U.S. patent application number 13/592478 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-28 for refrigerator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gyeongjin Jang, Moongyo JUNG, Myoungju Kang, Jindong Kim. Invention is credited to Gyeongjin Jang, Moongyo JUNG, Myoungju Kang, Jindong Kim.
Application Number | 20130049562 13/592478 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46880588 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130049562 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JUNG; Moongyo ; et
al. |
February 28, 2013 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a sub
hinge connecting a main door to a sub door, and a main hinge
connecting the main door to a main body of the refrigerator. The
sub hinge is not connected to the main hinge, to prevent
interference during door movement and to minimize leakage of cool
air. A single latch assembly may allow both the main door and the
sub door to be smoothly opened and secured, to reduce manufacturing
costs and enhance reliability with respect to a simultaneous
operation of the latch.
Inventors: |
JUNG; Moongyo; (Changwon-si,
KR) ; Kim; Jindong; (Changwon-si, KR) ; Jang;
Gyeongjin; (Changwon-si, KR) ; Kang; Myoungju;
(Changwon-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JUNG; Moongyo
Kim; Jindong
Jang; Gyeongjin
Kang; Myoungju |
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si
Changwon-si |
|
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
46880588 |
Appl. No.: |
13/592478 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/025 20130101;
F25D 23/028 20130101; E05C 7/02 20130101; E05C 3/24 20130101; E05B
63/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/405 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/02 20060101
F25D023/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 31, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0087500 |
Sep 16, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0093657 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator, comprising: a main body having a cooling
compartment therein; a door rotatably coupled to the main body to
selectively open and close the cooling compartment, the door
comprising: a main door having a front surface defining a front
exterior surface of the main body; and a sub door positioned at a
rear surface of the main door opposite the front surface thereof,
and being coaxially rotated with the main door; and a hinge
assembly, comprising: a main hinge rotatably coupling the main door
to the main body; and a sub hinge independently and rotatably
coupling the sub door to the main door, wherein a front surface of
the sub door faces and is coupled to the rear surface of the main
door.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the sub door and the sub
hinge are completely received in the cooling compartment when the
door is closed.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the sub hinge comprises a
multi-joint link which folds and unfolds based on a rotation
direction of the main door.
4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the sub hinge comprises: a
first bracket attached to the front surface of the sub door; a
second bracket attached to the back surface of the main door; and a
multi-joint link connecting the first bracket to the second
bracket.
5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the multi-joint link
comprises: a first link having a first end and a second end, the
first end thereof being rotatably coupled to the first bracket by a
first rotation shaft; and a second link having a first end thereof
rotatably coupled to the second end of the first link by a second
rotation shaft and a second end thereof rotatably coupled to the
second bracket by a third rotation shaft.
6. The refrigerator of claim 5, further comprising an elastic
member provided on the second rotation shaft.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the elastic member
comprises a torsion spring generating a force in a direction
increasing an angle between the first and second links when the
main door is opened.
8. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a latch assembly
that selectively coupled the main body, the sub door and the main
door, the latch assembly comprising: a first hook fixed to the main
body and extending toward the sub door; a second hook fixed to the
main door and extending toward the sub door; a first stopper
provided in the sub door, at a position corresponding to the first
hook, the first stopper engaging the first hook so as to secure the
sub door in the cooling compartment and disengaging the first hook
so as to release the sub door for rotation with the main door; and
a second stopper provided in the sub door, at a position
corresponding to the second hook, the second stopper engaging the
second hook so as to secure the sub door to the main door and
disengaging the second hook so as to release the sub door from the
main door.
9. The refrigerator of claim 8, further comprising a connection
device that operably couples the first and second stoppers, the
connection device comprising at least one gear or at least one
connecting rod.
10. A refrigerator, comprising: a main body having a cooling
compartment therein; a door rotatably coupled to the main body to
selectively open and close the cooling compartment, the door
comprising: a main door having a front surface defining a front
exterior surface of the main body; and a sub door provided at a
rear surface of the main door and being coaxially rotated with the
main door; and a latch assembly that selectively couples the main
body, the sub door and the main door to selectively restrict
rotation of the door, wherein the latch assembly comprises: a first
restriction device restricting rotation of the sub door; a second
restriction device restricting rotation of the main door; and a
connection device that operably links the first and second
restriction devices.
11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the first restriction
device comprises: a first hook fixed to a side of the cooling
compartment; and a first stopper provided in the sub door, at a
position corresponding to the first hook, the first stopper having
a first groove formed therein for receiving the first hook to
selectively engage the first hook.
12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the second restriction
device comprises: a second hook fixed to a side of the main door;
and a second stopper provided in the sub door, at a position
corresponding to the second hook, the second stopper having a
second groove formed therein for receiving the second hook to
selectively engage the second hook.
13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the connection device
comprises a gear engaged with the first and second stoppers.
14. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the connection device
comprises a connecting rod connecting the first stopper to the
second stopper.
15. The refrigerator of claim 12, further comprising: an actuator
provided on the main door; and a rotation hook having a first end
operably coupled to the actuator and a second end hooked on the
second stopper to selectively restrict rotation of the second
stopper based on an actuation state of the actuator.
16. The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises: a
push button provided on the main door; and a push rod having a
first end corresponding to the push button and a second end
corresponding to the rotation hook, wherein depression of the push
button releases the hooked state between the rotation hook and the
second stopper.
17. The refrigerator of claim 10, further comprising a seal
provided on a contact area between the main body and the main
door.
18. The refrigerator of claim 10, further comprising a hinge
assembly that rotatably couples the door to the main body,
comprising: a main hinge that rotatably couples the main door to
the main body; a sub hinge that rotatably couples the sub door to
the main door; and a multi-joint link coupled between the main door
and the sub door that contracts and expands based on a rotation
direction and position of the door.
19. A refrigerator, comprising: a main body having a cooling
compartment formed therein; a door rotatably coupled to the main
body, comprising: a main door having a first side defining an
exterior surface of the main body and a second side opposite the
first side; and a sub door rotatably coupled to the second side of
the main door; a hinge assembly that rotatably couples the door to
the main body, comprising: a first hinge that rotatably couples the
main door to the main body; and a second hinge that rotatably
couples the sub door to the main door, wherein the sub door and the
main door rotate together about the first hinge; and a latch
assembly that selectively couples the main body, the sub door and
the main door, comprising: a first latch selectively engaged
between the main body and the sub door, the first latch securing
the sub door in the cooling compartment in a first mode thereof and
releasing the sub door from the cooling compartment in a second
mode thereof; and a second latch selectively engaged between the
sub door and the main door, the second latch securing the sub door
to the main door in a first mode thereof and releasing the sub door
from the main door in a second mode thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
to Korean Application Nos. 10-2011-0087500 filed on Aug. 31, 2011
and 10-2011-0093657 filed on Sep. 16, 2011, whose entire
disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] This relates to a refrigerator.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Refrigerators may store items in refrigerated or frozen
states to maintain the items in a fresh state. A refrigerator in
which a receiving space is efficiently utilized, and in which a
loss of cool air is minimized when a refrigerator door is opened or
closed to reduce power consumption, may be desirable to
consumers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference
to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements wherein:
[0007] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an exemplary
refrigerator.
[0008] FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views of the exemplary refrigerator
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a refrigerator as embodied
and broadly described herein, with a main door opened.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the refrigerator shown in
FIG. 5, with a sub door opened.
[0011] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge structure
which rotatably connects the main door and the sub door of the
refrigerator shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0012] FIGS. 8 to 10 successively illustrate an opening process of
the main door of the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0013] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to
another embodiment as broadly described herein.
[0014] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an outer appearance of a
latch assembly of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 11.
[0015] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the latch assembly shown in
FIG. 11 with a case thereof removed.
[0016] FIG. 14 is a side view of the latch assembly shown in FIG.
13.
[0017] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the latch assembly of the
refrigerator shown in FIG. 11, with the door completely closed.
[0018] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the latch assembly of the
refrigerator shown in FIG. 11, with the door rotated.
[0019] FIG. 17 is a plan view of the latch assembly of the
refrigerator shown in FIG. 11 with the main door and a sub door
integrally rotated.
[0020] FIGS. 18 and 19 are plan views of a latch assembly of a
refrigerator, in accordance with another embodiment as broadly
described herein.
[0021] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a refrigerator including a
sealing structure between a door and a main body thereof, in
accordance with an embodiment as broadly described herein.
[0022] FIG. 21 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the
refrigerator shown in FIG. 20.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to embodiments will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0024] A refrigerator in which a separate sub door is provided
within a main door may provide access to an interior of the
refrigerator without opening the main door, thus reducing loss of
cool air. However, a separate auxiliary gasket provided along a
circumference of the sub door so as to prevent cool air from
leaking between the auxiliary door the main door may increase cost
and complexity. In addition, dew may be generated on a front
surface of the door due to weak insulation performance of the
gasket. A separate heater may be provided to reduce/eliminate the
dew, further increasing and complexity.
[0025] Alternatively, a refrigerator may include a single door
divided into a main door and a sub door to store products having a
relatively high frequency of withdrawal in a back surface of the
main door, and to store products having a relatively low frequency
of withdrawal in the sub door. In such an arrangement, a back
surface of the sub door may contact a circumference of a front
surface of a main body of the refrigerator, and a circumference of
a back surface of the main door may contact a circumference of a
front surface of the sub door. Thus, a sealing member may be
provided between the main body and the sub door and between the
main door and the sub door to prevent cool air from leaking between
the main body and the door and between the main door and the sub
door, again increasing cost and complexity.
[0026] Alternatively, a refrigerator may include a sub door
completely received into the refrigerator, and a circumference of a
back surface of a main door provided on a front surface of the sub
door may contact a circumference of a front surface of a main body
of the refrigerator.
[0027] In the exemplary refrigerator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a
refrigerator 1 may include a main body 2 having a cooling
compartment 2a formed therein and a door for selectively opening or
closing the cooling compartment 2a. The door may include a main
door 3 defining a front surface of the refrigerator 1 and a sub
door 4 coaxially rotated with the main door 3. In detail, the main
door 3 may be independently rotated with respect to the sub door 4
so that a front surface of the sub door 4 is exposed to the
outside. Also, the sub door 4 may be integrally rotated with the
main door 3 to remove/replace products stored in the cooling
compartment 2a. The sub door 4 may be completely received into the
cooling compartment 2a. Thus, there is no contact between the sub
door 4 and a circumference of a front surface the main body 2. That
is, a circumference of a back surface of the main door 3 is closely
attached to the circumference of the front surface of the main body
2.
[0028] The main door 3 may be rotatably connected to a main hinge
5, and the sub door 4 may be rotatably connected to a sub hinge 6.
The sub hinge 6 may be connected to a rotation shaft of the main
hinge 5, and thus the sub hinge 6 may be coaxially rotated with
respect to the main hinge 5. A plurality of door baskets 4a may be
mounted on the sub door 4.
[0029] In the refrigerator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to coaxially
rotate the sub hinge 6 and the main hinge 5, one end of the sub
hinge 6 may be connected to the sub door 4, and the other end of
the sub hinge 6 may be connected to the main hinge 5. In this case,
when the main door 3 is closed, a portion contacting the sub hinge
6 may be recessed or cut out to receive the sub hinge 6. In
addition, a recess part for receiving the sub hinge 6 may be
provided in the circumference of the front surface of the main body
2 contacting the sub hinge 6. That is, the back surface of the main
door 3 and/or the front surface of the main body 2 may include a
recess having an appropriate size, shape and depth to receive the
sub hinge 6. Thus, portions of the main body 2 and the main door 3
on which the sub hinge 6 is disposed may have reduced in insulation
efficiency. In addition, sealing and insulation members for
preventing cool air from leaking and maintaining insulation
performance may be provided on the back surface of the main door 3
and/or the front surface of the main body 2 on which the sub hinge
6 is disposed, further increasing cost and complexity.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the refrigerator 1 with only the
main door 3 open, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the refrigerator
with both the main door 3 and the sub door 4 open.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the door assembly (including the
main door 3 and the sub door 4) may be rotatably coupled to the
main body 2 by a hinge assembly 7 and selectively fixed to the main
body 2 by a latch assembly including a first latch 8 for fixing the
sub door 4 to the inside of the storage space 2a and a second latch
9 for maintaining a state in which the main door 3 is fixed to the
sub door 4 and is closed.
[0032] However, since two latches are used to allow only the main
door to be opened and both the main door and the sub door to be
opened at the same time, manufacturing costs and complexity may be
increased. Also, since such operations may be independently
performed, two separate latch driving parts may be utilized,
further increasing manufacturing costs and complexity, and possibly
impacting reliability.
[0033] FIGS. 5-7 provide various views of a refrigerator in
accordance with an embodiment as broadly described herein. In
particular, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of such a refrigerator
having a main door opened, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of such a
refrigerator having a sub door opened, and FIG. 7 is an exploded
perspective view of a hinge structure which rotatably connects the
main door and the sub door to a main body of such a
refrigerator.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, a refrigerator 10 as embodied and
broadly described herein may include a main body 11 having a
storage space or a cooling compartment 111 therein, a door 12
disposed on a front surface of the main body 11 to selectively open
or close the cooling compartment 111, and a hinge assembly 20
rotatably connecting the door 12 to the main body 11.
[0035] The door 12 may include a main door 121 disposed on a front
surface of the refrigerator 10 such that the main door 121 forms a
corresponding front surface of the refrigerator 10 when the door 12
is closed against the main body 11, and a sub door 122 received in
the cooling compartment 111 and integrally rotated together with
the main door 121. The main door 121 may be independently or
integrally rotated with respect to the sub door 122.
[0036] The hinge assembly 20 may include a main hinge 21 for
rotatably connecting the main door 121 to the main body 11 and a
sub hinge 22 connected to the sub door 122. For example, the sub
hinge 22 may maintain a position of the sub door 122 received in
the main body 11 when only the main door 121 is opened or closed.
In addition, a weight of the sub door 122 may be transmitted into
the main door 121 through the sub hinge 22, and thus, the sub door
122 may ultimately be supported by the main hinge 21.
[0037] A plurality of shelves 112 and drawers 113 may be installed
in the cooling compartment 111 provided in the main body 11, and a
plurality of door baskets 123 may be provided on the sub door 122.
A portion of the cool air supplied into the cooling compartment 111
may be supplied into the sub door 122.
[0038] A space for receiving food items and other products to be
cooled may be defined in the sub door 122. Also, a receiving space
may be defined in a back (interior facing) surface of the main door
121, which may face a corresponding side of the sub door 122 and
form a relatively enclosed space therebetween when the main door
121 and the sub door 122 are closed against each other. Products
having a relatively high frequency of withdrawal may be received in
the space formed in the back surface of the main door 121. Products
having a relatively low frequency of withdrawal may be received in
the space formed in the sub door 122. Thus, when the products
having the relatively high frequency of withdrawal are taken out,
only the main door 121 may be opened, while the sub door 122
remains positioned against the opening into the cooling compartment
111 to reduce a loss of the cool air.
[0039] When the door 12 is closed, a circumferential portion of the
back surface of the main door 121 may be closely attached to a
corresponding circumferential portion of a front surface of the
main body 11, with the sub door 122 completely received within the
cooling compartment 111. Thus, a gasket for preventing the cool air
from leaking may be disposed on only a portion at which the main
door 121 contacts the main body 11.
[0040] The main door 121 and the sub door 122 may be coaxially
rotated with respect to the main hinge 21. That is, the main door
121 may be directly connected to the main hinge 21 and rotated with
respect to the main body 11 about the main hinge 21. Since the sub
door 122 is mounted on the back surface of the main door 121, when
the sub door 122 is opened, the sub door 122 may be integrally
rotated with the main door 121. Thus, the sub door 122 may be
rotated using the main hinge 21 as a rotation shaft.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, the hinge shaft 23 may pass through one
end of the main hinge 21 and be inserted into a top surface of the
main door 121. The main hinge 21 may be fixed and coupled to a top
edge portion of the main body 11, with the hinge shaft 23 passing
through an end of the main hinge 21 extending to a front side of
the main body 11. Such a main hinge 21 may be provided at both
upper and lower ends of the main door 121.
[0042] The sub hinge 22 connecting the sub door 122 to the main
door 121 may have a multi-joint link shape. The sub hinge 22 may
include a sub door-side bracket 221 fixed to a front surface of the
sub door 122, a multi-joint link 222 rotatably connected to one end
of the sub door-side bracket 221, and a main door-side bracket 223
rotatably connected to one end of the multi-joint link 222 and
fixed to the back surface of the main door 121.
[0043] The multi-joint link 222 may include a plurality of links
222a and 222b rotatably connected to each other. A support frame
124 may be disposed along an inner circumference of the front
surface of the sub door 122. A support bracket 124a to which the
sub door-side bracket 221 of the sub hinge 22 is coupled may be
disposed on a front surface of the support frame 124. A plurality
of coupling holes in which coupling members such, for example, as
screws, are inserted may be defined in each of the sub door-side
bracket 221 and the support bracket 124a. A plurality of coupling
holes may also be defined in the back surface of the main door 121
and the main door-side bracket 223.
[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7, the sub hinge 22 may
have a four-link structure. That is, first, second and third
rotation shafts 224, 225 and 226 may be disposed on portions at
which the links 222a and 222b and brackets 221 and 223 are
connected to each other.
[0045] The sub hinge 22 may connect the front surface of the sub
door 122 to the back surface of the main door 121, but is not
connected to the hinge shaft 23 of the main hinge 21. Thus, the
main door 121 and sub door 122 may rotate as necessary without a
recessed structure for avoiding interference with the sub hinge in
the back surface of the main door or the front surface of the main
body.
[0046] FIGS. 8 to 10 successively illustrate an opening process of
the main door of the refrigerator shown in FIGS. 5-7.
[0047] In the position shown in FIG. 8, the main door 121 is
closely attached to the front surface of the main body 11 to close
the cooling compartment 111, with the sub hinge 22 maintained in a
folded state.
[0048] When the main door 121 is opened at an angle of about 45
degrees, as shown in FIG. 9, the main door 121 is rotated about the
hinge shaft 23 of the main hinge 21. Thus, the multi-joint links
222 of the sub hinge 22 are unfolded. An elastic member 227 such
as, for example, a torsion spring may be mounted on the second
rotation shaft 225 of the rotation shafts 224, 225, and 226 of the
sub hinge 22. Thus, the elastic member 227 may apply an elastic
restoring force in a direction in which an angle between the two
links 222a and 222b connected to the second rotation shaft 225 is
increased. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 9, when the elastic
restoring forces of the elastic member 227 are applied, the elastic
restoring forces may be transmitted into the sub door-side bracket
221 and the main door-side bracket 223. As a result, as shown in
FIG. 10, since a force directed toward the inside of the cooling
compartment 111 is applied to the sub door 122 until the main door
121 is completely opened, opening of the sub door 122, may be
prevented when the main door 121 is opened. In certain embodiments,
the elastic member may be mounted on each of the rotation shafts
connecting the adjacent links to each other.
[0049] To open the sub door 122 when the door 12 is completely
closed, a switch or button for opening the sub door 122 may be
pushed, or a handle protruding forward may be pulled from the sub
door 122. Thus, the sub door 122 may be opened while being
integrally rotated with the main door 121, and the sub door 122 may
be rotated with respect to the hinge shaft 23 which serves as a
rotation center of the main door 121. Also, as the sub door 122 is
opened, the inside of the cooling compartment 111 is exposed to the
outside.
[0050] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an inner structure of a
refrigerator including a latching assembly, according to an
embodiment as broadly described herein.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 11, the refrigerator 10 according to this
embodiment is similar to the previously described embodiment(s) and
may include a latch assembly 30 mounted on a side of the sub door
122, for example, at a top surface of the sub door 122, to control
opening and closing of the main door 121 and the sub door 122 as,
for example, the main door 121 and/or the sub door 122 are opened
and closed using the previously described hinge structure or other
rotation system as appropriate. In certain embodiments, the latch
assembly 30 may be mounted on a side surface or a bottom surface of
the sub door 122. Other components may have the same or similar
structure as those described with respect to the previous
embodiment, and thus duplicated descriptions will be omitted.
[0052] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an outer appearance of a
latch assembly of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a
perspective view of the latch assembly shown in FIG. 12 with a case
thereof removed, and FIG. 14 is a side view of the latch assembly
shown in FIG. 13.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, the latch assembly 30 may
include a latch case 31 surrounding and protecting various internal
components, a plurality of hooks 32 for blocking the opening of the
main door 121 or the sub door 122, a plurality of stoppers 33
selectively engaged with the plurality of hooks 32 to selectively
restrict opening of the door 12, a rotation hook 34 for selectively
restricting rotation of one of the plurality of stoppers 33, and a
connection gear 35 that links the plurality of stoppers 33 for
rotation.
[0054] The plurality of hooks 32 may include a first hook 321 fixed
to the inside of the main body 11 of the refrigerator 10 and a
second hook 322 protruding from a back surface of the main door
121. The plurality of stoppers 33 may include a first stopper 331
selectively restricting the first hook 321 and a second stopper 332
selectively restricting the second hook 322.
[0055] Hook grooves 331a and 332a in which the first and second
hooks 321 and 322 are respectively inserted may be defined in side
surfaces of the first and second stoppers 331 and 332,
respectively. A first pinion 331b and a second pinion 332b engaged
with gear teeth of the connection gear 35 may be disposed on side
surfaces of the first and second stoppers 331 and 332,
respectively. A hooking groove 332c on which a rotation end of the
rotation hook 34 may be hooked may be defined in a side edge
portion of the second stopper 332.
[0056] Thus, the second hook 322 and the second stopper 332 may be
rotated according to opened states of the main door 121 and the sub
door 122. Also, the first stopper 331 may be rotated together with
the second stopper 332. Operation of the latch assembly 30 will be
described below in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0057] The latch case 31 may include first and second hook grooves
311 and 312 in which the first and second hooks 321 and 322 are
respectively inserted. The first and second hook grooves 311 and
312 may be defined in opposite sides of the latch case 31. The
first and second hooks 321 and 322 may be inserted into the first
and second hook grooves 311 and 312 or separated from the first and
second hook grooves 311 and 312, respectively, according to the
opened state of the door 12.
[0058] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the latch assembly in a state in
which the door of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 11 is completely
closed.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 15, when the door 12 is completely closed,
the first and second hooks 321 and 322 are completely inserted into
the first and second hook grooves 311 and 312 of the latch case 31,
respectively.
[0060] While the second hook 322 is inserted into the second hook
groove 312 of the latch case 31, the second stopper 332 is rotated
in a counterclockwise direction when viewed in FIG. 15. When the
second hook 322 is completely inserted into the second hook groove
312 of the latch case 31, the second hook 322 is hooked in the hook
groove 332a of the second stopper 332. When the second stopper 332
is then rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the connection
gear 35 is rotated in a clockwise direction at the same time. When
the connection gear 35 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the
first stopper 321 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction,
because the first and second stoppers 331 and 332 are gear-coupled
to each other by the connection gear 35.
[0061] Since the first stopper 331 is rotated in the
counterclockwise direction, an opening end of the hook groove 331a
of the first stopper 331 faces the first hook 321. Then, the first
hook 321 is completely inserted into the hook groove 331a. An end
of the rotation hook 34 is hooked in the hooking groove 332c of the
second stopper 332 to interrupt the rotation of the second stopper
332.
[0062] The door 12, particularly, the main door 121, may include a
push button device 40 for controlling the rotation of the rotation
hook 34. For example, a button 41 may be exposed at a front surface
of the main door 121. Thus, a user may push the button 41 to rotate
the rotation hook 34 in a front or rear direction. A push end 42
may extend backward from the button 41. When the main door 121 is
closed, the push end 42 may maintain contact with a corresponding
end of the rotation hook 34 (i.e., an end of the rotation hook 34
not engaged in the hooking groove 332c of the second stopper. In
certain embodiments, it may be unnecessary that the push end 42
directly extends from a back surface of the button 41. That is, in
a state in which the button 41 and the push end 42 are mounted at
different positions, when the button 41 is pushed (by, for example,
a mechanical or electrical connection device), the push end 42 may
be retreated. For example, the latch assembly 30 may be mounted on
a portion of an upper end of the door 12, and the push end 42 may
be disposed at a position corresponding to a height of the latch
assembly 30. The button 41 may be disposed on a front surface of
the main door 121 corresponding to a position lower than that of
the push end 42. That is, a force pushing the button 41 may be
transmitted to the push end 42 through a separate power
transmission device.
[0063] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the latch assembly shown in FIGS.
12-14 when only the main door of the refrigerator is rotated.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 16, when the button 41 is pushed to open
the main door 121, the rotation hook 34 is rotated in the
counterclockwise direction when viewed in FIG. 16. As the rotation
hook 34 is rotated, an end of the rotation hook 34 is separated
from the second stopper 332 to release the connection therebetween.
In this state, when the main door 121 is pulled, the second hook
322 is moved to rotate the second stopper 332 in the clockwise
direction. Since the rotation hook 34 is formed of an elastic
member such as, for example, a torsion spring, when the push end 42
of the push button device 40 is separated from the rotation hook
34, the rotation hook 34 may return to an original position
thereof.
[0065] In more detail, since the second stopper 332 is rotated in
the clockwise direction, the first stopper 331 may also be rotated
in the clockwise direction at the same time by the connection gear
35. Thus, the first hook 321 inserted into the hook groove 331a of
the first stopper 331 is hooked in the hook groove 331a. When the
first hook 321 is hooked and restricted by the hook groove 331 a,
the rotation of the sub door 122 on which the latch assembly 30 is
mounted may be interrupted. Thus, while the main door 121 is
rotated, the sub door 122 is maintained in a state in which the sub
door 122 is received in the cooling compartment 111 of the
refrigerator 10.
[0066] FIG. 17 is a plan view of the latch assembly shown in FIGS.
12-14 when the main door and sub door of the refrigerator are
integrally rotated.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 17, in certain circumstances the door 12
may be completely closed with the door 12 positioned against the
front of the main body 11 of the refrigerator 10, with the first
hook 321 only inserted into the hook groove 331a of the first
stopper 331, but not hooked therein. Thus, the first hook 321 is
detachable from the hook groove 331a. In this state, when the main
door 121 and the sub door 122 are pulled without pushing the button
41, the first hook 321 is separated from the first stopper 331.
[0068] As described above, according to the operation mechanism of
the latch assembly 30, when only the main door 121 is opened, the
rotation of the sub door 122 is restricted by the first hook 321.
Also, when both the main door 121 and the sub door 122 are opened,
the sub door 122 may be freely separated from the first hook 321.
Thus, two types of opening mechanisms may be realized using a
single latch assembly.
[0069] FIGS. 18 and 19 are plan views of a latch assembly according
to another embodiment as broadly described herein.
[0070] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is different from
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-14 in that a connecting rod
instead of the connection gear is provided. In detail, the
connecting rod 36 may have a first end connected to the first
stopper 331 and a second end connected to the second stopper
332.
[0071] FIG. 18 is a view of a latch assembly 40 in a state in which
the main door 121 is opened. Here, when the main door 121 is
closed, the second stopper 332 is rotated in a counterclockwise
direction. As the second stopper 332 is rotated, the second end of
the connecting rod 36 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction
and then retreated. At this time, the first end of the connecting
rod 36 is also rotated in the counterclockwise direction and then
retreated. That is, since the connecting rod 36 is retreated, the
first stopper 331 releases the restriction of the first hook 321
while the first stopper 331 is rotated.
[0072] In detail, when the main door 121 is completely closed, the
first and second stoppers 331 and 332 are positioned as shown in
FIG. 19. In this state, when the sub door 122 is pulled, the first
hook 321 is separated from the first stopper 331 as shown in FIG.
19.
[0073] In alternatively embodiments, a device for allowing the two
stoppers 331 and 332 to be rotated by being linked with each other
through transmission of a rotation motion of the second stopper 332
into the first stopper 331 may be provided, in addition to the
connection gear 35 or the connecting rod 36. It may be assumed that
devices capable of providing the above-described function may be
included in the scope of the present disclosure.
[0074] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a sealing structure between
the door and the main body of a refrigerator as embodied and
broadly described herein, and FIG. 21 is a horizontal
cross-sectional view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 20.
[0075] In the refrigerator 10 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the door 12
may include the main door 121 and the sub door 122. However, the
sealing member 50 for preventing cool air from leaking through a
contact portion between the main body 11 and the door 12 may be
disposed on only the contact portion between the main door 121 and
the main body 11.
[0076] For example, in a case in which a sub door is closely
attached to a front surface of a main body and a main door is
closely attached to a front surface of the sub door, a sealing
member may be provided on a circumference of a contact portion
between the main door and the sub door and a circumference of a
contact portion between the main body and the sub door. However, in
refrigerators according to embodiments as broadly described herein,
since the sub door 122 is completely received into the main body
11, the circumference of the front surface of the sub door 122 does
not contact the circumference of the front surface of the main body
11. Thus, the sealing member 50 may be provided on only the contact
portion between the main door 121 and the main body 11. Therefore,
manufacturing processes and costs of the refrigerator may be
reduced.
[0077] In a refrigerator as embodied and broadly described herein,
since the sub door is completely received into the refrigerator
main body when the sub door is closed, and also only the main door
and the refrigerator main body contact each other, leakage of the
cool air occurring at a boundary between the main door and the sub
door may be minimized. Further, since it may be unnecessary to
provide a separate gasket on the contact portion between the main
door and the sub door, productivity may be improved. Additionally,
since it may be unnecessary to provide a separate heater for
removing dew on the contact portion between the main door and the
sub door, productivity may be improved and power consumption may be
reduced. Still further, such an arrangement may prevent the cool
air from leaking due to interference between the hinge supporting
the sub door and the main door and/or the refrigerator main body or
prevent the door from being shaken when the door is opened.
[0078] In a refrigerator as embodied and broadly described herein,
since only the main door and all of the main door and the sub door
may be smoothly opened using a single latch assembly, manufacturing
costs may be reduced. Further, since the operations of the main
door and the sub door may be controlled by the single latch
assembly, a single latch driving part may be employed, and to latch
mounting part may be reduced in volume and manufacturing costs may
be reduced. Also, since a linkage member may control operation of
each hook part in a case in which only the main door is opened and
a case in which the main door and the sub door are opened together,
reliability with respect to the simultaneous operation of the hook
parts may be secured.
[0079] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
[0080] Embodiments provide a refrigerator in which a sub door is
completely received into a cooling compartment, and a main door
contacts a front surface of a refrigerator main body to prevent a
hinge for sub door from interfering with the main door or the
refrigerator main body and to minimize leakage of cool air.
[0081] Embodiments also provide a refrigerator which does not
require a separate gasket for preventing insulation performance
from being deteriorated due to the installation of a sub door and a
separate heater for removing dew generated on an edge of the sub
door.
[0082] Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a main door
and a sub door are smoothly opened using a single latch assembly to
reduce manufacturing costs and secure reliability with respect to a
simultaneous operation of a latch.
[0083] In one embodiment, a refrigerator as broadly described
herein may include a main body having a cooling compartment
therein; a door rotatably provided on a front surface of the main
body to selectively open or close the cooling compartment, the door
including a main door defining the front surface of the main body
and a sub door coaxially rotated with the main door at a rear side
of the main door; and a hinge assembly including a main hinge
rotatably connecting the main door to the main body and a sub hinge
independently and rotatably connecting the main door to the sub
door, wherein the sub hinge connects a front surface of the sub
door to a back surface of the main door.
[0084] In another embodiment, a refrigerator as broadly described
herein may include a main body having a cooling compartment
therein; a door rotatably provided on a front surface of the main
body to selectively open or close the cooling compartment, the door
including a main door defining the front surface of the main body
and a sub door coaxially rotated with the main door at a rear side
of the main door; and a latch assembly of which at least one
portion is mounted on a side of the sub door to selectively
restrict the rotation of the door, wherein the latch assembly
includes: a first restriction unit for restricting rotation of the
sub door; a second restriction unit for restricting rotation of the
main door; and a connection unit allowing the first and second
restriction units to be operated by being linked with each
other.
[0085] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0086] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *