JP6637841B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

  Various refrigerators have been proposed that include a chilled chamber (decompression chamber) that suppresses a reduction in freshness of food by reducing oxygen around food to suppress oxidation. In this type of refrigerator, a seal member is provided on the back surface of a door that opens and closes the decompression chamber, and the left and right sides of the door are locked to seal the decompression chamber (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-36453 A

  However, in the refrigerator described in Patent Literature 1, since the inner surface of the fin portion of the seal member is linear, the contact area between the fin portion and the portion facing the fin portion is large at the time of decompression, and the fin portion easily adheres. As a result, even when the lid of the decompression chamber is opened, the fin portion remains stuck, which may make decompression difficult.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of improving the sealing property of a decompression chamber.

The present invention
In a refrigerator including a storage chamber and a decompression chamber installed in the storage chamber and configured to reduce the pressure to a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure,
The decompression chamber, a storage portion having an opening formed in the front surface, a lid that opens and closes the opening, a sealing member that seals between the edge of the opening and the lid,
Has,
The inner surface of the fin portion of the seal member has a curved shape serving as a concave portion ,
A lock mechanism for locking the lid to the storage section on both left and right sides of the opening,
The interval at the opening end of the groove formed by the fin portion is large on the left and right center sides, small on the left and right sides,
The seal member includes a thick portion, a large fin portion extending from the thick portion to one side as the fin portion, and a small fin portion extending from the thick portion to the other,
A recessed groove is formed in the thick portion facing the small fin.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the restoring force of the fin part of a sealing member can be maintained and the refrigerator which can improve the sealing property of a decompression chamber can be provided.

It is the perspective view which looked at the refrigerator of the embodiment to which the present invention was applied from the front. FIG. 2 is a conceptual cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1. It is the perspective view which looked at the composition of the decompression room from diagonally front upper part. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of the decompression chamber shown in FIG. 5A shows a packing attached to a decompression chamber lid, FIG. 5A is a front view, FIG. 5B is a plan view, FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ of FIG. (E) is an LL line sectional view of (a). 4A and 4B show a differential pressure relief valve, wherein FIG. 4A is a side view of the present embodiment, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line MM of FIG. 4A, FIG. 4C is a side view of a comparative example, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line NN of FIG. It is DD sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of the decompression chamber shown in FIG. 4 by removing a protection plate made of steel plate attached to a side surface of the decompression chamber. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the decompression chamber showing a process of changing a decompression chamber lid of the decompression chamber from a closed state to a fully opened state. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the decompression chamber showing a process of changing a decompression chamber lid of the decompression chamber from a closed state to a fully opened state. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the decompression chamber showing a process of changing a decompression chamber lid of the decompression chamber from a closed state to a fully opened state. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the decompression chamber showing a process of changing a decompression chamber lid of the decompression chamber from a closed state to a fully opened state. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the decompression chamber showing a process of changing a decompression chamber lid of the decompression chamber from a closed state to a fully opened state. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the decompression chamber showing a process of changing a decompression chamber lid of the decompression chamber from a closed state to a fully opened state. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the decompression chamber showing a process of changing a decompression chamber lid of the decompression chamber from a closed state to a fully opened state. FIG. 5 is a right side view of the decompression chamber showing a process of changing a decompression chamber lid of the decompression chamber from a closed state to a fully opened state. FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. 11. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the decompression chamber lid shown in FIG. 18 when the decompression chamber lid is in a fully opened state, as viewed obliquely from above and rearward. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the decompression chamber lid is unlocked by the decompression chamber lid and the opening / closing handle around the lid lock guide groove member shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a view showing a state before a lock around a decompression chamber lid, a support portion of an opening / closing handle and a lid lock guide groove member of the decompression chamber shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a decompression chamber lid locked state by the decompression chamber lid and the support portion of the opening / closing handle and the opening / closing handle around the lid lock guide groove member shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 6 is a conceptual sectional view taken along line FF of the decompression chamber lid shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view taken along line GG of the pressure reducing chamber cover shown in FIG. 5 showing the function of the biasing force of the torsion coil spring when the opening / closing handle is rotated downward with respect to the pressure reducing chamber lid to bring the pressure reducing chamber lid close to the closed state. It is. FIG. 6 is a conceptual cross-sectional view taken along the line GG of FIG. 5 when the opening / closing handle is rotated with respect to the decompression chamber lid and the biasing force of the torsion coil spring is set to a neutral position. FIG. 6 is a conceptual sectional view taken along the line GG of the pressure reducing chamber cover of FIG. 5, showing a function of an urging force of a torsion coil spring when the opening / closing handle is rotated upward with respect to the pressure reducing chamber lid. This is the open state of the differential pressure relief valve, (a) is the present embodiment, and (b) is a comparative example. This is a state in which the differential pressure relief valve is being closed, in which (a) is the present embodiment and (b) is a comparative example. This is a closed state of the differential pressure relief valve, (a) is the present embodiment, and (b) is a comparative example. 30A is an enlarged schematic view of a main part of FIG. 30A, and FIG. 30B is an enlarged schematic view of a main part of FIG. 30B. FIG. 9 is a conceptual right side view showing a state in which a claw portion of a support portion of the opening / closing handle is locked to a holding projection of a handle holding member of the decompression chamber lid, thereby preventing downward rotation of the opening / closing handle. A conceptual right side view showing a state in which the claw portion of the support portion of the opening / closing handle is unlocked from the holding projection of the handle holding member of the decompression chamber lid, and the blockage of the opening / closing handle in the downward direction is released. FIG. 9A is a conceptual side view showing a lid opening / closing guide mechanism in a state where the decompression chamber lid is erected when the decompression chamber lid shown in FIG. 9 is closed, and FIG. It is a conceptual side view which shows the lid opening / closing guide mechanism in the inclined state. (A) is a right side view showing an operation of unlocking the decompression chamber lid by the opening / closing handle from a locked state and opening the decompression chamber lid by the opening / closing handle, and (b) to (d) by the opening / closing handle. It is a conceptual side view which shows the transition of the mechanism around the opening / closing handle which unlocks the decompression chamber lid from the locked state and starts the operation of opening the decompression chamber lid by the opening / closing handle. (A) is a right side view showing the operation of locking the decompression chamber lid by the opening / closing handle from the state where the decompression chamber lid is opened, and (b) to (d) opening and closing the decompression chamber lid from the opened state. It is a conceptual side view which shows the transition of the mechanism around the opening / closing handle in the process of locking the decompression chamber lid by the handle. FIG. 9A shows a packing attached to a decompression chamber lid in another embodiment, where FIG. 10A is a front view, FIG. 10B is a plan view, FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ of FIG. 9) is a sectional view taken along line KK of FIG. It is a figure showing the relation between the amount of deformation of packing, and reaction force.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 to which the present invention is applied has a refrigerator room 2 which is a storage room for a refrigerator temperature zone of about 6 ° C. at the top, and a refrigerator room at a refrigerator temperature of about 6 ° C. at the bottom. Vegetable room 5 which is a room is arranged, respectively, and between freezer room 2 and vegetable room 5 is a freezing temperature zone of 0 ° C or less (for example, about -20 ° C to As shown in FIG. 2, an ice making room 3a, a quick freezing room 3b, and a freezing room 4 which are freezing rooms at a temperature range of -18 ° C.) are partitioned and arranged by partition walls k1, k2, and k3, respectively.

  The refrigerator 1 is provided with doors 6 to 10 having a heat insulating structure for closing the front openings of the refrigerator compartment 2, the ice making compartment 3 a, the quick freezing compartment 3 b, the freezing compartment 4 and the vegetable compartment 5 on the front, and excludes the doors 6 to 10. The outer peripheral housing portion is configured to include a urethane foam heat insulating material and a vacuum heat insulating material (not shown) for insulating the outside air between the outer case 11 made of steel plate and the inner case made of resin.

  The refrigerating compartment door 6 (6a, 6b) for closing the front opening of the refrigerating compartment 2 is constituted by a double door of a double door opening type. On the other hand, the ice making compartment door 7, 6 for closing the front opening of the ice making compartment 3a. The quick-freezing compartment door 8 for closing the front opening of the quick-freezing room 3b, the freezing compartment door 9 for closing the front opening of the freezing compartment 4, and the vegetable compartment door 10 for closing the front opening of the vegetable compartment 5 are stored. It is configured by a drawer-type door from which the indoor container is pulled out together.

  In the refrigerator 1, a refrigerating cycle for performing the above-mentioned freezing and refrigeration is configured by connecting a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, an evaporator serving as a cooling source by depriving the refrigerant of heat of vaporization, and a compressor again in this order. ing.

  The evaporator serving as a cooling source is installed behind the freezer compartments 3 and 4, and the blower fan sends cool air from the evaporator to the ice making room 3a, the quick freezing room 3b, and the freezing room 4 and has a temperature lower than the refrigeration temperature. Then, it is sent to each storage room of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the vegetable compartment 5 via the openable and closable damper device which closes. Note that the cool air has a cool air circulation structure that is circulated after cooling each storage room, and the cold room 2, the ice making room 3a, the quick freezing room 3b, the freezing room 4, and the vegetable room 5 have a temperature sensor. The predetermined temperature is maintained by the temperature control by the control device used.

  As shown in FIG. 3 in a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1, the refrigerator compartment door 6a is rotatably supported around a support shaft S1, and is formed of a pocket-shaped translucent resin molding for holding a drink or the like. A door storage 6a1 is provided to protrude inward, and a rotary partition 6a2 is provided on the back surface of the door storage 6a1 so as to be swingable by a biasing force of a torsion coil spring and a guide.

  When the refrigerator compartment doors 6a and 6b are closed (see FIG. 1), the rotary partition 6a2 prevents leakage of cool air from between the refrigerator compartment doors 6a and 6b at a position along the left refrigerator compartment door 6a. When the refrigerator compartment door 6a is opened, the refrigerator compartment door 6a is configured to rotate in the thickness direction (indicated by a two-dot chain line) of the refrigerator compartment door 6a so as not to disturb the user.

  The refrigerator door 6b on the right side is supported rotatably about a support shaft S2, and a pocket-shaped translucent resin-molded door storage 6b1 for holding a drink or the like protrudes inward. .

  A gas control chamber for changing the state of gas shown in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as a decompression chamber 13) is a gas control chamber in which air is sucked by a vacuum pump 12 and decompressed to 0.7 atm (70 kPa) or the like. It creates a special air atmosphere to prevent food oxidation and maintain the freshness of vegetables.

  If the pressure is higher than 0.7 atm, for example, 0.8 atm (80 kPa), the pressure difference from the outside atmospheric pressure is reduced, so that the strength of the decompression chamber 13 can be reduced. Twelve abilities can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the refrigerator compartment door 6b is closed, a predetermined space is formed between the door storage 6b1 of the refrigerator compartment door 6b and the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13 so that they do not contact each other. It is configured. The decompression chamber 13 is configured as a box having a width equal to or smaller than the width of the refrigerator compartment door 6b, which is one of the double doors.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the configuration of the decompression chamber 13 as viewed obliquely from the upper front.

  The decompression chamber 13 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer member 14 which is flat and has openings on the upper surface and the front surface, and a glass plate G formed of transparent tempered glass closing the upper surface. An outer peripheral wall is formed by a decompression chamber lid 16 (door), which is a lid member rotatably supported around the horizontal support shaft 24S and opened and closed to put in and out the stored articles in the front and rear. ing. Thus, the housing part is constituted by the outer shell member 14 and the glass plate G.

  In addition, when opening the decompression chamber lid 16, the link mechanism described later erects it while being pulled forward and erects it by a predetermined distance, for example, 10 mm, and after moving, the upper part moves forward while rotating and opens.

  On the other hand, when the pressure-reducing chamber lid 16 is closed, the upper part is moved rearward while being pushed back and rotating upward while moving backward, and then erects and moves a predetermined distance to close.

  The outer member 14 is resin-molded using ABS (a resin containing acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene), AS (a resin containing acrylonitrile and styrene), and the like, and has left and right side walls 14a and 14b, a bottom wall 14c, and a rear wall 14d (FIG. 3), and an upper surface having a front wall 14e and an open front surface.

  Reinforcing ribs hr for increasing the section modulus and improving the strength are erected on the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 14a, 14b, the bottom wall 14c, and the rear wall 14d of the outer member 14 in a linear shape, a lattice shape, or the like. I have.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pump connection portion 14i of an insertion hole, which is a connection portion with the vacuum pump 12, and a pressure switch connection portion 14j communicating with the pressure switch are provided behind the outer surface of the left side wall 14a of the outer member 14. Is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of mounting ribs 14h for abutting and mounting the reinforcing plate 15 on the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 14a and 14b and the rear wall 14d are provided. It is formed having a lower surface 14h1.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of the decompression chamber 13 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the decompression chamber lid 16 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and has an elongated shape in the left-right direction. An opening / closing handle 26 is provided on the decompression chamber lid 16. The opening / closing handle 26 is rotatably supported by the decompression chamber lid 16.

  The opening / closing handle 26 is provided with a handle operation unit 36 that is gripped and operated by the user, a bar 27, and support units 28 and 29.

  The handle operation unit 36 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and is disposed at the center of the decompression chamber lid 16 in the left-right direction. The rod 27 is configured to have substantially the same length as the left and right widths of the decompression chamber lid 16, penetrates the handle operation unit 36, and extends from the left and right ends of the handle operation unit 36 in the left and right direction. The support portions 28 and 29 are fixed to both left and right ends of the rod 27, and are connected to a lock mechanism R (see FIG. 21) described later.

  A differential pressure relief valve V (valve) is provided on the back side (back side) of the handle operation unit 36. The handle operation unit 36 is provided with a valve opening / closing member 35 that opens and closes the differential pressure relief valve V. The valve opening / closing member 35 has support shafts 35s at both left and right ends, and is provided rotatably around the support shaft 35s with respect to the decompression chamber lid 16.

  In addition, a rectangular frame-shaped packing 16p (seal member) is provided on the back surface of the decompression chamber lid 16 along the periphery of the decompression chamber lid 16.

  6A and 6B show a packing attached to the decompression chamber lid, where FIG. 6A is a front view, FIG. 6B is a plan view, FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ of FIG. (E) is a sectional view taken along line LL of (a). FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the decompression chamber lid 16 to which the packing 16p is attached by a virtual line (two-dot chain line).

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the packing 16p has a rectangular frame shape and is elongated in the left-right direction. In other words, the packing 16p has a shape along the edge of the decompression chamber lid 16.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, a groove 16u is formed in the packing 16p along the circumferential direction (entire circumference). The packing 16p is configured such that the thickness in the front-rear direction (the opening and closing direction of the decompression chamber lid 16) increases from both left and right sides toward the left and right centers. The packing 16p is configured such that the thickness in the front-rear direction is constant at the center in the left-right direction.

  That is, the packing 16p is configured such that the thickness in the front-rear direction at the left and right end portions 16p1 is the thinnest. The packing 16p is formed so as to gradually increase in thickness from the left and right ends 16p1 toward the center in the left and right direction, and has thicknesses at positions 16p2 and 16p2 corresponding to the left and right ends of the handle operation part 36 (see FIG. 5). Is configured to be maximum. The thickness of the packing 16p corresponding to the handle operation unit 36 is constant, and is configured to be the maximum thickness from one position 16p2 to the other position 16p2.

  As shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the groove 16u of the packing 16p is formed to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction (vertical direction). The rear side of the groove 16u has a constant thickness, and the front side (the decompression chamber lid 16 side) is configured to change in thickness.

  As shown in FIG. 6E, a plurality of gas vent grooves 16p3 (gas vent portions) are formed in the groove 16u of the packing 16p. That is, the gas vent groove 16p3 is cut out in a semicircular shape, and the gradually changing portions R1, R2 (see FIG. 6 (a)) and the constant thickness portion R3 (see FIG. 6 (a)) of the packing 16p located on the upper side. ) Is formed at one place. In the groove 16u of the packing 16p located on the lower side, one portion is formed in each of the gradually changing portions R1 and R2 and the constant thickness portion R3.

  The number and shape of the gas vent groove 16p3 are not limited to the number and shape of the present embodiment as long as the groove 16u does not stick to the gas vent groove 16p3 and the sealability can be ensured. Further, the gas vent groove 16p3 may be increased as the left and right width of the decompression chamber lid 16 increases. Further, by applying a treatment such as a low friction coating to the surface of the groove 16u instead of the gas vent groove 16p3, the sticking of the groove u of the packing 16p can be prevented.

  7A and 7B show a differential pressure relief valve, wherein FIG. 7A is a side view in the present embodiment, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line MM of FIG. FIG. 3C is a sectional view taken along line NN of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the differential pressure relief valve V (valve) of the present embodiment is provided with a plug portion 101 provided at the center in the radial direction, and provided around the plug portion 101. And an elastic portion 102 to be provided. Further, the differential pressure release valve V includes a holding portion 103 held by the decompression chamber lid 16.

  The plug portion 101, the elastic portion 102, and the holding portion 103 are integrally formed of silicone rubber or the like. The elastic portion 102 is configured to be softer (easily elastically deformed) than the plug portion 101 by changing its shape and thickness toward the tip (upper end in the figure). In addition, the differential pressure relief valve V is not limited to the one formed of one type of silicone rubber, and may have a configuration in which two types of members having different hardnesses are combined.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the plug 101 of the present embodiment has a substantially trapezoidal projection 101a in a sectional view. The projection 101a is formed with a substantially cylindrical hole 101b extending in the axial direction from the distal end surface.

  The elastic portion 102 is provided on the outer periphery of the plug portion 101, and has a base portion 102a whose thickness becomes thinner from the base end to the tip end in a cross-sectional view, and bends radially outward and in the opposite direction at the tip end of the base portion 102a. And a fin 102b.

  On the other hand, the differential pressure relief valve 200 of the comparative example has a plug portion 201 and an elastic portion 202 as shown in FIG. The plug 201 has a projection 201a formed at the center in the radial direction. The elastic part 202 has a fin 202a so as to surround the periphery of the protrusion 201a. Further, the differential pressure relief valve 200 includes a support portion 203 supported by the decompression chamber lid 16 (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 7D, the angle β formed between the inclined surface 201c of the protrusion 201a and the axial direction is smaller than the angle α formed between the inclined surface 101c of the protrusion 101a and the axial direction shown in FIG. 7B. Is also formed small. In other words, the inclined surface 101c of the protrusion 101a has a shape that lies lower than the inclined surface 201c of the protrusion 201a. Further, as shown in FIG. 7D, the height H2 of the plug 201 at a portion corresponding to the diameter of the differential pressure release hole 16a (see FIG. 8) is set higher than the upper end of the height of the elastic portion 202. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the outer member 14 is depressurized by the vacuum pump 12 (see FIG. 3), a large load is applied due to a differential pressure between the outside atmospheric pressure and the inner low pressure. Inside, a high-strength reinforcing plate member 15 for reinforcing the outer shell member 14 is housed, having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose front surface and upper surface are open along the shape of the outer shell member 14.

  The reinforcing plate 15 is formed by drawing using a metal plate such as a 1.6 mm-thick steel plate, and left and right side walls 15a and 15b, a bottom wall 15c, and a rear wall 15d are formed continuously with curved surfaces. I have. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of reinforcing portions 15h projecting inward are formed on the left and right side walls 15a and 15b and the bottom wall 15c.

  As described above, the reinforcing plate 15 is formed in a box shape with a curved surface, and has a plurality of inwardly protruding reinforcing portions 15h, thereby increasing rigidity, and increasing the differential pressure between the outside atmospheric pressure and the inside low pressure. It is possible to withstand a large load due to.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 9, rectangular mounting portions for holding the reinforcing plate 15 in the outer member 14 are provided on the upper edges of the left and right side walls 15a and 15b and the rear wall 15d. 15t is protruded.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of concave guide grooves 15m, 15m for guiding the food tray 17 are provided on both sides of the bottom wall 15c of the reinforcing plate 15 in the front-rear direction (left and right on the paper surface of FIG. 4). Direction), so that the food tray 17 can be smoothly taken in and out.

  The food tray 17 disposed in the reinforcing plate 15 is a transparent resin molded product such as AS, and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, both side walls 17a and 17b, a bottom wall 17c, a rear wall 17d and a front surface. It has a wall 17e.

  On the front wall 17e of the food tray 17, a recess 17f for arranging a reinforcing support H described later is formed, and as shown in FIG. Has a pair of mounting claws 17t, 17t for attaching the food tray 17 to the decompression chamber lid 16 and interlocking the opening and closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16.

  The mounting claws 17t, 17t are formed in a semi-cylindrical shape with an open lower part, and the food tray 17 is placed on the reinforcing plate 15 in the decompression chamber 13 to project a projection 16g on the back side of the decompression chamber lid 16. , 16g (see FIG. 20), the food tray 17 is attached to the decompression chamber lid 16, and linked to the opening and closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16.

  Therefore, the user can visually check the inside of the food tray 17 that is pulled out with the opening and closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 and easily take out the food in the food tray 17.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the glass plate G is a tempered glass as a transparent material having sufficient rigidity and strength, and is formed in a transparent rectangular flat plate shape.

  The annular packing Gp attached to the periphery of the glass sheet G is a member for maintaining the airtightness between the glass sheet G and the outer casing member 14, and is a rubber or the like having an elastic property in order to secure the airtightness. Is formed in an annular shape with a concave groove for inserting the glass plate G on the inner peripheral surface using the above material.

  A configuration in which a metal box-shaped case is used in the outer casing member 14 and the glass plate G is not used can be appropriately selected. By using a metal box case, the strength of the decompression chamber 13 can be increased.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a main part of the pressure reducing chamber 13 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, on the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 14a and 14b of the outer member 14, the front and rear directions of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the guide members 24 and 25 (see FIG. 19), respectively (see FIGS. A guide member (not shown) having second guide grooves 20b, 20b extending in the front-rear direction of the decompression chamber 13 is screwed in to horizontally guide the movement in the left-right direction of FIG. Guide rollers 21a and 21b (see FIG. 9) are supported by shafts.

  11 to 18 are right side views of the decompression chamber 13 showing a process in which the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13 is changed from the closed state to the fully opened state. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF of FIG. is there.

  11 shows a state in which the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled up and the decompression chamber lid 16 is slightly pulled out and moved horizontally and forward (to the left in FIG. 9), and FIG. The state in which the decompression chamber lid 16 is lifted up and moved a predetermined distance horizontally and forward, and then the upper part of the decompression chamber lid 16 is horizontally moved forward while rotating forward and the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened and fully opened. I have.

  When opening the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13 from the closed state to the fully open state, the process shown in FIGS. 11 to 18 is performed. On the other hand, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed from the fully open state to the closed state, Conversely, the processes shown in FIGS. 18 to 11 are changed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4, 10 and 19, below the bottom wall 14c of the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13, a rotation synchronous shaft 23 to which pinion gears 22a and 22b are fixed on the right and left is rotatable. The left and right operations of the operation from the closing to the opening or the operation from the opening to the closing of the pressure reducing chamber lid 16 shown in FIGS. 11 to 18 are synchronized. For this reason, the decompression chamber lid 16 can be pulled out straight without tilting. According to this configuration, the lid member of the gas control chamber can be stably opened and closed.

  Further, in the refrigerator 1 having the refrigerator compartment doors 6 (6a, 6b) each having hinges on the left and right sides, a decompression chamber having a box shape having a width equal to or slightly smaller than the width of one of the double doors 6. The decompression chamber 13 includes an opening 14 e 1 having an open front surface, a decompression chamber lid 16 that closes the opening 14 e 1, and a decompression chamber lid 16 provided on the left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16 and moved in the front-rear direction. Guide members 24 and 25 to be driven, and synchronizing means (a rack gear 24g and pinion gears 22a and 22b described later) for synchronizing the movement of the guide members 24 and 25 are provided. By providing a box-shaped decompression chamber 13 having a width equal to or smaller than the width of one of the double doors 6, when the door 6b of the double door 6 on the decompression chamber 13 side is opened, the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened. It is necessary to stably pull out the door when it is opened, but by providing the synchronization means, stable pulling out becomes possible.

  In addition, a rotary partition 6a2 provided so as to eliminate a gap between the refrigerator doors 6a and 6b is provided on one of the double-opening doors 6a, and a decompression chamber is provided behind the other door 6b. 13 (see FIG. 3). According to this configuration, since the rotating partition 6a2 is not provided on the frequently used arm side (for example, the right hand side) door 6b, the decompression chamber 13 is provided behind the double door 6b on the side where the rotating partition 6a2 is not provided. Thus, a user who frequently uses the decompression chamber 13 can use the decompression chamber 13 by opening the refrigerator compartment door 6b without a rotational load on the rotary partition 6a2.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, guide members 24 and 25 are provided on the left and right sides of the decompression chamber 13 as members for moving the decompression chamber lid 16 in the front-rear direction (left and right directions on the paper surface of FIGS. 9 to 16). A pair is provided. Since the guide members 24 and 25 (see FIG. 19) have the same configuration, only the guide member 24 will be described.

  The guide member 24 is formed of a resin having excellent mechanical properties such as Duracon (registered trademark of Polyplastics Co., Ltd.). A rack gear 24g is formed along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface, and the guide roller 21b guides the rack gear 24g. A first guide groove 24a to be formed extends substantially in the center in the front-rear direction. The rack gear 24g and the pinion gears 22a, 22b constitute a synchronizing means for synchronizing the movements of the guide members 24, 25. Further, since the guide member 24 is provided below the gas control chamber, the guide member 24 can be arranged so as not to be in the way.

  Further, the upper rear portion of the guide member 24 is guided in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction on the paper surface of FIGS. 4 and 10) by a second guide groove 20b extending horizontally from the front to the back on the right side of the decompression chamber 13. Guide roller 24r is rotatably supported.

  At the front end of the guide member 24 on the right side of the decompression chamber 13, the decompression chamber lid 16 is supported rotatably around the support shaft 24 s, and the front of the guide member 25 on the left side of the decompression chamber 13. At the distal end, a decompression chamber lid 16 is rotatably supported around a similar support shaft.

  In this way, the guide roller 24r of the guide member 24 is guided in the front-rear direction by the second guide groove 20b on the right side of the decompression chamber 13, and as shown in FIGS. One guide groove 24a is guided by a guide roller 21b on the right front side of the decompression chamber 13.

  Similarly to the guide member 24, the guide roller 21a of the left guide member 25 is guided in the front-rear direction by the left second guide groove (corresponding to the right second guide groove 20b) of the decompression chamber 13, and As shown in FIG. 19, the first guide groove 25a of the left guide member 25 is guided by the left front guide roller 21a of the decompression chamber 13.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4, 10, and 19, a rack gear 24g of the guide member 24 and a rack gear 25g of the guide member 25 are rotatably supported below the decompression chamber 13, respectively. The guide members 24, 25 are synchronized in the left and right directions and move in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction on the paper surface of FIGS. 11 to 18).

  With this configuration, the decompression chamber lid 16 is supported at two points on both sides in the front-rear direction (the left-right direction on the paper surface of FIGS. 11 to 18) in the opening / closing operation shown in FIGS. Can move horizontally to

  In addition, since the decompression chamber lid 16 is synchronized left and right by driving the synchronized left and right pinion gears 22a and 22b, the reciprocating linear motion can be smoothly performed without tilting left and right in a horizontal plane.

  With the above configuration, the decompression chamber lid 16 can be opened and closed stably.

  The decompression chamber lid 16 rotatably supported at its lower part by the support shafts 24s (25s) of the guide members 24 and 25 has supports provided on both sides thereof as shown in FIGS. The opening / closing handle 26 is rotatably supported around the shaft 16s, and a differential pressure relief valve V shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 is configured.

  The user grips the opening / closing handle 26 to open / close the decompression chamber lid 16 and lock when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, and open / close the differential pressure relief valve V.

  When the pressure in the pressure reducing chamber 13 is reduced by the vacuum pump 12, the pressure difference reducing valve V is reduced by the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure outside the pressure reducing chamber 13 and the reduced pressure inside the pressure reducing chamber 13. Since the load applied to the chamber lid 16 becomes large, it is impossible to directly open the decompression chamber lid 16 manually without any means.

  Therefore, the internal and external spaces of the decompression chamber lid 16 are inserted through the differential pressure release valve V to eliminate the internal and external pressure difference, eliminate the load due to the differential pressure, and allow the decompression chamber lid 16 to be easily opened.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the decompression chamber lid 16 is provided with a packing 16p made of an elastic material at an inner peripheral edge that comes into contact with the outer casing member 14 when closed, and the packing 16p is connected to the outer casing member 14 and the decompression chamber. Sealing between the lids 16 is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the packing 16p is formed in an annular shape with a V-shaped groove 16u having a transverse cross-section recessed inward at the center of the outer periphery. Thereby, the sealing performance between the decompression chamber lid 16 and the decompression chamber 13 can be improved.

  Even when the packing 16p is closed with the decompression chamber lid 16 slightly inclined with respect to the outer casing member 14, the packing 16p is elastically deformed in the groove 16u and absorbs the bias, so that the outer casing member 14 and the decompression chamber lid are absorbed. 16 can be reliably sealed. Note that the packing 16p may be provided on the outer member 14 side without being provided on the decompression chamber lid 16.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the decompression chamber lid 16 is formed such that an outer peripheral portion 16 t (see FIG. 5) is formed of an opaque resin such as ABS so that the central portion 16 c can visually recognize the food stored in the decompression chamber 13. It is molded with a transparent resin such as AS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated with respect to the decompression chamber lid 16, the both sides 16 c 1 and 16 c 1 of the central portion 16 c of the decompression chamber lid 16 are located between the opening / closing handle 26 and the decompression chamber lid 16. Space of the opening / closing handle 26 so that the distance between the both sides 16c1 and 16c1 of the decompression chamber lid 16 and the rotation trajectory of the rod 27 of the opening / closing handle 26 becomes a predetermined value or less, for example, 7 mm or less. It is formed in a shape protruding outward substantially along the arc-shaped trajectory where the body 27 moves.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the central portion 16c2 of the decompression chamber lid 16 is recessed inward so that the user's hand can enter and the handle operation portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 has a space occupied by the outer surface. It is formed in a shape.

  As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 12, a reinforcing support portion H is formed on the inner side of the central portion 16c2 of the decompression chamber lid 16, which is a vertical support portion having an overall opening and protruding inward.

  FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the decompression chamber cover 16 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the reinforcing support portion H of the decompression chamber lid 16 has an outer peripheral upper wall surface H1, an outer peripheral lower wall surface H2, and both side wall surfaces H3 continuously formed on the inner side, and the outer peripheral upper wall surface H1 is formed. A plurality of reinforcing ribs hr are formed extending between the outer peripheral lower wall surface H2 in the vertical direction.

  Further, columnar projections 16g, 16g for linking the food tray 17 to the opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 are formed on the outer surfaces of both side walls H3 of the reinforcing support portion H of the decompression chamber lid 16.

  A pair of mounting claws 17t, 17t (see FIG. 8) of the food tray 17 is engaged with the projections 16g, 16g, and the food tray 17 is pulled out to the outside by interlocking the opening and closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 with the user. Are configured so that the food in the food tray 17 can be easily viewed and taken out.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, the reinforcing support H on the inner side of the decompression chamber lid 16 is located on the lower surface of the glass plate G and the front wall 14 e of the outer member 14 in the decompression chamber 13. And, it comes into contact with the bottom wall 15c of the reinforcing plate 15 in the decompression chamber 13, and due to the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure outside the decompression chamber 13 and the low pressure in the decompression chamber 13, the front wall 14e of the outer member 14 and the glass plate G It is configured to support a load applied from above and a load due to a differential pressure applied to the bottom wall 14c of the outer member 14 from below, and suppress the deformation of the decompression chamber 13 by these loads.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, a central portion 16 c 2 of the pressure reducing chamber lid 16 is provided with a differential pressure releasing hole 16 a that is inserted into the pressure reducing chamber 13 of the differential pressure relief valve V. A valve seat 16z is formed around 16a.

  Here, the support shaft 35s on which the valve opening / closing member 35 rotates and the support shaft 16s (see FIGS. 10 and 12) on which the opening / closing handle 26 rotates are configured concentrically, and the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing handle 26 is performed. The differential pressure release valve V is configured to be linked with the opening / closing operation of the differential pressure release valve V via the valve opening / closing member 35.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 11, on both left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16, a handle holding the open / close handle 26 at a predetermined position so that the open / close handle 26 can be guided by lid lock guide groove members 30, 30 described later. The members 37, 37 are rotatably supported around the support shafts 37s, 37s, and are urged upward by a torsion coil spring 32 (see FIG. 25) and the like.

  The handle holding members 37, 37 are formed with holding projections 37t, 37t, respectively, and the holding projections 37t, 37t are claw portions 28t of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 (see FIGS. 12, 13, and 15). , 29t (see FIG. 20) to hold the open / close handle 26 at a predetermined position.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 11, and 20, the opening / closing handle 26 includes a rod 27 made of an aluminum rod, and a metal supporting part having one end fixed to each of the left and right ends of the rod 27. 28 and 29, and a handle operating portion 36 through which the rod 27 is inserted at the center and used for operating the handle.

  The left and right support portions 28 and 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 are rotatably supported at their central portions around left and right support shafts 16s and 16s of the decompression chamber lid 16, and have guide rollers 28r at the other end. , 29r are rotatably supported, and are formed with projection-shaped claws 28t for fitting to a handle holding member 37 for holding the open / close handle 26 at the upper end position.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the opening / closing handle 26 is rotatably supported around the support shafts 16 s and 16 s on the left and right sides of the decompression chamber cover 16, and the rod 27 is moved around the left and right support shafts 16 s and 16 s. The case where it is positioned at the lowermost part of the rotation trajectory is a state in which the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed and locked by the opening / closing handle 26. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the rod 27 is connected to the left and right support shafts 16s, 16s. When it is located above the turning locus, the lock of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26 is released.

  The guide rollers 28r, 29r of the left and right support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 are fitted into lid lock guide groove members 30, 30 provided on the left and right side walls 14a, 14b on both sides of the decompression chamber 13 respectively. Then, the decompression chamber lid 16 is locked by the opening / closing handle 26.

  FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 are enlarged views showing the process of locking the opening / closing handle 26 around the depressurizing chamber lid 16 and the opening / closing handle 26 of the decompression chamber 13 and the lid lock guide groove member 30 shown in FIG. It is. The lock mechanism R of the opening / closing handle 26 includes support shafts 16s, 16s, guide rollers 28r, 29r, and lid lock guide groove members 30, 30.

  FIG. 21 is a view showing the unlocked state of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26, FIG. 22 is a view showing a state just before the locking of FIG. 23, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a lock state of the decompression chamber lid 16 by 26.

  Since the left lid lock guide groove member 30 has the same configuration as the right lid lock guide groove member 30, the right lid lock guide groove member 30 will be described, and the left lid lock guide groove member 30 will be described. Description is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 21, 22, and 23, the lid lock guide groove member 30 is, for example, a resin molded member, and guides the guide roller 28r by contacting the guide roller 28r with a curved inner wall guide 30a in a side view. Is what you do.

  The inner wall guide 30a of the lid lock guide groove member 30 is formed in the following shape in a side view.

That is, as shown in FIG. 21, between the support shaft 16s and the intersection point 30a1 of the straight inner wall guide 30a connecting the support shaft 16s and the axis of the guide roller 28r in the unlocked state of the decompression chamber cover 16 by the opening / closing handle 26. The dimension is c, and as shown in FIG. 22, an intersection 30a2 of a straight inner wall guide 30a connecting the support shaft 16s just before the opening / closing handle 26 locks the decompression chamber lid 16 and the axis of the guide roller 28r. The distance between the support shafts 16s is represented by b, and as shown in FIG. 23, a linear inner wall guide 30a connecting the support shaft 16s and the axis of the guide roller 28r in the locked state of the decompression chamber cover 16 by the opening / closing handle 26. Assuming that the dimension between the intersection 30a3 and the support shaft 16s is a, the distance between a, b, and c is
b (state before lock (FIG. 22))> a (lock state (FIG. 23))> c (lock release state (FIG. 21))
Are formed, and the shape of the inner wall guide 30a shown in FIG. 21, FIG. 22, and FIG. 23 is formed in a side view.

  Due to the shape of the inner wall guide 30a of the lid lock guide groove member 30, in a state just before the opening and closing handle 26 locks the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG. 22, a straight line connecting the support shaft 16s and the axis of the guide roller 28r is formed. Since the dimension between the intersection point 30a2 with the inner wall guide 30a and the support shaft 16s is the largest, b, the guide roller 28r of the support portion 28 is stronger than the inner wall guide 30a of the lid lock guide groove member 30, as shown in FIG. The inner wall guide 30a is formed so as to give a heavy feeling to the user who opens and closes the opening / closing handle 26 supported by the support portion 28 by touching or prying, and to lock after giving a click feeling. As described above, the decompression chamber lid 16 is attracted to the storage portion (outer shell member 14), and the packing 16p is strongly pressed against the opening 14e1, so that the sealing performance between the decompression chamber lid 16 and the storage portion is ensured.

That is, the user grips the handle operation portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 and pushes down the handle operation portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 from the state immediately before the lock in FIG. 22 to the locked state shown in FIG. If
b (state before lock (FIG. 22))> a (lock state (FIG. 23))
Therefore, the guide roller 28r of the support portion 28 in the neutral state squeezes the inner wall guide 30a of the lid lock guide groove member 30, that is, the degree to which the guide roller 28r strongly abuts is softened, and the user shifts the opening / closing handle 26 to the lock operation. , The opening / closing handle 26 is configured to give a feeling of being pulled from the state before the lock to the locked state.

  Then, the user grips the handle operation portion 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 and lifts the rod 27 of the opening / closing handle 26 upward from the state immediately before the lock in FIG. 22 to reach the unlocked state shown in FIG. In this case, the dimension between the support shaft 16s and the intersection of a straight line that connects the support shaft 16s and the axis of the guide roller 28r and the support shaft 16s is a, and a state before the lock (see FIG. 22) and a lock state (see FIG. 23). ), The guide roller 28r of the support portion 28 is closed by the lid lock guide groove member from the state of FIG. 22 to the open state of FIG. The inner wall guide 30a is formed so that the opening / closing handle 26 can be operated with a gentle touch without touching the inner wall guide 30a of the inner wall guide 30.

  FIG. 24 is a conceptual sectional view taken along line FF of the pressure reducing chamber cover 16 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 25 is a conceptual sectional view taken along line GG of the pressure reducing chamber cover 16 shown in FIG. 3 shows the action of the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 when the opening / closing handle 26 is turned downward to bring the decompression chamber lid 16 close to the closed state. FIG. 26 is a conceptual sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. 5 when the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated with respect to the decompression chamber lid 16 and the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 32 is at the neutral position.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 24 and 25, a torsion coil spring 32 is disposed between the decompression chamber lid 16 and the opening / closing handle 26 supported by the decompression chamber lid 16. 26, the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated downward from the neutral position of the torsion coil spring 32 to urge the operation of locking the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG. 23, that is, the opening / closing handle 26 is urged downward. Assists with locking.

  Also, in the range of the operation of turning the open / close handle 26 upward from the neutral position of the torsion coil spring 32 shown in FIG. 26 to bring the unlocking state of the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG. Energizes and assists the opening operation.

  FIG. 27 is a conceptual sectional view taken along the line GG of the decompression chamber cover 16 of FIG. 5 showing the action of the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 when the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated upward with respect to the decompression chamber lid 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 25, 26, and 27, the opening / closing handle 26 is rotatably supported around the support shaft 16s of the decompression chamber lid 16, and in the spring force neutral position shown in FIG. The support shaft 16 s of the rotation fulcrum 26 and the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 32 are in the same straight line, and the length of the arm between the support shaft 16 s of the rotation fulcrum of the opening / closing handle 26 and the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 32 is reduced. It becomes 0, and the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 does not act on the opening / closing handle 26.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 25, when the opening / closing handle 26 rotates downward from the spring force neutral position shown in FIG. 26, the opening / closing handle of the torsion coil spring 32 up to the urging force indicated by a white arrow. The length of the rod from the support shaft 16s at the rotation fulcrum 26 is u1, and a downward urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 acts on the opening / closing handle 26, and a downward moment is applied by the urging force.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 27, when the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated upward from the spring force neutral position shown in FIG. 26, the rotation of the opening / closing handle 26 up to the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 indicated by a white arrow. The length of the moving support point from the support shaft 16s becomes u2, and an upward urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 acts on the opening / closing handle 26, and an upward moment is applied by the urging force.

  Here, the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 32 for rotating the opening / closing handle 26 upward exceeds the own weight of the opening / closing handle 26, and even when the user releases the hand from the opening / closing handle 26, the torsion coil spring 32 It is configured to rotate upward by the urging force of 32.

  The handle operation section 36 (see FIG. 28) of the opening / closing handle 26 has a function of a grip section when the user operates the opening / closing handle 26 and a function of guiding the opening and closing of the differential pressure relief valve V.

  FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 5 and shows the open state of the differential pressure relief valve V. FIG. 29 is a line DD of FIG. FIG. 30 shows a diagram corresponding to a cross section, and FIG. 30 shows a diagram corresponding to a cross section taken along line DD of FIG. 5 showing a closed state of the differential pressure relief valve V. 28A to 30A, (a) shows the present embodiment, and (b) shows a comparative example. In addition, only the shape of the differential pressure relief valve V, 200 is different between (a) and (b), and the other configurations are the same.

  As shown in FIG. 28A, in the open state of the differential pressure relief valve V, the opening / closing handle 26 rotates clockwise in FIG. 28 with the support shaft 35s as a fulcrum, and the plug 101 of the differential pressure relief valve V Has escaped from the differential pressure release hole 16a. In the differential pressure relief valve V, the elastic portion 102 is separated from the valve seat 16z, and the inside and the outside of the decompression chamber 13 communicate with each other through the differential pressure relief hole 16a.

  By opening the valve in this manner, as shown by the thick arrow in FIG. 28A, the outside air enters the decompressed chamber 13 where the outside air is decompressed due to the pressure difference, and the differential pressure is eliminated. The load due to the differential pressure applied to the decompression chamber lid 16 when opening is eliminated, and the decompression chamber lid 16 can be opened smoothly.

  When the opening / closing handle 26 rotates counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 28A with the support shaft 35s as a fulcrum, as shown in FIG. Before the plug portion 101 contacts the differential pressure release hole 16a (taper 16a1), the fin portion 102b (see FIG. 7B) of the elastic portion 102 contacts the valve seat 16z.

  When the opening / closing handle 26 is further rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 29A with the support shaft 35s as a fulcrum from the state of FIG. 29A to close and lock the decompression chamber lid 16, FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the entire inclined surface 101c (see FIG. 7B) of the plug portion 101 of the differential pressure relief valve V contacts the taper 16a1 at the opening edge of the differential pressure relief hole 16a, and the elastic portion 102 It comes into contact with the valve seat 16z while being elastically deformed radially outward. In this way, the fin portion 102b (see FIG. 7B) of the elastic portion 102 is in close contact with the valve seat 16z, so that the differential pressure release hole 16a is sealed.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 31A, the inclined surface 101c of the plug portion 101 of the differential pressure relief valve V and the taper 16a1 of the differential pressure relief hole 16a are not parallel, and the inclined surface 101c has the taper 16a1. The angles are set to be different from each other so as to contact the edge 16a2. That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 31A, the inclination angle α of the inclined surface 101c of the plug portion 101 of the differential pressure relief valve V with respect to the axial direction G is the axial direction G of the taper 16a1 of the differential pressure relief hole 16a. Is formed to be larger than the inclination angle γ with respect to. With this configuration, the inclined surface 101c of the plug 101 can be reliably brought into contact with the edge 16a2 of the taper 16a1, and a gap is formed between the plug 101 and the differential pressure release hole 16a. Can be prevented, and the problem that the pressure cannot be reduced can be prevented.

  By the way, as shown in the comparative example of FIG. 28B, when the differential pressure release valve 200 is in the open state, the opening / closing handle 26 rotates clockwise in FIG. The plug portion 201 of 200 escapes from the differential pressure release hole 16a, the elastic portion 102 is separated from the valve seat 16z, and the inside and the outside of the decompression chamber 13 communicate with each other via the differential pressure release hole 16a. When the opening / closing handle 26 rotates counterclockwise about the support shaft 35s from the state shown in FIG. 28B, as shown in FIG. Before the fin portion 202a contacts the valve seat 16z, the elastic portion 202 contacts the differential pressure release hole 16a (taper 16a1). When the opening / closing handle 26 is further rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 29B around the support shaft 35s from the state of FIG. 29B to close and lock the decompression chamber lid 16, FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the inclined surface 201c (see FIGS. 7C and 7D) of the plug 201 of the differential pressure relief valve 200 abuts on the opening edge of the differential pressure relief hole 16a, and the elastic portion 202 engages the valve seat. 16z.

  In the comparative example, as shown in FIG. 31B, the inclined surface 201c of the plug 201 of the differential pressure relief valve 200 and the taper 16a1 of the opening edge of the differential pressure relief hole 16a are formed substantially in parallel. I have. In the comparative example, the plug 201 may come into contact with the differential pressure release hole 16a before the elastic portion 202 comes into contact with the valve seat 16z. Therefore, the plug 201 comes into contact with the differential pressure release hole 16a. Sometimes, a gap is formed between the plug 201 and the differential pressure release hole 16a (taper 16a1), and the elastic part 202 (fin 202a) is not in contact with the valve seat 16z (see FIG. 29B). ), Decompression is not possible.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the differential pressure release valve V is closed, the elastic portion 102 (fin 102b), which is a soft portion, precedes the plug 101 and the pressure reducing chamber lid 16 (valve seat 16z). , The differential pressure relief hole 16a can be reliably closed. Also, the angle of the inclined surface 101c of the plug 101 is made different from the angle of the taper 16a1, and the inclined surface 101c hits the edge 16a2 of the taper 16a1, so that the differential pressure release hole 16a is reliably closed by the plug 101. Can be.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the height H1 of the plug 101 at a portion corresponding to the diameter of the differential pressure release hole 16a is set lower than the upper end 102c of the height of the elastic portion 102. Have been. With this configuration, the elastic portion 102 (fin portion 102b) can be brought into contact with the differential pressure release hole 16a prior to the plug portion 101, and the differential pressure release hole 16a can be reliably sealed.

  FIG. 32 shows that the claw portion 28t of the support portion 28 of the opening / closing handle 26 is engaged with the holding projection 37t of the handle holding member 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 to prevent the opening / closing handle 26 from rotating downward. FIG. 33 is a conceptual right side view showing the state. FIG. 33 shows that the hook 28t of the support portion 28 of the opening / closing handle 26 is unlocked from the holding projection 37t of the handle holding member 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 so that the opening / closing can be performed. FIG. 7 is a conceptual right side view showing a state in which the prevention of downward rotation of the handle has been released.

  As shown in FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, projecting handle release members 39, 39 are fixed to both sides of the outer shell member 14.

  As shown in FIG. 32, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is separated from the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13 by a predetermined distance, the handle holding release members 39 on both sides of the outer member 14 It is separated from the handle holding members 37, 37 and does not press the handle holding members 37, 37.

  In this case, the holding projections 37t, 37t of the handle holding members 37, 37 urged above the decompression chamber lid 16, are locked by the claw portions 28t, 29t of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26, and the opening / closing handle The downward rotation indicated by the arrow 26 is prevented.

  Then, as shown by a white arrow in FIG. 32, the decompression chamber lid 16 is moved in the closing direction, and as shown in FIG. 33, the decompression chamber lid 16 approaches within a predetermined distance from the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13. In this case, the handle holding release members 39, 39 on both sides of the outer casing member 14 push the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 to rotate in the direction of arrow a, and the handle holding members 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are rotated. , 37 are disengaged from the tabs 28t, 29t of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26, and the holding of the opening / closing handle 26 is released, and the opening / closing handle 26 is rotated downward as indicated by the arrow. Can be done freely.

  As a result, the opening / closing handle 26 can be completely rotated downward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 can be brought into close contact with the outer member 14. The support portions 28, 29 and the claw portions 28t, 29t of the handle holding member 37 and the opening / closing handle 26 may be provided only on one side, not on both left and right sides.

  Next, a lid opening / closing guide mechanism of the decompression chamber lid 16 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the decompression chamber 13 has a lid opening / closing guide mechanism on the right side thereof for opening and closing the decompression chamber lid 16 from a closed state shown in FIG. 11 to an open state shown in FIG. Have.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, the protective plate 19 attached to the right side of the decompression chamber 13 has a first horizontal guide hole 42 a extending horizontally from the front to the back, and a first horizontal guide hole 42 a. A first inclined guide hole 42b extending continuously and downwardly and downwardly; a second horizontal guide hole 42c continuous with the first inclined guide hole 42b and extending horizontally and rearward; and a second horizontal guide hole 42c. And a third opening / closing guide hole 42 having a second inclined guide hole 42d extending in the rear and upward direction and a third horizontal guide hole 42e extending in the depth direction and continuing in the second inclined guide hole 42d. Has been drilled.

  Due to the presence of the third horizontal guide hole 42e, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, the decompression chamber lid 16 can be moved straight and brought into contact with the outer casing member 14 without rotating immediately before closing.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a first connection link 43 is provided as an opening / closing guide mechanism of the decompression chamber lid 16, and the first connection link 43 is rotatably supported by the guide member 24 on its central shaft 43 o. You. Further, the guide roller 24r inserted through the rear side of the central shaft 43o is guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG.

  Further, the first connection link 43 is formed with a direction changing protrusion 43t having a shape in which a tip edge of one end protrudes with a curvature and extends in a narrow width, and is closer to the center from the direction changing protrusion 43t. A guide roller 43r, which is guided by the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, is rotatably supported. One end of a second connection link 44 is rotatably connected to the other end around a shaft 43j.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 20, the second connection link 44 has a long dimension in the front-rear direction, and the other end has a pivot on which the opening / closing handle 26 is rotatably supported by the decompression chamber lid 16. It is rotatably supported at 16s.

  Further, a V-shaped direction changing guide member 45 shown in FIG. 10 is fixed to the inner surface of the protection plate member 19 disposed on the right side of the decompression chamber 13 shown in FIG. The direction change projection 43t of the first connection link 43 is guided by the guide surface 45a of the direction change guide member 45, and the first connection link 43 changes its front-back direction.

  FIG. 34A is a conceptual side view showing a lid opening / closing guide mechanism in a state where the decompression chamber lid 16 is erected when the decompression chamber lid 16 shown in FIG. 11 is closed, and FIG. It is a conceptual side view which shows the lid opening / closing guide mechanism in the state which opened the decompression chamber lid 16 to the maximum inclination.

  As shown in FIGS. 34A and 34B, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is erected when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, and when the decompression chamber lid 16 is inclined when the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened. In both cases, the support shaft 16s (A) point and the shaft 43j (B) point where the second connection link 44 is supported, and the central shaft 43o (C) point and the shaft 43j (B) where the first connection link 43 is supported. The three points (A), (B) and (C) are located substantially in a straight line. Therefore, when the lid opening / closing force F is applied, the rotation moment hardly acts on the first connection link 43, and the lid opening / closing force F is transmitted straight to the point (C) provided on the guide member 24. The guide member 24 moves horizontally. Therefore, the decompression chamber lid 16 can be moved horizontally without rotating, maintaining the upright or inclined state.

  The opening / closing guide mechanism for the decompression chamber lid 16 is provided only on the right side of the decompression chamber 13 and is not provided on the left side. The opening / closing guide mechanism of the decompression chamber lid 16 may not be provided on the right side, but may be provided on the left side.

  Next, the opening / closing process of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing guide mechanism for the decompression chamber lid 16 having the above configuration will be described.

  Here, the decompression chamber lid 16 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 24s of the guide member 24 and a support shaft of a similar guide member 25, as shown in FIGS. The second connection link 44 is rotatably supported by the shaft 16s.

  Therefore, if the support shaft 24s of the guide member 24 and the support shaft 16s of the second connection link 44 perform the same horizontal movement relatively, the decompression chamber lid 16 moves horizontally without rotating. .

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 10, and 34 (a), when the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed, the guide roller 43 r of the first connection link 43 extends horizontally in the lid opening / closing guide hole 42. While being located in the guide hole 42e, the central shaft 43o of the first connection link 43 is concentric with the guide roller 24r of the guide member 24 and is guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. The second connecting link 44 to be connected is at the position shown.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10, the user holds the handle operation part 36 of the opening / closing handle 26 and turns the opening / closing handle 26 upward as shown by the arrow, and the decompression chamber lid is opened by the opening / closing handle 26. Release the lock of 16.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11, when the user holds the handle operation unit 36 (see FIG. 4) of the opening / closing handle 26 and pulls the opening / closing handle 26 forward (to the left in FIG. 11) as indicated by an arrow, The guide roller 43r of the first connection link 43 is guided forward (to the left in FIG. 11) inside the third horizontal guide hole 42e extending horizontally of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, and the center axis of the first connection link 43. 43o is concentric with the guide roller 24r of the guide member 24, is guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. 10, and moves forward (to the left in FIG. 11), and the first connection link 43 does not tilt. It moves forward (to the left in FIG. 11).

  In this case, the first connection link 43 moves horizontally and the same distance forward as the guide members 24 and 25, so that the first connection link 43 and the second connection link 44 connected by the shaft 43j are It moves in the same direction as the first connecting link 43 at the same distance.

  Therefore, the decompression chamber lid 16 supported by the guide members 24 and 25 and the first connection link 43 does not rotate, but moves forward (left side in FIG. 11) on the guide members 24 and 25 and the first connection link. It moves forward in the horizontal direction at the same distance as 43.

  As described above, when the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened, the outer member of the decompression chamber 13 is separated from the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13 by a predetermined distance without being inclined in the horizontal direction. It approaches in the horizontal direction without inclining with 14, and contacts.

  As a result, the packing 16p of the decompression chamber lid 16 is separated from the outer member 14 without being inclined, and approaches and contacts the outer member 14 without being inclined. Therefore, the packing 16p is not squeezed by the outer member 14 and is substantially uniform. High sealing performance due to contact. Further, deterioration of the packing 16p can be prevented.

  Subsequently, when the user pulls the open / close handle 26 forward (to the left in FIG. 11), the center shaft 43o of the first connection link 43 is concentric with the guide roller 24r of the guide member 24, as shown in FIG. The guide roller 43r of the first link 43 is guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. 10 forward (to the left in FIG. 12). It is guided forward and downward by 42d.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the guide members 24 and 25 move forward and horizontally, but the first connection link 43 is a shaft to which the guide roller 43r is inclined downward and the second connection link 44 is connected. 43j moves upward.

  Then, the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 by the support shaft 16s moves forward while rotating so that the upper part is inclined forward.

  Further, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (left side in FIG. 12) as shown by the arrow in FIG. 12, the central shaft 43o of the first connecting link 43 is moved as shown in FIG. 10 is guided forward (to the left in FIG. 13) on the second guide groove 20b, but the direction changing protrusion 43t of the first connecting link 43 is guided on the guide rear surface 45a1 of the direction changing guide member 45. Meanwhile, the guide roller 43r of the first connection link 43 moves in the second horizontal guide hole 42c (see FIG. 11) of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42.

  In this process, the guide roller 43r of the first connection link 43 is tilted downward, and the shaft 43j to which the second connection link 44 is connected moves upward.

  Then, the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 by the support shaft 16s moves forward while rotating so that the upper part is inclined forward.

  Subsequently, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 13, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (to the left in FIG. 13), the central shaft 43o of the first connection link 43 becomes as shown in FIG. Although guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. 10 and guided forward (to the left in FIG. 14), the direction changing protrusion 43t of the first connecting link 43 is formed by the concave guide bottom surface 45a2 of the direction changing guide member 45. And the guide roller 43r of the first connection link 43 moves in the second horizontal guide hole 42c of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, and the first connection link 43 is in the upright state.

  In this process, the shaft 43j to which the second connection link 44 is connected moves upward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 by the support shaft 16s rotates so that the upper part is inclined forward. While moving forward.

  As described above, the inclination of the decompression chamber lid 16 makes it easier to see the food and the like in the decompression chamber 13, and allows the food and the like in the decompression chamber 13 to be taken out without completely pulling out the decompression chamber lid 16.

  Further, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 14, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (to the left in FIG. 14), the center shaft 43o of the first connecting link 43 is moved as shown in FIG. 10 is guided forward (to the left in FIG. 15) on the second guide groove 20b. The direction changing projection 43t of the first connecting link 43 is guided by the guide front surface 45a3 of the direction changing guide member 45. At the same time, the guide roller 43r of the first connection link 43 moves in the second horizontal guide hole 42c of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, and the first connection link 43 rotates around the direction change protrusion 43t to change the direction.

  In this process, the shaft 43j to which the second connection link 44 is connected moves forward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 with the support shaft 16s opens forward so that the upper part is inclined forward and forward. Go to

  Subsequently, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 15, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (to the left in FIG. 15), the central shaft 43o of the first connection link 43 becomes as shown in FIG. Although guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. 10 and guided forward (to the left in FIG. 16), the guide roller 43r of the first link 43 is in the first inclined guide hole 42b of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42. , And the first connecting link 43 further rotates around the direction changing protrusion 43t side.

  In this process, the shaft 43j to which the second connection link 44 is connected moves upward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 by the support shaft 16s rotates so that the upper part is inclined forward. While moving forward.

  Further, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 16, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (to the left in FIG. 16), the central shaft 43o of the first connecting link 43 is moved as shown in FIG. The guide roller 43r of the first connecting link 43 extends in the horizontal direction of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42 while being guided forward (to the left in FIG. 17) by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. The first connection link 43 rotates to be horizontal, and moves forward by being guided by the horizontal guide hole 42a.

  In this process, the shaft 43j to which the second connection link 44 is connected moves forward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 connected to the second connection link 44 by the support shaft 16s opens and cuts so that the upper part is inclined forward. When the guide roller 43r enters the first horizontal guide hole 42a of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, the opening operation stops.

  After the guide roller 43r of the first connection link 43 moves to the first horizontal guide hole 42a (see FIG. 11) of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42, the first connection link 43 and the guide member 24 are moved forward by an equal distance. , The pressure-reducing chamber lid 16 moves forward (to the left in FIG. 17) in a fully opened state.

  Subsequently, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 17, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pulled forward (to the left in FIG. 17), the central shaft 43o of the first connection link 43 is moved as shown in FIG. Although guided by the second guide groove 20b shown in FIG. 10 and guided forward (to the left in FIG. 18), the guide roller 43r of the first connecting link 43 is located in the first horizontal guide hole 42a of the lid opening / closing guide hole 42. And the guide roller 21b on the right front side of the decompression chamber 13 abuts on the edge 24a1 of the first guide groove 24a of the guide member 24, and the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened forward (see FIG. 18 is stopped, and the pressure reducing chamber cover 16 is fully opened.

  The above is the operation of opening the decompression chamber lid 16 using the lid opening / closing guide mechanism.

  The process of closing the decompression chamber cover 16 shown in FIG. 11 from the fully opened state of the decompression chamber cover 16 shown in FIG. 18 is performed by transiting the above process in reverse.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 18, in consideration of the case where the decompression chamber 13 is arranged below the refrigerator compartment 2 or the like, the user's position is between the bottom surface of the decompression chamber 13 indicated by a two-dot chain line and the opening / closing handle 26. In order to secure a space where a finger can enter, the user holds the opening / closing handle 26 to open and close the decompression chamber lid 16 near the upper end of the decompression chamber lid 16.

  Next, the lock opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 will be described.

  FIG. 35 (a) is a right side view showing an operation of unlocking the decompression chamber lid 16 from the locked state by the opening / closing handle 26 and opening the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26, and FIG. FIG. 35D is a concept showing a transition of a mechanism around the opening / closing handle 26 that releases the lock from the locked state of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26 and starts the operation of opening the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 35A, when the decompression chamber 13 is closed by the decompression chamber lid 16 and the decompression chamber lid 16 is locked by the opening and closing handle 26, the opening and closing handle 26 is located below the decompression chamber lid 16. .

  The operation of opening the decompression chamber lid 16 from the locked state of the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26 is performed by completely lifting the opening / closing handle 26 once to the upper end to release the lock as indicated by an arrow α1, as indicated by an arrow α1. In addition, it is necessary to pull out the opening / closing handle 26 forward (to the left in FIG. 35A).

  This process will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 (b) to 35 (d).

  As shown in FIG. 35 (b), when the decompression chamber lid 16 is locked by the opening / closing handle 26, the guide roller 28 r of the support 28 of the opening / closing handle 26 intersects with the inner wall guide 30 a of the lid lock guide groove member 30. It is in contact and locked at 30a3 (see FIG. 23).

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 35 (b), the handle holding release members 39, 39 on both sides of the outer casing member 14 press the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16, and the opening / closing handle The claw portions 28t, 29t of the support portions 28, 29 of the 26 are located above and are separated from the holding projections 37t of the handle holding members 37, 37.

  When the open / close handle 26 is lifted from this state as shown in FIG. 35 (c), the open / close handle 26 rotates, and the claws 28t and 29t of the support portions 28 and 29 of the open / close handle 26 are positioned below. , Is located near the holding projection 37t of the handle holding member 37.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 27, the opening / closing handle 26 is supported at an elevated position by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 32 having a force greater than its own weight.

  Subsequently, when the user holds the opening / closing handle 26 and pulls it toward the user (to the left in FIG. 35D) as shown by a white arrow in FIG. 35D, the decompression chamber lid 16 is in the upright state. 35 (d), the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are disengaged from the handle holding release members 39, 39 on both sides of the outer member 14 on the decompression chamber 13 body side. They disengage and disengage each other.

  Therefore, the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are urged upward by an elastic material such as a torsion coil spring, so that they rotate upward and hold the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16. The projections 37t, 37t are engaged with the claws 28t, 29t of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26, and the downward rotation of the opening / closing handle 26 is locked, and the opening / closing handle 26 is locked at the upper end position. .

  Thus, with the opening / closing handle 26 locked at the upper end position, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 18, the handle 26 is pulled out to the front (to the left in FIG. 18) fully open position.

  Next, the operation of closing and locking the decompression chamber lid 16 with the opening / closing handle 26 from the state where the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened will be described.

  FIG. 36 (a) is a right side view showing the operation of locking the decompression chamber lid 16 by the opening / closing handle 26 from the state where the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened, and FIGS. 36 (b) to 36 (d) show the operation. It is a conceptual side view which shows the transition of the mechanism around the opening / closing handle 26 in the process of locking the decompression chamber cover 16 with the opening / closing handle 26 from the state where the decompression chamber cover 16 was opened.

  As shown in FIG. 36 (a), the opening / closing handle 26 is returned from the fully opened state of the decompression chamber lid 16 to the rear (right side in FIG. 36 (a) as shown by the arrow β0). If any mechanism is not provided on 26, the opening / closing handle 26 will be returned as shown by the dashed arrow β1.

  In this case, the guide rollers 28r, 29r of the support portions 28, 29 (see FIGS. 5 and 36B) on both sides of the opening / closing handle 26 enter the lid lock guide groove members 30, 30 on both sides. Therefore, it is impossible to close the decompression chamber lid 16.

  Accordingly, the opening / closing handle 26 is held in a state where the guide rollers 28r, 29r of the support portions 28, 29 are held at the upper end positions which enter the lid lock guide groove members 30, 30 as shown by the dashed arrow β2. The lid 16 is closed as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 35 (d), when the decompression chamber lid 16 is separated from the decompression chamber 13 by a predetermined distance, the holding projections 37t, 37t of the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 move the opening / closing handle. The opening / closing handle 26 is locked at the upper end position by being locked to the claw portions 28t and 29t of the supporting portions 28 and 29 of the opening / closing handle 26.

  From this position, in opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 in which the decompression chamber lid 16 is separated from the decompression chamber 13, the depressurization is performed by the handle holding release members 39 on both sides of the outer member 14 on the decompression chamber 13 main body side. Since the handle holding members 37, 37 of the chamber lid 16 are separated, they are not pressed by the handle holding release members 39, 39.

  For this reason, the holding projections 37t, 37t of the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are locked by the claw portions 28t, 29t of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 and locked, and the opening / closing handle 26 is at the upper end position. , The opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 is performed.

  Then, from the state where the decompression chamber lid 16 is opened and the opening / closing handle 26 is held at the upper end position, as shown by a white arrow in FIG. 36B, the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed. 36B, the guide rollers 28r, 29r of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 enter the lid lock guide groove members 30, 30.

  Then, after the guide rollers 28r, 29r of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 enter the lid lock guide groove members 30, 30, as shown in FIG. 36 (c), the decompression chamber lid 16 is closed. Therefore, when the user further approaches the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13, the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are pressed by the handle holding release members 39, 39 on both sides of the outer member 14 on the main body of the decompression chamber 13. The holding projections 37t, 37t of the handle holding members 37, 37 of the decompression chamber lid 16 are unlocked from the hooks 28t, 29t of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26, so that the opening / closing handle 26 can be moved up and down. Become.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 36 (d), the user pushes down the opening / closing handle 26, and the guide rollers 28r, 29r of the support portions 28, 29 of the opening / closing handle 26 are guided by the lid lock guide groove members 30, 30, The decompression chamber lid 16 is pulled in by the opening / closing handle 26, and the decompression chamber lid 16 is locked to the outer member 14 on the main body of the decompression chamber 13.

  When the opening / closing handle 26 is pressed down, the left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16 are pulled into the outer member 14 by the lock mechanism R, so that the left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16 are deformed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6B, the degree of deformation of the left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16 increases. Further, since the handle operation part 36 is attached to the center of the decompression chamber lid 16 in the left-right direction and the reinforcing rib hr (see FIG. 20) is provided, the degree of deformation is smaller than that on both left and right sides. That is, the left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16 are most deformed at the time of locking, and the degree of deformation is reduced toward the left and right centers from there, and the degree of deformation is reduced in the width of the handle operation unit 36 at the left and right centers. For this reason, if the thickness of the packing attached to the decompression chamber lid 16 is uniform in the left-right direction as in the related art, the sealing performance on the left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16 becomes too strong, and the sealing performance at the left and right center is weak. And the sealing performance becomes uneven in the left-right direction. As a result, the sealing performance between the decompression chamber lid 16 and the storage portion (the outer member 14, the glass plate G) is impaired at the center in the left-right direction, and a problem occurs that decompression cannot be performed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the packing 16p in the front-rear direction (opening / closing direction) is changed according to the degree of deformation of the decompression chamber lid 16 at the time of locking, that is, where the degree of deformation of the decompression chamber lid 16 is large. The thickness of the packing 16p is increased at a place where the degree of deformation of the decompression chamber lid 16 is small, so that the sealing property between the decompression chamber lid 16 and the opening 14e1 of the storage section can be made uniform. This ensures that the packing 16p abuts against the outer member 14 to ensure good sealing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the thickness of the packing 16p is formed so as to increase toward the left and right ends of the handle operation part 36, it is possible to correspond to the degree of deformation of the decompression chamber lid 16 and to improve the sealing property. Can be more uniform.

In addition, the packing 16p is flexible since it has the groove 16u, and when locking with the handle, the locking force of the handle is excessive by setting the recess so that it is pushed only to the extent that the recess is not completely crushed. And the locking operation can be performed lightly. Further, since the gas vent groove 16p3 is formed in the groove 16u of the packing 16p, it is possible to prevent the groove 16u from sticking.
After the pressure-reducing chamber lid 16 is closed, for example, after the user presses an operation switch (not shown) or the refrigerator switch door 6b is closed and a door switch (not shown) is turned on, the operation of the vacuum pump 12 starts. Then, the air in the decompression chamber 13 is sucked and the decompression is started.

  When the decompression is started, the decompression chamber lid 16 is pressed from the outside by the differential pressure between the atmospheric pressure and the internal low pressure, and the packing 16p is pressed against the outer member 14 by a pressure greater than the locking force of the handle. . The groove 16u of the packing 16p is in close contact, and the packing 16p is crushed by a large load due to the differential pressure between the atmospheric pressure and the internal low pressure, and a large surface pressure is generated. Can be maintained.

  According to the above configuration, the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13 is opened while rotating forward, and the decompression chamber lid 16 of the decompression chamber 13 is closed while rotating rearward. The operability of opening and closing operations is good, and the usability is good.

  Further, the opening / closing operation of the decompression chamber lid 16 moving forward or backward in synchronization with the left and right is performed, so that the operation reliability is high.

  Since the decompression chamber lid 16 is erected and separated from or abuts the outer member 14 of the decompression chamber 13, the packing 16 p of the decompression chamber lid 16 is not twisted, and the packing 16 p is prevented from being worn and has high sealing performance.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the decompression chamber 13 as the gas control chamber is described as an example. However, the configuration of the present invention is widely applicable to storage rooms such as freezer rooms in addition to refrigerator rooms. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the drawer doors of the freezing chambers 3 and 4 may be gas control chambers each including the decompression chamber lid 16. In that case, the pressure reducing chamber lid 16 needs to be configured to have heat insulation.

  Next, another embodiment of the packing 16p will be described with reference to FIGS. The large fin portion 16ph of the packing 16p in the present embodiment has a curved shape (a left half of a U-shape) in which the inner surface and the outer surface are concave on the rear side. As described above, when the inner surface (groove 16u side) of the large fin portion 16ph has a U-shape, the upper end (opening end) of the large fin portion 16ph comes into contact with the thick portion facing the first time during pressure reduction. Deformation occurs such that the lower end (bottom) side comes into contact gradually. When the pressure reducing chamber lid 16 is opened to return to the atmospheric pressure, a restoring force is exerted on the large fin portion 16ph to return to the original state, and the large fin portion 16ph is easily separated from the opposed thick portion. As a result, even when the pressure is reduced again, the large fin portion 16ph functions effectively, making it difficult for a gap to be formed in the pressure reducing chamber lid 16, and the pressure can be reliably reduced.

  Here, when the inner surface of the fin portion has a linear shape (the shape of the left half of the V-shape), the contact area between the fin portion and the portion facing the fin portion is large, and the entire surface is easily brought into close contact during decompression. There is a possibility that the fins will remain stuck even when the is opened.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the outer surface (rear side) of the large fin portion 16ph is also curved, and the thickness is substantially constant from the upper end to the lower end. If the outer surface of the large fin portion 16ph has a linear shape, the outer surface of the large fin portion 16ph may come into contact with the front surface portion 14p (see FIG. 27) of the outer member 14 without coming into contact with the convex rib 14t. is there. Further, if the outer surface of the large fin portion 16ph is formed into a V-shape in spite of the U-shaped inner surface (dotted lines in FIGS. 37 (c) and (d)), the thickness of the large fin portion 16ph becomes non-uniform (large). The middle of the fin portion 16ph becomes thin), stress is concentrated on that portion, and the fin portion becomes fragile.

  Here, as described above, when the opening / closing handle 26 is pushed down, the left and right sides of the decompression chamber lid 16 are pulled into the outer member 14 by the lock mechanisms R on the right and left sides, while the repulsive force of the packing 16p causes the left and right center sides to be pulled. The decompression chamber lid 16 warps forward. Also, the resin-made decompression chamber lid 16 may slightly warp forward during molding. However, at the time of decompression, the left and right central sides of the decompression chamber lid 16 are also strongly pulled backward, so that the warpage of the decompression chamber lid 16 is eliminated. As described above, the left and right central decompression chamber lids 16 are greatly displaced during locking and decompression as compared to the left and right sides. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 37, the interval between the grooves 16u at the open end (the interval between the upper end 16pa of the inner surface of the large fin 16ph and the upper end 16pb of the thick portion) is set at 16uJ It is large on the side (FIG. 37 (c)) and small on both sides (FIG. 37 (d)). For this reason, on the left and right center sides, a region in which the large fin portion 16ph can be deformed by following the gap between the outer rib member 14 and the convex rib 14t before the pressure portion of the packing 16p is crushed at the time of decompression (A in FIG. 38). Part) can be secured widely. As a result, the restoring force of the large fin portion 16ph when the atmospheric pressure is released can be maintained, and even when the pressure is reduced again, the hermeticity can be maintained.

  In the present embodiment, the upper end 16pa of the inner surface of the large fin portion 16ph is located behind the lower end portion 16pd of the outer surface of the large fin portion 16ph not only on the left and right center sides but also on the left and right sides. . As a result, a large deformable area is secured after the large fin portion 16ph comes into contact with the convex rib 14t of the outer member 14, thereby improving the sealing performance.

  Further, the packing 16p in the present embodiment is configured such that the interval between the grooves 16u gradually widens from the bottom to the opening, so that the large fin portion 16ph is deformed and abuts on the thick portion during depressurization. Even when the thick portion is crushed, the entire packing 16p including the large fin portion 16ph is deformed into a rectangular shape, so that high rigidity can be obtained even when the pressure is reduced.

  Furthermore, the packing 16p of the present embodiment includes a small fin portion 16pe extending from the thick portion front end to the other (front) in addition to the above-described large fin portion 16ph extending from the rear end of the thick portion to one side (rearward). I have. Unlike the large fin portion 16ph formed from the bottom on the rear side of the thick portion toward the vicinity of the upper end portion, the small fin portion 16pe is formed shorter from the upper portion on the front side of the thick portion. The small fin portion 16pe comes into close contact with the thick portion facing the depressurization, and pressure is generated on the contact surface between the small fin portion 16pe and the decompression chamber lid 16. This makes it difficult for a gap to be formed on the surface of the decompression chamber lid 16 to which the packing 16p is attached, reliably performing decompression, and further improving hermeticity.

  Here, the convex rib 14t of the outer member 14 comes into contact with the upper portion of the large fin portion 16ph as shown in FIG. 27 when the pressure is reduced. Therefore, a rotational moment acts on the packing 16p in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 27 (clockwise in FIGS. 37C and 37D), and a force is applied to the bottom portion on the front side of the thick portion in a direction away from the decompression chamber lid 16. Receive. In consideration of this point, the small fin portion 16pe is formed in the upper part on the front side of the thick portion, and maintains the sealed state even if the packing 16p receives a rotational moment.

  A groove 16pf recessed rearward is formed in the thick portion facing the small fin 16pe. For this reason, even if the small fin portion 16pe is deformed at the time of decompression and comes into contact with the thick portion, this portion is prevented from protruding excessively, which contributes to the improvement of the sealing performance.

1 refrigerator 2 refrigerator room (storage room)
13 Decompression chamber 14 Outer shell member (storage part)
14e1 Opening 16 Decompression chamber lid (lid)
16a Differential pressure release hole (through hole)
16a1 taper 16p packing (seal member)
16p3 Gas release groove (gas release part)
16ph Fin part 16s Support shaft (lock mechanism)
16u groove 28r, 29r Guide roller (lock mechanism)
30 Lid lock guide groove member (lock mechanism)
36 Handle operation part G glass plate (storage part)
R Lock mechanism V Differential pressure release valve (valve)

Claims (3)

In a refrigerator including a storage chamber and a decompression chamber installed in the storage chamber and configured to reduce the pressure to a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure,
The decompression chamber, a storage portion having an opening formed in the front surface, a lid that opens and closes the opening, a sealing member that seals between the edge of the opening and the lid,
Has,
The inner surface of the fin portion of the seal member has a curved shape serving as a concave portion ,
A lock mechanism for locking the lid to the storage section on both left and right sides of the opening,
The interval at the opening end of the groove formed by the fin portion is large on the left and right center sides, small on the left and right sides,
The seal member includes a thick portion, a large fin portion extending from the thick portion to one side as the fin portion, and a small fin portion extending from the thick portion to the other,
Refrigerator wherein the thick portion facing the small fin portion that is recessed groove formed.   The one is a side facing the outside of the decompression chamber from the lock mechanism,
  The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the other is a side from the lock mechanism toward the inside of the decompression chamber.   The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the small fin is shorter than the large fin.

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