AU2017409223B2 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a refrigerator body including an inner box; a partition member for partitioning between a first storage compartment formed in the inner box and a second storage compartment provided below the first storage compartment and formed in the inner box; a door for opening/closing the first storage compartment; a first movable rail attached to the door; an accommodating container placed on the first movable rail; a first rotating member attached to the first movable rail and configured so as to be capable of rotating; a first support member provided to the first storage compartment, the first support member supporting the first movable rail; and a first fixed rail disposed below the first support member, the first fixed rail being provided to the upper surface of the partition member. The first fixed rail is inserted into the partition member, and the first fixed rail and the partition member are integrated.

Description

REFRIGERATOR

Technical Field

[0001]

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more specifically to a refrigerator having a structure that supports rails provided at the door of a storage

compartment.

Background Art

[0002] Various refrigerators including drawer-type doors have been proposed (see, for

example, Patent Literature 1). To such a drawer-type door, movable rails are attached, and are movable forwards and backwards. At lower portions of the movable rails, rollers are provided to move over stationary rails fixed to a storage compartment. At

upper portions of the movable rails, flanges are provided and supported by support

elements rotatably attached to the storage compartment. The stationary rails

described in Patent Literature 1 are formed integrally with a partition element that

partitions the storage compartment.

[0003]

A surface side of a storage container along a lateral direction thereof is tapered. The surface side of the storage container is located closer to the center of the storage

compartment than the support elements in the lateral direction of the storage

compartment. Therefore, in the case where the positions of the support elements in

the vertical direction are low, an upper portion of the storage container does not need to

be located closer to the center of the storage compartment than the support elements in

the lateral direction of the storage compartment. In other words, in the case where the

positions of the support elements are low in the vertical direction, the upper portion of

the storage container may be located above the support elements. Therefore, in the

case where the positions of the support elements are low in the vertical direction, it is

possible to reduce the degree to which the volume of the storage container is

decreased. In the refrigerator described in Patent Literature 1, rotatable support

elements are located at a lower portion of the storage compartment, and it is therefore possible to reduce the degree to which the volume of the storage container is decreased.

[0003A] Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or

suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any

jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood,

regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person

in the art.

[0004]

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11

6683

Summary

[0005] In the case where stationary rails are formed integrally with a partition element,

there is a case where the stationary rails are formed to have a greater thickness than

that of the partition element in order to ensure that the stationary rails have a sufficient

strength. However, in such a manner, if these parts are formed to have different

thickness, it is more likely that a failure will occur in formation of the parts.

[0006]

The present invention has been made in light of the above problem, and an

object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator that is formed to reduce the degree to

which the volume of a storage container is decreased, and also reduce occurrence of a

failure in formation of parts. An alternative object is to provide the public with a useful

choice.

[0007]

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a refrigerator

comprising: a refrigerator body including an inner case; a partition element configured to

separate a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, the first

storage compartment being provided in the inner case, the second storage

compartment being provided in the inner case and located below the first storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the first storage compartment; a first movable rail attached to the door; a storage container provided on the first movable rail; a first rotary element attached to the first movable rail, the first rotary element being rotatable; a first support element provided at the first storage compartment to support the first movable rail; and a first stationary rail provided below the first support element and on an upper surface of the partition element; and a fixing element configured to fix the first stationary rail to the inner case, wherein the first stationary rail is inserted in the partition element such that the first stationary rail and the partition element are provided as a single body, wherein the partition element includes a first recess, wherein the first stationary rail includes a first supporting surface, a first lower portion, and a first upper portion, the first supporting surface supporting the first rotary element, the first lower portion being located at a lower position than the first supporting surface and inserted in the first recess of the partition element, the first upper portion being located above the first supporting surface and the first lower portion and in contact with the inner case, and wherein the fixing element is connected to the first upper portion.

[0008]

According to an embodiment disclosed within the following, by virtue of the above

configuration, it is possible to reduce the degree to which the volume of the container is decreased, and also reduce occurrence of a failure in formation of parts.

[0008A]

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise"

and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not

intended to exclude further features, components, integers or steps.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0009]

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator 1 according to an

embodiment.

[Fig. 2A] Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment, which is taken along a height direction and a front-and-back direction of

the refrigerator 1.

[Fig. 2B] Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment, which is taken along a direction perpendicular to the cross-section of Fig.

2A.

[Fig. 3A] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment in the case where a freezer compartment door 7 is drawn out.

[Fig. 3B] Fig. 3B is a top view of a partition element 44 and a stationary rail 43 of

the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

[Fig. 3C] Fig. 3C is an explanatory diagram of a freezer compartment 13 of the

refrigerator according to the embodiment.

[Fig. 4A] Fig. 4A, (a), is a side view of the freezer compartment door 7 of the

freezer compartment 13, the stationary rail 43, a movable rail 40, and a freezer case 60

KPO-3325 in the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment; Fig. 4A, (b,) illustrates a structure for

drawing the freezer compartment door 7 inwards in a direction Dr; and Fig. 4A, (c),

illustrates configurations of a first stopper 47A and other elements.

[Fig. 4B] Fig. 4B illustrates the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment in the

case where the freezer compartment door 7 is drawn out.

[Fig. 4C] Fig. 4C illustrates the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment in the

case where the door is further drawn out than in the state illustrated in Fig. 4B.

[Fig. 4D] Fig. 4D is an explanatory diagram of the stationary rail 43 and the

vicinity thereof in the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

[Fig. 5A] Fig. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the partition element 44 and

the stationary rail 43 in the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

[Fig. 5B] Fig. 5B is a front view of the partition element 44 and the stationary rail

43 in the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

[Fig. 5C] Fig. 5C is a side view of the partition element 44 and the stationary rail

43 in the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

[Fig. 5D] Fig. 5D is an explanatory diagram of the stationary rail 43, the movable

rail 40, a rotary element 42, and a support element 41 in the refrigerator 1 according to

the embodiment.

[Fig. 6A] Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum heat insulator H11 and a

foam heat insulator H12 of the partition element 44 in the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment.

[Fig. 6B] Fig. 6B is an explanatory drawing of a vacuum heat insulator H13 and a

foam heat insulator H14 of a partition element 45 in the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment.

[Fig. 7A] Fig. 7A illustrates modification 1 of the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment.

[Fig. 7B] Fig. 7B illustrates modification 2 of the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment.

Description of the embodiments

[0010]

Ai

KPO-3325 The embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference

to the drawings. In the figures including Fig. 1, which will be referred to below, the positional relationship between components may be different from the actual one. It should be noted that in each of the figures including Fig. 1, components which are the

same as or equivalent to those in a previous figure or figures are denoted by the same

reference signs. The same is true of the entire text of the specification. Furthermore, the configurations of components described throughout the specification are mere

examples of actual configurations of the components, that is, the configurations of the

components are not limited to those described in the specification.

[0011]

Embodiment

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment, which is taken along a height direction of the refrigerator 1 and a front

and-back direction of the refrigerator 1, which is a direction from one of front and back

sides of the refrigerator 1 toward the other.

Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment, which is taken along a direction perpendicular to the cross-section of Fig.

2A.

Fig. 2B does not depict shelves 50 on which articles are placed or a freezer case

60 that accommodates an article to be preserved.

[0012]

A direction Dr is the front-and-back direction of the refrigerator 100.

A direction Dr2 is a lateral direction of the refrigerator 100.

A direction DR3 is the height direction of the refrigerator 100.

[0013]

[Outline of Refrigerator 1]

A refrigerator 1 includes a housing 2 in which a storage compartment is provided.

The storage compartment stores articles. The housing 2 includes an outer case 2t1

and an inner case 2t2. Between the outer case 2t1 and the inner case 2t2, a foam

KPO-3325 heat insulator or another heat insulation material is provided. Also, in the housing 2, a refrigerator compartment 10, an ice-making compartment 11, a versatile compartment

12, a freezer compartment 13, and a vegetable compartment 14 are provided.

Hereinafter, one or more of the refrigerator compartment 10, the ice-making

compartment 11, the versatile compartment 12, the freezer compartment 13, and the

vegetable compartment 14 will be sometimes referred to also as a storage compartment

as a matter of convenience. The housing 2 includes a rail 80A and a rail 80B, which

are provided to support shelves 50. The rail 80A and the rail 80B face each other.

[0014]

At the front of the refrigerator compartment 10, a refrigerator compartment door 3

and a refrigerator compartment door 4 are provided; at the front of the ice-making

compartment 11, an ice-making compartment door 5 is provided; at the front of the

versatile compartment 12, a versatile compartment door 6 is provided; at the freezer

compartment 13, a freezer compartment door 7 is provided; and at the front of the

vegetable compartment 14, a vegetable compartment door 8 is provided. The freezer

compartment door 7 corresponds to a door of the present invention; the freezer

compartment 13 corresponds to a first storage compartment of the present invention;

and the vegetable compartment 14 is a second storage compartment of the present

invention.

Furthermore, the housing 2 includes a refrigerator compartment duct 30, a

vegetable compartment duct 31, and a versatile compartment duct 32. The refrigerator

compartment door 3 and the refrigerator compartment door 4 are double doors. At the

outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door 3, an operation panel 9 is provided.

The ice-making compartment door 5, the versatile compartment door 6, the freezer

compartment door 7, and the vegetable compartment door 8 are drawer-type doors.

[0015] In the refrigerator compartment 10, a plurality of door pockets 1OC are provided

to allow articles to be placed therein, and to store the articles when the refrigerator

compartment door 3 and the refrigerator compartment door 4 are closed. The door

pockets 1OC are attached to the refrigerator compartment door 3 and the refrigerator

KPO-3325 compartment door 4. In the refrigerator compartment 10, a slider-type case 10A and a slider-type case 1OB located below the case 10A are provided.

[0016]

In the ice-making compartment 11, an ice-making device (not illustrated) and an

ice-making case (not illustrated) are provided. The ice-making device is a device

which makes ice. The ice-making case is a case which stores the made ice. In the

versatile compartment 12, a versatile compartment case 12A in which an article to be

stored is placed is provided. In the versatile compartment 12, a cold storage

temperature zone can be switched to various temperature zones such as a freezing

temperature zone (for example, approximately -18 degrees C), a refrigeration

temperature zone (for example, approximately 3 degrees C), a chilling temperature

zone (for example, approximately 0 degrees C), and a soft freezing temperature zone

(for example, -7 degrees C).

In the freezer compartment 13, a freezer case 13A and the freezer case 60 are

provided. The freezer case 13A is a case in which an article to be stored is placed, and the freezer case 60 is located under the freezer case 13A. The freezer case 60

corresponds to a storage container of the present invention. Furthermore, in the

vegetable compartment 14, a vegetable compartment case 14A and a vegetable

compartment case 14B are provided. In the vegetable compartment case 14A and the

vegetable compartment case 14B, articles are stored. The freezer case 60 is made of

resin. The freezer case 60 is shaped in such a way as to increase in width from the

bottom toward the top. That is, side surfaces of the freezer case 60 are inclined. This

is intended to enable the freezer case 60 to be easily removed from a mold after the

freezer case 60 is formed.

[0017]

In the housing 2 of the refrigerator 1, a compressor 20 and a heat exchanger 21

are provided. The compressor 20 compresses refrigerant, and the heat exchanger 21

operates as an evaporator. The compressor 20 is located in a machine compartment

15 provided at a bottom portion of the housing 2. The heat exchanger 21 serves as a

cooler in the refrigerator 1, and is located above the compressor 20. Furthermore,

KPO-3325 although it is not illustrated, the refrigerator 1 is provided with, for example, a radiating

pipe serving as a radiator and a pressure-reducing mechanism which reduces the

pressure of refrigerant. The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigeration cycle system in

which the compressor 20, the radiating pipe, the pressure reducing mechanism, and the

heat exchanger 21 are connected. As the pressure-reducing mechanism, for example, a capillary tube can be used.

[0018]

In the housing 2 of the refrigerator 1, a cooling fan 22 is provided. The cooling

fan 22 supplies air (cold air) cooled in the heat exchanger 21 to various compartments

such as the refrigerator compartment 10. The cooling fan 22 is located above the heat

exchanger 21. Cold air from the cooling fan 22 is supplied via the refrigerator

compartment duct 30 and the versatile compartment duct 32 to the refrigerator

compartment 10, the ice-making compartment 11, the versatile compartment 12, and

the freezer compartment 13. It should be noted that the vegetable compartment 14 is

supplied with cold air via a return air passage (not illustrated) through which cold air in

the refrigerator compartment 10 passes. Cold air in the vegetable compartment 14 is

returned to the heat exchanger 21 via the vegetable compartment duct 31.

[0019]

In addition, although it is not illustrated, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a

temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a storage compartment, and a

controller that controls the rotation speed of the cooling fan 22 and the opening and

closing of each of a refrigerator compartment damper 24 and a versatile compartment

damper 23. The temperature sensor may be, for example, a thermistor. The

controller controls the operation, stopping, rotation speed and other operating conditions

of the compressor 20. The controller is, for example, a control board on which a

microcomputer, etc., are mounted.

[0020]

[Regarding Freezer Compartment 13]

Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment in

the case where the freezer compartment door 7 is drawn out.

A

KPO-3325 Fig. 3B is a top view of a partition element 44 and stationary rails 43 of the

refrigerator according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3C is an explanatory diagram of the freezer compartment 13 of the

refrigerator according to the embodiment.

In Fig. 3A, depiction of the freezer case 60 and the freezer case 13A is omitted.

Also, in Fig. 3A, a support element 41 and a rotary element 42 are depicted as a matter

of convenience; however, actually, they are hidden by a movable rail 49.

[0021]

The refrigerator 100 includes the freezer compartment door 7, a pair of movable

rails 40 attached to the freezer compartment door 7, a pair of support elements 41 that

support the movable rails 40, and a pair of stationary rails 43 that support the movable

rails40. The refrigerator 100 also includes a partition element 45 that separates each

of the ice-making compartment 11 and the versatile compartment 12 and the freezer

compartment 13 from each other and the partition element 44 that separates the freezer

compartment 13 and the vegetable compartment 14 from each other. The refrigerator

100 further includes a reinforcing element 46. One of ends of the reinforcing element

46 is provided at one of the movable rails 40, and the other end is provided at the other

movable rail 40. The pair of movable rails 40 corresponds to a first movable rail and a

second movable rail of the present invention. The pair of support elements 41

corresponds to a first support element and a second support element of the present

invention. The pair of stationary rails 43 corresponds to a first stationary rail and a

second stationary rail of the present invention. The reinforcing element 46

corresponds to a first reinforcing element of the present invention.

[0022]

A front portion of the freezer compartment door 7 is a design surface. The

freezer compartment door 7 is provided to open and close the freezer compartment 13.

The user moves the freezer compartment door 7 forwards or backwards to open or

close the freezer compartment 13. The pair of movable rails 40 are attached to a back

portion of the freezer compartment door 7. The movable rails 40 are attached to the

freezer compartment door 7 by fixing means such as screws.

Q

KPO-3325

[0023] The movable rails 40 are provided parallel to the direction Dr. The movable rails 40 are movable in the direction Dr and in an opposite direction to the direction

Dr1. The movable rails 40 are supported by the respective support elements 41. The

rotary elements 42 are attached to the respective movable rails 40. To be more

specific, the refrigerator 1 includes a pair of rotary elements 42. The pair of rotary

elements 42 corresponds to a first rotary element and a second rotary element of the

present invention. As the freezer compartment door 7 is drawn out, the rotary

elements 42 are rolled on the stationary rails 43. Thereby, the user can more easily

draw out the freezer compartment door 7. Front end portions of the movable rails 40

are attached to the freezer compartment door 7, and rear end portions of the movable

rails 40 are attached to the respective rotary elements 42. The reinforcing element 46

is provided at the movable rails 40. The freezer case 60 is placed on the movable rails

40. That is, the movable rails 40 support the freezer case 60. The freezer case 60

can be freely detached from the movable rails 40, and the user can thus easily clean the

freezer case 60.

[0024]

The freezer compartment 13 is defined by the partition element 44, the partition

element 45, the inner case 2t2, etc. The freezer compartment 13 is surrounded by a

first surface 2A of the inner case 2t2, a second surface 2B of the inner case 2t2, an

upper surface 44A of the partition element 44, and a lower surface 45B of the partition

element 45. The first surface 2A and the second surface 2B face each other. The

first surface 2A and the second surface 2B are orthogonal to the direction Dr2. One of

the stationary rails 43 is fixed to the first surface 2A, and the other is fixed to the second

surface 2B.

[0025]

One of ends of the reinforcing element 46 is provided at one of the movable rails

40, and the other is provided at the other movable rail 40. The reinforcing element 46

and the movable rails 40 may or may not be fixed to each other. The reinforcing

element 46 is provided to reduce sagging of the freezer case 60. The reinforcing

1n

KPO-3325 element 46 is a plate-like element. To be more specific, when an article to be stored is placed in the freezer case 60, there is a case where the freezer case 60 is sagged

because of the weight of the article. Since the reinforcing element 46 is provided at the movable rails 40, the total area of components that support the freezer case 60 includes

not only the areas of the movable rails 40 but the area of the reinforcing element 46.

By virtue of this configuration, it is possible to reduce sagging of the freezer case 60,

thus avoiding damage or breakage of the freezer case 60.

[0026]

Fig. 4A, (a), is a side view of the freezer compartment door 7 of the freezer

compartment 13, the stationary rail 43, the movable rail 40, and the freezer case 60 in

the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4A, (b), illustrates a structure for

drawing the freezer compartment door 7 inwards in the direction Dr. Fig. 4A, (c), illustrates configurations of a first stopper 47A and other elements.

Fig. 4B illustrates the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment in the case

where the freezer compartment door 7 is drawn out.

Fig. 4C illustrates the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment in the case

where the door is further drawn out than in the state as illustrated in Fig. 7A.

Fig. 4D is an explanatory diagram of the stationary rail 43 and the vicinity thereof

in the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

[0027]

The movable rails 40 each include a catching portion 40C that contacts the

support element 41. The catching portion 40C includes an inclined surface portion

47C as illustrated in Fig. 4A, (b), the first stopper 47A and a second stopper 47B as

illustrated in Fig. 4A, (c). The inclined surface portion 47C is inclined downwards to the

direction Dr. Because of this configuration, when the freezer compartment door 7 is

moved to close the freezer compartment 13, it is drawn. Thus, the user can more

easily move the freezer compartment door 7 when closing the freezer compartment

door 7. Furthermore, because of the presence of the inclined surface portion 47C in

the refrigerator 1, it is possible to prevent the freezer compartment from being

unintentionally opened. Furthermore, when the freezer compartment door 7 is drawn

KPO-3325 from the freezer compartment 13, the support element 41 and the first stopper 47A

come into contact with each other. The state at this time is depicted in Fig. 4B. When the freezer compartment door 7 is further drawn out from the freezer compartment 13,

the support element 41 and the second stopper 47B come into contact with each other.

The state at this time is depicted in Fig. 4C.

[0028]

The support elements 41 are provided on a front side of the freezer compartment

13. That is, when the freezer compartment 13 is sealed by the freezer compartment

door 7, the support elements 41 are located close to a rear surface portion of the

freezer compartment door 7. Also, the support elements 41 are provided on a lower

side of the freezer compartment 13. One of the support elements 41 is fixed to the first

surface 2A, and the other is fixed to the second surface 2B.

[0029]

The stationary rails 43 are provided on the partition element 44. Lower portions

of the stationary rails 43 are in contact with the partition element 44. One of the

stationary rails 43 is in contact with and fixed to the first surface 2A of the inner case

2t2, and the other is in contact with and fixed to the second surface 2B of the inner case

2t2. The stationary rails 43 are located below the support elements 41. Also, one of

the stationary rails 43 is located between an associated one of the movable rails 40 and

the first surface 2A, and the other stationary rail 43 is located between the other of the

movable rails 40 and the second surface 2B. The rotary elements 42 are rotated on

the respective stationary rails 43. The stationary rails 43 are parallel to the direction

Dr1. Each of the stationary rail 43 is partially inserted into the partition element 44. A

detailed configuration of the stationary rails 43 and other components will be described

later with reference to Figs. 5A to 5D.

[0030]

The partition element 44 separates the freezer compartment 13 and the

vegetable compartment 14. The partition element 44 includes the upper surface 44A

and a lower surface 44B. The upper surface 44A faces the freezer compartment 13,

KPO-3325 and the lower surface 44B faces the vegetable compartment 14. The stationary rails 43 are provided at the partition element 44.

The partition element 45 separates each of the ice-making compartment 11 and

the versatile compartment 12 and the vegetable compartment 14. The partition

element 45 includes an upper surface 45A and the lower surface 45B. The upper

surface 45A faces the ice-making compartment 11 and the versatile compartment 12,

and the lower surface 45B faces the freezer compartment 13.

[0031]

[Detailed Description of Stationary Rail 43 and Other Components]

Fig. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the partition element 44 and the

stationary rail 43 in the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5B is a front view of the partition element 44 and the stationary rail 43 in the

refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5C is a side view of the partition element 44 and the stationary rail 43 in the

refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5D is a diagram for explaining the stationary rail 43, the movable rail 40, the

rotary element 42 and the support element 41 in the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment.

Fig. 5D, (a), is a cross-sectional view of the stationary rail 43, the movable rail 40,

the rotary element 42, and the support element 41, and Fig. 5D, (b), is a cross-sectional

view of the movable rail 40 and the rotary element 42.

[0032]

Each of the movable rails 40 includes a placement portion 40A, a wall portion

40B, and the catching portion 40C.

The freezer case 60 is placed on the placement portions 40A. The placement

portions 40A are flat plate elements. The placement portions 40A are rectangular.

The longitudinal direction of each of the placement portions 40A coincides with the

direction Dr, and the width direction of each placement portion 40A, i.e., a direction

along the short side of each placement portion 40A, coincides with the direction Dr2.

The reinforcing element 46 is provided on the placement portions 40A (see Fig. 3A).

KPO-3325 The wall portions 40B connect to respective end portions of the placement portions 40A,

which extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the placement portions 40A.

Each of the wall portions 40B connects to a placement portion 40A and a

catching portion 40C. A lower end portion of each wall portion 40B connects to the

placement portion 40A, and an upper end portion of each wall portion 40B connects to

the catching portion 40C. Each wall portion 40B is provided between the freezer case

60 and a stationary rail 43.

Each of the catching portions 40C is supported by a support element 41. Each

catching portion 40C is formed in the shape of a flange. Each catching portion 40C is located at a higher position than the placement portion 40A and the wall portion 40B.

Each catching portion 40C is also located at a higher position than a rotary element 42

and a stationary rail 43. Each catching portion 40C is provided with a first stopper 47A, a second stopper 47B, and an inclined surface portion 47C, as described above.

[0033]

The support elements 41 each include a shaft 41A and a roller 41B.

The shaft 41A supports the roller 41B in such a way as to allow the roller 41B to

rotate. The shaft 41A of one of the support elements 41 connects to the first surface

2A of the inner case 2t2, and the shaft 41A of the other support element 41 connects to

the second surface 2B of the inner case 2t2.

The roller 41B is rotatably provided at the shaft 41A. The roller 41B is in contact

with the catching portion 40C. As the movable rail 40 is moved parallel to the direction

Dr, the roller 41B is rotated. Thereby, the support element 41 not only supports the

movable rail 40 but enables the user to more easily move the freezer compartment door

7.

[0034]

The rotary elements 42 each include a shaft 42A and a roller 42B.

The shaft 42A supports the roller 42B in such a manner to allow the roller 42B to

rotate. The shaft 42A is attached to a movable rail 40. For example, the shaft 42A is

attached to the wall portion 40B of the movable rail 40.

1A

KPO-3325 The roller 42B is rotatably supported by the shaft 42A. The roller 42B is in contact with a stationary rail 43. When the movable rail 40 is moved parallel to the

direction Dr, the roller 42B is rotated. Thereby, the user can more easily move the freezer compartment door 7.

[0035]

Part of the stationary rail 43 is inserted into the partition element 44. The

stationary rail 43 may be inserted into the partition element 44 by press fitting. The

part of the stationary rail 43 inserted into the partition element 44 may be coupled to the

partition element 44. As a structure for coupling the stationary rail 43 to the partition

element 44, for example, a claw structure may be applied. The stationary rail 43 is

removable from the partition element 44. Therefore, for example, even if the stationary

rail 43 is broken, it can be replaced by a new one. Furthermore, the stationary rail 43

and the partition element 44 are separate components. However, when the stationary

rail 43 is attached to the partition element 44, they are provided as a single body.

[0036]

The stationary rail 43 includes a bottom portion 43A, a lower portion 43B, an

upper portion 43C, a contact surface portion 43D, a guide portion 43E, and a rear

portion 43F. The refrigerator 1 includes a pair of stationary rails 43. This means that

the refrigerator 1 includes a pair of bottom portions 43A, a pair of lower portions 43B, a

pair of upper portions 43C, a pair of contact surface portions 43D, a pair of guide

portions 43E, and a pair of rear portions 43F. The pair of lower portions 43B

corresponds to a first lower portion and a second lower portion of the present invention.

[0037]

The bottom portions 43A support an article stored in the freezer case 60, the

freezer cases 60, the movable rails 40, and the rotary elements 42. That is, the bottom

portions 43A bear the weights of the article stored in the freezer case 60, the freezer

case 60, the movable rails 40, and the rotary elements 42. The bottom portions 43A

are located in contact with the upper surface 44A of the partition element 44. Each of

the bottom portions 43A connects to a contact surface portion 43D. Each bottom

portion 43A includes a supporting surface 43A1 and a bottom surface 43A2. An upper

KPO-3325 surface of each bottom portion 43A corresponds to the supporting surface 43A1. On the supporting surface 43A1, the roller 42B of a rotary element 42 is moved. The

bottom surface 43A2 is in contact with the upper surface 44A of the partition element

44. The refrigerator 1 includes a pair of supporting surfaces 43A1. The pair of

supporting surfaces 43A1 correspond to a first supporting surface and a second

supporting surface of the present invention.

[0038]

At each of the stationary rails 43, the lower portion 43B is provided as a

projection provided at each stationary rail 43. The lower portion 43B is located at a

lower position than the bottom portion 43A. The lower portion 43B is inserted into a

recess 44C. The lower portion 43B connects to a lower end of the contact surface

portion 43D. At each stationary rail 43, two lower portions 43B are arranged in the

direction Dr1; however, the number of lower portions 43B is not limited to two, that is,

one lower portion 43B or three or more lower portion 43B may be provided. The lower

portion 43B may be press-fitted in the recess 44C, or may be coupled to the recess

44C. Since the refrigerator 1 includes the stationary rails 43, the refrigerator 1 includes

a pair of recesses 44C. The pair of recesses 44C corresponds to a first recess and a

second recess of the present invention.

[0039]

The upper portion 43C is provided with a plurality of holes which allow respective

fixing elements 48 to be inserted thereinto. The fixing elements 48 are inserted into

the upper portion 43C, and end portions of the fixing elements 48 are connected to the

inner case 2t2. The fixing elements 48 are, for example, screws. Although the

following description is made with respect to the case where three fixing elements 48

are provided and three holes are provided in the upper portion 43C, the number of fixing

elements 48 and that of holes provided in the upper portion 43C are not limited to thee.

The upper portion 43C is located at a higher position than the bottom portion 43A and

the lower portion 43B. Also, the position of the upper portion 43C is higher than those

of the contact surface portion 43D and the guide portion 43E. The upper portion 43C

1s

KPO-3325 is, together with the contact surface portion 43D, in contact with the inner case 2t2.

The upper portion 43C connects to an upper end of the contact surface portion 43D.

[0040]

If the fixing elements 48 were provided at the contact surface portion 43D, the

fixing elements 48 and the rotary elements 42 could interfere with each other. Since

the fixing elements 48 are provided at the upper portion 43C in the refrigerator 1, the

above interference can be avoided. The upper portion 43C connects to the contact

surface portion 43D.

The contact surface portion 43D includes a surface facing the rotary element 42,

and a contact surface that contacts the inner case 2t2. Since the contact surface

portion 43D is in surface contact with the inner case 2t2, the stationary rail 43 can be

firmly fixed to the inner case 2t2.

[0041]

The guide portion 43E faces the bottom portion 43A. The guide portion 43E

restrict upward movement of the rotary element 42. The guide portion 43E is located

at a higher position than the rotary element 42. The guide portion 43E is connected to

the contact surface portion 43D.

[0042]

The rear portion 43F connects to a rear end portion of the bottom portion 43A,

and to a rear end portion of the guide portion 43E. The rear portion 43F is a rearmost

portion of the stationary rail 43.

[0043]

[Regarding Partition Elements 44 and 45]

Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum heat insulator HI1 and a foam heat

insulator H12 of the partition element 44 in the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment.

Fig. 6B is an explanatory drawing of a vacuum heat insulator H13 and a foam heat

insulator H14 of the partition element 45 in the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment.

[0044]

KPO-3325 The partition element 44 includes a first surface portion 44a and a second surface

portion 44b. The first surface portion 44a includes a contact portion 44a1 and peripheral portions 44a2. The partition element 44 includes the recess 44C which allows the lower portion 43B to be inserted thereinto.

In the first surface portion 44a, the recesses 44C are provided. In the

embodiment, since the number of lower portions 43B is two, the number of recesses

44C is also two. The first surface portion 44a includes the upper surface 44A of the

partition element 44. The first surface portion 44a can be formed of resin. The

recesses 44C are provided parallel to the stationary rails 43.

The contact portion 44a1 is part of the first surface portion 44a that contacts the

vacuum heat insulator HI1. The peripheral portions 44a2 are part of the first surface

portion 44a that are located at the periphery of the contact portion 44a1 and are not in

contact with the vacuum heat insulator HI1. The recesses 44C are provided in the

peripheral portion 44a2 of the first surface portion 44a.

[0045]

The second surface portion 44b is located at a lower position than the first

surface portion 44a. The second surface portion 44b includes the lower surface 44B of

the partition element 44.

[0046]

The vacuum heat insulator HI1 and the foam heat insulator H12 are provided

between the first surface portion 44a and the second surface portion 44b. The vacuum

heat insulator H1 is provided in contact with the first surface portion 44a, and the foam

heat insulator H12 is provided around and under the vacuum heat insulator HI1. The

vacuum heat insulator HI1 is in contact with the first surface portion 44a. By virtue of

this configuration, it is possible to more effectively reduce the amount of transmission of

cooling energy of the freezer compartment 13 to the vegetable compartment 14.

Furthermore, the recesses 44C are provided in the peripheral portions 44a2 of the first

surface portion 44a. It is therefore possible to prevent interference between the

recesses 44C and the vacuum heat insulator HI1 and thus prevent breakage or damage

of the vacuum heat insulator HI1, which would occur because of the interference.

1A

KPO-3325

[0047] The partition element 45 includes a third surface portion 45a and a fourth surface

portion 45b. The third surface portion 45a includes the upper surface 45A. The fourth surface portion 45b includes the lower surface 45B. Also, the partition element 45 is

provided with the vacuum heat insulator H13 and the foam heat insulator H14. That is, the vacuum heat insulator H13 and the foam heat insulator H14 are provided between

the third surface portion 45a and the fourth surface portion 45b. The vacuum heat

insulator H13 is provided in contact with the fourth surface portion 45b, and the foam

heat insulator H14 is provided around and on the vacuum heat insulator H13. The

vacuum heat insulator H13 is provided in contact with the fourth surface portion 45b.

By virtue of this configuration, it is possible to more effectively reduce the amount of

transmission of cooling energy of the freezer compartment 13 to the versatile

compartment 12.

[0048]

[Advantages of Embodiment]

The refrigerator 1 includes the partition element 44 and the stationary rail 43 that

is separate from the first surface portion 44a of the partition element 44. Therefore, even if the first surface portion 44a and the stationary rail 43 are formed of resin having

different thickness, since the first surface portion 44a and the stationary rail 43 are

formed separately, it is possible to avoid occurrence of a failure in formation of the

partition element 44 and a failure in formation of the stationary rail 43.

[0049]

The stationary rail 43 is provided on the partition element 44. That is, the

stationary rail 43 is located at a lower portion of the freezer compartment 13.

Therefore, an upper portion 60A (see Fig. 4D) of the freezer case 60 does not need to

be provided closer to the center of the freezer compartment 13 in the direction Dr2 than

the stationary rail 43. That is, the upper portion 60A of the freezer case 60 may be

located above the stationary rail 43. Thus, in the refrigerator 1, the width of the freezer

case 60 in a direction parallel to the direction Dr2 can be increased, and the degree to

which the volume of the freezer case 60 is decreased can be reduced.

1Q

KPO-3325

[0050]

[Modification 1] Fig. 7A illustrates modification 1 of the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment.

The refrigerator 1 of modification 1 includes a reinforcing element 46B and a

reinforcing element 46C in addition to the reinforcing element 46. The reinforcing

element 46B corresponds to a second reinforcing element of the present invention.

The reinforcing element 46C corresponds to a third reinforcing element of the present

invention. One of ends of the reinforcing element 46B is provided at one of the

movable rails 40, and the other is provided at the other movable rail 40. The

reinforcing element 46B is located closer to the freezer compartment door 7 than the

reinforcing element 46. The reinforcing element 46B is a plate-like element. One of

ends of the reinforcing element 46C is provided at the reinforcing element 46, and the

other is provided at the reinforcing element 46B. The reinforcing element 46C is also a

plate-like element. The reinforcing element 46B may or may not be fixed to the

movable rail 40. The reinforcing element 46C may or may not be fixed to the

reinforcing element 46 and the reinforcing element 46B.

Since the refrigerator 1 of modification 1 includes the reinforcing element 46B and

the reinforcing element 46C in addition to the reinforcing element 46, the total area of

components supporting the freezer compartment case 60 can be further increased. By

virtue of this configuration, it is possible to further reduce sagging of the freezer

compartment case 60, and thus avoid breakage or damage of to the freezer

compartment case 60.

[0051]

[Modification 2]

Fig. 7A illustrates modification 2 of the refrigerator 1 according to the

embodiment.

In the embodiment, the stationary rail 43 includes the plurality of lower portions

43B. By contrast, in the refrigerator 1 of modification 2, the stationary rail 43 includes a

single lower portion 430B. The lower portion 430B has a greater length in a direction

2n

KPO-3325 the direction Dr than the length of the lower portion 43B in the direction parallel to

direction Dr. Also, in the direction parallel to the direction Dr, a recess 440C is provided to have a length corresponding to the above length of the lower portion 430B.

With respect to the length of the lower portion 430B, it suffices that the lower portion

430B is set to have a length in the direction parallel to the direction Dr that is greater

than or equal to, for example, two-thirds of the length of the stationary rail 43 in the

direction parallel to the direction Dr. Also, the refrigerator 1 of modification 2 can

obtain the same advantage as that of the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment.

Reference Signs List

[0052] 1 refrigerator 2 housing 2A first surface 2B second surface 2t2

inner case 3 refrigerator compartment door 4 refrigerator compartment door 5

ice-making compartment door 6 versatile compartment door 7 freezer

compartmentdoor 8 vegetable compartment door 9 operationpanel 10

refrigerator compartment 10A case 10B case 10C doorpocket 11 ice

making compartment 12 versatile compartment 12A versatile compartment case

13 freezer compartment 13A freezercase 14 vegetable compartment 14A

vegetable compartment case 14B vegetable compartment case 15 machine

compartment 20 compressor 21 heatexchanger 22 coolingfan 23 versatile

compartment damper 24 refrigerator compartment damper 30 refrigerator

compartmentduct 31 vegetable compartment duct 32 versatile compartment duct

movablerail 40A placement portion 40B wallportion 40C catchingportion

41 supportelement 41A shaft 41B roller 42 rotaryelement 42A shaft

42B roller 43 stationaryrail 43A bottomportion 43A1 supporting surface

43A2 bottomsurface 43B lowerportion 43C upperportion 43D contact

surfaceportion 43E guideportion 43F rearportion 44 partition element 44A

uppersurface 44B lowersurface 44C recess 44a first surface portion 44a1

contactportion 44a2 peripheral portion 44b second surface portion 45

partition element 45A uppersurface 45B lowersurface 45a thirdsurface

portion 45b fourth surface portion 46 reinforcing element 46B reinforcing

KPO-3325 element 46C reinforcing element 47A first stopper 47B second stopper 47C inclined surface portion 48 fixing element 50 shelf 60 freezer case 80A rail

80B rail 100 refrigerator 430B lowerportion 440C recess Hil vacuum heatinsulator H12 foam heat insulator H13 vacuum heat insulator H14 foam

heat insulator

Claims (6)

1. [Claim 1] A refrigerator comprising:

   a refrigerator body including an inner case;

   a partition element configured to separate a first storage compartment and a

   second storage compartment, the first storage compartment being provided in the inner

   case, the second storage compartment being provided in the inner case and located

   below the first storage compartment;

   a door configured to open and close the first storage compartment;

   a first movable rail attached to the door;

   a storage container provided on the first movable rail;

   a first rotary element attached to the first movable rail, the first rotary element

   being rotatable;

   a first support element provided at the first storage compartment to support the

   first movable rail; and

   a first stationary rail provided below the first support element and on an upper

   surface of the partition element; and

   a fixing element configured to fix the first stationary rail to the inner case, wherein the first stationary rail is inserted in the partition element such that the

   first stationary rail and the partition element are provided as a single body,

   wherein the partition element includes a first recess,

   wherein the first stationary rail includes a first supporting surface, a first lower

   portion, and a first upper portion, the first supporting surface supporting the first rotary

   element, the first lower portion being located at a lower position than the first supporting

   surface and inserted in the first recess of the partition element, the first upper portion

   being located above the first supporting surface and the first lower portion and in

   contact with the inner case, and

   wherein the fixing element is connected to the first upper portion.
2. [Claim 2]

   The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a vacuum heat insulator provided at the partition element, wherein the partition element includes a first surface portion that includes the first recess and the upper surface, wherein the first storage compartment is a freezer compartment, wherein a temperature zone of the second storage compartment is higher than a temperature zone of the first storage compartment, wherein the vacuum heat insulator is in contact with the first surface portion, wherein the first surface portion includes a contact portion and a peripheral portion, the contact portion being part of the first surface portion that contacts the vacuum heat insulator, the peripheral portion being part of the first surface portion that is located at a periphery of the contact portion and not in contact with the vacuum heat insulator, and wherein the first recess is located in the peripheral portion.
3. [Claim 3]

   The refrigerator of claim 1 or 2,

   wherein the first stationary rail further includes a contact surface portion and a

   bottom portion, the contact surface portion being in contact with the inner case, the

   bottom portion including a bottom surface and the first supporting surface, the bottom surface being in contact with the upper surface of the partition element, the first

   supporting surface supporting the first rotary element,

   wherein the first lower portion connects to a lower end of the contact surface

   portion and is located at a lower position than the bottom portion, and

   wherein the first upper portion connects to an upper end of the contact surface

   portion.
4. [Claim 4]

   The refrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

   a second movable rail on which the storage container is provided, the second

   movable rail being attached to the door and parallel to the first movable rail;

   a second rotary element attached to the second movable rail, the second rotary

   element being rotatable;

   9A a second support element provided at the first storage compartment to support the second movable rail; and a second stationary rail located below the second support element, the second stationary rail being provided on the upper surface of the partition element and parallel to the first stationary rail, wherein the partition element includes a second recess provided parallel to the second stationary rail, and wherein the second stationary rail includes a second supporting surface and a second lower portion, the second supporting surface supporting the second rotary element, the second lower portion being located at a lower position than the second supporting surface and inserted in the second recess of the partition element.
5. [Claim 5]

   The refrigerator of claim 4, further comprising:

   a first reinforcing element formed in a shape of a plate, the first reinforcing

   element having ends one of which is provided at the first movable rail and the other of

   which is provided at the second movable rail.
6. [Claim 6]

   The refrigerator of claim 5, further comprising: a second reinforcing element formed in a shape of a plate and having ends one

   of which is provided at the first movable rail and the other of which is provided at the

   second movable rail, the second reinforcing element being located closer to the door

   than the first reinforcing element; and

   a third reinforcing element formed in a shape of a plate, the third reinforcing

   element having ends one of which is provided at the first reinforcing element and the

   other of which is provided at the second reinforcing element.