to open and close the second door 9 alone, the second door 9 is slightly opened. When opened, the engagement pins 54 and 57 (see FIG. 5) remain detached from the engagement holes 53 and 56 (see FIG. 5) even if the hand is released from the operation handle 60. 9 can be further opened to an arbitrary position. For example, by rotating the second door 9 by 90 degrees, the right half of the refrigerator compartment 3 can be opened, and a frequently used stored item can be stored in this part while reducing the amount of cool air leakage. Frequently stored items can be taken in and out.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (E), in the fully opened state in which the second door 9 is rotated 180 degrees, the second door 9 can be overlapped with the first door 8, and the back of the second door 9 is stored. The stored items in the rack 25 can be easily taken in and out. Also, the doors 8 and 9 can be opened and closed in a state where the doors 8 and 9 are overlapped. As shown in FIG. The entire refrigerator compartment 3 can also be opened while keeping the radius half.

  In this case, it is effective when the installation space at the depth of the refrigerator 1 is small. In addition, compared with the double door system, it is not necessary to consider the mutual rotation trajectory of the first door 8 and the second door 9, and the width dimension and depth dimension of the storage rack 24A installed on the back surface of the first door 8 are sufficiently large. The storage capacity of the storage rack 24A can be increased. For example, the lowermost rack 24A of the first door 8 is a storage space larger than the other racks 24 and 25 for storing plastic bottles, but there is no need to consider the rotation trajectory, and as a rectangular rack 24A. It is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, an operation handle 60 incorporated in the second door 9, a proximity sensor 63 and latch mechanisms 51, 52 incorporated in the first door 8, and the operation of the operation handle 60 is controlled by the proximity sensor 63. Since the two latch mechanisms 51 and 52 are unlocked based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor 63, the mechanism that can select the single door 2 to be opened is exposed to the outside. The appearance is not impaired.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the operation handle 60 is installed on the back surface of the handle 22 of the second door 9, so that the user can pull the front side in the space of the handle 22 or the back side thereof. Two operations can be selected depending on whether the operation handle 60 is depressed. Since the operation handle 60 is also arranged to be easy to operate, even a short person such as a child can easily operate.

  In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where the handle 22 in which the operation handle 60 was provided in the back surface is arrange | positioned at the side surface of the 2nd door 9, it does not limit to this case. For example, the same effect as described above can be obtained even when the handle 22 having the operation handle 60 provided on the inner surface thereof is disposed on the lower surface of the second door 9. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  Next, a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the operation means for driving the proximity sensor is different, and the configuration of the other refrigerator is the same as the configuration of the refrigerator of the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here. Moreover, the same numbering is used for the same component as the refrigerator mentioned above.

  8-10 is the schematic for demonstrating the operation method for performing independent opening / closing operation | movement of a 2nd door.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a handle 71 is provided on the right side of the lower surface of the second door 9, and an operation switch 72 is provided on the inner surface of the space of the handle 71. A magnet 74 is provided at the tip of the wire 73 that is operated so as to be able to advance and retreat by the operation switch 72. The proximity sensor 63 of the first door 8 detects the wire operation and releases the lock by the latch mechanisms 51 and 52. ing. For example, when the operation switch 72 is operated, the wire 72 moves and the magnet 74 approaches the proximity sensor 63. The method for operating the locked state or the unlocked state of the upper pivot mechanism 16 and the lower pivot mechanism 17 via the latch mechanisms 51 and 52 after the proximity sensor 63 detects a predetermined signal is as described above. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a handle 81 is provided on the right side of the lower surface of the second door 9, and an operation switch 82 is provided on the back side of the space of the handle 81. Such as a switch. Then, a signal of the operation switch 82 is transmitted to a control means (not shown) in the first door 8 via a slide connector 83 provided between the first door 8 and the second door 9, and both latch mechanisms 51, 52 are transmitted. The lock by is released. The method for operating the locked state or the unlocked state of the upper pivot mechanism 16 and the lower pivot mechanism 17 via the latch mechanisms 51 and 52 is as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a motion sensor 91 with a camera function is provided outside the first door 8 to identify the user's motion (motion). When the motion sensor 91 detects a predetermined operation of the user, it is transmitted to a control means (not shown) in the first door 8 to release the lock by both the latch mechanisms 51 and 52. Note that a voice recognition device may be used instead of the motion sensor 91. Further, the method of operating the locked state or the unlocked state of the upper pivot mechanism 16 and the lower pivot mechanism 17 via both latch mechanisms 51 and 52 is as described above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Heat insulation box 8 1st door 9 2nd door 16 Upper pivot support mechanism 17 Lower pivot support mechanism 22 Handle 23 Front opening part 33 Connection bracket 34 Connection bracket 35 Link receiver 43 Connection bracket 44 Connection bracket 45 Link receiver 51 Upper latch mechanism 52 Lower latch mechanism 53 Engagement hole 54 Engagement pin 55 Electromagnetic coil 56 Engagement hole 57 Engagement pin 58 Electromagnetic coil 60 Operation handle 63 Proximity sensor

Claims (6)

A first and second doors arranged side by side in the width direction to open and close the front opening of the refrigerator body, and a pivot mechanism that pivotally supports the first door and the second door pivotally supported by the refrigerator body And an operation signal detection mechanism for operating the pivot mechanism,
The pivot mechanism has a connection bracket having one end side fixed to the first door with a rotation shaft and the other end side fixed to the second door with a fixed shaft;
The operation part of the operation signal detection mechanism is disposed on the lateral side or lower side of the opening side of the second door,
The operation signal detecting mechanism operating the pivot mechanism after detecting a predetermined operation signal through the operation unit, closing the second door, alone with respect to the first door, said first door A refrigerator characterized in that it opens and closes together with the first door after being opened and closed integrally or overlapped with the first door .   2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the handle of the second door is disposed on a lateral surface or a lower surface on the open side of the second door, and the operation unit is disposed on the inner surface of the handle. . The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation signal detection mechanism is incorporated in the first door and the second door. A latch mechanism of the operation signal detection mechanism having an engagement pin that engages with an engagement hole of the connection bracket;
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engagement pin is engaged or disengaged with an engagement hole of the connection bracket according to the predetermined operation signal.   5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the latch mechanism is built in the first door, and has a notch portion inclined toward the second door at a tip end side of the engagement pin. The refrigerator according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a pair of the pivot mechanism and the latch mechanism are arranged on the upper and lower side surfaces of the first and second doors.

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