Refrigerator

Abstract

The refrigerator includes: a main body; a storage chamber within the body; a door which can be coupled to the main body and which, when coupled to the main body, can rotate to open and close the storage chamber; a lever device which can be installed on the door; and a cam mountable on the main body and including a cam surface. The lever device includes: a housing; a lever including a first end and a second end coupleable to the housing, and rotatable about the second end when the second end is coupled to the housing; and a spring which can be disposed within the housing and can be coupled to the lever, and when the spring is coupled to the lever, the spring is compressed and extended according to rotation of the lever. The cam surface includes a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and an inflection point between the first contact surface and the second contact surface. In a state in which the lever device is mounted to the door and the cam is mounted to the main body, the lever device and the cam are provided such that when the door is rotated to close the storage chamber, a first end of the lever contacts the cam, a first end moving along a cam surface moves along a first contact surface, and the lever rotates in a first direction to close the storage chamber. The lever is rotated in a first direction to compress the spring and accumulate elastic force in the lever device, and the first end contacts the inflection point after moving along the length of the first contact surface, the first end moves along the second contact surface after the inflection point, and the lever rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that compression of the spring is released. And thus the accumulated elastic force is transmitted to the door in a direction in which the door is rotated to close the storage chamber.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator capable of improving a closing force of a door by using an elastic force of a spring. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a refrigerator, an apparatus for keeping food fresh, includes a main body having storage compartments and a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartments. The storage compartments include a refrigerating compartment in which food is kept refrigerated at a temperature of about 0 to 5°C and a freezing compartment in which food is kept frozen at a temperature of about 0 to -30°C. A door is provided on a front surface of the main body to open or close the storage compartments. The door is provided on the front surface of the main body in a rotatable manner to open or close the storage compartments.

[0003] The door can be closed by a door closing device after being closed at a predetermined angle. SUMMARY

[0004] Technical problems to be solved

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator capable of improving a closing force of a door.

[0006] Further, the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator having an improved closing force of a door by using an elastic force of a spring.

[0007] Further, the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator having an improved closing force of a door to be completely closed without stopping during a door closing process.

[0008] Further, the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator having an improved closing force of a door to allow a door to be closed with a small force.

[0009] Further, the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator capable of visually recognizing whether a door is opened or closed by using an elastic force of a spring.

[0010] The technical tasks to be achieved in the present document are not limited to the above-mentioned technical tasks, and other technical tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0011] Technical solutions

[0012] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure will be partially set forth in the following description, and partially apparent from the description, or can be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0013] According to embodiments of the disclosure, a refrigerator includes a main body, a storage compartment located in the main body, a door that is couplable to the main body so that the door is rotatable to open and close the storage compartment when the door is coupled to the main body, a lever device that is installable on the door and includes a housing, a lever including a first end and a second end that is couplable to the housing so that the lever is rotatable about the second end when the second end is coupled to the housing, and a spring that is arrangeable inside the housing and couplable to the lever so that the spring is compressed and extended according to rotation of the lever when the spring is coupled to the lever, and a cam that is installable on the main body and includes a cam face, and the cam face includes a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and an inflection point located between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, wherein, when the lever device is installed on the door and the cam is installed on the main body, the lever device and the cam are configured so that, when the door is being rotated to close the storage compartment, the first end of the lever contacts the cam and moves along the cam face so that the first end of the lever moves along the first contact surface and the lever is rotated in a first direction to compress the spring and accumulate an elastic force in the lever device, after the first end of the lever moves along a length of the first contact surface, the first end of the lever contacts the inflection point, and after the first end of the lever contacts the inflection point, the first end of the lever moves along the second contact surface and the lever is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction so that the spring is decompressed and the accumulated elastic force is transmitted to the door in a direction in which the door is rotated to close the storage compartment.

[0014] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the cam face can protrude toward the lever device.

[0015] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the door can be rotatable to a position at which the first end of the lever does not contact the cam when the storage compartment is open.

[0016] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the door can include a first door, a second door, and a rotation bar that is coupled with the first door to rotate in response to the first door rotating to open and close the storage compartment to cover a gap between the first door and the second door when the storage compartment is closed.

[0017] According to embodiments of the disclosure, the inflection point can be a portion of the cam face that protrudes most toward the lever device.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the lever device can include a support installed within the housing and supporting the spring.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the housing can include a support installation groove to which the support is installed, and a rotation shaft to which the second end of the lever is coupled so that the lever can rotate about the rotation shaft.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the support can include an installation hole in the support installation groove to receive a fixing member, and a first support protrusion on which a first end of the spring is supported.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the lever can include a rotation hole through which the rotation shaft extends, a second support protrusion on which a second end of the spring is supported, and a roller at a first end of the lever to contact and move along the cam surface.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the roller can include a plurality of grooves along an outer circumferential surface of the roller.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the spring can elastically bias the lever so that the roller maintains contact with the cam surface as the roller moves along the cam surface.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the spring can be a compression spring.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the lever can include a roller at a first end of the lever and in contact with the cam surface as the roller moves along the cam surface at the first end of the lever. The roller can be in contact with the first contact surface and move along the first contact surface toward the inflection point as the door is being rotated to close the storage compartment.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the spring can be compressed by rotation of the lever as the roller moves along the first contact surface.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the lever device can be configured to transmit the accumulated elastic force to the door in a direction in which the door is rotated to close the storage compartment as the roller passes the inflection point and moves along the second contact surface.

[0028] According to the spirit of the disclosure, a refrigerator includes a main body, a storage compartment provided inside the main body, a door rotatably coupled to the main body to open or close the storage compartment, a lever device installed on the door and configured to accumulate an elastic force when the door is closed, and a cam installed on the main body and having a cam face with which the lever device comes into contact. The cam face includes an inflection point that becomes a reference point for transmitting the elastic force accumulated by a compression spring to the door, a first contact surface with which the lever device comes into contact before contacting the inflection point, wherein the first contact surface is a section in which the lever device moves along the first contact surface to cause the compression spring to accumulate the elastic force, and a second contact surface with which the lever device comes into contact after contacting the inflection point, wherein the second contact surface is a section in which the lever device moves along the second contact surface to transmit the elastic force accumulated by the compression spring to the door.

[0029] According to the spirit of the disclosure, a refrigerator includes a main body, a storage compartment provided inside the main body, a door rotatably coupled to the main body to open or close the storage compartment, a lever device installed on the door and configured to accumulate an elastic force when the door is closed, and a cam installed on the main body and having a cam face with which the lever device comes into contact. The cam face includes an inflection point that becomes a reference point for transmitting the elastic force accumulated by a compression spring to the door, a first contact surface with which the lever device comes into contact before contacting the inflection point, wherein the first contact surface is a section in which the lever device moves along the first contact surface to cause the compression spring to accumulate the elastic force, and a second contact surface with which the lever device comes into contact after contacting the inflection point, wherein the second contact surface is a section in which the lever device moves along the second contact surface to transmit the elastic force accumulated by the compression spring to the door. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] These and / or other embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator in which a first door and a freezer compartment door are opened, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2 is a view of a cam coupled to an upper hinge module and a lever device coupled to a door cover, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0033] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a lever mechanism, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a lever device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in which a first housing is removed.

[0035] Figure 5 is a view of a lever device and a cam according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 6 is a graph illustrating a closing force of a door corresponding to an opening angle a of the door when the opening angle a of the door is X1 at which a roller of a lever according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is positioned at an inflection point of a cam surface, and a closing force of the door due to a frictional force generated by a rotating rod depends on the opening angle a of the door.

[0037] Figure 7 is a view of a fully opened door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 8 is a view illustrating a roller of a lever device contacting a first contact surface of a cam surface as a door is being closed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 9 is a view illustrating a roller of a lever device moving along a first contact surface of a cam surface to an inflection point during a closing of a door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 10 is a view illustrating a roller of a lever device moving along a second contact surface past an inflection point of a cam surface during a closing of a door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 11 is a view showing a fully closed door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A’ of Figure 11

[0043] Figure 13 is a view illustrating a roller of a lever device moving along a shape of a second contact surface as a door is being opened according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 14 is a view illustrating a roller of a lever device moving along a shape of a second contact surface to an inflection point as a door is being opened according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 15 is a view illustrating a roller of a lever device moving along a first contact surface past an inflection point of a cam surface during an opening of a door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] ​The various embodiments described herein and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments and should be understood not to include various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the corresponding embodiments.

[0047] With reference to the description of the drawings, like reference numerals can be used to refer to like or similar parts throughout the several views.

[0048] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item can include one or more of the items, unless clearly indicated in the relevant context otherwise.

[0049] In this document, phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations of the items.

[0050] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one and all combinations of one or more associated items.

[0051] Terms such as "first", "second", "1st", or "2nd" can be simply used to distinguish a component from other components, without limiting the component in other aspects (for example, importance or order).

[0052] In addition, as used in the present disclosure, the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "side", "left", "right", "up", "down", and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of each component.

[0053] It will be understood that when the terms "include", "comprise", "have", and / or "contain" are used in this specification, the existence of specified features, numbers, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof is specified, but the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof is not excluded.

[0054] It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being "connected to", "coupled to", "supported by", or "in contact with" another component, the component can be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component. When a component is indirectly connected to, indirectly coupled to, indirectly supported by, or indirectly in contact with another component, the component can be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component through a third component.

[0055] It will also be understood that, when a component is referred to as being "on" or "above" another component, it can be directly on the other component or intervening components can also be present.

[0056] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a main body.

[0057] The "main body" can include an inner case, an outer case positioned outside the inner case, and a thermal insulator provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0058] The "inner case" can include a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner that forms a storage compartment. The inner case can be formed in one body, or can be formed by assembling a plurality of plates together. The "outer case" can form an appearance of the main body, and is coupled to an outer side of the inner case such that the thermal insulator is positioned between the inner case and the outer case.

[0059] The "thermal insulator" can thermally insulate an inside of a storage compartment from an outside of the storage compartment to maintain an inside temperature of the storage compartment at an appropriate temperature regardless of an outside environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the thermal insulator can include a foamed thermal insulator. The foamed thermal insulator can be molded by fixing the inner case and the outer case with a jig or the like, and then injecting and foaming polyurethane foam, which is a mixture of polyurethane and a blowing agent, between the inner case and the outer case.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the thermal insulator can include a vacuum thermal insulator in addition to the foamed thermal insulator, or the thermal insulator can be configured to have only the vacuum thermal insulator without the foamed thermal insulator. The vacuum thermal insulator can include a core material and a cladding material that accommodates the core material and seals the inside in a vacuum or a pressure close to a vacuum. The vacuum thermal insulator can further include an absorber for absorbing gas and water to stably maintain a vacuum state. However, the thermal insulator is not limited to the foamed thermal insulator or the vacuum thermal insulator mentioned above, and can include various materials that can be used for thermal insulation.

[0061] The "storage compartment" can include a space defined by the inner case. The storage compartment can also include the inner case that defines a space corresponding to the storage compartment. Various items such as food, medicine, and cosmetics can be stored in the storage compartment, and the storage compartment can be formed such that at least one side of the storage compartment is open for putting in or taking out the items.

[0062] The refrigerator can include one or more storage compartments. In the case where two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments can have different purposes of use, and can be maintained at different temperatures. To this end, the storage compartments can be partitioned by a partition wall including a thermal insulator.

[0063] The storage compartment can be maintained in an appropriate temperature range according to the purpose of use, and includes a "fresh food compartment", a "freezer compartment", and a "temperature conversion compartment" according to the purpose of use and / or the temperature range. The fresh food compartment can be maintained at an appropriate temperature for keeping food cold without freezing the food, and the freezer compartment can be maintained at an appropriate temperature for keeping food frozen. "Chilling" can mean keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the fresh food compartment can be maintained in a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" can mean freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezer compartment can be maintained in a range of -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment can be used as any one of the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment according to the user's selection or regardless of the user's selection.

[0064] In addition to the "fresh food compartment", the "freezer compartment", and the "temperature conversion compartment", the storage compartment can also be referred to as various other terms such as a "vegetable compartment", a "crisper compartment", a "cooling compartment", and an "ice making compartment", and the terms used below such as "fresh food compartment", "freezer compartment", "temperature conversion compartment", etc. need to be understood to mean a storage compartment having a corresponding purpose of use and a corresponding temperature range.

[0065] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include at least one door configured to open or close an open side of the storage compartment. Respective doors can be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door can be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door can be installed on the front of the main body in a rotatable manner or in a slidable manner.

[0066] The "door" can seal the storage compartment in a closed state. Like the main body, the door can include a heat insulator to insulate the storage compartment in the closed state.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the door can include an outer door panel forming a front surface of the door, an inner door panel forming a rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cover, a lower cover, and a door heat insulator provided in the door.

[0068] A gasket can be provided on the edge of the inner door panel to seal the storage compartment by being in close contact with the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The inner door panel can include a dyke protruding backward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the door can include a door body and a front panel coupled to the front of the door body in a detachable manner and forming a front surface of the door. The door body can include an outer door panel forming a front surface of the door body, an inner door panel forming a rear surface of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cover, a lower cover, and a door heat insulator provided in the door body.

[0070] Depending on the arrangement of the door and the storage compartment, the refrigerator can be classified as a French door type refrigerator, a side-by-side type refrigerator, a bottom mounted freezer (BMF) type refrigerator, a top mounted freezer (TMF) type refrigerator, or a one-door refrigerator.

[0071] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

[0072] The "cold air supply device" can include a machine, a device, an electronic device, and / or a combination system capable of generating cold air and guiding the cold air to cool the storage compartment.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device can generate cold air by including a cooling cycle of a compression, a condensation, an expansion, and an evaporation process of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device can include a cooling cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the cooling cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device can include a semiconductor such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool the storage compartment by heating action and cooling action through the Peltier effect.

[0074] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.

[0075] The "machine room" can be partitioned from and thermally insulated from the storage compartment to prevent heat generated from the components installed in the machine room from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat from the components installed inside the machine room, the machine room can be communicated with the outside of the main body.

[0076] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser can be provided on the door to allow a user to access or access without opening the door.

[0077] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include an ice making device that produces ice. The ice making device can include an ice making tray that stores water, an ice moving device that separates ice from the ice making tray, and an ice bucket that stores ice generated in the ice making tray.

[0078] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0079] The "controller" can include a memory for storing and / or memorizing data and / or programs for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting a control signal for controlling the cold air supply device, etc., according to the programs and / or data memorized in the memory.

[0080] The memory can store or record various information, data, commands, programs, etc. required for the operation of the refrigerator. The memory can store temporary data generated when generating a control signal for controlling a component included in the refrigerator. The memory can include at least one of a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0081] The processor can control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor can control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in the memory. The processor can include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs the operation of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. In addition, the processor can include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), etc. The processor can generate a control signal to control the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor can accommodate temperature information of the storage compartment from the temperature sensor, and generate a cooling control signal for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

[0082] In addition, the processor can process a user input of the user interface and control the operation of the user interface according to programs and / or data memorized / stored in the memory. The user interface can be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor can accommodate a user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor can transmit a display control signal for displaying an image on the user interface and image data to the user interface in response to the user input.

[0083] The processor and the memory can be integrally provided, or can be separately provided. The processor can include one or more processors. For example, the processor can include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory can include one or more memories.

[0084] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a processor and a memory for controlling all components included in the refrigerator, and can include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for separately controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator can include a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device according to the output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator can be separately equipped with a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the user interface according to a user input.

[0085] The communication module can communicate with external devices such as a server, a mobile device, and other home appliances via a nearby access point (AP). The AP can connect a local area network (LAN) to which the refrigerator or the user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device can be connected to the server via the WAN.

[0086] The input interface can include a key, a touch screen, a microphone, etc. The input interface can accommodate a user input, and deliver the accommodated user input to the processor.

[0087] The output interface can include a display, a speaker, etc. The output interface can output various notifications, messages, information, etc. generated by the processor.

[0088] Hereinafter, various embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0089] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment, in which a first door and a freezer compartment door are open.

[0090] As Figure 1 shown, the refrigerator can include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 disposed inside the main body 10 and having an open front, a door 30 for opening or closing the open front of the storage compartment 20, and a cold air supply device (not shown) for supplying cold air to the inside of the storage compartment 20.

[0091] The main body 10 can include an inner case 11 forming the storage compartment 20 and an outer case 13 forming the outside of the main body 10. A heat insulator (not shown) can be foamed between the inner case 11 and the outer case 13 and inside the door 30 to prevent cold air from leaking out of the storage compartment 20.

[0092] The main body 10 can include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment 20. The cold air supply device can include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blowing fan, a cold air duct, etc.

[0093] A machine room (not shown) can be provided at the lower rear side of the main body 10, in which a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a condenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant are installed.

[0094] An evaporator for generating cold air, a blowing fan for guiding the cold air generated in the evaporator into the storage compartment 20, and a cold air duct for guiding the cold air generated in the evaporator to the storage compartment 20 can be arranged on the rear wall of the storage compartment 20. The evaporator, the blowing fan, and the cold air duct can each include a plurality of units for independently supplying cold air to the storage compartment 20.

[0095] The storage compartment 20 can be divided into an upper portion and a lower portion by a partition wall 15. The storage compartment 20 can include a refrigerating compartment 21 located above the partition wall 15 and a freezer compartment 23 located below the partition wall 15. However, the above-described division and use of the storage compartment 20 are merely examples, and can not be limited thereto.

[0096] The storage compartment 20 can be provided with a plurality of shelves 25 to divide the inside of the storage compartment 20 into a plurality of compartments. The storage compartment 20 can be provided with a plurality of storage containers 27 for storing food, etc.

[0097] The door 30 can open or close the storage compartment 20, which is provided to be front-opened. The door 30 can include a fresh food compartment door 31 rotatably coupled to the main body 10 to open or close the fresh food compartment 21. The fresh food compartment door 31 can be provided as a side-by-side door (or a French door). The door 30 can include a freezer compartment door 33 slidably coupled to the main body 10 to open or close the freezer compartment 23. The freezer compartment door 33 can be provided as a drawer-type door. Although the drawings show that the fresh food compartment door 31 is provided as a side-by-side door and the freezer compartment door 33 is provided as a drawer-type door, it is not limited thereto. In other words, both the fresh food compartment door 31 and the freezer compartment door 33 can be provided as side-by-side doors. Also, although the drawings show that the fresh food compartment 21 is located above the freezer compartment 23, it is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the freezer compartment 23 can be located above the fresh food compartment 21.

[0098] The fresh food compartment door 31 can include a pair of doors 31a and 31b. The pair of doors 31a and 31b can include a first door 31a rotatably coupled to the left front side of the main body 10 and a second door 31b rotatably coupled to the right front side of the main body 10. The fresh food compartment door 31 can include a fresh food compartment door handle 32 for a user to grip to open or close the fresh food compartment door 31. The fresh food compartment door 31 can include a plurality of door baskets 35 mounted on the rear surface of the fresh food compartment door 31 to store food, etc.

[0099] The first door 31a can have a rotation bar 80 rotatably coupled thereto. When the first door 31a and the second door 31b are closed, a gap can be formed between the first door 31a and the second door 31b. The gap between the first door 31a and the second door 31b can allow cold air inside the fresh food compartment 21 to leak out. The rotation bar 80 can rotate in response to the opening and closing of the first door 31a and can cover the gap between the first door 31a and the second door 31b. As a result, the rotation bar 80 can prevent the cold air inside the fresh food compartment 21 from leaking out through the gap between the first door 31a and the second door 31b.

[0100] The freezer compartment door 33 can include a freezer compartment door handle 34 for a user to grip to open or close the freezer compartment door 33. The sliding device 40 can be coupled to the freezer compartment door 33 and both side walls inside the freezer compartment 23, such that the freezer compartment door 33 slides with respect to the main body 10.

[0101] The main body 10 can include hinge modules 50 and 60 for rotatably coupling the refrigerating chamber door 31 to the main body 10. The hinge modules 50 and 60 can include an upper hinge module 50 coupled to an upper portion of the main body 10 to allow the refrigerating chamber door 31 to be rotatably coupled to the main body 10. The hinge modules 50 and 60 can include a lower hinge module 60 coupled to the partition wall 15 to allow the refrigerating chamber door 31 to be rotatably coupled to the main body 10.

[0102] The refrigerator can include a door closing device including a cam 200 installed to the main body 10 and a lever device 100 installed to an upper portion of the refrigerating chamber door 31.

[0103] The lever device 100 can be installed on the upper portion of the refrigerating chamber door 31, which contacts the cam 200 installed on the main body 10 to accumulate elastic force when the refrigerating chamber door 31 is closed. In other words, the lever 130 of the lever device 100 can contact the cam 200 in the process of closing the refrigerating chamber door 31, and thus the lever 130 can rotate to compress the spring 140. As the spring 140 is compressed, the lever device 100 can accumulate elastic force. When the lever 130 passes a predetermined section of the cam 200 in the process of closing the refrigerating chamber door 31, the lever 130 can rotate in a direction in which the compressed spring 140 is restored or reset. At this time, as the compressed spring 140 is restored or reset, the elastic force accumulated in the lever device 100 can be transmitted to the refrigerating chamber door 31 in a direction in which the refrigerating chamber door 31 is closed (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0104] The cam 200 can be installed on an upper portion of the main body 10, which the lever device 100 contacts when the refrigerating chamber door 31 is closed. The cam 200 can be provided with a cam face 210, which the lever device 100 contacts against. When the refrigerating chamber door 31 is closed, the lever device 100 can accumulate elastic force by compressing the spring 140 as the lever 130 rotates in contact with the cam face 210. When the lever 130 passes a predetermined section of the cam face 210 in the process of closing the refrigerating chamber door 31, the lever 130 can rotate in a direction in which the compressed spring 140 is restored or reset. At this time, as the compressed spring 140 is restored or reset, the elastic force accumulated in the lever device 100 can be transmitted to the refrigerating chamber door 31 (see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0105] Detailed descriptions of the lever device 100 and the cam 200 will be provided below.

[0106] Although the drawings show that the lever device 100 is installed on the upper portion of the refrigerating chamber door 31 and the cam 200 is installed on the upper hinge module 50 coupled to the upper portion of the main body 10, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other words, the lever device 100 and the cam 200 can be installed on the lower hinge module 60 coupled to the lower portion of the refrigerating chamber door 31 and the partition wall 15 of the main body 10.

[0107] In addition, although the drawings show that the lever device 100 is installed on the upper portion of the refrigerating chamber door 31 and the cam 200 is installed on the upper hinge module 50 coupled to the upper portion of the main body 10, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other words, the lever device 100 can be installed on the upper hinge module 50 coupled to the upper portion of the main body 10, and the cam 200 can be installed on the upper portion of the refrigerating chamber door 31.

[0108] Figure 2 is a view illustrating a cam coupled to an upper hinge module and a lever device coupled to a door cover according to an embodiment.

[0109] The position of the refrigerating chamber 21 and the position of the freezing chamber 23 can be changed depending on the purpose, and both the refrigerating chamber door 31 and the freezing chamber door 33 can be provided as side-by-side doors. Accordingly, hereinafter, the refrigerating chamber door 31 provided as a side-by-side door will be described as a door 30 (see Figure 1 ).

[0110] As Figure 2 shown, the upper hinge module 50 can include a bracket 51, a coupling member 53 fixed to the upper portion of the main body 10 to allow the bracket 51 to be coupled to the main body 10, and a hinge shaft 55 for rotatably coupling the bracket 51 and the door 30 such that the door 30 is rotatably coupled to the main body 10.

[0111] The bracket 51 can include a base portion 51a coupled to the main body 10 and an extension portion 51b extending from the base portion 51a toward the door 30. The door 30 can be rotatably coupled to the extension portion 51b.

[0112] A rear end of the base portion 51a can be provided with a protrusion 51c protruding rearward and inserted and fixed into a fastening portion 53a of the coupling member 53.

[0113] The extension portion 51b can be provided with a coupling portion 51d to which the cam 200 is coupled and a through-hole 51e through which the hinge shaft 55 allowing the extension portion 51b and the door 30 to be rotatably coupled thereto passes. The hinge shaft 55 passing through the through-hole 51e can be coupled through a hinge hole 73 of a door cover 70 provided on the upper portion of the door 30.

[0114] The coupling member 53 can be fixed to the upper portion of the main body 10, and the coupling member 53 can be fastened to the base portion 51a of the bracket 51 and the fixing member B to allow the bracket 51 to be coupled to the main body 10. The fixing member B can be a screw. All the fastening members B mentioned below can be screws.

[0115] The rear end of the coupling member 53 can be provided with a fastening portion 53a into which the protruding portion 51c of the bracket 51 is fitted to allow the bracket 51 to be fixed to the coupling member 53 before the bracket 51 is fastened to the coupling member 53.

[0116] The hinge shaft 55 can be rotatably coupled to the upper portion of the door 30 so as to pass through the through-hole 51e of the bracket 51 and the hinge hole 73 of the door cover 70, thereby allowing the door 30 to be rotatably coupled to the main body 10.

[0117] The upper hinge module 50 can further include a hinge cover 57 (see Figure 1 ) disposed at the front end of the upper portion of the main body 10 to cover the upper portion of the upper hinge module 50, thereby preventing the upper hinge module 50 from being exposed to the outside.

[0118] The door cover 70 can be disposed on the upper portion of the door 30. The door cover 70 can include a hinge receiving portion 71 in which the extension portion 51b of the bracket 51 is received.

[0119] The hinge receiving portion 71 can be provided with a hinge hole 73 through which the hinge shaft 55 is coupled, and the hinge hole 73 can be formed in a position corresponding to the through-hole 51e provided in the extension portion 51b of the bracket 51 received in the hinge receiving portion 71.

[0120] The hinge receiving portion 71 can be coupled with a lever device 100 that is in contact with the cam 200 coupled to the bracket 51, and the lever device 100 transmits a force to the door 30 in a direction of closing the door 30 when the door 30 is closed.

[0121] A lever device coupling hole 75 can be provided in the hinge receiving portion 71 for coupling the lever device 100. The lever device 100 can be provided with a coupling hole 115 corresponding to the lever device coupling hole 75 so that the lever device coupling hole 75 and the coupling hole 115 can be aligned and then fixed with the fixing member B.

[0122] Further, the hinge receiver 71 can be provided with a guide protrusion 77 for guiding the position of the lever device 100. The guide protrusion 77 can hold the lever device 100 to prevent the lever device 100 coupled to the hinge receiver 71 from moving.

[0123] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a lever device according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a view illustrating a first housing released from a lever device according to an embodiment. Figure 5 is a view illustrating a lever device and a cam according to an embodiment. Figure 6 is a graph illustrating a closing force of a door corresponding to an opening angle a of the door when the opening angle a of the door is X1 at which a roller of a lever according to an embodiment is positioned at an inflection point of a cam surface, and a closing force of the door due to a frictional force generated by a rotating rod depends on the opening angle a of the door.

[0124] As Figures 3 to 6 shown, the lever device 100 can be installed on a door cover 70 disposed on an upper portion of a door 30 (see Figure 2 ). Upon closing the door 30, the lever device 100 can transmit a force to the door 30 in a direction in which the door 30 is closed. In other words, when the door 30 is closed beyond a predetermined angle, the lever device 100 can automatically close the door 30. Upon opening the door 30, the lever device 100 can transmit a force to the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) in a direction in which the door 30 is opened. In other words, when the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is opened beyond a predetermined angle, the lever device 100 can easily open the door 30 with only a small force.

[0125] The lever device 100 can include a housing 110. The housing 110 can form an exterior of the lever device 100. The housing 110 can include a first housing 110a and a second housing 110b. The first housing 110a can be fixed to an upper portion of the second housing 110b. To fix the first housing 110a and the second housing 110b, a fixing hole 118 and a fixing groove 119 can be formed in the first housing 110a and the second housing 110b, respectively. A fixing member B passing through the fixing hole 118 can be fixed to the fixing groove 119 so that the first housing 110a and the second housing 110b can be fixed.

[0126] The housing 110 can include a support mounting recess 111 in which the support 120 is mounted by the fixing member B. The support mounting recess 111 can be formed in a pair. The support mounting recess 111 can be formed in the second housing 110b. The support 120 can include a mounting hole 121 which is mounted in the support mounting recess 111 by the fixing member B. The mounting hole 121 can be formed in a pair so as to correspond to the support mounting recess 111.

[0127] The housing 110 can include a rotation shaft 113 around which the lever 130 is rotatably coupled. The lever 130 can be rotatably coupled to the rotation shaft 113 so that the lever 130 can rotate around the rotation shaft 113 when the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is opened and closed.

[0128] The housing 110 can include an opening 114 which is open to allow the lever 130 to rotate around the rotation shaft 113. The lever 130 received in the housing 110 can be partially exposed to the outside of the housing 110 through the opening 114. The opening 114 can form a space for the lever 130 to rotate around the rotation shaft 113. Upon opening or closing the door 30 (see Figure 2 ), the lever 130 exposed to the outside of the housing 110 through the opening 114 can rotate around the rotation shaft 113 by contacting the cam surface 210 of the cam 200.

[0129] The housing 110 can include a coupling hole 115 which is coupled to the lever device coupling hole 75 of the door cover 70 by the fixing member B. The coupling hole 115 can be formed in the first housing 110a and the second housing 110b.

[0130] The housing 110 can include an insertion hole 117 into which the guide protrusion 77 of the door cover 70 is inserted. The guide protrusion 77 can be inserted into the insertion hole 117, and thus the lever device 100 can be fixed to the upper portion of the door cover 70. The insertion hole 117 can be formed in the first housing 110a and the second housing 110b.

[0131] The lever device 100 can include a support 120. The support 120 can be mounted within the housing 110. The support 120 can include a mounting hole 121 which is mounted in the support mounting recess 111 by the fixing member B. The support mounting recess 111 and the mounting hole 121 can be provided in pairs.

[0132] The support 120 can include a first support protrusion 123 on which one end of the spring 140 is supported. The spring 140 can be supported by the support 120 and the lever 130 at opposite ends within the housing 110, respectively. The spring 140 can be supported on the first support protrusion 123 of the support 120 fixed inside the housing 110 at one end, and on the lever 130 coupled to the rotation shaft 113 inside the housing 110 in a rotatable manner at the other end. Upon opening and closing the door 30 (see Figure 2 ), the lever 130 can contact the cam surface 210 and rotate about the rotation shaft 113 to compress the spring 140, or allow the compressed spring 140 to recover or reset to the original length of the spring 140 before the spring 140 is compressed. Although the drawings show that one end of the spring 140 is supported by the first support protrusion 123 of the support 120, it is not limited thereto. In other words, one end of the spring 140 can be fixed to a portion other than the support 120, as long as the spring is fixed when the lever 130 rotates. For example, one end of the spring 140 can be fixed to the inside of the housing 110. In order to enable one end of the spring 140 to be fixed to the inside of the housing 110, the first support protrusion 123 can be integrally provided inside the housing 110. Once one end of the spring 140 is fixed to the first support protrusion 123 inside the housing 110, the lever device 100 can remove the support 120. In addition, although the drawings show that the support 120 is separately provided and installed inside the housing 110, it is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the support 120 can be integrally formed with the housing 110.

[0133] The lever device 100 can include the lever 130. The lever 130 can be rotatably coupled to the inside of the housing 110. The lever 130 can include a rotation hole 131 rotatably coupled to the rotation shaft 113 of the housing 110. Upon opening and closing the door 30 (see Figure 2 ), the roller 130 can contact the cam surface 210 of the cam 200 through the roller 135 and rotate about the rotation shaft 113 while moving along the shape of the cam surface 210.

[0134] In other words, upon closing the door 30 (see Figure 2 ), the lever 130 can contact the cam surface 210 after the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is closed by more than a predetermined angle. Upon opening and closing the door 30 (see Figure 2) after being further closed, the lever 130 can move along the cam surface 210 and rotate about the rotation axis 113. At this time, the cam surface 210 can be the first contact surface 213. As the lever 130 rotates about the rotation axis 113, the spring 140 can be compressed by the rotation of the lever 130. As the spring 140 is compressed, the spring 140 can accumulate elastic force. The spring 140 can be compressed until the lever 130 moves along the first contact surface 213 and is positioned at the inflection point 211. When the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is being closed such that the spring 140 is compressed, and when the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is closed beyond a predetermined angle, that is, when the lever 130 moves along the second contact surface 215 after being positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210, the rotation direction of the lever 130 can be reversed so that the compressed spring 140 can recover or reset to the original length thereof before being compressed. When the spring 140 recovers or resets, the elastic force accumulated in the spring 140 can be transmitted to the door 30 (see Figure 2 ).

[0135] In closing the door 30 (see Figure 2 ), the lever 130 can contact the cam surface 210. At this time, the cam surface 210 can be the second contact surface 215. When the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is opened while the lever 130 is in contact with the second contact surface 215, the lever 130 can move along the second contact surface 215 and rotate about the rotation axis 113. As the lever 130 rotates about the rotation axis 113, the spring 140 can be compressed by the rotation of the lever 130. As the spring 140 is compressed, the spring 140 can accumulate elastic force. The spring 140 can be compressed until the lever 130 moves along the second contact surface 215 and is positioned at the inflection point 211. When the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is opened such that the spring 140 is compressed and then the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is opened beyond a predetermined angle, that is, when the lever 130 moves along the first contact surface 213 after being positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210, the rotation direction of the lever 130 can be reversed, and the compressed spring 140 can recover or reset to the original length thereof before being compressed. When the spring 140 recovers or resets, the elastic force accumulated in the spring 140 can be transmitted to the door 30 (see Figure 2 ). As described above, as the lever 130 rotates about the rotation axis 113, the spring 140 can be compressed or can recover or reset to the length before being compressed, depending on the rotation direction of the lever 130.

[0136] The lever 130 can include a second support protrusion 133 on which the other end of the spring 140 is supported. The spring 140 can be supported at one end on the first support protrusion 123 of the support 120 fixed within the housing 110, and at the other end on the second support protrusion 133 of the lever 130 rotatably coupled to the rotation shaft 113 within the housing 110. Accordingly, when the lever 130 rotates in response to the opening and closing of the door 30 (see Figure 2 ), because one end of the spring 140 is fixed to the support 120, the other end can be compressed by the rotation of the lever 130, or can recover or reset to the length of the spring 140 before being compressed.

[0137] The lever 130 can include a roller 135 that contacts the cam face 210 of the cam 200 when the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is opened and closed. The roller 135 in contact with the cam face 210 can move along the shape of the cam face 210 to rotate the lever 130 about the rotation shaft 113. When the lever 130 rotates about the rotation shaft 113, the roller 135 can move while maintaining contact with the cam face 210 by means of the elastic force of the spring 140. When the lever 130 rotates about the rotation shaft 113, because the roller 135 moves while maintaining contact with the cam face 210, the spring 140 can be more effectively compressed to accumulate elastic force, and the elastic force of the spring 140 can be more effectively transmitted to the door 30 (see Figure 11 ) when the compressed spring 140 recovers or resets to its length before the spring was compressed. In other words, as the roller 135 moves along the cam face 210 while maintaining contact with the cam face 210, the spring 140 can be compressed. Accordingly, when the roller 135 maintains contact with the cam face 210, the spring 140 can be more compressed because the roller 135 maintains contact with the cam face 210 for a longer time, compared to when the roller 135 does not maintain contact with the cam face 210. As a result, the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) can have greater closing force and / or opening force. In other words, the closing force and / or opening force of the door 30 (see Figure 9 ) can be improved. The roller 135 can include a plurality of grooves 136 formed along the outer circumferential surface of the roller 135. By forming a plurality of grooves 136 on the outer circumferential surface of the roller 135, the contact area between the roller 135 and the cam face 210 can be reduced when the roller 135 contacts the cam face 210. As a result, the frictional force between the roller 135 and the cam face 210 can be reduced (see Figure 6 ].

[0138] The lever 130 can include a roller mounting hole 137 on which the roller 135 is mounted. The roller 135 can be rotatably mounted in the roller mounting hole 137 by means of a fixing member B.

[0139] The lever device 100 can include a spring 140. The spring 140 can have one end supported on a first support protrusion 123 of a support 120 fixed within the housing 110, and the other end supported on a second support protrusion 133 of the lever 130 rotatably coupled to the rotation shaft 113 within the housing 110. Accordingly, when the lever 130 rotates around the rotation shaft 113, the spring 140 can be compressed in the rotation direction of the lever 130, or can recover or reset to the length before being compressed. When the spring is compressed by the lever 130, the spring 140 can accumulate as much elastic force as the spring 140 is compressed, and when the compressed spring 140 recovers or resets to the length before the spring is compressed, the accumulated elastic force is transmitted to the door 30 (see Figure 2 ).

[0140] The spring 140 can be a compression spring, so that the lever device 100 contacting the cam 200 can be formed as a single lever having elasticity, which allows the lever device 100 to have a large elastic force while having a small size, compared to the case where the material elasticity of the lever device 100 is used. Accordingly, the lever device 100 using the elasticity of the spring 140 can transmit a greater force to the door 30. As a result, the closing force and / or the opening force of the door 30 can be greater. In other words, the closing force and / or the opening force of the door 30 can be improved, allowing a user to more obviously recognize whether the door 30 is opened and / or closed.

[0141] Further, due to the above reasons, the lever device 100 using the spring 140 can be freely shaped as needed, and the shape is not limited. In other words, in the case where the lever device 100 is formed as a single lever having elasticity, there can be a constraint on the shape because the elastic force becomes smaller as the size of the lever device 100 decreases. However, when the lever device 100 includes the spring 140 and uses the elastic force of the spring 140, the elastic force of the lever device 100 can be increased, and the shape can be freely formed. Since there is no constraint on the shape of the lever device 100, the lever device 100 can be formed to have a shape that allows the angle of the door 30 to increase when the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211. Here, the angle of the door 30 can be the angle between the body 10 and the door 30, which can be the opening angle a of the door. The opening angle a of the door 30 when the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 can be the angle at which the door 30 starts to close under the elastic force transmitted by the lever device 100. In other words, the opening angle a of the door 30 can increase when the door 30 starts to close under the elastic force transmitted by the lever device 100. During the process of closing the door 30, if a frictional force is generated between the rotating lever 80 provided together with the door 30 and the body 10, the resistance due to the frictional force can cause the door 30 to stop closing before the door is completely closed, before the elastic force of the lever device 100 is transmitted to the door 30, that is, before the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210. In other words, if the opening angle a of the door when a frictional force is generated between the rotating lever 80 and the body 10 is greater than the opening angle a of the door when the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210, the resistance due to the frictional force can cause the door 30 to stop before the door is completely closed. However, if the opening angle a of the door when the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210 is greater than the opening angle a of the door when a frictional force is generated between the rotating lever 80 and the body 10, the elastic force of the lever device 100 can be transmitted to the door 30 before a frictional force is generated between the rotating lever 80 provided together with the door 30 and the body 10 when the door 30 is closed. In other words, if the opening angle a of the door when a frictional force is generated between the rotating lever 80 and the body 10 is greater than the opening angle a of the door when the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210, the resistance due to the frictional force can cause the door 30 to stop before the door is completely closed. However, if the opening angle a of the door when the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210 is greater than the opening angle a of the door when a frictional force is generated between the rotating lever 80 and the body 10, the elastic force of the lever device 100 can be transmitted to the door 30 before a frictional force is generated between the rotating lever 80 provided together with the door 30 and the body 10 when the door 30 is closed.As a result, before friction is generated between the rotating rod 80 and the body 10, the door 30 accelerates in the closing direction and can be fully closed without stopping before the door 30 is fully closed (see). Figure 9 ).

[0142] Reference Figure 2 As shown in the graph, when the roller 135 of lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of cam surface 210, and when the door opening angle α is X1, the slope of the graph representing the closing force of door 30 as a function of the door opening angle α becomes steeper, thus applying acceleration to door 30 when closing. In this case, the door opening angle α X1 can be between 10 and 15 degrees. In the figure, X2 can be the door opening angle α when friction occurs between body 10 and rotating rod 80. In this case, the door opening angle α X2 can be 4 degrees. In other words, it can be seen that the time when the roller 135 of lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of cam surface 210 is faster than the time when friction occurs between body 10 and rotating rod 80. In other words, by setting the door opening angle α to 10 to 15 degrees when the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210, the door opening angle α when the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210 is greater than the door opening angle α (4 degrees) when friction is generated between the rotating rod 80 and the body 10. As a result, when closing the door 30, the elastic force of the lever device 100 can be transmitted to the door 30 before friction is generated between the rotating rod 80 and the body 10.

[0143] When the door opening angle α is 3 degrees (which is the maximum resistance section A of the door 30 caused by friction between the main body 10 and the rotating rod 80), the closing force of the door 30 is F1, and the closing force of the door 30 by the door closing device can be F2. Although F1 can vary depending on the weight and / or height of the door 30, F1 can be approximately -1.0 kgf to -2.0 kgf, and F2 can be approximately 2.0 kgf to 2.3 kgf. That is, F2 (the closing force when the door 30 is closed by the door closing device) is greater than F1 (the closing force of the door 30, where the door opening angle α is the maximum resistance section A of the door 30 caused by friction between the main body 10 and the rotating rod 80, which is 3 degrees), and the door 30 can overcome the friction between the main body 10 and the rotating rod 80 and close.

[0144] Further, by setting the opening angle a of the door to 10 to 15 degrees when the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210, the range of the difference between the closing force of the door 30 by the door closing device and the closing force of the door 30 caused by the frictional force between the main body 10 and the rotating lever 80 increases when the opening angle a of the door 30 at the maximum resistance section A of the door 30 is 3 degrees. As a result, the resistance that occurs when the roller 135 of the lever 130 passes the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210 and the elastic force of the spring 140 is transmitted to the door 30 can be reduced. In other words, the range of the closing force difference can be increased to overcome the closing force difference between the closing force of the door 30 when the frictional force between the main body 10 and the rotating lever 80 is the greatest and the closing force of the door 30 by the door closing device. Therefore, by setting the opening angle a of the door to 10 to 15 degrees when the roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam surface 210, the elastic force of the spring 140 can be transmitted to the door 30 as effectively as possible, and the acceleration caused by the elastic force can overcome the resistance generated between the main body 10 and the rotating lever 80 (see Figure 2 and Figure 2 ).

[0145] Further, as described above, when the lever 130 rotates around the rotation shaft 113, the roller 135 can move while maintaining contact with the cam surface 210 by means of the elastic force of the spring 140. Therefore, the elastic force of the spring 140 can be transmitted to the door 30 more effectively (see Figure 2 ). This can result in improved closing force and / or opening force of the door 30 (see Figure 2 ).

[0146] The cam 200 can be installed on the upper portion of the main body 10 (see Figure 2 ). The cam 200 can be installed on the upper hinge module 50 coupled to the upper portion of the main body 10 (see Figure 2 ). The cam 200 can be coupled to the coupling portion 51d of the upper hinge module 50. The cam 200 can include a cam surface 210 that contacts the roller 135 of the lever device 100 when the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is closed.

[0147] The cam surface 210 can be formed to protrude from one surface of the cam 200 that is in abutting contact with the lever device 100. In other words, the cam surface 210 can be formed to protrude toward the lever device 100 from one surface of the cam 200 that is in abutting contact with the roller 135 of the lever device 100.

[0148] The cam surface 210 can include an inflection point 211 that serves as a point at which the door 30 (see Figure 2) is being closed, the spring 140 of the lever device 100 accumulates elastic force and then transmits the accumulated elastic force to a reference point of the door 30 (see Figure 2 ). The inflection point 211 can be the most protruding portion of the protruding cam surface 210. When the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is being opened and closed, the lever device 100 can transmit an opening force or a closing force to the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) due to the elastic force of the spring 140 caused by the roller 135 of the lever device 100 passing the inflection point 211.

[0149] The cam surface 210 can include a first contact surface 213 that is contacted before the lever 130 contacts the inflection point 211 when the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is being closed. That is, the roller 135 of the lever 130 can contact the first contact surface 213 before contacting the inflection point 211 when the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is being closed. Conversely, the roller 135 of the lever 130 can contact the first contact surface after contacting the inflection point 211 when the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is being opened. The first contact surface 213 can be a section in which the lever device 100 accumulates elastic force when the door 30 (see Figure 2 ) is being closed.

[0150] The cam surface 210 can include a second contact surface 215 that is contacted after the lever 130 contacts the inflection point 211 when the door 30 (see Figure 7 ) is being closed. That is, the roller 135 of the lever 130 can contact the second contact surface 215 after contacting the inflection point 211 when the door 30 (see Figure 8 ) is being closed or is being closed. Conversely, the roller 135 of the lever 130 can contact the second contact surface 215 before contacting the inflection point 211 when the door 30 (see Figure 9 ) is being opened. The second contact surface 215 can be a section in which the lever device 100 transmits elastic force to the door 30 (see Figure 10 ) when the door 30 (see Figures 7 to 10 ) is being closed.

[0151] The first contact surface 213 and the second contact surface 215 of the cam surface 210 can be formed to be inclined in a direction opposite to a direction in which the cam surface 210 protrudes, based on the inflection point 211. Accordingly, the inflection point 211 can be the most protruding portion of the cam surface 210 that protrudes in a triangular shape.

[0152] Figure 1 is a view of a fully opened door according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 7This is a view illustrating the first contact surface of the lever device's rollers contacting the cam surface as the door is being closed, according to an embodiment. Figure 8 This is a view illustrating the movement of the roller of the lever device along the first contact surface of the cam surface to the inflection point during the closing process of a door, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 This is a view illustrating the movement of the roller of the lever device along the second contact surface past the inflection point of the cam surface during the closing process of a door, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0153] Figure 10 The operation of the lever device 100 is only illustrated when the second door 31b in door 30 is closed. However, since the first door 31a (see...) is closed... Figure 11 The operation of lever device 100 is the same when the second door 31b is closed, therefore it will be uniformly described below as the operation of lever device 100 when the door 30 is closed.

[0154] When door 30 is fully opened, as Figure 12 As shown, and when door 30 is closed at a predetermined angle, such as Figure 11 As shown, the roller 135 of the lever device 100 can contact the first contact surface 213 of the cam surface 210.

[0155] As the door 30 is further closed, the roller 135 of the lever device 100 contacts the first contact surface 213 of the cam surface 210, as... Figure 13 As shown, the roller 135 of the lever device 100 can move along the shape of the cam surface 210. That is, the roller 135 of the lever device 100 can move towards the inflection point 211 along the shape of the first contact surface 213. As the roller 135 of the lever device 100 moves towards the inflection point 211 along the shape of the first contact surface 213, the lever 135 can rotate counterclockwise about the rotation axis 113, as shown in the figure. As the lever 135 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation axis 113, the spring 140 can be compressed. The spring 140 can be compressed to the maximum extent when the roller 135 of the lever device 100 travels through the first contact surface 213 and is positioned at the inflection point 211.

[0156] When the spring 140 is compressed to the maximum extent by positioning the roller 135 of the lever device 100 at the inflection point 211 via the first contact surface 213, a repulsive force F of the cam 200 due to the elastic force of the spring 140 can be generated in a direction perpendicular to the tangent C between the roller 135 and the cam surface 210. n When roller 135 is positioned at inflection point 211, the repulsive force F of cam 200 caused by the elastic force of spring 140... n It can be in a state where no force is transmitted to door 30 in the direction of closing door 30.

[0157] When the door 30 is further closed, as Figure 14 indicated, the roller 135 of the lever device 100 can move beyond the inflection point 211 with the roller 135 of the lever device 100 positioned at the inflection point 211 and the spring 140 maximally compressed. When the roller 135 of the lever device 100 moves beyond the inflection point 211, the compressed spring 140 can recover or reset to the length before the spring was compressed, and in the drawing, the lever 130 can rotate clockwise about the rotation axis 113. At this time, the roller 135 can move beyond the inflection point 211 and follow the shape of the second contact surface 215. When the spring 140 rotates the lever 130 and the roller 135 moves beyond the inflection point 211 along the shape of the second contact surface 215, the spring force of the spring 140 can be transmitted to the door 30. In other words, the repulsive force F of the cam 200 generated in a direction perpendicular to the tangent C between the roller 135 and the cam surface 210 caused by the spring force of the spring 140 can be transmitted to the door 30 in the direction in which the door 30 is closed. Accordingly, the door 30 can be completely closed by the closing force caused by the spring force of the lever device 100 transmitted to the door 30. Since the door 30 is closed by the closing force caused by the spring force of the lever device 100 after the door 30 is closed by a predetermined angle, the user can close the door 30 with a small force. In addition, the door 30 can be completely closed without stopping during the closing process. n can be transmitted to the door 30 in the direction in which the door 30 is closed. Accordingly, the door 30 can be completely closed by the closing force caused by the spring force of the lever device 100 transmitted to the door 30. Since the door 30 is closed by the closing force caused by the spring force of the lever device 100 after the door 30 is closed by a predetermined angle, the user can close the door 30 with a small force. In addition, the door 30 can be completely closed without stopping during the closing process.

[0158] Figure 15 is a view showing a door according to an embodiment of the disclosure being completely closed. Figures 11 to 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along Figure 1 A-A'. Figure 11 is a view showing a roller of a lever device moving along a shape of a second contact surface as a door is opened according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 12 is a view showing a roller of a lever device moving along a shape of a second contact surface to an inflection point as a door is opened according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 13 is a view showing a roller of a lever device moving along a first contact surface past an inflection point of a cam surface during a door opening process according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0159] Figure 14 illustrates the operation of the lever device 100 when the second door 31b in the door 30 is opened. However, since the operation of the lever device 100 is the same when the first door 31a (see Figure 15 ) and the second door 31b are opened, the operation of the lever device 100 when the door 30 is opened will be described uniformly hereinafter.

[0160] When the door 30 is completely closed, as ​ and​ As shown, the roller 135 of the lever device 100 can come into contact with the cam surface 210 of the cam 200. In detail, the roller 135 of the lever device 100 can be in a state of being in contact with the second contact surface 215 of the cam surface 210.

[0161] When the door 30 is opened by a predetermined angle in a state in which the door 30 is completely closed, as ​ As shown, the roller 135 of the lever device 100 can move toward the inflection point 211 along the shape of the second contact surface 215. At this time, in the drawing, the lever 130 of the lever device 100 can be rotated counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 113. The spring 140 can be compressed by the rotation of the lever 130.

[0162] As the door 30 is further opened in a state in which the spring 140 is compressed by the rotation of the lever 130, as ​ As shown, the roller 135 of the lever device 100 can be positioned at the inflection point 211 past the second contact surface 215. When the roller 135 of the lever device 100 is positioned at the inflection point 211 past the second contact surface 215, the spring 140 can be maximally compressed.

[0163] When the spring 140 is maximally compressed by positioning the roller 135 of the lever device 100 at the inflection point 211 past the second contact surface 215, a repulsive force F n When the roller 135 is positioned at the inflection point 211, the repulsive force F n It can be made so that no force is transmitted to the door 30 in the direction of opening the door 30.

[0164] As the door 30 is further opened, as ​As shown, in a case where the roller 135 of the lever device 100 is positioned at the inflection point 211 and the spring 140 is maximally compressed, the roller 135 of the lever device 100 can move beyond the inflection point 211. When the roller 135 of the lever device 100 moves beyond the inflection point 211, the compressed spring 140 can recover or reset to a length before the spring is compressed, and in the drawing, the lever 130 can rotate clockwise about the rotation axis 113. At this time, the roller 135 can move beyond the inflection point 211 and follow the shape of the second contact surface 215. When the spring force of the spring 140 rotates the lever 130 and the roller 135 moves beyond the inflection point 211 along the shape of the second contact surface 215, the spring force of the spring 140 can be transmitted to the door 30. In other words, the repulsive force F of the cam 200 generated in a direction perpendicular to the tangent C between the roller 135 and the cam surface 210 caused by the spring force of the spring 140 n may be transmitted to the door 30 in a direction in which the door 30 is opened. Accordingly, the door 30 can be completely opened by the opening force caused by the spring force of the lever device 100 transmitted to the door 30. Since the door 30 is opened by the opening force caused by the spring force of the lever device 100 after the door 30 is opened by a predetermined angle, a user can open the door 30 with a small force.

[0165] A refrigerator according to embodiments of the disclosure can include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 provided inside the main body, a door 30 rotatably coupled to the main body to open or close the storage compartment, a lever device 100 installed on the door and configured to accumulate an elastic force when the door is closed and to transmit the accumulated elastic force in a direction in which the door is closed, and a cam 200 installed on the main body and having a cam face 210 including a first contact surface 213, which is a section with which the lever device comes into contact to accumulate an elastic force when the door is closed, an inflection point 211, which is a reference point for transmitting the accumulated elastic force to the door, and a second contact surface 215, which is a section in which the accumulated elastic force is transmitted to the door. The lever device can include a housing 110, a lever 130 rotatably coupled to an inside of the housing and rotated by coming into contact with the cam face when the door is closed, and a spring 140 received in the housing and compressed by the lever as the lever rotates. According to the disclosure, the elastic force of the spring 140 can be used to improve a closing force of the first door 31a. By using the elastic force of the spring 140, the lever 130 of the lever device 100 can remain in contact with the cam face 210 and move along a shape of the cam face 210 to improve the closing force of the first door 31a. By using the spring 140, a shape of the lever device can be formed to increase an opening angle α of the door when a roller 135 of the lever 130 is positioned at the inflection point 211 of the cam face 210 without restraining the shape of the lever device, thereby increasing an angle at which the first door 31a starts to close. As a result, when the first door is closed, the elastic force of the lever device 100 can be transmitted to the first door 31a before a frictional force between a rotary lever 80 provided on the first door and the main body 10 is generated, so that the first door is completely closed without stopping during the closing process. By improving the closing force of the first door, the door can be closed with a small force. By utilizing the elastic force of the spring, it can be visually recognized whether the first door is opened or closed.

[0166] The cam face can be formed to protrude toward the lever device on one surface of the cam that comes into contact with the lever device.

[0167] The first contact surface can be contacted before the lever comes into contact with the inflection point when the door is closed, and the second contact surface can be contacted after the lever comes into contact with the inflection point when the door is closed.

[0168] The door includes a first door 31a and a second door 31b, and the first door is coupled with a rotary lever 80 that rotates in response to opening or closing of the first door and covers a gap between the first door and the second door.

[0169] The inflection point can be a portion that protrudes most toward the lever device from the cam face.

[0170] The housing can include a support mounting groove 111 to which a support is mounted using a screw B, and a rotation shaft 113 to which a lever is rotatably fixed. According to the present disclosure, when the lever 130 rotates around the rotation shaft 113, the spring 140 can be compressed or can recover or reset to the length thereof before being compressed, so that the elastic force of the spring can be transmitted to the first door.

[0171] The lever device can further include a support mounted within the housing to support the spring. According to the present disclosure, when one end of the spring 140 is supported on the fixed support 120 to rotate the lever 130, the spring 140 can be compressed or can recover or reset to the length thereof before being compressed, so that the elastic force of the spring can be transmitted to the door.

[0172] The support can include a mounting hole 121 mounted in the support mounting groove by a screw, and a first support protrusion 123 on which one end of the spring is supported. According to the present disclosure, when one end of the spring 140 is supported on the fixed support 120 to rotate the lever 130, the spring 140 can be compressed or can recover or reset to the length thereof before being compressed, so that the elastic force of the spring can be transmitted to the door.

[0173] The lever can include a rotation hole 131 rotatably fixed to a rotation shaft, a second support protrusion 133 on which the other end of the spring is supported, a roller 135 contacting a cam surface to move along the shape of the cam surface, and a roller mounting hole 137 on which the roller is mounted. According to the present disclosure, one end of the spring 140 is supported on the fixed support 120, and the other end is supported on the rotating lever 130, so that when the lever rotates, the spring 140 can be compressed or can recover or reset to the length thereof before being compressed. As a result, the elastic force of the spring can be transmitted to the door.

[0174] The roller can include a plurality of grooves 136 formed along the outer circumferential surface thereof. According to the present disclosure, the plurality of grooves 136 can be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roller 135, so that when the roller contacts the cam surface 210, the contact area between the roller and the cam surface can be reduced. As a result, the frictional force between the roller 135 and the cam surface 210 can be reduced.

[0175] The roller can move along the shape of the cam surface while maintaining contact with the cam surface by means of the elastic force of the spring. According to the present disclosure, the closing force of the door 30 can be improved by using the elastic force of the spring 140 to allow the lever 130 of the lever device 100 to remain in contact with the cam surface 210 and move along the shape of the cam surface 210.

[0176] The spring can be a compression spring. According to the present disclosure, the closing force of the door 30 can be improved by using the elastic force of the compression spring 140.

[0177] The lever can include a roller 135 in contact with the cam face, and the roller can be in contact with a first contact surface and move along the first contact surface toward an inflection point when the door is closed.

[0178] As the roller moves along the first contact surface, the spring can be compressed by the rotation of the lever.

[0179] When the roller passes the inflection point and moves along a second contact surface, the lever device can transmit the elastic force of the spring in the direction in which the door is closed.

[0180] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 provided inside the main body, a door 30 rotatably coupled to the main body to open or close the storage compartment, a lever device 100 installed on the door and configured to accumulate an elastic force when the door is closed, and a cam 200 installed on the main body and having a cam face 210 with which the lever device is in contact. The cam face can include an inflection point 211 that becomes a reference point for transmitting the elastic force accumulated by a compression spring to the door, a first contact surface 213 with which the lever device is in contact before contacting the inflection point, wherein the first contact surface is a section in which the lever device moves along the first contact surface to cause the compression spring to accumulate an elastic force, and a second contact surface 215 with which the lever device is in contact after contacting the inflection point, wherein the second contact surface is a section in which the lever device moves along the second contact surface to transmit the elastic force accumulated by the compression spring to the door. According to the present disclosure, the closing force of the door 30 can be improved by using the elastic force of the compression spring 140. By using the compression spring 140, the size of the lever device can be reduced to increase the angle at which the door 30 starts to close, thereby improving the closing force of the door. By improving the closing force of the door, the door can be closed with a small force. The elastic force of the compression spring can be used to visually identify whether the door is open or closed.

[0181] The lever device can further include a housing 110 in which the compression spring is received, the support 120 is installed within the housing and supports one end of the compression spring, the lever 130 is rotatably fixed within the housing and supports the other end of the compression spring to rotate in contact with the cam surface when the door is closed and compress the compression spring. According to the present disclosure, the closing force of the door 30 can be improved by using the elastic force of the compression spring 140. The lever 130 of the lever device 100 is maintained in contact with the cam surface 210 and moves along the shape of the cam surface 210 by using the elastic force of the compression spring 140, so that the closing force of the door 30 can be improved. By using the compression spring 140, the shape of the lever device can be freely changed, so that the angle at which the door 30 starts to close can be increased. Accordingly, when the door is closed, the elastic force of the lever device 100 can be transmitted to the door 30 before any frictional force is generated between the rotating lever 80 provided in the door and the main body 10, so that the door can be completely closed without stopping during the closing process. By improving the closing force of the door, the door can be closed with a small force. The elastic force of the compression spring can be used to visually identify whether the door is opened or closed.

[0182] The lever can include a roller 135 which is in contact with the cam surface and moves along the shape of the cam surface, the roller is moved to be maintained in contact with the cam surface by the elastic force of the compression spring when the door is closed. According to the present disclosure, by using the elastic force of the compression spring 140 which allows the lever 130 of the lever device 100 to be maintained in contact with the cam surface 210 and to move along the shape of the cam surface 210, the closing force of the door 30 can be improved.

[0183] The roller can include a plurality of grooves 136 formed along the outer circumferential surface of the roller. According to the present disclosure, by forming a plurality of grooves 136 on the outer circumferential surface of the roller 135, when the roller is in contact with the cam surface 210, the contact area between the roller and the cam surface can be reduced. As a result, the frictional force between the roller 135 and the cam surface 210 can be reduced.

[0184] A refrigerator according to embodiments of the present disclosure can include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 provided inside the main body, a door 30 rotatably coupled to the main body to open or close the storage compartment, a lever device 100 installed on the door and configured to accumulate elastic force when the door is closed and to transmit the accumulated elastic force in a direction to close the door, and a cam 200 installed on the main body and allowing the lever device to contact the cam 200 and accumulate elastic force when the door is closed. The lever device can include a housing 110, a support 120 installed inside the housing, a lever 130 rotatably fixed inside the housing and rotated in contact with a cam surface when the door is closed, and a spring 140 disposed between the support and the lever and compressed when the lever is rotated. According to the present disclosure, the elastic force of the spring 140 can be used to improve the closing force of the door 30. By using the elastic force of the spring 140, the lever 130 of the lever device 100 can remain in contact with the cam surface 210 and can move along the shape of the cam surface 210 to improve the closing force of the door 30. By using the spring 140, the shape of the lever device can be freely changed such that the angle at which the door 30 starts to close increases, thereby improving the closing force of the door. By improving the closing force of the door, the door can be closed with a smaller force. The elastic force of the spring can be used to visually identify whether the door is open or closed.

[0185] Effects obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0186] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1.A refrigerator comprising: a main body; a storage compartment in the main body; a door that is couplable to the main body so that the door is rotatable to open and close the storage compartment when the door is coupled to the main body; a lever device that is installable on the door and that includes a housing, a lever, and a spring, the lever includes a first end and a second end, the second end is couplable to the housing so that the lever is rotatable about the second end when the second end is coupled to the housing, and the spring is arrangeable inside the housing and is couplable to the lever so that the spring is compressed and extended according to rotation of the lever when the spring is coupled to the lever; a cam that is installable on the main body and that includes a cam face, and the cam face includes a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and an inflection point, the inflection point is located between the first contact surface and the second contact surface; wherein, when the lever device is installed on the door and the cam is installed on the main body, the lever device and the cam are configured so that: when the door is being rotated to close the storage compartment, the first end of the lever contacts the cam and moves along the cam face so that: the first end of the lever moves along the first contact surface, and the lever rotates in a first direction to compress the spring and to accumulate an elastic force in the lever device, after the first end of the lever moves along a length of the first contact surface, the first end of the lever contacts the inflection point, and after the first end of the lever contacts the inflection point, the first end of the lever moves along the second contact surface, and the lever rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction so that the spring is decompressed, and the accumulated elastic force is transmitted to the door in a direction of rotating the door to close the storage compartment. 2.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, the cam face protrudes toward the lever device. 3.The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein, the door is rotatable to a position at which the first end of the lever does not contact the cam when the storage compartment is open. 4.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, the door includes: a first door, a second door, and a rotation bar that is coupled with the first door to rotate in response to the first door rotating to open and close the storage compartment to cover a gap between the first door and the second door when the storage compartment is closed. 5.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, the inflection point is a portion of the cam face that protrudes toward the lever device most. 6.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, the lever device includes a support that is installed inside the housing and that supports the spring. 7.The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein, the housing includes: a support installation groove to which the support is installed; and a spring installation groove to which the spring is installed. a rotation shaft, the second end of the lever being coupled to the rotation shaft such that the lever is rotatable about the rotation shaft. 8.The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein, the support includes: a mounting hole located in the support mounting groove to receive a fixing member; and a first support protrusion on which a first end of the spring is supported. 9.The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein, the lever includes: a rotation hole through which the rotation shaft extends; a second support protrusion on which a second end of the spring is supported; and a roller located at the first end of the lever to contact and move along the cam surface. 10.The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein, the roller includes a plurality of grooves along an outer circumferential surface of the roller. 11.The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein, the spring elastically biases the lever such that the roller maintains contact with the cam surface as the roller moves along the cam surface. 12.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, the spring is a compression spring. 13.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, the lever includes a roller located at the first end of the lever, and the roller contacts the cam surface as the roller moves along the cam surface at the first end of the lever, and as the door is being rotated to close the storage compartment, the roller contacts the first contact surface and moves along the first contact surface toward the inflection point. 14.The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein, as the roller moves along the first contact surface, the spring is compressed by rotation of the lever. 15.The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein, as the roller passes the inflection point and moves along the second contact surface, the lever device is configured to transmit the accumulated spring force to the door in a direction of rotating the door to close the storage compartment.

Images