REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

 A refrigerator (100) includes: a heat-insulating main body (150) composing a storage compartment having an opening at a front face; and a main door (111) which freely opens and closes at the opening of the storage compartment, in which the main door (111) includes: an opening (113) provided at a front face of the main door (111); a sub door (112) which freely opens and closes at the opening (113) through rotation; an axis member (140) for rotatably holding the sub door (112); a fixing member (141) provided across a sub door side face and an opening inner side face, the sub door side face being a side face of the sub door (112) in an axial direction of the axis member (140), and the opening inner side face being an inner side face of the opening (113) opposite to the sub door side face; and a regulating member (180) for regulating a rotational angle of the sub door (112) at a predetermined angle by contacting the fixing member (141) when the sub door (112) is open.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and particularly relates to a structure of a door which freely opens and closes at a storage compartment.

[Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a refrigerator having a door (hereafter referred to as "main door") which freely opens and closes at a storage compartment with an opening for easily taking items such s food in and out of the storage compartment.

[0003] Such a refrigerator includes a door which freely opens and closes at the opening (hereafter referred to as "sub door") at the main door. A user of the refrigerator can open the sub door to take out items such as food stored behind of the main door. Items such as food can be stored behind the main door.

[0004] With such a refrigerator, the user can take food in and out of the storage compartment by opening the sub door, without opening the main door.

[0005] The sub door includes an axis extending laterally at a lower end portion, and is opened by turning toward the user, with the axis rotating as the center, for example.

[0006] When the sub door is opened as described above, it is preferable that the sub door is held to have an inner face (a face toward the storage compartment when closed) substantially horizontal.

[0007] This is because the inner face of the sub door is used as a table for temporally placing food taken out of the storage compartment, for example.

[0008] Thus, there is a refrigerator with arms at the lateral sides of the sub door for regulating a rotational angle of the sub door.

[0009] There is another refrigerator which regulates the rotational angle of the sub door when opened by modifying the structure of the sub door and the opening, without providing the arms (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

[0010] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an example of conventional structure for regulating the rotational angle of the sub door.

[0011] As illustrated in FIG. 14, a main door 312 includes a sub door 330. The sub door 330 rotates with an axis member 334 composing the rotational axis as the center.

[0012] Furthermore, a first stopper 345 is provided at the lower end of the sub door 330, and a second stopper 355 is provided a the lower part of the opening of the main door 312.

[0013] When the sub door 330 is opened, the first stopper 345 comes into contact with the second stopper 355. With this, the rotational angle of the sub door 330 is regulated at approximately 90 degrees.

[0014] As such, the first stopper 345 is provided in a direction vertical to the rotational axis of the sub door 330, and the second stopper 355 is provided at the lower part of the opening of the main door 312 to come into contact with the first stopper 345. With this, it is possible to regulate the rotational angle when the sub door 330 is open, without using the lateral regions of the sub door 330.

[Citation List]

[Patent Literature]

[0015] 

[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication 2003-207263

[Summary of Invention]

[Technical Problem]

[0016] However, in the case of the conventional refrigerator, the rotational trajectory of the sub door 330 including the first stopper 345 is larger than the rotational trajectory when there is no the first stopper 345. Thus, a space 360 is always necessary behind the rotational axis of the sub door 330 for the first stopper 345 to rotate.

[0017] When the sub door 330 is closed, air barely flows in the space 360. As a result, the air tends to stagnate, easily causing condensation.

[0018] In this case, for example, a heating element such as a radiation pipe may be arranged near the space 360 to prevent the condensation. However, the space 360 is close to the storage compartment, and thus arranging the heating element is impractical in terms of the efficiency for cooling the storage compartment.

[0019] In view of the conventional problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator having a main door with a sub door, and regulates the rotational angle of the sub door without affecting the cooling efficiency.

[Solution to Problem]

[0020] In order to solve the abovementioned problem, the refrigerator according to the present invention is a refrigerator including: a heat-insulating main body composing a storage compartment having an opening at a front face; and a main door which freely opens and closes at the opening of the storage compartment, in which the main door includes: an opening provided at a front face of the main door; a sub door which freely opens and closes at the opening through rotation; an axis member for rotatably holding the sub door; a fixing member provided across a sub door side face and an opening inner side face, the sub door side face being a side face of the sub door in an axial direction of the axis member, and the opening inner side face being an inner side face of the opening opposite to the sub door side face; and a regulating member for regulating a rotational angle of the sub door at a predetermined angle by contacting the fixing member when the sub door is open.

[0021] With this structure, the fixing member regulating the rotational angle of the sub door is provided across the side face of the sub door and the inner side face of the opening which are next to each other. More specifically, the fixing member is provided in parallel with the axial direction of the axis member, for example. Accordingly, the rotational trajectory of the sub door does not increase due to the fixing member, as in the conventional refrigerator.

[0022] As a result, a space for rotating the fixing member is not necessary behind the rotational axis. In other words, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, a space susceptible to condensation is not necessary around the sub door, and the rotational angle of the sub door can be regulated reliably.

[0023] Furthermore, the fixing member may protrudes from the sub door side face, and rotates along with the rotation of the sub door, and the regulating member may be provided at the opening inner side face.

[0024] Furthermore, the fixing member may protrude from the opening inner side face, and the regulating member may be provided at the sub door side face, and may rotate along with the rotation of the sub door.

[0025]  As such, one of the fixing member and the regulating member may be arranged on the sub door, and the other may be arranged on the opening inner side face. More specifically, the arrangement positions of the fixing member and the regulating member may be a position allowing a regulation on the rotational angle of the sub door by the contact of the fixing member and the regulating member.

[0026] Furthermore, the main door may further include a reinforcing member for suppressing a change in an attitude of the fixing member with respect to the axis member by holding the fixing member and the axis member.

[0027] With this structure, the change in a relative positional relationship between the fixing member and the axis member can be prevented, securing stability when opening and closing the sub door.

[0028] Furthermore, the main door may further include a damper apparatus for suppressing a rotation speed of the sub door.

[0029] With this structure, it is possible to prevent the sub door from rapidly opening, and to prevent an excessive force on the fixing member and the axis member when the sub door is open, and thereby enhancing safety for opening and closing the sub door, and increasing the product life of the open-close structure.

[0030] Furthermore, the main door may further include an elastic member for biasing the axis member and the fixing member that are movable in the axial direction toward the opening inner side face or toward the sub door, and the axis member and the fixing member are removed from the sub door or the opening inner side face by being moved against a biasing force of the elastic member.

[0031] This structure allows a user to remove the sub door from the refrigerator easily, and to attach the sub door to the refrigerator easily. In other words, for the user of the refrigerator, it is easy to clean the sub door and the part around the opening of the main door.

[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0032] The present invention provides a refrigerator having a main door with a sub-door, and which regulates the rotational angle of the sub-door without affecting the cooling efficiency.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0033] 

[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of the refrigerator according to Embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of the refrigerator with a first sub door and a second sub door open.

[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of the refrigerator with a first main door and a second main door open.

[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which the first sub door is open.

[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the structure around the axis member of the refrigerator according to Embodiment.

[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 illustrates rotation of a reinforcing member for holding the axis member and a fixing member.

[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating structure for opening and closing the first sub door.

[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a right-side view illustrating structure for opening and closing the first sub door.

[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an open state and a closed state of the first sub door in Embodiment.

[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 (A) illustrates another example of positions for arranging the fixing member and a regulating groove, and FIG. 10 (B) illustrates another example of positions for arranging the fixing member and the axis member.

[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a member functioning both as the axis member and the fixing member.

[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 (A) is a block diagram illustrating a control system of a lighting unit in the refrigerator according to Embodiment. FIG. 12 (B) is a schematic diagram illustrating arrangement positions of components in FIG. 12 (A) in the refrigerator.

[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of process for alarm by refrigerator according to Embodiment.

[FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an example of conventional structure for regulating the rotational angle of the sub door.

[Description of Embodiments]

[0034] The following shall describe Embodiment of the refrigerator according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0035] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the basic structure of the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment of the present invention shall be described.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of the refrigerator 100 with the first sub door 112 and the second sub door 122 open.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of the refrigerator 100 with the first main door 111 and the second main door 121 open.

[0039] The refrigerator 100 according to this embodiment is an apparatus for preserving storage items stored inside by refrigeration or freezing. The refrigerator 100 has a wall partitioning the body at an intermediate portion in the width direction, and has storage compartments of different types on the right and left. Such a refrigerator is referred to as a side-by-side (SBS) refrigerator, for example.

[0040] The refrigerator 100 includes a heat-insulating main body 150, a first main door 111, and a second main door 121, as illustrated in the drawings.

[0041] The first main door 111 also has an opening 113 at the front face, and the first sub door 112 which freely opens and closes at the opening 113. The second main door 121 includes an opening 123 provided at the front and the second sub door 122 which freely opens and closes at the opening 123.

[0042] The first main door 111 freely opens and closes at the opening of the refrigerator compartment arranged on the user's right side when facing the heat-insulating main body 150. In the case of Embodiment, the first main door 111 is attached to the heat-insulating main body 150 by a hinge (not illustrated) such that the first main door 111 rotates with the axis extending in the vertical direction in front of the right side wall of the heat-insulating main body 150 as the center. The first main door 111 is a vertically long rectangle arranged from the top to the bottom of the refrigerator 100, and has the axis passing through the right end portion of the first main door 111.

[0043] The second main door 121 freely opens and closes at the opening of the freezer compartment arranged on the left of the user when facing the heat-insulating main body 150. In the case of Embodiment, the second main door 121 is attached to the heat-insulating main body 150 by a hinge (not illustrated) such that the second main door 121 rotates around the axis extending in the vertical direction in front of the left side wall of the heat-insulating main body 150 as the center. The second main door 121 is a vertically long rectangle arranged from the top to the bottom of the refrigerator 100, and has the axis passing through the left end portion of the second main door 121.

[0044] The opening 113 forms a through hole in the thickness direction of the first main door 111. The user of the refrigerator 100 can take out storage items stored behind the first main door 111 through the opening 113, and can store items behind the first main door 111.

[0045] The first sub door 112 freely opens and closes at the opening 113. In the case of Embodiment, the first sub door 112 is attached to the first main door 111 by the axis member such that the first sub door 112 rotates around the axis laterally extending at the lower end portion of the opening 113. The axis passes through the lower end portion of the first sub door 112. The axis member shall be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 5 and others.

[0046] The second sub door 122 freely opens and closes at the opening 123 for receiving receives ice supplied from the inside of the refrigerator 100.

[0047] A control board for controlling operations of the refrigerator 100 is stored at the top portion of the heat-insulating body 150, and a board cover 158 covering the storage space is attached.

[0048] The space inside of the heat-insulating main body 150 is partitioned into the left part and the right part by a partition 153, forming a refrigerator compartment on the right and the freezer compartment on the left.

[0049] Containers 162 for storing items such as food and shelves 163 for placing the items are attached to the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

[0050]  With reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, a mechanical structure for opening and closing the first sub door 112 in the refrigerator 100 (hereafter referred to as "open-close structure") shall be described.

[0051] Note that, the open-close structure of the first sub door 112 and the open-close structure of the second sub door 122 are basically identical. Thus, the description shall be made focusing on the first sub door 112, and the description of the second sub door 122 shall be omitted.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating the state in which the first sub door 112 is open.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first sub door 112 rotates until the inner face (the top face in FIG. 4) is substantially horizontal, and is held at that angle.

[0054] A push latch 130 is provided at the top portion of the opening 113. A closed state of the first sub door 112 is maintained by the protrusion provided at the top portion of the inner face of the first sub door 112 and the push latch 130 latched together. The protrusion and the push latch 130 are released from the latched state by pressing the top portion of the first sub door 112, opening the first sub door 112.

[0055] Furthermore, a sub door switch 131 is provided next to the push latch 130. Whether or not the first sub door 112 is closed is determined by detecting whether or not the sub door switch 131 is pressed. A sub door detecting unit for the detection shall be described later with reference to FIG. 12 (A).

[0056] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the structure around the axis member 140 in the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment.

[0057] Note that, in FIG. 5, part of the first sub door 112 and the first main door 111 are cut away to show the structure around the axis member 140.

[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a rotation frame 170 which is a component of the first sub door 112 and a fixing frame 180 fixed with the first main door 111 are connected by the axis member 140.

[0059] Note that, in Embodiment, the rotation frame 170 and the fixing frame 180 are both made of metal. The axis member 140 is fixed such that the axis member 140 does not rotate with respect to the fixing frame 180.

[0060] The axis member 140 is connected to a damper apparatus 135 for suppressing a rotation speed of the first sub door 112 through a joint member 136. The main body of the damper apparatus 135 is fixed with the first sub door 112.

[0061] To put it differently, when opening the first sub door 112, the damper apparatus 135 and the axis member 140 rotate with respect to each other, and the damper apparatus 135 provides the first sub door 112 with a force in a direction suppressing the rotation speed of the first sub door 112.

[0062] The first main door 111 also includes a fixing member 141. The fixing member 141 is provided across a sub door side face which is a side face of the first sub door 112 in the axis direction of the axis member 140 and an opening inner side face which is an inner side face of the opening 113 facing the sub door side face.

[0063] In the Embodiment, the fixing member 141 protrudes from the side face of the first sub door 112 as illustrated in FIG. 5, and rotates as the first sub door 112 rotates.

[0064] The end portion of the fixing member 141 opposite to the first sub door 112 is inserted into a regulating groove 181 of the fixing frame 180.

[0065] When the first sub door 112 is opened, the fixing member 141 attached to the first sub door 112 rotates up to the front end of the regulating groove 181 when facing the user, and the movement is regulated by the contact to the front end.

[0066] In other words, the rotation angle of the first sub door 112 is regulated to a predetermined angle (approximately 90 degrees in this Embodiment) by the fixing frame 180. Note that, the fixing frame 180 is an example of a regulating member in the refrigerator according to the present invention.

[0067] The axis member 140 and the fixing member 141 are held by a reinforcing member 190 which is a block made of metal.

[0068] FIG. 6 illustrates the rotation of the reinforcing member 190 holding the axis member 140 and the fixing member 141.

[0069] Note that, in FIG.6, illustration of the rotation frame 170, the fixing frame 180, and others are omitted to clearly illustrate the reinforcing member 190.

[0070] In this Embodiment, the reinforcing member 190 includes a hole for holding the axis member 140, and a hole for holding the fixing member 141. The axis member 140 and the fixing member 141 are held by the reinforcing member 190 through the insertion to the holes. With this, the change in the attitude of the fixing member 141 with respect to the axis member 140 is suppressed.

[0071] More specifically, the fixing member 141 is a metal rod, and the fixing member 141 is held substantially in parallel with the axis member 140 by the reinforcing member 190, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0072] When the first sub door 112 is opened in this state and the fixing member 141 comes into contact with the end of the regulating groove 181, force tilting the fixing member 141 with respect to the axis member 140 is given to the fixing member 141 and the axis member 140. More specifically, the force twisting the fixing member 141 and the axis member 140 is given to the fixing member 141 and the axis member 140.

[0073] However, both the axis member 140 and the fixing member 141 are held by the reinforcing member 190. Thus, the twist is prevented; allowing opening and closing the first sub door 112 stably.

[0074] Note that, both or one of the axis member 140 and the fixing member 141 may be formed integrally with the reinforcing member 190. In other words, the reinforcing member 190 may non-detachably hold one of, or both of the axis member 140 and the fixing member 141.

[0075] When the reinforcing member 190 and the axis member 140 are integrally formed, the axis member 140 is incapable of rotating with respect to the first sub door 112. In this case, the fixing frame 180 may hold the axis member 140 such that the axis member 140 rotates with respect to the first main door 111.

[0076] More specifically, the fixing frame 180 may be provided with a hole supporting the axis member 140 to allow free rotation, and the damper apparatus 135 may be provided at the outer side of the hole (opposite side from the first sub door 112 interposing the fixing frame 180), connecting the top of the axis member 140 and the damper apparatus 135.

[0077] In FIG. 5, the open-close structure at the right end portion of the first sub door 112 is illustrated. However, the axis member and other components are arranged in the same manner on the left side of the first sub door 112.

[0078]  FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the open-close structure of the first sub door 112.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a right side view illustrating the open-close structure of the first sub door 112.

[0080] Note that, in these diagrams, in order to clearly indicate the open-close structure of the first sub door 112, only the components related to opening and closing of the first sub door 112 are illustrated, and boards forming the surface of the first sub door 112 and the first main door 111 are omitted from the illustration.

[0081] The rotation frame 172 illustrated in FIG. 7 arranged at the left end portion of the first sub door 112 is connected to the fixing frame 182 on the left by the axis member 142.

[0082] Furthermore, the fixing member 143 is attached to the rotation frame 172, and the left end portion of the rotation frame 172 is inserted into the regulating groove 183 in the fixing frame 182.

[0083] Both the fixing member 143 and the axis member 142 are held by the reinforcing member 191 which is a metal block.

[0084] As described above, the left end portion of the first sub door 112 has the structure identical to the structure of the right end portion.

[0085] With this, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rotation angles of the rotation frames 170 and 172 are regulated to approximately 90 degrees. More specifically, the rotation angle of the first sub door 112 is regulated at approximately 90 degrees.

[0086] Note that, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the fixing member 143 and the axis member 142 are biased by an elastic member 137 through a moving member 144. The elastic member 137 in this Embodiment is a compression spring.

[0087] In other words, the axis member 142 and the fixing member 143 are movable toward the axial direction of the axis member 142, and are biased toward the opening inner side face.

[0088] With this, the left end portion of the fixing member 143 is inserted into the regulating groove 183 at the opening inner side face, and the left end portion of the axis member 142 is inserted into the hole in the fixing frame 182.

[0089] With this state, for example, when the user presses the moving member 144 to right, the left end portions of the fixing member 143 and the axis member 142 are removed from the opening inner side face. With this, the first sub door 112 is removable from the first main door 111, and is attachable to the first main door 111.

[0090] Note that, the elastic member 137 may be arranged farther on the left of the opening inner side face such that the elastic member 137 biases the axis member 142 and the fixing member 143 toward the first sub door 112. In this case, the right end portions of the fixing member 143 and the axis member 142 can be removed from the first sub door 112 by moving the fixing member 143 and the axis member 142 to the left against the biased force. In other words, the first sub door 112 can be freely attached to and detached from the first main door 111.

[0091] As described above, the first sub door 112 is detachably attached to the first main door 111 to be freely opened and closed. In addition, the rotation angle when opening the first sub door 112 is regulated.

[0092] In this Embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the fixing member 141 attached to the rotation frame 170 coming into contact with the end of the regulating groove 181 in the fixing frame 180 regulates the rotation angle of the first sub door 112 at approximately 90 degrees.

[0093] Here, as illustrated in FIG. 7, on the left of the first sub door 112, the fixing member 143 comes into contact with the end of the regulating groove 183 in the fixing frame 182. This also regulates the rotation angle of the first sub door 112 at approximately 90 degrees.

[0094] In other words, in the refrigerator 100 in this Embodiment, the fixing member 141 (143) extending in a direction identical to the axial direction of the first sub door 112, and the regulating groove 181 (183) provided in the fixing frame 180 (182) regulate the rotation angle of the first sub door 112.

[0095] In other words, the member for regulating the rotation angle of the first sub door 112 (the fixing member 141 in this Embodiment) does not affect a rotational trajectory of the first sub door 112 on a plane vertical to the axis.

[0096] With this, it is possible to eliminate or significantly reduce the space behind the axis of the sub door provided for the rotation of the sub door with usually almost no air flow (for example, the space 360 in FIG. 14).

[0097] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the open state and the closed state of the first sub door 112 according to Embodiment.

[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the space for making the first sub door 112 rotatable is not necessary behind the axis member 140. In other words, it is not necessary for proving a space with stagnated air such as the space 360 in FIG. 14.

[0099] As such, the condensation at the lower part of the opening 113 is prevented, and it is not necessary to provide a heating element for preventing the condensation. Furthermore, it is possible to reliably regulate the rotational angle of the first sub door 112 when opened.

[0100] More specifically, the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment can regulate the rotational angle of the first sub door 112 when opened to an angle with the inner face of the first sub door 112 substantially horizontal, without affecting the cooling efficiency.

[0101] Note that, in this Embodiment, the reinforcing member 190 is provided in the first sub door 112, holding the axis member 140 and the fixing member 141.

[0102] In other words, the fixing member 141 rotates as the first sub door 112 rotates. However, the fixing member may be fixed at the inner side face of the opening 113, and a regulating groove that comes in contact with the fixing member may be provided in the first sub door 112.

[0103] FIG. 10 (A) illustrates another example of the arrangement positions of the fixing member and the regulating groove.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 10 (A), the reinforcing member 193 holding the axis member 140 and having the regulating groove 193a is arranged in the rotation frame 170 of the first sub door 112.

[0105] In addition, on a side opposite to the first sub door 112 interposing the fixing frame 180, a reinforcing member 194 having an axial hole 194a for holding the axis member 140 so as to prevent the rotation of the axis member 140, and the fixing member 194b.

[0106] In this case, the regulating groove 193a rotates as the first sub door 112 rotates. The back end of the regulating groove 193a comes into contact with the fixing member 194b fixed with the first main door 111. With this, the rotational angle of the first sub door 112 is regulated.

[0107]  Alternatively, the fixing member may be fixed with the first main door 111, the regulating groove may be provided in the first sub door 112, and the axis member 140 may be positioned not to rotate with respect to the first sub door 112.

[0108] FIG. 10 (B) illustrates another example of the arrangement positions of the fixing member and the regulating groove.

[0109] As illustrated in FIG. 10 (B), a reinforcing member 195 having an axial hole 195a for holding the axis member 140 so as to prevent from the rotation, and a regulating groove 195b is arranged on the rotation frame 170 of the first sub door 112.

[0110] Furthermore, on a side opposite to the first sub door 112 interposing the fixing frame 180, a reinforcing member 196 having a fixing member 196b and a hole for rotatably holding the axis member 196a are arranged.

[0111] Furthermore, the damper apparatus 135 is arranged behind the reinforcing member 194 and is connected to the back end of the axis member 196a.

[0112] In this case, the regulating groove 195b rotates as the first sub door 112 rotates, and the back end of the regulating groove 195b comes into contact with the fixing member 196b fixed to the first main door 111. With this, the rotational angle of the first sub door 112 is regulated.

[0113] As the first sub door 112 rotates, the axis member 196a rotatably held by the reinforcing member 196 rotates. The damper apparatus 135 gives a force in a direction suppressing the rotation speed of the axis member 196a as the axis member 196a rotates. Consequently, the rotation speed of the first sub door 112 is suppressed.

[0114]  Note that, the reinforcing member 195 includes the regulating groove 195b and the axial hole 195a for holding the axis member 140 while preventing its rotation. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7 and others, when the fixing member 141 rotates with the first sub door 112, the reinforcing member 195 may be used as a member for reinforcing the regulating groove 181 in the fixing frame 180 and the hole for holding the axis member 140. In other words, the reinforcing member 195 may be used for reinforcing the regulating member.

[0115] Furthermore, although the axis member 140 and the fixing member 141 are formed separately in this Embodiment, the functions of these components may be implemented by one component.

[0116] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of member functioning both as the axis member and the fixing member.

[0117] As illustrated in FIG. 11, a reinforcing member 197 having an axis member 197a is arranged on a rotation frame 170 of the first sub door 112. The axis member 197a has a part of the circumference cut away, as illustrated in FIG. 11. With this, the fixing face 197b vertical to the axial direction is formed.

[0118] Furthermore, on a side opposite to the first sub door 112 interposing the fixing frame 180, the reinforcing member 198 having an axial hole 198a which rotatably holds the axis member 197a, and regulates the rotation exceeding the predetermined rotation angle is arranged.

[0119] In this case, the axis member 197a rotates as the first sub door 112 rotates. Furthermore, the fixing face 197b comes into contact with a contact face 198b which is a part of the inner surface of the axial hole 198a. With this, the rotational angle of the first sub door 112 is regulated.

[0120]  Note that, although not illustrated in FIG. 11, the damper apparatus 135 is placed behind the reinforcing member 198, and the damper apparatus 135 is connected to the top of the axis member 197a. With this, the rotational speed when opening the first sub door is suppressed.

[0121] As described above with reference to FIGS. 10 (A) to 11, the mechanism for rotating the first sub door 112 with respect to the first main door 111, and the mechanism for regulating the rotation may be other than the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9.

[0122] Furthermore, although all of the fixing members 141, 143, 194b, and 196b are rod-shaped, the fixing member may not be shaped like a rod. The fixing member may be provided across the gap between at least one of the side faces of the first sub door 112 in the direction of the rotational axis (lateral side faces in this Embodiment) of the first sub door 112 and an opening inner side face opposite to the side face, and its shape is not particularly limited.

[0123] Furthermore, the fixing frame 180 which is an example of the regulating member in the refrigerator according to the present invention specifically regulates the movement of the fixing member 141 by the contact of the end of the regulating groove 181 with the fixing member 141. With this, the rotational angle of the first sub door 112 is regulated.

[0124] The shape may not be limited to a groove as long as the movement of the fixing member 141 is regulated. For example, the hole may be circular or rectangular. Alternatively, a wall blocking the movement of the fixing member 141 may be simply provided to the fixing frame 180 to regulate the movement of the fixing member 141.

[0125] In short, the first main door 111 have to include only the fixing member provided across the gap between the side face of the first sub door 112 and the opening inner side face which is an inner side face of the opening 113 opposite to the side face, and the regulating member regulating the rotational angle of the first sub door 112 at a predetermined angle by the contact with the fixing member.

[0126] With this, it is possible to regulate the rotational angle of the first sub door 112 without the space behind the rotational axis of the first sub door 112 for rotating the fixing member.

[0127] Note that, as described above, the first main door 111 is provided with a sub door switch 131, and a sub door detecting unit can detect whether or not the first sub door 112 is closed, based on the state of the sub door switch 131.

[0128] ON and OFF of the lighting unit in the refrigerator is controlled based on whether or not the first sub door 112 is closed, and whether or not the first main door 111 is closed.

[0129] FIG. 12 (A) is a block diagram illustrating the control system of the lighting unit 240 in the refrigerator 100 according to Embodiment.

[0130] FIG. 12 (B) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of positions of the components in the refrigerator 100 illustrated in FIG. 12 (A).

[0131] As illustrated in FIG. 12 (A), the refrigerator 100 includes a control unit 200, a main door detecting unit 210, a sub door detecting unit 220, an alarm unit 230, and a lighting unit 240.

[0132] For example, when the first sub door 112 is open, the pressed sub door switch 131 (see FIG. 4) is protruded. With this, the sub door detecting unit 220 detects that the first sub door 112 is not closed, or the first sub door 112 is open.

[0133] When the detection result is obtained, the control unit 200 turns ON the lighting unit 240 from OFF-state. With this, when the first sub door 112 is open, the lighting unit 240 lights up inside of the refrigerator compartment, helping the user to take food out of or into the refrigerator compartment.

[0134] Note that, when the first main door 111 is open, the main door detecting unit 210 detects that the first main door 111 is not closed, or that the first main door 111 is open. The control unit 200 which received the detection result turns ON the lighting unit 240 from OFF-state.

[0135] Here, it is assumed that the first main door 111 is opened and closed with both the first main door 111 and the first sub door 112 open. In this case, the rotational trajectory of the first sub door 112 is large. Thus, for example, it is possible for the first sub door 112 to contact objects around the refrigerator 100. Accordingly, there is a problem in terms of safety.

[0136] Thus, in the refrigerator 100 according to this Embodiment, an alarm is sent when a state in which both the first main door 111 and the first sub door 112 are open, that is, a state in which neither the first main door or the first sub door 112 is not closed.

[0137] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the process flow for notifying alarm performed by the refrigerator 100 in Embodiment.

[0138] When the control unit 200 determines, based on the detection results by the main door detecting unit 210 and the sub door detecting unit 220, that the first main door 111 is open, that is, not closed, and that the first sub door 112 is open, that is, not closed (Yes in S100), the control unit 200 instructs the alarm unit 230 to send an alarm.

[0139] Upon receiving instruction from the control unit 200 for sending the alarm, the alarm unit 230 outputs audio indicating that both the first main door 111 and the first sub door 112 are open, and an instruction for closing the first main door 111 (S110).

[0140] Furthermore, using a display panel provided between the first main door 111 and the second main door 121, the alarm unit 230 displays content which is equivalent to the audio output, by using characters, flickering lights, and others, together with or instead of the audio output.

[0141] Thus, it is possible to prevent the first main door 111 from opening wide with the first sub door 112 open, improving the safety of the refrigerator 100.

[0142] With reference to FIGS. 12(A) to 13, the relationship between opening and closing the first main door 111 and the first sub door 112, and operations by the lighting unit 240 and the alarm unit 230 have been described. The same operation control is performed on the freezer compartment side. More specifically, when one of the second main door 121 and the second sub door 122 is open, the lighting unit in the freezer compartment is turned ON. Furthermore, when the state in which both the second main door 121 and the second sub door 122 are open, or the state in which both of the doors are not closed, an alarm is sent.

[0143] Although the description above describes Embodiments of the present invention, the technical features of the present invention is effective to a refrigerator including a main door with a sub door.

[0144] Accordingly, the present invention is applicable not only to a SBS-type refrigerator such as the refrigerator 100 in Embodiment, but also to various types of refrigerators with a main door having a sub door.

[Industrial Applicability]

[0145] The present invention provides a refrigerator having a main door with a sub door, and which regulates the rotational angle of the sub door without affecting the cooling efficiency. Accordingly, the present invention is useful as a refrigerator and others with a various types and size for household use and professional use.

[Reference Signs List]

[0146] 

100

Refrigerator

111

First main door

112

First sub door

113

Opening

121

Second main door

122

Second sub door

123

Opening

130

Push latch

131

Sub door switch

135

Damper apparatus

136

Joint member

137

Elastic member

140, 142, 196a, 197a

Axis member

141, 143, 194b, 196b

Fixing member

144

Moving member

150

Heat-insulating main body

153

Partition

158

Board cover

162

Container

163

Shelf

170, 172

Rotation frame

180, 182

Fixing frame

181, 183, 193a, 195b

Regulating groove

190, 191, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198

Reinforcing member

194a, 195a, 198a

Axial hole

197b

Fixing face

198b

Contact face

200

Control unit

210

Main door detecting unit

220

Sub door detecting unit

230

Alarm unit

240

Lighting unit

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a heat-insulating main body composing a storage compartment having an opening at a front face; and

a main door which freely opens and closes at the opening of the storage compartment,

wherein said main door includes:

an opening provided at a front face of said main door;

a sub door which freely opens and closes at the opening through rotation;

an axis member for rotatably holding said sub door;

a fixing member provided across a sub door side face and an opening inner side face, the sub door side face being a side face of said sub door in an axial direction of said axis member, and the opening inner side face being an inner side face of said opening opposite to the sub door side face; and

a regulating member for regulating a rotational angle of said sub door at a predetermined angle by contacting said fixing member when said sub door is open.

2. The refrigerator according to Claim 1,
wherein said fixing member protrudes from the sub door side face, and rotates along with the rotation of said sub door, and
said regulating member is provided at the opening inner side face.

3. The refrigerator according to Claim 1,
wherein said fixing member protrudes from the opening inner side face, and
said regulating member is provided at the sub door side face, and rotates along with the rotation of said sub door.

4. The refrigerator according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
wherein said main door further includes
a reinforcing member for suppressing a change in an attitude of said fixing member with respect to said axis member by holding said fixing member and said axis member.

5. The refrigerator according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
wherein said main door further includes a damper apparatus for suppressing a rotation speed of said sub door.

6. The refrigerator according to one of Claims 1 to 5,
wherein said main door further includes
an elastic member for biasing said axis member and said fixing member that are movable in the axial direction toward the opening inner side face or toward said sub door, and
said axis member and said fixing member are removed from said sub door or the opening inner side face by being moved against a biasing force of said elastic member.

Drawing