Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator (1), comprising: a housing (10) in which a first storage compartment (104) is formed; a first door (31) rotatably connected to a front surface of the housing (10) to selectively open or close the first storage compartment (104), with a locking slot (312) formed on an edge of one side thereof; a storage device formed on a rear surface of the first door (31) to form a second storage compartment (106); a second door (32) which is rotatably connected to a front surface of the first door (31) in order to selectively open or close the second storage compartment (106); a door handle (33) formed on a front surface of the second door (32); and an opening unit (40) configured to separate the second door (32) from the first door (31) when the second door (32) rotates to open the second storage compartment (106), wherein the opening unit (40) comprises the following: a locking hook (44) provided on the second door (32) to be optionally inserted into the locking slot (312); a pressure section (41) provided on the door handle (33) and having a guide projection (413a) with an inclined surface (413b) formed on one side thereof; and a connecting section (42, 43) with a contact section (423) formed at one end thereof to touch the inclined surface (413b) and to move up and down along the inclined surface (413b), the other end of the connecting section touching the locking hook (44), wherein, when the pressure section (41) is pressed, the contact section (423) moves upwards along the inclined surface (413b) and the other end of the connecting section (42, 43) pushes the locking hook (44) upwards together with the contact section (423), so that the locking hook (44) is separated from the locking slot (312).

Description

[Technical area]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] A refrigerator is a household appliance used to store food in a chilled or frozen state.

[0003] The refrigerator comprises a main body in which a storage compartment is formed, and a door that is movably connected to the main body in order to open or close the storage compartment.

[0004] The storage compartment can be divided into a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, and the door includes a refrigerator compartment flap for opening or closing the refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment flap for opening or closing the freezer compartment.

[0005] A user opens the freezer or refrigerator door to remove food stored inside. When opening the refrigerator door, the user must pull it open by applying significant pressure due to the internal pressure of the refrigerator. Therefore, the user must pull firmly on the handle.

[0006] To overcome this disadvantage, the disclosed Korean publication No. 10-2013-0053318 features a refrigerator door that has an open locking structure mounted in the door handle.

[0007] According to the state of the art, a second door is rotatably attached to the front end of a first door for opening or closing a storage compartment of a refrigerator. To open the second door, a button formed on the handle of the second door is pressed. When the button is pressed, a push pin connected to the button presses on a locking element formed on the first door, thereby unlocking the second door.

[0008] However, according to the current state of technology, the refrigerator has the following problems.

[0009] To unlock the release element, first, since a connector with the pressure pin included in it and the connection of the second door with the handle is formed, the appearance of the refrigerator is not clean due to the connector.

[0010] Secondly, when the user grasps the handle to open the door, it is inconvenient to open the door because the hand grasping the handle interferes with the connector formed on the handle. [Revelation][Technical Problem]

[0011] One object of the present invention, which was developed to solve the problem, is to provide a refrigerator that can improve the appearance of the refrigerator, eliminates a malfunction of a locking mechanism when opening a door, and separates a first and a second door from each other by simple operation. [Technical solution]

[0012] The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a refrigerator with a housing in which a first storage compartment is formed, a first door rotatably connected to a front surface of the housing to selectively open or close the first storage compartment, a locking slot formed in an edge of one side thereof, a storage device formed on a rear surface of the first door to form a second storage compartment, a second door rotatably connected to a front surface of the first door to selectively open or close the second storage compartment, a door handle formed on a front surface of the second door, and an opening unit configured to separate the second door from the first door when the second door rotates to open the second storage compartment.

[0013] In particular, the opening unit comprises a locking hook provided on the second door for optional insertion into the locking slot, a pressure section provided on the door handle with a guide projection having an inclined surface on one side and a connection to a contact section formed at one end to touch the inclined surface and move up and down along the inclined surface, the other end of the connecting section contacting the locking hook. When the pressure section is pressed, the contact section moves upward along the inclined surface, and the other end of the connecting section pushes the locking hook upward together with the contact section, thus disengaging the locking hook from the locking slot. [Beneficial effects]

[0014] The refrigerator according to the embodiments of the present invention with the above configuration has the following effects.

[0015] Firstly, since a locking mechanism for opening a door is not exposed to the outside, the appearance of the refrigerator is improved.

[0016] Secondly, when a user grasps a handle to open the door, there is no interference with the locking structure.

[0017] Thirdly, in a double-door structure, it is possible to separate a first door and a second door from each other by simply grasping the door handle, thus improving user comfort. [Description of the drawings] Fig. is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. is a perspective view of a refrigerator compartment door according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. This is a perspective exploded view of the refrigerator compartment door. Fig. is a perspective exploded view of a locking hook according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. is a perspective exploded view of a pressure section according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. This is a view of the print section of Fig. , seen from a different direction. Fig. is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along line AA of Fig. . Fig. is a view showing the state of the pressure section and the locking hook when the pressure section operates according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Best Mode]

[0018] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] Fig. is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] As in Fig. As shown, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing 10 in which a storage compartment is formed, and doors 20 and 30 for opening or closing the storage compartment.

[0021] The storage compartment comprises a freezer compartment 102 and a refrigerator compartment 104. The freezer compartment 102 and the refrigerator compartment 104 can be arranged side by side and can be separated by a partition.

[0022] Doors 20 and 30 can include the freezer compartment door 20 for opening or closing the freezer compartment 102 and the refrigerator compartment door 30 for opening or closing the refrigerator compartment 104.

[0023] The freezer compartment door 20 and the refrigerator compartment door 30 can be rotatably mounted on the front surface of the housing 10.

[0024] Additionally, a sliding door, which is slidably attached to the front surface of the housing 10, can be provided below the freezer compartment door 20 and the refrigerator compartment door 30 to open or close a separate storage compartment.

[0025] A dispenser 21 for dispensing water or ice can be provided in the front surface of the freezer compartment door 20, and a freezer compartment door handle 22, which is grasped by a user to open the freezer compartment door 20, can be provided on one side of the front surface of the freezer compartment door 20.

[0026] The refrigerator compartment door 30 comprises a first door 31, which is rotatably attached to the front surface of the housing 10, and a second door 32, which is rotatably mounted to the front surface of the first door 31 in order to open or close the refrigerator compartment 104.

[0027] In particular, a storage device for storing foodstuffs is provided on the rear surface of the first door 31. The storage device includes a frame 314, which forms a storage space. The frame 314 is detachably connected to the rear surface of the first door 31.

[0028] In a state where the first door 31 closes the refrigerator compartment 104, the frame 314 is arranged within the refrigerator compartment 104. In the present embodiment, the refrigerator compartment 104 can be referred to as a first storage compartment, and a space formed by the frame 314 can be referred to as a second storage compartment 106. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the refrigerator compartment 104 is the first storage compartment 104.

[0029] Accordingly, in a state in which the first door 31 closes the first storage compartment 104, the second storage compartment 106 is arranged in the first storage compartment 104.

[0030] The first door 31 is rotatably connected to the housing 10 by a hinge arrangement.

[0031] The hinge arrangement can include a second hinge (not shown) connecting the first door 31 to the second door 32, and a first hinge (not shown) connecting the first door 31 to the housing 10.

[0032] An opening formed in the first door 31 (108 of Fig. ), which makes it possible to put food stored in the second storage compartment 106 into or take it out of a state in which the first door 31 closes the first storage compartment 104. Accordingly, the opening 108 can be opened in a state in which the first door 31 closes the first storage compartment 104 to allow food to be placed into or taken out of the second storage compartment 106.

[0033] A refrigerator compartment door handle 33, which can be grasped by the user, can be provided on one side of the front surface of the second door 32 in order to open the second door 32.

[0034] Additionally, a locking hook 44 for coupling with the first door 31 is formed on the rear surface of the second door 32, and a locking slot 312, with which the locking hook 44 is coupled, is formed in the front surface of the first door 31.

[0035] The locking hook 44 can be selectively coupled to the locking slot 312. When the locking hook 44 is coupled to the locking slot 312, the first door 31 and the second door 32 rotate as one unit when the second door 32 rotates; when the locking hook 44 is disconnected from the locking slot 312, the second door 32 rotates independently.

[0036] In the present embodiment, an opening unit 40, which corresponds to a device for separating the locking hook 44 from the locking slot 312, is provided on one side of the refrigerator compartment door handle 33.

[0037] The opening unit 40 can move forwards and backwards by user action to disengage the locking hook 44 from the locking slot 312 and can be exposed through the front surface of the second door 32. When the opening unit 40 is operated by the refrigerator compartment door handle 33, the locking hook 44 can accordingly be disengaged from the locking slot 312 to open the second door 32.

[0038] The configuration of the opening unit is described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0039] Fig. is a perspective view of the refrigerator compartment door according to the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. is a perspective exploded view of the refrigerator compartment door, Fig. is a perspective exploded view of the locking hook according to the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. is a perspective exploded view of a pressure section according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. This is a view of the print section of Fig. , seen from a different direction.

[0040] As in the Fig. As shown, the refrigerator compartment door 30 comprises the first door 31 with the opening 108 formed on its front surface, and the second door 32, which is rotatably mounted on the front surface of the first door 31 to open or close the opening 108 of the first door 31.

[0041] The locking slot 312, into which the locking hook 44 is selectively inserted, is formed on one side of the opening 108 of the first door 31.

[0042] The refrigerator compartment door handle 33 for turning the second door 32 is provided on the front surface of the second door 32, and the opening unit 40 for separating the locking hook 44 from the locking slot 312 is on one side of the refrigerator compartment door handle 33.

[0043] In particular, the refrigerator compartment door handle 33 is designed in a hollow form, and the opening unit 40 can be accommodated in the cavity of the refrigerator compartment door handle 33. The opening unit 40 can be installed in a mounting groove 332, which is formed by cutting a portion of the front surface of the refrigerator compartment door handle 33.

[0044] The opening unit 40 can comprise a pressure section 41 pressed by the user, a first connection 42 that can be moved upwards by actuating the pressure section 41, a second connection 43 that moves upwards in accordance with the upward movement of the first connection 42, and the locking hook 44, which is separated from the locking slot 312 by the upward movement of the second connection 43. The first connection 42 and the second connection 43 can be defined as a single connection section.

[0045] The locking hook 44 is attached to the rear surface of the second door 32 and a section of it is hooked into the locking slot 312 of the first door 31.

[0046] In particular, the locking hook 44 comprises a hook guide 442 which is attached to the rear surface of the second door 32, and a hook section 441 which is hinged to the hook guide 442.

[0047] The hook guide 442 comprises a body 442a, which forms a mounting space in which the hook section 441 is rotatably mounted. The body 442a has a screw fastening section 442c at its upper end for being fastened to the rear surface of the second door 32 by a screw. Additionally, a first spring-connecting section 442d is formed at the front end of the body 442a. The first spring-connecting section 442d is a section to which a torsion spring 443 is coupled, connecting the hook section 441 to the body 442a.

[0048] The hook section 441 is mounted in the mounting space 442b, which is formed by the hook guide 442, in order to be rotatable at a predetermined angle.

[0049] The hook section 441 comprises a hook element 441 that is inserted into and hooked into the locking slot 312. The end of the hook element 441a is hooked onto the rear surface of the first door 31 after passing through the locking slot 312.

[0050] The hook section 441 further comprises a joint section 441b, which extends from the hook element 441a towards the front end. A drive shaft 441c is formed in the joint section 441b, so that the hook section 441 rotates when the hook section 441 is mounted in the mounting space 442b of the hook guide 442.

[0051] A second spring coupling section 441d is formed on the lower side of the front end of the joint section 441b. The torsion spring 443, which connects the hook guide 442 to the hook section 441, is connected to the second spring coupling section 441d. That is, one end of the torsion spring 443 can be attached to the first spring coupling section 442d, and the other end can be coupled to the second spring coupling section 441d.

[0052] This structure allows the hook section 441 to be pressed downwards by the torsion spring 443. Accordingly, in a state where no external force is exerted on the hook section 441, the hook section 441 can be inserted into the locking slot 312 and hooked onto it.

[0053] Meanwhile, a laterally extending extension 441e can be formed at the joint section 441b. The extension 441e is pushed through the upper end of the second connection 43 by moving the first connection 42 and the second connection 43 upwards through actuation of the pressure section 41. The lower surface of the extension 441e can be in contact with the upper end of the second connection 43.

[0054] The second connection 43 is located below the extension 441e. The upper end of the second connection 43 can be in contact with the lower end of the extension 441e, and a section of the second connection 43 can be supported by a support section 341 formed on the front surface of the first door 31.

[0055] The support section 314 is formed on the front surface of the first door 31 to be elongated in a vertical direction and can be in contact with a section of the second connection 43. If the second connection 43 moves up and down while the first connection 42 moves up and down, the second connection 43 can move accordingly without wobbling.

[0056] Although not shown, a support section that assists the upward and downward movement of the first connection 42 can be formed on the first connection 42. In this case, the support section carrying the first connection 42 can be located inside the door handle 33 of the refrigerator compartment.

[0057] Meanwhile, the pressure section 41 is actuated by the user to separate the locking hook 44 from the locking slot 312 in order to open the second door 32.

[0058] In particular, the pressure section 41 can comprise a first cover 411, which is mounted in the mounting groove 332, a second cover 412, which is connected to the first cover 411 to form a receiving space 412a, and a pressure element 413, which is mounted in the receiving space 412a to move forwards and backwards. The first cover 411 and the second cover 412 can be defined as a pressure section guide.

[0059] An opening 411a is formed in the first cover 411, and a projection 411b, which is to be inserted into and connected to the mounting groove 332, is formed on the edge of the opening 411a. Accordingly, the projection 411b can be inserted into the mounting groove 332 so that the first cover 411 is mounted in the refrigerator compartment door handle 33.

[0060] The first cover 411 can be connected to the second cover 412 in concave and convex shapes. Grooves 411c for coupling with the second cover 412 can be formed on both sides of the first cover 411, and locating projections 412b, which fit into the grooves 411c, can be formed on both sides of the second cover 411. Accordingly, the first cover 411 and the second cover 412 are connected to each other to form the receiving space 412a, in which the pressure element 413 and the first connection 42 are housed.

[0061] The second cover 412 is coupled to the first cover 411 to form the receiving space 412a. Additionally, the fitting projections 412b are formed on both sides of the second cover 412.

[0062] A sliding gate mounting section, formed by connecting the second cover 412 to the first cover 411, is provided on the inner bottom surface of the second cover 412. The sliding gate mounting section can be formed in a shape corresponding to the first cover 411 and the second cover 412.

[0063] The slide mounting section can include a slide slot 412c into which the first slide 412 described below is fitted, and a stop groove 412d in which the stop projection 424 described below is accommodated.

[0064] The sliding slot 412c and the stop groove 412d can be formed in the rear surface of the lower end of the first cover 411 and the front surface of the lower end of the second cover 412, respectively. The sliding slot 412c and the stop groove 412d are interconnected and can be formed by coupling the first cover 411 and the second cover 412.

[0065] Meanwhile, the user presses the front surface of the pressure element 413 to press against the first connection 42, which is located in the receiving space 412a. The front surface of the pressure element 413 can be exposed to the outside, allowing the user to easily press the pressure element 413. The pressure element 413 can shield the first connection 42 and the opening 411a of the first cover 411.

[0066] In particular, the pressure element 413 is designed in a box shape to allow its rear surface to open. The pressure element 413 can be mounted in the receiving space 412a through the opening 411a, and a first elastic element (not shown) can be arranged between the inside of the pressure element 413 and the inside of the second cover 412. Accordingly, the pressure element 413 can be mounted such that it moves forward and backward through the first elastic element.

[0067] Guide projections 413a, which extend towards the first connecting element 42, are formed on the rear surface of the pressure element 413. The guide projections 413a can form a pair.

[0068] In particular, the guide projections 413a can have a first guide projection 413a and a second guide projection 413a formed at a point laterally spaced from the first guide projection, and each guide projection 413a has an inclined surface 413b. The guide projections 413a can be configured to be inclined downwards from the rear surface of the pressure element 413 to the first connection 42.

[0069] The first connection 42 can be movably positioned between the pair of guide projections 413a. At this time, a section 413c of the lower surface of the pressure element 413 can be cut out, so that the first connection 42 is inserted into the pressure element 413.

[0070] Meanwhile, the first connection 42 in the recording room 412a is designed to be movable in a vertical direction.

[0071] In particular, the first connection 411 can have a first slide 412 extending vertically. The first slide 421 is rod-shaped, and a second elastic element 422 is wound around one end of it. The second elastic element 422 can be mounted in a recessed section 411d formed in the inner upper section of the first cover 411. That is, one end of the second elastic element 422 can be connected to the end of the first slide 421, and the other end can be connected to the inside of the recessed section 411d, thereby elastically supporting the first slide 421 so that the first slide 421 moves vertically.

[0072] Connecting sections 423, to allow the first slide 421 to move in a vertical direction, are formed on the upper section of the first slide 421. The contact sections 423 can be formed on the first and second side faces of the first slide 421. The contact sections 423 have a circular cross-section, but are not limited to this, and can be triangular or rectangular in shape.

[0073] The contact sections 423 are located on the upper side of the guide projections 413a, which are formed on the rear surface of the pressure element 413. This means that the contact sections 423 can be located at specific points on the inclined surfaces 413b of the guide projections 413a. Accordingly, the contact sections 423 can move vertically along the inclined surfaces 413b by line contact or surface contact with the inclined surfaces 413b.

[0074] Stop projections 424 for limiting the upward and downward movement of the first slide 421 can further be formed on the lower sides of the contact sections 423, i.e., on the first and second side faces of the first slide 421. When the first slide 421 is inserted into the slide slot 412c to be mounted in the receiving space 412a, the stop projections 424 can accordingly be received in the stop groove 412d, thereby limiting the upward and downward movement of the first slide 421.

[0075] The coupling relationship between the pressure section, the connecting section, and the locking hook of the opening unit is described in more detail below, with reference to Fig. .

[0076] Fig. is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along line AA of Fig. .

[0077] As in Fig. As shown, the pressure section 41, which is actuated by the user, is installed in the mounting groove 332, which is formed in the outer surface of the refrigerator compartment door handle 33.

[0078] The cover 32 of the pressure section 41 is attached to the inside of the refrigerator compartment door handle 33, and the first connection 42 is received in the receiving space 412a, which is formed by connecting the second cover 32 and the first cover 31. Additionally, the pressure element 413 is positioned so that it covers part of the first connection 42 in the receiving space. At this point, the first slide 421 of the first connection 42 is fitted into the slide slot 412c, which is formed by coupling the first cover 31 and the second cover 32, so that the first slide 421 is movable in the vertical direction.

[0079] In a state in which the first connection 42 is fitted into the sliding piece slot 412c, the pressure element 413 is mounted such that it is in contact with the first connection 42.

[0080] In particular, the pressure element 413 is mounted such that the first slide 421 is arranged between the pair of guide projections 413a. The pressure element 413 is mounted in the receiving space 412a to be movable forwards and backwards (the left-and-right direction of Fig. ).

[0081] At this time, the pair of contact sections 423 of the first connection 42 is positioned on the pair of guide projections 413a. That is, the pair of contact sections 423 is in contact with the inclined surfaces 413b of the pair of guide projections 413a. When the pressure element 413 is pushed backward (the left direction of Fig. ), the contact sections 423 can move upwards along the inclined surfaces 413b of the guide projections 413a.

[0082] Meanwhile, the end of the first valve 421 is connected to the second connection 43.

[0083] In particular, the second connection 43 comprises a second slide 431. One end of the second slide 431 is connected to the first slide 421. A connecting coupling section 432 for coupling with the first slide 421 is formed at one end of the second slide 431, and a connecting coupling groove 425 for coupling with the second slide 431 is formed at the end of the first slide 421. Accordingly, the connecting coupling section 432 is fitted into the connecting coupling groove 425, whereby the first slide 421 and the second slide 431 are moved as a single unit.

[0084] Furthermore, the other end of the second slide 431 is in contact with the locking hook 44.

[0085] In particular, the other end of the second slide 431 supports the bottom surface of the extension 441e of the locking hook 44. For example, when the first slide 421 moves upwards by actuating the pressure section 41, the second slide 431, which is connected to the first slide 421, moves upwards to disengage the locking hook 44 from the locking slot 312. That is, when the second slide 431 pushes the locking hook 44 upwards, the locking hook 44 can rotate clockwise through the hinge section 441c to disengage from the locking slot 312. At this time, the torsion spring 443 is pulled by the rotation of the hinge section 441c, thereby generating a restoring force.

[0086] The following is a detailed description of the procedure for operating the opening unit with reference to the drawing.

[0087] Fig. is a view showing the state of the press section and the locking hook when the press section operates according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] As in Fig. As shown, the user can press the pressure element 413 of the pressure section 41 to remove the food stored in the second storage compartment 106 in a state in which the first door 31 closes the first storage compartment 104. Then the pressure element 413 moves to the housing 10, and at this time the first connection 42, which contacts the guide projections 413a of the pressure element 413, moves upwards along the inclined surfaces 413b of the guide projections 413a.

[0089] The second connection 43 moves upwards in accordance with the upward movement of the first connection 42, and the upper end of the second connection 43 presses against the locking hook 44. As a result, the joint section 441c of the locking hook 44 rotates in a clockwise direction, and the hook section 441a can be separated from the locking slot 312.

[0090] This means that when the user pulls the refrigerator compartment door handle 33 by pressing on the pressure element 413, the second door 32 is opened so that the food stored in the second storage compartment 106 can be taken out.

Claims

[1] A refrigerator (1) comprising: a housing (10) in which a first storage compartment (104) is formed; a first door (31) rotatably connected to a front surface of the housing (10) to selectively open or close the first storage compartment (104), with a locking slot (312) formed on an edge of one side thereof; a storage device formed on a rear surface of the first door (31) to form a second storage compartment (106); a second door (32) which is rotatably connected to a front surface of the first door (31) in order to selectively open or close the second storage compartment (106); a door handle (33) formed on a front surface of the second door (32); and an opening unit (40) configured to separate the second door (32) from the first door (31) when the second door (32) rotates to open the second storage compartment (106), wherein the opening unit (40) comprises the following: a locking hook (44) provided on the second door (32) to be optionally inserted into the locking slot (312); a pressure section (41) provided on the door handle (33) and having a guide projection (413a) with an inclined surface (413b) formed on one side thereof; and a connecting section (42, 43) with a contact section (423) formed at one end thereof to touch the inclined surface (413b) and to move up and down along the inclined surface (413b), the other end of the connecting section touching the locking hook (44), wherein, when the pressure section (41) is pressed, the contact section (423) moves upwards along the inclined surface (413b) and the other end of the connecting section (42, 43) pushes the locking hook (44) upwards together with the contact section (423), so that the locking hook (44) is separated from the locking slot (312). [2] The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the connecting section comprises: a first connection (42) which is housed in the door handle (33) and has the contact section (423) which is formed on it; a second connection (43) which is received in the second door (32) and touches the locking hook (44), and where the first connection (42) and the second connection (43) are coupled inside the second door (32). [3] The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the locking hook (44) comprises the following: a hook section (441) that rotates around a cardan shaft (441c); and a hook guide (442) which guides the rotation of the hook section (441), the hook section (441) further comprises: a joint section (441b); a hook element (441) which is bent at one end of the joint section (441b) and is hooked onto the locking slot (312); and the drive shaft (441c), which is formed at the other end of the joint section (441b) and serves as the center of rotation of the hook section (441), wherein the other end of the connecting section (42, 43) is in contact with a specific point of the hook section (441) which is a distance from the cardan shaft (441c), wherein, when the connecting section (42, 43) moves upwards, the hook section (441) rotates around the cardan shaft (441c) so that the hook element (441) can be separated from the locking slot (312). [4] The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the pressure section (41) comprises: a pressure element (413) with the guide projection (413a) which extends from a rear surface thereto and has a front surface that is pressed by a user; a first cover (411) with an opening (411a) formed therein for receiving the pressure element (413); and a second cover (412) connected to a rear surface of the first cover (411) to surround one end of the connecting section (42, 43). [5] The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein stop grooves (412d) for limiting an upward and downward movement of the connecting section (42, 43) are formed in a rear surface of a lower end of the first cover (411) and a front surface of a lower end of the second cover (412). [6] The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the door handle (33) has a fixing groove (332) formed by cutting a section of a front surface thereof, and wherein the pressure element (413) is received in the mounting groove (332) so that the front surface pressed by the user is exposed to the outside. [7] The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the guide projection (413a) comprises: an initial lead (413a); and a second leading projection (413a) formed at a point laterally spaced from the first leading projection (413a); and the first connection (42) is fitted between the first lead (413a) and the second lead (413a). [8] The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the contact section (423) comprises: a first contact section formed on a first side surface of the first connection (42); and a second contact section formed on a second side surface of the first connection (42), and wherein the first contact section and the second contact section are in contact with inclined surfaces (413b) of the first and second guide projections (413a).

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