refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator in which an internal storage structure is changeable. The refrigerator comprises a main body; a storage chamber; and a plurality of seating portions on a side wall of the storage chamber along a height direction, and to which a first cover or a second cover is selectively coupleable. The first cover comprises a rail formed in the depth direction of the storage compartment to guide a storage box to be introduced into and withdrawn from the storage chamber, a fastening members coupleable to a groove among a plurality of fastening grooves formed in the seating portions, a stopper which at least partially protrudes in the height direction from the passage of the rail; and a latch which is arranged in an opening formed in the stopper and configured so that a hooking portion is fixable to and releasable from a hooking ledge provided on the seating portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. §111(a), of an International Application No. PCT / KR2024 / 014402 filed on September 24, 2024, which is based on and claims from the benefit of Korean Patent Application Number 10-2023-0157049, filed on November 14, 2023, the disclosures of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.Technical Field

[0002] Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having an internal storage structure changeable by user selection.Background Art

[0003] A refrigerator is a home appliance capable of freshly storing food, equipped with a storage compartment capable of storing food and a cold air supply device supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

[0004] Inside the storage compartment, a shelf partitioning the storage compartment into a plurality of compartments and a storage box capable of receiving food or the like in an inner space may be provided. Such a storage box has a shape with an open upper portion and may generally be provided to be withdrawable at a lower portion or an upper portion of the shelf.

[0005] To allow the storage box to be inserted or withdrawn, a guide rail may be provided on the side wall of the storage compartment. The guide rail is generally formed integrally with the side wall of the storage compartment, or may be fixed to the side wall of the storage compartment. Accordingly, it is not easy to remove the guide rail by user selection. Further, due to the volume occupied by the guide rail, it is not easy to efficiently utilize the space of the storage compartment.Disclosure of InventionTechnical Problems

[0006] In various embodiments of the disclosure, a refrigerator including a detachable rail on the side wall of the storage compartment may be proposed.Solution to Problems

[0007] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body, a storage compartment to be located inside the main body and having a front that is openable, and a seating portion to be provided in plurality along a height direction on a side wall of the storage compartment, wherein a first cover or a second cover is selectively couplable to the seating portion. The first cover may include a rail formed along a depth direction of the storage compartment to guide a storage box to be introduced into and withdrawn from the storage compartment, a fastening member coupleable with a fastening groove among a plurality of fastening grooves formed in the seating portion, a stopper having at least a portion protruding along the height direction in a path of the rail into which the storage box is introducible, and a latch to be disposed in an opening formed inside the stopper and configured such that a hooking portion is fixable to and releasable from a hooking ledge provided in the seating portion.

[0008] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body, a storage compartment located inside the main body and having a front that is an openable, and a seating portion provided in plurality along a height direction on the side wall of the storage compartment, such that a first cover or a second cover is selectively couplable. The first cover may include a rail formed along a depth direction of the storage compartment to guide a storage box to be introduced into and withdrawn from the storage compartment, a first fastening member coupleable with a first fastening groove among a plurality of fastening grooves formed in the seating portion, a stopper having at least a portion protruding along the height direction in a path of the rail into which the storage box is introducible, and a latch to be disposed in an opening formed inside the stopper and configured such that a hooking portion is fixable to and releasable from a first hooking ledge provided in the seating portion. The second cover may include a plate to cover at least a portion of the seating portion, a second fastening member coupling with a second fastening groove among the plurality of fastening grooves, and a protruding member provided in a partially cut-out region of the plate.Advantageous Effects

[0009] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may selectively provide a rail or a cover having high ease of detachment.

[0010] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide a rail with enhanced supporting force for a coupled storage box.

[0011] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide a storage compartment with optimized inner space utilization.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a schematic internal and external appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view illustrating a portion of a storage compartment according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a side panel 200 forming the storage compartment viewed from one direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a seating portion provided on a vertical partition wall viewed from one direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a seating portion viewed from one direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state before a first cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view illustrating the first cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before the first cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the first cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state before a second cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view illustrating the second cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating a storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating a storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating a storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0028] In connection to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components.MODE FOR THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains may easily practice the disclosure. However, the disclosure may be implemented in other various forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The same or similar reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the specification and the drawings. Further, for clarity and brevity, no description is made of well-known functions and configurations in the drawings and relevant descriptions.

[0030] Further, in this document, a rightward direction with respect to the front of the refrigerator 1 may be defined as an "x-axis direction," and the rightward or leftward (−x-axis direction) direction may be referred to as a "width direction." A rearward direction with respect to the front of the refrigerator 1 may be defined as a "y-axis direction," and the rearward or forward (−y-axis direction) direction may be referred to as a "depth direction." An upward direction of the refrigerator 1 may be defined as a "z-axis direction," and the upward or downward (−z-axis direction) direction may be referred to as a "height direction." However, the shape and position of each component are not limited by the terms for directions used in this document.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a schematic internal and external appearance of a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a main body 110. The main body 110 may include an outer case 111 and an inner case 112 disposed inside the outer case 111. The outer case 111 may be provided to form at least a portion of the outer appearance of the main body 110. As an example, the outer case 111 may be configured to include a metal material having excellent durability and aesthetics. The inner case 112 may be provided to define a space of the storage compartment 120. The inner case 112 may include a case, a plate, a panel, and / or a liner forming the storage compartment 120. The inner case 112 may be formed as a single body or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. As an example, the inner case 112 may be integrally injection-molded using a plastic material, and the present document is not limited thereto.

[0033] Although not shown, an accommodation space may be formed between the outer case 111 and the inner case 112. A insulation material (not shown) for insulating the storage compartment 120 may be provided in at least a portion of the accommodation space. The insulation material may insulate the inside of the storage compartment 120 and the outside of the storage compartment 120 so that the temperature inside the storage compartment 120 may be maintained at a set appropriate temperature without being affected by the external environment of the storage compartment 120.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the insulation material may include a foam insulation material. As an example, the foam insulation material may be molded by fixing the inner case 112 and the outer case 111 with a jig or the like and then injecting and foaming urethane foam mixed with polyurethane and a foaming agent into the accommodation space between the inner case 112 and the outer case 111. As an example, the insulation material may include a vacuum insulation material in addition to the foam insulation material or instead of the foam insulation material. The vacuum insulation material may include a core material and an outer covering material receiving the core material and sealing the inside to a vacuum or a pressure close to vacuum. The vacuum insulation material may further include an adsorbent that adsorbs gas and moisture to maintain a stable vacuum state. The insulation material of the refrigerator 1 is not limited to the foam insulation material or vacuum insulation material described above, but may be configured using various materials that may be used for insulation.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a storage compartment 120. The storage compartment 120 may store food. Food includes things that may be eaten or drunk, and specifically, may include meat, fish, seafood, fruits, vegetables, water, ice, beverages, kimchi, or alcoholic beverages such as wine. Drugs and cosmetics may be stored in the storage compartment 120 in addition to food, but there is no limitation on items that may be stored in the storage compartment 120.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include one or more storage compartments 120. In case that two or more storage compartments 120 are formed in the refrigerator 1, each storage compartment may have a different use and may be maintained at a different temperature. To that end, the storage compartments 120 may be partitioned from each other by a partition wall 114 including an insulation material. As an example, the storage compartment may be referred to as a "refrigerating compartment," a "freezing compartment," or a "variable temperature compartment," respectively, according to use and / or temperature range. For example, the refrigerating compartment may refer to a storage compartment in case that food is maintained at an appropriate temperature for refrigerating and storing, and the freezing compartment may refer to a storage compartment in case that food is maintained at an appropriate temperature for freezing and storing. Refrigerating may refer to cooling food to the extent that the food is not frozen, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained in the range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. Freezing may mean freezing food or cooling food to remain frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained in the range of minus 20 degrees Celsius to minus 1 degree Celsius. The variable temperature compartment may refer to a storage compartment that may be maintained at a predetermined variable temperature by the user's selection or regardless of the user's selection. As an example, one storage compartment may be provided such that a part thereof is used as a refrigerating compartment and the remaining part is used as a freezing compartment. Storage compartments may be referred to by various names such as “vegetable compartment”, “fresh compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice making compartment” in addition to the above-described names such as “refrigeration compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “variable temperature compartment”.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the number, size, and / or shape of the storage compartment 120 may vary depending on the shape or position of the partition wall 114. According to an embodiment, the partition wall 114 may be integrally formed with the main body 110. As an example, the partition wall 114 may be a separate partition provided separately from the main body 110 and assembled to the main body 110.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the storage compartment 120 may be partitioned left and right by a vertical partition wall 114v (e.g., a partition wall extending in a vertical direction). The size of the storage compartment 120 partitioned left and right may vary according to the position of the vertical partition wall 114v. As an example, the vertical partition wall 114v may be provided in the center so that the storage compartment 120 partitioned left and right is provided with mirror symmetry. As an example, there may be a plurality of vertical partition walls. In case that there are a plurality of vertical partition walls, the storage compartment may be divided into three or more storage compartments along the left and right directions. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed in this document that one vertical partition wall 114v is provided.

[0039] As an example, the vertical partition wall 114v may be provided to be detachable. The vertical partition wall 114v may be provided to be detachably attached to a rear support 250 disposed at the rear side of the inner case 112. For the vertical partition wall 114v to be fixed to the rear support 250, one side of a coupling member 260 may be coupled to the rear support 250, and the other side of the coupling member 260 may be coupled to the vertical partition wall 114v. The rear support 250 may include a groove (or opening) for the coupling member 260 to be fixed.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the storage compartment 120 may be partitioned up and down by a horizontal partition wall 114h (a partition wall extending in a horizontal direction). The size of the storage compartment 120 partitioned up and down may vary according to the position of the horizontal partition wall 114h. As an example, there may be a plurality of horizontal partition walls. In case that there are a plurality of horizontal partition walls 114h, the storage compartment may be partitioned into three or more along the up-down direction.

[0041] Although not illustrated, the storage compartment 120 may also be partitioned up and down by a shelf 124.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may be configured to include a plurality of storage compartments 120 having various sizes and shapes according to various combinations of the vertical partition wall 114v and the horizontal partition wall 114h.

[0043] According to an embodiment, a plurality of shelves 124 and / or a plurality of storage boxes 125 may be provided inside the storage compartment 120. Each of the plurality of shelves 124 and the plurality of storage boxes 125 may be separable from the inner space of the storage compartment 120.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the plurality of storage boxes 125 may include at least two or more storage boxes according to volume. As an example, the plurality of storage boxes 125 may include a first storage box 125-1, a second storage box 125-2, and a third storage box 125-3. The first to third storage boxes 125-1, 125-2, 125-3 have substantially the same depth but may have different widths and / or heights from each other.

[0045] As an example, the first storage box 125-1 may have a first width and a first height. The first width may have, e.g., substantially the same width as the width of the inner case 112. The first height may have, e.g., substantially the same height as the spacing between adjacent shelves 124.

[0046] As an example, the second storage box 125-2 may have a second width and a second height. The second width may have, e.g., about 1 / 2 of the width compared to the width of the inner case 112. The second height may have, e.g., substantially the same height as the spacing between adjacent shelves 124. In other words, the second height may be substantially the same as the first height.

[0047] As an example, the third storage box 125-3 may have a third width and a third height. The third width may have, e.g., about 1 / 2 of the width compared to the width of the inner case 112. In other words, the third width may be substantially the same as the second width. The third height may have, e.g., about 1 / 2 of the height compared to the spacing between adjacent shelves 124. In other words, the third height may be half of the first height or the second height.

[0048] Further, the plurality of storage boxes 125 may further include storage boxes having various areas.

[0049] According to an embodiment, each storage compartment 120 may be formed so that at least one side thereof is open for receiving and receiving food. As an example, the refrigerator 1 may include a respective door 130 for opening and closing each storage compartment 120. As an example, the door 130 may be disposed at the front of the main body 110 and the storage compartment 120 and provided to open and close the storage compartment 120. The door 130 may be configured to seal the storage compartment 120 while the door is closed. Like the main body 110, the door 130 may include an insulation material to insulate the storage compartment 120 from the external environment while the door 130 is closed.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the door 130 may be configured to be opened and closed by rotating about the hinge 116, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. As an example, the door may be configured to be openable and closable in a sliding manner.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the door 130 may include a door panel 130a and / or a door body 130b. The door panel 130a and the door body 130b may be detachably coupled to each other. For example, one side of the door body 130b may be fixed to the main body 110 by a hinge 116. The door panel 130a may form a portion of the front outer appearance of the refrigerator 1. Accordingly, the door panel 130a may serve as an important element of aesthetics in case that the refrigerator 1 is disposed indoors. The door panel 130a may have various colors and / or various designs and may be configured to be replaceable so that the user may decorate the front exterior of the refrigerator 1 according to his / her taste. As an example, the door panel 130a and the door body 130b may be integrally formed.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the door 130 may include a door handle (not shown), a door shelf 133, a shelf support 134, and / or a gasket 135. The user may open and close the door 130 using the door handle. The door handle may be recessed on the bottom surface or the top surface of the door 130, or may protrude from the front surface of the door 130, but is not limited to a specific shape.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the door shelf 133 may be provided to receive food. Shelf supports 134 may be provided on both left and right sides of the door shelf 133 to support the door shelf 133. The shelf support 134 may extend vertically from, e.g., the door 130. For example, the shelf support 134 may be provided to protrude from the rear surface of the door 130 (e.g., the inner surface facing the storage compartment 120) toward the storage compartment 120 and extend in the up-down direction. The shelf support 134 may be provided as a separate component separable from the door 130, or may be integrally formed with the door 130.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the gasket 135 may be provided to surround an edge of the door body 130b. The gasket 135 may be provided to seal a gap between the main body 110 and the door 130 in a state in which the door 130 is closed.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a cold air supply device. The cold air supply device may include a machine, an instrument, an electronic device, and / or a system combining the machine, the instrument, and the electronic device capable of generating cold air and guiding the generated cold air to the storage compartment to cool the storage compartment. As an example, the cold air supply device may be provided inside the main body 110 to supply cold air to each storage compartment 120, for example.

[0056] Hereinafter, a description is provided focusing on a seating portion (e.g., the seating portion 300 of FIG. 2 and below) disposed on a panel forming the storage compartment 120 of the refrigerator 1 and a first cover (e.g., the first cover 500 of FIG. 2 and below) and a second cover (e.g., the second cover 700 of FIG. 2 and below) selectively couplable to the seating portion 300. For convenience of description, some elements constituting the refrigerator 1 may be omitted in the drawings to be illustrated below.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view illustrating a portion of the storage compartment 120 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 may be understood as illustrating a side panel 200 forming the storage compartment 120, a vertical partition wall provided in the storage compartment, and a shelf.

[0058] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the side panel 200 forming the storage compartment 120 viewed from one direction according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 may be understood as viewing the side panel 200 located on the left side from the −y-axis direction.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a seating portion 300 provided on the vertical partition wall 114v viewed from one direction according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 may be understood as viewing the side panel 200 or the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side from the −y-axis direction.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the side wall forming the storage compartment 120 may be referred to as the side panel 200. The side panel 200 may be manufactured from any one material of metal, rubber, or plastic, or a combination of two or more materials. The side panel 200 may be manufactured by an injection molding method.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the side panel 200 may have a plurality of supporting members 210 mounted thereon guiding a shelf (e.g., the shelf 124 of FIG. 1). A supporting member 210 may be provided to protrude in the width direction on the side panel 200. The shelf 124 may be placed on or fixed to an upper side of the supporting member 210.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the side panel 200 may include the seating portion 300. The seating portion 300 may be formed in at least a portion of the region of the side panel 200. The seating portion 300 may be provided for the first cover 500 or the second cover 700 to be selectively coupled thereto.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may be formed by recessing or removing at least a portion of the region of the side panel 200. The first cover 500 or the second cover 700 may be selectively coupled to the region where the seating portion 300 is provided.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may be formed integrally with the side panel 200. As an example, the seating portion 300 may be integrally injection-molded in case that the side panel 200 is injection-molded.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may be provided in plurality. The seating portion 300 may be disposed in the height direction of the side panel 200. Although not illustrated, the seating portion 300 may be formed in at least one or more regions among a first region A1, a second region A2, and a third region A3 of the side panel 200.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the vertical partition wall 114v may be provided to be detachable. The vertical partition wall 114v may be provided to be detachably attached to a rear support 250 disposed at the rear side of the inner case 112. For the vertical partition wall 114v to be fixed to the rear support 250, one side of a coupling member 260 may be coupled to the rear support 250, and the other side of the coupling member 260 may be coupled to the vertical partition wall 114v. The rear support 250 may include a groove (or opening) for the coupling member 260 to be fixed.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may be formed on the vertical partition wall (e.g., the vertical partition wall 114v of FIG. 1). The seating portion 300 may be provided on two opposite sides of the vertical partition wall 114v. The seating portion 300 may be formed integrally with the vertical partition wall 114v. However, without being limited thereto, the seating portion 300 may be implemented as a separate configuration from the vertical partition wall 114v and attached to two opposite sides of the vertical partition wall 114v.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may provide a region for selectively coupling either the first cover 500 or the second cover 700. As an example, the first cover 500 may include a guide rail 510 for withdrawing or inserting the storage box 125 in case of using the storage box 125 coupled to the storage compartment 120. As an example, the second cover 700 may cover at least a portion of the region of the seating portion 300 in case that the storage box 125 is not used in the storage compartment 120. By selectively coupling the first cover 500 or the second cover 700 to the plurality of seating portions 300, a user may determine a layout configuring the inner space of the storage compartment 120. As an example, in case that a user wants to store food or the like using the storage box 125 in a portion of the space of the storage compartment 120, the user may couple the first cover 500 to the seating portion 300 provided in the space and, in case that a user wants to store food or the like using the shelf 124 in a portion of the space of the storage compartment 120, the user may couple the second cover 700 to the seating portion 300 provided in the space. This is described below with reference to FIG. 14.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may include a fastening groove (e.g., the fastening groove 320 of FIG. 5) for fixing the first cover 500 or the second cover 700. The seating portion 300 may include a first hooking ledge (e.g., the first hooking ledge of FIG. 5) for reinforcing the fixing force of the first cover 500. The seating portion 300 may include a second hooking ledge (e.g., the second hooking ledge of FIG. 5) for providing ease of detachment of the second cover 700. This is described in connection to FIG. 5.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the seating portion 300 viewed from one direction according to an embodiment.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, the seating portion 300 may be disposed in at least a portion of the region of the side panel 200. At least a plurality of seating portions 300 may be disposed in the height direction. The seating portion 300 may be molded integrally with the side panel 200.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may provide a region for coupling either the first cover 500 or the second cover 700. The first cover 500 may be coupled to the seating portion 300 to couple the storage box (e.g., the storage box 125 of FIG. 1). The second cover 700 may cover at least a portion of the region of the seating portion 300 in case that the storage box 125 is not used.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may include a base 310, a seating member 311, a first hooking ledge 330, and a second hooking ledge 340.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the base 310 may be formed by recessing or removing a portion of the side panel 200. The base 310 may be formed by recessing or removing a predetermined region from the side panel 200 in a direction in which the outer case is located. The base 310 may be formed as a surface corresponding to the predetermined region. The predetermined region may correspond to, e.g., a region where the first cover 500 and the second cover 700 are attached.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the seating member 311 may be provided for the first cover 500 or the second cover 700 to be attached. The seating member 311 may be provided on an upper side and a lower side of the base 310. The seating member 311 may be spaced apart by a predetermined length in the width direction from a surface formed by the base 310. For the seating member 311 to be spaced apart by a predetermined length, the seating member 311 may include a spacing member 313. The spacing member 313 extending in the width direction may space the seating member 311 from the base 310 by the length of the spacing member 313.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the seating member 311 may include a plurality of fastening grooves 320. The plurality of fastening grooves 320 may provide a fastening space for a fastening member (e.g., the first fastening member 505 of FIG. 6 or the second fastening member 705 of FIG. 10) provided on the first cover 500 or the second cover 700 to be fastened. The fastening groove 320 may have, e.g., a rectangular shape but, without limitations thereto, may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the first fastening member or the second fastening member 505, 705.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may include the first hooking ledge 330 and the second hooking ledge 340.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the first hooking ledge 330 may be provided to reinforce the fixing force in case that the first cover 500 is coupled to the seating portion 300. The first hooking ledge 330 may be fixed with a hooking portion (e.g., the hooking portion 533 of FIG. 6) of a latch (e.g., the latch 530 of FIG. 6) included in the first cover 500. This is described in connection to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the second hooking ledge 340 may be provided to provide ease of detachment of the second cover 700 in case that the second cover 700 is coupled to the seating portion 300. A portion of a protruding member (e.g., the protruding member 720 of FIG. 10) included in the second cover 700 may contact the second hooking ledge 340 and protrude to one side. This is described in connection to FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state before the first cover 500 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0081] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view illustrating the first cover 500 according to an embodiment.

[0082] Hereinafter, in case that the first cover 500 is coupled to the seating portion 300, the surface of the first cover 500 facing the storage compartment 120 is referred to as "the front surface of the first cover 500," and the surface of the first cover 500 facing the side panel 200 is referred to as "the rear surface of the first cover 500." As an example, in case that the first cover 500 is coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side of the refrigerator 1 (or coupled to the right side of the vertical partition wall 114v), the front surface of the first cover 500 may be understood as the x-axis direction of FIG. 1, and the rear surface of the first cover 500 may be understood as the −x-axis direction of FIG. 1. As an example, in case that the first cover 500 is coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the refrigerator 1 (or coupled to the left side of the vertical partition wall 114v), the front surface of the first cover 500 may be understood as the −x-axis direction of FIG. 1, and the rear surface of the first cover 500 may be understood as the x-axis direction of FIG. 1. For convenience of description, it is assumed that the first cover 500 is coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side or to the right side of the vertical partition wall 114v. This may be similarly applied to the second cover 700 to be described in connection to FIG. 10 and below.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first cover 500 may be provided to be couplable to the seating portion 300. The first cover 500 may include a first fastening member 505 for being fastened to the plurality of fastening grooves 320 disposed in the seating portion 300. The first fastening member 505 may be implemented as an "L"-shaped hook (e.g., the 1-1th fastening member 505a of FIG. 9) or a protrusion (e.g., the 1-2th fastening member 505b of FIG. 9). The first fastening member 505 may be coupled to the plurality of fastening grooves 320 by a hook coupling method, a fitting coupling method, or an interference fit coupling method.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the first cover 500 may include a housing 501 forming an external appearance. The housing 501 may be manufactured by an injection molding method. Functional members of the first cover 500 (e.g., the guide rail 510, the first fastening member 505, the stopper 520) may be provided by protruding or recessing at least a portion of the region of the housing 501.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the first cover 500 may include a protrusion 503 having at least a portion protruding to the front. The guide rail 510 may be provided as a relatively recessed region with respect to the protrusion 503.

[0086] According to an embodiment, the first cover 500 may include the guide rail 510 forming a path for inserting or withdrawing the detachable storage box (e.g., the storage box 125 of FIG. 1). As an example, a side surface of the storage box 125 may be inserted or withdrawn along the guide rail 510. The first cover 500 may support the storage box 125 inserted into the guide rail 510.

[0087] According to an embodiment, the first cover 500 may include the stopper 520. The stopper 520 may fix the inserted storage box 125. The stopper 520 may prevent the inserted storage box 125 from moving in the forward direction (e.g., the −y-axis direction). Accordingly, the stopper 520 may provide enhanced supporting force between the first cover 500 and the storage box 125.

[0088] According to an embodiment, to fix the storage box 125, a portion of the stopper 520 may protrude in the height direction (e.g., the z-axis direction). The height where the stopper 520 protrudes in the height direction may be set to, e.g., 1 / 2 to 1 / 3 of the height of the guide rail 510. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the stopper 520 may have an about circular shape. However, this is not limiting, and it may be implemented in various shapes to prevent the storage box 125 from moving forward. The stopper 520 may have, e.g., a rectangular or trapezoidal shape.

[0090] According to an embodiment, the first cover 500 may include the latch 530. The latch 530 may be disposed in a space formed inside the stopper 520. The latch 530 may be disposed to penetrate the front surface and the rear surface through the space. The latch 530 may provide fixing force for the first cover 500 fixed to the seating portion 300.

[0091] According to an embodiment, the latch 530 may include a body, a handle 531, and a hooking portion 533. The body may be disposed to penetrate through a space formed inside the stopper 520. The handle 531 and the hooking portion 533 may be connected to one end and the other end of the body. The handle 531 may be connected to one end located in the front direction of the body, and the hooking portion 533 may be connected to the other end located in the rear direction of the body. The body, the handle 531, and the hooking portion 533 may integrally constitute the latch 530.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the handle 531 may be located on one side of the latch 530, and the hooking portion 533 may be located on the other side. The handle 531 may be disposed in the front direction of the first cover 500, and the hooking portion 533 may be disposed in the rear direction of the first cover 500.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the handle 531 may be provided to be rotatable in a space formed inside the stopper 520. The handle 531 may rotate in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction. As an example, the handle 531 may extend in a straight direction in the space.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the hooking portion 533 may be provided such that the other side facing the handle 531 is bent. As an example, the hooking portion 533 may be disposed in an about perpendicular direction from the body. The hooking portion 533 may also be formed by bending one end of the body. As an example, the hooking portion 533 may be disposed substantially parallel to the handle.

[0095] According to an embodiment, the handle 531 and the hooking portion 533 may rotate integrally. In other words, the hooking portion 533 may be rotated by the rotation of the handle 531. As the handle 531 rotates in the clockwise direction (or counterclockwise direction), the hooking portion 533 may rotate in the clockwise direction (or counterclockwise direction).

[0096] According to an embodiment, the hooking portion 533 may be configured to be fixed to the first hooking ledge 330 provided in the seating portion 300. The hooking portion 533 rotating by the rotation of the handle 531 may be hooked on the first hooking ledge 330. In this case, one side of the bent hooking portion 533 and one side of the first hooking ledge 330 may contact and be fixed. A state in which the hooking portion 533 and the first hooking ledge 330 are fixed may be referred to as a "first state" or "closed state" of the first cover 500.

[0097] According to an embodiment, to release fixation of the first cover 500 placed in the first state, the handle 531 may be rotated in the opposite direction. As the handle 531 rotates in the counterclockwise direction (or clockwise direction), the hooking portion 533 may be released from the first hooking ledge 330, and such a state may be referred to as a "second state" or "open state" of the first cover 500. The first state and the second state is described in connection to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0098] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before the first cover 500 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0099] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the first cover 500 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, for the first cover 500 to be coupled to the seating portion 300, the plurality of first fastening members 505 provided on the first cover 500 may be coupled to the plurality of fastening grooves 320 provided in the seating portion 300.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the first fastening member 505 may be implemented as the "L"-shaped 1-1th fastening member 505a or the protruding 1-2th fastening member 505b. The 1-1th fastening member 505a may be coupled to the fastening groove 320 by a hook coupling method. The 1-2th fastening member 505b may be coupled to the fastening groove 320 by a fitting coupling method or an interference fit coupling method.

[0102] As an example, for the 1-2th fastening member 505b and the fastening groove 320 to be coupled by the interference fit coupling method, the protrusion of the 1-2th fastening member 505b may have a relatively larger width than the width of the fastening groove 320. For example, the width of the protrusion of the 1-2th fastening member 505b may be formed to be about 1 to 2 mm larger than the width of the fastening groove 320.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the latch 530 may include the handle 531 and the hooking portion 533. The handle 531 provided on one side of the latch 530 may be provided to be rotatable. The hooking portion 533 may rotate by the rotation of the handle 531.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the hooking portion 533 may face the front direction (e.g., the −y-axis direction of FIG. 1) or the rear direction (e.g., the y-axis direction of FIG. 1) of the refrigerator 1, or the upward direction (e.g., the z-axis direction of FIG. 1) or the downward direction (e.g., the −z-axis direction of FIG. 1) of the refrigerator 1 by rotation. As an example, the hooking portion 533 may be fixed to the first hooking ledge 330 in response to being rotated to face the front direction. By the hooking portion 533 being fixed to the first hooking ledge 330, the coupling force between the first cover 500 and the seating portion 300 may be strengthened. Thereby, the first cover 500 may provide enhanced supporting force for the inserted storage box 125. A state in which the hooking portion 533 is fixed to the first hooking ledge 330 may be referred to as the first state.

[0105] According to an embodiment, the hooking portion 533 may be released from the first hooking ledge 330 by rotation. In case that the hooking portion 533 is rotated by a predetermined angle, it may be detached from the first hooking ledge 330. A state in which the hooking portion 533 is released from the first hooking ledge 330 may be referred to as the second state.

[0106] According to an embodiment, to couple the first cover 500 to the seating portion 300, the first fastening member 505 may be coupled by corresponding to the plurality of fastening grooves 320. In response to rotating the handle 531 in a predetermined direction (e.g., clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction) such that the hooking portion 533 is fixed to the first hooking ledge 330, the first cover 500 may be placed in the first state.

[0107] According to an embodiment, to detach the first cover 500 from the seating portion 300, in response to rotating the handle 531 in a predetermined direction such that the hooking portion 533 is released from the first hooking ledge 330, the first cover 500 may be placed in the second state. In response to spacing the first fastening member 505 apart from the plurality of fastening grooves 320, the first cover 500 may be detached from the seating portion 300.

[0108] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before the second cover 700 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0109] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view illustrating the second cover 700 according to an embodiment.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the second cover 700 may be provided to cover at least a portion of the region of the seating portion 300 in case that the storage box 125 is not coupled to the storage compartment 120. The second cover 700 may be provided to be couplable to the seating portion 300.

[0111] According to an embodiment, the plurality of second fastening members 705 provided on the second cover 700 may be coupled to the plurality of fastening grooves 320 provided in the seating portion 300. The second fastening member 705 may correspond to at least a portion or all of the first fastening member 505 provided on the first cover 500. Therefore, the manner in which the second fastening member 705 is coupled to the fastening groove 320 may be applied similarly to the manner in which the first fastening member 505 is coupled to the fastening groove 320.

[0112] According to an embodiment, the second cover 700 may include a plate 710 forming an overall external appearance. The front surface of the plate 710 may be implemented generally as a flat surface. The second fastening member 705 may be provided at a predetermined position on the rear surface of the plate 710.

[0113] According to an embodiment, the second cover 700 may include a protruding member 720. The protruding member 720 may be provided to easily detach the second cover 700 coupled to the seating portion 300. The protruding member 720 may be configured such that at least a portion thereof protrudes in the front direction of the cover 700 in response to pressing a predetermined position. The protruded protruding member 720 may function as a handle enabling the second cover 700 to be withdrawn.

[0114] According to an embodiment, the protruding member 720 may include a fixed axis 721. The fixed axis 721 may be fixed on two opposite sides by extending in the height direction (e.g., the z-axis direction of FIG. 1) of the second cover 700. The protruding member may be partitioned into a first portion 730 and a second portion 740 with respect to the fixed axis 721.

[0115] According to an embodiment, the protruding member 720 may rotate with respect to the fixed axis 721 by pressing of the first portion 730. In this case, the first portion 730 may go in toward the rear direction of the second cover 700, and the second portion 740 may protrude in the front direction of the second cover 700. The protruded second portion 740 may function as a handle facilitating detachment of the second cover 700. A supporting member 713 may support the protruding member 720 so that the first portion 730 may rotate by a predetermined angle in case that the protruding member 720 rotates.

[0116] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second cover 700 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0117] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second cover 700 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0118] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, which are cross-sectional views for illustrating the operation of the protruding member 720, FIG. 12 may be understood as a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the protruding member 720 is provided parallel to the plate 710, and FIG. 13 may be understood as a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which at least a portion of the protruding member 720 protrudes from the plate 710. The state of FIG. 12 may be referred to as a "fourth state" or "open state," and the state of FIG. 13 may be referred to as a "third state" or "closed state."

[0119] According to an embodiment, in the fourth state, the protruding member 720 may be disposed substantially parallel to the plate 710. The protruding member 720 in the fourth state may have at least a portion protruding from the plate 710 by pressing of the first portion 730.

[0120] As an example, by pressing of the first portion 730, the first portion 730 of the protruding member 720 may rotate toward the seating portion 300 of the plate 710, and the second portion 740 may rotate toward the outside of the plate 710. In other words, by pressing of the first portion 730, the second cover 700 may operate from the fourth state to the third state.

[0121] According to an embodiment, in the third state, the protruding member 720 may be disposed substantially in a perpendicular direction to the plate 710. The second portion 740 of the protruding member 720 may protrude from the plate 710. By the second portion 740 protruding, it may function as a handle for detaching the second cover 700 from the seating portion 300.

[0122] According to an embodiment, the first portion 730 may rotate until it contacts the second hooking ledge 340 provided in the seating portion 300. For example, the second hooking ledge 340 may be disposed to contact the first portion 730 at a point where the protruding member 720 protrudes in a perpendicular direction with respect to the plate 710. However, without being limited thereto, the second hooking ledge 340 may determine a range in which the protruding member 720 may rotate corresponding to the position of the second hooking ledge 340.

[0123] According to an embodiment, in the third state, the second cover 700 may operate to the fourth state by pressing the second portion 740. The first portion 730 and the second portion 740 may rotate toward the plate 710 direction, and thereby the protruding member 720 may be disposed parallel to the plate 710.

[0124] According to an embodiment, by the protruding member 720 rotating by pressing to operate to be open or closed, the second cover 700 may provide enhanced volume inside the storage compartment 120 and, in case of detaching the second cover 700, it may allow a user to easily remove it.

[0125] FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating the storage compartment (e.g., the storage compartment 120 of FIG. 1) of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment.

[0126] FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating the storage compartment 120 of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment.

[0127] FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating the storage compartment 120 of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment.

[0128] Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, it may be understood that the storage compartment 120 is partitioned into a plurality by the vertical partition wall 114v or a plurality of shelves 124 (or horizontal partition wall (e.g., the horizontal partition wall 114h of FIG. 1)). The storage compartments disposed in the vertical direction by the shelf 124 (or horizontal partition wall 114h) may be referred to as a first storage compartment S1, a second storage compartment S2, a third storage compartment S3, and a fourth storage compartment S4, respectively, in order from upper side to lower side. Further, among storage compartments disposed at the same height, storage compartments partitioned left and right by the vertical partition wall 114v may be referred to as a 2-1th storage compartment S21 and a 2-2th storage compartment S22.

[0129] Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the width (e.g., length in the x-axis direction of FIG. 1) of the space occupied by the first storage compartment S1 is referred to as "reference width," and the height (e.g., length in the z-axis direction of FIG. 1) of the space occupied by the first storage compartment S1 is referred to as "reference height." Accordingly, the 2-1th storage compartment S21, the 2-2th storage compartment S22, the 3-1th storage compartment S31, and the 3-2th storage compartment S32 of FIG. 14 may be defined as spaces having 1 / 2 reference width and 1 reference height.

[0130] According to an embodiment, the storage box 125 may be coupled to the storage compartment 120. The storage box 125 may be classified into a first storage box 125-1, a second storage box 125-2, and a third storage box 125-3 according to size. The first storage box 125-1 may have 1 reference width and 1 reference height. The second storage box 125-2 may have 1 / 2 reference width and 1 reference height. The third storage box 125-3 may have 1 / 2 reference width and 1 / 2 reference height.

[0131] According to an embodiment, for the storage box 125 to be coupled to the storage compartment 120, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the seating portion of the side panel 200 (or the vertical partition wall 114v). For one storage box 125 to be coupled, the first cover 500 may be disposed at the same height on two opposite sides to which the storage box 125 is to be coupled.

[0132] According to an embodiment, the storage compartment 120 may be used as an open space by the shelf 124 without using the storage box 125. To this end, the second cover 700 may be coupled to the seating portion 300. By coupling the second cover 700, by forming the space of the partitioned storage compartment 120 flat, a user may efficiently utilize the inner space.

[0133] FIGS. 14 to 16 to be described below may be understood as illustrating various embodiments in which a user has configured the inside of the storage compartment 120 using the detachable vertical partition wall 114v, the shelf 124, the first cover 500, and the second cover 700.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 14, the second storage compartment S2 may be partitioned into the 2-1th storage compartment S21 and the 2-2th storage compartment S22 by the vertical partition wall 114v. The third storage compartment S3 may be partitioned into the 3-1th storage compartment S31 and the 3-2th storage compartment S32 by the vertical partition wall 114v.

[0135] According to an embodiment, two third storage boxes 125-3 may be disposed vertically in the 2-1th storage compartment S21. For the third storage box 125-3 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side of the 2-1th storage compartment S21 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the right side of the 2-1th storage compartment S21.

[0136] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 3-2th storage compartment S32. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the 3-2th storage compartment S32 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side of the 3-2th storage compartment S32.

[0137] According to an embodiment, the first storage box 125-1 may be disposed in the fourth storage compartment S4. For the first storage box 125-1 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left and right sides of the fourth storage compartment S4.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 15, the second storage compartment S2 may be partitioned into the 2-1th storage compartment S21 and the 2-2th storage compartment S22 by the vertical partition wall 114v. The third storage compartment S3 may be partitioned into the 3-1th storage compartment S31 and the 3-2th storage compartment S32 by the vertical partition wall 114v. The fourth storage compartment S4 may be partitioned into the 4-1th storage compartment S41 and the 4-2th storage compartment S42 by the vertical partition wall 114v.

[0139] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 3-1th storage compartment S31. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side of the 3-1th storage compartment S31 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the right side of the 3-1th storage compartment S31.

[0140] According to an embodiment, two third storage boxes 125-3 may be disposed vertically in the 3-2th storage compartment S32. For the third storage box 125-3 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the 3-2th storage compartment S32 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side of the 3-2th storage compartment S32.

[0141] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 4-1th storage compartment S41. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side of the 4-1th storage compartment S41 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the right side of the 4-1th storage compartment S41.

[0142] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 4-2th storage compartment S42. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the 4-2th storage compartment S42 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side of the 4-2th storage compartment S42.

[0143] Referring to FIG. 16, the second storage compartment S2 may be partitioned into the 2-1th storage compartment S21 and the 2-2th storage compartment S22 by the vertical partition wall 114v. The third storage compartment S3 may be partitioned into the 3-1th storage compartment S31 and the 3-2th storage compartment S32 by the vertical partition wall 114v. The fourth storage compartment S4 may be partitioned into the 4-1th storage compartment S41 and the 4-2th storage compartment S42 by the vertical partition wall 114v.

[0144] According to an embodiment, two third storage boxes 125-3 may be disposed vertically in the 2-2th storage compartment S22. For the third storage box 125-3 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the 2-2th storage compartment S22 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side of the 2-2th storage compartment S22.

[0145] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 4-1th storage compartment S41. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side of the 4-1th storage compartment S41 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the right side of the 4-1th storage compartment S41.

[0146] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 4-2th storage compartment S42. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the 4-2th storage compartment S42 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side of the 4-2th storage compartment S42.

[0147] A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body 110, a storage compartment 120 located inside the main body 110 and having an openable front, and a seating portion 300 provided in plurality along a height direction on a side wall 200 of the storage compartment 120, wherein a first cover 500 or a second cover 700 is selectively couplable to the seating portion 300. The first cover 500 may include a rail 510 formed in a depth direction to guide a storage box 125 withdrawable from the storage compartment 120, a first fastening member 305 coupling with a plurality of fastening grooves 320 formed in the seating portion 300, a stopper 520 having at least a portion protruding in the height direction in a path of the rail 510 into which the storage box 125 is inserted, and a latch 530 disposed in an opening formed inside the stopper 520 and configured such that a hooking portion 533 is fixed to a first hooking ledge 330 provided in the seating portion 300.

[0148] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may include a handle 531 disposed on an opposite side facing the hooking portion 533.

[0149] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may include a body penetrating a front surface and a rear surface of the first cover 500. The hooking portion 533 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the body.

[0150] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may be placed in a first state in which the hooking portion 533 is fixed to the first hooking ledge 330 in response to the handle 531 being rotated in a first direction.

[0151] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may be placed in a second state in which the hooking portion is released from the first hooking ledge 330 in response to the handle 531 being rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0152] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first direction may be one of a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction.

[0153] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a height of the stopper 520 may be relatively lower than a height of the rail 510.

[0154] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the height of the stopper 520 may be 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the height of the rail 510.

[0155] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second cover 700 may include a plate 710 covering at least a portion of the seating portion 300, a second fastening member 705 coupling with the plurality of fastening grooves 320, and a protruding member 720 provided in a partially cut-out region of the plate 710.

[0156] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the protruding member 720 may include a first portion 730 and a second portion 740 divided on two opposite sides with respect to a rotation axis 721 extending in the height direction. Pressing of the first portion 730 may place the protruding member 720 in a third state in which the second portion 740 protrudes from the plate 710.

[0157] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in response to pressing of the first portion 730, at least a portion of the first portion 730 may contact a second hooking ledge 340 provided in the seating portion 300.

[0158] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the protruding member 720 placed in the third state may be placed in a fourth state parallel to the plate 710 by the first portion 730 rising by pressing of the second portion 740.

[0159] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first fastening member 505 or the second fastening member 705 and the fastening groove 320 may be hook-coupled.

[0160] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first fastening member 505 or the second fastening member 705 and the fastening groove 320 may be interference-fit coupled.

[0161] The refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a detachable vertical partition wall 114v partitioning the storage compartment 120. The vertical partition wall 114v may include at least one or more of the seating portion 300.

[0162] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, two opposing seating portions 300 provided on the side wall 200 or the vertical partition wall 114v may be disposed at substantially a same height.

[0163] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the seating portion 300 may be disposed on an upper side or a lower side of a shelf support 210 located on the side wall 200.

[0164] A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body 110, a storage compartment 120 located inside the main body 110 and having an openable front, and a seating portion 300 provided in plurality along a height direction on a side wall 200 of the storage compartment 120, wherein a first cover 500 or a second cover 700 is selectively couplable to the seating portion 300. The first cover 500 may include a rail 510 formed in a depth direction to guide a storage box 125 withdrawable from the storage compartment 120, a first fastening member 505 coupling with a plurality of fastening grooves 320 formed in the seating portion 300, a stopper 520 having at least a portion of a path formed by the rail 510 into which the storage box 125 is inserted protruding in the height direction, and a latch 530 disposed in an opening formed inside the stopper 520 and configured such that a hooking portion 533 is fixed to a first hooking ledge 330 provided in the seating portion 300. The second cover 700 may include a plate 710 covering at least a portion of the seating portion 300, a second fastening member 705 coupling with the plurality of fastening grooves 320, and a protruding member 720 provided in a partially cut-out region of the plate 710.

[0165] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may include a body penetrating a front surface and a rear surface of the first cover 500, a handle 531 connected to one end of the body, and a hooking portion 533 connected to the other end of the body. The hooking portion 533 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the body.

[0166] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may be placed in a first state in which the hooking portion 533 is fixed to the first hooking ledge 330 in response to the handle 531 being rotated in a first direction, or may be placed in a second state in which the hooking portion is released from the first hooking ledge 330 in response to the handle 531 being rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0167] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a height of the stopper 520 may be 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of a height of the rail 510.

[0168] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the protruding member 720 may include a first portion 730 and a second portion 740 divided on two opposite sides with respect to a rotation axis 721 extending in the height direction. Pressing of the first portion 730 may place the protruding member 720 in a third state in which the second portion 740 protrudes from the plate 710, or pressing of the second portion 740 may place the protruding member 720 in a fourth state parallel to the plate 710 by the first portion 730 rising.

[0169] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in response to pressing of the first portion 730, at least a portion of the first portion 730 may contact a second hooking ledge 340 provided in the seating portion 300.

[0170] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first fastening member 505 or the second fastening member 705 and the fastening groove 320 may be coupled by at least one of hook coupling or interference fitting.

[0171] The terms as used herein are provided merely to describe some embodiments thereof, but are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases 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 all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, the term 'and / or’ should be understood as encompassing any and all possible combinations by one or more of the enumerated items. As used herein, the terms “include,”“have,” and “comprise” are used merely to designate the presence of the feature, component, part, or a combination thereof described herein, but use of the term does not exclude the likelihood of presence or adding one or more other features, components, parts, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the terms "first" and "second" may modify various components regardless of importance and / or order and are used to distinguish a component from another without limiting the components.

[0172] As used herein, the terms "configured to" may be interchangeably used with the terms "suitable for," "having the capacity to," "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of" depending on circumstances. The term "configured to" does not essentially mean "specifically designed in hardware to." Rather, the term "configured to" may mean that a device can perform an operation together with another device or parts. For example, a ‘device configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C’ may be a dedicated device to perform the corresponding operation or may mean a general-purpose device capable of various operations including the corresponding operation.

[0173] Meanwhile, the terms "upper side", "lower side", and "front and rear directions" used in the disclosure are defined with respect to the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0174] In the disclosure, the above-described description has been made mainly of specific embodiments, but the disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, but should rather be appreciated as covering all various modifications, equivalents, and / or substitutes of various embodiments.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029]Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains may easily practice the disclosure. However, the disclosure may be implemented in other various forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The same or similar reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the specification and the drawings. Further, for clarity and brevity, no description is made of well-known functions and configurations in the drawings and relevant descriptions.

[0030]Further, in this document, a rightward direction with respect to the front of the refrigerator 1 may be defined as an "x-axis direction," and the rightward or leftward (−x-axis direction) direction may be referred to as a "width direction." A rearward direction with respect to the front of the refrigerator 1 may be defined as a "y-axis direction," and the rearward or forward (...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. §111(a), of an International Application No. PCT / KR2024 / 014402 filed on September 24, 2024, which is based on and claims from the benefit of Korean Patent Application Number 10-2023-0157049, filed on November 14, 2023, the disclosures of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.Technical Field

[0002] Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having an internal storage structure changeable by user selection.Background Art

[0003] A refrigerator is a home appliance capable of freshly storing food, equipped with a storage compartment capable of storing food and a cold air supply device supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

[0004] Inside the storage compartment, a shelf partitioning the storage compartment into a plurality of compartments and a storage box capable of receiving food or the like in an inner space may be provided. Such a storage box has a shape with an open upper portion and may generally be provided to be withdrawable at a lower portion or an upper portion of the shelf.

[0005] To allow the storage box to be inserted or withdrawn, a guide rail may be provided on the side wall of the storage compartment. The guide rail is generally formed integrally with the side wall of the storage compartment, or may be fixed to the side wall of the storage compartment. Accordingly, it is not easy to remove the guide rail by user selection. Further, due to the volume occupied by the guide rail, it is not easy to efficiently utilize the space of the storage compartment.Disclosure of InventionTechnical Problems

[0006] In various embodiments of the disclosure, a refrigerator including a detachable rail on the side wall of the storage compartment may be proposed.Solution to Problems

[0007] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body, a storage compartment to be located inside the main body and having a front that is openable, and a seating portion to be provided in plurality along a height direction on a side wall of the storage compartment, wherein a first cover or a second cover is selectively couplable to the seating portion. The first cover may include a rail formed along a depth direction of the storage compartment to guide a storage box to be introduced into and withdrawn from the storage compartment, a fastening member coupleable with a fastening groove among a plurality of fastening grooves formed in the seating portion, a stopper having at least a portion protruding along the height direction in a path of the rail into which the storage box is introducible, and a latch to be disposed in an opening formed inside the stopper and configured such that a hooking portion is fixable to and releasable from a hooking ledge provided in the seating portion.

[0008] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body, a storage compartment located inside the main body and having a front that is an openable, and a seating portion provided in plurality along a height direction on the side wall of the storage compartment, such that a first cover or a second cover is selectively couplable. The first cover may include a rail formed along a depth direction of the storage compartment to guide a storage box to be introduced into and withdrawn from the storage compartment, a first fastening member coupleable with a first fastening groove among a plurality of fastening grooves formed in the seating portion, a stopper having at least a portion protruding along the height direction in a path of the rail into which the storage box is introducible, and a latch to be disposed in an opening formed inside the stopper and configured such that a hooking portion is fixable to and releasable from a first hooking ledge provided in the seating portion. The second cover may include a plate to cover at least a portion of the seating portion, a second fastening member coupling with a second fastening groove among the plurality of fastening grooves, and a protruding member provided in a partially cut-out region of the plate.Advantageous Effects

[0009] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may selectively provide a rail or a cover having high ease of detachment.

[0010] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide a rail with enhanced supporting force for a coupled storage box.

[0011] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide a storage compartment with optimized inner space utilization.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a schematic internal and external appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view illustrating a portion of a storage compartment according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a side panel 200 forming the storage compartment viewed from one direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a seating portion provided on a vertical partition wall viewed from one direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a seating portion viewed from one direction according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state before a first cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view illustrating the first cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before the first cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the first cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state before a second cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view illustrating the second cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second cover is coupled to the seating portion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating a storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating a storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating a storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0028] In connection to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components.MODE FOR THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains may easily practice the disclosure. However, the disclosure may be implemented in other various forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The same or similar reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the specification and the drawings. Further, for clarity and brevity, no description is made of well-known functions and configurations in the drawings and relevant descriptions.

[0030] Further, in this document, a rightward direction with respect to the front of the refrigerator 1 may be defined as an "x-axis direction," and the rightward or leftward (−x-axis direction) direction may be referred to as a "width direction." A rearward direction with respect to the front of the refrigerator 1 may be defined as a "y-axis direction," and the rearward or forward (−y-axis direction) direction may be referred to as a "depth direction." An upward direction of the refrigerator 1 may be defined as a "z-axis direction," and the upward or downward (−z-axis direction) direction may be referred to as a "height direction." However, the shape and position of each component are not limited by the terms for directions used in this document.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a schematic internal and external appearance of a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a main body 110. The main body 110 may include an outer case 111 and an inner case 112 disposed inside the outer case 111. The outer case 111 may be provided to form at least a portion of the outer appearance of the main body 110. As an example, the outer case 111 may be configured to include a metal material having excellent durability and aesthetics. The inner case 112 may be provided to define a space of the storage compartment 120. The inner case 112 may include a case, a plate, a panel, and / or a liner forming the storage compartment 120. The inner case 112 may be formed as a single body or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. As an example, the inner case 112 may be integrally injection-molded using a plastic material, and the present document is not limited thereto.

[0033] Although not shown, an accommodation space may be formed between the outer case 111 and the inner case 112. A insulation material (not shown) for insulating the storage compartment 120 may be provided in at least a portion of the accommodation space. The insulation material may insulate the inside of the storage compartment 120 and the outside of the storage compartment 120 so that the temperature inside the storage compartment 120 may be maintained at a set appropriate temperature without being affected by the external environment of the storage compartment 120.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the insulation material may include a foam insulation material. As an example, the foam insulation material may be molded by fixing the inner case 112 and the outer case 111 with a jig or the like and then injecting and foaming urethane foam mixed with polyurethane and a foaming agent into the accommodation space between the inner case 112 and the outer case 111. As an example, the insulation material may include a vacuum insulation material in addition to the foam insulation material or instead of the foam insulation material. The vacuum insulation material may include a core material and an outer covering material receiving the core material and sealing the inside to a vacuum or a pressure close to vacuum. The vacuum insulation material may further include an adsorbent that adsorbs gas and moisture to maintain a stable vacuum state. The insulation material of the refrigerator 1 is not limited to the foam insulation material or vacuum insulation material described above, but may be configured using various materials that may be used for insulation.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a storage compartment 120. The storage compartment 120 may store food. Food includes things that may be eaten or drunk, and specifically, may include meat, fish, seafood, fruits, vegetables, water, ice, beverages, kimchi, or alcoholic beverages such as wine. Drugs and cosmetics may be stored in the storage compartment 120 in addition to food, but there is no limitation on items that may be stored in the storage compartment 120.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include one or more storage compartments 120. In case that two or more storage compartments 120 are formed in the refrigerator 1, each storage compartment may have a different use and may be maintained at a different temperature. To that end, the storage compartments 120 may be partitioned from each other by a partition wall 114 including an insulation material. As an example, the storage compartment may be referred to as a "refrigerating compartment," a "freezing compartment," or a "variable temperature compartment," respectively, according to use and / or temperature range. For example, the refrigerating compartment may refer to a storage compartment in case that food is maintained at an appropriate temperature for refrigerating and storing, and the freezing compartment may refer to a storage compartment in case that food is maintained at an appropriate temperature for freezing and storing. Refrigerating may refer to cooling food to the extent that the food is not frozen, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained in the range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. Freezing may mean freezing food or cooling food to remain frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained in the range of minus 20 degrees Celsius to minus 1 degree Celsius. The variable temperature compartment may refer to a storage compartment that may be maintained at a predetermined variable temperature by the user's selection or regardless of the user's selection. As an example, one storage compartment may be provided such that a part thereof is used as a refrigerating compartment and the remaining part is used as a freezing compartment. Storage compartments may be referred to by various names such as “vegetable compartment”, “fresh compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice making compartment” in addition to the above-described names such as “refrigeration compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “variable temperature compartment”.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the number, size, and / or shape of the storage compartment 120 may vary depending on the shape or position of the partition wall 114. According to an embodiment, the partition wall 114 may be integrally formed with the main body 110. As an example, the partition wall 114 may be a separate partition provided separately from the main body 110 and assembled to the main body 110.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the storage compartment 120 may be partitioned left and right by a vertical partition wall 114v (e.g., a partition wall extending in a vertical direction). The size of the storage compartment 120 partitioned left and right may vary according to the position of the vertical partition wall 114v. As an example, the vertical partition wall 114v may be provided in the center so that the storage compartment 120 partitioned left and right is provided with mirror symmetry. As an example, there may be a plurality of vertical partition walls. In case that there are a plurality of vertical partition walls, the storage compartment may be divided into three or more storage compartments along the left and right directions. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is assumed in this document that one vertical partition wall 114v is provided.

[0039] As an example, the vertical partition wall 114v may be provided to be detachable. The vertical partition wall 114v may be provided to be detachably attached to a rear support 250 disposed at the rear side of the inner case 112. For the vertical partition wall 114v to be fixed to the rear support 250, one side of a coupling member 260 may be coupled to the rear support 250, and the other side of the coupling member 260 may be coupled to the vertical partition wall 114v. The rear support 250 may include a groove (or opening) for the coupling member 260 to be fixed.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the storage compartment 120 may be partitioned up and down by a horizontal partition wall 114h (a partition wall extending in a horizontal direction). The size of the storage compartment 120 partitioned up and down may vary according to the position of the horizontal partition wall 114h. As an example, there may be a plurality of horizontal partition walls. In case that there are a plurality of horizontal partition walls 114h, the storage compartment may be partitioned into three or more along the up-down direction.

[0041] Although not illustrated, the storage compartment 120 may also be partitioned up and down by a shelf 124.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may be configured to include a plurality of storage compartments 120 having various sizes and shapes according to various combinations of the vertical partition wall 114v and the horizontal partition wall 114h.

[0043] According to an embodiment, a plurality of shelves 124 and / or a plurality of storage boxes 125 may be provided inside the storage compartment 120. Each of the plurality of shelves 124 and the plurality of storage boxes 125 may be separable from the inner space of the storage compartment 120.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the plurality of storage boxes 125 may include at least two or more storage boxes according to volume. As an example, the plurality of storage boxes 125 may include a first storage box 125-1, a second storage box 125-2, and a third storage box 125-3. The first to third storage boxes 125-1, 125-2, 125-3 have substantially the same depth but may have different widths and / or heights from each other.

[0045] As an example, the first storage box 125-1 may have a first width and a first height. The first width may have, e.g., substantially the same width as the width of the inner case 112. The first height may have, e.g., substantially the same height as the spacing between adjacent shelves 124.

[0046] As an example, the second storage box 125-2 may have a second width and a second height. The second width may have, e.g., about 1 / 2 of the width compared to the width of the inner case 112. The second height may have, e.g., substantially the same height as the spacing between adjacent shelves 124. In other words, the second height may be substantially the same as the first height.

[0047] As an example, the third storage box 125-3 may have a third width and a third height. The third width may have, e.g., about 1 / 2 of the width compared to the width of the inner case 112. In other words, the third width may be substantially the same as the second width. The third height may have, e.g., about 1 / 2 of the height compared to the spacing between adjacent shelves 124. In other words, the third height may be half of the first height or the second height.

[0048] Further, the plurality of storage boxes 125 may further include storage boxes having various areas.

[0049] According to an embodiment, each storage compartment 120 may be formed so that at least one side thereof is open for receiving and receiving food. As an example, the refrigerator 1 may include a respective door 130 for opening and closing each storage compartment 120. As an example, the door 130 may be disposed at the front of the main body 110 and the storage compartment 120 and provided to open and close the storage compartment 120. The door 130 may be configured to seal the storage compartment 120 while the door is closed. Like the main body 110, the door 130 may include an insulation material to insulate the storage compartment 120 from the external environment while the door 130 is closed.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the door 130 may be configured to be opened and closed by rotating about the hinge 116, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. As an example, the door may be configured to be openable and closable in a sliding manner.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the door 130 may include a door panel 130a and / or a door body 130b. The door panel 130a and the door body 130b may be detachably coupled to each other. For example, one side of the door body 130b may be fixed to the main body 110 by a hinge 116. The door panel 130a may form a portion of the front outer appearance of the refrigerator 1. Accordingly, the door panel 130a may serve as an important element of aesthetics in case that the refrigerator 1 is disposed indoors. The door panel 130a may have various colors and / or various designs and may be configured to be replaceable so that the user may decorate the front exterior of the refrigerator 1 according to his / her taste. As an example, the door panel 130a and the door body 130b may be integrally formed.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the door 130 may include a door handle (not shown), a door shelf 133, a shelf support 134, and / or a gasket 135. The user may open and close the door 130 using the door handle. The door handle may be recessed on the bottom surface or the top surface of the door 130, or may protrude from the front surface of the door 130, but is not limited to a specific shape.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the door shelf 133 may be provided to receive food. Shelf supports 134 may be provided on both left and right sides of the door shelf 133 to support the door shelf 133. The shelf support 134 may extend vertically from, e.g., the door 130. For example, the shelf support 134 may be provided to protrude from the rear surface of the door 130 (e.g., the inner surface facing the storage compartment 120) toward the storage compartment 120 and extend in the up-down direction. The shelf support 134 may be provided as a separate component separable from the door 130, or may be integrally formed with the door 130.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the gasket 135 may be provided to surround an edge of the door body 130b. The gasket 135 may be provided to seal a gap between the main body 110 and the door 130 in a state in which the door 130 is closed.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a cold air supply device. The cold air supply device may include a machine, an instrument, an electronic device, and / or a system combining the machine, the instrument, and the electronic device capable of generating cold air and guiding the generated cold air to the storage compartment to cool the storage compartment. As an example, the cold air supply device may be provided inside the main body 110 to supply cold air to each storage compartment 120, for example.

[0056] Hereinafter, a description is provided focusing on a seating portion (e.g., the seating portion 300 of FIG. 2 and below) disposed on a panel forming the storage compartment 120 of the refrigerator 1 and a first cover (e.g., the first cover 500 of FIG. 2 and below) and a second cover (e.g., the second cover 700 of FIG. 2 and below) selectively couplable to the seating portion 300. For convenience of description, some elements constituting the refrigerator 1 may be omitted in the drawings to be illustrated below.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view illustrating a portion of the storage compartment 120 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 may be understood as illustrating a side panel 200 forming the storage compartment 120, a vertical partition wall provided in the storage compartment, and a shelf.

[0058] FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the side panel 200 forming the storage compartment 120 viewed from one direction according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 may be understood as viewing the side panel 200 located on the left side from the −y-axis direction.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a seating portion 300 provided on the vertical partition wall 114v viewed from one direction according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 may be understood as viewing the side panel 200 or the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side from the −y-axis direction.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the side wall forming the storage compartment 120 may be referred to as the side panel 200. The side panel 200 may be manufactured from any one material of metal, rubber, or plastic, or a combination of two or more materials. The side panel 200 may be manufactured by an injection molding method.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the side panel 200 may have a plurality of supporting members 210 mounted thereon guiding a shelf (e.g., the shelf 124 of FIG. 1). A supporting member 210 may be provided to protrude in the width direction on the side panel 200. The shelf 124 may be placed on or fixed to an upper side of the supporting member 210.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the side panel 200 may include the seating portion 300. The seating portion 300 may be formed in at least a portion of the region of the side panel 200. The seating portion 300 may be provided for the first cover 500 or the second cover 700 to be selectively coupled thereto.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may be formed by recessing or removing at least a portion of the region of the side panel 200. The first cover 500 or the second cover 700 may be selectively coupled to the region where the seating portion 300 is provided.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may be formed integrally with the side panel 200. As an example, the seating portion 300 may be integrally injection-molded in case that the side panel 200 is injection-molded.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may be provided in plurality. The seating portion 300 may be disposed in the height direction of the side panel 200. Although not illustrated, the seating portion 300 may be formed in at least one or more regions among a first region A1, a second region A2, and a third region A3 of the side panel 200.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the vertical partition wall 114v may be provided to be detachable. The vertical partition wall 114v may be provided to be detachably attached to a rear support 250 disposed at the rear side of the inner case 112. For the vertical partition wall 114v to be fixed to the rear support 250, one side of a coupling member 260 may be coupled to the rear support 250, and the other side of the coupling member 260 may be coupled to the vertical partition wall 114v. The rear support 250 may include a groove (or opening) for the coupling member 260 to be fixed.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may be formed on the vertical partition wall (e.g., the vertical partition wall 114v of FIG. 1). The seating portion 300 may be provided on two opposite sides of the vertical partition wall 114v. The seating portion 300 may be formed integrally with the vertical partition wall 114v. However, without being limited thereto, the seating portion 300 may be implemented as a separate configuration from the vertical partition wall 114v and attached to two opposite sides of the vertical partition wall 114v.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may provide a region for selectively coupling either the first cover 500 or the second cover 700. As an example, the first cover 500 may include a guide rail 510 for withdrawing or inserting the storage box 125 in case of using the storage box 125 coupled to the storage compartment 120. As an example, the second cover 700 may cover at least a portion of the region of the seating portion 300 in case that the storage box 125 is not used in the storage compartment 120. By selectively coupling the first cover 500 or the second cover 700 to the plurality of seating portions 300, a user may determine a layout configuring the inner space of the storage compartment 120. As an example, in case that a user wants to store food or the like using the storage box 125 in a portion of the space of the storage compartment 120, the user may couple the first cover 500 to the seating portion 300 provided in the space and, in case that a user wants to store food or the like using the shelf 124 in a portion of the space of the storage compartment 120, the user may couple the second cover 700 to the seating portion 300 provided in the space. This is described below with reference to FIG. 14.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may include a fastening groove (e.g., the fastening groove 320 of FIG. 5) for fixing the first cover 500 or the second cover 700. The seating portion 300 may include a first hooking ledge (e.g., the first hooking ledge of FIG. 5) for reinforcing the fixing force of the first cover 500. The seating portion 300 may include a second hooking ledge (e.g., the second hooking ledge of FIG. 5) for providing ease of detachment of the second cover 700. This is described in connection to FIG. 5.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the seating portion 300 viewed from one direction according to an embodiment.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, the seating portion 300 may be disposed in at least a portion of the region of the side panel 200. At least a plurality of seating portions 300 may be disposed in the height direction. The seating portion 300 may be molded integrally with the side panel 200.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may provide a region for coupling either the first cover 500 or the second cover 700. The first cover 500 may be coupled to the seating portion 300 to couple the storage box (e.g., the storage box 125 of FIG. 1). The second cover 700 may cover at least a portion of the region of the seating portion 300 in case that the storage box 125 is not used.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may include a base 310, a seating member 311, a first hooking ledge 330, and a second hooking ledge 340.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the base 310 may be formed by recessing or removing a portion of the side panel 200. The base 310 may be formed by recessing or removing a predetermined region from the side panel 200 in a direction in which the outer case is located. The base 310 may be formed as a surface corresponding to the predetermined region. The predetermined region may correspond to, e.g., a region where the first cover 500 and the second cover 700 are attached.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the seating member 311 may be provided for the first cover 500 or the second cover 700 to be attached. The seating member 311 may be provided on an upper side and a lower side of the base 310. The seating member 311 may be spaced apart by a predetermined length in the width direction from a surface formed by the base 310. For the seating member 311 to be spaced apart by a predetermined length, the seating member 311 may include a spacing member 313. The spacing member 313 extending in the width direction may space the seating member 311 from the base 310 by the length of the spacing member 313.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the seating member 311 may include a plurality of fastening grooves 320. The plurality of fastening grooves 320 may provide a fastening space for a fastening member (e.g., the first fastening member 505 of FIG. 6 or the second fastening member 705 of FIG. 10) provided on the first cover 500 or the second cover 700 to be fastened. The fastening groove 320 may have, e.g., a rectangular shape but, without limitations thereto, may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the first fastening member or the second fastening member 505, 705.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the seating portion 300 may include the first hooking ledge 330 and the second hooking ledge 340.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the first hooking ledge 330 may be provided to reinforce the fixing force in case that the first cover 500 is coupled to the seating portion 300. The first hooking ledge 330 may be fixed with a hooking portion (e.g., the hooking portion 533 of FIG. 6) of a latch (e.g., the latch 530 of FIG. 6) included in the first cover 500. This is described in connection to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the second hooking ledge 340 may be provided to provide ease of detachment of the second cover 700 in case that the second cover 700 is coupled to the seating portion 300. A portion of a protruding member (e.g., the protruding member 720 of FIG. 10) included in the second cover 700 may contact the second hooking ledge 340 and protrude to one side. This is described in connection to FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state before the first cover 500 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0081] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view illustrating the first cover 500 according to an embodiment.

[0082] Hereinafter, in case that the first cover 500 is coupled to the seating portion 300, the surface of the first cover 500 facing the storage compartment 120 is referred to as "the front surface of the first cover 500," and the surface of the first cover 500 facing the side panel 200 is referred to as "the rear surface of the first cover 500." As an example, in case that the first cover 500 is coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side of the refrigerator 1 (or coupled to the right side of the vertical partition wall 114v), the front surface of the first cover 500 may be understood as the x-axis direction of FIG. 1, and the rear surface of the first cover 500 may be understood as the −x-axis direction of FIG. 1. As an example, in case that the first cover 500 is coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the refrigerator 1 (or coupled to the left side of the vertical partition wall 114v), the front surface of the first cover 500 may be understood as the −x-axis direction of FIG. 1, and the rear surface of the first cover 500 may be understood as the x-axis direction of FIG. 1. For convenience of description, it is assumed that the first cover 500 is coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side or to the right side of the vertical partition wall 114v. This may be similarly applied to the second cover 700 to be described in connection to FIG. 10 and below.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first cover 500 may be provided to be couplable to the seating portion 300. The first cover 500 may include a first fastening member 505 for being fastened to the plurality of fastening grooves 320 disposed in the seating portion 300. The first fastening member 505 may be implemented as an "L"-shaped hook (e.g., the 1-1th fastening member 505a of FIG. 9) or a protrusion (e.g., the 1-2th fastening member 505b of FIG. 9). The first fastening member 505 may be coupled to the plurality of fastening grooves 320 by a hook coupling method, a fitting coupling method, or an interference fit coupling method.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the first cover 500 may include a housing 501 forming an external appearance. The housing 501 may be manufactured by an injection molding method. Functional members of the first cover 500 (e.g., the guide rail 510, the first fastening member 505, the stopper 520) may be provided by protruding or recessing at least a portion of the region of the housing 501.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the first cover 500 may include a protrusion 503 having at least a portion protruding to the front. The guide rail 510 may be provided as a relatively recessed region with respect to the protrusion 503.

[0086] According to an embodiment, the first cover 500 may include the guide rail 510 forming a path for inserting or withdrawing the detachable storage box (e.g., the storage box 125 of FIG. 1). As an example, a side surface of the storage box 125 may be inserted or withdrawn along the guide rail 510. The first cover 500 may support the storage box 125 inserted into the guide rail 510.

[0087] According to an embodiment, the first cover 500 may include the stopper 520. The stopper 520 may fix the inserted storage box 125. The stopper 520 may prevent the inserted storage box 125 from moving in the forward direction (e.g., the −y-axis direction). Accordingly, the stopper 520 may provide enhanced supporting force between the first cover 500 and the storage box 125.

[0088] According to an embodiment, to fix the storage box 125, a portion of the stopper 520 may protrude in the height direction (e.g., the z-axis direction). The height where the stopper 520 protrudes in the height direction may be set to, e.g., 1 / 2 to 1 / 3 of the height of the guide rail 510. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the stopper 520 may have an about circular shape. However, this is not limiting, and it may be implemented in various shapes to prevent the storage box 125 from moving forward. The stopper 520 may have, e.g., a rectangular or trapezoidal shape.

[0090] According to an embodiment, the first cover 500 may include the latch 530. The latch 530 may be disposed in a space formed inside the stopper 520. The latch 530 may be disposed to penetrate the front surface and the rear surface through the space. The latch 530 may provide fixing force for the first cover 500 fixed to the seating portion 300.

[0091] According to an embodiment, the latch 530 may include a body, a handle 531, and a hooking portion 533. The body may be disposed to penetrate through a space formed inside the stopper 520. The handle 531 and the hooking portion 533 may be connected to one end and the other end of the body. The handle 531 may be connected to one end located in the front direction of the body, and the hooking portion 533 may be connected to the other end located in the rear direction of the body. The body, the handle 531, and the hooking portion 533 may integrally constitute the latch 530.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the handle 531 may be located on one side of the latch 530, and the hooking portion 533 may be located on the other side. The handle 531 may be disposed in the front direction of the first cover 500, and the hooking portion 533 may be disposed in the rear direction of the first cover 500.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the handle 531 may be provided to be rotatable in a space formed inside the stopper 520. The handle 531 may rotate in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction. As an example, the handle 531 may extend in a straight direction in the space.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the hooking portion 533 may be provided such that the other side facing the handle 531 is bent. As an example, the hooking portion 533 may be disposed in an about perpendicular direction from the body. The hooking portion 533 may also be formed by bending one end of the body. As an example, the hooking portion 533 may be disposed substantially parallel to the handle.

[0095] According to an embodiment, the handle 531 and the hooking portion 533 may rotate integrally. In other words, the hooking portion 533 may be rotated by the rotation of the handle 531. As the handle 531 rotates in the clockwise direction (or counterclockwise direction), the hooking portion 533 may rotate in the clockwise direction (or counterclockwise direction).

[0096] According to an embodiment, the hooking portion 533 may be configured to be fixed to the first hooking ledge 330 provided in the seating portion 300. The hooking portion 533 rotating by the rotation of the handle 531 may be hooked on the first hooking ledge 330. In this case, one side of the bent hooking portion 533 and one side of the first hooking ledge 330 may contact and be fixed. A state in which the hooking portion 533 and the first hooking ledge 330 are fixed may be referred to as a "first state" or "closed state" of the first cover 500.

[0097] According to an embodiment, to release fixation of the first cover 500 placed in the first state, the handle 531 may be rotated in the opposite direction. As the handle 531 rotates in the counterclockwise direction (or clockwise direction), the hooking portion 533 may be released from the first hooking ledge 330, and such a state may be referred to as a "second state" or "open state" of the first cover 500. The first state and the second state is described in connection to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0098] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before the first cover 500 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0099] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the first cover 500 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, for the first cover 500 to be coupled to the seating portion 300, the plurality of first fastening members 505 provided on the first cover 500 may be coupled to the plurality of fastening grooves 320 provided in the seating portion 300.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the first fastening member 505 may be implemented as the "L"-shaped 1-1th fastening member 505a or the protruding 1-2th fastening member 505b. The 1-1th fastening member 505a may be coupled to the fastening groove 320 by a hook coupling method. The 1-2th fastening member 505b may be coupled to the fastening groove 320 by a fitting coupling method or an interference fit coupling method.

[0102] As an example, for the 1-2th fastening member 505b and the fastening groove 320 to be coupled by the interference fit coupling method, the protrusion of the 1-2th fastening member 505b may have a relatively larger width than the width of the fastening groove 320. For example, the width of the protrusion of the 1-2th fastening member 505b may be formed to be about 1 to 2 mm larger than the width of the fastening groove 320.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the latch 530 may include the handle 531 and the hooking portion 533. The handle 531 provided on one side of the latch 530 may be provided to be rotatable. The hooking portion 533 may rotate by the rotation of the handle 531.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the hooking portion 533 may face the front direction (e.g., the −y-axis direction of FIG. 1) or the rear direction (e.g., the y-axis direction of FIG. 1) of the refrigerator 1, or the upward direction (e.g., the z-axis direction of FIG. 1) or the downward direction (e.g., the −z-axis direction of FIG. 1) of the refrigerator 1 by rotation. As an example, the hooking portion 533 may be fixed to the first hooking ledge 330 in response to being rotated to face the front direction. By the hooking portion 533 being fixed to the first hooking ledge 330, the coupling force between the first cover 500 and the seating portion 300 may be strengthened. Thereby, the first cover 500 may provide enhanced supporting force for the inserted storage box 125. A state in which the hooking portion 533 is fixed to the first hooking ledge 330 may be referred to as the first state.

[0105] According to an embodiment, the hooking portion 533 may be released from the first hooking ledge 330 by rotation. In case that the hooking portion 533 is rotated by a predetermined angle, it may be detached from the first hooking ledge 330. A state in which the hooking portion 533 is released from the first hooking ledge 330 may be referred to as the second state.

[0106] According to an embodiment, to couple the first cover 500 to the seating portion 300, the first fastening member 505 may be coupled by corresponding to the plurality of fastening grooves 320. In response to rotating the handle 531 in a predetermined direction (e.g., clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction) such that the hooking portion 533 is fixed to the first hooking ledge 330, the first cover 500 may be placed in the first state.

[0107] According to an embodiment, to detach the first cover 500 from the seating portion 300, in response to rotating the handle 531 in a predetermined direction such that the hooking portion 533 is released from the first hooking ledge 330, the first cover 500 may be placed in the second state. In response to spacing the first fastening member 505 apart from the plurality of fastening grooves 320, the first cover 500 may be detached from the seating portion 300.

[0108] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before the second cover 700 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0109] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view illustrating the second cover 700 according to an embodiment.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the second cover 700 may be provided to cover at least a portion of the region of the seating portion 300 in case that the storage box 125 is not coupled to the storage compartment 120. The second cover 700 may be provided to be couplable to the seating portion 300.

[0111] According to an embodiment, the plurality of second fastening members 705 provided on the second cover 700 may be coupled to the plurality of fastening grooves 320 provided in the seating portion 300. The second fastening member 705 may correspond to at least a portion or all of the first fastening member 505 provided on the first cover 500. Therefore, the manner in which the second fastening member 705 is coupled to the fastening groove 320 may be applied similarly to the manner in which the first fastening member 505 is coupled to the fastening groove 320.

[0112] According to an embodiment, the second cover 700 may include a plate 710 forming an overall external appearance. The front surface of the plate 710 may be implemented generally as a flat surface. The second fastening member 705 may be provided at a predetermined position on the rear surface of the plate 710.

[0113] According to an embodiment, the second cover 700 may include a protruding member 720. The protruding member 720 may be provided to easily detach the second cover 700 coupled to the seating portion 300. The protruding member 720 may be configured such that at least a portion thereof protrudes in the front direction of the cover 700 in response to pressing a predetermined position. The protruded protruding member 720 may function as a handle enabling the second cover 700 to be withdrawn.

[0114] According to an embodiment, the protruding member 720 may include a fixed axis 721. The fixed axis 721 may be fixed on two opposite sides by extending in the height direction (e.g., the z-axis direction of FIG. 1) of the second cover 700. The protruding member may be partitioned into a first portion 730 and a second portion 740 with respect to the fixed axis 721.

[0115] According to an embodiment, the protruding member 720 may rotate with respect to the fixed axis 721 by pressing of the first portion 730. In this case, the first portion 730 may go in toward the rear direction of the second cover 700, and the second portion 740 may protrude in the front direction of the second cover 700. The protruded second portion 740 may function as a handle facilitating detachment of the second cover 700. A supporting member 713 may support the protruding member 720 so that the first portion 730 may rotate by a predetermined angle in case that the protruding member 720 rotates.

[0116] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second cover 700 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0117] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second cover 700 is coupled to the seating portion 300 according to an embodiment.

[0118] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, which are cross-sectional views for illustrating the operation of the protruding member 720, FIG. 12 may be understood as a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the protruding member 720 is provided parallel to the plate 710, and FIG. 13 may be understood as a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which at least a portion of the protruding member 720 protrudes from the plate 710. The state of FIG. 12 may be referred to as a "fourth state" or "open state," and the state of FIG. 13 may be referred to as a "third state" or "closed state."

[0119] According to an embodiment, in the fourth state, the protruding member 720 may be disposed substantially parallel to the plate 710. The protruding member 720 in the fourth state may have at least a portion protruding from the plate 710 by pressing of the first portion 730.

[0120] As an example, by pressing of the first portion 730, the first portion 730 of the protruding member 720 may rotate toward the seating portion 300 of the plate 710, and the second portion 740 may rotate toward the outside of the plate 710. In other words, by pressing of the first portion 730, the second cover 700 may operate from the fourth state to the third state.

[0121] According to an embodiment, in the third state, the protruding member 720 may be disposed substantially in a perpendicular direction to the plate 710. The second portion 740 of the protruding member 720 may protrude from the plate 710. By the second portion 740 protruding, it may function as a handle for detaching the second cover 700 from the seating portion 300.

[0122] According to an embodiment, the first portion 730 may rotate until it contacts the second hooking ledge 340 provided in the seating portion 300. For example, the second hooking ledge 340 may be disposed to contact the first portion 730 at a point where the protruding member 720 protrudes in a perpendicular direction with respect to the plate 710. However, without being limited thereto, the second hooking ledge 340 may determine a range in which the protruding member 720 may rotate corresponding to the position of the second hooking ledge 340.

[0123] According to an embodiment, in the third state, the second cover 700 may operate to the fourth state by pressing the second portion 740. The first portion 730 and the second portion 740 may rotate toward the plate 710 direction, and thereby the protruding member 720 may be disposed parallel to the plate 710.

[0124] According to an embodiment, by the protruding member 720 rotating by pressing to operate to be open or closed, the second cover 700 may provide enhanced volume inside the storage compartment 120 and, in case of detaching the second cover 700, it may allow a user to easily remove it.

[0125] FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating the storage compartment (e.g., the storage compartment 120 of FIG. 1) of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment.

[0126] FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating the storage compartment 120 of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment.

[0127] FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating the storage compartment 120 of the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment.

[0128] Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, it may be understood that the storage compartment 120 is partitioned into a plurality by the vertical partition wall 114v or a plurality of shelves 124 (or horizontal partition wall (e.g., the horizontal partition wall 114h of FIG. 1)). The storage compartments disposed in the vertical direction by the shelf 124 (or horizontal partition wall 114h) may be referred to as a first storage compartment S1, a second storage compartment S2, a third storage compartment S3, and a fourth storage compartment S4, respectively, in order from upper side to lower side. Further, among storage compartments disposed at the same height, storage compartments partitioned left and right by the vertical partition wall 114v may be referred to as a 2-1th storage compartment S21 and a 2-2th storage compartment S22.

[0129] Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the width (e.g., length in the x-axis direction of FIG. 1) of the space occupied by the first storage compartment S1 is referred to as "reference width," and the height (e.g., length in the z-axis direction of FIG. 1) of the space occupied by the first storage compartment S1 is referred to as "reference height." Accordingly, the 2-1th storage compartment S21, the 2-2th storage compartment S22, the 3-1th storage compartment S31, and the 3-2th storage compartment S32 of FIG. 14 may be defined as spaces having 1 / 2 reference width and 1 reference height.

[0130] According to an embodiment, the storage box 125 may be coupled to the storage compartment 120. The storage box 125 may be classified into a first storage box 125-1, a second storage box 125-2, and a third storage box 125-3 according to size. The first storage box 125-1 may have 1 reference width and 1 reference height. The second storage box 125-2 may have 1 / 2 reference width and 1 reference height. The third storage box 125-3 may have 1 / 2 reference width and 1 / 2 reference height.

[0131] According to an embodiment, for the storage box 125 to be coupled to the storage compartment 120, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the seating portion of the side panel 200 (or the vertical partition wall 114v). For one storage box 125 to be coupled, the first cover 500 may be disposed at the same height on two opposite sides to which the storage box 125 is to be coupled.

[0132] According to an embodiment, the storage compartment 120 may be used as an open space by the shelf 124 without using the storage box 125. To this end, the second cover 700 may be coupled to the seating portion 300. By coupling the second cover 700, by forming the space of the partitioned storage compartment 120 flat, a user may efficiently utilize the inner space.

[0133] FIGS. 14 to 16 to be described below may be understood as illustrating various embodiments in which a user has configured the inside of the storage compartment 120 using the detachable vertical partition wall 114v, the shelf 124, the first cover 500, and the second cover 700.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 14, the second storage compartment S2 may be partitioned into the 2-1th storage compartment S21 and the 2-2th storage compartment S22 by the vertical partition wall 114v. The third storage compartment S3 may be partitioned into the 3-1th storage compartment S31 and the 3-2th storage compartment S32 by the vertical partition wall 114v.

[0135] According to an embodiment, two third storage boxes 125-3 may be disposed vertically in the 2-1th storage compartment S21. For the third storage box 125-3 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side of the 2-1th storage compartment S21 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the right side of the 2-1th storage compartment S21.

[0136] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 3-2th storage compartment S32. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the 3-2th storage compartment S32 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side of the 3-2th storage compartment S32.

[0137] According to an embodiment, the first storage box 125-1 may be disposed in the fourth storage compartment S4. For the first storage box 125-1 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left and right sides of the fourth storage compartment S4.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 15, the second storage compartment S2 may be partitioned into the 2-1th storage compartment S21 and the 2-2th storage compartment S22 by the vertical partition wall 114v. The third storage compartment S3 may be partitioned into the 3-1th storage compartment S31 and the 3-2th storage compartment S32 by the vertical partition wall 114v. The fourth storage compartment S4 may be partitioned into the 4-1th storage compartment S41 and the 4-2th storage compartment S42 by the vertical partition wall 114v.

[0139] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 3-1th storage compartment S31. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side of the 3-1th storage compartment S31 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the right side of the 3-1th storage compartment S31.

[0140] According to an embodiment, two third storage boxes 125-3 may be disposed vertically in the 3-2th storage compartment S32. For the third storage box 125-3 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the 3-2th storage compartment S32 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side of the 3-2th storage compartment S32.

[0141] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 4-1th storage compartment S41. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side of the 4-1th storage compartment S41 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the right side of the 4-1th storage compartment S41.

[0142] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 4-2th storage compartment S42. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the 4-2th storage compartment S42 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side of the 4-2th storage compartment S42.

[0143] Referring to FIG. 16, the second storage compartment S2 may be partitioned into the 2-1th storage compartment S21 and the 2-2th storage compartment S22 by the vertical partition wall 114v. The third storage compartment S3 may be partitioned into the 3-1th storage compartment S31 and the 3-2th storage compartment S32 by the vertical partition wall 114v. The fourth storage compartment S4 may be partitioned into the 4-1th storage compartment S41 and the 4-2th storage compartment S42 by the vertical partition wall 114v.

[0144] According to an embodiment, two third storage boxes 125-3 may be disposed vertically in the 2-2th storage compartment S22. For the third storage box 125-3 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the 2-2th storage compartment S22 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side of the 2-2th storage compartment S22.

[0145] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 4-1th storage compartment S41. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the left side of the 4-1th storage compartment S41 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the right side of the 4-1th storage compartment S41.

[0146] According to an embodiment, the second storage box 125-2 may be disposed in the 4-2th storage compartment S42. For the second storage box 125-2 to be detachably coupled, the first cover 500 may be coupled to the side panel 200 located on the right side of the 4-2th storage compartment S42 and the vertical partition wall 114v located on the left side of the 4-2th storage compartment S42.

[0147] A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body 110, a storage compartment 120 located inside the main body 110 and having an openable front, and a seating portion 300 provided in plurality along a height direction on a side wall 200 of the storage compartment 120, wherein a first cover 500 or a second cover 700 is selectively couplable to the seating portion 300. The first cover 500 may include a rail 510 formed in a depth direction to guide a storage box 125 withdrawable from the storage compartment 120, a first fastening member 305 coupling with a plurality of fastening grooves 320 formed in the seating portion 300, a stopper 520 having at least a portion protruding in the height direction in a path of the rail 510 into which the storage box 125 is inserted, and a latch 530 disposed in an opening formed inside the stopper 520 and configured such that a hooking portion 533 is fixed to a first hooking ledge 330 provided in the seating portion 300.

[0148] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may include a handle 531 disposed on an opposite side facing the hooking portion 533.

[0149] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may include a body penetrating a front surface and a rear surface of the first cover 500. The hooking portion 533 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the body.

[0150] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may be placed in a first state in which the hooking portion 533 is fixed to the first hooking ledge 330 in response to the handle 531 being rotated in a first direction.

[0151] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may be placed in a second state in which the hooking portion is released from the first hooking ledge 330 in response to the handle 531 being rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0152] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first direction may be one of a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction.

[0153] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a height of the stopper 520 may be relatively lower than a height of the rail 510.

[0154] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the height of the stopper 520 may be 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the height of the rail 510.

[0155] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second cover 700 may include a plate 710 covering at least a portion of the seating portion 300, a second fastening member 705 coupling with the plurality of fastening grooves 320, and a protruding member 720 provided in a partially cut-out region of the plate 710.

[0156] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the protruding member 720 may include a first portion 730 and a second portion 740 divided on two opposite sides with respect to a rotation axis 721 extending in the height direction. Pressing of the first portion 730 may place the protruding member 720 in a third state in which the second portion 740 protrudes from the plate 710.

[0157] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in response to pressing of the first portion 730, at least a portion of the first portion 730 may contact a second hooking ledge 340 provided in the seating portion 300.

[0158] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the protruding member 720 placed in the third state may be placed in a fourth state parallel to the plate 710 by the first portion 730 rising by pressing of the second portion 740.

[0159] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first fastening member 505 or the second fastening member 705 and the fastening groove 320 may be hook-coupled.

[0160] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first fastening member 505 or the second fastening member 705 and the fastening groove 320 may be interference-fit coupled.

[0161] The refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a detachable vertical partition wall 114v partitioning the storage compartment 120. The vertical partition wall 114v may include at least one or more of the seating portion 300.

[0162] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, two opposing seating portions 300 provided on the side wall 200 or the vertical partition wall 114v may be disposed at substantially a same height.

[0163] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the seating portion 300 may be disposed on an upper side or a lower side of a shelf support 210 located on the side wall 200.

[0164] A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a main body 110, a storage compartment 120 located inside the main body 110 and having an openable front, and a seating portion 300 provided in plurality along a height direction on a side wall 200 of the storage compartment 120, wherein a first cover 500 or a second cover 700 is selectively couplable to the seating portion 300. The first cover 500 may include a rail 510 formed in a depth direction to guide a storage box 125 withdrawable from the storage compartment 120, a first fastening member 505 coupling with a plurality of fastening grooves 320 formed in the seating portion 300, a stopper 520 having at least a portion of a path formed by the rail 510 into which the storage box 125 is inserted protruding in the height direction, and a latch 530 disposed in an opening formed inside the stopper 520 and configured such that a hooking portion 533 is fixed to a first hooking ledge 330 provided in the seating portion 300. The second cover 700 may include a plate 710 covering at least a portion of the seating portion 300, a second fastening member 705 coupling with the plurality of fastening grooves 320, and a protruding member 720 provided in a partially cut-out region of the plate 710.

[0165] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may include a body penetrating a front surface and a rear surface of the first cover 500, a handle 531 connected to one end of the body, and a hooking portion 533 connected to the other end of the body. The hooking portion 533 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the body.

[0166] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the latch 530 may be placed in a first state in which the hooking portion 533 is fixed to the first hooking ledge 330 in response to the handle 531 being rotated in a first direction, or may be placed in a second state in which the hooking portion is released from the first hooking ledge 330 in response to the handle 531 being rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0167] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a height of the stopper 520 may be 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of a height of the rail 510.

[0168] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the protruding member 720 may include a first portion 730 and a second portion 740 divided on two opposite sides with respect to a rotation axis 721 extending in the height direction. Pressing of the first portion 730 may place the protruding member 720 in a third state in which the second portion 740 protrudes from the plate 710, or pressing of the second portion 740 may place the protruding member 720 in a fourth state parallel to the plate 710 by the first portion 730 rising.

[0169] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in response to pressing of the first portion 730, at least a portion of the first portion 730 may contact a second hooking ledge 340 provided in the seating portion 300.

[0170] In the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first fastening member 505 or the second fastening member 705 and the fastening groove 320 may be coupled by at least one of hook coupling or interference fitting.

[0171] The terms as used herein are provided merely to describe some embodiments thereof, but are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases 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 all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, the term 'and / or’ should be understood as encompassing any and all possible combinations by one or more of the enumerated items. As used herein, the terms “include,”“have,” and “comprise” are used merely to designate the presence of the feature, component, part, or a combination thereof described herein, but use of the term does not exclude the likelihood of presence or adding one or more other features, components, parts, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the terms "first" and "second" may modify various components regardless of importance and / or order and are used to distinguish a component from another without limiting the components.

[0172] As used herein, the terms "configured to" may be interchangeably used with the terms "suitable for," "having the capacity to," "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of" depending on circumstances. The term "configured to" does not essentially mean "specifically designed in hardware to." Rather, the term "configured to" may mean that a device can perform an operation together with another device or parts. For example, a ‘device configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C’ may be a dedicated device to perform the corresponding operation or may mean a general-purpose device capable of various operations including the corresponding operation.

[0173] Meanwhile, the terms "upper side", "lower side", and "front and rear directions" used in the disclosure are defined with respect to the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0174] In the disclosure, the above-described description has been made mainly of specific embodiments, but the disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, but should rather be appreciated as covering all various modifications, equivalents, and / or substitutes of various embodiments.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0029]Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains may easily practice the disclosure. However, the disclosure may be implemented in other various forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The same or similar reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the specification and the drawings. Further, for clarity and brevity, no description is made of well-known functions and configurations in the drawings and relevant descriptions.

[0030]Further, in this document, a rightward direction with respect to the front of the refrigerator 1 may be defined as an "x-axis direction," and the rightward or leftward (−x-axis direction) direction may be referred to as a "width direction." A rearward direction with respect to the front of the refrigerator 1 may be defined as a "y-axis direction," and the rearward or forward (...

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:a main body;a storage compartment, to be located inside the main body, having a front that is openable; anda seating portion to be provided in plurality along a height direction on a side wall of the storage compartment such that a first cover or a second cover is selectively couplable to the seating portion,wherein the first cover includes:a rail, formed along a depth direction of the storage compartment, to guide a storage box to be introduced into and withdrawn from the storage compartment,a fastening member coupleable with a fastening groove among a plurality of fastening grooves formed in the seating portion;a stopper having at least a portion protruding along the height direction along a path of the rail into which the storage box is introducible; anda latch, to be disposed in an opening formed inside the stopper, configured such that a hooking portion is one of fixable to and releasable from a hooking ledge provided in the seating portion.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the latch includes a handle disposed on an opposite side facing the hooking portion.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the latch includes a body penetrating a front surface and a rear surface of the first cover, and wherein the hooking portion is disposed substantially perpendicular to the body.

4. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the latch is placed in a first state in which the hooking portion is fixed to the hooking ledge based on the handle being rotated.

5. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the handle is rotated along a first direction, andthe latch is placed in a second state in which the hooking portion is released from the hooking ledge based on the handle being rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

6. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the handle is rotated in one of a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a height of the stopper is relatively lower than a height of the rail.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the height of the stopper is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the height of the rail.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the fastening member is a first fastening member and the fastening groove is a first fastening groove and the second cover includes:a plate covering at least a portion of the seating portion;a second fastening member coupleable with a fastening groove among the plurality of fastening grooves ; anda protruding member provided in a partially cut-out region of the plate, wherein the protruding member includes a first portion and a second portion divided on two opposite sides with respect to a rotation axis extending along the height direction, and wherein pressing of the first portion places the protruding member in a third state in which the second portion protrudes from the plate.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the hooking ledge is a first hooking ledge based on pressing of the first portion, at least a portion of the first portion contacts a second hooking ledge provided in the seating portion.

11. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the protruding member placed in the third state is placed in a fourth state parallel to the plate by pressing of the second portion and the first portion rising.

12. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the first fastening member or the second fastening member and the plurality of fastening grooves are hook-coupled.

13. The refrigerator of claim 1, comprising:a vertical partition wall, which is detachable, to partition the storage compartment, wherein the vertical partition wall includes at least one or more of the seating portion.

14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein two opposing seating portions provided on the side wall or the vertical partition wall are disposed at substantially a same height.

15. A refrigerator comprising:a main body;a storage compartment, to be located inside the main body, having front that is openable; anda seating portion to be provided in plurality along a height direction on a side wall of the storage compartment, such that a first cover or a second cover is selectively couplable to the seating portion,wherein the first cover includes:a rail formed in a depth direction to guide a storage box withdrawable from the storage compartment;a first fastening member coupleable with a first fastening groove among a plurality of fastening grooves formed in the seating portion;a stopper having at least a portion of a path formed by the rail into which the storage box is introducible protruding along the height direction; anda latch disposed in an opening formed inside the stopper and configured such that a hooking portion is fixed to and releasable from a hooking ledge provided in the seating portion, andwherein the second cover includes:a plate to cover at least a portion of the seating portion;a second fastening member coupleable with a first fastening groove among the plurality of fastening grooves; anda protruding member provided in a partially cut-out region of the plate.

Images