U.S. patent application number 13/185853 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-26 for refrigerator having subsidiary storage compartment.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Younghoon GWAK.
Application Number | 20120018434 13/185853 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44644931 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120018434 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GWAK; Younghoon |
January 26, 2012 |
REFRIGERATOR HAVING SUBSIDIARY STORAGE COMPARTMENT
Abstract
A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet
comprising a storage compartment; a door rotatably provided in the
cabinet, the door opening/closing the storage compartment; an
subsidiary storage compartment provided in the door, with an open
rear surface; and an opening/closing device provided in a rear
surface of the door to open and close the rear surface of the
subsidiary storage compartment. The opening/closing device includes
a supporting member coupled to the subsidiary storage compartment;
and a blocking member wound around the supporting member in a roll
type.
Inventors: |
GWAK; Younghoon; (Gyeongnam,
KR) |
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
44644931 |
Appl. No.: |
13/185853 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/592.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2325/021 20130101;
F25D 23/021 20130101; F25D 23/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/592.02 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/04 20060101
F25D023/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 20, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0069779 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet comprising a storage
compartment; a door rotatably provided in the cabinet, the door
opening/closing the storage compartment; a subsidiary storage
compartment provided in the door, with an open rear surface; and an
opening/closing device provided in a rear surface of the door to
open and close the rear surface of the subsidiary storage
compartment, wherein the opening/closing device comprises, a
supporting member coupled to the subsidiary storage compartment;
and a blocking member wound around the supporting member in a roll
type.
2. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
opening/closing device further comprises a fixing member provided
at an end of the blocking member, the fixing member fixed to a
predetermined position of the subsidiary storage compartment, and
the blocking member and the fixing member are movable upwardly and
downwardly, to open or close the rear surface of the subsidiary
storage compartment selectively.
3. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 2, wherein plurality of the
fixing members are selectively fixed to a plurality of positions
provided in the rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment,
to adjust a degree of the opening and closing of the rear surface
of the subsidiary storage compartment which is performed by the
blocking member.
4. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one
slit is provided in the blocking member to make the storage
compartment in communication with the subsidiary storage
compartment.
5. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking
member is formed of water-proof synthetic resin fabric woven of
plastic lines, with a single or both surfaces being
water-proof-treated.
6. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the subsidiary
storage compartment comprises, a partition wall configured to
define a predetermined room where foods are stored; at least one
shelf provided in the partition wall to support the stored foods,
and a plurality of projections are provided in the shelf, spaced
apart a predetermined distance from each other, and the projections
are projected backwardly, and the fixing member comprises a ring
which is able to be caught up in the projections to fix the
blocking member to a predetermined position of the subsidiary
storage compartment.
7. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the subsidiary
storage compartment comprises, a partition wall configured to
define a predetermined room where foods are stored; and at least
one shelf provided in the partition wall to support the stored
foods, and a plurality of hooking grooves are provided in the
partition, spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other,
and the fixing member comprises a fixing pole which is able to be
inserted in the hooking grooves to fix the blocking member to a
predetermined position of the subsidiary storage compartment.
8. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the subsidiary
storage compartment comprises, a partition wall configured to
define a predetermined room where foods are stored; and at least
one shelf provided in the partition wall to support the stored
foods, and a steel surface formed of steel is provided in the
shelf, and the fixing member comprises a magnet which is able to be
attached to the steel surface to fix the blocking member to a
predetermined position of the subsidiary storage compartment.
9. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting
member comprises, a housing; a supporting pole provided in the
housing, the supporting pole where the blocking member is wound;
and an elastic supporting member provided in both ends of the
supporting pole to support the supporting pole elastically.
10. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elastic
supporting member supports the supporting pole by using a
rotational restitution force, for the supporting pole to rotate
along a winding direction of the blocking member.
11. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet comprising a storage
compartment; a door rotatably coupled to the cabinet, the door
configured to open and close the storage compartment; a subsidiary
storage compartment provided in the door, with an open rear surface
to place foods or take out the foods there through; and an
opening/closing device provided in the rear surface of the
subsidiary storage compartment, to open and close the rear surface
of the subsidiary storage compartment, wherein the opening/closing
device comprises, a blocking member configured to open and close
the open rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment, the
blocking member which is able to adjust a degree of the opening and
closing; and a supporting member having the blocking member wound
there around in a roll type, to support the blocking member by
using a rotational restitution force.
12. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 11, wherein the supporting
member comprises, a housing; a supporting pole provided in the
housing, having the blocking member wound there around; and an
elastic supporting member provided in both ends of the supporting
pole to support the supporting pole elastically.
13. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 11, wherein the elastic
supporting member supports the supporting pole by using a
rotational restitution force for the supporting pole to rotate
along a winding direction of the blocking member.
14. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
opening/closing device further comprises a fixing member provided
in an end of the blocking member to be fixed to a predetermined
position of the subsidiary storage compartment, and the blocking
member and the fixing member are movable upwardly and downwardly to
open and close the open rear surface of the subsidiary storage
compartment selectively.
15. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fixing
member is able to be selectively fixed to a plurality of positions
provided in the rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment,
to adjust a degree of the opening and closing of the rear surface
of the subsidiary storage compartment.
16. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one
slit is provided in the blocking member to make the storage
compartment in communication with the subsidiary storage
compartment.
17. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the subsidiary
storage compartment comprises, a partition wall configured to
define a predetermined room where foods are stored; and at least
one shelf provided in the partition wall to support the stored
foods, and a plurality of projections are provided in the shelf,
spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other and the
plurality of the projections are projected backwardly, and the
fixing member comprises a ring which is able to be caught up in the
projections to fix the blocking member to a predetermined position
of the subsidiary storage compartment.
18. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the subsidiary
storage compartment comprises, a partition wall configured to
define a predetermined room where foods are stored; and at least
shelf provided in the partition wall to support the stored foods,
and a plurality of hooking grooves are provided in the partition
wall, spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other, and
the fixing member comprises a fixing pole which is able to be
inserted in the hooking grooves to fix the blocking member to a
predetermined position of the subsidiary storage compartment.
19. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 14, wherein the subsidiary
storage compartment comprises, a partition wall configured to
define a predetermined room where foods are stored; and at least
one shelf provided in the partition wall to support the stored
foods, and a steel surface formed of steel is provided in the
shelf, and the fixing member comprises a magnet which is able to be
attached to the steel surface to fix the blocking member to a
predetermined position of the subsidiary storage compartment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a), This application claims
the benefit of the Patent Korean Application No. 10-2010-0069779,
filed on Jul. 20, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference
as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, more
particularly, to a refrigerator which includes a subsidiary storage
compartment with an improved accessibility to improve user
convenience and which can prevent leakage of cold air provided in
the refrigerator.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] A refrigerator is an electric appliance which can maintain
freshness of various foods for a long time by supplying cold air
generated by a freezing cycle to a freezer compartment and a
refrigerator compartment.
[0006] In general, such a refrigerator includes a cabinet having a
freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment formed therein
to store foods, and doors coupled to sides of the cabinet to open
and close the freezer and compartment compartments, respectively.
Elements including a compressor, an evaporator, an expansion valve
and the like which compose the freezing cycle may be provided in
the cabinet. Cold air generated from the evaporator is supplied to
the freezer and refrigerator compartments, to preserve stored food
in the freezer and refrigerator compartments at a low temperature
for a long time period.
[0007] In the meanwhile, demands for an enlarged and luxurious
refrigerator have been increasing recently because of improvement
of a life environment. As a result, there has been a growing
prevalence of the use of side by side type refrigerators which have
a large capacity of a storage compartment and of which an internal
space of the storage compartment is partitioned off into right and
left parts, in other words, freezer and refrigerator
compartments.
[0008] The side by side type refrigerator has a disadvantage of
much power consumption because of the enlarged storage compartment.
Because of that, a subsidiary storage compartment is installed in a
predetermined portion of the storage compartment, in other words, a
door of the refrigerator compartment and simple foods such as
beverages are stored in the subsidiary storage compartment. When
the foods are taken out of the subsidiary storage compartment, only
a door of the subsidiary storage compartment is open simply, not a
door of the refrigerator compartment. There may be active
development on the refrigerator including such the subsidiary
storage compartment.
[0009] In the meanwhile, an opening/closing device is provided in a
rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment, in other words,
a surface of the subsidiary storage compartment toward the inside
of the refrigerator. The opening/closing device covers the rear
surface of the subsidiary storage compartment and leakage of cold
air inside the refrigerator is prevented when only the door of the
subsidiary storage compartment is open.
[0010] However, the opening/closing device configured to open/close
the rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment may be
rotatable upward/downward and rightward/leftward. In case a user
opens the inside of the refrigerator compartment by rotating the
door of the refrigerator compartment a predetermined angle or more,
the user cannot rotate the opening/closing device smoothly to open
and close the subsidiary storage compartment.
[0011] In addition, when the inside of the refrigerator compartment
is open by rotating the entire door of the refrigerator compartment
a predetermined angle or more to open and close the rear surface of
the subsidiary storage compartment, cold air supplied to the inside
of the refrigerator compartment might be leaked outside and a
disadvantage of electric power waste might occur.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a
refrigerator which includes an opening/closing device configured to
open and close a rear surface of an subsidiary storage compartment
in a roll type, to open and close the rear surface of the
subsidiary storage compartment, even if an entire door of a
refrigerator compartment is not rotated a predetermined angle or
more, and to improve accessibility for a user and to prevent waste
of consumed power.
[0013] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
disclosure 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. To achieve these
objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of
the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a
refrigerator includes a cabinet comprising a storage compartment; a
door rotatably provided in the cabinet, the door opening/closing
the storage compartment; an subsidiary storage compartment provided
in the door, with an open rear surface; and an opening/closing
device provided in a rear surface of the door to open and close the
rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment, wherein the
opening/closing device includes a supporting member coupled to the
subsidiary storage compartment; and a blocking member wound around
the supporting member in a roll type.
[0014] According to the present invention, there may be advantages
as follows. The opening/closing device configured to open and close
the rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment provided in
the refrigerator compartment door may be provided as winding roll
type. As a result, the user may open and close the rear surface of
the subsidiary storage compartment even without opening the
refrigerator compartment by rotating the entire refrigerator
compartment door. Because of that, the accessibility to the
subsidiary storage compartment may be improved and leakage of the
cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment may be prevented
to prevent the waste of the consumed power.
[0015] 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
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the disclosure.
[0017] In the drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an open state of
an subsidiary storage compartment door provided in the refrigerator
according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an open state of a
refrigerator compartment door provided in the refrigerator
according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an opening/closing
device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the opening/closing
device according to the embodiment of the present invention shown
in FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating an opening/closing
device according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the opening/closing
device according to the embodiment of the present invention shown
in FIG. 6;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating an opening/closing
device according to a further embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the opening/closing
device according to the embodiment of the present invention shown
in FIG. 8; and
[0027] FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views illustrating an
operation process of the opening/closing device according to the
embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0028] As follows, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail in reference to the accompanying drawings.
Sizes and appearances of elements shown in the drawings may be
exaggerated for simplicity and convenience of description. In
addition, terms specially defined in consideration of configuration
and practice of the present invention may be modified by users,
intensions of the users or practices. Definition of the terms may
be made based on contents disclosed in the present
specification.
[0029] Technical features of the present invention are not limited
by the embodiments which will be proposed as follows. People
skilled in the art who understand the technical feature of the
present invention may expect other embodiments within a scope of
the technical feature easily and those embodiments belong to the
scope of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator
according to an embodiment of the present invention. In reference
to FIG. 1, a basic structure of the refrigerator according to the
present invention will be described in detail.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, an exterior appearance of the
refrigerator is defined by a cabinet 100 formed in an approximately
cube shape.
[0032] A storage compartment (110, see FIG. 3) which is a room for
storing foods and the like is formed in the cabinet 100. The
storage compartment 110 is partitioned into right and left parts by
a barrier (not shown) provided in the cabinet 100, such that
freezer and refrigerator compartments may be provided.
[0033] According to a type of the refrigerator, the barrier may
partition the storage compartment 110 of the cabinet 100 into top
and bottom parts to provide the freezer and refrigerator
compartments. The present invention may be applicable to various
types of refrigerators, not limited thereby.
[0034] In the meanwhile, a front of the cabinet 100 is formed open
and doors 200 are rotatably coupled to the open front of the
cabinet 100. The doors 200 are configured to open and close the
open front of the cabinet 100, in other words, the freezer and
refrigerator compartments selectively.
[0035] The door 200 may be configured to open and close the freezer
and refrigerator compartments and they may open and close the
freezer and refrigerator compartments independently by rotating
along both directions.
[0036] In the meanwhile, a dispenser 200 is provided in a door 200
opening and closing the freezer compartment to allow a user to
dispense purified water or ice outside.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an open state of a
subsidiary storage compartment door 220 provided in the
refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In reference to FIG. 2, an operation process of the subsidiary
storage compartment door 220 according to the present invention
will be described in detail.
[0038] First of all, a subsidiary storage compartment 210 is
installed in the refrigerator compartment door 200 of the
refrigerator. When taking out simple stored foods such as
beverages, the user can open only the subsidiary storage
compartment door 220 simply to take the stored foods out, not open
the entire refrigerator compartment door 200.
[0039] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the subsidiary storage
compartment door 220 is provided in a front surface of the door 200
configured to open and close the refrigerator compartment. The
subsidiary storage compartment door 220 allows the user to take or
place the stored foods out of or in the cabinet 100, without
opening the door 200. The subsidiary storage compartment door 220
may allows the foods to be taken out of a storage room provided in
the refrigerator compartment inside the cabinet 100 or in a rear
surface of the door 200.
[0040] The subsidiary storage compartment door 220 may be rotatably
coupled to the front surface of the door 200 and it is rotated with
respect to a side of the refrigerator compartment along a
predetermined direction, to open an opening 202 provided in the
door 200.
[0041] In other words, a hinge shaft (not shown) is provided in a
side of the subsidiary storage compartment door 220 to be coupled
to the front surface of the door 200. The subsidiary storage
compartment door 220 is rotated about the hinge shaft to open the
opening 202.
[0042] The opening 202 is in communication with the subsidiary
storage compartment 210 provided in the door 200. Because of that,
the user may open only the subsidiary storage compartment door 220
and he or she may store or take out the foods such as beverages in
or from the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0043] That is, the user may open only the subsidiary storage
compartment door 220 such that he or she may store or take out the
stored foods with high use frequency smoothly. The leakage of the
cold air outside the refrigerator, which is generated when the
entire door 200 is opened, may be reduced and power waste may be
prevented.
[0044] In addition, the subsidiary storage compartment door 220 is
typically provided in the door 200 configured to open and close the
refrigerator compartment. However, in case the dispenser 230 is not
provided, the subsidiary storage compartment door 220 may be
provided in the door 200 configured to open and close the freezer
compartment. If necessary, it may be provided each of the doors for
freezer and refrigerator compartments.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an open state of
the refrigerator compartment door 200 provided in the refrigerator
according to the embodiment of the present invention. In reference
to FIG. 3 will be described in detail the structures of the
subsidiary storage compartment 210 and an opening/closing device
300 provided in the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0046] In reference to FIG. 3, the front surface of the
refrigerator compartment is open to the outside of the refrigerator
when the door 200 rotatably coupled to the refrigerator compartment
is open.
[0047] In other words, when trying to store or take the foods in or
out of the refrigerator compartment, the user may rotate the door
200 to open refrigerator compartment. In this case, the subsidiary
storage compartment door 220 provided in the front surface of the
door 200 is rotated together with the door 200, in a state of being
attached to the door 200.
[0048] In the meanwhile, the user may store foods in the subsidiary
storage compartment 210 provided in the rear surface of the door
200 as well as in the refrigerator compartment.
[0049] That is, the subsidiary storage compartment 210 may be
opened by rotating only the subsidiary storage compartment door 220
from the outside of the refrigerator or by rotating the door 200 in
a state of the subsidiary storage compartment door 220 being
attached thereto.
[0050] Such the subsidiary storage compartment 210 includes a
partition wall (212, see FIG. 5) and at least one shelf 214
provided in the partition wall (212, see FIG. 5). The partition
wall 212 defines a predetermined room where the foods are stored
and the shelf 214 is provided in the internal room formed by the
partition wall 212 to support the foods.
[0051] A rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment 210 is
open to store the foods and an opening/closing device 300 is
provided in the rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment
210 to open and close the open rear surface of the subsidiary
storage compartment 210.
[0052] When the subsidiary storage compartment 210 is opened by
rotating only the subsidiary storage compartment door 220 outside
the refrigerator, the opening/closing device 300 may prevent the
cold air inside the refrigerator compartment from being leaked
outside after moved to the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0053] When the refrigerator compartment is opened toward the
outside of the refrigerator by rotation of the door 200, the user
may open and close the opening/closing device 300 provided in the
rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment 210 such that he
or she may store or take foods in or out of the subsidiary storage
compartment 210.
[0054] Such the opening/closing device 300 includes a supporting
member 310 rotatably coupled to a top of the subsidiary storage
compartment 210 and a blocking member 320 wound around the
supporting member 310.
[0055] Specifically, the supporting member 310 formed in a pole
shape is rotatably coupled to the top of the subsidiary storage
compartment 210. The blocking member 320 wound around the
supporting member 310 is a roll type and it covers a predetermined
area of the rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment
210.
[0056] As a result, the user moves the blocking member 320 upwardly
and downwardly in a state of being wound around the supporting
member 310, even if not rotating the door 200 a predetermined angle
or more, such that the subsidiary storage compartment 210 may be
selectively opened or closed and that accessibility to the
subsidiary storage compartment 210 for the user may be
improved.
[0057] In the meanwhile, a plurality of slits 322 may be formed in
the blocking member 320, spaced apart a predetermined distance from
each other. When the door 200 is closed, the cold air supplied to
the refrigerator compartment may be drawn into the subsidiary
storage compartment 210 via the slits 322.
[0058] Because of that, the size and the number of the slits 322
may be adjusted based on the sizes of the rooms partitioned by the
shelf 214 of the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0059] Also, the blocking member 320 may be formed of a synthetic
water-proof fabric. In other words, the blocking member 320 is
formed of synthetic resin water-proof fabric woven of plastic lines
having a single side or both sides water-proof-treated. Because of
that, damage to the blocking member 320 generated by moistures
penetrated thereto may be prevented even if dewdrops or frosts are
generated by the cold air inside the refrigerator compartment.
[0060] FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the opening/closing
device 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the opening/closing device 300
according to the embodiment of the present invention. In reference
to FIGS. 4 and 5, the structure of the opening/closing device 300
according to the embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail.
[0061] As mentioned above, the opening/closing device 300 provided
in the rear surface of the door 200 to open and close the
subsidiary storage compartment 210 may include the supporting
member 310 and the blocking member 320. The opening/closing device
300 may further include a fixing member 330 provided in an end of
the blocking member 320.
[0062] In other words, the fixing member 330 may be fixed to a
predetermined portion of the subsidiary storage compartment 210 to
cover and fix a predetermined area of the rear surface possessed by
the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0063] The supporting member 310 includes a housing 311, a
supporting pole 312 having the blocking member 320 wound there
around, and an elastic supporting member 313 configured to
supporting both ends of the supporting pole 312 elastically.
[0064] When the blocking member 320 is wound around an outer
surface of the supporting pole 312, the elastic supporting member
313 pulls the supporting pole 312 along a predetermined rotational
direction. This rotational direction is a direction in which the
blocking member 320 is wound around the supporting pole 312.
[0065] As a result, when the pulling force is applied to the
blocking member 320, the blocking member 320 is wound around the
supporting pole 312 by the elastic member 313.
[0066] If the fixing member 330 is fixed to a predetermined portion
of the subsidiary storage compartment 210 after the user pulls the
fixing member 330 or the blocking member 320 downwardly, the
blocking member 320 is pulled tightly by the elastic force of the
elastic supporting member 313.
[0067] In this state, the fixing state of the fixing member 330 is
released and the pulling state of the blocking member 320 is
released. If then, the supporting pole 312 is rotated along a
predetermined rotational direction by the rotational restitution
force of the elastic supporting member 313 and the blocking member
320 is pulled upward accordingly, to be caught up in the supporting
member 310.
[0068] Here, a torsion spring may be provided in the elastic
supporting member 313.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 4, the fixing member 330 according to this
embodiment of the present invention includes a ring 332 configured
to fix the blocking member 320 to a predetermined position of the
rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0070] In other words, in reference to FIG. 5, a plurality of
projections 214a may be provided in a front surface of the shelf
214 along a longitudinal direction of the shelf 214 at a proper
distance. The projections 214a may be projected a predetermined
length backwardly.
[0071] The ring 332 is hooked to the projection 214a such that the
blocking member 320 may be fixed to the predetermined position of
the rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0072] Also, the projections 214 may be provided in at least one
shelf 214. The user inserts the ring 332 in the projection 214a
provided in each shelf 214 selectively such that the user may
adjust the area of the rear surface of the subsidiary storage
compartment 210 covered by the blocking member 320.
[0073] In other words, the blocking member 320 may cover an entire
area and a predetermined area of the rear surface of the subsidiary
storage compartment and it may open an entire area of the rear
surface of the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0074] In the meanwhile, when the door 200 is rotated to open the
front surface of the refrigerator compartment, the user release the
connection between the ring 332 and the projection 214a and he or
she winds the blocking member 320 around the supporting member 310,
only to open the rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment
210.
[0075] FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating an opening/closing
device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the opening/closing device 300
according to the embodiment of the present invention. In reference
to FIGS. 6 and 7, the structure of the opening/closing device 300
according to the embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail. The same configurations as those of the
opening/closing device 300 according to the embodiment described
above will not be described.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, a fixing member 330 according to this
embodiment may include a fixing pole 334 to fix the blocking member
320 to a predetermined position of the rear surface of the
subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0077] That is, in reference to FIG. 7, a plurality of hooking
grooves 212a may be provided along a longitudinal direction of the
partition wall 212 at a proper distance. The fixing pole 334 is
inserted in the hooking groove 212a to fix the blocking member 320
to a predetermined position of the rear surface of the subsidiary
storage compartment 210.
[0078] The hooking groove 212 is provided a side surface of the at
least one shelf 214 along the longitudinal direction of the
partition wall 212. The user may insert the fixing pole 334 in the
hooking groove 212a provided in the side surface of each shelf 214
such that he or she may adjust the area of the rear surface of the
subsidiary storage compartment 210 covered by the blocking member
320.
[0079] In other words, the blocking member 320 may cover an entire
area and a predetermined area of the rear surface possessed by the
subsidiary storage compartment 210 or it may open the entire area
of the rear surface possessed by the subsidiary storage compartment
210.
[0080] In the meanwhile, when he or she opens the front surface of
the refrigerator compartment by rotating the door 200, the user
releases the connection between the fixing pole 334 and the groove
212a and winds the blocking member 320 around the supporting member
310, only to open the rear surface of the subsidiary storage
compartment 210.
[0081] FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating an opening/closing
device 300 according to a further embodiment of the present
invention and FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the
opening/closing device 300 according to the embodiment of the
present invention. In reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the structure of
the opening/closing device 300 according to this embodiment will be
described in detail. The same configurations as the embodiment
according to the embodiment described above in reference to FIGS. 4
and 5 will be omitted.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 8, a fixing member 330 according to this
embodiment may include a magnet 336 configured to fix the blocking
member 320 to a predetermined position of the rear surface of the
subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0083] In reference to FIG. 9, a steel surface 214b formed of steel
is provided in the shelf 214 along a longitudinal direction of the
shelf 214. The magnet 336 is attached to the steel surface 214b and
the blocking member 320 is located at a predetermined position of
the rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0084] The steel surface 214b is provided in the front surface of
the at least one shelf 214. Because of that, the user may attach
the magnet 336 to the steel surface 214b provided in the front
surface of each shelf 214 selectively such that he or she may
adjust the area of the rear surface of the subsidiary storage
compartment 210 covered by the blocking member 320.
[0085] In the meanwhile, when opening the front surface of the
refrigerator compartment by rotating the door 200, the user may
release the connection between the magnet and the steel surface
214b and he or she may wind the blocking member 320 around the
supporting member 310, to open the rear surface of the subsidiary
storage compartment 210.
[0086] FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views illustrating the
operation process of the opening/closing device 300 according to
the first embodiment described above. In reference to FIGS. 10 and
11, the operation process of the opening/closing device 300
according to the first embodiment described above will be described
in detail.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 10, the user opens the door 200 to open the
front surface of the refrigerator compartment toward the outside of
the refrigerator. In this case, the rear surface of the subsidiary
storage compartment 210 provided in the door 200 may be exposed
outside.
[0088] The opening/closing device 300 configured to open and close
the subsidiary storage compartment 210 is provided in the rear
surface of the door 200. The opening/closing device 300 covers the
predetermined area of the rear surface of the subsidiary storage
compartment. Because of that, the cold air supplied to the inside
of the subsidiary storage compartment may be prevented from being
leaked outside the refrigerator.
[0089] In addition, the ring 332 which is the fixing member 330 of
the opening/closing device 300 is insertedly connected to the
projection 214a formed in the at least one shelf 214 provided along
the partition wall 212 of the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
Because of that, the blocking member 320 of the opening/closing
device 300 may be fixed to the predetermined position of the rear
surface of the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0090] In the meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 11, when trying to store
or take foods in or out of the subsidiary storage compartment 210
in the state of opening the refrigerator by rotating the door 200,
the user may wind the blocking member 320 around the supporting
member of the opening/closing device 300 and he or she may open the
rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment 210.
[0091] Also, the user may insertedly connect the ring 332 which is
the fixing member 330 to the projection 214a provided in the top of
the subsidiary storage compartment 210, in the state of winding the
blocking member 320 around the supporting member 310. Because of
that, the blocking member 320 may be fixed to maintain a position
at which the subsidiary storage compartment 210 is open.
[0092] In addition, the elastic member (not shown) is provided at
the area where the supporting member 310 is connected with the
subsidiary storage compartment 210. When the blocking member 320 is
wound around the supporting member 310, the winding is
automatically performed by the elastic force of the elastic member
as soon as the connection between the ring 332 and the projection
214a is released.
[0093] That is, the opening/closing device 300 provided in the rear
surface of the subsidiary storage compartment 210 has the roll type
winding structure to open and close the subsidiary storage
compartment 210. Because of that, the user may open and close the
rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment 210 even if not
opening the refrigerator compartment by rotating the entire
refrigerator compartment door 200 a predetermined angle or
more.
[0094] As a result, when opening the front surface of the
refrigerator compartment by rotating the entire door 200, the
user's accessibility to the subsidiary storage compartment 210 may
be improved advantageously and the leakage of the cold air supplied
to the refrigerator compartment may be prevented to prevent waste
of the consumed power advantageously.
[0095] In the meanwhile, operation processes of the opening/closing
device 300 according to the other embodiments of the present
invention may be identical to the operation process of the
opening/closing device 300 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention described above.
[0096] 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.
* * * * *