DOOR OPENING/CLOSING MECHANISM AND REFRIGERATOR PROVIDED WITH SAME

Abstract

 A door opening/closing mechanism includes: a first door and a second door that cover both sides with respect to a center of an opening portion of an apparatus main body and are rotatably supported respectively at both end portions of the opening portion; a swing partitioning body that is swingably disposed at an open end of the first door; and a guide mechanism that guides swingably the swing partitioning body and is disposed at a closing position to protrude from a side end surface of the first door at a closing time of the first door, and is disposed on a plane substantially flush with the side end surface of the first door at an opening time of the first door; wherein the guide mechanism includes a protruding portion disposed on one of the apparatus main body and the swing partitioning body and a guide portion that is disposed on other one of the apparatus main body and the swing partitioning body to guide the protruding portion; and the one of the protruding portion and the guide portion is biased in a shaft direction, and evacuates in the shaft direction upon colliding with the other one with force greater than a predetermined value when the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing position is opened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a door opening/closing mechanism having a first door and a second door that cover both sides with respect to a center of an opening portion and to a refrigerator that includes the door opening/closing mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] A patent literature 1 discloses a refrigerator that includes a door opening/closing mechanism which has a first door and a second door for covering both sides with respect to a center of an opening portion. This refrigerator includes a main body portion that has a refrigerating chamber and is provided with the door opening/closing mechanism having the first door and the second door that open and close the opening portion of a front surface of the refrigerating chamber.

[0003] The first door and the second door cover both sides with respect to the center of the opening portion and are rotatably supported respectively by pivotal shafts at both ends of the opening portion. A gap for preventing interference at opening/closing times is formed between the first door and the second door with both the first door and the second door closed. The first door and the second door are respectively provided with handles at end portions on sides of the first door and the second door close to each other. When a user grasps the handles and draws the first door and the second door toward the user, the first door and the second door are swung and opened left and right, respectively.

[0004] An open end of the first door is provided with a plate-shaped swing partitioning body that extends slenderly in a vertical direction. The swing partitioning body is axially supported by a support portion disposed on a rear side of the first door and rotatable on a shaft parallel with a pivotal shaft of the first door.

[0005] A protruding portion is disposed fixedly on an upper end surface of the swing partitioning body. Besides, a guide portion for guiding the protruding portion is disposed fixedly on a central portion of a front end portion of a ceiling surface of the refrigerating chamber. When the protruding portion is guided by the guide portion because of the opening/closing operation of the first door, the swing partitioning body swings associating with the opening/closing operation of the first door.

[0006] In the refrigerator including the door opening/closing mechanism having the above structure, at the closing time of the first door, the swing partitioning body is disposed at a closing position that protrudes from the side end surface of the first door. When the closed first door is opened, the protruding portion is guided by the guide portion and the swing partitioning body swings. In this way, at the opening time of the first door, the swing partitioning body is disposed on a plane substantially flush with the side end surface of the first door. Accordingly, interference between the swing partitioning body and the second door is avoided.

[0007] When the opened first door is closed, the protruding portion is guided by the guide portion and the swing partitioning body swings. In this way, the swing partitioning body is disposed at the closing position. At this time, when the second door is closed, the swing partitioning body straddles the rear surfaces of the first door and second door. In this way, a cold air leak through the gap between the first door and the second door is prevented.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0008] PLT1: JP-A-2009-250602 (pages 4, 5, and Figs. 3, 4)

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0009] According to the refrigerator including the conventional door opening/closing mechanism, when the second door is opened with the first door closed, there is a case where the user attempts to open the first door by grasping the swing partitioning body. Especially, in a case where the user attempts to open the closed first door while opening the second door and looking in the refrigerator chamber, chances that the swing partitioning body is grasped increase more.

[0010] However, even if the user grasps the swing partitioning body and draws the first door, the protruding portion cannot come out of the guide portion because the protruding portion hooks on to the guide portion. Because of this, the user cannot open the first door by grasping the swing partitioning body. At this time, if the first door is drawn with greater force, the protruding portion or the guide portion is likely to be broken.

[0011] Because of this, it is necessary for the user to let go his/her hold of the swing partitioning body and grasp the handle of the first door when opening the first door. Accordingly, there is a problem that usability of the door opening/closing mechanism is undermined.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a door opening/closing mechanism whose usability is able to be improved and a refrigerator that includes the door opening/closing mechanism.

Solution to Problem

[0013] To achieve the above object, a door opening/closing mechanism according to the present invention includes: a first door and a second door that cover both sides with respect to a center of an opening portion of an apparatus main body and are rotatably supported respectively at both end portions of the opening portion; a swing partitioning body that is swingably disposed at an open end of the first door; and a guide mechanism that guides swingably the swing partitioning body and is disposed at a closing position to protrude from a side end surface of the first door at a closing time of the first door, and is disposed on a plane substantially flush with the side end surface of the first door at an opening time of the first door; wherein the guide mechanism has a protruding portion disposed on one of the apparatus main body and the swing partitioning body and a guide portion that is disposed on other one of the apparatus main body and the swing partitioning body to guide the protruding portion; and the one of the protruding portion and the guide portion is biased in a shaft direction, and evacuates in the shaft direction upon colliding with the other one with force greater than a predetermined value when the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing position is opened.

[0014] According to this structure, the guide mechanism has: the protruding portion disposed on the one of the apparatus main body and the swing partitioning body; and the guide portion that is disposed on the other one of the apparatus main body and the swing partitioning body to guide the protruding portion, and the one of the protruding portion and the guide portion is biased in the shaft direction. At the closing time of the first door, the swing partitioning body is disposed at the closing position to protrude from the side end surface of the first door. When the closed first door is opened, the protruding portion is guided by the guide portion and the swing partitioning body swings on a shaft parallel with a pivotal shaft of the first door. In this way, at the opening time of the first door, the swing partitioning body is disposed on the plane substantially flush with the side end surface of the first door. And, the one of the protruding portion and the guide portion evacuates in the shaft direction upon colliding with the other one with the force greater than the predetermined value when the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing position is opened. In this way, the user can open the first door by grasping the swing partitioning body located at the closing position.

[0015] Besides, in the present invention, it is preferable that one of surfaces of the guide portion and protruding portion, which contact each other when opening the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing positon, is composed of an inclined surface. According to this structure, the one of the protruding portion and the guide portion moves along the inclined surface upon colliding with the other one with the force greater than the predetermined value when the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing position is opened.

[0016] Besides, in the present invention, it is preferable that when closing the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing positon, the one of the protruding portion and the guide portion evacuates in the shaft direction upon colliding with the other one with the force greater than the predetermined value. According to this structure, it is possible to close the first door whose swing partitioning body is disposed at the closing position.

[0017] Besides, in the present invention, it is preferable that one of the surfaces of the guide portion and protruding portion, which contact each other when closing the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing positon, is formed of an inclined surface. According to this structure, the one of the guide portion and the protruding portion moves along the inclined surface upon colliding with the other one with the force greater than the predetermined value when the first door whose swing partitioning body is disposed at the closing position is closed.

[0018] Besides, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes the door opening/closing mechanism having the above structure.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, the one of the protruding portion and the guide portion is biased in the shaft direction, and evacuates in the shaft direction upon colliding with the other one with the force greater than the predetermined value when the first door whose swing partitioning body is disposed at the closing position is opened. In this way, the user can open the first door by grasping the swing partitioning body. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the usability of the door opening/closing mechanism.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0020] 

[Fig. 1] is a front view showing a refrigerator that includes a door opening/closing mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] is a top cross-sectional view showing the refrigerator that includes the door opening/closing mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 3] is a top cross-sectional view showing a main portion of the door opening/closing mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 4] is a cross-sectional view along an A-A line of Fig. 3.

[Fig. 5] is a bottom surface of a guide portion of the door opening/closing mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 6] is a top cross-sectional view showing a state in which a first door of the door opening/closing mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention is closed.

[Fig. 7] is a top cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first door of the door opening/closing mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention is opened.

[Fig. 8] is a side view of a first door of a door opening/closing mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 9] is a cross-sectional view along a B-B line of Fig. 8.

[Fig. 10] is a top cross-sectional view showing a state in which an end portion of a swing partitioning body near a second door is drawn forward with a first door of a door opening/closing mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention closed.

Description of Embodiments

<First embodiment>

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a front view showing a refrigerator that includes a door opening/closing mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a top cross-sectional view showing the refrigerator that includes the door opening/closing mechanism. The refrigerator 1 is disposed with a refrigerating chamber 2 and a freezing chamber 3 separated in a main body portion 5. Besides, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a door opening/closing mechanism 10 having a first door 11 and a second door 12 that open and close a front opening portion 2a of the refrigerating chamber 2. A front opening portion (not shown) of the freezing chamber 3 is opened and closed by doors 3a, 3b.

[0022] The first door 11 and the second door 12 cover both sides with respect to a center of the opening portion 2a, and rotatably supported by shaft portions 11a, 12a (pivotal shafts) at both ends of the opening portion 2a. A gap G is formed between the first door 11 and the second door 12 with both the first door 11 and the second door 12 closed. In this way, when opening and closing the first door 11 and the second door 12, interference between the first door 11 and th second door 12 is avoided.

[0023] Lower end portions of the first door 11 and the second door 12 are provided with handles 11b, 12b, respectively. The handles 11b, 12b are respectively formed of concave portions recessed in lower surfaces of the first door 11 and th second door 12. The handles 11b, 12b are grasped, and the first door 11 and the second door 12 are swung left and right respectively to be opened.

[0024] An end portion (end portion on the open side of the first door 11) of the first door 11 near the second door 12 is provided with a swing partitioning body 20. The swing partitioning body 20 is composed of a slender plate-shaped member extending in a vertical direction (shaft direction of the shaft portions 11a, 12a), and a length of the swing partitioning body 20 in the vertical direction is slightly shorter than a length of the refrigerating chamber 2 in the vertical direction. Besides, a heat insulating member (not shown) composed of, for example, foamed polystyrene is packed in the swing partitioning body 20. In this way, it is possible to improve heat insulating performance of the swing partitioning body 20.

[0025] A lower portion of a rear portion of the refrigerator 1 is provided therein with a mechanical chamber (not shown) where a compressor (not shown) for driving a freezing cycle is disposed. The compressor is connected to a refrigerant pipe (not shown), and a refrigerant flows in the refrigerant pipe because of the driving of the freezing cycle. A cooler (not shown) disposed on a low temperature side of the freezing cycle and air perform a heat exchange with each other, whereby a cold air is generated. By the cold air, stored things in the refrigerating chamber 2 are refrigerated and preserved, and stored things in the freezing chamber 3 are frozen and preserved.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows a top cross-sectional view of a main portion of the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along an A-A line of Fig. 3. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the first door 11 is closed, and the swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at a closing position described later. The swing partitioning body 20 is axially supported by a hinge portion 23 disposed on a rear side of the first door 11, and swingable on a shaft parallel with the shaft portion 11a of the first door 11. The hinge portion 23 is disposed at an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the swing partitioning body 20.

[0027] A concave portion 21 is recessed in the upper end portion of the swing partitioning body 20. A bottom surface of the concave portion 21 is provided with a coil spring (not shown). A protruding portion 22, which protrudes upward, is mounted on an upper end of the coil spring. In this way, the protruding portion 22 is biased upward. In other words, the protruding portion 22 is energized in a direction parallel with the shaft direction of the shaft portion 11 a of the first door 11. The protruding portion 22 is not especially limited in material and is formed of resin, for example.

[0028] An upper portion of a front surface 22a of the protruding portion 22 has an inclined surface 221a that is inclined to come closer to a base 22c of the protruding portion 22 as the upper portion of the front surface 22a of the protruding portion 22 advances in an opening direction (arrow OP) of the first door 11. Besides, An upper portion of a rear surface 22b of the protruding portion 22 has an inclined surface 221b that is inclined to come closer to the base 22c of the protruding portion 22 as the first door 11 advances in a closing direction (arrow CL).

[0029] A central portion of a front end portion of a ceiling surface 2b of the refrigerating chamber 2 is provided with a guide portion 30 that has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The guide portion 30 is formed of resin, for example, and disposed at a position to oppose the protruding portion 22 at a closing time of the first door 11. A lower portion of a front surface of the guide portion 30 is provided with an inclined surface 32 that is inclined to come closer to the base 22c of the protruding portion 22 as the lower portion of the front surface of the guide portion 30 advances in the closing direction (arrow CL) of the first door 11. A guide groove 31 is recessed in a bottom surface of guide portion 30 to extend left and right, and the guide groove 31 guides the protruding portion 22. The protruding portion 22 and the guide portion 30 compose a guide mechanism.

[0030] Circumferential edge portions of rear surfaces of the first door 11 and second door 12 are provided with flexible packings 41a, 41b which include a magnet therein. With the aid of magnetic attraction, the first door 11 and the second door 12 tightly contacts a circumferential edge portion of the opening portion 2a formed of a magnetic material when the first door 11 and the second door 12 are closed. At this time, the packings 41a, 41b on the open sides of the first door 11 and the second door 12 tightly contact a front surface of the swing partitioning body 20.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a bottom surface of the guide portion 30. In Fig. 5, an upper side and lower side of the guide portion 30 indicate an outer side (front side of the refrigerator 1) of the refrigerating chamber 2 and an inner side of the refrigerating chamber 2, respectively. A first wall surface 31a and second wall surface 31b of the guide groove 31 opposing each other are each formed of a curved surface whose rear surface is bent convexly, and a plan shape of the guide grove 31 is a comma shape. Besides, one end portion 31c of the guide groove 31 is opened forward, and the other end portion 31d is closed. The protruding portion 22 enters the guide groove 31 from the one end portion 31 c.

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a top cross-sectional view in a state where the first door 11 is closed, and Fig. 7 shows a top cross-sectional view in a state where the first door 11 is opened. In the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1 having the above structure, at the closing time of the first door 11, the swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position that protrudes from a side end surface 11c of the first door 11. At this time, upon closing the second door 12, the front surface of the swing partitioning body 20 tightly contacts the packings 41a, 41b of the first door 11 and second door 12 (see Fig. 3). In this way, a cold air leak from the gap G between the first door 11 and the second door 12 is prevented.

[0033] Upon starting to open the first door 11 from the state in Fig. 6 by grasping the handle 11b, the protruding portion 22 of the swing partitioning body 20 is guided by the guide groove 31 of the guide portion 30. At this time, the front surface 22a of the protruding portion 22 contacts the first wall surface 31a (see Fig. 5) of the guide groove 31, and the protruding portion 22 slides toward the one end portion 31c (see Fig. 5) of the guide groove 31 along the first wall surface 31a. In this way, the swing partitioning body 20 swings counterclockwise on the hinge portion 23 in Fig. 6.

[0034] Thereafter, when the protruding portion 22 comes out of the guide groove 31 via the one end portion 31c of the guide groove 31, the swing of the swing partitioning body 20 is stopped. At this time, the swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at an opening position that is disposed on a plane substantially flush with the side end surface 11c of the first door 11 (see Fig. 7). In this way, interference between the swing partitioning body 20 and the second door 12 is avoided.

[0035] Upon closing the opened first door 11 (see Fig. 7), the protruding portion 22 of the swing partitioning body 20 enters the guide groove 31 from the one end portion 31c of the guide groove 31 of the guide portion 30. And, the rear surface 22b of the protruding portion 22 contacts the second wall surface 31b (see Fig. 5) of the guide groove 31, and the protruding portion 22 slides toward the other end portion 31d (see Fig. 5) of the guide groove 31 along the second wall surface 31b. In this way, the swing partitioning body 20 swings clockwise on the hinge portion 23 in Fig. 7.

[0036] Thereafter, when the front surface of the protruding portion 22 contacts the packing 41a of the first door 11, the swing of the swing partitioning body 20 is stopped. In this way, the swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position that protrudes from the side end surface 11c of the first door 11. At this time, the first door 11 is closed. Besides, when the second door 12 is closed, the swing partitioning body 20 straddles the rear surfaces of the first door 11 and second door 12 (see Fig. 3). In this way, as described above, the cold air leak from the gap G is prevented.

[0037] When the first door 11 whose swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position is opened and the protruding portion 22 collides with the guide portion 30 with force greater than a predetermined value, the protruding portion 22 counters the bias force to evacuate in a downward direction (the shaft direction, that is, a direction to leave the guide portion 30) as shown by an arrow D (see Fig. 4). In this way, because the protruding portion 22 comes out of the guide groove 31, the first door 11 opens. In other words, the engagement between the protruding portion 22 and the guide groove 31 is disengaged, and the first door 11 opens. Accordingly, the user can open the first door 11 by grasping the swing partitioning body 20 without grasping the handle 11b of the first door 11. As a result of this, it is possible to improve the usability of the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1. Besides, it is possible to prevent breakage of the protruding portion 22 and guide portion 30.

[0038] Besides, the inclined surface 221b of the protruding portion 22 is inclined to come closer to the base 22c of the protruding portion 22 as the inclined surface 221b of the protruding portion 22 advances in the closing direction (arrow CL) of the first door 11. In this way, when closing the first door 11 whose swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position, the inclined surface 221b of the protruding portion 22 contacts the inclined surface 32 of the front surface of the guide portion 30, and the protruding portion 22 can counter the bias force to smoothly move in the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the guide portion 30. Accordingly, the user can close the first door 11 without disposing the swing partitioning body 20 on the plane substantially flush with the side end surface 11c of the first door 11. As a result of this, it is possible to improve the usability of the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1. Besides, it is possible to prevent the breakage of the protruding portion 22 and guide portion 30.

[0039] According to the present embodiment, the protruding portion 22 is biased in the shaft direction, and when the first door 11 whose swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing positon is opened, the protruding portion 22 evacuates in the shaft direction upon colliding with the guide portion 30 with the force greater than the predetermined value. In this way, the user can open the first door 11 by grasping the swing partitioning body 20. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the usability of the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1. Besides, it is possible to prevent the breakage of the protruding portion 22 and guide portion 30.

[0040] Besides, the surface of the protruding portion 22, which contacts the guide portion 30 when opening the first door 11 whose swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position, is composed of the inclined surface 221a. In this way, when the first door 11 is opened by grasping the swing partitioning body 20 located at the closing position, the protruding portion 22 can counter the bias force to smoothly move in the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the guide portion 30.

[0041] Besides, when closing the first door 11 whose swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position, the protruding portion 22 evacuates in the shaft direction upon colliding with the guide portion 30 with the force greater than the predetermined value. In this way, the user can close the first door 11 without disposing the swing partitioning body 20 on the plane substantially flush with the side end surface 11c of the first door 11. As a result of this, it is possible to improve the usability of the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1. Besides, it is possible to prevent the breakage of the protruding portion 22 and guide portion 30.

[0042] Besides, the surface of the protruding portion 22, which contacts the guide portion 30 when closing the first door 11 whose swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position, is composed of the inclined surface 221b. In this way, when the first door 11 is closed with the swing partitioning body 20 kept at the closing position, the protruding portion 22 can counter the bias force to smoothly move in the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the guide portion 30.

[0043] In the meantime, in the present embodiment, the protruding portion 22 and the guide portion 30 are disposed on the swing partitioning body 20 and the main body portion 5, respectively. However, the protruding portion 22 and the guide portion 30 may be disposed on the main body portion 5 and the swing partitioning body 20, respectively. Even in this case, the user can open the first door 11 by grasping the swing partitioning body 20. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the usability of the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1.

[0044] Besides, in the present embodiment, both the protruding portion 22 and the guide portion 30 may be disposed to be biased in a direction (shaft direction) parallel with the direction of the shaft portion 11a (pivotal shaft) of the first door 11, to counter the bias force and evacuate in the shaft direction.

[0045] Besides, in the present embodiment, the guide portion 30 may be disposed to be biased in the direction (shaft direction) parallel with the direction of the shaft portion 11a (pivotal shaft) of the first door 11, to counter the bias force and evacuate from the protruding portion 22 in the shaft direction, and the protruding portion 22 may be fixedly disposed on the swing partitioning body 20. In this way, it becomes unnecessary to dispose the concave portion 21 on the swing partitioning body 20, and it is possible to sufficiently pack the heat insulating member into the swing partitioning body 20. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the heat insulating performance of the swing partitioning body 20.

[0046] Besides, the surface of the guide portion 30, which contacts the protruding portion 22 when opening the first door 11 whose swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position, may be composed of an inclined surface. In this case, it is unnecessary to dispose the inclined surface 221a on the front surface 22a of the protruding portion 22, and for example, the front surface 22a may be formed of a vertical surface.

[0047] Besides, in the present embodiment, the inclined surface 32 is disposed on the front surface of the guide portion 30, but the front surface of the guide portion 30 may be formed of a vertical surface without disposing the inclined surface 32. Even in this case, the inclined surface 221b is disposed on the rear surface 22b of the protruding portion 22; accordingly, when closing the first door 11 whose swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing positon, the protruding portion 22 can smoothly evacuate in the shaft direction upon colliding with the guide portion 30 with the force greater than the predetermined value.

[0048] Besides, if the inclined surface 32 is disposed on the front surface of the guide portion 30, it is unnecessary to dispose the inclined surface 221b on the rear surface 22b of the protruding portion 22, and the rear surface 22b may be formed of a vertical surface, for example.

<Second embodiment>

[0049] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. Fig. 8 shows a side view of the first door 11 of the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, wherein the swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view along a B-B line of Fig. 8. For the sake of description, the same portions as the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 described above are indicated by the same reference numbers. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the swing partitioning body 20 is provided with an operation member 25 and a connection member 26. The other portions are the same as the first embodiment.

[0050] The operation member 25 is disposed in a cutout portion 20b that is disposed at a center portion in a vertical direction of a rear surface 20a of the swing partitioning body 20. The operation member 25 has a plate-shaped member 25a and a shaft portion 25b. The plate-shaped member 25a and the shaft portion 25b are not limited in material, and are formed of resin, for example. The shaft portion 25b is disposed at an upper end portion and lower end portion of the plate-shaped member 25a, and the plate-shaped member 25a is structured to be able to swing on the shaft portion 25a in the same direction as the swing direction of the swing partitioning body 20. A distance between one end portion 251a of the plate-shaped member 25a and the shaft portion 25b is shorter than a distance between the other end portion 252a of the plate-shaped member 25a and the shaft portion 25b. The plate-shaped member 25a of the operation member 25 is biased by, for example, a coil spring or the like (not shown) in such a way that the other end portion 252a is situated forward than the one end portion 251a.

[0051] The connection member 26 connects the other end portion 252a of the operation member 25 and the protruding portion 22 to each other. The connection member 26 is not especially limited in material, and is formed of a metal wire or the like, for example. The connection member 26 is disposed in a space (not shown) that is formed in the heat insulating member of the swing partitioning body 20 and is slender in a vertical direction. A length of the connection member 26 is set in such a way that when the operation member 25 is operated, the protruding portion 22 moves in a downward direction (the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the guide portion 30) to be situated more downward than a lower surface 30a (see Fig. 4) of the guide portion 30. In the meantime, operating the operation member 25 is swinging the plate-shaped member 25a of the operation member 25 in such a way that the one end portion 251 moves forward.

[0052] Also in the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1 having the above structure, in the same way as the first embodiment, the user can open and close the first door 11 whose swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position.

[0053] Here, at the closing time of the first door 11, if the user grasps the swing partitioning body 20 while pushing forward the one end portion 251a of the operation member 25, the plate-shaped member 25 of the operation member 25 swings in such a way that the one end portion 251a moves forward and the other end portion 252a moves backward. In this way, the protruding portion 22 moves in the downward direction (the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the guide portion 30) via the connection member 26. In this way, when opening the first door 11 by grasping the swing partitioning body 20, the protruding portion 22 can move in the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the guide portion 30 without contacting the guide portion 30. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce breakage and wear of the protruding portion 22 and guide portion 30 caused by contact. As a result of this, it is possible to achieve longevity of the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1.

[0054] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the first embodiment. Besides, the protruding portion 22 is disposed on the swing partitioning body 20, the guide portion 30 is disposed on the main body portion 5 (apparatus main body), the operation member 25, which is connected to the protruding portion 22 by the connection member 26, is disposed in the swing partitioning body 20, and when the operation member 25 is operated, the protruding portion 22 moves in the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the guide portion 30. In this way, when opening the first door 11 by grasping the swing partitioning body 20, it is possible to force the protruding portion 22 to move in the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the guide portion 30 without forcing the protruding portion 22 to contact the guide portion 30. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the breakage and wear of the protruding portion 22 and guide portion 30 caused by contact. As a result of this, it is possible to achieve the longevity of the door opening/closing mechanism 10.

[0055] Besides, by operating the operation member 25, the protruding portion 22 can easily come out of the guide groove 31 of the guide portion 30. Because of this, it is unnecessary to provide the front surface 22a and rear surface 22b of the protruding 22 with the inclined surfaces 221a, 221b of the first embodiment, and the front surface 22a and the rear surface 22b each may be formed of a vertical surface, for example. Accordingly, it is possible raise degree of freedom of designing the protruding portion 22.

[0056] In the meantime, in the second embodiment, the swing partitioning body 20 may be provided with the guide portion 30, the main body portion 5 (apparatus main body) may be provided with the protruding portion 22, the swing partitioning body 20 may be provided with the operation member 25 that is connected to the guide portion 30 by the connection member 26, and when the operation member 25 is operated, the guide portion 30 may move in the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the protruding portion 22.

<Third embodiment>

[0057] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention is described. Fig. 10 shows a top cross-sectional view in a state where the first door 11 of the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment is closed, that is, shows a state where an end portion of the swing partitioning body 20 near the second poor 12 is drawn forward. For the sake of description, the same portions as the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 described above are indicated by the same reference numbers. In the present embodiment, the structure of the front surface 22a of the protruding portion 22 of the swing partitioning body 20 is different from the first embodiment. The other portions are the same as the first embodiment.

[0058] As to the front surface 22a of the protruding portion 22, only a front surface of an end portion 22d near the second door 12 is formed of an inclined surface that is inclined to come closer to the base 22c (see Fig. 4) of the protruding portion 22 as only the front surface of the end portion 22d near the second door 12 advances in the opening direction (arrow OP) of the first door 11. On the other hand, the other portions of the front surface 22a of the protruding portion 22 are each formed of a vertical surface.

[0059] In the door opening/closing mechanism 10 of the refrigerator 1 having the above structure, in the closing state of the first door, the user grasps the swing partitioning body 20 located at the closing position and swings forward the swing partitioning body 20 at a predetermined angle θ to the closing position. At this time, the front surface of the end portion 22d of the protruding portion 22 contacts the first wall surface 31a of the guide groove 31. Thereafter, when opening the first door 11 by grasping the swing partitioning body 20, if the end portion 22d of the protruding portion 22 collides with the guide portion 30 with force greater than a predetermined value, the protruding portion 22 counters the bias force to move in the downward direction (the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the guide portion 30). In this way, the first door 11 opens.

[0060] In the meantime, in a case where the forward swing angle of the swing partitioning body 20 with respect to the closing position is under the predetermined angle θ, the inclined surface of the end portion 22d of the protruding portion 22 does not contact the first wall surface 31 a of the guide groove 31. Because of this, for example, even in a case where a stored thing taken out from the refrigerator 2 collides with the swing partitioning body 20 located at the closing position, it is possible to reduce the opening of the first door 11 unexpected to the user.

[0061] In the meantime, the operation of closing the first door 11 whose swing partitioning body 20 is disposed at the closing position becomes the same operation as the first embodiment.

[0062] According to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the first embodiment. Besides, as to the front surface 22a of the protruding portion 22, only the front surface of the end portion 22d near the second door 12 is formed of the inclined surface that is inclined to come closer to the base 22c of the protruding portion 22 as only the front surface of the end portion 22d near the second door 12 advances in the opening direction (arrow OP) of the first door 11, and the other portions of the front surface 22a of the protruding portion 22 are each formed of the vertical surface. In this way, for example, even in the case where a stored thing taken out from the refrigerator 2 collides with the swing partitioning body 20 located at the closing position, it is possible to reduce the opening of the first door 11 unexpected to the user.

[0063] In the meantime, in the third embodiment, the swing partitioning body 20 may be provided with the operation member 25 and connection member 26 of the second embodiment, and when the operation member 25 is operated, the protruding portion 22 may move in the shaft direction, that is, the direction to leave the guide portion 30.

[0064] Besides, in the first to third embodiments, it is described that the guide portion 30 has the guide groove 31, but in place of the guide portion 30 having the guide groove 31, for example, two protruding walls, which are disposed away from each other by a predetermined interval in a front-rear direction and formed independently of each other, may compose a guide portion, and the guide portion may guide the protruding portion 22.

[0065] Besides, in the first to third embodiments, the hinge portion 23 may be provided with a torsion coil spring that biases the swing partitioning body 20 in the direction to swing from the closing position to the opening position. In this way, when opening the first door 11, it is possible to surely dispose the swing partitioning body 20 at the opening position. Accordingly, it is possible to surely prevent the interference between the second door 12 and the swing partitioning body 20.

[0066] Besides, in the first to third embodiments, also the hinge portion 23 may be provided with a torsion coil spring that biases the swing partitioning body 20 in the direction to swing from the opening position to the closing position. In this way, when closing the first door 11 and the second door 12, it is possible to force the swing partitioning body 20 to tightly contact the packings 41a, 41b. Accordingly, it is possible to surely prevent the cold air leak from the gap G between the first door 11 and the second door 12.

[0067] In the first to third embodiments, the refrigerator 1 including the door opening/closing mechanism 10 is described, but the door opening/closing mechanism 10 may be disposed in other apparatuses. Besides, the first door 11 and the second door 12 are disposed left and right, respectively, but may be disposed in a vertical direction or in a front-rear direction.

Industrial Applicability

[0068] The present invention is applicable to a door opening/closing mechanism having first and second doors that cover both sides with respect to a center of an opening portion, and to a refrigerator that includes the door opening/closing mechanism.

Reference Signs List

[0069] 

1

refrigerator

2

refrigerating chamber

2a

opening portion

2b

ceiling surface

3

freezing chamber

3a

door

5

main body portion

10

door opening/closing mechanism

11

first door

12

second door

11a, 12a

shaft portions

11b, 12b

handles

11c

side end surface

20

swing partitioning body

20a

rear surface

21

concave portion

22

protruding portion

22a

front surface

22b

rear surface

22c

base

22d

end portion

23

hinge portion

25

operation member

26

connection member

30

guide portion

31

guide groove

31a

first wall surface

31b

second wall surface

31c

one end portion

31d

other end portion

32

inclined surface

41a, 41b

packings

221a, 221b

inclined surfaces

Claims

1. A door opening/closing mechanism comprising

a first door and a second door that cover both sides with respect to a center of an opening portion of an apparatus main body and are rotatably supported respectively at both end portions of the opening portion,

a swing partitioning body that is swingably disposed at an open end of the first door, and

a guide mechanism that guides swingably the swing partitioning body and is disposed at a closing position to protrude from a side end surface of the first door at a closing time of the first door, and is disposed on a plane substantially flush with the side end surface of the first door at an opening time of the first door, wherein

the guide mechanism includes a protruding portion disposed on one of the apparatus main body and the swing partitioning body and a guide portion that is disposed on other one of the apparatus main body and the swing partitioning body to guide the protruding portion, and

the one of the protruding portion and the guide portion is biased in a shaft direction, and evacuates in the shaft direction upon colliding with the other one with force greater than a predetermined value when the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing position is opened.

2. The door opening/closing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein
one of surfaces of the guide portion and protruding portion, which contact each other when opening the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing positon, is formed of an inclined surface.

3. The door opening/closing mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein
when closing the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing positon, the one of the protruding portion and the guide portion evacuates in the shaft direction upon colliding with the other one with the force greater than the predetermined value.

4. The door opening/closing mechanism according to claim 3, wherein
one of the surfaces of the guide portion and protruding portion, which contact each other when closing the first door the swing partitioning body of which is disposed at the closing positon, is formed of an inclined surface.

5. A refrigerator comprising a door opening/closing mechanism according to any one of claim 1 to claim 4.

Drawing