JP7720982B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a refrigerator in which multiple storage tiers are arranged in a storage compartment provided in the refrigerator body so that they can be pulled out.

Refrigerators have multiple storage compartments, such as a freezer or refrigerator compartment, inside the refrigerator body. The location of each storage compartment is often determined by its intended use. In particularly large storage compartments at the bottom of the refrigerator, a storage container with an open top is configured to be pulled out and pushed into the refrigerator body or storage compartment in conjunction with the opening and closing of the drawer door. In such cases, the storage container is often configured in multiple levels vertically, and often consists of three levels: top, middle, and bottom. Furthermore, the handles for such drawer doors are located on the top side of the drawer door.

One example of a refrigerator with three tiers of storage containers (top, middle, and bottom) stored in the storage compartment is the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1. In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, a pair of frames are fixed to the left and right sides of the back of the drawer door, and a first storage container is placed on the frames. A second storage container is placed on a flange sliding surface formed on the upper end of the side wall of the first storage container. A pair of rollers is provided on the front of both side walls of the second storage container, and a pair of protrusions protruding from both side walls is provided on the rear. The pair of rollers and pair of protrusions of the second storage container abut against the flange sliding surface of the first storage container.

In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, when attempting to remove contents stored in the first storage container, the procedure is as follows: First, the first storage container is pulled forward in conjunction with the drawer door. At this time, the second storage container is pulled forward along with the first storage container. The user then places their hand on the second storage container located above the first storage container and pushes it toward the back. Then, the rollers of the second storage container abutting the flange sliding surface of the first storage container move along the flange sliding surface, pushing the second storage container toward the back.

The refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 also has a third storage container above the second storage container that is movable in the front-to-rear direction. The third storage container is supported by rails provided on the left and right sides of the storage compartment. In the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, the first and second storage containers are pulled out in conjunction with the drawer door, leaving only the third storage container inside the refrigerator body. When attempting to remove contents stored in the third storage container, the user opens the drawer door and pulls the third storage container forward along the rails to remove the contents.

However, in the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1, when putting items in or taking items out of the first storage container, the drawer door is pulled out to pull out both the first and second storage containers, and then only the second storage container is slid backward on the flange sliding surface of the first storage container. In this case, the second storage container moves above the first storage container while being supported on the first storage container, which limits the width of the opening of the first storage container. As a result, there was an issue that it was inconvenient to put items in and take items out of the back of the first storage container.

In contrast, for example, in the refrigerator described in Patent Document 2, rails are newly provided on the left and right sides of the storage compartment to store the second storage container inside the storage compartment. When the user opens the drawer door, the second storage container is pushed toward the back along the rails. This allows the second storage container to move from above the first storage container onto the rails, allowing it to be moved to a position where it is completely stored inside the refrigerator body.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-349665 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-189224

The refrigerator described in Patent Document 2 above has three rails on the left and right side walls of the storage compartment: a lower rail that supports the frame of the drawer door, a middle rail that supports the second storage container, and an upper rail that supports the third storage container. With this structure, the three rails must be positioned vertically apart on the left and right side walls of the storage compartment, so the lower rail that engages with the frame is positioned below the storage compartment. This creates a large vertical distance between the position of the handle located at the top of the drawer door and the fixed position of the frame on the back of the drawer door.

As a result, when a user operates the handle of a drawer door, a large rotational moment is generated between the handle and the fixed position on the frame. Therefore, in order to reduce wobbling of the drawer door and deformation of the fixed part of the frame, it becomes necessary to take measures such as increasing the size or thickness of the frame. To avoid these measures, it is desirable to design a structure where there is no large difference in height between the position of the handle on the drawer door and the fixed position on the frame.

The present disclosure has been made to solve this problem, and aims to provide an inexpensive refrigerator that is easy to use and allows for smooth access while maintaining the usability of the storage containers stored in the storage compartment, thereby avoiding the need to increase the size and thickness of the drawer door frame by reducing the difference in height between the position of the drawer door handle and the fixed position of the drawer door frame.

A refrigerator according to the present disclosure includes a refrigerator main body having a storage compartment therein and an opening on a front surface of the storage compartment; a drawer-type door provided at the opening of the storage compartment for opening and closing the storage compartment; first support parts provided on left and right side walls of the storage compartment and extending in a first direction that is a depth direction of the refrigerator main body, respectively; second support parts provided on the left and right side walls of the storage compartment and arranged higher than the first support parts and extending in the first direction, respectively; a pair of left and right frames fixed to a rear surface of the door and extending in the first direction from the rear surface, and moving in the first direction while being guided by the first support parts as the door is opened or closed; and a frame provided inside the storage compartment and having an open top. a first storage container having a first storage container body with an open top, and first flange portions provided on left and right side surfaces of the first storage container body, each protruding outward from the side surfaces in directions away from each other, supported by the frame, and moving in the first direction as the door is opened and closed; a second storage container disposed inside the storage chamber and having an open top, second flange portions provided on left and right side surfaces of the second storage container body, each protruding outward from the side surfaces in directions away from each other, and step portions disposed between the left and right side surfaces of the second storage container body and the second flange portions; a third storage container having a third storage container body arranged on the second storage container body and having an open top surface; third flange portions provided on left and right side surfaces of the third storage container body and protruding outward from the side surfaces in directions away from each other; and slider portions provided on the left and right side surfaces of the third storage container body and protruding outward from the side surfaces in directions away from each other, wherein the step portions are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the second storage container body and protrude outward from the side surfaces in directions away from each other, and are arranged inside and below the second flange portions, and when the third storage container is supported by the second storage container, a front surface of the step portions is supported on the front surface of the step portions. The slider portion is in contact with the third storage container, and the third storage container is supported slidably in the first direction relative to the second storage container ; when the first storage container is pulled out of the storage chamber and the second storage container is on the first storage container, the second storage container is supported by the first storage container; when the first storage container is pulled out of the storage chamber and the second storage container is inside the storage chamber, the second flange portion is supported by the second support portion; and when the first storage container and the second storage container are pulled out of the storage chamber and the third storage container is inside the storage chamber, the third flange portion is supported by the second support portion .

The refrigerator disclosed herein can reduce the number of support portions (first support portion and second support portion) provided on the left and right side walls of the storage compartment to two. This allows the first support portion that holds the frame to be positioned higher. As a result, it is possible to reduce door wobble when the door is operated and reduce the load on the fixing portion that secures the back surface of the door to the frame. This makes it possible to provide an inexpensive refrigerator that is easy to use and allows for smooth loading and unloading, while maintaining the usability of the storage containers stored in the storage compartment and avoiding an increase in the size and thickness of the door frame.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a refrigerator 100 according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the door 11 is pulled out in the refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a refrigerator 100 according to a first embodiment. 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of a refrigerator 100 according to a first embodiment, in which the top and door 11 of the refrigerator 100 are not shown. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a door 11 and a freezer compartment 4 provided in a refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the configuration of a door 11 and a freezer compartment 4 provided in a refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 7. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a third storage container provided in the refrigerator according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a third storage container provided in a refrigerator according to a third embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the present disclosure includes all possible combinations of configurations shown in the following embodiments and their modifications. In each figure, identical symbols denote identical or equivalent components, and this applies throughout the specification. Note that the relative dimensional relationships or shapes of each component in each drawing may differ from those in the actual product. In each drawing, the Z direction is the height direction of the refrigerator 100. The Z direction is sometimes referred to as the up-down direction. For example, the Z direction is the vertical direction. In the Z direction, Z1 is the upward direction, and Z2 is the downward direction. The X direction is the width direction of the refrigerator 100. The X direction is sometimes referred to as the left-right direction. The X direction is a direction intersecting the Z direction, e.g., the horizontal direction. In the X direction, X1 is the rightward direction, and X2 is the leftward direction. The Y direction is the depth direction of the refrigerator 100. The Y direction is a direction that intersects with the X direction and the Z direction. The Y direction is, for example, a horizontal direction. In the Y direction, Y1 is the front direction or front side, and Y2 is the rear direction or rear side. The Y direction is sometimes called the first direction.

Embodiment 1.
The configuration of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1 with door 11 pulled out. The upper part of refrigerator 100 is not shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 4 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. The upper part of refrigerator 100 is not shown in Figure 4. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1, with the upper part of refrigerator 100 and door 11 not shown. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of door 11 and freezer compartment 4 provided in refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. Figure 7 is a vertical front cross-sectional view showing the configuration of door 11 and freezer compartment 4 provided in refrigerator 100 according to embodiment 1. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of area A in Figure 7.

As shown in Figure 1, the refrigerator 100 has a box-shaped refrigerator body 1. As shown in Figure 4, the refrigerator body 1 is composed of an outer box 50 and an inner box 51, and is formed by filling the space between the outer box 50 and the inner box 51 with insulating material 52.

Refrigerator body 1 has storage spaces 53 and 57 inside. Storage space 53 is located at the bottom of refrigerator body 1, and storage space 57 is located at the top of refrigerator body 1. Storage space 53 is provided with multiple storage compartments, such as freezer compartment 4 and refrigerator compartment 5. Refrigerator compartment 5 is used, for example, as a vegetable compartment for storing vegetables. Storage containers for storing contents such as food are placed in freezer compartment 4 and refrigerator compartment 5. Meanwhile, storage space 57 is provided with multiple storage compartments, such as a refrigerator compartment, ice maker compartment, and switchable compartment (chilled compartment). Shelves or storage containers for storing contents such as food are placed in these storage compartments. Note that each storage compartment described here is merely an example, and the arrangement of each storage compartment in each storage space may be determined as appropriate. In embodiment 1, the configuration of freezer compartment 4 of storage space 53 will mainly be described.

In the case of embodiment 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, a first partition plate 2 and a second partition plate 3 are provided for storage space 53. The second partition plate 3 is disposed above the first partition plate 2. Both the first partition plate 2 and the second partition plate 3 are plate-like members having a rectangular shape in a plan view and extending horizontally. The second partition plate 3 is a partition plate that separates storage space 57 provided at the top of refrigerator body 1 from storage space 53 provided at the bottom of refrigerator body 1. The first partition plate 2 is a partition plate that separates storage space 53 into upper and lower sections. The first partition plate 2 divides storage space 53 into a freezer compartment 4 and a refrigerator compartment 5. In embodiment 1, the upper section is freezer compartment 4 and the lower section is refrigerator compartment 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the freezer compartment 4 has a door 11 disposed on the front surface 54. As shown in FIG. 3, the door 11 is a pull-out door. A handle 11b is provided at the top end of the door 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 11b has a recessed portion on the upper side. A user inserts their finger into the recessed portion of the handle 11b to grasp the handle 11b and pull out the door 11. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the freezer compartment 4 has a rear wall 7 on the rear side. As shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerator body 1 has a cooling compartment 6 located further back than the rear wall 7 of the freezer compartment 4. A cooler 8 and a freezer fan 9 are disposed in the cooling compartment 6. The cooler 8 and the freezer fan 9 circulate air in the freezer compartment 4 and the refrigerator compartment 5, as indicated by the white arrows, and cool the circulated air to adjust the temperatures of the freezer compartment 4 and the refrigerator compartment 5 to appropriate levels.

As shown in FIG. 4, a machine compartment 10 is formed at the bottom of the rear side of the refrigerator body 1. A compressor (not shown) is disposed in the machine compartment 10. Within the refrigerator body 1, a refrigeration cycle device that cools circulating air is formed by the compressor, condenser (not shown), throttle (not shown), cooler 8, etc. The cooler 8 and condenser are heat exchangers that exchange heat between the refrigerant flowing inside and the air flowing around them.

As described above, the door 11 of the freezer compartment 4 is a drawer-type door. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the door 11 moves forward from the front surface 54 of the refrigerator body 1 to open the opening 4a of the freezer compartment 4. The door 11 of the freezer compartment 4 also moves rearward and contacts the front surface 54 to close the opening 4a (freezer compartment 4). Multiple tiers of storage containers are stored in the freezer compartment 4. In embodiment 1, an example will be described in which the freezer compartment 4 stores three tiers of storage containers: an upper tier, a middle tier, and a lower tier.

The exploded oblique view of Figure 6 shows the door 11 with the frame 12 attached, the upper storage container, the middle storage container, and the lower storage container separated from each other.

In the following description, the lower storage container will be referred to as the "first storage container 20," the middle storage container will be referred to as the "second storage container 30," and the upper storage container will be referred to as the "third storage container 40."

First, we will provide a general explanation of the configuration of refrigerator 100. Details of the configuration of refrigerator 100 will be provided later.

As shown in FIG. 5, fixed rails 14 extending in the Y direction are provided on the left and right side walls of the refrigerator body 1 (specifically, the left and right side surfaces of the freezer compartment 4). The left and right side walls of the refrigerator body 1 (specifically, the left and right side surfaces of the freezer compartment 4) are formed from the inner box 51. The fixed rails 14 are sometimes referred to as "first support parts." The second support part 17 is arranged in the upward direction Z1 in the Z direction relative to the fixed rails 14. The second support part 17 is provided on the left and right side walls of the freezer compartment 4 extending in the Y direction. The fixed rails 14 and the second support part 17 are arranged spaced apart from each other and parallel or approximately parallel to each other.

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 1, the door 11 is arranged parallel to the XZ plane and is located at the opening of the freezer compartment 4. The door 11 also has a pair of left and right frames 12 as shown in FIG. 6. The left and right frames 12 are rectangular plate-shaped members, each extending in the Y direction. The left and right frames 12 are arranged opposite each other. The left and right frames 12 are arranged parallel to each other. The left and right frames 12 are also at the same height. As shown in FIG. 4, each frame 12 is fixed to the back surface 11a of the door 11. Therefore, the frame 12 extends from the back surface 11a toward the interior of the freezer compartment 4 in a direction intersecting the back surface 11a. The frame 12 also has a bent portion 12a and a roller 13 as shown in FIG. 6. The bent portion 12a is located at the lower end of the frame 12 in the longitudinal direction. The roller 13 is located at the rear end 12b of the frame 12. The bent portion 12 a of the frame 12 and the roller 13 are disposed in a recess 14 a of the fixed rail 14 , and are guided by the fixed rail 14 to slide within the recess 14 a of the fixed rail 14 .

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the first storage container 20 has a first flange portion 21 on the side surface portion 20b. Because the first flange portion 21 is supported by the frame 12, it moves in the Y direction in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 11. As a result, the first storage container 20 moves in the Y direction in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 11. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the first storage container 20 has a support surface portion 23 that supports the second storage container 30.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the second storage container 30 has a stepped portion 31 and a second flange portion 33 disposed above the stepped portion 31. The stepped portion 31 is placed on and supported by the support surface portion 23 of the first storage container 20. As a result, the second storage container 30 moves in the Y direction together with the first storage container 20 as the door 11 is opened and closed. When a user removes contents stored in the first storage container 20, the user pushes the second storage container 30 toward the rear Y2 in the Y direction. At this time, the second flange portion 33 of the second storage container 30 slides on the support surface portion 23. When pushed backward, the second flange portion 33 of the second storage container 30 is supported by second support portions 17 (see FIG. 5 ) provided on the left and right side walls of the freezer compartment 4.

The third storage container 40 also has third protrusions 41 on its left and right side surfaces 40b. The third protrusions 41 are placed in contact with the upper surface of the stepped portion 31 of the second storage container 30. The upper surface of the stepped portion 31 of the second storage container 30 is provided with a first protrusion 36 and a second protrusion 37 that restrict movement of the third protrusion 41 in the Y direction. The third protrusion 41 is fitted between the first protrusion 36 and the second protrusion 37. As a result, the third storage container 40 moves in the Y direction together with the first storage container 20 and the second storage container 30 as the door 11 is opened and closed. When a user removes contents stored in the second storage container 30, the user pushes only the third storage container 40 toward the rear Y2 in the Y direction. At this time, the user's pushing force causes third protrusion 41 of third storage container 40 to climb over second protrusion 37 provided on the upper surface of step portion 31 of second storage container 30. Third storage container 40 also has third flange 43 on side surface 40b. Third flange 43 slides on second support portions 17 provided on the left and right inner walls of refrigerator body 1, causing third storage container 40 to move rearward in the Y direction.

In the first embodiment, a handle 11b is provided at the top of the door 11, which the user grasps when opening or closing the door 11. Also, in the first embodiment, two rails, a fixed rail 14 serving as a "first support portion" and a second support portion 17, are provided on the left and right inner walls of the refrigerator body 1. In contrast, the aforementioned Patent Document 2 provides three rails. In Patent Document 2, the three rails must be spaced apart vertically, resulting in the lower rail being positioned significantly lower in the storage compartment. As a result, the vertical distance between the frame sliding within the lower rail and the door handle is large. Therefore, a large rotational moment is generated between the frame and the door handle when the door is pulled out. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the number of rails can be reduced, allowing the position of the fixed rail 14, which serves as the lower rail, to be higher. This reduces the vertical distance L1 (see Figure 6) between the frame 12 sliding within the lower rail and the door handle 11b. As a result, the generation of rotational moment can be suppressed, which avoids an increase in the size of the frame 12 attached to the door 11 and an increase in the thickness of the frame 12, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator 100.

The configuration of the refrigerator 100 is explained in detail below using Figures 3 to 8.

The cross-sectional view of Figure 7 shows the state in which the first storage container 20, the second storage container 30, and the third storage container 40 are stored in the freezer compartment 4. The cross-sectional view of Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the refrigerator 100 cut vertically on an imaginary plane passing through the second flange portion 33 of the second storage container 30 and the third protrusion portion 41 of the third storage container 40. Figure 8 also shows an enlarged view of area A in Figure 7.

As shown in FIG. 6 , a pair of left and right frames 12 are fixed to the back surface 11a of the door 11 and are pulled out when the door 11 is opened. Examples of materials for the frames 12 include SPCC (Steel Plate Cold Commercial). The left and right frames 12 are fixed to the back surface 11a of the door 11 in a cantilevered manner. Therefore, the rear ends 12b of the left and right frames 12 are free ends. The method for attaching the frames 12 is not particularly limited. For example, screw holes are provided in the frames 12, bolts are inserted into the screw holes, and the ends of the bolts are secured with nuts. The left and right frames 12 are each elongated, plate-like members extending in the Y direction. The left and right frames 12 are arranged facing each other and parallel to each other. The frames 12 are support members that support the first storage container 20. A frame connecting portion 55 is provided at the rear end, which is the free end, of the frame 12, connecting the two frames 12 together. As shown in FIG. 6 , the frame connector 55 includes a first frame connector 55a and a second frame connector 55b attached to the left and right frames 12, respectively, and extending downward. A third frame connector 55c connects the first frame connector 55a and the second frame connector 55b between them. The frame connector 55 is formed, for example, by bending a single thin rod-shaped member. The third frame connector 55c, which is the central portion of the frame connector 55, extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the left and right frames 12. The frame connector 55 is attached to the inner lower portion of the rear end of each of the left and right frames 12 in the Y direction. Furthermore, rollers 13 are attached to the outer lower portion of the rear end 12b of each of the left and right frames 12 in the Y direction. The method of attaching the rollers 13 is not particularly limited, but for example, the rollers 13 may be provided with a threaded portion, which is inserted into a screw hole formed in the frame 12, and the tip of the threaded portion may be fixed with a nut. The frame 12 also has a bent portion 12a at its lower end. The bent portion 12a protrudes outward (in the left-right direction) from the lower end of the frame 12. The left and right frames 12 and the frame connecting portion 55 are sometimes collectively referred to as the "support frame 120."

The first storage container 20 is placed on the frame 12 of the door 11. The first storage container 20 has a rectangular parallelepiped box shape with a bottom and an open top. The first storage container 20 has a first storage container main body 20a with an open top. The first storage container main body 20a has a pair of left and right side portions 20b, a back portion 20c, a front portion 20e, and a bottom plate 20f (see Figure 7). The pair of left and right side portions 20b face each other. The back portion 20c and the front portion 20e face each other.

Furthermore, first flange portions 21 are provided on the outer surfaces 20b1 of the left and right side surface portions 20b. The first flange portions 21 are located near the opening of the first storage container main body 20a, i.e., above the outer surfaces 20b1 of the left and right side surface portions 20b. The left and right first flange portions 21 each protrude outward (left-right direction) from the outer surfaces 20b1 in directions away from each other. The longitudinal direction of the first flange portions 21 extends in the Y direction. The first flange portions 21 may be provided over the entire length of the outer surfaces 20b1 in the Y direction, or, as shown in FIG. 6, may be provided on only a portion of the entire length of the outer surfaces 20b1 in the Y direction. The first flange portions 21 are supported by the frame 12 of the door 11. Therefore, the first storage container 20 moves in the front-to-back direction (Y direction) as the door 11 is opened and closed. The first storage container 20 is placed on the frame 12 from above. In this way, the first storage container 20 is detachably supported by the frame 12 and, by extension, by the door 11 .

As shown in Figure 6, the rear surface 20c of the first storage container 20 is one step lower in height than the left and right side surface portions 20b, and is at a height that does not come into contact with the second storage container 30. The rear surface 20c of the first storage container 20 also has a rear stopper portion 20d. The rear stopper portion 20d comes into contact with a protrusion 35 (described below) provided on the second storage container 30, thereby restricting the rearward movement of the second storage container 30. The rear stopper portion 20d is one step higher in height than the rear surface 20c.

The first flange portion 21 is stepped down in height near the connection points between the left and right side portions 20b and the back portion 20c, and at the back portion 20c, so that it does not come into contact with the second storage container 30. As an example, the gap between the second storage container 30 and the connection points between the first flange portion 21 and the back portion 20c is approximately 5 mm.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the left and right side surfaces 20b of the first storage container 20 are provided with support surface portions 23 for supporting the step portions 31 of the second storage container 30, which will be described later. The support surface portions 23 protrude outward from the left and right side surfaces 20b of the first storage container 20 in directions away from each other. As shown in FIG. 8, the support surface portion 23 has a flat upper surface. The flat surface has a width that extends in the left-right direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the longitudinal direction of the support surface portion 23 extends in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the support surface portion 23 is positioned inward from the first flange portion 21 and higher in the Z direction than the first flange portion 21. The upper surface of the support surface portion 23 is provided with a locking portion 24 that protrudes upward in the Z1 direction. The locking portion 24 engages with a recess 32a formed in the step portion 31 of the second storage container 30.

As shown in FIG. 6, rollers 13 are attached to the frame 12 on the outside of the lower rear end portions 12b of the left and right frames 12. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 5, the refrigerator 100 has two protrusions 19a and 19b on the rollers 13. Protrusions 19a and 19b protrude toward the inside of the freezer compartment 4 from the left and right side surfaces 18 of the freezer compartment 4 formed by the inner box 51. The longitudinal direction of protrusions 19a and 19b extends in the front-to-rear direction (Y direction) of the refrigerator body 1. Protrusions 19a and 19b are arranged at different positions in the vertical direction at a predetermined interval. In embodiment 1, protrusion 19b is arranged on the lower side, and protrusion 19b is arranged on the upper side. Protrusions 19a and 19b, together with the fixed rail 14, are sometimes referred to as the "first support portion." A recessed area is formed on the inside between protrusions 19a and 19b. A metal fixed rail 14 having a concave shape is attached to this area. Hereinafter, the concave shape of the fixed rail 14 will be referred to as the recess 14a of the fixed rail 14. Also, as shown in Figure 5, a roller 15 is attached in front of the bent portion 14b (or protruding portion 19b) on the lower side of the fixed rail 14.

As shown in FIG. 6, the frame 12 has a bent portion 12a on its underside. The bent portion 12a is formed, for example, by bending the lower end of the frame 12. The left and right bent portions 12a protrude outward (left-right) from the lower end of the frame 12, moving away from each other. The bent portion 12a and roller 13 are inserted into recesses 14a in fixed rails 14 provided on the left and right side surfaces 18 of the freezer compartment 4. The roller 13 rotates on the upper surface of the lower protrusion 19b, and the roller 15 rotates on the lower surface of the bent portion 12a of the frame 12. This allows the "support frame 120" (the left and right frames 12 and the frame connection portion 55) to slide within the recesses 14a in the fixed rails 14. As described above, by assembling the fixed rails 14, rollers 15, frame 12, and rollers 13, the "support frame 120" is moved forward and backward together with the first storage container 20 in and out of the refrigerator body 1 as the door 11 is opened and closed. The "support frame 120" is moved forward and backward by the opening and closing operation (front and back movement) of the door 11. The first storage container 20 is also moved forward and backward by the opening and closing operation (front and back movement) of the door 11 together with the "support frame 120."

As shown in Figure 6, the second storage container 30, which is the middle storage container, has a rectangular box shape with a bottom and an open top. The second storage container 30 is positioned above the first storage container 20 so as to cover the entire open top surface or almost the entire open top surface of the first storage container 20. The second storage container 30 has a second storage container main body 30a with an open top surface. The second storage container main body 30a has a shallower bottom than the first storage container main body 20a, and the volume of the second storage container main body 30a is smaller than the volume of the first storage container main body 20a.

The second storage container body 30a has a pair of left and right side surfaces 30b, a back surface 30c, a front surface 30e, and a bottom plate 30d. The pair of left and right side surfaces 30b face each other. The back surface 30c and front surface 30e face each other.

As shown in Figure 8, the upper end of the side surface portion 30b of the second storage container body 30a protrudes outward (left and right) in two stages as it moves upward in the Z direction, Z1. Specifically, the side surface portion 30b has a step portion 31 and a second flange portion 33 disposed above the step portion 31, thereby protruding outward in two stages.

The left and right step portions 31 are respectively located at the upper ends of the left and right side surface portions 30b of the second storage container body 30a and protrude outward (left-right direction) in directions away from each other. The step portions 31 are located between the side surface portion 30b of the second storage container body 30a and the second flange portion 33. The step portions 31 are located inside and below the second flange portion 33.

The step portion 31 has a recess 32a (the area surrounded by the dashed line in Figure 8) on the lower surface 32, which is concave upward. The longitudinal direction of the recess 32a extends in the Y direction. In addition, a rib 32b (stopper piece) extending downward is provided at the front end of the recess 32a, as shown in Figure 6.

As shown in Figure 8, the second flange portion 33 extends upward from the outer edge portion 31b of the step portion 31 and has a bent portion 33a at a position above the step portion 31, protruding outward. The longitudinal direction of the second flange portion 33 extends in the Y direction.

As shown in Figure 6, the rear surface 30c of the second storage container 30 is one level lower than the left and right side surfaces 30b, ensuring that it does not come into contact with the third storage container 40. The second storage container 30 also has two protrusions 35, one on each side, at the front of the underside of the bottom plate 30d. The protrusions 35 protrude downward from the underside of the bottom plate 30d of the second storage container 30. The front edge of the protrusion 35 is formed with a 45-degree slope, and the rear edge is formed with a nearly vertical surface. The size (height dimension) of the protrusions 35 in the Z direction is approximately 15 mm.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the first storage container 20 has support surface portions 23 at the upper ends of the left and right side surface portions 20b, which extend in the Y direction and have a width in the left and right directions. The left and right support surface portions 23 protrude outward from the left and right side surface portions 20b in directions away from each other. In addition, an upwardly protruding locking portion 24 is provided at the front of the upper surface of the support surface portion 23. The locking portion 24 engages with a rib 32b (stopper piece) provided at the front end of the recess 32a of the step portion 31. The abutment and engagement between the rib 32b (stopper piece) and the locking portion 24 restricts movement of the second storage container 30 in the Y direction and the X direction relative to the first storage container 20. The recess 32a is sometimes called the "locking portion." When at least a portion of the locking portion 24 provided on the first storage container 20 is positioned within the recess 32a, which is the ``locking portion,'' movement of the second storage container 30 in the Y direction relative to the first storage container 20 is suppressed.

The step portion 31 is placed on the support surface portion 23 of the first storage container 20. At this time, the step portion 31 is placed on the support surface portion 23 so that the recess 32a of the step portion 31 overlaps the support surface portion 23 of the first storage container 20 in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 8. In this way, with the step portion 31 in contact with the upper surface of the support surface portion 23, the second storage container 30 is supported so as to be slidable in the Y direction relative to the first storage container 20.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the first storage container 20 has an inclined surface portion 25 at the rear end of the support surface portion 23, which becomes lower in height as it goes rearward.

When the second storage container 30 is placed on the first storage container 20, the locking portion 24 of the first storage container 20 fits into the recess 32a of the second storage container 30. As a result, the locking portion 24 forms the front side of the recess 32a. When the second storage container 30 is viewed from the front, the front surface of the rib 32b (stopper piece) can be seen. The abutment between the rib 32b (stopper piece) and the locking portion 24 suppresses movement of the second storage container 30 in the Y direction relative to the first storage container 20. In this way, the second storage container 30 is configured to be able to be taken in and out together with the first storage container 20.

When the second storage container 30 is placed on the first storage container 20, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower end 31a of the step portion 31 abuts against the upper surface of the support surface portion 23. In this state, the second flange portion 33 is spaced apart from the second support portion 17 and positioned above the second support portion 17, as shown in FIG. 8. As an example, the second flange portion 33 has a gap of distance L2 from the upper surface of the second support portion 17. Note that distance L2 is approximately 5 mm. In other words, when the second storage container 30 is placed on the first storage container 20, the second flange portion 33 of the second storage container 30 does not contact the second support portion 17. On the other hand, when the second storage container 30 is pushed rearward in the Y direction and descends from the first storage container 20, the second flange portion 33 of the second storage container 30 is placed on the second support portion 17 and is supported by the second support portion 17.

Furthermore, when the door 11 is pulled out, if the user pushes the second storage container 30 backward with a force greater than the engagement force between the locking portion 24 and the rib 32b, the locking portion 24 will overcome the rib 32b. The second storage container 30 will then slide backward on the support surface portion 23, causing the second storage container 30 to move backward.

When the second storage container 30 is further slid rearward, the second flange portion 33 of the second storage container 30 slides on the second support portion 17 (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the second support portions 17 are provided on the left and right side surfaces 18 of the freezer compartment 4 formed by the inner box 51. When the user pushes the second storage container 30 rearward while the door 11 is open, the second storage container 30 slides rearward on the second support portion 17 and is placed inside the freezer compartment 4.

Then, when the second storage container 30 is slid further rearward, the protrusion 35 provided on the front underside of the bottom plate 30d of the second storage container 30 abuts against the rear stopper portion 20d provided on the back portion 20c of the first storage container 20, preventing the second storage container 30 from sliding rearward.

As shown in FIG. 6 , a first protrusion 36 and a second protrusion 37 are formed on the upper surface of the stepped portion 31 of the second storage container 30. The first protrusion 36 and the second protrusion 37 are convex portions that protrude upward from the upper surface of the stepped portion 31. The first protrusion 36 and the second protrusion 37 are located at different positions in the Y direction behind the center point of the second storage container 30 in the Y direction. A third protrusion 41 of the third storage container 40 (described below) is fitted between the first protrusion 36 and the second protrusion 37. Therefore, the first protrusion 36 and the second protrusion 37 are formed at a distance apart that allows the third protrusion 41 of the third storage container 40 to fit between them. Compared to the first protrusion 36, the height of the second protrusion 37 is lower. The second protrusion 37 has a low, smooth inclined surface (arch shape) relative to a third protrusion 41 of a third storage container 40 described later.

The second storage container 30 also has a recess 38 on the upper surface of the stepped portion 31. The recess 38 is located further rearward than the second protrusion 37. The recess 38 is recessed downward from the upper surface of the stepped portion 31. The front side of the recess 38 is a gently sloping surface, and the rear side is formed by a surface that is angled nearly vertically.

Also, as shown in Figure 6, a rear flange portion 39 is formed in the second storage container 30 rearward of the second flange portion 33. The length (depth dimension) of the rear flange portion 39 in the Y direction corresponds to the length (depth dimension) of the third flange portion 43 of the third storage container 40 in the Y direction. The height of the rear flange portion 39 in the Z direction is lower than that of the second flange portion 33.

Next, we will explain the third storage container 40, which is the upper storage container. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the third storage container 40 has a rectangular parallelepiped box shape with a bottom and an open top. The third storage container 40 is positioned above the second storage container 30 so as to cover a portion of the open top of the second storage container 30. In embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 3, the third storage container 40 is positioned so as to cover the rear portion of the second storage container 30 in the Y direction. The third storage container 40 has a third storage container main body 40a with an open top. The third storage container main body 40a has a shallower bottom than the second storage container main body 30a, and the volume of the third storage container main body 40a is smaller than the volume of the second storage container main body 30a.

The third storage container body 40a has a pair of left and right side surfaces 40b, a back surface 40c, a front surface 40e, and a bottom plate 40d. The pair of left and right side surfaces 40b face each other. The back surface 40c and front surface 40e face each other.

In embodiment 1, the third storage container 40 covers approximately half of the rear side of the second storage container 30, as shown in Figure 3. Therefore, the size in the Y direction (depth dimension) of the third storage container 40 is approximately half that of the second storage container 30, but this is not limited to this and may be approximately the same.

The third storage container 40 has a third protrusion 41 and a fourth protrusion 42 on the outer surface 40b1 of the left and right side portions 40b. The third protrusion 41 and the fourth protrusion 42 are provided on the front and rear sides, respectively, along the left and right sides of the bottom plate 40d. Specifically, the third protrusion 41 is located further forward in the Y direction than the fourth protrusion 42. Therefore, the third protrusion 41 is the front protrusion, and the fourth protrusion 42 is the rear protrusion. Of the third protrusion 41 and the fourth protrusion 42, at least the third protrusion 41 is sometimes referred to as the "slider portion."

The third protrusion 41 is placed in contact with the upper surface of the step portion 31 of the second storage container 30. This allows the third storage container 40 to be supported so that it can slide in the Y direction relative to the second storage container 30. On the other hand, when the third protrusion 41 is fitted between the first protrusion 36 and the second protrusion 37 of the second storage container 30, movement of the third storage container 40 in the Y direction relative to the second storage container 30 is restricted.

The third protrusion 41 and the fourth protrusion 42 are made of the same resin material as the third storage container body 40a and the second storage container body 30a. The third protrusion 41 and the fourth protrusion 42 are attached by inserting them into the attachment portion 40b2 provided on the outer surface 40b1 of the third storage container body 40a. Alternatively, the third protrusion 41 and the fourth protrusion 42 may be integrally molded with the third storage container body 40a and the second storage container body 30a.

The third storage container 40 also has a third flange 43 provided on the upper ends of the left and right side surfaces 40b. Furthermore, the third storage container 40 has a fifth protrusion 44 and a sixth protrusion 45 disposed below the third flange 43. The fifth protrusion 44 and the sixth protrusion 45 are disposed side by side below the third flange 43 along the lower end of the third flange 43. One fifth protrusion 44 and one sixth protrusion 45 are disposed on the front and rear sides of the lower end of the third flange 43. Specifically, the fifth protrusion 44 is disposed further forward in the Y direction than the sixth protrusion 45. Therefore, the fifth protrusion 44 is the front protrusion, and the sixth protrusion 45 is the rear protrusion. The fifth protrusion 44 and the sixth protrusion 45 extend downward in the Z direction Z2 from the lower end of the third flange 43. The fifth protrusion 44 and the sixth protrusion 45 slide on the second support part 17 when the third storage container 40 is pushed rearward and stored in the freezer compartment 4.

The third flange portion 43 of the third storage container 40 is located at the upper ends of the left and right side surface portions 40b and extends in the Y direction. The third flange portion 43 has a width that expands in the left-right direction. When the door 11 is open and the third storage container 40 is placed in the freezer compartment 4, the third flange portion 43 is located on the second support portion 17. On the other hand, regardless of whether the door 11 is open or closed, when the third storage container 40 is placed on the second storage container 30, the third flange portion 43 is located on the rear flange portion 39 of the second storage container 30, as shown in FIG. 3 . When the third flange portion 43 is placed on the rear flange portion 39 of the second storage container 30, the third flange portion 43 is located higher in the Z direction than the second flange portion 33 of the second storage container 30.

The third storage container 40 is also placed on the second storage container 30 so that the third flange 43 is positioned directly above the rear flange 39 of the second storage container 30. At this time, a gap of approximately 1 mm is created between the third flange 43 of the third storage container 40 and the rear flange 39. As a result, no friction occurs between the third flange 43 and the rear flange 39, and unnecessary friction can be suppressed when the third protrusion 41 slides over the step portion 31.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the second storage container 30 has an upper side surface 34 above the stepped portion 31. The upper side surface 34 is located between the stepped portion 31 and the rear flange portion 39. When the third storage container 40 is supported by the second storage container 30, the left and right side surfaces 40b of the third storage container 40 are located inside the upper side surface 34. When the first storage container 20 is pulled out of the freezer compartment 4 and both the second storage container 30 and the third storage container 40 are inside the freezer compartment 4, both the second flange portion 33 and the third flange portion 43 are supported by the second support portion 17. Specifically, because the second flange portion 33 rests on the second support portion 17 and the third flange portion 43 rests on the rear flange portion 39, the third flange portion 43 is indirectly supported by the second support portion 17.

By configuring the second storage container 30 and the third storage container 40 in this manner, the third storage container 40 can be taken in and out together with the second storage container 30 when opening and closing the door 11. Furthermore, when a user pushes the third storage container 40 rearward with enough force to cause the third protrusion 41 of the third storage container 40 to overcome the second protrusion 37 at the rear of the second storage container 30, the third protrusion 41 of the third storage container 40 overcomes the second protrusion 37. This allows the third storage container 40 to slide rearward on the second support portion 17. At this time, the second support portion 17 and the third flange portion 43 come into contact.

After sliding, the third protrusion 41 of the third storage container 40 fits into the recess 38 of the second storage container 30, preventing the third storage container 40 from moving further backward.

The user then lifts the third storage container 40, disengaging the third protrusion 41 from the recess 38 and sliding the third storage container 40 further backward. At this time, the fifth protrusion 44 and sixth protrusion 45 provided below the third flange 43 slide over the second support portion 17. As a result, the entire third storage container 40 is placed on the second support portion 17 formed on the left and right side surfaces of the freezer compartment 4. In this way, the third storage container 40 is placed within the freezer compartment 4 while being supported by the second support portion 17. With the third storage container 40 placed within the refrigerator main body 1, the opening of the second storage container 30 is fully open.

When the user pushes the third storage container 40 rearward in the Y direction, for example when closing the door 11, the rear end 46 of the third flange portion 43 of the third storage container 40 comes into contact with the rear end of the second support portion 17 formed on the left and right side surfaces 18 of the freezer compartment 4, and the third storage container 40 stops. This prevents the third storage container 40 from moving too far rearward and falling off the second support portion 17.

As described above, the first storage container 20 and the second storage container 30 are restrained from moving in the front-to-rear direction (i.e., movement in the Y direction) by the engagement between the locking portion 24 and the rib 32b. Furthermore, the second storage container 30 and the third storage container 40 are restrained from moving in the front-to-rear direction (i.e., movement in the Y direction) by the third protrusion 41 fitting between the first protrusion 36 and the second protrusion 37. Furthermore, because the frame 12 of the door 11 is engaged with the first storage container 20, the third storage container 40, the second storage container 30, and the first storage container 20 are all pulled out when the door 11 is pulled out.

Furthermore, when a user wants to take in or out the contents of the third storage container 40 or the contents of the front of the second storage container 30, the user simply opens the door 11. On the other hand, when a user wants to take in or out the contents of the rear of the second storage container 30, the user simply pushes the third storage container 40 backward. Furthermore, when a user wants to take in or out items stored in the first storage container 20, the user simply pushes the second storage container 30 backward. Because the third storage container 40 is placed on top of the second storage container 30, pushing the second storage container 30 backward causes the second storage container 30 and the third storage container 40 to move backward at the same time. This opens the opening of the first storage container 20.

Furthermore, when the second storage container 30 and the third storage container 40 are pulled out, pushing the third storage container 40 backward will cause the third storage container 40 to stop moving backward once behind the second storage container 30. This is because the third protrusion 41 of the third storage container 40 fits into the recess 38 of the second storage container 30. In this state, the third storage container 40 is located within reach of the user.

Similarly, when the second storage container 30 and the third storage container 40 are pulled out, pushing the second storage container 30 backward will cause the second storage container 30 to stop moving backward behind the first storage container 20. This is because the protrusion 35 of the second storage container 30 engages with the rear stopper portion 20d of the first storage container 20. In this state, the second storage container 30 is located within reach of the user.

In this way, when the third storage container 40 or the second storage container 30 is pushed backward, the third storage container 40 or the second storage container 30 stops behind the storage container located below the respective storage container, within the user's reach. Therefore, when the user wants to take out or put in the contents of the third storage container 40 or the second storage container 30, the user simply pulls out the third storage container 40 or the second storage container 30 again.

In the refrigerator 100 of embodiment 1, the support portions arranged on the left and right side surfaces 18 of the freezer compartment 4 and extending in the Y direction are two rails: the fixed rail 14 as the first support portion and the second support portion 17. The conventional refrigerator described above had three support portions. Therefore, the fixed rail 14, which serves as the lower rail, can be positioned higher than in the conventional refrigerator. Therefore, the vertical distance between the handle located on the upper front of the door and the door frame can be reduced compared to the conventional refrigerator. Therefore, when the door 11 is opened or closed, the rotational moment generated between the handle 11b of the door 11 and the fixed portion of the frame 12 can be reduced. Therefore, the direction in which the door 11 is pulled out and the direction of the force applied by the user to pull the door 11 are closer, preventing the door 11 and frame 12 from wobbling. As a result, the first storage container 20, the second storage container 30, and the third storage container 40 can be pulled out smoothly. Furthermore, since no excessive rotational torque is applied to the frame 12, it is possible to reduce the load on the fixing portion that fixes the frame 12 to the door 11. As a result, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size and thickness of the frame 12.

Furthermore, in embodiment 1, by providing three tiers of storage containers, the ease of use of the storage containers stored in freezer compartment 4, which is a storage compartment, is maintained. In this way, in embodiment 1, the manufacturing costs of refrigerator 100 can be reduced while maintaining the ease of use of storage containers stored in freezer compartment 4, which is a storage compartment, by allowing them to be smoothly taken in and out.

In addition, in embodiment 1, the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30 may each be formed from a transparent material, i.e., a material that is translucent. In this case, the user will be able to see at a glance the contents of the items stored in the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30. For this reason, it is desirable to form the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30 from a transparent material. In this case, the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30 are formed, for example, from a resin that transmits light.

Embodiment 2.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a third storage container provided in a refrigerator according to embodiment 2. In embodiment 2, the same parts as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted, and only different parts will be described.

In the third storage container 40 provided in the refrigerator 100 of embodiment 2, two slider members 47 are provided instead of the third protrusion 41 and fourth protrusion 42 in embodiment 1 described above. The slider members 47 are formed of a different material from the second storage container 30, which is the middle storage container. The other configurations are the same as those of embodiment 1.

In embodiment 2, as shown in FIG. 9, an attachment portion 49 for attaching a slider member 47 is provided on the outer surface 40b1 of the side portion 40b of the third storage container 40. The slider member 47 is attached to the attachment portion 49 to form a slider portion 56. The slider member 47 is made of a different material from that of the second storage container 30.

On the other hand, the mounting portion 49 is integrally molded with the outer surface 40b1 of the side portion 40b of the third storage container 40. Therefore, the mounting portion 49 is made of the same resin material as the second storage container 30 and the third storage container 40.

As explained in the first embodiment above, if the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30 are made of the same transparent resin material, the contents can be seen at a glance. However, in that case, the third protrusion 41 and fourth protrusion 42 of the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30 would be made of the same material. The third protrusion 41 of the third storage container 40 slides on the second storage container 30. When the components that slide against each other are made of the same material, the frictional force (coefficient of friction) is higher than when they are made of different materials.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, instead of the third protrusion 41 and the fourth protrusion 42 of the third storage container 40, a slider member 47 made of a different material is inserted into the mounting portion 49 of the third storage container 40 and attached. This reduces the frictional force (or coefficient of friction) between the slider member 47 of the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30. Note that when the slider member 47 and the second storage container 30 are made of different materials, the frictional force (or coefficient of friction) can be reduced compared to when they are made of the same material. However, it is more desirable to combine the materials of the slider member 47 and the second storage container 30 so that the frictional force (coefficient of friction) is as low as possible. Examples of materials for the slider member 47 include POM (Polyoxymethylene), which has excellent sliding properties.

As described above, in embodiment 2, the slider member 47 provided on the third storage container 40 is formed from a different material from that of the second storage container 30. This reduces the frictional force (friction coefficient) between the slider member 47 of the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30. As a result, the problem of the slider member 47 of the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30 not sliding easily can be avoided.

Embodiment 3.
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a third storage container provided in a refrigerator according to embodiment 3. In embodiment 3, the same parts as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted, and only different parts will be described.

In the third storage container 40 provided in the refrigerator 100 of embodiment 3, as in embodiment 2, two slider members 47 are provided instead of the third protrusion 41 and fourth protrusion 42 in embodiment 1 described above. The other configuration is the same as embodiment 1.

The difference between embodiment 2 and embodiment 3 is that in embodiment 3, as shown in FIG. 10, a fixing opening 60 is provided on the rear inclined surface 36a (i.e., the rear surface) of the first protrusion 36 formed on the upper surface of the stepped portion 31 of the second storage container 30. The fixing opening 60 is a through-hole that penetrates the plate thickness of the first protrusion 36. Alternatively, the fixing opening 60 may be a recess provided in the first protrusion 36 that is concave toward the front.

In addition, in embodiment 3, as shown in Figure 10, a convex insertion portion 48 that protrudes forward in the Y direction is formed on the front surface of the front slider member 47 of the two slider members 47. The insertion portion 48 is fitted into the fixing opening 60.

Other configurations are the same as in embodiment 2.

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30 are fixed together only by being placed vertically. Therefore, if the door 11 is pulled out forcefully, the third storage container 40 may bounce, generating abnormal noise. Therefore, in the third embodiment, a convex insertion portion 48 is formed on the third storage container 40, and a fixing opening 60 is formed on the second storage container 30. The insertion portion 48 is then fitted into the fixing opening 60 to fix the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30 together. Thus, the fitting of the insertion portion 48 into the fixing opening 60 can suppress vertical movement of the third storage container 40. Therefore, bouncing of the third storage container 40 can be prevented, and the generation of abnormal noise can be reduced.

In addition, in embodiment 3, an example has been described in which the insertion portion 48 is provided on the slider member 47 shown in embodiment 2. However, this is not limited to this case, and the insertion portion 48 may also be provided on the third protrusion 41 shown in embodiment 1. In this case, too, a fixing opening 60 is similarly provided on the first protrusion 36. Then, the third storage container 40 and the second storage container 30 are fixed together by fitting the insertion portion 48 of the third protrusion 41 into the fixing opening 60.

As described above, in embodiment 3, a convex insertion portion 48 is formed on the third storage container 40, and a fixing opening 60 is formed on the second storage container 30. The insertion portion 48 is then fitted into the fixing opening 60, thereby fixing the third storage container 40 to the second storage container 30. This restricts the vertical movement of the third storage container 40, preventing the third storage container 40 from bouncing and suppressing the generation of abnormal noise.

Furthermore, in embodiment 3, as described in embodiments 1 and 2, the slider portion 56 (third protrusion 41 in embodiment 1) is fitted between the first protrusion 36 and the second protrusion 37 provided on the step portion 31, thereby restricting movement of the third storage container 40 in the Y direction. As a result, in embodiment 3, movement of the third storage container 40 in the Y direction and in the up and down directions can be restricted.

In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of embodiments 1 to 3 described above and shown in the drawings. In particular, the interior of the refrigerator body 1 behind the door 11 may be a storage compartment other than the freezer compartment 4, and the number of storage containers housed in the storage compartment including the freezer compartment 4 may be more than three. Appropriate modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

1 Refrigerator body, 2 First partition plate, 3 Second partition plate, 4 Freezer compartment (storage compartment), 4a Opening, 5 Refrigerating compartment, 6 Cooling compartment, 7 Rear wall, 8 Cooler, 9 Freezing fan, 10 Machine compartment, 11 Door, 11a Back side, 11b Handle, 12 Frame, 12a Bent portion, 12b End, 13 Roller, 14 Fixed rail (first support portion), 14a Recess, 14b Bent portion, 15 Roller, 17 Second support portion, 18 Side, 19a Protruding portion, 19b Protruding portion, 20 First storage container, 20a First storage container body, 20b Side portion, 20b1 Outer surface, 20c Rear portion, 20d Rear stopper portion, 20e Front portion, 20f Bottom plate, 21 First flange portion, 23 Support surface portion, 24 Locking portion, 25 Inclined surface portion, 30 Second storage container, 30a Second storage container main body, 30b Side portion, 30c Back portion, 30d Bottom plate, 30e Front portion, 31 Step portion, 31a Lower end, 31b Outer edge portion, 32 Lower surface, 32a Recess (receiving portion), 32b Rib, 33 Second flange portion, 33a Bent portion, 34 Upper side portion, 35 Protrusion, 36 First protrusion portion, 36a Inclined surface, 37 Second protrusion portion, 38 Recessed portion, 39 Rear flange portion, 40 Third storage container, 40a Third storage container main body, 40b Side portion, 40b1 Outer surface, 40b2 Mounting portion, 40c Back portion, 40d Bottom plate, 40e Front portion, 41 Third protrusion (slider portion), 42 Fourth protrusion, 43 Third flange portion, 44 Fifth protrusion, 45 Sixth protrusion, 46 Rear end, 47 Slider member, 48 Insertion portion, 49 Mounting portion, 50 Outer box, 51 Inner box, 52 Heat insulating material, 53 Storage space, 54 Front surface, 55 Frame connecting portion, 55a First frame connecting portion, 55b Second frame connecting portion, 55c Third frame connecting portion, 56 Slider portion, 57 Storage space, 60 Fixing opening, 100 Refrigerator, 120 Support frame, A Area, L1 Distance, L2 Distance, Y2 Backward direction, Z1 Upward direction, Z2 Downward direction.

Claims (8)

a refrigerator body having a storage compartment therein and an opening on a front surface of the storage compartment;
a drawer-type door provided at the opening of the storage chamber for opening and closing the storage chamber;
first support portions provided on left and right side walls of the storage compartment and extending in a first direction that is a depth direction of the refrigerator body;
second support portions provided on the left and right side walls of the storage chamber, the second support portions being disposed above the first support portions and extending in the first direction;
a pair of left and right frames fixed to a rear surface of the door, extending from the rear surface in the first direction, and moving in the first direction while being guided by the first support portion in accordance with an opening and closing operation of the door;
a first storage container having a first storage container body arranged inside the storage chamber and having an open top, and first flange portions provided on left and right side surfaces of the first storage container body, respectively protruding outward from the side surfaces in directions away from each other, supported by the frame, and moving in the first direction in association with the opening and closing of the door;
a second storage container disposed inside the storage chamber and having a second storage container body with an open top, second flange portions provided on left and right side surfaces of the second storage container body and protruding outward from the side surfaces in directions away from each other, and step portions disposed between the left and right side surfaces of the second storage container body and the second flange portions;
a third storage container disposed inside the storage chamber and having a third storage container body with an open top; third flange portions provided on left and right side surfaces of the third storage container body and protruding outward from the side surfaces in directions separating from each other; and slider portions provided on the left and right side surfaces of the third storage container body and protruding outward in directions separating from each other;
Equipped with
the step portions are provided on the left and right side surface portions of the second storage container body, protruding outward from the side surface portions in directions away from each other, and disposed inward and below the second flange portion;
When the third container is supported by the second container,
the slider portion is in contact with an upper surface of the step portion, and the third storage container is supported slidably in the first direction relative to the second storage container;
When the first storage container is pulled out from the storage chamber and the second storage container is on the first storage container, the second storage container is supported by the first storage container;
When the first storage container is pulled out from the storage chamber and the second storage container is in the storage chamber, the second flange portion is supported by the second support portion,
When the first storage container and the second storage container are pulled out from the storage chamber and the third storage container is in the storage chamber, the third flange portion is supported by the second support portion.
refrigerator. The first storage container includes:
support surface portions provided on the left and right side surfaces of the first storage container body, the support surface portions extending outward from the side surfaces in directions away from each other;
a locking portion provided on an upper surface of the support surface portion and protruding upward;
and
The second storage container includes:
a receiving portion that is provided on a lower surface of the step portion and is recessed upward from the lower surface,
the support surface portion is disposed inside and above the first flange portion,
When the second container is supported by the first container,
the step portion is in contact with the upper surface of the support surface portion, and the second storage container is supported slidably in the first direction relative to the first storage container;
When at least a portion of the locking portion of the first storage container is inserted into and engaged with the locking portion of the second storage container, movement of the second storage container in the first direction relative to the first storage container is restricted.
The refrigerator according to claim 1. The second storage container includes:
a first protrusion and a second protrusion provided on an upper surface of the step portion and arranged at different positions in the first direction;
When the slider portion of the third storage container is fitted between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, movement of the third storage container in the first direction relative to the second storage container is restricted.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2. The slider portion of the third storage container is
mounting portions disposed on the outside of the left and right side surfaces of the third storage container body;
a slider member attached to the attachment portion;
having
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The second container and the slider member are formed of different materials.
The refrigerator according to claim 4. the slider portion of the third storage container has a convex insertion portion on a front surface,
the first protrusion of the second container has a fixing opening on a rear surface thereof;
When the slider portion of the third storage container is fitted between the first protrusion and the second protrusion and the insertion portion of the slider portion is inserted into the fixing opening of the first protrusion, movement of the third storage container in the first direction and movement in the up-down direction relative to the second storage container are restricted.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 4 or 5, dependent on claim 3 . The second storage container includes:
an upper side surface portion provided above the step portion,
when the third storage container is supported by the second storage container, the left and right side surfaces of the third storage container body are disposed inside the upper side surface of the second storage container,
When the first storage container is pulled out from the storage chamber and the second storage container and the third storage container are in the storage chamber, the second flange portion and the third flange portion are supported by the second support portion.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6. the second storage container body and the third storage container body are formed containing a light-transmitting resin;
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.