U.S. patent application number 14/184470 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-02 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to Hyoung Don MOON.
Application Number | 20150184929 14/184470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51210331 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150184929 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MOON; Hyoung Don |
July 2, 2015 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
Disclosed is a refrigerator having a door, a tiltable pocket,
shelf or bin including a suspension projection, a pair of
connecting shafts coupling the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin to the
door, and a tilt stopper on a surface of the refrigerator coupled
to one of the connecting shafts that prevent the tiltable pocket,
shelf or bin from rotating beyond a predetermined angle.
Inventors: |
MOON; Hyoung Don;
(Anyang-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dongbu Daewoo Electronics
Corporation
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
51210331 |
Appl. No.: |
14/184470 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/405.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/028 20130101;
F25D 25/027 20130101; F25D 25/02 20130101; F25D 23/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/04 20060101
F25D023/04; F25D 25/02 20060101 F25D025/02; F25D 23/02 20060101
F25D023/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0165682 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator, comprising: a door; a tiltable pocket, shelf or
bin comprising a suspension projection; a pair of connecting shafts
coupling the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin to the door; and a tilt
stopper on a surface of the door coupled to one of the connecting
shafts that prevents the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin from
rotating beyond a predetermined angle, wherein the tilt stopper
include a suspension member and plurality of hangers inside the
suspension member to support the suspension member, wherein the
suspension member has hook-shaped and stops the tiltable pocket,
shelf or bin from rotating when the hanger contacts suspension
projection of the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin.
2. (canceled)
3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the suspension projection
has a round or cylindrical shape.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hangers
have a hook shape.
5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hangers
comprise one or more concave troughs or depressions.
6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the each trough or
depression provides a different rotational angle of the tiltable
pocket, shelf or bin when engaged with the suspension
projection.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the rotational angles
provided by neighboring concave troughs or depressions have a
difference of about 10-22.5.degree..
8. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a stopper fixing
unit connecting the tilt stopper to a surface of the door.
9. A refrigerator, comprising: a door; a tiltable pocket, shelf or
bin comprising a suspension projection; a pair of connecting shafts
coupling the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin to the door; a tilt
stopper on a surface of the door coupled to one of the connecting
shafts that prevents the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin from
rotating beyond a first predetermined angle; and a sub-stopper on a
lower surface of the door that prevents the tiltable pocket, shelf
or bin from rotating beyond a second predetermined angle, wherein
the tilt stopper include a suspension member and a plurality of
hangers inside the suspension member to support the suspension
member, wherein the suspension member has hook-shaped and stops the
tiltable pocket, shelf or bin from rotating when the hanger
contacts suspension projection of the tiltable pocket, shelf or
bin.
10. (canceled)
11. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the suspension projection
has a round or cylindrical shape.
12. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the plurality of hangers
have a hook shape.
13. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the plurality of hangers
comprise one or more concave troughs or depressions.
14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the each trough or
depression provides a different rotational angle of the tiltable
pocket, shelf or bin when engaged with the suspension
projection.
15. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the rotational angles
provided by neighboring concave troughs or depressions have a
difference of about 10-22.5.degree..
16. The refrigerator of claim 9, further comprising a stopper
fixing unit connecting the tilt stopper to a surface of the door.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on and claims priority from Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2013-0165682, filed on Dec. 27, 2013, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator having a
tiltable bin, shelf and/or pocket structure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In general, a refrigerator is used to freeze or refrigerate
food or the like and has a case divided into a freezer and a cold
storage space therein. In this case, the freezer and the cold
storage space have a plurality of shelves (not illustrated) for
storing food. A shelf or pocket for containing a beverage bottle is
inside the door of the freezer and the cold storage space.
[0004] When a pocket or shelf is fixed to the inside of the door,
it may be difficult for a user to get beverage bottles, or the
like, into and out of the pocket or shelf A tiltable pocket
structure that rotates the pocket forward slightly when the user
uses the pocket may improve the storage function and convenience of
the refrigerator. A diagram illustrating the tiltable pocket
structure is illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0005] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a related art
pocket structure in which the pocket/shelf is not tilted.
[0006] The tiltable pocket 11 is connected to a hinge 12 of a tilt
case 10, and the hinge 12 serves as a rotation shaft. A hanger 14
in the tilt case 10 enables a stopper 13 on the tiltable pocket 11
to contact the tilt case 10. Therefore, the tiltable pocket 11 may
be configured to rotate only a certain distance.
[0007] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the related
art tiltable pocket, tilted forward.
[0008] However, when the tiltable pocket structure is equipped with
the tilt case 10 and the hinge 12, manufacturing costs increase and
the refrigerator is more difficult to assemble. Also, such a hinge
may have a relatively high rate of failure.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide
a tiltable pocket, shelf or bin structure capable of tilting or
rotating without a hinge or a tilt case.
[0010] The present disclosure has been made in an effort to control
a rotational angle of the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin using a
tilt stopper.
[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a refrigerator
including: a door, a tiltable pocket, shelf or bin including a
connecting shaft and a suspension projection, where the connecting
shaft couples the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin to a door, and the
suspension projection fixes a rotational angle of the tiltable
pocket, shelf or bin and a tilt stopper on a surface of the door
and coupled to the connecting shaft that prevents the tiltable
pocket, shelf or bin from rotating beyond a predetermined
angle.
[0012] The tilt stopper may include a suspension member and one or
more hangers inside the suspension member to support the suspension
member. The suspension member may have a rounded or arc-like
shape.
[0013] Other embodiments of the present disclosure provide a
refrigerator including: a door, a tiltable pocket, shelf or bin
including a connecting shaft and a suspension projection, where the
connecting shaft couples the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin to the
door so the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin may rotate, a tilt
stopper that prevents the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin from
rotating beyond a first predetermined angle, and a sub-stopper
configured to stop the rotation of the tiltable pocket, shelf or
bin at a second predetermined angle.
[0014] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
since the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin can be rotated using a
connecting shaft that fixes a pocket, shelf or bin inside the door,
a tilting case is not required. As a result, manufacturing costs
may decrease and the refrigerator may be easier to assemble.
[0015] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not
intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative
aspects, exemplary embodiments, and features described above,
further aspects, exemplary embodiments, and features will become
apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an untilted tilt pocket
in the related art.
[0017] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a tilted tilt pocket in
the related art.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
refrigerator door having an exemplary tiltable pocket, shelf or
bin, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary stopper.
[0020] FIGS. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views illustrating an
exemplary tiltable pocket, shelf or bin joined to a refrigerator
door according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary
tiltable pocket, shelf or bin connected to a refrigerator door
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary
refrigerator having one or more exemplary tiltable pockets, shelves
or bins on an inside surface of a door according to embodiments of
the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof. The
illustrative exemplary embodiments described in the detailed
description, drawing, and claims are not meant to be limiting.
Other exemplary embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may
be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject
matter presented here.
[0024] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described
more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure can be easily by
those skilled in the art. As those skilled in the art would
realize, the described exemplary embodiments may be modified in
various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or
scope of the present disclosure and are not limited to exemplary
embodiments described herein.
[0025] It is noted that the drawings are schematic and are not
dimensionally illustrated. Relative sizes and proportions of parts
in the drawings are exaggerated or reduced in their sizes, and a
predetermined size is just exemplary and not limiting. The same
reference numerals designate the same structures, elements, or
parts illustrated in the two or more drawings in order to exhibit
the same or similar characteristics.
[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure illustrate ideal
embodiments of the present disclosure in detail. As a result,
various modifications of the drawings are expected. Accordingly,
the exemplary embodiment is not limited to a specific form of the
illustrated region, and for example, includes modifications of form
(e.g., by manufacturing).
[0027] Hereinafter, one or more exemplary embodiments according to
the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings. A configuration of the present
disclosure and an operation and an effect according to the
configuration of the present disclosure will be clearly understood
by the detailed description below. The same elements may be
designated by the same reference numerals, although the elements
are illustrated in different drawings, and a detailed explanation
of publicly known configurations may be omitted so as to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present
disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
refrigerator having a tiltable pocket, shelf or bin and a door,
according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the refrigerator includes a
tiltable pocket, shelf or bin 21, a tilt stopper 24, and a door
bead 20, according to some embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0030] The tiltable pocket, shelf or bin 21 includes a connecting
shaft 25 fixed to one side or each of two opposite sides of a case
inside a refrigerator door.
[0031] The tiltable pocket, shelf or bin 21 includes a suspension
projection 26 configured to set or adjust a rotational angle of the
tilt pocket, shelf or bin 21. The left and right sides of the
tiltable pocket, shelf or bin 21 have a connecting shaft 25 and a
suspension projection 26 thereon.
[0032] The tilt stopper 24 prevents the tiltable pocket, shelf or
bin 21 from rotating beyond a predetermined angle.
[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the tilt stopper 24 includes a
hinge groove 242 to be joined to the connecting shaft 25 of the
tiltable pocket, shelf or bin 21 around which the tiltable pocket,
shelf or bin 21 rotates.
[0034] The tilt stopper 24 includes a stopper fixing unit 241
connecting the tilt stopper 24 to the inside of a door.
[0035] The stopper fixing unit 241 includes a projection which
protrudes outward (e.g., toward the refrigerator door) as
illustrated in FIG. 3, and an insert 23, as illustrated in FIG. 2,
at a position corresponding to the projection inside the
refrigerator door that receives the projection of fixing unit 241
and joins the stopper fixing unit 241 to a surface of the door
insert.
[0036] In another embodiment, the stopper fixing unit 241 has one
or more holes or openings, and when the stopper fixing unit 241 is
joined to the inside of the refrigerator door, a protrusion on the
door contacts the hole or opening of the stopper fixing unit 241
and connects the stopper fixing unit 241 to a surface of the
door.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the tilt stopper 24 includes a
suspension member 243 and a body, and the suspension member 243 may
be hook-shaped and stops the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin from
rotating when the suspension member 243 contacts suspension
projection 26 of the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin 21. The body
portion includes the hinge hole or opening 242 and the stopper
fixing unit 241.
[0038] The hinge hole or opening 242 may be on an inner surface
corresponding to the connecting shaft of the tiltable pocket, shelf
or bin 21, and the hinge hole or opening 242 and the connecting
shaft 25 may have complementary shapes (e.g., a cylindrical shape
and a round shape). When the connecting shaft 25 of the tiltable
pocket, shelf or bin 21 is inserted into the hinge hole or opening
242, the hinge hole or opening 242 enables the tiltable pocket,
shelf or bin 21 to rotate around the connecting shaft 25.
[0039] One or more suspension bumps on which the suspension
projection 26 catches are formed on the suspension member 243. The
suspension member 243 may also include one or more concave troughs
or depressions 245.
[0040] According to some embodiments, suspension member 243 has a
plurality of concave troughs or depressions 245, and the suspension
projection 26 has a round or cylindrical shape. As a result, when
the suspension projection 26 crosses over a suspension bump 244, it
catches on and/or in an adjacent concave trough/depression 245. The
suspension projection 26 is positioned to cross over the suspension
bump(s) 244 smoothly. The height of the suspension bump 244 is
selected to enable smooth movement and secure catching of the
suspension projection 26.
[0041] When the suspension member 243 has a plurality of concave
troughs or depressions 245, the suspension projection 26 may be
suspended on the suspension bumps 244 and rest in the concave
troughs or depressions 245 of the suspension member 243 to control
the rotational angle of the tiltable shelf, bin or pocket 21.
[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. A to 4C, when the tilt stopper 24
has three concave troughs or depressions 245, the rotational angle
may be controlled in three stages (e.g., each stage changes the
rotational angle by about 13.degree.). Of course, there may be
different numbers of bumps 244 and troughs 245 (e.g., 2-6), and the
bumps and troughs may be configured so that different angles of
tilt (e.g., 10-22.5.degree.) are possible.
[0043] FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an initial state of an
exemplary tiltable pocket, shelf or bin, where the tiltable pocket,
shelf or bin is not rotated. When the tiltable pocket, shelf or bin
is pulled forward (e.g., away from the door), the tiltable pocket,
shelf or bin 21 rotates, and as a result, the tiltable pocket,
shelf or bin 21 inclines or declines (e.g., tilts) forward at an
angle. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate such states of rotation.
[0044] FIG. 4B illustrates an exemplary tiltable pocket, shelf or
bin where suspension projection 26 is suspended on a first trough
or depression of the hanger or bump 244 inside the door. In this
case, the rotational angle is about 13.degree., although other
angles are possible. In FIG. 4C, the suspension projection 26 is
suspended on a third trough or depression of the hanger and rests
upon the relatively thick neck of the tilt stopper 24. In this
case, the rotational angle is about 39.degree..
[0045] Meanwhile, a sub-stopper 210 may on a lower surface of the
door, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The sub-stopper 210 is inclined at
an angle to prevent a lower end of the tiltable pocket, shelf or
bin 21 from rotating beyond a predetermined angle.
[0046] The predetermined angle may be equal to or slightly less
than the maximum angle of the rotation permitted by the tilt
stopper 24. In the example of FIGS. 4C and 5, the predetermined
angle may be 36.degree.-39.degree.. When the tiltable pocket, shelf
or bin 21 rotates to a predetermined angle, the tiltable pocket,
shelf or bin 21 contacts the sub-stopper and is prevented from
rotating any further.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary
refrigerator having one or more tiltable pocket, shelf or bins on
an inner surface of a door, according to some embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 6, a plurality of tiltable pocket,
shelf or bins may be on a surface of a refrigerator door.
[0049] All of the aforementioned components are not particularly
required and some thereof may be omitted.
[0050] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described
herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications
may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the
present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the
specification of the present disclosure will not limit the present
disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure will be interpreted
by the claims below, and it will be construed that all techniques
within the scope equivalent thereto belong to the scope of the
present disclosure.
* * * * *