U.S. patent application number 11/399493 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Tae Ho Park.
Application Number | 20060226751 11/399493 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37082542 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060226751 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Tae Ho |
October 12, 2006 |
Refrigerator
Abstract
A refrigerator, more particularly a refrigerator having an
auxiliary door is disclosed. The refrigerator according to the
present invention includes a main door with an opening for
opening/closing a storage chamber of a refrigerator body; an
auxiliary door rotatably coupled to the main door for
opening/closing the opening, the auxiliary door opened/closed by
pushing an outer surface thereof; and a locking unit for
selectively locking the auxiliary door to open/close the auxiliary
door by pushing, and for applying rotation force to the auxiliary
door to open the auxiliary door. With the above configuration,
convenience for usage may be improved, because the auxiliary door
is opened/closed more conveniently.
Inventors: |
Park; Tae Ho; (Changwon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLESHNER & KIM, LLP
P.O. BOX 221200
CHANTILLY
VA
20153
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37082542 |
Appl. No.: |
11/399493 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/405.1 ;
312/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/02 20130101;
F25D 23/025 20130101; F25D 2323/023 20130101; F25D 23/028
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/405.1 ;
312/292 |
International
Class: |
A47B 81/00 20060101
A47B081/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 8, 2005 |
KR |
P2005-0029417 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a main door with an opening, the main
door opening/closing a storage chamber of a refrigerator body; an
auxiliary door rotatably coupled to the main door for
opening/closing the opening, the auxiliary door opened/closed by
pushing an outer surface thereof; and a locking unit for
selectively locking the auxiliary door to open/close the auxiliary
door by pushing, the locking unit for applying rotation force to
the auxiliary door to open the auxiliary door.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the locking unit comprises:
an engaging member provided in either of the auxiliary door and the
main door; and a locker provided in the other of the auxiliary door
and the main door for being selectively engaged to the engaging
member, the locker for applying elasticity to the auxiliary door to
open the auxiliary door when external force is applied to the
auxiliary door.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the engaging member is
provided in the auxiliary door and the locker is provided in the
main door, the locker comprising a latch assembly selectively
engaged to the engaging member.
4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the engaging member
comprises: an engaging recess or an engaging hole selectively
engaged to the latch assembly.
5. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the latch assembly
comprises: a rotatable coupling body coupled to the engaging member
for locking the auxiliary door, the rotatable coupling body
restituted to an original position and elastically pushing the
engaging member.
6. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the engaging member is
provided in an upper portion of an inner wall of the auxiliary door
and the locker is provided in an upper edge portion of the opening
and a rotation shaft is provided in a lower portion of the
auxiliary door, such that the auxiliary door is rotated with
respect to the rotation shaft.
7. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a damping unit
for dampening the rotation speed of the auxiliary door when the
auxiliary door is opened.
8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the damping unit is
provided in any one of the main door and the rotation shaft of the
auxiliary door.
9. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the auxiliary door is
opened through a first opening section in which the auxiliary door
is rotated by the pushing force of the locking unit, a second
opening section in which the auxiliary door is rotated by self
weight, and a third opening section in which the damping unit
dampens the rotation speed of the auxiliary door.
10. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the main door comprises an
auxiliary frame for defining a rim of the opening and for allowing
the auxiliary door coupled thereto.
11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the opening of the main
door communicates an inside of the storage chamber with an outside.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Patent Korean
Application No. P2005-0029417, filed on Apr. 8, 2005, which is
hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more
particularly, to a refrigerator having an auxiliary door for
opening/closing a part of a main door.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a refrigerator is an appliance which can
preserve food fresh at a low temperature, and includes chambers for
preserving food therein by freezing and/or refrigerating.
[0006] The chamber is opened/closed by a main door rotatably
provided in a refrigerator body for allowing the food taken out
from or put in the chamber.
[0007] Recently, a refrigerator has been under development, in
which not only leakage of cold air caused by opening a main door
quite often is reduced but also the food used frequently is taken
out and/or put more conveniently, such as beverage, e.g., wine
and/or beer.
[0008] More specifically, an opening in communication with the
inside of chamber is formed in the main door for allowing a user
the access to the food, and the opening is opened/closed by an
auxiliary door.
[0009] Here, the auxiliary door is rotatably coupled to the main
door to be opened/closed rotatably.
[0010] Also, an auxiliary food storage part is provided in the
inner portion of the auxiliary door for storing the food which may
be stored and taken out through the opening.
[0011] Thus, since the auxiliary door is opened/closed in a state
where the refrigerator is closed, the food stored in the auxiliary
food storage part is taken out by a user more conveniently.
[0012] Meanwhile, the auxiliary door is locked by an additional
locking device. To open the auxiliary door locked by the additional
locking device, a user should push a button for operating the
locking device and should pull a handle of the auxiliary door.
[0013] Thus, the conventional refrigerator has a problem of
inconvenience that a user should operate the button unlocking the
auxiliary door as well as the handle to open the auxiliary
door.
[0014] Furthermore, in case that a user using both hands at the
same time tries to open and store the food or beverage, it is more
inconvenient that he/she should put down the food and/or the
beverage on the floor and open the auxiliary door and then lift the
food and/or the beverage again to store in the auxiliary storage
part.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
refrigerator that substantially obviates one or more problems due
to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a
refrigerator in which convenience is improved on a user's sake.
[0017] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0018] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a refrigerator comprising: a main door
with an opening for opening/closing a storage chamber of a
refrigerator body; an auxiliary door rotatably coupled to the main
door for opening/closing the opening, the auxiliary door
opened/closed by pushing an outer surface thereof; and a locking
unit for selectively locking the auxiliary door to open/close the
auxiliary door by pushing, and for applying rotation force to the
auxiliary door to open the auxiliary door.
[0019] The locking unit comprises an engaging member provided in
either of the auxiliary door and the main door; and a locker
provided in the other of the auxiliary door and the main door for
being selectively engaged to the engaging member, the locker for
applying elasticity to the auxiliary door to open the auxiliary
door when external force is applied to the auxiliary door.
[0020] The engaging member is provided in the auxiliary door and
the locker comprising a latch assembly selectively engaged to the
engaging member is provided in the main door.
[0021] The engaging member comprises: an engaging recess or an
engaging hole selectively engaged to the latch assembly.
[0022] The latch assembly comprises: a rotatable coupling body
coupled to the engaging member for locking the auxiliary door, the
rotatable coupling body restituted to an original position and
elastically pushing the engaging member.
[0023] The engaging member is provided in an upper portion of an
inner wall of the auxiliary door and the locker is provided in an
upper edge portion of the opening and a rotation shaft is provided
in a lower portion of the auxiliary door, such that the auxiliary
door is rotated with respect to the rotation shaft.
[0024] According to the refrigerator of present invention, a
damping unit may be further included for dampening the rotation
speed of the auxiliary door when the auxiliary door is opened.
[0025] The damping unit is provided in the rotation shaft of the
auxiliary door.
[0026] The auxiliary door is opened through a first opening section
in which the auxiliary door is rotated by the pushing force of the
locking unit, a second opening section in which the auxiliary door
is rotated by self weight, and a third opening section in which the
damping unit dampens the rotation speed of the auxiliary door.
[0027] The main door comprises an auxiliary frame for defining a
rim of the opening and for allowing the auxiliary door coupled
thereto.
[0028] The opening of the main door communicates an inside of the
storage chamber with an outside.
[0029] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a partially perspective view illustrating a
refrigerator according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an auxiliary door
of the refrigerator in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an auxiliary frame
having the auxiliary door coupled thereto;
[0034] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
auxiliary door, an engaging member and a damper unit provided in
the auxiliary door;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an opened portion of
the auxiliary door in FIG. 2;
[0036] FIGS. 6A and 6B are front and rear sectional views
illustrating an embodiment of a locking unit just before the
auxiliary door of FIG. 2 is about to be locked;
[0037] FIGS. 7A and 7B are front and rear sectional views
illustrating the locking unit in a state where the auxiliary door
of FIG. 2 is locked;
[0038] FIGS. 8A and 8B are front and rear sectional views
illustrating the locking unit just before the auxiliary door is
about to be opened; and
[0039] FIG. 9 is diagram illustrating a relative movement passage
of a stop member for a rotatable coupling body applied to the
locking unit of FIGS. 6A and 6B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator according to the
present invention will be described.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator according to the
present invention includes a refrigerator body 10 having a food
storage chamber (not shown) therein, a main door 20 for
opening/closing the storage chamber of the refrigerator body 10,
and an auxiliary door 50 provided in the main door 20.
[0043] The main door 20 has an opening 30, and the auxiliary door
50 is rotatably coupled to the main door 20 for opening/closing the
opening 30.
[0044] The main door 20 is rotatably coupled to the refrigerator
body 10.
[0045] An embodiment of the refrigerator according to the present
invention presents that a pair of main doors 20 is coupled to the
refrigerator body 10, but the present invention is not limited to
that.
[0046] The opening 30 is large enough for the middle portion of
main door 20, and the position, the appearance and the size thereof
may be variously changed.
[0047] Since the food and/or the beverage used quite often is
stored and taken out through the opening 30, leakage of cold air
caused by opening/closing the main door may be reduced.
[0048] In other words, the food and/or the beverage used quite
often is stored and taken out and the leakage of cold air is
minimized, because the opening 30 of the main door is opened/closed
by the auxiliary door 50 in a state where the main door 20 is
closed.
[0049] Also, an auxiliary storage part (not shown) is provided in
the inner portion of auxiliary door 50 for storing the food used
quite often.
[0050] The auxiliary storage part may include a basket provided
within the opening.
[0051] The auxiliary door 50 may be called as home bar door, and
the auxiliary door 50 according to the present invention is
opened/closed by pushing a front thereof.
[0052] That is, once a user pushes the front surface of auxiliary
door 50 in a state of the auxiliary door being closed, the
auxiliary door 50 is opened.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, an embodiment according to the
refrigerator of the present invention further includes a locking
unit 100 for selectively locking the auxiliary door 50, such that
the auxiliary door 50 may be opened/closed by pushing.
[0054] The locking unit 100 applies rotation force to the auxiliary
door 50 to open the auxiliary door 50.
[0055] That is, when the front surface of auxiliary door 50 is
pressed, the auxiliary door 50 is unlocked by the locking unit 100.
Hence, the locking unit 100 pushes the auxiliary door 50 so as to
automatically rotate and open the auxiliary door 50.
[0056] For the installment of auxiliary door 50, the main door 20
may include an auxiliary frame 40 defining a rim of the opening 30.
Preferably, the auxiliary frame 40 has an appearance corresponding
with the auxiliary door 50.
[0057] Moreover, the auxiliary door 50 is rotatably connected with
the auxiliary frame 40, such that the auxiliary frame 40 supports
the auxiliary door 50 rotatably.
[0058] More specifically, opposite lower portions of the auxiliary
door 50 are rotatably coupled to opposite inner walls of the
auxiliary frame 40.
[0059] For that, a rotation shaft 51 defining the center of
auxiliary door rotation is provided in the opposite lower portion
of the auxiliary door 50, and the rotation shaft 51 is connected
with the both inner walls of auxiliary frame 40.
[0060] Thus, the auxiliary door 50 is rotatably coupled to the main
door 20, more specifically, to the auxiliary frame 40 to open/close
the opening 30.
[0061] Still further, the refrigerator according to the present
invention includes a damping unit 80 for dampening rotation speed
of the auxiliary door 50 when the auxiliary door 50 is opened.
[0062] The damping unit 80 of the embodiment is provided in the
auxiliary door 50, more specifically, in the rotation shaft 51 of
the auxiliary door 50.
[0063] Also, a shaft fastening part 82 is formed on each opposite
inner wall of the auxiliary frame 40 for allowing the rotation
shaft 51 fastened thereto. The damping unit 80 may include an oil
damper.
[0064] According to this embodiment, the rotation shaft of the
damping unit 90 defines the rotation shaft 51 of the auxiliary door
50. The damping unit 80 is insertedly fastened to damping fastening
recess 81 on the opposite lower portions of the auxiliary door 50,
but it is not limited thereto.
[0065] The locking unit 100 selectively locks the auxiliary door 50
for making the opening 30 airtight.
[0066] The locking unit 100 includes an engaging member 110 and a
locker 120 selectively engaged to the engaging member 110.
[0067] The engaging member 110 is provided in either of the main
door 20 and the auxiliary door 50, and the locker 120 is provided
in the other of the main door 20 and the auxiliary door 50.
[0068] The locker 120 applies elasticity to the auxiliary door 50
enough to open the auxiliary door 50 once the outer surface of
auxiliary door 50 is pressed.
[0069] In other words, a user presses the front surface of
auxiliary door 50 to open the auxiliary door 50. Hence, the locker
120 and the engaging member 110 are disengaged, and the locker 120
applies elasticity to the auxiliary door 50 to open the auxiliary
door 50.
[0070] According to the embodiment, the engaging member 110 is
provided in the auxiliary door 50, and the locker 120 is provided
in the main door 20.
[0071] Here, the engaging member 110 is projected backwardly from
the auxiliary door 50, and the locker 120 is provided in the
auxiliary frame 40.
[0072] The engaging member 110 is provided in an upper center of
the auxiliary door inner wall, and the locker 120 is provided in a
center of an upper edge portion of the auxiliary frame 40,
corresponding with the engaging member.
[0073] The engaging member 110 may include an engaging hole 111 or
an engaging recess for allowing the locker 120 selectively engaged
thereto.
[0074] According to this embodiment, the engaging member 110
includes an engaging hole 111 of a slot shape in a center thereof,
but it is not limited thereto.
[0075] Meanwhile, the locker 120 includes a latch assembly 120a
provided in the main door 20 and the latch assembly 120a is
selectively engaged to the engaging member 110.
[0076] An insert recess 121 is formed in the locker 120 for
allowing the engaging member 110 inserted thereto.
[0077] Also the latch assembly 120a is provided in the upper
portion of auxiliary frame 40 for maintaining the state of the
auxiliary door 50 being closed together with the engaging member
110.
[0078] The latch assembly 120a is inserted into a securing recess
41 formed on a front surface upper end of the auxiliary frame 40,
and the securing recess 41 of a box shape is recessed inwardly from
the front surface upper end of auxiliary frame 40.
[0079] The latch assembly 120a may be provided in various ways, for
example, with an engaging hook for allowing the engaging member 110
engaged thereto.
[0080] That is, once the front surface of auxiliary door 50 is
pressed to close the auxiliary door 50, an engaging hook is rotated
in a direction and fixedly hooks the engaging member 110 inserted
into the insert recess 121. Thereby, the auxiliary door 50 is
locked.
[0081] Whereas, once the front surface of auxiliary door 50 is
pressed in a state of the auxiliary door being closed, the engaging
hook is rotated in another direction and is detached from the
engaging member 110.
[0082] Also the engaging member 110 is elastically pushed by the
latch assembly 120a, such that the auxiliary door 50 is opened.
[0083] Thus, the front surface of auxiliary door 50 is pressed to
be closed, and re-pressed to be opened.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 5, a process for opening the auxiliary
door of the refrigerator according to the present invention will be
described.
[0085] The auxiliary door 50 is opened through a first opening
section (x) rotating the locking unit 100 by pushing force, a
second opening section (y) rotating the auxiliary door 50 by its
self weight, and a third opening section (z) dampening rotation
speed by the damper unit 80.
[0086] More specifically, once a user presses the front surface of
auxiliary door 50 in a state of the auxiliary door being closed,
the engaging member 110 and the latch assembly 120a are disengaged.
The engaging member 110 is pushed by the latch assembly 120a.
[0087] Hence, the auxiliary door 50 is rotated enough to be opened
at a predetermined angle (.alpha.).
[0088] After that, the auxiliary door 50 is opened by its self
weight enough to be opened at a predetermined angle (.beta.).
[0089] Next, when the opening angle of auxiliary door 50 is .beta.,
the damping unit 80 is operated to dampen the opening speed of
auxiliary door 50. Hence, the auxiliary door 50 is rotated at a low
speed to be opened at a predetermined angle (.gamma.).
[0090] Thus, the shock created by the main door 20 when the
auxiliary door 50 is opened may be minimized.
[0091] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, an inner structure of the
latch assembly 120a according to the embodiment will be described
in detail.
[0092] As shown in FIGS, 6A and 6B, the latch assembly 120a
includes a rotatable coupling body 121a coupled to the engaging
member 110 for locking the auxiliary door 50.
[0093] The rotatable coupling body 121a is restitutive to its
original position and elastically pushes the engaging member 110
when the front surface is pressed to open the auxiliary door
50.
[0094] For that, the rotatable coupling body 121a is rotatably
provided in a frame part of the latch assembly 120a, and includes a
restitution device (not shown) for restituting the rotatable
coupling body 121a to its original position.
[0095] The restitution device also includes a torsion spring (not
shown) connected with the rotatable coupling body 121a.
[0096] The original position of rotatable coupling body 121a is a
position in a state where the auxiliary door 50 is opened, that is,
a position in a state where the rotatable coupling body is not
coupled to the engaging member 110.
[0097] Hence, when the engaging member 110 is inserted through the
insert recess 121 of locker with the auxiliary door 50 being
closed, the rotatable coupling body 121a is rotated and coupled to
the engaging member 110.
[0098] More specifically, as the rotatable coupling body 121a being
rotated, some part of the rotatable coupling body 121a is inserted
into the engaging hole 111 of engaging member 110.
[0099] Since the rotatable coupling body 121a is secured in a state
of being coupled to the engaging member 110, the auxiliary door 50
is locked.
[0100] According to the embodiment, the rotatable coupling body
121a includes a coupling recess 122a recessed in a radial
direction.
[0101] As shown in FIGS, 7A and 7B, the engaging member 110 is
inserted into the coupling recess 122a of rotatable coupling body
121a and pushes a first side of the coupling recess 122a to rotate
the rotatable coupling body 121a, with the auxiliary door 50 being
closed.
[0102] Hence, a second side of the coupling recess 122a is rotated
and inserted into the engaging hole 111 of engaging member 110,
such that the engaging member 110 and the rotatable coupling body
121a are coupled each other. That is, a second side of the coupling
recess 122a is employed for performing a function of an engaging
hook.
[0103] By the way, the rotatable coupling body 121a rotated by the
engaging member 110 is selectively secured by a stop member
123a.
[0104] For that, a stepped part 124a is formed in the rotatable
coupling body 121a for allowing the stop member 123a engaged
thereto.
[0105] Also, the stop member 123a is provided in the frame part
121b to be engaged to the stepped part 124a once the rotatable
coupling body 121a is rotated at a predetermined angle, such that
the rotatable coupling body 121a is secured.
[0106] As the rotatable coupling body 121a is rotated, a first
guide surface 124b is provided in the rotatable coupling body 121a
for guiding the stop member 123a to the stepped part 124a.
[0107] Also, if a relative position of the stop member 123a for the
frame part 121b is a original position, the stop member 123a is
supported by an elastic member 125a such as a spring for being
restitutive to the original position.
[0108] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, once a user presses the front
surface of auxiliary door 50 to open the auxiliary door 50, the
engaging member 110 pushes the rotatable coupling body 121a to be
rotated further.
[0109] Hence, the stop member 123a is restitutive along a
non-stepped surface after being detached from the stepped part
124a.
[0110] More, specifically, as the rotatable coupling body 121a is
rotated further, the stop member 123a detached from the stepped
part 124a reaches the non-stepped surface after sliding along a
second guide surface 124c formed on the rotatable coupling body
121a.
[0111] Thus, the stop member 123a and the rotatable coupling body
121a are detached each other. Hence, once force applied to the
front surface of auxiliary door 50 is removed, the rotatable
coupling body 121a is restituted to the original position by the
torsion spring and pushes the engaging member 110.
[0112] Accordingly, the auxiliary door 50 is opened by the
elasticity of rotatable coupling body 121a.
[0113] An arrow of FIG. 9 indicates the relative movement of stop
member 123a for the rotatable coupling body 121a.
[0114] The refrigerator according to the present invention has
following advantageous effects.
[0115] First, the refrigerator according to the present invention
has an effect of maximized convenience for usage, because the user
can open/close the auxiliary door more conveniently.
[0116] Second, the refrigerator according to the present invention
has another effect that the user can store and take out the food
through the auxiliary door conveniently, because the user even when
using both hands can open the auxiliary door.
[0117] Finally, the refrigerator according to the present invention
has still another effect that the shock applied to the main door
and/or the auxiliary door in opening the auxiliary door may be
minimized, because the damping unit dampens the opening speed of
auxiliary door.
[0118] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *