U.S. patent application number 11/730538 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Hyeon-Po Cho, Suk-Hyoun Cho, Young-Hoon Gwak, Jong-Gon Kim, Myung-Soo Kim, Bon-Young Koo, Oh-Chul Kwon, Yoo-Min Park.
Application Number | 20070228911 11/730538 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38557798 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070228911 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Jong-Gon ; et
al. |
October 4, 2007 |
Refrigerator
Abstract
A refrigerator comprises: an inner case that forms a storage
space; a plurality of fixing members coupled to the inner case so
as to be protruding to the storage space, for preventing a foaming
agent applied to a rear surface of the inner case from leaking to
the storage space; and a guide rail fixedly-coupled to the fixing
members, and to which a storage means is slidably coupled. Since
components for slidably coupling a storage means to the inner case
are simplified and an assembly process is facilitated, a production
cost is reduced and a productivity is enhanced. Furthermore, the
components for slidably coupling the storage means to the inner
case are firmly coupled to the inner case, and a foaming agent is
prevented from leaking to inside of the inner case, thereby
enhancing the reliability of the product.
Inventors: |
Kim; Jong-Gon; (Changwon,
KR) ; Kwon; Oh-Chul; (Gimhae, KR) ; Park;
Yoo-Min; (Jinju, KR) ; Gwak; Young-Hoon;
(Changwon, KR) ; Cho; Hyeon-Po; (Changwon, KR)
; Koo; Bon-Young; (Changwon, KR) ; Kim;
Myung-Soo; (Gimhae, KR) ; Cho; Suk-Hyoun;
(Gimhae, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38557798 |
Appl. No.: |
11/730538 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/408 ;
312/401 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/064 20130101;
F25D 23/067 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/408 ;
312/401 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/04 20060101
A47B096/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 3, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0030234 |
Oct 13, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0099951 |
Jan 3, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0000775 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator, comprising: an inner case that forms a storage
space; a plurality of fixing members coupled to the inner case so
as to be protruding to the storage space, for preventing a foaming
agent applied to a rear surface of the inner case from leaking to
the storage space; and a guide rail fixedly-coupled to the fixing
members, and to which a storage means is slidably coupled.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the guide rail is coupled
to the fixing members while moving in a vertical direction.
3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a spacer for straightening
one side of the inner case by pushing is provided at the guide rail
so that the inner case can not be wrinkled under a state that the
guide rail is coupled to the inner case.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein through holes are formed at
the inner case, and the fixing members are respectively coupled to
the through holes.
5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the fixing member has a
contact plate portion having larger than the through hole of the
inner case and contacting one surface of the inner case, for
preventing a foaming agent from leaking to inside of the storage
space via the through hole.
6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the contact plate portion
comes in contact with an inner surface of the inner case, the
storage space.
7. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the contact plate portion
comes in contact with a rear surface of the inner case, an opposite
surface to the storage space.
8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the guide rail includes: a
rail body having a predetermined length; a guide groove formed in a
longitudinal direction of the rail body for inserting the storage
container; and a coupling portion disposed at one side of the rail
body, and coupled to each of the fixing members.
9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the coupling portion is
formed to have a hook shape.
10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the coupling portion is
implemented as a protrusion having an omega shape.
11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the fixing member
includes: an insertion portion having a predetermined length and
penetratingly-coupled to the inner case; a contact plate portion
extending from one side of the insertion portion with a
predetermined area, and contacts an outer wall of the inner case;
and a locking portion disposed at one side of the insertion
portion, for insertion-fixing one side of the guide rail.
12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the locking portion is
implemented as a coupling hole formed at one side of the insertion
portion.
13. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the fixing member
includes: an insertion portion having a predetermined length and
penetratingly-coupled to the inner case; a contact plate portion
extending from one side of the insertion portion with a
predetermined area, and contacting an inner wall of the inner case;
and a locking portion disposed at one side of the contact plate
portion, for insertion-fixing one side of the guide rail.
14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the locking portion has
an omega shape.
15. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein a female screw thread is
formed at an inner wall of the through hole of the inner case for
inserting the insertion portion, a male screw thread is formed at
an outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion, and the
insertion portion and the inner case are screw-coupled to each
other.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained
in priority Korean Application No. 10-2006-0030234, filed on Apr.
3, 2006 and No. 10-2006-0099951, filed on Oct. 13, 2006 and No.
10-2007-0000775, filed on Jan. 3, 2007, which are herein expressly
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more
particularly, to a refrigerator capable of simplifying an entire
assembly process by simplifying a configuration to slidably couple
a storage means for storing food to an inner case that forms a
storage space, and capable of preventing a foaming agent applied to
a rear surface of the inner case from leaking to inside of the
inner case.
[0004] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0005] Generally, a refrigerator stores food item such as meat,
fish, vegetable, fruit, beverage, etc. as a fresh state. The
refrigerator includes a body having a freezing chamber, a
refrigerating chamber, a vegetable chamber, etc., a refrigeration
cycle unit provided at the body, and a door mounted at one side of
the body for opening and closing the freezing chamber and the
refrigerating chamber.
[0006] When the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber has a
temperature more than a preset temperature, the refrigeration cycle
unit is operated. Accordingly, cool air is generated by an
evaporator thus to circulate the freezing chamber and the
refrigerating chamber by a blowing fan. As the cool air circulates
the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, the freezing
chamber, the refrigerating chamber, and the vegetable chamber
provided at the refrigerating chamber maintain each preset
temperature.
[0007] The refrigerator can be classified into various types
according to a method for circulating cool air, each position of
the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, and a
configuration of the evaporator.
[0008] For an instance, the refrigerator may be a refrigerator in
which the freezing chamber is positioned above the refrigerating
chamber, a refrigerator in which the freezing chamber and the
refrigerating chamber are positioned side by side, a refrigerator
in which the freezing chamber is positioned below the refrigerating
chamber, etc.
[0009] The size of the refrigerator becomes larger according to a
user's demand, and various functions are implemented so as to
enhance the user's convenience.
[0010] The body of the refrigerator is manufactured as follows.
[0011] First, an inner case having a storage space is disposed in
an outer case having a predetermined shape. Then, a foaming agent
is disposed between the outer case and the inner case. The foaming
agent is hardened to serve as an insulating material.
[0012] In order to store food in the storage space, a shelf or a
storage container is slidably mounted at the inner case. When the
shelf is mounted at the inner case, food is put on the shelf. Also,
when the storage container is mounted at the inner case, food is
put in the storage container.
[0013] A storage means such as the shelf or the storage container
mounted at the inner case that forms the storage space has to be
manufactured so as to be pushed into and drawn out.
[0014] In order to enhance an assembly characteristic for the
refrigerator when the storage means is slidably mounted at the
inner case, each component and an assembly process have to be
simplified.
[0015] Furthermore, the foaming agent of a liquidous phase applied
to a rear surface of the inner case (i.e., a surface of the inner
case facing the outer case) has to be prevented from leaking to the
storage space of the inner case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a refrigerator capable of simplifying an entire assembly process by
simplifying a configuration to slidably couple a shelf or a storage
container to an inner case that forms a storage space, and capable
of preventing a liquidous foaming agent applied to a rear surface
of the inner case from leaking to inside of the inner case.
[0017] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, there is provided a refrigerator, comprising: an
inner case that forms a storage space; a plurality of fixing
members coupled to the inner case so as to be protruding to the
storage space, for preventing a foaming agent applied to a rear
surface of the inner case from leaking to the storage space; and a
guide rail fixedly-coupled to the fixing members, and to which a
storage means is slidably coupled.
[0018] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0020] In the drawings:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively a perspective view and a
sectional view showing a coupled state of a guide rail to an inner
case of the refrigerator according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the guide rail of the
refrigerator according to the present invention;
[0024] FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views showing a coupled state of
the guide rail to the inner case of the refrigerator according to
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a plane view showing a spacer of the refrigerator
according to the present invention;
[0026] FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively a sectional view and a front
view showing a coupled state of the guide rail and a fixing member
to the inner case of the refrigerator according to the present
invention; and
[0027] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the
guide rail and the fixing member to the inner case of the
refrigerator according to a modification example of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] As shown, an inner case 200 is provided in an outer case 100
of a refrigerator. The inner case includes a freezing chamber inner
case that forms a freezing chamber F, and a refrigerating chamber
inner case that forms a refrigerating chamber R.
[0031] The freezing chamber inner case and the refrigerating
chamber inner case may be integrally formed to each other.
[0032] The freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R serve
to store food therein.
[0033] An insulating material 300 formed as a foaming agent is
hardened is provided between a rear surface of the inner case 200
and the outer case 100.
[0034] A plurality of through holes 210 are disposed at both inner
walls of the inner case 200 that forms a storage space. One pair of
through holes 210 are disposed at one inner wall of the inner case
200 on the same horizontal line with a predetermined gap
therebetween. A plurality of the two paired through holes 210 are
formed in a vertical direction with a gap therebetween. Two or more
through holes 210 may be formed on the same horizontal line.
However, it is assumed that the number of the through holes is two.
The through holes 210 formed at both inner walls of the inner case
200 are symmetrical to one another.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a fixing member 400 is
respectively coupled to the through holes 210 of the inner case
200, thereby preventing a foaming agent applied to a rear surface
of the inner case 200 from leaking to inside (i.e., a storage
space) of the inner case 200 through the through holes 210. One
side of the fixing member 400 is protruding to the storage space,
and a guide rail 500 is fixedly-coupled to the protruding
portion.
[0036] A plurality of the guide rails 500 are coupled to both side
walls of the inner case 200.
[0037] The guide rail 500 is fixedly-coupled to the fixing members
400 respectively coupled to the one pair of through holes 210
disposed on the same horizontal plane, and the guide rail 500 is
fittedly-coupled to each of the fixing members 400.
[0038] A plurality of the guide rails 500 are disposed at one side
wall of the inner case 200 with a predetermined gap therebetween,
and the guide rails 500 disposed at both side walls of the inner
case 200 are symmetrical to one another. That is, one pair of guide
rails 500 facing to each other at both side walls of the inner case
200 are disposed on the same horizontal line, thereby supporting a
shelf (not shown) or a storage container (not shown) each having a
predetermined area.
[0039] The guide rail includes a rail body 510 having a
predetermined length, a guide groove 520 penetratingly-formed in a
longitudinal direction of the rail body 510 for inserting a storage
means such as shelf, a supporting roller 530 disposed at one side
of the guide groove 520 for guiding the insertion of the storage
means, and a coupling portion 540 fittedly-coupled to the fixing
member 400.
[0040] The guide groove 520 is formed to have a predetermined width
and depth. Under a state that the guide rail 500 is mounted at an
inner wall of the inner case 200, an opened portion of the guide
groove 520 is towards the storage space. Under a state that the
guide rail 500 is mounted at the inner case 200, a lower surface
521 of the guide groove 520 is formed to have a horizontal plane,
and an upper surface 522 of the guide groove 520 is formed to have
a horizontal plane and an inclined plane extending from the
horizontal plane. The inclined plane serves to insert a storage
means, and an entrance side of the guide groove 520 becomes wider
due to the inclined plane.
[0041] A semi-circular mounting groove 523 is disposed at the lower
surface 521 facing the inclined plane, and a fixing protrusion 524
is protrudingly-formed at the mounting groove 523. The supporting
roller 530 is rotatably inserted into the fixing protrusion 524. A
screw 525 for preventing the supporting roller 530 inserted into
the fixing protrusion 524 from being separated therefrom is coupled
to the fixing protrusion 524.
[0042] The coupling portion 540 of the guide rail 500 is formed at
a rear surface of the rail body 510, i.e., a contact surface to an
inner wall of the inner case 200. A mounting space 511 is disposed
at the rear surface of the rail body 510, and the coupling portion
540 is disposed at the mounting space with a predetermined gap.
[0043] A wall having a predetermined thickness and height is formed
at an edge of the rear surface of the rail body 510 by the mounting
space 511. The end of the wall comes in contact with the inner wall
of the inner case 200.
[0044] The coupling portion 540 is formed to have a hook shape. The
coupling portion 540 includes a curved portion 541
curvedly-extending from the bottom surface of the mounting space
511, and a locking protrusion 542 protruding from an inner surface
of the end of the curved portion 541.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, two coupling portions 540 are formed so
as to correspond to the two fixing members 400 horizontally
disposed at the inner case 200. A gap between the two coupling
portions 540 is equal to a gap between the two fixing members
400.
[0046] The fixing member 400 includes an insertion portion 410
penetratingly formed at the inner case 200, a contact plate portion
420 extending from one side of the insertion portion 410 with a
predetermined area, and contacting a rear surface of the inner
case, and a locking portion 430 disposed at one side of the contact
plate portion 420 for insertion-fixing one side of the guide rail
500.
[0047] The insertion portion 410 is formed to have a predetermined
length, and has a sectional shape corresponding to the through hole
210 of the inner case 200. Preferably, the through hole 210 is
formed to have a circular shape, and the insertion portion 410 has
a section of a circular shape. The through hole 210 may be formed
to have a rectangular shape, and the insertion portion 410 may have
a section of a rectangular shape.
[0048] The contact plate portion 420 is formed to have a disc shape
having a predetermined thickness, and an outer diameter thereof is
formed to be larger than an inner diameter of the through hole 210.
Preferably, the insertion portion 410 is protruding from the center
of one surface of the contact plate portion 420.
[0049] The locking portion 430 is implemented as a coupling hole
formed at one side of the insertion portion 410. The coupling
portion 540 of the guide rail is coupled to the coupling hole. That
is, the curved portion 541 of the coupling portion is inserted into
the coupling hole, and the locking protrusion 542 is locked by an
edge of the coupling hole.
[0050] The insertion portion 410 of the fixing member 400 is
inserted into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200, the
insertion portion 410 is protruding towards the storage space, and
the contact plate portion 420 comes in contact with the rear
surface of the inner case 200. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
coupling portion 540 is fitted into the locking portion 430 of the
fixing member 400 by pushing the rail body 510 of the guide rail
500 in a vertical direction.
[0051] Since the guide rail 500 is fittedly-coupled to the inner
case 200 under a state that the fixing member 400 has been inserted
into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200, the guide rail 500
is easily and simply coupled to the inner case 200 and the coupled
state therebetween is stable.
[0052] Since the contact plate portion 420 contacts the rear
surface of the inner case 200 under a state that the insertion
portion 410 of the fixing member 400 has been inserted into the
through hole 210, when a liquidous foaming agent is applied to the
rear surface of the inner case 200, the foaming agent is prevented
from leaking to the inside (the storage space) of the inner case
200.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, a spacer 550 having a predetermined
shape is preferably extending from the rail body 510 of the guide
rail 500. The spacer 550 is preferably protruding from the rear
surface of the rail body 510 with a rounded shape having a convexed
middle portion. Under a state that the guide rail 500 is
fixedly-coupled to the fixing members 400, the spacer 550 pushes
one side of the inner case 200. Accordingly, the inner case 200
contacts the guide rail 500 by being straightened. If the guide
rail 500 is coupled to the fixing members 400 with a plane state
without having the spacer 550 at the rear surface thereof, a gap
may be generated between the rear surface of the guide rail 500 and
the inner surface of the inner case 200.
[0054] As another modification example, as shown in FIG. 8, the
coupling portion 540 of the guide rail 500 is implemented as a
protrusion having a predetermined shape. The protrusion has a
vertical section having an omega shape, but may have a vertical
section having an oval shape.
[0055] As another modification example, the fixing member 400
includes an insertion portion 450 penetratingly formed at the inner
case 200, a contact plate portion 460 extending from one side of
the insertion portion 450 with a predetermined area, and contacts
an inner surface of the inner case 200, and a locking portion 470
disposed at the contact plate portion 460 thus to be detachably
coupled to the coupling portion 540 of the guide rail 500.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, the locking portion 470 is formed at one
side of the contact plate portion 460 as an opening having an omega
shape.
[0057] The locking portion 470 may be formed at one side of the
contact plate portion 460 as an opening having an oval shape.
[0058] The insertion portion 450 of the fixing member 400 and the
locking portion 470 are disposed at different positions from each
other.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 10, a female screw thread is formed at an
inner wall of the through hole 210 of the inner case 200 for
inserting the insertion portion 450, and a male screw thread is
formed at an outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion
450. Accordingly, the insertion portion 450 and the inner case 200
may be screw-coupled to each other.
[0060] The fixing member 400 is inserted into the through hole 210
of the inner case 200, and the coupling portion 540 of the guide
rail 500 is fittedly-coupled to the locking portion 470 of the
fixing member 400. Herein, the contact plate portion 460 of the
fixing member 400 comes in contact with the inner surface of the
inner case 200. The insertion portion 450 of the fixing member 400
is inserted into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200 thus to
be protruding towards the rear surface of the inner case 200.
[0061] Under a state that the fixing member 400 has been inserted
into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200, the coupling
portion 540 of the guide rail 500 is fittedly-coupled to the
locking portion 470 of the fixing member 400. Accordingly, the
guide rail 500 is simply and easily coupled to the inner case 200,
and the coupled state therebetween is stable.
[0062] Furthermore, the contact plate portion 460 contacts the
inner surface of the inner case 200 under a state that the
insertion portion 450 of the fixing member 400 has been inserted
into the through hole 210. Accordingly, a liquidous foaming agent
applied to the rear surface of the case 200 is prevented from
leaking to the inside (the storage space) of the inner case 200 via
the through hole 210.
[0063] Besides, under a state that the male screw thread is formed
at the insertion portion 450 of the fixing member 400 and the
female screw thread is formed at an inner wall of the through hole
210 of the inner case 200, the insertion portion 450 of the fixing
member 400 is coupled to the through hole 210 of the inner case
200. Accordingly, the coupled state between the fixing member 400
and the inner case 200 is more stable.
[0064] Hereinafter, operation and effect of the present invention
will be explained.
[0065] A plurality of fixing members 400 are penetratingly-coupled
to the inner case 200 that forms a storage space such as the
freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R of the
refrigerator. Then, the guide rails 500 are fittedly-coupled to the
fixing members 400. Next, both ends of a storage means such as a
shelf or a storage container are inserted into the guide groove 520
of the one pair of guide rails 500 coupled to both inner walls of
the inner case 200. Herein, as the supporting roller 530 provided
at the guide groove 520 of a guide roller rotates, the storage
means is smoothly inserted into the guide groove 520.
[0066] Then, food is stored in the storage container inside the
storage space of the refrigerator.
[0067] In the present invention, the fixing member 400 is inserted
into the through hole 210 of the inner case 200, and the contact
plate portions 420 and 460 contact a periphery of the through hole
210 of the inner case 200. Accordingly, a liquidous foaming agent
applied between the inner case 200 and the outer case 100 is
prevented from leaking to the storage space via the through hole
210.
[0068] Since the guide rail 500 is fittedly-coupled to the inner
case 200 under a state that the fixing members 400 are coupled to
the inner case 200, components are simplified and the assembly
process is facilitated.
[0069] Since the fixing members 400 are coupled to the inner case
200 and then the guide rail 500 is coupled to the fixing members
400, the coupled state of the guide rail 500 to the inner case is
stable. Also, when the spacer 550 is provided at the guide rail
500, a gap between the guide rail 500 and the inner case 200 is
prevented from occurring.
[0070] As aforementioned, in the present invention, the components
for slidably coupling the storage means to the inner case that
forms a storage space of the refrigerator are simplified, and the
assembly process is facilitated. Accordingly, a production cost is
reduced, and a productivity is enhanced.
[0071] Furthermore, the components for slidably coupling the
storage means to the inner case are firmly fixed to the inner case,
and a foaming agent is prevented from leaking to inside of the
inner case, thereby enhancing the reliability of the product.
[0072] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described
embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing
description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be
construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the
appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that
fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of
such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the
appended claims.
* * * * *