refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided, the refrigerator comprising: a body including a storage compartment; a door arranged to open or close the storage compartment; a decorative panel coupled to the front side of the door; and a retainer mounted on the front side of the door to coupled to the decorative panel. The door includes a rear housing defining a rear side of the door, and a main housing defining a front side and a side side of the door. The main housing includes: a front portion defining the front side of the door and having a mounting groove in which the retainer is mounted; a side portion defining the side side of the door; and a rear coupling coupled to the rear housing. The main housing is formed by bending a single metal sheet.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application "Refrigerator" filed on February 24, 2021, with application number 202110208951.8. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more specifically, to a refrigerator having a door with a decorative panel attached to the front. Background Technology

[0003] A refrigerator is a household appliance with a main body containing storage compartments and a cooling supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartments to keep food and groceries fresh. The storage compartments include: a refrigerator compartment, maintained at a temperature of approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius to keep groceries cool; and a freezer compartment, maintained at a temperature of approximately -30 to 0 degrees Celsius to keep groceries frozen. The storage compartments typically have an open front through which food can be removed or placed, and the open front is opened or closed by a door.

[0004] The door may include a door body with thermal insulation and a decorative panel attached to the front of the door body. Because the decorative panel can be easily attached to and / or removed from the front of the door body, the user can easily replace the decorative panel with another decorative panel having a different texture, color, or design that he or she prefers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] This disclosure provides a refrigerator with a door equipped with a decorative panel that has a reduced number of parts and a simple structure, thereby improving productivity, reducing defect rates and saving costs.

[0007] This disclosure also provides a refrigerator with a door equipped with a decorative panel that provides enhanced aesthetics and is robust and durable.

[0008] Technical solution

[0009] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a refrigerator includes: a body including a storage compartment; a door arranged to open or close the storage compartment; a decorative panel coupled to the front side of the door; and a retainer mounted on the front side of the door to be coupled to the decorative panel, wherein the door includes: a rear housing defining the rear side of the door; and a main housing including a front portion defining the front side of the door and having a mounting groove for mounting the retainer, a side portion defining the side of the door, and a rear coupling member coupled to the rear housing, wherein the main housing is formed by bending a single metal plate.

[0010] The front portion may include a flat base and curved portions formed on the left and right sides of the base, and the curved portions may include an inner curved portion defining the inner side of the mounting groove, a middle curved portion defining the rear side of the mounting groove, and an outer curved portion defining the outer side of the mounting groove.

[0011] The outer curved portion and the side portion can be formed to contact each other through a curling process.

[0012] The outer curved portion and the side portion can be formed to be parallel to each other through a curling process.

[0013] The outwardly curved portion and the side portion may protrude further forward than the base.

[0014] The intermediate curved portion can be formed perpendicular to the outer curved portion.

[0015] The inner curved portion may be formed to be inclined relative to the base.

[0016] The main shell can be formed using iron plate material.

[0017] The mounting slot may have an open front.

[0018] The refrigerator may also include a fastening member that fastens to the retainer and the mounting slot to secure the retainer to the mounting slot.

[0019] The retaining member may include a housing support member supported on the bend, and the housing support member may include: an inner support member supported on the inner bend; an intermediate support member supported on the intermediate bend; and an outer support member supported on the outer bend.

[0020] The refrigerator may also include side trim pieces attached to the left and right edges of the rear side of the decorative panel and integrated into the retainer.

[0021] The retainer may include: a retainer groove into which a side trim protrusion of the side trim is inserted; and a retainer protrusion protruding from the housing support to lock the side trim protrusion.

[0022] The decorative panel is formed using iron plate material, and the retainer may include a panel support supporting the left or right end of the panel body.

[0023] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a refrigerator includes: a body including a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment formed below the first storage compartment; a first door including a first door body arranged to open or close the first storage compartment, a first decorative panel attached to the front side of the first door body, and a first fastener for fixing the first door body and the first decorative panel; and a second door including a second door body arranged to open or close the second storage compartment, a second decorative panel attached to the front side of the second door body, and a second fastener for fixing the second door body and the second decorative panel, wherein the first fastener is attached to the top end of the first door body, and the second fastener is attached to the bottom end of the second door body.

[0024] Handles may be formed on each of the bottom side of the first door body and the top side of the second door body.

[0025] The first decorative panel may include a first panel body, a first upper trim piece disposed at the top edge of the rear side of the first panel body, and a first lower trim piece disposed at the bottom edge of the rear side of the first panel body, and the first fastener may be attached to the first upper trim piece.

[0026] The second decorative panel may include a second panel body, a second upper trim piece disposed at the top edge of the rear side of the second panel body, and a second lower trim piece disposed at the bottom edge of the rear side of the second panel body, and the second fastener may be attached to the second lower trim piece.

[0027] The first door body may include an upper cover and a lower cover, the first fastener may be attached to the upper cover of the first door body, and the first door body may have a handle formed on the lower cover.

[0028] The second door may include an upper cover and a lower cover, the second door may have a handle formed on the upper cover, wherein the second fastener may be attached to the lower cover of the second door.

[0029] Beneficial effects

[0030] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the decorative panel on the refrigerator door can be easily attached to or separated from the door body, making it easy to change the door design by replacing the decorative panel.

[0031] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the front portion defining the front side of the door body and the side portion forming the side of the door body can be integrally formed, thereby improving productivity, reducing defect rate and saving costs.

[0032] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the refrigerator may have a door that provides enhanced aesthetics and is robust and durable. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 A front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0034] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A 3D view of the refrigerator;

[0035] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 The refrigerator is broken down into the door body and the decorative panel of the freezer door;

[0036] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 An exploded view of the refrigerator's freezer door.

[0037] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the refrigerator's freezer door;

[0038] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 An enlarged view of part A;

[0039] Figure 7 It shows that Figure 1 The decorative panel of the refrigerator's freezer door is integrated into the door's operation;

[0040] Figure 8 It shows Figure 1 The bottom joint structure of the refrigerator's freezer door;

[0041] Figure 9 It shows Figure 1 The top of the refrigerator door is combined with the structure;

[0042] Figure 10 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The first process of the main casing of the refrigerator door;

[0043] Figure 11 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The second process of the main casing of the refrigerator's freezer door;

[0044] Figure 12 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The third process for the main casing of the refrigerator's freezer door;

[0045] Figure 13 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The fourth process for the main casing of the refrigerator's freezer door;

[0046] Figure 14 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The fifth process for the main casing of the refrigerator's freezer door;

[0047] Figure 15 It shows Figure 1 The refrigerator is broken down into decorative panels and the freezer door of the door body;

[0048] Figure 16 It shows that Figure 1 The decorative panel of the refrigerator's freezer door is integrated into the door's operation;

[0049] Figure 17 It shows Figure 1 The top joint structure of the freezer door of the refrigerator;

[0050] Figure 18 It shows Figure 1 The bottom joint structure of the freezer door of the refrigerator;

[0051] Figure 19 A refrigerator door according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0052] Figure 20 It shows Figure 19 The refrigerator door and Figure 5 The enlarged view corresponding to part A. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The embodiments described herein are merely preferred examples and are provided to aid in a comprehensive understanding of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

[0054] It should be understood that, unless the context clearly specifies otherwise, the singular form includes plural references. It will be further understood that when the terms “comprising” and / or “including” are used in this specification, they enumerate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0055] Various components may be described using ordinal terms such as "first" and "second," but components are not limited by terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0056] The embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings will now be described in detail, wherein the same reference numerals always refer to the same elements.

[0057] Figure 1 A front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A 3D view of a refrigerator.

[0058] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The refrigerator 1 may include: a main body 10; storage compartments 21, 22 and 23 formed inside the main body 10; doors 31, 32, 33 and 34 for opening or closing the storage compartments 21, 22 and 23; and a cold air supply device (not shown) for supplying cold air to the storage compartments 21, 22 and 23.

[0059] The main body 10 may include: an inner shell 11 defining storage chambers 21, 22 and 23; an outer shell 12 joined to the outside of the inner shell 11 to define the exterior; and a heat insulation element (not shown) disposed between the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 for insulating the storage chambers 21, 22 and 23.

[0060] A horizontal partition wall 24 and a vertical partition wall 25 may exist to separate multiple storage rooms 21, 22 and 23. Storage rooms 21, 22 and 23 can be divided into upper storage room 21 and lower storage rooms 22 and 23 by the horizontal partition wall 24, and into lower left storage room 22 and lower right storage room 23 by the vertical partition wall 25.

[0061] The upper storage compartment 21 can be used as a refrigerator compartment, and the lower storage compartments 22 and 23 can be used as freezer compartments. However, the separation and use of storage compartments 21, 22 and 23 are not limited to this.

[0062] Shelves 26 for placing groceries and storage containers 27 for storing groceries may be provided in storage rooms 21, 22 and 23.

[0063] The cooling supply unit can use a cooling cycle for compressing, condensing and evaporating the refrigerant to generate cooling air and supply the cooling air to storage compartments 21, 22 and 23.

[0064] Storage compartment 21 can be opened or closed via a pair of upper doors 31 and 32. Upper doors 31 and 32 are rotatably connected to the main body 10. Storage compartment 22 can be opened or closed via door 33, which is also rotatably connected to the main body 10. Storage compartment 23 can be opened or closed via a lower right door 34, which is also rotatably connected to the main body 10. The main body 10 may include hinges 35, 36, and 37 to connect doors 31, 32, 33, and 34 to the main body 10.

[0065] Door guard baskets 38 for storing food and door gaskets 39 that can be tightly installed on the front side of the main body 10 to seal storage compartments 21, 22 and 23 can be installed on the rear side of doors 31, 32, 33 and 34.

[0066] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 The refrigerator is broken down into the door body and the decorative panel. Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 An exploded view of the refrigerator door. Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the refrigerator door. Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 An enlarged view of part A. Figure 7 It shows that Figure 1 The decorative panel of the refrigerator door is integrated into the door's operation. Figure 8 It shows Figure 1 The bottom joint structure of the refrigerator's freezer door. Figure 9 It shows Figure 1 The top of the refrigerator door is connected to the structure.

[0067] Reference Figures 3 to 9 The structure of the upper doors 31 and 32 for opening or closing the upper storage compartment 21 is described below. The following description will focus on the structure of the upper right door 32, which can also be applied to the upper left door 31, so the upper left door 31 will not be described again.

[0068] The door 32 may include a door body 40 and a decorative panel 110 attached to the front side of the door body 40.

[0069] Decorative panel 110 may include panel body 111 and trim pieces 120, 130, and 140 attached to the rear side of panel body 111 to engage with door body 40. Panel body 111 may have dimensions corresponding to door body 40. Therefore, the front side of door body 40 may be hidden from view by panel body 111.

[0070] The panel body 111 can have any of a variety of textures, colors, and designs. The decorative panel 110 can be formed to be easily attached to and detached from the front of the door 40. Therefore, by replacing the decorative panel 110, the texture, color, and design of the front of the door 32 can be easily changed.

[0071] The panel body 111 may be formed of glass or resin. The decorative panel 110 may include a cushioning member 115 attached to the rear side of the panel body 111 to reduce impact when the decorative panel 110 is attached to the door 40.

[0072] The trim pieces 120, 130, and 140 may include an upper trim piece 120 attached to the top edge of the rear side of the panel body 111, side trim pieces 130 attached to the left and right edges of the rear side of the panel body 111, and a lower trim piece 140 attached to the bottom edge of the rear side of the panel body 111. The upper trim piece 120 and the lower trim piece 140 may be formed to be elongated in the horizontal direction, and the side trim piece 130 may be formed to be elongated in the vertical direction.

[0073] The upper trim 120, the side trim 130 and the lower trim 140 can each be attached to the rear side of the panel body 111 by adhesive 150.

[0074] The lower trim 140 may include a lower trim body 141, a lower trim protrusion 142, and a lower trim groove 143. The lower trim protrusion 142 may protrude from the lower trim body 141. The lower trim protrusion 142 may have a shape that extends rearward a certain distance from the lower trim body 141 and then extends vertically to define the lower trim groove 143. The lower trim groove 143 may be formed between the lower trim body 141 and the lower trim protrusion 142.

[0075] The lower cover 80 of the door body 40 may include a lower cover body 81, a lower cover protrusion 82, a lower cover rib 84, and a lower cover mounting space 85. The lower cover protrusion 82 may protrude upward from the lower cover body 81. The lower cover protrusion 82 may be formed to be placed in the lower trim groove 143 of the lower trim 140.

[0076] The lower cover rib 84 can protrude upward from the lower cover body 81. The lower cover rib 84 can be formed at a specific distance from the lower cover protrusion 82. When the decorative panel 110 is installed on the door body 40, the lower cover rib 84 can be configured to guide the lower trim 140 of the decorative panel 110 to the installation position.

[0077] The lower cover mounting space 85 can be formed between the lower cover protrusion 82 and the lower cover rib 84. When the lower cover protrusion 82 enters the lower trim groove 143, the lower cover protrusion 82 can be fully inserted into the lower trim groove 143 while the lower trim protrusion 142 rotates in the lower cover mounting space 85.

[0078] The lower cover 80 may include a handle 83 for holding to open or close the door 32 (see Figure 4 The handle 83 may be recessed from the bottom side of the lower cover 80.

[0079] The side trim 130 may include a side trim body 131 and a side trim protrusion 132. The side trim protrusion 132 may protrude from the side trim body 131 and may be elastically deformable.

[0080] The retainer 100 mounted on the door body 40 may include a retainer groove 105 and a retainer protrusion 106. The retainer groove 105 may be configured to insert a side trim protrusion 132 of the side trim 130 therein. The side trim protrusion 132 may be elastically deformable so that it is engaged by the retainer protrusion 106 when inserted into the retainer groove 105 beyond a certain depth.

[0081] The upper trim 120 may include an upper trim body 121, an upper trim protrusion 122, and an upper trim hole 123. The upper trim protrusion 122 may protrude from the upper trim body 121. The upper trim hole 123 may be formed at the upper trim protrusion 122.

[0082] The upper cover 70 of the door body 40 may include an upper cover body 71, an insertion slot 72, and an upper cover hole 73. The insertion slot 72 may be configured to insert the upper trim protrusion 122 of the upper trim 120 into it. When the upper trim protrusion 122 is inserted into the insertion slot 72, the first fastener 160 may engage downwards with the upper cover hole 73 of the upper cover 70 and the upper trim hole 123 of the upper trim 120, so that the decorative panel 110 can be attached to the door body 40.

[0083] Using this structure, the steps for integrating the decorative panel 110 into the door body 40 will now be described below.

[0084] First, tilt the decorative panel 110 so that the lower cover protrusion 82 is placed in the lower trim groove 143. Next, rotate the decorative panel 110 to its upright position, insert the upper trim protrusion 122 into the insertion groove 72 of the upper cover 70, and simultaneously fully insert the lower cover protrusion 82 into the lower trim groove 143. Then, the first fastener 160 can be downwardly engaged with the upper cover hole 73 of the upper cover 70 and the upper trim hole 123 of the upper trim 120.

[0085] Using this structure, the decorative panel 110 can be easily attached to the door 40 and easily separated from the door 40 in the reverse order.

[0086] The door 40 can be rotatably coupled to the body 10. The door 40 may include: a rear housing 60 defining the rear surface of the door 40; a main housing 41 defining the front and side surfaces of the door 40; an upper cover 70 coupled to the top of the main housing 41 and the rear housing 60; and a lower cover 80 coupled to the bottom of the main housing 41 and the rear housing 60.

[0087] An internal space may be formed between the main housing 41, the rear housing 60, the upper cover 70, and the lower cover 80, and a heat insulation element 90 may be filled in the internal space.

[0088] The main housing 41 may include a front portion 42 defining the front surface of the door body 40, a side portion 50 defining the side surface of the door body 40, and a rear coupling 51 coupled to the rear housing 60.

[0089] A mounting groove 48 for mounting the retainer 100 may be formed at the front portion 42. The mounting groove 48 may be formed to have an open front portion. The mounting groove 48 may be formed to extend vertically at the left and right edges of the front portion 42.

[0090] The front portion 42 may include a flat base 43 and curved portions 44 formed on the left and right sides of the base 43 to form mounting grooves 48.

[0091] The bending portion 44 may include: an inner bending portion 45 forming the inner side of the mounting groove 48; a middle bending portion 46 forming the rear side of the mounting groove 48; and an outer bending portion 47 forming the outer side of the mounting groove 48.

[0092] The main housing 41 can be formed by bending a single metal plate 500 (see...). Figure 10 The individual metal plate 500 can be formed using sheet metal. In this way, the main housing 41 is integrally formed, giving the door 40 a simple structure and making it easy to assemble, thereby improving productivity, reducing defect rates, and saving costs. In addition, the door 40 has fewer assembly parts, thereby improving resistance to deformation and robustness.

[0093] During the bending of the main housing 41, the outer bend 47 and the side portion 50 can be brought into substantially contact with each other through a crimping process. This prevents foam fluid from seeping between the outer bend 47 and the side portion 50. From different viewing angles, the outer bend 47 and the side portion 50 can be substantially parallel to each other.

[0094] In this way, the outer bend 47 and the side 50 are formed to be substantially in contact with each other and parallel to each other, so that the mounting groove 48 for mounting the retainer 100 can be formed as close as possible to the side edge of the decorative panel 110, and the outer bend 47 and the side 50 can support each other, thereby ensuring sturdiness and giving enhanced aesthetics.

[0095] The outwardly curved portion 47 and the side portion 50 can protrude further forward than the base 43. Therefore, when the door 32 is viewed from the side, no gap is visible between the decorative panel 110 and the door body 40, thus enhancing the aesthetic appeal.

[0096] The intermediate bend 46 may be formed to be substantially perpendicular to the outer bend 47, and the inner bend 45 may be formed to be inclined relative to the intermediate bend 46 and the base 43.

[0097] Door 32 includes a retainer 100 mounted in a mounting groove 48 formed in the main housing 41 to engage with the side trim 130 of the decorative panel 110. The retainer 100 can be inserted into the mounting groove 48 and secured to the mounting groove 48 by additional fastening members such as rivets, screws, pins, etc.

[0098] The retainer 100 may include a housing support 101 supported on the bend 44 forming the mounting groove 48. The housing support 101 may include an inner support 102 supported on the inner bend 45, an intermediate support 103 supported on the intermediate bend 46, and an outer support 104 supported on the outer bend 47.

[0099] The retainer 100 may include a retainer groove 105 into which a side trim protrusion 132 of the side trim 130 is inserted. The retainer 100 may include a retainer protrusion 106 configured to engage the side trim protrusion 132 to prevent the side trim protrusion 132 from dislodging when inserted into the retainer groove 105. The retainer protrusion 106 may protrude from the housing support 101.

[0100] Figure 10 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The first process of the main casing of the refrigerator's freezer door. Figure 11 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The second process of the main casing of the refrigerator door. Figure 12 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The third process of the main shell of the refrigerator's freezer door. Figure 13 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The fourth process of the main casing of the refrigerator's freezer door. Figure 14 Manufacturing process is shown Figure 1 The fifth process of the main casing of the refrigerator's freezer door.

[0101] Reference Figures 10 to 14 The method of manufacturing the main housing 41 according to this disclosure will be briefly described.

[0102] The main housing 41 can be formed by bending a single metal plate 500.

[0103] The process of manufacturing the main housing 41 may include cutting a single metal plate 500 along cutting lines 501 and 502 (see...). Figure 10 ).

[0104] The manufacturing process of the main housing 41 may include a complex U-bending process (see...). Figure 11 A complex U-bending process performs Z-bending and L-bending to bend a single metal sheet 500 along bend lines 503, 504, 505, and 506. The side portion 50 and the outer bend portion 47 can be bent to form approximately 90 degrees.

[0105] The manufacturing process of the main housing 41 may include a 50-degree bending process (see...). Figure 12 In the 50-degree bending process, the side portion 50 and the outer bending portion 47 can be bent to form approximately 50 degrees.

[0106] The manufacturing process of the main housing 41 may include a crimping process (crimping, oscillating stamping) (see...) Figure 13 In the hemming process, the side portion 50 and the outer curved portion 47 can be bent so that they are substantially in contact with each other and parallel to each other.

[0107] The manufacturing process of the main housing 41 may include a re-impact process (re-impact, cam bending) (see...) Figure 14In the re-impact process, the side 50 can be bent along the bend line 507 to form the post-joint 51.

[0108] Figure 15 It shows Figure 1 The refrigerator is broken down into a decorative panel and a freezer door. Figure 16 It shows that Figure 1 The decorative panel of the refrigerator's freezer door is integrated into the door's operation. Figure 17 It shows Figure 1 The top of the freezer door of the refrigerator is combined with the structure. Figure 18 It shows Figure 1 The bottom joint structure of the freezer door of the refrigerator.

[0109] Reference Figures 15 to 18 The structure of the lower doors 33 and 34 of the lower storage compartments 22 and 23 is described. The following description will focus on the structure of the lower right door 34, which can also be applied to the lower left door 33, so the lower left door 33 will not be described again.

[0110] The lower door 34 has an upper cover 270, a lower cover 280, an upper trim 320, a lower trim 340, and a second fastener 360. Compared to the upper door 32 described above, each of the upper cover 270, lower cover 280, upper trim 320, lower trim 340, and second fastener 360 has a different structure. Therefore, the method of attaching the decorative panel 310 to the door body 240 is also different from the method of attaching the upper right door 32.

[0111] The same structure as that in the upper right door 32 described above will no longer be described.

[0112] The lower right door 34 may include a door body 240 and a decorative panel 310 attached to the front side of the door body 240.

[0113] Decorative panel 310 may include panel body 311 and trim pieces 320, 330 and 340 attached to the rear side of panel body 311 for engagement with door body 240. Decorative panel 310 may include cushioning member 315 attached to the rear side of panel body 311 to mitigate impact when decorative panel 310 is engaged with door body 240.

[0114] The trim pieces 320, 330, and 340 may include an upper trim piece 320 attached to the top edge of the rear side of the panel body 311, side trim pieces 330 attached to the left and right edges of the rear side of the panel body 311, and a lower trim piece 340 attached to the bottom edge of the rear side of the panel body 311. The upper trim piece 320 and the lower trim piece 340 may be formed to be elongated in the horizontal direction, and the side trim piece 330 may be formed to be elongated in the vertical direction.

[0115] The upper trim 320, the side trim 330 and the lower trim 340 can each be attached to the rear side of the panel body 311 by adhesive 350.

[0116] The upper trim 320 may include an upper trim body 321, an upper trim protrusion 322, and an upper trim groove 323.

[0117] The upper trim protrusion 322 may protrude from the upper trim body 321. The upper trim protrusion 322 may have a shape that extends rearward a certain distance from the upper trim body 321 and then extends almost vertically to define an upper trim groove 323. The upper trim groove 323 may be formed between the upper trim body 321 and the upper trim protrusion 322.

[0118] The upper cover 270 of the door body 240 may include an upper cover body 271, an upper cover protrusion 272, an upper cover rib 274, and an upper cover mounting space 275. The upper cover protrusion 272 may protrude downward from the upper cover body 271. The upper cover protrusion 272 may be formed to be placed in the upper trim groove 323 of the upper trim 320.

[0119] The upper cover rib 274 can protrude downward from the upper cover body 271. The upper cover rib 274 can be formed at a specific distance from the upper cover protrusion 272. When the decorative panel 310 is installed on the door body 240, the upper cover rib 274 can be configured to guide the upper trim 320 of the decorative panel 310 to the installation position.

[0120] The top cover 270 may include a handle 273 for holding to open or close the lower right door 34 (see Figure 15 The handle 273 may be formed as a recess from the top side of the cover 270.

[0121] The upper cover mounting space 275 can be formed between the upper cover protrusion 272 and the upper cover rib 274. When the upper cover protrusion 272 enters the upper trim groove 323, the upper cover protrusion 272 can be fully inserted into the upper trim groove 323 while the upper trim protrusion 322 rotates in the upper cover mounting space 275.

[0122] The lower trim 340 may include a lower trim body 341, a lower trim protrusion 342, and a lower trim hole 343. The lower trim protrusion 342 may protrude from the lower trim body 341. The lower trim hole 343 may be formed at the lower trim protrusion 342.

[0123] The lower cover 280 of the door body 240 may include a lower cover body 281, an insertion slot 282, and a lower cover hole 283. The insertion slot 282 may be configured to insert a lower trim protrusion 342 of the lower trim 340 into it. When the lower trim protrusion 342 is inserted into the insertion slot 282, the second fastener 360 may engage upwards with the lower cover hole 283 of the lower cover 280 and the lower trim hole 343 of the lower trim 340, so that the decorative panel 310 can be attached to the door body 240. In addition, the portion of the second fastener 360 that is not engaged with the lower cover hole 283 and the lower trim hole 343 is exposed below the lower cover 280 and supported on the outer surface of the lower cover 280.

[0124] Using this structure, the steps for integrating the decorative panel 310 into the door body 240 will now be described below.

[0125] First, the decorative panel 310 can be tilted so that the upper cover protrusion 272 is placed in the upper trim groove 323. Next, when the decorative panel 310 is rotated to its upright position, the lower trim protrusion 342 can be inserted into the insertion groove 282 of the lower cover 280, while the upper cover protrusion 272 is fully inserted into the upper trim groove 323. Then, the second fastener 360 can be upwardly engaged with the lower cover hole 283 of the lower cover 280 and the lower trim hole 343 of the lower trim 340.

[0126] In this way, such as Figure 4 As shown, when the upper doors 31 and 32 have handles 83 formed at the bottom, the lower doors 33 and 34 may have handles 273 formed at the top.

[0127] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, when the first fastener 160 for securing the door 40 to the decorative panel 110 is attached to the top of the upper doors 31 and 32, as Figure 15 As shown, a second fastener 360 for securing the door 240 to the decorative panel 310 can be attached to the bottom end of the lower doors 33 and 34. Therefore, the first fastener 160 and the second fastener 360 are prevented from being exposed to the user, thus providing enhanced aesthetics.

[0128] Figure 19 A refrigerator door according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 20 It shows Figure 19 The refrigerator door and Figure 5 The enlarged view corresponding to part A.

[0129] Now refer to Figure 19 and Figure 20 A refrigerator according to another embodiment of this disclosure is described. The same features as in the above embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will not be repeated. Although Figure 19 and Figure 20An upper door for opening or closing the upper storage room is shown, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the upper door can be similarly applied to the lower door for opening or closing the lower storage room.

[0130] In contrast to the decorative panels in the preceding embodiments of this disclosure, which include glass or resin panel bodies, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the panel body 411 of the decorative panel 410 may be formed using sheet metal.

[0131] The door 400 may include a door body 40 and a decorative panel 410 attached to the front side of the door body 40.

[0132] Decorative panel 410 may include panel body 411, trim pieces 420 and 440 attached to the rear side of panel body 411, and magnet (e.g., magnetic material) 430 combined with door body 40.

[0133] The panel body 411 can be formed using iron plate material. The left and right ends 412 of the panel body 411 can be rounded and curved inward.

[0134] A magnet 430 may be provided instead of the side trim 130 or 330 in the preceding embodiments of this disclosure to magnetically attract the main housing 41 of the door body 40 when the decorative panel 410 is attached to the door body 40, thereby preventing them from separating. The main housing 41 may be formed using sheet metal to be pulled toward the magnet 430.

[0135] The retainer 100 may include panel support members 107 formed to support the left and right ends 412 of the panel body 411. When the retainer 100 supports the left and right ends 412 of the panel body 411 and the main housing 41 is in close contact with the decorative panel 410 by the magnetic force of the magnet 430, the decorative panel 410 and the door body 40 can be stably combined.

[0136] In cases where the panel body 411 of the decorative panel 410 is formed using a material such as a thin and easily deformable (e.g., expandable) iron plate, a magnet 430 is applied instead of the side trim 130 or 330 to prevent deformation of the panel body 411.

[0137] This disclosure is not exclusively applicable to the aforementioned refrigerator and door, but can also be applied to any electronic device having a body with a cavity and a door for opening or closing the cavity. For example, this disclosure can also be applied to cooking appliances with a cooking chamber, dishwashers with a washing chamber, clothes handlers with a clothes handling chamber, wine cellars with a chamber, air conditioners, etc.

[0138] Several embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but those skilled in the art will understand and recognize that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the true scope of protection is defined only by the following claims.

Claims

1.A refrigerator comprising: a main body having an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment; a first door configured to open or close the upper storage compartment; and a second door configured to open or close the lower storage compartment, the second door including: a door panel including: a panel body; an upper trim located on a rear side of the panel body; and a lower trim located on the rear side of the panel body, the lower trim including a lower trim protrusion, the lower trim protrusion forming first and second lower trim holes that are separated from each other along a lower edge of the panel body; a door body to which the door panel is detachably coupled such that the door panel is located on a front side of the door body, the door body including: an upper cover including an upper cover protrusion that protrudes downward and is coupled to the upper trim; and a lower cover including first and second lower cover holes that are separated from each other and arranged to correspond to the first and second lower trim holes, respectively, the lower cover further including an insertion slot formed to insert the lower trim protrusion therein; a first fixing member detachably coupled to the lower cover and inserted into the first lower trim hole through the first lower cover hole in an upward direction when the lower trim protrusion is accommodated in the insertion slot; and a second fixing member detachably coupled to the lower cover and inserted into the second lower trim hole through the second lower cover hole in the upward direction when the lower trim protrusion is accommodated in the insertion slot, wherein the door panel and the door body are configured such that, when the door panel is coupled to the door body, the door panel is located in an upright position, the door panel is capable of being located in an inclined position in which the door panel is inclined with respect to the upright position, the upper cover protrusion being inserted in the upper trim, in a case where the door panel is located in the inclined position and the upper cover protrusion is inserted in the upper trim, the door panel is capable of being rotated from the inclined position to the upright position while the upper cover protrusion remains inserted in the upper trim, and in a case where the door panel is located in the upright position and the upper cover protrusion is inserted in the upper trim, the first fixing member is capable of being inserted into the first lower trim hole through the first lower cover hole in the upward direction and the second fixing member is capable of being inserted into the second lower trim hole through the second lower cover hole in the upward direction. The first and second fixing members are separated from each other along the lower edge of the panel body. 2.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, 3.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, the upper trim includes an upper trim body extending along an upper edge of the panel body, and the upper trim body includes an upper trim slot into which the upper cover protrusion is inserted to couple the upper cover protrusion to the upper trim. The upper cover includes a handle formed as a recess on an upper side of the upper cover to open or close the second door. 4.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, 5.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, ​ The first fixing member includes a first portion inserted into the first lower cover hole and the first lower trim hole, and a second portion exposed below the lower cover and supported on an outer surface of the lower cover. The second fixing member includes a first portion inserted into the second lower cover hole and the second lower trim hole, and a second portion exposed below the lower cover and supported on an outer surface of the lower cover. 6.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, The door panel further includes: a cushioning member attached to a rear side of the panel body between the upper trim and the lower trim; and magnets attached to left and right ends of the rear side of the panel body.

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