Refrigerator

0001The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

0002Refrigerators repeatedly perform a refrigerating cycle to cool a refrigerating compartment or freezing compartment, so that foods can be freshly stored therein for a predetermined time.

0003Such a refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space, and a door selectively opening or closing the main body. An item is stored in the storage space, and the door can be opened to take out the stored item.

0004Since the main body is covered with the door, it is difficult to figure out the position of an item to be taken out until opening the door.

0005Thus, the door should be opened to figure out the position of an item. At this point, cool air may flow out from the storage space.

0006Accordingly, the temperature of the storage space may increase, items stored in the refrigerator may be degraded, and power consumption for cooling the storage space may be increased.

0007In order to solve this problem, refrigerators have been developed, which comprise doors with a transparent member, so that items stored in the refrigerator can be perceived from the outside (see, for example, <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE1102005057154A"><text>DE-A1-10 2005 057 154</text></patcit> or <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP1645823A2"><text>EP-A2-1 645 823</text></patcit>).

0008The object of the invention is to provide an alternative construction for a refrigerator, in which the content of the refrigerator can be seen without opening the door.

0009According to the invention, there is provided a refrigerator as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in claims 2-11.

0010The refrigerator of the invention necessarily comprises all the features mentioned in claim 1. Any statement, in the following description, suggesting that a feature mentioned in claim 1 is optional, should be ignored.

0011In the following description, "embodiments" will be described. In case these embodiments are not in accordance with claim 1, they do not fall within the scope of the invention. In the same manner, any method mentioned below does not fall within the scope of protection of the present patent.

0012Embodiments provide a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator, which make it possible to see through the refrigerator from the outside.

0013Embodiments also provide a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator, which make it possible to perceive an item stored in the refrigerator by operating a light emitting part when a refrigerator door is closed.

0014Embodiments also provide a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator, which make it possible to selectively drive a viewing window and a display unit for displaying an operation state of the refrigerator.

0015In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a refrigerating compartment; a freezing compartment adjacent to the refrigerating compartment; and a door assembly selectively opening or closing each the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, wherein the door assembly includes: a glass member defining a frontal exterior thereof and allowing an inside of the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment to be seen therethrough when the door assembly is closed; a deposition treated layer formed on a rear surface of the glass member to allow light to partially pass through the glass member; and a transparent plate spaced a predetermined distance from the glass member, wherein gas for insulation is injected in a space formed between the glass member and the transparent plate, and the space is sealed.

0016In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body defining a storage compartment; a light emitting part configured to emit light to the storage compartment; and a door selectively opening or closing the storage compartment, wherein the door includes: an inner door part allowing the light from the light emitting part to pass therethrough; an outer door part allowing the light passing through the inner door part to selectively pass therethrough; and a gas layer for insulation which fills a space between the inner door part and the outer door part, wherein, when the light emitting part is turned on and the door is closed, an item inside the storage compartment is perceived from a frontal viewing of the door.

0017In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body having a storage compartment for storing food stuff; a light emitting part configured to emit light to the storage compartment; a door opening or closing the storage compartment, the door having a viewing window allowing the light from the light emitting part to be released outwards; a display unit disposed on the door to display information regarding performance of the refrigerator; a viewing conversion input switch configured to input a command for operating the light emitting part and the display unit; and a control unit configured to turn the light emitting part on and stop the display unit from displaying the information, according to a signal from the viewing conversion input switch.

0018In another embodiment, a method for controlling a refrigerator comprising a main body having a storage compartment, a light emitting part illuminating the storage compartment, and a door selectively opening or closing the storage compartment includes: displaying preset information through a display unit disposed on the door; inputting a view converting command through a viewing conversion input switch disposed on the door; emitting light by operating the light emitting part according to the view converting command; and allowing the light emitted from the light emitting part to pass through a viewing window disposed on the door, such that food stuff within the storage compartment be seen through the viewing window from an outside of the refrigerator.

0019The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

0020According to the embodiment, since the deposition-treated glass member is provided to the refrigerator door to show the storage space to the outside, a stored item to be taken out can be perceived without opening the refrigerator door.

0021In addition, since the refrigerator includes the light emitting part to illuminate the storage space, the position of an item can be easily checked. Also, since the light emitting part can be selectively operated, user convenience can be improved and power consumption can be reduced.

0022In addition, since the refrigerator door includes the glass member and the transparent plate, and the insulating gas layer is disposed between the glass member and the transparent plate, the inside of the refrigerator can be seen through the refrigerator door from the outside, and the insulating performance of the refrigerator door can be ensured.

0023In addition, the display unit for displaying an operation state of the refrigerator is provided to the refrigerator door, and selectively disappears such that an item stored in the storage compartment can be perceived through the viewing window, and further, the light emitting part emits light, thereby improving user convenience. <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to a first embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is a schematic view illustrating an open state of a door coupled with a second receiving part, according to the first embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> is a schematic view illustrating an open state of the door without the second receiving part according to the first embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first refrigerating compartment door according to the first embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 6</figref> is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIGS. 7 to 9</figref> are schematic views illustrating a process that is performed on an outer door part according to the first embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIG. 10</figref> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an outer door part according to the first embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0007">FIG. 11</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIG. 12</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0009">FIG. 13</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0009">FIGS. 14</figref> and <figref idref="f0010">15</figref> are cross-sectional views illustrating a driving unit for driving a display unit of a refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0010">FIG. 16</figref> is a perspective view illustrating an operation of a viewing window of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0011">FIG. 17</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0011">FIG. 18</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment.</li></ul>

0024Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

0025<figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is a schematic view illustrating an open state of a door coupled with a second receiving part, according to the first embodiment. <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref> is a schematic view illustrating an open state of the door without the second receiving part according to the first embodiment. <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3</figref>.

0026Referring to <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGS. 1 to 4</figref>, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment includes a main body 10 that defines a freezing compartment 20 and a refrigerating compartment 30 as storage spaces. The freezing compartment 20 and the refrigerating compartment 30 are separated from each other by a partition 15, and are laterally arrayed in parallel. A first receiving part 70 for receiving items is disposed in the freezing compartment 20 and the refrigerating compartment 30. The first receiving part 70 includes a shelf.

0027A first light emitting part 17 that emits light to the first receiving part 70 is disposed at the frontal edge portion of the main body 10. The first light emitting part 17 may be disposed around the frontal edge portion of the freezing compartment 20 and the refrigerating compartment 30, and may include a light emitting diode (LED).

0028Compartment doors are rotatably disposed on the front surface of the main body 10 to selectively close the freezing compartment 20 and the refrigerating compartment 30.

0029The compartment doors include a first freezing compartment door 21 and a second freezing compartment door 22, which close the freezing compartment 20. The second freezing compartment door 22 may be disposed under the first freezing compartment door 21. The compartment door further includes a first refrigerating compartment door 100 and a second refrigerating compartment door 32, which close the refrigerating compartment 30. The second refrigerating compartment door 32 may be disposed under the first refrigerating compartment door 100.

0030Pressable opening-manipulators 40 may be disposed on the front surfaces of the freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 and the refrigerating compartment doors 32 and 100 to open the freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 and the refrigerating compartment doors 32 and 100. The front end of the main body 10 may be provided with opening mechanisms (not shown) that move in conjunction with the opening-manipulators 40.

0031When the opening-manipulator 40 is manipulated, the opening mechanism moves a corresponding one of the doors 21, 22, 32 and 100 forward to open at least one portion of the freezing compartment 20 or the refrigerating compartment 30.

0032A display unit 50 may be disposed on the first freezing compartment door 21 to display an operation state of the refrigerator 1 to the outside thereof. The display unit 50 may include input parts (not shown) to control an operation state of the refrigerator 1.

0033A viewing window 105 may be disposed on the first refrigerating compartment door 100 to see the inside of the refrigerating compartment 30 from the outside thereof. The viewing window 105 may constitute at least one portion of the front surface of the first refrigerating compartment door 100.

0034The first refrigerating compartment door 100 may be provided with a light emitting manipulator 90 that turns the first light emitting part 17 on. The light emitting manipulator 90 includes a button-type or touch-type input part.

0035Sub-doors for receiving an item may be disposed behind the doors 21, 22, 100, and 32. The sub-doors include a sub-door provided to the freezing compartment 20 and a sub-door 80 provided to the refrigerating compartment 30, which may be rotatably connected to the front portions of the freezing compartment 20 and the refrigerating compartment 30, and may have a length corresponding to the length of the freezing compartment 20 and the length of the refrigerating compartment 30. Hereinafter, the sub-doors are described with respect to the sub-door 80 provided to the refrigerating compartment 30, and the sub-door provided to the freezing compartment 20 may also be denoted by 80.

0036In detail, the sub-door 80 may include a frame 81 having a size to be received in the freezing compartment 20 or the refrigerating compartment 30, a sub-door handle 82 protruding from the front surface of the frame 81, and second receiving parts. The frame 81 is tetragonal in which the second receiving part may be removably mounted. The sub-door handle 82 may horizontally extend on the front surface of the frame 81.

0037The sub-door 80 may be removed from the freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 or the refrigerating compartment doors 32 and 100, and be disposed within the main body 10. That is, the sub-door 80 may be removed from the freezing compartment 20 or the refrigerating compartment 30 by rotating together with the freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 or the refrigerating compartment doors 32 and 100, or be disposed in the main body 10 when the freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 or the refrigerating compartment doors 32 and 100 are opened.

0038The first refrigerating compartment door 100 and the first freezing compartment door 21 are provided with a door handle 60 that can be held to open the first refrigerating compartment door 100.

0039The sub-door handle 82 is disposed behind the door handle 60, and may have a shape corresponding to the door handle 60. A third light emitting part 88 may be disposed within the sub-door handle 82. The third light emitting part 88 emits light to show the sub-door handle 82 in a dark indoor space. As described above, the sub-door handle 82 protrudes from approximately the central portion of the front surface of the sub-door 80, and may be integrally formed with the sub-door 80. A recess part may be recessed a predetermined depth upward from the bottom surface of the sub-door handle 82 to easily hold the sub-door handle 82. The front surface of the sub-door handle 82 is covered with the first refrigerating compartment door 100 and the first freezing compartment door 21, and thus, cannot be seen from the outside of the refrigerator 1. The recess part of the sub-door handle 82 can be held through a space formed between the first and second refrigerating compartment door 100 and 32 and a space formed between the first and second freezing compartment door 21 and 22.

0040As a result, when one of the opening-manipulators 40 is manipulated, only a corresponding one of the doors 21, 22, 100, and 32 can be opened. In the state where the doors 21, 22, 100, and 32 are closed, when the sub-door handle 82 is pulled out, the doors 21, 22, 100, and 32 and the sub-door 80 are simultaneously opened. For example, in the state where the first and second refrigerating compartment doors 100 and 32 are closed, when the sub-door handle 82 is pulled out, the first and second refrigerating compartment doors 100 and 32 and the sub-door 80 are simultaneously opened. The first and second freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 are opened in the same manner as those of the first and second refrigerating compartment doors 100 and 32. The second receiving parts of the sub-door 80 may include a receiving basket 84 and a receiving drawer part 85 to receive items. When only the first and second refrigerating compartment doors 100 and 32 are opened, the receiving drawer part 85 can be pulled forward.

0041The sub-door 80 includes a frontal edge portion 811 that constitutes a front border of the frame 81 when the sub-door 80 is disposed in the main body 10. The frontal edge portion 811 may be in close contact with the rear surfaces of the first and second refrigerating compartment doors 100 and 32 when the first and second refrigerating compartment doors 100 and 32 are closed.

0042The inner surface of the frontal edge portion 811 may be provided with a second light emitting part 87 that emits light to the center of the sub-door 80. The second light emitting part 87 may include an LED, and be operated by manipulating the light emitting manipulator 90.

0043When the second light emitting part 87 is turned on, an item stored in the sub-door 80 can be seen from the outside through the viewing window 105. In detail, when the light emitting manipulator 90 is manipulated, the first light emitting part 17 and the second light emitting part 87 are turned on at the same time, which may be maintained for a preset time. When the first and second light emitting parts 17 operate, items stored in the first receiving part 70 and the sub-door 80 can be seen from the outside through the viewing window 105.

0044<figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first refrigerating compartment door according to the first embodiment. <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 6</figref> is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>.

0045Referring to <figref idref="f0005">FIGS. 5 and 6</figref>, the first refrigerating compartment door 100 according to the first embodiment includes an outer door part 110 defining an exterior of the first refrigerating compartment door 100, an inner door part 150 spaced rearward from the outer door part 110, and a door body 130 coupling the outer door part 110 and the inner door part 150 to each other. A border of the inner door part 150 is provided with a sealing member 160 that seals the space between the first refrigerating compartment door 100 and the sub-door 80. In detail, the outer door part 110 is provided with the viewing window 105 through which the inside of the refrigerator 1 can be seen from the outside. To this end, the outer door part 110 may be formed of transparent glass.

0046Further, a specific lamination or deposition process may be performed on the transparent glass, which will be described later with reference to drawings.

0047The rear surface of the outer door part 110 is provided with a coupling surface 112 for coupling to the door body 130. The coupling surface 112 has a certain area along a border of the door body 130.

0048The front surface of the door body 130 may be coupled to the coupling surface 112 using heat welding or supersonic welding. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and thus, the door body 130 may be coupled to the outer door part 110 by a separate coupling member.

0049The lower portion of the outer door part 110 is provided with a support 115 that supports the lower portion of the door body 130. The support 115 extends to the rear side of the outer door part 110.

0050The door body 130 includes an insulating space 135 that has a hollow rectangle shape and functions as an insulating part for insulating the refrigerating compartment 30. The front portion of the insulating space 135 is covered by the outer door part 110. As described above, the outer door part 110 may be coupled to the front surface of the door body 130.

0051The rear portion of the insulating space 135 is covered by the inner door part 150. The door body 130 includes a support rib 134 that supports the inner door part 150.

0052The support rib 134 protrudes rearward around the insulating space 135. The inner door part 150 coupled to the rear portion of the door body 130 may be supported by at least one portion of the support rib 134. At this point, the inner door part 150 may be adhered to the support rib 134. In this case, the support rib 134 functions as a coupling rib.

0053As a result, the insulating space 135 has a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the door body 130.

0054When the outer door part 110 and the inner door part 150 are coupled to the front and rear portions of the door body 130, an insulating gas layer may be formed in the insulating space 135. The insulating gas layer may include at least one of air, argon (Ar), and krypton (Kr), which have high insulating performance.

0055The insulating space 135 may be maintained in a vacuum state. In this case, the insulating space 135 has no heat exchange medium, and thus, a heat exchange between the refrigerating compartment 30 and the outside can be minimized.

0056A sealing coupling part 133, which is coupled with the sealing member 160, is disposed outside the support rib 134. The sealing member 160 is coupled to the sealing coupling part 133 to prevent a leakage of cool air through the space between the first refrigerating compartment door 100 and the sub-door 80.

0057The door body 130 is provided with a door shoulder 132 that closely contacts the main body 10 when the first refrigerating compartment door 100 is closed on the main body 10. The door shoulder 132 mates with a main shoulder 19 (refer to <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref>), and is inclined in a certain direction.

0058Although not shown, a sealing member may be disposed between the door shoulder 132 and the main shoulder 19.

0059The inner door part 150 may include a transparent material to show the inside of the refrigerating compartment 30. For example, the inner door part 150 may include a transparent plate that is formed of glass or plastic to fully transmit light.

0060<figref idref="f0006">FIGS. 7 to 9</figref> are schematic views illustrating a process that is performed on an outer door part according to the first embodiment. <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 10</figref> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an outer door part according to the first embodiment.

0061Referring to <figref idref="f0006">FIGS. 7 to 10</figref>, a treatment (process) for a glass member will now be described according to the first embodiment.

0062First, a lamination process is performed on a glass member 111 that is a principal part of the outer door part 110. The glass member 111 may be formed of a transparent material. Here, the transparent material may be defined as a material capable of fully transmitting light.

0063Through the lamination process, a lamination treated layer 112 may be formed on a front surface 111a constituting the front surface of the glass member 111. The lamination treated layer 112 may be formed through a glass lamination process.

0064The glass lamination process is a method for expressing various feelings according to lighting or a viewing angle, in which glass ink is applied on the glass member 111 and then is heated at a temperature ranging from about 600°C to about 700°C such that the glass ink soaks in the glass member 111.

0065In detail, the lamination treated layer 112 includes a lamination layer 113, a reflective lamination layer 114, and a protective coating part 115. The lamination layer 113 may be printed using a silk screen lamination method, the so-called screen process. The silk screen lamination method makes it possible to freely express various colors and use various base materials, and is not limited in size and material. In the current embodiment, the front surface 111a of the glass member 111 may be colored silver or blue.

0066The reflective lamination layer 114 is disposed on the upper side of the lamination layer 113 such that a color printed on the lamination layer 113 is displayed through the glass member 111 without a distortion. That is, the reflective lamination layer 114 is configured to increase the color reflectivity of light passing through the lamination layer 113. The reflective lamination layer 114 and the lamination layer 113 may reduce the transparency of the glass member 111. The reflective lamination layer 114 has a thickness ranging from about 10 µm to about 40 µm to reflect most of light passing through the lamination layer 113. When the reflectivity of light is improved, the intensity of the light reflected through the lamination layer 113 increases, and thus, a color of the lamination layer 113 is more vivid. A gradation effect of the glass member 111 can be attained using the reflective lamination layer 114.

0067The protective coating part 115 may be formed of epoxy resin to protect the lamination layer 113 and the reflective lamination layer 114. The protective coating part 115 may be formed through laminating on the upper portion of the reflection lamination layer 114.

0068The lamination treated layer 112 configured as described above has a predetermined color to screen the transparent glass member 111 to a predetermined extent, and thus, a predetermined pattern is formed on the glass member 111.

0069Here, the term 'screen' denotes making the glass member 111 opaque to a predetermined extent.

0070After the lamination treated layer 112 is formed on the glass member 111, a deposition process is performed on a rear surface 111b of the glass member 111. Through the deposition process, a deposition treated layer 116 is formed on the rear surface 111b. The term 'deposition treated' denotes processing an uneven surface of the glass member 111 to form an even (smooth) surface, and coloring a surface of the glass member 111. Since the deposition treated layer 116 is disposed on the glass member 111, a portion of light can be emitted from the inside of the refrigerating compartment 30 to the outside.

0071In detail, the deposition treated layer 116 may be formed through an evaporation process. In the evaporation process, a metal source is heated, melted, and evaporated at a high temperature to be deposited on a base material (a wafer), that is, on the glass member 111. The evaporation process uses a principle that, when a metal is heated and evaporated at a high temperature for a short time, metal particles come out from the evaporated metal and are attached to a surface of a low temperature base material to form a thin metal film thereon. An electron beam may be used as an evaporating member in the evaporation process. A multi layer of a metal or metal oxide is heated, melted, and evaporated by the electron beam to form a film on a surface of a base material. Since the metal oxidizes at high temperature in the evaporation process, the evaporation process is performed in a vacuum state, and thus, may be called a vacuum evaporation process.

0072Accordingly, when the deposition treated layer 116 is formed on the glass member 111, an uneven surface of the glass member 111 is changed to a smooth surface, and thus, the outer door part 110 looks more luxurious.

0073The metal or metal oxide may include SiO 2 or TiO 2 .

0074When SiO 2 is used as a source material to be deposited on the glass member 111, the glass member 111 may be colored approximately in blue. When TiO 2 is used as a source material to be deposited on the glass member 111, the glass member 110 may be colored approximately in silver. As described above, when SiO 2 or TiO 2 is used as a source material to be deposited on the glass member 111, the glass member 111 can be variously colored, and thus, the outer door part 110 can have a fancy color.

0075In addition, direct glare of light emitted from the first light emitting part 17 and the second light emitting part 87 can be prevented. That is, since the transparency of the glass member 111 is decreased (increase of opacity), light emitted from the first light emitting part 17 and the second light emitting part 87 is perceived as soft light from the outside. Through the evaporation process, the glass member 111 is improved in hardness and corrosion resistance, and is more resistant to temperature and humidity variations. Although the rear surface 111b of the outer door part 110 is exposed to gas in the insulating space 135 for a long time, discoloration or decoloration thereof can be prevented.

0076Alternatively, a sputtering process may be used as a depositing process for the glass member 111. In the sputtering process, plasma is formed by a high voltage generated from a voltage generating device such that plasma ions collide with a target to attach metal atoms to a base material, that is, to a surface of the glass member 111, thereby forming a metal film. In detail, argon (Ar+) gas may be used to form the plasma ions, and stannum (Sn) may be used as the target. Thus, when the argon gas is ionized by a high voltage and collides with the stannum, particles coming out from the stannum are attached to the glass member 111 to form a metal film. Alternatively, aluminum (Al) may be used as the target. In this case, the argon gas collides with the aluminum, and particles coming out from the aluminum are attached to the glass member 111 to form a metal film.

0077After the deposition treated layer 116 is formed on the rear surface 111b, a screening layer 117 is formed on a border of the rear surface 111b. The screening layer 117 may be formed through the above-described lamination process, and may further make the glass member 111 opaque.

0078The lamination process may be performed at several times for the screening layer 117 to effectively screen the glass member 111. The screening layer 117 formed on the rear surface 111b prevents the emission of light from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 to the outside. That is, light emitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 is reflected by the screening layer 117. Thus, the light emitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 can be transmitted through the region of the deposition treated layer 116 except for the screening layer 117. As described above, since the deposition treated layer 116 has a predetermined color and opacity, the light emitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 partially pass through the deposition treated layer 116. Accordingly, soft light without glare is emitted, and items stored in the refrigerating compartment 30, that is, in the first receiving part 70 and the sub-door 80 can be seen from the outside. In this case, the viewing window 105 for showing the inside of the refrigerating compartment 30 may correspond to the region of the deposition treated layer 116. As a result, a user can perceive the positions of the items visually in comfort.

0079An operation of a refrigerator will now be described according to the first embodiment.

0080The light emitting manipulator 90 may be pressed to perceive items stored in the refrigerating compartment 30, that is, in the first receiving part 70 and the second receiving part of the sub-door 80.

0081Then, the first light emitting part 17 and the second light emitting part 87 may be turned on, and light emitted therefrom is transmitted by the inner door part 150 and the outer door part 110 which are formed of transparent materials, and is emitted to the outside.

0082At this point, since the deposition treated layer 116 and the lamination treated layer 112, which have predetermined colors and opacity, are disposed on the outer door part 110, a portion of the light emitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 is reflected from the outer door part 110, and the other thereof is transmitted by the viewing window 105, and thus, is softly emitted to the outside. At this point, the items stored in the first receiving part 70 and the sub-door 80 can be perceived from the outside. After a predetermined time is elapsed, the first light emitting part 17 and the second light emitting part 87 may be turned off, thereby reducing the power consumption thereof.

0083Although the viewing window 105 is provided to the first refrigerating compartment door 100 in the current embodiment, the viewing window 105 may be provided to one of the first and second freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 according to another embodiment. In addition, an item stored in the freezing compartment 20 can be perceived from the outside.

0084Hereinafter, a description will be made according to a second embodiment. Since the current embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for a disposition of a storage compartment, different parts between the first and second embodiments will be described principally, and a description of the same parts will be omitted, and like reference numerals denote like elements throughout.

0085<figref idref="f0007">FIG. 11</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to the second embodiment. <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 12</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment.

0086Referring to <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 11</figref>, a refrigerator 200 according to the second embodiment includes a main body 210 defining a storage compartment, and doors 220 and 230 closing the storage compartment.

0087The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment for storing an item under refrigeration, and a freezing compartment for storing an item under freezing. The doors 220 and 230 include refrigerating compartment doors (also denoted by 220) rotatably coupled to the front portion of the refrigerating compartment, and a freezing compartment door (also denoted by 230) closing the front portion of the freezing compartment.

0088The refrigerator 200 is a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which a refrigerating compartment is disposed over a freezing compartment.

0089The refrigerating compartment door 220 is provided with a viewing window 225 to perceive a receiving part 227 provided to the refrigerating compartment, from the outside of the refrigerator 200. Since the viewing window 225 is the same in configuration as the viewing window 105, a description thereof will be omitted.

0090The lower portion of the refrigerating compartment door 220 is provided with a light emitting manipulator 250 that is manipulated to operate a light emitting part disposed in the refrigerating compartment. Although not shown, the light emitting part is disposed in the refrigerating compartment to emit light to an item stored in the receiving part 227.

0091According to the configuration as described above, an item disposed in the refrigerating compartment can be perceived through the viewing window 225 by manipulating the light emitting manipulator 250 without opening the refrigerating compartment door 220.

0092Referring to <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 12</figref>, a refrigerator 300 according to the third embodiment includes a main body 310 defining a storage compartment, and doors 320 and 330 closing the storage compartment.

0093The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment for storing an item under refrigeration, and a freezing compartment for storing an item under freezing. The doors 320 and 330 include a refrigerating compartment door (also denoted by 320) and a freezing compartment door (also denoted by 330), which are rotatably coupled to the front portions of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, respectively.

0094The refrigerator 300 is a side by side type refrigerator in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment are disposed on the left and right sides.

0095The refrigerating compartment door 320 is provided with a viewing window 325 to perceive a receiving part 327 provided to the refrigerating compartment, from the outside of the refrigerator 300. Since the viewing window 325 is the same in configuration as the viewing window 105, a description thereof will be omitted.

0096The freezing compartment door 330 is provided with a light emitting manipulator 350 that can be manipulated to operate a light emitting part disposed in the refrigerating compartment. A display unit 340 for displaying an operation state of the refrigerator 300, an input part 342 for inputting a predetermined command for operating the refrigerator 300 are disposed at a side of the light emitting manipulator 350.

0097According to the configuration as described above, an item disposed in the refrigerating compartment can be perceived through the viewing window 325 by manipulating the light emitting manipulator 350 without opening the refrigerating compartment door 320. Although the viewing window 325 is provided to the refrigerating compartment door 320 according to the current embodiment, the viewing window 325 may be provided to the freezing compartment door 330 according to another embodiment. In this case, an item disposed in the freezing compartment can be perceived from the outside without opening the freezing compartment door 330. In this case, the light emitting manipulator 350 may be provided to the refrigerating compartment door 320.

0098<figref idref="f0009">FIG. 13</figref> is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment. <figref idref="f0009">FIGS. 14</figref> and <figref idref="f0010">15</figref> are cross-sectional views illustrating a driving unit for driving a display unit of a refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment. <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 16</figref> is a perspective view illustrating an operation of a viewing window of the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment.

0099Hereinafter, a description of the same components as those of <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008">FIGS. 1 to 12</figref> will be omitted.

0100Referring to <figref idref="f0009 f0010">FIGS. 13 to 16</figref>, the first refrigerating compartment door 100 according to an embodiment includes the display unit 50 for displaying an operation state of a refrigerator, the light emitting manipulator 90 for manipulating the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 and the display unit 50, and input parts 92 for commanding the refrigerator to operate.

0101In detail, the display unit 50 may be disposed in a region corresponding to the viewing window 105. When the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 are turned off, the display unit 50 is displayed to the outside of the refrigerator, and it is difficult to see the inside of the refrigerating compartment 30.

0102The input part 92 is manipulated to input a command for operating the refrigerator, for example, a command for controlling a temperature of the freezing compartment 20 and a temperature of the refrigerating compartment 30, and a command for operating a special refrigerating compartment.

0103When the light emitting manipulator 90 is manipulated, the display unit 50 or the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 may be selectively turned on or off. An operation (control) method related with these on/off operations will be described later with reference to drawings.

0104The rear surface of the first refrigerating compartment door 100 is provided with a driving unit 400 for driving the display unit 50. The driving unit 400 may be disposed in the insulating space 135.

0105In detail, the driving unit 400 includes: an upper plate 420 and a lower plate 460, which spaced apart from each other and are vertically arrayed; a first transparent conductor 430 disposed under the upper plate 420; a second transparent conductor 450 disposed over the lower plate 460; and a liquid crystal layer 440 disposed between the first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450. The upper plate 420 and the lower plate 460 may be formed of transparent glass or plastic, which fully transmit light.

0106The first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450 are transparent electrodes for driving the liquid crystal layer 440, and may be formed of indium tin oxide (ITO). The first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450 may have predetermined conductivity and transmissivity.

0107The first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450 may be driven as positive and negative electrodes by power supplied from a power supply 490, and thus, an alignment of the liquid crystal layer 440 is determined in a predetermined direction according to the driving of the first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450.

0108The first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450 may constitute one of pixels including a plurality of electrodes. When power is applied to a part of the electrodes, an alignment of the liquid crystal layer 440 corresponding to the part of the electrodes is determined in a predetermined direction.

0109A character or a numeral displayed on the display unit 50 is expressed in a specific shape by the driving of the first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450 constituted in a pixel unit, and the driving of the liquid crystal layer 440 corresponding to the first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450. A vibration direction of light may be determined according to an alignment degree of the liquid crystal layer 440, for example, according to an alignment angle from a vertical axis.

0110A first polarizing plate 412 is disposed over the upper plate 420, and a second polarizing plate 414 is disposed under the lower plate 460, and uses polarization as a property of light to transmit light having only a predetermined direction. For example, light passing through the first polarizing plate 412 may be polarized vertically with respect to an optical axis, and light passing through the second polarizing plate 414 may be polarized horizontally with respect to the optical axis. The liquid crystal layer 440, the first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450, the first and second polarizing plates 212 and 214, and the upper and lower plates 420 and 460 may constitute an LCD panel.

0111Backlights 480 for emitting light and a light guide panel 470 are disposed under the second polarizing plate 414. The light guide panel 470 is disposed between the backlights 480 to guide light emitted from the back light units 480 to the LCD panel, that is, to the liquid crystal layer 440. The backlights 480 and the light guide panel 470 may constitute a backlight unit.

0112An operation of the driving unit 400 will now be described.

0113When the backlights 480 emit light, the light guide panel 470 uniformly transmits the light to the liquid crystal layer 440. The light transmitted by the light guide panel 470 is filtered by the second polarizing plate 414, so that only light having a first direction passes through the second polarizing plate 414. The light passing through the second polarizing plate 414 is transmitted to the liquid crystal layer 440 through the lower plate 460. At this point, the liquid crystal layer 440 is driven by the first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450, and an alignment thereof is determined in a preset direction. The light passing through the liquid crystal layer 440 may change its direction to a direction different from the first direction.

0114Then, the light is transmitted from the liquid crystal layer 440 to the upper plate 420 and the first polarizing plate 412. At this point, only light having a second direction passes through the first polarizing plate 412. When a vibration direction of the light passing through the liquid crystal layer 440 is the same as the second direction of the first polarizing plate 412, the light entirely passes through the first polarizing plate 412, and thus, a white color can be seen. On the contrary, when a vibration direction of the light passing through the liquid crystal layer 440 is perpendicular to the second direction of the first polarizing plate 412, the light is blocked by the first polarizing plate 412, and thus, a black color can be seen. That is, a white or black color can be seen on the display unit 50 according to an alignment of the liquid crystal layer 440 and a vibration direction of light emitted from the backlights 480. Although not shown, a color filter may be disposed on the upper plate 420. In this case, light passing through the upper plate 420 may have a predetermined color.

0115As a result, a character (numeral) or a figure displayed on the display unit 50 may be formed by driving of the liquid crystal layer 440 and the filtering of light through the first and second polarizing plates 412 and 414.

0116When power applied to the first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450 is cut off, and the backlights 480 are turned off, light just passes through the driving unit 400. In this case, information (character and figure) to be displayed through the display unit 50 are transparent, and thus, is invisible on the first refrigerating compartment door 100. When the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 emit light, the display unit 50 transmits the light to the outside of the first refrigerating compartment door 100. Thus, as illustrated in <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 11</figref>, the display unit 50 is invisible on the first refrigerating compartment door 100, and items stored in the first receiving part 70 and the sub-door 80 can be seen through the viewing window 105 from the outside.

0117An operation of a refrigerator will now be described according to an embodiment.

0118When the first refrigerating compartment door 100 is closed, and the driving unit 400 is driven, the display unit 50 is displayed on the first refrigerating compartment door 100. In this state, the light emitting manipulator 90 may be pressed to perceive items stored in the refrigerating compartment 30, that is, in the first receiving part 70 and the second receiving part (also denoted by 80).

0119When the light emitting manipulator 90 is pressed, power applied to the power supply 490 and the backlights 480 is cut off, and a numeral and a character displayed on the display unit 50 disappear. At this point, the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 may be turned on, and light emitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 may be transmitted to the outside by the transparent inner door part 150 and the transparent outer door part 110.

0120Since the light emitting manipulator 90 may be manipulated to perceive an item in the refrigerating compartment 30, the light emitting manipulator 90 may be called a viewing conversion input switch.

0121In this case, since the deposition treated layer 116 and the lamination treated layer 112, which have predetermined colors and opacity, are disposed on the outer door part 110, a portion of light emitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 is reflected from the outer door part 110, and the other is emitted through the viewing window 105, and thus, soft light is emitted to the outside.

0122At this point, the items stored in the first receiving part 70 and the sub-door 80 can be perceived from the outside. After a predetermined time is elapsed, the first light emitting part 17 and the second light emitting part 87 may be turned off, thereby reducing the power consumption thereof.

0123Although the viewing window 105 is provided to the first refrigerating compartment door 100 in the current embodiment, the viewing window 105 may be provided to one of the first and second freezing compartment doors 21 and 22 according to another embodiment. In addition, an item stored in the freezing compartment 20 can be perceived from the outside.

0124<figref idref="f0011">FIG. 17</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 18</figref> is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

0125Referring to <figref idref="f0011">FIGS. 17 and 18</figref>, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment includes the input part 92 for inputting a predetermined command to the display unit 50, the light emitting manipulator 90 for turning the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 on to perceive an item stored in the refrigerating compartment 30, and a timer 320 used to count a duration time that the light emitting manipulator 90 is stayed on.

0126The refrigerator 1 includes the driving unit 400 for driving the display unit 50, the first light emitting part 17 for emitting light to the first receiving part 70, and the second light emitting part 87 for emitting light to the receiving part 80.

0127In detail, the driving unit 400 includes the power supply 490 for applying power to the first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450, and the backlights 480 disposed behind the liquid crystal layer 440 to emit predetermined light.

0128The refrigerator 1 includes a control unit 300. The control unit 300 controls the driving unit 400 and the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 according to commands input from the input part 92 and the light emitting manipulator 90.

0129Referring to <figref idref="f0011">FIG. 18</figref>, a method for controlling a refrigerator will now be described according to the current embodiment.

0130When the first refrigerating compartment door 100 is closed in operation S11, the display unit 50 is turned on to display an operation state of a refrigerator on the front side of the viewing window 105. The display unit 50 may be turned on even when the first refrigerating compartment door 100 is opened. In detail, when the driving unit 400 is driven to apply power to the power supply 490, and the backlights 480 emit light to the light guide panel 470, the display unit 50 is turned on in operation S12.

0131In this state, it is determined in operation S13 whether a command is input through the light emitting manipulator 90. If a command is input through the light emitting manipulator 90, the display unit 50 is turned off in operation S14, and the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 are turned on in operation S15. While the display unit 50 is turned off, the LCD panel and the backlight unit are stopped.

0132Light emitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 passes through the driving unit 400, the display unit 50, and the viewing window 105, and is emitted to the outside. At this point, the items stored in the first and second receiving parts 70 and 80 can be shown to the outside in operation S16.

0133If a command is not input through the light emitting manipulator 90, operation S12 is repeated. That is, the display unit 50 stays on.

0134When the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 stay on, it is determined in operation S17 whether a set time is elapsed. An on-time of the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87, that is, a time that light is transmitted from the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 to the outside is measured by the timer 320, and the control unit 300 determines whether the time measured by the timer 320 is over the set time.

0135If the time measured by the timer 320 is over the set time, the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 are turned off in operation S18. Then, the driving unit 400 is operated again to turn the display unit 50 on in operation S19. That is, power is applied to the power supply 490 to drive the first and second transparent conductors 430 and 450 and the liquid crystal layer 440, and light is emitted from the backlights 480 to the liquid crystal layer 440.

0136On the contrary, the time measured by the timer 320 is not over the set time, the items are continually shown to the outside.

0137As such, when the display unit 50 is displayed on the first refrigerating compartment door 100 in a normal state, an operation state of the refrigerator 1 can be checked. In addition, when the light emitting manipulator 90 is manipulated to perceive an item in the refrigerator 1, the display unit 50 disappears, and the first and second light emitting parts 17 and 87 are operated.

0138Accordingly, the refrigerator 1 can be conveniently used, thereby satisfying users.

0139Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.