U.S. patent application number 13/137873 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-05 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hyun Tae Chu, Young Bae Hong, Kwon Chul Yun.
Application Number | 20120079845 13/137873 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45888643 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120079845 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hong; Young Bae ; et
al. |
April 5, 2012 |
Refrigerator
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a main body, a first storage chamber
including a first storage space, a second storage chamber including
a second storage space, a machinery chamber, a first door to
selectively open and close the first storage space, a second door
to selectively open and close the second storage space, a storage
container received in the second storage chamber, a cover to open
and close the storage container, and a hanger to support the
storage container. The hanger is comprised of frames defining a
quadrangular form to receive and support the storage container at
an inner side of the hanger, and the frames are respectively
arranged, at opposite sides thereof, with slide rails so that the
hanger is slidably moved relative to the second storage
chamber.
Inventors: |
Hong; Young Bae; (Gwangji,
KR) ; Chu; Hyun Tae; (Gwangju, KR) ; Yun; Kwon
Chul; (Gwangju, KR) |
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
45888643 |
Appl. No.: |
13/137873 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/407 ;
312/402 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/021 20130101;
F25D 23/067 20130101; F25D 25/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/407 ;
312/402 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/04 20060101
F25D017/04; F25D 25/00 20060101 F25D025/00; F25D 23/02 20060101
F25D023/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 30, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0095007 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body; a first storage chamber
provided at an upper portion of the main body, the first storage
chamber comprising a first storage space opened at a front thereof;
a second storage chamber provided at a lower portion of the first
storage chamber, the second storage chamber comprising a second
storage space opened at a front thereof; a machinery chamber
provided at a rear of the second storage chamber, the machinery
chamber comprising components to supply cold air to the first and
second storage spaces; a first door pivotally provided at a front
surface of the first storage chamber to selectively open and close
the first storage space; a second door provided at a front surface
of the second storage chamber to selectively open and close the
second storage space in the same manner as extraction and
retraction of a drawer; a storage container received in the second
storage chamber; a cover to open and close the storage container;
and a hanger coupled to a back surface of the second door to
support the storage container, wherein the hanger is comprised of
frames defining a quadrangular form opened at upper and lower
portions thereof to receive and support the storage container at an
inner side of the hanger so that cold air being supplied to the
second storage chamber is directly transferred to the storage
container, and the frames are respectively arranged, at opposite
sides thereof, with slide rails to connect the hanger and the
second storage chamber so that the hanger is slidably moved
relative to the second storage chamber.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the cover is
supported by a front surface of the main body in a state in which
the storage container is opened so as to allow the opened state of
the storage container to be maintained by a predetermined angle
formed between the cover and the storage container.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the cover is
supported by a stopper in a state in which the storage container is
opened so as to allow the opened state of the storage container to
be maintained by a predetermined angle formed between the cover and
the storage container.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: each frame is
provided, at an upper end thereof, with a support portion bent
outwards; and the storage container is provided, at an outer
surface thereof, with a flange portion protruding from the outer
surface so that the storage container is supported by the support
portions.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the flange
portion is provided, at a lower end thereof, with first
protrusions, and the support portions are provided with first
receiving grooves having a shape corresponding to the first
protrusion so that the first protrusions are coupled to the
corresponding first receiving grooves.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein: the flange
portion is provided, at an upper portion thereof, with at least one
locking unit so as to adhere the cover to an upper portion of the
storage container; and the locking unit comprises a guide portion
which protrudes from an outer surface of the storage container, and
a rotational member which has one end pivotally coupled with the
guide portion and the other end to press the upper portion of the
storage container.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: the storage
container is coupled, on an outer surface thereof, with an
auxiliary cooling member to uniformly transfer cold air inside the
storage container; and the auxiliary cooling member is bent at both
ends thereof to surround the outer surface of the storage
container.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the storage
container is formed, on a lower end thereof, with a strength
reinforcement rib to reinforce the storage container.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the storage
container is arranged, at a rear thereof, with a shield member to
prevent exposure of the hanger and the second storage chamber.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the shield
member comprises a shield plate, a flange formed around an outer
periphery of the shield plate, and second protrusions protruding
from a lower portion of the flange.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the hanger is
provided with second receiving grooves having a shape corresponding
to the second protrusion so that the second protrusions are coupled
to the corresponding second receiving grooves so as to support the
shield member.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the cover
includes a recessed handle portion formed at an upper surface of
the cover, and the cover being opened via the recessed handle
portion without removing the storage container from the
refrigerator.
13. A refrigerator comprising: a main body; a storage chamber
provided at a lower portion of the main body, the storage chamber
comprising a storage space opened at a front thereof; a door
provided at a front surface of the storage chamber to selectively
open and close the storage space in the same manner as extraction
and retraction of a drawer; a hanger coupled to a back surface of
the door; and a storage container provided to store food while
being supported by the hanger, wherein: the hanger is comprised of
frames defining a quadrangular form opened at upper and lower
portions thereof to receive and support the storage container at an
inner side of the hanger, and the frames are respectively arranged,
at opposite sides thereof, with slide rails to connect the hanger
and the storage chamber so that the hanger is slidably moved
relative to the storage chamber; and the storage container is
coupled, on an outer surface thereof, with an auxiliary cooling
member to uniformly transfer cold air inside the storage container,
and the auxiliary cooling member is bent at both ends thereof to
surround the outer surface of the storage container.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the storage
container is formed, on a lower end thereof, with a strength
reinforcement rib to reinforce the storage container.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the length of
the door to be extracted is greater than a longitudinal width of
the storage container.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein each of the
slide rails comprises: a first fixed rail provided on a side wall
of the storage chamber; a second fixed rail provided at a side
surface of the hanger; and a moving rail coupled between the first
and second fixed rails to slidably move along the first and second
fixed rails.
17. A refrigerator comprising: a main body; a storage chamber
provided at a lower portion of the main body, the storage chamber
comprising a storage space opened at a front thereof; a door
provided at a front surface of the storage chamber to selectively
open and close the storage space in the same manner as extraction
and retraction of a drawer; a hanger coupled to a back surface of
the door while being comprised of frames defining a quadrangular
form opened at upper and lower portions thereof; a storage
container provided to store food while being supported by the
hanger; a cover to open and close the storage container; a shield
member arranged at a rear of the storage container to prevent
exposure of the hanger and the storage chamber; first fixed rails
provided on opposite side walls of the storage chamber; second
fixed rails provided at opposite side surfaces of the frames; and
moving rails respectively coupled between the respective first and
second fixed rails to slidably move along the first and second
fixed rails.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2010-0095007 filed on Sep. 30, 2010 in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a
refrigerator equipped with a door to open and close a storage
chamber in a drawer manner.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A Kimchi refrigerator as an apparatus manufactured to
preserve Kimchi is formed to enable a temperature of a storage
space therein to be controlled so that Kimchi may be ripened and
stored through maintenance of the temperature at 0-5.degree. C.
[0006] In recent years, the Kimchi refrigerator may independently
control a temperature of each storage space formed therein, thereby
being used to store various kinds of food such as vegetables,
fruits, and meats, as well as Kimchi.
[0007] Such a Kimchi refrigerator is classified into a stand type
kimchi refrigerator and a chest type kimchi refrigerator, wherein
the stand type kimchi refrigerator includes a hinge type door to
open and close a storage space opened at a front thereof by
pivoting the door in left and right directions and a drawer type
door to open and close a storage space by extraction and retraction
of the door in forward and backward directions, and the chest type
kimchi refrigerator has a structure to open and close a storage
space opened at an upper side thereof by pivoting the door in up
and down directions.
[0008] In the case of a drawer type door included in a general
stand type kimchi refrigerator, a drawer is provided at a back
surface of the door while being provided therein with a container
to store Kimchi.
SUMMARY
[0009] Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to
provide an improved refrigerator in which cold air may be smoothly
transferred to a container to store food.
[0010] It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide an
improved refrigerator so that it is more convenient to take food
out of or put food into the refrigerator.
[0011] It is a further aspect of the present disclosure to provide
an improved refrigerator having a structure capable of achieving an
enhancement in efficiency of space utilization within a storage
chamber.
[0012] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in
part in the description which follows and, in part, will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
disclosure.
[0013] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a
refrigerator includes a main body, a first storage chamber provided
at an upper portion of the main body, the first storage chamber
including a first storage space opened at a front thereof, a second
storage chamber provided at a lower portion of the first storage
chamber, the second storage chamber including a second storage
space opened at a front thereof, a machinery chamber provided at a
rear of the second storage chamber, the machinery chamber including
components such as a condenser and a compressor to supply cold air
to the first and second storage spaces, a first door pivotally
provided at a front surface of the first storage chamber to
selectively open and close the first storage space, a second door
provided at a front surface of the second storage chamber to
selectively open and close the second storage space in the same
manner as extraction and retraction of a drawer, a storage
container received in the second storage chamber, a cover to open
and close the storage container, and a hanger coupled to a back
surface of the second door to support the storage container,
wherein the hanger includes frames defining a quadrangular form
opened at upper and lower portions thereof to receive and support
the storage container at an inner side of the hanger so that cold
air being supplied to the second storage chamber is directly
transferred to the storage container, and the frames are
respectively arranged, at opposite sides thereof, with slide rails
to connect the hanger and the second storage chamber so that the
hanger is slidably moved relative to the second storage
chamber.
[0014] The cover may be supported by a front surface of the main
body in a state in which the storage container is opened so as to
allow the opened state of the storage container to be maintained by
a predetermined angle formed between the cover and the storage
container.
[0015] The cover may be supported by a stopper in a state in which
the storage container is opened so as to allow the opened state of
the storage container to be maintained by a predetermined angle
formed between the cover and the storage container.
[0016] Each frame may be provided, at an upper end thereof, with a
support portion bent outwards, and the storage container may be
provided, at an outer surface thereof, with a flange portion
protruding from the outer surface so that the storage container is
supported by the support portions.
[0017] The flange portion may be provided, at a lower end thereof,
with first protrusions, and the support portions may be provided
with first receiving grooves having a shape corresponding to the
first protrusion so that the first protrusions are coupled to the
corresponding first receiving grooves.
[0018] The flange portion may be provided, at an upper portion
thereof, with at least one locking unit so as to adhere the cover
to an upper portion of the storage container. The locking unit may
include a guide portion which protrudes from an outer surface of
the storage container, and a rotational member which has one end
pivotally coupled with the guide portion and the other end to press
the upper portion of the storage container.
[0019] The storage container may be coupled, on an outer surface
thereof, with an auxiliary cooling member to uniformly transfer
cold air inside the storage container, and the auxiliary cooling
member may be bent at both ends thereof to surround the outer
surface of the storage container.
[0020] The storage container may be formed, on a lower end thereof,
with a strength reinforcement rib to reinforce the storage
container.
[0021] The storage container may be arranged, at a rear thereof,
with a shield member to prevent exposure of the hanger and the
second storage chamber.
[0022] The shield member may include a shield plate, a flange
formed around an outer periphery of the shield plate, and second
protrusions protruding from a lower portion of the flange.
[0023] The hanger may be provided with second receiving grooves
having a shape corresponding to the second protrusion so that the
second protrusions are coupled to the corresponding second
receiving grooves so as to support the shield member.
[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
a refrigerator includes a main body, a storage chamber provided at
a lower portion of the main body, the storage chamber including a
storage space opened at a front thereof, a door provided at a front
surface of the storage chamber to selectively open and close the
storage space in the same manner as extraction and retraction of a
drawer, a hanger coupled to a back surface of the door, and a
storage container provided to store food while being supported by
the hanger, wherein the hanger is comprised of frames defining a
quadrangular form opened at upper and lower portions thereof to
receive and support the storage container at an inner side of the
hanger, the frames are respectively arranged, at opposite sides
thereof, with slide rails to connect the hanger and the storage
chamber so that the hanger is slidably moved relative to the
storage chamber, the storage container is coupled, on an outer
surface thereof, with an auxiliary cooling member to uniformly
transfer cold air inside the storage container, and the auxiliary
cooling member is bent at both ends thereof to surround the outer
surface of the storage container.
[0025] The storage container may be formed, on a lower end thereof,
with a strength reinforcement rib to reinforce the storage
container.
[0026] The length of the door to be extracted may be greater than a
longitudinal width of the storage container.
[0027] Each slide rail may include a first fixed rail provided on a
side wall of the storage chamber, a second fixed rail provided at a
side surface of the hanger, and a moving rail coupled between the
first and second fixed rails to slidably move along the first and
second fixed rails.
[0028] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
disclosure, a refrigerator includes a main body, a storage chamber
provided at a lower portion of the main body, the storage chamber
including a storage space opened at a front thereof, a door
provided at a front surface of the storage chamber to selectively
open and close the storage space in the same manner as extraction
and retraction of a drawer, a hanger coupled to a back surface of
the door while being comprised of frames defining a quadrangular
form opened at upper and lower portions thereof, and a storage
container provided to store food while being supported by the
hanger, a cover to open and close the storage container, a shield
member arranged at a rear of the storage container to prevent
exposure of the hanger and the storage chamber, first fixed rails
provided on opposite side walls of the storage chamber, second
fixed rails provided at opposite side surfaces of the frames, and
moving rails respectively coupled between the respective first and
second fixed rails to slidably move along the first and second
fixed rails.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view illustrating a lower portion
of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the storage
container and the hanger separated from FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 3;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along line I-I of
FIG. 3;
[0035] FIG. 6 is an expanded perspective view illustrating `A`
portion of FIG. 3;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a top view illustrating a state in which a cover
of the storage container shown in FIG. 1 is opened;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a right side view illustrating an appearance
supported by the main body in the state opening the cover of the
storage container; and
[0038] FIG. 9 is a right side view illustrating an appearance
supported by a stopper in the state opening the cover of the
storage container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout.
[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view illustrating a lower portion of the
refrigerator shown in FIG. 1.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator includes a main
body 100 defining an external appearance of the refrigerator, upper
and lower storage chambers 110 and 130 provided within the main
body 100, an upper door 120 provided at a front surface of the
upper storage chamber 110 to selectively open and close the upper
storage chamber 110, and a lower door 140 provided at a front
surface of the lower storage chamber 130 to selectively open and
close the lower storage chamber 130.
[0042] The lower storage chamber 130 is provided, on inner side
surfaces thereof, with first fixed rails 350, respectively, so that
the lower door 140 opens and closes the lower storage chamber 130
while slidably moving forward and backward.
[0043] An evaporator 131 through which refrigerant flows is
installed at the lower storage chamber 130 so as to maintain the
inside of the lower storage chamber 130 at a low temperature.
[0044] The evaporator 131 is configured in the form of a direct
cooling type refrigerant pipe, as shown in FIG. 1, and serves to
supply cold air to a lower surface and side surfaces of a storage
container 210 through heat exchange with ambient air.
[0045] The upper door 120 is pivotally mounted at one side of the
upper storage chamber 110, whereas the lower door 140 is arranged
to open and close the lower storage chamber 130 in the same manner
as extraction and retraction of a drawer.
[0046] Also, the upper door 120 is provided, at a front surface
thereof, with an operation panel 122 to select the kind, ripening
time, temperature condition, etc. of food stored in the upper and
lower storage chambers 110 and 130.
[0047] A machinery chamber 400 is provided at a lower portion of
the main body 100 and a rear of the storage container 210. The
machinery chamber 400 is arranged with components such as a
compressor 410 to compress refrigerant and a condenser (not shown)
to condense the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 410, while
being separately divided from the lower storage chamber 130.
[0048] The lower door 140 is coupled, at a back surface thereof,
with a hanger 310 constituted of frames. The hanger 310 is coupled
with the storage container 210 and a shield member 280.
[0049] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the storage
container and the hanger separated from FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a bottom
perspective view of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view
taken along line I-I of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is an expanded perspective
view illustrating `A` portion of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a top view
illustrating a state in which a cover of the storage container
shown in FIG. 1 is opened.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the storage container 210 includes
a container body 212 to receive food, and a cover 214 coupled to an
upper portion of the container body 212.
[0051] The container body 212 has a substantially rectangular
parallelepiped shape and is provided therein with a storage space
213 to store food.
[0052] The container body 212 is formed, on side surfaces thereof,
with flange portions 218, respectively. Each flange portion 218
protrudes by predetermined thickness and length capable of
withstanding a load of the storage container 210, in which food is
received, in order to support the storage container 210 at the
hanger 310.
[0053] The flange portions 218 may also be formed on all the side
surfaces of the container body 212, or may also be formed only on
the opposite side surfaces of the container body 212. That is, the
flange portions 218 may also be formed only on the opposite side
surfaces of the container body 212 where the container body 212 is
supported by the hanger 310.
[0054] The flange portion 218 reinforces the container body 212
while allowing the storage container 210 to be supported at the
hanger 310. Thus, it may be possible to prevent the storage
container 210 from drooping downward in a state in which food is
received therein.
[0055] Further, each flange portion 218 may also be used as a
handle when the storage container 210 is moved.
[0056] The flange portions 218 are formed, at lower ends thereof,
with first protrusions 222. Each first protrusion 222 protrudes
downward from the lower end of the flange portion 218 by a
predetermined length. One or more first protrusions 222 may be
formed at each portion where the flange portions 218 come into
contact with the hanger 310, namely, at the lower ends of the
flange portions 218 respectively formed at the opposite side
surfaces of the container body 212.
[0057] The first protrusions 222 are respectively coupled with
corresponding first receiving grooves 316 described below to
prevent movement of the storage container 210 in a state in which
the storage container 210 is supported at the hanger 310.
[0058] The flange portions 218 are provided, at upper ends thereof,
with locking units 240. Each locking unit 240 includes a rotational
member 242 and guide portions 244 so as to improve
sealing-tightness of the storage container 210 by enhancement of
coupling force between the container body 212 and the cover
214.
[0059] Each guide portion 244 includes a pair of guide protrusions
245 which protrude from the side surface of the container body 212.
A distance between the guide protrusions 245 is equal to or smaller
than a diameter of a rotational shaft 246 provided at the
rotational member 242, and exposed ends of the guide protrusions
245 are bent to face each other. In accordance with such a
configuration, the rotational shaft 246 may operate without
departing from the guide protrusions 245 during rotation of the
rotational shaft 246 fastened to the guide protrusions 245.
[0060] Each rotational member 242 includes the rotational shaft 246
coupled with the corresponding guide protrusions 245. The
rotational shaft 246 has a circular bar shape provided at one end
of the rotational member 242 and is fitted between the guide
protrusions 245. Thus, the rotational member 242 is fixed to rotate
about the rotational shaft 246 with respect to the container body
212.
[0061] The rotational member 242 is provided, at the other end
thereof, with a bent portion 243 so as to be adhered to the
container body 212 by downwardly pressing the cover 214.
[0062] The cover 214 is rotatably coupled to the upper portion of
the container body 212, and has a shape corresponding to the
container body 212 to cover the upper portion of the container body
212.
[0063] The cover 214 is formed, at an upper surface thereof, with a
handle portion 216 recessed by a predetermined depth so that a user
may rotate the cover 214 using the recessed handle portion 216.
[0064] The container body 212 is formed, on a bottom thereof, with
strength reinforcement ribs 272. Each strength reinforcement rib
272 protrudes from the bottom of the container body 212 to the
inside thereof by a predetermined length so as to reinforce the
container body 212 together with the flange portions 218.
Accordingly, when food is stored within the container body 212, it
may possible to prevent the container body 212 from drooping
downward by a load of the food or from being deformed.
[0065] The strength reinforcement ribs 272 may not necessarily be
formed only on the bottom of the container body 212. The strength
reinforcement ribs 272 may also be formed on side surfaces of the
container body 212 besides the bottom of the container body 212
according to a storage volume of the storage container 210.
[0066] The container body 212 is coupled, on an outer surface
thereof, with an auxiliary cooling member 250. The auxiliary
cooling member 250 serves to uniformly maintain temperature
distribution between upper and lower sides of the storage space 213
in order to uniformly ripen food such as Kimchi received in the
storage space 213. The auxiliary cooling member 250 is bent at both
ends thereof to surround outer side surfaces of the container body
212. In this case, bent ends of the auxiliary cooling member 250
are coupled to surround the opposite side surfaces of the container
body 212, and a portion between the bent ends is coupled to
surround a lower surface of the container body 212.
[0067] Although not shown, the auxiliary cooling member 250 may be
formed as a quadrangle shape corresponding to the shape of the
container body 212 so that the quadrangular auxiliary cooling
member 250 is coupled to completely surround the outer surface of
the container body 212 while fitting the auxiliary cooling member
250 toward an upper end of the container body 212 from a lower end
of the container body 212.
[0068] The auxiliary cooling member 250 may be made of a material,
such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, having a high heat transfer
rate.
[0069] The storage container 210 is arranged, at a rear thereof,
with the shield member 280.
[0070] The shield member 280 includes a shield plate 282, a flange
284, and second protrusions 286 so that the hanger 310, rails 330,
340, and 350 (see FIG. 1), or one portion of the lower storage
chamber 130 is not exposed to the outside when the lower storage
chamber 130 is opened.
[0071] The flange 284 is integrally formed around an outer
periphery of the shield plate 282 while protruding from the shield
plate 282 by a predetermined length so that the shield member 280
may be supported at the hanger 310.
[0072] The second protrusions 286 are formed at a lower end of the
flange 284. Each second protrusion 286 protrudes downward from the
lower end of the flange 284 by a predetermined length. One or more
second protrusions 286 may be formed at a lower end of each portion
where the flange 284 comes into contact with the hanger 310.
[0073] The second protrusions 286 are respectively coupled with
corresponding second receiving grooves 318 described below to
prevent movement of the shield member 280 in a state in which the
shield member 280 is supported at the hanger 310.
[0074] The hanger 310 to support the storage container 210 includes
side frames 312 and a rear frame 314.
[0075] The side frames 312 are respectively coupled at opposite
sides in the back surface of the lower door 140. The rear frame 314
is connected to respective ends of the side frames 312 to prevent
application of torsion to the side frames 312.
[0076] Since the lower door 140, side frames 312, and rear frame
314 define a substantially quadrangular form through a coupled
relationship thereof, the storage container 210 may be reliably
seated.
[0077] Each side frame 312 is provided, at an upper end thereof,
with a support portion 320 bent outwards. Since the support portion
320 serves to seat the corresponding flange portion 218 formed on
the container body 212, the bent length of the support portion 320
may vary according to a volume of the container body 212.
[0078] The support portion 320 also functions to reinforce bending
rigidity of the side frame 312. In other words, since the support
portion 320 is formed to be bent outwards from the side frame 312,
bending rigidity of the side frame 312 is increased beyond that of
a side frame without having a bent portion.
[0079] Each support portion 320 is provided with the first
receiving grooves 316 and the second receiving groove 318. Each
first receiving groove 316 has a shape corresponding to the first
protrusion 222 to couple with the corresponding first protrusion
222 formed at the flange portion 218. On the other hand, each
second receiving groove 318 has a shape corresponding to the second
protrusion 286 to couple with the corresponding second protrusion
286 formed at the shield member 280.
[0080] Movement of the storage container 210 and the shield member
280 which are supported at the hanger 310 is limited to left and
right directions by the side frames 312 coupled at the opposite
sides in the back surface of the lower door 140. When the storage
container 210 and the shield member 280 are supported at the
support portions 320, movement of the storage container 210 and the
shield member 280 at the support portions 320 of the side frames
312 is limited to directions in which the lower door 140 is moved
forward and backward by the first or second receiving grooves 316
or 318 coupled with the corresponding first or second protrusions
222 or 286.
[0081] Meanwhile, each side frame 312 and the rear frame 314 are
manufactured using a metal plate, etc., and may be integrally
formed.
[0082] As such, since the storage container 210 in which food is
received is directly coupled to the hanger 310, cold air supplied
from the lower storage chamber 130 in which the storage container
210 is placed may be directly transferred to the storage container
210. As a result, heat transfer efficiency is increased, thereby
uniformly maintaining temperature distribution between the upper
and lower sides of the storage container 210.
[0083] The side frames 312 are respectively coupled, on outer side
surfaces thereof, with second fixed rails 330. Each second fixed
rail 330 is coupled with the corresponding first fixed rail 350
coupled on the inner side surface of the lower storage chamber 130
through a corresponding moving rail 340. Each moving rail 340 is
interposed between the first and second fixed rails 350 and 330
while slidably moving along the first and second fixed rails 350
and 330, so that the lower door 140 may selectively open and close
the lower storage chamber 130 in the same manner as extraction and
retraction of the drawer.
[0084] Each first fixed rail 350 may be provided with a hooking
unit (not shown) to limit a length of the lower door 140 to be
extracted.
[0085] FIG. 8 is a right side view illustrating an appearance
supported by the main body in the state opening the cover of the
storage container. FIG. 9 is a right side view illustrating an
appearance supported by a stopper in the state opening the cover of
the storage container.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 8, since the length of the lower door 140
extracted from the lower storage chamber 130 is greater than a
longitudinal length of the storage container 210, the cover 214 may
be supported by the front surface of the upper door 120 in the main
body 100 in the state opening the upper portion of the storage
container 210. In this case, an angle .alpha. between the cover 214
and the storage container 210 may be equal to or more than
90.degree..
[0087] Accordingly, a user extracts the lower door 140, and then
releases each locking unit 240. Subsequently, a user rotates the
cover 214 toward the upper door 120 to open the cover 214 so that
the cover 214 is supported by the front surface of the upper door
120 in the state opening the upper portion of the storage container
210. In this state, a user may put food into or take food out of
the storage container 210 opened at the upper portion thereof.
[0088] Meanwhile, the cover 214 may also enable the opened state of
the storage container to be maintained using an additional
stopper.
[0089] That is, when the angle .alpha. between the cover 214 and
the storage container 210 is less than 90.degree., the cover 214
may be closed by gravity. To prevent the cover 214 from being
closed, the stopper 291 is interposed between the storage container
210 and the cover 214 so that a predetermined angle .alpha. may be
formed between the cover 214 and the storage container 210 to
maintain the opened state of the storage container 210, as shown in
FIG. 9.
[0090] The stopper 291 may be provided at one side of the storage
container 210 to place the stopper 291 between the storage
container 210 and the cover 214 and maintain the opened state of
the cover 214 in a state in which the cover 214 is rotated by a
user.
[0091] As such, a user may open and close only the cover 214 of the
storage container 210 coupled to the hanger 310 without separation
of the storage container 210 from the hanger 310, thereby
conveniently taking food out of or putting food into the storage
container 210.
[0092] As is apparent from the above description, since cold air is
smoothly transferred to the container to store food, the food may
be preserved for a long time.
[0093] Also, since cold air is directly transferred to the
container to store food, heat transfer efficiency may be increased,
thereby saving energy to operate the refrigerator.
[0094] In addition, in accordance with the refrigerator according
to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
container to store food need not be extracted from the drawer in
order to take food out of or put food into the container, thereby
improving convenience in use.
[0095] Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
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