Refrigerator

BACKGROUND

0001The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

0002In general, refrigerators are home appliances for storing foods at a low temperature in an inner storage space covered by a door. For this, such a refrigerator cools an inner storage space using cool air generated through heat-exchange with a refrigerant circulating into a refrigeration cycle to store foods in an optimum state.

0003In recent, with the change in dietary life and the trends of high grade, large and multifunctional refrigerators have been introduced, and also refrigerators including various structures and convenience devices in consideration of user's convenience and energy efficiency are being released.

0004Representatively, there is a refrigerator in which a separate home bar door is provided in a refrigerator door to accommodate foods in a storage space provided in a back surface of the refrigerator door.

0005A refrigerator including a home bar door is disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="KR1019990031102"><text>Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1999-0031102</text></patcit>. A general home bar door according to the related art is mounted rotatable in a direction crossing a rotation direction of a refrigerator door, and also is rotated forward and thus opened. Also, the back surface of the home bar door may function as a shelf which can mount beverages or beverage containers thereon in a state where the home bar door is horizontally disposed with respect to the ground.

0006As described above, in the related art, the home bar door may function as the shelf in the state where the home bar door is opened. However, like <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="KR1020090020024"><text>Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0020024</text></patcit>, if a home bar door does not have a forwardly rotatable structure, but have a different structure, a separate shelf for mounting beverages or beverage containers is required. In this structure, after the home bar door is opened, the shelf can be withdrawn through a separate manipulation.

0007<patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US2010308705A1"><text>US 2010/308705 A1</text></patcit> disclosed a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator with at least one opening therein. The refrigerator also includes a storage chamber defined by interior walls of the cabinet and configured to store food stuffs. The refrigerator further includes a door configured to open and close an access point to the storage chamber by rotating about a rotational axis. In addition, the refrigerator includes a supporting member positioned at the storage chamber and configured to be moved in connection with opening and closing of the door.

0008<patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="WO2011019236A2"><text>WO 2011/019236 A2</text></patcit> provides a refrigerator having a home bar door axially coupled to a lower end of a door has the same width as a left-right width of the door and extends up to the lower end of the door. Thus, an entire outer appearance of the refrigerator may be improved, and also, usage convenience may be improved.

SUMMARY

0009Embodiments provide a refrigerator including an auxiliary shelf unfolded by being linked with an opening/closing of a second door which opens or closes a storage space defined in a first door for covering the storage space and is rotated in the same direction as the first door.

0010A refrigerator according to the present invention includes: a cabinet defining a storage space; a first door rotatably mounted on the cabinet, the first door opening or closing the storage space; an opening passing through the first door; a second door mounted rotatable in the same direction as the first door, the second door opening or closing the opening; and an auxiliary shelf of which both sides are shaft-coupled to the opening, the auxiliary shelf contacting a back surface of the second door and being folded or unfolded in a direction crossing the rotation direction of the second door when the second door is opened.

0011The auxiliary shelf includes: a main plate rotatably mounted on the opening; a sub plate disposed on a front side of the main plate to selectively contact the back surface of the second door; and a connection member connecting the main plate to the sub plate to allow the sub plate to be rotated in the same direction as the auxiliary shelf.

0012A bottom surface of the sub plate may include: a horizontal part extending horizontally from a rear end of the sub plate; and an inclined part inclinedly extending upward from a front end of the horizontal part to contact the second door when the auxiliary shelf is initially rotated.

0013A roller contacting the back surface of the second door when the second door is closed to allow the auxiliary shelf to be smoothly rotated may be further disposed on a bottom surface of the auxiliary shelf.

0014The roller may be provided in plurality in a horizontal direction at a predetermined distance.

0015A shelf guide protruding to contact the auxiliary shelf and having an inclined surface for guiding the rotation of the auxiliary shelf may be further disposed on the back surface of the second door

0016The shelf guide may include: a first inclined part protruding from the back surface of the second door corresponding to the auxiliary shelf, the first inclined part having an inclined surface inclinedly extending upward; and a second inclined part extending upward from an upper end of the first inclined part, the second inclined part having an inclination less than that of the first inclined part.

0017A protruding end of the first inclined part may be disposed below a front end of the auxiliary shelf.

0018A guide roller contacting the shelf guide when the second door is opened or close may be further disposed on a front end of the sub plate corresponding to the shelf guide.

0019The guide roller may contact the first inclined part in a state where the auxiliary shelf is unfolded

0020A guide hole through which the connection member passes may be defined in the sub plate, and the guide hole may have a vertical length greater than that of the connection member to allow the sub plate to be independently rotated with respect to the main plate.

0021Front and rear ends of the connection member are rotatably connected to the main plate and the sub plate, respectively.

0022The connection member may be inserted into the main plate and the sub plate, and the main plate and the sub plate may be maintained in contact with each other

0023An accommodation device defining an accommodation space accessible through the opening may be disposed in a back surface of the first door.

0024A damping member connected to a rotation shaft of the main plate to allow the auxiliary shelf to be smoothly unfolded is further disposed on a side of the main plate or the opening.

0025The 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0026<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is a perspective view of the refrigerator with a first door opened according to an embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> is a perspective view of the refrigerator with a second door opened according to an embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> is an exploded perspective view of an auxiliary shelf according to an embodiment.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figs. 5</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">6</figref> are views illustrating an operation of the auxiliary shelf according to an opening/closing of the second door.</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> is a view illustrating a state of the auxiliary shelf when the second door is closed.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

0027Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

0028For convenience of understanding and description, although a side-by-side type refrigerator is exemplified in the current embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to all types of refrigerators including a door opened or closed by rotation

0029<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is a perspective view of the refrigerator with a first door opened according to an embodiment. <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> is a perspective view of the refrigerator with a second door opened according to an embodiment.

0030Referring to <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003">Figs. 1 to 3</figref>, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment may include a cabinet 10 defining a storage space and doors 20 and 30 for opening or closing the storage space. Here, an outer appearance of the refrigerator 1 may be defined by the cabinet 10 and the doors 20 and 30.

0031The inside of the cabinet 10 is partitioned in left and right parts to define a freezing compartment 102 and a refrigerating compartment 104, respectively. Also, the doors 20 and 30 may include a freezing compartment door 20 for covering the freezing compartment 102 and a refrigerating compartment door 30 for covering the refrigerating compartment 104.

0032Also, an accommodation device 40 defining a separate space separated from the inside of the refrigerating compartment 104 may be disposed in the refrigerating compartment door 30. Thus, when the refrigerating compartment door 30 is closed, the inside of the refrigerating compartment 104 may be defined as a first storage compartment, and the inside of the accommodation device 40 may be defined as a second storage compartment 405.

0033The refrigerating compartment door 30 includes a first door 310 for opening or closing the first storage compartment 104 and a second door 340 for opening or closing the second storage compartment 405.

0034An upper end of the first door 310 is connected to a top surface of the cabinet 10 by a door hinge 52. Also, the first door 310 may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet 10. Although not shown in detail, a separate hinge (not shown) may be disposed on a lower end of the first door 310 so that the first door 310 is rotatably mounted. Thus, the first door 310 may be rotated to open or close the refrigerating compartment 104. That is, the first door 310 may be rotated to accommodate foods into the refrigerating compartment 104.

0035Also, an opening 316 is defined in an upper portion of the first door 310. The opening 316 may extend from a grip part 313 up to a position adjacent to the upper end of the first door 310. Also, the opening 316 may extend up to positions adjacent to both left and right ends of the first door 310. Also, the accommodation device 40 may be disposed on a back surface of the first door 310 corresponding to a rear side of the opening 316. The accommodation device 40 has a forwardly opened shape. Thus, an access into the accommodation device 40 may be enabled through the opening 316.

0036A sealer 319 contacting a circumference of a front surface of the cabinet 10 when the first door is closed is disposed on a circumference of the back surface of the first door 310. The sealer 319 may be formed of an electrically deformable material and thus be compressible. Also, a magnet may be disposed within the sealer 319 so that the sealer 319 is closely attached to the cabinet 10.

0037Also, the opening 316 through which foods accommodated within the accommodation device 40 are withdrawable in a state where the first door 310 is closed is defined in the refrigerating compartment door 30. Thus, the opening 316 may be opened in a state where the first door 310 covers the refrigerating compartment 104 to take the foods in or out of the accommodation device 40.

0038The opening 316 may have a size corresponding to a front surface of the accommodation device 40. The opening 316 may be vertically defined over a position of the grip part 313 of the first door 310 and horizontally defined up to a region except for portions of both left and right ends of the first door 310. Thus, the home bar according to the current embodiment may have a size and usability surely different from that those of a home bar used in a general refrigerator.

0039The grip part 313 is configured to open or close the refrigerating compartment door 30. The grip part 313 is lengthily disposed in a horizontal direction on a center of the refrigerating compartment door 30 corresponding to a boundary between the first door 310 and the second door 340. The grip part 313 may be disposed on a position which can be easily grasped by a user. Also, the grip part 313 may form a boundary portion of lower ends of the opening 316 and the second door 340 to hide an existence of the second door 340.

0040The grip part 313 may have an inwardly recessed shape. Also, the inside of the grip part 313 may be a downwardly recessed shape so that the user easily grasps the grip part 313. The grip part 313 may be applied to the freezing compartment door 20 in the same shape as that of the refrigerating compartment door 30. When viewed from a front side, a left end and a right end of the grip part 313 may have the same height. Thus, although the second door 340 is disposed on the refrigerating compartment door 30, when viewed from the front side, the refrigerating compartment door 30 and the freezing compartment door 30 may appear to be uniform.

0041The second door 340 is configured to open or close the opening 316. The second door 340 is rotatably mounted on the first door 310 by an upper hinge 51. The upper hinge 51 has a structure in which both ends of the upper hinge 51 are respectively shaft-coupled to a top surface of the first door 310 and a top surface of the second door 340 so that the second door 340 is rotated using the first door as a shaft.

0042A lower hinge (not shown) is further disposed on a lower end of the second door 340. The lower hinge is disposed between the lower end of the second door 340 and the opening 316 to rotatably support the second door 340. Although not shown in detail, the lower hinge has a cam structure or a spring structure. Thus, the second door 340 may be more smoothly opened or closed.

0043Also, the first door 310 and the second door 340 may be independently rotated. Thus, the first door 310 and the second door 340 may be independently manipulated to selectively open or close the refrigerating compartment 104 and the opening 316.

0044A front surface of the second door 340 may be formed of the same material as those of the first door 310 and the refrigerating compartment door 20 to provide a continuous design or pattern. Also, the front surface of the second door 340 may be flush with that of the refrigerating compartment door 30 below the second door 340 in a state where the second door 340 is closed.

0045Also, the upper end and both left and right ends of the second door 340 are disposed at the same position as those of the refrigerating compartment door 30 in the state where the second door 340 is closed. The lower end of the second door 340 may extend up to a position corresponding to a region in which the grip part 313 of the refrigerating compartment door 30 is disposed. That is, the lower end of the second door 340 may extend up to a position corresponding to a stepped portion of the region in which the grip part 313 of the freezing compartment door 20 is disposed. Thus, in the state where the second door 340 is closed, the second door 340 may be integrated with the first door 310. When viewed from the front side, sense of unity may be provided so that connection portions on which the second door 340 is disposed are not seen.

0046Thus, in a state where the first door 310 and the second door 340 are closed, when viewed from the front side, the refrigerating compartment door 30 and the freezing compartment door 20 may be seen in the same shape. A person who had never seen the refrigerator before does not easily recognize the second door 340. That is, the person may recognize the first and second doors 310 and 340 as one door.

0047A protrusion 342 protruding inward may be disposed on the back surface of the second door 340. A portion of the back surface of the second door 340 protrudes to form the protrusion 342. Also, the protrusion 342 protrudes in a shape corresponding to that of the opening 316. Thus, in the state where the second door 340 is closed, the protrusion 342 is disposed inside the opening 316. Also, the protrusion 342 may be engaged with the opening 316 to prevent cool air from temporarily leaking.

0048An accommodation part 343 for accommodating foods is disposed on the protrusion 342. The accommodation part 343 may be disposed inward, and also, a separate basket may be attached to the accommodation part 343 to form a pocket shape.

0049Also, a gasket 344 is disposed along a circumference of the protrusion 342. The gasket 344 may be formed of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or silicon. When the second door 340 is closed, the gasket 344 may be closely attached to the front surface of the refrigerating compartment door 30. Here, the gasket 344 may be in a pressed state to prevent cool air within the accommodation device 40 from leaking.

0050A second door switch 349 for detecting an opening/closing of the second door 340 is disposed on an upper end of the refrigerating compartment door 30. The second door switch 349 may be configured to output an alarm signal to the outside when the second door 340 is not closed.

0051Also, a locking unit may be disposed on a side end of the back surface of the second door 340 away from a rotation shaft of the second door 340 and a side end of the refrigerating compartment door 30 corresponding to the side end of the back surface of the second door 340. The locking unit may maintain a state in which the second door 340 is closed. Also, the restraint and release of the locking unit may be selectively switched by a push manipulation to selectively restrain the second door 340.

0052The locking unit may have the same structure as a general push switch. The locking unit may include a locking device mounted on a side of the refrigerating compartment door 30 and including a latch slot 317 in which a latch hook 341 is inserted and the latch hook 341 disposed on the second door 340. Since the locking unit has a structure which is widely used in a general refrigerator, its detailed description will be omitted.

0053An auxiliary shelf 70 may be further disposed on a lower end of the opening 316. The auxiliary shelf 70 is rotatably mounted on the opening 316. When the second door 340 is closed, the auxiliary shelf 70 may be rotated and folded. Also, when the second door 340 is opened, the auxiliary shelf 70 may be rotated and unfolded. The auxiliary shelf 70 may have a length corresponding to a horizontal width of the opening 316. When the auxiliary shelf 70 is unfolded, the auxiliary shelf 70 may have a width which protrudes forward by a predetermined length from the opening 316 to place foods thereon

0054Hereinafter, the auxiliary shelf will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

0055<figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> is an exploded perspective view of the auxiliary shelf according to an embodiment. <figref idref="f0005">Figs. 5</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">6</figref> are views illustrating an operation of the auxiliary shelf according to an opening/closing of the second door. <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> is a view illustrating a state of the auxiliary shelf when the second door is closed.

0056Referring to <figref idref="f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007">Figs. 4 to 7</figref>, the auxiliary shelf 70 includes a main plate 71 and a sub plate 73. The main plate 71 may have a length corresponding to a horizontal width of the opening 316. Also, the main plate 71 may have a square plate shape.

0057A rotation shaft 711 of the main plate 71 is disposed on each of both left and right surfaces of the main plate 71, respectively. The rotation shaft 711 may be axially moved and supported by an elastic member 712. Thus, the rotation shaft 711 may be moved to mount or separate the main plate 71 on/from the opening 316.

0058A damping member 713 may be further disposed on each of both sides of the main plate 71 or the opening 316. The damping member 713 is coupled to the rotation shaft 711. Alternatively, the rotation shaft 711 may constitute a portion of the damping member 713. Thus, the rotation shaft 711 may be configured to allow the auxiliary shelf 70 to be more smoothly rotated and folded. Also, the rotation shaft 711 may restrict the rotation of the auxiliary shelf 70 to prevent the auxiliary shelf 70 from being reversely rotated, i.e., further rotated toward the storage space with respect to a vertical state thereof.

0059The sub plate 73 is disposed on a front side of the main plate 71. The sub plate 73 may have a sized corresponding to a horizontal width of the main plate 71. Also, the sub plate 73 is rotatably connected to the main plate 71 by a connection member 72.

0060In more detail, the main plate 71 and the sub plate 73 are connected to each other by the connection member 72. The connection member 72 may be provided in plurality along a horizontal direction at a predetermined distance. Thus, the sub plate 73 may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction (when viewed in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>). Coupling shafts 721 protruding in both left and right directions are disposed on front and rear ends of the connection member 72. The coupling shafts 721 are shaft-coupled to the insides of the main plate 71 and the sub plate 73, respectively.

0061Also, an insertion hole 714 is defined in a front end of the main plate 71. A rear end of the connection member 72 is inserted into the insertion hole 714. Also, a guide hole 731 having a length greater than that of the connection member 72 is defined in a rear end of the sub plate 73. Thus, when the sub plate 73 is rotated, the sub plate 73 does not interfere with the connection member 72.

0062A plurality of rollers 732 may be disposed on a bottom surface of the sub plate 73. When the second door 340 is closed, the rollers 732 contact the back surface of the second door 340 to more smoothly rotate the auxiliary shelf 70.

0063That is, if the auxiliary shelf 70 is rotated at an angle greater than a preset angle when the second door 340 is closed, the rollers 732 contact the back surface of the second door 340. Here, the rollers 732 are disposed at positions contacting the second door 340 and rolled along the back surface of the second door 340 to rotate the auxiliary shelf 70 in the counterclockwise direction.

0064The bottom surface of the sub plate 73 includes a horizontal part 733 and an inclined part 734. The horizontal part 733 is disposed from the rear end of the sub plate 73 up to a predetermined distance. The inclined part 734 is disposed from a front end of the horizontal part 733 up to the front end of the sub plate 73. The inclined part 734 is inclined upward toward a front side. The rollers 732 may be disposed on a boundary between the horizontal part 733 and the inclined part 734. Thus, when the second door 340 is closed, the second door 340 and the inclined part 734 may contact each other to allow the sub plate 73 and the auxiliary shelf 70 to be easily rotated.

0065A guide roller 732 may be disposed on the front end of the sub plate 73 adjacent to the rotation shaft 711 of the second door 340. The guide roller 74 may be disposed on a right side of the front end of the sub plate 73

0066A shelf guide 345 is disposed on the back surface of the second door 340 corresponding to the guide roller 74 when the second door 340 is closed. The shelf guide 345 may contact the auxiliary shelf 70 to allow the auxiliary shelf 70 to be rotated and folded when the second door 340 is closed.

0067In detail, the shelf guide 345 protrudes inclinedly from a lower portion of the back surface of the second door 340. The shelf guide 345 may include a first inclined part 346 contacting the auxiliary shelf 70 and a second inclined part 347 for further rotating the auxiliary shelf 70. The first inclined part 346 further protrudes downward from the front end of the sub plate 73 to inclinedly extend upward. The first inclined part 346 may further protrude from the second inclined part 347 and be lowered gradually toward the second inclined part 347.

0068Also, the second inclined part 347 extends upward from an upper end of the first inclined part 346. Also, the second inclined part 347 may have an inclination less than that of the first inclined part 346. When the second door 340 is closed, the second inclined part 347 may contact the auxiliary shelf 70 until the auxiliary shelf 70 is completely vertically disposed.

0069Hereinafter, an operation of the auxiliary shelf will be described

0070When the second door 340 is closed, as shown in <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref>, the auxiliary shelf 70 is closely attached to the back surface of the second door 340 in a state where the auxiliary shelf 70 is folded. Here, the auxiliary shelf 70 is vertically folded. Also, the auxiliary shelf 70 is not rotated in the state where the auxiliary shelf 70 contacts the second door 340 even though the first door 310 is rotated.

0071When the second door 340 is closed, the user releases the restraint of the latch hook 341 to open the second door 340. When the restraint of the latch hook 341 is released, the second door 340 is rotated using the upper hinge 51 and the lower hinge as shafts.

0072Also, when the second door 340 is rotated, the auxiliary shelf 70 is rotated by a self-weight in a clockwise direction (when viewed in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>). When the second door 340 is fully opened, as shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>, the auxiliary shelf 70 is fully unfolded.

0073Here, the auxiliary shelf 70 is rotated around the rotation shaft 711. The rotation shaft 711 is disposed at a rear side somewhat than a center of the auxiliary shelf 70. Thus, the auxiliary shelf 70 may be rotated and unfolded by the self-weight. As necessary, the auxiliary shelf 70 may be automatically rotated and unfolded by a spring or damp. Also, the auxiliary shelf 70 may be rotated and unfolded by user's manipulation without using a separate component

0074When the second door 340 is fully opened, and the auxiliary shelf 70 is fully unfolded, the user may withdraw foods accommodated in the storage space within the opening 316 and place beverages or cups on the auxiliary shelf 70.

0075When the foods are completely withdrawn through the opening 316, the second door 340 is closed. When the second door 340 is closed at an angel greater than a preset angle to further rotate the second door 340 as shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>, the first inclined part 346 contacts the guide roller 74. Here, the most protruding portion of the first inclined part 346 is disposed under the guide roller 74, and the guide roller 74 contacts an inclined surface of the first inclined part 346.

0076In this state, when the second door 340 is further rotated and thus closed, the guide roller 74 is moved along the inclined surface of the first inclined part 346. Then, the sub plate 73 may be smoothly rotated in a counterclockwise direction using the connection member 72 as a shaft.

0077In this state, when the second door 340 is further closed, the sub plate 73 is further rotated. Thus, as shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>, the guide roller 74 passes through the first inclined part 346 to contact the inclined surface of the second inclined part 347.

0078When the guide roller 74 passes through the second inclined part 347, the sub plate 73 is not further rotated by interfering with the connection member 72. Thus, in this position, the main plate 71 is rotated around the rotation shaft 711 in the counterclockwise direction, and thus, the whole auxiliary shelf 70 is rotated. In this state, when the second door 340 is further rotated, the auxiliary shelf 70 is further rotated. Here, the roller 732 contacts the back surface of the second door 340 to allow the auxiliary shelf 70 to be more smoothly rotated.

0079When the second door 340 is fully closed, as shown in <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref>, the auxiliary shelf 70 is fully unfolded. Thus, the auxiliary shelf 70 vertically stands up in the state where the auxiliary shelf 70 contacts the back surface of the second door 340.

0080According to the proposed embodiment, the auxiliary shelf may be unfolded by being linked with the open of the second door. Thus, the user may place foods to be accommodated in the accommodation device on the unfolded auxiliary shelf to easily realize the accommodation of the foods.

0081Also, the auxiliary shelf may be constituted by the main plate and the sub plate. Thus, the auxiliary shelf may be more smoothly folded or unfolded by being linked with the opening/closing of the second door through the contact of the guide roller and the shelf guide, thereby more improving the convenience of use.