U.S. patent application number 15/714439 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-29 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Eun HEO, In-Sung HWANG, Sang Gyu JUNG, Ji Yong PARK, Kyoung-Sun PARK.
Application Number | 20180087828 15/714439 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61688370 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180087828 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Kyoung-Sun ; et
al. |
March 29, 2018 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
Disclosed is a refrigerator having a shelf assembly in a storage
compartment. The refrigerator includes a body provided with a
storage compartment, a shelf configured to load goods stored in the
storage compartment, a panel configured to form one surface of the
storage compartment and provided with a plurality of support
guides, and a frame configured to support the shelf and configured
to be movable in a transverse direction along the plurality of
support guides by being detachably coupled to the panel.
Inventors: |
PARK; Kyoung-Sun;
(Hwaseong-si, KR) ; HEO; Eun; (Suwon-si, KR)
; PARK; Ji Yong; (Suwon-si, KR) ; JUNG; Sang
Gyu; (Suwon-si, KR) ; HWANG; In-Sung;
(Suwon-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
61688370 |
Appl. No.: |
15/714439 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 25/02 20130101;
F25D 2317/0672 20130101; F25D 2325/021 20130101; A47B 96/062
20130101; A47B 96/061 20130101; F25D 23/067 20130101; F25D 17/04
20130101; F25D 17/062 20130101; F25D 2325/022 20130101; F25D 25/024
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 25/02 20060101
F25D025/02; F25D 23/06 20060101 F25D023/06; F25D 17/04 20060101
F25D017/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 23, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0122032 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a body provided with a storage
compartment; a shelf configured to load goods stored in the storage
compartment; a panel configured to form one surface of the storage
compartment and provided with a plurality of support guides; and a
frame configured to support the shelf and configured to be movable
in a transverse direction along the plurality of support guides by
being detachably coupled to the panel.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of support
guides is extended in the transverse direction and arranged in a
longitudinal direction.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the frame comprises a first
locking portion and a second locking portion coupled to two support
guides adjacent to each other among the plurality of support
guides.
4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the frame comprises a first
roller installed in the first locking portion and a second roller
installed in the second locking portion.
5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the plurality of support
guides comprises a support groove into which the frame is inserted
and a support portion connected to the support groove in a rear
surface of the panel.
6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the first roller is
supported by a front inner surface of the support portion and the
second roller disposed in the lower side of the first roller is
supported by a rear inner surface of the support portion.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein as the first roller is
guided to the rear inner surface of the support portion and the
second roller is guided to the front inner surface of the support
portion, the frame is movable in the transverse direction along the
plurality of support guides.
8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a height in which the frame
is coupled to the panel is changed as the frame is mounted to or
detached from the plurality of support guides.
9. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the support portion
comprises a hole configured to discharge cold air to the storage
compartment via the support groove.
10. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the panel further
comprises a cold air discharging portion disposed in an upper
portion or one side of the panel and configured to discharge cold
air to the storage compartment.
11. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the frame further
comprises a fixing member configured to fix the shelf, wherein the
shelf comprises an interference member configured to interfere the
fixing member and the shelf is detachably coupled to the frame.
12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the fixing member
comprises a second locking protrusion protruding in the lower side,
wherein the interference member comprises a first locking
protrusion protruding in the upper side to be coupled to the second
locking protrusion and a handle portion configured to release the
coupling between the first locking protrusion and the second
locking protrusion.
13. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the first locking
protrusion comprises a through hole configured to allow the fixing
member to be movable in the longitudinal direction and an
accommodation groove configured to allow the interference member to
be movable in the front and rear direction.
14. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of support
guides supports the plurality of shelves in the transverse or
longitudinal direction.
15. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the frame supports the
center of a lower surface of the shelf, and the first locking
portion is extended to opposite sides in the transverse direction
so that a transverse width of the first locking portion corresponds
to a transverse width of the shelf.
16. A refrigerator comprising: a body provided with a storage
compartment; a rear panel provided with a plurality of support
guides extended in a transverse direction and arranged in a
longitudinal direction, and configured to form a rear surface of
the storage compartment; a shelf configured to load goods stored in
the storage compartment; and a frame provided with a locking
portion detachably coupled to two support guides adjacent to each
other among the plurality of support guides so that a height in
which the shelf is coupled to the rear panel is changed, and a
roller configured to allow the shelf to be movable in the
transverse direction along the plurality of support guides.
17. The refrigerator of claim 16, wherein the rear panel comprises
a cold air discharging portion configured to discharge cold air to
the storage compartment.
18. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the cold air discharging
portion comprises the plurality of support guides
19. A refrigerator comprising: a body provided with a storage
compartment; a shelf assembly provided with a shelf configured to
load goods stored in the storage compartment, and a frame
configured to support the shelf and provided with a locking portion
having a roller installed in one end portion of the locking
portion; and a rear panel configured to support the shelf assembly
and configured to allow the shelf assembly to be movable in a
transverse direction in the storage compartment by having a
plurality of support grooves extended in a transverse direction and
arranged in a longitudinal direction, and a support portion
supporting the roller.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2016-0122032, filed on Sep. 23, 2016 in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a
refrigerator, more particularly to a refrigerator having a shelf
assembly in a storage compartment.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] A refrigerator is an apparatus configured to keep foods
fresh by having a storage compartment storing foods and a cool air
supply apparatus to supply cool air to the storage compartment. In
the storage compartment of the refrigerator, a shelf assembly is
provided to support goods for improving the efficiency of the
storage space.
[0004] Since the shelf assemblies spaced apart from each other in
the vertical direction divides the inside of the storage
compartment into a plurality of spaces, the utilization of the
storage space may be improved and it may be possible to store goods
easily. In recent, since the size of the refrigerator has
increased, there may be difficulties in taking out the goods deeply
placed in the rear side of the shelf. Therefore, a refrigerator
provided with a moving-shelf assembly has been manufactured as well
as a refrigerator provided with a fixed-shelf assembly.
[0005] In general, a refrigerator includes components for a
refrigeration cycle. In basic, the refrigerator is a device to
refrigerate or freeze goods stored in a storage compartment by
using cool air generated by the components for the refrigeration
cycle.
[0006] As for the refrigeration of the refrigerator, a compressor
compresses refrigerant gas in the refrigerator to make
high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas, and the
refrigerant is sent to a condenser. The condenser condenses the
refrigerant by releasing the refrigerant gas and liquefies the
refrigerant.
[0007] The liquefied refrigerant is in a state where it is easily
vaporized at a low temperature in a capillary tube while being at
the low pressure, and then the liquefied refrigerant is vaporized
again in the low temperature cooler. Since the refrigerant absorbs
the heat of vaporization generated at this time, the ambient air is
deprived of the heat from the refrigerant and the temperature is
lowered.
[0008] Air at the low temperature, i.e., cold air, is discharged to
the inside of the storage compartment of the refrigerator and thus
the refrigeration or the freezing is performed. The vaporized
refrigerant gas is sent to the compressor again and then the above
process is repeated. Such a cooling method is called as a gas
compression type, and this method is the most widely used method
for general households because it is efficient and has excellent
cooling power.
[0009] On the other hand, a structure capable of fixing the shelf
assembly may be provided in a panel forming one side of the storage
compartment. However, cold air discharged into the storage
compartment may be blocked by the shelf assembly coupled to the
panel.
SUMMARY
[0010] Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to
provide a refrigerator provided with a shelf assembly having an
improved structure to allow goods, which is supported by a shelf,
to be stored in an easy manner and in various manners.
[0011] It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
refrigerator provided with a shelf assembly capable of moving in
the vertical and horizontal direction.
[0012] It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a
refrigerator provided with a panel capable of easily discharging
cold air to a storage compartment while supporting a shelf
assembly.
[0013] Additional aspects of the present disclosure will be set
forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will
be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of
the invention.
[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a
refrigerator includes a body provided with a storage compartment, a
shelf configured to load goods stored in the storage compartment, a
panel configured to form one surface of the storage compartment and
provided with a plurality of support guides, and a frame configured
to support the shelf and configured to be movable in a transverse
direction along the plurality of support guides by being detachably
coupled to the panel.
[0015] the plurality of support guides may be extended in the
transverse direction and arranged in a longitudinal direction.
[0016] the frame may include a first locking portion and a second
locking portion coupled to two support guides adjacent to each
other among the plurality of support guides.
[0017] the frame may include a first roller installed in the first
locking portion and a second roller installed in the second locking
portion.
[0018] the plurality of support guides may include a support groove
into which the frame is inserted and a support portion connected to
the support groove in a rear surface of the panel.
[0019] the first roller may be supported by a front inner surface
of the support portion and the second roller disposed in the lower
side of the first roller is supported by a rear inner surface of
the support portion.
[0020] as the first roller is guided to the rear inner surface of
the support portion and the second roller is guided to the front
inner surface of the support portion, the frame may be movable in
the transverse direction along the plurality of support guides.
[0021] a height in which the frame is coupled to the panel may be
changed as the frame is mounted to or detached from the plurality
of support guides.
[0022] the support portion may include a hole configured to
discharge cold air to the storage compartment via the support
groove.
[0023] the panel may further include a cold air discharging portion
disposed in an upper portion or one side of the panel and
configured to discharge cold air to the storage compartment.
[0024] the frame may further include a fixing member configured to
fix the shelf, wherein the shelf may include an interference member
configured to interfere the fixing member and the shelf is
detachably coupled to the frame.
[0025] the fixing member may include a second locking protrusion
protruding in the lower side, wherein the interference member may
include a first locking protrusion protruding in the upper side to
be coupled to the second locking protrusion and a handle portion
configured to release the coupling between the first locking
protrusion and the second locking protrusion.
[0026] the first locking protrusion may include a through hole
configured to allow the fixing member to be movable in the
longitudinal direction and an accommodation groove configured to
allow the interference member to be movable in the front and rear
direction.
[0027] the plurality of support guides may support the plurality of
shelves in the transverse or longitudinal direction.
[0028] the size of the plurality of shelves may vary.
[0029] the frame may support the center of a lower surface of the
shelf, and the first locking portion may be extended to opposite
sides in the transverse direction so that a transverse width of the
first locking portion corresponds to a transverse width of the
shelf.
[0030] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
a refrigerator includes a body provided with a storage compartment,
a rear panel provided with a plurality of support guides extended
in a transverse direction and arranged in a longitudinal direction,
and configured to form a rear surface of the storage compartment, a
shelf configured to load goods stored in the storage compartment,
and a frame provided with a locking portion detachably coupled to
two support guides adjacent to each other among the plurality of
support guides so that a height in which the shelf is coupled to
the rear panel is changed, and a roller configured to allow the
shelf to be movable in the transverse direction along the plurality
of support guides.
[0031] the rear panel may include a cold air discharging portion
configured to discharge cold air to the storage compartment.
[0032] the cold air discharging portion may include the plurality
of support guides
[0033] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
a refrigerator includes a body provided with a storage compartment,
a shelf assembly provided with a shelf configured to load goods
stored in the storage compartment, and a frame configured to
support the shelf and provided with a locking portion having a
roller installed in one end portion of the locking portion, and a
rear panel configured to support the shelf assembly and configured
to allow the shelf assembly to be movable in a transverse direction
in the storage compartment by having a plurality of support grooves
extended in a transverse direction and arranged in a longitudinal
direction, and a support portion supporting the roller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a case in which a position of
a shelf assembly supported by a panel is changed, in the
refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a
coupling structure between the shelf assembly and the panel in the
refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a structure for discharging
cold air via a hole in the support portion in the refrigerator in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a cold air discharging portion
of a panel in a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating the panel and the
shelf assembly in the refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a structure of a shelf
assembly in a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a coupling structure of a
shelf assembly in a refrigerator in accordance with another
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a structure in which a shelf
of the shelf assembly is fixed to a frame in the refrigerator of
FIG. 9.
[0045] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an operation in which the
shelf of the shelf assembly is separated from the frame in the
refrigerator of FIG. 9.
[0046] FIG. 12 is an exploded view illustrating a shelf assembly in
a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0047] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a structure in which a shelf
of the shelf assembly is fixed to a frame in the refrigerator of
FIG. 12.
[0048] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an operation in which the
shelf of the shelf assembly is separated from the frame in the
refrigerator of FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side
cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 may include a
body 10 and a storage compartment 20 provided inside of the body 10
to have an opened front surface thereof so that goods is inserted
thereinto or withdrew therefrom. The refrigerator 1 may include a
door 30 rotatably coupled to the body 10 to open and close the
opened front surface of the storage compartment 20, and a cool air
supply apparatus to supply cool air to the storage compartment
20.
[0052] The body 10 may include an outer case 11 and an inner case
12. The outer case 11 may form an exterior of the body 10. The
outer case 11 may be formed of metal material having the durability
and the beauty. The inner case 12 may be placed inside of the outer
case 11. The inner case 12 may form an exterior of the storage
compartment 20. The inner case 12 may be formed of plastic material
by being integrally injection molded.
[0053] An insulation material 60 may be foamed between the inner
case 12 and the outer case 11 to prevent cold air of the storage
compartment 20 from being leaked.
[0054] The storage compartment 20 may be divided into a plurality
of storage compartments 20 by a partition 13. The storage
compartment 20 may include an upper storage compartment 20a and a
lower storage compartment 20b. The upper storage compartment 20a
and the lower storage compartment 20b each may be divided into a
left storage compartment and a right storage compartment by other
partition (not shown).
[0055] The storage compartment 20 may include a refrigerating
compartment and a freezing compartment. According to the
refrigerator type, the upper storage compartment 20a is provided as
the refrigerating compartment and the lower storage compartment 20b
is provided as the freezing compartment, or alternatively, the
upper storage compartment 20a is provided as the freezing
compartment and the lower storage compartment 20b is provided as
the refrigerating compartment.
[0056] The freezing compartment may be maintained at approximately
-20.degree. C. and the refrigerating compartment may be maintained
at approximately 3.degree. C. The refrigerating compartment and the
freezing compartment may be insulated by the partition 13.
[0057] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 is the
bottom freezer type in which the upper storage compartment 20a is
provided as the refrigerating compartment and the lower storage
compartment 20b is provided as the freezing compartment.
[0058] However, the type of the refrigerator is not limited
thereto. Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure may be
applied to different refrigerator types as long as a shelf assembly
40 is mounted to the storage compartment 20 in a refrigerating
compartment or a freezing compartment.
[0059] The different refrigerator type may include a side by side
type in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing
compartment are disposed in the left and right side, and a top
mounting type in which a freezing compartment is disposed in the
upper side of refrigerating compartment.
[0060] A drawer type storage container 21 storing vegetables and
fruits may be installed inside of the storage compartment 20. The
storage container 21 may be provided in the box shape, or
alternatively provided in a closed type so that goods are stored in
a closed inner space.
[0061] In the storage compartment 20, the shelf assembly 40 may be
provided to support goods stored in the storage compartment 20. A
plurality of shelf assemblies 40 may be provided. The shelf
assembly 40 may be installed in the refrigerating compartment or
the freezing compartment. A detail configuration of the shelf
assembly 40 will be described later.
[0062] The storage compartment 20 may be opened or closed by the
door 30. The upper storage compartment 20a may be opened or closed
by a pair of upper door 30a rotatably coupled to the body 10. The
lower storage compartment 20b may be opened or closed by a drawer
type lower door 30b coupled to the body 10 in a sliding manner. The
configuration of the upper door and the lower door are not limited
thereto.
[0063] On the rear surface of the upper door 30a, a plurality of
door guards 31 may be provided to store goods. Particularly, the
door guard 31 may be configured to store goods having the small
volume.
[0064] The cool air supply apparatus may supply cold air to the
storage compartment 20. A cooling air circulation system 70 may be
formed in the rear side of the storage compartment 20. An
evaporator 71 for refrigerating the storage compartment 20 may be
installed in the rear side of the cooling air circulation system
70, and a blower fan 72 circulating the internal air of the storage
compartment 20 may be provided in an upper side of the evaporator
71.
[0065] In the front side of the evaporator 71, a panel 50 may be
installed to separate the inner space into the cooling air
circulation system 70 and the storage compartment 20. A cool air
discharging portion 52 may be formed in the panel 50 to discharge
cold air, which is guided via the cooling air circulation system
70, to the storage compartment 20.
[0066] The blower fan 72 may blow air, which is passed through the
evaporator 71, to the cooling air circulation system 70. A detail
configuration of the panel 50 and the cool air discharging portion
52 will be described later.
[0067] A machinery room 80 separated from the storage compartment
20 may be provided in the lower portion of the body 10. In the
machinery room 80, a compressor 81 configured to compress
refrigerant, a condenser (not shown) configured to condense the
compressed refrigerant, and a refrigerant expansion device (not
shown) configured to expand the compressed refrigerant may be
installed.
[0068] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a case in which a position of
a shelf assembly supported by a panel is changed, in the
refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 3, a position of the shelf assembly 40 may
be changed by being supported by the panel 50 forming one surface
of the storage compartment 20. The panel 50 may include a rear
panel 50 forming the rear surface of the storage compartment
20.
[0070] The panel 50 may include a plurality of support guide
extended in the transverse direction and arranged in the
longitudinal direction. The transverse direction may represent a X
axis direction and the longitudinal direction may represent a Z
axis direction among the X, Y, Z coordinates.
[0071] As the shelf assembly 40 is mounted to or detached from the
plurality of support guides 51, it may be possible to adjust a
height in which the shelf assembly 40 is coupled to the panel 50.
The shelf assembly 40 may be moved in the transverse direction
along the plurality of support guides 51. The number of the support
guide 51 may be determined according to the height of the panel
50.
[0072] The plurality of the shelf assemblies 40 may be coupled to
the plurality of support guides 51 in the transverse and
longitudinal directions. Each of the size of the shelf assembly 40
supported by the plurality of support guides 51 may be different
from each other.
[0073] A transverse width of the shelf assembly 40 may be properly
selected. The transverse width of the shelf assembly 40 may
correspond to a half of a transverse width of the panel 50 to which
the shelf assembly 40 is coupled. Alternatively, the transverse
width of the shelf assembly 40 may correspond to a quarter of a
transverse width of the panel 50 to which the shelf assembly 40 is
coupled.
[0074] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a
coupling structure between the shelf assembly and the panel in the
refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 4, the shelf assembly 40 may include a
shelf 41 on which goods stored in the storage compartment 20 are
loaded and a frame 42 supporting the shelf 41. The frame 42
supporting the shelf 41 may be detachably coupled to the plurality
of support guides 51.
[0076] The frame 42 may include a locking portion 420 coupled to
the plurality of support guides 51. The locking portion 420 may
include a first locking portion 420a and a second locking portion
420b which are coupled to two support guides placed adjacent to
each other, among the plurality of support guides 51.
[0077] The first locking portion 420a may be coupled to a support
guide 51 placed in the upper side between two support guides, which
are placed adjacent to each other and to which the locking portion
420 is coupled, and the second locking portion 420b may be placed
in the lower side of the first locking portion 420a.
[0078] The first locking portion 420a may be formed in a direction
parallel in the shelf 41, i.e., front and rear direction, to
support the shelf 41, and the second locking portion 420b may be
formed in a diagonal direction. The front and rear direction may
represent a Y axis direction and a diagonal direction may represent
a direction between the Y axis and a Z axis in the X, Y, Z
coordinates.
[0079] A shape where the locking portion 420 (the first locking
portion 420a and the second locking portion 420b) is coupled to the
panel 50 may form a right triangle. Therefore, a coupling between
the shelf assembly 40 and the panel 50 can be solid.
[0080] One end portion of the first locking portion 420a may be
curved in the lower side toward the second locking portion 420b
(the Z axis direction), and one end portion of the second locking
portion 420b may be curved in the direction parallel with the shelf
41 (the Y axis direction).
[0081] The frame 42 may include a roller 421 installed in the
locking portion 420. A direction of the axis of rotation of the
roller 421 may correspond to the vertical direction (the Z axis
direction). The roller 421 may include a first roller 421a
installed in the first locking portion 420a and a second roller
421b installed in the second locking portion 420b.
[0082] The plurality of support guides 51 may include a support
groove 510 formed in the front surface of the panel 50 and a
support portion 511 formed in the rear surface of the panel 50. A
plurality of the support grooves 510 and support portions 511 may
be provided. The number of the support portion 511 may be identical
to the number of the support groove 510.
[0083] The support portion 511 may be formed in a square shape
whose one surface is open, so as to cover the support groove 510 in
the rear side of the panel 50, wherein the square shape is similar
with a shape of `C`.
[0084] The locking portion 420 may be inserted into the plurality
of support guides 51 and fixed by being supported by the plurality
of support guides 51. When goods are loaded on the shelf 41
supported by the frame 42 fixed to the plurality of support guides
51, the rotational force may be applied to the shelf assembly 40 by
the weight moment of the goods.
[0085] The locking portion 420 may be lifted to the up side in the
plurality of support guides 51 by the rotational force applied to
the shelf assembly 40. When the locking portion 420 is inserted
into the plurality of support guides 51, the first roller 421a
installed in the first locking portion 420a may be supported by the
front inner surface corresponding to the first roller 421a and the
second roller 421b installed in the second locking portion 420b may
be supported by the rear inner surface corresponding to the second
roller 421b.
[0086] Despite the rotational force applied to the shelf assembly
40, the shelf assembly 40 may be stably fixed to the panel 50.
[0087] When the locking portion 420 is detached from the plurality
of support guides 51, the shelf assembly 40 may be separated from
the panel 50. As the shelf assembly 40 is inserted into two support
guides 51 disposed adjacent to each other among the plurality of
support guides 51 which are arranged in the longitudinal direction,
a height to which the shelf assembly 40 is coupled to the panel 50
may be changed.
[0088] When the locking portion 420 is inserted into the plurality
of support guides 51, the locking portion 420 may make contact with
the plurality of support guides 51. Due to the frictional force
generated by the contact between the locking portion 420 and the
surface of the plurality of support guides 51, the shelf assembly
40 may be fixed to the panel 50 without moving in the transverse
direction (the X axis direction).
[0089] Therefore, although an external force in the transverse
direction (the X axis direction) is applied to the shelf assembly
40, the shelf assembly 40 may be stably fixed without movement.
[0090] When the shelf assembly 40 is fixed to the panel 50, a
surface of the support portion 511, by which the roller 421 is
supported, may be different from when the shelf assembly 40 is
moved in the transverse direction (the X axis direction) along the
plurality of support guides 51.
[0091] When an external force is applied to the shelf assembly 40
in the upper side (the Z axis direction), the locking portion 420
coupled to the plurality of support guides 51 may be lifted in the
upper side (the Z axis direction).
[0092] Therefore, the surface of the support portion 511 supporting
the first roller 421a installed in the first locking portion 420a
may be changed from the front inner surface of the support portion
511 to the rear inner surface of the support portion 511. The
surface of the support portion 511 supporting the second roller
421b installed in the second locking portion 420b may be changed
from the rear inner surface of the support portion 511 to the front
inner surface of the support portion 511. That is, the contact
surface between the locking portion 420 and the plurality of
support guides 51 may be reduced.
[0093] As the contact surface between the locking portion 420 and
the plurality of support guides 51 is reduced, the frictional force
caused by the surface contact between the locking portion 420 and
the plurality of support guides 51 may be reduced. Therefore, when
an external force in the transverse direction (the X axis
direction) is applied to the shelf assembly 40, which is lifted in
the upper side (the Z axis direction), the shelf assembly 40 may be
moved in the transverse direction (the X axis direction) in the
panel 50 by the rolling movement of the roller 421.
[0094] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a structure for discharging
cold air via a hole in the support portion in the refrigerator in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 5, the support portion 511 may include a
hole 512 delivering cold air generated by the cool air supply
apparatus to the support groove 510. A plurality of holes 512 may
be provided. The hole 512 may be disposed in the upper side in the
rear surface of the support portion 511. The plurality of holes 512
may be arranged in the transverse direction (the X axis
direction).
[0096] FIG. 5 illustrates that the hole 512 is disposed in the
upper side in the rear surface of the support portion 511, but the
position of the hole 512 is not limited thereto. Therefore, the
hole 512 may be disposed in any position as long as the position of
the hole 512 does not affect the coupling between the locking
portion 420 and the inside of the support portion 511. For example,
the plurality of holes 512 may be disposed in upper surface of the
support portion 511.
[0097] The height of the support groove 510 in the longitudinal
direction (the Z axis direction) may be higher than the height of
the locking portion 420, which is coupled to the panel 50, in the
longitudinal direction (the Z axis direction). Therefore, the
plurality of support guides 51 may include a cold air discharging
portion 52 discharging cold air to the storage compartment 20 via
the support groove 510 although the locking portion 420 is inserted
into the plurality of support guides 51. That is, the cold air may
be discharged to the inside of the storage compartment 20 in a cold
air discharge direction (A).
[0098] Therefore, although the shelf assembly 40 is inserted into
the plurality of support guides 51, the cold air may be discharged
into the inside of the storage compartment 20 via the cool air
discharging portion 52 without the interference of the shelf
assembly 40.
[0099] The cold air discharging space of the support groove 510 may
act as a space which is needed for the shelf assembly 40 to be
lifted in the upper side (the Z axis direction), wherein the lift
of the shelf assembly 40 is needed to move in the transverse
direction (the X axis direction) along the plurality of support
guides 51.
[0100] Therefore, while supporting the shelf assembly 40, the
plurality of support guides 51 may perform the function of the cool
air discharging portion 52 discharging the cold air generated by
the cool air supply apparatus, to the storage compartment 20.
[0101] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a cold air discharging portion
of a panel in a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0102] Referring to FIG. 6, a panel 50 may include a cold air
discharging portion 520 disposed in the upper portion or one side
of the panel 50 and configured to discharge the cold air generated
by the cool air supply apparatus to the storage compartment 20. The
cold air discharging portion 520 may be separately formed from the
plurality of support guides 51.
[0103] The cold air discharging portion 520 may include a first
cold air discharging portion 520a formed in a shape similar with
the shape of the plurality of support guides 51 and extended in the
transverse direction in the upper portion of the front surface of
the panel 50.
[0104] The first cold air discharging portion 520a may have a shape
in which a front surface and a rear surface of the panel 50 are
open. However, the shape of the first cold air discharging portion
520a is not limited thereto, and thus the shape of the first cold
air discharging portion 520a may have a variety of shapes as long
as capable of discharging cold air generated by the cool air supply
apparatus to the storage compartment 20. For example, a plurality
of holes may be arranged in the transverse direction.
[0105] The cold air generated by the cool air supply apparatus may
be discharged to the inside of the storage compartment 20 via the
first cold air discharging portion 520a. Since the shelf assembly
40 is not coupled to the upper portion of the front surface of the
panel 50, the cold air may be discharged to the inside of the
storage compartment 20 via the first cold air discharging portion
520a without the interference of the shelf assembly 40.
[0106] The cold air discharging portion 520 may include a second
cold air discharging portion 520b formed in one side or both sides
of the panel 50. The second cold air discharging portion 520b may
have a hole shape or a shape in which a front surface and a rear
surface of the panel 50 are open.
[0107] The second cold air discharging portion 520b may be arranged
between the support portions 511 in the longitudinal direction.
However, the position of the second cold air discharging portion
520b is not limited thereto, and thus the shape of the second cold
air discharging portion 520b may have a variety of shapes and
positions as long as capable of discharging cold air generated by
the cool air supply apparatus to the storage compartment 20. For
example, the second cold air discharging portion 520b may be
extended between the plurality of support guides 51 in the
transverse direction and arranged in the longitudinal
direction.
[0108] Since the cold air discharged via the second cold air
discharging portion 520b is not interfered by the shelf assembly
40, the cold air may be freely discharged to the inside of the
storage compartment 20.
[0109] FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating the panel and the
shelf assembly in the refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment
of the present disclosure.
[0110] Referring to FIG. 7, the shelf assembly 40 coupled to the
panel 50 may include a shelf 41 and a frame 42 supporting the shelf
41. The shelf 41 may correspond to a panel having a certain width
and the square shape. However, for the user convenience, the shape
of the shelf 41 is not limited thereto, and thus the shelf 41 may
have a variety of shapes as long as capable of loading goods.
[0111] The shelf 41 may include a support plate 410 formed of
transparent glass or synthetic resin to load goods and an edge 411
coupled to the support plate 410. The coupling method between the
support plate 410 and the edge 411 may include an adhesion method
using an adhesion, and a method using an additional coupling
member.
[0112] The edge 411 may have a square frame shape whose a central
portion is opened, so as to have a shape corresponding to the
border portion of the support plate 410.
[0113] In the around of the border portion of the edge 411, a
sealing member accommodation portion (not shown) in which a sealing
member (not shown) is placed may be provided. The sealing member
(not shown) is for the waterproof between the support plate 410 and
the edge 411, and the silicone sealant may be used as the sealing
member (not shown).
[0114] As mentioned above, when the support plate 410 and the edge
411 are fusion-coupled, the adhesion may occur with respect to the
support plate 410 and thus it may be possible to prevent the
bending (distortion) of the support plate 410 when the shelf 41 is
formed by the insert injection process.
[0115] The shelf 41 may include a shelf wire (not shown) configured
to prevent goods loaded on the shelf 41 from being escaped from the
shelf 41. The shelf wire (not shown) may be provided on one side of
the upper surface of the shelf 41.
[0116] The shelf 41 may include an edge finishing portion (not
shown) configured to fix the shelf wire (not shown) and configured
to improve the beauty of the shelf 41.
[0117] Two frames 42 may support the shelf 41 from opposite sides
of the shelf 41. The two frames 42 may support the shelf 41 by
being spaced apart the same distance from the center of the shelf
41. The shelf 41 supported by the two frames 42 may have a
relatively wide width.
[0118] The shelf 41 may be inseparably coupled to the frame 42. The
shelf assembly 40 may be formed by assembling the shelf 41 with the
frame 42 which is formed of resin material by the injection mold
method. The shelf 41 and the frame 42 may be coupled to each other
by the adhesion.
[0119] The coupling between the shelf 41 and the frame 42 is not
limited thereto, and thus the shelf 41 and the frame 42 may be
coupled to each other by using a variety of methods.
[0120] For example, the shelf 41 and the frame 42 may be coupled to
each other by using an additional coupling member (not shown) or
the shelf 41 and the frame 42 may be integrally injection molded
using a resin material.
[0121] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a structure of a shelf
assembly in a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0122] Referring to FIG. 8, a frame 43 may be formed such that a
first locking portion 430a is extended in the transverse direction
(the X axis direction) as much as the width of the shelf 41 coupled
to the frame 43. A first roller 431a may be additionally installed
in opposite end portions of the first locking portion 430a extended
in the transverse direction (the X axis direction).
[0123] A second locking portion 430b may be placed in the center of
the shelf 41. The shelf 41 supported by the frame 43 may have a
relatively smaller width than the frame 42 supported by the frame
42 according to an embodiment. The shelf 41 may be inseparably
coupled to the frame 43.
[0124] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a coupling structure of a
shelf assembly in a refrigerator in accordance with another
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a view
illustrating a structure in which a shelf of the shelf assembly is
fixed to a frame in the refrigerator of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a view
illustrating an operation in which the shelf of the shelf assembly
is separated from the frame in the refrigerator of FIG. 9.
[0125] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, a shelf 41 may be detachably
coupled to a frame 42. The frame 42 may include a fixing member 422
configured to fix the shelf 41 and the shelf 41 may include an
interference member 412 interfering the fixing member 422.
[0126] The interference member 412 may be disposed in the rear side
of the lower surface of the shelf 41. The fixing member 422 may be
disposed in a space between two frames 42 apart from each other so
as to connect the two frames 42. That is, the interference member
412 may connect two first locking portions 420a to each other.
[0127] The interference member 412 may include a handle portion 414
having the elastic force to release the fixation of the fixing
member 422. The handle portion 414 of the interference member 412
may include a first locking protrusion 413 protruding toward the
upper side, and the fixing member 422 may include a second locking
protrusion 423 protruding toward the lower side.
[0128] The first locking protrusion 413 of the interference member
412 and the second locking protrusion 423 of the fixing member 422
may be locked-coupled to each other in order to fix the shelf 41
and the frame 42.
[0129] The handle portion 414 may be formed of a material having
the elastic force. When an external force is applied to the handle
portion 414 in the lower side, the locking between the first
locking protrusion 413 of the interference member 412 and the
second locking protrusion 423 of the fixing member 422 may be
released.
[0130] Accordingly, the fixation between the shelf 41 and the frame
42 may be released and the shelf 41 separated from the frame 42 may
be taken out in the front side (the Y axis direction).
[0131] FIG. 12 is an exploded view illustrating a shelf assembly in
a refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a structure in which a
shelf of the shelf assembly is fixed to a frame in the refrigerator
of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an operation in which
the shelf of the shelf assembly is separated from the frame in the
refrigerator of FIG. 12.
[0132] Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, a shelf 41 may be detachably
coupled to a frame 43. The frame 43 may include a fixing member 432
configured to fix the shelf 41 and the shelf 41 may include an
interference member 442 interfering the fixing member 432. The
interference member 442 may be disposed in the rear side of the
shelf 41.
[0133] The fixing member 432 may be disposed between a first
locking portion 430a and a second locking portion 430b to connect
the first locking portion 430a and the second locking portion 430b
to each other. The interference member 442 may include a first
locking protrusion 443 protruding toward the lower side, and the
fixing member 432 may include a second locking protrusion 433
protruding toward the upper side.
[0134] The fixing member 432 may include a spring portion 435
disposed in the lower end portion of the second locking protrusion
433 and a lever portion 434 disposed in the middle of the second
locking protrusion 433 to protrude toward the transverse direction
(the X axis direction).
[0135] The first locking portion 430a may include a through hole
436 through which the second locking protrusion 433 of the fixing
member 432 passes in the up and down direction (the Z axis
direction).
[0136] The first locking portion 430a may include an accommodation
groove 437, which has a certain height in the longitudinal
direction (the Z axis direction) and is extended in the front and
rear direction (the Y axis direction), to allow the second locking
protrusion 433 to be placed.
[0137] As the second locking protrusion 433 placed in the
accommodation groove 437 and the second locking protrusion 433
passing through the through hole 436 interfere with each other, the
shelf 41 may be fixed to the frame 43.
[0138] The second locking protrusion 433 may fix the first locking
protrusion 443 so that the first locking protrusion 443 is
prevented from being moved to the front side. The first locking
protrusion 443 and the second locking protrusion 433 may have a
cylindrical shape, wherein the cross-section of the cylinder has a
shape that is cut by an oblique line.
[0139] The accommodation groove 437 may be formed in the upper side
of the first locking portion 430a, and one end portion of the
accommodation groove 437 may be formed until an appropriate
position without being extended to one end portion of the first
locking portion 430a, and thus the first locking protrusion 443 may
be fixed without moving toward the rear side.
[0140] When an external force, which is greater than the elastic
force applied to the upper side by the frame 435 of the fixing
member 432, is applied to the lever portion 434 of the fixing
member 432 in the lower side, the second locking protrusion 433,
which passed through the through hole 436 and then protruded in the
upper side by the elastic force, may be lowered to the lower side
and thus the interference between the first locking protrusion 443
and the second locking protrusion 433 may be released.
[0141] As the fixation between the shelf 41 and the frame 43 is
released, the shelf 41 may be separated from the frame 43 and then
taken out to the front side (the Y axis direction).
[0142] As is apparent from the above description, according to the
proposed refrigerator, it may be possible to store goods loaded on
the shelf in an easy manner and in various manners by changing the
position of the shelf assembly and thus it may be possible to
achieve the user convenience.
[0143] As is apparent from the above description, according to the
proposed refrigerator, the panel forming one surface of the storage
compartment may perform the function of the cold air discharging
portion and fix the shelf assembly and thus it may be possible to
save the manufacturing cost for installing the additional cold air
discharging portion.
[0144] Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *