Damper assembly and refrigerator comprising same

Abstract

According to the present invention, the damper cover and the damper housing, which surround the damper in order to protect the damper, can reduce the damage of the damper caused by the direct application of a side force generated by a rotating structure to the damper; moreover, the damper cover and the damper housing can assist the reciprocating movement of the damper in the front-back direction through the mutual fastening relationship.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a damper assembly and a refrigerator including the damper assembly. Specifically, the present invention relates to a damper assembly that provides a damping force to a structure having a rotational motion and a refrigerator including the damper assembly. Background Art

[0002] A refrigerator is a household appliance that supplies cold air generated by the circulation of a refrigerant to a storage compartment, thereby storing various types of stored objects fresh in the storage compartment for a long time.

[0003] A user can open and close the storage compartment formed in the cabinet of the refrigerator by using a door.

[0004] As an example, the door can be implemented in various ways, such as a rotary door that rotates about a side of the refrigerator as a rotation axis or a drawer door that is drawn in and out in the front-rear direction.

[0005] The refrigerator may be provided with a damper that provides a damping force to the door, thereby absorbing the impact generated when opening and closing the door and reducing noise.

[0006] Specifically, in the process of closing an opened door, the damper can softly close the door by providing a damping force to the door and adjust the closing speed of the door.

[0007] For example, the damper can provide a damping force by using a resistance based on friction generated when a filler such as oil or gas filled inside passes through an orifice.

[0008] The movement of the filler in the damper can be achieved by a linear reciprocating motion of a piston rod having a piston mounted on one side in a cylinder in the damper.

[0009] Generally, the piston rod can be formed in a shape having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cylinder and extending long in one direction, and a part of the piston rod can protrude outward from the cylinder during the linear reciprocating motion.

[0010] When the damper performing the above-described linear reciprocating motion is mounted on a structure having a rotational motion or is mounted to collide with a structure having a rotational motion, a side force caused by the rotational motion of the structure is applied to the damper.

[0011] In this case, since the piston rod extending outward from the cylinder has a relatively small diameter, it may be bent or damaged due to the side force.

[0012] As described above, if the piston rod is bent or damaged, there may be a problem that the damper loses its own function.

[0013] On the other hand, a pillar may be provided on one side of the door to prevent the cold air in the storage compartment from flowing out.

[0014] The pillar can be rotated to fold when the door is opened and unfold again when the door is closed.

[0015] Since the pillar also acts as a resistance when the door is closed, additional force may be required to rotate the pillar when closing the door.

[0016] In addition, when the door is closed, additional force may also be required to compress the damper.

[0017] Therefore, when the damper also operates on the door equipped with the pillar, due to the damping force of the damper added to the resistance of the pillar, there is a problem that the door cannot be closed properly.

[0018] To solve the problem that the door cannot be closed properly as described above, it is necessary to reduce the damping force of the damper or increase the force applied by the user to close the door.

[0019] However, if the damping force of the damper is reduced, the effect of the damper becomes very small, so there may be a problem that the door cannot be closed gently.

[0020] And if the user increases the force to close the door while maintaining the damping force of the damper, the force required for the user to open the door also increases, so there may be a problem that causes dissatisfaction among users. Summary of the Invention

[0021] Problems to be Solved

[0022] An object of the present invention is to provide a damper assembly capable of reducing breakage that may occur when a side force acts on a damper performing linear reciprocating motion, and a refrigerator including the damper assembly.

[0023] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a damper assembly capable of reducing the damping force of the damper before the pillar operates, and a refrigerator including the damper assembly.

[0024] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a damper assembly capable of reducing damage to a ring included in the damper and reciprocatingly moving in an inner diameter change section of the damper, and a refrigerator including the damper assembly.

[0025] The object of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned can be clearly understood through the following description, and will be further clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the objects and advantages of the present invention can be easily achieved through the methods and their combinations represented by the claims.

[0026] Technical solution for solving the problem

[0027] A damper assembly and a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the problems described above are characterized in that the damper cover can reciprocate in the front - rear direction along the inner peripheral surface of the damper housing.

[0028] Specifically, in order to reduce the damage of the damper that may occur when a lateral force is applied to the damper, the damper cover and the damper housing that surround the damper to protect the damper can guide the reciprocating movement of the damper in the front - rear direction through a coupling structure and interaction.

[0029] The damper assembly and the refrigerator include a damper, a damper cover that surrounds at least a part of the front end portion of the damper and the outer peripheral surface of the damper, and a damper housing that surrounds at least a part of the rear end portion of the damper and the outer peripheral surface of the damper.

[0030] In this case, the damper cover can reciprocate in the front - rear direction along the inner peripheral surface of the damper housing.

[0031] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the damper cover can be driven by the movement of the damper.

[0032] In addition, as yet another embodiment of the present invention, the damper cover can be inserted into the inside of the damper housing and reciprocate.

[0033] In addition, as yet another embodiment of the present invention, the damper cover may include a pair of rail portions extending in the front - rear direction; a guiding portion may be included on the inner side surface of the damper housing to guide the movement of the rail portions; and the rail portions can reciprocate along the guiding portion.

[0034] In addition, as yet another embodiment of the present invention, a pair of slit portions may be included on the side surface of the damper housing, and the pair of slit portions extend along the rail portions and are open to overlap with a part of the region of the rail portions; the rail portions may include engaging portions that can reciprocate along the slit portions.

[0035] In addition, as yet another embodiment of the present invention, the damper can be compressed or elongated, and the maximum elongation distance of the damper can be controlled by restricting the damper through the engaging portion as the damper cover moves. In addition, as yet another embodiment of the present invention, the damper cover may include a pair of first guiding ribs protruding from the outer side surface of the damper cover in the front - rear direction.

[0036] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, plural second guiding ribs extending and protruding along the front-rear direction may be included on the inner side surface of the damper housing; plural insertion parts in an open form may be included on the outer side surface of the damper cover; the insertion parts can reciprocate along the second guiding ribs.

[0037] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the damper housing may include one or more fastening parts protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the damper housing.

[0038] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the damper may include: a cover body; a piston located within the cover body; and a rod, with the rod extending such that the piston is fixed to one side of the rod, and a part of the other side of the rod protruding from the rear end portion of the cover body; the damper housing can support the rod; the damper cover can support the front end portion of the cover body.

[0039] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, a reinforcing plate may be disposed between the damper housing and the rod.

[0040] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing plate may include an insertion groove, and the end portion of the rod is inserted and fixed in the insertion groove.

[0041] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the damper may include a first inner diameter section, a second inner diameter section, and an inner diameter change section located between the first inner diameter section and the second inner diameter section; the inner diameter of the cover body in the second inner diameter section may be larger than the inner diameter of the cover body in the first inner diameter section.

[0042] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the damper may include: a cover body filled with oil; a piston including an oil flow path portion, with the piston reciprocating along the inner diameter of the cover body; a bracket configured to be spaced a predetermined distance from the piston and reciprocating along the inner diameter of the cover body; and a ring disposed between the piston and the bracket.

[0043] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the ring may be made of Teflon material.

[0044] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the damper may further include one or more seals, with the one or more seals sealing the cover body to prevent the oil from leaking; the friction coefficient of the ring may be smaller than the friction coefficient of the seal; the elastic coefficient of the ring may be higher than the elastic coefficient of the seal.

[0045] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the piston may include: a first piston portion; and a second piston portion protruding from the first piston portion toward the bracket, the second piston portion having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first piston portion; an inner diameter of the ring may be larger than the outer diameter of the second piston portion; the ring may be spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of the second piston portion by a predetermined separation distance and surround the periphery of the second piston portion.

[0046] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, when the piston is compressed, the ring may move along the second piston portion in the direction of the first piston portion so that one surface of the ring contacts one surface of the first piston portion; when the piston returns, the ring may move along the second piston portion in the direction of the bracket so that the other surface of the ring contacts one surface of the bracket.

[0047] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, when the ring passes through the first inner diameter section as the piston is compressed, the oil filled in front of the piston may flow in the direction of the back surface of the piston through a first flow path formed by the oil flow path portion.

[0048] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, when the ring passes through the second inner diameter section as the piston is compressed, the oil filled in front of the piston may flow in the direction of the back surface of the piston through a second flow path formed between the outer diameter of the ring and the inner diameter of the cover body and between the outer diameter of the first piston portion and the inner diameter of the cover body.

[0049] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, when the ring passes through the second inner diameter section as the piston returns, the oil filled behind the piston may flow in the direction of the front surface of the piston through the second flow path and a third flow path, the second flow path being formed between the outer diameter of the ring and the inner diameter of the cover body and between the outer diameter of the first piston portion and the inner diameter of the cover body, and the third flow path being formed between the outer diameter of the second piston portion and the inner diameter of the ring.

[0050] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, when the ring passes through the first inner diameter section as the piston returns, the oil filled behind the piston may flow in the direction of the front surface of the piston through the third flow path formed between the outer diameter of the second piston portion and the inner diameter of the ring.

[0051] In addition, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems is characterized in that damper assemblies for providing damping force are respectively installed on a pair of doors that rotate to open and close the front of the cabinet.

[0052] Specifically, in order to reduce damage to the damper that may occur when a side force is applied to the damper by a door that rotates to open and close, the reciprocating movement of the damper in the front-rear direction can be guided through the interaction between the damper cover that surrounds the damper to protect the damper and the damper housing.

[0053] The refrigerator includes: a cabinet including a storage compartment; a pair of doors that rotate to open and close the front of the cabinet; and a pair of the damper assemblies mounted to respectively provide a damping force to the pair of doors.

[0054] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the pair of damper assemblies may be respectively mounted on the back surfaces of the pair of doors and are arranged in an oblique direction toward the side surface of the cabinet.

[0055] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the pair of doors may include a first door and a second door; the refrigerator may include a column that is rotatably mounted to fold toward one side of the first door or unfold from one side of the first door.

[0056] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, the damper may include a first damping force section, a second damping force section, and a damping force change section disposed between the first damping force section and the second damping force section; the first damping force of the damper provided in the first damping force section may be greater than the second damping force of the damper provided in the second damping force section.

[0057] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, when the first door is closed from an open state,

[0058] the first damping force may be first provided to the first door, and then the second damping force and a third damping force generated by the rotation of the column may be provided to the first door.

[0059] Advantages of the Invention

[0060] According to the present invention, the damper cover that surrounds the damper to protect the damper and the damper housing can not only reduce damage to the damper caused by a side force directly applied to the damper by a rotating structure, but also the damper cover and the damper housing can assist the reciprocating movement of the damper in the front-rear direction through their fastening relationship with each other.

[0061] In addition, according to the present invention, a damper including an inner diameter change section where the inner diameter changes is used to provide different damping forces from each other, so that when closing the door, it is possible to change to providing a second damping force smaller than the first damping force before the column operates while the damper provides the first damping force to the door.

[0062] Accordingly, the user can normally close the door without applying a large force, and the resistance of the column and the damping force of the damper both play a role, and the door can be guided to close gently.

[0063] In addition, according to the present invention, the ring included in the damper and reciprocating with the piston is made of Teflon material with low friction and high strength, so that the reliability of the damper can be improved by reducing the breakage of the ring that may occur when the inner diameter of the damper changes in the reciprocating movement interval.

[0064] When the specific implementation manners are described below, the specific effects of the present invention will be described together with the above effects. Description of the Drawings

[0065] Figure 1 It is a front perspective view of the refrigerator.

[0066] Figure 2 It is a top view showing the state where the column is deployed when the pair of doors are closed.

[0067] Figure 3 It is a top view showing the state where the column is folded when the door with the column is opened.

[0068] Figure 4 It is a view showing that one damper assembly of the pair of damper assemblies is respectively provided on the back surface of each of the pair of doors.

[0069] Figure 5 It is an exploded perspective view of the damper assembly installed on one door.

[0070] Figure 6 It is a view showing the damper assembly.

[0071] Figure 7 It is an exploded perspective view of the damper assembly.

[0072] Figure 8 It is a rear view of the damper cover.

[0073] Figure 9 It is a front view of the damper housing.

[0074] Figure 10 It is a front view of the damper assembly.

[0075] Figure 11 It is an exploded perspective view of the damper.

[0076] Figure 12 It is a side cross-sectional view of the damper.

[0077] Figure 13 It is a side cross-sectional view of the damper when the damper is compressed and the ring passes through the first inner diameter interval. Figure 14It is a side sectional view of the damper when the damper is compressed and the ring passes through the second inner diameter section.

[0078] Figure 15 It is a side sectional view of the damper when the damper returns and the ring passes through the second inner diameter section, Figure 16 It is a side sectional view of the damper when the damper returns and the ring passes through the first inner diameter section.

[0079] Figure 17 It is a front view showing the oil inflow path formed by the piston, the ring, and the bracket.

[0080] Figure 18 It is a side view showing the oil inlet when the damper is compressed so that the ring contacts the first piston part.

[0081] Figure 19 It is a front view showing the inlet of the oil flow path part formed in the piston.

[0082] Figure 20 It is a side view showing the oil outlet when the damper is compressed so that the ring contacts the first piston part.

[0083] Figure 21 It is a front view showing the outlet of the oil flow path part formed in the piston.

[0084] Figure 22 It is a side sectional view of the oil flow path part of the oil when the damper is compressed so that the ring contacts the first piston part.

[0085] Figure 23 It is a side view of the state where the damper returns and the ring contacts the bracket.

[0086] Figure 24 It is a side sectional view showing the third flow path.

[0087] Figure 25 It is a side sectional view of the damper assembly in the state where the damper is stretched to the maximum.

[0088] Figure 26 It is a side sectional view of the damper assembly in the state where the damper is compressed to the maximum.

[0089] Figure 27 It is a curve showing the closing speed of the door without the damper installed.

[0090] Figure 28 It is a curve showing the closing speed of the door with a damper installed where the damping force acts constantly.

[0091] Figure 29 The curve of the closing speed of the door installed with a damper including an interval where the damping force changes. Detailed implementation manners

[0092] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the foregoing objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail, so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In the process of describing the present invention, when it is determined that the specific description of the related well-known technology may make the gist of the present invention unclear, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar components.

[0093] Although terms such as first and second are used to describe various components, these components are not limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Therefore, unless there is a special contrary record, the first component may also be the second component.

[0094] Throughout the specification, unless there is a special contrary record, each component may be single or plural.

[0095] Hereinafter, when any component is disposed "above (or below)" a component or "on (or under)" a component, it means not only that the any component is disposed in contact with the top surface (or bottom surface) of the component, but also that other components may be interposed between the component and the any component disposed "above (or under)" the component.

[0096] In addition, when it is described that a certain component is "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the above components may be directly connected or joined to the above other components, or it may be understood that other components are interposed between the components, or each component is "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to the above other components through other components.

[0097] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, a single statement includes plural statements. In the present application, terms such as "comprise" or "include" should not be construed as necessarily including all the various components or steps described in the specification, but should be construed as possibly not including some of the components or steps, or may further include additional components or steps.

[0098] Throughout the specification, unless there is a special contrary record, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B, and "C to D" means C or more and D or less.

[0099] Hereinafter, an ice-making device and an ice-making method according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0100] Reference Figures 1 to 5 , each main component of the refrigerator equipped with the damper assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0101] The refrigerator 1 may have an appearance formed by a cabinet 10 and one or more doors 11, 12, 13. Inside the cabinet 10, there is included one or more storage rooms as storage spaces for products. The doors 11, 12, 13 can open and close the front surface of the opening of the cabinet 10.

[0102] The cabinet 10 may include an outer shell (not shown) and an inner shell (not shown) coupled to the inside of the outer shell (not shown).

[0103] The cabinet 10 may be in the shape of a box with an opening at the front and may be divided into one or more storage spaces and include at least one of a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber.

[0104] For example, an upper storage room that can be opened and closed by a pair of upper doors 11, 12 may be located at the upper part of the cabinet 10, and a lower storage room that can be opened and closed by a pair of lower doors 13 may be located at the lower part of the cabinet 10.

[0105] The upper storage room may be a refrigerating chamber, and the lower storage room may be a freezing chamber, but it is not limited thereto.

[0106] As the first door 11 and the second door 12 of the pair of upper doors 11, 12, they may be rotary doors that open and close the storage room by rotating using a pair of hinges 16 provided on one side of the cabinet 10.

[0107] In addition, the lower door 13 may also be a rotary door, but it is not limited thereto. The lower door 13 may also be a drawer-type door that opens and closes the storage room in a sliding manner.

[0108] A dispenser 14 through which a user can take out drinking water and ice may be installed on the first door 11.

[0109] A column 15 extending in the vertical direction may be provided along one side of the first door 11.

[0110] As Figure 2 shown, the column 15 can reduce the cold air that may flow out through the gap between the first door 11 and the second door 12 by maintaining an unfolded state when the first door 11 is closed.

[0111] As Figure 3 shown, when the first door 11 is opened, the column 15 can rotate and fold towards one side surface of the first door 11, and when the first door 11 is closed, the column 15 can rotate and unfold again.

[0112] When opening or closing the first door 11, the column 15 can rotate by contacting a cam (not shown) of a column rotating member (not shown) provided at the upper end of the cabinet 10 and a column cam 15a formed at the upper end of the column 15.

[0113] When closing the first door 11, the column 15 can exert a resistance force to provide resistance to the first door 11.

[0114] However, it is difficult to effectively suppress the reverse movement generated in the first door 11 that collides with the cabinet 10 when closing the first door 11 only by the resistance provided by the column 15.

[0115] Therefore, a damper assembly 20 can be installed in the refrigerator 1, and the damper assembly 20 can gently close the first door 11 and reduce the reverse movement of the first door 11 by providing a damping force to the first door 11 when the first door 11 is closed.

[0116] For example, the damper assembly 20 can be installed on the first door 11 that opens and closes by rotational movement, but is not limited thereto, and can also be installed inside other members of the cabinet 10 or the refrigerator 1 and installed to collide with the first door 11.

[0117] In this specification, the case where the damper assembly 20 is installed on the back surface of the first door 11 that opens and closes by rotational movement is described as an embodiment.

[0118] Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a hinge installation space 17 for inserting the hinge 16 and a hinge installation portion 17a capable of installing the hinge 16 to provide a rotation axis can be respectively formed on one side of the upper region of the back surface of the first door 11 and one side of the upper region of the back surface of the second door 12.

[0119] The hinge installation space 17 is located at a position adjacent to one side surface of the cabinet 10 and is formed with a sufficient space for the hinge 16 to be inserted and operate.

[0120] As an example, the damper assembly 20 can be provided in the hinge installation space 17.

[0121] The damper assembly 20 can be operated to linearly reciprocate in the front-rear direction.

[0122] Therefore, a damper assembly installation portion 18 for forming a space where at least a part of the damper assembly 20 can be inserted and fixed in the horizontal direction can be formed in the hinge installation space 17.

[0123] For example, the damper assembly installation portion 18 can be respectively formed on the back surfaces of the first door 11 and the second door 12 and is arranged obliquely so as to face both side surfaces of the cabinet 10 in the state where the first door 11 and the second door 12 are closed.

[0124] Therefore, when the damper assembly 20 is installed in the damper assembly installation part 18, the damper assembly 20 can also be arranged in an oblique direction so as to face both side surfaces of the box body 10 when the first door 11 and the second door 12 are closed.

[0125] As described above, as the damper assembly 20 is arranged in an oblique direction, the relative structure that collides with the damper assembly 20 can be the hinge 16.

[0126] However, it is not limited to this, and the relative structure that collides with the damper assembly 20 can also be the box body 10 or various components constituting the refrigerator 1.

[0127] As described above, since the damper assembly 20 is installed on the first door 11 and the second door 12 which are structures of rotational motion, a side force is applied to the damper assembly 20 when the first door 11 and the second door 12 rotate.

[0128] In particular, when the damper assembly 20 is arranged in the hinge installation space 17, since the damper assembly 20 is located within a relatively small radius of rotation when the first door 11 and the second door 12 rotate, a stronger side force can be applied.

[0129] However, the damper assembly 20 in this specification can include a damper cover 200 surrounding the damper 100 and a damper housing 300 to assist the linear motion of the damper assembly 20, so as to reduce damage to the damper 100 even when a side force is applied.

[0130] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 6 to 10 the damper assembly 20 in this specification will be described.

[0131] As Figure 6 shown, the front - rear direction of the damper assembly 20 described in this specification can be the direction along the Y - axis, the up - down direction can be the direction along the Z - axis, and the left - right direction can be the direction along the X - axis.

[0132] The damper assembly 20 can include a damper 100.

[0133] The damper 100 can include a cover body 110 forming the appearance.

[0134] The cover body 110 can be in the shape of a cylindrical outer peripheral surface with the front end portion blocked and the rear end portion open.

[0135] The damper 100 can include a rod 120 extending from the rear end portion of the cover body 110.

[0136] The rod 120 can be in the shape of a cylindrical rod extending in one direction.

[0137] The rod 120 can be inserted through the rear end portion of the opening of the housing 110 and reciprocate in the front-rear direction.

[0138] On one side of the rod 120, the piston 170 can be fixed and located within the housing 110, and a partial area on the other side of the rod 120 can protrude from the rear end portion of the housing 110.

[0139] The piston 170 will be described in more detail later.

[0140] Since the rod 120 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the housing 110, if a side force is applied to the damper 100 in addition to the reciprocating movement of the damper 100 in the front-rear direction, the rod 120 is prone to bending damage, resulting in the possibility that the damper 100 may not operate properly.

[0141] Therefore, the damper assembly 20 of the present specification can use the damper cover 200 and the damper housing 300 to protect the damper 100. The damper cover 200 surrounds at least a part of the front end portion and the outer peripheral surface of the damper 100, and the damper housing 300 surrounds at least a part of the rear end portion and the outer peripheral surface of the damper 100.

[0142] The damper cover 200 may further include a cover body 201 having an outer peripheral surface that is generally cylindrical with a front end portion blocked and a rear end portion open.

[0143] A partial area of the outer peripheral surface that is continuous with the front end portion of the damper 100, including the front end portion of the damper 100, can be inserted through the rear end portion of the opening of the cover body 201 and located within the damper cover 200 such that the front end portion of the damper 100 contacts the back surface of the front end portion of the cover body 201.

[0144] Therefore, the inner diameter of the cover body 201 can be formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the housing 110.

[0145] The cover body 201 may include a pair of rail portions 210 extending in the front-rear direction.

[0146] The pair of rail portions 210 can protrude to have a predetermined thickness outward from the outer side surface of the cover body 201 and are respectively arranged opposite to each other on the left and right of the outer side surface of the cover body 201.

[0147] The rear end portion of the rail portion 210 can be formed to protrude more rearward than the rear end portion of the cover body 201.

[0148] An engaging portion 220 can be formed at the rear end portion of the rail portion 210.

[0149] The engaging portion 220 may be formed in a hook shape so as to restrict the movement of the damper cover 200 by hook - engaging with the damper housing 300 when the damper cover 200 is inserted into the damper housing 300.

[0150] For example, the front end portion of the engaging portion 220 may be formed to protrude more outward than the rail portion 210 to form a step with the rail portion 210, and the front end portion of the engaging portion 220 may be hook - engaged with the slit portion 320 of the damper housing 300.

[0151] The slit portion 320 of the damper housing 300 will be described in more detail later.

[0152] The rear end portion of the engaging portion 220 may be formed to have an inclined surface that descends toward the rear, whereby the damper cover 200 can be easily guided into the inside of the damper housing 300.

[0153] The pair of rail portions 210 are formed of an elastic material and are formed in a shape that bends slightly toward each other when the damper cover 200 is inserted into the inside of the damper housing 300, whereby the insertion of the damper cover 200 can be facilitated.

[0154] On the inner side surface of the rail portion 210, a reinforcing portion 211 that extends in the front - rear direction along the extending direction of the rail portion 210 is formed, whereby the strength of the rail portion 210 can be enhanced.

[0155] On the outer side surface of the cover body 201, a plurality of insertion portions 221 in an open form may be formed.

[0156] For example, a part of the insertion portion 221 may have a form in which a part of the region opens forward from the rear end portion of the cover body 201.

[0157] Therefore, the front end portion of the insertion portion 221 may be located at a position more forward than the rear end portion of the cover body 201.

[0158] A pair of insertion portions 221 may be formed to be respectively arranged on both sides of the rail portion 210 with one rail portion 210 as a reference.

[0159] The damper cover 200 may include a pair of first guiding ribs 240 that protrude from the outer side surface of the cover body 201 in the front - rear direction.

[0160] The pair of first guiding ribs 240 may be respectively located on the upper outer side surface and the lower outer side surface of the cover body 201.

[0161] The first guiding rib 240 may be formed to extend long from the rear end portion of the cover body 201 to a predetermined position in the front and have a relatively narrow width.

[0162] When the damper cover 200 is inserted into the damper housing 300 and reciprocates in the front-rear direction, the first guide rib 240 prevents the entire outer peripheral surface of the cover body 201 from contacting the inner peripheral surface of the damper housing 300. Therefore, friction that may occur between the cover body 201 of the damper cover 200 and the inner peripheral surface of the damper housing 300 can be reduced, and the reciprocating movement of the damper cover 200 can be guided.

[0163] On the other hand, the damper housing 300 may include a housing body 301 having an outer peripheral surface that is generally cylindrical with an open front end and a closed rear end.

[0164] A part of the outer peripheral surface continuous with the rear end of the damper 100, including the rear end of the damper 100, may be inserted through the open front end of the housing body 301 and located within the damper housing 300 such that the rod 120 of the damper 100 is supported by the front surface of the rear end of the housing body 301.

[0165] Therefore, the inner diameter of the housing body 301 may be formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the cover body 110.

[0166] A housing groove 350 recessed rearward may be formed on the front surface of the rear end of the housing body 301 to support the rod of the damper 100.

[0167] The housing groove 350 is formed in a shape corresponding to the rod 120 so that the rear end of the rod 120 is inserted and fixed, thereby aligning the coupling position of the rod 120 and more effectively restricting the movement of the rod 120 in the up-down and left-right side directions.

[0168] Since the damper 100 is inserted into the damper housing 300 in a state of being inserted into the damper cover 200, the housing body 301 does not directly contact the cover body 110 of the damper 100, and the inner peripheral surface of the housing body 301 and the outer peripheral surface of the cover body 201 may directly contact.

[0169] Accordingly, the inner diameter of the housing body 301 may be formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the cover body 201.

[0170] A pair of guide portions 310 for guiding the movement of a pair of rail portions 210 of the damper cover 200 may be formed on the inner side surface of the housing body 301.

[0171] The guide portions 310 may be formed to extend rearward from the front end of the housing body 301 in a shape recessed toward the inside of the housing body 301.

[0172] The thickness of the guide portions 310 recessed toward the inside of the housing body 301 may substantially correspond to the thickness of the rail portions 210 of the damper cover 200 protruding outward.

[0173] A pair of guiding parts 310 can be formed on both sides of the inner side surface of the housing main body 301 to face each other.

[0174] Thus, the rail part 210 of the damper cover 200 inserted into the inside of the damper housing 300 can reciprocate in the front-rear direction along the guiding part 310.

[0175] On the side surface of the housing main body 301, a pair of slit parts 320 with openings can be formed. The pair of slit parts 320 extend along the guiding part 310 to overlap with a partial area of the guiding part 310 and face each other.

[0176] Specifically, the slit part 320 can be formed in a form in which both the outer side surface and the inner side surface of the housing main body 301 are opened and penetrated.

[0177] The slit part 320 can be arranged close to the rear area based on the front-rear direction of the housing main body 301.

[0178] Further referring to Figure 25 and Figure 26 , the engaging part 220 of the damper cover 200 can be inserted into the slit part 320 and reciprocate in the front-rear direction along the slit part 320.

[0179] The damper 100 can be compressed or elongated in the front-rear direction.

[0180] As Figure 25 shown, when the damper 100 is elongated to the maximum, the front end part of the engaging part 220 of the damper cover 200 can prevent the further elongation of the damper 100 by being restricted to the front end part of the opened slit part 320.

[0181] Therefore, the engaging part 220 of the damper cover 200 can control the maximum elongation distance of the damper 100 by being restricted to the slit part 320.

[0182] In addition, as Figure 26 shown, when the damper 100 is compressed, the restriction between the engaging part 220 of the damper cover 200 and the slit part 320 is released, so that it can move freely backward.

[0183] Therefore, the length of the slit part 320 in the front-rear direction can not only control the maximum front-rear direction movement distance of the engaging part 220, but also control the maximum compression distance of the damper 100 and the maximum compression distance of the damper cover 200.

[0184] On the inner side surface of the housing main body 301, a plurality of second guiding ribs 330 can be formed. The plurality of second guiding ribs 330 protrude toward the inner side direction and extend along the front-rear direction.

[0185] The second guiding rib 330 may be formed to extend forward from the rear end portion of the housing body 301 and have a narrow width.

[0186] The front end portion of the second guiding rib 330 may extend to a degree not exceeding the front end portion of the slit portion 320.

[0187] A pair of second guiding ribs 330 may be respectively located on the upper inner side surface and the lower inner side surface of the slit portion 320.

[0188] As described above, by forming the second guiding ribs 330 on both sides of the open slit portion 320, the strength of the housing body 301 weakened due to the open slit portion 320 can be enhanced.

[0189] The second guiding rib 330 may guide the insertion portion 221 of the damper cover 200 to reciprocate along the second guiding rib 330 when the damper cover 200 is inserted into the damper housing 300 and reciprocates in the front-rear direction.

[0190] Specifically, although the second guiding rib 330 will not be inserted into the insertion portion 221 in the state where the damper cover 200 is extended, in the state where the damper cover 200 is compressed, a part of the region including the front end portion of the second guiding rib 330 may be inserted into the insertion portion 221.

[0191] The housing body 301 may include one or more fastening portions 340 protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the housing body 301.

[0192] For example, a pair of fastening portions 340 protruding and extending in the upper direction and the lower direction of the housing body 301 may be formed.

[0193] A fastening hole 341 penetrating in the front-rear direction may be formed in the fastening portion 340.

[0194] When the damper assembly 20 is combined with a fixing object for fixing the damper assembly 20, a fastening member such as a screw may fix the fastening portion 340 to the fixing object through the fastening hole 341.

[0195] The fastening portion 340 may be formed in a front region adjacent to the front end portion of the opening of the housing body 301.

[0196] Therefore, based on the fastening portion 340, the region of the housing body 301 protruding forward may be very small compared to the region of the housing body 301 protruding backward.

[0197] Refer to Figure 5 , the damper assembly 20 may be inserted and fixed to the damper assembly mounting portion 18 formed with a predetermined insertion hole.

[0198] In this case, the area of the housing body 301 located behind the fastening part 340 can be inserted into the damper assembly mounting part 18 without being exposed to the outside.

[0199] Moreover, the fastening part 340 can fasten to the damper assembly mounting part 18 to fix the damper assembly 20 to the back surface of the first door 11.

[0200] As a result, only a part of the area of the housing body 301 located in front of the fastening part 340 is exposed to the outside. Therefore, not only can the space utilization rate of the hinge mounting space 17 for inserting the damper assembly 20 be improved, but also excellent design aesthetics can be provided.

[0201] Between the damper housing 300 and the damper 100, specifically, a reinforcing plate 400 can be arranged between the damper housing 300 and the rod 120.

[0202] The reinforcing plate 400 can be formed of a material with higher strength, thereby preventing the load from concentrating on the back surface of the damper housing 300 due to the rod 120 and causing damage to the damper housing 300.

[0203] An insertion groove 450 that is recessed and protruded rearward can be formed in the center of the reinforcing plate 400 to insert and fix the end of the rod 120.

[0204] Specifically, one side of the insertion groove 450 facing the back surface part of the damper housing 300 can protrude to be fixed to the housing groove 350, and the other side of the insertion groove 450 facing the rod 120 of the damper 100 can be recessed to fix the rod 120.

[0205] Therefore, the other side of the insertion groove 450 can be formed in a shape corresponding to the rod 120 to insert and fix the rear end part of the rod 120. Thus, the coupling position of the rod 120 can be aligned and the movement of the rod 120 in the up, down, left, and right side directions can be restricted more effectively.

[0206] In addition, one side of the insertion groove 450 can be formed in a shape corresponding to the housing groove 350 to insert and fix the insertion groove 450 to the housing groove 350. Thus, the movement of the reinforcing plate 400 and the rod 120 in the up, down, left, and right side directions can be restricted more effectively.

[0207] The damper cover 200 of the damper assembly 20 as described above can be inserted into the inside of the damper housing 300 and reciprocate in the front-rear direction along the inner peripheral surface of the damper housing 300.

[0208] In this case, the movement of the damper cover 200 is subordinate to the movement of the damper 100. Therefore, when the damper 100 is compressed or extended, the damper cover 200 can also be compressed or extended along the inner peripheral surface of the damper housing 300 together with the damper 100.

[0209] In the damper assembly 20 of the present specification as described above, since the damper cover 200 and the damper housing 300 protect the appearance of the damper 100, it is possible to reduce the direct application of the lateral force generated by the rotating structure to the damper 100, which may cause the rod 120 of the damper 100 to bend or be damaged.

[0210] In addition, since the damper cover 200 and the damper housing 300 assist the reciprocating movement of the damper 100 in the front-rear direction through the fastening relationship between the engaging portion 220 of the rail portion 210, the guiding portion 310, and the slit portion 320, even when the lateral force generated by the rotating structure is applied to the damper assembly 20, the reciprocating movement of the damper 100 in the front-rear direction can be stably performed.

[0211] In addition, in the damper assembly 20 of the present specification, even without an additional fastening member such as a screw, the damper 100, the damper cover 200, and the damper housing 300 can be combined by the hook engagement between the engaging portion 220 of the rail portion 210 and the slit portion 320 by using the elastic force of the damper 100 itself. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of processes while providing an effective assembly process.

[0212] Hereinafter, with further reference to Figures 11 to 24 , the damper 100 of the present specification will be described in detail.

[0213] The damper 100 can be configured by being combined inside the cover body 110 forming the appearance in such a manner that the guiding member 130, the seal member 140, the sponge 150, the sponge cover 151, the washer 160, the piston 170, the ring 180, and the bracket 190 are sequentially arranged from one side of the rod 120 to the other side with the central portion being penetrated by the rod 120.

[0214] The inside of the cylindrical cover body 110 can provide a cylindrical space filled with oil 112.

[0215] The guiding member 130 functions to fix the rod 120 so that it does not sway up, down, left, or right when the rod 120 performs a reciprocating translational motion, and also functions to prevent other components inside the cover body 110 from detaching.

[0216] The guiding member 130 can be made of plastic, for example, polyamide nylon resin.

[0217] The seal member 140 is a component that functions to prevent the oil 112 filled inside the cover body 110 from leaking to the outside, and can substantially seal the cover body 110.

[0218] The inner diameter of the seal 140 is in direct contact with the outer diameter of the rod 120, and the outer diameter of the seal 140 can be in direct contact with the inner diameter of the housing 110, thereby blocking the gap where the oil 112 might leak out.

[0219] The oil leakage prevention effect can be further improved by providing a plurality of seals 140.

[0220] The seal 140 can be made of oil-resistant rubber, for example, nitrile rubber (NBR).

[0221] The sponge 150 can function to compensate for the volume when the damper 100 is compressed and the piston 170 advances, allowing the oil 112 to move in the direction opposite to the advancement of the piston 170.

[0222] The sponge 150 is formed of a porous material and is compressed when the damper 100 is compressed, thereby being able to compensate for the volume.

[0223] The sponge 150 can be made of a plastic material, for example, synthetic resin.

[0224] The sponge cover 151 can assist in the shape recovery of the sponge 150 when the damper 100 returns after the sponge 150 compressed due to the compression of the damper 100 is compressed by the oil.

[0225] The sponge 150 can be configured to surround the periphery of the sponge cover 151.

[0226] The sponge cover 151 can be made of a plastic material, for example, polyoxymethylene (POM).

[0227] The washer 160 can prevent the piston 170 from detaching from the rod 120 when the piston 170 is sleeved on the rod 120.

[0228] One side of the washer 160 can be in direct contact with the rod 120 and engage with the stepped portion 121 where the diameter of the rod 120 decreases.

[0229] The other side of the washer 160 is in direct contact with one side of the piston 170, thereby forming a flow path for the oil 112 to flow together with the piston 170.

[0230] Specifically, the washer 160 can be in contact with one side of the first piston portion 171 of the piston 170.

[0231] The washer 160 can be made of a metal material, for example, cold-rolled steel sheet (SPCC).

[0232] The piston 170 can include an oil flow path portion 173, which is a flow path through which the oil 112 can flow when the damper 100 is compressed.

[0233] The piston 170 may be composed of a first piston portion 171 and a second piston portion 172 that protrudes from the first piston portion 171 toward the bracket 190 and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the first piston portion 171.

[0234] The piston 170 may be made of plastic, for example, it may be polyamide nylon resin.

[0235] A bracket 190 may be arranged facing the second piston portion 172 of the piston 170.

[0236] For example, the end of the rod 120 may be riveted to prevent the piston 170 from detaching from the rod 120. In this case, the bracket 190 may prevent the piston 170 from being damaged during the riveting process.

[0237] One side of the bracket 190 is in contact with one side of the second piston portion 172 of the piston 170, thereby forming a flow path for the supply oil 112 to flow together with the piston 170.

[0238] The bracket 190 may be formed with a plurality of recessed portions 191 that are recessed toward the center along the outer peripheral surface, and the oil 112 may flow through the recessed portions 191.

[0239] The bracket 190 may be made of metal, for example, it may be cold-rolled steel sheet (SPCC).

[0240] A ring 180 may be arranged between the piston 170 and the bracket 190.

[0241] Specifically, the inner diameter of the ring 180 is larger than the outer diameter of the second piston portion 172, and the ring 180 may be arranged to surround the periphery of the second piston portion 172 with a predetermined separation distance from the outer peripheral surface of the second piston portion 172.

[0242] Therefore, the ring 180 may be arranged between the first piston portion 171 and the bracket 190.

[0243] The thickness of the ring 180 in the front-rear direction is formed to be thinner than the thickness of the second piston portion 172 located between the first piston portion 171 and the bracket 190 in the front-rear direction. Thus, the ring 180 may reciprocate in the front-rear direction between the first piston portion 171 and the bracket 190 along the second piston portion 172.

[0244] For example, when the damper 100 is compressed, the ring 180 may move in a direction opposite to the compression direction to prevent the oil 112 from flowing between the outer diameter of the piston 170 and the inner diameter of the housing 110, and guide the oil 112 to flow through the oil flow path portion 173 of the piston 170.

[0245] In this case, one side of the ring 180 may be in contact with the first piston portion 171, and the other side of the ring 180 may be separated from the bracket 190.

[0246] In addition, when the damper 100 returns, the ring 180 can move in a direction opposite to the return direction to form a gap that allows the oil 112 to flow in a direction opposite to the return direction.

[0247] In this case, the other side of the ring 180 can contact the bracket 190, and the other side of the ring 180 can be separated from the first piston portion 171.

[0248] The ring 180 can be made of plastic, for example, it can be fluororesin.

[0249] Preferably, the ring 180 can be made of Teflon.

[0250] More preferably, by adding 10% - 30% of carbon component by weight to Teflon, the dimensional change of the ring 180 can be further reduced.

[0251] Teflon has higher strength and lower frictional resistance than rubber. Therefore, the repeated reliability of the damper 100 can be improved by reducing the damage caused by the strong friction generated inside the damper 100.

[0252] Therefore, preferably, the ring 180 is made of a material having a lower coefficient of friction and a higher elastic coefficient than the seal 140 formed of a material having a larger frictional resistance and elastic force to provide a strong sealing force.

[0253] The elastic coefficient also represents the stiffness of the material and can represent the property of resisting deformation.

[0254] Therefore, a material with a lower elastic coefficient can have higher deformation resistance.

[0255] As described above, by including a material with higher strength and lower frictional resistance in the ring 180, the fluidity based on the oil 112 can be improved.

[0256] As described above, if the fluid flow inside the cover 110 is improved, the friction between the ring 180 reciprocating along the inner peripheral surface of the cover 110 and the cover 110 is reduced. Therefore, the temporary stop phenomenon of the damper 100 that may occur due to frictional force can be reduced.

[0257] The rod 120 can be formed to extend longitudinally in the front-rear direction, and the damper 100 can provide a damping force through the reciprocating movement of the rod 120.

[0258] A stepped portion 121 with a reduced inner diameter can be formed in the front region of the rod 120.

[0259] The rod 120 can be made of a metal material, for example, it can be stainless steel.

[0260] The aforementioned component fixed to the rod 120 can move together with the reciprocating movement of the rod 120 based on the front - rear direction of the stepped portion 121 of the rod 120, or be continuously fixed regardless of the reciprocating movement.

[0261] Specifically, the guide member 130, the seal member 140, the sponge 150, and the sponge cover 151 can be arranged behind the stepped portion 121 and are arranged to be fixed within the cover body 110 without being affected by the reciprocating movement of the rod 120.

[0262] And, the washer 160, the piston 170, the ring 180, and the bracket 190 can be arranged in front of the stepped portion 121 where the outer diameter of the entire rod 120 is reduced, and reciprocate together when the rod 120 reciprocates.

[0263] Therefore, the washer 160, the piston 170, the ring 180, and the bracket 190 can reciprocate along the inner diameter of the cover body 110 together with the rod 120.

[0264] An elastic member 111 is arranged between the front end portion of the bracket 190 and the cover body 110, whereby after the damper 100 is compressed, it can return and transmit force in the return direction.

[0265] The elastic member 111 can be a spring 180.

[0266] The elastic member 111 can be made of a metal material, for example, it can be stainless steel.

[0267] The damper 100 can include a first inner diameter section A, a second inner diameter section C, and an inner diameter changing section B located between the first inner diameter section A and the second inner diameter section C.

[0268] The inner diameter D2 of the second inner diameter section C of the cover body 110 can be formed to be larger than the inner diameter D1 of the first inner diameter section A of the cover body 110.

[0269] In the inner diameter changing section B, there can be an inclined surface so that the inner diameter of the cover body 110 continuously decreases or increases in one direction.

[0270] As described above, by including sections with different inner diameters in the damper 100, damping forces with different magnitudes can be provided to one damper 100.

[0271] Therefore, the first inner diameter section A can be a first damping force section A that provides a first damping force, the second inner diameter section C can be a second damping force section C that provides a second damping force, and the inner diameter changing section B can be a damping force changing section B.

[0272] Therefore, the first damping force of the damper 100 provided in the first damping force range A can be greater than the second damping force of the damper 100 provided in the second damping force range C.

[0273] For example, the first damping force range A can be a damping range, while the second damping force range C can be a non-damping range. As the damper 100 is compressed, a transition from the damping range to the non-damping range can be achieved.

[0274] As described above, in the damper 100 of the present specification, by gradually changing the inner diameter of the housing 110, the damping force can be adjusted step by step when the damper 100 is compressed. Therefore, even if the viscosity of the oil 112 is changed or the diameter of the oil flow path portion 173 of the piston 170 as the orifice is not adjusted, the damping force of the small-sized damper 100 can be easily converted at a low cost.

[0275] For example, when the damper 100 is compressed, in the damping range, the ring 180 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110, thereby blocking the gap between the ring 180 and the housing 110. Therefore, the oil 112 can only flow from the oil flow path portion 173 of the piston 170.

[0276] When the damper 100 continues to be compressed and passes through the damping range and enters the non-damping range, the gap between the ring 180 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 110 increases, so that the oil 112 flows into the gap instead of the oil flow path portion 173 of the piston 170. Therefore, the damping force decreases and a non-damping effect can be generated.

[0277] Hereinafter, the flow path of the oil supply 112 flow that changes according to the compression and return of the damper 100 will be described in more detail.

[0278] As Figure 13 and Figure 14 shown, when the piston 170 is compressed by the compression of the rod 120, the ring 180 can move along the second piston portion 172 in the direction of the first piston portion 171 so that one surface of the ring 180 contacts one surface of the first piston portion 171.

[0279] Referring to Figure 13 , when the ring 180 passes through the first inner diameter range A as the piston 170 is compressed, the oil 112 filled in front of the piston 170 can flow in the direction of the back surface of the piston 170 through the first flow path 1731 formed by the oil flow path portion 173.

[0280] Further referring to Figures 18 to 22, an oil inlet 174 through which the supply oil 112 flows may be formed on one side surface of the second piston portion 172. The oil inlet 174 extends toward the center of the opening of the piston 170 and extends along the inner side of the center of the opening to the back surface of the first piston portion 171.

[0281] An oil outlet 175 is formed on one side of the second piston portion 172, whereby the oil 112 flowing along the inner side of the center of the opening of the piston 170 can flow out of the piston 170 through the oil outlet 175.

[0282] Specifically, the oil flow path portion 173 may be a first flow path 1731 formed between the second piston portion 172 in which the oil inlet 174 is formed and the bracket 190 in contact with the second piston portion 172, between the center of the opening of the piston 170 and the rod 120 passing through the center of the opening of the piston 170, and between the first piston portion 171 in which the oil outlet 175 is formed and the washer 160 in contact with the first piston portion 171.

[0283] In order to minimize the deviation of the damping force, preferably, the oil flow path portion 173 is designed in the longest detour structure.

[0284] Refer to Figure 14 , when the ring 180 passes through the second inner diameter section C as the piston 170 is compressed, the oil 112 filled in front of the piston 170 can flow toward the back surface direction of the piston 170 through the second flow path 1732 continuously formed between the outer diameter of the ring 180 and the inner diameter of the housing 110 and between the outer diameter of the first piston portion 171 and the inner diameter of the housing 110.

[0285] Since in the second inner diameter section C, the inner diameter of the housing 110 increases compared with the first inner diameter section A, a gap is generated between the outer diameter of the ring 180 and the inner diameter of the housing 110, so that the oil 112 can flow into the second flow path 1732 instead of the first flow path 1731.

[0286] On the other hand, as Figure 15 and Figure 16 shown, when the piston 170 returns as the rod 120 returns, the ring 180 can move along the second piston portion 172 toward the direction where the bracket 190 is located so that the other surface of the ring 180 contacts one surface of the bracket 190.

[0287] Refer to Figure 15, when the ring 180 passes through the second inner diameter section C as the piston 170 returns, the oil 112 filled behind the piston 170 can flow in the forward direction of the piston through the second flow path 1732 continuously formed between the outer diameter of the ring 180 and the inner diameter of the housing 110 and between the outer diameter of the first piston part 171 and the inner diameter of the housing 110, and the third flow path 1733 formed between the outer diameter of the second piston part 172 and the inner diameter of the ring 180.

[0288] Further refer to Figure 23 and Figure 24 , as the other side of the ring 180 comes into contact with one side of the bracket 190, a third flow path 1733 can be formed that passes through the outer diameter of the second piston part 172 and the inner diameter of the ring 180 along the gap generated between the ring 180 and the first piston part 171 and extends to the recessed part 191 of the bracket 190.

[0289] Refer to Figure 16 , when the ring 180 passes through the first inner diameter section A as the piston 170 returns, the gap between the outer diameter of the ring 180 and the inner diameter of the housing 110 disappears, so the second flow path 1732 is blocked, and thus the oil 112 filled behind the piston 170 can flow in the forward direction of the piston 170 through the third flow path 1733 formed between the outer diameter of the second piston part 172 and the inner diameter of the ring 180.

[0290] The damper assembly 20 of the present specification as described above uses a two-stage damper including an inner diameter change section B with a changing inner diameter to provide different damping forces. Thus, when closing the door, before the column 15 moves, the damper can provide a second damping force smaller than the first damping force on the way of providing the first damping force to the door.

[0291] Therefore, when the first door 11 is closed from the open state, first, the first damping force can be provided to the first door 11, and second, the third damping force based on the second damping force and the resistance generated by the rotation of the column 15 can be provided to the first door 11.

[0292] As described above, by reducing the damping force of the damper 100 at the time point when the resistance of the column 15 takes effect, the first door 11 on which the resistance of the column 15 and the damping force of the damper 100 both act can be normally closed without the user applying a large force, and the first door 11 can also be guided to close gently.

[0293] In addition, in the damper assembly 20 of the present specification, the ring 180 included in the damper 100 and reciprocating with the piston 170 is made of Teflon material with less friction and high strength. Thus, the reliability of the damper 100 can be improved by reducing the breakage of the ring 180 that may occur when repeatedly moving through the inner diameter change section B in the damper 100.

[0294] For example, when the ring 180 is made of a material with a high coefficient of friction such as rubber, as the ring 180 repeatedly moves within the inner diameter change range B where the inner diameter changes, the ring 180 may be easily torn or damaged.

[0295] However, by forming the ring 180 from a material with a relatively small coefficient of friction such as Teflon, even when the ring 180 repeatedly moves within the inner diameter change range B, the ring 180 will not be easily torn or damaged.

[0296] In addition, since the ring 180 that moves with the compression and return actions has a low coefficient of friction, the conversion process to the non-damping section can be smoothly achieved by reducing the frictional force with the housing 110 in the damping section where it contacts the housing 110.

[0297] On the contrary, since the sealing member 140 made of rubber material has a high coefficient of friction, the frictional force between the sealing member 140 and the housing 110 is large, so it can be strongly fixed without being affected by the moving pressure of the oil 112.

[0298] In addition, regarding the ring 180 that moves with the compression and return actions, since the elastic coefficient is high, the outer diameter of the ring 180 does not change when it contacts the housing 110 in the damping section and does not contact the housing 110 in the non-damping section.

[0299] On the contrary, since the elastic coefficient of the sealing member 140 made of rubber material is low, when it is inserted and fixed to the housing 110, it is fixed in a state where the change amount of the outer diameter is large, so it can be strongly fixed without being affected by the moving pressure of the oil 112.

[0300] Therefore, the ring 180 in this specification uses a material with a low coefficient of friction and a high elastic coefficient, different from the sealing member 140, so that the damping conversion between the damping section and the non-damping section can be smoothly achieved.

[0301] On the other hand, when the ring 180 is made of a rubber material that is easily deformed due to a low elastic coefficient, since the ring 180 is easily pressed and deformed by the oil pressure, the change in the flow path area is delayed when converting from the damping section to the non-damping section, which may cause the change to the non-damping section to slow down.

[0302] On the contrary, since the ring 180 in this specification is made of a material with a relatively high elastic coefficient and is not easily deformed, the deformation of the ring 180 caused by the oil pressure is very small, so the conversion from the damping section to the non-damping section can be quickly achieved.

[0303] Refer to Figure 25, in order to provide a strong fastening force between the engaging portion 220 and the slit portion 320 when the damper 100 is installed in the damper assembly 20, it is preferably set that the elastic force of the elastic member 111 separates the sponge cover 151 and the washer 160 by a length equivalent to the initial separation distance w.

[0304] Due to this initial separation distance w, even without additional fastening members such as screws, the damper 100, the damper cover 200, and the damper housing 300 can provide an assembled structure with a stronger fastening force by the elastic force of the elastic member 111.

[0305] Figure 27 is a curve representing the closing speed of the door without the damper installed. Figure 28 is a curve representing the closing speed of the door with a damper installed where the damping force acts constantly. Figure 29 is a curve representing the closing speed of the door with a damper installed that includes an interval where the damping force changes.

[0306] Referring to Figure 27 , it can be seen that when the door is closed after passing through the door closing interval without the damper installed, the door collides with the box body, generating an impact and causing a serious phenomenon of the door moving in the reverse direction.

[0307] On the other hand, referring to Figure 28 , it can be seen that when a one-stage damper with a constantly acting damping force is installed, within the door closing interval, the closing speed of the door continuously decreases after the damper contact time point until the door is closed, and it can be confirmed that almost no reverse movement of the door occurs.

[0308] As described above, when the damping force acts constantly, although the reverse movement of the door can be significantly reduced, when a resistance caused by a column is added to the damping force of the damper within the door closing interval, the problem of the door not being completely closed frequently occurs.

[0309] On the other hand, referring to Figure 29 , it can be confirmed that when a two-stage damper including an interval where the damping force changes is installed, within the door closing interval, the closing speed of the door decreases after the damper contact time point.

[0310] The decrease in the closing speed of the door is caused by the damping force generated by the damping action in the damping interval.

[0311] After that, it can be confirmed that after the damping force change time point, the force of the damper decreases and the closing speed of the door increases.

[0312] The increase in the closing speed of the door is caused by the damping action in the non-damping interval.

[0313] If the column unfolds in the range where the closing speed of the door increases again, the door is completely closed and a slight reverse movement of the door occurs.

[0314] As described above, when using a two-stage damper, although a slight reverse movement of the door occurs at the moment when the door is completely closed compared with using a one-stage damper, the difference between them is not significant. Therefore, the problem that the door cannot be normally closed can be effectively solved without bringing too much inconvenience to the user.

[0315] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and those of ordinary skill in the art can make various modifications within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Moreover, even if the effects of the structure according to the present invention are not explicitly described when explaining the embodiments of the present invention, the effects that can be predicted by this structure should also be recognized.

Claims

1. A damper assembly, wherein, Comprising: A damper; A damper cover surrounding at least a part of the front end portion of the damper and the outer peripheral surface of the damper; And A damper housing surrounding at least a part of the rear end portion of the damper and the outer peripheral surface of the damper; The damper cover can reciprocate in the front - rear direction along the inner peripheral surface of the damper housing.

2. The damper assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The movement of the damper cover is driven by the movement of the damper.

3. The damper assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The damper cover is inserted into the inside of the damper housing and reciprocates.

4. The damper assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The damper cover includes a pair of rail portions extending in the front - rear direction; On the inner side surface of the damper housing, there is a guiding portion that guides the movement of the rail portions; The rail portions can reciprocate along the guiding portion.

5. The damper assembly according to claim 4, wherein, On the side surface of the damper housing, there are a pair of slit portions that extend along the rail portions and are open to overlap with a part of the region of the rail portions; The rail portions include engaging portions that can reciprocate along the slit portions.

6. The damper assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The damper is compressed or elongated, By restricting the engaging portion in the slit portion as the damper cover moves, the maximum elongation distance of the damper is controlled.

7. The damper assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The damper cover includes a pair of first guiding ribs protruding from the outer side surface of the damper cover in the front - rear direction.

8. The damper assembly according to claim 1, wherein, On the inner side surface of the damper housing, there are a plurality of second guiding ribs extending and protruding in the front - rear direction; On the outer side surface of the damper cover, there are a plurality of insertion portions in an open shape; The insertion portions can reciprocate along the second guiding ribs.

9. The damper assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The damper housing includes one or more fastening portions protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the damper housing.

10. The damper assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The damper includes: A cover body; A piston located inside the cover body; and A rod, the rod extends with the piston fixed on one side of the rod, and a part of the other side of the rod protrudes from the rear end portion of the cover body; The damper housing supports the rod; The damper cover supports the front end portion of the cover body.

11. The damper assembly according to claim 10, wherein, A reinforcing plate is arranged between the damper housing and the rod.

12. The damper assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The reinforcing plate includes an insertion groove, and the end portion of the rod is inserted and fixed in the insertion groove.

13. The damper assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The damper includes a first inner diameter section, a second inner diameter section, and an inner diameter changing section located between the first inner diameter section and the second inner diameter section; The inner diameter of the housing in the second inner diameter range is larger than the inner diameter of the housing in the first inner diameter range.

14. The damper assembly according to claim 13, wherein, The damper includes: A housing filled with oil; A piston including an oil flow path portion, the piston reciprocatingly moving along the inner diameter of the housing; A bracket configured to be separated from the piston by a predetermined distance and reciprocatingly moving along the inner diameter of the housing; and A ring disposed between the piston and the bracket.

15. The damper assembly according to claim 14, wherein, The ring is made of Teflon material.

16. The damper assembly according to claim 14, wherein, The damper further includes one or more seals that seal the housing to prevent the oil from leaking; The friction coefficient of the ring is smaller than the friction coefficient of the seal; The elastic coefficient of the ring is higher than the elastic coefficient of the seal.

17. The damper assembly according to claim 14, wherein, The piston includes: A first piston portion; and A second piston portion protruding from the first piston portion toward the bracket, the second piston portion having an outer diameter smaller than that of the first piston portion; The inner diameter of the ring is larger than the outer diameter of the second piston portion; The ring is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the second piston portion by a predetermined distance and surrounds the periphery of the second piston portion.

18. The damper assembly according to claim 17, wherein, When the piston is compressed, the ring moves along the second piston portion toward the direction where the first piston portion is located, such that one surface of the ring contacts one surface of the first piston portion; When the piston returns, the ring moves along the second piston portion toward the direction where the bracket is located, such that the other surface of the ring contacts one surface of the bracket.

19. The damper assembly according to claim 14, wherein, When the ring passes through the first inner diameter range as the piston is compressed, the oil filled in front of the piston flows through a first flow path toward the back surface direction of the piston, and the first flow path is formed by the oil flow path portion.

20. The damper assembly according to claim 14, wherein, When the ring passes through the second inner diameter range as the piston is compressed, the oil filled in front of the piston flows through a second flow path toward the back surface direction of the piston, and the second flow path is formed between the outer diameter of the ring and the inner diameter of the housing and between the outer diameter of the first piston portion and the inner diameter of the housing.

21. The damper assembly according to claim 14, wherein, When the ring passes through the second inner diameter range as the piston returns, the oil filled behind the piston flows through the second flow path and a third flow path toward the front surface direction of the piston, the second flow path is formed between the outer diameter of the ring and the inner diameter of the housing and between the outer diameter of the first piston portion and the inner diameter of the housing, and the third flow path is formed between the outer diameter of the second piston portion and the inner diameter of the ring.

22. The damper assembly according to claim 14, wherein, When the ring passes through the first inner diameter section as the piston returns, the oil filled behind the piston flows in the front direction of the piston through a third flow path formed between the outer diameter of the second piston portion and the inner diameter of the ring.

23. A refrigerator, wherein, Comprising: A box body including a storage chamber; A pair of doors that rotate to open and close the front of the box body; And A pair of damper assemblies installed to respectively provide a damping force to the pair of doors; The damper assembly includes: A damper; A damper cover that surrounds at least a part of the front end portion and the outer peripheral surface of the damper; and A damper housing that surrounds at least a part of the rear end portion and the outer peripheral surface of the damper; The damper cover can reciprocate in the front-rear direction along the inner peripheral surface of the damper housing.

24. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein, Each of the pair of damper assemblies is installed on the back surface of the pair of doors and is arranged obliquely towards the side surface of the box body.

25. The refrigerator according to claim 23, wherein, The pair of doors includes a first door and a second door; The refrigerator includes a column that is rotatably installed to fold towards one side of the first door or unfold from one side of the first door.

26. The refrigerator according to claim 25, wherein, The damper includes a first damping force section, a second damping force section, and a damping force change section disposed between the first damping force section and the second damping force section; The first damping force of the damper provided in the first damping force section is greater than the second damping force of the damper provided in the second damping force section.

27. The refrigerator according to claim 26, wherein, When the first door is closed from the open state, First, the first damping force is provided to the first door, Secondly, the second damping force and a third damping force generated due to the rotation of the column are provided to the first door.

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