JP7624378B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator.

It is known to provide a door pocket (door container) on the door of a storage compartment of a refrigerator. It is preferable that the vertical position of the door pocket can be easily changed so that the door pocket can store a variety of items. It is also desirable for the user to be able to change the position of the door pocket smoothly.

JP 2013-72614 A JP 2010-185628 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a refrigerator that can improve operability when moving the door container up and down.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment includes a housing including a storage compartment and a door for opening and closing the storage compartment. The refrigerator also includes a pair of wall portions that protrude rearward from an inner surface member of the door toward the storage compartment and extend in the vertical direction, facing each other with a gap in the width direction of the door, a pair of extension portions that protrude from side surfaces facing each other in the pair of wall portions and extend in the vertical direction, and a door container that is movable in the vertical direction between the pair of wall portions along the pair of extension portions. The door container includes a flange portion that protrudes outward from an upper end of a side wall portion, a first guide portion and a second guide portion that are arranged with a gap in the depth direction to form a gap between the pair of wall portions to allow the extension portion to pass therethrough and guide the movement of the door container in the vertical direction relative to the extension portion , and a third guide portion that is connected to a lower surface of the flange portion , forms the gap between the first guide portion and the door container at a position different from the second guide portion in the vertical direction.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment is open. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the left refrigerator compartment door in one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of an inner surface member of the left refrigerator compartment door. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the door storage case. FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the door storage case. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lift table main body. FIG. 7 is a side view of the lift table main body as viewed from the +X direction. FIG. 8 is a side view of the lift table main body as viewed from the -X direction. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of the lower surface side (−Z side) of the bottom portion of the lift table main body. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lock release mechanism and the lower cover. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the underside of the lift table main body, as viewed from the -Z direction side. FIG. 12 is a side view showing the configuration of the lifting platform main body in the refrigerator of the second embodiment, and is a view of the lifting platform main body as seen from the +X direction side. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the configuration of the lifting platform main body in the refrigerator of the third embodiment, and is a view of the lifting platform main body as seen from the +X direction side.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions will be given the same reference numerals. For example, components having plane-symmetrical shapes may be given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted.

Unless otherwise specified, in this specification, up, down, left and right are defined based on the direction in which the refrigerator is viewed from a user standing in front of the refrigerator. Additionally, the side closer to the user standing in front of the refrigerator as viewed from the refrigerator is defined as the "front," and the side furthest from the user is defined as the "rear." In this specification, "width direction" means the left-right direction as defined above. In this specification, "depth direction" means the front-rear direction as defined above. "Up-down direction" means the height direction of the refrigerator.

As indicated by the arrows in the figure, the +X direction is to the right, the -X direction is to the left, the +Y direction is backward, the -Y direction is forward, the +Z direction is upward, and the -Z direction is downward.

In the description of the components included in the refrigerator door of the embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the description will be based on the arrangement when the door is closed. For example, when describing a revolving door, unless otherwise specified, the above-mentioned ±X directions and ±Y directions will be described as being fixed directions on the door even when it is open.

First Embodiment
[refrigerator]
Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment is open.
The overall configuration of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 will be described. However, the refrigerator 1 does not need to have all of the components described below, and some components may be omitted as appropriate.

The refrigerator 1 includes, for example, a housing 10, a pair of refrigerator compartment doors (doors) 12, 13, and a plurality of doors 11. The refrigerator 1 is a French door type refrigerator having the two refrigerator compartment doors 12, 13.
The housing 10 includes, for example, an inner box, an outer box, and a thermal insulating material.
The inner box is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and has a shape that is recessed from the front side to the rear side at multiple locations. Each recess of the inner box forms multiple refrigerator compartments (storage compartments) 27. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the multiple refrigerator compartments 27 include a refrigerator compartment 27A, a vegetable compartment 27B, an upper freezer compartment 27C, a lower freezer compartment 27D, and an ice making compartment 27E. The refrigerator compartment 27A, the vegetable compartment 27B, the upper freezer compartment 27C, and the lower freezer compartment 27D are arranged in this order from the top to the bottom. The ice making compartment 27E is located to the left of the upper freezer compartment 27C.

The housing 10 has an opening at the front side of each refrigerator compartment 27 to allow food to be put in and taken out of each refrigerator compartment 27.
The outer box has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that forms the outer surface portions on three sides excluding the front side of the housing 10. The outer box is formed, for example, from a metal or a composite material of metal and resin.
The heat insulating material is, for example, a foamed heat insulating material such as urethane foam, and is filled between the inner box and the outer box, thereby providing the housing 10 with heat insulating properties.

In the housing 10, various components that form the refrigerator body together with the housing 10 are arranged between the inner box and the outer box. Examples of components that form the refrigerator body include a cooling unit that generates cold air, a flow path forming member that forms a flow path that circulates the cold air between each refrigerator compartment 27 and the cooling unit, a cooling fan that sends the cold air through the flow path to each refrigerator compartment 27, and a control board that controls the operation of the cooling unit and the cooling fan.

The temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 27A is kept lower than that inside the vegetable compartment 27B and higher than that inside the upper freezer compartment 27C and the lower freezer compartment 27D. Inside the refrigerator compartment 27A, for example, shelves that divide the compartment, chilled compartment containers, etc. are arranged. The entire surface of the refrigerator compartment 27A is covered by refrigerator compartment doors 12, 13 that open to the left and right and can be opened and closed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the left and right refrigerator compartment doors 12, 13 are doors provided for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 27A. The left and right refrigerator compartment doors 12, 13 have different width dimensions, and the width of the left refrigerator compartment door 12 is narrower than the width of the right refrigerator compartment door 13 when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1.

The refrigerator compartment door 12 is connected to the left end of the housing 10 in the -X direction by, for example, a pair of hinges 32 provided at the upper and lower ends on the left side. The refrigerator compartment door 13 is connected to the right end of the housing 10 in the +X direction by, for example, a pair of hinges 33 provided at the upper and lower ends on the right side in the +X direction. The pair of refrigerator compartment doors 12, 13 are rotatable in a horizontal plane around the rotation axes OL, OR of the hinges 32, 33 extending in the up-down direction (Z direction), and are rotating double doors that rotate toward both the left and right sides to open. The refrigerator compartment door 12 opens by rotating toward the left around the rotation axes OL of the hinges 32, and the refrigerator compartment door 13 opens by rotating toward the right around the rotation axes OR of the hinges 33.
A user can open the refrigerator compartment doors 12, 13 to the left and right by placing his/her hands in the grooves 8 provided on the lower end side of each refrigerator compartment door 12, 13 and pulling them toward himself/herself.

The multiple doors 11 are provided to open and close the vegetable compartment 27B, the upper freezer compartment 27C, the lower freezer compartment 27D, and the ice making compartment 27E. The vegetable compartment door 11B, the upper freezer compartment door 11C, the lower freezer compartment door 11D, and the ice making compartment door 11E cover the front of each of the vegetable compartment 27B, the upper freezer compartment 27C, the lower freezer compartment 27D, and the ice making compartment 27E.

The temperature inside the vegetable compartment 27B is maintained higher than that inside the refrigerator compartment 27A. Inside the vegetable compartment 27B, for example, a vegetable compartment container for accommodating stored items such as vegetables and a guide rail for moving the vegetable compartment container in the depth direction (Y direction) are provided.
The front of the vegetable compartment 27B is covered by a pull-out vegetable compartment door 11B that can be opened and closed.
A heat insulating material is arranged inside vegetable compartment door 11B. A gasket is provided on the outer edge of the inner surface side of vegetable compartment door 11B, which abuts against the front surface of the inner box that forms the front opening of vegetable compartment 27B.
When the vegetable compartment door 11B is closed, the opening of the vegetable compartment 27B is adiabatically closed.
A vegetable compartment container is connected to the inner surface side of the vegetable compartment door 11B. The vegetable compartment door 11B is movable in the depth direction together with the vegetable compartment container along a guide rail on which the vegetable compartment container is placed.

The temperatures inside upper freezer compartment 27C, lower freezer compartment 27D, and ice-making compartment 27E are each maintained at a temperature at which the stored items can be frozen. Inside upper freezer compartment 27C, lower freezer compartment 27D, and ice-making compartment 27E, for example, a small freezer compartment, a freezer container for accommodating the stored items to be frozen, and guide rails for moving the freezer container in the depth direction are provided.
The fronts of upper freezer compartment 27C, lower freezer compartment 27D and ice making compartment 27E are covered by drawer-type upper freezer compartment door 11C, lower freezer compartment door 11D and ice making compartment door 11E which can be opened and closed.
Heat insulating materials are arranged inside upper freezer door 11C, lower freezer door 11D, and ice making compartment door 11E. Gaskets are provided on the outer edges of the inner surfaces of upper freezer door 11C, lower freezer door 11D, and ice making compartment door 11E, respectively, to abut against the front surfaces of inner boxes that form the front openings of upper freezer compartment 27C, lower freezer compartment 27D, and ice making compartment 27E.
When upper freezer door 11C, lower freezer door 11D and ice-making compartment door 11E are closed, the openings of upper freezer compartment 27C, lower freezer compartment 27D and ice-making compartment 27E are adiabatically closed.
A freezer container is connected to the inner surface of the upper freezer door 11C, the lower freezer door 11D, and the ice-making door 11E. The upper freezer door 11C and the lower freezer door 11D are movable in the depth direction together with the freezer container along the guide rails on which the freezer container is placed.

The configurations of each refrigerator compartment 27 and each door 11 described above are merely examples and are not limited to the above examples.

The left and right refrigerator compartment doors 12, 13 shown in FIG. 1 have a surface facing the user and an inner surface on the refrigerator compartment 27A side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1 in the closed state.
Three door storage cases 56A, 56B, 56C are vertically aligned on the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12. Three door storage cases 54A, 54B, 54C are vertically aligned on the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment door 13.

In this embodiment, each door storage case 56A-56C provided on the refrigerator compartment door 12 has a cutout to avoid interference with the surroundings caused by the rotation trajectory of the refrigerator compartment door 12 when the refrigerator compartment door 12 is rotated around the rotation axis OL of each hinge 32 to open or close, and has an asymmetric shape in the width direction (X direction).

Each of the door storage cases 56A-56C has a cutout portion 3 on one side in the width direction, which is the side that faces the user when the door is rotated. The cutout portion 3 is formed, for example, by cutting out one corner of a rectangular shape when the door storage cases 56A-56C are viewed from above (+Z direction). When the refrigerator door 12 is closed, the cutout portion 3 of each of the door storage cases 56A-56C on the refrigerator door 12 faces each of the door storage cases 54A-54C on the refrigerator door 13 in the width direction (X direction).

In this embodiment, door storage cases 56A-56C with cutouts 3 are installed only on the left refrigerator door 12 side, but door storage cases 54A-54C with cutouts 3 may also be installed on the right refrigerator door 13 side.

On the inside of the right-side refrigerator door 13, there are provided, in order from the top, an upper door storage case 54A, a middle door storage case 54B, and a lower door storage case 54C. These three door storage cases 54A, 54B, and 54C are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other in the vertical direction, and may be removably attached to the inner surface of the refrigerator door 13 or may be fixed thereto.

On the inside of the left refrigerator door 12, there are a lower door storage case 56C located at the lowest part of the refrigerator door 12, a middle door storage case 56B located above the lower door storage case 56C, and an upper door storage case 56A located above the middle door storage case 56B and at the highest part of the refrigerator door 12. These three door storage cases 56A, 56B, 56C are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other in the vertical direction.

Of these, the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B are attached to the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12 so as to be detachable and movable in the vertical direction.
The lower door storage case 56C may be removably attached to the inner surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12, or may be fixed thereto.

In this way, in the refrigerator compartment door 12 of this embodiment, the vertical positions of the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B can be changed in multiple stages within their respective movement ranges.
The movement pitch and movement range of the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B are set so that the relative positions when they are moved can be optimized according to the height of the stored items.

In the case of a French-door refrigerator 1, the width dimensions of the refrigerator compartment doors 12 and 13 are different, so the width dimensions of the door storage cases (door containers) 56A-56C installed on one refrigerator compartment door 12 and the door storage cases 54A-54C installed on the other refrigerator compartment door 13 are also different. The door storage case 56 installed on the narrower refrigerator compartment door 12 side is smaller in size than the door storage cases 54A-54C installed on the wider refrigerator compartment door 13 side, so the number and weight of items that can be stored are smaller than those of the door storage cases 54A-54C, and it is less likely to be heavy. For this reason, in this embodiment, the door storage cases 56A-56C installed on the narrower refrigerator compartment door 12 side are designed to be able to move up and down.

[1. Refrigerator door]
Next, the detailed configuration of the refrigerator compartment doors 12, 13 will be described.
As shown in Fig. 1, the left refrigerator compartment door 12 includes, for example, an outer casing member 50A and a gasket 55A. The outer casing member 50A is formed in a box shape. In this specification, the term "box shape" also includes a flat box shape. The outer casing member 50A includes, for example, a frame body 51A, a surface panel 52A, and an inner surface member 53A.

The refrigerator compartment door 13 includes, for example, an outer casing member 50B and a gasket 55B. The outer casing member 50A is formed in a box shape. The outer casing member 50B includes, for example, a frame body 51B, a surface panel 52B, and an inner surface member 53B.

In the following description, the left refrigerator compartment door 12 will be mainly described.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the left refrigerator compartment door 12 in one embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the outer member 50A of the refrigerator compartment door 12 has the frame body 51A, the surface panel 52A, and the inner surface member 53A, as described above.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the frames 51A is formed in a rectangular frame shape with a predetermined width.
The frame body 51A includes an upper edge member 51a, a lower edge member 51b, and side edge members 51c and 51d. When the refrigerator compartment door 12 is closed, the upper edge member 51a is a plate-like member extending in the width direction and the depth direction, and forms the upper surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12. The lower edge member 51b is a plate-like member extending in the width direction and the depth direction, and forms the lower surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12. The side edge members 51c and 51d are plate-like members extending in the up-down direction and the depth direction, and form the left and right side surfaces of the refrigerator compartment door 12, respectively. The upper edge member 51a, the lower edge member 51b, and the side edge members 51c and 51d are combined with each other to form a rectangular frame body 51A. The frame body 51A is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom edge member 51b of the refrigerator compartment door 12 has a concave groove portion 8 that is concave toward the upper side (+Z direction). The groove portion 8 is formed on the side closer to the refrigerator compartment door 13 when the refrigerator compartment door 12 is closed. The groove portion 8 is where the user places his or her hand when opening the refrigerator compartment door 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator compartment door 13 also has a groove 8 formed in its lower edge member 51b, which is recessed upward. The groove 8 is formed on the side closer to the refrigerator compartment door 12 when the refrigerator compartment door 13 is closed.

The face plates 52A are attached so as to close the opening on the front side of the frame body 51A, and are respectively located at the front end of the refrigerator compartment door 12. The face plates 52A are rectangular plate members that fit the frame body 51A, and each form the front surface of the refrigerator compartment door 12. The face plate 52A is, for example, a glass plate. However, the face plate 52A is not limited to a glass plate, and may be formed of synthetic resin or other materials.
The surface plate 52A may be a flat plate or a curved plate, but in the following, an example in which the surface plate 52A is a flat plate will be described.

The inner surface member 53A is attached to the frame body 51A from the side opposite to the front panel 52A, and is located on the inner surface side of the refrigerator compartment door 12. The outer shape of the inner surface member 53A is a rectangular plate member that fits along the frame body 51A. The inner surface member 53A is made of, for example, synthetic resin.
The inner surface member 53A has a flat inner surface 53a facing the refrigerator chamber 27A when the refrigerator chamber door 12 is closed relative to the housing 10, and a pair of ribs 61 protruding from the outer peripheral edges on both widthwise sides of the inner surface 53a toward the refrigerator chamber 27A.

The rib 61 is provided mainly to prevent cold air in the refrigerator compartment 27A from escaping through the gap between the refrigerator compartment door 12 and the housing 10.
In this specification, the term "rib" is a name used for convenience of explanation and broadly refers to the part that protrudes from the inner surface member 53A towards the refrigerator chamber 27A (in the +Y direction) when the refrigerator chamber door 12 is closed, and is not limited to a specific shape or function.

Although not specifically shown, foam insulation is filled between the inner surface member 53A and the surface plate 52A, and inside the convex shape of the rib 61.

The gasket 55A shown in FIG. 3 is provided to seal the refrigerator compartment 27A so that the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 27A does not leak to the outside from between the refrigerator compartment door 12 and the housing 10 when the refrigerator compartment door 12 is closed.

The gasket 55A is attached to the inner surface member 53A in a ring shape surrounding the outer periphery of the frame body 51A. There are no particular limitations on the method of attaching the gasket 55A. For example, the gasket 55A may be attached by a concave-convex fit between an attachment protrusion provided on the gasket 55A and an attachment recess provided on the inner surface member 53A.

[1-1. Inner surface components]
Here, the detailed configuration of the inner surface member 53A will be described.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the inner surface member 53A of the left refrigerator compartment door 12. As shown in FIG.
3, the ribs 61 provided on the inner surface member 53A of the refrigerator compartment door 12 include, for example, a group of annular ribs that are one size smaller than the outer shape of the frame body 51A. In this specification, the term "annular" is not limited to a completely continuous periphery, but also includes a case where a portion is interrupted by a notch or the like.

The annular rib group in the rib 61 includes an upper rib 61F extending in the width direction along the upper edge member 51a, a lower rib 61G extending in the width direction along the lower edge member 51b, a side rib (wall portion) 61C extending in the vertical direction along the side edge member 51c on one side in the width direction, and a side rib (wall portion) 61D extending in the vertical direction along the side edge member 51d on the other side in the width direction. The lengths of the upper rib 61F and the lower rib 61G in the width direction are equal to each other. The lengths of the side ribs 61C and 61D in the vertical direction are equal to each other.

The side ribs 61C, 61D and the lower rib 61G protrude further toward the refrigerator compartment 27A (+Y direction) than the upper rib 61F. For example, the amount of protrusion of the side ribs 61C, 61D and the lower rib 61G is more than half the amount of protrusion of the upper rib 61F.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of side ribs 61C, 61D protrude in the +Y direction from both ends of the width direction of the inner surface 53a in the X direction toward the refrigerator compartment 27A (rear). The pair of side ribs 61C, 61D extend vertically from the upper rib 61F to the position of the lower rib 61G.

The lateral rib 61D has a partially different amount of protrusion in the vertical direction, and the rib tip side is formed by a first tip 61a and a second tip 61b that have different protruding heights in the +Y direction, and a step 61c formed between them.

As shown in FIG. 3, the side surfaces S1, S2 of the side ribs 61C, 61D that face each other in the width direction are planes that are approximately perpendicular to the inner surface 53a of the inner surface member 53A. The side surface S1 of the side rib 61C faces the -X direction and faces the other side rib 61D. The side surface S2 of the side rib 61D faces the +X direction and faces one of the side ribs 61C.

The sides S1 and S2 each have an inclined surface Sa on their lower end. The inclined surfaces Sa on the sides S1 and S2 are inclined in such a way that the inclined surfaces Sa approach each other as they go downward, and the thickness of the lower end sides of the side ribs 61C and 61D increases.

A step portion 53c, a rail portion (extension portion) 64, and a locking projection 65 are provided on the side surfaces S1 and S2 of the lateral ribs 61C and 61D, respectively. The step portion 53c and the rail portion 64 extend in the vertical direction. The locking projection 65 is located below the step portion 53c and the rail portion 64 with a vertical gap therebetween.

The step 53c on one side rib 61C protrudes in the -X direction from side S1 toward the other side rib 61D and extends in the vertical direction. The step 53c on the other side rib 61D protrudes in the +X direction from side S2 toward the one side rib 61C and extends in the vertical direction. The end faces 53cx of the steps 53c on the side ribs 61C and 61D that face each other in the X direction are approximately parallel to the side faces S1 and S2. The end faces 53cy of each step 53c facing the +Y direction are approximately parallel to the inner surface 53a. Note that in FIG. 3, only the end faces 53cx and 53cy of the rib 61C are shown, and the end faces 53cx and 53cy of the rib 61D are not shown.

The protruding height in the X direction from the side surfaces S1, S2 of each step 53c is not particularly limited. For example, the protruding height in the X direction from the side surfaces S1, S2 of each step 53c may slightly exceed the protruding height in the X direction of the rail portion 64 described later. In this case, the X direction end surface 53cx of the step 53c approaches the X direction side surfaces of the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B described later, and can function as a guide surface in the width direction of the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rail portion 64 extends vertically parallel to the end face 53cy of the step portion 53c, with a gap in the Y direction between the end face 53cy and the rail portion 64. A gap G1 is formed between the upper end of the rail portion 64 and the lower face 61g (FIG. 2) of the upper rib 61F. The upper end of the step portion 53c is connected to the lower face 61g (FIG. 2) of the upper rib 61F. The lower end of the step portion 53c is equal to the lower end position of the rail portion 64, which will be described later.

The rail portions 64 provided on each of the side ribs 61C and 61D have the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 3, the rail portion 64 provided on the side rib 61C is a protrusion that protrudes vertically in the -X direction from the side surface S1 of the side rib 61C and extends generally in an elongated line in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the rail portion 64 provided on the side rib 61D is a protrusion that protrudes vertically in the +X direction from the side surface S2 of the side rib 61D and extends generally in an elongated line in the vertical direction.

A pair of rail sections 64 on both sides in the width direction guides the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B in the vertical direction while restricting their position in the depth direction (Y direction) when the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B described below are moved in the vertical direction.

The upper ends of the rail portions 64 do not reach the upper ends of either of the side ribs 61C, 61D, but are located downwardly away from the upper ends of the side ribs 61C, 61D.
The lower end of the rail portion 64 extends to substantially the same position as the step portion 53c.

The rail portion 64 has a first rail portion 64a and a second rail portion 64b.
The first rail portion 64a guides the vertical movement of the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B described below, and regulates the vertical movement positions of these upper door storage case 56A and middle door storage case 56B in multiple stages.
The first rail portion 64a has a first guide 64c, a second guide 64d, a plurality of locking plates 64e, an upper end plate 64g, a lower end plate 64k, and a plurality of inclined ribs 64fa.

The first guide 64c forms the side surface of the rail portion 64 in the -Y direction (inner surface 53a). The first guide 64c protrudes in the -X direction from each side surface S1, S2 and is a flat plate extending in the vertical direction. The first guide 64c extends upward to the second rail portion 64b.

The second guide 64d forms the side surface of the rail portion 64 in the +Y direction (the refrigeration compartment 27A side). The second guide 64d is a flat plate that protrudes in the -X direction from the side surface S and extends in the vertical direction. The second guide 64d is parallel to the first guide 64c. Like the first guide 64c, the second guide 64d extends to the second rail portion 64b.
The -X direction ends of the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d are located on the same plane perpendicular to the depth direction.

The multiple locking plates 64e in the rail portion 64 extend in the depth direction (Y direction) between the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d, and are plate-shaped protruding vertically from the side surfaces S1 and S2 in the -X direction. The multiple locking plates 64e are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction from the lower ends of the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d to the upper end of the first rail portion 64a. The vertical pitch of each locking plate 64e does not have to be constant, but is constant in the example shown in Figure 3.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, 17 locking plates 64e are provided.
The tip of each locking plate 64e in the protruding direction is located on the same plane as the tips of the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d located on both sides of each locking plate 64e in the width direction.

The upper end plate 64g of the rail portion 64 extends in the depth direction (Y direction) between the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d, and is a plate-like shape that protrudes vertically from the side surfaces S1 and S2. The upper end plate 64g is located above the multiple locking plates 64e and is spaced upward from the uppermost locking plate 64e at a pitch that is approximately equal to the pitch between the locking plates 64e.

The lower end plate 64k is a plate-like member that extends in the depth direction (Y direction) between the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d and protrudes vertically from the side surfaces S1 and S2. The lower end plate 64k is located lower than the lowest locking plate 64e and is spaced downward from the lowest locking plate 64e by a distance wider than the pitch between the locking plates 64e.

The multiple inclined ribs 64fa are provided on the underside of each locking plate 64e except the lower end plate 64k, and on the underside of the upper end plate 64g. A pair of inclined ribs 64fa are provided on the underside of each locking plate 64e and the underside of the upper end plate 64g, and are spaced apart from each other in the depth direction (Y direction). Furthermore, each inclined rib 64fa is also spaced apart from the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d in the depth direction (Y direction).

The inclined rib 64fa is in the form of a plate parallel to the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d.
When viewed from the Y direction, each inclined rib 64fa has a triangular shape that gradually inclines downward from the tip of each protruding side of each locking plate 64e and upper end plate 64g in the X direction toward the side surfaces S1 and S2. The lower end of each inclined rib 64fa is located at the midpoint of the pitch between the multiple locking plates 64e.

In this embodiment, the number of inclined ribs 64fa provided on the underside of the same locking plate 64e or upper end plate 64g is two, but the number of inclined ribs 64fa is not limited to this. For example, the number of inclined ribs 64fa provided on the underside of the same member in the depth direction is not particularly limited as long as it is one or more.

With this configuration, multiple protrusions 64m are arranged vertically at approximately equal intervals from bottom to top on the inside of the first rail portion 64a. The multiple protrusions 64m are formed by an inclined surface 64j formed by the inclined rib 64fa, the tip surface of the locking plate 64e, and a locking surface 64i that is the upper surface of the locking plate 64e and extends horizontally.

A relative recess 64n is formed between each of the protrusions 64m protruding in the X direction from the side surfaces S1 and S2. Therefore, a sawtooth-like uneven structure is formed on the inside of the first rail portion 64a, with the inclined surface 64j of the inclined rib 64fa facing downward.

The first locking portions 70 of the door storage cases 56A and 56B lock onto the uneven structure of the rail portion 64. That is, the first locking portions 70 of the door storage cases lock onto the locking surfaces 64i of the locking plates 64e. The inclined surfaces 64j of the inclined ribs 64fa are inclined so that they protrude toward the center of the door as they go upward. Therefore, when the door storage cases 56A and 56B rise, the first locking portions 70 (described below) move along the inclined surfaces 64j of the inclined ribs 64fa and are pressed horizontally and drawn in.

The locking surface 64i of the locking plate 64e may be a flat surface or a curved surface as long as it can lock the locking member 73 described later. The contact form of the portion of the locking surface 64i where the locking member 73 is locked may be any of surface contact, line contact, and point contact as long as it can lock the locking member 73.
The inclined surface of the inclined rib 64fa may be a flat surface or a curved surface as long as the locking member 73 described later can slide on it. The contact form of the portion of the multiple inclined surfaces where the locking member 73 slides may be any of surface contact, line contact, and point contact as long as the locking member 73 can slide on it.

The second rail portion 64b is continuous with the upper end of the first rail portion 64a. The second rail portion 64b is composed of a third guide 64h1 that is continuous with the upper ends of the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d, and an intermediate rib 64h2 that is provided between the third guides 64h1.

The third guide 64h1 and the intermediate rib 64h2 are flat plates parallel to the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d.
The vertical length of the intermediate rib 64h2 is equal to the length from the upper end plate 64g to the upper end of the third guide 64h1. The lower end of the intermediate rib 64h2 is connected to the upper surface of the upper end plate 64g. The protruding height of the intermediate rib 64h2 in the -X direction is equal to the protruding height of the first guide 64c and the second guide 64d in the same direction.
The number of the intermediate rib 64h2 is not particularly limited as long as it is equal to or greater than 1. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the number of the intermediate rib 64h2 is one.

In each of the side ribs 61C, 61D, stopper insertion grooves g1, g2 are formed between the rail portion 64 and an end face 53cy of the step portion 53c, respectively, and extend in the vertical direction.
The stopper insertion groove g1 formed in the side rib 61D located on the rotation axis OL side of the refrigerator compartment door 12 has a constant groove width across the vertical direction of the rail portion 64. On the other hand, the stopper insertion groove g2 formed on the side rib 61C has a groove width that is partially narrowed due to the presence of the protrusion P. The stopper insertion groove g2 has a portion g21 where the distance between the protrusion P and the rail portion 64 is narrowest in the depth direction (Y direction).

A lowered position restricting portion 53d is provided between the lower end of the rail portion 64 and the step portion 53c. The lowered position restricting portion 53d is provided to restrict the lowered position of the middle door storage case 56B.

The shape of the lowering position restricting portion 53d is not particularly limited as long as it can restrict the lowering position of the middle door storage case 56B by protruding into the stopper insertion groove g1. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the lowering position restricting portion 53d connects the first guide 64c of the rail portion 64 and the end surface 53cy of the step portion 53c in the Y direction, and closes the stopper insertion groove g1 from below.

The vertical position of the lowered position regulating portion 53d is an appropriate position according to the lowermost position of the middle door storage case 56B.
A pair of inclined ribs 64fb are provided on the lower surface of the lowering position restricting portion 53d. The pair of inclined ribs 64fb are slightly larger than the inclined rib 64fa and serve to reinforce the lowering position restricting portion 53d.

The locking projection 65 is provided to securely or detachably lock the lower door storage case 56C shown in FIG. 2. The shape of the locking projection 65 is not particularly limited as long as it can detachably lock the lower door storage case 56C.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, each locking projection 65 provided on the lower end side of each side rib 61C, 61D has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the X direction. The locking projection 65 has a width in the depth direction (Y direction) that is approximately the same as that of the rail portion 64, and is positioned directly below the rail portion 64 and away from the rail portion 64 downward. A gap G2 is formed between the lower end of the rail portion 64 and the upper end of the locking projection 65.

3, the locking projection 65 on the lateral rib 61C is formed on the lower end side of the side surface S1 and protrudes in the -X direction. The locking projection 65 on the lateral rib 61D is formed on the lower end side of the side surface S2 and protrudes in the +X direction.
The tip surfaces of the protruding sides of the locking projections 65 are positioned on the same plane perpendicular to the depth direction.

The lower rib 61G connects the lower ends of the side ribs 61C and 61D. The lower rib 61G has an upper surface 61f that slopes downward as it approaches the refrigerator compartment 27A.

[2. Door storage case]
Next, the detailed configuration of the door storage case will be described.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, of the three door storage cases 56 installed on the refrigerator compartment door 12, the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B are each movable in the vertical direction along a pair of opposing rail portions 64 between the side ribs 61C, 61D shown in Figure 3.

The width, depth, and length of the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B may be different from each other, but in this embodiment, the upper door storage cases 56A and 56B are the same shape.

The lower door storage case 56C is directly below the middle door storage case 56B and can be attached to the space between the side ribs 61C, 61D.
The lower door storage case 56C can be removably positioned on the lower rib 61G by engaging with a pair of locking projections 65 shown in Fig. 3. However, the position of the lower door storage case 56C when attached is fixed in the vertical direction. In other words, the lower door storage case 56C cannot be moved vertically.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of door storage case 56A (56B). Figure 5 is an exploded view showing the configuration of door storage case 56A (56B).

In the following explanation, we will use the upper door storage case 56A as an example. Note that the explanation of the upper door storage case 56A also applies to the middle door storage case 56B, except for the difference in placement.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper door storage case 56A is a box-shaped container that opens upward as a whole. The upper door storage case 56A has a case body 57 and a lifting platform 67. The upper door storage case 56A has an asymmetric shape in the width direction.

The case body 57 contains the items stored in the refrigerator compartment 27A shown in FIG. 1. The case body 57 is a box-shaped container that opens upward as shown in FIG. 4, and is detachably placed on the lift platform 67.

The lift platform 67 detachably supports the case body 57, and can move vertically along each rail portion 64 between the side ribs 61C, 61D while supporting the case body 57. The lift platform 67 is fixed in its vertical position by engaging with one of a number of engaging plates 64e provided on the pair of rail portions 64 shown in FIG. 3.

(2-1. Case body)
As shown in Figure 4, the case body 57 has a bottom portion 57a, a front wall portion 57b, a rear wall portion 57c, a first wall portion 57dL, a second wall portion 57dR, a first flat plate portion 57eL, a second flat plate portion 57eR, a third wall portion 57m, and a notched wall portion 57k.

The bottom surface portion 57a is a flat plate arranged horizontally. The width of the bottom surface portion 57a in the horizontal direction (X direction) is narrower on the -Y side of approximately the center in the depth direction (Y direction) than on the +Y side. The -Y side of approximately the center in the depth direction (Y direction) of the bottom surface portion 57a is the "narrow width portion," and the +Y side is the "wide width portion."

The front wall portion 57b extends from the outer edge of the bottom surface portion 57a in the +Y direction in both the +Z direction and the -Z direction.

The rear wall portion 57c is located on the opposite side to the front wall portion 57b in the depth direction of the case body 57. The rear wall portion 57c extends only in the +Z direction from the outer edge of the bottom surface portion 57a in the -Y direction.

The first wall portion 57dL is connected to the end portion on the -X direction side of the rear wall portion 57c. The first wall portion 57dL extends in the +Z direction from the -X direction outer edge of the "narrow width portion" of the bottom surface portion 57a. The first wall portion 57dL stands perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 57a and is flat and parallel to the depth direction (Y direction). The first wall portion 57dL extends only in the +Z direction from the -X direction outer edge of the bottom surface portion 57a.

The second wall portion 57dR is connected to the end portion on the +X direction side of the rear wall portion 57c. The second wall portion 57dR extends in the +Z direction from the +X direction outer edge of the "narrow width portion" of the bottom surface portion 57a. The second wall portion 57dR stands perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 57a and is a flat plate parallel to the depth direction (Y direction). The second wall portion 57dR extends only in the +Z direction from the +X direction outer edge of the bottom surface portion 57a.

The first flat plate portion 57eL is connected to the end of the first wall portion 57dL on the +Y direction side. The first flat plate portion 57eL is a flat plate parallel to the width direction, and is formed at the edge formed in the width direction (-X direction) by the narrowing of the bottom surface portion 57a. The first flat plate portion 57eL extends in the +Z direction from the edge formed in the width direction (-X direction) by the narrowing of the bottom surface portion 57a, and stands perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 57a. The first flat plate portion 57eL is located in the -X direction further than the first wall portion 57dL.

The second flat plate portion 57eR is connected to the end of the first wall portion 57dL on the -Y direction side. The second flat plate portion 57eR is a flat plate parallel to the width direction, and is formed at the edge formed in the width direction (+X direction) by the narrowing of the bottom surface portion 57a. The second flat plate portion 57eR extends in the +Z direction from the edge formed in the width direction (+X direction) by the narrowing of the bottom surface portion 57a, and stands perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 57a. The second flat plate portion 57eR is located further in the +X direction than the second wall portion 57dR.

The first wall portion 57f is the outer edge of the bottom surface portion 57a in the -X direction, and extends in the +Z direction and the -Z direction from the "wide portion" of the bottom surface portion 57a. The -Y direction side of the first wall portion 57f is connected to the -X direction end of the first flat plate portion 57eL. The first wall portion 57f is flat and extends along the depth direction, and is slightly inclined inward in the width direction (+X direction side). The +Y direction end of the first wall portion 57f is connected to the -X direction end of the front wall portion 57b.

The third wall portion 57m is the outer edge of the bottom surface portion 57a in the +X direction, and extends in the +Z direction and the -Z direction from the "wide portion" of the bottom surface portion 57a. The -Y direction side of the third wall portion 57m is connected to the end of the second flat plate portion 57eR on the +X direction side. The third wall portion 57m is flat in the depth direction (Y direction) and is slightly inclined inward in the width direction (-X direction side).

The cutout wall portion 57k is the outer edge portion in the +X direction of the bottom surface portion 57a, and extends in the +Z direction and the -Z direction from the inclined edge on the +Y direction side. The cutout wall portion 57k is connected to the end portion on the +Y direction side of the third wall portion 57m. The cutout wall portion 57k is inclined more inward in the width direction (to the -X direction side) than the third wall portion 57m. The end portion on the +Y direction side of the cutout wall portion 57k is connected to the end portion on the -X direction side of the front wall portion 57b.

Specifically, the cutout wall portion 57k is inclined toward the front wall portion 57b (-X direction) as it approaches the +Y direction from the third wall portion 57m, and connects the third wall portion 57m and the front wall portion 57b at an angle. The connection position between the cutout wall portion 57k and the front wall portion 57b is located in the -X direction from the position of the second wall portion 57dR in the width direction.

Among the first wall portion 57f, the third wall portion 57m, the cutout wall portion 57k, and the front wall portion 57b described above, there is a portion 57u that extends in the +Z direction from the bottom surface portion 57a, and a portion 57s that extends in the -Z direction from the bottom surface portion 57a. The length of portion 57s that extends in the -Z direction is long enough to cover the bottom plate portion 58B of the lift platform 67 described below from the outside.

In this manner, the outer peripheral wall of the case body 57 is formed.
The case body 57 is configured to have a partial flange on the upper end side.

A flange portion 57gR is formed on the upper ends of the second wall portion 57dR and the second flat plate portion 57eR, and extends outward (in the +X direction) of the case body 57 in the width direction.
A locking projection 57j is formed on the underside of the flange portion 57gR, which projects outward (in the +X direction) from the second wall portion 57dR and extends downward (in the -Z direction) from the flange portion 57gR. The locking projection 57j is used to position the case body 57 in the depth direction when the case body 57 is attached to the lift table 67.

Furthermore, a flange portion 57gL is formed on the upper ends of the first wall portion 57dL and the first flat plate portion 57eL, and extends outward (in the -X direction) of the case body 57 in the width direction.
A locking projection 57j is formed on the lower surface of the flange portion 57gL, protruding outward (in the +X direction) from the first wall portion 57dL and extending downward (in the -Z direction) from the flange portion 57gR.

In this embodiment, the pair of locking projections 57j provided in the width direction of the case body 57 are formed in a position facing the rail portion 64 shown in FIG. 3 in the width direction when the upper door storage case 56A is attached. However, the protruding height of each locking projection 57j is such that the distance in the width direction (X direction) between the pair of locking projections 57j is slightly narrower than the width direction distance between the rail portions 64 provided on the side ribs 61C, 61D shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, there is no risk of each locking projection 57j coming into contact with the pair of rail portions 64 in the width direction when the upper door storage case 56A is attached or moved up and down.

Furthermore, a flange portion 57h is formed at the upper end of the rear wall portion 57c, extending outward (in the -Y direction) from the case body 57. The flange portion 57h is continuous with the flange portions 57gR and 57gL. The height and thickness of the flange portion 57h are the same as those of the flange portions 57gR and 57gL. A protrusion 57i extending in the width direction protrudes upward (in the +Z direction) from the flange portion 57h.

The case body 57 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin. The case body 57 may be made of a transparent material, or may be made of a translucent or opaque material. If the case body 57 is made of a transparent or translucent material, it is more preferable because the inside of the case body 57 can be seen from the outside. The case body 57 may be made partially of a transparent material and the rest of the case body 57 of a translucent or opaque material. The portion made of a translucent or opaque material may be a portion that covers the lift platform 67 described below from above or from the outside. In this case, the lift platform 67 becomes difficult to see from above or from the outside, improving the aesthetic appearance of the upper door storage case 56A.

The case body 57 may also have an opaque or semi-transparent colored layer, pattern, etc. formed on the surface of the molded transparent material. In this case, the area where the opaque or semi-transparent colored layer or pattern is formed is less visible from the outside, improving the aesthetic appearance of the upper door storage case 56A.

(2-2. Lifting platform)
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lifting platform main body 58 as seen diagonally from the rear. Fig. 7 is a side view of the lifting platform main body as seen from the +X direction. Fig. 8 is a side view of the lifting platform main body as seen from the -X direction. In the following description, Figs. 1 to 5 will be referred to as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lift platform 67 includes all of the components of the upper door storage case 56A except for the case body 57.
5 , the lift platform 67 includes, for example, a lift platform main body 58, an unlocking mechanism 80, a lower cover 60, and a first locking portion 70. The shape of the lift platform 67 when viewed from above (in the +Z direction) is asymmetric in the width direction (X direction) like the case main body 57.

(Lifting platform body)
As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lifting platform main body 58 comprises a bottom surface portion 58a, a peripheral wall portion 58A extending in the +Z direction and the -Z direction from the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 58a, and a bottom plate portion 58B extending in the -Z direction from the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 58a.

The bottom surface portion 58a constitutes the bottom of the lifting platform main body 58. The bottom surface portion 58a is a flat plate that is arranged horizontally and has a size and shape that allows the bottom surface portion 57a of the case main body 57 to be placed on top of it. The outer shape of the bottom surface portion 58a is approximately the same as the outer shape of the bottom surface portion 57a of the case main body 57, and the width of the bottom surface portion 58a in the horizontal width direction (X direction) is narrower on the -Y direction side than on the +Y direction side of approximately the center in the depth direction (Y direction). As shown in FIG. 6, the outer shape of the bottom surface portion 58a when viewed from below in the -Z direction is asymmetric in the horizontal width direction (X direction).

The peripheral wall portion 58A constitutes the peripheral wall of the lifting platform main body 58. The peripheral wall portion 58A has a rear wall portion 58c extending in the +Z direction and the -Z direction from the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 58a, a first wall portion 58dL, a second wall portion 58dR, and a pair of flat plate portions 58eL, 58eR.

The rear wall portion 58c is located behind the bottom surface portion 58a (-Y direction) and extends in the +Z direction from the outer peripheral end of the bottom surface portion 58a on the -Y direction side. The rear wall portion 58c forms the back plate portion of the lifting platform 67. A first wall portion 58dL and a second wall portion 58dR are connected to both sides of the rear wall portion 58c in the width direction, and extend forward (+Y direction) from each end. The height of the rear wall portion 58c in the +Z direction is the same as the height of the second wall portion 58dR and the first wall portion 58dL in the +Z direction.

The first wall portion 58dL is the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface portion 58a in the -X direction, and extends in the +Z direction from a narrow portion on the -Y direction side of the bottom surface portion 58a. The first wall portion 58dL stands perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 58a and is a flat plate parallel to the depth direction (Y direction).

The first flat plate portion 58eL is connected to the +Y side of the first wall portion 58dL and extends in the -X direction from the first wall portion 58dL. The first flat plate portion 58eL is a flat plate parallel to the width direction. The first flat plate portion 58eL extends in the vertical direction at the edge formed in the width direction by the reduced width of the bottom surface portion 58a, and stands perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 57a.

The second wall portion 58dR is the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface portion 58a in the +X direction, and extends in the +Z direction from a narrow portion on the -Y direction side of the bottom surface portion 58a. The second wall portion 58dR stands perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 58a and is a flat plate parallel to the depth direction (Y direction).

The second flat plate portion 58eR is connected to the -Y side of the second wall portion 58dR and extends in the +X direction from the second wall portion 58dR. The second flat plate portion 58eR is a flat plate parallel to the width direction. The second flat plate portion 58eR extends in the vertical direction at the edge formed in the width direction by the reduced width of the bottom surface portion 58a, and stands perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 57a.

A groove 58j that opens in the thickness direction and upward is formed at the upper end of the first wall portion 58dL and the second wall portion 58dR. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a pair of locking protrusions 57j provided on both sides in the width direction of the case body 57 can enter from above into this pair of grooves 58j, and each locking protrusion 57j is fitted in the front-rear direction.

The peripheral wall portion 58A has a portion 58h that extends in the +Z direction further than the bottom surface portion 58a, and a portion 58i that extends in the -Z direction further than the bottom surface portion 58a. The height of the portion 58h of the peripheral wall portion 58A that extends in the +Z direction further than the bottom surface portion 58a is approximately equal to the height from the lower surface of the bottom surface portion 57a of the case body 57 to the lower surfaces of the flange portions 57gR, 57gL, and 57h of the case body 57. The height of the portion 58i of the peripheral wall portion 58A that extends in the -Z direction further than the bottom surface portion 58a is a length that is hidden inside the portion 57s that extends in the -Z direction further than the bottom surface portion 57a of the case body 57.

A flange portion 58g (FIG. 6) is partially formed on the upper end side of the peripheral wall portion 58A. The flange portion 58g is formed across the rear wall portion 58c, the first wall portion 58dL, the second wall portion 58dR, and the pair of flat plate portions 58eL, 58eR, and the width of the flange portion 58g that protrudes outward varies in parts.

The bottom plate portion 58B has a front end plate portion 58b extending in the -Z direction from the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 58a, a first plate portion 58f, a second plate portion 58m, and a notched plate portion 58x.

The front end plate portion 58b extends downward (in the -Z direction) from the edge of the bottom surface portion 58a in the +Y direction. The first plate portion 58f is the outer edge of the bottom surface portion 58a in the -X direction, and extends in the -Z direction from the "wide portion" on the +Y side of the bottom surface portion 58a. The second plate portion 58m is the outer edge of the bottom surface portion 58a in the +X direction, and extends in the -Z direction from the "wide portion" on the +Y side of the bottom surface portion 58a.

The notched plate portion 58x extends in the -Z direction from the edge between the front end plate portion 58b and the second plate portion 58m on the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 58a. The notched plate portion 58x is inclined toward the front end plate portion 58b (-X direction side) as it moves in the +Y direction, and connects the second plate portion 58m and the front end plate portion 58b at an angle. The notched plate portion 58x is parallel to the notched wall portion 57k of the case body 57.

The -Z direction length of the front end plate portion 58b, the first plate portion 58f, the second plate portion 58m and the cutout plate portion 58x which constitute the bottom plate portion 58B of the lifting platform main body 58 is such that, when the case main body 57 is attached, the first wall portion 57f, the third wall portion 57m, the cutout wall portion 57k and the front wall portion 57b of the case main body 57 are hidden inside the portion 57s which extends in the -Z direction further than the bottom surface portion 57a.
In other words, when viewed from the front (+Y direction), the bottom plate portion 58B of the lift table main body 58 is not visible from the lower end side of the case main body 57.

The lifting platform body 58 configured in this way does not have side plates extending in the +Z direction formed on the outer edge of the outer periphery of the case body 57 that face the front end plate portion 58b, the first plate portion 58f, the second plate portion 58m, and the notched plate portion 58x. In other words, when the case body 57 is attached and viewed from the horizontal direction, the lifting platform body 58 does not have side plates formed that overlap the front wall portion 57b, the notched wall portion 57k, the first wall portion 57f, and the third wall portion 57m of the case body 57.

For this reason, when at least the front wall portion 57b, the cutout wall portion 57k, and each of the first walls 57f of the case body 57 are formed of a transparent or translucent material, the contents stored inside the case body 57 can be seen from the horizontal direction through the front wall portion 57b, the cutout wall portion 57k, and each of the first walls 57f.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lift table body 58 of this embodiment has first guide portions 58ER, 58EL, a second guide portion 58F, and a third guide portion 58G formed on both sides in the width direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first wall portion 58dL is formed with a first guide portion 58EL, a second guide portion 58F, and a third guide portion 58G, all of which protrude outward from the first wall portion 58dL in the -X direction and extend in the vertical direction (Z direction).

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the first guide portion 58EL, the second guide portion 58F, and the third guide portion 58G are arranged at intervals from each other in the depth direction (Y direction) so that the lifting platform main body 58 can move up and down along the rail portion 64 while sandwiching the rail portion 64 on the side rib 61D side from both sides in the depth direction. In other words, the first guide portion 58EL, the second guide portion 58F, and the third guide portion 58G are arranged at intervals from each other in the depth direction, forming a gap G5 between them that allows the rail portion 64 to be inserted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second wall portion 58dR is formed with a first guide portion 58ER, a second guide portion 58F, and a third guide portion 58G, all of which protrude outward from the second wall portion 58dR in the +X direction and extend in the vertical direction (Z direction).

As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the first guide portion 58ER, the second guide portion 58F, and the third guide portion 58G are arranged at a distance from each other in the depth direction (Y direction) so that the lifting platform main body 58 can move up and down along the rail portion 64 while sandwiching the rail portion 64 on the side rib 61C side from both sides in the depth direction. In other words, the first guide portion 58ER, the second guide portion 58F, and the third guide portion 58G guide the up and down movement of the door storage cases 56A, 56B relative to the rail portion 64.

The distance between the first guide portion 58EL provided on the first wall portion 58dL shown in FIG. 7 and the second guide portion 58F and the third guide portion 58G, and the distance between the first guide portion 58ER provided on the second wall portion 58dR shown in FIG. 8 and the second guide portion 58F and the third guide portion 58G are equal to each other and correspond to the width in the depth direction of the rail portion 64.

(Latching protrusion)
As shown in Figure 7, the first guide portion 58EL formed on the first wall portion 58dL is inserted into a stopper insertion groove g1 (Figure 3) formed on the rear side (-Y direction side) of the rail portion 64 on the lateral rib 61D side, and is capable of moving in the vertical direction within the stopper insertion groove g1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first guide portion 58ER of the second wall portion 58dR is inserted into the stopper insertion groove g2 (FIG. 3) formed on the inner side (-Y direction side) of the rail portion 64 on the lateral rib 61C side, and can move up and down within the stopper insertion groove g2.

The height in the X direction of the pair of first guide parts 58EL, 58ER is preferably equal to the depth in the X direction of the stopper insertion grooves g1, g2, or slightly smaller than the depth of the stopper insertion grooves g1, g2. This allows the first guide parts 58EL, 58ER to be fully inserted into the stopper insertion grooves g1, g2.

In this embodiment, the groove width of the stopper insertion groove g2 on the side rib 61C side shown in FIG. 3 varies partially in the vertical direction. Therefore, the depth direction width W2 (FIG. 8) of the first guide portion 58ER inserted into the stopper insertion groove g2 is narrower than the depth direction width W1 (FIG. 7) of the first guide portion 58EL inserted into the stopper insertion groove g1, and is a width that can be inserted into the portion g21 that is the narrowest width in the stopper insertion groove g2.

6 and 7, the first guide portion 58EL has a hollow prismatic shape and a cross-sectional shape intersecting the longitudinal direction is rectangular. One side (−X side) of the first guide portion 58EL is open.
Specifically, the first guide portion 58EL has a pair of plate-like portions 58Aa extending vertically perpendicular to the first wall portion 58dL and spaced apart in the depth direction, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 58Ab perpendicular to the pair of plate-like portions 58Aa, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 58Ac parallel to the pair of plate-like portions 58Aa and disposed between them. Of the pair of plate-like portions 58Aa, the plate-like portion 58Aa located on the +Y side faces the first guide 64c of the rail portion 64 on the side of the lateral rib 61D shown in FIG. 3.

The first guide portion 58EL has a plurality of protrusions 58s formed on the surface on the +Y direction side of the plate-shaped portion 58Aa facing the first guide 64c of the rail portion 64. The protrusions 58s protrude in the +Y direction from the surface and extend in the width direction of the surface. These protrusions 58s are provided to reduce the contact area with the rail portion 64 (first guide 64c). The cross section perpendicular to the width direction of each of the protrusions 58s is, for example, semicircular and convex in the +Y direction.

The first guide portion 58ER shown in Fig. 8 has a narrower width in the depth direction than the first guide portion 58EL shown in Fig. 7. The first guide portion 58ER has a hollow rectangular column shape, and the cross section intersecting the longitudinal direction is a trapezoid. The first guide portion 58ER is open on two sides (-X side and -Y side).
Specifically, the first guide portion 58ER has a plate-shaped portion 58Ba extending in the vertical direction perpendicular to the second wall portion 58dR, a plate-shaped portion 58Bd located further back (-Y direction) than the plate-shaped portion 58Ba and arranged at a distance from the plate-shaped portion 58Ba, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 58Bb perpendicular to the plate-shaped portions 58Ba, 58Bd, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 58Bc parallel to the plate-shaped portion 58Ba and the plate-shaped portion 58Bd and arranged between them.
The plate-like portion 58Bd located at the rear has a smaller protruding height in the +X direction from the second wall portion 58dR than the plate-like portion 58Ba located at the front.
Of the first guide portion 58ER, the plate-shaped portion 58Ba located on the +Y side faces the first guide 64c of the rail portion 64 on the side of the lateral rib 61C shown in FIG.

In the first guide portion 58ER, a number of protrusions 58s are formed on the surface on the +Y direction side of the plate-shaped portion 58Ba facing the first guide 64c of the rail portion 64, protruding from that surface in the +Y direction and extending in the width direction of the surface. These multiple protrusions 58s are provided to reduce the contact area with the rail portion 64 (first guide 64c). The cross section perpendicular to the width direction of each of the multiple protrusions 58s is, for example, semicircular and convex in the +Y direction.

The vertical lengths of the first guide parts 58EL, 58ER are equal to each other and are greater than the Z-direction height H of the peripheral wall part 58A of the lifting platform main body 58. The upper ends of the first guide parts 58EL, 58ER protrude slightly in the +Z direction beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall part 58A, and the lower ends protrude farther in the -Z direction than the lower ends of the peripheral wall part 58A and the bottom plate part 58B.

The portions of the first guides 58EL, 58ER that protrude in the -Z direction beyond the peripheral wall 58A and bottom plate 58B function as spacing restriction stoppers 58DR, 58DL (described below) that restrict the vertical spacing with the other door storage case (the lower middle door storage case 56B). The downward (-Z direction) extension length of each spacing restriction stopper 58DR, 58DL is set to a range of, for example, 25 mm to 30 mm.

The vertical length of the first guide portions 58EL, 58ER is greater than the vertical distance of the gap G1 (hereinafter, gap distance L) between the position where the raised upper door storage case 56A protrusion 57i and the lower surface 61g of the upper rib 61F abut against each other and the upper end of the rail portion 64, as shown in FIG. 12.

(Second guide section)
Each of the pair of second guide portions 58F has a hollow rectangular column shape, and a cross section intersecting the longitudinal direction is substantially square. Each of the second guide portions 58F is spaced apart in the +Y direction from the first guide portions 58EL, 58ER.

Each second guide portion 58F has a pair of plate-shaped portions 58Ca that extend in the vertical direction and are spaced apart in the depth direction, and a number of reinforcing ribs 58Cb that connect and reinforce the pair of plate-shaped portions 58Ca. Of the pair of plate-shaped portions 58Ca, the plate-shaped portion 58Ca located on the -Y side faces the second guide 64d of the rail portion 64 shown in FIG. 3.

The surface of the plate-shaped portion 58Ba facing the second guide 64d of the rail portion 64 shown in FIG. 3 has a plurality of ridges 58s formed thereon that protrude from the surface in the -Y direction and extend in the width direction of the surface. These ridges 58s are provided to reduce the contact area with the rail portion 64 (second guide 64d). The cross section perpendicular to the width direction of each of the ridges 58s is, for example, semicircular and convex in the +Y direction.

(Third Guidance Section)
The pair of third guide portions 58G are plate-shaped and extend upward from the second guide portions 58F. The third guide portions 58G are perpendicular to the first wall portions 58dL and extend in the up-down direction (Y direction) parallel to the plate-shaped portions 58Ca.

The lower end of the third guide portion 58G is connected to the upper end of the plate-like portion 58Ca in the -Y direction of the pair of plate-like portions 58Ca of the second guide portion 58F. The upper end of the third guide portion 58G is connected to the lower surface of a flange portion 58g formed at the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 58A.
The protruding height of the third guide portion 58G in the X direction outward is greater than the flange width of the flange portion 58g. That is, the third guide portion 58G protrudes outward in the X direction further than the flange portion 58g. The protruding height of the third guide portion 58G in the X direction is the same as that of the plate-shaped portion 58Ca.

The -Y side surface of the third guide portion 58G faces the second guide 64d of the rail portion 64 shown in FIG. 3. The surface of the third guide portion 58G facing the second guide 64d of the rail portion 64 also has a plurality of ridges 58s that protrude in the -Y direction from the surface and extend in the width direction of the surface. The plurality of ridges 58s on the third guide portion 58G are spaced apart at intervals narrower than the spacing of the plurality of ridges 58s on the second guide portion 58F side. The vertical spacing of the ridges 58s on the third guide portion 58G can be changed as appropriate.

When the case body 57 is placed on such a lifting platform 67, the second wall portion 57dR and the first wall portion 57dL of the case body 57 are inserted between the second wall portion 58dR and the first wall portion 58dL of the lifting platform body 58. In other words, the "narrow portion" of the case body 57 is mounted on the "narrow portion" of the lifting platform body 58. This positions the case body 57 in the depth direction relative to the lifting platform body 58.

When the case body 57 is attached to the lifting platform body 58, the "narrow portion" of the case body 5 and the lifting platform body 58 is inserted between the side ribs 61C, 61D shown in FIG. 3, and the "wide portion" of each protrudes in the +Y direction beyond the side ribs 61C, 61D.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of the lower surface side (−Z side) of the bottom surface portion 58 a of the lift table main body 58 .
As shown in FIG. 9, a first guide portion 58n, a pair of locking portions 58p, a pair of second guide portions 58t, a vibration-absorbing material holder 58M, and fixing bosses 58q, 58r protrude in the -Z direction from the lower surface of the bottom portion 58a.
The amount of protrusion in the -Z direction of the first guide portion 58n, the pair of locking portions 58p, the pair of second guide portions 58t, the vibration absorbing material holder 58M, and the fixing bosses 58q, 58s is smaller than the height of the bottom plate portion 58B.

The first guide portion 58n is a wall-like body that guides the movement of the operating member 59 (described later) in the depth direction (Y direction). The first guide portion 58n has a guide groove 58k extending in the depth direction. In this embodiment, four first guide portions 58n (guide grooves 58k) are formed at intervals in the X direction. Each guide groove 58k opens in the -Z direction.
The shape of the first guide portion 58n (guide groove 58k) is not particularly limited as long as it can guide the operating member 59 in the depth direction. The number of guide grooves 58k may be one or more and is not limited to four.

The pair of locking portions 58p are protrusions that lock onto the +Y direction end (second end 77b) of the urging member 77 shown in FIG. 10. Each locking portion 58p has a recess into which the second end 77b of the urging member 77 can be inserted from the -Y direction. The shape of the locking portions 58p is not particularly limited as long as it can lock onto the second end 77b of the urging member 77.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, each locking portion 58p is disposed between adjacent guide grooves 58k in the width direction. The position of each locking portion 58p in the depth direction is approximately the same as the end of the first guide portion 58n (guide groove 58k) in the +Y direction.

The second guide portion 58t is a wall-like protrusion that guides the movement of the first locking portion 70 in the width direction (X direction). In the example shown in FIG. 9, the second guide portion 58t has a pair of walls 58t1 that sandwich the first locking portion 70 in the depth direction (Y direction). These two walls 58t1 are in contact with the inner surface of the second wall portion 58dR or the first wall portion 58dL of the lifting platform main body 58, respectively.

The first wall 58dL and the second wall 58dR of the lifting platform main body 58 have guide holes 58u formed between the walls 58t1 of the second guide section 58t. A part of the first locking section 70 disposed between the two walls 58t1 protrudes outward in the X direction from the guide holes 58u and can move forward and backward in the width direction along the second guide section 58t.

The vibration absorbing material holder 58M holds the vibration absorbing material 78 shown in FIG. 10. There are no particular limitations on the shape of the vibration absorbing material holder 58M as long as it can hold the vibration absorbing material 78. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the vibration absorbing material holder 58M has flat protrusions parallel to the width direction. A holding groove 58v recessed in the +Z direction is formed at the end of the vibration absorbing material holder 58M in the protruding direction (-Z direction). The holding groove 58v is a groove for inserting the vibration absorbing material 78.

The position and number of the vibration absorbing material holders 58M are not particularly limited. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the vibration absorbing material holders 58M are located at the center in the width direction of the bottom surface portion 58a. The position in the depth direction of the vibration absorbing material holders 58M is approximately the same as the end in the +Y direction of the first guide portion 58n (guide groove 58k).

The vibration absorbing material 78 shown in FIG. 10 is provided to reduce impact noise caused by the impact applied from the operating member 59 to the lifting platform main body 58 when the operating member 59 moves in the depth direction. For example, the vibration absorbing material 78 is made of an elastomer with shock absorbing properties.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the vibration absorbing material 78 has a head portion 78a that can be deformed by the impact force from the operating member 59, and an attachment portion 78b that is inserted into the holding groove 58v of the vibration absorbing material holder 58M shown in FIG. 9. The attachment portion 78b holds the vibration absorbing material holder 58M between itself and the head portion 78a.

As shown in Fig. 9, the fixing bosses 58q, 58s are provided for fixing the lower cover 60 shown in Fig. 10 to the lifting platform main body 58 with a screw 76. The fixing bosses 58q, 58r are cylindrical protrusions having a height that allows the lower surface of the lower cover 60 to be fixed in alignment with the lower end of the front end plate portion 58b of the lifting platform main body 58. The fixing bosses 58q, 58r have central holes formed with fixing holes into which the screws 76 can be screwed.
The fixing boss 58q is provided at a position facing the vibration absorbing material holder 58M on the -Y direction side of the vibration absorbing material holder 58M.
The fixing bosses 58r are provided on the -Y direction side of each of the second guide portions 58t at positions facing the corresponding second guide portions 58t.

(Unlocking mechanism)
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lock release mechanism 80 and the lower cover 60. Fig. 10 shows a state in which the door storage case 56A is locked to the rail portion 64 on the door side, and the operating member 59 is in the "locking position". Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the lower surface side of the lift table main body 58, as seen from the -Z direction side.

As shown in FIG. 11, a lock release mechanism 80 is provided on the bottom plate of the lift table 67 .
The unlocking mechanism 80 is a mechanism that unlocks the door storage case 56A from the rail portion 64 on the door side shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, the unlocking mechanism 80 moves the first locking portion 70 to an unlocked position where it cannot be locked with the locking plate 64e (locking surface 64i) of the rail portion 64 shown in Fig. 3, thereby making the upper door storage case 56A movable in the up and down direction.

As shown in FIG. 11, the lock release mechanism 80 is located between the lift table main body 58 and the lower cover 60. The lock release mechanism 80 includes an operating member 59 and a pair of biasing members 77.

(Operation member)
The operating member 59 is sandwiched between the lift table main body 58 and a lower cover 60 (described later) so as to be movable in the depth direction (Y direction).
The operating member 59 has an operating portion 59a, a pair of biasing member holders 59b, a pair of guide ribs 59c, and a pair of pressing members 59d.
10, the operation unit 59a is in the form of a frame extending in the width direction, and is disposed so as to face the front end plate 58b of the lifting platform main body 58. A groove 59h is formed on the underside of the operation unit 59a, into which the user's hand is inserted from below.

The biasing member holder 59b is a frame that holds the biasing member 77 that biases the operating member 59 in the -Y direction. The biasing member holder 59b has a rectangular frame shape with a length in the movement direction (Y direction) of the operating part 59a, and has a locking part 59i that locks the end of the biasing member 77 in the -Y direction, and a guide shaft 59j (Figure 10) that extends from the locking part 59i toward the operating part 59a.

(Using member)
The biasing member 77 held by the biasing member holder 59b is, for example, a compression coil spring.
The biasing member 77 is fitted onto the guide shaft 59j (FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 11, one end of the biasing member 77 is engaged with the locking portion 59i, and the other end is engaged with the locking portion 58p on the lift-down platform main body 58 side. As a result, the biasing member 77 is disposed between the operating member 59 and the lift-down platform main body 58, and biases the operating member 59 in the -Y direction relative to the lift-down platform main body 58.

The pair of guide ribs 59c are protrusions that extend along the movement direction (Y direction) of the operating part 59a. The guide ribs 59c are spaced apart from each other in the width direction (X direction) and are located on the outer side of each biasing member holder 59b in the X direction.

The pair of guide ribs 59k are parallel to the pair of guide ribs 59c and disposed between them, and are projections extending along the movement direction (Y direction) of the operating portion 59a. The pair of guide ribs 59k are disposed at an interval narrower than the interval between the pair of guide ribs 59c, and are located on the inner side of each of the biasing member holders 59b in the X direction.
These guide ribs 59c, 59k are inserted into four guide grooves 58k formed on the rear side of the lift table main body 58 shown in FIG. 9, respectively, and are movable in the depth direction along the guide grooves 58k.
As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of guide ribs 59c, 59k are provided in the width direction and are connected to each other via a plurality of plate portions 59m located between them.

In the following, as shown in FIG. 9, the position at which the operating member 59 is moved to the furthest position in the -Y direction by the biasing force of the pair of biasing members 77 is referred to as the locking position. Although not shown, the position at which the operating part 59a is moved to the furthest position in the +Y direction by the user's operation is referred to as the "unlocking position."

The distance traveled in the depth direction from the "locking position" to the "unlocking position" (hereinafter, the "moving distance") is shorter than the length of the guide rib 59k inserted into each guide groove 58k at the locking position (hereinafter, the "insertion length"). As a result, even if the operating member 59 moves to the "unlocking position", the entirety of each guide rib 59k is not pulled out of each guide groove 58k.

As shown in FIG. 10, a pressing member 59d is provided on the -X direction side of the guide rib 59c on the -X direction side. Also, a pressing member 59d is provided on the +X direction side of the guide rib 59c on the +X direction side. Each pressing member 59d is connected to the guide rib 59c.

The pressing member 59d moves the first locking portion 70 in the X direction intersecting the movement direction of the operating member 59 according to the amount of movement of the operating member 59 in the depth direction. The pressing member 59d has a flat plate portion 59g parallel to the guide rib 59k and a protrusion portion 59e protruding outward in the X direction from the flat plate portion 59g.

When viewed from the +Z direction, the protrusion 59e has a mountain shape having an apex 59f in the protruding direction. The apex 59f may be a flat surface parallel to the flat plate portion 59g, or may be a curved surface that is a convex arc when viewed from the +Z direction. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the outer shape of the protrusion 59e when viewed from the +Z direction is an isosceles triangle, and the apex 59f is a curved surface that is a convex arc.
The width of the protrusion 59 e in the depth direction is approximately twice the moving distance of the operating member 59 .
The protrusion 59e is located within the second guide portion 58t of the lift table main body 58 shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the operating member 59 is formed integrally with the operating portion 59a, the biasing member holder 59b, the guide rib 59c, and the pressing member 59d. This prevents the operating member 59 from meandering or rotating in the horizontal plane, allowing the operating member 59 to move linearly in the depth direction.

(Lower cover)
11 , the lower cover 60 has a box-like shape that covers the lower surface of the lift-up platform main body 58 when the operating member 59, the biasing members 77, the vibration absorbing material 78, and the first locking portions 70 are attached to the lift-up platform main body 58. The lower cover 60, together with the lift-up platform main body 58, forms the outer shape of the bottom of the lift-up platform 67. The lower cover 60 has an asymmetric shape in the width direction.

10, the lower cover 60 has a through groove 60h at the end in the +Y direction into which the operating unit 59a can be inserted. The lower cover 60 has a bottom surface portion 60a and a peripheral wall portion 60B extending in the +Z direction from the outer periphery of the bottom surface portion 60a. The peripheral wall portion 60B has a rear side plate portion 60c located on the outer edge of the bottom surface portion 60a in the -Y direction, a second plate portion 60bR and a first side plate portion 60bL located on both sides of the width direction of the rear side plate portion 60c in the narrow portion of the bottom surface portion 60a in the -Y direction, a pair of flat plate portions 60g each extending from the end portions on the +Y direction side of each of the second plate portions 60bR and 60bL toward the outside in the X direction, a first plate portion 60eL and a second plate portion 60eR located in the wide portion on the +Y direction side of the bottom surface portion 60a, a corner portion 60s located on the +Y direction side of the first plate portion 60eL, and a notched plate portion 60x located on the +Y direction side of the second plate portion 60eR. The notched plate portion 60x is inclined toward the through groove 60h side (-X direction) as it goes from the second plate portion 60eR side to the +Y direction side.

The bottom surface 60a is provided with a screw-fastening boss 60d having a through hole through which a screw 76 for fixing to the lift table main body 58 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 11, the back side of the screw-fastening boss 60d is recessed in the +Z direction so that the screw head of the screw 76 does not protrude.

The first plate portion 60eL, the second plate portion 60eR, and the cutout plate portion 60x are provided along the periphery of the "wide portion" of the bottom surface portion 60a on the +Y direction side. The second plate portions 60bR, 60bL are provided along the periphery of the "narrow portion" of the bottom surface portion 60a on the -Y direction side.

When the lower cover 60 is attached to the lifting platform main body 58, the peripheral wall portion 60B of the lower cover 60 is inserted into the back side of the lifting platform main body 58 and is surrounded by the portion of the peripheral wall portion 58A that protrudes toward the -Z side from the bottom surface portion 58a and the bottom plate portion 58B that protrudes toward the -Z side from the bottom surface portion 58a. In other words, the lower cover 60 is attached in a position that is not visible to the user when the case main body 57 is viewed from the front (+Y direction).

The lower cover 60 is screwed from below into the lower part of the lifting platform main body 58. Specifically, the lower cover 60 is fixed to the lifting platform main body 58 by inserting a number of screws 76 into the screwing bosses 60d formed on the lower cover 60 and screwing them into the fixing bosses 58q, 58s of the lifting platform main body 58.

The bottom surface 60a of the lower cover 60 is arranged parallel to the bottom surface 58a of the lifting platform main body 58 with a certain gap between them. This makes it possible to suppress vertical displacement of the members sandwiched between the bottom surface 60a of the lower cover 60 and the bottom surface 58a of the lifting platform main body 58. For example, the bottom surface 60a can suppress vertical vibration of the operating member 59 and the pair of biasing members 77. As a result, the operating member 59 can move smoothly in the depth direction.

(First locking portion)
The first locking portions 70 are provided on both sides of the lift platform 67 in the width direction.
In the following, an example of the first locking portion 70 arranged on the +X direction side will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first locking portion 70 includes a first holder 71, a locking member 73, a biasing member (not shown), and a second holder 75.

The first holder 71 is a rectangular parallelepiped box that is penetrated in the X direction.
A portion of the locking member 73 is inserted into the first holder 71 .
The biasing member is disposed between the locking member 73 inserted into the first holder 71 in the first locking portion 70 and a second holder 75 described later, and biases the locking member 73 in the +X direction (outward). A compression coil spring can be used as the biasing member.

The second holder 75 is fixed to the end of the first holder 71 in the +X direction.
The second holder 75 has a protrusion 75a and a connecting portion 75f. When viewed from the +Z direction, the protrusion 75a has an outer shape of a mountain having a vertex 75b in the protruding direction. The vertex 75b may be a flat surface or a curved surface in a convex arc shape when viewed from the +Z direction. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the mountain shape of the protrusion 75a is an isosceles triangle shape, and the vertex 75b is a curved surface in a convex arc shape. The inclination of the protrusion 75a is not particularly limited as long as it is equal to or greater than the inclination of the protrusion 59e. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the inclination of the protrusion 75a is approximately equal to the inclination of the protrusion 59e described above. The connecting portion 75f is a piece-like shape that protrudes in the +X direction from both ends of the protrusion 75a in the Y direction in the depth direction.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the first locking portion 70 in the assembled state contains a biasing member (not shown) and a locking member 73 in the internal space formed by connecting the first holder 71 and the second holder 75, and a part of the locking member 73 protrudes in the +X direction (outward) from within the first holder 71. The position at which the locking member 73 protrudes to the maximum extent in the +X direction is referred to as the "locking position" of the first locking portion 70. When the first locking portion 70 is in the "locking position", it is locked to the rail portion 64 shown in Figure 3.

When in the "locking position", the locking member 73 of the first locking portion 70 extends outside the lifting platform body 58 through the guide hole portion 58u (Figure 9) of the lifting platform body 58.

In this embodiment, the biasing member and the locking member 73 (not shown) are arranged in series on a substantially coaxial line, and the locking member 73 protruding from the first holder 71 is inserted into the inside of the biasing member (coil spring). Therefore, the locking member 73, the first holder 71, and the biasing member are arranged on a substantially coaxial line.

Here, the operation of the first locking portion 70 and the operating member 59 will be described.
As described above, in the "locking position" of the first locking portion 70, the positions of the first holder 71 and the second holder 75 in the width direction are fixed. In contrast, the locking member 73 is biased by a biasing member inside the first holder 71 and the second holder 75, but is movable in the +X direction. For this reason, when the tip of the locking member 73 in the +X direction is pressed in the -X direction with a force greater than the biasing force of the biasing member, the locking member 73 moves in the -X direction, and the tip can be pulled into the inside of the guide hole portion 58u (FIG. 11).

When the operating member 59 is pulled in the +Y direction by the user, the pair of pressing members 59d move in the +Y direction against the biasing force of the pair of biasing members 77, and assume the "unlocked position."
When each pressing member 59d moves to the "unlocked position", the first locking portion 70, which is biased toward the pressing member 59d by a biasing member (not shown), moves toward the pressing member 59d. A part of the first locking portion 70 protruding from the guide hole 58u of the lifting platform main body 58 is pulled into the lower cover 60. In other words, the locking member 73 retreats to the inside of the guide hole 58u while being biased toward the outside in the width direction by the biasing member.

In this way, when the operating member 59 moves to the unlocked position, the first locking portion 70 moves to a state in which the tip of each locking member 73 does not protrude from the guide hole portion 58u. In this state, the locking member 73 of each first locking portion 70 cannot be locked to the locking plate 64e of the rail portion 64 (unlockable position).

When the user releases the operating portion 59a, the operating member 59 moves in the -Y direction due to the biasing force of the biasing member 77, and the operating member 59 and each of the first locking portions 70 return to their respective locking positions. At this time, the operating member 59, which moves due to the biasing force from the biasing member 77, hits, for example, the vibration absorbing material 78 without colliding with any member of the lifting platform main body 58. The kinetic energy of the operating member 59 is absorbed by the vibration absorbing material 78, and the operating member 59 stops at the locking position. This reduces the impact sound caused by the impact of the operating member 59.

A certain degree of impact force is transmitted to the lifting platform main body 58 through the vibration absorbing material 78. In this embodiment, an external force acts on the lifting platform main body 58 by the extension and contraction of the biasing member 77 and the impact of the operating member 59. The fixing boss 58r is provided in a position facing each of the locking portions 58p and the retaining grooves 58v on which the external force acts, in the direction of the external force. Therefore, by screwing the lower cover 60 to the fixing boss 58r, a reinforcing structure that efficiently resists external forces is obtained. As a result, even if a certain degree of external force such as an impact force is transmitted to the lifting platform main body 58, vibration is suppressed, and a stable operating feel is obtained.

In this embodiment, the locking member 73 protrudes outward from the guide hole 58u in the locking position, and retracts to the inside of the guide hole 58u when an external force acts on the locking member 73. Similarly, when the operating member 59 moves to the unlocked position, the entire first locking portion 70 moves in parallel to the unlocked position.

Next, a description will be given of a locking structure for attaching the upper door storage case 56A to the refrigerator compartment door 12. The upper door storage case 56A will be taken as an example, but the same applies to the middle door storage case 56B.
As shown in Fig. 2, the upper door storage case 56A is attached to a predetermined position on the rail section 64 in a state in which it is locked from above by a locking plate 64e at a predetermined position among a plurality of locking plates 64e provided in the up and down directions of the pair of rail sections 64 shown in Fig. 3. When attached to the rail sections 64, the upper door storage case 56A cannot be pulled out toward the refrigerator compartment 27, and is restricted from descending in the -Z direction.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the operating member 59 arranged on the bottom side of the upper door storage case 56A is in the locking position, the main body 73a of each locking member 73 protrudes outward in the Y direction of the lifting platform main body 58 through a pair of guide holes 58u provided on both sides of the width of the lifting platform main body 58. The main body 73a of each locking member 73 is locked from above to each locking plate 64e at a predetermined position (the same position in the horizontal direction) on the pair of rail portions 64 shown in FIG. 3. The gravity of the upper door storage case 56A presses the lower surface of the tip side of each locking member 73 against the locking surface 64i of a predetermined locking plate 64e on the rail portion 64.

The first guide portion 58EL on the -X direction side of the lifting platform main body 58 is inserted into the stopper insertion groove g1 on the -Y direction side of the rail portion 64 of the lateral rib 61D, and together with the second guide portion 58F and the third guide portion 58G, the rail portion 64 is sandwiched in the depth direction.

The first guide portion 58ER on the +X side of the lifting platform main body 58 is inserted into the stopper insertion groove g2 on the -Y side of the rail portion 64 of the lateral rib 61C, and together with the second guide portion 58F and the third guide portion 58G, the rail portion 64 is sandwiched in the depth direction.

The center of gravity of upper door storage case 56A when engaged with rail portion 64 is closer to refrigerator compartment 27 (in the +Y direction) than rail portion 64. For this reason, in a pair of first guide portions 58EL, 58ER of lifting platform main body 58 that are located in the -Y direction of rail portion 64, the upper side of plate portion 58Aa on the +Y direction side of first guide portion 58EL shown in Figure 7 presses rail portion 64 toward refrigerator compartment 27 (in the +Y direction), and the lower side of plate portion 58Aa on the -Y direction side of first guide portion 58EL presses end face 53cy (Figure 2) toward inner surface 53a (in the -Y direction). Additionally, the upper side of the plate-shaped portion 58Ba on the +Y direction side of the first guide portion 58ER shown in FIG. 8 presses the rail portion 64 toward the refrigerator compartment 27 (+Y direction), and the lower side of the plate-shaped portion 58Bd on the -Y direction side of the first guide portion 58EL presses the end surface 53cy (FIG. 3) toward the inner surface 53a (-Y direction).

At the same time, in the lift platform main body 58 shown in Figures 7 and 8, of the second guide portion 58F and the third guide portion 58G located on the +Y direction side of the pair of left and right rail portions 64, the second guide portion 58F located on the lower (-Z direction) side of the third guide portion 58G presses the rail portion 64 in the -Y direction. The second guide portion 58F presses the rail portion 64 toward the inner surface 53a (-Y direction) on the lower side of the plate portion 58Ca on the -Y direction side.

The user can move the upper door storage case 56A up and down by performing the operations described below. We will use the upper door storage case 56A as an example, but the same applies to the middle door storage case 56B.

(Upward movement: Push up operation)
In order to move the upper door storage case 56A upward, a push-up operation is performed.
The push-up operation is an operation in which the user applies a force to lift the upper door storage case 56A upward, thereby moving it in the +Z direction. In this case, a rotational moment is applied to the upper door storage case 56A in the opposite direction to that in the locked state.

That is, of the pair of first guide parts 58EL, 58ER provided on the lifting platform main body 58, the lower side of the plate-shaped part 58Aa on the +Y direction side of the first guide part 58EL shown in FIG. 7 presses the rail part 64 towards the refrigeration chamber 27 (+Y direction), and the upper end side of the plate-shaped part 58Aa on the -Y direction side of the first guide part 58EL presses the end face 53cy (FIG. 2) towards the inner surface 53a (-Y direction). Also, the lower side of the plate-shaped part 58Ba on the +Y direction side of the first guide part 58ER shown in FIG. 8 presses the rail part 64 towards the refrigeration chamber 27 (+Y direction), and the upper side of the plate-shaped part 58Bd on the -Y direction side of the first guide part 58EL presses the end face 53cy (FIG. 3) towards the inner surface 53a (-Y direction).

At the same time, in the lift platform main body 58 shown in Figures 7 and 8, of the second guide portion 58F and the third guide portion 58G located on the +Y direction side of the pair of left and right rail portions 64, the third guide portion 58G located above the second guide portion 58F (in the +Z direction) presses the rail portion 64 in the -Y direction. The third guide portion 58G presses the rail portion 64 toward the inner surface 53a (in the -Y direction) on the upper side.

(Downward movement: unlocking operation)
The unlocking operation is an operation for forcibly releasing the locking of the locking members 73 on the rail portions 64 in the vertical direction.
In this operation, the user operates the operating member 59 to move the operating member 59 to the unlocked position. For example, the user may move the operating member 59 to the unlocked position by hand. By clamping and in the depth direction, the operating member 59 is moved in the +Y direction.
In this embodiment, when the operating portion 59a of the operating member 59 comes closest to the front end plate portion 58b of the lift table main body 58, the operating member 59 moves to the unlocked position.

In the unlocked position, the pair of locking members 73 are retracted toward the inside of the lift table main body 58, so that the locking of the locking members 73 with the pair of rail portions 64 is released simultaneously.
When the user releases the grip between the operating part 59a and the lower end of the front end plate part 58b of the lift table main body 58 at the destination, the locking member 73 protrudes out of the second wall part 58dR due to the biasing force of the biasing member 77, so that the locking member 73 protrudes into the upper recess of the nearest lower locking plate 64e. By releasing the hand in this state, the locking member 73 is locked onto the nearest lower locking plate 64e at the destination.

By performing this unlocking operation, the user can move the upper door storage case 56A downward and lock the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B against the lower locking plate 64e. This allows the upper door storage case 56A to be locked against any of the locking plates 64e at the same vertical position on a pair of rail sections 64 that face each other in the horizontal direction.

Here, the movable range of the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B will be described.
In this embodiment, the upper limit position of the upper door storage case 56A is regulated by the upper end plate 64g of the rail portion 64. The position where the upper door storage case 56A is engaged with the uppermost engaging plate 64e located directly below the upper end plate 64g of the rail portion 64 is the upper limit of the upward movement of the upper door storage case 56A.

The lower limit position of the upper door storage case 56A is restricted by a pair of spacing restriction stoppers 58DR, 58DL on the upper door storage case 56A side. That is, when the upper door storage case 56A is lowered, the spacing restriction stoppers 58DR, 58DL come into contact with the upper end faces of the first guide parts 58ER, 58EL of the middle door storage case 56B located directly below, restricting downward movement therefrom. Therefore, the lower limit position of the upper door storage case 56A changes depending on the position of the middle door storage case 56B.

In addition, the upper door storage case 56A with the case body 57 placed on the lifting platform 67 cannot be removed from the upper end of the rail portion 64, but if only the lifting platform 67 is left with the case body 57 removed, it can be removed from the gap between the rail portion 64 and the upper rib 61F of the inner surface member 53A by tilting the lifting platform 67 at an angle. Therefore, when installing the upper door storage case 56A, it can be installed by first attaching only the lifting platform 67 to each rail portion 64.

On the other hand, the movement range of the middle door storage case 56B in this embodiment is set by, for example, the position of the upper door storage case 56A and the lowered position regulating portion 53d.
The upper limit position of the middle door storage case 56B varies depending on the position of the upper door storage case 56A. That is, when the middle door storage case 56B is raised, the upper end faces of the pair of first guide parts 58ER, 58EL of the middle door storage case 56B come into contact with the lower end faces of the pair of first guide parts 58EL, ER (gap restriction stoppers 58DR, 58DL) of the upper door storage case 56A which are in a predetermined position, thereby restricting any upward movement therefrom.

The lowest position of the middle door storage case 56B is a position where the lower ends of the first guide parts 58ER, 58EL are engaged from above by the lower position regulating parts 53d. When the first guide parts 58ER, 58EL of the middle door storage case 56B are in the lowest position engaged by the lower position regulating parts 53d located on the lower end side of the pair of rail parts 64, the vertical distance between the middle door storage case 56B and the lower door storage case 56C is equal to or larger than the distance when the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B are in the closest position with the distance regulating stoppers 58DR, 58DL of the upper door storage case 56A abutting against the middle door storage case 56B.

In this way, the middle door storage case 56B is restricted from moving further downward by the lowering position restricting portion 53d.

In the middle door storage case 56B, the pair of first guide parts 58EL, ER (respective spacing restriction stoppers 58DR, 58DL) provided on both sides of the lifting platform main body 58 in the width direction are inserted into the stopper insertion grooves g1, g2 on the -Y direction side of the rail part 64 and are therefore hidden.

In this way, the user can freely change the vertical positions of the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B as long as they are within the movable range of the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B.

With the upper door storage case 56A and the middle door storage case 56B of this embodiment, whether by pushing up or releasing the lock, the user can move the upper door storage case 56A (middle door storage case 56B) with a simple operation using one hand in front of the upper door storage case 56A (middle door storage case 56B). In the following explanation, the upper door storage case 56A will be used as an example, but the same can be said for the middle door storage case 56B.

In order to move the door storage case 56A attached to the rail section 64 in the vertical direction, a gap is necessary between the first guide section 58ER, 58EL, second guide section 58F, and third guide section 58G of the lifting platform main body 58 and the rail section 64. However, if there is a gap, the door storage case 56A may tilt and get caught in the rail section 64 when moving the door storage case 56A up and down, requiring a large force for the initial movement of the door storage case 56A. In this case, the sliding direction of the door storage case 56A becomes unstable, and the door storage case 56A may move as if it is caught in the rail section 64 and the initial movement may become heavy.

This phenomenon often occurs when attempting to move the door storage case 56A upward. In particular, in a configuration in which the lift platform main body 58 does not have the third guide portion 58G, the inclination of the door storage case 56A becomes large, and the above phenomenon becomes prominent.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a pair of third guide parts 58G are further provided in the width direction of the lifting platform main body 58. As a result, the combined vertical length of the second guide part 58F and the third guide part 58G is approximately the same length as the first guide part 58ER (58EL) located on the -Y direction side of the rail part 64. In other words, the second guide part 58F and the third guide part 58G and the first guide part 58ER, (58EL) are present over almost the entire vertical length of the lifting platform main body 58. The second guide part 58F and the third guide part 58G and the first guide part 58ER, (58EL) face each other in the Y direction via the rail part 64, and sandwich the same range in the longitudinal direction of the rail part 64.

Therefore, when lifting the door storage case 56A, even if a rotational moment occurs in the +Y direction side of the door storage case 56A toward the +Z direction with the first locking portion 70 that is locked to the rail portion 64 as a fulcrum, it is possible to suppress the inclination of the door storage case 56A relative to the rail portion 64, and the pressure applied to the rail portion 64 by the second guide portion 58F, the third guide portion 58G, and the first guide portion 58ER (58EL) is approximately equal in the vertical direction. As a result, the above-mentioned phenomenon that is inconvenient for vertical movement is less likely to occur, and the door storage case 56A can be moved smoothly relative to the rail portion 64. In this way, by making the combined vertical length of the second guide portion 58F and the third guide portion 58G that exist in the ±Y direction of the rail portion 64 equal to the vertical length of the first guide portion 58ER (58EL), the sliding stability of the door storage case 56A can be achieved.

In this embodiment, the first locking portion 70 is provided on the lower end (bottom) side of the door storage case 56A. Therefore, the third guide portion 58G is provided at a position away from the first locking portion 70 upward. Providing the third guide portion 58G at a position away from the first locking portion 70, which serves as the fulcrum of the rotational moment, is advantageous in terms of suppressing tilt of the door storage case 56A. Therefore, in this embodiment, the third guide portion 58G is configured to be continuous with the second guide portion 58F, but this is not limited to this, and the third guide portion 58G may be configured to be provided at least on the upper end side of the door storage case 56A.

Second Embodiment
Next, a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Fig. 12 is a side view showing the configuration of the lifting platform main body in the refrigerator of the second embodiment. Fig. 12 is a view of the lifting platform main body as seen from the +X direction side.
The basic configuration of the refrigerator of this embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the lifting platform body is different. In the following description, the description of the configuration similar to that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the different configuration will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 12, the lifting platform body 88 of this embodiment has a third guide portion 88G and a reinforcing rib 89 on both sides in the width direction instead of the third guide portion 58G described above. The first guide portion 58EL, the second guide portion 58F, and the third guide portion 88G are spaced apart in the depth direction, and a gap G5 is formed between them to allow the rail portion 64 to pass through.

The third guide portion 88G is located above the second guide portion 58F and is spaced apart from the second guide portion 58F. The third guide portion 88G is perpendicular to the second flat plate portion 58eR (first flat plate portion 58eL) and protrudes outward in the width direction. The third guide portion 88G is a plate-like shape that is approximately square when viewed from the Y direction. The third guide portion 88G is provided parallel to the vertical direction along the periphery on the +Y direction side of the recessed groove 58j formed in the second flat plate portion 58eR (first flat plate portion 58eL).

The position of the third guide portion 88G in the depth direction coincides with the plate portion 58Ca on the -Y direction side of the second guide portion 58F. In other words, the third guide portion 88G is located in a straight line (directly above) the plate portion 58Ca on the -Y direction side of the second guide portion 58F, and is parallel to the plate portion 58Ca.

The upper end of the third guide portion 88G is connected to the underside of the flange portion 58g provided at the upper end of the lifting platform main body 88. The vertical length of the third guide portion 88G is smaller than the vertical length of the second guide portion 58F and is approximately half the vertical length (groove depth dimension) of the recessed groove 58j. A number of protrusions 58s extending in the width direction are formed on the surface on the -Y direction side of the third guide portion 88G.

The reinforcing rib 89 is provided on the +Y direction side of the third guide portion 88G. The reinforcing rib 89 is located on the opposite side of the rail portion 64 with respect to the third guide portion 88G. The reinforcing rib 89 is perpendicular to the second flat plate portion 58eR (first flat plate portion 58eL) and protrudes outward in the width direction. In this embodiment, the reinforcing rib 89 is composed of a pair of plate-shaped portions perpendicular to each other, and has an L-shape when viewed from the X direction. The shape of the reinforcing rib 89 is not limited to this shape, and other shapes may be adopted. One end of the reinforcing rib 89 is connected to the surface on the +Y direction side of the third guide portion 88G, and the other end is connected to the underside of the flange portion 58g of the lift table main body 58.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, even if the third guide portion 88G is separate from the second guide portion 58F, by providing it on the upper end side of the lifting platform main body 58 away from the first locking portion 70, it is possible to reduce the rotational moment with the first locking portion 70 as the fulcrum, and it is possible to suppress the inclination of the lifting platform main body 58 (door storage case 56A) relative to the rail portion 64. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment described above, it is possible to increase the sliding properties of the door storage case 56A relative to the rail portion 64, and it is possible to smoothly move the door storage case 56A in the vertical direction.

Third Embodiment
Next, a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Fig. 13 is a side view showing the configuration of the lifting platform main body in the refrigerator of the third embodiment. Fig. 13 is a view of the lifting platform main body as seen from the +X direction side.
The basic configuration of the refrigerator of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the lifting platform main body is different. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the different configuration will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 13, the lifting platform body 98 of this embodiment has a first guide portion 98ER or a first guide portion 98EL, a second guide portion 58F, and a pair of rotating bodies (third guide portions) 98G on each side in the width direction. The first guide portions 98ER, 98EL in this embodiment have a length shorter than the vertical length of the first guide portions 98ER, 98EL in the first embodiment.

One rotating body 98G is disposed above each of the first guide portion 98ER and the second guide portion 58F. Of the pair of rotating bodies 98G, the rotating body 98G disposed on the -Y direction side is provided between the first guide portion 98ER and the flange portion 58g of the lifting platform main body 98. The distance between the pair of rotating bodies 98G in the depth direction matches the distance between the first guide portion 98ER and the second guide portion 58F, and together with the first guide portion 98ER and the second guide portion 58F, they form a gap G5 through which the rail portion 64 can be inserted.

The pair of rotating bodies 98G can rotate around a rotation axis OG extending in the width direction. The rotating bodies 98G have the same diameter, but may have different diameters. In addition, in this embodiment, a pair of rotating bodies 98G is provided in the depth direction, but the number of rotating bodies 98G is not limited to this. For example, two rotating bodies 98G may be arranged vertically on the second guide section 58F side. The pair of rotating bodies 98G rotate in opposite directions when the lift table main body 98 is moved relative to the rail section 64.

According to the configuration of this embodiment, by providing a rotating body 98G above each of the first guide parts 98ER, 98EL and the second guide part 58F, as in the above embodiment, the rotation moment around the first locking part 70 can be reduced, and the inclination of the lifting platform main body 98 (door storage case 56A) relative to the rail part 64 can be suppressed. Therefore, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the sliding property of the door storage case 56A relative to the rail part 64 can be improved, and the door storage case 56A can be moved smoothly in the vertical direction.

In addition, in this embodiment, a pair of rotors 98G are provided on each side of the lifting platform main body 98 in the width direction, but this is not limited to the configuration, and it is sufficient that at least one rotor 98G is provided on the front (+Y direction) side. The second guide section 58F is shorter in the vertical direction than the first guide sections 98ER, 98EL, and the height of its upper end is low, so there is no portion that supports the rail section 64 above the second guide section 58F. Therefore, by providing at least the rotor 98G in this portion, the rotation moment when the lifting platform main body 98 rises can be suppressed, and it is possible to prevent the lifting platform main body 98 from biting into the rail section 64. This allows the door storage case 56A to move smoothly.

Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, a pair of rotating bodies 98G come into contact with and rotate against the rail portion 64, thereby assisting in the lifting force when moving the lifting platform main body 98, particularly upward, so that the lifting platform main body 98 (door storage case 56A) can be moved with little resistance.
Furthermore, the provision of a pair of rotating bodies 98G compensates for the force required for the movement operation, and it is possible to reduce variation in the sliding properties with respect to the rail portion 64, regardless of the gap with the rail portion 64. This allows for looser control of the gap dimension with the rail portion 64 than in the case of the rib structure of the above embodiment, making it easier to control in mass production.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as the scope and gist of the invention.

According to one embodiment described above, the device has a housing including a storage chamber, and a door that closes the storage chamber in an openable and closable manner. The device further has a pair of wall portions that protrude rearward from an inner surface member of the door toward the storage chamber, extend in the vertical direction, and face each other with a gap in the width direction of the door, a pair of extension portions that protrude from the opposing side surfaces of the pair of wall portions and extend in the vertical direction, and a door container that is movable in the vertical direction between the pair of wall portions along the pair of extension portions. The door containers are arranged at intervals in the depth direction to form a gap between them that allows the extension to pass through, and have a first guide portion and a second guide portion that guide the movement in the vertical direction relative to the extension portion, and a third guide portion that forms the gap together with one of the first guide portion and the second guide portion and guides the vertical movement of the door container at a different position in the vertical direction from the first guide portion and the second guide portion, so that a refrigerator with a door storage case that can improve operability during vertical movement of the door container can be provided.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims, as well as the scope and gist of the invention.

For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the third guide portion 58G, 88G is provided above the second guide portion 58F, but the position of the third guide portion 58G, 88G is not limited to this. The third guide portion 58G, 88G may be configured to be in the up-down position reversed to the second guide portion 58F.

For example, in the first embodiment, a rib structure is provided with the plate-like third guide portion 58G that is parallel to the vertical direction, but a reinforcing rib as shown in the second embodiment may be provided on the front (+Y direction) side of the third guide portion 58G. In this case, the configuration of the third guide portion 58G and the reinforcing rib may be the same as that of the second guide portion 58F.

In addition, the configuration of the third guide portion 88G and the reinforcing rib 89 in the second embodiment may be the same as that of the second guide portion 58F.

In the first and second embodiments, the third guide portions 58F, 88F are plate-shaped (rib-shaped), which allows for easy and low-cost structural changes.

1...refrigerator, 10...casing, 11...door, 12, 13...refrigerator door (door), 27...refrigerator (storage room), 53A, 53B...inner surface member, 53a...inner surface of inner surface member, 56A...door storage case (door container), 58EL, 58ER, 98EL, 98ER...first guide portion, 58F...second guide portion, 58G, 88G...third guide portion, 61C, 61D...side rib (wall portion), 64...rail portion (extension portion), 64m...projection portion, 98G...rotating body (third guide portion), G5...gap through which rail portion can be inserted, OG...rotating shaft, S1, S2...side surface, X...width direction, Y...depth direction, Z...up-down direction

Claims (8)

a housing including a storage chamber;
A door for opening and closing the storage chamber;
a pair of wall portions that protrude rearward from an inner surface member of the door toward the storage chamber, extend in a vertical direction, and face each other with a gap therebetween in a lateral width direction of the door;
A pair of extension portions protruding from side surfaces of the pair of wall portions facing each other and extending in the up-down direction;
a door container that is movable in the up-down direction between the pair of wall portions along the pair of extension portions,
The door container includes:
a flange portion extending outward from an upper end portion of the side wall portion;
a first guide portion and a second guide portion that are spaced apart from each other in a depth direction to form a gap between them through which the extension portion can be inserted and that guide the extension portion in the up-down direction;
a third guide portion that is connected to the underside of the flange portion and that, together with the second guide portion disposed forward of the first guide portion, forms the gap between the first guide portion and the third guide portion, and guides the vertical movement of the door container at a position different from that of the second guide portion in the vertical direction;
refrigerator. The third guide portion is connected to the second guide portion and extends in the up-down direction.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1. The combined length of the second guide portion and the third guide portion in the vertical direction is equal to the length of the first guide portion in the vertical direction.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2. The third guide portion is configured to be disposed at a distance from the second guide portion in the up-down direction.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3. The third guide portion has a plurality of protrusions that can come into contact with the extension portion.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4. the second guide portion has a configuration including a plurality of second protrusions that can come into contact with the extension portion,
The plurality of protruding portions are formed at intervals narrower than the arrangement intervals of the plurality of second protruding portions.
The refrigerator according to claim 5. The third guide portion is configured to include a rotating body that is rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the width direction.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1. The third guide portions are arranged at intervals in the depth direction,
The gap is formed between the two portions so that the extension portion can be inserted therethrough.
The refrigerator according to claim 7 .

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