US20220146184A1

US20220146184A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: US20220146184A1
Application number: US17/435,862
Authority: US
Inventors: Hiromichi MOTOI; Koichi Akiyoshi; Kengo Matsunaga
Original assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Priority date: 2019-03-06
Filing date: 2020-01-15
Publication date: 2022-05-12
Also published as: WO2020179233A1; CN113508273B; JP7244303B2; JP2020143834A; JP2023060284A; CN113508273A

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a refrigerator body and a door. The refrigerator body includes a storage chamber. The door closes off the storage chamber to be capable of opening and closing. The door includes a box-shaped outer contour member, an internal part, and a heat insulation member. The internal part is a part different from a foam heat insulation member and is provided inside the outer contour member. The heat insulation member is provided inside the outer contour member or as at least a part of the outer contour member, contains an aero gel, a xerogel, or a cryogel, and overlaps the internal part when the refrigerator is seen in a front view.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a refrigerator.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-040461 filed in Japan on Mar. 6, 2019; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Refrigerators with insulation are known and are expected to have further improved heat insulating property.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2004-340194

SUMMARY

Problems

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of improving heat insulation.

Means

A refrigerator according to an embodiment has a refrigerator body and a door. The refrigerator body includes a storage chamber. The door closes off the storage chamber so as to be capable of opening and closing. The door includes a box-shaped outer contour member, an internal part, and a heat insulation member. The internal part is a part different from a foam heat insulation member and is provided inside the outer contour member. The heat insulation member is provided inside the outer contour member or as at least a part of the outer contour member, contains an aero gel, a xerogel, or a cryogel, and overlaps the internal part when the refrigerator is seen in a front view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F2-F2 of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a left refrigerating chamber door of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an operation panel unit and an opening-operation operating unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F5-F5 of the left refrigerating chamber door shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F6-F6 of the left refrigerating chamber door shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a tape member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door of a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F11-F11 of the left refrigerating chamber door shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door according to a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door according to an eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door according to a twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F20-F20 of the left refrigerating chamber door shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the left refrigerating chamber door of the twelfth embodiment is being manufactured.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a right refrigerating chamber door according to a thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the right refrigerating chamber door of a fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a vegetable compartment door according to a fifteenth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F25-F25 of the vegetable compartment door shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing a vegetable compartment door of a sixteenth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a vegetable compartment door of a seventeenth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing a vegetable compartment door according to an eighteenth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the vegetable compartment door shown in FIG. 28 along line F29-F29.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a main freezing chamber door of a nineteenth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing a main freezing chamber door according to a twentieth embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing a main freezing chamber door of the 21st embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing a main freezing chamber door of the twenty-second embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door of a modified example of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the refrigerator of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, configurations having the same or similar functions are designated by the same reference numerals. Therefore, duplicate descriptions of those configurations may be omitted. In this specification, left and right are defined with reference to the direction in which the user standing in front of the refrigerator sees the refrigerator. In addition, the side closer to the user standing in front of the refrigerator is defined as “front”, and the side far from the user is defined as “rear”. In the present specification, the “width direction” means the left-right direction in the above definition. In the present specification, the “depth direction” means the front-back direction in the above definition. In the figure, the +X direction is the right direction, the −X direction is the left direction, the +Y direction is the rear direction, the −Y direction is the front direction, the +Z direction is the upward direction, and the −Z direction is the downward direction.
As used herein, the term “overlapping” includes the case where at least parts overlap each other. As used herein, the term “contact” is not limited to the case of direct contact in a strict sense, but also includes the case where an adhesive layer such as an adhesive or an adhesive tape is present in between. The portion described as a “hole” in the present specification may be a “notch”.

First Embodiment

<1. Overall Configuration of Refrigerator>

The refrigerator 1 of a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. First, the overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be described. However, the refrigerator 1 does not have to have all of the configurations described below, and some configurations may be omitted as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the refrigerator 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F2-F2 of the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a housing 10, a plurality of doors 11, a plurality of shelves 12, a plurality of containers 13, a flow path-forming component 14, a cooling unit 15, and a control board 16. In the present embodiment, a refrigerator main body 5 is formed by the above-mentioned configuration except for the plurality of doors 11.
The housing 10 includes, for example, an inner box 10 a, an outer box 10 b, and a foamed heat insulating material 10 c. The inner box 10 a is a member that forms the inner surface of the housing 10, and is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The outer box 10 b is a member that forms the outer surface of the housing 10, and is made of metal, for example. The outer box 10 b is formed to be larger than the inner box 10 a, and is arranged outside the inner box 10 a. The foamed heat insulating material 10 c is a foamed heat insulating material such as urethane foam, and is filled between the inner box 10 a and the outer box 10 b. As a result, the housing 10 has a heat insulating property.
As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 has an upper wall 21, a lower wall 22, a left side wall 23, a right side wall 24, and a rear wall 25. The upper wall 21 and the lower wall 22 extend substantially horizontally. The left side wall 23 and the right side wall 24 stand upward from the left and right ends of the lower wall 22, respectively. The left side wall 23 and the right side wall 24 are connected to the left and right ends of the upper wall 21, respectively. The rear wall 25 stands up from the rear end of the lower wall 22 and connects to the rear end of the upper wall 21.
A plurality of storage chambers 27 are provided inside the housing 10. The plurality of storage chambers 27 include, for example, a refrigerating chamber 27A, a vegetable compartment 27B, an ice-making chamber 27C, a small freezing chamber 27D, and a main freezing chamber 27E. In the present embodiment, the refrigerating chamber 27A is arranged at the uppermost part, the vegetable compartment 27B is arranged below the refrigerating chamber 27A, the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D are arranged below the vegetable chamber 27B, and the main freezing chamber 27E is arranged below the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D. However, the arrangement of the storage chamber 27 is not limited to the above example, and for example, the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D may be arranged below the refrigerating chamber 27A, the main freezing chamber 27E may be arranged below the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D, and the vegetable compartment 27B may be arranged below the main freezing chamber 27E. The housing 10 has an opening on the front side of each storage chamber 27 that allows food to be put in and taken out of each storage chamber 27.
The openings of the plurality of storage chambers 27 are closed by the plurality of doors 11 so as to be openable and closable. The plurality of doors 11 include, for example, a left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and a right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab that close the opening of the refrigerating chamber 27A, the vegetable compartment door 11B that closes the opening of the vegetable compartment 27B, an ice-making chamber door 11C that closes the opening of the ice-making chamber 27C, a small freezer door 11D that closes the opening of the small freezing chamber 27D, and a main freezer door 11E that closes the opening of the main freezing chamber 27E.
The left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab are, for example, double doors. The left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab are rotatably supported by the housing 10 by, for example, a hinge 30. In the present embodiment, the width of the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab in the horizontal width direction is larger than the width of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa in the horizontal width direction.
In the present embodiment, the surface of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa has an operation/display area 31 realized by an operation panel unit 71 described later. The operation/display area 31 includes one or more operation units 31 a that accept a user's operation regarding the operation state (operation mode) of the refrigerator 1 and one or more display units 31 b that display the operation state of the refrigerator 1. The operation/display area 31 may have only one of the operation unit 31 a and the display unit 31 b.
Further, the surfaces of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab have an opening-operation operating part 32 realized by an opening-operation operating unit 72 described later. The opening-operation operating part 32 receives an operation for automatically opening the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab with respect to the housing 10 by lightly touching the housing 10. More specifically, the upper wall 21 of the housing 10 is provided with an opening operation-assisting unit 33 electrically connected to the control board 16 described later. The opening operation-assisting unit 33 has a solenoid 33 a arranged behind the upper ends of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab. When the opening-operation operating part 32 is touched by the user, the solenoid 33 a is controlled via the control board 16 and pushed forward. As a result, the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab are automatically opened by the solenoid 33 a.
On the other hand, the vegetable compartment door 11B, the ice-making chamber door 11C, the small freezing chamber door 11D, and the main freezing chamber door 11E are, for example, pull-out doors. The vegetable compartment door 11B, the ice-making chamber door 11C, the small freezing chamber door 11D, and the main freezing chamber door 11E are supported by a rail 35 (only the left rail 35 is shown in the vegetable compartment 27B and the main freezing chamber 27E) so as to be retractable from the housing 10. The door 11 will be described in detail later.
As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 10 has a first partition 28 and a second partition 29. The first partition 28 and the second partition 29 are, for example, partition walls that are substantially horizontal to each other. The first partition 28 is located between the refrigerating chamber 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B, and partitions the refrigerating chamber 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B. On the other hand, the second partition 29 is located between the vegetable compartment 27B and the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D, and partitions the vegetable compartment 27B from the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D. No partition wall is provided between the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D and the main freezing chamber 27E.
The plurality of shelves 12 are arranged in the refrigerating chamber 27A.
The plurality of containers 13 include a refrigerating chamber container 13A (for example, a chilled chamber container) arranged in the refrigerating chamber 27A, a first vegetable compartment container 13Ba and a second vegetable compartment container 13Bb arranged in the vegetable compartment 27B, an ice-making chamber container (not shown) arranged in the ice-making chamber 27C, a small freezer container 13D arranged in small freezer 27D, and a first main freezer container 13Ea and a second main freezer container 13Eb arranged in the main freezing chamber 27E
The flow path-forming component 14 is arranged in the housing 10. The flow path-forming component 14 includes, for example, a first duct component 14A and a second duct component 14B. The first duct component 14A is provided along the rear wall 25 of the housing 10 and extends in the vertical direction. A first duct space S1, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, is formed between the first duct component 14A and the rear wall 25 of the housing 10. The first duct component 14A has a plurality of cold air outlets h1 opened in the refrigerating chamber 27A and a cold air return port h2 opened in the vegetable compartment 27B. The second duct component 14B is provided along the rear wall 25 of the housing 10 and extends in the vertical direction. A second duct space S2, which is a passage through which cold air (air) flows, is formed between the second duct component 14B and the rear wall 25 of the housing 10. The second duct component 14B has a plurality of cold air outlets h3 opened in the ice-making chamber 27C, the small freezing chamber 27D, and the like, and a cold air return port h4 opened in the main freezing chamber 27E.
The cooling unit 15 includes a first cooling unit 15A, a second cooling unit 15B, and a compressor 45.
The first cooling unit 15A includes, for example, a first cooler 41 and a first fan 42 each arranged in the first duct space S1. When the first fan 42 is driven, the air in the vegetable compartment 27B flows into the first duct space S1 from the cold air return port h2 and is cooled by the first cooler 41. The cold air cooled by the first cooler 41 is blown out to the refrigerating chamber 27A from the plurality of cold air outlets h1. As a result, cold air is circulated in the refrigerating chamber 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B, and the refrigerating chamber 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B are cooled.
The second cooling unit 15B includes, for example, a second cooler 43 and a second fan 44 each arranged in the second duct space S2. When the second fan 44 is driven, the air in the main freezing chamber 27E flows into the second duct space S2 from the cold air return port h4 and is cooled by the second cooler 43. The cold air cooled by the second cooler 43 is blown out from the cold air outlet h3 to the ice-making chamber 27C, the small freezing chamber 27D, and the main freezing chamber 27E. As a result, air is circulated in the ice-making chamber 27C, the small freezing chamber 27D, and the main freezing chamber 27E, and the ice-making chamber 27C, the small freezing chamber 27D, and the main freezing chamber 27E are cooled.
The compressor 45 is provided, for example, in the machine room at the bottom of the refrigerator 1. The compressor 45 compresses the refrigerant gas used for cooling the storage chamber 27. The refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 45 is sent to the first cooler 41 and the second cooler 43 via a heat-radiating pipe or the like.
The control board (control unit) 16 comprehensively controls the entire refrigerator 1. For example, the control board 16 controls the drive of the first fan 42, the second fan 44, and the compressor 45 based on the detection results of the temperature sensors provided in the refrigerating chamber 27A, the main freezing chamber 27E, and the like.

<2. Characteristics of Each Heat Insulating Material>

Here, the characteristics of each heat insulating material (“vacuum heat insulating material”, “foamed heat insulating material”, and “specific heat insulating material G”) used in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
The “vacuum heat insulating material” is also called a VIP (Vacuum Insulation Panel), and is, for example, a heat insulating material including an exterior body and a core material housed in the exterior body, and the inside of the exterior body is decompressed. The core material is, for example, a fiber material such as glass wool or a porous body such as foam.
The “foamed heat insulating material” is, for example, a foamed heat insulating material such as urethane foam. The foamed heat insulating material is formed by being injected into the inside of the door 11 in a state of having fluidity and being heated to foam.
The “specific heat insulating material G” is a heat insulating material containing aerogel, xerogel, or cryogel, and is an example of a “heat insulation member”. The term “including aerogel, xerogel, or cryogel” is used to mean “including one or more of aerogel, xerogel, or cryogel”. Aerogel, xerogel, and cryogel are all low-density structures (dry gels). The “aerogel” is, for example, a porous substance in which the solvent contained in the gel is replaced with a gas by supercritical drying. The “xerogel” is a porous substance in which the solvent contained in the gel is replaced with a gas by evaporation drying. The “cryogel” is a porous substance in which the solvent contained in the gel is replaced with a gas by freeze-drying.
It should be noted that some aerogels can be dried without using supercritical drying by introducing, for example, a specific element. The term “aerogel” as used herein also includes such an aerogel. That is, the term “aerogel” as used herein is not limited to those manufactured by using supercritical drying, and broadly means various materials distributed as “aerogel”. As an aerogel that does not require supercritical drying, for example, an organic-inorganic hybrid aerogel in which an organic chain such as a methyl group is introduced into a molecular network of silicon dioxide is known, such as PMSQ (CH3SiO1.5) aerogel. However, these are merely examples.
Aerogel, xerogel, and cryogel are ultra-low density dry porous bodies having a large number of fine pores (voids) and an extremely high porosity (porosity of 90% or more, preferably 95% or more). The density of the dry porous body is, for example, 150 mg/cm3 or less. Aerogels, xerogels, and cryogels have, for example, a structure in which silicon dioxide and the like are bonded in a bead shape, and have a large number of nanometer-level (for example, 100 nm or less, preferably 2 nm to 50 nm) voids. Since they have nanometer-level pores and a lattice structure in this way, the mean free path of gas molecules can be reduced, and even at normal pressure, the heat conduction between gas molecules and the thermal conductivity are very small. For example, aerogels, xerogels, and cryogels have fine voids that are smaller than the mean free path of air.
The aerogel, xerogel, and cryogel may be an inorganic aerogel, an inorganic xerogel, or an inorganic cryogel composed of metal oxides such as silicon, aluminum, iron, copper, zirconium, hafnium, magnesium, and yttrium, and may be, for example, a silica aerogel, a silica xerogel, or a silica cryogel containing silicon dioxide. These have a structure in which silica (SiO2) fine particles having a diameter of 10 nm to 20 nm are connected, and have pores having a width of several tens of nm. Due to their low density, the heat conduction of the solid part is extremely small, and the movement of air inside the pores is restricted, so that they exhibit very low thermal conductivity (0.012 W/(m·K) to 0.02 W/(m·K)). Further, these have high light transmittance because the silica fine particles and pores are smaller than the wavelength of visible light and do not scatter visible light. Further, the material constituting the aerogel, the xerogel, and the cryogel may be carbon or the like.
Aerogels, xerogels, and cryogels can have arbitrary property (for example, elasticity and flexibility) by selecting a material. For example, by using polypropylene as a material, high elasticity or flexibility can be imparted.
The aerogel, xerogel, and cryogel may each form the specific heat insulating material G by themselves. Alternatively, the aerogel, xerogel, and cryogel may each form a specific heat insulating material G, which is a composite heat insulating material, by immersing another material (for example, a fiber structure) in the precursor state. In this case, the fibrous structure acts as a reinforcing material or support for reinforcing and supporting the dry gel, and a flexible woven fabric, knitted fabric, or non-woven fabric for obtaining a flexible composite heat insulating material is used, and more preferably, felt or blanket-like ones are used. As the material of the fiber structure, for example, in addition to organic fibers such as polyester fibers, inorganic fibers such as glass fibers can also be used.
The fiber structure is, for example, a natural polymer chitosan. The specific heat insulating material G contains a three-dimensional network structure of hydrophobized fine chitosan fibers, and has an ultra-high porosity (96 to 97% of the volume is void). Hydrophobization enhances the moisture resistance, which is a problem of materials made of polysaccharide nanofibers, and provides water repellency, while maintaining a homogeneous nanostructure of a hydrophilic chitosan aerogel.
The specific heat insulating material G may be, for example, a heat insulating material in which a polypropylene foam and one selected from silica aerogel, xerogel, and cryogel are composited.
The thermal conductivity of the specific heat insulating material G is higher than that of the vacuum heat insulating material, but lower than that of the foamed heat insulating material. The heat insulating property of the specific heat insulating material G is not as good as that of the vacuum heat insulating material, but is superior to the heat insulating property of the foamed heat insulating material. The thermal conductivity of the specific heat insulating material G is, for example, 0.010 W/(m·K) to 0.015 W/(m·K). The thermal conductivity of the vacuum heat insulating material is, for example, 0.003 W/(m·K) to 0.005 W/(m·K). The thermal conductivity of the foamed heat insulating material is, for example, 0.020 W/(m·K) to 0.022 W/(m·K). These values are merely examples.
When the specific heat insulating material G has flexibility, the flexibility (flexibility) of the specific heat insulating material G is higher than, for example, the flexibility of the vacuum heat insulating material and higher than the flexibility of the foamed heat insulating material. Further, when the specific heat insulating material has elasticity, the elasticity of the specific heat insulating material G is higher than, for example, the elasticity of the vacuum heat insulating material (substantially close to inelastic), and is higher than the elasticity of the foamed heat insulating material (substantially close to inelastic).

<3. Configuration of Left Refrigerating Chamber Door 11Aa>

<3.1 Exterior Members and Gaskets>

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa includes, for example, an outer contour member 50 and a gasket 55. The outer contour member 50 is formed in a box shape. The term “box shape” as used herein also includes a flat box shape. The outer contour member 50 has, for example, a frame body 51, a front plate 52 (see FIG. 5), and a rear member 53.
The frame body 51 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. The frame body 51 includes an upper side member 51 a, a lower side member 51 b, a left side member 51 c, and a right side member 51 d. The upper side member 51 a has a plate shape along the width direction and the depth direction, and forms the upper surface of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The lower side member 51 b has a plate shape along the width direction and the depth direction, and forms the lower surface of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The left side member 51 c has a plate shape along the vertical direction and the depth direction, and forms the left side surface of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The right side member 51 d has a plate shape along the vertical direction and the depth direction, and forms the right side surface of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The frame body 51 is formed by combining the upper side member 51 a, the lower side member 51 b, the left side member 51 c, and the right side member 51 d with each other. The frame body 51 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.
The front plate 52 (see FIG. 5) is attached to the frame body 51 and is located at the front end of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The front plate 52 is a plate member along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and forms the front surface of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The front plate 52 is, for example, a glass plate. However, the front plate 52 is not limited to the glass plate, and may be formed of a synthetic resin or another material.
The rear member 53 is attached to the frame body 51 from the side opposite to the front plate 52, and is located at the rear end of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The rear member 53 forms the rear surface of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The rear member 53 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.
The rear member 53 has a rib (protruding portion, bulging portion) 61 projecting rearward. The rib 61 projects from the rear member 53 toward the refrigerating chamber 27A (storage chamber) in a state where the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa is closed with respect to the housing 10. In the present specification, the term “rib” is used for convenience of explanation and broadly means a portion protruding rearward from the rear member 53, but is not limited to a specific shape or action.
The rib 61 is formed in an annular shape, which is smaller than the outer shape of the frame body 51, for example. The term “ring” as used herein is not limited to the case where the entire circumference is completely continuous, but also includes the case where a notch or the like is provided and a part is interrupted. In the present embodiment, the rib 61 includes a rib (upper rib) 61 a extending in the lateral width direction along the upper side member 51 a, a rib (lower rib) 61 b extending in the lateral width direction along the lower side member 51 b, a rib (left rib) 61 c extending in the vertical direction along the left side member 51 c, and a rib (right rib) 61 d extending in the vertical direction along the right side member 51 d.
The rib 61 is provided, for example, to prevent cold air in the refrigerating chamber 27A (storage chamber) from escaping from the gap between the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and the housing 10. The rib 61 projects relatively greatly and rearward. For example, the amount of protrusion of the rib 61 to the rear is more than half the thickness of the outer contour member 50 excluding the rib 61 in the depth direction. In the present embodiment, the amount of protrusion of the rib 61 is larger than the thickness of the outer contour member 50 excluding the rib 61 in the depth direction. Further, the rib 61 is provided with a lighting unit 62 that illuminates the inside of the refrigerating chamber 27A when the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa is opened. The lighting unit 62 will be described later.
The gasket (seal member, cushioning member) 55 is attached to the rear member 53. More specifically, the rear member 53 has a throat 63 that is a recess that is recessed toward the inside of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. For example, the throat 63 is formed in an annular shape surrounding the outer peripheral side of the rib 61. In the present embodiment, the throat 63 includes a throat (upper throat) 63 a extending in the lateral width direction along the upper side member 51 a, a throat (lower throat) 63 b extending in the lateral width direction along the lower side member 51 b, a throat (left throat) 63 c extending in the vertical direction along the left side member 51 c, and a throat (right throat 63 d) extending in the vertical direction along the right side member 51 d.
The gasket 55 has a gasket body 55 a and a gasket-mounting portion 55 b (see FIG. 5). The gasket body 55 a is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the outer peripheral side of the rib 61. When the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa is closed with respect to the housing 10, the gasket body 55 a is sandwiched between the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and the housing 10 (or between the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and a rotating partition plate (not shown), and closes the gap between the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and the housing 10 (or between the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and the rotating partition plate). The gasket-mounting portion 55 b is attached to the throat 63 by being inserted into the throat 63 ( throat 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d) provided on the rear member 53 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. As a result, the gasket 55 is fixed to the rear member 53.
Here, the configurations of the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab, the vegetable compartment door 11B, the ice-making chamber door 11C, the small freezing chamber door 11D, and the main freezing chamber door 11E are the same as those of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa described above. That is, in the configuration of the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab, the vegetable compartment door 11B, the ice-making chamber door 11C, the small freezing chamber door 11D, and the main freezing chamber door 11E, in the above description of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa, “the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa” may be read as “right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab”, “vegetable compartment door 11B”, “ice-making chamber door 11C”, “small freezer door HD”, or “main freezer door 11E”.

<3.2 Operation Panel Unit and Opening-Operation Operating Unit>

In the present embodiment, the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa includes an operation panel unit 71 that realizes the operation/display area 31 and an opening-operation operating unit 72 that realizes the opening-operation operating part 32.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the operation panel unit 71 and the opening-operation operating unit 72.
In the present embodiment, inside the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa, a first accommodating portion (first accommodating space) 73 in which the operation panel unit 71 is detachably accommodated is formed by a first case 81 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). For example, the operation panel unit 71 is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 73 through a first opening 74 provided in the right side member 51 d of the frame body 51 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The first opening 74 is closed by a removable lid 75.
The operation panel unit 71 is arranged along the rear surface of the front plate 52 of the outer contour member 50 in the first accommodating portion 73. The operation panel unit 71 includes a capacitance type touch detection unit and a light source such as an LED at a position corresponding to each operation unit 31 a in the operation/display area 31. The operation panel unit 71 includes a light source such as an LED at a position corresponding to each display unit 31 b of the operation/display area 31. The operation panel unit 71 includes a control board that outputs information detected by the touch detection unit to the control board 16 of the refrigerator main body 5 via the cable C1 (see FIG. 10) and controls the light source. For example, on the surface of the operation panel unit 71, characters indicating the contents of the operation unit 31 a and the display unit 31 b of the operation/display area 31 are provided by printing out characters. The operation panel unit 71 is an example of an “electronic component”.
The front plate 52 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa has a first region that overlaps with the operation panel unit 71 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, and a second region that is out of the first region. The first region has light transmission, and the surface of the operation panel unit 71 can be visually recognized from the outside of the refrigerator 1, for example, when the light source of the operation panel unit 71 emits light. On the other hand, in the second region, the rear surface of the front plate 52 is coated with a colored paint, and the inside of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa cannot be seen from the outside.
Instead of the above example, the operation panel unit 71 may be a unit that accepts a user's operation via a physical button or switch provided on the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa.
Similarly, inside the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa, a second accommodating portion (second accommodating space) 76 in which the opening-operation operating unit 72 is detachably accommodated by a second case 82 (see FIG. 6) is formed. The opening-operation operating unit 72 is accommodated in the second accommodating portion 76 through the second opening 77 provided in the right side member 51 d of the frame body 51 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The second opening 77 is closed by a removable lid 78.
The opening-operation operating unit 72 is arranged along the rear surface of the front plate 52 of the outer contour member 50 in the second accommodating portion 76. The opening-operation operating unit 72 includes one or more capacitive touch detection units and a light source such as an LED at each position corresponding to the opening-operation operating part 32. The opening-operation operating unit 72 includes a control board that outputs information detected by the touch detection unit to the control board 16 of the refrigerator main body 5 via the cable C1 and controls the light source. The opening-operation operating unit 72 is an example of an “electronic component”. Instead of the above example, the opening-operation operating unit 72 may be a unit that accepts a user's operation via a physical button or switch provided on the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa.

<3.3 Overview of the Internal Configuration of the Left Refrigerating Chamber Door>

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F5-F5 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F6-F6 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa has, for example, the first case 81, the second case 82, a reinforcing member 83, a foamed heat insulating material 84, a specific heat insulating material G, and a tape member 85. Since the second case 82 has the same configuration as that of the first case 81, detailed description of the specific heat insulating material G attached to the second case 82 and the second case 82 will be omitted.

<3.4 First Case>

The first case 81 is arranged along the rear surface of the front plate 52. The first case 81 is formed in a bowl shape with the front and right sides open. That is, the first case 81 includes a rear wall 81 a, an upper wall 81 b, a lower wall 81 c, a left side wall 81 d, and an overhanging portion 81 e. The rear wall 81 a is provided at a position away from the front plate 52 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa, and extends substantially parallel to the front plate 52. The upper wall 81 b extends forward from the upper end of the rear wall 81 a and is in contact with the rear surface of the front plate 52. The lower wall 81 c extends forward from the lower end of the rear wall 81 a and is in contact with the rear surface of the front plate 52. The left side wall 81 d extends forward from the left end of the rear wall 81 a and is in contact with the rear surface of the front plate 52. The left side wall 81 d has a hole 81 da through which the cable C1 extending from the operation panel unit 71 is passed (see FIG. 10). The cable C1 is connected to the control board 16 of the refrigerator body 5 via the hinge 30. The overhanging portion 81 e extends from the front end portion of the left side wall 81 d toward the left. The overhanging portion 81 e extends along the rear surface of the front plate 52. The overhanging portion 81 e overlaps with at least a part of a third portion 85 c of the tape member 85, which will be described later, when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1.
As a result, a first accommodating portion 73 accommodating the operation panel unit 71 is formed between the rear wall 81 a of the first case 81 and the front plate 52. The operation panel unit 71 is fixed to the inner surface of the first case 81 by, for example, an engaging portion (not shown). The term “case” as used herein is not limited to a member formed in a box shape, and includes a member whose directions are open as in the above example. The first case 81 is an example of an “internal part”. In the area of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa where the first case 81 is provided, the foamed heat insulating material 84 is provided at least by the amount in which the first case 81 is provided in the thickness direction (depth direction) of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The space to be filled becomes smaller.
The right end portion of the first case 81 has an engaging portion 81 f that engages with the frame body 51 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The right end portion of the first case 81 is relatively firmly fixed to the frame body 51. On the other hand, the left end portion of the first case 81 is not fixed to the frame body 51. The left end of the first case 81 is fixed to the rear surface of the front plate 52 by, for example, a tape member 85 described later.
In the present embodiment, the first case 81 is arranged at a position biased to the right inside the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The first case 81 overlaps with the throat 63 d of the rear member 53 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. Therefore, the space filled with the foamed heat insulating material 84 is further reduced between the first case 81 and the throat 63 d.

<3.5 Reinforcing Member>

The reinforcing member 83 is provided at the right end portion of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa and extends in the vertical direction. The reinforcing member 83 is, for example, a metal member having a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. The reinforcing member 83 is provided, for example, in order to suppress deformation of the frame body 51 due to a temperature difference between the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 27A and the temperature outside the refrigerator 1. The reinforcing member 83 is provided between the first case 81 and the throat 63 d in the depth direction of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, in the region where the first case 81, the reinforcing member 83, and the throat 63 d overlap, the space filled with the foamed heat insulating material 84 becomes smaller. Further, the inside of the reinforcing member 83 is one of the places which is difficult to fill with the foamed heat insulating material 84.

<3.6 Foamed Heat Insulating Material>

The foamed heat insulating material 84 is provided inside the outer contour member 50. For example, the foamed heat insulating material 84 is filled between the front plate 52 and the rear member 53 in a region outside the first case 81. Further, the foamed heat insulating material 84 is also filled between the specific heat insulating material G and the rear member 53.
Here, an example of a method for manufacturing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa will be described first. First, the frame body 51 is formed by combining the above-mentioned upper side member 51 a, lower side member 51 b, left side member 51 c, and right side member 51 d. Next, the front plate 52 is attached to the front end portion of the frame body 51 to form an intermediate assembly. Next, the intermediate assembly is placed on the work table with the front plate 52 facing downward, and the first case 81 and the second case 82 are attached to the frame body 51.
Next, the specific heat insulating material G described later is attached to the first case 81 and the second case 82. The specific heat insulating material G may be attached to the first case 81 and the second case 82 before attaching the first case 81 and the second case 82 to the frame body 51. Next, the left end portions of the first case 81 and the second case 82 are fixed to the front plate 52 by the tape member 85 described later. Next, the foamed heat insulating material 84 before foaming is supplied to the inside of the frame body 51. Next, the rear member 53 is attached to the rear end portion of the frame body 51. Next, the foamed heat insulating material 84 is heated to foam the foamed heat insulating material 84. Finally, the operation panel unit 71 and the opening-operation operating unit 72 are accommodated in the first accommodating portion 73 and the second accommodating portion 76. As a result, the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa is manufactured.

<3.7 Specified Heat Insulating Material>

The specific heat insulating material G is provided inside the outer contour member 50. The specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the first case 81 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the first case 81, the throat 63 d, and the reinforcing member 83 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is arranged between the first case 81 and the rear member 53. For example, at least a part of the specific heat insulating material G is arranged between the first case 81 and the throat 63 d. For example, at least a part of the specific heat insulating material G is arranged between the first case 81 and the reinforcing member 83.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G has a size that covers the entire first case 81 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. For example, the specific heat insulating material G is formed in a bowl shape along the rear wall 81 a, the upper wall 81 b, the lower wall 81 c, the left side wall 81 d, and the overhanging portion 81 e of the first case 81, and covers the rear wall 81 a, the upper wall 81 b, the lower wall 81 c, the left side wall 81 d, and the overhanging portion 81 e of the first case 81.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is a molded product in which irregularities are formed according to the shape of the first case 81, and has rigidity. For example, in the specific heat insulating material G, a material formed in a sheet shape is set in a mold corresponding to the shape of the first case 81, and is processed by heating and pressing to form a shape that conforms to the outer shape of the first case 81. The specific heat insulating material G includes a portion bent along the outer shape of the first case 81. For example, the specific heat insulating material G includes a portion bent along a bent portion between the rear wall 81 a and the left side wall 81 d of the first case 81. When the specific heat insulating material G is a molded product having rigidity, the specific heat insulating material G can be easily attached to the first case 81, and the assembly workability may be improved.
The specific heat insulating material G may be a flexible sheet instead of the molded product. In this case, the specific heat insulating material G is attached to the first case 81 while being bent along the outer shape of the first case 81, and includes a portion bent along the outer shape of the first case 81.
The specific heat insulating material G is fixed to the first case 81 with, for example, double-sided tape or an adhesive. The specific heat insulating material G has a hole ha facing the hole 81 da of the first case 81 (see FIG. 10). The cable C1 extending from the operation panel unit 71 extends into the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa through the hole 81 da of the first case 81 and the hole ha of the specific heat insulating material G.

<3.8 Tape Member>

The tape member 85 fixes the left end of the first case 81 to the front plate 52. The tape member 85 has, for example, a first portion (first end portion) 85 a, a second portion (second end portion) 85 b, and a third portion 85 c. For example, the first portion 85 a is attached to the rear surface of the specific heat insulating material G at a position corresponding to the left end portion of the first case 81. The second portion 85 b is attached to the rear surface of the front plate 52. The third portion 85 c extends between the first portion 85 a and the second portion 85 b and connects the first portion 85 a and the second portion 85 b. The third portion 85 c is separated from the front plate 52 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. According to such a configuration, a space is formed between the third portion 85 c of the tape member 85 and the front plate 52 in which the tape 85 is an obstacle and it is difficult to fill with the foamed heat insulating material 84, and insulation may decrease. In the present embodiment, at least a part of the specific heat insulating material G (for example, a portion covering the overhanging portion 81 e of the first case 81) is located between the third portion 85 c of the tape member 85 and the front plate 52.
In the present embodiment, the tape member 85 is attached to the specific heat insulating material G, and the left end portion of the first case 81 is fixed to the front plate 52 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa via the specific heat insulating material G. Instead, the first portion 85 a may be attached directly to the first case 81, or may be attached to both the specific heat insulating material G and the first case 81.
The tape member 85 is not limited to the fixing tape member. For example, the tape member 85 may be a tape member provided to reduce the foaming pressure acting on the boundary between the first case 81 and the front plate 52 when the foamed heat insulating material 84 is foamed. That is, if the foaming pressure acting on the boundary between the first case 81 and the front plate 52 is excessively large, the foamed heat insulating material 84 penetrates between the first case 81 and the front plate 52. As a result, the first case 81 and the operation panel unit 71 may be displaced in the direction away from the front plate 52, and the detection accuracy of the touch detection unit of the operation panel unit 71 may be lowered. Therefore, by providing the tape member 85 as described above, the flow rate of the foamed heat insulating material 84 toward the boundary between the first case 81 and the front plate 52 may be limited, and the foaming pressure acting on the boundary between the first case 81 and the front plate 52 may be reduced from the foamed heat insulating material 84. In this case, the tape member 85 may have a size extending from the upper end to the lower end of the first case 81, for example.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of the tape member 85. The third portion 85 c of the tape member 85 may include one or more (for example, a plurality of) holes hb that allow an appropriate amount of the foamed heat insulating material 84 to flow from the space between the tape member 85 and the rear member 53 into the space between the third portion 85 c of the tape member 85 and the front plate 52. Even when such a tape member 85 is provided, the filling density of the foamed heat insulating material 84 is smaller between the third portion 85 c of the tape member 85 and the front plate 52 than in other places, and insulation may decrease. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is provided so that at least a part of the specific heat insulating material G is located between the third portion 85 c of the tape member 85 and the front plate 52.
According to the above configuration, in the region where the first case 81 is provided in the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa, the space filled with the foamed heat insulating material 84 becomes small in the thickness direction of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. Therefore, there is a high possibility that dew condensation will occur on the frame body 51 and the front plate 52 around the region where the first case 81 is provided. However, in the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G that overlaps with the first case 81 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front is provided. As a result, for example, the heat insulating property behind the first case 81 is improved, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dew condensation on the frame body 51 and the front plate 52 around the region where the first case 81 is provided.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G includes a portion bent along the outer shape of the first case 81. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the formation of a space (a space having low heat insulating property) in which the foamed heat insulating material 84 is not filled between the specific heat insulating material G and the first case 81. Thereby, the heat insulating property can be further improved.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G has a portion that overlaps with at least a part of the third portion 85 c of the tape member 85 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the heat insulating property of a region which is difficult to fill with the foamed heat insulating material 84 due to the tape member 85. As a result, it is possible to prevent dew condensation from forming on the front plate 52 in the region where the tape member 85 is provided.
The specific heat insulating material G may be provided for the second case 82 in place of/in addition to the first case 81. In this case, the second case 82 is an example of an “internal part”. Further, the electronic components housed in the first case 81 or the second case 82 are not limited to the operation panel unit 71 and the opening-operation operating unit 72. The electronic component housed in the first case 81 or the second case 82 may be, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) display, or a plasma display, or a camera or the like. In this case, the display device and the camera correspond to an example of “electronic parts”. These modifications are applicable to all embodiments described below.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the first case 81 and the second case 82 themselves are formed of the specific heat insulating material G. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment. Further, since the second case 82 has the same configuration as that of the first case 81, the description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the first case 81 itself is formed of the specific heat insulating material G. The first case 81 is a rigid molded product. The operation panel unit 71 is housed inside the first case 81. The first case 81 overlaps the operation panel unit 71 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. For example, the first case 81 covers the entire operation panel unit 71 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The first case 81 has a portion that overlaps with at least a part of the third portion 85 c of the tape member 85 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. In the present embodiment, the operation panel unit 71 is an example of an “internal part”, and the first case 81 is an example of an “insulation member”. According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the heat insulating property as in the first embodiment.
As described above, the electronic components housed in the first case 81 or the second case 82 may be, for example, a display device or a camera. In this case, the display device and the camera are examples of “internal parts” and correspond to an example of “electronic parts”. For example, the display device and the camera are arranged along the rear surface of the front plate 52.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided over the first case 81 and the front plate 52 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is formed in a sheet shape, for example, and has flexibility. The specific heat insulating material G has, for example, a first portion (first end portion) 91 a, a second portion (second end portion) 91 b, and a third portion 91 c. The first portion 91 a is attached to the left end portion of the rear surface of the first case 81. For example, the first portion 91 a is fixed to the first case 81 with double-sided tape or an adhesive. The second portion 91 b is attached to the rear surface of the front plate 52. For example, the second portion 91 b is fixed to the front plate 52 with double-sided tape or an adhesive. The third portion 91 c extends between the first portion 91 a and the second portion 91 b and connects the first portion 91 a and the second portion 91 b.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G has the same role as the tape member 85 of the first embodiment. That is, the specific heat insulating material G is provided for the purpose of fixing the left end portion of the first case 81 to the front plate 52 and/or for the purpose of reducing a foaming pressure acting on the boundary between the foamed heat insulating material 84 and the first case 81 and the front plate 52. For example, the third portion 91 c of the specific heat insulating material G may have one or more (for example, a plurality of) holes hb through which the foamed heat insulating material 84 being foamed passes, similarly to the tape member 85 of the first embodiment.
According to the above configuration, the specific heat insulating material G is provided at a position overlapping a part of the first case 81 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, so that the heat insulating property of the region overlapping with the first case 81 is improved, and the occurrence of dew condensation on the front plate 52 can be suppressed. Further, it is possible to improve the heat insulating property of a region which is difficult to fill with the foamed heat insulating material 84, which may be generated near the third portion 91 c of the specific heat insulating material G.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided in substantially the entire area of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F11-F11 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa shown in FIG. 10. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G includes a first portion 95 a, a second portion 95 b, a third portion 95 c, a fourth portion 95 d, a fifth portion 95 e, a sixth portion 95 f, a seventh portion 95 g, and an eighth portion 95 h. The first part 95 a, the second part 95 b, the third part 95 c, the fourth part 95 d, the fifth part 95 e, the sixth part 95 f, the seventh part 95 g, and the eighth part 95 h are continuous with each other.
As shown in FIG. 10, the first portion 95 a is provided along the inner surface of the right side member 51 d of the frame body 51. The first portion 95 a has a hole hc through which a structure ST (for example, a protruding portion or a rib) provided on the inner surface of the right side member 51 d is passed. The first portion 95 a is in contact with the inner surface of the right side member 51 d by passing the structure ST through the hole portion hc.
The second portion 95 b is provided along the rear wall 81 a of the first case 81. The third portion 95 c is provided along the left side wall 81 d of the first case 81. The third portion 95 c is provided with a hole ha through which the cable C1 is passed so as to face the hole 81 da of the left wall 81 d of the first case 81. The fourth portion 95 d is provided along the rear surface of the front plate 52.
The fifth portion 95 e is provided along the inner surface of the left side member 51 c of the frame body 51. The fifth portion 95 e has a hole hc through which a structure ST (for example, a protruding portion or a rib) provided on the inner surface of the left side member 51 c is passed. The fifth portion 95 e is in contact with the inner surface of the left side member 51 c by passing the structure ST through the hole portion hc.
As shown in FIG. 11, the sixth portion 95 f is provided along the rear wall of the second case 82. The seventh portion 95 g is provided along the inner surface of the upper side member 51 a of the frame body 51. The seventh portion 95 g has a hole hc through which a structure ST (for example, a protruding portion or a rib) provided on the inner surface of the upper side member 51 a is passed. The seventh portion 95 g is in contact with the inner surface of the upper side member 51 a by passing the structure ST through the hole portion hc. The eighth portion 95 h is provided along the inner surface of the lower side member 51 b of the frame body 51. The eighth portion 95 h is provided along the shape of the recess 110 for handling, as in the eighth embodiment described later.
According to the above configuration, the heat insulating property can be improved as in the first embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the first portion 95 a, the fifth portion 95 e, the seventh portion 95 g, and the eighth portion 95 h of the specific heat insulating material G can further suppress the occurrence of dew condensation on the surface of the frame body 51. In addition, one or more of the first portion 95 a to the eighth portion 95 h may be omitted. For example, the specific heat insulating material G may have only the first portion 95 a, the fifth portion 95 e, the seventh portion 95 g, and the eighth portion 95 h.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that one or more holes hd are provided in the fourth portion 95 d of the specific heat insulating material G of the fourth embodiment. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the fifth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the front plate 52 is a glass plate. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the front plate 52 is referred to as a glass plate 52. Here, the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa is a so-called frameless door, and does not have a support portion that supports the glass plate 52 from the front. The frame body 51 has a support portion 51 e that supports the peripheral end portion of the glass plate 52 from the rear. The peripheral end portion of the glass plate 52 is fixed to the support portion 51 e of the frame body 51 with double-sided tape or an adhesive. In this case, a double-sided tape or an adhesive having high reliability for long-term use is adopted. If the refrigerator 1 is used for a longer period of time than the product life of the double-sided tape or adhesive, corrosion or the like may proceed. As the corrosion of the double-sided tape and the adhesive progresses, the adhesive force for holding the glass plate 52 weakens, and there is a possibility that the glass plate 52 comes off from the frame body 51 when a strong impact is applied.
In the present embodiment, the fourth portion 95 d of the specific heat insulating material G has one or more holes hd and is arranged along the glass plate 52. The fourth portion 95 d is in contact with the rear surface of the glass plate 52. In this embodiment, the fourth portion 95 d has a plurality of holes hd. The plurality of hole portions hd are arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. A part of the foamed heat insulating material 84 is filled between the fourth portion 95 d of the specific heat insulating material G and the rear member 53. A part of the foamed heat insulating material 84 enters the inside of the plurality of hole portions hd of the specific heat insulating material G at the time of foaming, and is joined to the glass plate 52 inside the plurality of hole portions hd. That is, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the double-sided tape and the adhesive provided on the support portion 51 e, the glass plate 52 is held by the bonding force between the foamed heat insulating material 84 and the glass plate 52. Therefore, even if the double-sided tape or the adhesive that holds the glass plate 52 is corroded, the possibility that the glass plate 52 will come off is reduced.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The sixth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided so as to cover the throat 63 d. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the sixth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is provided inside the outer contour member 50. The specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the throat 63 d when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. For example, the specific heat insulating material G has a length extending over the upper end and the lower end of the throat 63 d and extends in the vertical direction. The throat 63 d is an example of a “specific structural part”.
More specifically, the inner surface 101 of the rear member 53 (the surface exposed inside the outer contour member 50) has a protruding portion 102 protruding inside the outer contour member 50 corresponding to the throat 63 d. The protruding portion 102 has a curved surface corresponding to the shape of the throat 63 d. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is attached to the inner surface 101 of the rear member 53 and covers the protruding portion 102. The specific heat insulating material G is provided inside the outer contour member 50 along the surface of the protruding portion 102, and includes a bent portion corresponding to the shape of the throat 63 d. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is a molded product formed according to the shape of the protruding portion 102 and has rigidity. The specific heat insulating material G may be a flexible sheet.
According to the above configuration, in the region where the throat 63 d is provided in the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa, the space filled with the foamed heat insulating material 84 is reduced by at least the amount of the throat 63 d provided in the thickness direction of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. Therefore, there is a high possibility that dew condensation will occur on the frame body 51 and the front plate 52 around the region where the throat 63 d is provided. However, in the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G that overlaps with the throat 63 d when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front is provided. As a result, for example, the heat insulating property is improved in front of the throat 63 d, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dew condensation on the frame body 51 and the front plate 52 around the region where the throat 63 d is provided.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is provided so as to cover the protruding portion 102 protruding inside the outer contour member 50 corresponding to the throat 63 d in the inner surface 101 of the rear member 53, and includes a bent portion corresponding to the shape of the throat 63 d. According to such a configuration, the heat insulating property around the throat 63 d can be improved more effectively.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is attached to the rear member 53 instead of the frame body 51. According to such a configuration, the shape of the specific heat insulating material G can be simplified as compared with the case where the specific heat insulating material G is attached to the frame body 51 provided with many protruding portions and ribs, and workability is also improved at the time of assembly.

Seventh Embodiment

Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. The seventh embodiment is different from the sixth embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided inside the throat 63 d. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the sixth embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the seventh embodiment. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is attached to the rear surface of the rear member 53 and is provided as a part of the outer contour member 50. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is provided inside the throat 63 d and overlaps the throat 63 d when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. For example, the specific heat insulating material G has a length extending over the upper end and the lower end of the throat 63 d and extends in the vertical direction.
More specifically, the throat 63 d has, for example, an arc-shaped inner surface (inner peripheral surface) 103.
For example, the specific heat insulating material G is provided along the inner surface 103 of the throat 63 d and includes a bent portion corresponding to the shape of the throat 63 d. The specific heat insulating material G is arranged between the inner surface 103 of the throat 63 d and the gasket-mounting portion 55 b inserted into the throat 63 d. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is a molded product formed corresponding to the inner surface 103 of the throat 63 d and has rigidity. The specific heat insulating material G may be a flexible sheet.
According to such a configuration, the specific heat insulating material G is provided along the inner surface 103 of the throat 63 d, and includes a bent portion corresponding to the shape of the throat 63 d. According to such a configuration, the heat insulating property around the throat 63 d can be improved more effectively.

Eighth Embodiment

Next, an eighth embodiment will be described. The eighth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G covers the recess 110 for handling. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the eighth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the lower end of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa has a recess 110 for handling. The recess 110 is provided in the lower side member 51 b of the outer contour member 50, and is recessed toward the inside (that is, upward) of the outer contour member 50. The recess 110 is a recess that the user puts his or her hand on when opening the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The recess 110 extends in the lateral width direction.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is provided inside the outer contour member 50. The specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. Further, the specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from above. For example, the specific heat insulating material G has a length extending from the left end portion and the right end portion of the recess 110 and extends in the lateral width direction. The recess 110 is an example of a “specific structure portion”.
More specifically, the inner surface 111 (the surface exposed inside the outer contour member 50) of the lower side member 51 b of the outer contour member 50 has a protruding portion 112 protruding inside the outer contour member 50 corresponding to the recess 110. The protruding portion 112 has a curved surface corresponding to the shape of the recess 110. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is attached to the inner surface 111 of the lower side member 51 b and covers the protruding portion 112. The specific heat insulating material G is provided inside the outer contour member 50 along the surface of the protruding portion 112, and includes a bent portion corresponding to the shape of the recess 110. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is a molded product formed according to the shape of the protruding portion 112, and has rigidity. The specific heat insulating material G may be a flexible sheet. At least a part of the specific heat insulating material G is located between the refrigerating chamber 27A (storage chamber 27) and the recess 110.
According to the above configuration, in the area of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa where the recess 110 for handling is provided, the space filled with the foamed heat insulating material 84 is reduced by at least the amount of the recess 110 provided in the thickness direction of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. Therefore, there is a high possibility that dew condensation will occur inside the frame body 51, the front plate 52, and the recess 110 around the region where the recess 110 is provided. However, in the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G that overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front is provided. As a result, for example, the heat insulating property is improved behind the recess 110, and it is possible to prevent dew condensation from forming inside the frame body 51, the front plate 52, and the recess 110 around the region where the recess 110 is provided.
In the present embodiment, at least a part of the specific heat insulating material G is located between the refrigerating chamber 27A and the recess 110. According to such a configuration, it is difficult for the cold air of the refrigerating chamber 27A to be transmitted to the recess 110, and it is possible to further suppress the formation of dew condensation inside the recess 110.

Ninth Embodiment

Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. The ninth embodiment is different from the eighth embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided as a block-shaped molded product. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the eighth embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the ninth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is, for example, a molded product and has rigidity. However, the specific heat insulating material G may have flexibility. The specific heat insulating material G is attached to the inside of the outer member 50 by being inserted between the second case 82 and the protruding portion 112, after the second case 82 is attached to the outer contour member 50 (for example, the frame body 51) and before the foamed heat insulating material 84 is supplied. The specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. Further, the specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from above. The specific heat insulating material G is provided inside the outer contour member 50 along the surface of the protruding portion 112, and includes a bent portion corresponding to the shape of the recess 110.
For example, the specific heat insulating material G has a first portion 115 a and a second portion 115 b. The first portion 115 a is inserted between the second case 82 and the protruding portion 112. On the other hand, the second portion 115 b is provided below the first portion 115 a and overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. In the specific heat insulating material G, the first portion 115 a is fitted in the gap between the second case 82 and the protruding portion 112, or the second portion 115 b is fixed to the protruding portion 112 with double-sided tape or an adhesive, thereby fixed to the outer contour member 50.
According to such a configuration, the heat insulating property can be improved as in the eighth embodiment.
Further, when the specific heat insulating material G is a molded product as in the present embodiment, workability at the time of assembly can be improved.

Tenth Embodiment

Next, a tenth embodiment will be described. The tenth embodiment is different from the ninth embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided as a flexible block-shaped molded product. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the ninth embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the tenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is formed in a flexible block shape. The specific heat insulating material G is attached to the second case 82 before the second case 82 is attached to the outer contour member 50 (for example, the frame body 51). The specific heat insulating material G is sandwiched between the second case 82 and the protruding portion 112 when the second case 82 is attached to the outer contour member 50 (for example, the frame body 51), and is compressed and deformed between the second case 82 and the protruding portion 112. The specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. Further, the specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from above. At least a part of the specific heat insulating material G is located between the refrigerating chamber 27A and the recess 110 with the specific heat insulating material G sandwiched between the second case 82 and the protruding portion 112.
According to such a configuration, the heat insulating property can be improved as in the ninth embodiment.
Further, if the specific heat insulating material G is attached to the second case 82 in advance as in the present embodiment, the workability at the time of assembly can be further improved.

Eleventh Embodiment

Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described. The eleventh embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided as a relatively large block-shaped molded product that fills a part of the internal space of the outer contour member 50. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the eleventh embodiment. In this embodiment, it is formed in a relatively large block shape. The specific heat insulating material G is formed by, for example, laminating a plurality of sheet-shaped specific heat insulating materials GS. The plurality of sheet-shaped specific heat insulating materials GS are integrated by double-sided tape, an adhesive, thermocompression bonding, or the like.
The specific heat insulating material G fills the space between the first case 81 and the second case 82 and the rear member 53 in at least a part of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The specific heat insulating material G is a molded product in which irregularities are formed according to the shapes of the first case 81 and the second case 82. For example, the specific heat insulating material G reduces the number of sheet-shaped specific heat insulating materials GS to be laminated in the region where the specific heat insulating material G is thinly formed, and increases the number of sheet-shaped specific heat insulating materials GS to be laminated in the region where the specific heat insulating material G is thickly formed, thereby forming unevenness.
More specifically, the specific heat insulating material G includes, for example, a first portion 121 a, a second portion 121 b, a third portion 121 c, a fourth portion 121 d, a fifth portion 121 e, and a sixth portion 121 f. The first portion 121 a is located at the lower end of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa, and is located between the refrigerating chamber 27A and the recess 110 for handling. The first portion 121 a overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The second portion 121 b is inserted inside the rib 61 b. For example, the second portion 121 b is inserted into a region of more than half of the rib 61 b in the depth direction. The third portion 121 c is located behind the second case 82 and fills the space between the second case 82 and the rear member 53.
The fourth portion 121 d is located above the third portion 121 c and fills the space between the front plate 52 and the rear member 53. The fifth portion 121 e is located behind the first case 81 and fills a space between the first case 81 and the rear member 53. The sixth portion 121 f is located above the fifth portion 121 e and fills the space between the front plate 52 and the rear member 53. A foamed heat insulating material 84 is provided in a region above the sixth portion 121 f.
According to the above configuration, by installing the specific heat insulating material G inside the outer contour member 50, it is possible to improve the heat insulating property of many regions in the outer contour member 50. Further, when the specific heat insulating material G is a molded product, workability at the time of assembly can be improved.

Twelfth Embodiment

Next, a twelfth embodiment will be described. The twelfth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a relatively large sheet-shaped specific heat insulating material G is provided inside the outer contour member 50. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the twelfth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F20-F20 of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa shown in FIG. 19. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G has a size that covers substantially the entire area of the rear member 53. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the specific heat insulating material G has a size that overlaps with both the left throat 63 c and the right throat 63 d when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the specific heat insulating material G has a size that overlaps with both the upper throat 63 a and the lower throat 63 b when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. Each of the throats 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, and 63 d is an example of a “specific structural part”.
The specific heat insulating material G has an intermediate region 125 that overlaps with the rib 61 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front in the specific heat insulating material G. The rib 61 is another example of the “specific structure portion”. In the intermediate region 125 of the specific heat insulating material G, one or more holes he are provided that allow a part of the foamed heat insulating material 84 to pass from the space between the specific heat insulating material G and the front plate 52 toward the inside of the rib 61 when the foamed heat insulating material 84 is foamed. In the present embodiment, a plurality of holes he are provided in the intermediate region 125 of the specific heat insulating material G.
Here, the rib 61 is provided with the lighting unit 62 that illuminates the inside of the refrigerating chamber 27A when the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa is opened. The illumination unit 62 has a light diffusing plate 62 a provided on the surface of the rib 61 and a light source 62 b provided inside the rib 61. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is provided with a hole hf through which the cable C2 connected to the light source 62 b is passed. The cable C2 is passed through the hole hf of the specific heat insulating material G and extends inside the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa. The cable C2 is connected to the control board 16 of the refrigerator body 5 via the hinge 30.
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa is in the process of being manufactured. The foamed heat insulating material 84 is heated and foamed after being injected into the space between the front plate 52 and the specific heat insulating material G. The foamed heat insulating material 84 flows into the inside of the rib 61 from the space between the front plate 52 and the specific heat insulating material G through the plurality of holes he of the specific heat insulating material G, and fills the inside of the rib 61.
According to the above configuration, the heat insulating property can be improved as in the sixth embodiment and the like. Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of holes he are provided in the intermediate region 125 of the specific heat insulating material G. According to such a configuration, the specific heat insulating material G can be increased without worrying about the flow path of the foamed heat insulating material 84 at the time of foaming. Thereby, the heat insulating property of a wider area of the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa can be improved.

Thirteenth Embodiment

Next, a thirteenth embodiment will be described. The thirteenth embodiment relates to the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab, and is different from the first embodiment in that a vacuum heat insulating material 130 is provided inside the outer contour member 50. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab of the thirteenth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab includes, for example, a second case 82 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a case 82), the vacuum heat insulating material 130, the reinforcing member 83, a left specific heat insulating material G1, a right specific heat insulating material G2, and the foamed heat insulating material 84. The left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 are each specific heat insulating materials G.
The vacuum heat insulating material 130 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. The vacuum heat insulating material 130 is provided inside the outer contour member 50 and is arranged between the front plate 52 and the rear member 53. In the present embodiment, the vacuum heat insulating material 130 is arranged along the inner surface of the rear member 53. The width of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 is smaller than the distance between the left rib 61 c and the right rib 61 d. Further, the rear member 53 is provided with protruding portions 131 (for example, ribs) for positioning the vacuum heat insulating material 130.
The left specific heat insulating material G1 is, for example, a molded product and has rigidity. The left specific heat insulating material G1 is arranged on the left side of the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The left specific heat insulating material G1 is provided inside the outer contour member 50, and is arranged between the case 82 and the rear member 53. The left specific heat insulating material G1 overlaps with the case 82, the left throat 63 c, and the left rib 61 c when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The left specific heat insulating material G1 includes, for example, a first portion 135 a, a second portion 135 b, and a third portion 135 c. The first portion 135 a is arranged between the case 82 and the rear member 53, and is adjacent to the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The second portion 135 b is arranged between the reinforcing member 83 and the throat 63 c. The third portion 135 c is inserted inside the rib 61 c.
Similarly, the right specific heat insulating material G2 is, for example, a molded product and has rigidity. The right specific heat insulating material G2 is arranged on the right side of the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The right specific heat insulating material G2 is provided inside the outer contour member 50 and is arranged between the front plate 52 and the rear member 53. The right specific heat insulating material G2 overlaps the throat 63 d on the right side and the rib 61 d on the right side when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The right specific heat insulating material G2 includes, for example, a first portion 136 a and a second portion 136 b. The first portion 136 a is arranged between the front plate 52 and the rear member 53, and is adjacent to the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The second portion 136 b is inserted inside the rib 61 d.
According to such a configuration, the heat insulating property of a wide area inside the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab can be improved by the combination of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 and the specific heat insulating materials G1 and G2. For example, since the vacuum heat insulating material 130 can be formed only in a plate shape and a hole through which the foamed heat insulating material 84 passes cannot be provided, the vacuum heat insulating material 130 cannot be arranged in the area overlapping the rib 61 when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating materials G1 and G2 are arranged in the region overlapping the rib 61 when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1. Thereby, the heat insulating property can be improved.

Fourteenth Embodiment

Next, a fourteenth embodiment will be described. The fourteenth embodiment is different from the thirteenth embodiment in that a sheet-shaped specific heat insulating material G is provided inside the outer contour member 50. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the thirteenth embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab of the fourteenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is formed in a sheet shape. For example, the specific heat insulating material G has a size that overlaps with both the left throat 63 c and the right throat 63 d when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G has a first portion 141 a, a second portion 141 b, and a third portion 141 c. The first portion 141 a is arranged between the vacuum heat insulating material 130 and the rear member 53, and extends along the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The second portion 141 b extends to the left of the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The second portion 141 b has a hole hg through which a protruding portion 131 (for example, a rib) for positioning the vacuum heat insulating material 130 is passed. The second portion 141 b is in contact with the inner surface of the rear member 53 by passing the protruding portion 131 through the hole portion hg. The second portion 141 b overlaps the left rib 61 c and the left throat 63 c when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The third portion 141 c extends to the right of the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The third portion 141 c has a hole hg through which the protruding portion 131 (for example, a rib) for positioning the vacuum heat insulating material 130 is passed. The third portion 141 c is in contact with the inner surface of the rear member 53 by passing the protruding portion 131 through the hole portion hg. The third portion 141 c overlaps the rib 61 d on the right side and the throat 63 d on the right side when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. Each of the second portion 141 b and the third portion 141 c is provided with one or more holes he for passing the foamed heat insulating material 84 during foaming.
According to such a configuration, the heat insulating property can be improved as in the thirteenth embodiment. The specific heat insulating material G may have only the second portion 141 b and the third portion 141 c without having the first portion 141 a.

Fifteenth Embodiment

Next, a fifteenth embodiment will be described. The fifteenth embodiment relates to the vegetable compartment door 11B, and is different from the first embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided to a fixed portion 161 to which the rail 35 is attached in the vegetable compartment door 11B. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the first embodiment. The configuration of the present embodiment can also be applied to the ice-making chamber door 11C, the small freezing chamber door 11D, and the main freezing chamber door 11E.
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the vegetable compartment door 11B of the fifteenth embodiment. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F25-F25 of the vegetable compartment door 11B shown in FIG. 24. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the vegetable compartment door 11B has the rail 35 that pulls out and supports the vegetable compartment door 11B with respect to the housing 10 of the refrigerator main body 5. The rail 35 is made of, for example, a metal material and has a rail body 35 a and a rail-mounting portion 35 b. The rail body 35 a extends in the depth direction of the refrigerator 1 and is supported by a sliding portion such as a pulley so as to be expandable and contractible (or movable) in the depth direction. The rail-mounting portion 35 b is bent at the front end portion of the rail main body 35 a and is mounted on the rear member 53 of the vegetable compartment door 11B. The rail-mounting portion 35 b has an insertion hole 35 ba through which a plurality of fastening members 151 (for example, screws) are passed.
The vegetable compartment door 11B has a fixing portion 161 provided on the rear member 53 and a fixing metal fitting 162 (see FIG. 25) provided inside the outer contour member 50. The fixing portion 161 is a pedestal portion to which the rail-mounting portion 35 b is mounted. The fixing portion 161 projects rearward with respect to the central portion of the rear member 53. The fixing portion 161 has a flat surface portion 161 a substantially parallel to the rail-mounting portion 35 b. The flat surface portion 161 a extends in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The flat surface portion 161 a has an insertion hole 161 b through which a plurality of fastening members 151 are passed. The fixed portion 161 is an example of a “specific structure portion”.
The fixing metal fitting 162 is made of, for example, a metal material and is arranged inside the fixing portion 161. The fixing metal fitting 162 includes a first portion 162 a, a second portion 162 b, and a third portion 162 c. The first portion 162 a is arranged substantially parallel to the flat surface portion 161 a of the fixed portion 161. The first portion 162 a has an engaging hole 162 aa (eg, a screw hole) with which the fastening member 151 engages. The rail 35 is fixed to the rear member 53 by passing the fastening member 151 through the insertion hole 35 ba of the rail-mounting portion 35 b and the insertion hole 161 b of the fixing portion 161 and engaging with the engagement hole 162 aa of the first portion 162 a. The second portion 162 b and the third portion 162 c are bent from both ends of the first portion 162 a toward the inside of the outer contour member 50. By providing the foamed heat insulating material 84 around the second portion 162 b and the third portion 162 c, the fixing metal fitting 162 is stably supported in the outer contour member 50.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is formed in a sheet shape, for example, and is provided inside the outer contour member 50 of the vegetable compartment door 11B. The specific heat insulating material G overlaps at least the flat surface portion 161 a of the fixing portion and the first portion 162 a of the fixing metal fitting 162 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front.
The specific heat insulating material G has a hole portion hh through which the second portion 162 b and the third portion 162 c of the fixing metal fitting 162 are passed. The specific heat insulating material G is in contact with the first portion 162 a of the fixing metal fitting 162 by passing the second portion 162 b and the third portion 162 c of the fixing metal fitting 162 through the hole portion hh. The specific heat insulating material G may have an insertion hole hi through which the plurality of fastening members 151 are passed so as not to hinder the fastening of the plurality of fastening members 151.
Here, the temperature of the vegetable compartment 27B is transmitted to the fixing portion 161 and the fixing metal fitting 162 of the rear member 53 via the rail 35, and is easily cooled. However, in the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G that overlaps with the fixing portion 161 of the rear member 53 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front is provided. Therefore, for example, the heat insulating property is improved on the front side of the fixing portion 161 of the rear member 53, and the heat transmitted from the rail 35 to the fixing portion 161 of the rear member 53 is not easily transmitted to the inside of the vegetable compartment door 11B. As a result, it is possible to prevent dew condensation from forming on the frame body 51 and the front plate 52.
Instead of the above configuration, the specific heat insulating material G may be provided between the first portion 162 a of the fixing metal fitting 162 and the flat surface portion 161 a of the fixing portion 161 (that is, between the fixing metal fitting 162 and the rear member 53).

Sixteenth Embodiment

Next, a sixteenth embodiment will be described. The sixteenth embodiment is different from the fifteenth embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided between the rail-mounting portion 35 b and the fixing portion 161 of the rear member 53. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the fifteenth embodiment. The configuration of the present embodiment can also be applied to the ice-making chamber door 11C, the small freezing chamber door 11D, and the main freezing chamber door 11E.
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the vegetable compartment door 11B of the sixteenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is formed in a sheet shape, for example, and is sandwiched between the rail-mounting portion 35 b and the fixing portion 161 of the rear member 53. That is, the specific heat insulating material G is provided as a part of the outer contour member 50. The specific heat insulating material G overlaps at least the flat surface portion 161 a of the fixing portion 161 and the first portion 162 a of the fixing metal fitting 162 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The specific heat insulating material G has a plurality of holes hi through which the fastening member 151 is passed. According to such a configuration, as in the fifteenth embodiment, the heat insulating property of the vegetable compartment door 11B can be improved, and the occurrence of dew condensation on the frame body 51 and the front plate 52 can be suppressed.

Seventeenth Embodiment

Next, a seventeenth embodiment will be described. The seventeenth embodiment is different from the fifteenth embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G covers the recess 110 for the handle of the vegetable compartment door 11B. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the fifteenth embodiment. The configuration of the present embodiment can also be applied to the ice-making chamber door 11C, the small freezing chamber door 11D, and the main freezing chamber door 11E.
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of the seventeenth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 27, the upper end of the vegetable compartment door 11B has a recess 110 for handling. The recess 110 is provided in the upper side member 51 a of the outer contour member 50, and is recessed toward the inside (that is, downward) of the outer contour member 50. The recess 110 is a recess that the user puts his or her hand on when opening the vegetable compartment door 11B. The recess 110 extends in the lateral width direction.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is provided at the upper end portion inside the outer contour member 50. The specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. Further, the specific heat insulating material G overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from above. For example, the specific heat insulating material G has a length extending from the left end portion and the right end portion of the recess 110 and extends in the lateral width direction. The recess 110 is an example of a “specific structure portion”.
More specifically, the inner surface 111 (the surface exposed inside the outer contour member 50) of the upper side member 51 a of the outer contour member 50 has a protruding portion 112 protruding inside the outer contour member 50 corresponding to the recess 110. The protruding portion 112 has a curved surface corresponding to the shape of the recess 110.
The specific heat insulating material G is attached to the inner surface 111 of the upper side member 51 a and covers the protruding portion 112.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is a molded product formed according to the shape of the protruding portion 112, and has rigidity. The specific heat insulating material G may be a flexible sheet. At least a part of the specific heat insulating material G is located between the vegetable compartment 27B (storage chamber 27) and the recess 110.
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G includes a first portion 171 a, a second portion 171 b, and a third portion 171 c. The first portion 171 a is provided inside the outer contour member 50 along the surface of the protruding portion 112, and includes a bent portion corresponding to the shape of the recess HO. The second portion 171 b is arranged along the rear surface of the front plate 52. For example, the second portion 171 b extends below the lower end of the rib 61 a. The third portion 171 c is arranged along the inner surface of the upper side member 51 a.
According to the above configuration, in the area around the area where the recess 110 for handling is provided in the vegetable compartment door 11B, the space filled with the foamed heat insulating material 84 in the thickness direction of the vegetable compartment door 11B becomes smaller. Therefore, there is a high possibility that dew condensation will occur inside the frame body 51, the front plate 52, and the recess 110 around the region where the recess 110 is provided. However, in the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G that overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front is provided. As a result, for example, the heat insulating property is improved behind the recess 110, and it is possible to prevent dew condensation from forming inside the frame body 51, the front plate 52, and the recess 110 around the region where the recess 110 is provided.
Here, in the housing 10 of the refrigerator main body 5, the refrigerating chamber 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B are storage chambers in the same refrigerating temperature zone. Therefore, the first partition 28 between the refrigerating chamber 27A and the vegetable compartment 27B has a structure with low heat insulating property as compared with the second partition 29 located between the vegetable compartment 27B and the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D. For example, the first partition 28 is made of a general synthetic resin member and does not include the foamed heat insulating material 11 c. In other words, there is no highly heat-insulating wall behind the upper end of the vegetable compartment door 11B. Therefore, the cold air supplied from the cold air outlet h1 of the refrigerating chamber 27A easily comes into contact with the upper end portion of the vegetable chamber door 11B, and tends to lower the temperature of the upper end portion of the vegetable chamber door 11B. Therefore, the upper rib 61 a of the vegetable compartment door 11B is formed larger than the lower rib 61 b.
However, in the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is provided at the upper end portion inside the outer contour member 50, and the heat insulating property of the upper end portion of the outer contour member 50 is improved. When the heat insulating property of the upper end portion of the outer contour member 50 is improved, the rib 61 a on the upper side of the vegetable compartment door 11B can be reduced. If the upper rib 61 a can be made smaller, the size of the vegetable compartment containers 13Ba and 13Bb can be increased, and the appearance of the vegetable compartment 27B can be improved (larger opening).

Eighteenth Embodiment

Next, an eighteenth embodiment will be described. The eighteenth embodiment is different from the seventeenth embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is formed in a block shape. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the seventeenth embodiment. The configuration of the present embodiment can also be applied to the ice-making chamber door 11C, the small freezing chamber door 11D, and the main freezing chamber door 11E.
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing the vegetable compartment door 11B of the seventeenth embodiment. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F29-F29 of the vegetable compartment door 11B shown in FIG. 28. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, in the present embodiment, the vegetable compartment door 11B includes an upper specific heat insulating material G3, a lower specific heat insulating material G4, the left specific heat insulating material G1, and the right specific heat insulating material G2, as specific heat insulating materials G.
The upper specific heat insulating material G3 is provided at the upper end portion inside the outer contour member 50. The upper specific heat insulating material G3 is a molded product having a shape corresponding to the structure of the upper end portion inside the outer contour member 50 (for example, rib 61 a, protruding portions 102, 112, other protruding portions, etc.). The upper specific heat insulating material G3 includes a first portion 181 a, a second portion 181 b, and a third portion 181 c. The first portion 181 a is arranged between the recess 110 and the throat 63 a. The second portion 181 b is arranged between the recess 110 and the rib 61 a. A part of the second portion 181 b is inserted inside the rib 61 a. The third portion 181 c is arranged between the front plate 52 and the rib 61 a. A part of the third portion 181 c is inserted inside the rib 61 a.
The lower specific heat insulating material G4 is provided at the lower end portion inside the outer contour member 50. The lower specific heat insulating material G4 is a molded product having a shape corresponding to the structure of the lower end portion inside the outer contour member 50 (for example, rib 61 b, protruding portion 102, other protruding portions, etc.). The lower specific heat insulating material G4 includes a first portion 182 a and a second portion 182 b. The first portion 182 a is arranged between the front plate 52 and the throat 63 b. The second portion 182 b is arranged between the front plate 52 and the rib 61 b.
A part of the second portion 182 b is inserted inside the rib 61 b.
The left specific heat insulating material G1 is provided at the left end portion inside the outer contour member 50. The left specific heat insulating material G1 is a molded product having a shape corresponding to the structure of the left end portion inside the outer contour member 50 (for example, rib 61 c, protruding portion 102, other protruding portions, etc.). The left specific heat insulating material G1 includes a first portion 183 a and a second portion 183 b. The first portion 183 a is arranged between the front plate 52 and the throat 63 c. The second portion 183 b is arranged between the front plate 52 and the rib 61 c.
A part of the second portion 183 b is inserted inside the rib 61 c.
The right specific heat insulating material G2 is provided at the right end portion inside the outer contour member 50. The right specific heat insulating material G2 is a molded product having a shape corresponding to the structure of the right end portion inside the outer contour member 50 (for example, rib 61 d, protruding portion 102, other protruding portions, etc.). The right specific heat insulating material G2 includes a first portion 184 a and a second portion 184 b The first portion 184 a is arranged between the front plate 52 and the throat 63 d. The second portion 184 b is arranged between the front plate 52 and the rib 61 d.
A part of the second portion 184 b is inserted inside the rib 61 d.
In the present embodiment, in the specific heat insulating material G, the upper specific heat insulating material G3, the lower specific heat insulating material G4, the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 form a rectangular frame-shaped heat insulating structure by the specific heat insulating material G. In the present embodiment, the foamed heat insulating material 84 is provided in the region surrounded by the upper specific heat insulating material G3, the lower specific heat insulating material G4, the left specific heat insulating material G1, and the right specific heat insulating material G2. According to such a configuration, the heat insulating property of the vegetable compartment door 11B is improved, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of dew condensation inside the frame body 51, the front plate 52, and the recess 110.

Nineteenth Embodiment

Next, a nineteenth embodiment will be described. The nineteenth embodiment is different from the seventeenth embodiment in that it relates to the main freezing chamber door 11E. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the seventeenth embodiment. The configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to the vegetable compartment 27B, the ice-making chamber door 11C, and the small freezing chamber door 11D.
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the main freezing chamber door 11E of the nineteenth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 30, the main freezing chamber door 11E has the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The vacuum heat insulating material 130 is formed in a plate shape along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and is provided inside the outer contour member 50.
The upper end of the main freezing chamber 27E has a recess 110 for handling. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is provided at the upper end portion inside the outer contour member 50 as in the seventeenth embodiment. The specific heat insulating material G includes the first portion 171 a, the second portion 171 b, and the third portion 171 c, as in the seventeenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the second portion 171 b overlaps with the vacuum heat insulating material 130 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. That is, the second portion 171 b extends below the upper end of the vacuum heat insulating material 130. For example, the second portion 171 b overlaps with at least a part of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 so as to cover at least a part of the region between the recess 110 and the vacuum heat insulating material 130 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The second portion 171 b extends continuously at least between the lower end of the recess 110 and the upper end of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front.
According to the above configuration, the specific heat insulating material G that overlaps with the recess 110 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front is provided. As a result, for example, the heat insulating property is improved behind the recess 110, and it is possible to prevent dew condensation from forming inside the frame body 51, the front plate 52, and the recess 110 around the region where the recess 110 is provided.
Here, in the housing 10 of the refrigerator main body 5, the ice-making chamber 27C, the small freezing chamber 27D, and the main freezing chamber 27E are storage chambers in the same freezing temperature zone. Therefore, in the partition structure between the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D and the main freezing chamber 27E, insulation is low compared to the second partition portion 29 located between the vegetable chamber 27B and the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D. For example, there is virtually no partition between the ice-making chamber 27C and the small freezing chamber 27D and the main freezing chamber 27E. In other words, there is no highly heat-insulating wall behind the upper end of the main freezing chamber 27E. Therefore, the cold air supplied from the cold air outlet h3 of the ice-making chamber 27C or the small freezing chamber 27D easily comes into contact with the upper end portion of the main freezing chamber door 11E, and tends to lower the temperature of the upper end portion of the main freezing chamber door 11E. Therefore, the upper rib 61 a of the main freezing chamber door 11E is formed larger than the lower rib 61 b.
However, in the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is provided at the upper end portion inside the outer contour member 50, and the heat insulating property of the upper end portion of the outer contour member 50 is improved. When the heat insulating property of the upper end portion of the outer contour member 50 is improved, the rib 61 a on the upper side of the main freezing chamber door 11E can be made smaller. If the upper rib 61 a can be made smaller, the size of the main freezing chamber containers 13Ea and 13Eb can be increased, and the appearance of the main freezing chamber 27E can be improved (the opening can be enlarged).
In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G overlaps with at least a part of the region between the recess 110 and the vacuum heat insulating material 130 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, and at least a part of the vacuum heat insulating material 130. According to such a configuration, a seamless heat insulating structure can be realized by the specific heat insulating material G and the vacuum heat insulating material 130 at the upper end portion of the main freezing chamber door 11E. Thereby, the heat insulating property of the main freezing chamber door 11E can be further improved.

Twentieth Embodiment

Next, a twentieth embodiment will be described. The twentieth embodiment is different from the nineteenth embodiment in that a plate-shaped specific heat insulating material G is provided. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the nineteenth embodiment. The configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to the vegetable compartment 27B, the ice-making chamber door 11C, and the small freezing chamber door 11D.
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing the main freezing chamber door 11E of the twentieth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the specific heat insulating material G is formed in a plate shape and extends in the lateral width direction. When the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front, the specific heat insulating material G overlaps the recess 110, the upper throat 63 a, the upper rib 61 a, and the upper end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The specific heat insulating material G overlaps with at least a part of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 so as to cover at least a part of the region between the recess 110 and the vacuum heat insulating material 130 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The specific heat insulating material G is arranged between the recess 110 and the main freezing chamber 27E. According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve the heat insulating property as in the nineteenth embodiment.

Twenty-First Embodiment

Next, a twenty-first embodiment will be described. The twenty-first embodiment is different from the nineteenth embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided on the left and right inside the outer contour member 50. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the nineteenth embodiment. The configuration of this embodiment can also be applied to the vegetable compartment 27B, the ice-making chamber door 11C, and the small freezing chamber door 11D.
FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing the main freezing chamber door 11E of the 21st embodiment. In the present embodiment, the main freezing chamber door 11E has the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 as the specific heat insulating materials G. The left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 are arranged behind the vacuum heat insulating material 130.
The left specific heat insulating material G1 is provided at the left end portion inside the outer contour member 50. The left specific heat insulating material G1 includes a first portion 191 a and a second portion 191 b. The first portion 191 a overlaps with the throat 63 c when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The second portion 191 b overlaps with the left end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. A part of the second portion 191 b is inserted inside the rib 61 c on the left side.
The right specific heat insulating material G2 is provided at the right end portion inside the outer contour member 50. The right specific heat insulating material G2 includes a first portion 192 a and a second portion 192 b. The first portion 192 a overlaps with the throat 63 d when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. The second portion 192 b overlaps with the right end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front. A part of the second portion 192 b is inserted inside the rib 61 d on the right side.
According to such a configuration, the heat insulating property of the main freezing chamber 27E can be improved. Further, when the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 are arranged behind the vacuum heat insulating material 130, after positioning the vacuum heat insulating material 130 inside the frame body 51, the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 can be installed, thereby capable of attaching the rear member 53. According to such a configuration, workability may be improved.

Twenty-Second Embodiment

Next, a twenty-second embodiment will be described. The twenty-second embodiment is different from the twenty-first embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is provided as a protective member for the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the twenty-first embodiment. The configuration of the present embodiment can also be applied to the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa, the right refrigerating chamber door 11Ab, the vegetable compartment 27B, the ice-making chamber door 11C, and the small freezing chamber door 11D.
FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing the main freezing chamber door 11E of the twenty-second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the main freezing chamber door 11E has the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 as the specific heat insulating materials G. The left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 have flexibility, for example.
The left specific heat insulating material G1 has a recess 202 into which the left end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 is inserted. That is, the left specific heat insulating material G1 has a shape for holding the left end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 from the left and front and rear directions. A flexible sheet 201 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the recess 202 of the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the left end of the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The sheet 201 is a sheet having a smaller surface roughness than the left specific heat insulating material G1. The sheet 201 is made of, for example, nylon, but is not limited thereto. If the surface roughness of the left specific heat insulating material G1 is sufficiently small, the sheet 201 may be omitted.
Similarly, the right specific heat insulating material G2 has a recess 202 into which the right end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 is inserted. That is, the right specific heat insulating material G2 has a shape for holding the right end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 from the right side and the front and rear directions. A flexible sheet 201 is sandwiched between the recess 202 of the right specific heat insulating material G2 and the right end of the vacuum heat insulating material 130. The sheet 201 is a sheet having a smaller surface roughness than the right specific heat insulating material G2. If the surface roughness of the right specific heat insulating material G2 is sufficiently small, the sheet 201 may be omitted.
In the present embodiment, the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 are attached to the vacuum heat insulating material 130 before installing the vacuum heat insulating material 130 in the frame body 51. For example, in the vacuum heat insulating material 130, the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 are attached before the rear member 53 is attached to the frame body 51. Then, the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2 are attached to the rear member 53 (or the frame body 51), so that the vacuum heat insulating material 130 is attached to the rear member 53 (or the frame body 51) integrally with the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2. After that, the rear member 53 is attached to the frame body 51. As a result, the vacuum heat insulating material 130 can be positioned in the horizontal direction while reducing the possibility that the exterior body of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 is damaged (for example, the possibility that the end portion of the exterior body in the horizontal direction is damaged). Thereby, the workability regarding the attachment of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 can be improved. Instead of/in addition to the left specific heat insulating material G1 and the right specific heat insulating material G2, the main freezer door 11E may include the upper specific heat insulating material G3 that protects the upper end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 130 and the lower specific heat insulating material G4 that protects the lower end portion of the vacuum heat insulating material 130.

Modification Example

Next, a modification of the first to twenty-second embodiments will be described. This modification is different from the above-described embodiment in that the specific heat insulating material G is attached to the outer surface of the rib 61 of the door 11.
The configuration other than that described below is the same as that of the above-described embodiment.
FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa of a modified example of the embodiment. In this modification, the left refrigerating chamber door 11Aa has the specific heat insulating material G attached to the surface of the rib 61. The specific heat insulating material G is formed in the form of a flexible sheet, for example. The specific heat insulating material G extends in the vertical direction or the lateral width direction along the surface of the rib 61. The specific heat insulating material G is arranged between the rib 61 and the wall portion of the housing 10 (for example, the left side wall 23, but may be the right side wall 24, the upper wall 21, or the lower wall 22), and the gap between the rib 61 and the wall portion of the housing 10 is reduced.
For example, at least a part of the specific heat insulating material G is provided in the rib 61 at a position facing the inner surface of the wall portion of the housing 10 in the lateral width direction.
According to such a configuration, even if the vertical position or the horizontal position of the door 11 is displaced with respect to the housing 10 of the refrigerator main body 5 due to age deterioration, the size of the gap generated between the housing 10 and the door 11 can be reduced by the specific heat insulating material G. It is possible to prevent the cold air in the storage chamber 27 from leaking to the outside. For example, if the specific heat insulating material G has flexibility, it is possible to suppress the generation of a strange sound when the vertical position or the horizontal position of the door 11 is displaced with respect to the housing 10 of the refrigerator main body 5.
Although the specific heat insulating material G according to some embodiments has been described above, the embodiments are not limited to the above examples. For example, two or more of the embodiments described above may be implemented in combination with each other. Further, the specific heat insulating material G may be provided as at least a part of the outer contour member 50. For example, the specific heat insulating material G may be provided as at least a part (for example, all) of the frame body 51. Further, the specific heat insulating material G may be provided as at least a part (for example, all) of the rear member 53.
According to at least one embodiment described above, heat insulation can be improved by including an aerogel, a xerogel, or a cryogel, and having an internal part provided inside the outer contour member or a heat insulation member overlapping a specific structural portion provided on the outer contour member.
Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

1 . . . Refrigerator, 11, 11Aa, 11Ab, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E . . . Door, 35 . . . Rail, 50 . . . Outer contour member, 51 . . . Frame, 52 . . . Front plate (glass plate), 53 . . . Rear member, 61 . . . Ribs (protruding parts), 63 . . . Throat (dents), 81 . . . First case, 82 . . . Second case, 83 . . . Reinforcing members, 84 . . . Foamed heat insulating material, 85 . . . Tape members, 110 . . . Depressions for handling, 112 . . . Protruding portions Part, G, G1, G2, G3, G4 . . . Specific heat insulating material.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a refrigerator body including a storage chamber; and

a door configured to close off the storage chamber so as to be capable of opening and closing,

wherein the door includes

a box-shaped outer contour member,

an internal part that is different from a foam heat insulation member and is provided inside the outer contour member, and

a heat insulation member that is provided inside the outer contour member or as at least a part of the outer contour member, contains an aero gel, a xerogel, or a cryogel, and overlaps the internal part when the refrigerator is seen in a front view.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein

the outer contour member includes

a frame body,

a front plate attached to the frame body, and

a rear member attached to the frame body from a side opposite to the front plate,

the internal part is arranged along the front plate, and

the heat insulation member is arranged between the internal part and the rear member.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the internal part is a case in which an electronic component is housed inside the outer contour member.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the heat insulation member includes a portion bent along an outer shape of the case.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein

the internal part is an electronic component, and

the heat insulation member is a case in which the electronic component is housed inside the outer contour member.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein

the door includes a tape member that includes a first portion attached to at least one of the case and the heat insulation member, a second portion attached to the front plate, and a third portion that connects the first portion and the second portion and is away from the front plate, and

the heat insulation member overlaps at least a part of the third portion of the tape member when the refrigerator is viewed from the front.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the heat insulation member fills a space between the internal part and the rear member in at least a part of the door.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the heat insulation member is a molded product having irregularities formed according to a shape of the internal part.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein

the outer contour member includes a frame body, a glass plate attached to the frame body, and a rear member attached to the frame body from a side opposite to the glass plate,

at least a part of the heat insulation member has one or more holes and is arranged along the glass plate,

the door has a foamed heat insulating material provided inside the outer contour member, and

the foamed insulation is joined to the glass plate inside the one or more holes.

10. A refrigerator comprising:

a refrigerator body including storage room; and

a door configured to open and close the storage room,

wherein the door includes

a box-shaped outer contour member,

a specific structural portion provided on the outer contour member, and

a heat insulation member that is provided inside the outer contour member or as at least a part of the outer contour member, includes aerogel, xerogel, or cryogel, and overlaps with the specific structural portion when viewed from the front.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein

the outer contour member includes a frame body, a front plate attached to the frame body, and a rear member attached to the frame body from a side opposite to the front plate, and

the specific structural portion is a recess provided in the rear member and recessed toward the inside of the door to which a gasket is attached.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein

the rear member has a protruding portion that protrudes inside the outer contour member corresponding to the recess, and

the heat insulation member is provided inside the outer contour member along a surface of the protruding portion, and includes a bent portion corresponding to a shape of the recess.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the heat insulation member is provided inside the recess and includes a bent portion corresponding to a shape of the recess.

14. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the specific structural portion is provided at an upper end portion or a lower end portion of the door, and is a recess that a user puts his/her hand on when opening the door by being recessed toward the inside of the door.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the heat insulation member includes a bent portion corresponding to a shape of the recess.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 14,

wherein at least a portion of the heat insulation member is located between the storage chamber and the recess.

17. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein

the door includes a vacuum heat insulating material provided inside the outer contour member, and

the heat insulation member overlaps at least a part of the vacuum heat insulating material so as to cover at least a part of a region between the recess and the vacuum heat insulating material when the refrigerator is viewed from the front.

18. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein

the door includes a foamed heat insulating material provided inside the outer contour member,

the outer contour member includes a frame body, a front plate attached to the frame body, and a rear member attached to the frame body from a side opposite to the front plate,

the specific structural portion is a protruding portion provided on the rear member and protruding from the rear member toward the storage chamber in a state where the door is closed with respect to a housing, and

the heat insulation member has one or more holes through which a part of the foamed heat insulating material can pass toward the inside of the protruding portion when the foamed heat insulating material is foamed, in a region of the heat insulation member that overlaps with the protruding portion when the refrigerator is viewed from the front.

19. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein

the door has a rail that supports a housing so that the door can be pulled out,

the specific structural portion is a fixing portion provided on the rear member and to which the rail is fixed.