refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a main body, a door including a door cam, a hinge bracket including a hinge cam, and a door pusher. The hinge cam includes a first hinge cam surface and a second hinge cam surface to guide movements of the door cam. The door cam includes a first door cam surface configured to move along the first hinge cam surface to rotate the door in a direction to close the door and a second door cam surface configured to move along the second hinge cam surface to rotate the door in a direction to open the door. The door pusher is configured to press the door to rotate the door from a position where the first door cam surface is on the first hinge cam surface to a position where the second door cam surface is on the second hinge cam surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / KR2025 / 007629, filed Jun. 4, 2025, and claims foreign priority to Korean Application No. 10-2024-0107182, filed Aug. 9, 2024, and which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.Background Art

[0003] A refrigerator is a device that is composed of a main body including a storage compartment, and a cold air supply system configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment so as to keep food fresh. The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment in which food is kept refrigerated by maintaining the temperature at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, and a freezing compartment in which food is kept frozen by maintaining the temperature at approximately −30 to 0 degrees Celsius. A front surface of the storage compartment is provided to be open for food entry and exit.

[0004] The refrigerator uses a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to repeat a refrigeration cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant. At this time, both the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may be cooled by a single evaporator disposed on the freezing compartment, or the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may each be provided with the evaporator and thus cooled independently of each other.

[0005] The refrigerator includes a door configured to open and close the storage compartment. The door is rotatable relative to the main body so as to open and close the storage compartment. The door may be provided to allow a user to hold a handle disposed on the door, and thus the user can open and close the door relative to the main body by rotating the door. Alternatively, the refrigerator may include a door opening and closing structure configured to easily open or close the door.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Problem

[0006] The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator including an improved structure to allow a door to be opened automatically.

[0007] The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator including an improved structure to allow a door to be easily opened.

[0008] The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator including an improved structure to allow a door to automatically rotate to a fully open position.

[0009] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.Technical Solution

[0010] Aspects of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and comprising a door cam disposed at a lower portion of the door; a hinge bracket connected to the main body and the door, supporting a lower portion of the door, to rotate the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may include: a first hinge cam surface configured to guide a first movement of the door cam to rotate the door in a direction to close the door, and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide a second movement of the door cam to rotate the door in a direction to open the door. The door cam may include: a first door cam surface configured to, with the first door cam surface positioned on the first hinge cam surface, move along the first hinge cam surface to rotate the door in the direction to close the door; and a second door cam surface configured to, with the second door cam surface positioned on the second hinge cam surface, move along the second hinge cam surface to rotate the door in the direction to open the door. The door pusher may be configured to press the door to rotate the door from a position, in which the first door cam surface is on the first hinge cam surface, of the door to a position, in which the second door cam surface is on the second hinge cam surface, of the door.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an angle at which the door is rotated from a position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, to the position, in which the second door cam surface is on the second hinge cam surface, of the door may be greater than an angle at which the door is rotated from the position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, to the position, in which the first door cam surface is on the first hinge cam surface.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first door cam surface may be configured to slide down along the first hinge cam surface during the first movement of the door cam. The second door cam surface may be configured to slide down along the second hinge cam surface during the second movement of the door cam.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface may extend in different directions. The first door cam surface and the second door cam surface may extend in different directions.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door cam may further comprise: a door cam body; and a door cam curved portion disposed between the first door cam surface and the second door cam surface. The first door cam surface may be inclined with the door cam body to descend downward from an end of the first door cam surface connected to the door cam body toward the door cam curved portion. The second door cam surface may be inclined with the door cam body to ascend upward from the door cam curved portion toward an end of the second door cam surface connected to the door cam body.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction to allow the door cam to ascend along the first hinge cam surface in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface and in response to the door being opened. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to allow the door cam to descend along the second hinge cam surface in response to the second door cam surface being in contact with the second hinge cam surface and in response to the door being opened.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an angle of the first hinge cam surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be greater than an angle of the second hinge cam surface inclined respect to the horizontal direction.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an angle of the first hinge cam surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be less than an angle of the second hinge cam surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the hinge cam further comprises: a hinge cam body; and a hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface. The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to ascend upward from an end of the first hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body toward the hinge cam curved portion. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to descend downward from the hinge cam curved portion toward an end of the second hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an angle, at which the door rotates from the position where the door closes the storage room to a position where the door pusher presses the door to the maximum, may be greater than an angle, at which the door rotates from the position where the door closes the storage compartment to a position where the door cam contacts the hinge cam curved portion.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a contact surface, on which the first door cam surface is in contact with the first hinge cam surface in response to the door being closed, may be disposed between the one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the first hinge cam surface, and the hinge cam curved portion.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door pusher may be configured to move between a first pusher position where the door is closed and a second pusher position in a direction of pressing the door from the first pusher position. The second door cam surface may be positioned on the second hinge cam surface with the door pusher being at the second pusher position.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second pusher position may be where the door pusher moves to a maximum position in the direction of pressing the door. The second door cam surface may be configured to move along the second hinge cam surface to rotate the door in the direction in which the door is opened from a position where the door pusher reaches the second pusher position due to a weight of the door.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the hinge cam further comprises: a hinge cam body; and a plurality of hinge cam protrusions protruding from the hinge cam body toward the door cam arranged spaced apart from each other along a rotational direction of the door. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions may include the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface which are connected to each other.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may further comprise: an input device configured to obtain a door opening signal; and a driving device configured to provide a driving force to the door pusher to move the door pusher relative to the main body. Based on the input device receiving a first door opening signal, the driving device may be configured to move the door pusher to press the door until the second door cam surface is in contact with the second hinge cam surface and configured to stop the door pusher. Based on the input device receiving a second door opening signal, the driving device may be configured to move the door pusher to press the door while the first door cam surface is in contact with the first hinge cam surface and configured to stop the door pusher before the second door cam surface is in contact with the second hinge cam surface.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator may include: a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam disposed at a lower portion of the door; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and provided to support the lower portion of the door so as to allow the door to rotate, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction in which the door is closed; and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction in which the door is opened. The door cam may include a first door cam surface configured to move along the first hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface; and a second door cam surface configured to move along the second hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second door cam surface being positioned on the second hinge cam surface. The door pusher may be configured to press the door from when the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface until the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and configured to rotatably support the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the door being rotated less than a first angle from a position in which the door closes the storage compartment. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the door being rotated more than or equal to a second angle, which is greater than the first angle, from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment. The door pusher may be configured to press the door so as to allow the door to rotate more than or equal to the second angle from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and configured to rotatably support the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam; and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam. The door pusher may be configured to press the door until the door cam is in contact with the second hinge cam surface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a state in which a door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a state in which a door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opens the door.

[0032] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating various components of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door lower portion, a hinge bracket, a door cam, and a hinge cam, arranged on a left lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door lower portion, a hinge bracket, a door cam, and a hinge cam, arranged on a right lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge bracket, a door bracket, a hinge shaft, the door cam, and the hinge cam, arranged in a lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the hinge cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the door cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating the hinge cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state in which a first door cam surface of the door cam slides along a first hinge cam surface of the hinge cam in the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a state in which a second door cam surface of the door cam slides along a second hinge cam surface of the hinge cam in the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge cam of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a door cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed.

[0044] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as the door cam and the hinge cam, when the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed.

[0045] FIG. 17 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opens the door.

[0046] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as the door cam and the hinge cam, when the door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opening the door.

[0047] FIG. 19 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is further opened by the door cam and the hinge cam after the door is opened at a predetermined angle by the door opening device.

[0048] FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of various components, such as the door cam and the hinge cam, when the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is further opened by the door cam and the hinge cam after the door is opened at the predetermined angle by the door opening device.MODES OF THE INVENTION

[0049] Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0050] In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0051] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0052] In the disclosure, 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”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0053] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0054] Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0055] Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of any element.

[0056] It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and / or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0057] When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0058] It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

[0059] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body.

[0060] The “main body” may include an inner case, an outer case positioned outside the inner case, and an insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0061] The “inner case” may include a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment (also referred to as a storage room). The inner case may be formed as one body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates together. The “outer case” may form an appearance of the main body, and be coupled to an outer side of the inner case such that the insulation is positioned between the inner case and the outer case.

[0062] The “insulation” may insulate an inside of the storage compartment from an outside of the storage compartment to maintain inside temperature of the storage compartment at appropriate temperature without being influenced by an external environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foaming insulation. The foaming insulation may be molded by fixing the inner case and the outer case with jigs, etc. and then injecting and foaming urethane foam as a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent between the inner case and the outer case.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to a foaming insulation, or may be configured only with a vacuum insulation instead of a forming insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and a cladding material accommodating the core material and sealing the inside with vacuum or pressure close to vacuum. However, the insulation is not limited to the above-mentioned foaming insulation or vacuum insulation, and may include various materials capable of being used for insulation.

[0064] The “storage compartment” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage compartment may further include the inner case defining the space corresponding to the storage compartment. The storage compartment may store a variety of items, such as food, medicines, cosmetics, and the like, and the storage compartment may be configured to be open on at least one side for insertion and removal of the items.

[0065] The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In a case in which two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes of use, and may be maintained at different temperatures. To this end, the respective storage compartments may be partitioned by a partition wall including an insulation.

[0066] The storage compartment may be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to a purpose of use, and may include a “refrigerating compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, and a “temperature conversion compartment” according to purposes of use and / or temperature ranges. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep food refrigerating, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep food frozen. The “refrigerating” may be keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained within a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may be freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained within a range of −20 degrees Celsius to −1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment may be used as either a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment according to or regardless of a user's selection.

[0067] The storage compartment may also be referred to by various terms, such as “vegetable compartment”, “freshness compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice-making compartment”, in addition to “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “temperature conversion compartment”, and the terms, such as “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, “temperature conversion compartment”, etc., as used below are to be understood as representing storage compartments having the corresponding purposes of use and the corresponding temperature ranges.

[0068] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close the open side of the storage compartment. The respective doors may be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be rotatably or slidably mounted to the front of the main body.

[0069] The “door” may seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door, like the main body, may include an insulation to insulate the storage compartment in a closed state.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the door may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided therein.

[0071] A gasket may be provided on the edge of the inner door plate to seal the storage compartment by coming into close contact with the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The inner door plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front of the door body and forming the front surface of the door. The door body may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door body, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator provided therein.

[0073] The refrigerator may be classified as French Door Type, Side-by-side Type, Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF), Top Mounted Freezer (TMF), or Single Door Refrigerator according to the arrangement of the doors and the storage compartments.

[0074] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

[0075] The “cold air supply device” may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and / or a combination system thereof, capable of generating cold air and guiding the cold air to cool the storage compartment.

[0076] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerants. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the refrigeration cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage compartment by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.

[0077] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a machine compartment in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.

[0078] The “machine compartment” may be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment to prevent heat generated by the components installed in the machine compartment from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat from the components installed in the machine compartment, the machine compartment may communicate with outside of the main body.

[0079] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door to allow access by the user without opening the door.

[0080] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice-making device that produces ice. The ice-making device may 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 produced in the ice-making tray.

[0081] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0082] The “controller” may include a memory for storing and / or recording data and / or programs for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals for controlling the cold air supply device, etc. in accordance with the programs and / or data stored in the memory.

[0083] The memory may store or record various information, data, instructions, programs, and the like necessary for operation of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated while generating control signals for controlling components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0084] The processor may control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs an artificial intelligence (AI) model operation. In addition, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), and the like. The processor may generate a control signal to control the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control an operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

[0085] Furthermore, the processor may process a user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface in accordance with the programs and / or data memorized / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided with an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor may transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.

[0086] The processor and memory may be provided integrally or may be provided separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0087] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor and a memory for controlling all of the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device in accordance with to an output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator may be separately provided with a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the user interface in accordance with the user input.

[0088] A communication module may communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which a refrigerator or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN.

[0089] The input interface may include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive the user input and pass the received user input to the processor.

[0090] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like generated by the processor.

[0091] Hereinafter exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] When describing various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, etc. used in the following description are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms. For example, the terms “upper” and “lower” below may mean an upper side in the Z direction and a lower side in the Z direction, respectively, based on the drawings. The terms “front” and “rear” below may mean a front side and a rear side in the X direction, respectively, based on the drawings. The terms “left” and “right” below may mean a left side in the Y direction and a right side in the Y direction, respectively, based on the drawings.

[0093] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 disposed inside the main body 10, a door 30 configured to open and close the storage compartment 20, and a cooling system for supplying cold air to the storage compartment 20.

[0095] The main body 10 may include an inner case 11 forming the storage compartment 20, and an outer case 12 forming an exterior of the refrigerator 1. The outer case 12 may be formed to have a substantially box shape in which a front surface is open. The outer case 12 may form an upper surface, a lower surface, left and right surfaces, and a rear surface of the refrigerator 1. A front surface of the inner case 11 may be open. The storage compartment 20 may be formed inside the inner case 11 and the inner case 11 may be formed on an inner side of the outer case 12. An inner wall of the inner case 11 may form an inner wall of the storage compartment 20. An insulating material may be provided between the inner case 11 and the outer case 12 to insulate the inner case 11 and the outer case 12. The insulating material may be foamed between the inner case 11 and the outer case 12 to couple the inner case 11 and the outer case 12 to each other. For example, the insulating material may include insulating materials of various materials such as urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene insulation, and vacuum insulation panels.

[0096] The main body 10 may further include a top table 14 disposed in an upper portion of the main body 10. The top table 14 may be coupled to an upper portion of the outer case 12. The top table 14 may be coupled to an upper surface of the outer case 12. The top table 14 may cover various electrical components. An accommodation space in which various electrical components are accommodated may be formed on an inner side of the top table 14. For example, the top table 14 may cover a door opening device 100 described below, and the door opening device 100 may be accommodated on the inner side of the top table 14.

[0097] The storage compartment 20 may be formed inside the main body 10. For example, the storage compartment 20 may include a refrigerating compartment that is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius and stores food in a cold state. For example, the storage compartment 20 may include a freezing compartment that is maintained at approximately −30 to 0 degrees Celsius and stores food in a frozen state.

[0098] In various embodiments, the storage compartment 20 may be partitioned into a plurality of areas. The main body 10 may include a partition 13 that partitions the storage compartment 20 into a first storage compartment 21 and a second storage compartment 22. For example, the partition 13 may extend in a vertical direction Z, and the first storage compartment 21 and the second storage compartment 22 may be arranged horizontally relative to each other. For example, the storage compartment 20 may be partitioned into the first storage compartment 21 arranged on the left side and the second storage compartment 22 arranged on the right side. As an example, the first storage compartment 21 may be used as a freezing compartment, and the second storage compartment 22 may be used as a refrigerating compartment, but is not limited thereto.

[0099] A shelf 25 on which food is placed and a drawer 26 in which food is stored may be provided in the storage compartment 20.

[0100] The refrigerator 1 may include the cooling system that is configured to generate cold air using a cooling cycle and supply the generated cold air to the storage compartment 20. The cooling system may generate cold air using the cooling cycle that compresses, condenses, expands, and evaporates a refrigerant. For example, the cooling system may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blower fan, and the like.

[0101] The main body 10 may include a cold air supply duct that forms a cold air path through which cold air generated by the cooling system flows into the storage compartment 20. The cold air supply duct may be formed at the rear of the inner case 11. The cold air supply duct may be provided at the rear of the storage compartment 20 and may be connected to the storage compartment 20.

[0102] The door 30 may be configured to open and close the storage compartment 20. The door 30 may be configured to open and close an opening formed on one side of the main body 10. The door 30 may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the main body 10. The door 30 may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the main body 10 by being coupled to a hinge bracket 40 connecting the door 30 and the main body 10.

[0103] An outer surface of the door 30 may form a portion of the exterior of the refrigerator 1. When the door 30 is in a closed position, the outer surface of the door 30 may form at least a portion of a front outer surface of the refrigerator 1. When the door 30 is in the closed position, the inner surface of the door 30 may face the inside of the storage compartment 20. The inner surface of the door 30 means one surface of the door 30 that faces the storage compartment 20 when the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. In addition, the outer surface of the door 30 means other surface opposite to the inner surface of the door 30 that faces the storage compartment 20 when the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, and means the front surface of the door 30 that is seen when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front.

[0104] A door gasket 34 may be provided on the inner surface of the door 30 to seal a gap between the door 30 and the main body 10 and to prevent cold air from leaking from the storage compartment 20. The door gasket 34 may be provided along a perimeter of the inner surface of the door 30. The door gasket 34 may be configured to include an elastic material such as rubber.

[0105] A door shelf 35 in which food is stored may be provided on the inner surface of the door 30.

[0106] For example, the door 30 may include a door frame 31, an upper door cap 32, and a lower door cap 33 (refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 5, etc.). The door frame 31 may form the overall appearance of the door 30. The upper door cap 32 may form an upper surface of the door 30. The upper door cap 32 may be coupled to an upper portion of the door frame 31. The lower door cap 33 may form a lower surface of the door 30. The lower door cap 33 may be coupled to a lower portion of the door frame 31.

[0107] A door insulating material may be foamed and provided among the door frame 31, the upper door cap 32, and the lower door cap 33.

[0108] The door frame 31, the upper door cap 32, and the lower door cap 33 may be formed as separate components, and coupled together. Alternatively, the door frame 31 and the upper door cap 32 may be formed integrally, or the door frame 31 and the lower door cap 33 may be formed integrally, or the door frame 31, the upper door cap 32, and the lower door cap 33 may be formed integrally as a whole.

[0109] The door 30 may include a handle 38. A user can hold the handle 38 with user's hand to open or close the door 30. In other words, the user can hold the handle 38 with the user's hand and rotate the door 30 to open or close the storage compartment 20. For example, the handle 38 may include a groove shape that is formed concavely so as to be gripped. For example, the handle 38 may be provided on the door frame 31 of the door 30.

[0110] As described below, the door 30 may be opened by the door opening device 100.

[0111] As described below, the refrigerator 1 may include an input device 60 configured to obtain a signal for operating the door opening device 100. For example, the input device 60 may be mounted on the door 30. For example, the input device 60 may be positioned in an area adjacent to the handle 38 of the door 30.

[0112] The refrigerator 1 may include a plurality of doors 30L and 30R configured to open and close a plurality of storage compartments 21 and 22 which are partitioned from each other. For example, the refrigerator 1 may include a first door 30L configured to open and close the first storage compartment 21, and a second door 30R configured to open and close the second storage compartment 22. For example, the first door 30L and the second door 30R may be arranged parallel to each other in a horizontal direction Y. The first door 30L may be arranged on the left side, and the second door 30R may be arranged on the right side. The first door 30L may be referred to as a “left door 30L”, and the second door 30R may be referred to as a “right door 30R”. The first door 30L and the second door 30R may rotate independently of each other with respect to the main body 10.

[0113] For example, the first door 30L may be opened by a first door opening device 100L arranged on the left side. For example, the second door 30R may be opened by a second door opening device 100R arranged on the right side.

[0114] For example, the first door 30L may include a first input device 60L configured to obtain a signal for operating the first door opening device 100L. For example, the second door 30R may include a second input device 60R (refer to FIG. 2) configured to obtain a signal for operating the second door opening device 100R.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may further include a third door 30D. For example, the third door 30D may be configured to be rotatable relative to the second door 30R. The third door 30D may be rotatably coupled to the second door 30R. The second door 30R may include an opening, and the third door 30D may open or close the opening of the second door 30R while rotating relative to the second door 30R. For example, the opening of the second door 30R may be provided at an upper portion of the door frame 31 of the second door 30R. When the third door 30D opens the opening of the second door 30R, a user can access an upper portion of the second storage compartment 22 or the door shelf 35 arranged at an upper portion of the second door 30R. That is, according to one embodiment, the right door of the refrigerator 1 may be configured as a double door including the second door 30R and the third door 30D.

[0116] For example, a handle may be provided on the third door 30D, and a user can hold the handle with his / her hand and rotate the third door 30D relative to the second door 30R to open the opening of the second door 30R.

[0117] The door 30 of the refrigerator 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to the first door 30L, the second door 30R, and the third door 30D described above.

[0118] The refrigerator 1 may include the hinge bracket 40 connecting the main body 10 and the door 30. The hinge bracket 40 may be respectively coupled to the main body 10 and the door 30.

[0119] The hinge bracket 40 may be fixed to the main body 10. For example, the hinge bracket 40 may be coupled to the outer case 12.

[0120] The door 30 may be rotatably provided on the hinge bracket 40. The door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the hinge bracket 40. The hinge bracket 40 may rotatably support the door 30. The door 30 may be rotatably provided on the main body 10 by the hinge bracket 40. A rotation axis of the door 30 may pass through the hinge bracket 40. The hinge bracket 40 may be coupled to a door cap of the door 30.

[0121] The hinge bracket 40 may be provided to support both sides of the door 30 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the door 30. For example, a plurality of hinge brackets 40 may be arranged in the vertical direction Z to support the upper and lower sides of the door 30.

[0122] The refrigerator 1 may include a hinge shaft 50 coupled to the door 30 and the hinge bracket 40. The hinge shaft 50 may be inserted into the door 30. For example, the hinge shaft 50 may be inserted into the door cap of the door 30. The hinge shaft 50 may penetrate the hinge bracket 40. The hinge shaft 50 may rotatably support the door 30 relative to the hinge bracket 40. The hinge bracket 40 may be coupled to the door 30 by the hinge shaft 50.

[0123] The hinge shaft 50 may pass through the rotation axis of the door 30. The hinge shaft 50 may extend in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the door 30. For example, the hinge shaft 50 may extend in the vertical direction Z. For example, the hinge shaft 50 may have a cylindrical shape having the rotation axis of the door 30 as its central axis.

[0124] The hinge shafts 50 may be provided so as to be coupled to both sides of the door 30 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the door 30. For example, a plurality of hinge shafts 50 may be arranged in the vertical direction Z to be coupled to the upper and lower sides of the door 30, respectively.

[0125] The configuration of the refrigerator 1 described above with reference to FIG. 1 is only an example for describing the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may be provided to include various configurations for performing the function of supplying cold air to the storage compartment for storing food.

[0126] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a state in which a door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed. FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a state in which a door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opens the door. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating various components of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the hinge bracket 40 and the hinge shaft 50 of the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may support the upper portion of the door 30 to allow the door 30 to rotate.

[0128] The hinge bracket 40 may include an upper hinge bracket 41 supporting the upper side of the door 30. The upper hinge bracket 41 may be coupled to the upper portion of the door 30. The upper hinge bracket 41 may be coupled to the upper door cap 32. The upper hinge bracket 41 may be coupled to the upper portion of the main body 10. For example, the upper hinge bracket 41 may include a left upper hinge bracket 41L supporting the upper side of the first door 30L, and a right upper hinge bracket 41R supporting the upper side of the second door 30R. The left upper hinge bracket 41L may be coupled to an upper portion of the first door 30L and a left upper portion of the main body 10. The right upper hinge bracket 41R may be coupled to an upper portion of the second door 30R and an upper right portion of the main body 10. The left upper hinge bracket 41L and the right upper hinge bracket 41R may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction Y.

[0129] The hinge shaft 50 may include an upper hinge shaft 51 coupled to the upper portion of the door 30 and the upper hinge bracket 41. The upper hinge shaft 51 may penetrate the upper door cap 32 of the door 30. The upper hinge shaft 51 may penetrate the upper hinge bracket 41. For example, the upper hinge shaft 51 may include a left upper hinge shaft 51L coupled to the upper portion of the first door 30L and the left upper hinge bracket 41L, and a right upper hinge shaft 51R coupled to the upper portion of the second door 30R and the right upper hinge bracket 41R (refer to FIG. 2). The left upper hinge shaft 51L may penetrate the upper door cap 32 of the first door 30L and the left upper hinge bracket 41L. The right upper hinge shaft 51R may penetrate the upper door cap 32 of the second door 30R and the right upper hinge bracket 41R.

[0130] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the door opening device 100 configured to open the door 30. The door opening device 100 may be configured to rotate the door 30 relative to the main body 10 so as to open the storage compartment 20. The door opening device 100 may be configured to press the door 30 so as to open the door 30.

[0131] The door opening device 100 may be mounted on the main body 10. The door opening device 100 may be mounted on the upper portion of the main body 10. For example, the door opening device 100 may be accommodated on the inner side of the top table 14. An upper side of the door opening device 100 may be covered by the top table 14. The door opening device 100 may be placed on the upper surface of the outer case 12.

[0132] A plurality of the door opening devices 100 may be provided to open each of the plurality of doors 30. For example, the refrigerator 1 may include a first door opening device 100L configured to open the first door 30L, and a second door opening device 100R configured to open the second door 30R.

[0133] The first door opening device 100L may be configured to open the first storage compartment 21 by rotating the first door 30L. The second door opening device 100R may be configured to open the second storage compartment 22 by rotating the second door 30R. According to one embodiment, when the second door opening device 100R operates, the second door 30R and the third door 30D may rotate together, thereby opening the second storage compartment 22. The operation of the first door opening device 100L that opens the first door 30L and the operation of the second door opening device 100R that opens the second door 30R may be performed independently of each other.

[0134] The first door opening device 100L and the second door opening device 100R may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction Y. For example, the first door opening device 100L may be arranged on the left side with respect to the center of the upper portion of the main body 10, and the second door opening device 100R may be arranged on the right side with respect to the center of the upper portion of the main body 10. The first door opening device 100L mounted on the upper portion of the main body 10 may be configured to press the upper portion of the first door 30L, and the second door opening device 100R mounted on the upper portion of the main body 10 may be configured to press the upper portion of the second door 30R.

[0135] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the door opening device 100 may be mounted at various locations of the main body 10 and may be configured to open the first storage compartment 21 by pressing various portions other than the upper portion of the first door 30L or the second door 30R. For example, unlike FIGS. 2 to 4, the door opening device 100 may be mounted at the lower portion of the main body 10 and press the lower portion of the first door 30L or the second door 30R.

[0136] The first door opening device 100L and the second door opening device 100R may include structures corresponding to each other. FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of the first door opening device 100L configured to open the first door 30L, in detail and the structure of the first door opening device 100L illustrated in FIG. 4 may also be applied to a structure of the second door opening device 100R. A description of a structure of the door opening device 100 described below may be applied to a structure of the first door opening device 100L and a structure of the second door opening device 100R, respectively.

[0137] The door opening device 100 may include a door pusher 120 configured to press the door 30 so as to open the door. The door pusher 120 may be configured to be movable with respect to the main body 10. The door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 while moving with respect to the main body 10. The door pusher 120 may press the door 30 while moving forward from the main body 10 toward the door 30, thereby allowing the door 30, which is closed, to be opened.

[0138] The door pusher 120 may be configured to be movable between a first pusher position P1, and a second pusher position P2. For example, the door pusher 120 may be configured to be reciprocally movable between the first pusher position P1 and the second pusher position P2. The first pusher position P1 may be a position of the door pusher 120 when the door 30 is in the closed position. The second pusher position P2 may be a position in which the door pusher 120 moves from the first pusher position P1 in a direction that presses the door 30. While moving from the first pusher position P1 toward the second pusher position P2, the door pusher 120 may press and open the door 30 that is closed. The second pusher position P2 may be a position in which the door pusher 120 moves forward from the first pusher position P1.

[0139] The door pusher 120 may be accommodated in a space within the top table 14 when positioned at the first pusher position P1. That is, the door pusher 120 may be inserted into the inside of the top table 14 when positioned at the first pusher position P1, and may be withdrawn from the top table 14 and moved from the first pusher position P1 to the second pusher position P2. The top table 14 may include an opening 14a. The door pusher 120 may be provided to penetrate the opening 14a of the top table 14 and be movable between the first pusher position P1 and the second pusher position P2.

[0140] For example, the door pusher 120 may be configured to be linearly movable between the first pusher position P1 and the second pusher position P2. The door pusher 120 may be configured to be linearly reciprocally movable with respect to the main body 10. The door pusher 120 may be configured to be linearly movable in the front and rear direction X with respect to the main body 10. Alternatively, the door pusher 120 may be configured to be non-linearly movable with respect to the main body 10.

[0141] The door opening device 100 may include a pusher case 110 provided to support the door pusher 120. The pusher case 110 may movably support the door pusher 120.

[0142] The pusher case 110 may form an accommodation space for accommodating at least a portion of the door pusher 120. The door pusher 120 may be configured to be movable between a position that is maximally inserted into the accommodation space of the pusher case 110 and a position that is withdrawn forward from the accommodation space of the pusher case 110. For example, the pusher case 110 may include a first pusher case 111, and a second pusher case 112 coupled to the first pusher case 111. The accommodation space of the pusher case 110 may be formed between the first pusher case 111 and the second pusher case 112.

[0143] The pusher case 110 may be mounted on the main body 10. The pusher case 110 may be fixed to the main body 10. For example, the pusher case 110 may be coupled to the top table 14. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pusher case 110 may be coupled to various locations of the main body 10.

[0144] The door opening device 100 may include a driving device 130. The driving device 130 may provide a driving force to the door pusher 120 to allow the door pusher 120 to move relative to the main body 10. The driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 from the first pusher position P1 to the second pusher position P2 based on a door opening signal. The driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120, which reaches the second pusher position P2, to the first pusher position P1.

[0145] The driving device 130 may include a power source 131 configured to generate power for opening the door 30. The power source 131 may be configured to generate power for moving the door pusher 120. The power source 131 may include a motor including various structures.

[0146] The power source 131 may be supported by the pusher case 110. The power source 131 may be accommodated inside the pusher case 110.

[0147] The driving device 130 may include a power transmission member 132 configured to transmit power generated by the power source 131 to the door pusher 120. For example, the power transmission member 132 may include at least one gear. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the power transmission member 132 may include a plurality of gears. The door pusher 120 may include a pusher gear portion 121 engaged with the power transmission member 132, and the door pusher 120 may receive power from the gear of the power transmission member 132 through the pusher gear portion 121. For example, the power transmission member 132 and the pusher gear portion 121 may form a rack-pinion gear structure.

[0148] The power transmission member 132 may be supported by the pusher case 110. The power transmission member 132 may be accommodated inside the pusher case 110.

[0149] The driving device 130 may include a motor driver 133 connected to the power source 131. The power source 131 may receive a driving current from the motor driver 133 and generate power. The motor driver 133 may be electrically connected to a controller of the refrigerator 1. The motor driver 133 may be controlled by the controller of the refrigerator 1. The motor driver 133 may operate based on a control signal received from the controller. The motor driver 133 may include a circuit including various electronic components for driving the power source 131 based on the control signal.

[0150] The door opening device 100 may include a position detection sensor configured to detect a position of the door pusher 120. The position detection sensor may detect the position of the door pusher 120 in various ways. For example, the position detection sensor may include various types of magnetic field sensors, such as a hall sensor configured to detect a magnetic field of a magnet mounted on the door pusher 120. The controller may control the power source 131 to move or stop the door pusher 120 based on an electrical signal received from the position detection sensor. For example, the position detection sensor may be electrically connected to the motor driver 133. For example, the position detection sensor may be mounted on the motor driver 133.

[0151] For example, the position detection sensor may be supported by the pusher case 110. The position detection sensor may be accommodated within the pusher case 110.

[0152] With this configuration, the door opening device 100 may open the door 30.

[0153] The door opening device 100 may operate based on a door opening signal for opening the door 30. The door opening signal for opening the door 30 may be generated based on a user input for opening the door 30. According to one embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include the input device 60 configured to obtain the door opening signal. The input device 60 may be electrically connected to the driving device 130, and the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 based on the input device 60 obtaining the door opening signal. The input device 60 may be electrically connected to the controller of the refrigerator 1, and the controller may control the driving device 130 to allow the door pusher 120 to open the door 30 based on the input device 60 obtaining the door opening signal.

[0154] For example, the input device 60 may be configured to obtain a door opening signal based on a user touching or pressing the input device 60. For example, the input device 60 may be configured to obtain a touch signal for opening the door 30. The input device 60 may receive a touch signal when a user touches a portion of the input device 60 or when a user places a body (e.g., a hand, etc.) in close proximity to the input device 60. The input device 60 may include a capacitance sensor configured to detect a change in capacitance due to a user's touching action. The touch signal may be input to the input device 60 based on a change in capacitance according to the user's touching action, and the input device 60 may generate a door opening signal based on a change in capacitance according to the user's touching action.

[0155] However, the type of input device 60 is not limited thereto, and the input device 60 may include various types of input devices such as a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, etc.

[0156] According to one embodiment, the input device 60 may be disposed on the door 30. For example, the input device 60 may be disposed on the handle 38 of the door 30 or at a location adjacent thereto. When a user touches the handle 38 of the door 30, the input device 60 may easily obtain a user input for opening the door 30. In addition, the input device 60 may be disposed at various locations, such as the front surface of the door 30.

[0157] The input device 60 may include a first input device 60L configured to obtain a door opening signal for opening the first door 30L, and a second input device 60R configured to obtain a door opening signal for opening the second door 30R.

[0158] The first door opening device 100L may open the first door 30L based on the first input device 60L obtaining a door opening signal. The driving device 130 of the first door opening device 100L may move the door pusher 120 to press the first door 30L based on the first input device 60L obtaining the door opening signal. The controller may control the driving device 130 of the first door opening device 100L to allow the door pusher 120 to open the first door 30L based on the first input device 60L obtaining the door opening signal.

[0159] The second door opening device 100R may open the second door 30R based on the second input device 60R obtaining a door opening signal. The driving device 130 of the second door opening device 100R may move the door pusher 120 to press the second door 30R based on the second input device 60R obtaining the door opening signal. The controller may control the driving device 130 of the second door opening device 100R to allow the door pusher 120 to open the second door 30R based on the second input device 60R obtaining the door opening signal.

[0160] For example, the first input device 60L may be mounted on the first door 30L. The first input device 60L may be mounted on the door frame 31 of the first door 30L. The first input device 60L may be positioned adjacent to the handle 38 of the first door 30L.

[0161] For example, the second input device 60R may be mounted on the third door 30D. The second input device 60R may be mounted on the door frame 31 of the third door 30D. The second input device 60R may be positioned adjacent to the handle 38 of the third door 30D. According to one embodiment, because the handle 38 of the third door 30D is more accessible to a user than the handle 38 of the second door 30R, the second input device 60R may be positioned on the handle 38 of the third door 30D, and thus the user can more easily input a door opening signal to the second input device 60R and operate the second door opening device 100R.

[0162] The structure of the door opening device 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 is only an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The refrigerator 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include the door opening device including various structures configured to open the door 30 based on a door opening signal.

[0163] For example, unlike as described above, the refrigerator 1 may include a door opening device mounted on the door 30 and configured to open the door 30. The door opening device may include a body pusher provided to be movably mounted relative to the door 30 and configured to press the main body 10 while moving toward the main body 10, and may be configured to open the door 30 as a reaction when the body pusher presses the main body 10.

[0164] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door lower portion, a hinge bracket, a door cam, and a hinge cam, arranged on a left lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door lower portion, a hinge bracket, a door cam, and a hinge cam, arranged on a right lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge bracket, a door bracket, a hinge shaft, the door cam, and the hinge cam, arranged in a lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0165] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the hinge bracket 40 and the hinge shaft 50 of the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may support the lower portion of the door 30 to allow the door 30 to rotate.

[0166] The hinge bracket 40 may include a lower hinge bracket 42 supporting the lower side of the door 30. The lower hinge bracket 42 may be coupled to the lower side of the door 30. The lower hinge bracket 42 may be coupled to the lower door cap 33. The lower hinge bracket 42 may be coupled to the lower portion of the main body 10. For example, the lower hinge bracket 42 may include a left lower hinge bracket 42L supporting the lower side of the first door 30L, and a right lower hinge bracket 42R supporting the lower side of the second door 30R. The left lower hinge bracket 42L may be coupled to the lower side of the first door 30L and the left lower side of the main body 10. The right lower hinge bracket 42R may be coupled to the lower portion of the second door 30R and the right lower portion of the main body 10. The left lower hinge bracket 42L and the right lower hinge bracket 42R may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction Y.

[0167] The left upper hinge bracket 41L and the left lower hinge bracket 42L may be arranged in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the first door 30L. The rotation axis of the first door 30L may pass through the left upper hinge bracket 41L and the left lower hinge bracket 42L. For example, the left upper hinge bracket 41L and the left lower hinge bracket 42L may be arranged in the vertical direction Z to each other.

[0168] The right upper hinge bracket 41R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R may be arranged in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the second door 30R. The rotation axis of the second door 30R may pass through the right upper hinge bracket 41R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R. For example, the right upper hinge bracket 41R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R may be arranged in the vertical direction Z relative to each other.

[0169] The hinge shaft 50 may include a lower hinge shaft 52 coupled to the lower portion of the door 30 and the lower hinge bracket 42. The lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate the lower door cap 33. The lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate the lower hinge bracket 42. For example, the lower hinge shaft 52 may include a left lower hinge shaft 52L coupled to the lower portion of the first door 30L and the left lower hinge bracket 42L, and a right lower hinge shaft 52R coupled to the lower portion of the second door 30R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R. The left lower hinge shaft 52L may penetrate the lower door cap 33 of the first door 30L and the left lower hinge bracket 42L. The right lower hinge shaft 52R may penetrate the lower door cap 33 of the second door 30R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R.

[0170] The left upper hinge shaft 51L and the left lower hinge shaft 52L may be arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the first door 30L. The rotation axis of the first door 30L may pass through the left upper hinge shaft 51L and the left lower hinge shaft 52L. For example, the left upper hinge shaft 51L and the left lower hinge shaft 52L may be parallel to each other in the vertical direction Z.

[0171] The right upper hinge shaft 51R and the right lower hinge shaft 52R may be arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the second door 30R. The rotation axis of the second door 30R may pass through the right upper hinge shaft 51R and the right lower hinge shaft 52R. For example, the right upper hinge bracket 41R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R may be parallel to each other in the vertical direction Z.

[0172] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cam device configured to guide the opening or closing of the door 30. The cam device may assist the opening or closing of the door 30. Depending on the position of the door 30, the cam device may guide the door 30 to rotate in a direction in which the door 30 is opened or to rotate in a direction in which the door 30 is closed. When the door 30 is rotated less than a first angle from a position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the cam device may guide the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed. When the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to a second angle greater than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the cam device may guide the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened. Particularly, the cam device may include a hinge cam 200 and a door cam 300. The hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 may be in contact with each other. The hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 may be engaged with each other.

[0173] The hinge bracket 40 may include the hinge cam 200. Particularly, the lower hinge bracket 42 may include the hinge cam 200. The hinge cam 200 may be fixed to the main body 10. The hinge cam 200 may be provided at a portion, which is coupled to the door 30, of the hinge bracket 40. The hinge cam 200 may be provided at a portion, which is coupled to the lower door cap 33, of the lower hinge bracket 42. For example, the hinge cam 200 may be arranged on an upper surface of the lower hinge bracket 42.

[0174] A plurality of the hinge cam 200 may be provided. For example, the hinge cam 200 may include a first hinge cam 200L provided on the left lower hinge bracket 42L, and a second hinge cam 200R provided on the right lower hinge bracket 42R. The first hinge cam 200L may be configured to guide the rotation of the first door 30L. The second hinge cam 200R may be configured to guide the rotation of the second door 30R. The first hinge cam 200L and the second hinge cam 200R may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction Y. The first hinge cam 200L may be disposed on an upper surface of the left lower hinge bracket 42L. The second hinge cam 200R may be disposed on an upper surface of the right lower hinge bracket 42R.

[0175] The door 30 may include the door cam 300. The door cam 300 may be fixed to the door cap of the door 30. For example, the door cam 300 may be coupled to the lower door cap 33. The door cam 300 may be provided at the lower portion of the door 30. The door cam 300 may be provided at a portion, which is coupled to the hinge bracket 40, of the door 30. The door cam 300 may be provided at a portion, which is coupled to the lower hinge bracket 42, of the door 30.

[0176] A plurality of the door cam 300 may be provided. For example, the door cam 300 may include a first door cam 300L provided in the first door 30L, and a second door cam 300R provided in the second door 30R. The first door cam 300L may be configured to guide the rotation of the first door 30L. The second door cam 300R may be configured to guide the rotation of the second door 30R. The first door cam 300L and the second door cam 300R may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction Y. The first door cam 300L may be arranged at the lower portion of the first door 30L. The second door cam 300R may be arranged at the lower portion of the second door 30R.

[0177] According to one embodiment, the first hinge cam 200L and the second hinge cam 200R may include structures that are symmetrical to each other and almost corresponding to each other. According to one embodiment, the first door cam 300L and the second door cam 300R may include structures that are symmetrical to each other and almost corresponding to each other.

[0178] Referring to FIG. 7, the hinge cam 200 may include a hinge cam body 210. For example, the hinge cam body 210 may be coupled to a body portion of the lower hinge bracket 42. The hinge cam body 210 may be penetrated by the lower hinge shaft 52. The hinge cam body 210 may include a hinge cam hole 210a, the lower hinge shaft 52 may include the hinge cam hole 210a, and the lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate the hinge cam hole 210a. For example, a width (e.g., diameter) of the lower hinge shaft 52 may approximately correspond to a width (e.g., diameter) of the hinge cam hole 210a. The lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate a lower hinge bracket hole 42a formed in the body portion of the lower hinge bracket 42, and the hinge cam 200 may be connected to the body portion of the lower hinge bracket 42 by the lower hinge shaft 52. The hinge cam 200 may be connected to the door 30 by the lower hinge shaft 52. Although the coupling structure of the first hinge cam 200L is illustrated in FIG. 7, the features described above may be correspondingly applied to the second hinge cam 200R.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 7, the door cam 300 may include a door cam body 310. For example, the door cam body 310 may be coupled to the lower door cap 33. For example, the door 30 may include a door bracket 36 fixed to a lower surface of the lower door cap 33, and the door cam body 310 may be coupled to the door bracket 36. The door cam body 310 may be penetrated by the lower hinge shaft 52. The door cam body 310 may include a door cam hole 310a, and the lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate the door cam hole 310a. For example, the width (e.g., diameter) of the lower hinge shaft 52 may approximately correspond to a width (e.g., diameter) of the door cam hole 310a. The lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate the door bracket hole 36a formed in the door bracket 36 and the lower door cap 33, and the door cam 300 may be connected to the door bracket 36 and the lower door cap 33 by the lower hinge shaft 52. The door cam 300 may be connected to the lower hinge bracket 42 by the lower hinge shaft 52. The door cam 300 may be connected to the hinge cam 200 by the lower hinge shaft 52. Although the coupling structure of the first door cam 300L is illustrated in FIG. 7, the features described above may be correspondingly applied to the second door cam 300R.

[0180] Hereinafter the structure and function of the first hinge cam 200L and the first door cam 300L will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 20, and the corresponding contents may be applied to the structure and function of the second hinge cam 200R and the second door cam 300R.

[0181] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the hinge cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the door cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating the hinge cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state in which a first door cam surface of the door cam slides along a first hinge cam surface of the hinge cam in the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a state in which a second door cam surface of the door cam slides along a second hinge cam surface of the hinge cam in the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0182] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12, the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 of the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be in contact with each other and engaged with each other. The hinge cam 200 may guide the movement of the door cam 300 by being in contact with the door cam 300. The hinge cam 200 may be configured to guide the movement of the door cam 300 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed or the direction in which the door 30 is opened. For example, the door cam 300 may be positioned above the hinge cam 200, and the door cam 300 may slide and move along the hinge cam 200 due to the weight of the door 30.

[0183] The hinge cam 200 may guide the movement of the door cam 300 in different directions depending on the relative position of the door cam 300, thereby rotating the door 30 in the direction in which the door 30 is closed or rotating the door 30 in the direction in which the door 30 is opened. For example, when the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the hinge cam 200 may guide the movement of the door cam 300 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed. For example, when the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle, which is greater than the first angle, from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the hinge cam 200 may guide the movement of the door cam 300 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened.

[0184] A portion of the hinge cam 200, with which the door cam 300 is in contact, when the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 may be different from a portion of the hinge cam 200, with which the door cam 300 is in contact, when the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. A portion of the door cam 300, with which the hinge cam 200 is in contact, when the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 may be different from a portion of the door cam 300, with which the hinge cam 200 is in contact, when the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20.

[0185] The hinge cam 200 may include a first hinge cam surface 221 and a second hinge cam surface 222. For example, the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 may be positioned in a direction from the hinge cam body 210 toward the door cam 300. For example, the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 may be positioned above the hinge cam body 210.

[0186] The first hinge cam surface 221 may be configured to guide the movement of the door cam 300 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, when the first hinge cam surface 221 is in contact with the door cam 300. When the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the door cam 300 may be in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221. A state in which “the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20” may also include a state in which the door 30 is completely closed.

[0187] When the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, the door cam 300 may slide along the first hinge cam surface 221 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, due to the weight of the door 30. The first hinge cam surface 221 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so as to allow the door cam 300 to descend along the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 and the door 30 is closed. However, when a force, which is greater than a force in which the door cam 300 slides along the first hinge cam surface 221 by the weight of the door 30 (e.g., a force that rotates the door 30 to be open by the door opening device 100), is applied, the door cam 300 may move along the first hinge cam surface 221 so as to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened. The first hinge cam surface 221 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so as to ascend along the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 and the door 30 is opened.

[0188] The second hinge cam surface 222 may be configured to guide the movement of the door cam 300 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, when the second hinge cam surface 222 is in contact with the door cam 300. When the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the door cam 300 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0189] An angle, at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, may be greater than an angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221.

[0190] When the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, the door cam 300 may slide along the second hinge cam surface 222 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, due to the weight of the door 30. The second hinge cam surface 222 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so as to descend along the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 and the door 30 is opened. However, when a force, which is greater than a force in which the door cam 300 slides along the second hinge cam surface 222 by the weight of the door 30 (e.g., a force that rotates the door 30 to be open by the door opening device 100), is applied, the door cam 300 may move along the second hinge cam surface 222 so as to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed. The second hinge cam surface 222 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so as to ascend along the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 and the door 30 is closed. The first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surfaces 222 may extend in different directions.

[0191] The first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surfaces 222 may be connected to each other. The hinge cam 200 may include a hinge cam curved portion 223 disposed between the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surfaces 222. A distance from the hinge cam body 210 to the hinge cam curved portion 223 may be greater than a distance from the hinge cam body 210 to the first hinge cam surface 221 and a distance from the hinge cam body 210 to the second hinge cam surface 222. For example, in the first hinge cam surface 221, a distance in the vertical direction Z from the hinge cam body 210 may be increased from one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body 210, of the first hinge cam surface 221 to the hinge cam curved portion 223. For example, the first hinge cam surface 221 may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 (or, with respect to the horizontal direction (the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction)) so as to ascend upward in the vertical direction Z from one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body 210, of the first hinge cam surface 221 to the hinge cam curved portion 223. For example, in the second hinge cam surface 222, a distance in the vertical direction Z from the hinge cam body 210 may be reduced from the hinge cam curved portion 223 to one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body 210, of the second hinge cam surface 222. For example, the second hinge cam surface 222 may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 so as to descend downward from the hinge cam curved portion 223 to one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body 210, of the second hinge cam surface 222. That is, the door cam 300 may rise to the highest point when the door cam 300 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223.

[0192] The hinge cam 200 may include a hinge cam protrusion 220 that protrudes from the hinge cam body 210 toward the door cam 300. The hinge cam protrusion 220 may include the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 which are connected to each other. The hinge cam protrusion 220 may include the hinge cam curved portion 223. The hinge cam curved portion 223 may be a portion of the hinge cam protrusion 220 that protrudes most in the vertical direction Z from the hinge cam body 210. The hinge cam curved portion 223 may be a portion which is the highest in the hinge cam protrusion 220.

[0193] A plurality of the hinge cam protrusions 220 may be provided. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 may include the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 which are connected to each other. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 may include the hinge cam curved portion 223. As for a pair of hinge cam protrusions 220 that are adjacent to each other among the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220, a first hinge cam surface 221 of one hinge cam protrusion 220 may face a second hinge cam surface 222 of the other hinge cam protrusion 220.

[0194] For example, the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the rotational direction of the door 30. An area between the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 may be approximately parallel to the horizontal direction and flat. For example, the hinge cam 200 may include three hinge cam protrusions 220. The three hinge cam protrusions 220 may be spaced apart from each other at equal intervals. However, the number of hinge cam protrusions 220 provided on the hinge cam 200 is not limited thereto.

[0195] The door cam 300 may include a first door cam surface 321 and a second door cam surface 322. For example, the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may be positioned in a direction from the door cam body 310 toward the hinge cam 200. For example, the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may be positioned below the door cam body 310.

[0196] The first door cam surface 321 may be configured to move along the hinge cam 200 in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, when the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the hinge cam 200. The first door cam surface 321 may be in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. When the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, the movement of the first door cam surface 321 may be guided by the first hinge cam surface 221 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed. When the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, the first door cam surface 321 may slide along the first hinge cam surface 221 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed due to the weight of the door 30. The expression “the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221” may include various states, in which the first door cam surface 321 is disposed on the first hinge cam surface 221, such as a state in which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with a point on the first hinge cam surface 221, a state in which the first door cam surface 321 is in line contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, and a state in which the first door cam surface 321 is in surface contact with the first hinge cam surface 221. The expression “when the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221” may mean not only a moment in which the first door cam surface 321 begins to be in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, but also a continuous period of time in which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221.

[0197] The first door cam surface 321 may be positioned on the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. The first door cam surface 321 may be configured to move along the first hinge cam surface 221 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, when the first door cam surface 321 is positioned on the first hinge cam surface 221.

[0198] The second door cam surface 322 may be configured to move along the hinge cam 200 in the direction in which the door 30 is opened when the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the hinge cam 200. The second door cam surface 322 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. When the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, the movement of the second door cam surface 322 may be guided by the second hinge cam surface 222 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened. When the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, the second door cam surface 322 may slide along the second hinge cam surface 222 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened due to the weight of the door 30.

[0199] The expression “the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222” may include various states, in which the second door cam surface 322 is disposed on the second hinge cam surface 222, such as a state in which the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with a point on the second hinge cam surface 222, a state in which the second door cam surface 322 is in line contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, and a state in which the second door cam surface 322 is in surface contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. The expression “when the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222” may mean not only a moment in which the second door cam surface 322 begins to be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, but also a continuous period of time in which the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0200] The second door cam surface 322 may be positioned on the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. The second door cam surface 322 may be configured to move along the second hinge cam surface 222 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, when the second door cam surface 322 is positioned on the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0201] An angle, at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the hinge cam 200 is in contact with the second door cam surface 322, may be greater than an angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the hinge cam 200 is in contact with the first door cam surface 321. An angle, at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the second door cam surface 322 is positioned on the second hinge cam surface 222, may be greater than an angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the first door cam surface 321 is positioned on the first hinge cam surface 221.

[0202] The first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may extend in different directions. For example, the first door cam surface 321 may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the first hinge cam surface 221. For example, the second door cam surface 322 may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0203] The first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may be connected to each other. The door cam 300 may include a door cam curved portion 323 disposed between the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322. The door cam curved portion 323 may be configured to be in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223. A distance from the door cam body 310 to the door cam curved portion 323 may be greater than a distance from the door cam body 310 to the first door cam surface 321 and a distance from the door cam body 310 to the second door cam surface 322. For example, in the first door cam surface 321, a distance in the vertical direction Z from the door cam body 310 may be increased from one end, which is connected to the door cam body 310, of the first door cam surface 321 to the door cam curved portion 323. For example, the first door cam surface 321 may be inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 (or, with respect to the horizontal direction (the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction)) so as to descend downward in the vertical direction Z from one end, which is connected to the door cam body 310, of the first door cam surface 321 to the door cam curved portion 323. For example, in the second door cam surface 322, a distance in the vertical direction Z from the door cam body 310 may be reduced from the door cam curved portion 323 to one end, which is connected to the door cam body 310, of the second door cam surface 322. For example, the second door cam surface 322 may be inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 (or, with respect to the horizontal direction (the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction)) so as to ascend upward in the vertical direction Z from the door cam curved portion 323 to one end, which is connected to the door cam body 310, of the second door cam surface 322. That is, the door cam 300 may rise to the highest point when the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam 200.

[0204] The door cam 300 may include a door cam protrusion 320 that protrudes from the door cam body 310 toward the hinge cam 200. The door cam protrusion 320 may include the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 which are connected to each other. The door cam protrusion 320 may include the door cam curved portion 323. The door cam curved portion 323 may be a portion of the door cam protrusion 320 that protrudes most in the vertical direction Z from the door cam body 310. The door cam curved portion 323 may be a portion which is the lowest in the door cam protrusion 320.

[0205] A plurality of the door cam protrusions 320 may be provided. Each of the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 may include the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 which are connected to each other. Each of the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 may include the door cam curved portion 323. As for a pair of door cam protrusions 320 that are adjacent to each other among the plurality of door cam protrusions 320, a first door cam surface 321 of one door cam protrusion 320 may face a second door cam surface 322 of the other door cam protrusion 320.

[0206] For example, the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the rotational direction of the door 30. An area between the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 may be approximately parallel to the horizontal direction and flat.

[0207] The number of hinge cam protrusions 220 included in the hinge cam 200 and the number of door cam protrusions 320 included in the door cam 300 may be the same. The plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 and the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 may correspond one-to-one to each other, and one door cam protrusion 320 may be in contact with one hinge cam protrusion 220. For example, one door cam protrusion 320 may be configured to allow movement thereof to be guided only by one hinge cam protrusion 220 as the door 30 rotates.

[0208] For example, the door cam 300 may include three door cam protrusions 320. The three door cam protrusions 320 may be spaced apart from each other at equal intervals. However, the number of door cam protrusions 320 provided on the door cam 300 is not limited thereto.

[0209] An angle at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be greater than an angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. An angel at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 may be greater than an angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210. A length of the first hinge cam surface 221 in the vertical direction Z may be equal to a length of the second hinge cam surface 222 in the vertical direction Z and thus a length of the first hinge cam surface 221 in the horizontal direction may be less than a length of the second hinge cam surface 222 in the horizontal direction.

[0210] An angle at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be greater than an angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. An angel at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 may be greater than an angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310. A length of the first door cam surface 321 in the vertical direction Z may be equal to a length of the second door cam surface 322 in the vertical direction Z and thus a length of the first door cam surface 321 in the horizontal direction may be less than a length of the second door cam surface 322 in the horizontal direction.

[0211] As mentioned above, due to the difference in the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222, or the difference in the inclination angle of the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322, the first door cam surface 321 may more smoothly slide along the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is closed. Accordingly, the door 30 may be more efficiently rotated and closed. Further, the second door cam surface 322 may more gently slide along the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door 30 is opened. Accordingly, the door 30 may be more gently rotated and opened and thus it is possible to reduce a load applied to the door 30 and the hinge bracket 40.

[0212] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 may have various inclination angles, and the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may have various inclination angles.

[0213] In various embodiments, the angle at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The angel at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 (refer to one embodiment of FIG. 13).

[0214] In various embodiments, the angle at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The angel at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 (refer to one embodiment of FIG. 14).

[0215] Hereinafter an operation of the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 when the door 30 is closed and when the door 30 is opened will be described reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0216] When the door 30 is closed, the first door cam surface 321 may be in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221. For example, a contact surface, on which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is closed, may be disposed between one end, on which the first hinge cam surface 221 is in contact with the hinge cam body 210, and the hinge cam curved portion 223. Referring to FIG. 10, a contact surface, on which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is closed, may be located on a line L1.

[0217] When the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, and the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, the door 30 may be rotated in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, by the weight of the door 30. Referring to FIG. 10, a contact surface, on which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, may be located between the line L1 line and a line L2. The line L2 may be defined as a line passing through the rotation axis of the door 30 (or the center of the hinge cam hole 210a) and the hinge cam curved portion 223.

[0218] When a force that allows the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, such as a force of a user trying to open the door 30 directly or a force of the door opening device 100 pressing the door 30, is sufficiently large, the door 30 may be rotated in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, despite the weight of the door 30, and the contact surface, on which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, may become close to the line L2. When the door 30 is opened, the door cam 300 may move along the first hinge cam surface 221 and rise.

[0219] When the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 and the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, the door 30 may be rotated in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, by the weight of the door 30. Referring to FIG. 10, a contact surface, on which the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, may be located between the line L2 line and a line L4. The line L4 may be defined as a line passing through the rotation axis of the door 30 (or the center of the hinge cam hole 210a) and one end on which the second hinge cam surface 222 is in contact with the hinge cam body 210. When the door 30 is opened, the contact surface, on which the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, may become close to the line L4. When the door 30 is opened, the door cam 300 may move along the second hinge cam surface 222 and descend. After the door cam 300 completely descends along the second hinge cam surface 222, the rotation of the door 30 may be stopped. At this time, the door 30 may be opened to the maximum angle.

[0220] When a force that allows the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, such as a force of a user trying to open the door 30 directly, is sufficiently large, the door 30 may be rotated in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, despite the weight of the door 30.

[0221] A position of the door cam 300 may be the highest when the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223. The position of the door cam 300 may be the highest when the door cam curved portion 323 is located on the hinge cam curved portion 223. When the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223, a contact surface thereof may be located on the line L2. An opening angle of the door 30 when the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223 may be the first angle or the second angle.

[0222] The expression “the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223” may include various states, in which the door cam curved portion 323 is disposed on the hinge cam curved portion 223, such as a state in which the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with a point on the hinge cam curved portion 223, a state in which the door cam curved portion 323 is in line contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223, and a state in which the door cam curved portion 323 is in surface contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223. The expression “when door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223” may mean not only a moment in which the door cam curved portion 323 begins to be in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223, but also a continuous period of time in which door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223.

[0223] With the structure of the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300, depending on the opening angle of the door 30, the door 30 may be guided to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed (refer to FIG. 11) or may be guided to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened (refer to FIG. 12).

[0224] In order to improve durability to prevent the shape or angle of each of the door cam 300 and the hinge cam 200 from being deformed caused by the load or frictional force of the door 30 when the door cam 300 moves along the hinge cam 200, the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 may include a rigid material. For example, the hinge cam 200 may include various materials such as polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon (NYLON), or metal. For example, the door cam 300 may include various materials such as polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon (NYLON), or metal.

[0225] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge cam of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a door cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0226] When describing one embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the same reference numerals may be given to configurations corresponding to those of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12, and a description thereof may be omitted.

[0227] Referring to FIG. 13, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a hinge cam 200 may include a first hinge cam surface 221 and a second hinge cam surface 222 which are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the X-Y plane or a direction perpendicular to the Z direction), respectively. The first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 may be inclined with respect to a hinge cam body 210.

[0228] For example, an angle at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be less than an angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. An angel at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 may be less than an angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210. A length of the first hinge cam surface 221 in the vertical direction Z may be equal to a length of the second hinge cam surface 222 in the vertical direction Z and thus a length of the first hinge cam surface 221 in the horizontal direction may be greater than a length of the second hinge cam surface 222 in the horizontal direction.

[0229] Referring to FIG. 14, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a door cam 300 may include a first door cam surface 321 and a second door cam surface 322 which are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction). The first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may be inclined with respect to the door cam body 310.

[0230] For example, an angle at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be less than an angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. An angel at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 may be less than an angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310. A length of the first door cam surface 321 in the vertical direction Z may be equal to a length of the second door cam surface 322 in the vertical direction Z and thus a length of the first door cam surface 321 in the horizontal direction may be greater than a length of the second door cam surface 322 in the horizontal direction.

[0231] The first hinge cam surface 221 and the first door cam surface 321 may be substantially parallel with each other. The first hinge cam surface 221 and the first door cam surface 321 may extend to have substantially the same inclination angle.

[0232] The second hinge cam surface 222 and the second door cam surface 322 may be substantially parallel with each other. The second hinge cam surface 222 and the second door cam surface 322 may extend to have substantially the same inclination angle.

[0233] As mentioned above, due to the difference in the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222, or the difference in the inclination angle of the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322, the second door cam surface 322 may more smoothly slide along the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door 30 is opened. Accordingly, the door 30 may be more efficiently rotated and opened. Further, the first door cam surface 321 may more gently slide along the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is closed. Accordingly, the door 30 may be gently rotated and closed and thus it is possible to reduce a load applied to the door 30, the hinge bracket 40, and the main body 10.

[0234] The present disclosure is not limited to that illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 14, and in various embodiments, the angle at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be equal to each other. In various embodiments, the angle at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be equal to each other.

[0235] FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as the door cam and the hinge cam, when the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed. FIG. 17 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opens the door. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view illustrating various components such as the door cam and the hinge cam when the door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opening the door. FIG. 19 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is further opened by the door cam and the hinge cam after the door is opened at a predetermined angle by the door opening device. FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of various components, such as the door cam and the hinge cam, when the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is further opened by the door cam and the hinge cam after the door is opened at the predetermined angle by the door opening device.

[0236] In FIGS. 15 to 20, a process of opening the first door 30L is illustrated in detail as an example of the door 30, but contents described below may be equally applied to a process of opening the second door 30R.

[0237] For convenience of understanding, it is assumed that FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an appearance of each component when the door 30 is closed, FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate an appearance of each component when the opening angles of the doors 30 are the same, and FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate an appearance of each component when the opening angles of the doors 30 are the same.

[0238] Referring to FIGS. 15 to 20, when the door 30 of the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opened, the door pusher 120 of the door opening device 100 may press the door 30 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened, and the cam device including the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 may rotate the door 30 in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, as the second door cam surface 322 slides along the second hinge cam surface 222 by the weight of the door 30.

[0239] In the process of opening the door 30, when the door pusher 120 presses the door 30 until the first door cam surface 321 of the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 of the first hinge cam 200L, and then the door pusher 120 stops the pressing, the door 30 may stop rotating in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, and then rotate in the direction, in which the door is closed, again. In other words, when the door pusher 120 stops pressing the door 30 in a state in which the door 30 is not rotated until the second door cam surface 322 of the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 of the hinge cam 200, the door 30 may stop rotating in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, and then rotate in the direction, in which the door is closed, again.

[0240] In order for the door 30 to rotate to a fully open position without stopping during the opening process, the door opening device 100 may be configured to open the door 30 until the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The door opening device 100 may be configured to open the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the hinge cam 200. That is, the door opening device 100 may be configured to open the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. The door opening device 100 may be configured to open the door 30 until the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. When the door opening device 100 rotates the door 30 to a predetermined opening angle or more, the second door cam surface 322 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 and thus the door 30 may continue to open due to the self-wight of the door 30.

[0241] For example, the door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 until the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. The door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the hinge cam 200. That is, door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. The door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 until the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20.

[0242] As illustrated in FIGS. 15, 17 and 19, the door pusher 120 may move between the first pusher position P1 and the second pusher position P2. When the door pusher 120 is positioned at the second pusher position P2, the door cam 300 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. When the door pusher 120 is positioned at the second pusher position P2, the hinge cam 200 may be in contact with the second door cam surface 322. That is, when the door pusher 120 is positioned at the second pusher position P2, the second door cam surface 322 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. When the door pusher 120 is positioned at the second pusher position P2, the door 30 may be in a position that is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 (refer to FIGS. 15 and 16).

[0243] The door pusher 120 may be stopped after reaching the second pusher position P2. The driving device 130 of the door opening device 100 may move the door pusher 120 to the second pusher position P2 and then stop the door pusher 120. For example, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120. The controller may control the driving device 130 to allow the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0244] After the door pusher 120 is stopped at the second pusher position P2, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 back to the first pusher position P1.

[0245] An angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position, in which the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, when the door pusher 120 reaches the second pusher position P2, i.e., when the door pusher 120 presses the door 30 to the maximum, may be greater than an angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position, in which the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, when the door cam 300 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223. An angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position, in which the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, when the door pusher 120 presses the door 30 to the maximum, may be greater than an angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position, in which the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, when the door cam curved portion 323 is positioned on the hinge cam curved portion 223. The door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 until the door 30 is rotated a third angle, which is greater than the second angle, from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. The third angle may be defined as the opening angle of the door 30 when the door pusher 120 reaches the second pusher position P2, which is a position where the door 30 is pressed to the maximum.

[0246] For example, when the door 30 is rotated the third angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the second door cam surface 322 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. For example, when the door 30 is rotated the third angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, a contact surface, on which the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, may be located on the line L3 of FIG. 10. For example, the line L3 may be located between the line L2 and the line L4.

[0247] Even when the door pusher 120 returns to the first pusher position P1 after pressing the door 30 to the maximum, the second door cam surface 322 and the second hinge cam surface 222 may be in contact with each other and thus the door cam 300 may move along the second hinge cam surface 222 by the weight of the door 30. As a result, the door 30 may be rotated in a direction that is further open from a position that is located when the door pusher 120 reaches the second pusher position P2. That is, the door 30 may be rotated to be opened at an angle greater than the third angle by the second door cam surface 322 and the second hinge cam surface 222 (refer to FIGS. 19 and 20).

[0248] As the door opening device 100, the door cam 300, and the hinge cam 200 are configured to operate in conjunction with each other, the door 30 may automatically rotate to the fully opened position without stopping during the opening process. According to one embodiment, the door 30 may be designed to automatically rotate to an opening angle of approximately 80 to 100 degrees by the above structure.

[0249] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the door 30 is rotated a predetermined angle or more by the door opening device 100, the door 30 may be opened only by using the weight of the door 30, and thus a structure that applies another force (e.g., elastic force, etc.) to open the door 30 is not required. Accordingly, the number of components of the structure for opening the door 30 may be reduced, and the production cost may be reduced.

[0250] In addition, in the case of one embodiment in which the refrigerator 1 is a side by side (SBS) type, the weight of the door 30 may be relatively heavy compared to other types of refrigerators. Therefore, it may not be efficient to include a structure that applies other forces such as elasticity to rotate the heavy door 30, and the design may be also difficult. However, in the case of opening or closing the door 30 using the door cam 300 and the hinge cam 200 as in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the heavier the door 30, the more efficiently the door 30 may be opened and closed.

[0251] As in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge cam 200 may include the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 including the hinge cam surfaces 221 and 222, and the door cam 300 may include the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 including the door cam surfaces 321 and 322. Accordingly, when the door 30 is opened or closed, the load of the door 30 may be distributed, and the durability of the component may be improved.

[0252] In order that the door 30 is completely opened by the structure of the door opening device 100, the door cam 300, and the hinge cam 200, design parameters related to the shape of the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300, such as the height, the length or the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface 221, the height, the length or the inclination angle of the second hinge cam surface 222, the height, the length or the inclination angle of the first door cam surface 321, and the height, the length or the inclination angle of the second door cam surface 322, and design parameters related to the door opening device 100, such as the maximum extension length of the door pusher 120 and the position of the point, at which the door pusher 120 presses the door 30, need to be appropriately set.

[0253] In various embodiments, design parameters related to the first hinge cam 200L and the first door cam 300L may be different from design parameters related to the second hinge cam 200R and the second door cam 300R. In various embodiments, design parameters related to the first door opening device 100L may be different from design parameters related to the second door opening device 100R. In this way, parameters between components on the left side of the refrigerator 1 and components on the right side of the refrigerator 1 may be set differently because the length of the first door 30L in the horizontal direction Y is different from the length of the second door 30R in the horizontal direction Y.

[0254] In various embodiments, design parameters related to the first hinge cam 200L and the first door cam 300L may be approximately the same as design parameters related to the second hinge cam 200R and the second door cam 300R. In various embodiments, design parameters related to the first door opening device 100L may be approximately the same as design parameters related to the second door opening device 100R. In this case, the length of the first door 30L in the horizontal direction Y may be equal to the length of the second door 30R in the horizontal direction Y.

[0255] Alternatively, in various embodiments, the design parameters related to the first hinge cam 200L and the first door cam 300L may be approximately the same as the design parameters related to the second hinge cam 200R and the second door cam 300R, and the design parameters related to the first door opening device 100L may be different from the design parameters related to the second door opening device 100R. Conversely, in various embodiments, the design parameters related to the first hinge cam 200L and the first door cam 300L may be different from the design parameters related to the second hinge cam 200R and the second door cam 300R, and the design parameters related to the first door opening device 100L may be approximately the same as the design parameters related to the second door opening device 100R. In this case, even when the length of the first door 30L in the horizontal direction Y is different from the length of the second door 30R in the horizontal direction Y, the parameters thereof may be appropriately set and thus the first door 30L and the second door 30R may be configured to be opened to corresponding extents.

[0256] According to one embodiment, a distance in the horizontal direction Y between the rotation axis of the door 30 and the door pusher 120 may be less than a distance between an end, which is opposite to the rotation axis of the door 30, and the door pusher 120 (refer to FIGS. 2, 15, etc.). That is, the door pusher 120 may be arranged closer to the end adjacent to the rotation axis among the two ends of the door 30. As a result, a maximum extension distance of the door pusher 120, which allows the second hinge cam surface 222 and the second door cam surface 322 to be in contact with each other, may be reduced. Under the condition in which the maximum extension distance of the door pusher 120 are the same, the minimum rotation angle of the door 30 for the second hinge cam surface 222 and the second door cam surface 322 to be in contact with each other may not be too small. When the minimum rotation angle of the door 30 for the second hinge cam surface 222 and the second door cam surface 322 to be in contact with each other is too small, the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface 221 and the first door cam surface 321 may become excessively large, which may cause the reduction in the opening efficiency of the door 30.

[0257] In the above description, one embodiment, in which when the input device 60 obtains a door opening signal, the door opening device 100 opens the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, is described. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, depending on the type of door opening signal obtained by the input device 60, the door opening device 100 may open the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, the door opening device 100 may open the door 30 while the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, and the door opening device 100 may stop the opening of the door 30 before the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0258] For example, the input device 60 may obtain a first door opening signal for fully opening the door 30 or a second door opening signal for opening the door 30 only to a smaller angle. The driving device 130 of the door opening device 100 may operate based on the first door opening signal or the second door opening signal. The controller may control the driving device 130 based on whether the signal received from the input device 60 is the first door opening signal or the second door opening signal.

[0259] Based on the input device 60 obtaining the first door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120. Based on the input device 60 obtaining the second door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 while the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120 before the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0260] Based on the input device 60 obtaining the first door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the hinge cam 200, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120. Based on the input device 60 obtaining the second door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 while the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the hinge cam 200, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120 before the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the hinge cam 200.

[0261] Based on the input device 60 obtaining the first door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120. Based on the input device 60 obtaining the second door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 while the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120 before the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0262] Based on the input device 60 obtaining the first door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120. Based on the input device 60 obtaining the second door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 while the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120.

[0263] According to one embodiment, the door opening device 100 may be set to a first mode or a second mode in advance by a user input. Based on the door opening device 100 being set to the first mode, a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the first door opening signal, and based on the door opening device 100 being set to the second mode, a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the second door opening signal.

[0264] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a plurality of input devices 60 formed at separate locations from each other. Some of the plurality of input devices 60 may be configured to obtain the first door opening signal, and others of the plurality of input devices 60 may be configured to obtain the second door opening signal.

[0265] According to one embodiment, a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the first door opening signal based on a period of time, in which a user input (e.g., a touch or a push) is applied to the input device 60, being a first period of time, and a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the second door opening signal based on a period of time, in which a user input is applied to the input device 60, being a second period of time.

[0266] According to one embodiment, a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the first door opening signal based on the number of times, in which a user input (e.g., a touch or a push) is applied to the input device 60, being the number of times of a first type, and a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the second door opening signal based on the number of times, in which a user input is applied to the input device 60, being the number of times of a second type.

[0267] In addition, the input device 60 may separately receive the first door opening signal and the second door opening signal by various methods.

[0268] In the above description, various embodiments, in which the hinge cam 200 includes the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 and the door cam 300 includes the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 and thus the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 interlocks with each other, are described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20.

[0269] Alternatively, according to various embodiments, the hinge cam 200 may include the first hinge cam surface 221 but the door cam 300 may not include two or more door cam surfaces extending in different directions. Further, according to various embodiments, the door cam 300 may include the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 but the hinge cam 200 may not include two or more hinge cam surfaces extending in different directions.

[0270] In the above description, it is described that the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment is a side-by-side type in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment are arranged left and right, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Unlike FIGS. 1 to 18, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may include various types of refrigerators, such as a one-door type, a Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF) type in which a refrigerating compartment is arranged on the upper side and a freezing compartment is arranged on the lower side, a Top Mounted Freezer (TMF) type in which a freezing compartment is arranged on the upper side and a refrigerating compartment is arranged on the lower side, or a French Door Type.

[0271] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam disposed at a lower portion of the door; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and provided to support the lower portion of the door so as to allow the door to rotate, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction in which the door is closed; and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction in which the door is opened. The door cam may include a first door cam surface configured to move along the first hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface; and a second door cam surface configured to move along the second hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second door cam surface being positioned on the second hinge cam surface. The door pusher may be configured to press the door from when the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface until the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0272] An angle at which the door is rotated from a position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, in response to the second door cam surface being positioned on the second hinge cam surface may be greater than an angle at which the door is rotated from the position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface.

[0273] The first door cam surface may be configured to slide down along the first hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface. The second door cam surface may be configured to slide down along the second hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second door cam surface being positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0274] The first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface may extend in different directions. The first door cam surface and the second door cam surface may extend in different directions.

[0275] The door cam may further include a door cam body, and a door cam curved portion disposed between the first door cam surface and the second door cam surface. The first door cam surface may be inclined with respect to the door cam body to descend downward from one end, which is connected to the door cam body, of the first door cam surface toward the door cam curved portion. The second door cam surface may be inclined with respect to the door cam body to ascend upward from the door cam curved portion toward one end, which is connected to the door cam body, of the second door cam surface.

[0276] The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction to allow the door cam to ascend along the first hinge cam surface in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface and in response to the door being opened. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to allow the door cam to descend along the second hinge cam surface in response to the second door cam surface being in contact with the second hinge cam surface and in response to the door being opened.

[0277] An angle at which the first hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be greater than an angle at which the second hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0278] The angle at which the first hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be less than the angle at which the second hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0279] The hinge cam may further include a hinge cam body, and a hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface. The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to ascend upward from one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the first hinge cam surface toward the hinge cam curved portion. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to descend downward from the hinge cam curved portion toward one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the second hinge cam surface.

[0280] An angle, at which the door is rotated from the position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, in response to the door pusher pressing the door to the maximum, may be greater than an angle, at which the door is rotated from the position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, in response to the door cam being in contact with the hinge cam curved portion.

[0281] A contact surface, on which the first door cam surface is in contact with the first hinge cam surface in response to the door being closed, may be disposed between the one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the first hinge cam surface, and the hinge cam curved portion.

[0282] The door pusher may be configured to be movable between a first pusher position, which is a position of the door pusher in response to the door being closed, and a second pusher position, which is moved from the first pusher position in a direction of pressing the door. In response to the door pusher being positioned at the second pusher position, the second door cam surface may be positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0283] The second pusher position may be a position of the door pusher in response to the door pusher being moved to the maximum in the direction of pressing the door. The second door cam surface may be configured to move along the second hinge cam surface to allow the door to further rotate in the direction, in which the door is opened, from a position that is positioned in response to the door pusher reaching the second pusher position due to a weight of the door. The hinge cam may include a hinge cam body, and a plurality of hinge cam protrusions protruding from the hinge cam body toward the door cam. The plurality of hinge cam protrusions may be arranged spaced apart from each other along a rotational direction of the door. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions may include the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface which are connected to each other.

[0284] The refrigerator may further include an input device configured to obtain a door opening signal, and a driving device configured to provide a driving force to the door pusher to allow the door pusher to move relative to the main body. Based on the input device receiving a first door opening signal, the driving device may be configured to move the door pusher to press the door until the second door cam surface is in contact with the second hinge cam surface and configured to stop the door pusher. Based on the input device receiving a second door opening signal, the driving device may be configured to move the door pusher to press the door while the first door cam surface is in contact with the first hinge cam surface, and configured to stop the door pusher before the second door cam surface is in contact with the second hinge cam surface.

[0285] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and configured to rotatably support the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the door being rotated less than a first angle from a position in which the door closes the storage compartment. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the door being rotated more than or equal to a second angle, which is greater than the first angle, from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment. The door pusher may be configured to press the door so as to allow the door to rotate more than or equal to the second angle from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment.

[0286] The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam, and a second hinge cam surface extending in a direction different from the first hinge cam surface and configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam. The door pusher may be configured to press the door until the door is rotated a third angle, which is greater than the second angle, from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment. The door cam may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface in response to the door being rotated the third angle from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment.

[0287] The hinge cam may further include a hinge cam body, and a hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface. The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to allow a distance, which is in a vertical direction from the hinge cam body, to increase from one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the first hinge cam surface toward the hinge cam curved portion. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to allow a distance, which is in the vertical direction from the hinge cam body, to decrease from the hinge cam curved portion toward one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the second hinge cam surface.

[0288] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and configured to rotatably support the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam, and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam. The door pusher may be configured to press the door until the door cam is in contact with the second hinge cam surface.

[0289] The door cam may include a first door cam surface configured to be in contact with the first hinge cam surface, and a second door cam surface extending in a direction different from the first door cam surface and configured to be in contact with the second hinge cam surface.

[0290] As is apparent from the above description, a refrigerator may automatically open a door by including a door opening device including a door pusher and a cam device including a door cam and a hinge cam.

[0291] Further a door may be easily opened by a door opening device including a door pusher and a cam device including a door cam and a hinge cam.

[0292] Further, a door pusher of a door opening device may press a door until a door cam reaches an angle at which the door cam is guided by a hinge cam to move in a direction in which the door is opened, thereby allowing the door to rotate to a fully opened position without stopping during an opening process.

[0293] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

[0294] While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0049]Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0050]In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0051]The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0052]In the disclosure, 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”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0053]As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0054]Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”,...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / KR2025 / 007629, filed Jun. 4, 2025, and claims foreign priority to Korean Application No. 10-2024-0107182, filed Aug. 9, 2024, and which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.Background Art

[0003] A refrigerator is a device that is composed of a main body including a storage compartment, and a cold air supply system configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment so as to keep food fresh. The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment in which food is kept refrigerated by maintaining the temperature at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, and a freezing compartment in which food is kept frozen by maintaining the temperature at approximately −30 to 0 degrees Celsius. A front surface of the storage compartment is provided to be open for food entry and exit.

[0004] The refrigerator uses a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to repeat a refrigeration cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant. At this time, both the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may be cooled by a single evaporator disposed on the freezing compartment, or the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may each be provided with the evaporator and thus cooled independently of each other.

[0005] The refrigerator includes a door configured to open and close the storage compartment. The door is rotatable relative to the main body so as to open and close the storage compartment. The door may be provided to allow a user to hold a handle disposed on the door, and thus the user can open and close the door relative to the main body by rotating the door. Alternatively, the refrigerator may include a door opening and closing structure configured to easily open or close the door.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Problem

[0006] The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator including an improved structure to allow a door to be opened automatically.

[0007] The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator including an improved structure to allow a door to be easily opened.

[0008] The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator including an improved structure to allow a door to automatically rotate to a fully open position.

[0009] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.Technical Solution

[0010] Aspects of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and comprising a door cam disposed at a lower portion of the door; a hinge bracket connected to the main body and the door, supporting a lower portion of the door, to rotate the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may include: a first hinge cam surface configured to guide a first movement of the door cam to rotate the door in a direction to close the door, and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide a second movement of the door cam to rotate the door in a direction to open the door. The door cam may include: a first door cam surface configured to, with the first door cam surface positioned on the first hinge cam surface, move along the first hinge cam surface to rotate the door in the direction to close the door; and a second door cam surface configured to, with the second door cam surface positioned on the second hinge cam surface, move along the second hinge cam surface to rotate the door in the direction to open the door. The door pusher may be configured to press the door to rotate the door from a position, in which the first door cam surface is on the first hinge cam surface, of the door to a position, in which the second door cam surface is on the second hinge cam surface, of the door.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an angle at which the door is rotated from a position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, to the position, in which the second door cam surface is on the second hinge cam surface, of the door may be greater than an angle at which the door is rotated from the position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, to the position, in which the first door cam surface is on the first hinge cam surface.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first door cam surface may be configured to slide down along the first hinge cam surface during the first movement of the door cam. The second door cam surface may be configured to slide down along the second hinge cam surface during the second movement of the door cam.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface may extend in different directions. The first door cam surface and the second door cam surface may extend in different directions.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door cam may further comprise: a door cam body; and a door cam curved portion disposed between the first door cam surface and the second door cam surface. The first door cam surface may be inclined with the door cam body to descend downward from an end of the first door cam surface connected to the door cam body toward the door cam curved portion. The second door cam surface may be inclined with the door cam body to ascend upward from the door cam curved portion toward an end of the second door cam surface connected to the door cam body.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction to allow the door cam to ascend along the first hinge cam surface in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface and in response to the door being opened. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to allow the door cam to descend along the second hinge cam surface in response to the second door cam surface being in contact with the second hinge cam surface and in response to the door being opened.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an angle of the first hinge cam surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be greater than an angle of the second hinge cam surface inclined respect to the horizontal direction.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an angle of the first hinge cam surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be less than an angle of the second hinge cam surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the hinge cam further comprises: a hinge cam body; and a hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface. The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to ascend upward from an end of the first hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body toward the hinge cam curved portion. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to descend downward from the hinge cam curved portion toward an end of the second hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an angle, at which the door rotates from the position where the door closes the storage room to a position where the door pusher presses the door to the maximum, may be greater than an angle, at which the door rotates from the position where the door closes the storage compartment to a position where the door cam contacts the hinge cam curved portion.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a contact surface, on which the first door cam surface is in contact with the first hinge cam surface in response to the door being closed, may be disposed between the one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the first hinge cam surface, and the hinge cam curved portion.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door pusher may be configured to move between a first pusher position where the door is closed and a second pusher position in a direction of pressing the door from the first pusher position. The second door cam surface may be positioned on the second hinge cam surface with the door pusher being at the second pusher position.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second pusher position may be where the door pusher moves to a maximum position in the direction of pressing the door. The second door cam surface may be configured to move along the second hinge cam surface to rotate the door in the direction in which the door is opened from a position where the door pusher reaches the second pusher position due to a weight of the door.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the hinge cam further comprises: a hinge cam body; and a plurality of hinge cam protrusions protruding from the hinge cam body toward the door cam arranged spaced apart from each other along a rotational direction of the door. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions may include the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface which are connected to each other.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may further comprise: an input device configured to obtain a door opening signal; and a driving device configured to provide a driving force to the door pusher to move the door pusher relative to the main body. Based on the input device receiving a first door opening signal, the driving device may be configured to move the door pusher to press the door until the second door cam surface is in contact with the second hinge cam surface and configured to stop the door pusher. Based on the input device receiving a second door opening signal, the driving device may be configured to move the door pusher to press the door while the first door cam surface is in contact with the first hinge cam surface and configured to stop the door pusher before the second door cam surface is in contact with the second hinge cam surface.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator may include: a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam disposed at a lower portion of the door; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and provided to support the lower portion of the door so as to allow the door to rotate, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction in which the door is closed; and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction in which the door is opened. The door cam may include a first door cam surface configured to move along the first hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface; and a second door cam surface configured to move along the second hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second door cam surface being positioned on the second hinge cam surface. The door pusher may be configured to press the door from when the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface until the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and configured to rotatably support the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the door being rotated less than a first angle from a position in which the door closes the storage compartment. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the door being rotated more than or equal to a second angle, which is greater than the first angle, from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment. The door pusher may be configured to press the door so as to allow the door to rotate more than or equal to the second angle from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and configured to rotatably support the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam; and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam. The door pusher may be configured to press the door until the door cam is in contact with the second hinge cam surface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a state in which a door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a state in which a door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opens the door.

[0032] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating various components of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door lower portion, a hinge bracket, a door cam, and a hinge cam, arranged on a left lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door lower portion, a hinge bracket, a door cam, and a hinge cam, arranged on a right lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge bracket, a door bracket, a hinge shaft, the door cam, and the hinge cam, arranged in a lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the hinge cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the door cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating the hinge cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state in which a first door cam surface of the door cam slides along a first hinge cam surface of the hinge cam in the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a state in which a second door cam surface of the door cam slides along a second hinge cam surface of the hinge cam in the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge cam of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a door cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed.

[0044] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as the door cam and the hinge cam, when the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed.

[0045] FIG. 17 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opens the door.

[0046] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as the door cam and the hinge cam, when the door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opening the door.

[0047] FIG. 19 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is further opened by the door cam and the hinge cam after the door is opened at a predetermined angle by the door opening device.

[0048] FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of various components, such as the door cam and the hinge cam, when the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is further opened by the door cam and the hinge cam after the door is opened at the predetermined angle by the door opening device.MODES OF THE INVENTION

[0049] Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0050] In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0051] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0052] In the disclosure, 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”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0053] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0054] Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0055] Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of any element.

[0056] It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and / or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0057] When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0058] It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

[0059] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body.

[0060] The “main body” may include an inner case, an outer case positioned outside the inner case, and an insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0061] The “inner case” may include a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment (also referred to as a storage room). The inner case may be formed as one body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates together. The “outer case” may form an appearance of the main body, and be coupled to an outer side of the inner case such that the insulation is positioned between the inner case and the outer case.

[0062] The “insulation” may insulate an inside of the storage compartment from an outside of the storage compartment to maintain inside temperature of the storage compartment at appropriate temperature without being influenced by an external environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foaming insulation. The foaming insulation may be molded by fixing the inner case and the outer case with jigs, etc. and then injecting and foaming urethane foam as a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent between the inner case and the outer case.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to a foaming insulation, or may be configured only with a vacuum insulation instead of a forming insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and a cladding material accommodating the core material and sealing the inside with vacuum or pressure close to vacuum. However, the insulation is not limited to the above-mentioned foaming insulation or vacuum insulation, and may include various materials capable of being used for insulation.

[0064] The “storage compartment” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage compartment may further include the inner case defining the space corresponding to the storage compartment. The storage compartment may store a variety of items, such as food, medicines, cosmetics, and the like, and the storage compartment may be configured to be open on at least one side for insertion and removal of the items.

[0065] The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In a case in which two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes of use, and may be maintained at different temperatures. To this end, the respective storage compartments may be partitioned by a partition wall including an insulation.

[0066] The storage compartment may be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to a purpose of use, and may include a “refrigerating compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, and a “temperature conversion compartment” according to purposes of use and / or temperature ranges. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep food refrigerating, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep food frozen. The “refrigerating” may be keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained within a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may be freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained within a range of −20 degrees Celsius to −1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment may be used as either a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment according to or regardless of a user's selection.

[0067] The storage compartment may also be referred to by various terms, such as “vegetable compartment”, “freshness compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice-making compartment”, in addition to “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “temperature conversion compartment”, and the terms, such as “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, “temperature conversion compartment”, etc., as used below are to be understood as representing storage compartments having the corresponding purposes of use and the corresponding temperature ranges.

[0068] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close the open side of the storage compartment. The respective doors may be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be rotatably or slidably mounted to the front of the main body.

[0069] The “door” may seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door, like the main body, may include an insulation to insulate the storage compartment in a closed state.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the door may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided therein.

[0071] A gasket may be provided on the edge of the inner door plate to seal the storage compartment by coming into close contact with the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The inner door plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front of the door body and forming the front surface of the door. The door body may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door body, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator provided therein.

[0073] The refrigerator may be classified as French Door Type, Side-by-side Type, Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF), Top Mounted Freezer (TMF), or Single Door Refrigerator according to the arrangement of the doors and the storage compartments.

[0074] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

[0075] The “cold air supply device” may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and / or a combination system thereof, capable of generating cold air and guiding the cold air to cool the storage compartment.

[0076] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerants. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the refrigeration cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage compartment by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.

[0077] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a machine compartment in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.

[0078] The “machine compartment” may be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment to prevent heat generated by the components installed in the machine compartment from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat from the components installed in the machine compartment, the machine compartment may communicate with outside of the main body.

[0079] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door to allow access by the user without opening the door.

[0080] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice-making device that produces ice. The ice-making device may 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 produced in the ice-making tray.

[0081] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0082] The “controller” may include a memory for storing and / or recording data and / or programs for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals for controlling the cold air supply device, etc. in accordance with the programs and / or data stored in the memory.

[0083] The memory may store or record various information, data, instructions, programs, and the like necessary for operation of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated while generating control signals for controlling components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0084] The processor may control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs an artificial intelligence (AI) model operation. In addition, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), and the like. The processor may generate a control signal to control the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control an operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

[0085] Furthermore, the processor may process a user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface in accordance with the programs and / or data memorized / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided with an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor may transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.

[0086] The processor and memory may be provided integrally or may be provided separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0087] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor and a memory for controlling all of the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device in accordance with to an output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator may be separately provided with a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the user interface in accordance with the user input.

[0088] A communication module may communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which a refrigerator or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN.

[0089] The input interface may include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive the user input and pass the received user input to the processor.

[0090] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like generated by the processor.

[0091] Hereinafter exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] When describing various embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, etc. used in the following description are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms. For example, the terms “upper” and “lower” below may mean an upper side in the Z direction and a lower side in the Z direction, respectively, based on the drawings. The terms “front” and “rear” below may mean a front side and a rear side in the X direction, respectively, based on the drawings. The terms “left” and “right” below may mean a left side in the Y direction and a right side in the Y direction, respectively, based on the drawings.

[0093] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 disposed inside the main body 10, a door 30 configured to open and close the storage compartment 20, and a cooling system for supplying cold air to the storage compartment 20.

[0095] The main body 10 may include an inner case 11 forming the storage compartment 20, and an outer case 12 forming an exterior of the refrigerator 1. The outer case 12 may be formed to have a substantially box shape in which a front surface is open. The outer case 12 may form an upper surface, a lower surface, left and right surfaces, and a rear surface of the refrigerator 1. A front surface of the inner case 11 may be open. The storage compartment 20 may be formed inside the inner case 11 and the inner case 11 may be formed on an inner side of the outer case 12. An inner wall of the inner case 11 may form an inner wall of the storage compartment 20. An insulating material may be provided between the inner case 11 and the outer case 12 to insulate the inner case 11 and the outer case 12. The insulating material may be foamed between the inner case 11 and the outer case 12 to couple the inner case 11 and the outer case 12 to each other. For example, the insulating material may include insulating materials of various materials such as urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene insulation, and vacuum insulation panels.

[0096] The main body 10 may further include a top table 14 disposed in an upper portion of the main body 10. The top table 14 may be coupled to an upper portion of the outer case 12. The top table 14 may be coupled to an upper surface of the outer case 12. The top table 14 may cover various electrical components. An accommodation space in which various electrical components are accommodated may be formed on an inner side of the top table 14. For example, the top table 14 may cover a door opening device 100 described below, and the door opening device 100 may be accommodated on the inner side of the top table 14.

[0097] The storage compartment 20 may be formed inside the main body 10. For example, the storage compartment 20 may include a refrigerating compartment that is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius and stores food in a cold state. For example, the storage compartment 20 may include a freezing compartment that is maintained at approximately −30 to 0 degrees Celsius and stores food in a frozen state.

[0098] In various embodiments, the storage compartment 20 may be partitioned into a plurality of areas. The main body 10 may include a partition 13 that partitions the storage compartment 20 into a first storage compartment 21 and a second storage compartment 22. For example, the partition 13 may extend in a vertical direction Z, and the first storage compartment 21 and the second storage compartment 22 may be arranged horizontally relative to each other. For example, the storage compartment 20 may be partitioned into the first storage compartment 21 arranged on the left side and the second storage compartment 22 arranged on the right side. As an example, the first storage compartment 21 may be used as a freezing compartment, and the second storage compartment 22 may be used as a refrigerating compartment, but is not limited thereto.

[0099] A shelf 25 on which food is placed and a drawer 26 in which food is stored may be provided in the storage compartment 20.

[0100] The refrigerator 1 may include the cooling system that is configured to generate cold air using a cooling cycle and supply the generated cold air to the storage compartment 20. The cooling system may generate cold air using the cooling cycle that compresses, condenses, expands, and evaporates a refrigerant. For example, the cooling system may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blower fan, and the like.

[0101] The main body 10 may include a cold air supply duct that forms a cold air path through which cold air generated by the cooling system flows into the storage compartment 20. The cold air supply duct may be formed at the rear of the inner case 11. The cold air supply duct may be provided at the rear of the storage compartment 20 and may be connected to the storage compartment 20.

[0102] The door 30 may be configured to open and close the storage compartment 20. The door 30 may be configured to open and close an opening formed on one side of the main body 10. The door 30 may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the main body 10. The door 30 may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the main body 10 by being coupled to a hinge bracket 40 connecting the door 30 and the main body 10.

[0103] An outer surface of the door 30 may form a portion of the exterior of the refrigerator 1. When the door 30 is in a closed position, the outer surface of the door 30 may form at least a portion of a front outer surface of the refrigerator 1. When the door 30 is in the closed position, the inner surface of the door 30 may face the inside of the storage compartment 20. The inner surface of the door 30 means one surface of the door 30 that faces the storage compartment 20 when the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. In addition, the outer surface of the door 30 means other surface opposite to the inner surface of the door 30 that faces the storage compartment 20 when the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, and means the front surface of the door 30 that is seen when the refrigerator 1 is viewed from the front.

[0104] A door gasket 34 may be provided on the inner surface of the door 30 to seal a gap between the door 30 and the main body 10 and to prevent cold air from leaking from the storage compartment 20. The door gasket 34 may be provided along a perimeter of the inner surface of the door 30. The door gasket 34 may be configured to include an elastic material such as rubber.

[0105] A door shelf 35 in which food is stored may be provided on the inner surface of the door 30.

[0106] For example, the door 30 may include a door frame 31, an upper door cap 32, and a lower door cap 33 (refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 5, etc.). The door frame 31 may form the overall appearance of the door 30. The upper door cap 32 may form an upper surface of the door 30. The upper door cap 32 may be coupled to an upper portion of the door frame 31. The lower door cap 33 may form a lower surface of the door 30. The lower door cap 33 may be coupled to a lower portion of the door frame 31.

[0107] A door insulating material may be foamed and provided among the door frame 31, the upper door cap 32, and the lower door cap 33.

[0108] The door frame 31, the upper door cap 32, and the lower door cap 33 may be formed as separate components, and coupled together. Alternatively, the door frame 31 and the upper door cap 32 may be formed integrally, or the door frame 31 and the lower door cap 33 may be formed integrally, or the door frame 31, the upper door cap 32, and the lower door cap 33 may be formed integrally as a whole.

[0109] The door 30 may include a handle 38. A user can hold the handle 38 with user's hand to open or close the door 30. In other words, the user can hold the handle 38 with the user's hand and rotate the door 30 to open or close the storage compartment 20. For example, the handle 38 may include a groove shape that is formed concavely so as to be gripped. For example, the handle 38 may be provided on the door frame 31 of the door 30.

[0110] As described below, the door 30 may be opened by the door opening device 100.

[0111] As described below, the refrigerator 1 may include an input device 60 configured to obtain a signal for operating the door opening device 100. For example, the input device 60 may be mounted on the door 30. For example, the input device 60 may be positioned in an area adjacent to the handle 38 of the door 30.

[0112] The refrigerator 1 may include a plurality of doors 30L and 30R configured to open and close a plurality of storage compartments 21 and 22 which are partitioned from each other. For example, the refrigerator 1 may include a first door 30L configured to open and close the first storage compartment 21, and a second door 30R configured to open and close the second storage compartment 22. For example, the first door 30L and the second door 30R may be arranged parallel to each other in a horizontal direction Y. The first door 30L may be arranged on the left side, and the second door 30R may be arranged on the right side. The first door 30L may be referred to as a “left door 30L”, and the second door 30R may be referred to as a “right door 30R”. The first door 30L and the second door 30R may rotate independently of each other with respect to the main body 10.

[0113] For example, the first door 30L may be opened by a first door opening device 100L arranged on the left side. For example, the second door 30R may be opened by a second door opening device 100R arranged on the right side.

[0114] For example, the first door 30L may include a first input device 60L configured to obtain a signal for operating the first door opening device 100L. For example, the second door 30R may include a second input device 60R (refer to FIG. 2) configured to obtain a signal for operating the second door opening device 100R.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may further include a third door 30D. For example, the third door 30D may be configured to be rotatable relative to the second door 30R. The third door 30D may be rotatably coupled to the second door 30R. The second door 30R may include an opening, and the third door 30D may open or close the opening of the second door 30R while rotating relative to the second door 30R. For example, the opening of the second door 30R may be provided at an upper portion of the door frame 31 of the second door 30R. When the third door 30D opens the opening of the second door 30R, a user can access an upper portion of the second storage compartment 22 or the door shelf 35 arranged at an upper portion of the second door 30R. That is, according to one embodiment, the right door of the refrigerator 1 may be configured as a double door including the second door 30R and the third door 30D.

[0116] For example, a handle may be provided on the third door 30D, and a user can hold the handle with his / her hand and rotate the third door 30D relative to the second door 30R to open the opening of the second door 30R.

[0117] The door 30 of the refrigerator 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to the first door 30L, the second door 30R, and the third door 30D described above.

[0118] The refrigerator 1 may include the hinge bracket 40 connecting the main body 10 and the door 30. The hinge bracket 40 may be respectively coupled to the main body 10 and the door 30.

[0119] The hinge bracket 40 may be fixed to the main body 10. For example, the hinge bracket 40 may be coupled to the outer case 12.

[0120] The door 30 may be rotatably provided on the hinge bracket 40. The door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the hinge bracket 40. The hinge bracket 40 may rotatably support the door 30. The door 30 may be rotatably provided on the main body 10 by the hinge bracket 40. A rotation axis of the door 30 may pass through the hinge bracket 40. The hinge bracket 40 may be coupled to a door cap of the door 30.

[0121] The hinge bracket 40 may be provided to support both sides of the door 30 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the door 30. For example, a plurality of hinge brackets 40 may be arranged in the vertical direction Z to support the upper and lower sides of the door 30.

[0122] The refrigerator 1 may include a hinge shaft 50 coupled to the door 30 and the hinge bracket 40. The hinge shaft 50 may be inserted into the door 30. For example, the hinge shaft 50 may be inserted into the door cap of the door 30. The hinge shaft 50 may penetrate the hinge bracket 40. The hinge shaft 50 may rotatably support the door 30 relative to the hinge bracket 40. The hinge bracket 40 may be coupled to the door 30 by the hinge shaft 50.

[0123] The hinge shaft 50 may pass through the rotation axis of the door 30. The hinge shaft 50 may extend in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the door 30. For example, the hinge shaft 50 may extend in the vertical direction Z. For example, the hinge shaft 50 may have a cylindrical shape having the rotation axis of the door 30 as its central axis.

[0124] The hinge shafts 50 may be provided so as to be coupled to both sides of the door 30 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the door 30. For example, a plurality of hinge shafts 50 may be arranged in the vertical direction Z to be coupled to the upper and lower sides of the door 30, respectively.

[0125] The configuration of the refrigerator 1 described above with reference to FIG. 1 is only an example for describing the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may be provided to include various configurations for performing the function of supplying cold air to the storage compartment for storing food.

[0126] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a state in which a door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed. FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a state in which a door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opens the door. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating various components of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the hinge bracket 40 and the hinge shaft 50 of the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may support the upper portion of the door 30 to allow the door 30 to rotate.

[0128] The hinge bracket 40 may include an upper hinge bracket 41 supporting the upper side of the door 30. The upper hinge bracket 41 may be coupled to the upper portion of the door 30. The upper hinge bracket 41 may be coupled to the upper door cap 32. The upper hinge bracket 41 may be coupled to the upper portion of the main body 10. For example, the upper hinge bracket 41 may include a left upper hinge bracket 41L supporting the upper side of the first door 30L, and a right upper hinge bracket 41R supporting the upper side of the second door 30R. The left upper hinge bracket 41L may be coupled to an upper portion of the first door 30L and a left upper portion of the main body 10. The right upper hinge bracket 41R may be coupled to an upper portion of the second door 30R and an upper right portion of the main body 10. The left upper hinge bracket 41L and the right upper hinge bracket 41R may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction Y.

[0129] The hinge shaft 50 may include an upper hinge shaft 51 coupled to the upper portion of the door 30 and the upper hinge bracket 41. The upper hinge shaft 51 may penetrate the upper door cap 32 of the door 30. The upper hinge shaft 51 may penetrate the upper hinge bracket 41. For example, the upper hinge shaft 51 may include a left upper hinge shaft 51L coupled to the upper portion of the first door 30L and the left upper hinge bracket 41L, and a right upper hinge shaft 51R coupled to the upper portion of the second door 30R and the right upper hinge bracket 41R (refer to FIG. 2). The left upper hinge shaft 51L may penetrate the upper door cap 32 of the first door 30L and the left upper hinge bracket 41L. The right upper hinge shaft 51R may penetrate the upper door cap 32 of the second door 30R and the right upper hinge bracket 41R.

[0130] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the door opening device 100 configured to open the door 30. The door opening device 100 may be configured to rotate the door 30 relative to the main body 10 so as to open the storage compartment 20. The door opening device 100 may be configured to press the door 30 so as to open the door 30.

[0131] The door opening device 100 may be mounted on the main body 10. The door opening device 100 may be mounted on the upper portion of the main body 10. For example, the door opening device 100 may be accommodated on the inner side of the top table 14. An upper side of the door opening device 100 may be covered by the top table 14. The door opening device 100 may be placed on the upper surface of the outer case 12.

[0132] A plurality of the door opening devices 100 may be provided to open each of the plurality of doors 30. For example, the refrigerator 1 may include a first door opening device 100L configured to open the first door 30L, and a second door opening device 100R configured to open the second door 30R.

[0133] The first door opening device 100L may be configured to open the first storage compartment 21 by rotating the first door 30L. The second door opening device 100R may be configured to open the second storage compartment 22 by rotating the second door 30R. According to one embodiment, when the second door opening device 100R operates, the second door 30R and the third door 30D may rotate together, thereby opening the second storage compartment 22. The operation of the first door opening device 100L that opens the first door 30L and the operation of the second door opening device 100R that opens the second door 30R may be performed independently of each other.

[0134] The first door opening device 100L and the second door opening device 100R may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction Y. For example, the first door opening device 100L may be arranged on the left side with respect to the center of the upper portion of the main body 10, and the second door opening device 100R may be arranged on the right side with respect to the center of the upper portion of the main body 10. The first door opening device 100L mounted on the upper portion of the main body 10 may be configured to press the upper portion of the first door 30L, and the second door opening device 100R mounted on the upper portion of the main body 10 may be configured to press the upper portion of the second door 30R.

[0135] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the door opening device 100 may be mounted at various locations of the main body 10 and may be configured to open the first storage compartment 21 by pressing various portions other than the upper portion of the first door 30L or the second door 30R. For example, unlike FIGS. 2 to 4, the door opening device 100 may be mounted at the lower portion of the main body 10 and press the lower portion of the first door 30L or the second door 30R.

[0136] The first door opening device 100L and the second door opening device 100R may include structures corresponding to each other. FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of the first door opening device 100L configured to open the first door 30L, in detail and the structure of the first door opening device 100L illustrated in FIG. 4 may also be applied to a structure of the second door opening device 100R. A description of a structure of the door opening device 100 described below may be applied to a structure of the first door opening device 100L and a structure of the second door opening device 100R, respectively.

[0137] The door opening device 100 may include a door pusher 120 configured to press the door 30 so as to open the door. The door pusher 120 may be configured to be movable with respect to the main body 10. The door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 while moving with respect to the main body 10. The door pusher 120 may press the door 30 while moving forward from the main body 10 toward the door 30, thereby allowing the door 30, which is closed, to be opened.

[0138] The door pusher 120 may be configured to be movable between a first pusher position P1, and a second pusher position P2. For example, the door pusher 120 may be configured to be reciprocally movable between the first pusher position P1 and the second pusher position P2. The first pusher position P1 may be a position of the door pusher 120 when the door 30 is in the closed position. The second pusher position P2 may be a position in which the door pusher 120 moves from the first pusher position P1 in a direction that presses the door 30. While moving from the first pusher position P1 toward the second pusher position P2, the door pusher 120 may press and open the door 30 that is closed. The second pusher position P2 may be a position in which the door pusher 120 moves forward from the first pusher position P1.

[0139] The door pusher 120 may be accommodated in a space within the top table 14 when positioned at the first pusher position P1. That is, the door pusher 120 may be inserted into the inside of the top table 14 when positioned at the first pusher position P1, and may be withdrawn from the top table 14 and moved from the first pusher position P1 to the second pusher position P2. The top table 14 may include an opening 14a. The door pusher 120 may be provided to penetrate the opening 14a of the top table 14 and be movable between the first pusher position P1 and the second pusher position P2.

[0140] For example, the door pusher 120 may be configured to be linearly movable between the first pusher position P1 and the second pusher position P2. The door pusher 120 may be configured to be linearly reciprocally movable with respect to the main body 10. The door pusher 120 may be configured to be linearly movable in the front and rear direction X with respect to the main body 10. Alternatively, the door pusher 120 may be configured to be non-linearly movable with respect to the main body 10.

[0141] The door opening device 100 may include a pusher case 110 provided to support the door pusher 120. The pusher case 110 may movably support the door pusher 120.

[0142] The pusher case 110 may form an accommodation space for accommodating at least a portion of the door pusher 120. The door pusher 120 may be configured to be movable between a position that is maximally inserted into the accommodation space of the pusher case 110 and a position that is withdrawn forward from the accommodation space of the pusher case 110. For example, the pusher case 110 may include a first pusher case 111, and a second pusher case 112 coupled to the first pusher case 111. The accommodation space of the pusher case 110 may be formed between the first pusher case 111 and the second pusher case 112.

[0143] The pusher case 110 may be mounted on the main body 10. The pusher case 110 may be fixed to the main body 10. For example, the pusher case 110 may be coupled to the top table 14. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pusher case 110 may be coupled to various locations of the main body 10.

[0144] The door opening device 100 may include a driving device 130. The driving device 130 may provide a driving force to the door pusher 120 to allow the door pusher 120 to move relative to the main body 10. The driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 from the first pusher position P1 to the second pusher position P2 based on a door opening signal. The driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120, which reaches the second pusher position P2, to the first pusher position P1.

[0145] The driving device 130 may include a power source 131 configured to generate power for opening the door 30. The power source 131 may be configured to generate power for moving the door pusher 120. The power source 131 may include a motor including various structures.

[0146] The power source 131 may be supported by the pusher case 110. The power source 131 may be accommodated inside the pusher case 110.

[0147] The driving device 130 may include a power transmission member 132 configured to transmit power generated by the power source 131 to the door pusher 120. For example, the power transmission member 132 may include at least one gear. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the power transmission member 132 may include a plurality of gears. The door pusher 120 may include a pusher gear portion 121 engaged with the power transmission member 132, and the door pusher 120 may receive power from the gear of the power transmission member 132 through the pusher gear portion 121. For example, the power transmission member 132 and the pusher gear portion 121 may form a rack-pinion gear structure.

[0148] The power transmission member 132 may be supported by the pusher case 110. The power transmission member 132 may be accommodated inside the pusher case 110.

[0149] The driving device 130 may include a motor driver 133 connected to the power source 131. The power source 131 may receive a driving current from the motor driver 133 and generate power. The motor driver 133 may be electrically connected to a controller of the refrigerator 1. The motor driver 133 may be controlled by the controller of the refrigerator 1. The motor driver 133 may operate based on a control signal received from the controller. The motor driver 133 may include a circuit including various electronic components for driving the power source 131 based on the control signal.

[0150] The door opening device 100 may include a position detection sensor configured to detect a position of the door pusher 120. The position detection sensor may detect the position of the door pusher 120 in various ways. For example, the position detection sensor may include various types of magnetic field sensors, such as a hall sensor configured to detect a magnetic field of a magnet mounted on the door pusher 120. The controller may control the power source 131 to move or stop the door pusher 120 based on an electrical signal received from the position detection sensor. For example, the position detection sensor may be electrically connected to the motor driver 133. For example, the position detection sensor may be mounted on the motor driver 133.

[0151] For example, the position detection sensor may be supported by the pusher case 110. The position detection sensor may be accommodated within the pusher case 110.

[0152] With this configuration, the door opening device 100 may open the door 30.

[0153] The door opening device 100 may operate based on a door opening signal for opening the door 30. The door opening signal for opening the door 30 may be generated based on a user input for opening the door 30. According to one embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include the input device 60 configured to obtain the door opening signal. The input device 60 may be electrically connected to the driving device 130, and the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 based on the input device 60 obtaining the door opening signal. The input device 60 may be electrically connected to the controller of the refrigerator 1, and the controller may control the driving device 130 to allow the door pusher 120 to open the door 30 based on the input device 60 obtaining the door opening signal.

[0154] For example, the input device 60 may be configured to obtain a door opening signal based on a user touching or pressing the input device 60. For example, the input device 60 may be configured to obtain a touch signal for opening the door 30. The input device 60 may receive a touch signal when a user touches a portion of the input device 60 or when a user places a body (e.g., a hand, etc.) in close proximity to the input device 60. The input device 60 may include a capacitance sensor configured to detect a change in capacitance due to a user's touching action. The touch signal may be input to the input device 60 based on a change in capacitance according to the user's touching action, and the input device 60 may generate a door opening signal based on a change in capacitance according to the user's touching action.

[0155] However, the type of input device 60 is not limited thereto, and the input device 60 may include various types of input devices such as a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, etc.

[0156] According to one embodiment, the input device 60 may be disposed on the door 30. For example, the input device 60 may be disposed on the handle 38 of the door 30 or at a location adjacent thereto. When a user touches the handle 38 of the door 30, the input device 60 may easily obtain a user input for opening the door 30. In addition, the input device 60 may be disposed at various locations, such as the front surface of the door 30.

[0157] The input device 60 may include a first input device 60L configured to obtain a door opening signal for opening the first door 30L, and a second input device 60R configured to obtain a door opening signal for opening the second door 30R.

[0158] The first door opening device 100L may open the first door 30L based on the first input device 60L obtaining a door opening signal. The driving device 130 of the first door opening device 100L may move the door pusher 120 to press the first door 30L based on the first input device 60L obtaining the door opening signal. The controller may control the driving device 130 of the first door opening device 100L to allow the door pusher 120 to open the first door 30L based on the first input device 60L obtaining the door opening signal.

[0159] The second door opening device 100R may open the second door 30R based on the second input device 60R obtaining a door opening signal. The driving device 130 of the second door opening device 100R may move the door pusher 120 to press the second door 30R based on the second input device 60R obtaining the door opening signal. The controller may control the driving device 130 of the second door opening device 100R to allow the door pusher 120 to open the second door 30R based on the second input device 60R obtaining the door opening signal.

[0160] For example, the first input device 60L may be mounted on the first door 30L. The first input device 60L may be mounted on the door frame 31 of the first door 30L. The first input device 60L may be positioned adjacent to the handle 38 of the first door 30L.

[0161] For example, the second input device 60R may be mounted on the third door 30D. The second input device 60R may be mounted on the door frame 31 of the third door 30D. The second input device 60R may be positioned adjacent to the handle 38 of the third door 30D. According to one embodiment, because the handle 38 of the third door 30D is more accessible to a user than the handle 38 of the second door 30R, the second input device 60R may be positioned on the handle 38 of the third door 30D, and thus the user can more easily input a door opening signal to the second input device 60R and operate the second door opening device 100R.

[0162] The structure of the door opening device 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 is only an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The refrigerator 1 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include the door opening device including various structures configured to open the door 30 based on a door opening signal.

[0163] For example, unlike as described above, the refrigerator 1 may include a door opening device mounted on the door 30 and configured to open the door 30. The door opening device may include a body pusher provided to be movably mounted relative to the door 30 and configured to press the main body 10 while moving toward the main body 10, and may be configured to open the door 30 as a reaction when the body pusher presses the main body 10.

[0164] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door lower portion, a hinge bracket, a door cam, and a hinge cam, arranged on a left lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door lower portion, a hinge bracket, a door cam, and a hinge cam, arranged on a right lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge bracket, a door bracket, a hinge shaft, the door cam, and the hinge cam, arranged in a lower portion of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0165] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the hinge bracket 40 and the hinge shaft 50 of the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may support the lower portion of the door 30 to allow the door 30 to rotate.

[0166] The hinge bracket 40 may include a lower hinge bracket 42 supporting the lower side of the door 30. The lower hinge bracket 42 may be coupled to the lower side of the door 30. The lower hinge bracket 42 may be coupled to the lower door cap 33. The lower hinge bracket 42 may be coupled to the lower portion of the main body 10. For example, the lower hinge bracket 42 may include a left lower hinge bracket 42L supporting the lower side of the first door 30L, and a right lower hinge bracket 42R supporting the lower side of the second door 30R. The left lower hinge bracket 42L may be coupled to the lower side of the first door 30L and the left lower side of the main body 10. The right lower hinge bracket 42R may be coupled to the lower portion of the second door 30R and the right lower portion of the main body 10. The left lower hinge bracket 42L and the right lower hinge bracket 42R may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction Y.

[0167] The left upper hinge bracket 41L and the left lower hinge bracket 42L may be arranged in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the first door 30L. The rotation axis of the first door 30L may pass through the left upper hinge bracket 41L and the left lower hinge bracket 42L. For example, the left upper hinge bracket 41L and the left lower hinge bracket 42L may be arranged in the vertical direction Z to each other.

[0168] The right upper hinge bracket 41R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R may be arranged in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the second door 30R. The rotation axis of the second door 30R may pass through the right upper hinge bracket 41R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R. For example, the right upper hinge bracket 41R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R may be arranged in the vertical direction Z relative to each other.

[0169] The hinge shaft 50 may include a lower hinge shaft 52 coupled to the lower portion of the door 30 and the lower hinge bracket 42. The lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate the lower door cap 33. The lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate the lower hinge bracket 42. For example, the lower hinge shaft 52 may include a left lower hinge shaft 52L coupled to the lower portion of the first door 30L and the left lower hinge bracket 42L, and a right lower hinge shaft 52R coupled to the lower portion of the second door 30R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R. The left lower hinge shaft 52L may penetrate the lower door cap 33 of the first door 30L and the left lower hinge bracket 42L. The right lower hinge shaft 52R may penetrate the lower door cap 33 of the second door 30R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R.

[0170] The left upper hinge shaft 51L and the left lower hinge shaft 52L may be arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the first door 30L. The rotation axis of the first door 30L may pass through the left upper hinge shaft 51L and the left lower hinge shaft 52L. For example, the left upper hinge shaft 51L and the left lower hinge shaft 52L may be parallel to each other in the vertical direction Z.

[0171] The right upper hinge shaft 51R and the right lower hinge shaft 52R may be arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the second door 30R. The rotation axis of the second door 30R may pass through the right upper hinge shaft 51R and the right lower hinge shaft 52R. For example, the right upper hinge bracket 41R and the right lower hinge bracket 42R may be parallel to each other in the vertical direction Z.

[0172] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cam device configured to guide the opening or closing of the door 30. The cam device may assist the opening or closing of the door 30. Depending on the position of the door 30, the cam device may guide the door 30 to rotate in a direction in which the door 30 is opened or to rotate in a direction in which the door 30 is closed. When the door 30 is rotated less than a first angle from a position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the cam device may guide the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed. When the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to a second angle greater than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the cam device may guide the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened. Particularly, the cam device may include a hinge cam 200 and a door cam 300. The hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 may be in contact with each other. The hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 may be engaged with each other.

[0173] The hinge bracket 40 may include the hinge cam 200. Particularly, the lower hinge bracket 42 may include the hinge cam 200. The hinge cam 200 may be fixed to the main body 10. The hinge cam 200 may be provided at a portion, which is coupled to the door 30, of the hinge bracket 40. The hinge cam 200 may be provided at a portion, which is coupled to the lower door cap 33, of the lower hinge bracket 42. For example, the hinge cam 200 may be arranged on an upper surface of the lower hinge bracket 42.

[0174] A plurality of the hinge cam 200 may be provided. For example, the hinge cam 200 may include a first hinge cam 200L provided on the left lower hinge bracket 42L, and a second hinge cam 200R provided on the right lower hinge bracket 42R. The first hinge cam 200L may be configured to guide the rotation of the first door 30L. The second hinge cam 200R may be configured to guide the rotation of the second door 30R. The first hinge cam 200L and the second hinge cam 200R may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction Y. The first hinge cam 200L may be disposed on an upper surface of the left lower hinge bracket 42L. The second hinge cam 200R may be disposed on an upper surface of the right lower hinge bracket 42R.

[0175] The door 30 may include the door cam 300. The door cam 300 may be fixed to the door cap of the door 30. For example, the door cam 300 may be coupled to the lower door cap 33. The door cam 300 may be provided at the lower portion of the door 30. The door cam 300 may be provided at a portion, which is coupled to the hinge bracket 40, of the door 30. The door cam 300 may be provided at a portion, which is coupled to the lower hinge bracket 42, of the door 30.

[0176] A plurality of the door cam 300 may be provided. For example, the door cam 300 may include a first door cam 300L provided in the first door 30L, and a second door cam 300R provided in the second door 30R. The first door cam 300L may be configured to guide the rotation of the first door 30L. The second door cam 300R may be configured to guide the rotation of the second door 30R. The first door cam 300L and the second door cam 300R may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction Y. The first door cam 300L may be arranged at the lower portion of the first door 30L. The second door cam 300R may be arranged at the lower portion of the second door 30R.

[0177] According to one embodiment, the first hinge cam 200L and the second hinge cam 200R may include structures that are symmetrical to each other and almost corresponding to each other. According to one embodiment, the first door cam 300L and the second door cam 300R may include structures that are symmetrical to each other and almost corresponding to each other.

[0178] Referring to FIG. 7, the hinge cam 200 may include a hinge cam body 210. For example, the hinge cam body 210 may be coupled to a body portion of the lower hinge bracket 42. The hinge cam body 210 may be penetrated by the lower hinge shaft 52. The hinge cam body 210 may include a hinge cam hole 210a, the lower hinge shaft 52 may include the hinge cam hole 210a, and the lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate the hinge cam hole 210a. For example, a width (e.g., diameter) of the lower hinge shaft 52 may approximately correspond to a width (e.g., diameter) of the hinge cam hole 210a. The lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate a lower hinge bracket hole 42a formed in the body portion of the lower hinge bracket 42, and the hinge cam 200 may be connected to the body portion of the lower hinge bracket 42 by the lower hinge shaft 52. The hinge cam 200 may be connected to the door 30 by the lower hinge shaft 52. Although the coupling structure of the first hinge cam 200L is illustrated in FIG. 7, the features described above may be correspondingly applied to the second hinge cam 200R.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 7, the door cam 300 may include a door cam body 310. For example, the door cam body 310 may be coupled to the lower door cap 33. For example, the door 30 may include a door bracket 36 fixed to a lower surface of the lower door cap 33, and the door cam body 310 may be coupled to the door bracket 36. The door cam body 310 may be penetrated by the lower hinge shaft 52. The door cam body 310 may include a door cam hole 310a, and the lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate the door cam hole 310a. For example, the width (e.g., diameter) of the lower hinge shaft 52 may approximately correspond to a width (e.g., diameter) of the door cam hole 310a. The lower hinge shaft 52 may penetrate the door bracket hole 36a formed in the door bracket 36 and the lower door cap 33, and the door cam 300 may be connected to the door bracket 36 and the lower door cap 33 by the lower hinge shaft 52. The door cam 300 may be connected to the lower hinge bracket 42 by the lower hinge shaft 52. The door cam 300 may be connected to the hinge cam 200 by the lower hinge shaft 52. Although the coupling structure of the first door cam 300L is illustrated in FIG. 7, the features described above may be correspondingly applied to the second door cam 300R.

[0180] Hereinafter the structure and function of the first hinge cam 200L and the first door cam 300L will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 20, and the corresponding contents may be applied to the structure and function of the second hinge cam 200R and the second door cam 300R.

[0181] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the hinge cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the door cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating the hinge cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a state in which a first door cam surface of the door cam slides along a first hinge cam surface of the hinge cam in the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a state in which a second door cam surface of the door cam slides along a second hinge cam surface of the hinge cam in the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0182] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12, the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 of the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be in contact with each other and engaged with each other. The hinge cam 200 may guide the movement of the door cam 300 by being in contact with the door cam 300. The hinge cam 200 may be configured to guide the movement of the door cam 300 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed or the direction in which the door 30 is opened. For example, the door cam 300 may be positioned above the hinge cam 200, and the door cam 300 may slide and move along the hinge cam 200 due to the weight of the door 30.

[0183] The hinge cam 200 may guide the movement of the door cam 300 in different directions depending on the relative position of the door cam 300, thereby rotating the door 30 in the direction in which the door 30 is closed or rotating the door 30 in the direction in which the door 30 is opened. For example, when the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the hinge cam 200 may guide the movement of the door cam 300 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed. For example, when the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle, which is greater than the first angle, from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the hinge cam 200 may guide the movement of the door cam 300 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened.

[0184] A portion of the hinge cam 200, with which the door cam 300 is in contact, when the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 may be different from a portion of the hinge cam 200, with which the door cam 300 is in contact, when the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. A portion of the door cam 300, with which the hinge cam 200 is in contact, when the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 may be different from a portion of the door cam 300, with which the hinge cam 200 is in contact, when the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20.

[0185] The hinge cam 200 may include a first hinge cam surface 221 and a second hinge cam surface 222. For example, the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 may be positioned in a direction from the hinge cam body 210 toward the door cam 300. For example, the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 may be positioned above the hinge cam body 210.

[0186] The first hinge cam surface 221 may be configured to guide the movement of the door cam 300 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, when the first hinge cam surface 221 is in contact with the door cam 300. When the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the door cam 300 may be in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221. A state in which “the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20” may also include a state in which the door 30 is completely closed.

[0187] When the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, the door cam 300 may slide along the first hinge cam surface 221 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, due to the weight of the door 30. The first hinge cam surface 221 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so as to allow the door cam 300 to descend along the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 and the door 30 is closed. However, when a force, which is greater than a force in which the door cam 300 slides along the first hinge cam surface 221 by the weight of the door 30 (e.g., a force that rotates the door 30 to be open by the door opening device 100), is applied, the door cam 300 may move along the first hinge cam surface 221 so as to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened. The first hinge cam surface 221 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so as to ascend along the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 and the door 30 is opened.

[0188] The second hinge cam surface 222 may be configured to guide the movement of the door cam 300 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, when the second hinge cam surface 222 is in contact with the door cam 300. When the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the door cam 300 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0189] An angle, at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, may be greater than an angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221.

[0190] When the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, the door cam 300 may slide along the second hinge cam surface 222 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, due to the weight of the door 30. The second hinge cam surface 222 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so as to descend along the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 and the door 30 is opened. However, when a force, which is greater than a force in which the door cam 300 slides along the second hinge cam surface 222 by the weight of the door 30 (e.g., a force that rotates the door 30 to be open by the door opening device 100), is applied, the door cam 300 may move along the second hinge cam surface 222 so as to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed. The second hinge cam surface 222 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so as to ascend along the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 and the door 30 is closed. The first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surfaces 222 may extend in different directions.

[0191] The first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surfaces 222 may be connected to each other. The hinge cam 200 may include a hinge cam curved portion 223 disposed between the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surfaces 222. A distance from the hinge cam body 210 to the hinge cam curved portion 223 may be greater than a distance from the hinge cam body 210 to the first hinge cam surface 221 and a distance from the hinge cam body 210 to the second hinge cam surface 222. For example, in the first hinge cam surface 221, a distance in the vertical direction Z from the hinge cam body 210 may be increased from one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body 210, of the first hinge cam surface 221 to the hinge cam curved portion 223. For example, the first hinge cam surface 221 may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 (or, with respect to the horizontal direction (the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction)) so as to ascend upward in the vertical direction Z from one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body 210, of the first hinge cam surface 221 to the hinge cam curved portion 223. For example, in the second hinge cam surface 222, a distance in the vertical direction Z from the hinge cam body 210 may be reduced from the hinge cam curved portion 223 to one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body 210, of the second hinge cam surface 222. For example, the second hinge cam surface 222 may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 so as to descend downward from the hinge cam curved portion 223 to one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body 210, of the second hinge cam surface 222. That is, the door cam 300 may rise to the highest point when the door cam 300 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223.

[0192] The hinge cam 200 may include a hinge cam protrusion 220 that protrudes from the hinge cam body 210 toward the door cam 300. The hinge cam protrusion 220 may include the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 which are connected to each other. The hinge cam protrusion 220 may include the hinge cam curved portion 223. The hinge cam curved portion 223 may be a portion of the hinge cam protrusion 220 that protrudes most in the vertical direction Z from the hinge cam body 210. The hinge cam curved portion 223 may be a portion which is the highest in the hinge cam protrusion 220.

[0193] A plurality of the hinge cam protrusions 220 may be provided. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 may include the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 which are connected to each other. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 may include the hinge cam curved portion 223. As for a pair of hinge cam protrusions 220 that are adjacent to each other among the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220, a first hinge cam surface 221 of one hinge cam protrusion 220 may face a second hinge cam surface 222 of the other hinge cam protrusion 220.

[0194] For example, the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the rotational direction of the door 30. An area between the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 may be approximately parallel to the horizontal direction and flat. For example, the hinge cam 200 may include three hinge cam protrusions 220. The three hinge cam protrusions 220 may be spaced apart from each other at equal intervals. However, the number of hinge cam protrusions 220 provided on the hinge cam 200 is not limited thereto.

[0195] The door cam 300 may include a first door cam surface 321 and a second door cam surface 322. For example, the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may be positioned in a direction from the door cam body 310 toward the hinge cam 200. For example, the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may be positioned below the door cam body 310.

[0196] The first door cam surface 321 may be configured to move along the hinge cam 200 in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, when the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the hinge cam 200. The first door cam surface 321 may be in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. When the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, the movement of the first door cam surface 321 may be guided by the first hinge cam surface 221 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed. When the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, the first door cam surface 321 may slide along the first hinge cam surface 221 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed due to the weight of the door 30. The expression “the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221” may include various states, in which the first door cam surface 321 is disposed on the first hinge cam surface 221, such as a state in which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with a point on the first hinge cam surface 221, a state in which the first door cam surface 321 is in line contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, and a state in which the first door cam surface 321 is in surface contact with the first hinge cam surface 221. The expression “when the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221” may mean not only a moment in which the first door cam surface 321 begins to be in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, but also a continuous period of time in which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221.

[0197] The first door cam surface 321 may be positioned on the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. The first door cam surface 321 may be configured to move along the first hinge cam surface 221 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, when the first door cam surface 321 is positioned on the first hinge cam surface 221.

[0198] The second door cam surface 322 may be configured to move along the hinge cam 200 in the direction in which the door 30 is opened when the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the hinge cam 200. The second door cam surface 322 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. When the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, the movement of the second door cam surface 322 may be guided by the second hinge cam surface 222 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened. When the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, the second door cam surface 322 may slide along the second hinge cam surface 222 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened due to the weight of the door 30.

[0199] The expression “the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222” may include various states, in which the second door cam surface 322 is disposed on the second hinge cam surface 222, such as a state in which the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with a point on the second hinge cam surface 222, a state in which the second door cam surface 322 is in line contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, and a state in which the second door cam surface 322 is in surface contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. The expression “when the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222” may mean not only a moment in which the second door cam surface 322 begins to be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, but also a continuous period of time in which the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0200] The second door cam surface 322 may be positioned on the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. The second door cam surface 322 may be configured to move along the second hinge cam surface 222 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, when the second door cam surface 322 is positioned on the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0201] An angle, at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the hinge cam 200 is in contact with the second door cam surface 322, may be greater than an angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the hinge cam 200 is in contact with the first door cam surface 321. An angle, at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the second door cam surface 322 is positioned on the second hinge cam surface 222, may be greater than an angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 when the first door cam surface 321 is positioned on the first hinge cam surface 221.

[0202] The first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may extend in different directions. For example, the first door cam surface 321 may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the first hinge cam surface 221. For example, the second door cam surface 322 may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0203] The first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may be connected to each other. The door cam 300 may include a door cam curved portion 323 disposed between the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322. The door cam curved portion 323 may be configured to be in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223. A distance from the door cam body 310 to the door cam curved portion 323 may be greater than a distance from the door cam body 310 to the first door cam surface 321 and a distance from the door cam body 310 to the second door cam surface 322. For example, in the first door cam surface 321, a distance in the vertical direction Z from the door cam body 310 may be increased from one end, which is connected to the door cam body 310, of the first door cam surface 321 to the door cam curved portion 323. For example, the first door cam surface 321 may be inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 (or, with respect to the horizontal direction (the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction)) so as to descend downward in the vertical direction Z from one end, which is connected to the door cam body 310, of the first door cam surface 321 to the door cam curved portion 323. For example, in the second door cam surface 322, a distance in the vertical direction Z from the door cam body 310 may be reduced from the door cam curved portion 323 to one end, which is connected to the door cam body 310, of the second door cam surface 322. For example, the second door cam surface 322 may be inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 (or, with respect to the horizontal direction (the direction parallel to the X-Y plane and perpendicular to the Z direction)) so as to ascend upward in the vertical direction Z from the door cam curved portion 323 to one end, which is connected to the door cam body 310, of the second door cam surface 322. That is, the door cam 300 may rise to the highest point when the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam 200.

[0204] The door cam 300 may include a door cam protrusion 320 that protrudes from the door cam body 310 toward the hinge cam 200. The door cam protrusion 320 may include the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 which are connected to each other. The door cam protrusion 320 may include the door cam curved portion 323. The door cam curved portion 323 may be a portion of the door cam protrusion 320 that protrudes most in the vertical direction Z from the door cam body 310. The door cam curved portion 323 may be a portion which is the lowest in the door cam protrusion 320.

[0205] A plurality of the door cam protrusions 320 may be provided. Each of the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 may include the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 which are connected to each other. Each of the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 may include the door cam curved portion 323. As for a pair of door cam protrusions 320 that are adjacent to each other among the plurality of door cam protrusions 320, a first door cam surface 321 of one door cam protrusion 320 may face a second door cam surface 322 of the other door cam protrusion 320.

[0206] For example, the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the rotational direction of the door 30. An area between the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 may be approximately parallel to the horizontal direction and flat.

[0207] The number of hinge cam protrusions 220 included in the hinge cam 200 and the number of door cam protrusions 320 included in the door cam 300 may be the same. The plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 and the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 may correspond one-to-one to each other, and one door cam protrusion 320 may be in contact with one hinge cam protrusion 220. For example, one door cam protrusion 320 may be configured to allow movement thereof to be guided only by one hinge cam protrusion 220 as the door 30 rotates.

[0208] For example, the door cam 300 may include three door cam protrusions 320. The three door cam protrusions 320 may be spaced apart from each other at equal intervals. However, the number of door cam protrusions 320 provided on the door cam 300 is not limited thereto.

[0209] An angle at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be greater than an angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. An angel at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 may be greater than an angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210. A length of the first hinge cam surface 221 in the vertical direction Z may be equal to a length of the second hinge cam surface 222 in the vertical direction Z and thus a length of the first hinge cam surface 221 in the horizontal direction may be less than a length of the second hinge cam surface 222 in the horizontal direction.

[0210] An angle at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be greater than an angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. An angel at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 may be greater than an angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310. A length of the first door cam surface 321 in the vertical direction Z may be equal to a length of the second door cam surface 322 in the vertical direction Z and thus a length of the first door cam surface 321 in the horizontal direction may be less than a length of the second door cam surface 322 in the horizontal direction.

[0211] As mentioned above, due to the difference in the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222, or the difference in the inclination angle of the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322, the first door cam surface 321 may more smoothly slide along the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is closed. Accordingly, the door 30 may be more efficiently rotated and closed. Further, the second door cam surface 322 may more gently slide along the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door 30 is opened. Accordingly, the door 30 may be more gently rotated and opened and thus it is possible to reduce a load applied to the door 30 and the hinge bracket 40.

[0212] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 may have various inclination angles, and the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may have various inclination angles.

[0213] In various embodiments, the angle at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The angel at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 (refer to one embodiment of FIG. 13).

[0214] In various embodiments, the angle at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The angel at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 (refer to one embodiment of FIG. 14).

[0215] Hereinafter an operation of the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 when the door 30 is closed and when the door 30 is opened will be described reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0216] When the door 30 is closed, the first door cam surface 321 may be in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221. For example, a contact surface, on which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is closed, may be disposed between one end, on which the first hinge cam surface 221 is in contact with the hinge cam body 210, and the hinge cam curved portion 223. Referring to FIG. 10, a contact surface, on which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is closed, may be located on a line L1.

[0217] When the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, and the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, the door 30 may be rotated in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, by the weight of the door 30. Referring to FIG. 10, a contact surface, on which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, may be located between the line L1 line and a line L2. The line L2 may be defined as a line passing through the rotation axis of the door 30 (or the center of the hinge cam hole 210a) and the hinge cam curved portion 223.

[0218] When a force that allows the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, such as a force of a user trying to open the door 30 directly or a force of the door opening device 100 pressing the door 30, is sufficiently large, the door 30 may be rotated in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, despite the weight of the door 30, and the contact surface, on which the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, may become close to the line L2. When the door 30 is opened, the door cam 300 may move along the first hinge cam surface 221 and rise.

[0219] When the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 and the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, the door 30 may be rotated in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, by the weight of the door 30. Referring to FIG. 10, a contact surface, on which the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, may be located between the line L2 line and a line L4. The line L4 may be defined as a line passing through the rotation axis of the door 30 (or the center of the hinge cam hole 210a) and one end on which the second hinge cam surface 222 is in contact with the hinge cam body 210. When the door 30 is opened, the contact surface, on which the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, may become close to the line L4. When the door 30 is opened, the door cam 300 may move along the second hinge cam surface 222 and descend. After the door cam 300 completely descends along the second hinge cam surface 222, the rotation of the door 30 may be stopped. At this time, the door 30 may be opened to the maximum angle.

[0220] When a force that allows the door 30 to rotate in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, such as a force of a user trying to open the door 30 directly, is sufficiently large, the door 30 may be rotated in the direction, in which the door 30 is closed, despite the weight of the door 30.

[0221] A position of the door cam 300 may be the highest when the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223. The position of the door cam 300 may be the highest when the door cam curved portion 323 is located on the hinge cam curved portion 223. When the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223, a contact surface thereof may be located on the line L2. An opening angle of the door 30 when the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223 may be the first angle or the second angle.

[0222] The expression “the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223” may include various states, in which the door cam curved portion 323 is disposed on the hinge cam curved portion 223, such as a state in which the door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with a point on the hinge cam curved portion 223, a state in which the door cam curved portion 323 is in line contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223, and a state in which the door cam curved portion 323 is in surface contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223. The expression “when door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223” may mean not only a moment in which the door cam curved portion 323 begins to be in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223, but also a continuous period of time in which door cam curved portion 323 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223.

[0223] With the structure of the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300, depending on the opening angle of the door 30, the door 30 may be guided to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is closed (refer to FIG. 11) or may be guided to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened (refer to FIG. 12).

[0224] In order to improve durability to prevent the shape or angle of each of the door cam 300 and the hinge cam 200 from being deformed caused by the load or frictional force of the door 30 when the door cam 300 moves along the hinge cam 200, the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 may include a rigid material. For example, the hinge cam 200 may include various materials such as polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon (NYLON), or metal. For example, the door cam 300 may include various materials such as polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon (NYLON), or metal.

[0225] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge cam of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a door cam of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0226] When describing one embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the same reference numerals may be given to configurations corresponding to those of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12, and a description thereof may be omitted.

[0227] Referring to FIG. 13, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a hinge cam 200 may include a first hinge cam surface 221 and a second hinge cam surface 222 which are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the X-Y plane or a direction perpendicular to the Z direction), respectively. The first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 may be inclined with respect to a hinge cam body 210.

[0228] For example, an angle at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be less than an angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. An angel at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210 may be less than an angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body 210. A length of the first hinge cam surface 221 in the vertical direction Z may be equal to a length of the second hinge cam surface 222 in the vertical direction Z and thus a length of the first hinge cam surface 221 in the horizontal direction may be greater than a length of the second hinge cam surface 222 in the horizontal direction.

[0229] Referring to FIG. 14, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a door cam 300 may include a first door cam surface 321 and a second door cam surface 322 which are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction). The first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 may be inclined with respect to the door cam body 310.

[0230] For example, an angle at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the X-Y plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be less than an angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. An angel at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310 may be less than an angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the door cam body 310. A length of the first door cam surface 321 in the vertical direction Z may be equal to a length of the second door cam surface 322 in the vertical direction Z and thus a length of the first door cam surface 321 in the horizontal direction may be greater than a length of the second door cam surface 322 in the horizontal direction.

[0231] The first hinge cam surface 221 and the first door cam surface 321 may be substantially parallel with each other. The first hinge cam surface 221 and the first door cam surface 321 may extend to have substantially the same inclination angle.

[0232] The second hinge cam surface 222 and the second door cam surface 322 may be substantially parallel with each other. The second hinge cam surface 222 and the second door cam surface 322 may extend to have substantially the same inclination angle.

[0233] As mentioned above, due to the difference in the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222, or the difference in the inclination angle of the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322, the second door cam surface 322 may more smoothly slide along the second hinge cam surface 222 when the door 30 is opened. Accordingly, the door 30 may be more efficiently rotated and opened. Further, the first door cam surface 321 may more gently slide along the first hinge cam surface 221 when the door 30 is closed. Accordingly, the door 30 may be gently rotated and closed and thus it is possible to reduce a load applied to the door 30, the hinge bracket 40, and the main body 10.

[0234] The present disclosure is not limited to that illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 14, and in various embodiments, the angle at which the first hinge cam surface 221 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the angle at which the second hinge cam surface 222 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be equal to each other. In various embodiments, the angle at which the first door cam surface 321 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the angle at which the second door cam surface 322 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be equal to each other.

[0235] FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as the door cam and the hinge cam, when the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is closed. FIG. 17 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opens the door. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view illustrating various components such as the door cam and the hinge cam when the door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opening the door. FIG. 19 is an enlarged top view illustrating a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is further opened by the door cam and the hinge cam after the door is opened at a predetermined angle by the door opening device. FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of various components, such as the door cam and the hinge cam, when the door of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is further opened by the door cam and the hinge cam after the door is opened at the predetermined angle by the door opening device.

[0236] In FIGS. 15 to 20, a process of opening the first door 30L is illustrated in detail as an example of the door 30, but contents described below may be equally applied to a process of opening the second door 30R.

[0237] For convenience of understanding, it is assumed that FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an appearance of each component when the door 30 is closed, FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate an appearance of each component when the opening angles of the doors 30 are the same, and FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate an appearance of each component when the opening angles of the doors 30 are the same.

[0238] Referring to FIGS. 15 to 20, when the door 30 of the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opened, the door pusher 120 of the door opening device 100 may press the door 30 to allow the door 30 to rotate in the direction in which the door 30 is opened, and the cam device including the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 may rotate the door 30 in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, as the second door cam surface 322 slides along the second hinge cam surface 222 by the weight of the door 30.

[0239] In the process of opening the door 30, when the door pusher 120 presses the door 30 until the first door cam surface 321 of the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221 of the first hinge cam 200L, and then the door pusher 120 stops the pressing, the door 30 may stop rotating in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, and then rotate in the direction, in which the door is closed, again. In other words, when the door pusher 120 stops pressing the door 30 in a state in which the door 30 is not rotated until the second door cam surface 322 of the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 of the hinge cam 200, the door 30 may stop rotating in the direction, in which the door 30 is opened, and then rotate in the direction, in which the door is closed, again.

[0240] In order for the door 30 to rotate to a fully open position without stopping during the opening process, the door opening device 100 may be configured to open the door 30 until the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The door opening device 100 may be configured to open the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the hinge cam 200. That is, the door opening device 100 may be configured to open the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. The door opening device 100 may be configured to open the door 30 until the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. When the door opening device 100 rotates the door 30 to a predetermined opening angle or more, the second door cam surface 322 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222 and thus the door 30 may continue to open due to the self-wight of the door 30.

[0241] For example, the door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 until the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. The door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the hinge cam 200. That is, door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. The door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 until the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20.

[0242] As illustrated in FIGS. 15, 17 and 19, the door pusher 120 may move between the first pusher position P1 and the second pusher position P2. When the door pusher 120 is positioned at the second pusher position P2, the door cam 300 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. When the door pusher 120 is positioned at the second pusher position P2, the hinge cam 200 may be in contact with the second door cam surface 322. That is, when the door pusher 120 is positioned at the second pusher position P2, the second door cam surface 322 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. When the door pusher 120 is positioned at the second pusher position P2, the door 30 may be in a position that is rotated more than or equal to the second angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20 (refer to FIGS. 15 and 16).

[0243] The door pusher 120 may be stopped after reaching the second pusher position P2. The driving device 130 of the door opening device 100 may move the door pusher 120 to the second pusher position P2 and then stop the door pusher 120. For example, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120. The controller may control the driving device 130 to allow the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0244] After the door pusher 120 is stopped at the second pusher position P2, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 back to the first pusher position P1.

[0245] An angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position, in which the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, when the door pusher 120 reaches the second pusher position P2, i.e., when the door pusher 120 presses the door 30 to the maximum, may be greater than an angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position, in which the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, when the door cam 300 is in contact with the hinge cam curved portion 223. An angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position, in which the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, when the door pusher 120 presses the door 30 to the maximum, may be greater than an angle at which the door 30 is rotated from the position, in which the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, when the door cam curved portion 323 is positioned on the hinge cam curved portion 223. The door pusher 120 may be configured to press the door 30 until the door 30 is rotated a third angle, which is greater than the second angle, from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20. The third angle may be defined as the opening angle of the door 30 when the door pusher 120 reaches the second pusher position P2, which is a position where the door 30 is pressed to the maximum.

[0246] For example, when the door 30 is rotated the third angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, the second door cam surface 322 may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222. For example, when the door 30 is rotated the third angle from the position where the door 30 closes the storage compartment 20, a contact surface, on which the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, may be located on the line L3 of FIG. 10. For example, the line L3 may be located between the line L2 and the line L4.

[0247] Even when the door pusher 120 returns to the first pusher position P1 after pressing the door 30 to the maximum, the second door cam surface 322 and the second hinge cam surface 222 may be in contact with each other and thus the door cam 300 may move along the second hinge cam surface 222 by the weight of the door 30. As a result, the door 30 may be rotated in a direction that is further open from a position that is located when the door pusher 120 reaches the second pusher position P2. That is, the door 30 may be rotated to be opened at an angle greater than the third angle by the second door cam surface 322 and the second hinge cam surface 222 (refer to FIGS. 19 and 20).

[0248] As the door opening device 100, the door cam 300, and the hinge cam 200 are configured to operate in conjunction with each other, the door 30 may automatically rotate to the fully opened position without stopping during the opening process. According to one embodiment, the door 30 may be designed to automatically rotate to an opening angle of approximately 80 to 100 degrees by the above structure.

[0249] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the door 30 is rotated a predetermined angle or more by the door opening device 100, the door 30 may be opened only by using the weight of the door 30, and thus a structure that applies another force (e.g., elastic force, etc.) to open the door 30 is not required. Accordingly, the number of components of the structure for opening the door 30 may be reduced, and the production cost may be reduced.

[0250] In addition, in the case of one embodiment in which the refrigerator 1 is a side by side (SBS) type, the weight of the door 30 may be relatively heavy compared to other types of refrigerators. Therefore, it may not be efficient to include a structure that applies other forces such as elasticity to rotate the heavy door 30, and the design may be also difficult. However, in the case of opening or closing the door 30 using the door cam 300 and the hinge cam 200 as in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the heavier the door 30, the more efficiently the door 30 may be opened and closed.

[0251] As in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge cam 200 may include the plurality of hinge cam protrusions 220 including the hinge cam surfaces 221 and 222, and the door cam 300 may include the plurality of door cam protrusions 320 including the door cam surfaces 321 and 322. Accordingly, when the door 30 is opened or closed, the load of the door 30 may be distributed, and the durability of the component may be improved.

[0252] In order that the door 30 is completely opened by the structure of the door opening device 100, the door cam 300, and the hinge cam 200, design parameters related to the shape of the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300, such as the height, the length or the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface 221, the height, the length or the inclination angle of the second hinge cam surface 222, the height, the length or the inclination angle of the first door cam surface 321, and the height, the length or the inclination angle of the second door cam surface 322, and design parameters related to the door opening device 100, such as the maximum extension length of the door pusher 120 and the position of the point, at which the door pusher 120 presses the door 30, need to be appropriately set.

[0253] In various embodiments, design parameters related to the first hinge cam 200L and the first door cam 300L may be different from design parameters related to the second hinge cam 200R and the second door cam 300R. In various embodiments, design parameters related to the first door opening device 100L may be different from design parameters related to the second door opening device 100R. In this way, parameters between components on the left side of the refrigerator 1 and components on the right side of the refrigerator 1 may be set differently because the length of the first door 30L in the horizontal direction Y is different from the length of the second door 30R in the horizontal direction Y.

[0254] In various embodiments, design parameters related to the first hinge cam 200L and the first door cam 300L may be approximately the same as design parameters related to the second hinge cam 200R and the second door cam 300R. In various embodiments, design parameters related to the first door opening device 100L may be approximately the same as design parameters related to the second door opening device 100R. In this case, the length of the first door 30L in the horizontal direction Y may be equal to the length of the second door 30R in the horizontal direction Y.

[0255] Alternatively, in various embodiments, the design parameters related to the first hinge cam 200L and the first door cam 300L may be approximately the same as the design parameters related to the second hinge cam 200R and the second door cam 300R, and the design parameters related to the first door opening device 100L may be different from the design parameters related to the second door opening device 100R. Conversely, in various embodiments, the design parameters related to the first hinge cam 200L and the first door cam 300L may be different from the design parameters related to the second hinge cam 200R and the second door cam 300R, and the design parameters related to the first door opening device 100L may be approximately the same as the design parameters related to the second door opening device 100R. In this case, even when the length of the first door 30L in the horizontal direction Y is different from the length of the second door 30R in the horizontal direction Y, the parameters thereof may be appropriately set and thus the first door 30L and the second door 30R may be configured to be opened to corresponding extents.

[0256] According to one embodiment, a distance in the horizontal direction Y between the rotation axis of the door 30 and the door pusher 120 may be less than a distance between an end, which is opposite to the rotation axis of the door 30, and the door pusher 120 (refer to FIGS. 2, 15, etc.). That is, the door pusher 120 may be arranged closer to the end adjacent to the rotation axis among the two ends of the door 30. As a result, a maximum extension distance of the door pusher 120, which allows the second hinge cam surface 222 and the second door cam surface 322 to be in contact with each other, may be reduced. Under the condition in which the maximum extension distance of the door pusher 120 are the same, the minimum rotation angle of the door 30 for the second hinge cam surface 222 and the second door cam surface 322 to be in contact with each other may not be too small. When the minimum rotation angle of the door 30 for the second hinge cam surface 222 and the second door cam surface 322 to be in contact with each other is too small, the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface 221 and the first door cam surface 321 may become excessively large, which may cause the reduction in the opening efficiency of the door 30.

[0257] In the above description, one embodiment, in which when the input device 60 obtains a door opening signal, the door opening device 100 opens the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, is described. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, depending on the type of door opening signal obtained by the input device 60, the door opening device 100 may open the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, the door opening device 100 may open the door 30 while the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, and the door opening device 100 may stop the opening of the door 30 before the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0258] For example, the input device 60 may obtain a first door opening signal for fully opening the door 30 or a second door opening signal for opening the door 30 only to a smaller angle. The driving device 130 of the door opening device 100 may operate based on the first door opening signal or the second door opening signal. The controller may control the driving device 130 based on whether the signal received from the input device 60 is the first door opening signal or the second door opening signal.

[0259] Based on the input device 60 obtaining the first door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120. Based on the input device 60 obtaining the second door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 while the door cam 300 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120 before the door cam 300 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0260] Based on the input device 60 obtaining the first door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the hinge cam 200, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120. Based on the input device 60 obtaining the second door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 while the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the hinge cam 200, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120 before the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the hinge cam 200.

[0261] Based on the input device 60 obtaining the first door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120. Based on the input device 60 obtaining the second door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 while the first door cam surface 321 is in contact with the first hinge cam surface 221, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120 before the second door cam surface 322 is in contact with the second hinge cam surface 222.

[0262] Based on the input device 60 obtaining the first door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 until the door 30 is rotated more than or equal to the second angle, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120. Based on the input device 60 obtaining the second door opening signal, the driving device 130 may move the door pusher 120 to press the door 30 while the door 30 is rotated less than the first angle, and then the driving device 130 may stop the door pusher 120.

[0263] According to one embodiment, the door opening device 100 may be set to a first mode or a second mode in advance by a user input. Based on the door opening device 100 being set to the first mode, a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the first door opening signal, and based on the door opening device 100 being set to the second mode, a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the second door opening signal.

[0264] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a plurality of input devices 60 formed at separate locations from each other. Some of the plurality of input devices 60 may be configured to obtain the first door opening signal, and others of the plurality of input devices 60 may be configured to obtain the second door opening signal.

[0265] According to one embodiment, a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the first door opening signal based on a period of time, in which a user input (e.g., a touch or a push) is applied to the input device 60, being a first period of time, and a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the second door opening signal based on a period of time, in which a user input is applied to the input device 60, being a second period of time.

[0266] According to one embodiment, a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the first door opening signal based on the number of times, in which a user input (e.g., a touch or a push) is applied to the input device 60, being the number of times of a first type, and a door opening signal obtained by the input device 60 may be determined as the second door opening signal based on the number of times, in which a user input is applied to the input device 60, being the number of times of a second type.

[0267] In addition, the input device 60 may separately receive the first door opening signal and the second door opening signal by various methods.

[0268] In the above description, various embodiments, in which the hinge cam 200 includes the first hinge cam surface 221 and the second hinge cam surface 222 and the door cam 300 includes the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 and thus the hinge cam 200 and the door cam 300 interlocks with each other, are described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20.

[0269] Alternatively, according to various embodiments, the hinge cam 200 may include the first hinge cam surface 221 but the door cam 300 may not include two or more door cam surfaces extending in different directions. Further, according to various embodiments, the door cam 300 may include the first door cam surface 321 and the second door cam surface 322 but the hinge cam 200 may not include two or more hinge cam surfaces extending in different directions.

[0270] In the above description, it is described that the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment is a side-by-side type in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment are arranged left and right, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Unlike FIGS. 1 to 18, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may include various types of refrigerators, such as a one-door type, a Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF) type in which a refrigerating compartment is arranged on the upper side and a freezing compartment is arranged on the lower side, a Top Mounted Freezer (TMF) type in which a freezing compartment is arranged on the upper side and a refrigerating compartment is arranged on the lower side, or a French Door Type.

[0271] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam disposed at a lower portion of the door; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and provided to support the lower portion of the door so as to allow the door to rotate, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction in which the door is closed; and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction in which the door is opened. The door cam may include a first door cam surface configured to move along the first hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface; and a second door cam surface configured to move along the second hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second door cam surface being positioned on the second hinge cam surface. The door pusher may be configured to press the door from when the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface until the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0272] An angle at which the door is rotated from a position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, in response to the second door cam surface being positioned on the second hinge cam surface may be greater than an angle at which the door is rotated from the position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface.

[0273] The first door cam surface may be configured to slide down along the first hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface. The second door cam surface may be configured to slide down along the second hinge cam surface to allow the door to rotate in the direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second door cam surface being positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0274] The first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface may extend in different directions. The first door cam surface and the second door cam surface may extend in different directions.

[0275] The door cam may further include a door cam body, and a door cam curved portion disposed between the first door cam surface and the second door cam surface. The first door cam surface may be inclined with respect to the door cam body to descend downward from one end, which is connected to the door cam body, of the first door cam surface toward the door cam curved portion. The second door cam surface may be inclined with respect to the door cam body to ascend upward from the door cam curved portion toward one end, which is connected to the door cam body, of the second door cam surface.

[0276] The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction to allow the door cam to ascend along the first hinge cam surface in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface and in response to the door being opened. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to allow the door cam to descend along the second hinge cam surface in response to the second door cam surface being in contact with the second hinge cam surface and in response to the door being opened.

[0277] An angle at which the first hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be greater than an angle at which the second hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0278] The angle at which the first hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be less than the angle at which the second hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0279] The hinge cam may further include a hinge cam body, and a hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface. The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to ascend upward from one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the first hinge cam surface toward the hinge cam curved portion. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to descend downward from the hinge cam curved portion toward one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the second hinge cam surface.

[0280] An angle, at which the door is rotated from the position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, in response to the door pusher pressing the door to the maximum, may be greater than an angle, at which the door is rotated from the position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, in response to the door cam being in contact with the hinge cam curved portion.

[0281] A contact surface, on which the first door cam surface is in contact with the first hinge cam surface in response to the door being closed, may be disposed between the one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the first hinge cam surface, and the hinge cam curved portion.

[0282] The door pusher may be configured to be movable between a first pusher position, which is a position of the door pusher in response to the door being closed, and a second pusher position, which is moved from the first pusher position in a direction of pressing the door. In response to the door pusher being positioned at the second pusher position, the second door cam surface may be positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0283] The second pusher position may be a position of the door pusher in response to the door pusher being moved to the maximum in the direction of pressing the door. The second door cam surface may be configured to move along the second hinge cam surface to allow the door to further rotate in the direction, in which the door is opened, from a position that is positioned in response to the door pusher reaching the second pusher position due to a weight of the door. The hinge cam may include a hinge cam body, and a plurality of hinge cam protrusions protruding from the hinge cam body toward the door cam. The plurality of hinge cam protrusions may be arranged spaced apart from each other along a rotational direction of the door. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions may include the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface which are connected to each other.

[0284] The refrigerator may further include an input device configured to obtain a door opening signal, and a driving device configured to provide a driving force to the door pusher to allow the door pusher to move relative to the main body. Based on the input device receiving a first door opening signal, the driving device may be configured to move the door pusher to press the door until the second door cam surface is in contact with the second hinge cam surface and configured to stop the door pusher. Based on the input device receiving a second door opening signal, the driving device may be configured to move the door pusher to press the door while the first door cam surface is in contact with the first hinge cam surface, and configured to stop the door pusher before the second door cam surface is in contact with the second hinge cam surface.

[0285] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and configured to rotatably support the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the door being rotated less than a first angle from a position in which the door closes the storage compartment. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the door being rotated more than or equal to a second angle, which is greater than the first angle, from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment. The door pusher may be configured to press the door so as to allow the door to rotate more than or equal to the second angle from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment.

[0286] The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam, and a second hinge cam surface extending in a direction different from the first hinge cam surface and configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam. The door pusher may be configured to press the door until the door is rotated a third angle, which is greater than the second angle, from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment. The door cam may be in contact with the second hinge cam surface in response to the door being rotated the third angle from the position in which the door closes the storage compartment.

[0287] The hinge cam may further include a hinge cam body, and a hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface. The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to allow a distance, which is in a vertical direction from the hinge cam body, to increase from one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the first hinge cam surface toward the hinge cam curved portion. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to allow a distance, which is in the vertical direction from the hinge cam body, to decrease from the hinge cam curved portion toward one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the second hinge cam surface.

[0288] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body forming a storage compartment; a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam; a hinge bracket provided to connect the main body and the door, and configured to rotatably support the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; and a door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is closed, in response to the first hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam, and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam to allow the door to rotate in a direction, in which the door is opened, in response to the second hinge cam surface being in contact with the door cam. The door pusher may be configured to press the door until the door cam is in contact with the second hinge cam surface.

[0289] The door cam may include a first door cam surface configured to be in contact with the first hinge cam surface, and a second door cam surface extending in a direction different from the first door cam surface and configured to be in contact with the second hinge cam surface.

[0290] As is apparent from the above description, a refrigerator may automatically open a door by including a door opening device including a door pusher and a cam device including a door cam and a hinge cam.

[0291] Further a door may be easily opened by a door opening device including a door pusher and a cam device including a door cam and a hinge cam.

[0292] Further, a door pusher of a door opening device may press a door until a door cam reaches an angle at which the door cam is guided by a hinge cam to move in a direction in which the door is opened, thereby allowing the door to rotate to a fully opened position without stopping during an opening process.

[0293] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

[0294] While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0049]Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0050]In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0051]The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0052]In the disclosure, 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”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0053]As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0054]Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”,...

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:a main body forming a storage compartment;a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and comprising a door cam disposed at a lower portion of the door;a hinge bracket connected to the main body and the door, supporting a lower portion of the door, to rotate the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam; anda door pusher configured to press the door so as to open the door,wherein the hinge cam includes:a first hinge cam surface configured to guide a first movement of the door cam to rotate the door in a direction to close the door, anda second hinge cam surface configured to guide a second movement of the door cam to rotate the door in a direction to open the door;wherein the door cam includes:a first door cam surface configured to, with the first door cam surface positioned on the first hinge cam surface, move along the first hinge cam surface to rotate the door in the direction to close the door; anda second door cam surface configured to, with the second door cam surface positioned on the second hinge cam surface, move along the second hinge cam surface to rotate the door in the direction to open the door; andwherein the door pusher is configured to press the door to rotate the door from a position, in which the first door cam surface is on the first hinge cam surface, of the door to a position, in which the second door cam surface is on the second hinge cam surface, of the door.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:an angle at which the door is rotated from a position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, to the position, in which the second door cam surface is on the second hinge cam surface, of the door is greater than an angle at which the door is rotated from the position, in which the door closes the storage compartment, to the position, in which the first door cam surface is on the first hinge cam surface.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:the first door cam surface is configured to slide down along the first hinge cam surface during the first movement of the door cam; andthe second door cam surface is configured to slide down along the second hinge cam surface during the second movement of the door cam.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface extend in different directions; andthe first door cam surface and the second door cam surface extend in different directions.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the door cam further comprises:a door cam body; anda door cam curved portion disposed between the first door cam surface and the second door cam surface,wherein the first door cam surface is inclined with the door cam body to descend downward from an end of the first door cam surface connected to the door cam body toward the door cam curved portion, andthe second door cam surface is inclined with the door cam body to ascend upward from the door cam curved portion toward an end of the second door cam surface connected to the door cam body.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:the first hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction to allow the door cam to ascend along the first hinge cam surface in response to the first door cam surface being positioned on the first hinge cam surface and in response to the door being opened; andthe second hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to allow the door cam to descend along the second hinge cam surface in response to the second door cam surface being in contact with the second hinge cam surface and in response to the door being opened.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein:an angle of the first hinge cam surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction is greater than an angle of the second hinge cam surface inclined respect to the horizontal direction.

8. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein:an angle of the first hinge cam surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction is less than an angle of the second hinge cam surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the hinge cam further comprises:a hinge cam body; anda hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface,wherein the first hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to ascend upward from an end of the first hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body toward the hinge cam curved portion, andthe second hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body to descend downward from the hinge cam curved portion toward an end of the second hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein:an angle, at which the door rotates from the position where the door closes the storage room to a position where the door pusher presses the door to the maximum, is greater than an angle, at which the door rotates from the position where the door closes the storage compartment to a position where the door cam contacts the hinge cam curved portion.

11. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein:a contact surface, on which the first door cam surface is in contact with the first hinge cam surface in response to the door being closed, is disposed between the one end, which is connected to the hinge cam body, of the first hinge cam surface, and the hinge cam curved portion.

12. The refrigerator of claim 1, whereinthe door pusher is configured to move between a first pusher position where the door is closed and a second pusher position in a direction of pressing the door from the first pusher position, andthe second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface with the door pusher being at the second pusher position.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein:the second pusher position is where the door pusher moves to a maximum position in the direction of pressing the door, andthe second door cam surface is configured to move along the second hinge cam surface to rotate the door in the direction in which the door is opened from a position where the door pusher reaches the second pusher position due to a weight of the door.

14. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the hinge cam further comprises:a hinge cam body; anda plurality of hinge cam protrusions protruding from the hinge cam body toward the door cam arranged spaced apart from each other along a rotational direction of the door,wherein each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions includes the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface which are connected to each other.

15. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising:an input device configured to obtain a door opening signal; anda driving device configured to provide a driving force to the door pusher to move the door pusher relative to the main body,wherein based on the input device receiving a first door opening signal, t he driving device is configured to move the door pusher to press the door until the second door cam surface is in contact with the second hinge cam surface and configured to stop the door pusher; andbased on the input device receiving a second door opening signal, the driving device is configured to move the door pusher to press the door while the first door cam surface is in contact with the first hinge cam surface and configured to stop the door pusher before the second door cam surface is in contact with the second hinge cam surface.

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