Refrigerator

A refrigerator capable of varying the positions of a plurality of door guards provided at an opening of a refrigerating door, in which when an outer door configured to open and close the opening is closed in a state that a door guard is withdrawn, the door guard comes into contact with the outer door and thus is automatically inserted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0019523, filed on Feb. 23, 2013 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a refrigerator.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a refrigerator represents an apparatus having a storage compartment, and a cool air supply device to supply the storage compartment with cool air so as to keep foods fresh.

The temperature of the storage compartment is maintained in a predetermined range of temperature required to keep food fresh.

The storage compartment is provided so as to be open at a front surface thereof, and the open front surface may be closed by a door to maintain the temperature of the storage compartment at a sufficiently cool temperature.

The storage compartment is divided into a left side and a right side by a partition wall, and the storage compartments divided into the left and right side are open and closed by double side doors that are rotatably hinged.

A refrigerating compartment door to open and close a refrigerating compartment of the storage compartments is formed with an opening, and the opening of the refrigerating compartment door is open and closed by an outer door.

A plurality of door guards provided at the opening are disposed at fixed positions so as not to be moved, whereby the efficiency in accommodating food items and the usability are degraded.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a refrigerator capable of varying the positions of a plurality of door guards provided at an opening of a refrigerating compartment door.

In addition, it is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a refrigerator, in which, when an outer door configured to open and close the opening is closed in a state that a door guard is withdrawn, the door guard comes into contact with the outer door and thus is automatically inserted.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a body, a storage compartment, an inner door, an outer door, a guide rail, a slide unit, a slid unit, an elastic unit, and an automatic closing unit. The storage compartment may be provided at an inside of the body so as to be open at a front surface thereof, and have a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment. The inner door may be formed with an opening at which a plurality of door guards are provided, and may be configured to open and close the refrigerating compartment. The outer door may be configured to open and close the opening provided at the inner door. The guide rail may allow at least one of the plurality of door guards to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner. The slide unit may be connected to the at least one door guard so as to be slid along the guide rail such that the at least one door guard is inserted and withdrawn. The elastic unit may be coupled to the slide unit to transmit a tensile force in a direction of the at least one door guard being inserted. The automatic closing unit may be coupled to the at least one door guard, and configured to allow the elastic unit to transmit a tensile force to the at least one door guard when the outer door is closed and comes into the at least one door guard in a state in which the at least one door guard is withdrawn.

The guide rail may include a support part supported by both side walls of the opening, and a rail part extending from the support part to guide the at least one door guard.

The rail part may include a first rail part provided adjacent to a left side wall of both side walls, and a second rail part provided adjacent to a right side wall of both side walls, and a locking part protruding upward may be provided on the second rail part.

A case may be coupled to a lower portion of the at least one door guard, and the slide unit may be coupled to the case to move along the rail part such that the at least one door guard is inserted and withdrawn.

The slide unit may include a first sliding part coupled to a lower portion of the case to correspond to the first rail part, a second sliding part coupled to a lower portion of the case to correspond to the second rail part, first slide rails coupled to the first rail part and the second rail part, respectively, and second slid rails coupled to lower portions of the first sliding part and the second sliding part, respectively, so as to be slid along the first slide rails.

The elastic unit may include an elastic member having one end fixed to the second sliding part to transmit the tensile force to the at least one door guard, a connection member having a coupling part, to which other end of the elastic member is coupled, and configured to move back and force so as to allow the elastic member to generate the tensile force, and a rotator rotatably coupled to a first rotation hole formed through the connection member.

The rotator may include a first rotating shaft rotatably coupled to the first rotation hole, a hook part locked with and released from the locking part provided on the second rail part, and a protrusion part protruding from the rotator downward.

The second sliding part may include a fixing part to which the one end of the elastic member is fixed, an accommodation part in which the elastic unit is accommodated, and a guide rail to guide the protrusion part.

The guide rail may include a straight line path along which the protrusion part performs a straight linear motion in a front and back direction, and a locking groove provided at an end portion of the straight line path so as to allow the protrusion part, while performing a straight linear motion on the straight line path, to be locked with the locking groove as the rotator rotates on the first rotating shaft.

The rotator may move in the same direction as the at least one door guard together with the at least one door guard when the at least one door guard is withdrawn, such that the hook part is locked with the locking part, and if the at least door guard is withdrawn in a state in which the hook part is locked with the locking part, the protrusion part may move in an opposite direction to the at least one door guard along the straight line path, such that the tensile force is generated from the elastic member coupled to the connection member.

The rotator, if the withdrawing of the at least one door guard is completed, may rotate on the first rotating shaft clockwise as the protrusion part having moved along the straight line path moves along the locking groove, and according to the rotation of the rotator, the hook part may be released from the locking part and the protrusion part is locked with the locking groove, so that the tensile force of the elastic member is maintained.

The automatic closing unit may include a first lever rotatably coupled to the case to come into contact with the outer door, a second lever rotatably coupled to the case to come into contact with the rotator, and a link connecting the first lever to the second lever.

The case may include a second rotating shaft, a third rotating shaft, and an opening formed adjacent to the second rotating shaft, and the first lever may be formed with a second rotation hole rotatably coupled to the second rotating shaft, and the second lever may be formed with a third rotation hole rotatably coupled to the third rotating shaft.

If the at least one door guard is withdrawn, the rotator may rotate clockwise to allow the second lever to rotate on the third rotating shaft clockwise, and as the second lever rotates clockwise, the first lever connected to the second lever through the link may rotate on the second rotating counterclockwise such that a part of the first lever protrudes outside the case through the opening of the case.

If the outer door is closed in a state in which the at least one door guard is withdrawn, the first lever protruding outside the case may rotate on the second rotating shaft clockwise by the outer door, and as the first lever rotates clockwise, the second lever connected to the first lever through the link, while rotating on the third rotating shaft counterclockwise, pushes the rotator to rotate on the first rotating shaft counterclockwise, so that the protrusion part is released from the locking groove and the at least one door guard is inserted by the tensile force of the elastic member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a body, a storage compartment, a door, a guide rail, a slide unit, an elastic unit, and an automatic closing unit. The storage compartment may be provided at an inside of the body so as to be open at a front surface thereof, and provided at an inside thereof with a plurality of storage containers. The door may be configured to open and close the storage compartment. The guide rail may allow at least one of the plurality of storage containers to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner. The slide unit may be coupled to the at least one storage container so as to be slid along the guide rail such that the at least one storage container is inserted and withdrawn. The elastic unit may be coupled to the slide unit to transmit a tensile force in a direction of the at least one storage container being inserted. The automatic closing unit may be coupled to the at least one storage container, and allow the elastic unit to transmit the tensile force to the at least one storage container if the door is closed and the automatic closing unit comes into contact with the door in a state in which the at least storage container is withdrawn.

The refrigerator may further include a guide rail allowing at least one of the plurality of storage containers to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner, and a slide unit coupled to the at least one storage container so as to be slid along the guide rail such that the at least one storage container is inserted and withdrawn.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a sliding device allowing a plurality of door guards provided at an opening that is provided at an inner door, which is configured to open and close a storage compartment, and is open and closed by an outer door, to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner includes a guide rail, a case, a slide unit, an elastic unit, and an automatic closing unit. The guide rail may be supported by both side walls of the opening so as to allow at least one of the plurality of door guards to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner. The case may be coupled to a lower portion of the at least one door guard. The slide unit may be coupled to the case so as to be slid along the guide rail such that the at least one door guard is inserted and withdrawn. The elastic unit may be coupled to the slide unit to transmit a tensile force in a direction of the at least one door guard being inserted. The automatic closing unit may be coupled to the case, and allow the elastic unit to transmit the tensile force to the at least one door guard if the outer door is closed and the automatic closing unit may come into contact with the outer door in a state in which the at least one door guard is withdrawn, so that the at least one door guard is closed.

The guide rail may include a support part supported by both side walls of the opening, and a rail part extending from the support part toward inside the storage compartment to guide the at least one door guard.

The rail part may include a first rail part provided adjacent to a left side wall of both side walls, and a second rail part provided adjacent to a right side wall of both side walls, and a locking part protruding upward may be provided at the second rail part.

The elastic unit may include an elastic member having one end fixed to the sliding unit to transmit the tensile force to the at least one door guard, a connection member having a coupling part, to which other end of the elastic member is coupled, and configured to move back and force so as to allow the elastic member to generate the tensile, and a rotator rotatably coupled to a first rotation hole formed through the connection member.

The rotator may include a first rotating shaft rotatably coupled to the first rotation hole, a hook part locked with and released from the locking part provided on the second rail part, and a protrusion part protruding from the rotator downward.

The slide unit may include a second sliding part coupled to the case to correspond to the second rail part, and the second sliding part may include a fixing part to which the one end of the elastic member is fixed, an accommodation part in which the elastic unit is accommodated, and a guide rail to guide the protrusion part.

The guide rail may include a straight line path along which the protrusion part performs a straight linear motion in a front and back direction, and a locking groove provided at an end portion of the straight line path so as to allow the protrusion part, while performing a straight linear motion on the straight line path, to be locked with the locking groove as the rotator rotates on the first rotating shaft.

The automatic closing unit may include a first lever rotatably coupled to the case to come into contact with the outer door, a second lever rotatably coupled to the case to come into contact with the rotator, and a link connecting the first lever to the second lever.

The case may include a second rotating shaft, a third rotating shaft, and an opening formed adjacent to the second rotating shaft, and the first lever may be formed with a second rotation hole rotatably coupled to the second rotating shaft, and the second lever may be formed with a third rotation hole rotatably coupled to the third rotating shaft.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a sliding device configured to allow a storage container, which is provided inside a storage compartment, to be inserted and withdraw in a sliding manner includes a case, a guide rail, a sliding unit, and an automatic closing unit. The case may be coupled to a lower portion of the storage container. The guide rail may allow the storage container to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner. The sliding unit may be coupled to the case so as to be slide along the guide rail. The elastic unit may be coupled to the slide unit so as to transmit a tensile force in a direction of the storage container being inserted. The automatic closing unit may be coupled to the case and configured to allow the elastic unit to transmit a tensile force to the storage container if a door is closed and the automatic closing unit comes into the door in a state in which the storage container is withdrawn, so that the storage container is closed.

As is apparent from the above, the efficiency in accommodating stuff and the usability are maximized, the door guard is prevented from being broken, and the stuff accommodated in the door guard is safely protected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 6, the refrigerator may include, for example, a body10, a storage compartment20provided inside the body10so as to be open at a front surface thereof, a door30including a refrigerating compartment door31having an opening31aand configured to open and close the storage compartment20, and an outer door35to open and close the opening31aprovided at the refrigerating compartment door31, an upper hinge40and a lower hinge50allowing the door30to be rotatably coupled to the body10, and a sliding device100allowing a plurality of door guards37provided at the opening31aof the refrigerating compartment door31, to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner. In an embodiment, the plurality of door guards37may be alternatively embodied as a plurality of storage containers or a plurality of door bins.

The body10includes an inner case (not shown) forming the storage compartment20and an outer case (not shown) forming the external appearance, and includes a cool air supply device (not shown) to supply the storage compartment20with cool air.

The cool air supply device includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blower fan, and a cool air duct, and heat insulation material (not shown), which is blown into a space between the inner case and the outer case to prevent cool air of the storage compartment20from leaking.

The body10is provided at a lower rear side thereof with a machine room (not shown) in which the compressor to compress refrigerant and the condenser to condense the compressed refrigerant are installed.

The storage compartment20is divided into left and right sides by a partition wall11to form a refrigerating compartment21at the right side of the body10, and a freezing compartment23at the left side of the body10.

A plurality of shelves25are provided at the refrigerating compartment21to divide the refrigerating compartment21into a plurality of spaces.

The refrigerating compartment21and the freezing compartment23are opened and closed by the refrigerating compartment door31and a freezing compartment door33, respectively, which are pivotably coupled to the body10, and the upper hinge40and the lower hinge50are coupled to an upper portion and a lower portion of the body10, respectively, such that the refrigerating compartment door31and the freezing compartment door33are rotatably coupled to the body10.

The refrigerating compartment door31is formed with the opening31a, and the plurality of door guards37are provided at opening31a.

The plurality of door guards37are provided so as to be alternatively inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner by the sliding device100, and the configuration of the sliding device100will be described later. For example, the plurality of door guards37may be pulled out or withdrawn away from the refrigerating compartment21and then may be inserted or pushed back into the refrigerating compartment21in a sliding manner by the sliding device100, in order to more readily access food items stored using the door guards37.

A refrigerating compartment door grip31cand a freezing compartment door grip33aare provided at the refrigerating compartment door31and the freezing compartment door33, respectively. The grips31cand33amay be gripped by a user to open the refrigerating compartment door31and the freezing compartment door33, respectively.

The opening31aprovided at the refrigerating compartment door31is open and closed by the outer door35, and for the sake of convenience, the refrigerating compartment door31may be referred to as an inner door.

Separately from the refrigerating compartment door31and the freezing compartment door33, the outer door35is also provided with an outer door grip35athat may be gripped by a user to open the outer door35.

Since the opening31aprovided at the inner door31has a size corresponding to the refrigerating compartment21, the plurality of door guards37provided over the entire area of the refrigerating compartment21, rather than a part of the refrigerating compartment21, may be accessed or used by opening the outer door35.

The upper hinge40and the lower hinge50are coupled at the upper portion and the lower portion of the body10, respectively, such that each of the refrigerating compartment door31and the freezing compartment door33is rotatably coupled to the body10, and each of the upper hinge40and the lower hinge50may be coupled to the outer door35and the refrigerating compartment door31, which represents the inner door and on which the outer door35is provided.

Referring toFIGS. 5 to 8, the door guard37provided at the opening31ain a plurality of units thereof are inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner by the sliding device100.

Although some of the plurality of door guards37are illustrated as fixed at both side walls31bof the opening31aand others of the plurality of door guards37are illustrated as being slidable by the sliding device100inFIGS. 5 to 8, all of the plurality of door guards37may be provided so as to be fixed to both side walls31bor all of the plurality of door guards37may be provided so as to be slidable by the sliding device100, or any combination of fixed or slidable door guards may be provided.

In addition, although the door guard37fixed to both side walls31bof the opening31ais illustrated to have a shape different from that of the door guard37slid by the sliding device100, both of the door guards37may have the same shape, or the shapes of the door guards37may switched.

The sliding device100includes a guide rail150supported by both side walls31bof the opening31aof the inner door31to allow the door guard37to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner, a case110coupled to a lower portion of the door guard37, a slide unit120coupled to the case110so as to be slid along the guide rail150, an elastic unit130to transmit a tensile force in a direction of the door guard37being inserted, and an automatic closing unit140configured to allow the elastic unit130to transmit a tensile force to the door guard37such that the door guard37is automatically inserted.

The guide rail150is supported by both side walls31bof the opening31aof the inner door31to guide the door guard37to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner.

The guide rail150includes a support part151supported by both side walls31bof the opening31a, and a rail part153provided to extend from the support part151toward an interior of the refrigerating compartment21to guide the door guard37.

Although not shown, in order to firmly fix the support part151, a reinforcing member may be provided at both side walls31bof the opening31asuch that the support part151is fixed to the reinforcing member.

The rail part153includes a first rail part155provided adjacent to a left side wall of side walls31b, and a second rail part157provided adjacent to a right side wall of the side walls31b.

The second rail part157is provided with a locking part157awhich protrudes upward and with which a hook part135bof a rotator135of the elastic unit130may be locked and released from being locked. A more detailed description of the locking part157ais provided later.

The case110is coupled to the lower portion of the door guard37, and includes a second rotating shaft111and a third rotating shaft113, which are coupled to a second rotation hole141aand a third rotation hole143a, respectively, which are formed at a first lever141and a second lever143of the automatic closing unit140, respectively, and an opening115provided adjacent to the second rotating shaft111.

The second rotation hole141aformed through the first lever141is rotatably coupled to the second rotating shaft111, and the third rotation hole143aformed through the second lever143is rotatably coupled to the third rotating shaft113.

The opening115is provided adjacent to the second rotating shaft111such that the first lever141protrudes to the outside when the door guard37is withdrawn or in a state of being partially withdrawn, and thus when the outer door35is closed, the first lever141makes contact with the outer door35.

The slide unit120includes a first sliding part121coupled to a lower portion of the case110to correspond to the first rail part155, a second sliding part122coupled to a lower portion of the case110to correspond to the second rail part157, first slide rails126coupled to upper portions of the first rail part155and the second rail part157, respectively, and second slide rails127coupled to lower portions of the first sliding part121and the second sliding part122, respectively, so as to be slid along the first slide rail126.

The first slide rails126are fixedly coupled to the upper portions of the first rail part155and the second rail part157, respectively, and allow the second slide rails127fixedly coupled to the lower portions of the first sliding part121and the second sliding part122, respectively, to be moved therealong such that the door guard36coupled to the case110is slidably moved in the front and back direction.

The second sliding part122includes a fixing part123to which one end of the elastic member131of the elastic unit130is fixed, an accommodation part124in which the elastic unit131is accommodated, and a guide rail125to guide a protrusion part135cprovided on the rotator135of the elastic unit130.

The guide rail125includes a straight line path125aalong which the protrusion part135cprovided on the rotator135performs a straight linear motion in a front and back direction, and a locking groove125bprovided at an end portion of the straight line path125aso as to allow the protrusion part135c, while performing a straight linear motion on the straight line path125a, to be locked with the locking groove125bas the rotator135rotates on a first rotating shaft135a.

The elastic member131having the one end fixed to the fixing part123generates a tensile force with the other end moving in a direction away from the fixing part123. A more detailed description thereof will be provided later.

The elastic unit130includes the elastic member131having one end fixed to the second sliding part122to generate a tensile force, a connection member133to which the other end of the elastic member131is coupled, and the rotator135connected to the connection member133so as to allow the connection member133to move in a front and back direction and configured to move while being guided by the guide rail125.

In an embodiment, the elastic member131has one end fixed to the fixing part123of the second sliding part122and has the other end coupled to the connection member133. As the connection member133moves away from the fixing part123, the elastic member131accumulates a tensile force, and the accumulated tensile force acts in an insertion direction of the door guard37by the automatic closing unit140that operates in contact with the outer door35, so that the door guard37is automatically closed.

The connection member133includes a coupling part133a, to which the other end of the elastic member131is coupled, and a first rotation hole133bcoupled to the rotator135.

The rotator135includes the first rotating shaft135arotatably coupled to the first rotation hole133bformed through the connection member133, the hook part135blocked with and released from the locking part157aprovided on the second rail part157, and the protrusion part135cprotruding from a lower side of the rotator135.

The hook part135bis locked with the locking part157aduring a process of withdrawing the door guard37. As the hook part135bis locked with the locking part157a, the other end of the elastic member131, coupled to the connection member133, is fixed and the one end of the elastic member131moves together with the door guard37in the direction in which the door guard37is being withdrawn, so that the elastic member131generates a tensile force.

In order for the elastic member131to generate a tensile force, the protrusion part135cmoves along the straight line path125aof the guide rail125, and if the withdrawing of the door guard37is completed, the rotator135rotates on the first rotating shaft135aclockwise and the protrusion part135cis locked with the locking groove125b, so that the elastic member131maintains the tensile force.

The automatic closing unit140includes the first lever141rotatably coupled to the case110to make contact with the outer door35, the second lever143rotatably coupled to the case110to make contact with the rotator135, and a link145connecting the first lever141to the second lever142.

The automatic closing unit140is coupled to a right portion of the case110adjacent to a portion of the inner door31at which the upper hinge40and the lower hinge50are provided, such that the automatic closing unit140makes contact with the outer door35when the outer door35is closed.

The first lever141of the door30having the upper hinge40and the lower hinge50, which are configured to rotatably couple the door30to the body10, is formed with the second rotation hole141arotatably coupled to the second rotating shaft111of the case110, and the second lever143is formed with the third rotation hole143arotatably coupled to the third rotating shaft113.

In a state in which the door guard37is being pulled out or withdrawn, the first lever141partially protrudes to the outside through the opening114formed through the case110, and if the outer door35is closed while the door guard37is withdrawn, the first lever141protruding to the outside comes into contact with the outer door35before the door guard37comes into contact with the outer door35.

Upon contact with the outer door35, the first lever141rotates clockwise, and then is inserted into the case110, and according to the rotation of the first lever141, the second lever143connected to the first lever141through the link145rotates counterclockwise to operate the elastic unit130, so that the door guard37is automatically inserted by the tensile force of the elastic member131.

Hereinafter, a process of inserting and withdrawing the door guard37with the sliding device100will be described with reference toFIG. 5andFIGS. 8 to 12.

Referring toFIG. 8, in a state in which the door guard37is inserted, the first lever141of the automatic closing unit140is accommodated in the case110.

If the inserted door guard37is withdrawn as shown inFIG. 9, the case110coupled to the door guard37also moves together with the door guard37in a direction of the door guard37being withdrawn, and the second sliding part122of the sliding unit120coupled to the case110also moves in the direction of the door guard37being withdrawn.

If the second sliding part122moves in the direction of the door guard37being withdrawn, the elastic unit130fixed to the fixing part123of the second sliding part122moves together with the second sliding part122in the direction of the door guard37being withdrawn.

If the door guard37is partially withdrawn, the hook part135bprovided on the rotator135of the elastic unit130is locked with the locking part157aprovided on the second rail part157.

As the hook part135bis locked with the locking part157a, the rotator135, the connection member133connected to the rotator135, and the other end of the elastic member131coupled to the connection member133are fixed, and the one end of the elastic member131coupled to the fixing part123of the second sliding part122moves together with the second sliding part122to generate a tensile force at the elastic member131.

While the one end of the elastic member131is moving together with the second sliding part122in the direction of the door guard37being withdrawn, the protrusion part135cof the rotator135is guided along the guide rail125provided on the second sliding part122so as to be moved in a direction opposite to the direction of the door guard37, which is being withdrawn, with respect to the guide rail125.

If the withdrawing of the door guard37is completed as shown inFIG. 10, the protrusion part135c, while being guided along the straight line path125aof the guide rail125, is guided to the locking groove125bprovided at an end portion of the straight line path125a.

Since the rotator135is coupled to the connection member133so as to rotate on the first rotating shaft135a, when the rotator135rotates clockwise, the protrusion part135cis guided to the locking groove125b.

The protrusion part135cguided to the locking groove125bmaintains a locked state with the locking groove125bto maintain the tensile force of the elastic member131, and the rotator135, which rotates clockwise, making contact with the second lever143pushes the second lever143such that the second lever143rotates clockwise on the third rotating shaft113.

If the second lever143rotates clockwise, the first lever141connected to the second lever143through the link145rotates counterclockwise on the second rotating shaft111, so that a part of the first lever141protrudes through the opening115formed through the case110.

When the withdrawing of the door guard37has been completed, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 10, a part of the first lever141of the automatic closing unit140protrudes to the outside through the opening115formed through the case110.

When the outer door35is closed while the door guard37is withdrawn, as shown inFIG. 11, the first lever141making contact with the outer door35rotates on the second rotating shaft111clockwise, and the second lever143connected to the first lever141through the link145rotates counterclockwise on the third rotating shaft113.

The second lever143rotating counterclockwise pushes the rotator135, the protrusion part135cof which is locked with the locking groove125b, and thus the rotator135rotates counterclockwise on the first rotating shaft135a.

As the rotator135rotates counterclockwise, the protrusion part135clocked with the locking groove125bescapes from the locking groove125band moves along the straight line path125a.

As the protrusion part135cmoves along the straight line path125a, as shown inFIG. 12, the tensile force maintained by the elastic member131acts in a direction of the door guard37being inserted, and is transmitted to the door guard37.

Since the door guard37having received the tensile force of the elastic member131is automatically inserted back into the refrigerating compartment21without having to be manually pushed, as described above, the shortcoming in which the outer door35fails to completely close when the outer door35is being closed while the door guard37is withdrawn is overcome, and the door guard37is prevented from breaking.