阅读说明：本技术 门把手的结构以及冰箱 (Door handle structure and refrigerator ) 是由 中村英介 长谷川勇也 森田洋平 于 2020-02-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：可以从左右任一侧开闭的门把手结构,具有设置在门的左右两端的把手部,该把手部构成为从门的前侧用手扣住,该把手部具有从门的后侧朝向前侧并向门的中央部倾斜的倾斜面。(The door handle structure capable of being opened and closed from either the left or right side has handle parts provided at both left and right ends of the door, the handle parts being configured to be manually engaged from the front side of the door, and the handle parts having inclined surfaces inclined from the rear side of the door toward the front side and toward the center portion of the door.)

1. A handle structure which can open and close a door from either the left side or the right side is characterized in that,

has handle parts respectively arranged at the left and right ends of the door,

the handle portion is configured to be manually engaged from a front side of the door, and the handle portion has an inclined surface inclined from a rear side of the door toward a front side and toward a central portion of the door.

2. The handle structure of claim 1, wherein the handle structure comprises a handle bar

The inclined surface is formed by a plate-like member,

at least a portion of the rear side is thicker than the front side of the door among the thicknesses of the plate-like members.

3. A handle structure according to claim 1 or 2,

the handle portion has an opening portion formed on a front surface side of the door,

the inclined surface is formed by the surface at the inner side of the opening part,

a face opposite the inclined face is inclined at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to a front face of the door.

4. A refrigerator, characterized by comprising:

a main body portion; and

a door mounted on the main body and capable of being opened and closed from either left or right side,

the door has a handle structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A handle structure according to claim 1 or 2,

is configured to be detachable from a door of the refrigerator.

Technical Field

An aspect of the present invention relates to a structure of a door handle that can be opened and closed from either left or right, and a refrigerator having the same.

Background

The opening and closing mechanism of the refrigerator door has a structure that can be opened and closed from either the left or right side. For example, japanese patent No. 3479410 discloses a door opening and closing mechanism that is openable left and right, and includes: the hinge pin includes a pair of slide cam members provided symmetrically with respect to a center line of the door on both left and right end portions of the door side or a main body side to which the door is attached, a pair of engaging cam members provided symmetrically with respect to portions corresponding to the slide cam members on the main body side or the door side, and a hinge pin attached in a state of penetrating through a shaft hole provided in the engaging cam member. The slide cam member includes: the hinge device is characterized in that the hinge device further comprises a first cam projection provided on the outer periphery of the second grooved cam, wherein the first grooved cam which is horizontally releasable from the hinge pin is movable from a first locking position which is continuous with the 1 st grooved cam and locks the hinge pin guided by the 1 st grooved cam when the door is closed to a second locking position where the rotating shaft of the slide cam member is located when the door is opened, and the first cam projection is provided on the outer periphery of the second grooved cam.

The door opening/closing mechanism disclosed in japanese patent No. 3479410 is configured to have the following positional relationship: when the door is opened from the right side, the door slides to the opening side (e.g., the right side), thereby sliding on the second grooved cam by the hinge pin on the pivot side (e.g., the left side) and moving to the second latching position, so that the door is not disengaged from the pivot shaft on the left side. Therefore, the door is formed so that the user does not drop from the main body even if the user pulls the door to the front.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

In such a door opening and closing mechanism, when a user tries to open the door, the door needs to be slid to a side to be opened. However, when the user opens the door, the user naturally pulls the door forward, and the user tends to have difficulty in performing the sliding movement in the left-right direction.

Accordingly, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a structure of a handle portion that allows a user to open a door more easily in the door that can be opened and closed from either the left or right.

Technical solution for solving technical problem

A handle structure according to an aspect of the present invention is a door handle structure that can open and close a door from either of the left and right sides. In the handle structure, handle portions are provided at both left and right ends of the door, respectively, the handle portions are configured to be manually engaged from the front side of the door, and the handle portions have inclined surfaces inclined from the rear side of the door toward the front side and toward the center portion of the door.

In the door handle structure according to the aspect of the present invention, the inclined surface may be formed of a substantially plate-shaped member, and the thickness of the substantially plate-shaped member may be larger at least in part on the rear side than on the front side of the door.

In the door handle structure relating to an aspect of the present invention described above, the handle portion may have an opening portion formed on the front side of the door. Accordingly, the inclined surface may be formed by a surface inside the opening, and a surface facing the inclined surface may be inclined at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to a front surface of the door.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator including: and a door mounted on the main body and capable of being opened and closed from either of the left and right sides. Thus, the door has the door handle structure according to an aspect of the present invention.

The door handle structure according to an aspect of the present invention described above may be configured to be detachable from a door of the refrigerator.

Effects of the invention

The door handle structure according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with the handle portion having the inclined surface as described above, so that a user can slide the door to a side where the door is desired to be opened with a natural motion when opening the door. Therefore, according to an aspect of the present invention, in the door that can be opened and closed from either the left or right, it is possible to provide a configuration of the handle portion that allows the user to open the door more easily.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view showing an external appearance configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a sectional view showing a constitution of a line a-a of a refrigerating compartment door portion provided in the refrigerator shown in fig. 1. Fig. 2A to 2C show a state where the refrigerating compartment door is opened from the left side.

Fig. 2B is a sectional view showing a constitution of a line a-a of a refrigerating compartment door portion provided in the refrigerator shown in fig. 1. Fig. 2A to 2C show a state where the refrigerating compartment door is opened from the left side.

Fig. 2C is a sectional view showing a constitution of a line a-a of a refrigerating compartment door portion provided in the refrigerator shown in fig. 1. Fig. 2A to 2C show a state where the refrigerating compartment door is opened from the left side.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing the action of the cam mechanism when the refrigerating compartment door is opened.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the action of the cam mechanism when the refrigerating compartment door is opened.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing the action of the cam mechanism when the refrigerating compartment door is opened.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the action of the cam mechanism when the refrigerating compartment door is opened.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the refrigerating chamber door according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a front view showing an external configuration of the refrigerating chamber door according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the handle portion of the refrigerating chamber door according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the vicinity of the left handle portion of the refrigerating compartment door illustrated in fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a handle portion of a refrigerating chamber door according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the left handle portion of the refrigerating chamber door according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a handle portion of a refrigerating chamber door according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a refrigerating chamber door and a handle member attached to the door provided in the refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a front view showing an external appearance configuration of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment. The figure shows a state where the handle member has been removed from the refrigerator.

Fig. 16(a) is a front view showing an external configuration of a refrigerating chamber door provided in the refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment. (b) Is a sectional view showing the constitution of a-a line portion of the refrigerating chamber door shown in (a).

Fig. 17(a) is a front view showing an external configuration of a refrigerating chamber door provided in the refrigerator according to the sixth embodiment. (b) Is a sectional view showing the constitution of a-a line portion of the refrigerator door shown in (a).

Fig. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the handle part mounted on the refrigerating compartment door illustrated in fig. 17 (a).

Fig. 19(a) is a front view showing an external configuration of a refrigerator door provided in the refrigerator according to the seventh embodiment. (b) Is a sectional view showing the constitution of a-a line portion of the refrigerating chamber door shown in (a).

Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the handle part mounted on the refrigerating compartment door illustrated in fig. 19 (a).

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[ first embodiment ] (integral constitution of refrigerator)

In the present embodiment, a refrigerator 301 having a refrigerating chamber door opened in both right and left directions will be described as an example. The refrigerator 301 includes a door opening and closing mechanism 10. Fig. 1 shows an external appearance of a refrigerator 301 according to the present embodiment. The refrigerator 301 is mainly configured by various doors such as a main body 2 and a refrigerating chamber door 311. The main body 2 is formed of a heat insulating box. A refrigerating chamber is disposed at an upper section of the refrigerator 301. A refrigerating chamber door 311 is attached to an opening portion of the front surface of the refrigerating chamber.

In addition, the refrigerator 301 includes a second refrigerating compartment (vegetable compartment), a freezing compartment, a second freezing compartment, an ice making compartment, and the like, in addition to the refrigerating compartment. A drawer type refrigerating chamber door 13 is provided in the second refrigerating chamber (vegetable chamber) in the middle stage. In the first freezing compartment of the lower stage, a drawer type freezing compartment door 14 is provided. In addition, in the ice making chamber and the second freezing chamber in the middle stage, a drawer type ice making chamber door 15 or a freezing chamber door 16 is provided, respectively.

Further, the constitution, arrangement of each storage room in the refrigerator 301 are not limited to those described above. The configuration and arrangement of each storage room may be appropriately changed according to the capacity, use, and the like of the refrigerator.

In the present embodiment, the face provided with the door is the front face (front face) of the refrigerator 301. Thus, the respective faces of the main body portion 2 of the refrigerator 301 are set as the top face, the side faces, the back face, and the bottom face based on the positions where the refrigerator 301 is set in the normal state with the front face as a reference. In addition, in a state where the refrigerator 301 is viewed from the front, the side located on the left is referred to as the left side of the refrigerator 301 (or the refrigerating chamber door 311), and the side located on the right is referred to as the right side of the refrigerator 301 (or the refrigerating chamber door 311).

The refrigerating chamber door 311 is a double door that can be opened and closed from either left or right end. Therefore, handle portions serving as handle structures for opening and closing the refrigerating chamber door 311 are provided at both right and left end portions of the refrigerating chamber door 311. Specifically, the left handle portion 334a is provided at the left end 11a of the refrigerating chamber door 311. In addition, a right handle portion 334b is provided at the right end portion 11b of the refrigerating chamber door 311. When the user opens the refrigerating chamber door 311 from the left side, the user opens the left end portion 11a of the refrigerating chamber door 311 by gripping the handle portion 334a with the hand. Likewise, when the user opens the refrigerating chamber door 311 from the right side, the user grips the handle portion 334b with the hand, opening the right side end portion 11b of the refrigerating chamber door 311.

Further, the refrigerating compartment door 311 is provided with touch sensors (contact detecting portions) 91 (specifically, a left touch sensor 91a and a right touch sensor 91b), respectively. The left touch sensor 91a is disposed near the left end of the front face 11c of the refrigerating compartment door 311. The right touch sensor 91b is disposed near the right side end portion of the front face portion 11c of the refrigerating compartment door 311. The touch sensor 91 detects that a human body or the like has been contacted. Therefore, when the user's hand or the like contacts the left touch sensor 91a, the refrigerating chamber door 331 is controlled to be opened from the left end portion 11 a. In addition, when the user's hand or the like comes into contact with the right touch sensor 91b, the refrigerating chamber door 331 is controlled to be opened from the right end 11 b.

The display device 50 is provided on the left side of the front face 11c of the refrigerating chamber door 311. The display device 50 may be constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. The display device 50 may display operation information of the refrigerator, as well as control information, inventory information, calendar information, recipe information, message information, and the like.

(mechanism for opening and closing door)

Next, the door opening and closing mechanism 10 mounted to the refrigerating chamber door 311 of the refrigerator 301 will be explained. Fig. 2A to 2C illustrate actions of respective components when the refrigerating chamber door 311 (specifically, an opening portion of the refrigerating chamber) mounted to the main body portion 2 is opened from the left side. These drawings are views showing the cam mechanism 20 (specifically, the left cam mechanism 20a and the right cam mechanism 20b) provided on the bottom surface portion (i.e., a-a line portion of fig. 1) of the refrigerating chamber door 311. Further, as the cam mechanisms 20a and 20b, for example, a configuration of a known cam mechanism disclosed in japanese patent No. 3479410 or japanese patent No. 3761410 can be used.

The cam mechanisms 20a and 20b are symmetrically provided on both left and right sides of the refrigerating chamber door 311, and engage and disengage the refrigerating chamber door 311 with and from the main body 2. The cam mechanisms 20a and 20b include a slide cam member provided on the side of the refrigerating chamber door 311 and an engaging cam member provided on the side of the main body portion 2. In another embodiment, the sliding cam member may be provided on the main body portion 2 side, and the locking cam member may be provided on the refrigerating chamber door 311 side.

The sliding cam members are provided at the left and right ends of the bottom of the refrigerating chamber door 311, respectively. The slide cam member is constituted by a first grooved cam 21, a second grooved cam 22, a slide outer cam 25, and the like. These components are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center line O of the refrigerating chamber door 311.

The first and second slot cams 21 and 22 are disposed near both left and right end portions of the bottom of the refrigerating compartment door 311. The first and second grooved cams 21 and 22 slide relatively and guide the hinge pin 38 provided on the side of the main body portion 2. The first and second slot cams 21 and 22 have a continuous concave shape of a substantially L-shape.

The sliding outer cam 25 is disposed in a groove 27 formed slightly inside the first and second grooved cams 21 and 22. The slide outer cam 25 is disposed at a position corresponding to the locking outer cam 37 provided on the side of the body 2, and regulates the movement of the locking outer cam 37 when the door is opened and closed.

The refrigerating chamber door 311 has a guide roller 28 as a member for assisting the opening and closing operation. The guide rollers 28 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center line O of the refrigerating chamber door 311. Each guide roller 28 is disposed slightly inside the slide outer cam 25.

The guide roller 28 is rotated on a hinge angle 3 disposed at the front end of a partition wall for partitioning the upper stage refrigerating room and the middle stage 2 refrigerating room (vegetable room), and assists the opening and closing operation of the refrigerating room door 311. The hinge angle 3 is provided with an inclined surface inclined downward toward the rear across the left and right sides, and is an automatic closing mechanism (automatic closing mechanism using gravity) that is lowered from the inclined surface by the guide roller 28 to apply a force to the refrigerating chamber door in the closing direction.

The locking cam member is provided on the body portion 2 side. The engaging cam members are arranged at positions corresponding to the respective slide cam members. In the present embodiment, the locking cam unit is provided on the hinge angle 3. The locking cam member is constituted by a hinge pin 38, a locking outer cam 37, a rib 39, and the like.

The hinge pin 38 is a pivot of the refrigerating chamber door 311. The rib 39 is an arc-shaped member concentric with the hinge pin 38. The locking outer cam 37 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the hinge pin 38, and slides on the sliding outer cam 25 on the side of the refrigerating chamber door 311 to guide the refrigerating chamber door 311.

The sliding cam member and the locking cam member having the above-described configuration are engaged with each other to constitute a cam mechanism 20 for guiding opening and closing of the refrigerating chamber door 311.

Next, the action of the cam mechanism 20 when the refrigerating compartment door 311 is opened will be described with reference to fig. 2A to 2C and fig. 3 to 6. Fig. 2A to 2C sequentially show a case where the refrigerating compartment door 311 is opened from the left side end portion 11 a. In addition, fig. 3 to 6 sequentially show the actions of the cam mechanisms 20a and 20b when the refrigerating compartment door 311 is opened from the left side end 11 a.

When the refrigerating compartment door 311 is in the closed state, as shown in fig. 2A and 3, the hinge pin 38 is located near the inner end of the second groove cam 22 of the left and right cam mechanisms 20a and 20b (near the boundary with the first groove cam 21). At this time, the positional relationship between the left and right cam mechanisms 20a, 20b and the hinge pins 38 is substantially symmetrical. This state is referred to as a first locking position. The first slot cam 21 is inclined toward the center of the refrigerating chamber door 311 as it goes to the rear of the refrigerator 301, thereby preventing falling off by pulling both sides of the refrigerator chamber door 311.

Subsequently, when the user's handle is placed on the handle portion 334a of the left end portion 11a of the refrigerating chamber door 311 to be strongly caught, an outward (in this case, left direction) stress is applied to the handle portion 334 a. At this time, since the hinge pin 38 is restricted by the track of the second slot cam 22, in the left cam mechanism 20a, the hinge pin 38 is relatively guided to the first slot cam 21, while in the right cam mechanism 20b, the hinge pin 38 is relatively guided in the end direction (in this case, the right direction) by the second slot cam 22. Further, the locking outer cam 37 and the sliding outer cam 25 slide (see fig. 2B and 4). Thereby, the refrigerating chamber door 311 slides leftward.

When the handle portion 334a is further pulled, the hinge pin 38 is relatively guided by the first groove cam 21 in the left cam mechanism 20a, and the locking outer cam 37 and the sliding outer cam 25 slide. In the right cam mechanism 20b, the hinge pin 38 is disposed at an end portion of the second grooved cam 22, and the first cam projection provided on the outer edge of the second grooved cam 22 starts sliding with the rib 39 of the engaging cam member. Therefore, the relative sliding of the hinge pin 38 is restricted, and the hinge pin 38 is rotatably supported (see fig. 5). The state of the cam mechanism 20b at this time is the second locking position.

When the handle portion 334a is further pulled, the left cam mechanism 20a is disengaged (see fig. 2C and 6). In the right cam mechanism 20b, the first cam projection slides on the rib 39 at the second locking position, and the slide outer cam 25 slidably guides and locks the outer cam 37. Thereby, the right cam mechanism 20b holds the second latching position and pivotally supports the refrigerating chamber door 311, and the refrigerating chamber door 311 is opened from the left side.

As described above, in the refrigerator 301, when the refrigerating chamber door 311 opened left and right is opened, the refrigerating chamber door 311 slides in the outside direction of the opening side along with it. In the present embodiment, the structure of the handle portions 334a and 334b is designed so that the sliding movement can be performed more easily.

(constitution of handle portion)

Hereinafter, more specific configurations of the grip portions 334a and 334b will be described. Fig. 7 and 8 show the configuration of the appearance of the refrigerating chamber door 311. Fig. 9 shows a sectional configuration of a portion along line a-a of the refrigerating chamber door 311 shown in fig. 8.

The handle portion 334a is disposed below the left side end portion 11a of the refrigerating chamber door 311. The handle portion 334b is disposed below the right side end portion 11b of the refrigerating chamber door 311.

When the refrigerating chamber door 311 is manually opened from the left side, the user places his or her hand on the handle portion 334a provided on the left side end portion 11 a. Then, a force in the left direction (i.e., outside in the direction in which the door is opened) is applied to the refrigerating chamber door 311. This allows the refrigerating chamber door 311 to slide outward, and facilitates smooth opening and closing of the door opening/closing mechanism 10.

In addition, when the refrigerating chamber door 311 is manually opened from the right side, the user places his or her hand on the grip portion 334b provided on the right side end portion 11 b. Then, a force in the right direction (i.e., outside in the direction in which the door is opened) is applied to the refrigerating chamber door 311. This allows the refrigerating chamber door 311 to slide outward, and facilitates smooth opening and closing of the door opening/closing mechanism 10.

The handle portion 334a has an opening portion 335a formed in the front face 11c of the refrigerating chamber door 311. The handle portion 334b has an opening portion 335b formed in the front face portion 11c of the refrigerating chamber door 311. By forming such opening portions 335a and 335b, a user attempting to open the refrigerating chamber door 311 can put his/her hand onto the door from the front side of the refrigerator 301.

The concave space inside the opening portion 335a is mainly defined by the first inclined surface 344, the rear surface 345, and the second inclined surface 346. Likewise, the concave space inside the opening 335b is mainly defined by the first inclined surface 344, the rear surface 345 and the second inclined surface 346. As shown in fig. 9, the openings 335a and 335b have a left-right symmetrical shape.

The first inclined surface 344 of the opening portion 335a is located on the left end portion 11a side of the refrigerating compartment door 311. The first inclined surface 344 of the opening portion 335b is located on the right side end portion 11b side of the refrigerating compartment door 311. In any one of the handle portions 334a and 334b, the first inclined surface 344 is inclined from the rear side toward the front side of the refrigerating compartment door 311 and toward the central portion (i.e., the center line O) of the door.

The first inclined surface 344 is provided at a position where it is assumed that a user's finger contacts the refrigerating compartment door 311 when the user opens the refrigerating compartment door. That is, the first inclined surface 344 serves as a finger abutment portion for the grip portions 334a and 334 b.

Further, the first inclined surface 344 is formed of a plate-like member. Accordingly, when the user puts his or her hand into the opening 335a or 335b and the fingers (e.g., the index finger and the middle finger) are pressed against the first inclined surface 344, the remaining fingers (e.g., the thumb) are pressed against the surface opposite to the first inclined surface 344, and the plate-like member can be sandwiched.

The rear surface 345 is formed on the innermost surface of the concave space formed in the opening 335 a. In the present embodiment, the rear surface 345 is formed substantially parallel to the front surface 11c of the refrigerating chamber door 311, but is not limited thereto in other embodiments.

The second inclined surface 346 is formed at a position facing away from the first inclined surface 344. In order to smoothly perform the opening and closing operation of the door, when the user puts his or her hand in the opening portion 335a or 335b to open the refrigerating compartment door 311, the user's finger preferably abuts on the first inclined surface 344 side rather than the second inclined surface 346 side. Therefore, when the user places his or her hand in the opening 335a or 335b, the user's fingers are preferably not caught on the second inclined surface 346. That is, the surface of the second inclined surface 346 is preferably subjected to a process that facilitates sliding.

Hereinafter, preferred inclination angles of the first and second inclined surfaces 344 and 346 will be described with reference to fig. 10. Fig. 10 schematically shows the positional relationship between the respective slot cams 21 and 22 provided to the refrigerating compartment door 311 and the respective constituent members of the handle portion 334 a. Fig. 10 shows a part of the cam mechanism 20a on the left side end portion 11a side of the refrigerator 301. The cam mechanism 20b on the right end 11b side of the refrigerator 301 has a bilaterally symmetrical structure with respect to the cam mechanism 20 a.

As described above, in the door opening/closing mechanism 10 provided in the refrigerator 301 according to the present embodiment, the first inclined surface 344 that the user's finger touches is formed in the concave space in the opening portion 335a of the handle portion 334 a. Since the first inclined surface 344 is inclined toward the front side of the refrigerating compartment door 311 and toward the central portion of the door, when a user grips a finger into the concave space from the opening portion 335a and the finger is caught on the first inclined surface 344, as indicated by an arrow in fig. 10, an outward stress is naturally generated. Thereby, the refrigerating chamber door 311 is slid outward even if the user is unaware of it.

Here, a direction perpendicular to the extending direction Y (left-right direction) of the front face portion 11c of the refrigerating compartment door 311 in the closed state is defined as an X direction. This set the X direction as a reference (0 degrees). The extending direction of the first grooved cam 21 is a, and the extending direction of the second grooved cam 22 is B (see fig. 10). At this time, the extension angle of the first grooved cam 21 with respect to the reference position X is θ 1, and the extension angle of the second grooved cam 22 with respect to the reference position X is θ 2.

Accordingly, the extension angle of the normal line C of the first inclined surface 344 with respect to the reference position X is θ 3. The extension angle θ 3 preferably satisfies the following condition:

θ1≦θ3≦θ2。

by specifying the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 344 such that the normal line C forms the above-described angle, when the door is opened, first, a force that moves the hinge pin 38 along the second slot cam 22 and then a force that moves the hinge pin 38 along the first slot cam 21 can be effectively obtained from the stress applied to the handle portion 334 a. Further, in fig. 10, the normal line C is illustrated at a position deviated from the actual normal line of the first inclined surface 344 for convenience.

More specifically, the extension angle θ 1 of the first slot cam 21 may be set to, for example, 10 degrees. Further, the extension angle θ 2 of the second slot cam 22 may be set to, for example, 72 degrees. In this case, the extension angle θ 3 of the normal line C of the first inclined surface 344 may be set to any angle within a range of 10 degrees or more and 72 degrees or less.

In the present embodiment, the extension angle θ 3 of the normal line C of the first inclined surface 344 may be closer to the extension angle θ 2 of the second grooved cam 22 than the extension angle θ 1 of the first grooved cam 21. For example, the extension angle θ 3 of the normal line C of the first inclined surface 344 may be set to 65 degrees. Thus, the force to move the hinge pin 38 along the second slot cam 22 can be increased first. Accordingly, the refrigerating chamber door 311 can be slid with a small force until it becomes a rotatable state, and the user can open the door more easily. In addition, since the width of the first inclined surface 344 in the left-right direction is reduced, the opening portion 335a can be brought close to the left end portion 11a of the refrigerating chamber door 311. This can easily ensure the heat insulating performance of the refrigerating chamber door 311, and can improve the design of the refrigerating chamber door 311.

The second inclined surface 346 located opposite to the first inclined surface 344 is preferably inclined at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to the extending direction (left-right direction) of the front surface portion 11 c. That is, the inclination angle θ 4 of the second inclined surface 346 with respect to the front surface portion 11c is preferably an obtuse angle. According to this configuration, when the user places his or her hand in the opening 335a, it is possible to make it difficult to catch his or her finger on the second inclined surface 346 side. Therefore, the user who places his hand in the opening 335a actively abuts with his fingers on the first inclined surface 344 side, and as described above, slides the refrigerating compartment door 311 outward with a natural motion.

(control of opening and closing of electric door)

Further, the refrigerator 301 according to the present embodiment can also open and close the refrigerating chamber door 311 by electric control by touch operation of the touch sensor 91. The automatic opening and closing control of the refrigerating chamber door using the touch sensor may be performed by a known method. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

(summary of the first embodiment)

As described above, the refrigerator 301 according to the present embodiment includes the door opening/closing mechanism 10. The door opening/closing mechanism 10 includes: at least two handle portions 334a and 334b symmetrically provided at both left and right ends of the refrigerating chamber door 311, respectively, and two cam mechanisms 20 symmetrically provided at both left and right sides of the refrigerating chamber door 311 to engage and disengage the refrigerating chamber door 311 and the main body portion 2.

In order to allow the hand to be caught from the front face portion 11c side of the door, the handle portions 334a and 334b are provided with opening portions 335a and 335b formed in the front face portion 11 c. In addition, first inclined surfaces 344 are provided in the spaces in the openings 335a and 335 b. The first inclined surface 344 is inclined from the rear side to the front side of the refrigerating compartment door 311 in a direction of the central portion (i.e., the center line O) of the door.

According to this structure, when opening the refrigerating compartment door 311, the user puts his or her hand into the space within the opening portion 335a (or 335b) of the handle portion 334a (or 334b), and by pressing the first inclined surface 344 with his or her finger, a force can be applied to the outside in the opening direction of the door. Therefore, the refrigerating chamber door 311 can be more easily slid outward, resulting in a door opening and closing mechanism with better operability.

[ second embodiment ]

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the handle portion provided in the door opening and closing mechanism of the refrigerating chamber door is different from that of the first embodiment. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment is applied to the configuration other than the handle portion. Here, the present embodiment will be described centering on the structure of the grip portion different from that of the first embodiment.

Fig. 11 shows the configuration of the refrigerating chamber door 411 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 11 is a view showing a sectional structure of the refrigerating chamber door 411 at a position corresponding to a portion of line a-a of fig. 8.

The refrigerating chamber door 411 is a double-opening door that can be opened and closed from either left or right end, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, handle portions (specifically, a left handle portion 434a and a right handle portion 434b) that function as handle structures when the refrigerating chamber door 411 is opened and closed are provided at both left and right end portions of the refrigerating chamber door 411, respectively.

The handle portion 434a has an opening portion 335a formed in the front face 11c of the refrigerating chamber door 411. In addition, the handle 434b has an opening 335b formed on the front face 11c of the refrigerating compartment door 411.

The concave space inside the opening portion 335a is mainly defined by the first inclined surface 444, the rear surface 345 and the second inclined surface 346. Likewise, the concave space inside the opening 335b is mainly defined by the first inclined surface 444, the rear surface 345 and the second inclined surface 346.

The first inclined surface 444 is formed by a plate-like member. Further, the plate-like member is thicker on the rear side than on the front side of the door. With such a configuration, it is difficult for a user who places his or her hand in the opening 335a or 335b to grasp the plate-like member behind the plate having a greater thickness. Therefore, when the door opening operation is started, the door can be made difficult to pull inward (in the direction in which the plate-like member extends) in front of the door. Therefore, when a finger applies a force onto the first inclined surface 444, the pressing force of the finger can be directed to the outside of the door more reliably.

Further, the inside of the plate-like member and the surface of the first inclined surface 444 may be subjected to, for example, a processing or a structure for preventing slip such as ridges or grooves extending in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the surface (opposing surface) opposite to the first inclined surface 444 is more slippery than the first inclined surface 444 by, for example, not applying a slip prevention treatment or structure. Therefore, the pressing force of the finger is hardly directed to the inside of the door, and the pressing force of the finger can be more reliably directed to the outside of the door.

The rear face 345 and the second inclined surface 346 formed in the concave spaces in the opening portions 335a and 335b have the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

[ third embodiment ]

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the third embodiment, the configuration of the grip portion provided in the door opening/closing mechanism of the refrigerating compartment door is different from that of the first embodiment. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment is applied to the configuration other than the handle portion. Here, the present embodiment will be described centering on the structure of the grip portion different from that of the first embodiment.

Fig. 12 shows a structure of a handle portion 634a on the left side of the refrigerating chamber door 611 according to the third embodiment.

The refrigerating chamber door 611 is a double-opening door that can be opened and closed from either of the left and right ends, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, at both left and right ends of the refrigerating chamber door 611, handle portions (specifically, a left handle portion 634a and a right handle portion 634b) are provided, respectively, which function as a handle structure when the refrigerating chamber door 611 is opened and closed.

The handle portion 634a has an opening portion 335a formed in the front face 11c of the refrigerating chamber door 611. Although not shown, the right grip portion 634b has the same configuration.

The concave space inside the opening portion 335a is mainly defined by the first inclined surface 644, the rear surface 345, and the second inclined surface 346.

As shown in fig. 12, the first inclined surface 644 has a curved surface that rises in a convex shape in the space inside the opening portion 335 a. With this configuration, when the door is opened, a user who puts his or her hand into the opening 335a can easily fix the finger pad to the first inclined surface 644. This makes it easier for the gripping force of the finger to change to the direction of pressing the first inclined surface 644. Therefore, when a finger exerts a force on the first inclined surface 644, the pressing force of the finger can be directed to the outside of the door more reliably.

The rear surface 345 and the second inclined surface 346 formed in the concave space in the opening portion 335a have the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

[ fourth embodiment ]

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the handle portion provided in the door opening/closing mechanism of the refrigerating chamber door is different from that of the first embodiment. The same configuration as that of the first embodiment is applied to the configuration other than the handle portion. Here, the present embodiment will be described centering on the structure of the grip portion different from that of the first embodiment.

Fig. 13 shows the structure of a refrigerating compartment door 511 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 13 is a view showing a sectional structure of the refrigerating chamber door 511 at a position corresponding to a portion of line a-a of fig. 8.

The refrigerating chamber door 511 is a double-opening door that can be opened and closed from either of the left and right ends, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the left and right ends of the refrigerating chamber door 511 are provided with respective grip portions (specifically, a left grip portion 534a and a right grip portion 534b) that function as grip structures when the refrigerating chamber door 511 is opened and closed.

The handle portion 534a has an opening portion 335a formed in the front face 11c of the refrigerating chamber door 511. In addition, the handle 534b has an opening 335b formed on the front face 11c of the refrigerating compartment door 511.

The concave space inside the opening portion 335a is mainly defined by the first inclined surface 344, the rear surface 345 and the second inclined surface 346. Likewise, the concave space inside the opening 335b is mainly defined by the first inclined surface 344, the rear surface 345 and the second inclined surface 346. The configuration of the first inclined surface 344, the rear surface 345, and the second inclined surface 346 forming the concave space is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.

However, in the present embodiment, the boundary portion between the second inclined surface 346 and the front surface portion 11c is a smooth curved surface 546R. Accordingly, when a user who wants to open the door puts his or her hand into the opening 335a and tries to catch his or her finger on the second inclined surface 346 instead of the first inclined surface 344, the finger slides on the curved surface 546R, and therefore the user can have a configuration in which the hand is less likely to catch on the second inclined surface 346 side. Therefore, the user who places his hand in the opening 335a actively abuts with his fingers on the first inclined surface 344 side, and as described above, slides the refrigerating compartment door 311 outward with a natural motion.

[ fifth embodiment ]

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, an example will be described in which a handle member (handle structure) is configured to be detachable from a refrigerator door.

Fig. 14 shows a state in which the refrigerating chamber door 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to the fifth embodiment and a handle member (handle structure) 700 mounted to the refrigerating chamber door 11 are disassembled. Fig. 15 shows an external appearance of the refrigerator 1 without the handle part 700 mounted thereto.

The refrigerator 1 has a refrigerating chamber door 11 opened at both right and left sides. The basic configuration of the refrigerator 1 is the same as the refrigerator 301 described in the first embodiment. In addition, in the refrigerator 1, the configuration of the handle portions (i.e., the handle portions 34a and 34b) provided on the refrigerating chamber door 11 is different from that of the refrigerator 301.

The left handle portion 34a is provided at the left end portion 11a of the refrigerating chamber door 11. In addition, a right handle portion 34b is provided at the right side end portion 11b of the refrigerating chamber door 11. The handle portion 34a is formed by attaching the handle portion forming member 34 to the opening portion 32 of the end member 31 constituting the left side end portion 11a of the refrigerating compartment door 11. The grip portion forming member 34 has a recess 43 (see fig. 16 (b)). The right grip portion 34b has the same configuration as the left grip portion 34 a.

The handle member 700 is formed of a material having a certain degree of flexibility, such as a resin material. The handle member 700 includes a central support member 710, a left handle portion 734a, and a right handle portion 734b as main components.

The center support member 710 is a plate-like member that connects the left grip portion 734a and the right grip portion 734 b. The left-side handle portion 734a is located at the left-side end when mounted to the refrigerator 1, as a handle portion when the refrigerating compartment door 11 is opened from the left. The right-side handle portion 734b is located at the end on the right side when mounted to the refrigerator 1, as a handle portion when the refrigerating compartment door 11 is opened from the right.

The left grip portion 734a and the right grip portion 734b have a bilaterally symmetrical configuration. The left handle portion 734a and the right handle portion 734b each have a slope surface forming portion 744, a rear plate-like portion 751, and a fixing portion 752.

The inclined surface formation portion 744 is formed substantially in a plate shape and has an inclined surface 744a on the inner side. The inclined surface 744a is provided at an assumed position where a user's finger contacts the refrigerating chamber door 11 when the user opens the refrigerating chamber door 11. That is, the inclined surface 744a serves as a finger contact portion of the grip portions 734a and 734 b.

Similarly to the first inclined surface 344 described in the first embodiment, in a state of being attached to the refrigerating compartment door 11, the inclined surface 744a is inclined from the rear side to the front side toward the center of the door.

The rear plate portion 751 is a substantially plate-shaped member extending rearward from the inclined surface formation portion 744. The fixing portion 752 has a convex portion protruding from the inner surface of the rear plate-like portion 751 toward the center support member 710.

Fig. 16(a) and (b) show the refrigerating chamber door 11 in a state where the handle part 700 is mounted.

In a state where the handle member 700 is mounted to the refrigerating chamber door 11, the convex portion of the fixing portion 752 is fitted into the concave portion 43 of the handle portion forming member 34 of the refrigerating chamber door 11. That is, the fixing portions 752 of the handle part 700 are embedded in the recesses 43 formed at the respective ends 11a and 11b of the refrigerating compartment door 11, so that the handle part 700 can be mounted to the refrigerating compartment door 11 in a fixed state.

As described above, the handle member 700 is mounted to the refrigerating chamber door 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment. By attaching the handle member 700, the left handle portion 734a or the right handle portion 734b is disposed at both left and right end portions of the refrigerating chamber door 11. These handle portions 734a and 734b function as handles for opening and closing the door, instead of the handle portions 34a and 34b provided in the main body of the refrigerator 1.

The grip portions 734a and 734b are provided with inclined surface forming portions 744 that project forward from the front surface portion 11 c. Thus, a user who wants to open the door can grip the handle portions 734a and 734b with their hands from the side of the front face 11c of the door. An inclined surface 744a is formed inside the inclined surface forming portion 744. The inclined surface 744a is inclined from the rear side to the front side of the refrigerating compartment door 11 toward the central portion of the door.

According to this configuration, when the refrigerating compartment door 11 is opened, the user can press the inclined surface 744a with a finger by pushing the inclined surface 744a with the hand from the front inside of the handle portion 734a or 734b to apply a force to the outside in the door opening direction. Therefore, the refrigerating chamber door 11 can be more easily slid outward, resulting in a door opening and closing mechanism with better operability.

In addition, the handle member 700 can be attached when it is difficult to use the positions and shapes of the handle portions 34a and 34b provided on the main body of the refrigerator 1 due to the physique, the addiction, and the like of the user. Thus, instead of the handles 34a and 34b provided in the main body of the refrigerator 1, the handles 734a and 734b of the handle member 700 function as handles when opening and closing the door. Therefore, the positions and shapes of the handle portions 734a and 734b of the handle member 700 can be variously changed, and the product can be expanded into various modified configurations. Thus, the user can select the handle member 700 according to his or her preference. Therefore, the structure of the handle portion which is highly convenient for the user can be provided.

[ sixth embodiment ]

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the sixth embodiment, the configuration (handle structure) of the handle member attached to the refrigerating chamber door is different from that of the fifth embodiment. The same configuration as that of the fifth embodiment is applied to the configuration other than the grip member. Here, the present embodiment will be mainly described with respect to a configuration different from that of the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 17(a) shows the appearance of the refrigerating chamber door 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to the sixth embodiment. In the figure, the refrigerating chamber door 11 is shown in a state where the handle part 800 is mounted. Fig. 17(b) shows a sectional configuration of a portion along line a-a of the refrigerating chamber door 11 shown in fig. 17 (a). Fig. 18 shows the appearance of the handle part 800 alone.

The handle member 800 is formed of a material having a certain degree of flexibility, such as a resin material. The handle member 800 includes a central support member 810, a left handle portion 834a, and a right handle portion 834b as main components. In the fifth embodiment, the handle member 700 is an integrally molded resin member, but in the present embodiment, the central plate-like member 810, the left handle portion 834a, and the right handle portion 834b constituting the handle member 800 are formed of separate members.

The central plate member 810 is a plate member connecting the left grip 834a and the right grip 834 b. Connecting shaft portions 811 are provided at upper and lower ends of the central plate-like member 810. A left handle portion 834a is connected to the left end of the connecting shaft portion 811. The right grip portion 834b is connected to the right end of the connecting shaft portion 811.

The left handle portion 834a is located at an end portion on the left side when mounted to the refrigerator 1, as a handle portion when the refrigerating compartment door 11 is opened from the left. The right-side handle portion 834b is located at an end portion on the right side when mounted to the refrigerator 1, as a handle portion when the refrigerating compartment door 11 is opened from the right.

The left grip 834a and the right grip 834b have a bilaterally symmetrical structure. The left grip portion 834a and the right grip portion 834b have an inclined surface forming portion 844, a rear plate-like portion 851, a fixing portion 852, and a connecting portion 853, respectively.

The inclined surface formation portion 844 is formed in a substantially plate shape and has an inclined surface 844a on the inner side. The inclined surface 844a is provided at an assumed position where a user's finger contacts the refrigerating compartment door 11 when the user opens the refrigerating compartment door 11.

Similarly to the first inclined surface 344 described in the first embodiment, in a state of being attached to the refrigerating compartment door 11, the inclined surface 844a is inclined from the rear side to the front side of the refrigerating compartment door 11 toward the center portion of the door.

The rear plate portion 851 is a substantially plate-shaped member extending rearward from the inclined surface forming portion 844. The fixing portion 852 has a convex portion protruding from the inner surface of the rear plate-like portion 851 toward the central plate-like member 810.

The connecting portion 853 constitutes a connecting portion with the central plate-like member 810. The handle portions 834a and 834b can be fixed to the central plate-like member 810 by inserting the connecting portion 853 into the connecting shaft portion 811 of the central plate-like member 810 and fixing it with a screw 854 or the like.

In a state where the handle member 800 is mounted to the refrigerating chamber door 11, the convex portion of the fixing portion 852 is fitted into the concave portion 43 of the handle portion forming member 34 of the refrigerating chamber door 11. That is, the fixing portions 852 of the handle part 800 are embedded in the recesses 43 formed at the respective ends 11a and 11b of the refrigerating chamber door 11, so that the handle part 800 can be mounted to the refrigerating chamber door 11 in a fixed state.

As described above, the handle member 800 is mounted to the refrigerating chamber door 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment. By attaching the handle member 800, the left handle 834a or the right handle 834b is disposed at both left and right ends of the refrigerating chamber door 11. These handle portions 834a and 834b function as handles for opening and closing the door instead of the handle portions 34a and 34b provided in the main body of the refrigerator 1.

[ seventh embodiment ]

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be explained. In the seventh embodiment, the configuration (handle structure) of the handle member attached to the refrigerating chamber door is different from that of the fifth embodiment. The same configuration as that of the fifth embodiment is applied to the configuration other than the grip member. Here, the present embodiment will be mainly described with respect to a configuration different from that of the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 19(a) shows the appearance of the refrigerating chamber door 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to the seventh embodiment. In this figure, the refrigerating chamber door 11 is shown in a state where the handle part 900 is mounted. Fig. 19(b) shows a sectional configuration of a portion along line a-a of the refrigerating chamber door 11 shown in fig. 19 (a). Fig. 19 shows an appearance of the handle part 900 alone.

In the fifth embodiment, the constitution of a grip section 700 having two grip portions 734a and 734b has been described. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the grip member 900 forming the left grip portion 934a and the grip member 900 forming the right grip portion 934b are configured as separate members.

The grip member 900 forming the left grip portion 934a and the grip member 900 forming the right grip portion 934b have the same shape. Thus, the handle members 900 are attached to the refrigerating compartment door 11 in a laterally symmetrical positional relationship.

As shown in fig. 20, the handle member 900 mainly includes an inclined surface forming member 944 and a fixing portion forming member 950. In the present embodiment, the inclined surface forming part 944 and the fixing part forming part 950 are configured as separate members and connected to each other by a connection part such as a screw 954 to form one part (i.e., the handle part 900).

The inclined surface forming member 944 has a main portion forming an inclined surface 944a and a rib 945. The inclined surface 944a is provided at an assumed position where a user's finger contacts the refrigerating chamber door 11 when the user opens the refrigerating chamber door 11. That is, the inclined surface 944a serves as a finger contact portion for the grip portions 934a and 934 b.

Similarly to the first inclined surface 344 described in the first embodiment, in a state of being attached to the refrigerating compartment door 11, the inclined surface 944a is inclined from the rear side to the front side toward the center of the door.

The fixing portion forming member 950 has a plate-like portion 951 and a protrusion 952. The plate 951 extends rearward from the inclined surface forming member 944. The protrusion 952 is formed to protrude from an inner surface of the plate 951.

In a state where the handle member 900 is attached to the refrigerating chamber door 11, the protrusion 952 is fitted in the recess 43 of the handle portion forming member 34 of the refrigerating chamber door 11. That is, the protruding portions 952 of the two handle members 900 are embedded in the recesses 43 formed at the respective ends 11a and 11b of the refrigerating chamber door 11, so that the handle members 900 can be mounted to the refrigerating chamber door 11 in a fixed state.

As described above, the two handle members 900 are attached to the refrigerating chamber door 11 of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment. By attaching the two handle members 900, handle portions 934a and 934b are formed at both left and right ends of the refrigerating compartment door 11. These grip portions 934a and 934b function as grips for opening and closing the door in place of the grip portions 34a and 34b provided in the main body of the refrigerator 1.

The handle portions 934a and 934b are provided with inclined surface forming portions 944 that project forward from the front surface portion 11c of the refrigerating compartment door 11. Therefore, a user who wants to open the door can grip the door on the grip portions 934a and 934b from the front face portion 11c side of the door. An inclined surface 944a is formed on the inner side of the inclined surface forming member 944. The inclined surface 944a is inclined from the rear side to the front side of the refrigerating chamber door 11 toward the center portion of the door.

According to this configuration, when the refrigerating compartment door 11 is opened, the user can press the inclined surface 944a with a finger by pressing the inclined surface 944a with the hand from the front inside of the handle portion 934a or 934b to apply a force to the outside in the door opening direction. Therefore, the refrigerating chamber door 11 can be more easily slid outward, resulting in a door opening and closing mechanism with better operability.

Further, according to this configuration, the handle member 900 can be mounted only to the side of the left and right handles 34a and 34b of the refrigerating chamber door 11, which is frequently used or inconvenienced by the user. Therefore, the design of the refrigerator 1 and the convenience of the refrigerator door 11 are easily achieved at the same time.

The embodiments disclosed herein are considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In addition, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in the present specification are also included in the scope of the present invention.