US20120031136A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents
Refrigerator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120031136A1 US20120031136A1 US13/265,354 US200913265354A US2012031136A1 US 20120031136 A1 US20120031136 A1 US 20120031136A1 US 200913265354 A US200913265354 A US 200913265354A US 2012031136 A1 US2012031136 A1 US 2012031136A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- door
- compartment
- refrigerator
- disposed
- ice
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
- F25D11/02—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
- F25D23/126—Water cooler
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
- F25D25/024—Slidable shelves
- F25D25/025—Drawers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
- F25C2400/10—Refrigerator units
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
- F25D23/021—Sliding doors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
- F25D2331/803—Bottles
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/06—Refrigerators with a vertical mullion
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Refrigerator Housings (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
Abstract
A refrigerator is provided. Usability and efficiency of a storage space are improved in the refrigerator.
Description
- The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.
- Generally, refrigerators are home appliances for storing foods at low temperature in an internal storage space covered by a refrigerator door. The refrigerators can store foods at an optimum state by cooling the storage space using cooling air generated through heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating a cooling cycle.
- Refrigerators generally include internal storage spaces divided into a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. The temperature within the refrigerator compartment is maintained at about 1 to 4 degrees centigrade to store foods such as vegetables in a fresh state. The temperature within the freezer compartment is maintained at about 18 degrees below zero centigrade to store foods such as meats and fishes in a frozen state. Various types of refrigerators may be provided according to an arrangement of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment and configurations of refrigerator doors that cover the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.
- The size of the refrigerators tends to increase more and more and multi-functions are provided to the refrigerators as dietary life changes and pursues high quality, and accordingly, refrigerators of various structures with consideration of user convenience are brought to the market.
- Such a refrigerator is classified into a side by side-type refrigerator in which a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment are horizontally arranged side-by-side, a bottom-freezer type refrigerator in which a freezer compartment is disposed below a refrigerator compartment, and a top mount-type refrigerator in which a freezer compartment is disposed above a refrigerator compartment. Thus, a refrigerator of the desired type can be selected according to user's requirements.
- An ice maker for making and storing ice is provided in the refrigerator. The ice maker is disposed inside a body of the refrigerator, or is disposed in a refrigerator door for covering a portion of the body. At this time, the refrigerator door including the ice maker usually includes a pivotable door.
- A dispenser for dispensing the ice made by the ice maker to the outside is disposed in the refrigerator door. Thus, a desired amount of ice can be dispensed according to a users manipulation without opening the refrigerator door.
- Embodiments provide a refrigerator in which a space where received foods and objects are classified into each type and are stored is provided, an ice making assembly is disposed within the space, and a dispenser is disposed in a door for opening and closing the space.
- Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a transparent refrigerator compartment door is provided to confirm an inner receipt state of a refrigerator compartment, as well as, a separate space capable of storing objects and foods received in the refrigerator compartment door is provided. Moreover, since the foods and the objects are not received in the refrigerator compartment door, the refrigerator compartment door may be easily opened and closed.
- Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which one refrigerator compartment may be covered by a transparent refrigerator compartment door, that is pivotally opened and closed, and a slidable door that is withdrawn in a drawer-type.
- Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a transparent refrigerator compartment door may be provided to confirm foods received in a slidable door.
- In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a refrigerator compartment; a freezer compartment; a freezer compartment door opening and closing the freezer compartment; a plurality of refrigerator compartment doors including a pivotable door opening and closing a portion of a front surface of the refrigerator compartment and a slidable door opening and closing a remaining portion of the front surface of the refrigerator compartment; a hinge allowing the pivotable door to be pivotably disposed; and a rail member guiding a withdrawal of the slidable door, wherein the pivotable door is transparent to confirm the inside of the refrigerator compartment and foods received in the slidable door form the outside of a refrigerator.
- In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a refrigerator compartment; a freezer compartment; a freezer compartment door opening and closing the freezer compartment; a plurality of refrigerator compartment doors including a pivotable door opening and closing a portion of a front surface of the refrigerator compartment and a slidable door opening and closing a remaining portion of the front surface of the refrigerator compartment; a hinge allowing the pivotable door to be pivotably disposed; and a rail member guiding a withdrawal of the slidable door, wherein the slidable door includes a first door and a second door, which are vertically adjacent to each other, and a pillar rotated when the first door and the second door are opened and closed to prevent cool air form leaking between the first door and the second door is disposed between the first door and the second.
- In further another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a refrigerator compartment; a freezer compartment; a freezer compartment door opening and closing the freezer compartment; a plurality of refrigerator compartment doors including a pivotable door opening and closing a portion of a front surface of the refrigerator compartment and a slidable door opening and closing a remaining portion of the front surface of the refrigerator compartment; a hinge allowing the pivotable door to be pivotably disposed; a rail member guiding a withdrawal of the slidable door; an ice making compartment disposed at a rear side of the slidable door; and a dispenser disposed at the rear side of the slidable door to dispenser made ice and drinking water, wherein the dispenser is usable outside a refrigerator when the slidable door is withdrawn and is usable inside the refrigerator when the pivotable door is opened.
- The details of one or more embodiments 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.
- According to the refrigerator of the present embodiments, the storage room covered by the drawer-type door is provided at a side of the body, and the ice maker for making the ice is disposed on the back surface of the door for opening and closing the storage room. Thus, when the door is withdrawn, the ice maker is withdrawn together with the door.
- Therefore, the space within the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment can be efficiently utilized, and an overall configuration of the refrigerator can be newly designed to improve the space utilization of the refrigerator.
- The dispenser can be disposed in the front surface of the door to dispense the ice made from the ice maker at the outside, thereby to easily dispense the ice.
- The receiving part is disposed at the upper or lower portion of the ice making compartment disposed on the drawer-type door including the ice maker. As a result, the ice can be made in the storage room, as well as, the foods can be stored in the storage room in a refrigerated or frozen state. Therefore, the space efficiency of the refrigerator can be maximized.
- According to the refrigerator of the present embodiments, the refrigerator may be opened and closed by the refrigerator compartment door in which the receiving part is pivotably disposed inside the storage room, the first door, and second door, which are withdrawn in the drawer-type.
- Thus, the receiving part within the refrigerator compartment can have the shelf shape and the pantry shape at the same time to improve the overall space efficiency of the refrigerator.
- The refrigerator according to the present embodiments can include the transparent refrigerator compartment door. Therefore, the foods received into the first door and the second door can be viewed through the refrigerator compartment door.
- Thus, the user can quickly confirm positions of the desired foods without opening the door to improve the user s convenience.
- Also, since the door need not be unnecessarily opened for confirming the foods, power consumption can be reduced, as well as refrigerating efficiency can be improved.
- Also, since the back surface of the refrigerator compartment door has a structure in which the foods are not received, the shelf can extend up to the front end of the refrigerator compartment, thereby to improve receipt of the refrigerator. In addition, since the foods are not received in the refrigerator compartment door, the refrigerator compartment door can be light. Therefore, the operation for opening and closing the door can be further easy.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 2 is an opened-up view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a drawer type door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 4 is an opened-up view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 8 is an opened-up view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator. -
FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a first door of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view illustrating a second door of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. -
FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIGS. 25 and 26 are partial perspective views of a power supply structure connected to a water supply passage and a dispenser provided in a refrigerator according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ ofFIG. 26 . -
FIGS. 28 and 29 are partial perspective views of a power supply structure connected to a dispenser of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIGS. 30 and 31 are partial perspective views of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of an ice-making assembly of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a refrigerator door is opened, according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of a refrigerator when a first door and a second door are withdrawn, according to an embodiment. -
FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ ofFIG. 35 when the first door is closed. -
FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a first door is opened, according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C ofFIG. 37 when the first door is closed. -
FIG. 39 is a bottom perspective view of a first door according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 40 is a view illustrating successive operations of a pillar according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to another embodiment. -
FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to further another embodiment. -
FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to further another embodiment. -
FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to further another embodiment. -
FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to further another embodiment. -
FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to further another embodiment. - Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit and scope of the principles of the present disclosure are limited to the embodiments explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments can be devised within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure, for example, by modifying, adding or deleting the embodiments explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment, andFIG. 2 is an opened-up view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , arefrigerator 1 according to present embodiment has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. An outer appearance of therefrigerator 1 is defined by abody 10 defining a storage space and a plurality of door provided in thebody 10. - The
body 10 has an opened front surface. Thebody 100 is vertically partitioned into afreezer compartment 20 below and arefrigerator compartment 30 and astorage room 100 above. Each of the partitioned spaces may have an independent storage space. - In detail, the
freezer compartment 20 is defined at a lower side of thebody 10 and may be selectively covered by a drawer-typefreezer compartment door 22. A space defined above thefreezer compartment 20 is partitioned into left and right sides to respectively define thestorage room 100 and therefrigerator compartment 30. - The
refrigerator compartment 30 is defined at the right side (when viewed inFIG. 1 ) above thefreezer compartment 20. A plurality of drawers and shelves is provided inside therefrigerator compartment 30 to store foods. Therefrigerator compartment 30 may be selectively opened or closed by arefrigerator compartment door 32 pivotably installed on thebody 10. - The
refrigerator compartment door 32 has a size corresponding to that of the opened front surface of therefrigerator compartment 30. At least portion of therefrigerator compartment door 32 is transparent to enable therefrigerator compartment 30 to be viewed through therefrigerator compartment door 32. - The
storage room 100 is defined at the left side (when viewed inFIG. 1 ) of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thestorage room 100 is separated from therefrigerator compartment 30 by abarrier 40. Also, thestorage room 100 may be selectively covered by a drawer-type door 150. - Hereinafter, the refrigerator compartment door pivotably installed to open and close the
refrigerator compartment 30 is referred to as a pivotable door. One or more drawer-type doors for opening and closing thestorage room 100 are referred to one or more slidable doors. - When the
storage room 100 provided at a side of therefrigerator compartment 30 is used as a refrigerator compartment, the refrigerator compartment door may include the pivotable door as well as the slidable door. Also, when thestorage room 100 is used as the refrigerator compartment, thefreezer compartment door 22 may include the pivotable door and the slidable door. When thestorage room 100 is used as a switching room, thestorage room 100 may be denoted as a separate switching room door. - In embodiments disclosed below, when the
refrigerator compartment 30 and thestorage room 30 are defined in one space, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the refrigerator compartment door includes the pivotable door and the slidable door. - To avoid confusion in term construction, the refrigerator compartment door used in the detailed description of the present disclosure denotes the pivotable door. However, it is noted that a refrigerator compartment door noted in claims includes the pivotable door as well as the slidable door for opening and closing the storage room used as the refrigerator compartment.
- The
storage room 100 is partitioned into an upper portion and a lower portion by a partition. That is, thestorage room 100 may be divided into afirst storage room 100 above and asecond storage room 120 below. Afirst door 130 and asecond door 140 are withdrawably provided at thefirst storage room 110 and thesecond storage room 120, respectively. If necessary, onestorage room 100 may be provided, or two ormore storage rooms 100 may be provided. - The
first door 130 is withdrawably installed in thestorage room 100. Thefirst door 130 may be completely inserted to completely cover thefirst storage room 110. A receivingpart 134 extending backwardly is disposed in a back surface of thefirst door 130. - The receiving
part 134 may have a shape similar to that of a pantry shelf. The receivingpart 134 may extend up to a length corresponding to that from the back surface of thefirst door 130 to an inner rear surface of thefirst storage room 110. The receivingpart 134 may be vertically provided in two stages. Also, the receivingpart 134 may be vertically provided in two or multi-stages according to kinds or shapes of received foods. - For example, as shown in
FIG. 2 , racks may be disposed on both sides of the receivingpart 134 to seat an exclusive vessel. Also, the receivingpart 134 may have a shape corresponding to that in which wine bottles and vessels are easily received. In addition, the receivingpart 134 may have various structures such as a basket or shelf shape. - If necessary, the receiving
part 134 may be provided in a single stage when thefirst storage room 110 is short in vertical length. Also, the receivingpart 134 may be provided in two or more stages when thefirst storage room 100 is long in vertical length. - A
second storage room 120 is defined below thefirst storage room 110. Thesecond storage room 120 may be separated from therefrigerator compartment 30 and thefreezer compartment 20, like thefirst storage room 110. Thesecond storage room 120 is defined above thefreezer compartment 20. - A
second door 140 withdrawable in front and rear directions is provided on thesecond storage room 120. Thesecond storage room 120 may be selectively covered by withdrawal of thesecond door 140. - An
ice making compartment 160 may be defined in a back surface of thesecond door 140. Theice making compartment 160 is a space in which ice is made, and the made ice is stored. Anice maker 162 for making at least ice is disposed inside theice making compartment 160. Theice maker 162 receives water to make the ice. A water supply process and an ice conveying process may be automatically performed in the ice maker. - When the
second storage room 120 is maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of the refrigerator compartment, the interior of theice making compartment 160 may be thermally insulated from thesecond storage room 120. That is, thesecond storage room 120 may be thermally isolated from theice making compartment 160 by a separate insulation structure. On the other hand, when thesecond storage room 120 is maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of the freezer compartment, transfer devices as well as theice maker 162 may be received within thesecond storage room 120 without requiring a separate insulation or isolation structure. - The
ice making compartment 160 may be integrally formed with the back surface of thesecond door 140, and thus, may be integrally withdrawn together with thesecond door 140. - At least portion of the ice making compartment may be selectively opened and closed to allow the
ice maker 162 within the ice making compartment to be easily repaired and managed. - The
ice making compartment 160 may be defined in a relatively lower region of thesecond door 140. A receivingpart 146 for receiving foods may be disposed at a rear side of thesecond door 140 corresponding to an upper region of theice making compartment 160. The receivingpart 146 may have various structures, like the previously described receivingpart 134 of thefirst door 130. The received foods may be withdrawable together according to the withdrawal of thesecond door 140. The stored in the receivingpart 146 may be divided into refrigerating foods and freezing foods according to an internal temperature of thefirst storage room 110. Adispenser 142 for dispensing ice and/or water may be disposed in a front surface of thesecond door 140. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a drawer type door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Also,FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 2 . - A configuration of the
second door 140 will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 3 . Theice making compartment 160 protrudes backwardly from a rear surface of thesecond door 140. Theice making compartment 160 is disposed in a lower portion of thesecond door 140, and the receivingpart 146 is disposed above theice making compartment 160. - The
ice maker 162 for making ice using the supplied water and thetransfer device 170 for transferring the made ice toward thedispenser 142 are disposed inside theice making compartment 160. - The
ice maker 162 is disposed in a rear portion of the ice making compartment. A water supply passage and cool air duct may be separably connected to theice maker 162 so as to supply water and cool air when thesecond door 140 is completely inserted. - If necessary, a separate water tank for storing ice making water may be disposed in the ice making compartment. The water tank may be directly filled with the ice making water by a user to supply the water to the
ice maker 162. - The
transfer device 170 for supplying the ice conveyed from theice maker 162 to thedispenser 142 may be disposed inside theice making compartment 160. Thetransfer device 170 supplies the water to adispensing hole 144 defined at a position higher than that of theice maker 162. That is, when the dispensinghole 144 defined in thedispenser 142 is located at a position higher than that of theice maker 162, thetransfer device 170 may be provided as shown inFIG. 1 . Thetransfer device 170 may include afirst transfer device 172, asecond transfer device 174, and athird transfer device 176. - In detail, the
first transfer device 172 may be disposed in a lower portion of theice maker 162, may be parallel to theice maker 162, and may be operated by amotor 178. Thefirst transfer device 172 may have a spiral or coil shape to guide the ice conveyed from theice maker 162 to a front side of the ice making compartment, i.e., toward thesecond door 140. - The
second transfer device 174 may be disposed at a front end portion. Thesecond transfer device 174 may be vertically disposed parallel to thesecond door 140. Also, thesecond transfer device 174 may be rotated by theseparate motor 178, like thefirst transfer device 172. On the other hand, a front end of thefirst transfer device 172 may be connected to a front end of thesecond transfer device 174 using a medium such as a bevel gear and may be operated by a single motor. - The
second transfer device 174 may have a spiral or coil shape to transfer the ice transferred by thefirst transfer device 172 to an upward direction. At this time, an upper end of thesecond transfer device 174 may be located at a position higher than that of the dispensinghole 144 of thedispenser 142. - The
third transfer device 176 may be disposed at the upper end of thesecond transfer device 174. Thethird transfer device 176 is horizontally disposed and has a spiral or coil shape. Thethird transfer device 176 is rotated by theseparate motor 178 to transfer the ice transferred upwardly by thesecond transfer device 174 to a front direction, i.e., toward the dispensinghole 144. Thesecond transfer device 174 may be connected to thethird transfer device 176 using a medium to rotate by a single drive unit. A damper D may be disposed in thedispensing hole 144 to selectively cover thedispensing hole 144. That is, the ice may be selectively dispensed by an operation of the damper D. - If necessary, the
transfer device 170 may have a shape different from the spiral or coil shape. Atransfer passage 180 having a diameter somewhat greater than that of thetransfer device 170 may be defined inside theice making compartment 160 to smoothly transfer the made ice along thetransfer device 170. - The
first storage room 110 and thesecond storage room 120 may be used as a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment. Thefirst storage room 110 and thesecond storage room 120 may be used as the switching room that can be converted into the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment by varying a temperature as necessary. At this time, theice making compartment 160 should be formed as a completely independent insulation space within thesecond storage room 120. - Although not shown, an evaporator for generating cool air is disposed at a rear side of the
freezer compartment 20. The cool air generated by the evaporator is supplied into thefreezer compartment 20, therefrigerator compartment 30, thestorage room 100, and theice making compartment 160 to cool the spaces, respectively. - Specifically, when the
second door 140 is closed, the cool air duct for supplying the cool air may communicate with theice making compartment 160 to perform an ice making operation in theice maker 162 received within theice making compartment 160. - Hereinafter, an operation of the refrigerator including the above-described components will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
- To receive the foods into the
refrigerator 1, the door is opened to store the foods in therefrigerator 1, and then, the door is closed again. - Specifically, in case of the
first storage room 110, the user grasps adoor handle 132 of thefirst door 130 to slidingly withdraw thefirst door 130, thereby to open thefirst storage room 110. Then, the foods may be received into the receivingpart 134 disposed at a rear side of thefirst door 130. After the foods are received, thefirst door 130 is inserted to close thefirst storage room 110. - Similarly, in case of the
second storage room 120, the user draws adoor handle 144 of thesecond door 140 to slidingly withdraw thesecond door 140, thereby to open thesecond storage room 120. When thesecond door 140 is withdrawn, theice making compartment 160 integrally formed with thesecond door 140 is withdrawn together and is exposed to the outside. Also, the receivingpart 146 disposed above theice making compartment 160 is withdrawn together with thesecond door 140 and is exposed to the outside. - In case where the
dispenser 142 is not provided in thesecond door 140, when thestorage room 100 is opened, at least side of theice making compartment 160 may be opened to take the ice out of theice making compartment 160 in a state where thesecond door 140 is opened. - The water and cool air may be supplied into the
second door 140 in a state where thesecond door 140 is completely inserted into thesecond storage room 120. Thus, after thesecond door 140 is completely closed, the ice is made by theice maker 162, and then, the made ice is dropped downwardly. - The ice stored below the
ice maker 162 is horizontally moved by thefirst transfer device 172, and then, is vertically moved by thesecond transfer device 174. Then, the ice is horizontally moved by thethird transfer device 176 to reach thedispensing hole 144 of thedispenser 142. Finally, the ice transferred into the dispensinghole 144 is dispensed to the outside through a manipulation of thedispenser 142. - For a service of the
ice maker 162 or thetransfer device 170, thesecond door 140 is withdrawn to expose theice making compartment 160 to the outside. In this state, theice maker 162 or thetransfer device 170 may be repaired, for this, theice maker 162 and thetransfer device 170 may be detachably provided. - For receiving the foods into the receiving
part 146 of thesecond door 140, thesecond door 140 is withdrawn to expose the receivingpart 146 to the outside, and then, the foods are received into the receivingpart 146. At this time, the foods stored in the receivingpart 146 are stored in a refrigerated or frozen state according to an internal temperature of thesecond storage room 120. - The refrigerator may be also applied to various embodiments except for the previously described embodiment. Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to another embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those of the previously described embodiment will be given by the same reference numerals, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
-
FIG. 4 is an opened-up view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment, andFIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. - In the present embodiment, an ice making compartment is integrally formed with a back surface of a door for opening and closing a storage room.
- Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , arefrigerator 1 according to another embodiment includes abody 10, in which arefrigerator compartment 30, afreezer compartment 20, afirst storage room 110, and asecond storage room 120 are defined, arefrigerator compartment door 32, afreezer compartment door 22, afirst door 230, and asecond door 240. Therefrigerator compartment door 32, thefreezer compartment door 22, thefirst door 230, and thesecond door 240 selectively cover therefrigerator compartment 30, thefreezer compartment 20, thefirst storage room 110, and thesecond storage room 120, respectively. An outer appearance of therefrigerator 1 is defined by thebody 10 and thedoors - The
second storage room 120 is defined below thefirst storage room 110. Thesecond storage room 120 is selectively covered by thesecond door 240. Thesecond door 240 is slidingly withdrawably disposed inside thesecond storage room 120. Anice making compartment 260 in which anice making assembly 250 is received is defined in a back surface of thesecond door 240. - The
ice making compartment 260 extends backwardly from an upper portion of thesecond door 240 toward a rear direction. A receivingpart 246 for receiving foods is disposed below the ice making compartment. The receivingpart 246 extends backwardly up to a length equal to that of theice making compartment 260, and may have various shapes according to kinds of foods. - A
dispenser 242 for dispensing ice supplied from theice making assembly 250 to the outside may be disposed in a front surface of thesecond door 240. Thedispenser 242 may be disposed at a position lower than that of theice making compartment 260 to easily dispense the ice. Thedispenser 242 may be located at a position relatively near to an upper end of thesecond door 240 to dispense the ice or water without bending waist. - In detail, in case where the
second storage room 120 is maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of thefreezer compartment 20, theice making assembly 250 may be installed without being isolated by an insulation member. On the other hand, in case where thesecond storage room 120 is maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of thesecond storage room 120, the ice making compartment may be formed in an independent isolated space by a separate insulation wall structure within thesecond storage compartment 120. - An ice suit 248 communicating the
ice making compartment 260 with thedispenser 242 is disposed in a rear surface of thesecond door 240 in which thedispenser 242 is disposed. The ice stored inside theice making compartment 260 may be supplied into thedispenser 242 through the ice suit 248. The ice suit 248 may be opened and closed by a users manipulation. A damper D may be disposed in the ice suit 248 to selectively dispense the ice. The damper D may be also provided in another embodiments disclosed below, and thus, it should be construed that a damper structure is applicable even if the damper D is not explained. - The
ice making assembly 250 disposed inside theice making compartment 260 includes anice maker 252 for making ice and anice bank 254 disposed below theice maker 252 to store the made ice. Anauger 258 operated by an electric motor is disposed in theice bank 254 to transfer the ice stored in theice bank 254 toward the ice suit 248. In detail, theice making assembly 250 includes theice maker 252, theice bank 254, theauger 258, acrusher 257 disposed at a position spaced apart from theauger 258 to crush the ice, and theelectric motor 256 for rotating theauger 258 and thecrusher 257. - In case where the
second storage room 120 is maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of the refrigerator compartment, a cool air inlet 262 and a cool air outlet 264 are separately formed. The cool air inlet 262 and the cool air outlet 264 may communicate with acool air duct 280 disposed inside thesecond storage room 120 in a state where thesecond door 240 is completely inserted. - The
cool air duct 280 includes asupply duct 282 selectively communicating with the cool air inlet 262 to supply cool air generated by an evaporator into theice making compartment 250 and areturn duct 284 selectively communicating with the cool air outlet 264 to guide the cool air within theice making compartment 260 toward the evaporator. Awater tank 290 for storing water to be supplied into theice maker 252 and drinking water to be supplied into thedispenser 242 may be disposed inside thesecond storage room 120. Thewater tank 290 may be selectively connected to theice maker 252 and thedispenser 242 by awater supply passage 292. - The
water tank 290 may be disposed inside theice making compartment 260. Thewater tank 290 may be directly connected to a water supply source or may be directly filled by a user. When thesecond door 240 is withdrawn forwardly, thewater supply passage 292 may be separated at any position, and an opening/closing valve V may be disposed at the separated position. That is, when thesecond door 240 is opened, the opening/closing valve V is closed to prevent water from being supplied into thedispenser 242. When thesecond door 240 is completely closed, the opening/closing valve V is opened to supply the water into thedispenser 242. A kind of opening/closing valve V is not limited. The same opening/closing valve V may be applicable to drawings indicated below, duplicated descriptions will be omitted. - The refrigerator may be also applied to various embodiments except for the previously described embodiment. Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to further another embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those of the previously described embodiment will be given by the same reference numerals, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- In the present embodiment, an ice maker is integrally formed with a back surface of a door for opening and closing a storage room.
-
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , afirst storage room 110 and asecond storage room 120 are defined in arefrigerator body 10. Thesecond storage room 120 may be selectively covered by slidingly withdrawing thesecond door 340. - A
dispenser 340 for dispensing made ice at the outside is disposed in a front surface of thesecond door 340. Anice maker 352 for making the ice is disposed on a back surface of thesecond door 340. - The
ice maker 352 is received into an ice making compartmentupper part 360 defined in thesecond door 340. The ice making compartmentupper part 360 is selectively connected to an ice making compartmentlower part 370, which will be described later, to form an insulation space. The ice making compartmentupper part 360 protrudes backwardly from an upper portion of a back surface of thesecond door 340 to receive theice maker 352. - An
opening 362 is defined in a bottom surface of the ice making compartmentupper part 360 to downwardly move ice made by theice maker 352. A cool air inlet 364 communicating with asupply duct 282 disposed in thebody 10 is defined in a rear surface of ice making compartmentupper part 360. - An
ice bank 354 is disposed direct below theice maker 352 in a state where thesecond door 340 is completely inserted. Theice maker 354 is received into the ice making compartmentlower part 370 defined inside thesecond storage room 120. Anauger 358 is operated by anelectric motor 356 to guide the ice stored in theice bank 354 toward anice suit 348. When acrusher 357 is operated according to a user s selection, the ice is crushed at an inlet of theice suit 348 and is dispensed through thedispenser 342. A region including the ice making compartmentupper part 360 and the ice making compartmentlower part 370 is defined as an ice making compartment. The ice making compartment constitutes a portion of thesecond storage room 120. It may be construed that the ice making compartmentupper part 360 and the ice making compartmentlower part 370 denote structures that are independently formed for partitioning the ice making compartment. That is, theice maker 352 is received into the structure defining the ice making compartmentupper part 360, theice bank 354 is received into the structure defining the ice making compartmentlower part 370. Anice making assembly 350 include theice maker 352, theice bank 354, theelectric motor 356, thecrusher 357, and theauger 358. - An
opening 372 communicating with theopening 362 of the ice making compartmentupper part 360 when thesecond door 340 is completely inserted is defined in a top surface of the ice making compartmentlower part 370. Theopening 372 communicates with areturn duct 284 to circulate cool air into the ice making compartmentupper part 360 and the ice making compartmentlower part 370. - A
water tank 390 is disposed at an upper side of the ice making compartmentlower part 370. Awater supply passage 392 for supplying ice making water and drinking water is selectively connected to thewater tank 390 when thesecond door 340 is inserted. Thus, the ice making water and the drinking water may be supplied into theice maker 352 and thedispenser 342, respectively, in a state where thesecond door 340 is closed. - In case where the
second storage room 120 is maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of the refrigerator compartment, the ice making compartmentupper part 360 and the ice making compartmentlower part 370 form a closed insulation space, i.e., one ice making compartment. On the other hand, in case where thesecond storage room 120 is maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of the freezer compartment, the ice making compartmentupper part 360 and the ice making compartmentlower part 370 need not be insulated and closed. That is, it may be possible to install theice maker 352 and theice bank 354 in a state where the ice making compartmentupper part 360 and the ice making compartmentlower part 370 are not separately partitioned. - A receiving
part 346 for receiving foods is disposed at a lower portion of a back surface of thesecond door 340. The receivingpart 346 is withdrawn together with the ice making compartmentupper part 360 when thesecond door 340 is withdrawn to easily receive the foods. The receivingpart 346 may have various structures according to kinds of received foods. -
FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , components of the present embodiment have the same structure as those ofFIG. 6 , except that the ice making compartmentupper part 360 receiving theice maker 352 is fixed to an inner sidewall of thesecond storage room 120, and the ice making compartmentlower part 370 receiving theice bank 354 is fixed to the back surface of thesecond door 340. That is, when thesecond door 340 is withdrawn, the ice making compartmentlower part 370 is also withdrawn together with thesecond door 340, and therefore, is separated from the ice making compartmentupper part 360. - The
water supply passage 392 directly connected to the water supply source supplies the water into theice maker 352. However, it may be possible to install a separate water tank, like the embodiment ofFIG. 6 . An opening/closing valve V is disposed at any position of thewater supply passage 392 extending toward thedispenser 342 to dispense the drinking water. The opening/closing valve V may be selectively closed according to an open or close state of thesecond door 340. - The refrigerator may be also applied to various embodiments except for the previously described embodiments. Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to further another embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those of the previously described embodiment will be given by the same reference numerals, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- In the present embodiment, an ice making assembly and a dispenser are provided in a first door.
-
FIG. 8 is an opened-up view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , arefrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes abody 10 including arefrigerator compartment 30, afreezer compartment 20, afirst storage room 110, and asecond storage room 120, arefrigerator compartment door 32, afreezer compartment door 22, afirst door 430, and asecond door 440. Therefrigerator compartment door 32, thefreezer compartment door 22, thefirst door 430, and thesecond door 440 selectively cover therefrigerator compartment 30, thefreezer compartment 20, thefirst storage room 110, and thesecond storage room 120, respectively. - The
first storage 110 is defined in a left upper portion of thebody 10 and is selectively covered by thefirst door 430 that is slidingly withdrawn. - An
ice making compartment 460 for receiving an ice making assembly that makes and stores ice is defined in a back surface of thefirst door 430. Theice making compartment 460 forms a separate closed insulation space isolated from air within thefirst storage compartment 110. Theice making compartment 460 is defined at an upper or lower portion of thefirst door 430, like the previously described embodiments. Since an internal configuration of a refrigerator according to the present embodiment is equal to those of the previously described embodiments, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. - A receiving
part 434 for storing foods may be disposed at a rear side of thefirst door 430, except for an ice making compartment region. Adispenser 436 for dispensing ice may be disposed in a front surface of thefirst door 430. - A
second storage room 120 is defined in a lower portion of thefirst storage room 110. The receivingpart 434 including at least one or more stages is disposed on thesecond door 440. The receivingpart 434 may be withdrawn together with thefirst door 430. A plurality of containers including an exclusive vessel may be seated on the receivingpart 434, and the receivingpart 434 may have various shapes according to kinds of received foods. - The refrigerator may be also applied to various embodiments except for the previously described embodiments. Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to further another embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those of the previously described embodiment will be given by the same reference numerals, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- In the present embodiment, a dispenser is disposed on a back surface of a storage room door, i.e., inside a storage room.
-
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , arefrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes abody 10 including arefrigerator compartment 30, afreezer compartment 20, afirst storage room 110, and asecond storage room 120, arefrigerator compartment door 32, afreezer compartment door 22, afirst door 130, and asecond door 540. Therefrigerator compartment door 32, thefreezer compartment door 22, thefirst door 130, and thesecond door 540 selectively cover therefrigerator compartment 30, thefreezer compartment 20, thefirst storage room 110, and thesecond storage room 120, respectively. - The
first storage 110 is defined in a left upper portion of thebody 10 and is selectively covered by the drawer-typefirst door 130 that is slidingly withdrawn. Thesecond storage room 120 is defined below thefirst storage room 110 and is selectively covered by the drawer-typesecond door 540 that is slidingly withdrawn. - An
ice making compartment 560 extending backwardly is defined at an upper portion of a back surface of thesecond door 540. A plurality of components such as an ice making assembly for making and storing ice are disposed inside theice making compartment 560. In case where thesecond storage room 120 is maintained as a temperature corresponding to that of the refrigerator, theice making compartment 560 forms an insulation space independent from the interior of thesecond storage room 120. - A
dispenser 542 and a receivingpart 546 are disposed at a lower portion of theice making compartment 560. Thedispenser 542 dispenses ice made within theice making compartment 560 to the outside. Thedispenser 542 may be disposed on a back surface of thesecond door 540 corresponding to a lower region of theice making compartment 560. - In detail, the
dispenser 542 may be disposed at a side of both sides exposed by withdrawal of thesecond door 540. That is, thedispenser 542 may be disposed in one-side space of left and right spaces about a surface bisecting thesecond door 540 into left and right sides. Thus, in order that a user uses thedispenser 542, thesecond door 540 may be withdrawn to dispense drinking water or ice from a lateral surface or a back surface of a rear side of thesecond door 540. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that thedispenser 542 is disposed on the back surface corresponding to a central region of the second door 520. - The receiving
part 546 is disposed below theice making compartment 560 and does not interfere with thedispenser 542 to easily receive foods. That is, the receivingpart 546 may include a lower region of theice making compartment 560, except for thedispenser 542. - The refrigerator may be also applied to various embodiments except for the previously described embodiments. Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to further another embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those of the previously described embodiment will be given by the same reference numerals, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- In the present embodiment, size of storage rooms partitioned in plurality are different from each other, and a portion of a door for opening and closing one storage room covers at least portion of the other storage room.
-
FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment, andFIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator. - Referring to
FIGS. 10 and 11 , arefrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes abody 10 including arefrigerator compartment 30, afreezer compartment 20, afirst storage room 610, and asecond storage room 620, arefrigerator compartment door 32, afreezer compartment door 22, afirst door 630, and asecond door 640. Therefrigerator compartment door 32, thefreezer compartment door 22, thefirst door 630, and thesecond door 640 selectively cover therefrigerator compartment 30, thefreezer compartment 20, thefirst storage room 610, and thesecond storage room 620, respectively. - In the present embodiment, the
first door 630 has an area greater than that of an opened front surface of thefirst storage room 610 to cover at least portion of a front surface of thesecond storage room 620. Anice making assembly 450 and adispenser 636 are disposed on a back surface of thefirst door 630. Also, theice making assembly 450 is received into thefirst storage room 610, and thedispenser 636 is received into thesecond storage room 620. - In detail, the
first storage room 610 is defined at a left upper portion of thebody 10 corresponding to a left side of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thefirst storage room 610 may have a size corresponding to that of anice making compartment 660 that will be described below. - That is, the
first storage room 610 may have only a size in which theice making compartment 660 is received. The ice making compartment may be maintained at a temperature below zero at which ice can be made, i.e., a temperature corresponding to the freezer compartment. On the other hand, thesecond storage room 620 may be defined as a separate space below thefirst storage room 610. Thesecond storage room 620 may have a length greater than that of thefirst storage room 610. An internal temperature of thesecond storage room 620 may be changeable to allow thesecond storage room 620 to be used as a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment according to a users selection. - The
first storage room 610 and thesecond storage room 620 are selectively covered by thefirst door 630 and thesecond door 640 that are slidingly withdrawn, respectively. - In detail, the
first door 630 covers an entire front surface of thefirst storage room 610 and a portion of an upper front surface of thesecond storage room 620. Thefirst door 630 may have a vertical length greater than that of thefirst storage room 610. In further detail, the vertical length of thefirst storage room 610 may be shorter than that of thesecond storage room 620. Thefirst door 630 and thesecond door 640 may have the same vertical length as each other. At least thefirst door 630 may have a vertical length longer than that of thefirst storage room 610. - An
ice making compartment 660 is defined on a back surface of thefirst door 630. - An
ice making assembly 450 for making and storing ice is received into theice making compartment 660. Theice making compartment 660 has a size corresponding to that of thefirst storage room 610. Theice making compartment 660 may be formed as an insulation space isolated from the outside, or a portion or the whole of the interior of theice making compartment 660 may be exposed. - A
dispenser 636 for dispensing drinking water and ice may be disposed in a front surface of thefirst door 630. Thedispenser 636 may be near to a lower end of thefirst door 630 when compared to an upper end of thefirst door 630. Thedispenser 636 communicates with theice making compartment 660 to dispense the ice within the ice making room to the outside. In detail, since thedispenser 636 is further near to the lower end of thefirst door 630, a user having a small height such as a child may easily dispense the ice and water. - A receiving
part 634 may be disposed on the back surface of thefirst door 630 corresponding to a lower region of theice making compartment 660. The receivingpart 634 may be provided in up-and-down two stages or one stage. The receivingpart 634 may have various structures according to types of foods. - For example, the receiving
part 634 may have a structure similar to a shelf or a rack structure or a basket shape. Also, various structures such as a structure that is vertically adjustable or a structure that is slidingly withdrawable in front and rear directions may be applicable. - The
second door 640 is disposed below thefirst door 630. Thesecond door 640 is slidingly withdrawable from thesecond storage room 620. Thesecond door 640 extends up to a length that can cover a lower side of thesecond storage room 620 that is not covered by thesecond door 640. - A receiving
part 646 may be disposed on the back surface of thesecond door 640. The receivingpart 646 may be provided in one stage or two stages according to a vertical length of thesecond door 640. - A
frame 622 extending horizontally may be disposed on a front surface of thesecond storage room 620 corresponding to a region in which a lower end of thefirst door 630 is in contact with an upper end of thesecond door 640. Theframe 622 may include a barrier that is in contact with a gasket surrounding a back surface of a lower end portion of thefirst door 630 and a back surface of an upper end portion of thesecond door 640 to lock tightly cool air. - Thus, it may prevent the cool air form leaking through a portion at which the
first door 630 is in contact with thesecond door 640 even if thesecond storage room 620 is partitioned into two spaces. - The refrigerator may be also applied to various embodiments except for the previously described embodiments. Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to further another embodiment will be described. Components having the same structure as those of the previously described embodiment will be given by the same reference numerals, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- In the present embodiment, a plurality of storage rooms has sizes different from each other, like the previously described embodiment. However, it is different that each of doors has a size in which only a corresponding storage room is opened and closed.
-
FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 12 , arefrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes abody 10 including arefrigerator compartment 30, afreezer compartment 20, afirst storage room 710, and asecond storage room 720, arefrigerator compartment door 32, afreezer compartment door 22, afirst door 730, and asecond door 740. Therefrigerator compartment door 32, thefreezer compartment door 22, thefirst door 730, and thesecond door 740 selectively cover therefrigerator compartment 30, thefreezer compartment 20, thefirst storage room 710, and thesecond storage room 720, respectively. - The
first storage room 710 and thesecond storage room 720 may have vertical lengths different from each other. Also, thefirst door 730 and thesecond door 740, which open and close thefirst storage room 710 and thesecond storage room 720, respectively, may have vertical lengths different from each other. As described above, thefirst door 730 may have a size in which only thefirst storage room 710 is opened and closed, and thesecond door 740 may have a size in which only thesecond storage room 720 is opened and closed. - In detail, the
first storage room 710 is defined at a left upper portion of thebody 10 corresponding to a left side of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thefirst storage room 710 may be maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment by cool air supplied from an evaporator. Thefirst storage room 710 may be separated from thesecond storage room 720 by a partition. - The
first storage room 710 may have a vertical length longer than that of thesecond storage room 720. Thus, thefirst door 730 covering thefirst storage room 710 may have a vertical length longer than that of thesecond door 740. - An
ice making compartment 760 extending backwardly is disposed on a back surface of thefirst door 730. Anice making assembly 450 for making and storing ice is received into theice making compartment 760. Theice making compartment 760 may be integrally formed with the back surface of thefirst door 730, and thus, may be withdrawn together with thefirst door 730 when thefirst door 730 is withdrawn. - When the
first storage room 710 is maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of the refrigerator compartment, theice making compartment 760 may form an independent insulation space isolated from thefirst storage room 710. That is, theice making compartment 760 may form an independent space within thefirst storage room 710 by a separate insulation wall structure. At least portion of theice making compartment 760 may be selectively opened and closed by a user to easily service and clean theice making compartment 760. - A receiving
part 754 may be disposed on a back surface of thefirst door 730 corresponding to a lower region of theice making compartment 760. The receivingpart 754 may be provided in one stage or two stages according to a vertical length of thefirst door 730. Also, the receivingpart 754 may have various structures to receive various foods. - A
dispenser 736 for dispensing the ice supplied from theice making compartment 760 to the outside may be disposed in a front surface of thefirst door 730. Thedispenser 736 may be disposed below theice making compartment 760, and also may be disposed at a position near to a lower end of thefirst door 730. - That is to say, the
first door 730 may have a length in which the user has access to thedispenser 736 to easily dispense drinking water and the made ice. - The
second storage room 720 may be disposed below thefirst storage room 710. Thesecond storage room 720 may have a vertical length somewhat shorter than that of thefirst storage room 710. Thesecond storage room 720 may be maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment. Thesecond storage room 720 may be selectively covered by thesecond door 740 that is slidingly withdrawn. - The
second door 740 has a size corresponding to that of an opened front surface of thesecond storage room 720. A receivingpart 744 for receiving foods may be disposed on a back surface of thesecond door 740. Thus, when thesecond door 740 is opened, thesecond storage room 720 may be opened also to expose the receivingpart 744 to the outside, thereby to receive the foods. - The receiving
part 744 may have various structures according to kinds of foods. The receivingpart 744 may be provided in one stage or two stages according to a vertical length of thesecond door 740. -
FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment, andFIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. - In the present embodiment, a storage rooms is vertically partitioned, and an ice making assembly is disposed in a space different from a dispenser. Thus, the ice making assembly and the dispenser are disposed on doors different from each other, respectively.
- Referring to
FIGS. 13 and 14 , a separate storage room for receiving a drawer-type door is provided at a lateral surface of arefrigerator compartment 30 of arefrigerator 1, and the storage room is separated from therefrigerator compartment 30. - In detail, the storage room is partitioned into a
first storage room 710 and asecond storage room 720 defined below thefirst storage room 710 by apartition 190. Thefirst storage room 710 is selectively covered by afirst door 730, and thesecond storage room 720 is selectively covered by asecond door 740. An ice making compartment is disposed on a back surface of thefirst door 730, and anice making assembly 450 is received into theice making compartment 460. As described above, theice making assembly 450 includes a transfer unit including anice maker 452, anice bank 454, anauger 458, and acrusher 457 and anelectric motor 456 for operating the transfer unit. - In case where the
first storage room 710 is used as a freezer compartment, an insulation wall structure defining theice making compartment 710 may be not necessary. Thesecond storage room 720 may be converted into one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. - A
supply duct 282 for supplying cool air and areturn duct 284, by which the cool air supplied into theice making compartment 460 or thefirst storage room 710 returns to an evaporator, extend into a wall defining abody 10. Adispenser 742 for dispensing ice stored in theice bank 454 or drinking water is disposed in a front surface of thesecond door 740. A receivingpart 744 is disposed on a back surface of thesecond door 740 corresponding to a rear side of thedispenser 742. According to a design method, thedispenser 736 may have a structure for dispensing only the ice, and a structure for dispensing the drinking water may be not provided. Anice making assembly 450 and/or awater tank 290 for supplying water into a drinking water dispensing hole disposed in thedispenser 742 are disposed inside thesecond storage room 720. Here, awater supply passage 292 extends from thewater tank 290. Since thefirst door 730 and thesecond door 740 are slidingly withdrawn, thewater supply passage 292 may be detachably coupled to thewater tank 290. That is to say, when thefirst door 730 and/or thesecond door 740 are/is withdrawn in a front direction, thewater supply passage 292 may be separated from thewater tank 290. Also, when thefirst door 730 and/or thesecond door 740 are/is completely closed, thewater supply passage 292 may be variably connected to thewater tank 290. At this time, a sealing structure for preventing the water from leaking through a portion connecting thewater supply passage 292 to thewater tank 290. - An
ice suit 748 for discharging the ice stored in theice bank 454 toward thedispenser 742 is disposed in the back surface of thesecond door 740. Adischarge hole 461 for discharging the ice is defined at a side of a bottom surface of theice bank 454. In case where theice making assembly 450 is received into theice making compartment 450, thedischarge hole 461 may be defined in at least one bottom surface of insulation walls defining theice making compartment 460. Adischarge duct 191 connecting thedischarge hole 461 to theice suit 748 is disposed in thepartition 190. A damper D may be disposed inside thedischarge duct 191. A distance between theice making assembly 450 including theice bank 454 and theice suit 748 may be minimized to improve utilization of inner spaces of thestorage rooms ice making assembly 450 is disposed at a position maximally near to a top surface of thepartition 190, and theice suit 748 is disposed at a position maximally near to a bottom surface of thepartition 190. In case where theice making assembly 450 and theice suit 748 are spaced a predetermined distance from thepartition 190, an inner space of the storage room corresponding to the spaced distance may not receive foods. Thus, it is advantageous that a bottom surface of theice making assembly 450 or theice making room 460 is near to the top surface of thepartition 190, and an upper end of theice suit 748 is near to the bottom surface of thepartition 190. In this case, thedispenser 742 may be disposed at a position further near to an upper end of thesecond door 740. Thus, a vertical length of thedispenser 742 may extends vertically so that a position of the bottom is not changed. Therefore, a user having a small height such as a child easily dispenses the ice and water through thedispenser 742. - Since the
ice making compartment 460 including theice making assembly 450 is received into thefirst storage room 710, and thedispenser 742 is received into thesecond storage room 720, it may obtain the following effects. That is, theice making assembly 450 is hardly exposed to the outside of therefrigerator 1 except for a repair due to malfunction. Also, ice making efficiency may be reduced when theice making assembly 450 is frequently exposed to the outside. Thus, to overcome the above-described limitation, theice making assembly 450 should be disposed in a separate space within thefirst storage room 710. Thedispenser 742 is disposed in thesecond door 740. When thesecond storage room 720 is maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of the refrigerator compartment, it may prevent thewater supply passage 292 and thewater tank 290 from being frozen over. - Although a separate water storage container such as the
water tank 290 is disposed inside therefrigerator 1 in the present embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown inFIG. 6 , the water supply passage may be directly connected to a water supply source. - Also, in the present embodiment, a slight modification may be applied to form the following structure. Although not shown, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the following structure may be applicable to the present embodiment.
- In detail, the
second door 740 may be partitioned into a dispenser region and other regions to form two doors. That is, thesecond door 740 may be divided into two doors to cover thesecond storage room 720 by thesecond door 720. For example, therefrigerator 1 may include a first door covering theice making compartment 460 received into thefirst storage room 710, a second door covering a portion of thesecond storage room 720 and including the dispenser and the receiving part, and a third door covering a portion of a lower side of thesecond storage room 720 and including only the receiving part. -
FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment, andFIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. - In the present embodiment, an ice making assembly is fixed inside a storage room, and only a dispenser is disposed on a back surface of the storage room and is withdrawn together with a door.
- Referring to
FIGS. 15 and 16 , in arefrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, a separate storage room is defined at a lateral surface of arefrigerator compartment 30. The storage room is partitioned into an upper region and a lower region by apartition 190. An ice making assembly is fixed to one of the partitioned storage rooms. - In detail, the storage room is partitioned into a
first storage room 710 and asecond storage room 720, like the previously described embodiment. Thefirst storage room 710 and thesecond storage room 720 are selectively covered by afirst door 730 and asecond door 740, respectively. Thefirst door 730 and thesecond door 740 are provided in a drawer-type. Anice making assembly 450 is fixed inside thefirst storage room 710, and adispenser 736 is disposed on a back surface of thesecond door 740. Hereinafter, components having the same structure as those ofFIGS. 13 and 14 will be given by the same reference numerals. - In detail, an opened front surface of the
first storage room 710 may be covered by aninsulation wall 711. Thefirst storage room 710 may be maintained at a temperature corresponding to that of afreezer compartment 20. Anice making assembly 450 is fixed inside thefirst storage room 710. As described above, theice making assembly 450 may include anice maker 452, anice bank 454, anelectric motor 456, acrusher 457, and anauger 458. Theice making assembly 450 may further include a coolingfan 459 according to a design condition. The coolingfan 459 uniformly distributes cool air supplied from asupply duct 282 to the inside of thefirst storage room 710 and quickly supplies the cool air into theice maker 452. A structure of the coolingfan 459 may be applicable in the same manner to the previously described embodiments. - A
water tank 290 is disposed inside thesecond storage room 720. Awater supply passage 292 is detachably connected to thewater tank 290. Although thewater supply passage 292 for supplying water into theice maker 452 is directly connected to a water supply source along a well defining arefrigerator body 10 in the present embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the same structure as those of the embodiments shown inFIGS. 13 and 14 may be applicable in the present embodiment. - In the present embodiment, a portion of the
first door 730 covers a portion of an upper side of thesecond storage room 740. Thus, aframe 722 for preventing cool air from leaking is disposed at a front side of thesecond storage room 720 corresponding to a region in which a lower end of thefirst door 730 is in contact with an upper end of thesecond door 740. That is, a gasket disposed on a back surface of the lower end of thefirst door 730 and a gasket disposed on a back surface of the upper end of thesecond door 740 are closely attached to a front surface of theframe 722 to prevent the cool air from leaking. - In another embodiment, when the
first door 730 has a size in which only thefirst storage room 710 is covered, a separate frame may be not necessary, and thepartition 190 may serve as the frame. - Also, in the present embodiment, a dispensing structure for dispensing drinking water may be not provided in the
dispenser 736, and only an ice dispensing structure may be provided in thedispenser 736. In this case, thewater supply tank 290 and thewater supply passage 292 for supplying the drinking water may be not necessary. - According to the above-described structure, like the previously described embodiment, when the
first door 730 is withdrawn, theice making assembly 450 is maintained in a state in which theice making assembly 450 is fixed inside thefirst storage room 710. That is, since theice making assembly 450 need not be frequently exposed to the outside by a user, theice making assembly 450 is not exposed to the outside even if thedoors - In the present embodiment, since the
ice making assembly 450 is fixed inside thefirst storage room 710, a separate insulation wall structure surrounding the entireice making assembly 450 need not be provided. That is, it may be enough to provide only theinsulation wall 711. However, a separate insulation wall defining the ice making compartment may be provided according to a design condition. Theinsulation wall 711 may be pivotably provided about an upper end thereof to allow theice making assembly 450 to be separated. - The two doors for respectively opening and closing the
first storage room 710 and thesecond storage room 720 may be integrally formed in one body. That is, thefirst door 730 and thesecond door 740 are not divided, i.e., a single door may be provided to selectively open and close thefirst storage room 710 and thesecond storage room 720. This structure is referred to as a plurality of storage rooms/single door structure. In this case, when thesecond storage room 720 is opened, thefirst storage room 710 may be opened together. However, theinsulation wall 711 may prevent an external air from being introduced into thefirst storage room 710. Also, in case of the single door structure, theframe 722 need not be provided. - On the other hand, the
first door 730 may be divided into two doors. - In detail, the
first door 730 may be divided into an upper door for covering only theice making compartment 710 and a lower door including the dispenser. The upper door may open and close the ice making compartment instead of theinsulation wall 711. Adispenser 736 may be disposed in the lower door, and a receiving part may be disposed at a rear side of thedispenser 736. Thus, thesecond storage room 720 may be opened and closed by the lower door including thedispenser 736 and thesecond door 740. This structure is referred to as a plurality of storage rooms/a plurality of doors structure. That is, one door may open and close a portion or the whole of one storage room. -
FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment, andFIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. - In the present embodiment, an ice making assembly is fixed inside a storage room, and only a dispenser is disposed on a back surface of a door for opening and closing the storage room. Thus, the storage room forms one space.
- Referring to
FIGS. 17 and 18 , arefrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes arefrigerator compartment 30, afreezer compartment 20, and astorage room 760 defined at a side of therefrigerator compartment 30. - In detail, the
storage 760 is provided in one space, and anice making compartment 460 is defined above thestorage room 760. As described above, the ice making compartment may be separated from thestorage room 760 by a separate insulation wall structure. According to the separate insulation wall structure, an internal temperature of theice making compartment 460 may be different from that of thestorage room 760. Anice making assembly 450 is received into thestorage room 760. Thestorage room 760 includes anice maker 452, anice bank 454, anelectric motor 456, acrusher 457, and anauger 458, and/or a coolingfan 459. A front surface of one of insulation walls defining theice making compartment 460 may be pivotably disposed about an edge portion of a side thereof to allow theice making assembly 450 to be separated. Adischarge hole 461 for discharging ice is defined in a bottom surface of one of the insulation walls defining theice making compartment 460. - An opened front surface of the
storage room 760 is selectively covered by adoor 750. Thedoor 750 may have a configuration and size in which the first door and the second door of the previously described embodiment are integrally formed in one body. Adispenser 736 is disposed at a side of thedoor 750. That is, a recess portion for receiving a container is disposed on a front surface of thedoor 750, and anice suit 748 for guiding a discharge of ice is disposed in a back surface of thedoor 750. When thedoor 750 is completely closed, an upper end of theice suit 748 communicates with thedischarge hole 461. Thus, the ice discharged from theice bank 456 passes through thedischarge hole 461, is guided by theice suit 748, and is discharged from thedispenser 736. - Although not shown, the
ice making compartment 460 may be disposed on the back surface of thedoor 750 to provide a structure in which theice making compartment 460 is withdrawn together with thedoor 750. This will be construed as being included in the present disclosure. - Also, the
door 750 may be partitioned into two doors, and thestorage room 760 may be also partitioned into two storage rooms. It may be easily modified fromFIGS. 17 and 18 by those skilled in the art. That is to say, thedoor 750 may be partitioned into a first door including thedispenser 736 and/or the receiving part and a second door including only the receiving part. Also, thestorage room 760 corresponding to thedoor 750 may be partitioned into a first storage room receiving theice making assembly 460 and a rear end portion of thedispenser 736 and a second storage room receiving the receiving part disposed on the second door. Thus, the partitioned first storage room may be opened and closed by the first door, and the partitioned second storage room may be opened and closed by the second door. Of course, theice making assembly 460 is fixed inside the partitioned first storage room. This structure is referred to as a plurality of storage rooms/a plurality of doors structure. Thus, one door may open and close one storage room. -
FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment, andFIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. - In the present embodiment, a storage room separated from a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment and a door for opening and closing the storage room are provided in one space and a single door to provide only a dispenser for dispensing drinking water within the door.
- Referring to
FIGS. 19 and 20 , abody 10 of arefrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes arefrigerator compartment 30, afreezer compartment 20, and astorage room 760. Thestorage room 760 is covered by a drawer-type door 750 that is slidingly withdrawn. - In detail, at least one or more receiving parts are disposed on a back surface of the
door 750. A variety of containers is seated on the receivingparts 754. Adispenser 756 having a recessed shape and dispensing drinking water is disposed in a front surface of thedoor 750. Awater supply passage 292 extends up to a top surface of thedispenser 756. - In further detail, a
water tank 290 is disposed inside thestorage room 760. Thewater supply passage 292 extends from thewater tank 290 up to thedispenser 256. As shown inFIG. 20 , theseparate water tank 290 for supplying the drinking water may be provided. Alternatively, thewater supply passage 292 may be directly connected to a water supply source. - The
water supply passage 292 has one end detachably connected to thewater tank 290. Thus, when thedoor 750 is opened, thewater supply passage 292 is separated from thewater tank 290, and when thedoor 750 is completely closed, thewater supply passage 292 is coupled to thewater tank 290. - Although the
dispenser 756 is disposed at an upper portion of thedoor 750 in the present embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, like a dotted portion shown inFIG. 19 , thedispenser 756 may be disposed at a position near to thedoor 750. Therefore, a user having a small height such as a child may easily dispense ice and water. - Also, although a dispenser for dispensing ice is not provided, and only a dispenser for dispensing drinking water is provided in the present embodiment, as well as, the
door 750 for opening and closing the storage room 737 is provided in only one as an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, thedoor 750 for opening and closing the storage room may be provided in plurality, like the previously described embodiment. - For example, doors for opening and closing the storage room may be disposed at upper and lower sides, respectively, and a dispenser for dispensing the drinking water may be disposed on any one door. Also, the
storage room 760 may be partitioned into a plurality, and the partitioned storage rooms may be maintained at temperatures different from each other. -
FIG. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment,FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a first door of a refrigerator according to the embodiment, andFIG. 23 is a rear perspective view illustrating a second door of a refrigerator according to the embodiment. - Referring to
FIGS. 21 to 23 , in the present embodiment, afirst door 730 covers the whole of afirst storage room 710 and a portion of asecond storage room 720. Asecond door 740 covers a remaining portion of thesecond storage room 720. Moreover, anice making assembly 450 is disposed on a back surface of thefirst door 730 corresponding to a region in which the portion of thesecond storage room 720 is covered. Adispenser 746 for dispensing ice and/or water is disposed in a front surface of thesecond door 740. - In the present embodiment, a
water supply passage 292 for supplying the water into anice maker 452 and thedispenser 746 is directly connected to a water supply source. When thefirst door 730 and/or thesecond door 740 are/is withdrawn, thewater supply passage 292 is separated at any position, and the water supply is stopped by an opening/closing valve V disposed at the separated position. - A partition or a frame may be not provided between a lower end of the
first door 730 and an upper end of thesecond door 740, and apillar 50 may be pivotably disposed on a back surface of the lower end of thefirst door 730. A structure and operation of thepillar 50 will be described below in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. - A
discharge duct 462 for guiding a withdrawal of ice is disposed at a front side of a bottom surface of theice making assembly 450 and extends toward thedispenser 740. In detail, anice suit 748 for guiding the withdrawal of the ice is disposed at an upper side of thedispenser 740. An end portion of thedischarge duct 462 extends near to an inlet port of theice suit 748. - The
discharge duct 462 does not extend below an upper end of thesecond door 740. That is, an end portion of thedischarge duct 462 may maximally extend up to a plane L1 horizontally parallel to the upper end of thesecond door 740. This is done because it prevents thedischarge duct 462 form interfering with thesecond door 740 when thefirst door 730 is opened in a state where thesecond door 740 is closed. - The inlet port of the
ice suit 748 protrudes toward thedischarge duct 462. However, the inlet port does not extend above a plane L2 horizontally parallel to a lower end ofpillar 50. That is, this is done because it prevents the inlet port of theice suit 748 from interfering with thepillar 50 when thesecond door 740 is opened in a state where thefirst door 730 is closed. - Dampers D may be disposed inside the
discharge duct 462 and theice suit 748, respectively, to prevent the ice from being dispensed when any one of thefirst door 730 and thesecond door 740 is opened. - As a result, the end portion of the
discharge duct 462 is not closely attached to the inlet port of theice suit 748. Thus, the dampers D may be manipulated to prevent cool air supplied into anice maker 460 from leaking into thesecond storage room 720 or thedispenser 746. For this, a passage formed by thedischarge duct 462 and theice suit 748 is covered by the dampers D, except when the ice is dispensed. - The end portion of the
discharge duct 462 has an inside diameter d1 equal to or less than that of the inlet port of theice suit 748 to prevent a portion of the ice from being introduced into thesecond storage room 720. - Referring to
FIG. 21 , arail member 60 may be disposed on both lateral surfaces of the receivingpart 734. The rail member may 60 be withdrawn in multi-step. That is, therail member 60 include fixedrails 61 respectively fixed to the both lateral surfaces of the receivingpart 734 and amovement rail 62 movably connected to the fixed rails 61. A support structure for slidingly supporting therail member 60 may be disposed on an inner sidewall of thesecond storage room 720. Therail member 60 has the same structure as or is similar to a rail member that will be described in detail in the following embodiment. -
FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 24 , a refrigerator according to the present embodiment has the same structure as that shown inFIG. 21 , except that anice making compartment 460 is fixed inside a storage room. - As shown in
FIG. 24 , theice making compartment 460 is fixed to a rear surface of asecond storage room 720, and anice making assembly 450 is received into theice making compartment 460. Thus, a portion of an upper side of thefirst door 730 covers the whole of thefirst storage room 710, and a portion of a lower side of thefirst door 730 covers a portion of thesecond storage room 720. Adispenser 746 is disposed on a back surface of thesecond door 740, and thesecond door 740 covers the remaining portion of thesecond storage room 720. - A
discharge duct 462 extends from a bottom surface of theice making compartment 460, and an end portion of thedischarge duct 462 extends toward anice suit 748 disposed above thedispenser 746. That is to say, thedischarge duct 462 may inclinedly extend in a front direction up to an inlet port of theice suit 748. This is done because theice making compartment 460 is not moved even if thefirst door 730 is withdrawn forwardly, and because it does not matter that the end portion of thedischarge duct 462 extends up to a position lower than that of an upper end of thesecond door 740. This is different from the embodiment ofFIG. 21 . Thus, since a distance between a lower end of thedischarge duct 462 and an inlet of theice suit 748 may be minimized, leakage of cool air may be minimized. Of course, in case of the present embodiment, dampers D may be disposed inside thedischarge duct 462 and theice suit 748, respectively. -
FIGS. 25 and 26 are partial perspective views of a power supply structure connected to a water supply passage and a dispenser provided in a refrigerator according to an embodiment, andFIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ofFIG. 26 . - A water supply passage and a wire shown in
FIGS. 25 to 27 may be commonly applicable to all of the previously described embodiments and the following embodiments. It is to be understood that the water supply passage is merely illustrative of one of various embodiments. A structure of a refrigerator, based on the structure of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 21 , will be described below. - Referring to
FIG. 25 , awater supply passage 292 extending from a water tank or a water supply source extends along a sidewall of arefrigerator body 10. Thewater supply passage 292 extends up to a front surface of the sidewall of therefrigerator body 10, and an opening/closing valve V is disposed at an end portion of thewater supply passage 292. - Referring to
FIG. 26 , awater supply passage 292 for dispensing drinking water within asecond door 740 extends toward a dispenser. An end portion of thewater supply passage 292 protrudes from an edge portion of a back surface of thesecond door 740. The end portion of thewater supply passage 292 is selectively coupled to the opening/closing valve V. That is, when the second door is completely closed, the water supply passage of therefrigerator body 10 and the water supply passage of thesecond door 740 are connected to each other, and the opening/closing valve V is opened. - Although only the water supply passage for dispensing the drinking water extends along the refrigerator body in the present embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, when an ice making compartment is fixed to the first door or the second door, a water supply passage for making ice may be realized also using the same manner.
- As described above,
rail members 60 are disposed on both lateral surfaces of a portion corresponding to a bottom surface of a receivingpart 734. A wire P extends inside onerail member 60 and is connected to a controller (not shown) for operating a display or dispenser disposed in thesecond door 740. - Referring to
FIG. 27 , the wire P extends inside a fixedrail 61 fixed to a lateral surface of the receivingpart 734. The wire P may be wound in a spiral shape and have a predetermined elasticity. Thus, the wire P may extend according to forward and backward movements of thesecond door 740, and then, returns to prevent the wire from being damaged. -
FIGS. 28 and 29 are partial perspective views of a power supply structure connected to a dispenser of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIGS. 28 and 29 , a refrigerator according to the present embodiment has the same structure as that shown inFIGS. 25 and 26 , except for a power supply structure. Thus, duplicated descriptions of other components except for the power supply structure will be omitted. - In detail, in the present embodiment, a wire P extends along an inner sidewall of a
refrigerator body 10. Asocket 600 may be disposed on a front surface of the sidewall of therefrigerator body 10, i.e., a surface in contact with a back surface of afirst door 730 or asecond door 740. The wire P is connected to thesocket 600. - A
plug 601 may protrude from a surface corresponding to thesocket 600 of the back surface of the second door 740 (or the first door 730). Abattery 602 for an electric charging may be laid inside thesecond door 740 and be connected to theplug 601. Thebattery 602 is electrically connected to a controller for controlling operations of a display attached to a front surface of thesecond door 740 and other electric components. It is obvious that theplug 601 may be disposed on therefrigerator body 10, and thesocket 600 may be disposed on thesecond door 740. - When the
second door 740 is completely closed, theplug 601 is inserted into thesocket 600. Thus, current flows to charge thebattery 602. When thesecond door 740 is withdrawn forwardly, theplug 601 is separated from thesocket 600 to stop the charging. - When the
second door 740 is completely closed, a variety of electric components including the display disposed on thesecond door 740 is operated by the current supplied through the wire p. On the other hand, when thesecond door 740 is opened, the display and other electric components are operated by the current supplied from thebattery 602. -
FIGS. 30 and 31 are partial perspective views of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIGS. 30 and 31 , in the present embodiment, an ice making compartment is defined on a back surface of a storage compartment door, and an ice making assembly and a dispenser are received into the ice making compartment. A structure in which a water supply passage for making ice and a water supply passage for dispensing drinking water extend toward a door will be described in detail. - For easy understanding of description, a structure according to the present embodiment, realized on a back surface of a
second door 740 for opening and closing a second storage room, will be described below. - In detail, an
ice making compartment 770 is vertically disposed on a back surface of thesecond door 740. An ice makingcompartment door 771 is pivotably disposed on a side of theice making compartment 770. - An
ice maker 452 and anice bank 454 constituting anice making assembly 450 are received into theice making compartment 770. Anauger 458 and acrusher 457 are provided inside theice bank 454. An electric motor (not shown) for operating theauger 458 and thecrusher 457 may be laid inside thesecond door 740. In detail, theice maker 452 may be disposed on an inner top surface of theice making compartment 770, and theice bank 454 may be detachably disposed direct below theice maker 452. Adispenser 746 including anice suit 748 is disposed at a lower side of theice bank 454. That is, theice bank 454 may be detachably disposed on a top surface of thedispenser 748. Theice bank 454 may be slidingly movable laterally from the top surface of thedispenser 748. Thus, a user may open the ice makingcompartment door 771 to easily separate theice bank 454 from a refrigerator in a state where thesecond door 740 is withdrawn. - Although a transfer unit including the
auger 458 and thecrusher 457 extends forwardly and backwardly in the present embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a vertical auger structure disclosed in U.S. Issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,103 may be applicable to the present embodiment. Also, an auger structure, in which a rotation axis is inclined, disclosed in Korean Published Applications No. 2008-0053503 may be applicable to the present embodiment. Here, the rotation axis may extend in a direction crossing thesecond door 740 and may be inclined in up and down or left and right directions. Or, the rotation axis may extend in a direction parallel to thesecond door 740 and may be inclined in a vertical direction. - A pair of
water supply passages 292 within sidewalls of asecond storage room 720 opened and closed by thesecond door 740 may extend in a front direction, and opening/closing valves V may be disposed at front ends of thewater supply passages 292. End portions of the water supply passages selectively coupled to the opening/closing valves V may protrude from an edge portion of a back surface of thesecond door 740. Since structures of the water supply passages ware previously described, duplicated descriptions thereof will be omitted. - A receiving
part 744 may be disposed at a rear side of theice making compartment 770, and rail members may be disposed on both lateral surfaces of the receivingpart 744 to allow thesecond door 740 to be withdrawn forwardly. -
FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of an ice-making assembly of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 32 , an overflow prevention unit is illustrated in the present embodiment. The overflow prevention unit prevents water supplied into an ice making assembly from overflowing due to an inertial force generated when a storage room door is moved forwardly and backwardly. - In detail, an
ice maker 452 is disposed horizontally or vertically inside anice making compartment 460. Awater supply passage 292 extends in a direction crossing theice making compartment 460 toward theice maker 452. - A
discharge hole 461 is defined in a bottom surface of theice making compartment 460. Also, a guide member is disposed to transfer ice separated from theice maker 452 toward thedischarge hole 461. The guide member may include aguide plate 459 extending from a lateral surface of theice maker 452. In detail, theguide plate 459 inclinedly extends downwardly from a lateral end of a top surface of theice maker 452 to approach to thedischarge hole 461. - An
overflow prevention part 453 may extend from an edge portion of the top surface of theice maker 452. In detail, in case where theice making compartment 460 is disposed on a storage room door, water stored in theice maker 452 may overflow due to inertia when the storage room door is moved forwardly and backwardly. Theoverflow prevention part 453 may be provided to prevent the water from overflowing. Theoverflow prevention part 453 may have a structure in which water overflowing by the inertia returns again to theice maker 452. That is, theoverflow prevention part 453 may extend in a direction crossing an inertia direction, and an upper portion thereof may be rounded. Thus, the water soars upwardly from theice maker 452 flows along an inner surface of theoverflow prevention part 453 to return again to theice maker 452. Theoverflow prevention part 453 may have various shapes according to an internal structure of theice making compartment 460 and an installation direction of theice maker 452. Alternatively, a residual water tray for receiving the overflowing water may be disposed on a bottom surface of theice maker 452. - In the present disclosure, the ice making assembly may be defined as an ice making mechanism, as well as, a structure including the ice making assembly and the ice making compartment may be inclusively defined also as the ice making mechanism. That is, a structure including at least ice making assembly may be defined as the ice making mechanism. It may be widely construed that the ice making compartment denotes a physical configuration such as an insulation wall structure surrounding the ice making assembly as well as an inner space defined by the insulation wall structure.
- Also, the storage room disclosed in the present disclosure, i.e., the first storage room and the second storage room may be used as one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. In addition, the storage room may be used as the switching room in which the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment may be mutually converted according to a user s selection or a driving condition.
- In a structure of the refrigerator according to the previously described embodiments, the slidable door that is movable in forward and backward directions, but the pivotable door, is provided at a side of the refrigerator door. Thus, when the refrigerator is installed at an edge portion of an indoor space, a door closely attached to a wall is not rotated at an angle greater than about 90 degrees. However, the prevent disclosure may overcome such a limitation.
- Also, the storage room disclosed in the present disclosure has a width relatively narrower than the refrigerator compartment. However, since long containers such as a bottle may be easily received into the storage room, space utilization of the inside of the refrigerator may be improved.
-
FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment, andFIG. 34 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a refrigerator door is opened, according to an embodiment. - Referring to
FIGS. 33 and 34 , a refrigerator of the present embodiment is almost similar to those ofFIGS. 1 and 2 . However, a separate barrier for partitioning the inside of the refrigerator is not provided, and a refrigerator door for opening and closing a refrigerator compartment defined in one space includes a pivotable door and a plurality of slidable doors. - In detail, a refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a
body 10 in which arefrigerator compartment 30 and a freezer compartment are defined, arefrigerator compartment door 32, afreezer compartment door 22, afirst door 130, and asecond door 140. Therefrigerator compartment 30 and the freezer compartment are selectively covered by therefrigerator compartment door 32, thefreezer compartment door 22, thefirst door 130, and thesecond door 140, respectively. Also, an outer appearance of the refrigerator is defined by the doors. - The
refrigerator compartment 30 and thefreezer compartment 20 are defined at upper and lower portions of thebody 10, respectively. Therefrigerator compartment 30 is covered by therefrigerator compartment door 32, thefirst door 130, and thesecond door 140. Thefreezer compartment 20 is covered by thefreezer compartment door 22. - In detail, the
refrigerator compartment door 32 covers a portion of an opened front surface of therefrigerator compartment 30 and is pivotably disposed on abody 10. For this, therefrigerator compartment door 32 is coupled to thebody 10 by ahinge 34. - A vertical length of the
refrigerator compartment door 32 corresponds to a vertical length of therefrigerator compartment 30. Also, therefrigerator compartment door 32 has a width less than that of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, therefrigerator door 32 may covers a remaining portion, exclusive of a predetermined horizontal width of therefrigerator compartment 30, by a rotation thereof. - Al least portion of the
refrigerator compartment door 32 may be formed of a transparent or translucent glass material to enable therefrigerator compartment 30 to be viewed through therefrigerator compartment door 32. Specifically, even foods received in afirst door 130 and asecond door 140 that will be described below may be viewed through therefrigerator compartment door 32 from the outside. - A front surface of the
refrigerator door 32 may be formed of a glass material, and a circumference thereof may be formed of a plastic or metallic material. Data inputted form the outside may be displayed through the glass of therefrigerator compartment door 32, and operation information of therefrigerator 1 may be also displayed. - A front surface of the
refrigerator compartment 30, which is not covered by therefrigerator compartment door 32, may be covered by thefirst door 130 and thesecond door 140, respectively. An opened front surface of therefrigerator compartment 30 may be covered by therefrigerator compartment door 32 and another door, or may be covered by two or more doors. - A plurality of
shelves 12 anddrawers 14 is provided inside therefrigerator compartment 30 to store foods. Theshelves 12 anddrawers 14 are disposed at a rear side of therefrigerator door 32 and have horizontal widths less than that of therefrigerator compartment door 32. Thus, when only therefrigerator compartment door 32 is opened, each of thedrawers 14 andshelves 12 may be withdrawable without interfering. - The
shelf 12 is detachably disposed in a cantilever manner on an inner rear surface of therefrigerator compartment 30. Also, theshelf 12 may be detached at an inner space of therefrigerator compartment 30 to adjust a height thereof. - The
first door 130 and thesecond door 140 are disposed at a left side of therefrigerator compartment door 32 to cover a left space of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thefirst door 130 may be disposed above thesecond door 140. - The
first door 130 and thesecond door 140 may be withdrawable in a drawer-type. Door handles 132 and 144 may be disposed on front surfaces of thefirst door 130 and thesecond door 140. Receiving parts (reference numerals FIG. 3 ) for receiving foods may be disposed at a rear side of thefirst door 130 and thesecond door 140. An ice making compartment (reference numeral 160 ofFIG. 3 ) for making and storing ice is disposed at the rear side of thesecond door 140. - A
dispenser 142 for dispensing drinking water and the ice at the outside is disposed in a front surface of thesecond door 140. Thedispenser 142 communicates with theice making compartment 160 to dispense the ice stored in theice making compartment 160 at the outside and is connected to an external water supply source by a water supply passage to dispense the drinking water. - Dispensing holes for respectively dispensing the made ice and the drinking water and a manipulation unit may be disposed in the
dispenser 142. A residual water tray for receiving residual water generated when the ice or the drinking water is dispensed may be disposed below thedispenser 142. A display for illustrating an operation state of the refrigerator may be disposed above thedispenser 142. -
FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of a refrigerator when a first door and a second door are withdrawn, according to an embodiment, andFIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C ofFIG. 35 when the first door is closed. - Referring to
FIGS. 35 and 36 , afirst door 130 and asecond door 140 may be withdrawn forwardly and backwardly by arail member 60 inside abody 10. - The
rail member 60 includes a mountingrail 63 mounted on arail mounting member 70 disposed on thebody 10, amovement rail 62 slidingly moved inside the mountingrail 63, and a fixedrail 61 disposed on thefirst door 130 or thesecond door 140, slidingly moved along themovement rail 62, and connected to a slidable door. - The
rail member 60 may extend in multi-step so that therail member 60 has sufficient length to completely withdraw receivingparts first door 130 and thesecond door 140 to the outside when thefirst door 130 and thesecond door 140 are withdrawn. - Thus, the
first door 130 and thesecond door 140 may be slidingly withdrawn forward and backward by therail member 60, and thus, it is possible that a portion of therefrigerator compartment 30 is opened to expose the receivingparts - The
rail member 60 may be disposed on another side of an upper side and/or a lower side and left and right sides of thefirst door 130 and thesecond door 140, except for a side of left and right sides of thefirst door 130 and thesecond door 140. - In detail, the
rail mounting member 70 may be disposed on an inner sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30 adjacent to thefirst door 130. Therail mounting member 70 is disposed to support and mount therail member 60. Therail mounting members 70 may be disposed in front and rear directions and at positions corresponding to a top surface and left side surface of thefirst door 130, respectively. - One or more
rail mounting members 70 disposed on an inner sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30 corresponding to the left side surface of thefirst door 130 may be provided according to a vertical length of thefirst door 130. - The
movement rail 62 is fixed to the mountingrail 63 mounted on therail mounting member 70. The fixedrail 61 is fixed to a top surface and left and right surfaces of thefirst door 130. The mountingrail 63, themovement rail 62, and the fixedrail 61 may be slidingly movable in a length direction. Thus, thefirst door 130 may be withdrawn in a state where thefirst door 130 is hanged on inner upper and left sides of therefrigerator compartment 30. - The
rail mounting member 70 may be disposed also inside therefrigerator compartment 30 adjacent to thesecond door 140. Therail member 60 and therail mounting member 70 have the same structure as those of thefirst door 130, except for installation positions thereof, and thus, will be given by the same reference numerals. - In detail, the
rail mounting member 70 is disposed on an inner bottom surface of therefrigerator compartment 30 corresponding to a bottom surface of thesecond door 140 and inner left and right side surfaces of therefrigerator compartment 30 corresponding to the left and right side surfaces of thesecond door 140. - The mounting
rail 63 of therail member 60 is mounted on therail mounting member 70. Themovement rail 62 is mounted on the mountingrail 63. The fixedrail 61 is mounted on a left side surface and a bottom surface of thesecond door 140. Thus, thesecond door 140 may be withdrawn in a state where thesecond door 140 is supported by the bottom surface and the left side surface of therefrigerator compartment 30. - The
rail mounting member 70 and therail member 60 are disposed on the inner sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. However, when a separate storage space, such as thedrawer 14 or the storage room (reference numeral 102 ofFIG. 41 ), adjacent to the slidable door is provided, therail mounting member 70 and therail member 60 may be disposed at corresponding positions to assist the withdrawal of the slidable door. - A
withdrawal guide 42 vertically protruding from an inner top surface and/or an inner bottom surface of therefrigerator compartment 30 may be disposed to prevent the door from being shaken during the withdrawal of the door. Thewithdrawal guide 42 protrudes to contact with a lateral surface of the slidable door. That is, thewithdrawal guide 42 is in contact with a lateral upper end or lower end of the slidable door. In addition, thewithdrawal guide 42 may be disposed in front and rear directions to stably guide the slidable door during the withdrawal of the slidable door. - If necessary, the
rail mounting member 70 and therail member 60 may be disposed on thewithdrawal guide 42. Thewithdrawal guide 42 may be disposed without covering foods received in the slidable door. - An
ice making compartment 160 for making and storing ice is disposed at a lower side of a back surface of thesecond door 140. Theice making compartment 160 communicates with thedispenser 142. If necessary, anadditional rail member 60 for guiding the withdrawal of thesecond door 140 may be further provided between a left side surface of theice making compartment 160 and a right side surface of thedrawer 14, which are adjacent to each other. - The
ice making compartment 160 may be disposed at an upper or lower portion of thesecond door 140. Thus, the receivingpart 146 may be disposed also at the upper or lower portion of thesecond door 140. -
FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a first door is opened, according to another embodiment,FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C ofFIG. 37 when the first door is closed, andFIG. 39 is a bottom perspective view of a first door according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIGS. 36 to 39 , a refrigerator of the present embodiment has the same structure as that ofFIG. 8 , except that a separate barrier for partitioning the inside of the refrigerator is not provided, the refrigerator defined as one space is covered by a refrigerator compartment door, a first door, and a second door, and a pillar is disposed between the first door and the second door. - In detail, a
body 10 is vertically partitioned into arefrigerator compartment 30 and afreezer compartment 20. A portion of therefrigerator compartment 30 is covered by arefrigerator door 32, and another portion of therefrigerator compartment 30 is covered by afirst door 430 and asecond door 440. - The
refrigerator compartment door 32 is coupled to thebody 10 using ahinge 34, and thus is pivotally opened and closed. A portion of a front surface of therefrigerator compartment door 32 may be transparent to enable therefrigerator compartment 30 to be viewed through therefrigerator compartment door 32. Thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440 may be vertically disposed at a side of therefrigerator compartment door 32. Thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440 may be disposed inside therefrigerator compartment 30 and slidingly withdrawn by arail member 60. - The
rail member 60 for withdrawing thefirst door 430 is disposed on inner upper and left side surfaces of therefrigerator compartment 30 to support and slidingly move thefirst door 430. Therail member 60 for withdrawing thesecond door 440 is disposed on inner lower and left side surfaces of therefrigerator compartment 30 to support and slidingly move thefirst door 430. - Receiving
parts first door 430 and thesecond door 440. Adispenser 436 for dispensing water and ice is disposed in a front surface of thefirst door 430. Considering a height of a user, thedispenser 436 may be disposed at a lower side of thefirst door 430. - An
ice making compartment 460 is disposed at an upper side of thefirst door 430. Anice maker 452 and anice bank 454 are received into theice making compartment 460. Theice making compartment 460 may be formed with an independent insulation space within therefrigerator compartment 30. - The
ice making compartment 460 may be detachably coupled to a back surface of thefirst door 430 and may be integrally formed by a door liner defining the back surface of thefirst door 430. - The
ice making compartment 460 may extend from the back surface of thefirst door 430 toward a rear direction, and thus may be adjacent to a rear surface of therefrigerator compartment 30. Also, when thefirst door 430 is completely inserted, acool air duct 480 disposed inside thebody 10 communicates with the inside of theice making compartment 460. - In detail, the
cool air duct 480 includes a supply duct for guiding cool air into theice making compartment 460 and a return duct for guiding the cool air toward an evaporator. Acool air inlet 462 and acool air outlet 464 are defined in a rear wall of the ice making compartment corresponding to thesupply duct 482 and thereturn duct 484, respectively. - Thus, when the
first door 430 is completely inserted, thesupply duct 484 may communicate with thecool air inlet 462, and thereturn duct 484 may communicate with thecool air outlet 464 to continuously circulate the cool air between theice making compartment 460 and the evaporator. - An
auger 458 operated by anelectric motor 456 and acrusher 457 disposed on the same rotation axis to crush the ice are disposed in theice bank 454 within theice making compartment 460. A power source for operating theelectric motor 456 of theice bank 454 and theice maker 452 may be inputted by a power connector connected to theelectric motor 456 and theice maker 452 when thefirst door 430 is completely inserted. - A
water tank 490 for supplying the water into theice maker 452 and thedispenser 436 is disposed at a side of theice making compartment 460. Thewater tank 490 may be detachably disposed, and thus filled with a desired amount of the water by a user. Thus, when thefirst door 430 is withdrawn, theice making compartment 460 and thewater tank 490 may be withdrawn together with thefirst door 430 in front and rear directions. - The water stored in the
water tank 490 may be supplied into thedispenser 436 and theice maker 452 through awater supply passage 492. Thewater supply passage 492 connects thewater tank 490 to thedispenser 436 and theice maker 452. At least portion of thewater supply passage 492 may be buried inside insulation foam filled inside thefirst door 430. - The
water tank 490 may be disposed in thebody 10 spaced from theice making compartment 460. Thewater tank 490 may be connected to a water supply passage directly connected to theice maker 452 and thedispenser 436. At this time, the water supply passage may be selectively connected to aconnection part 468 disposed at a side of theice making compartment 460. A valve may be disposed in the water supply passage. -
Gaskets 438 for preventing the cool within therefrigerator compartment 30 air from leaking are disposed on back surfaces of thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440. Apillar 50 is disposed at a position adjacent between thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440. - The
pillar 50 covers a space between thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440. Thepillar 50 is disposed at a lower end of the back surface of thefirst door 430. Thepillar 50 is selectively pivoted according to the withdrawal of thefirst door 430 to selectively cover the space between thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440. - In detail, the
pillar 50 has a length corresponding to a horizontal width of thefirst door 430. When thefirst door 430 is inserted, the pillar is pivoted. As a result, a lower end of thefirst door 430 and an upper end of thesecond door 440 are in contact with a front surface of thepillar 50 to prevent the cool air within therefrigerator compartment 30 from leaking between thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440. - The
pillar 50 is hinge-coupled to the lower end of thefirst door 430. Thepillar 50 is closely attached to thefirst door 430 by anelastic member 52 in a state where the front surface of thepillar 50 is inclined downwardly when an external force is not applied to theelastic member 52. Thepillar 50 may be covered by a front surface of thefirst door 430. Thus, thepillar 50 may be not exposed to the outside when viewed from a front direction of thefirst door 430. - The
elastic member 52 disposed in thepillar 50 may have a coil spring shape. Theelastic member 52 may connect thepillar 50 to a side of thefirst door 430. Thepillar 50 may be closely attached the lower end of thefirst door 430 due to elasticity of theelastic member 52 if the external force is not applied to thepillar 50. - The
elastic member 52 may have various shapes except for the coil spring shape. Also, theelastic member 52 may be disposed at various positions to provide an elastic force to thepillar 50. - A
guide protrusion 54 protruding outwardly is disposed at one end of thepillar 50. Theguide protrusion 54 may moved along aguide groove 70 defined in a lateral surface corresponding to the inside of therefrigerator compartment 30. Surfaces of theguide groove 70 and theguide protrusion 54, which correspond to each other, may be rounded with a predetermined curvature to smoothly rotate thepillar 50. - In detail, the
guide groove 70 is opened in a front direction and is depressed inwardly. Theguide groove 70 is curved inwardly with a predetermined curvature. Acurved part 56 corresponding to the curvature of theguide groove 70 is disposed on theguide protrusion 54 contacting with theguide groove 70. Thus, when theguide protrusion 54 of the axially coupledpillar 50 is moved along theguide groove 70 fixed to an inner wall of therefrigerator compartment 30, the pillar may be rotatable. -
FIG. 40 is a view illustrating successive operations of a pillar according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIGS. 37 and 40 , when thefirst door 430 is opened, the front surface of thepillar 50 is inclined downwardly due to an elastic restitution force applied by theelastic member 52. - When the
first door 430 is inserted in a rear direction, thecurved part 56 of theguide protrusion 54 contacts with theguide groove 70. When thefirst door 430 is further inserted, thepillar 50 is moved backwardly along thefirst door 430 to rotate about a rotation axis in a count-clockwise direction. At this time, thecurved part 56 disposed on theguide protrusion 54 is slidingly moved along an inner surface of theguide groove 70. - When the
first door 430 is completely inserted, thecurved part 56 of theguide protrusion 54 is completely rotated along theguide groove 70. At this time, the front surface of thepillar 50 is faced in a front direction and is in contact with the lower end of thefirst door 430 and the upper end of thesecond door 440. - The
curved part 56 of thepillar 50 is coupled to the inside to theguide groove 70. The front surface of thepillar 50 is rotated by 90 degrees in a count-clockwise direction when compared to a state in which thefirst door 430 is opened and is faced in a front direction of therefrigerator 1. - In this state, the
elastic member 52 completely extends. When thefirst door 430 is withdrawn again, thepillar 50 is rotated in a clockwise direction due to the elastic restitution force of theelastic member 52. At this time, thecurved part 56 of thepillar 50 is slidingly moved along theguide groove 70. -
FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 41 , a refrigerator of the present embodiment has the same structure as that ofFIG. 37 , except that a separate storage room is defined at a side of the refrigerator compartment. Thus, duplicated descriptions with respect to other configurations except for a configuration of an inner space of the refrigerator compartment will be omitted. - In detail, a
body 10 of the present embodiment is vertically partitioned into arefrigerator compartment 30 and afreezer compartment 20. Therefrigerator compartment 30 is selectively covered by arefrigerator compartment door 32 and afirst door 430. Thefreezer compartment 20 is selectively covered by afreezer compartment door 22. At this time, an opened front surface of thebody 10 corresponding to a refrigerator compartment region is selectively covered by therefrigerator compartment door 32, thefirst door 430, and thesecond door 430. - In detail, the
refrigerator door 32 is coupled to thebody 10 using ahinge 34 to cover a right side portion of the opened front surface of therefrigerator compartment 30 by a rotation thereof. Also, thefirst door 430 including a receivingpart 434 may be withdrawn forwardly and backwardly in a drawer-type to cover an upper portion of the remaining left side portion of therefrigerator compartment 30. - A
separate storage room 102 may be defined within therefrigerator compartment 30. In detail, thestorage room 102 is defined at an edge portion of a lower left side of therefrigerator compartment 30 corresponding to thesecond door 440 and may be separated from therefrigerator compartment 30 by an insulation wall. Thestorage room 102 may be maintained at a temperature equal to that of therefrigerator compartment 30. If necessary, thestorage room 102 may be maintained at a temperature equal to that of thefreezer compartment 30. - The
storage room 102 may be covered by thesecond door 440, and thesecond door 440 may be slidingly withdrawable. A receivingpart 442 having a pantry structure is disposed on a back surface of thesecond door 440. Thus, thesecond door 440 may be withdrawn to receive foods into the receivingpart 442. - The
first door 430 is disposed above thesecond door 440. Adispenser 436 for dispensing water or ice is disposed in a front surface of thefirst door 430. Anice making compartment 460 for making and storing the ice is disposed on a back surface of thefirst door 430 to communicate with thedispenser 436. - A drinking water dispensing hole, an ice dispensing hole, manipulation units of manipulating the dispensing holes, and a residual water tray are further disposed in the
dispenser 436, and a display is disposed above thedispenser 436. - Since the
ice making compartment 460 may be disposed inside therefrigerator compartment 30 to form a separate independent space insulated from therefrigerator compartment 30. Anice maker 452 for making the ice and anice bank 454 for storing and transferring the made ice are disposed inside theice making compartment 460. - The
ice making compartment 460 is disposed in an upper portion of thefirst door 430, and the receivingpart 434 is disposed below theice making compartment 460. The receivingpart 434 is exposed to the inside of therefrigerator compartment 30. The receivingpart 434 is disposed at a position that is viewable through therefrigerator compartment door 32 to enable the foods received into the receivingpart 434 to be viewed through therefrigerator compartment door 32. - The
first door 430 is disposed inside thebody 10, and thus, is slidingly withdrawn by arail member 60. At this time, since thefirst door 430 is adjacent to an inner upper surface and a left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30, therail member 60 and arail mounting member 70 on which therail member 60 is mounted are disposed on the inner top surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, thefirst door 430 may be slidingly withdrawn in a state where thefirst door 430 is supported by the inner top surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. - The
rail member 60 is disposed also on thesecond door 440 to slidingly withdraw thesecond door 440. At this time, therail member 60 may be disposed at any position of inner top and bottom surfaces and left and right side surfaces of thestorage room 102. Also, therail member 60 may be disposed on only a left side surface and a bottom surface of thestorage room 102, as the previously described embodiment. - When the
first door 430 and thesecond door 440 are inserted, a lower end of thefirst door 430 and an upper end of thesecond door 440 are in contact with an upper end of thestorage room 102. Thus, when thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440 are closed, it may prevent the cool air from leaking between thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440. -
FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to further another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 42 , a refrigerator of the present embodiment has the same structure as that ofFIG. 41 , except that a separate storage room is defined at a side of the refrigerator compartment. Thus, duplicated descriptions with respect to other configurations except for a configuration of an inner space of the refrigerator compartment will be omitted. - In detail, a
body 10 of the present embodiment is vertically partitioned into arefrigerator compartment 30 and afreezer compartment 20. Therefrigerator compartment 30 is selectively covered by arefrigerator compartment door 32 and asecond door 440. Thefreezer compartment 20 is selectively covered by afreezer compartment door 22. At this time, an opened front surface of thebody 10 corresponding to a refrigerator compartment region is selectively covered by therefrigerator compartment door 32, thefirst door 430, and thesecond door 430. - The
refrigerator door 32 is coupled to thebody 10 using ahinge 34 to cover a portion of an opened front surface of therefrigerator compartment 30 by a rotation thereof. Also, thesecond door 440 including a receivingpart 442 may be withdrawn forwardly and backwardly in a drawer-type to cover the remaining portion of therefrigerator compartment 30. - A
separate storage room 104 may be defined within therefrigerator compartment 30. Thestorage room 104 is defined at an edge portion of an upper left side of therefrigerator compartment 30 corresponding to thefirst door 430 and may be separated from therefrigerator compartment 30 by an insulation wall. Thestorage room 104 may be maintained at a temperature equal to that of thefreezer compartment 20. If necessary, thestorage room 104 may be maintained at a temperature equal to that of therefrigerator compartment 20. - The
storage room 104 may be covered by thefirst door 430, and thefirst door 430 may be slidingly withdrawable. Adispenser 436 for dispensing water and ice is disposed in a front surface of thefirst door 430. Anice making compartment 460 for making and storing the ice is disposed on a back surface of thefirst door 430 to communicate with thedispenser 436. - Dispensing holes for dispensing drinking water and ice, manipulation units of manipulating the dispensing holes, and a residual water tray are further disposed in the
dispenser 436, and a display is disposed above thedispenser 436. - The
ice making compartment 460 is disposed in an upper portion of thefirst door 430, and the receivingpart 434 is disposed below theice making compartment 460. Theice making compartment 460 and the receivingpart 434 are disposed inside thestorage room 104 when thefirst door 430 is inserted. Also, theice making compartment 460 and the receivingpart 434 may be selectively withdrawn from thestorage room 104 according to an opening/closing operation of thefirst door 430. - For this, a
rail mounting member 70 is disposed on a top surface and left and right side surfaces of the refrigerator compartment adjacent to thefirst door 430. Arail member 60 for supporting left and right side surfaces and a top surface of thefirst door 430 is mounted on therail mounting member 70. Therail mounting member 70 and therail member 60 may be disposed on both sidewalls of the inside of thestorage room 104. - When the
storage room 104 is maintained at a temperature below zero corresponding to that of thefreezer compartment 20, a separate insulation space may be not defined in theice making compartment 460. In detail, theice making compartment 460 may provide only a space in which theice maker 452 and theice bank 454 are disposed and may be exposed to cool air within thestorage room 104 to make ice. The receivingpart 434 disposed on the back surface of thefirst door 430 may receives foods to be frozen. - A
shelf 12 disposed inside therefrigerator compartment 30 may have a width corresponding to a distance between a right sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30 and a right sidewall of thestorage room 104. In this case, theshelf 12 may be detachably disposed onseating parts 13 protruding from an inner sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30 and an outer sidewall of thestorage room 104. - The
second door 440 is disposed below thefirst door 430. Thesecond door 440 may be slidingly withdrawable into therefrigerator compartment 30 by arail member 60. - In detail, since the
second door 440 is adjacent to an inner bottom surface and a left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30, therail member 60 and arail mounting member 70 are disposed on the inner bottom surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, thesecond door 440 may be slidingly withdrawn in a state where thesecond door 440 is supported by the inner bottom surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. - When the
second door 440 is closed, the receivingpart 442 of thesecond door 440 is disposed inside therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, foods stored in the receivingpart 442 of thesecond door 440 may be viewed through the transparentrefrigerator compartment door 32 without opening therefrigerator compartment door 32 and thesecond door 440. - When the
first door 430 and thesecond door 440 are inserted, a lower end of thefirst door 430 and an upper end of thesecond door 440 are in contact with an upper end of a front surface of thestorage room 102. Thus, when thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440 are completely inserted, it may prevent the cool air from leaking between thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440. -
FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to further another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 43 , a refrigerator of the present embodiment has the same structure as that ofFIG. 40 , except that a separate storage room is defined inside the refrigerator compartment. Thus, duplicated descriptions with respect to other configurations except for a configuration of an inner space of the refrigerator compartment will be omitted. - In detail, a
body 10 of the present embodiment is vertically partitioned into arefrigerator compartment 30 and afreezer compartment 20. Therefrigerator compartment 30 is selectively covered by arefrigerator compartment door 32, afirst door 430, and asecond door 440. Thefreezer compartment 20 is selectively covered by afreezer compartment door 22. - The
refrigerator door 32 is coupled to thebody 10 using ahinge 34 to cover a portion of an opened front surface of therefrigerator compartment 30 by a rotation thereof. Also, thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440 including receivingparts refrigerator compartment 30. - A
separate storage room 106 may be defined within therefrigerator compartment 30. In detail, thestorage room 106 may be defined at a position corresponding to anice making compartment 460 disposed on a back surface of thefirst door 430. Also, thestorage room 106 may have a size corresponding to that in which theice making compartment 460 is withdrawable. - The
storage room 106 is defined at an edge portion of an upper left side of therefrigerator compartment 30 corresponding to theice making compartment 460. - The
storage room 106 may be maintained at a temperature below zero at which ice can be made and may be separated from therefrigerator compartment 30 by an insulation wall. - The
storage room 106 may be covered by a portion of thefirst door 430 corresponding to that of theice making compartment 460 disposed on thefirst door 430, and a portion of therefrigerator compartment 30 may be covered by the remaining portion of thefirst door 430. - A
dispenser 436 for dispensing water and ice is disposed in a front surface of thefirst door 430. Anice making compartment 460 for making and storing the ice is disposed on a back surface of thefirst door 430 to communicate with thedispenser 436. - Dispensing holes for dispensing drinking water and ice, manipulation units of manipulating the dispensing holes, and a residual water tray are further disposed in the
dispenser 436, and a display is disposed above thedispenser 436. - When the
storage room 106 is maintained at a temperature below zero corresponding to that of thefreezer compartment 20, a separate insulation space may be not defined in theice making compartment 460. In detail, theice making compartment 460 may provide only a space in which theice maker 452 and theice bank 454 are disposed and may be exposed to cool air within thestorage room 104 to make ice. - The
ice making compartment 460 is disposed in an upper portion of thefirst door 430, and the receivingpart 434 is disposed below theice making compartment 460. When thefirst door 430 is closed, theice making compartment 460 is disposed inside thestorage room 106, and the receivingpart 434 is disposed inside therefrigerator compartment 30 below thestorage room 106. - A
rail member 60 is disposed on top and left side surfaces of thestorage room 106 corresponding to top and left side surfaces of thefirst door 430. Thefirst door 430 may be withdrawable forwardly and backwardly by therail member 60. Therail member 60 disposed on the left side surface of thefirst door 430 may be provided in plurality. In this case, therail members 60 may be disposed on left side surfaces of theice making compartment 460 and the receivingpart 434, respectively. - A front surface of the
storage room 106 and a portion of therefrigerator compartment 30 may be selectively covered according to the withdrawal of thefirst door 430. When thefirst door 430 is withdrawn, theice making compartment 460 and the receivingpart 434 may be exposed to the outside. When thefirst door 430 is inserted, the receivingpart 434 of thefirst door 430 is disposed inside therefrigerator compartment 30 and may be viewed through therefrigerator compartment door 32 from the outside. - The
second door 440 is disposed below thefirst door 430. Thesecond door 440 may be slidingly withdrawable into therefrigerator compartment 30 by arail member 60. - In detail, since the
second door 440 is adjacent to an inner bottom surface and a left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30, therail member 60 and arail mounting member 70 on which therail member 60 is mounted are disposed on the inner bottom surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, thesecond door 440 may be slidingly withdrawn in a state where thesecond door 440 is supported by the inner bottom surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. - When the
second door 440 is closed, the receivingpart 442 of thesecond door 440 is disposed inside therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, foods stored in the receivingpart 442 of thesecond door 440 may be viewed through the transparentrefrigerator compartment door 32 without opening therefrigerator compartment door 32 and thesecond door 440. - A
pillar 50 is disposed at a lower end of thefirst door 430 to prevent cool air from leaking between thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440 when thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440 are closed. -
FIG. 44 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to further another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 44 , a refrigerator of the present embodiment has the same structure as that ofFIG. 37 , except that a separate storage room is defined inside the refrigerator compartment. Thus, duplicated descriptions with respect to other configurations except for a configuration of an inner space of the refrigerator compartment will be omitted. - In detail, a
body 10 of the present embodiment is vertically partitioned into arefrigerator compartment 30 and afreezer compartment 20. Therefrigerator compartment 30 is selectively covered by arefrigerator compartment door 32, afirst door 430, and asecond door 440. Thefreezer compartment 20 is selectively covered by afreezer compartment door 22. - The
refrigerator door 32 is coupled to thebody 10 using ahinge 34 to cover a portion of an opened front surface of therefrigerator compartment 30 by a rotation thereof. Also, thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440 including receivingparts refrigerator compartment 30. - A
storage room 108, which is defined as a separate insulation space, may be defined within therefrigerator compartment 30. In detail, thestorage room 108 may be disposed at a rear side of thefirst door 430, and when thefirst door 830 is closed, a front surface of thestorage room 108 may be covered. Anice maker 452 and anice bank 454 are disposed inside thestorage room 108, and a front surface of thestorage room 108 may be opened and closed by a cover. - The
storage room 108 is defined at an edge portion of an upper left side of therefrigerator compartment 30. Also, thestorage room 108 may be separated from therefrigerator compartment 30 by an insulation wall, and thus, may be maintained at a temperature below zero at which ice can be made. - A
dispenser 436 for dispensing water and ice is disposed in a front surface of thefirst door 430. Anice making compartment 460 for making and storing the ice is disposed on a back surface of thefirst door 430 to communicate with thedispenser 436. - A drinking water dispensing hole, an ice dispensing hole, manipulation units of manipulating the dispensing holes, and a residual water tray are further disposed in the
dispenser 436, and a display is disposed above thedispenser 436. - A
rail member 60 is disposed on top and left side surfaces of thestorage room 108 corresponding to top and left side surfaces of thefirst door 430. Thefirst door 430 may be withdrawable forwardly and backwardly by therail member 60. Therail member 60 disposed on the left side surface of thefirst door 430 may be provided in plurality. In this case, therail members 60 may be disposed on left side surfaces of theice making compartment 460 and the receivingpart 434, respectively. - A front surface of the
storage room 108 and a portion of therefrigerator compartment 30 may be selectively covered according to the withdrawal of thefirst door 430. When thefirst door 430 is withdrawn, theice making compartment 460 and the receivingpart 434 may be exposed to the outside. - When the
first door 430 is inserted, the receivingpart 434 of thefirst door 430 is disposed inside therefrigerator compartment 30 and may be viewed through therefrigerator compartment door 32 from the outside. - The
second door 440 is disposed below thefirst door 430. Thesecond door 440 may be slidingly withdrawable into therefrigerator compartment 30 by arail member 60. - In detail, since the
second door 440 is adjacent to an inner bottom surface and a left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30, therail member 60 and arail mounting member 70 on which therail member 60 is mounted are disposed on the inner bottom surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, thesecond door 440 may be slidingly withdrawn in a state where thesecond door 440 is supported by the inner bottom surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. - When the
second door 440 is closed, the receivingpart 442 of thesecond door 440 is disposed inside therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, foods stored in the receivingpart 442 of thesecond door 440 may be viewed through the transparentrefrigerator compartment door 32 without opening therefrigerator compartment door 32 and thesecond door 440. - A
pillar 50 is disposed at a lower end of thefirst door 430 to prevent cool air from leaking between thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440 when thefirst door 430 and thesecond door 440 are closed. -
FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to further another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 45 , a refrigerator of the present embodiment has the same structure as that ofFIG. 37 , except for configurations of a first door and a second door and a position of a dispenser. Thus, duplicated descriptions with respect to the configurations of the first and second doors and the position of the dispenser will be omitted. - In detail, a
body 10 of the present embodiment is vertically partitioned into arefrigerator compartment 30 and afreezer compartment 20. Therefrigerator compartment 30 is selectively covered by arefrigerator compartment door 32, afirst door 830, and asecond door 840. Thefreezer compartment 20 is selectively covered by afreezer compartment door 22. - The
refrigerator door 32 is coupled to thebody 10 using ahinge 34 to cover a portion of an opened front surface of therefrigerator compartment 30 by a rotation thereof. Also, thefirst door 830 and thesecond door 840 including receivingparts refrigerator compartment 30. - The
first door 830 and thesecond door 840 are disposed at a left side of therefrigerator compartment door 32, and thefirst door 830 may be disposed above thesecond door 840. Arail member 60 for slidingly guiding the withdrawal of thefirst door 830 is disposed on top and left side surfaces of therefrigerator compartment 30 corresponding to thefirst door 830. Therail member 60 is fixed inside therefrigerator compartment 30 by arail mounting member 70. - The
first door 830 may have a vertical length somewhat loner than that of thesecond door 840. Anice making compartment 860 is disposed on an upper portion of a back surface of thefirst door 830. Theice making compartment 860 provides a space for making and storing ice. Theice making compartment 860 receives anice maker 452 and anice bank 454. - Since the
ice making compartment 860 should be maintained at a temperature below zero to make the ice, theice making compartment 860 may be insulated from therefrigerator compartment 30. Adispenser 836 for dispensing water or ice is disposed at a rear side of thefirst door 830. - In detail, the
dispenser 836 is disposed at a lower portion of theice making compartment 860. For use s convenience, thedispenser 836 may be disposed at a middle portion or a lower portion of thefirst door 830 to allow a user to access thedispenser 836. Thedispenser 836 communicates with theice making compartment 860, and thus, may receive the made ice from theice making compartment 860. - The
dispenser 836 is disposed facing therefrigerator compartment 30 to enable thedispenser 836 and the receivingpart 834 to be viewed through therefrigerator compartment door 32 even through thefirst door 830 is closed. Also, thedispenser 836 may be exposed laterally outside therefrigerator compartment 30 when thefirst door 830 is slidingly withdrawn. - A drinking water dispensing hole, an ice dispensing hole, manipulation units of manipulating the dispensing holes, and a residual water tray are further disposed in the
dispenser 836, and a display is disposed above thedispenser 836. - A receiving
part 834 having multi-stages is disposed at rear and lower sides of thedispenser 836 to receive foods. - The
second door 840 is disposed below thefirst door 830. Thesecond door 840 may be slidingly withdrawable into therefrigerator compartment 30 by arail member 60. - In detail, since the
second door 840 is adjacent to an inner bottom surface and a left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30, therail member 60 and arail mounting member 70 on which therail member 60 is mounted are disposed on the inner bottom surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, thesecond door 840 may be slidingly withdrawn in a state where thesecond door 440 is supported by the inner bottom surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. - When the
first door 830 and thesecond door 840 are closed, the receivingpart 834 having the multi-states and the receivingpart 842 disposed on thesecond door 840 are disposed on thefirst door 830. Thus, foods stored in the receivingpart first door 830 and thesecond door 840 may be viewed through the transparentrefrigerator compartment door 32 even through therefrigerator compartment door 32 is closed. - When the
refrigerator compartment door 32 is rotated to open therefrigerator compartment 30, thedispenser 836 is exposed to the inside of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, the user may use thedispenser 836 without opening thefirst door 830. - Vertical lengths of the
first door 830 and thesecond door 840 may be varied as necessary. Thus, the receivingparts first door 830 and thesecond door 840 may be variously arranged according to the vertical lengths of thefirst door 830 and thesecond door 840. - A
pillar 50 is disposed at a lower end of thefirst door 830 to prevent cool air from leaking between thefirst door 830 and thesecond door 840 when thefirst door 830 and thesecond door 840 are closed. -
FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a refrigerator when a door is opened, according to further another embodiment. - Referring to
FIG. 46 , a refrigerator of the present embodiment has the same structure as that ofFIG. 37 , except for configurations of a first door and a second door and a position of a dispenser. Thus, duplicated descriptions with respect to the configurations of the first and second doors and the position of the dispenser will be omitted. - In detail, a
body 10 of the present embodiment is vertically partitioned into arefrigerator compartment 30 and afreezer compartment 20. Therefrigerator compartment 30 is selectively covered by arefrigerator compartment door 32, afirst door 930, and asecond door 940. Thefreezer compartment 20 is selectively covered by afreezer compartment door 22. - The
refrigerator door 32 covers a portion of an opened front surface of therefrigerator compartment 30 by a rotation thereof. Also, thefirst door 930 and thesecond door 940 including receivingparts refrigerator compartment 30. - The
first door 930 and thesecond door 940 are disposed at a left side of therefrigerator compartment door 32, and thefirst door 930 may be disposed above thesecond door 940. Arail member 60 for slidingly guiding the withdrawal of thefirst door 930 is disposed on top and left side surfaces of therefrigerator compartment 30 corresponding to thefirst door 930. Therail member 60 is fixed inside therefrigerator compartment 30 by arail mounting member 70. - A receiving
part 934 for receiving foods is disposed at a rear side of thefirst door 930. The receivingpart 934 may have one stage or two stages and may have various structures to receive a variety of foods. - The
second door 940 is disposed below thefirst door 930. Thesecond door 940 may be slidingly withdrawable into therefrigerator compartment 30 by arail member 60. - In detail, since the
second door 940 is adjacent to an inner bottom surface and a left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30, therail member 60 and arail mounting member 70 on which therail member 60 is mounted are disposed on the inner bottom surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, thesecond door 940 may be slidingly withdrawn in a state where thesecond door 940 is supported by the inner bottom surface and the left sidewall of therefrigerator compartment 30. - An ice making compartment 960 is disposed on an upper portion of a back surface of the
first door 930. The ice making compartment 960 provides a space for making and storing ice. The ice making compartment 960 receives anice maker 452 and anice bank 454. - Since the ice making compartment 960 should be maintained at a temperature below zero to make the ice, the ice making compartment 960 may be insulated from the
refrigerator compartment 30. Adispenser 936 for dispensing water or ice is disposed on the back surface of thesecond door 940 communicating with the ice making compartment 960. - The
dispenser 936 is disposed at a lower portion of the ice making compartment 960. The ice within the ice making compartment 960 may be moved toward thedispenser 936 by a transfer device. - A drinking water dispensing hole, an ice dispensing hole, manipulation units of manipulating the dispensing holes, and a residual water tray are further disposed in the
dispenser 936, and a display is disposed above thedispenser 936. - The receiving
parts first door 930 and thesecond door 940 are disposed inside therefrigerator compartment 30 when thefirst door 930 and thesecond door 940 are closed. Thus, foods stored in the receivingpart first door 930 and thesecond door 940 may be viewed through the transparentrefrigerator compartment door 32 even through therefrigerator compartment door 32 is closed. - When the
refrigerator compartment door 32 is opened, thedispenser 936 is exposed to the inside of therefrigerator compartment 30. Thus, the user may use thedispenser 936 without opening thesecond door 940. - A
pillar 50 is disposed at a lower end of thefirst door 930 to prevent cool air from leaking between thefirst door 930 and thesecond door 940 when thefirst door 930 and thesecond door 940 are closed.
Claims (16)
1.-39. (canceled)
40. A refrigerator comprising:
a refrigerator compartment;
a freezer compartment;
a freezer compartment door opening and closing the freezer compartment;
a plurality of refrigerator compartment doors comprising a pivotable door opening and closing a portion of a front surface of the refrigerator compartment and a slidable door opening and closing a remaining portion of the front surface of the refrigerator compartment;
a hinge allowing the pivotable door to be pivotably disposed;
a rail member guiding a withdrawal of the slidable door;
an ice making compartment disposed at a rear side of the slidable door; and
a dispenser disposed at the slidable door to dispenser made ice and drinking water.
41. The refrigerator according to claim 40 , wherein the pivotable door is transparent or translucent such that the inside of the refrigerator compartment and foods received in a receiving part disposed on the slidable door are viewed from the outside of the refrigerator.
42. The refrigerator according to claim 40 , wherein the dispenser disposed at the rear side of the slidable door to dispenser made ice and drinking water,
43. The refrigerator according to claim 40 , wherein the dispenser is disposed facing an inner space of the refrigerator compartment opened and closed by the refrigerator compartment door.
44. The refrigerator according to claim 40 , wherein the slidable door comprises:
a first door disposed on an upper portion of the refrigerator compartment; and
a second door adjacent to the first door, the second door being disposed on a lower portion of the refrigerator compartment.
45. The refrigerator according to claim 44 , wherein the ice making compartment is disposed on an upper portion of the first door, and the dispenser is disposed below the ice making compartment.
46. The refrigerator according to claim 45 , wherein the first door has a vertical length longer than that of the second door, and the dispenser is disposed in a lower portion of the first door.
47. The refrigerator according to claim 44 , wherein the ice making compartment is disposed on a lower portion of the second door, and the dispenser is disposed above the ice making compartment.
48. The refrigerator according to claim 47 , wherein the dispenser is exposed to face the inside of the refrigerator compartment when the second door is closed.
49. The refrigerator according to claim 40 , wherein the rail member comprises:
a lower rail disposed on a bottom surface of the inside of the refrigerator compartment to support downwardly the slidable door when the slidable door is withdrawn; and
an upper rail disposed on a top surface of the inside of the refrigerator compartment to hold upwardly the slidable door when the slidable door is withdrawn.
50. The refrigerator according to claim 44 , wherein the rail member is disposed at a side of an upper side and left and right sides of the first door and is disposed at a side of a lower side and left and right sides of the second door.
51. The refrigerator according to claim 40 , wherein a pillar rotated when the first door and the second door are opened and closed to prevent cool air from leaking between the first door and the second door is disposed between the first door and the second door.
52. The refrigerator according to claim 40 , wherein the dispenser is communicated with the ice making compartment in a front surface of the slidable door.
53. The refrigerator according to claim 40 , wherein the ice making compartment is withdrawn together with the slidable door when the slidable door is withdrawn.
54. The refrigerator according to claim 40 , further comprising a storage room in which the refrigerator compartment is partitioned to form an insulation space receiving the ice making compartment.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020090035311A KR101584805B1 (en) | 2009-04-23 | 2009-04-23 | Refrigerator |
KR10-2009-0035311 | 2009-04-23 | ||
PCT/KR2009/005308 WO2010123177A1 (en) | 2009-04-23 | 2009-09-17 | Refrigerator |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120031136A1 true US20120031136A1 (en) | 2012-02-09 |
Family
ID=43011273
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/265,354 Abandoned US20120031136A1 (en) | 2009-04-23 | 2009-09-17 | Refrigerator |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120031136A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2422148A4 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101584805B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102395845B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2009344951B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0924935A2 (en) |
MX (1) | MX344533B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010123177A1 (en) |
Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120292267A1 (en) * | 2011-05-17 | 2012-11-22 | Mellanox Technologies Ltd. | Mounting rail with internal power cable |
US20130167569A1 (en) * | 2011-12-30 | 2013-07-04 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US20140000303A1 (en) * | 2012-06-27 | 2014-01-02 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
WO2014129769A1 (en) * | 2013-02-23 | 2014-08-28 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Sliding apparatus and refrigerator having the same |
US20160084560A1 (en) * | 2014-09-23 | 2016-03-24 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US20160370053A1 (en) * | 2015-06-18 | 2016-12-22 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Refrigerator and method for manufacturing the same |
US9726423B1 (en) | 2016-04-06 | 2017-08-08 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Sliding shelf assembly for a refrigerator appliance |
US20180017310A1 (en) * | 2016-07-13 | 2018-01-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US20180038632A1 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2018-02-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US10180279B2 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2019-01-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US20190178552A1 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2019-06-13 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator icemaking system with tandem storage bins and/or removable dispenser recess |
US10605517B2 (en) * | 2015-07-24 | 2020-03-31 | Bsh Hausgeraete Gmbh | Refrigeration appliance comprising a delivery door |
US10712074B2 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2020-07-14 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with tandem evaporators |
US10852046B2 (en) | 2018-12-10 | 2020-12-01 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with door-mounted fluid dispenser |
US10900710B2 (en) | 2014-10-17 | 2021-01-26 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US20210310724A1 (en) * | 2018-08-03 | 2021-10-07 | Liebherr-Hausgerate Lienz Gmbh | Freezer device or refrigerator/freezer combination |
US11293680B2 (en) * | 2019-06-14 | 2022-04-05 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with multiple ice movers |
US11525615B2 (en) | 2017-12-08 | 2022-12-13 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator icemaking system with tandem storage bins and/or removable dispenser recess |
US11920859B2 (en) | 2015-02-13 | 2024-03-05 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2013020807A1 (en) * | 2011-08-05 | 2013-02-14 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | A cooling device with an ice machine |
KR102138355B1 (en) * | 2013-10-04 | 2020-07-27 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
KR102191571B1 (en) * | 2013-10-04 | 2020-12-15 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
KR102278204B1 (en) * | 2013-10-04 | 2021-07-19 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
CN105089439B (en) * | 2014-05-12 | 2016-10-12 | Tcl集团股份有限公司 | A kind of cabinet body structure and use the cold storage plant of this cabinet body structure |
KR101940510B1 (en) * | 2014-09-23 | 2019-01-21 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Refrigerator |
IT201600093591A1 (en) * | 2016-09-16 | 2018-03-16 | Marcello Carluccio | FRIDGE |
CN108036560B (en) * | 2017-05-05 | 2021-10-29 | 海尔智家股份有限公司 | Anti-blocking ice crusher |
CN109269207B (en) * | 2018-09-29 | 2020-10-09 | 合肥华凌股份有限公司 | Water tank assembly and refrigerator |
CN111380296A (en) * | 2018-12-29 | 2020-07-07 | 合肥华凌股份有限公司 | A kind of refrigerator |
KR20210061102A (en) | 2019-11-19 | 2021-05-27 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Refrigerator |
WO2021243864A1 (en) * | 2020-06-01 | 2021-12-09 | Chun Kit Lai | Ice dispensing system |
US11723459B2 (en) | 2021-05-04 | 2023-08-15 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | Shelf system for a beverage cabinet |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2444887A (en) * | 1945-02-17 | 1948-07-06 | Ralph S Wyeth | Supplemental food-storage cabinet for use in conjunction with refrigerators |
US5135645A (en) * | 1991-03-28 | 1992-08-04 | Raytheon Company | Refrigerator water filter |
US6059420A (en) * | 1999-02-17 | 2000-05-09 | Rogers; Thomas | See through refrigerator door construction |
KR20040049058A (en) * | 2002-12-03 | 2004-06-11 | 기아자동차주식회사 | Power Supply Structure of Slide Door for Vehicles |
US7017363B2 (en) * | 2003-08-26 | 2006-03-28 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Ice supply system of refrigerator |
US20060086132A1 (en) * | 2004-10-26 | 2006-04-27 | Maglinger Frank W | Ice making and dispensing system |
US20060162369A1 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US20070220916A1 (en) * | 2006-03-24 | 2007-09-27 | Fulton Timothy A | Door to cabinet interface for refrigerator |
US7387351B2 (en) * | 2003-12-11 | 2008-06-17 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Storage device and door holder for same |
WO2008077751A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2008-07-03 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Refrigerator and ice reservoir container for it |
US20090277210A1 (en) * | 2008-05-08 | 2009-11-12 | Whirlpool Corporation | Refrigerator with easy access drawer |
US20100024442A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2010-02-04 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Icemaker refrigerator provided therewith and ice making method |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6253568B1 (en) * | 1999-12-23 | 2001-07-03 | David A. Peffley | Refrigerator with enhanced freeze compartment access |
KR20040059041A (en) * | 2002-12-27 | 2004-07-05 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Door mounting structure for refrigerator |
KR100621236B1 (en) * | 2004-05-17 | 2006-09-14 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Apparatus for grill open/close of ice manufacture room in the refrigerator door |
KR100626459B1 (en) * | 2004-08-26 | 2006-09-20 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Open/closing apparatus of refrigerator |
KR100700784B1 (en) * | 2005-04-18 | 2007-03-27 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Door closing of prevention device for refrigerator |
KR101093900B1 (en) * | 2005-07-12 | 2011-12-13 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Rail assembly For Drawer Type Refrigerator |
JP4470856B2 (en) * | 2005-10-28 | 2010-06-02 | パナソニック株式会社 | refrigerator |
KR100765196B1 (en) * | 2006-07-20 | 2007-10-09 | 삼성전자주식회사 | A refrigerator |
CN101012993A (en) * | 2007-02-15 | 2007-08-08 | 海尔集团公司 | Transparent refrigerator |
KR20080079113A (en) * | 2007-02-26 | 2008-08-29 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Refrigerator |
-
2009
- 2009-04-23 KR KR1020090035311A patent/KR101584805B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-09-17 CN CN2009801587829A patent/CN102395845B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-09-17 WO PCT/KR2009/005308 patent/WO2010123177A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-09-17 MX MX2011009933A patent/MX344533B/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-09-17 AU AU2009344951A patent/AU2009344951B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2009-09-17 EP EP09843705.6A patent/EP2422148A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2009-09-17 BR BRPI0924935-4A patent/BRPI0924935A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2009-09-17 US US13/265,354 patent/US20120031136A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2444887A (en) * | 1945-02-17 | 1948-07-06 | Ralph S Wyeth | Supplemental food-storage cabinet for use in conjunction with refrigerators |
US5135645A (en) * | 1991-03-28 | 1992-08-04 | Raytheon Company | Refrigerator water filter |
US6059420A (en) * | 1999-02-17 | 2000-05-09 | Rogers; Thomas | See through refrigerator door construction |
KR20040049058A (en) * | 2002-12-03 | 2004-06-11 | 기아자동차주식회사 | Power Supply Structure of Slide Door for Vehicles |
US7017363B2 (en) * | 2003-08-26 | 2006-03-28 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Ice supply system of refrigerator |
US7387351B2 (en) * | 2003-12-11 | 2008-06-17 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Storage device and door holder for same |
US20060086132A1 (en) * | 2004-10-26 | 2006-04-27 | Maglinger Frank W | Ice making and dispensing system |
US20060162369A1 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US20070220916A1 (en) * | 2006-03-24 | 2007-09-27 | Fulton Timothy A | Door to cabinet interface for refrigerator |
WO2008077751A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2008-07-03 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Refrigerator and ice reservoir container for it |
US20100024442A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2010-02-04 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Icemaker refrigerator provided therewith and ice making method |
US20090277210A1 (en) * | 2008-05-08 | 2009-11-12 | Whirlpool Corporation | Refrigerator with easy access drawer |
Cited By (33)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120292267A1 (en) * | 2011-05-17 | 2012-11-22 | Mellanox Technologies Ltd. | Mounting rail with internal power cable |
US20130167569A1 (en) * | 2011-12-30 | 2013-07-04 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US8973391B2 (en) * | 2011-12-30 | 2015-03-10 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US20140000303A1 (en) * | 2012-06-27 | 2014-01-02 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US9791198B2 (en) * | 2012-06-27 | 2017-10-17 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
WO2014129769A1 (en) * | 2013-02-23 | 2014-08-28 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Sliding apparatus and refrigerator having the same |
US10309708B2 (en) * | 2014-09-23 | 2019-06-04 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator having a rotatable door for the ice making compartment forming the exterior appearance |
US20160084560A1 (en) * | 2014-09-23 | 2016-03-24 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US10634408B2 (en) | 2014-09-23 | 2020-04-28 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator having a rotatable door for the ice making compartment forming the exterior appearance |
US10900710B2 (en) | 2014-10-17 | 2021-01-26 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US10634422B2 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2020-04-28 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US10520247B2 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2019-12-31 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US10180279B2 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2019-01-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US10203152B2 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2019-02-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US20180038632A1 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2018-02-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US11920859B2 (en) | 2015-02-13 | 2024-03-05 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US11408668B2 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2022-08-09 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US20160370053A1 (en) * | 2015-06-18 | 2016-12-22 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Refrigerator and method for manufacturing the same |
US9995518B2 (en) * | 2015-06-18 | 2018-06-12 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Refrigerator and method for manufacturing the same |
US10605517B2 (en) * | 2015-07-24 | 2020-03-31 | Bsh Hausgeraete Gmbh | Refrigeration appliance comprising a delivery door |
US9726423B1 (en) | 2016-04-06 | 2017-08-08 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Sliding shelf assembly for a refrigerator appliance |
US10458693B2 (en) * | 2016-07-13 | 2019-10-29 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US20180017310A1 (en) * | 2016-07-13 | 2018-01-18 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator |
US10712074B2 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2020-07-14 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with tandem evaporators |
US11493256B2 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2022-11-08 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with tandem evaporators |
US20190178552A1 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2019-06-13 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator icemaking system with tandem storage bins and/or removable dispenser recess |
US20210063071A1 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2021-03-04 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator icemaking system with tandem storage bins and/or removable dispenser recess |
US11525615B2 (en) | 2017-12-08 | 2022-12-13 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator icemaking system with tandem storage bins and/or removable dispenser recess |
US11573041B2 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2023-02-07 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator icemaking system with tandem storage bins and/or removable dispenser recess |
US10837690B2 (en) * | 2017-12-08 | 2020-11-17 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator icemaking system with tandem storage bins and/or removable dispenser recess |
US20210310724A1 (en) * | 2018-08-03 | 2021-10-07 | Liebherr-Hausgerate Lienz Gmbh | Freezer device or refrigerator/freezer combination |
US10852046B2 (en) | 2018-12-10 | 2020-12-01 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with door-mounted fluid dispenser |
US11293680B2 (en) * | 2019-06-14 | 2022-04-05 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with multiple ice movers |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN102395845B (en) | 2013-12-11 |
KR101584805B1 (en) | 2016-01-12 |
MX2011009933A (en) | 2011-10-06 |
WO2010123177A1 (en) | 2010-10-28 |
EP2422148A4 (en) | 2016-01-13 |
BRPI0924935A2 (en) | 2015-07-07 |
AU2009344951B2 (en) | 2013-02-14 |
KR20100116742A (en) | 2010-11-02 |
MX344533B (en) | 2016-12-19 |
CN102395845A (en) | 2012-03-28 |
AU2009344951A1 (en) | 2011-09-22 |
EP2422148A1 (en) | 2012-02-29 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8806884B2 (en) | Refrigerator | |
AU2009344951B2 (en) | Refrigerator | |
US8418496B2 (en) | Refrigerator | |
US7921668B2 (en) | Refrigerator having controlled ice maker and dispenser | |
US8656731B2 (en) | Refrigerator | |
US20080307823A1 (en) | Refrigerator | |
US20110146335A1 (en) | Refrigerator | |
KR101761739B1 (en) | Refrigerator having a drawer | |
US20170138659A1 (en) | Refrigerator | |
RU2350859C1 (en) | Refrigerator | |
KR20240051625A (en) | Refrigerator |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LG ELECTRONICS INC., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PARK, SANG-HO;REEL/FRAME:027096/0902 Effective date: 20110823 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |