U.S. patent application number 12/811727 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-25 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Dong-Jeong Kim, Wook-Yong Lee, Seung-Hwan Oh, So-Hee Park.
Application Number | 20100293983 12/811727 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40853245 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100293983 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Dong-Jeong ; et
al. |
November 25, 2010 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
Provided is a refrigerator configured to expand the inner space
thereof by improving the structure of a refrigerator door to
achieve the slimness of the refrigerator door provided with an
ice-making device, and the refrigerator is further provided with a
basket or a special freezing chamber adapted for storing foods. The
refrigerator includes a main body including a storage chamber, a
door rotatably coupled to the main body, an ice-making device
provided to the door and configured to make ice, and a special
freezing chamber provided to the door and including a communication
hole to introduce cool air of the ice-making device. The slimed
refrigerator door of the refrigerator is configured to receive a
food basket, and the space for foods in the refrigerator is
increased.
Inventors: |
Kim; Dong-Jeong; (Seoul,
KR) ; Oh; Seung-Hwan; (Seoul, KR) ; Park;
So-Hee; (Seoul, KR) ; Lee; Wook-Yong; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
40853245 |
Appl. No.: |
12/811727 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
October 1, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR0208/005785 |
371 Date: |
August 3, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/340 ;
62/407 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 2400/10 20130101;
F25D 2317/062 20130101; F25D 17/065 20130101; F25D 23/04 20130101;
F25D 2323/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/340 ;
62/407 |
International
Class: |
F25C 1/00 20060101
F25C001/00; F25D 17/04 20060101 F25D017/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 7, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0001552 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body including a storage
chamber; a door rotatably coupled to the main body; an ice-making
device provided to the door and configured to make ice; and a
special freezing chamber provided to the door and including a
communication hole to introduce cool air of the ice-making
device.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the communication
hole is provided to an interface where the ice-making device and
the special freezing chamber are coupled to each other.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the special
freezing chamber is provided on a left side or a right side of the
ice-making device.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the special
freezing chamber is provided on a lower side of the ice-making
device.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the special
freezing chamber has a side coupled with a special freezing chamber
door configured to cover an inner space of the special freezing
chamber against an outer space.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the special
freezing chamber door is hinged to a side of the special freezing
chamber.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the ice-making
device has a side provided with a basket configured to store an
object cooled by cool air of the main body.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the ice-making
device has a rear surface coupled to an inner surface of the door
of the refrigerator, and the special freezing chamber is provided
to a bottom surface of the ice-making device.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the special
freezing chamber is provided on a front side of the ice-making
device.
10. A refrigerator comprising: a main body provided with a freezing
chamber and a chilling chamber; a chilling chamber door selectively
covering the chilling chamber; an ice-making device provided to the
chilling chamber door and configured to make ice; and a special
freezing chamber provided to at least one side of the ice-making
device and receiving cool air circulating in the ice-making
device.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein a transverse
width of the chilling chamber door corresponds to a sum of a
transverse width of the ice-making device and a transverse width of
the special freezing chamber.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein a transverse
width of the ice-making device corresponds to a transverse width of
the chilling chamber door.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the special
freezing chamber comprises: a first special freezing chamber
provided to a right side or a left side of the ice-making device;
and a second special freezing chamber provided to a lower side of
the ice-making device.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the first and
second special freezing chambers are respectively provided with
communication holes configured to introduce cool air from the
ice-making device.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the first
special freezing chamber and the ice-making device are transversely
arranged, and the second special freezing chamber and the
ice-making device are longitudinally arranged.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the freezing
chamber is disposed on a lower side of the chilling chamber, and
the chilling chamber door is provided in plurality.
17. A refrigerator comprising: a main body provided with a freezing
chamber and a chilling chamber; a chilling chamber door selectively
covering the chilling chamber; an ice-making device provided to the
chilling chamber door and receiving cool air of the freezing
chamber; a special freezing chamber provided to the chilling
chamber door and configured to introduce cool air of the ice-making
device; and a special freezing chamber door selectively covering
the special freezing chamber.
18. The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the special
freezing chamber door is provided with a hinge such that the
special freezing chamber door is rotatably coupled to the special
freezing chamber.
19. The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the ice-making
device has a side provided with both a supply part configured to
supply cool air and a discharge part configured to discharge cool
air, and the supply part and the discharge part selectively
communicate with the main body.
20. The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the special
freezing chamber is coupled to at least one side of the ice-making
device.
21. The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the special
freezing chamber is provided with a communication hole to introduce
cool air, and the ice-making device is provided with a discharge
hole communicating with the communication hole.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In the related art, a refrigerator includes a plurality of
storage chambers for storing foods at low temperatures close to or
below zero degrees Celsius. Each of the storage chambers has an
open side for allowing access to the foods stored in the storage
chambers.
[0003] Recently, a refrigerator having a dispenser for dispensing
ice and water has been developed. A water tank for storing water
that will be dispensed is connected to the dispenser.
[0004] An ice-making device for making ice using the water supplied
is provided in the refrigerator. The ice-making device may be
installed in a main body of the refrigerator or a door of the
refrigerator.
[0005] When the ice-making device is provided at a chilling
chamber, the ice-making device is formed in a thermal insulation
structure to provide a low temperature environment. A passage
through which cool air of a freezing chamber can be introduced and
discharged is formed through side surfaces of the ice-making device
and the refrigerator.
[0006] Since the ice-making device is provided with an ice tray
configured to make ice, and an ice bank configured to store ice
removed from the ice tray, the ice-making device's volume is
generally large.
[0007] When the ice-making device is provided to the refrigerator
door, the volume of the ice-making device limits a space for
storing foods in the refrigerator door.
[0008] Also, when the refrigerator door is closed, equipped with
the ice-making device, a mounting space for a shelf installed in
the main body is limited to prevent the ice-making device from
interfering with the main body of the refrigerator.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0009] Embodiments provide a refrigerator configured to increase
the inner space thereof by improving the structure of a
refrigerator door to slim the refrigerator door provided with an
ice-making device.
[0010] Embodiments also provide a refrigerator including a slimed
door provided with a basket or a special freezing chamber for
storing foods.
Technical Solution
[0011] In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body
including a storage chamber; a door rotatably coupled to the main
body; an ice-making device provided to the door and configured to
make ice; and a special freezing chamber provided to the door and
including a communication hole to introduce cool air of the
ice-making device.
[0012] In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body
provided with a freezing chamber and a chilling chamber; a chilling
chamber door selectively covering the chilling chamber; an
ice-making device provided to the chilling chamber door and
configured to make ice; and a special freezing chamber provided to
at least one side of the ice-making device and receiving cool air
circulating in the ice-making device.
[0013] In further another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a
main body provided with a freezing chamber and a chilling chamber;
a chilling chamber door selectively covering the chilling chamber;
an ice-making device provided to the chilling chamber door and
receiving cool air of the freezing chamber; a special freezing
chamber provided to the chilling chamber door and configured to
introduce cool air of the ice-making device; and a special freezing
chamber door selectively covering the special freezing chamber.
Advantageous Effects
[0014] According to the above configuration of the refrigerator,
the refrigerator door equipped with the ice-making device is
slimed, and the inner space of the refrigerator is increased. Thus,
the space where the food shelf is placed, is increased.
[0015] Also, since the slimed door of the refrigerator is provided
with the basket or the special freezing chamber for storing foods,
the large space for storing foods can be provided to a user.
[0016] Therefore, convenience for users and product satisfaction
are improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator
according to an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a refrigerator door according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of
FIG. 2.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a refrigerator door according to another embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a refrigerator door according to another embodiment.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be
embodied in different forms and should not be constructed as
limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough
and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present
disclosure to those skilled in the art.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator 1
according to an embodiment.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a main body
10 having a chilling chamber 110 and a freezing chamber 120, a
chilling chamber door 11 that is rotatably coupled to a front
surface of the main body 10 to selectively open and close the
chilling chamber 110, and a freezing chamber door 12 that is
provided in a lower portion of the main body 10 to selectively open
and close the freezing chamber 120. Here, the chilling chamber 110
is disposed in an upper portion of the main body 10, and the
freezing chamber 120 is disposed in the lower portion of the main
body 10.
[0025] In this embodiment, a description will be made on a bottom
freezer type refrigerator where the freezing chamber is defined
under the chilling chamber. However, the present disclosure is not
limited to this embodiment. For example, the present disclosure may
be applied to not only a top mount type refrigerator where the
freezing chamber is defined above the chilling chamber but also a
side-by-side type refrigerator where the freezing and chilling
chambers are defined at right and left sides, respectively.
[0026] In more detail, the chilling chamber door 11 is divided into
two sections that are respectively coupled to both sides of the
main body 10 by hinges (not shown). The freezing chamber door 12 is
coupled to a lower end of the main body 10 by a hinge (not shown)
and is designed to be withdrawn in the form of a drawer. A storage
container 15 for storing frozen foods may be provided in the
freezing chamber 120.
[0027] In addition, an evaporator 16 for generating cool air that
will be supplied into the main body 10 is provided at a lower-rear
portion of the main body 10.
[0028] An inner surface of the chilling chamber door 11 is provided
with an ice-making device 20, a first special freezing chamber 30,
and a second special freezing chamber 40. The ice-making device 20
is configured to make ice. The first special freezing chamber 30 is
provided on one side of the ice-making device 20 and configured to
freeze foodstuffs with cool air received from the ice-making device
20. The second special freezing chamber 40 is provided on another
side of the ice-making device 20 and configured to receive cool air
from the ice-making device 20.
[0029] The ice-making device 20 is provided with a supply part 21
configured to supply at least part of cool air supplied to the
freezing chamber 12, and a discharge part 22 configured to
discharge cool air circulating in the ice-making device 20 toward
the evaporator 16.
[0030] A supply duct 13 for supplying cool air to the supply part
21 and a discharge duct 14 to which the cool air is discharged from
the discharge part 22 are provided to the main body 10.
[0031] First sides of the supply and discharge ducts 13 and 14 are
connected to the freezing chamber 120. Cool air generated by the
evaporator 16 is partially supplied to the ice-making device 20
through the supply duct 13. The cool air circulating in ugh the
discharge duct 14 the ice-making device 20 is discharged into the
freezing chamber 120 thro
[0032] Duct supply hole 13a and duct discharge hole 14a are
respectively disposed on second sides of the supply and discharge
ducts 13 and 14. The duct supply and discharge holes 13a and 14a
respectively communicate with the supply and discharge parts 21 and
22 when the chilling chamber door 11 is closed, but are spaced
apart from the supply and discharge parts 21 and 22 when the
chilling chamber door 11 is opened.
[0033] Here, the duct supply and discharge holes 13a and 14a are
exposed on an inner surface of the main body 10 to correspond to
the supply part 102 and the discharge part 104 such that, when the
chilling chamber door 11 is closed, the duct supply and discharge
holes 22a and 24a are arranged at positions corresponding to the
supply part 21 and the discharge part 22, respectively.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a refrigerator door according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of FIG. 2.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner surface of the
chilling chamber door 11 is provided with the ice-making device 20,
the first special freezing chamber 30, and the second special
freezing chamber 40. The ice-making device 20 is configured to make
ice. The first special freezing chamber 30 is provided on a left
side or a right side of the ice-making device 20 and has a low
storage temperature due to cool air introduced from the ice-making
device 20. The second special freezing chamber 40 is provided on a
lower side of the ice-making device 20 and configured to receive
cool air from the ice-making device 20.
[0036] Particularly, the first special freezing chamber 30,
corresponding to the height of the ice-making device 20, has an
approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape with a predetermined
width. Thus, the first special freezing chamber 30 is adapted to
store vertically long bottles.
[0037] The first special freezing chamber 30 has an open front
surface, and a first door 31 is coupled to the front surface so as
to be rotatable about a first hinge 32. The first hinge 32 is
provided on one side of the first special freezing chamber 30. A
user can access a stored object when the first door 31 is open.
[0038] Since the first door 31 covers the first special freezing
chamber 30 against the chilling chamber 110, cool air in the first
special freezing chamber 30 is prevented from being introduced into
the chilling chamber 110.
[0039] One side surface of the ice-making device 20 is coupled to
one side surface of the first special freezing chamber 30. An
interface between the ice-making device 20 and the first special
freezing chamber 30 is provided with a communication hole 33
configured to introduce cool air of the ice-making device 20 into
the first special freezing chamber 30.
[0040] The second special chilling chamber 40 is disposed on a
lower side of the ice-making device 20 and the first special
chilling chamber 30, the second special freezing chamber 40 has a
transverse width corresponding to the sum of transverse widths of
the ice-making device 20 and the first special chilling chamber
30.
[0041] The second special chilling chamber 40 is provided with a
second door 41 configured to selectively cover the open front
surface. It will be appreciated that the second door 41 is
rotatable about a second hinge 42. The second hinge 42 is disposed
on one side of the second special chilling chamber 40.
[0042] A lower surface of the ice-making device 20, i.e., an upper
surface of the second special freezing chamber 40 is provided with
a second communication hole 43 configured to introduce cool air of
the ice-making device 20 into the second special freezing chamber
40.
[0043] That is, cool air of the ice-making device 20 is introduced
through the first communication hole 33 into the first special
chilling chamber 30, and introduced through the second
communication hole 43 into the second special freezing chamber
40.
[0044] It will be appreciated that, in the process where cool air
of the ice-making device 20 is discharged through the discharge
part 22 to the discharge duct 14, respective cool air of the first
special chilling chamber 30 and the second special freezing chamber
40 may be introduced through the communication holes 33 and 43 to
the ice-making device 20.
[0045] According to the above configuration, the chilling chamber
door 11 secures a space for storing foodstuffs requiring freezing,
as well as the ice-making device 20. The chilling chamber door 11
is more easily and conveniently opened and closed than the freezing
chamber door 12, thereby conveniently storing frozen desserts,
confectionery, or drinks requiring frequent access.
[0046] Hereinafter, refrigerator doors are described according to
other embodiments. These embodiments are the same as the previous
embodiment except for the configuration of a chilling chamber door.
Thus, the difference will be mainly described, and the same parts
will be described using the reference numerals and the description
of the previous embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating configuration of
the refrigerator door according to one embodiment.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 4, a chilling chamber door 11 is provided
with an ice-making device 20 for making ice, a third special
freezing chamber 50, and a chilling chamber basket 61. The third
special freezing chamber 50 is provided on a lower side of the
ice-making device 20, and cool air of the ice-making device 20 is
introduced into the third special freezing chamber 50. The chilling
chamber basket 61 is provided on an upper side of the ice-making
device 20, and configured to store foods to be refrigerated.
[0049] Particularly, the ice-making device 20 has a large
transverse width corresponding to a transverse width of the
chilling chamber door 11, but has a small protruding width in an
inner direction of the chilling chamber door 11. That is, it is
possible to achieve slimness of the ice-making device 20.
[0050] A transverse width of the third special freezing chamber 50
corresponds to that of the ice-making device 20.
[0051] A front surface of the third special freezing chamber 50 is
open to allow access to foods, and coupled with a third door 51
that is rotatable about a third hinge 52. The third hinge 52 may be
disposed on one side of the third special freezing chamber 50.
[0052] It will be appreciated that the third special freezing
chamber 50 is configured to store low objects.
[0053] A rear surface of the third special freezing chamber 50 is
provided with a third communication hole 53 configured to introduce
cool air of the ice-making device 20.
[0054] The ice-making device 20 is provided with a discharge hole
(not shown) communicating with the third communication hole 53, and
a cool air passage (not shown), through which cool air flows, may
be provided between the third communication hole 53 and the
discharge hole.
[0055] Thus, cool air in the ice-making device 20 is discharged
through the discharge hole, and moved along the cool air passage,
and then introduced into the third special freezing chamber 50
through the third communication hole 53.
[0056] Cool air circulating in the main body 10, i.e., the chilling
chamber 110 may cool foods stored in the chilling chamber basket
61.
[0057] According to the above configuration, since upper and lower
portions of the chilling chamber door 11, provided with the third
special freezing chamber 50 and the chilling chamber basket 61, is
slimed, a large storage space of the main body 10 is secured when
the chilling chamber door 11 is closed.
[0058] In addition, this makes it possible to increase a space for
a chilling chamber shelf 18 configured to store foods. That is, a
front end of the chilling chamber shelf 18 is allowed to extend
toward a front side of the main body 10.
[0059] Although not shown, the chilling chamber basket 61 may be
disposed on the lower side of the ice-making device 20, and the
third special freezing chamber 50 may be disposed on the upper side
of the ice-making device 20.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration
of a refrigerator door according to another embodiment.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, a chilling chamber door 11 is provided
with an ice-making device 20 for making ice, a fourth special
freezing chamber 70, and a plurality of baskets 81 and 82. The
fourth special freezing chamber 70 is provided to a front surface
of the ice-making device 20 and receives cool air from the
ice-making device 20 to form a low temperature atmosphere. The
baskets 81 and 82 are provided to at least one side of the
ice-making device 20 and configured to store foodstuffs requiring
refrigeration.
[0062] Particularly, a front surface of the fourth special freezing
chamber 70 is open to allow access to foods, and coupled with a
fourth door 71 that is rotatable about a fourth hinge 72. A rear
surface of the fourth special freezing chamber 70 is provided with
a fourth communication hole 73 configured to introduce cool air of
the ice-making device 20.
[0063] Thus, cool air of the ice-making device 20 is introduced to
the fourth special freezing chamber 70 through the fourth
communication hole 73 so as to cool the inner space of the fourth
special freezing chamber 70.
[0064] The baskets 81 and 82 are configured to store objects to be
refrigerated.
[0065] According to the above configuration, foods requiring
freezing is allowed to be stored even in the chilling chamber door
11 as well as in the freezing chamber 120. Particularly, since the
chilling chamber door 11 is more easily opened and closed than the
freezing chamber door 12 provided to a lower portion of the
refrigerator 1. the fourth special freezing chamber 70 of the
chilling chamber door 11 is adapted to store frozen foods requiring
frequent access.
[0066] Since the chilling chamber door 11 is provided with the
baskets 81 and 82 adapted to store refrigerated foods, foods are
allowed to be stored in the chilling chamber door 11 as well as in
the chilling chamber 110, thereby improving convenience for
users.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0067] The embodiments relate to a refrigerator configured to
expand the inner space thereof by improving the structure of a
refrigerator door to achieve the slimness of the refrigerator door
provided with an ice-making device.
[0068] According to the embodiments, the slimed refrigerator door
of the refrigerator is configured to receive a food basket, and the
space for foods in the refrigerator is increased.
* * * * *