Refrigerator

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[1] Embodiments relate to a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND

[2] Refrigerator is a household appliance, providing low-temperature storage, which can be opened and closed door, for storing food at low temperature. For this refrigerator cools the storage space from the inside using cold air generated by heat exchange with the refrigerant, which repeats the cooling cycle to maintain the product in an optimal state.

[3] The size of the refrigerator has a tendency to become more and more increasing, and the refrigerator provides versatility, since changing life food and pursued high quality, and thus on the market come refrigerators of various designs in terms of the user's convenience and energy efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

[4] Embodiments of the present invention provide a refrigerator, which includes a shelf that is disclosed as associated with the action of the opening / closing of the second door to open or close the storage space defined in the first door to cover the storage space.

The solution of the problem

[5] In one embodiment, the refrigerator includes a body defining a space for storage; the first door opens or closes the storage space; accommodation device defining a space for accommodating, open towards the front surface of the first door; a second door located on the front door to open or close the unit for placement; a shelf disposed on the first door, wherein the shelf opens outwards from the device for placement through its rotation; and a connecting node joins the regiment to the second door, the connecting node is connected to the second door opening to turn the shelves.

[6] Both, left and right side surfaces of the shelves can be attached to the pin-hole opening, which determines the input device to be placed in the first door.

[7] The second door may have a shelf receiving portion configured to receive a stepped shelf when the shelf develops.

[8] The connector assembly may be of variable length.

[9] Both ends of the connector assembly may be connected with the possibility to rotate the shelf and to the second door, respectively.

[10] Furthermore, the damping assembly which softens the push flange during rotation of the shelf to reduce the rotational speed of the shelves can be positioned on the connecting node.

[11] On the shelf can be positioned part of the compound to which rotatably joins the end connector assembly having a ball shape.

[12] Details of the compound may include a cut-out portion that is cut for rotatably connecting the end node; and a guide portion protruding from the cut-out portion for receiving the ends of the connector assembly in both ends of the cut part.

[13] The connector assembly may include a pivot joint, is rotatably attachable to the connection element; a rod which is received in rod interface capable of accessing; mounting parts mounted on the second door; and a connecting piece to be connected rotatably to the mounting part and the rod.

[14] The connecting part may include a pivot pin connecting part joins the mounting part to the connecting part in order to rotate the connection member in the same direction, i.e. that which rotates the second door; and a rod (cylindrical) pin which joins the connecting piece to the rod in order to rotate the rod in a direction intersecting (perpendicular to) one in which the second door rotates.

[15] The refrigerator may further include a damper unit elastically supporting the rod inside the rod joint for slow movement of the rod.

[16] In order to open the second door, the refrigerator may further include a lower hinge assembly disposed on the pivot pin of the second door, the lower hinge assembly is rotated along the tapered cam surface under its own weight of the second door when the second door opens.

[17] The lower hinge assembly may include a hinge mounting member fixed to pull-out line of the pivot pin of the second door; rotation hinge element, a vertically movable over the loop fastening element, wherein the rotating element rotates together with the hinge of the second door; and elastic members supporting element hinge rotation upwards, the elastic member provides the resiliency to maintain the contact position between the rotating element and the hinge loop fastening element.

[18] The first and second cam surfaces slanted downward may be disposed on the element mounting hinges and rotating element loops, respectively, and first and second cam surfaces are in contact with each other in a state where the second door is closed, in order to rotate the second door under its own weight during the second door opening the second door.

[19] The second and fourth cam surface sloping upwards, can be arranged on the element mounting hinges and rotating element loops, respectively, and the second and fourth cam surfaces are in contact with each other when the second door opens to an angle greater than a predetermined angle, for In order to reduce and limit the rotation of the second door.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[20] According to embodiments, the shelf can be opened by being linked with the opening of the second door. Thus, for easier placing of products the consumer can put the products on an open shelf, to accommodate a device for placement.

[21] Also, the shelf can be rotated smoothly by the connecting assembly attached to the shelf. In addition, it may prevent rotation of the second door at an angle greater than a predetermined angle, through a lower hinge-assembly for opening the shelf in a stable position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[22] FIG. 1 - a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

[23] FIG. 2 - a perspective view of the refrigerator with the first door opened according to an embodiment.

[24] FIG. 3 - a perspective view of a refrigerator with a second door opened according to an embodiment.

[25] FIG. 4 - views showing a state in which the shelf pivots when opening the second door.

[26] FIG. 5 - a view showing the back surface of the first door in a state where the second door is closed.

[27] FIG. 6 - a view showing a state in which the item compound and connector assembly are attached to each other in the embodiment.

[28] FIG. 7 - detailed perspective view of a connector assembly according to an embodiment.

[29] FIG. 8 - view illustrating the connect node.

[30] FIG. 9 - the bottom view of the loop assembly in a position where the second door is closed.

[31] FIG. 10 - bottom view of the loop assembly in a state where the second door is opened.

The method of the invention for

[32] It will be made in detail the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth in these documents; rather, they alternate embodiments that are included in the invention or other retrograde fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will fully convey the concept of the invention, those skilled in the art.

[33] For convenience of description, though, that two-temperature refrigerator type is described in the embodiments by way of example, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, all types of refrigerators, including with doors opening thereof by means of its rotation can be used for the embodiments.

[34] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator with the door open according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the refrigerator with the door open according to the second embodiment.

[35] Referring to FIG. 1-3, a refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment includes a housing defining a storage space, and doors 20 and 30 opening or closing the storage space. Here, the appearance of the refrigerator 1 can be determined by the body 10 and the doors 20 and 30.

[36] Inside the housing 10 may be divided into left and right sides to define a freezing chamber 102 and the refrigerating chamber 104. The doors 20 and 30 may include a freezing chamber door 20 and the door 30 of the refrigerating chamber that opens and closes the freezer chamber 102 and the refrigerating chamber 104, respectively.

[37] Also, an apparatus for placing may be arranged on the door of the refrigerating chamber 30 to define a single storage space separated from the refrigerating chamber 104 inside. Thus, at a position where the refrigerating compartment door 30 is locked inside the cooling chamber 104 may be defined as a first storage chamber 104, and a device for placing inside can be defined as a second chamber 405 for storage.

[38] The refrigerating compartment door 30 may include a first door 310 opens or closes the first chamber 104 for storage, and a second door 340 for opening or closing the second chamber 405 for storage.

[39] In detail, in the upper portion of the first door 310 may be defined by an aperture-opening 316. The opening-hole 316 may extend from the slot part 313 up to a position adjacent to the upper edge of the first door 310. Also, the opening hole 316 may extend up to positions adjacent to each of the two side edges of the first door 310. The apparatus 40 for placing may be arranged on the back surface of the first door 310 corresponding to the rear-side opening 316. The opening device 40 to accommodate a shape open in the forward direction. Also, products can be available in the device 40 for placement through the opening-hole 316.

[40] The seal 319 may be disposed around the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 30 for contacting the front surface of the closed loop of the housing 10 when the door 30 of the refrigerating compartment is closed. The seal 319 may be made of a material capable of elastic deformation and compression. Also, the seal 319 inside the magnet can be placed and thereby closely attached to the housing 10.

[41] Also, the opening hole 316 through which the products laid down in the device 40 to accommodate available at the position where the first door 310 is closed, can be defined in the door 30 of the refrigerating compartment. Thus, in a state where the first door 310 closes the refrigerating chamber 104, an opening-hole 316 may be opened to put or take food out of the device 40 for placement.

[42] The opening-hole 316 may have a size corresponding to the fact that the front surface of the device 40 for placement. The opening-hole 316 may be defined by vertically from the top edge of the first door 310 until the position of the slot portion 313 and defined by horizontally until the area excluding the area of ​​each of the two side edges of the first door 310. Thus, the opening-hole 316 may vary considerably from home bar used in the conventional refrigerator, in size and use.

[43] The second door 340 may open or close the opening-hole 316. Also, the second door (340) may be disposed on the first door 310 with the ability to rotate by means of a first hinge 51. The first hinge 51 may be located on the upper edge of the door 30 of the refrigerating compartment and the front surface of the refrigerating chamber door 30 corresponding to the bottom side of the opening-holes 316. The first hinge pin 51 fastened to the upper and lower edges of the second door 340. Thus, the second door 340 may be independently rotated to a position where the first door 310 is closed, to to selectively open and close the opening-hole 316.

[44] The second door 340 may have a front surface formed from the same material as the first door 310 and the door 20 of the freezing chamber. In addition, design or model of the front surface of the second door 340 can be kept under review. When the second door 340 is closed, the front surface of the second door 340 may be located in the same plane as the front surface of the refrigerating chamber door 30, located on the lower side of the second door 340.

[45] Also, when the second door 340 is closed, the upper edge and both lateral edges of the second door 340 may be located in the same position as the door 30 of the refrigerating compartment. The lower edge of the second door 340 may extend up to a position corresponding to the site on which the grooving 30 of the 313 doors of the refrigerating chamber. That is the bottom edge of the second door 340 may extend up to the position corresponding to the step-shaped at the site, which is located in the slot part 313 of the freezing chamber door 20. Thus, the second door 340 may be combined with the first door 310 in a state where the second door 340 is closed. Moreover, whereas up observed from the front side portion of the refrigerator, which is connected with the second door 340 may be closed, feels a sense of unity.

[46] The protrusion 342 protruding inward, can be located on the back surface of the second door 340. The site dorsum of the second door 340 may act to define the protrusion 342. The protrusion 342 also may have a shape corresponding to itself, the opening-holes 316. Thus, when the second door 340 is closed, the protrusion 342 may be disposed inside the opening-holes 316 and fits well to the shape of the opening-hole 316 in order to primarily prevent leakage of cold air.

[47] The upper portion and lower portion of the projection 342 may be staggered relative to each other. Lower protrusion 342a may be disposed on the stepped portion of the lower lip 342. The bottom protrusion 342a may be disposed at a position lower than the upper portion of the projection 342. Also, lower extension 342a may extend up to the lower edge of the upper portion of the projection 342. When the second door 340 is closed, Foldable shelf (370) may be placed on the lower lip 342a. Thus, the projection 342b may have a thickness corresponding to the shelf 370.

[48] ​​The gasket-seal 344 may be distributed along a closed path of the projection 342. The gasket-seal 344 may be made of a material such as rubber or silicone, which may be resilient to deformation. When the second door 340 is closed, the gasket-seal 344 may be directly adjacent to the front surface of the door 30 of the refrigerating chamber. At this time, the gasket-seal 344 may be compressed to prevent leakage of cool air trapped in the device 40 for placement.

[49] On the upper edge of the door 30 of the refrigerating chamber may be disposed second door switch 349 for detecting opening / closing of the second door 340. The second door switch 349 may be configured to generate an alarm signal to the outside when the second door 340 is not closed.

[50] The locking assembly may be located on the side edge of the rear surface of the second door 340, remote from the pivot pin of the second door 340, and the lateral edge of the door of the refrigerating compartment 30, the respective side edge of the rear surface of the second door 340. The locking unit may maintain the closed position of the second door 340 and include a provision limiting the second door 340 by the operation pressure (pressure) in order to limit the choice of the second door 340.

[51] The locking assembly may be of the same construction as the conventional push switch. Also, the locking assembly may include a locking device 60 located on the side of the refrigerating chamber door 30 and includes a latch slot 317 into which the latch hook 341 and the hook 341 being located on the second latch 340. As the door locking assembly has a structure which is widely used in the conventional refrigerator, the detailed description for the construction will be omitted.

[52] Shelves 370, which rotates in a forward direction, may be disposed on the side of the first door 310. The connector assembly 390 joins the shelf 370 to the second door 340 may be disposed on the side of the second door 340. Thus, rotation of the shelves 370 may be associated with the opening / closing of the second door 340.

[53] Hereinafter, the shelf will now be described in more detail by 370 with other links to the accompanying drawings.

[54] FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the shelf pivots when opening the second door.

[55] FIG. 5 is a view showing a rear surface of the first door in a state where the second door is closed. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the item compound and connector assembly are attached to each other in the embodiment.

[56] Referring to FIG. 3-6, the two edges of the shelves 370 may be attached inside the pin-hole aperture 316 with the ability to rotate while crossing the front surface of the first door 310. The pivot pin 371 shelves may be disposed on each of both left and right sides of the shelf 370. The pivot pin shelves 371 can be attached to both left and right sides of the lower edge of the opening-holes, respectively. Here, the pivot pin 371 shelves may be disposed at least on one side of the shelf 370 or the opening-holes 316.

[57] Shelf 370 may have a size corresponding to the width of the opening-hole 316 horizontally so that the shelf 370 may be received into the opening-hole 316. Also shelf 370 may have a size corresponding to that of the lower lip 342a, so that the shelf 370 may be It is done in the lower lip 342a when the second door 340 is closed, as shown in FIG. 5.

[58] The compound of item 380, which is joined to coupling assembly 390, as will be described in detail below, may be located on the bottom surface of the shelf 370. Detail of the connections 380 may include a connecting portion 381 of the joint, which is fastened to shelf 370 and the host interface portion 382 in which is received the end of the connector assembly 390 with the ability to rotate.

[59] In detail, the connecting portion of the joint 381 has a flat shape. Also, screw holes 381a defined respectively on both sides of the junction of the connecting portion 381 so that the connecting portion 381 to attach to the flange interface 370. Thus, item 380 compound is mounted on the shelf 370 by means of screws coupled with the screw holes 381a.

[60] The host interface portion 382 may take a ball-shaped coupling element 391a spherical shape constituting the connecting unit 390, in order to surround the spherical coupling member 391a. The surface of the bottom of the connecting portion 381 interface corresponding to the host interface part 382, ​​can be opened to insert the spherical coupling member 391a. Also cut portion 382a, which is cut in order to pave the path on which rotates the rod 382 may be positioned on the side of the receiving portion 382 of the joint.

[61] The cut-out portion 382a may allow the free rotation of the rod 391 and prevent joint separation spherical coupling element 391a with the host interface part 382. The guide portion 382b acts on the part of the cut portion 382a. The guide portion 382b protrudes from the cut-out portion 382a to define a predetermined path in a cut-out portion 382a. Also, when the joint pin 391 is rotated, the guide portion 382b of the rod 391 guides the movement of the joint. As shown in FIG. 7, ball-shaped connecting member 391a can be adopted at both ends of the cut-out portion 382a to allow its globular connecting member 391a to maintain a stable position. Here, the ball-shaped coupling element 391a may be disposed at both ends of the cut-out portion 382a, when the shelf 370 is completely folded or disclosed.

[62] Furthermore, the item limit 372 for limiting the communication unit 390 may be disposed on the side of the shelf 370. The item 372 is located on the limit surface of the base flange 370. Also, the item 372 may determine limits space spaced from the surface of the base flange 370. The lateral face the connector assembly 390 may be received between the flanges 370 and 372 limit the part to prevent movement of the connector assembly 390 in an undesirable position, when the shelf 370 is rotated.

[63] The mounting member 342b connecting unit may be disposed on the lower side of the rear surface of the second door 340. The mounting member 342b of the connecting node can be located at the lower lip 342a of the second door 340. The mounting member 342b connecting unit may be recessed for receiving the end connector assembly 390 . Also, the connecting part 395 may be attached to the pins in the vertical mounting member 342b coupling node 395 so that it rotates in the same direction of rotation as the second door 340.

[64] Hereinafter, the connector assembly will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[65] FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the item compound and connector assembly are attached to each other in the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view showing an operation of the connecting node.

[66] Referring to FIG. 7 and 8, the connector assembly (390) includes a rod 391 interface coupled to the workpiece 380 compounds damping assembly (394) which adjusts the length rod 391 interface and softens the jerk in the movement of the rod (391) of the joint, the mounting part 398, installed in the mounting member 342b of the second door connector assembly 340, connection member 395 connected to the mounting part (398) rotatably, and a connecting rod 392, rod 391 joins the junction 395 to the coupling piece.

[67] In detail, the stem 391 joint may have a bar shape having a predetermined length. Spherical coupling element 391a, having a ball shape, can be disposed on the end of the rod 391 of the joint. Thus, the spherical coupling member 391a may be attached to the workpiece 380 is rotatably compound. The other end of the rod seam 391 may be inserted into the connecting rod 392. The rod 391 interface can be gripped or pulled out of the connecting rod 392 according to the path of the connector assembly 390 during rotation of the shelf 370.

[68] The connecting rod 392 can receive the end of the joint rod 391 and the pins may be attached to the connecting part 395. In detail, at least the inner portion of the connecting rod 392 can be hollow to define a space for receiving the rod 391 and the interface damping assembly 394. The cap 393 of the rod in which the rod is inserted into the junction 391 may be disposed on the end cap of the connecting rod 392. The rod 393 may be attached to the end of the shaft 391 of the joint. Both the end cap rod 393 may be opened to receive the joint pin 391 and at least one portion of the damping assembly 394. The rod coupling element 392a may be disposed at the other end of the connecting rod 392. The connecting rod member 392a may be received within the connecting part 395. The connecting rod member 392a may be attached to the side of the connecting rod 395 parts (cylindrical) pin 397a in order to allow the vertical rotation of the connecting rod 392 against the rod (cylindrical) pin 397a.

[69] The end of the rod connecting member 392a can have a curved surface (392b), having a predetermined bend as shown in FIG.8. Thus, even if the hand of the consumer concerns a connecting rod 392, when the connecting rod 392 rotates according to the rotation of the second door 340, the arm can not be captured by a connecting rod 392 and can slide along a curved surface, thereby preventing occurrence of an accident by negligence.

[70] The damping unit 394 may be located within the connecting rod 392 and support the end of the rod 391 interface to mitigate the impetus arising as a result of displacement of the moving rod 391 interface. The damping unit 394 may include a spring 394a, supporting the end of the rod 391 interface; stopper 394b, which slides within the coupling rod 392 and spring 394a supports; O-ring 394c, 394b mounted on the stopper and contacting the inner surface of the connecting rod 392 to provide a frictional force; washer (gasket) 394d, 394b mounted on the stopper to prevent disengagement of the sealing ring 394c; and persistent (spring) ring 394e, 394d and locking washer prevents reverse movement of the stopper 394b.

[71] Thus, when the shelf 370 is expanded, the rod 391 interface can be gripped or pulled in order to smoothly disclose shelf 370. When the rod 391 moves the joint, in spite of the fact that the trapped or pushed, the spring 394a can be stretched or compressed. Accordingly, the stopper 394b can move to soften shock transmitted from the junction core 391, thereby reducing the speed of movement of the rod 391 of the joint.

[72] Since the rod 391 interface slows down, it is possible to prevent sudden turn shelf 370.

[73] Although the damping assembly 394 is located at the end of the connecting rod 392 in this embodiment, the present discovery is not limited to this. For example, damping assembly 394 may be disposed at both ends of the connecting rod 392, so that the connecting rod 392 can experience fluctuations jog at both ends thereof.

[74] The mounting part 398 is inserted into the mounting element 342b of the connecting node. The mounting member may include a cup 398a, which defines a receiving space for the connecting part 395 and a flange 398b, plates 398a disposed around and attached to the second door 340 with a screw.

[75] The pivot pin connecting part 396a may be disposed in the cup 398a so as to extend through the cup 398a in the vertical direction. Swivel pin 396a of the coupling piece can pass through the connecting part 395 in the vertical direction, received in the cup 398a, to serve as a center of rotation 395 of the coupling piece.

[76] The connector assembly 390 can be smoothly rotated by the connecting part 395. The connecting part 395 may include a coupling pin element 396 into which the pivot pin 396a of the coupling piece and the receiving member 397 to the connecting rod element receiving a rod connecting member 392a . The hole 396b for inserting the pin, open in the vertical direction can be determined in element 396 of coupling pins. Swivel pin 396a of the coupling piece can be inserted into the hole 396b for the insertion of the pin in order to rotate the connection member 395 against pivot pin 396a of the coupling piece. The connecting rod 392 may be received within the receiving member 397 to the connecting rod element. Thus, the receiving member 397 to the connecting rod element can be located on both sides of the connecting rod 392 to move the coupling rod 392 up and down. Rod (cylindrical) pin 397a may pass through the receiving member 397 to the rod connecting member and the connecting member 392a of the rod to allow vertical movement of the connecting rod 382.

[77] Thus, the connecting rod 392 can freely rotate in the vertical and horizontal directions, i.e. in the direction of rotation of the second door 340 and in a direction intersecting (perpendicular to) the direction of rotation of the second door 340 by means of the connecting part 395. Thus, when the second door 340 is opened or closed, the second door 340, furthermore, can be smoothly rotated during folding or uncovering the shelf 370.

[78] Hereinafter will be described a lower hinge assembly disposed on the second door.

[79] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the loop assembly in a state where the second door is locked. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the loop assembly in a state where the second door is opened.

[80] By referring to FIG. 9 and 10, the lower edge of the second door 340 is supported by a hinge (a loop) the bracket 53. The hinge bracket 53 may be disposed on the front surface of the first door 310 in order to maintain the second door 340 from the lower side. Also, the hinge bracket 53 can be attached to the lower looped node 54, located on the second door 340.

[81] When the second door 340 is opened, the lower hinge assembly 54 may automatically open the second door 340 by a predetermined angle, and at this time to prevent further rotation of the second door, after the second door 340 is rotated by a predetermined angle.

[82] In detail, the lower hinge assembly 54 includes a member 55 fastening loop attached to the hinge bracket 53 and the element 56 rotating loop in contact with the element 55 fastening the loop and fixedly mounted within the second door 340 so that it 56 is rotated together with second door 340 when the second door 340 is rotated.

[83] The hinge fastening element 55 may include a positioning projection 551 is inserted into the hinge bracket 53 and the lower thrust-cam 552 located above the positioning projection 551. The positioning projection 551 may have a shape corresponding to that to secure the hinge bracket 53, and thus constitute a pair to form a hinge bracket 53. Thus, the hinge mounting member 55 can be held in a position where it is fixed with a swivel bracket 53, when the second door 340 is rotated. The first cam surface 552a, the sloped downward may be disposed on the upper surface of the lower cams 552. Also, the second cam surface 552b, has chamfered lower edge of the first cam surface upward may be disposed on the upper surface of the lower cams 552. The first cam surface 552a can be continuously connected with the second cam surface 552b. Also, two, first and second cam surfaces 552a and 552b may be provided continuously along a closed curve of the upper surface of the lower cams 552.

[84] The fixing protrusion 561 may be disposed around the side surface of the hinge 56 rotation. Rotation hinge element 56 may be located within the element 340a receiving loop mounted inside the second door 340. The slot 340b for receiving the projection may be recessed (flush) around the inner surface of the member 340a for receiving the hinges. The locking protrusion 561 may be received within a recess 340b for receiving the projection. Thus, rotation of the loop element 56 may be mounted in a position in which it rotates the second door 340 integrally. The top-stop cam 562 is located on the bottom surface of the hinge member 56 rotation. Upper-focus cam 562 has a third cam surface 562a, sloping down and a fourth cam surface 562b, chamfered even from the bottom of the third cam surface 562a upwards. The third cam surface 562a can be continuously connected to a fourth cam surface 562b. Also, two, three and four, the cam surfaces 562a and 562b may be provided continuously along a closed curve the upper surface of the lower cams 552. The third and fourth cam surfaces 562a and 562b in contact with the first and second surfaces 552a and 552b, respectively, offsetting forms.

[85] The upper surface of the rotation member 56 can be maintained by the loop of the elastic member 563, such as, for example, a spring located within the element 340a receiving loop. Thus, the lower surface of the rotation element 56 can loop continuously in contact with the upper surface 55 of the hinge mounting. Also, the first and second cam surfaces 552a and 552b hinge fastening element 55 and third and fourth camming surfaces (562a) and 562b rotating hinge member 56 can be moved according to the rotation of the second door 340 during the contact of the second and fourth cam surfaces 552b and 562b.

[86] For example, in the position in which the second door 340 is closed, and the first (three) cam surfaces 552a and 562a may come into contact with each other as shown in FIG. 9. When the first cam surface 552a and the third cam surface 562a are beveled downward in order to release the restriction of the second door 340, a third cam surface 562a can slide down along the first cam surface 552a by its own weight of the second door 340. Thus, when the second door opens hook latch 341 may be released to open the second door 340 using its own weight of the second door 340 without applying additional force.

[87] When the second door 340 is rotated at an angle greater than a predetermined angle during opening such, the first and third cam surfaces 552a and 562a can not contact each other, and the second and fourth cam surfaces 552b and 562b may be in contact with each other . Since the second and fourth cam surfaces 552b and 562b are beveled downward, the larger second door 340 rotates, the more can be reduced speed rotation of the second door 340.

[88] When the second door 340 is rotated by a predetermined angle, for example about 110 °, the second cam surface 552b may be entirely in contact with the fourth cam surface 562b, as shown in FIG. 10. Also elastic member 563 may be compressed in order to prevent further rotation of the hinge member 56 rotation. In this position, rotation of the second door 340 may be stopped or restricted.

[89] The degree of opening of the second door 340 may be determined by the curvature of the second and fourth cam surfaces 552b and 562b and the elasticity of the elastic member 563. However, considering that the shelf 370 is connected with the rotation of the second door 340, second door may be opened at an angle of about 110 °.

[90] Hereinafter will be described the action of the second door of the refrigerator according to the embodiment.

[91] When the second door 340 is closed, the shelf 370 may be closely attached to the lower protrusion 342a in the retracted position. Also, in the position in which the shelf 370 is folded, the connection unit 390 may also be folded.

[92] When the second door 340 is closed, the user can control the opening of the second door 340 by releasing the latch hook 341 of limitations. While restrictions are removed latch hook 341, second door 340 may be automatically rotated by means of the loop of the lower assembly 54.

[93] Also shelf 370 attached to a connecting node 390 can be opened, while the second door 340 is rotated. The connector assembly 390 can be rotated along with the shelf 370. Here, the shelf 370 moves slowly down using the smoothing damper assembly 394.

[94] The second door 340 is automatically opened with the lower hinge assembly 54 at a predetermined angle. Then, when the shelf 370 is completely uncovered so that the upper surface of the flange 370 is perpendicular to the front surface of the first door 310, second door 340 rotation may be stepped. At this time, the second door 340 may be rotated through an angle of about 110 °, and second door 340 may gradually slow down the loop with the lower assembly 54 and stops just before the shelf 370 is completely revealed.

[95] when the shelf 370 is fully opened, the connection unit 390 may also be fully open in order to maintain the shelf 370. At the same time, the lower surface of the shelf 370 may be supported by the lower edge of the opening-holes 316. Thus, the shelf 370 may be held stable. When the shelf 370 is fully opened, the rod 391 interface connector assembly 390 can be held for receiving the edge of the cut-out portion 382a element 380 connection. In addition, since the second door 340 can not be opened further by means of the loop of the lower assembly 54, the shelf 370 may be held in a stable position.

Industrial Applicability

[96] According to the embodiments disclosed as the shelf being associated with a second door opening, ease of use can be further improved, and the applicability in industry can be high.