U.S. patent application number 13/650189 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-18 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Jungil SHIN.
Application Number | 20130093306 13/650189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48085527 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130093306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHIN; Jungil |
April 18, 2013 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
A refrigerator in which a support connecting both rear ends of a
rail assembly to each other is provided to maintain a state in
which the rail assembly is perpendicular to a support. Thus, when a
slidable door is closed, it may reduce the likelihood of a gap
between the door and a cabinet from occurring so that the door is
closely attached to the cabinet.
Inventors: |
SHIN; Jungil;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.; |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
48085527 |
Appl. No.: |
13/650189 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/404 ;
312/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 25/025 20130101;
F25D 23/067 20130101; F25D 23/021 20130101; A47B 2210/175
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/404 ;
312/405 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/02 20060101
F25D023/02; F25D 23/04 20060101 F25D023/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 12, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0103976 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body defining a storage space;
a sliding door disposed at the storage space and configured to
slide away from and toward the storage space to open and close the
storage space; a pair of rail assemblies that are configured to
guide sliding of the sliding door and that include a first rail
assembly disposed at a first side of the main body and a second
rail assembly disposed at a second side of the main body that is
opposite of the first side of the main body, a front end of the
first rail assembly being connected to the sliding door and a front
end of the second rail assembly being connected to the sliding
door; and a support connecting a rear end of the first rail
assembly to a rear end of the second rail assembly, the rear end of
the first rail assembly being opposite of the front end of the
first rail assembly and the rear end of the second rail assembly
being opposite of the front end of the second rail assembly.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1: wherein the first rail
assembly comprises: a first rail unit that extends in multiple
stages; and a first rail connector mounted on the first rail unit,
the first rail connector being connected to a first side of a back
surface of the sliding door; and wherein the second rail assembly
comprises: a second rail unit that extends in multiple stages; and
a second rail connector mounted on the second rail unit, the second
rail connector being connected to a second side of the back surface
of the sliding door.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein a front end of
the first rail unit is connected to a first end of a frame disposed
on the sliding door and a front end of the second rail unit is
connected to a second end of the frame disposed on the sliding
door, the second end of the frame being opposite of the first end
of the frame.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising a
frame that connects the first rail unit to the second rail unit and
that is disposed on a back surface of the sliding door, wherein the
frame, the first and second rail units, and the support are coupled
to each other to define a square frame shape.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising a
first support mounting part on which the support is mounted on a
rear end of the first rail connector and a second support mounting
part on which the support is mounted on a rear end of the second
rail connector.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the first support
mounting part comprises a first insertion hole in which a first
insertion end protruding from the support is inserted and the
second support mounting part comprises a second insertion hole in
which a second insertion end protruding from the support is
inserted.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, further comprising a
first bent part that is disposed at the first insertion end, that
is bent downward, and that receives a screw passing through the
first support mounting part and a second bent part that is disposed
at the second insertion end, that is bent downward, and that
receives a screw passing through the second support mounting
part.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the support is
fixed and mounted to the first rail connector by a screw coupled to
pass through the first support mounting part and the support is
fixed and mounted to the second rail connector by a screw coupled
to pass through the second support mounting part.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising: a
first stabilizing member mounting part disposed on the first rail
connector; a second stabilizing member mounting part disposed on
the second rail connector; and a stabilizing member configured to
reduce shaking of the sliding door when the sliding door is
withdrawn, a first end of the stabilizing member being connected to
the first stabilizing member mounting part and a second end of the
stabilizing member being connected to the second stabilizing member
mounting part.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the stabilizing
member comprises a first pinion rotatably fixed to the first
stabilizing member mounting part, a second pinion rotatably fixed
to the second stabilizing member mounting part, and a shaft
connecting the first pinion to the second pinion.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the first
stabilizing member mounting part has a mounting hole in which the
first pinion is rotatably mounted and the second stabilizing member
mounting part has a mounting hole in which the second pinion is
rotatably mounted.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein a first shaft
insertion part configured to receive a first end of the shaft
extends inward from the first pinion and a second shaft insertion
part configured to receive a second end of the shaft extends inward
from the second pinion, wherein the first shaft insertion part is
disposed so that the shaft is horizontally shaken in a state where
the first end of the shaft is received in the first shaft insertion
part, wherein the second shaft insertion part is disposed so that
the shaft is horizontally shaken in a state where the second end of
the shaft is received in the second shaft insertion part, and when
the shaft is mounted, the shaft is inserted first into the first
shaft insertion part of the first pinion, and then is inserted into
the second shaft insertion part of the second pinion and is
fixed.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein a basket
configured to receive one or more food items is seated on the first
rail connector and the second rail connector.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising: a
first withdrawal rail that is part of the first rail unit and that
is withdrawn when the first rail unit is withdrawn; a second
withdrawal rail that is part of the second rail unit and that is
withdrawn when the second rail unit is withdrawn; a first fixing
part that is disposed on the first rail connector, that extends
downward from the first rail connector, and that inserts downward
from an upper side into a side of the first withdrawal rail; and a
second fixing part that is disposed on the second rail connector,
that extends downward from the second rail connector, and that
inserts downward from an upper side into a side of the second
withdrawal rail.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the first rail
assembly further comprises a first rail holder on which the first
rail unit is mounted, the first rail holder being fixed to a first
inner wall of the storage space; and wherein the second rail
assembly further comprises a second rail holder on which the second
rail unit is mounted, the second rail holder being fixed to a
second inner wall of the storage space.
16. A refrigerator comprising: a refrigerating compartment; a
freezing compartment; a barrier that separates the refrigerating
compartment from the freezing compartment; a sliding door disposed
at the freezing compartment and configured to slide away from and
toward the freezing compartment to open and close the freezing
compartment; a frame disposed on a back surface of the sliding door
that faces the freezing compartment; a first rail assembly disposed
at a first side of the freezing compartment, a front end of the
first rail assembly being connected to a first end of the frame
disposed on the back surface of the sliding door; a second rail
assembly disposed at a second side of the freezing compartment that
is opposite of the first side of the freezing compartment, a front
end of the second rail assembly being connected to a second end of
the frame disposed on the back surface of the sliding door that is
opposite of the first end of the frame; and a support that connects
a rear end of the first rail assembly to a rear end of the second
rail assembly, the rear end of the first rail assembly being
opposite of the front end of the first rail assembly and the rear
end of the second rail assembly being opposite of the front end of
the second rail assembly, wherein the frame, the first rail
assembly, the second rail assembly, and the support are coupled to
each other to define a square frame shape.
17. The refrigerator according to claim 16: wherein the first rail
assembly comprises: a first rail unit that extends in multiple
stages; and a first rail connector mounted on the first rail unit,
the first rail connector being connected to the first end of the
frame; and wherein the second rail assembly comprises: a second
rail unit that extends in multiple stages; and a second rail
connector mounted on the second rail unit, the second rail
connector being connected to the second end of the frame.
18. The refrigerator according to claim 16, further comprising: a
first stabilizing member mounting part disposed on the first rail
assembly; a second stabilizing member mounting part disposed on the
second rail assembly; and a stabilizing member configured to reduce
shaking of the sliding door when the sliding door is withdrawn, a
first end of the stabilizing member being connected to the first
stabilizing member mounting part and a second end of the
stabilizing member being connected to the second stabilizing member
mounting part.
19. The refrigerator according to claim 18, wherein the stabilizing
member comprises a first pinion rotatably fixed to the first
stabilizing member mounting part, a second pinion rotatably fixed
to the second stabilizing member mounting part, and a shaft
connecting the first pinion to the second pinion.
20. The refrigerator according to claim 19, wherein the first
stabilizing member mounting part has a mounting hole in which the
first pinion is rotatably mounted and the second stabilizing member
mounting part has a mounting hole in which the second pinion is
rotatably mounted.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119
and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0103976
(filed on Oct. 12, 2011), which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to refrigerator
technology.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In general, refrigerators are home appliances for storing
foods at a low temperature in an inner storage space covered by a
refrigerator door. That is, refrigerators cool the inside of the
storage space using cool air generated by heat-exchanging with a
refrigerant circulating a refrigeration cycle to store foods in an
optimum state.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, a refrigerator includes a main body defining
a storage space and a sliding door disposed at the storage space
and configured to slide away from and toward the storage space to
open and close the storage space. The refrigerator also includes a
pair of rail assemblies that are configured to guide sliding of the
sliding door and that include a first rail assembly disposed at a
first side of the main body and a second rail assembly disposed at
a second side of the main body that is opposite of the first side
of the main body. A front end of the first rail assembly is
connected to the sliding door and a front end of the second rail
assembly is connected to the sliding door. The refrigerator further
includes a support connecting a rear end of the first rail assembly
to a rear end of the second rail assembly. The rear end of the
first rail assembly is opposite of the front end of the first rail
assembly and the rear end of the second rail assembly is opposite
of the front end of the second rail assembly.
[0005] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the first rail assembly may include a first
rail unit that extends in multiple stages and a first rail
connector mounted on the first rail unit. In this example, the
second rail assembly may include a second rail unit that extends in
multiple stages and a second rail connector mounted on the second
rail unit. Further, in this example, the first rail connector may
be connected to a first side of a back surface of the sliding door
and the second rail connector may be connected to a second side of
the back surface of the sliding door.
[0006] In some implementations, a front end of the first rail unit
may be connected to a first end of a frame disposed on the sliding
door and a front end of the second rail unit may be connected to a
second end of the frame disposed on the sliding door. In these
implementations, the second end of the frame may be opposite of the
first end of the frame.
[0007] In some examples, the refrigerator may include a frame that
connects the first rail unit to the second rail unit and that is
disposed on a back surface of the sliding door. In these examples,
the frame, the first and second rail units, and the support may be
coupled to each other to define a square frame shape.
[0008] In some implementations, the refrigerator may include a
first support mounting part on which the support is mounted on a
rear end of the first rail connector and a second support mounting
part on which the support is mounted on a rear end of the second
rail connector. In these implementations, the first support
mounting part may include a first insertion hole in which a first
insertion end protruding from the support is inserted and the
second support mounting part may include a second insertion hole in
which a second insertion end protruding from the support is
inserted.
[0009] In addition, the refrigerator may include a first bent part
that is disposed at the first insertion end, that is bent downward,
and that receives a screw passing through the first support
mounting part. The refrigerator also may include a second bent part
that is disposed at the second insertion end, that is bent
downward, and that receives a screw passing through the second
support mounting part. Further, the support may be fixed and
mounted to the first rail connector by a screw coupled to pass
through the first support mounting part and the support may be
fixed and mounted to the second rail connector by a screw coupled
to pass through the second support mounting part.
[0010] In some examples, the refrigerator may include a first
stabilizing member mounting part disposed on the first rail
connector and a second stabilizing member mounting part disposed on
the second rail connector. In these examples, the refrigerator may
include a stabilizing member configured to reduce shaking of the
sliding door when the sliding door is withdrawn. Further, in these
examples, a first end of the stabilizing member may be connected to
the first stabilizing member mounting part and a second end of the
stabilizing member may be connected to the second stabilizing
member mounting part.
[0011] The stabilizing member may include a first pinion rotatably
fixed to the first stabilizing member mounting part, a second
pinion rotatably fixed to the second stabilizing member mounting
part, and a shaft connecting the first pinion to the second pinion.
The first stabilizing member mounting part may have a mounting hole
in which the first pinion is rotatably mounted and the second
stabilizing member mounting part may have a mounting hole in which
the second pinion is rotatably mounted.
[0012] In some implementations, a first shaft insertion part
configured to receive a first end of the shaft may extend inward
from the first pinion and a second shaft insertion part configured
to receive a second end of the shaft may extend inward from the
second pinion. In these implementations, the first shaft insertion
part may be disposed so that the shaft is horizontally shaken in a
state where the first end of the shaft is received in the first
shaft insertion part and the second shaft insertion part may be
disposed so that the shaft is horizontally shaken in a state where
the second end of the shaft is received in the second shaft
insertion part. Also, in these implementations, when the shaft is
mounted, the shaft may be inserted first into the first shaft
insertion part of the first pinion, and then may be inserted into
the second shaft insertion part of the second pinion and fixed.
[0013] A basket configured to receive one or more food items may be
seated on the first rail connector and the second rail connector.
Also, the first rail assembly may include a first rail holder on
which the first rail unit is mounted and the second rail assembly
may include a second rail holder on which the second rail unit is
mounted. The first rail holder may be fixed to a first inner wall
of the storage space and the second rail holder may be fixed to a
second inner wall of the storage space.
[0014] In some examples, a first withdrawal rail may be part of the
first rail unit and may be withdrawn when the first rail unit is
withdrawn. In these examples, a second withdrawal rail may be part
of the second rail unit and may be withdrawn when the second rail
unit is withdrawn. Further, in these examples, a first fixing part
may be disposed on the first rail connector, may extend downward
from the first rail connector, and may insert downward from an
upper side into a side of the first withdrawal rail. In addition,
in these examples, a second fixing part may be disposed on the
second rail connector, may extend downward from the second rail
connector, and may insert downward from an upper side into a side
of the second withdrawal rail.
[0015] In another aspect, a refrigerator includes a refrigerating
compartment, a freezing compartment, and a barrier that separates
the refrigerating compartment from the freezing compartment. The
refrigerator also includes a sliding door disposed at the freezing
compartment and configured to slide away from and toward the
freezing compartment to open and close the freezing compartment.
The refrigerator further includes a frame disposed on a back
surface of the sliding door that faces the freezing compartment, a
first rail assembly disposed at a first side of the freezing
compartment, and a second rail assembly disposed at a second side
of the freezing compartment that is opposite of the first side of
the freezing compartment. A front end of the first rail assembly is
connected to a first end of the frame disposed on the back surface
of the sliding door and a front end of the second rail assembly is
connected to a second end of the frame disposed on the back surface
of the sliding door that is opposite of the first end of the frame.
In addition, the refrigerator includes a support that connects a
rear end of the first rail assembly to a rear end of the second
rail assembly. The rear end of the first rail assembly is opposite
of the front end of the first rail assembly and the rear end of the
second rail assembly is opposite of the front end of the second
rail assembly. The frame, the first rail assembly, the second rail
assembly, and the support are coupled to each other to define a
square frame shape.
[0016] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the first rail assembly may include a first
rail unit that extends in multiple stages and a first rail
connector mounted on the first rail unit. In this example, the
second rail assembly may include a second rail unit that extends in
multiple stages and a second rail connector mounted on the second
rail unit. Further, in this example, the first rail connector may
be connected to the first end of the frame and the second rail
connector may be connected to the second end of the frame.
[0017] In some implementations, the refrigerator may include a
first stabilizing member mounting part disposed on the first rail
assembly, a second stabilizing member mounting part disposed on the
second rail assembly, and a stabilizing member configured to reduce
shaking of the sliding door when the sliding door is withdrawn. In
these implementations, a first end of the stabilizing member may be
connected to the first stabilizing member mounting part and a
second end of the stabilizing member may be connected to the second
stabilizing member mounting part.
[0018] In some examples, the stabilizing member may include a first
pinion rotatably fixed to the first stabilizing member mounting
part, a second pinion rotatably fixed to the second stabilizing
member mounting part, and a shaft connecting the first pinion to
the second pinion. In these examples, the first stabilizing member
mounting part may have a mounting hole in which the first pinion is
rotatably mounted and the second stabilizing member mounting part
may have a mounting hole in which the second pinion is rotatably
mounted.
[0019] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in
the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator with
a door opened.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a front view of a refrigerator.
[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
coupling structure between a sliding door and a rail assembly.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating coupling
between a rail connector and a support.
[0024] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
coupling structure between the support and the rail connector.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rail assembly.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a state in which the rail
assembly is assembled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Refrigerators may be classified according to a position of a
storage space and a position and shape of a door. In the present
disclosure, a bottom freeze type refrigerator in which a freezing
compartment is provided at a lower side, and a refrigerating
compartment is provided at an upper side is described as an
example. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and
the disclosed techniques may be applied to all types of
refrigerators including a door.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an example refrigerator with a door
opened. As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 includes a main body
10 having a storage space therein. An outer appearance of the
refrigerator 1 is defined by the main body 10. Also, a door 20 for
covering the storage space is provided on a front surface of the
main body 10.
[0029] The door 20 may be withdrawably provided in a drawer type.
For this, the door 20 is connected to an inner sidewall of the main
body 10 by a rail assembly 30. The rail assembly 30 may extend in
multiple stages. Also, the rail assembly 30 has one side fixed to
the main body 10 and the other side fixed to a back surface of the
door 20 or a door frame 22 supporting the door 20.
[0030] A general rail may be used as the rail assembly 30. In the
rail assembly 30, ball bearings are vertically disposed between
guides formed of a metal material so that the rail assembly 30 is
slidably withdrawable. Also, the rail assembly 30 is disposed
between the inner sidewall of the main body 10 and a basket 40.
[0031] The basket 40 is mounted between left and right rail
assemblies 30. The basket 40 is recessed downward to receive one or
more food items, such as vegetables or fruits. Also, an inner space
of the basket 40 may be adjusted by a barrier 42 partitioning the
inner space of the basket 40.
[0032] Thus, when the door 20 is withdrawn, the rail assemblies 30
extend so that the basket 40 is withdrawn together with the door
20. As the basket 40 is withdrawn, an opened top surface of the
basket 40 is exposed to allow a user to access food items.
[0033] When the door 20 of the refrigerator 1 is assembled, the
rail assemblies 30 are connected to a frame mounted on a back
surface of the door 20. Here, the rail assemblies 30 are disposed
on both sides of the door 20, and a front end of each of the rail
assemblies 30 is fixed. Thus, before or during the assembly of the
door 20, a front end of each of the rail assembles 30 may not be
fixed, which may cause shaking of the rail assembles 30. As a
result, the rail assembles 30 may become deformed.
[0034] Thus, if the rail assembles 30 are not perpendicular to the
back surface of the door 20, a gap may occur between the door 20
and the main body 10 when the door 20 is closed. Thus, the slidable
door 20 may not be smoothly withdrawn, or cool air may leak through
the gap between the door 20 and the main body 10.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an example refrigerator.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, a refrigerator 100 includes a main body
110 defining a storage space and a door for opening or closing the
storage space defined in the main body 110. An outer appearance of
the refrigerator 100 is defined by the main body 110 and the
door.
[0037] An inner space of the main body 110 is vertically
partitioned by a barrier. Thus, a refrigerating compartment 112 is
defined at an upper side, and a freezing compartment 114 is defined
at a lower side. Also, the door may include a refrigerating
compartment door for opening or closing the refrigerating
compartment 112 and a freezing compartment door 120 for opening or
closing the freezing compartment 114.
[0038] The refrigerating compartment door may be constituted by a
pair of doors. The pair of doors may be rotatably mounted on both
left and right sides of a front surface of the main body 110,
respectively. Thus, the pair of refrigerating compartment doors may
be rotated to open or close the refrigerating compartment 112.
[0039] The freezing compartment door 120 may be slidably withdrawn
to open or close the freezing compartment 114 (hereinafter, the
freezing compartment door 120 is referred to as a "sliding door
120"). The sliding door 120 may be applied to all slidable doors
used in refrigerators (or other appliances) in accordance with a
configuration of the refrigerators.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates an example coupling structure between the
sliding door and a rail assembly.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, a door frame 122 and rail assemblies
300 disposed on both left and right sides of the door frame 122 are
disposed on a back surface of the sliding door 120.
[0042] The door frame 122 may extend in a horizontal direction to
connect the rail assemblies 300 to the sliding door 120. Also, the
door frame 122 is fixed to the back surface of the sliding door
120. Further, front ends of the rail assemblies 300 are fixedly
mounted on both side ends of the door frame 122, respectively.
[0043] Each of the rail assemblies may include a rail unit 400
extending in multiple stages, a rail holder 500 for fixing the rail
unit 400 to the inside of the freezing compartment 114, and a rail
connector 600 for connecting the rail unit 400 to the door frame
122. A shaking prevention member 700 for reducing (e.g.,
preventing) shaking of the sliding door 120 when the sliding door
120 is withdrawn and a support 800 for reducing (e.g., preventing)
shaking and/or deformation of the rail assembly 300 may be further
provided between the rail assemblies 300. A detailed configuration
of the rail assembly 300 will be described below.
[0044] The door frame 122, the rail assembly 300, and the support
800 are completely assembled to define a square frame shape. Also,
the support 800 may be maintained perpendicular to the rail unit
400 or the rail connector 600 until the square frame shape is
fixedly mounted on the sliding door 120.
[0045] In the state where the rail assembly 300 is mounted, a
basket 200 may be mounted. The basket 200 defines an upwardly
opened receiving space. The basket 200 may be seated on the rail
connector 600 of the rail assembly 300. Thus, when the sliding door
120 is withdrawn, the sliding door 120 may be withdrawn together
with the basket 200 to allow a user to receive foods.
[0046] Also, the rail holder 500 disposed on the outermost side of
the rail assembly 300 may be fixedly mounted on each of inner left
and right walls of the freezing compartment 114 so that the sliding
door 120 is supported in a state where the sliding door 120 is
slidably withdrawable in front and rear directions.
[0047] Hereinafter, the rail assembly will be described in
additional detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates example coupling between the rail
connector and the support. FIG. 5 illustrates an example coupling
structure between the support and the rail connector. FIG. 6 is a
cross-sectional view of the example rail assembly.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the rail holder 500 is mounted on
each of the inner left and right walls of the freezing compartment
114. The rail holder 500 may be injection-molded using a plastic
material. A rail mounting part 510 on which the rail unit 400 is
mounted is recessed inward from a central portion of the rail
holder 500. The rail mounting part 510 extends from a front end of
the rail holder 500 up to a rear end so that the rail unit 400 is
inserted from a front side and then mounted.
[0050] A rack gear 520 is disposed under the rail mounting part
510. The rack gear 520 is engaged with a pinion 710 that will be
described below to guide movement of the pinion 710. Also, the rack
gear 520 extends from a front end of the rail holder 500 up to a
rear end. The rack gear 520 may protrude inward so that gear teeth
thereof face an upper side.
[0051] The rail unit 400 has a structure in which a fixed rail 410,
a moving rail 420, and a withdrawal rail 430 are slidably connected
to each other so that the rail unit 400 is telescopically withdrawn
in three stages. The rail unit 400 may have the same structure as a
general multi-stage withdrawal-type rail unit 400.
[0052] The rail connector 600 connected to the door frame 122 is
disposed on the rail unit 400. The rail connector 600 is fixedly
mounted on the withdrawal rail 430 so that the rail connector 600
is withdrawn together with the sliding door 120 when the rail unit
400 extends.
[0053] The rail connector 600 extends in front and rear directions.
Also, the rail connector 600 is mounted on an inner surface of the
withdrawal rail 430. The rail connector 600 may have an inner
surface and a top surface which face each other. Also, the rail
connector 600 provides a space in which the basket 200 is seated. A
front end of the rail connector 600 is fixed to both left and right
side ends of the door frame 122 and mounted on the rail unit 400 so
that the rail connector 600 is withdrawn together with the sliding
door 120 when the sliding door 120 is withdrawn.
[0054] The fixing part 610 for fixedly mounting the rail connector
600 protrudes downward from the rail connector 600. Also, a shaking
prevention member mounting part 620 on which the shaking prevention
member 700 is mounted extends downward at a rear side of the fixing
part 610. The shaking prevention member mounting part 620 has a
mounting hole 622 in which a pinion 710 that will be described
below is mounted.
[0055] A support mounting part 630 for mounting the support 800 is
disposed above the mounting hole 622. The support mounting part 630
is disposed on a rear end of the rail connector 600. Also, the
support mounting part 630 has an insertion hole 632 in which a
fixing end 810 of the support 800 is inserted and a first screw
hole 634 passing through the rail connector 600 and coupled to the
support 800. The insertion hole 632 may be defined in both sides
with respect to the first screw hole 634 to lengthily extend in a
vertical direction.
[0056] The support 800 may have a length enough to connect the rail
connectors 600 to each other. Also, the support 800 has a sectional
shape having a square shape or a shape corresponding to the square
shape. Also, a protruding fixing end 810 is disposed on each of
both left and right ends of the support 800. The fixing end 810
extends from each of both left and right surfaces of the support
800 and is inserted into the insertion hole 632.
[0057] Also, a bent part 820 bent downward between the fixing ends
810 to contact a side surface of the rail connector 600 when the
support 800 is mounted is further provided on each of both left and
right ends of the support 800. A second screw hole 822 in which a
screw is coupled is further provided in the bent part 820. Here,
the second screw hole 822 may be defined in a position
corresponding to that of the first screw hole 634. Thus, when the
support 800 is mounted, screws S may successively pass through the
first screw hole 634 and the second screw hole 822 to secure the
support 800. The bent part 820 may be provided as a separate
member. Alternatively, the bent part 820 may be fixed to each of
both ends of the support by a screw.
[0058] The shaking prevention member 700 is disposed under the
support 800. The shaking prevention member 700 may include the
pinion 710 rotated by being linked with the rack gear 520 and a
shaft 720 connecting both left and right pinions 710 to each other.
The pinion 710 is rotatably fixed to the mounting hole 622. Also, a
shaft insertion part 712 in which the shaft 720 is inserted is
disposed on the pinion 710. The shaft 720 is inserted into the
shaft insertion part 712 and then moved and fixed to an adequate
position.
[0059] Thus, when the sliding door 120 is withdrawn, the rail
connector 600 may be moved together with the sliding door 120. The
pinion 710 connected to the rail connector 600 may be withdrawn
together while being moved along the rack gear 520. Thus, both left
and right rail units 400 may extend by the same distance at the
same time.
[0060] Hereinafter, an effect of the refrigerator having the
above-described structure will be described.
[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the example rail
assembly is assembled.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 7, the rail assembly 300 may have a square
frame shape on the whole by the coupling of the door frame 122 and
the support 800.
[0063] For this, the assembled rail unit 400 is fixed and mounted
on the rail holder 500. Also, the rail connector 600 is mounted on
the withdrawal rail 430 of the rail unit 400. In this state, the
rail connector 600 is connected to each of both left and right ends
of the door frame 122.
[0064] When the rail connector 600 is connected to the door frame
122, the pinion 710 is mounted on the mounting hole 622, and both
ends of the shaft 720 are mounted on the pinions 710, respectively.
Thus, both left and right pinions 710 may be rotatable.
[0065] Then, the support 800 is mounted on the rail connector 600.
Each of both fixing ends 810 of the support 800 are inserted into
the insertion hole 632. Here, the bent part 820 of the support 800
contacts the rail connector 600. In this state, the screw S is
coupled to the rail connector 600. The screw S passes through the
first screw hole 634 and the second screw hole 822 and is coupled
to the rail connector 600.
[0066] Thus, the support 800 is fixed to the rail connector 600 by
the screw S. Here, the support 800 may be maintained in the fixed
state without being rotated by the pair of fixing ends 810.
[0067] In this state, the door frame 122 and the rail assembly 300
may have a square frame shape on the whole. The rail assembly 300
has a front end connected to the door frame 122 and a rear end
connected to the support 800 to reduce (e.g., prevent) shaking of
the rail assembly 300 vertically or horizontally.
[0068] Thus, the support 800 and the rail connector 600 may be
maintained perpendicular to each other. And, the door frame 122,
the rail assembly 300, and the support 800 may be maintained in the
square frame shape on the whole. Therefore, this configuration may
reduce (e.g., prevent) deformation of the rail assembly 300 by a
change of the mounted position of the rail assembly 300 before and
after the assembly of the sliding door 120 or during the mounting
of the rail assembly 300.
[0069] In the refrigerator and refrigerator door, the front end of
each of both left and right rail assemblies is connected to the
frame, and the rear end of the rail assembly is supported by the
support 800.
[0070] Also, the rail assembly, the frame, and the support may have
the square frame shape. Thus, the square-shaped configuration may
reduce (e.g., prevent) change of the position and shape of the rail
assembly during the assembly of the rail assembly or before and
after the rail assembly is assembled with the door. Also, the
slidable withdrawal of the door may be more stable.
[0071] Thus, the rail assembly may be maintained in the designed
position. And, after the door is assembled and mounted, the door
may be closely attached to the main body to reduce (e.g., prevent)
a gap from occurring by the deformation. Therefore, the door may be
stably operated and it may effectively reduce (e.g., prevent) cool
air from leaking.
[0072] Although implementations have been described with reference
to a number of illustrative examples thereof, it should be
understood that numerous other modifications and implementations
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.
* * * * *