Refrigerator and method of manufacturing the same.

(54) Title: REFRIGERATOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF.

(54) Title: REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME.

(57) Summary

A refrigerator is provided which includes a cabinet forming one of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment; a front door that opens and closes the refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment and includes an open storage space to the front; a sub door installed above the main door and opening and closing the storage space of the main door; and a dispenser arranged on the sub door and dispensing water.

(57) Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator including a cabinet forming one of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a main door opening and closing the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment and including a storage spac e opened forward, a sub door installed on the main door and opening and closing the storage space of the main door, and a dispenser disposed on the sub door and dispensing water.

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Institute

Mexican Property

Industrial

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_SE_ «chitaría w kónómía

PATENT TITLE NO. 337697

Holder (s): LG ELECTRONICS INC. : - ';

Address: 20 Yeouido-dong, 150-721, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Name: REFRIGERATOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF Classification: lnt.CI.8: F25D23 / 02

Inventor (s): SEONIL YU; KYEONGCHUL CHO; INSUN YEO; HONGSIK KWON

REQUEST

Focha do present June 201

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No. «

MX/a/2012/015179

KR

KR

PRIORITY

Date:

June 2010 June 22, 2010

Number:

10-2010-0058858

10-2010-0058853

Validity: Twenty Aljos

Date of Come belt:

The reference Qetente is given with fi

Pursuant to article KK23 of the one counted as of the date “faith and rights.

June 2031

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.j ^ klíL ..

, 'W ·· Articles 1st, 2nd fraction V, 6th fraction III, and 59 of the Law of the

I Industrial, this patent has a validity of twenty aflea ierηη riernacional and will be subject to the payment of the fee to maintain vlj

Whoever subscribes to this list has done so Industrial Property (Official Gazette of Lefrederadón 26/01/2004. 16/06/2005, 25/01/2006, 06/05 / 2009,06 / 01/21 incieo a), 4th and 12th fractions! and III of the Regulations of 07/01/2002, 07/15/2004, 07/28/2004 and 7 / M / 2007); Articles 1 of the Mexican Substitute for the IrAistrial Property (DOF 12/27/1999, 'and 5', paragraph a) of the Agreement that grants powers to the Directors of the Regional Offices, Deputy Directors Divi I nd lstfiif. ' it formed ustrial.

pro&gt; g ables, before those by articles 6 fractions lll and 7 'bis 2 of the • issued on 08/02/1994, 10/25/1998, 12/26/1997, ίββθ6 / 2010, 01/27/2012 and 04/09/2012); 1st articles. 3rd lexiconodeta Industnal Property (DOF 14/12/1999, v muse a) 15 sections I »lll and 30 of the Statute as of 10/1/2002 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/201 jordBBaor, Directors Divisional, Title refutes

WWjSBilWWMW *^IMW ** »* 'and of the 5/1999, iction V side the rgánlco 1st, 3rd of the options

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Sand! No. 550, Floor 1,

Co!. Puebio Santa María Tepepan Xochimiico, C P. 16020,

Mexico City

Tea! (55) 53 34 0^? 00 www.impi.qob.¡nx

Issue Date: March 14, 2016

THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS

NAHANNY CANAL REYES

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MX / 2016 / 2181Θ

REFRIGERATOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

33^0

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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The present description relates ona with a refrigerator and with a refrigerator manufacturing method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerators are electrical appliances for storing food at low temperatures in a storage space closed by a door. The storage space is cooled by cold air that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in refrigeration cycles, thereby optimally storing food.

Along with the change in people's eating patterns and preferences, large, multi-functional coolers have been introduced, and various comfortable structures have been added to the coolers.

For example, a refrigerator may include a dispenser to dispense cold water without opening the refrigerator door. Said dispenser is installed on an exterior part of the refrigerator door, and dispenses the water in accordance with the user's operation.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION i- -gTjairgaff-yxit-rjTtjCTj-jg. ,.,,

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Technical problem

The modalities provide a refrigerator that includes a main door that has storage space, a sub door to open and close the storage space that includes a dispenser, thus improving user convenience.

The embodiments also provide a method of manufacturing a refrigerator in which the outer casing is integrally formed with a dispenser through a forming process, thereby improving appearance and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Solution to the problem

In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet forming a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment; a front door that opens and closes the refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment and includes an open storage space to the front; a sub door installed on it to the front door and which opens and closes the storage space of the main door; and a dispenser arranged on the sub door and dispensing water.

In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet that forms a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment; a front door that opens and closes the refrigerator compartment or and

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freezer compartment including an opening; a sub door installed above the main door and opening and closing the opening of the main door; and a dispenser disposed on the sub-door and dispensing water, wherein the dispenser includes: a gap formed by cupping an outer casing that constitutes a front surface on the sub-door and that is formed of a metallic material; cut parts formed by cutting the outer casing on an upper side and a lower side of the gap; and a dispensing member arranged in the cut portion on the upper side of the dispensing gap ar drinking water.

In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a refrigerator includes: forming an outer shell constituting an exterior of a sub door and formed of a metallic material, wherein the sub door is installed over a main door that opens and closes a storage space of a cabinet and provided with a storage space open to the front, and open and close the storage space; carrying portions of the outer casing to correspond with an upper end and a lower end of a recess for dispensing drinking water; hollow out the outer shell to form the gap; and installing a dispensing member for dispensing water, in the cut portion of the gap.

In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet forming a storage space; a front door that opens and closes the storage space; a main hinge attached to the cabinet and supporting an upper end and a lower end of the front door rsi?! ·.

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to rotate the front door; a storage unit that forms a storage space at the front door and opens through a front surface of the front door; a sub door that opens and closes the storage space; a sub-hinge arranged between the main door and the sub-door and supporting the sub-door so that the sub-door rotates; and a dispenser disposed on a front surface of the sub door and dispensing drinking water.

Details of one or more modalities are set forth in the accompanying drawings and in the following description. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Advantageous effects of the invention

In accordance with the modalities, a storage space is arranged in a main door, and is open and closed with a sub door. So even when a Food is frequently removed or introduced, the loss of cold air can be decreased, thus reducing energy consumption.

Because the dispenser is installed above the sub door, drinking water can be conveniently dispensed. Additionally, because the front door is provided with the dispenser as well as the storage space, the refrigerator can be used more conveniently.

A decorative cover constituting the upper end of the sub

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INDUS-j liíAL ^c3The door also constitutes the upper end of the refrigerator door, and a handle is hidden from the outside, thus improving the appearance of the refrigerator.

The decorative lid covers a sub hinge to hide the sub 5 hinge from the outside, further enhancing the appearance of the refrigerator.

A hole in the dispenser is integrally formed with the outer casing forming the appearance of the door.

Thus, the gap and the rest of the outer casing except for the gap are formed of the same material and have the same figure or a continuous figure / pattern. Consequently, the appearance of the refrigerator is improved.

Additionally, the gap is formed from the same metallic material as that of the outer shell, rather than an injection molded material that has a metallic texture, thus providing the feeling of unity, and improving appearance.

Because the gap is naturally formed by forming the outer casing, a refrigerator manufacturing process according to the embodiment can be more simplified than a refrigerator manufacturing process including a separate dispenser on a door, thus improving productivity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

IM PI

MFX'C / 'INSTITUTE. U'O DE LA PROWEDaD

INDUSTRIAL

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a main refrigerator door of Figure 1 is open.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state that a refrigerator sub door of Figure 1 is open.

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a water supply step of the refrigerator of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of the main door of Figure 2 and the sub-door of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating rotations of the main door of Figure 2 and the sub door of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a schematic view illustrating a dispenser from the refrigerator in Figure 1.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the dispenser of Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating a manufacturing method of a refrigerator door of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating a water supply step of a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment.

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Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating a water supply passage of a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The spirit and scope of the p This description, however, should not be construed as limited to the modalities provided here. Rather, it will be apparent that the other modalities that fall within the spirit and scope of the present description can be easily derived through the aggregation, modification and elimination of the elements of these.

A top mount refrigerator in which the freezer compartment is arranged above the refrigerator compartment will be exemplified in the following embodiments, for convenience of description, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and therefore, the present description may be applied to any refrigerator that includes a dispenser.

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment.

Referring to Figure 1, a refrigerator 1 in accordance with one embodiment includes a cabinet 10 that includes a storage space The same, and 20 doors that open and close the refrigerator storage space 1.

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Cabinet 10 and doors 20 form an appearance of the

The storage space is divided into an upper part and a lower part. A freezer compartment 12 and a refrigerator compartment 14 are arranged in the upper and lower portions of the cabinet 10, respectively. Doors 20 include a freezer door 22 and a refrigerator door 24, which open and close freezer compartment 12 and refrigerator compartment 14, respectively.

Doors 20 are rotatable, and include door handles 26 on one side thereof, so that user 20 can rotate doors 20 to open and close refrigerator compartment 14 and freezer compartment 12.

A screen 28 may be arranged on the front surface of door 20 to display an operating state of the refrigerator. dor 1. Screen 28 may include manipulation buttons for handling refrigerator 1. Screen 20 may include dispenser 400 for dispensing water out of refrigerator 1.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the refrigerator door 24 will be described.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a main refrigerator door is open, in accordance with the current embodiment. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state r:

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in which a refrigerator sub door is open, in accordance with the current modality. Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating a water supply step of a refrigerator in accordance with the current embodiment. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of the main door of Figure 2 and the sub-door of Figure 3, in accordance with the current modality. Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating rotations of the main door of Figure 2 and the sub-door of Figure 3, in accordance with the current embodiment.

Referring to Figures 2 through 6, the refrigerator door 24 includes a main door 100 and a sub door 200. The main door 100 entirely covers a front opening of the refrigerator compartment

14.

The main hinges 110 are installed at the upper and lower ends of the main door 100, respectively. The main hinges 110 are fixed to the cabinet 10, and are coupled via shafts to the upper and lower ends of the main door 100, so that the main door 100 can rotate to open and close the refrigerator compartment 14.

One of the main hinges 110 may be arranged between the refrigerator door 24 and the freezer door 22 to support the former top end of refrigerator door 24 and bottom end of freezer door 22. Alternatively, although not shown, main hinges 110 may be provided on top ends

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IN _______

D'JS ÍRIhL refrigerator 24 like door

100 it may include a space of and below both of the freezer door 22, respectively.

The main storage door 300 for storing food. The storage space 5 300 is formed by a storage unit 310 installed on the rear surface of the main door 100. A food can be pushed into or out of the storage space 300 through an opening 320 in the front surface of the door. main 100.

In detail, the storage unit 310 is arranged 10 on the rear surface of the main door 100, and includes a frame 312 forming an appearance of the storage unit approach 310, and the storage members 314 disposed within frame 312. The frame

312 it extends from the underside of opening 320 to the upper end of main door 100 to form storage space 15,300, and projects rearward. A plurality of covers 316 may be provided on frame 312 to open and close separate rooms in storage space 300 after the front door is opened.

100.

The cold air inlets 318 may be arranged in a side portion of the storage unit 310. The cold air inlets 318 contact an internal wall of the refrigerator compartment 14 when the main door 100 is closed. A cold air duct (not shown) may be arranged on the inside wall of the compartment

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IND US T ¡LIA L refrigerator 14. When the pu Main door 100 is closed, the cold air duct is connected to the cold air inlets 318 to discharge cold air into storage space 300.

The storage members 314 arranged within the frame 312 can have various shapes including a basket shape and a shelf shape in accordance with the types of food to be stored. Because the storage members 314 disposed within the frame 312 can be freely removed, various shaped spaces can be formed by combining the storage members 314.

Access to the storage space 300 formed by the storage unit 310 is allowed by opening the main door 100, so that the food can be stored in the storage space 300 through the rear portion of the main door 100. When main door 100 is closed, access to storage space 300 may be allowed by opening the sub gate 200. In this case, food can be stored in storage space 300 through opening 320 on the front side of main door 100.

The main door 100 can include a water tank 120. The water tank 120 stores water to supply the dispenser 400, and can be detachably attached to the rear surface of the main door 100. The water tank 120 can be arranged in the storage space 300, or be arranged on the rear surface of the main door 100 outside the storage space 300.

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Sub-door 200 is coupled to main door 100. Sub-door 200 opens and closes storage members 314 and has a size corresponding to opening 320.

Sub door 200 includes an outer casing 500 forming an appearance of sub door 200, and a door liner 510 coupled to outer casing 500 to form a back surface of sub door 200. A thermal insulator (not shown) is provided between outer shell 500 and door liner 510.

The outer shell 500 may be formed of a metal such as a stainless steel plate. Outer casing 500 constitutes the front surface of sub door 200, and at least a portion of the edge of sub door 200. When door 20 is closed, outer casing 500 constitutes a front appearance of door 20.

A film can be attached to the front surface of the outer shell 500 and can have various shapes or patterns through a hairline procedure or a corrosion procedure. The outer shell 500 may have a planar front surface or a curved front surface that is at least partially forward curved. A part constituting the appearance of the main door 100 may be made of the same materials as that The outer casing 500 of the sub door 200.

When sub door 200 is closed, sub door 200 may be flush with the front surface of main door 100. The end

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top of sub door 200 and upper end of main door 100 are arranged at the same height. That is, the sub door 200 and the main door 100 share the upper end of the refrigerator door 24. The left, right and bottom ends of the sub door 200 are arranged inward from the left, right, and lower ends of the front door 100.

The sub door 200 may have a width corresponding to the screen 28 arranged at the lower end of the freezer door 22. The distance between the left end of the sub door 200 and the left end of the main door 100 may be equal to the distance between the right end of the sub door 200 and the right end of the door main 100.

That is, the sub door 200 is separated from the left and right ends of the main door 100. Thus, the door handle 26 may be arranged on a portion of the main door 100 on one side of the sub door 200. The spaces where the main hinges 110 are installed are arranged on another side of the sub door 200.

The rear surface of sub door 200 can project into a shape corresponding to the stepped portion of opening 320. Thus, when sub door 200 is closed, sub door 200 can seal storage space 300. A gasket 210 is provided on the edge of the rear surface of sub door 200, and makes close contact with main door 100 to prevent cold air leakage. Board 210

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MSXICAN INSTITUTE C · INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY may include a magnet, and thus, may closely contact the front door. pal 100 by Magnetic force of Magnet. Sub door 200 may include a locking structure such as a latch structure to selectively lock sub door 200 to main door 100.

A decorative cover 220 is provided at the upper end of sub door 200. Decorative cover 220 constitutes the upper portion of sub door 200 and may be formed of a plastic material that is different from the material that constitutes the front surface of the sub door 200. The decorative cover 220 may be coupled to a main body of the sub door 200.

Decorative cap 220 may include a sub door handle 228. Sub door handle 228 is hollowed out downward. A user can hold the sub door handle 228 so that the user can easily rotate the sub door 200. The sub door handle 228 is arranged on the decorative cover 220 at a position away from the sub hinges 240 to be described later, and fac illiterate rotation of sub gate 200.

Because sub door handle 228 is arranged at the upper end of sub door 200, when sub door 200 and main door 100 are closed, sub door handle 228 is arranged just below freezer door 22 Thus, a user can place his hand in the space between freezer door 22 and refrigerator door 24 and grasp sub door handle 228, to open sub door 200. Thus, the sub door handle 228 may be hidden from the front side when the

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main gate 100 and sub gate 200 are closed.

The decorative cover 220 includes a fixing part 222 coupled with the upper end of a main body 230 of the sub door 200, and a cover 224 covering the sub hinge 240 to be described later. The fixing part 222 and the cover 224 are coupled to each other to constitute a hinge installation part 226 on which An upper sub hinge 250 is installed on the upper side of the ^ ub door 200.

In detail, the fixing part 222 is installed on the upper end of the main body 230 of the sub door 200, and then, the upper sub hinge 250 is installed on the hinge installation part 226. The cover 224 is installed on the part fastener 222 for attaching and hiding upper sub hinge 250. Accordingly, when sub door 200 is closed, sub hinge 240 is not exposed to the outside.

In detail, the 240 sub-hinges include the upper sub-hinge

250 supporting the upper end of the sub door 200, and a lower sub hinge 260 supporting the lower end thereof.

The upper sub-hinge 250 may be provided on the upper side of the main door 100 and the opening 320. The upper sub-hinge 250 includes a coupler part 252 coupled to the main door 100, and a part hinge e 254 installed on hinge installation part 226. Coupler part 252 has a plate shape, and is fixed to the upper portion of main door 100 by means of a coupler member such as a screw. Hinge part 254 projects perpendicular to part

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coupler 252 and is inserted into the hinge installation part 226. A hinge axis extends from one end of the hinge part 254, and is perpendicular to the hinge part 254, and is inserted into the decorative cap

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220.

Lower sub hinge 260 may be provided on the upper side of main door 100 and opening 320. Lower sub hinge 260 projects upward from the lower end of opening 320 of main door 100 and is inserted into the end bottom of sub gate 200 to function as an axis of rotation of sub gate 200.

Bottom sub hinge 260 can be attached to the front door

100. A hinge hole 262 for receiving the lower sub-hinge 260 may be disposed on the bottom surface of the sub-door 200 in a position corresponding to the lower sub-hinge 260. Alternatively, the lower sub-hinge 260 may project downward from the surface. of the bottom of the sub-hinge 240, and the hinge hole 262 corresponding to the lower sub-hinge 260 can be arranged in the main door 100.

The lower sub-hinge 260 may have a hollow tube shape. Lower sub hinge 260 may have upper and lower openings. A water supply passage for supplying water to dispenser 400 and / or a cable 420 for supplying power to electrical / electronic parts of sub gate 200 may be guided by lower sub hinge 260.

In detail, a water supply passage 410 and cable 420 are

Ungodly 'JL R INSTITUTE

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provided to sub gate 200 to handle the electrical / electronic parts provided to dispenser 400 and sub gate 200. The water supply passage 410 and cable 420 are guided from main gate 100 to sub gate 200 through the gap internal of the lower sub hinge 260.

The water supply passage 410 is arranged in the main door 100 and the sub door 200 to guide the water from the water tank 120 to the dispenser 400. The water supply passage 410 is connected to the water tank 120 in the door main 100, and is guided within sub gate 200 through lower sub hinge 260 to one side of main gate 100. Water supply passage 410 is connected to dispenser 400 at sub gate 200 to supply water.

A valve 414 and a pump 412 for supplying water to the dispenser 400 may be arranged on the water supply tube 400. The valve 414 and pump 412 can be arranged on main gate 100, or at least one of valve 414 and pump 412 can be arranged on sub-gate 200.

Hereinafter, a dispenser like the one described above will now be described in greater detail.

Figure 7 is a schematic view illustrating a dispenser in accordance with the current embodiment. Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the dispenser of Figure 7.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, dispenser 400

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LÍS'íTJAL.

ı, members can include a gap 430, a decorative dispensing member 450, and a handling member 460.

In detail, recess 430 provides a space for receiving a container such as a glass during dispensing of drinking water, and is integrally formed with outer shell 500. Recess 430 may be formed by hollowing out a portion of outer shell 500 inward. . The H ueco 430 can have a curved surface increasing in depth towards the center of it.

The portions of the outer shell 500 that correspond to the upper and lower ends of the gap 430 are cut, and then, the gap 430 is formed. The cut portions 432 and 434 formed by cutting the portions of the gap 430 may correspond to the width of the gap 430. The gap 430 may have a depth corresponding to the diameter of the dispensing member 440 to be described later.

The cut parts 432 and 434 can be formed before forming the hole 430, and can receive the dispensing member 440. The cut parts 432 and 434 are naturally open when forming the hole 430, and an open depth thereof is determined in accordance with a depth of the hole 430.

The cut parts 432 and 434 can be arranged on the upper and lower sides of the gap 430, respectively, and are open towards the cent hollow hole 430. The cut parts 432 and 434 can have the same shape. Alternatively, the cut part 432 can be larger

MAID

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than the cut part 434. In this case, the gap 430 may be inclined.

Dispensing member 440 may be disposed in the center of cut portion 432 in the position having the greatest width. Dispenser member 440 has a tube shape, and may be exposed to gap 430 through cut portion 432. Dispenser member 440 may be integrally formed with an upper decoration 452 to be described later.

The decorative members 450 are arranged on the cut part 432 arranged above the gap 430 and the cut part 434 arranged below the gap 430, respectively. The decorative members 450 cover the cut part 432 and the cut part 434 and may be formed of a material different from that of the outer casing 500. The members Decorative arms 450 may be formed of a plastic material, and be colored or coated with a metallic texture after injection molding.

Decorative members 450 may include upper decoration 452 and lower decoration 454. Upper decoration 452 covers the cut part 432 arranged above the gap 430. The upper decoration 452 is installed upwards from the outside of the gap 430 to cover the part cut 432. Dispenser member 440 may be installed in the middle of top decoration 452. A portion of the upper decoration 452 constitutes a portion of an appearance above the gap 430.

The lower decoration 454 covers the cut part 434 dispu sta

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below gap 430. Bottom trim 454 is installed downward from outside of gap 430 to cover cut portion 434. Bottom trim 454 may include a water collecting portion 236 hollow out. down. The water collecting part 236 collects the remaining water that falls from the hole 430. The lower decoration 454 can be removed to discard the water from the water collecting part 236.

Handling member 460 is disposed in the center of recess 430. Handling member 460 can be depressed to operate, such as a button or lever. Alternatively, because the gap 430 is shallow, the handling member 460 may feel a touch to determine whether or not to supply water.

Handling member 460 may be installed in an installation part 436 additionally recessed from the center of the recess 430. Installation part 436 may include an Installation hole 438 in which electrical / electronic parts such as an LED lighting device 462 and a switch connected to the manipulation member 460 can be installed. A cable can be connected through hole d and installation 438 with the LED Illumination device 462 provided to the manipulation member 460. The installation part 436 may allow a back and forth movement or a rotation of the manipulation member 460.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door as configured above will now be described in accordance with

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the current modality.

Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door in accordance with the current embodiment.

Referring to Figure 9, the outer casing 500 is formed to form the door 20. In step S100, the outer casing 500 is formed by cutting a roll-wound stainless steel plate to correspond to the size of the door twenty.

A stainless steel plate surface is treated with a figure or pattern in step S200. For example, a proc Hairline edging can be performed on the surface of the stainless steel plate to provide rich texture or anti-fingerprint characteristics. Additionally, a figure can be formed using a corrosive such as nitric acid, or various textures can be expressed through a grinding procedure.

The edges of the housing 500 are then bent to form edges of the sub-door 200. The outer casing 500 may have a curved surface projecting into the center thereof, in accordance with a shape of the door 20.

When the formation of the outer shell 500 is completed, the outer shell 500 is cut to form the cut parts 432 and 434 at the positions corresponding to the upper and lower ends of the gap 430 in operation S300. At this point, installation hole 438

<img file="MX337697B_D0026.tif" />

<img file="MX337697B_D0027.tif" />

ME.XlCANO INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL may be formed in the part Installation 436. The cut parts 43? and 434 are formed to correspond to the width of the gap 430. At this point, if necessary, other holes can be formed in the outer casing 500.

After the formation of the cut parts 432 and 434, a portion of the outer casing 500 corresponding to the gap 430 is hollowed out in step S400. Thus, hole 430 has a curved surface that projects backward. The cut parts 432 and 434 are naturally formed on the top and bottom sides of the gap 430, by forming the gap

430.

While the gap 430 is formed, the installation part 436 can also be formed. Alternatively, after gap 430 is formed, installation portion 436 may be formed through a separate forming procedure.

After the formation of the gap 430, the decorative members 450 are installed on the cut parts 432 and 434 in step S500. This that is, the top trim 452 is installed over the cut portion 432 disposed above the gap 430. At this point, the dispensing member 440 coupled with the top trim 452 can be installed in the cut portion 432 along with the top trim 452. Alternatively, after the top decoration 452 is installed on the cut part 432, the dispensing member 440 can be coupled with the top decoration 452.

<img file="MX337697B_D0028.tif" />

<img file="MX337697B_D0029.tif" />

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

So, the bottom decoration 454 is fixed to the cut part

434 arranged below the gap 430. The lower decoration 454 can be attached separately to the cut part 434 to remove the remaining water.

In step S600, the manipulation member 460 is installed in the installation part 436. The manipulation member 460 can be operated in the installation part 436 in accordance with a method of manipulating the manipulation member 460.

A switch button to operate the handling member

460 it can be installed in the installation hole 438 of the installation part 436. The lighting device 462 as an LED provided to the manipulation member 460, or a cable connected to the electrical / electronic parts passes through the installation hole 438.

After the installation of the handling member 460 and the installation of the decorative members 450, a water supply passage and a power line are fixed, which extend to the gap 430. Then, the outer casing 500 is coupled with door liner 510 constituting the internal surface of door 20. A decorative cover constituting an edge of door 20 can be installed to form an appearance of door 20.

A gap between outer shell 500 and door liner 510 can be filled with a heat insulator through of a foaming procedure, thus completing the formation of the

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<img file="MX337697B_D0030.tif" />

gate 200.

Hereinafter, the operations of a refrigerator configured as described above will now be described.

Freezer door 22 is open to remove food from freezer compartment 12. Refrigerator door 24 is open to remove food from refrigerator compartment 14.

To remove food from the refrigerator compartment 14, a user rotates the main door 100 holding the door handle 26 of the main door 100 and opens the refrigerator compartment 14. When the main door 100 is opened, the front surface of the refrigerator compartment 14 is completely exposed, and a food can be put in the refrigerator compartment 14.

Main door 100 or sub door 200 is open to remove food from storage space 300 in main door 100.

When the main door 100 is rotated and fully opened, the refrigerator compartment 14 is opened, and simultaneously, the rear surface of the main door 100 can be exposed. Thus, the rear surface of the storage space 300 can be exposed, and the cover 316 covering the storage space can be opened and closed to remove or put food on the storage members.

314. After the main door 100 is opened, the water tank 120 can be removed from the main door 100 to supply the water tank

120 with water to supply dispenser 400.

<img file="MX337697B_D0031.tif" />

Sub door 200 can be rotated to open storage space 300. For this purpose, a hand can be placed on sub door handle 228 between refrigerator door 24 and freezer door 22 and sub door 200 can be pulled and rotated.

Sub gate 200 rotates around of the sub-hinge 240 as an axis, and thus, the front portion of the storage space is exposed. When the storage space 300 is opened, a user can take or put food in the storage space 300.

A user can dispense water out of the refrigerator by manipulating dispenser 400. When dispenser 400 is manipulated, water is supplied from water tank 120 through water supply passage 410 to dispenser 400 arranged in sub-door 200. After the water is completely discharged from the water tank 120, the main door 100 can be opened, then, the water tank 120 can be removed, then the water tank 120 can be filled with water, and then, water tank 120 can be Re-installed on main door 100 to use dispenser 400.

A refrigerator in accordance with various other modalities can be exemplified. Hereinafter a re refrigerator will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in accordance with another embodiment.

In the current embodiment, the dispenser is provided to the sub door, and a water tank arranged in the refrigerator compartment is connected to the dispenser through a water supply passage, from

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INSTITUTE μ? Χ: τλνο DE LA ρκοριεοΛο so that water can be dispensed out of the refrigerator¹ Thus, in the current modality, the rest of the parts with the exception of water and the water supply step are the same as those of the previous modality, a description of it will be omitted, and the corresponding reference numbers denote the elements. corresponding.

Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating a water supply step of a refrigerator in accordance with the current embodiment.

Referring to Figure 10, refrigerator 1 includes the cabinet e 10 forming a storage space, the refrigerator door 24 opens and closes the refrigerator compartment 14 in the cabinet 10, and the freezer door 22 opens and closes the freezer compartment 12 in the cabinet

10. Cabinet 10, refrigerator door 24, and freezer door 22 form an appearance of refrigerator 1.

Refrigerator door 24 includes main door 100 that opens and closes refrigerator compartment 14, and sub door 200 opens and closes storage space 300 provided on main door 100. Sub door 200 includes dispenser 400 for dispensing water. out of the refrigerator 1.

The main door 100 can be rotated through a main hinge 510 supporting the upper and lower ends of the main door

100. Sub door 200 can be rotated through sub hinge 520 including an upper sub hinge 522 and a lower sub hinge 524.

The water to be supplied to dispenser 400 is stored in

<img file="MX337697B_D0032.tif" />

<img file="MX337697B_D0033.tif" />

a water tank 530 arranged in the refrigerator compartment 14. The water tank 530 arranged in the refrigerator compartment 14 can be removed from the refrigerator compartment 14 to fill the water tank 530 with water.

Dispenser 400 is connected to water tank 530 through water supply passage 540. A pump 542 and valve 544 can be installed over water supply passage 540, and thus, dispenser 400 operates to supply water from water tank 530 to dispenser 400.

The water supply passage 540 for supplying water from the water tank 530 in the refrigerator compartment 14 to the dispenser 400 of the sub-door 200 passes sequentially through the main hinge 510 and the sub-hinge 520.

The water supply passage 540 is connected to the water tank 530 in the cooling compartment Thus, the water supply passage 540 is guided within the main door 100, through the main hinge 510 arranged below the main door 100, and is guided within the sub door 200 through the sub bottom hinge 524, and so can be connected to dispenser 400. The water supply passage 540 is arranged in the cabinet 10, the main door 100 and the sub door 200, and can be embedded in a thermal insulator.

Also, when the dispenser 400 includes a lighting device or electrical / electronic parts, a cable to be connected to the

<img file="MX337697B_D0034.tif" />

HI

ΓΟ MEXICAN INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

<img file="MX337697B_D0035.tif" />

dispenser 400 can be guided to dispenser 400 or sub door 200 through main hinge 510 and sub hinges 520.

A refrigerator in accordance with various other modalities in addition to the previous modalities can be exemplified. Henceforth, a refrigerator will be now described with reference to the accompanying drawings in accordance with another embodiment.

In the current embodiment, the dispenser is provided to the sub door, and a water supply tube connected to the dispenser is connected to a water supply source arranged outside the refrigerator, so that water can be dispensed through the dispenser. . Thus, in the current modality, the rest of the parts with the exception of the water supply step are the same as those of the previous modalities, a description of them will be omitted, and the corresponding reference numbers denote the corresponding elements.

Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating a water supply step of a refrigerator in accordance with the current embodiment.

Referring to Figure 11, the refrigerator 1 includes the cabinet 10 forming a storage space, the refrigerator door 24 opens and closes the compartment refrigerator 14 in cabinet 10, and freezer door 22 opens and closes freezer compartment 12 in cabinet 10. Cabinet 10, refrigerator door 24, and freezer door 22 form an appearance of refrigerator 1.

<img file="MX337697B_D0036.tif" />

Refrigerator door 24 includes main door 100 that opens and closes refrigerator compartment 14, and sub door 200 opens and closes storage space 300 provided on main door 100. Sub door 20 includes dispenser 400 for dispensing water. out of the refrigerator 1.

The main door 100 can be rotated through a main hinge 610 supporting the upper and lower ends of the main door 100. The sub door 200 can be rotated through sub hinge 620 including a top sub hinge 622 and a lower sub hinge. 624.

The water dispensed by the dispenser 400 is supplied from a water supply source 630 arranged outside the fridge

one. The water supply source 630 is connected to a water pipe or to a water supply passage 640 outside the refrigerator 1 to supply water from the outside of the refrigerator 1.

The water supply passage 640 connects the water supply source 630 to the dispenser 400. Thus, a portion of the water supply passage 640 is exposed outside the refrigerator 1, and is connected to the water supply source 630. A portion of the 640 water supply passage in refrigerator 1 passes through cabinet 10. The water supply passage 640 is guided inside the main door 100, through the main hinge 610 arranged below the main door 100, and is guided inside the sub door 200 through the lower sub hinge 624, and thus, it can be connected to dispenser 400.

MEXICAN INSTITUTE J &gt;&gt;

OF THE PROPERTY uu.? Xx&gt; M

INDU3T? J, .L ^ te¿, ^ -At least s a pump 642 and at least one valve 644 are arranged over the water supply passage 640, and thus, dispenser 400 operates to supply water from water tank 646 to dispenser 400.

Water supply passage 640, pump 642, and valve 644 are arranged in cabinet 10, main door 100, and sub-door 200, and may be embedded in a thermal insulator.

Also, when dispenser 400 includes a lighting device or electrical / electronic parts, a cable to be connected to dispenser 400 can be routed to dispenser 400 or sub-gate 200 through main hinge 610 and sub-hinges 620.

Although the main door and the sub door constitute the refrigerator door in the previous modalities, the main door and the sub door can constitute a freezer door in another modality. Also, the main door and sub door can constitute a refrigerator door including a single revolving door, and so can be applied to any refrigerator that includes a dispenser.

Although modalities have been described in reference to various illustrative modalities thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and modalities may be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, many variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and / or arrangements of the combination arrangement discussed within the scope of the disclosure, the

<img file="MX337697B_D0037.tif" />

<img file="MX337697B_D0038.tif" />

drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in component parts and / or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Industrial application field

In accordance with the modalities, because the dispenser is installed on the sub door a, the dispenser can be used conveniently. Additionally, because the dispenser is integrally formed with the outer casing to form a door appearance, the appearance of the refrigerator is improved, and a manufacturing procedure is simplified, thereby improving productivity.

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