Refrigerator

0001This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2008/001695 filed on Mar. 26, 2008. This document is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

00021. Field

0003This relates to a refrigerator, and in particular, to a structure for moving a drawer of a refrigerator.

00042. Background

0005A refrigerator is an appliance for the storage of fresh food. Refrigerators may generally be categorized into top freezer types, bottom freezer types, and side-by-side refrigerators, depending on the respective positions of the freezer and refrigeration compartments.

0006For example, the bottom freezer configuration has the freezer compartment positioned below the refrigeration compartment. In the bottom freezer configuration, a door that pivots about an edge of the main body may open and close the refrigeration compartment, and a door that opens and closes the freezer compartment may be provided with a storage box door that moves forward and rearward relative to the main body. Because in this configuration the freezer compartment is provided below the refrigeration compartment, a user stoops to grasp and pull the door forward in order to open the freezer compartment. A system to facilitate the opening and/or closing of such a freezer compartment would enhance the utility or convenience of a bottom freezer type refrigerator. Further, a system to facilitate opening and/or closing of a drawer in a refrigerator would enhance user convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0007The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b></figref> is a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator provided with a drawer movement structure according to an embodiment as broadly described herein.

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>2</b></figref> is a perspective view of a storage box assembly for the exemplary refrigerator shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b></figref>.

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref> is a detailed perspective view of a drawer movement apparatus according to an embodiment as broadly described herein.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>4</b></figref> is an exploded perspective view of the drawer movement apparatus shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref>.

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>5</b></figref> is a partial perspective view of a suspended portion of the movement apparatus shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>3</b></figref>.

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>6</b></figref> is a perspective view of an interior of a refrigerator according to an embodiment as broadly described herein.

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>7</b></figref> is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment as broadly described herein.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>8</b></figref> is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment as broadly described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0016To facilitate the opening and/or closing of a compartment of a refrigerator, such as, for example, a lower freezer compartment, an automatic opening configuration may be provided. This automatic opener may determine when a user intends to open a compartment door by sensing a gripping or grasping of a door handle as the compartment door is moved a predetermined distance forward from the front surface of the main body, and then automatically moving the door, and the storage box to which it is coupled, to an open position. A motor may be provided with the appropriate compartment, and a rotating member such as, for example, a gear may be connected to a shaft of the motor. As an undersurface of the storage box comes into contact with the rotating member, the storage box moves forward and rearward based on a direction of the rotation of the rotating member.

0017However, when using this type of automatic opener, a user still grasps and exerts a pulling force on the handle to initiate the automatic opening. Typically, a sealing member such as, for example, a gasket may be attached to the rear surface of the storage box to prevent cold air leakage, and an adhering member such, for example, as a magnet may be provided inside the sealing member to maintain a tight seal therebetween. Thus in order to initiate movement of the storage box, a user grasps and pulls the storage box with a force greater than the magnetic force. In addition, when the storage box is provided at the bottom of the refrigerator, a user stoops to pull it out, which may be physically challenging for children, the elderly, and smaller users. Also, the handle protrudes from the front surface of the storage box, thereby increasing the dimensions for the packaging and installation of the refrigerator and presenting a potential hazard for users who may collide with the handle. It is difficult or not possible to omit the handle in this type of automatic opener.

0018Further, the time it takes for a user to grasp a handle and initiate movement of the storage box, coupled with the time it takes for a controller to sense this movement and provide for automated movement of the storage box may be excessive, thus reducing utility. Additionally, the automatic opener may only move the storage box a distance adequate to separate it from the refrigerator main body, and thus a user still directly grasps the handle and pulls the storage box further forward thereafter. When the weight of food stored in the storage box may be considerable, withdrawing the storage box in this manner may be difficult.

0019By providing a drive motor and a gear assembly on the floor of the refrigeration compartment or the freezer compartment to provide for movement of a storage box provided therein, the storage space within the refrigerator may be reduced by the volume consumed by the motor and gear assembly. This may also result in a loss of insulation in the refrigerator main body. That is, if the inner case were to be recessed to receive a motor, an insulating layer between the inner case and an outer case of the main body would become thinner, thus reducing insulation between the inside and outside of the refrigerator.

0020Further, if movement of the storage box is driven by this type of motor and gear assembly, such a gear assembly would likely include a rack that engages a gear, the rack extending from front to rear along the floor of the storage box. Thus, the length of the rack would necessarily be limited by the overall length of the floor of the storage box. For example, the rear surface of a freezer compartment storage box in a bottom freezer refrigerator may be sloped to accommodate a machine room provided at a lower rear portion of the refrigerator. Thus the length of the lower portion of the freezer compartment storage box may be less than the length of the upper portion thereof, limiting accessibility to the interior of the storage box. If a plurality of storage boxes are provided one on top of another, a separate motor and gear assembly may be provided for each storage box, thereby complicating the support structure required for the stack storage boxes.

0021Additionally, the automatic opener described above may include a mechanism such as, for example, a switch, to simply sense whether or not the storage box has been fully withdrawn or closed. However, this switch would not be necessarily sense whether or not the storage box is being withdrawn at a normal speed, whether or not the withdrawing of the storage box is impeded by obstacles, and whether or not the storage box is being withdrawn at a set speed regardless of the weight of food stored therein.

0022The exemplary bottom freezer type refrigerator <b>10</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>1</b> and <b>2</b></figref> may include a main body <b>11</b> that defines a refrigeration compartment <b>112</b> and a freezer compartment <b>111</b>. A refrigeration compartment door <b>12</b> may rotatably installed on the front of the main body <b>11</b> to open and close the refrigeration compartment, and a drawer <b>13</b> may be provided below the refrigeration compartment. The drawer <b>13</b> may be inserted into and withdrawn from the inside of the freezer compartment <b>111</b> so that goods or items stored therein may be accessed as necessary.

0023The drawer <b>13</b> may include a door <b>131</b> that forms a front exterior of the drawer <b>13</b> and a storage box <b>132</b> provided behind the door <b>131</b> to receive store food items. A frame <b>15</b> may extend rearward from a rear of the freezer compartment door <b>131</b> to support opposite side edges of the storage box <b>132</b>, and a rail assembly <b>16</b> may be positioned corresponding to the frame <b>15</b> to allow the storage box <b>132</b> to be inserted into and withdrawn from the freezer compartment <b>111</b>. The rail assembly <b>16</b> may have a first end fixed to an inner surface of the freezer compartment <b>111</b>, and a second end fixed to the frame <b>15</b> to allow the rail assembly <b>16</b> to be adjusted in length and to allow the storage box <b>132</b> to be inserted into and withdrawn from the freezer compartment <b>111</b> along the rail assembly <b>16</b>.

0024The refrigerator <b>10</b> may also include an anti-wobble, or alignment apparatus for preventing wobbling or mis-alignment as the storage box <b>132</b> is withdrawn from or inserted into the freezer compartment <b>111</b>. A rail guide <b>17</b> provided at one or both opposite sides of the freezer compartment <b>111</b> corresponding to the rail assembly <b>16</b> to hold and guide the rail assembly <b>16</b>, and a movement apparatus for automatically moving, that is, withdrawing and inserting, the storage box <b>132</b> relative to the freezer compartment <b>111</b>. In detail, the alignment apparatus may include a suspended portion <b>18</b> coupled to the rear of the frame <b>15</b> to prevent lateral wobbling or uncoordinated lateral movement when the storage box <b>132</b> is being withdrawn from or inserted into the freezer compartment <b>111</b>, and a guide member provided on the rail guide <b>17</b> to guide the movement of the suspended portion <b>18</b>. The guide member may include a rail mounting recess <b>171</b> formed in the rail guide <b>17</b> to receive the rail assembly <b>16</b> and a guide rack <b>172</b> that extends from front to rear at the bottom of the rail mounting recess <b>171</b>.

0025The suspended portion <b>18</b> may include a shaft <b>181</b> with its opposite ends connected to a respective portion of the frame <b>15</b> provided on opposite sides of the storage box <b>132</b>, and a pinion <b>182</b> provided respectively at one or both ends of the shaft <b>181</b>. A plurality of gears may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pinion <b>182</b>, and a corresponding plurality of gear teeth may be formed on the upper surface of the guide rack <b>172</b> to engage the pinion <b>182</b>. Accordingly, when the pinion <b>182</b> rotates in an engaged state with the guide rack <b>172</b>, the pinion <b>182</b> rolls along the guide rack <b>172</b> to in turn move the storage box <b>132</b>, and the drawer <b>13</b> is not biased to the left or right, but is withdrawn in a straight path. Thus, the shaft <b>181</b>, pinion <b>182</b> and guide rack <b>172</b> prevent the drawer <b>13</b> from wobbling or moving laterally.

0026In certain embodiments, the drawer <b>13</b> may be withdrawn from the refrigerator <b>10</b> automatically. For this purpose, the drawer movement apparatus may include a driving force generator coupled to one or all of the pinions <b>182</b> to impart a rotational force on the pinions <b>182</b>, and a driving force transmitter that transmits the driving force from the driving force generator to the pinions <b>182</b> to allow the storage box <b>132</b> to be moved. The driving force generator may be, for example, a drive motor <b>20</b> that provides rotational force to the pinions <b>182</b> and the driving force transmitter may be, for example, an anti-wobble or alignment apparatus including the suspended portion <b>18</b> and the guide rack <b>172</b> as described above. That is, the alignment apparatus may prevent lateral misalignment wobbling of the drawer <b>13</b>, while also transmitting a driving force that automatically moves the drawer <b>13</b>. The driving force generator may be provided with the freezer compartment door <b>131</b>, and may include a drive motor <b>20</b> or other driving means capable of automatically moving the drawer <b>13</b>, such as, for example, an actuator employing a solenoid.

0027The rail assembly <b>16</b> may include a fixed rail <b>161</b> fixed to the rail mounting recess <b>171</b>, a moving rail <b>162</b> fixed to the frame <b>15</b>, and an extending rail <b>163</b> that extends between the fixed rail <b>161</b> and the moving rail <b>162</b>. Depending on a front-to-rear length of the storage box <b>132</b>, the rail assembly <b>16</b> may include one or more extending rails <b>163</b>. In certain embodiments, the rail assembly <b>16</b> may include only the fixed rail <b>161</b> and the moving rail <b>162</b>. Additionally, the shaft <b>181</b> and the drive motor <b>20</b> may be provided at a rear of the frame <b>15</b>, or may be provided at a rear of the moving rail <b>162</b>, depending on the particular storage box <b>132</b>/refrigerator <b>10</b> design. The storage box <b>132</b> may be detachably coupled to the frame <b>15</b> to allow the storage box <b>132</b> to be removed from the refrigerator <b>10</b> for periodic cleaning.

0028A dispenser <b>19</b> for dispensing water or ice may be provided at the front of the refrigeration compartment door <b>12</b>. The dispenser <b>19</b> may include a receptacle <b>193</b> comprising a recess having a predetermined depth, and a chute <b>194</b> and a dispensing tap (not shown in detail) through which ice and water may be dispensed by actuating a lever <b>195</b>. A water pan <b>196</b> may be provided on the floor of the receptacle <b>193</b>. A display <b>191</b> for displaying various data such as, for example, an operating state of the refrigerator <b>10</b> and a temperature inside the refrigerator <b>10</b>, and a button panel <b>192</b> including various input buttons <b>192</b>a, may be provided with the dispenser <b>19</b>. Various commands for withdrawing and inserting the storage box <b>132</b> may be input using the input buttons <b>192</b>a.

0029An input button <b>192</b>a for entering a command to withdraw the storage box <b>132</b> from or insert the storage box <b>132</b> into the refrigerator <b>10</b> may be provided in various formats such as, for example, a capacitive switch employing changes in electrostatic capacitance, a tact switch, a toggle switch, or other type of switch as appropriate. Additionally, although the input button <b>192</b>a shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>1</b></figref> is provided at one side of the dispenser <b>19</b>, the button panel <b>192</b> and/or input buttons <b>192</b>a may alternatively be provided in a touch button configuration on a front or side surface of the refrigerator or freezer compartment door as appropriate, and not necessarily with the dispenser <b>19</b>.

0030For example, if the input button <b>192</b>a were provided on the front surface of the freezer compartment door <b>131</b>, the input button <b>192</b>a may include a vibration sensor switch that operates by detecting vibrations transferred to the freezer compartment door <b>131</b>. That is, if, for example, a user is unable to use either hand to initiate the opening of the door <b>131</b>, and instead imparts a gentle shock with, for example, a foot, to the freezer compartment door <b>131</b>, the vibration transferred from the shock may be sensed and the drive motor <b>20</b> may be operated to withdraw the storage box <b>132</b> from the freezer compartment <b>111</b>.

0031In alternative embodiments, the input button <b>192</b>a may instead be provided on a separate remote control unit that controls various other functions of the refrigerator, or other devices within a given range. For example, an input button <b>192</b>a that controls movement of the drawer <b>23</b> may be provided with a remote control unit that controls, for example, internal temperatures of the various compartments of the refrigerator, operation of a display module/television mounted on a surface of the refrigerator, and the like.

0032A drawer movement apparatus according to an embodiment as broadly described herein is shown in more detail in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>3</b> and <b>4</b></figref>. As discussed above, the anti-wobble, or alignment apparatus may include the suspended portion <b>18</b> and the guide rack <b>172</b>, and the suspended portion <b>18</b> may include the shaft <b>181</b> and the pinion <b>182</b>. Although in this embodiment the guide rack <b>172</b> and the pinion <b>182</b> form the alignment apparatus, these elements may be structured differently as long as they perform the anti-wobble and/or alignment function. For example, a roller surrounded by a friction member may be used instead of the pinion <b>182</b>, and a friction member that contacts the roller, instead of the guide rack <b>172</b>, to generate friction may be used to slide the storage box <b>132</b> into and out of the refrigerator <b>10</b> without slippage.

0033The drive motor <b>20</b> may be an inner rotor type motor, and the pinion <b>182</b> may be connected to a motor shaft <b>22</b> connected to the rotor. The drive motor <b>20</b> may be any motor capable of both forward and reverse rotation and variable speed operation.

0034Such a rotor and stator, or other components forming the drive motor <b>20</b>, may be protected by a housing <b>21</b>. A fastening mount <b>31</b> may extend from the frame <b>15</b>, and the fastening mount <b>31</b> and the housing <b>21</b> of the drive motor <b>20</b> may be coupled by a bracket <b>30</b>. Accordingly, the assembly of the drive motor <b>20</b> and the suspended portion <b>18</b> may be fixedly coupled to a rear portion of the frame <b>15</b>, and the pinion <b>182</b> may be coupled to the motor shaft <b>22</b> so that pinion <b>182</b> may be rotated by the motor <b>20</b>.

0035The drive motor <b>20</b> may be fixed to the frame <b>15</b> by various methods which all fall within the spirit and scope as presented herein. Also, the drive motor <b>20</b> may be fixed to the rear of the moving rail <b>162</b> instead of to the frame <b>15</b>. In alternative embodiments, the drive motor <b>20</b> may be integrally provided with the frame <b>15</b>.

0036The drive motor <b>20</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>5</b></figref> is provided at only one end of the suspended portion <b>18</b>. However, in alternative embodiments, a driving force generator, or drive motor <b>20</b>, may be provided for each of the pinions <b>182</b> at opposite ends of the shaft <b>181</b>. More specifically, as discussed above, a pinion <b>182</b> may be provided at each of the two opposite ends of the shaft <b>181</b>. At an end of the suspended portion <b>18</b> to which a drive motor <b>20</b> is not provided, the shaft <b>181</b> may pass through the pinion <b>182</b> and be inserted into the frame <b>15</b>. In other words, the bracket <b>30</b> provided at this side of the frame <b>15</b> may be repositioned such that the shaft <b>181</b> passes through the pinion <b>182</b> and is inserted into the bracket <b>30</b> to securely couple the shaft <b>181</b> to the frame <b>15</b> and prevent disengagement of one end of the storage box <b>132</b> from the frame <b>15</b> or lateral wobbling/mis-alignment of the storage box <b>132</b> during withdrawal and insertion of the storage box <b>132</b>.

0037Alternatively, the end of the shaft <b>181</b> may instead be inserted into a rear portion of the moving rail <b>162</b>, as described above.

0038The automatic movement process of a storage box <b>132</b> from a refrigerator <b>10</b> provided with a storage box movement apparatus as embodied and broadly described herein will now be discussed.

0039In order to withdraw the storage box <b>132</b> from a corresponding compartment of the refrigerator <b>10</b>, a user first actuates an input button <b>192</b>a, which, as discussed above, may be provided at one side of the dispenser <b>19</b>, on a surface of the refrigerator <b>10</b>, or on a remote control unit, as appropriate. Similarly, actuation of the input button <b>192</b>a may be accomplished by simply pushing the button <b>192</b>a, or by imparting an external shock to an appropriate portion of the refrigerator <b>10</b> to actuate a vibration sensor switch. When the input button <b>192</b>a is actuated to initiate a storage box withdrawing command, the command is transmitted to a controller (not shown in detail) of the refrigerator <b>10</b>. The controller of the refrigerator <b>10</b> transmits an operation signal to a drive motor controller that controls the operation of the drive motor <b>20</b>. This operation signal may include, for example, directional data for moving the storage box <b>132</b> either out of or into the refrigerator <b>10</b>, and moving speed data for the storage box <b>132</b>. That is, the directional data indicates which direction the drive motor <b>20</b> should be rotated, and the speed data indicates a number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the drive motor <b>20</b> to achieve a particular speed.

0040The drive motor <b>20</b> may then be driven according to the operation signal in order to move the door <b>131</b> and storage box <b>132</b> accordingly. This allows the storage box <b>132</b> to be automatically withdrawn from the refrigerator <b>10</b> without requiring a user to apply a specific, physical withdrawing movement, thus eliminating the need for a separate handle member on the front surface of the door <b>131</b>. Thus, the door <b>131</b> may have a flush front surface without any protrusions to provide a clean exterior finish, and to provide an inner cover coupled to the rear of the outer cover with an insulator interposed therebetween to preserve the insulative qualities of the refrigerator <b>10</b>.

0041The controller of the refrigerator <b>10</b> may receive RPM data associated with the rotation of the drive motor <b>20</b> in real time, and may calculate the withdrawing speed (in m/s or other unit, as appropriate) of the storage box <b>132</b> accordingly. For example, using the rotating speed of the drive motor <b>20</b> and a circumferential value of the pinion <b>182</b>, the moving speed of the storage box <b>132</b> can be calculated per unit time. Using this data, the storage box <b>132</b> may be withdrawn at a preset speed, regardless of the weight of food stored in the storage box <b>132</b>. In certain embodiments, the preset speed may be a speed which is selected by a user, and which may also be altered based on user preferences

0042The storage box <b>132</b> may be continuously or intermittently withdrawn from or inserted into the refrigerator <b>10</b> according to how the input button <b>192</b>a is manipulated. For example, the storage box <b>132</b> may be controlled so that it is completely withdrawn if the input button <b>192</b>a is pressed once and/or held for a predetermined amount of time. Similarly, the storage box <b>132</b> may be controlled so that it is withdrawn in stages if the input button <b>192</b>a is pressed repeatedly with a certain interval in between pressings. Other arrangements may also be appropriate.

0043The storage box <b>132</b> may also be controlled so that its movement is automatically stopped if the storage box <b>132</b> encounters an obstacle as the storage box <b>132</b> is moved.

0044The storage box <b>132</b> may be controlled so that it is stopped when it has been withdrawn a predetermined distance, and may be controlled so that it is either reinserted or withdrawn completely, based on the user's particular intentions. For example, if the storage box <b>132</b> has been stopped after being withdrawn a predetermined distance, the storage box <b>132</b> may then be completely withdrawn when a user pulls the freezer compartment door <b>131</b>, or the storage box <b>132</b> may be re-inserted into the refrigerator <b>10</b> when a user pushes the freezer compartment door <b>131</b>.

0045If a storage box withdrawal command is input through the input button <b>192</b>a, and the storage box <b>132</b> is not in a withdrawn or open state, or stops during withdrawal, this may be sensed and an error signal may be generated. The storage box <b>132</b> may be controlled so that it is automatically closed when left in a withdrawn or open state for more than a predetermined amount of time, in order to minimize cold air loss.

0046The frame 15 may include a first frame 151 extending rearward from a rear of the door, and a second frame 152 extending rearward from the rear of the door. At least one rolling member is connected to an end of the shaft 181.

0047The at least one rolling member may include a first rolling member 183 and a second rolling member 184. The motor shaft 22 includes a first motor shaft 221 connected to the shaft 181 and a second motor shaft 222 connected to the first rolling member 183. The first motor shaft 221 is inserted in the first end 181a of the shaft 181. A coupling member 181b is configured to couple the first motor shaft 221 and the first end 181a of the shaft 181.

0048The first rolling member 183 includes a pinion 182 having gear teeth 182a that are located on an outer peripheral surface of the pinion, and a connection portion 182b extended from the pinion and connected to the second motor shaft 222. The second motor shaft 222 is inserted in the connection portion 182b of the first rolling member 183. A cross section of each of the first and second motor shafts 221 and 222 is non-circular. The motor 20 is spaced apart from the first frame 151 in a first direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the first frame 151.

0049The bracket 30 is disposed between the first frame 151 and at least a portion of the motor 20.

0050The first frame 151 includes a fastening mount 31 extended from the first frame 151 in the first direction. The bracket 30 may include a first part 301 connected to the fastening mount 31 and a second part 302 bent from the first part 301 and connected to the motor 20. A coupling member 303 is configured to couple the fastening mount 31 and the first part 301 in the longitudinal direction of the first frame.

0051The first part 301 is disposed between an upper rear end of the drawer 23 and the motor shaft 22 of the motor. The second part 302 surrounds at least a portion of the motor shaft 22 of the motor.

0052The storage box 132 may include an upper rear end 132a and a lower rear end 132b. A distance between the upper rear end 132a of the storage box and the door is greater than a distance between the lower rear end 132b of the storage box and the door. The shaft 181 is located closer to the upper rear end 182a of the storage box than the lower rear end 182b of the storage box. A distance between the shaft 181 and the door is greater than the distance between the upper rear end 182a of the storage box and the door. The upper rear end 182a of the drawer is positioned higher than the shaft 181.

0053The rail assembly 16 is positioned to correspond to the first and second frames 151 and 152 to allow the storage box 132 to be inserted into and withdrawn from the at least one compartment. The rail assembly, the first and second frames 151 and 152, and the at least one rolling member are positioned higher than the guide rack 172.

0054The at least one rolling member moves forward and rearward based on the at least one rolling member interacting with gear teeth provided on the upper surface of the guide rack 172.

0055The motor shaft 22 is positioned higher than the guide rack 172 and lower than an upper surface of the first frame 151.

0056The at least one guide member may include a rail mounting recess 171 configured to receive the rail assembly 16. The guide rack 172 extends from a bottom of the rail mounting recess 171 in a horizontal direction.

0057The storage box <b>132</b> of a refrigerator <b>10</b> according to embodiments as broadly described herein may not only be automatically withdrawn, but withdrawn manually as well. For example, in the event of a power outage where power cannot be supplied to the drive motor <b>20</b>, or when a user does not manipulate the input button <b>192</b>a but instead grasps and pulls or pushes the door <b>131</b> by hand, the storage box <b>132</b> is not subjected to resistance from the drive motor <b>20</b> and may be smoothly withdrawn or re-inserted into the refrigerator <b>10</b>. Even when the power is not supplied to the motor, withdrawal of the storage box <b>132</b> is not impeded by the drive motor <b>20</b>.

0058As an alternative to the drive motor <b>20</b> being connected to the controller of the refrigerator <b>10</b> by a plurality of signal wires and receiving power through a plurality of electrical wires, a charging apparatus may be provided with the drive motor <b>20</b> to eliminate the need for electrical wires, and a short range wireless transmitter-receiver system may be provided to eliminate the need for signal wires and electrical wires.

0059Although, for ease of discussion, the drawer movement apparatus has to this point been applied to the movement of a freezer compartment door in a bottom freezer type refrigerator, it is well understood that such an apparatus can be applied to advantageous effect in other types of household appliances. For example, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>6</b></figref> is a perspective view of an inner structure of a refrigerator according to another embodiment in which a drawer movement apparatus as embodied and broadly described herein is applied to a side-by-side refrigerator.

0060The refrigerator <b>60</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>6</b></figref> may include a main body <b>51</b> provided with a freezer compartment <b>511</b> and a refrigeration compartment <b>512</b>, a freezer compartment door <b>52</b> that opens and closes the freezer compartment <b>511</b>, and a refrigeration compartment door <b>53</b> that opens and closes the refrigeration compartment <b>512</b>.

0061A plurality of freezer compartment drawers <b>513</b> may be stacked within the freezer compartment <b>511</b>. To accommodate different types of food and associated freezing requirements, the freezer compartment drawers <b>513</b> may be maintained at different temperatures and/or at a different temperature than the rest of the freezer compartment <b>511</b> interior. Likewise, a plurality of refrigeration compartment drawers <b>514</b> may be provided within the refrigeration compartment <b>512</b> to preserve food at appropriate refrigerated temperatures, such as, for example, 3°-4° C. A drawer movement structure as described above and as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>5</b></figref> may also be provided with the drawers <b>513</b> and <b>514</b> to provide for their automatic movement.

0062<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>7</b></figref> is a perspective view of an inner structure of a refrigerator according to another embodiment in which a drawer movement apparatus as broadly described herein is applied to a standing refrigerator having a plurality of segregated compartments such as, for example, a standing kimchi refrigerator.

0063The refrigerator <b>60</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>7</b></figref> may include a main body <b>61</b> having a plurality of upper storage compartments, an upper door <b>62</b> rotatably coupled to a front of the main body <b>61</b> to open and close the upper storage compartments, and a drawer <b>63</b> that may be withdrawn from and inserted into a lower storage compartment provided below the upper storage compartments. In alternative embodiments, the relative positions of the upper and lower, or primary and auxiliary, storage compartments may be adjusted as appropriate.

0064A plurality of storage boxes <b>64</b> may housed in the plurality of upper storage compartments. The drawer <b>63</b> may be formed of a storage box <b>632</b>, and a door <b>631</b> provided vertically at the front of the storage box <b>631</b> to form a front portion of the main body <b>61</b>. Rails <b>65</b> may be provided on the side surfaces of the drawer <b>63</b> to allow forward, multi-stage withdrawal and insertion of the drawer <b>63</b>. Thus, the drawer movement apparatus as described above and as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>5</b></figref> may be provided at the rear of the drawer <b>63</b> and also at the sides of the storage compartment in which the drawer <b>63</b> is housed.

0065<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>8</b></figref> is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment in which a drawer movement apparatus as embodied and broadly described herein is applied to a chest type refrigerator having a lid, such as, for example, a chest type kimchi refrigerator having multiple segregated compartments.

0066The refrigerator <b>70</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. <b>8</b></figref> may include a main body <b>71</b> provided with an upper storage compartment <b>74</b> and a lower storage compartment <b>75</b>, an upper door <b>72</b> rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the main body <b>71</b> to open and close the upper storage compartment <b>74</b>, and a drawer <b>73</b> housed within the lower storage compartment <b>75</b>. The upper storage compartment <b>74</b> may be recessed downward into the main body <b>71</b>, and the lower storage compartment <b>75</b> may be recessed from front to rear beneath the upper storage compartment <b>74</b>.

0067The upper storage compartment <b>74</b> may be compartmentalized into a plurality of compartments laterally, from front to rear, or other arrangements as appropriate. A plurality of storage boxes <b>76</b> may be stacked and housed within the upper storage compartment <b>74</b>. The drawer <b>73</b> provided in the lower storage compartment <b>75</b> may include a storage box <b>732</b> and a door <b>731</b> provided at the front of the storage box <b>732</b>. Rails <b>76</b> may be provided on the sides of the drawer <b>73</b> to permit withdrawal/insertion in stages. A drawer movement structure as described above and as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. <b>1</b>-<b>5</b></figref> may be provided at the rear of the drawer <b>73</b> and at the sides of the lower storage compartment <b>75</b> to facilitate the automated movement of the drawer <b>73</b>.

0068A refrigerator is provided that does not require a handle structure to withdraw a storage box therefrom.

0069A refrigerator is provided that allows for automatic withdrawal of a storage box from the refrigerator by means of an improved withdrawing structure.

0070A refrigerator is provided that has a structure for fixedly installing a driving unit that withdraws a storage box from and inserts a storage box into the refrigerator while minimizing reductions in interior storage volume and insulating effectiveness of the refrigerator.

0071A refrigerator is provided that can consistently withdraw a storage box from and insert a storage box into the refrigerator at a preset speed regardless of the weight of food stored therein is also provided.

0072In one embodiment, a refrigerator as broadly described herein may include a main body provided with at least one of a refrigeration compartment and a freezer compartment; an evaporator provided at a side of the main body to generate cold air; a drawer for storing food provided to the refrigeration compartment or the freezer compartment, the drawing being capable of being withdrawn; a rolling member provided at a rear of the drawer; a guide member extending from front to rear on side surfaces of the refrigeration compartment or the freezer compartment, to guide the movement of the rolling member; and a drive motor providing rotational force to the rolling member.

0073In another embodiment, a refrigerator as broadly described herein may include a main body provided with one or all of a refrigeration compartment maintained at a temperature above freezing and a freezer compartment maintained at a temperature below freezing; an evaporator provided on the main body to generate cold air; a compressor compressing refrigerant that passes through the evaporator; a condenser condensing refrigerant that passes through the compressor; an expansion member expanding refrigerant that passes through the condenser to a low temperature and low pressure; a drawer housed in at least one of the refrigeration compartment and the freezer compartment, and provided without a handle structure for grasping on an outer surface thereof; an anti-wobble apparatus preventing wobbling of the drawer while the drawer is being moved; a drive motor integrally provided on a portion of the anti-wobble apparatus; an input button for inputting a moving command of the drawer; and a signal transmitter provided to transmit a driving command input through the input button to the drive motor.

0074In another embodiment, a refrigerator as broadly described herein may include a main body provided with a refrigeration compartment or a freezer compartment; an evaporator provided in the main body to generate cold air; a compressor for compressing refrigerant that passes through the evaporator; a condenser for condensing refrigerant that passes through the compressor; an expansion member for expanding refrigerant that passes through the condenser to a low temperature and low pressure; a drawer that is withdrawn in a straight line from an inside of the refrigeration compartment or the freezer compartment; and a withdrawing apparatus provided with a driving force generator generating driving force for withdrawing the drawer, and a driving force transmitter enabling the drawer to be withdrawn through the driving force, wherein at least the driving force generator moves together with the drawer.

0075A movement structure for a storage box of a refrigerator and a refrigerator equipped with such a movement structure allows the storage box to be automatically withdrawn or inserted, thus providing greater convenience of use. Moreover, because the storage box can be withdrawn automatically, the storage box can be conveniently withdrawn regardless of the weight of food stored in the storage box.

0076Additionally, a separate handle is not required for withdrawing and inserting a storage box from/into a refrigerator. This allows the external design of the refrigerator to have a clean finish, and the space in which the refrigerator is installed to be effectively utilized.

0077Further, because the drive motor moves together with the storage box uses a minimal amount of storage space and has a minimal effect on the insulation qualities of the refrigerator main body.

0078Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “certain embodiment,” “alternative embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment as broadly described herein. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

0079Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various numerous variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.