Refrigerator

Abstract

This refrigerator comprises: a cabinet having a storage chamber provided therein; a shelf disposed inside the storage chamber; and a height adjustment device that adjusts the height of the shelf. The height adjustment device comprises: a fixed bar mounted inside the storage room; a pair of links connected in an X shape, one side of which is coupled to the fixed bar and the other side of which is provided to be movable up and down; a supporter that supports the shelf and is coupled to the other side of the pair of links; and a handle that is coupled to the supporter and is fixed and released from the other side of one of the pair of links.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to a refrigerator having shelves of adjustable height.

[0002] A refrigerator is a device that maintains food freshness by including a cabinet with a storage compartment and a cooling system that supplies cold air to the storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a refrigerator compartment, which is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, for refrigerated storage, and a freezer compartment, which is maintained at approximately 0 to -30 degrees Celsius, for frozen storage. A door is provided on the front of the cabinet, allowing the storage compartment to be opened and closed. The door is pivotally located on the front of the cabinet, allowing the storage compartment to be opened and closed.

[0003] The storage room may be provided with multiple shelves that divide the storage room into multiple sections. The upper portions of each of the multiple shelves may be used to store food and other items.

[0004] One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator having shelves whose heights can be easily adjusted.

[0005] In addition, a refrigerator is provided in which the height of the shelves can be adjusted without removing food stored on the shelves.

[0006] In addition, a refrigerator is provided in which the height of the shelves can be adjusted to easily distribute the space between the upper and lower shelves as needed.

[0007] Additionally, the refrigerator provides a mechanism to prevent your hand from getting caught between a pair of links when adjusting the height of the shelf.

[0008] Additionally, the refrigerator provides a pair of links that can prevent twisting when adjusting the height of the shelf.

[0009] The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0010] A refrigerator according to the invention includes a cabinet having a storage compartment provided therein, a shelf arranged inside the storage compartment, and a height adjustment device for adjusting the height of the shelf. The height adjustment device includes a fixed bar mounted inside the storage compartment, a pair of links connected in an X shape, one side of which is coupled to the fixed bar and the other side of which is provided to be movable in an up-and-down direction, a supporter that supports the shelf and is coupled to the other side of the pair of links, and a handle that is coupled to the supporter and is fixed and released from the other side of one of the links in the pair of links.

[0011] A refrigerator according to the invention includes a cabinet having a storage compartment therein, a shelf arranged inside the storage compartment, and a height adjustment device for adjusting the height of the shelf. The height adjustment device includes a fixed bar mounted inside the storage compartment, a supporter supporting the shelf, a pair of links connected in an X shape, one side of which is coupled to the fixed bar, the other side of which is provided to be movable in an up-and-down direction and is coupled to the supporter, and a handle rotatably coupled to the supporter and fixed and released from the other side of one of the pair of links.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the front of a refrigerator with the first door and the second door open according to one embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a shelf provided inside a storage room with a pair of height-adjusting devices connected to both sides according to one embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a pair of height adjustment devices connected to both sides of a shelf according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the remaining components connected except for the guard in a height adjustment device according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a fixing bar of a height adjustment device according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a pair of links of a height adjustment device according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a supporter of a height adjustment device according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a handle of a height adjustment device according to one embodiment fixed to a link gear.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a handle according to one embodiment fixed to a link gear coupled to the other side of a first link.

[0021] Fig. 10 is a drawing showing a state in which the handle in Fig. 9 is rotated in the direction of the arrow around the handle axis and is released from the link gear coupled to the other side of the first link.

[0022] Figure 11 is a drawing showing the handle being moved downward in Figure 10, thereby moving the supporter downward together with the handle.

[0023] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing an embodiment in which an external force applied to a handle is released, the handle rotates in the direction of the arrow around the handle axis, and is fixed to a link gear coupled to the other side of the first link.

[0024] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a shelf according to one embodiment moved downward and its height adjusted.

[0025] FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a pair of height adjustment devices connected to both sides of a shelf according to one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 15 is a drawing showing the remaining components connected except for the guard in a height adjustment device according to one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 16 is a drawing showing the supporter deleted from Figure 15.

[0028] FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a plurality of fixing projections of a handle according to one embodiment being fixed to a second moving shaft provided on the other side of a second link.

[0029] Figure 18 is a drawing showing a state in which the handle in Figure 17 is rotated in the direction of the arrow around the handle axis and the second moving axis is released from the plurality of fixing protrusions.

[0030] Figure 19 is a drawing showing the handle being moved upward in Figure 18, thereby moving the supporter upward together with the handle.

[0031] FIG. 20 is a drawing showing a state in which an external force applied to a handle according to one embodiment is released, the handle rotates in the direction of the arrow around the handle axis, and a plurality of fixing projections of the handle are fixed to a second moving axis provided on the other side of the second link.

[0032] FIG. 21 is a drawing showing a shelf according to one embodiment moved upward and its height adjusted.

[0033] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0034] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0035] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] In this disclosure, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0037] The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0038] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0039] In addition, terms such as 'front', 'rear', 'top', 'bottom', 'side', 'left', 'right', 'upper', and 'lower' used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0040] The terms “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0041] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0042] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0043] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a cabinet.

[0044] A “cabinet” may include an inner case, an outer case placed on the outside of the inner case, and insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0045] The "inner case" may include at least one of a case, plate, panel, or liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body or may be formed by assembling multiple plates. The "outer case" may form the exterior of the cabinet and may be joined to the exterior of the inner case so that insulation is placed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0046] "Insulation" can insulate the interior and exterior of a storage room so that the temperature inside the storage room can be maintained at a set temperature without being affected by the external environment. In one embodiment, the insulation can include foam insulation. The foam insulation can be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam, a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent, between the inner and outer layers.

[0047] In one embodiment, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation material in addition to the foam insulation, or the insulation may consist solely of the vacuum insulation material instead of the foam insulation. The vacuum insulation material may include a core material and an outer shell material that accommodates the core material and seals the interior under a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulation material is not limited to the foam insulation or vacuum insulation material described above, and may include various materials that can be used for insulation.

[0048] A "storage room" may include a space defined by an interior wall. The storage room may further include an interior wall defining a corresponding space. The storage room may store various items, such as food, medicine, and cosmetics, and the storage room may be configured to be open on at least one side for the entry and exit of items.

[0049] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When a refrigerator includes two or more storage compartments, each compartment may have a different purpose and be maintained at different temperatures. To achieve this, each storage compartment may be separated from the others by a partition wall containing insulation.

[0050] The storage room may be provided to be maintained at an appropriate temperature range depending on the intended use, and may include a "refrigerator," a "freezer," or a "variable temperature room," which are distinguished according to the intended use and / or temperature range. The refrigerator room may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for refrigerating items, and the freezer room may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for freezing items. "Refrigeration" may mean cooling items to a temperature that does not freeze them, and for example, a refrigerator room may be maintained at a temperature ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to +7 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" may mean cooling items to freeze them or keep them in a frozen state, and for example, a freezer room may be maintained at a temperature ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius. The variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator room or a freezer room, at the user's option or not.

[0051] In addition to names such as "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room," a storage room may also be called by various other names such as "vegetable room," "fresh room," "cooling room," and "ice room." The terms "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room" used hereinafter should be understood to encompass storage rooms having corresponding uses and temperature ranges.

[0052] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open and close an open side of a storage compartment. The door may be configured to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be configured to open and close multiple storage compartments. The door may be installed on the front of the cabinet in a pivotal or sliding manner.

[0053] The “door” may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door is closed. The door may include insulation, similar to a cabinet, to insulate the storage compartment when the door is closed.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the door may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door, a door inner panel forming the back of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided on the interior of these.

[0055] The door inner panel may be provided with a gasket that seals the storage compartment by pressing against the front of the cabinet when the door is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to accommodate a door basket for storing items.

[0056] In one embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forming the front of the door. The door body may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door body, a door inner panel forming the rear of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided inside these.

[0057] Depending on the arrangement of the door and storage compartment, refrigerators can be classified into French door type, side-by-side type, bottom mounted freezer (BMF), top mounted freezer (TMF), or single-door refrigerator.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0059] A “cold air supply device” may include a system of machines, devices, electronic devices and / or combinations thereof that can generate cold air and guide the cold air to cool a storage room.

[0060] In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle that includes the processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device can include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator capable of driving the refrigeration cycle. In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool a storage compartment by generating heat and cooling through the Peltier effect.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are arranged.

[0062] The "machine room" may be designed to be partitioned and insulated from the storage room to prevent heat generated by components placed within the machine room from being transferred to the storage room. The interior of the machine room may be configured to communicate with the exterior of the cabinet to dissipate heat from components placed within the machine room.

[0063] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door so that it is accessible to a user without having to open the door.

[0064] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include an ice-making device configured to produce ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray configured to store water, an ice-separating device configured to separate ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket configured to store ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0066] The “control unit” may include a memory that stores or memorizes a program and / or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor that outputs a control signal for controlling a cold air supply device, etc. according to the program and / or data memorized in the memory.

[0067] Memory stores or records various information, data, commands, programs, etc. necessary for the operation of the refrigerator. Memory can store temporary data generated during the generation of control signals for controlling components within the refrigerator. Memory may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0068] The processor controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor can control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate NPU that performs the operations of an artificial intelligence model. The processor may also include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like. The processor may generate control signals to control the operation of the cooling system. For example, the processor may receive temperature information about the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control the operation of the cooling system based on the temperature information.

[0069] Additionally, the processor may process user input of the user interface and control the operation of the user interface based on programs and / or data stored / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive user input from the user interface. Additionally, the processor may transmit display control signals and image data to the user interface for displaying an image on the user interface in response to the user input.

[0070] The processor and memory may be provided as a single unit or separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one subprocessor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0071] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all components within the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories that individually control the components within the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control the operation of a cooling device based on the output of a temperature sensor. Additionally, the refrigerator may separately include a processor and memory that control the operation of a user interface based on user input.

[0072] The communication module can communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances, via a nearby access point (AP). The AP can connect the local area network (LAN) to which the refrigerator or user device is connected to the wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The refrigerator or user device can then connect to the server via the WAN.

[0073] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

[0074] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, etc. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, etc. generated by the processor.

[0075] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0076] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the front of a refrigerator with the first and second doors open according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a shelf with a pair of height-adjusting devices connected to both sides, provided inside a storage compartment according to one embodiment.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator may include a cabinet (10), a plurality of storage compartments (20) provided so that the front is open inside the cabinet (10), a door (30) for opening and closing the open front of the storage compartment (20), and a cold air supply device (not shown) for supplying cold air inside the storage compartment (20).

[0078] The cabinet (10) may include an inner case (11) forming a storage compartment (20) and an outer case (13) forming an outer appearance. Insulating material (not shown) may be foamed between the inner case (11) and the outer case (13) and inside the door (30) to prevent cold air from leaking out of the storage compartment (20).

[0079] The cabinet (10) may include a cold air supply device that supplies cold air to the storage room (20). The cold air supply device may be configured to include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blower fan, a cold air duct (29), etc.

[0080] A machine room (not shown) in which a compressor and a condenser that compress refrigerant and condense the compressed refrigerant are installed can be provided at the lower rear side of the cabinet (10).

[0081] An evaporator that generates cold air, a blower fan that guides the cold air generated in the evaporator into the storage room (20), and a cold air duct (29) that guides the cold air generated in the evaporator into the storage room (20) can be arranged on the rear wall of the storage room (20). The evaporator, blower fan, and cold air duct (29) can be configured in multiple units to independently supply cold air to the storage room (20).

[0082] The storage room (20) can be divided into multiple sections by horizontal bulkheads (15) and vertical bulkheads (not shown). The storage room (20) can be divided into an upper storage room (21) and a lower storage room (22) by the horizontal bulkheads (15). The lower storage room (22) can be divided into a left storage room (23) and a right storage room (24) by the vertical bulkheads.

[0083] The upper storage compartment (21) and the lower storage compartment (22), which are partitioned by horizontal bulkheads (15), can be used as a refrigerator and a freezer, respectively. In addition, the left storage compartment (23) and the right storage compartment (24), which are partitioned by vertical bulkheads, can both be used as freezers. However, the division and use of the storage compartment (20) as described above are merely examples and may not be limited thereto.

[0084] A storage room (20) may be provided with a plurality of shelves (25) to divide the interior of the storage room (20) into a plurality of sections. A plurality of storage containers (27) for storing food, etc. may be provided in the storage room (20). A partition (28) may be provided in the storage room (20) to accommodate a plurality of shelves (25) and / or a plurality of storage containers (27). The partition (28) may be formed in an upper storage room (21) that forms a wide space among the storage rooms (20). The partition (28) may divide the interior of the upper storage room (21) into a plurality of sections.

[0085] A door (30) is rotatably coupled to a cabinet (10) to open and close a storage compartment (20). The door (30) may include a pair of doors (31, 32) that open and close an upper storage compartment (21). The pair of doors (31, 32) may include a first door (31) that is rotatably coupled to a front left side of the cabinet (10) and a second door (32) that is rotatably coupled to a front right side of the cabinet (10).

[0086] The door (30) may include a pair of doors (33, 34) for opening and closing the lower storage compartment (22). The pair of doors (33, 34) may include a third door (33) for opening and closing the left storage compartment (23) and a fourth door (34) for opening and closing the right storage compartment (24).

[0087] The cabinet (10) may be provided with hinges (35, 36) to rotatably couple the door (30) to the cabinet (10). The hinges (35, 36) may include an upper hinge (35) provided on the upper portion of the cabinet (10) to allow the door (30) to be rotatably coupled to the cabinet (10). The hinges (35, 36) may include an intermediate hinge (36) provided on a horizontal bulkhead (15) in the middle portion of the cabinet (10) to allow the door (30) to be rotatably coupled to the cabinet (10). The hinges (35, 36) may include a lower hinge (not shown) provided on the lower portion of the cabinet (10) to allow the door (30) to be rotatably coupled to the cabinet (10).

[0088] A plurality of door baskets (37) for storing food, etc. may be installed on the back surface of the door (30). A gasket (38) may be provided on the back surface of the door (30) so that when the door (30) is closed, it comes into close contact with the front surface of the cabinet (10) to seal the storage compartment (20).

[0089] Food, etc. can be stored on the upper portion of each of the plurality of shelves (25) provided inside the storage room (20). The food, etc. stored on the upper portion of each of the plurality of shelves (25) can have various heights depending on the type. In order to create space for food, etc. having various heights, a height adjustment device (100) for adjusting the height of each of the plurality of shelves (25) can be provided inside the storage room (20). The height adjustment devices (100) can be provided in pairs for each shelf (25) and connected to both sides of the shelf (25).

[0090] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a pair of height adjustment devices connected to both sides of a shelf according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a connection of the remaining components of the height adjustment device, excluding the guard, according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a fixing bar of the height adjustment device according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a pair of links of the height adjustment device according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a supporter of the height adjustment device according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a handle of the height adjustment device according to one embodiment fixed to a link gear.

[0091] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 8, the height adjustment device (100) may include a fixed bar (110) mounted inside the storage compartment (20). The fixed bar (110) may be mounted on a side wall of the storage compartment (20) inside the storage compartment (20). The fixed bar (110) may be mounted on a partition (28) inside the storage compartment (20). In the drawing, one of the fixed bars (110) provided on both sides of the shelf (25) is mounted on a side wall of the upper storage compartment (21) among the storage compartments (20), and the other is mounted on a partition (28) provided inside the upper storage compartment (21), but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, if the partition (28) is not provided in the upper storage room (21) and the shelf (25) has a length approximately equal to the distance between the two side walls of the upper storage room (21), the fixing bars (110) may be mounted on both side walls of the upper storage room (21).

[0092] A fixed bar (110) may be coupled to one side of a pair of links (120). The fixed bar (110) may include a first sliding hole (111) to which a sliding shaft (131) provided on one side of a first link (130) of the pair of links (120) is coupled so as to be able to slide. The first sliding hole (111) may be formed to be long in the longitudinal direction of the fixed bar (110) so that the sliding shaft (131) can slide. The fixed bar (110) may include a first rotation hole (113) to which a rotation shaft (141) provided on one side of a second link (140) of the pair of links (120) is coupled so as to be able to slide.

[0093] The height adjustment device (100) may include a pair of links (120) connected in an X shape. One side of the pair of links (120) may be connected to a fixed bar (110), and the other side opposite to the one side may be provided to be movable in an up-and-down direction.

[0094] A pair of links (120) may include a first link (130) that is slidably coupled to a fixed bar (110) at one end. The first link (130) may include a sliding shaft (131) that is provided at one end and slidably coupled to the fixed bar (110). The sliding shaft (131) may be slidably moved along a first sliding hole (111) that is formed long in the longitudinal direction of the fixed bar (110). The first link (130) may include a first moving shaft (133) that is provided at the other end opposite to one end and that moves vertically in an up-and-down direction when the sliding shaft (131) provided at one end slides. The up-and-down direction may be a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fixed bar (110). A link gear (170) may be coupled to the first moving shaft (133).

[0095] The first link (130) may have a sliding axis (131) provided on one side and positioned at the rear of the shelf (25). The first link (130) may have a first moving axis (133) provided on the other side and positioned at the front of the shelf (25).

[0096] A pair of links (120) may include a second link (140) rotatably coupled to a fixed bar (110) at one end. The second link (140) may include a rotational shaft (141) provided at one end and rotatably coupled to the fixed bar (110). The second link (140) may include a second moving shaft (143) provided at the other end opposite the one end and rotated about the rotational shaft (141) and moved in an up-and-down direction when the rotational shaft (141) provided at the one end rotates. Since the second moving shaft (143) rotates about the rotational shaft (141), it may move while forming an arc-shaped trajectory when moved in the up-and-down direction.

[0097] The second link (140) may have a rotation axis (141) provided on one side and positioned at the front of the shelf (25). The second link (140) may have a second movement axis (143) provided on the other side and positioned at the rear of the shelf (25).

[0098] A pair of links (120) may include a connecting shaft (150) that allows the first link (130) and the second link (140) to be rotatably connected in an X shape. Since the first link (130) and the second link (140) are rotatably connected by the connecting shaft (150), when the first moving shaft (133) formed on the other side of the first link (130) moves in the vertical direction, the second moving shaft (143) formed on the other side of the second link (140) can also move in the vertical direction. In addition, since the first link (130) and the second link (140) are connected in an X shape by the connecting shaft (150), when the first moving shaft (133) and the second moving shaft (143) move in the vertical direction, distortion can be prevented.

[0099] The height adjustment device (100) may include a supporter (160) that supports the shelf (25). The supporter (160) may be coupled to the other side of a pair of links (120). That is, the supporter (160) may be coupled to the first moving axis (133) and the second moving axis (143) formed on the other side of the first link (130) and the second link (140), respectively. Accordingly, the supporter (160) may be moved in the vertical direction together with the first moving axis (133) and the second moving axis (143) when the first moving axis (133) and the second moving axis (143) are moved in the vertical direction. Since the supporter (160) supports the lower part of the shelf (25), the shelf (25) can also move up and down together with the supporter (160) so that the height of the shelf (25) can be adjusted.

[0100] The supporter (160) may include a support portion (161) that supports the shelf (25). The support portion (161) is the upper surface of the supporter (160) and may support the lower portion of the shelf (25). The shelf (25) is formed of a plastic or glass material and food, etc. may be stored on the upper portion. The shelf (25) may include a shelf trim (26) into which the four edges of the shelf (25) are inserted to prevent damage to the edges. The shelf trim (26) may be formed in a square frame shape so that the four edges of the shelf (25) are inserted. The support portion (161) of the supporter (160) may support the shelf trim (26) of the shelf (25).

[0101] The supporter (160) may include a fixing hole (163) to which a first moving shaft (133) provided on the other side of the first link (130) is fixed. Since the first moving shaft (133) provided on the other side of the first link (130) is fixed to the fixing hole (163), when the first moving shaft (133) moves in the vertical direction, the supporter (160) may also move in the vertical direction together with the first moving shaft (133).

[0102] The supporter (160) may include a second rotation hole (165) to which a handle shaft (183) of the handle (180) is rotatably coupled. The handle (180) may be rotated around the handle shaft (183) rotatably coupled to the second rotation hole (165).

[0103] The supporter (160) may include a second sliding hole (167) to which a second moving shaft (143) provided on the other side of the second link (140) is slidably coupled. When the second link (140) rotates around the rotational axis (141) provided on one side of the second link (140), the second moving shaft (143) may slide along the second sliding hole (167). The second sliding hole (167) may be formed to be long in the longitudinal direction of the supporter (160) so that the second moving shaft (143) may slide. Since the second moving axis (143) provided on the other side of the second link (140) is coupled to the second sliding hole (167), when the second moving axis (143) moves in the up-and-down direction, the supporter (160) can also move in the up-and-down direction together with the second moving axis (143).

[0104] The height adjustment device (100) may include a link gear (170) coupled to the other side of the first link (130). The link gear (170) may be coupled to a first moving shaft (133) provided on the other side of the first link (130). A handle (180) may be fixed and released to the link gear (170). The handle (180) rotates around the handle shaft (183) and may be fixed and released to the link gear (170). The link gear (170) may include a plurality of fixing grooves (171) to which the handle (180) is fixed and released. The handle (180) includes a fixing protrusion (189), and when the handle (180) rotates around the handle shaft (183), the fixing protrusions (189) may be fixed and released to the plurality of fixing grooves (171) formed in the link gear (170).

[0105] The height adjustment device (100) may include a handle (180) that is fixed and released to the other side of one of the pair of links (120). The handle (180) may be rotatably coupled to the supporter (160). The handle (180) may be fixed and released to the other side of the first link (130) of the pair of links (120). The handle (180) may be provided to be fixed and released to the other side of any of the links (120), but since the handle (180) is positioned toward the front of the shelf (25) so that a user can easily operate the handle (180), the handle (180) may be fixed and released to the other side of the first link (130). A link gear (170) is coupled to the other side of the first link (130), and the handle (180) may be fixed and released to the link gear (170). The handle (180) can be fixed to the link gear (170) to fix the position of the shelf (25), or can be released from the link gear (170) to adjust the height of the shelf (25).

[0106] The handle (180) may include a grip portion (181). The grip portion (181) may be a portion that a user grips to rotate the handle (180).

[0107] The handle (180) may include a handle shaft (183) that rotatably couples the grip portion (181) to the supporter (160). The handle shaft (183) may be rotatably coupled to the second rotation hole (165) of the supporter (160). After a user grips the grip portion (181), when an external force is applied to the grip portion (181), the grip portion (181) may be rotated around the handle shaft (183). Depending on the rotational direction of the grip portion (181) that rotates around the handle shaft (183), the handle (180) may be fixed to and released from a plurality of fixing grooves (171) formed in the link gear (170).

[0108] The handle (180) may include a connecting portion (185) that is connected to the grip portion (181) and rotates together with the grip portion (181). The connecting portion (185) may be connected to the grip portion (181) by a handle shaft (183).

[0109] The handle (180) may include an elastic member (187) provided on the grip portion (181). The elastic member (187) may be provided on the upper portion of the grip portion (181). The elastic member (187) provided on the upper portion of the grip portion (181) may be provided to be in contact with the supporter (160). That is, one end of the elastic member (187) provided on the upper portion of the grip portion (181) may be supported by the supporter (160). The elastic member (187) may be compressed according to the rotational direction of the grip portion (181) that rotates around the handle shaft (183), or may return to a state before being compressed after being compressed. The grip portion (181) may be rotated around the handle shaft (183) by an external force from a user, and then may be rotated to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic member (187). That is, when a user applies an external force to the grip part (181) after gripping the grip part (181), the grip part (181) rotates around the handle shaft (183) and compresses the elastic member (187), and when the user's external force is released, the grip part (181) can be rotated to the position before the external force was applied to the grip part (181) by the elastic force of the elastic member (187).

[0110] The handle (180) may include a fixing projection (189) that is fixed and released from a plurality of fixing grooves (171) formed in the link gear (170). The fixing projection (189) may be provided in the connecting portion (185). Before an external force from the user is applied to the grip portion (181), the fixing projection (189) may be fixed to the plurality of fixing grooves (171) by the elastic force of the elastic member (187). When an external force from the user is applied to the grip portion (181) so that the grip portion (181) rotates in a direction in which the fixing projections (189) are released from the plurality of fixing grooves (171), the grip portion (181) may rotate about the handle shaft (183) together with the connecting portion (185) and compress the elastic member. When the connecting portion (185) rotates around the handle shaft (183), the fixing projection (189) can be released from the plurality of fixing grooves (171). When the fixing projection (189) is released from the plurality of fixing grooves (171), the handle (180) can be freely moved in the up-and-down direction. When the handle (180) is moved in the up-and-down direction, the supporter (160) to which the handle (180) is coupled can be moved in the up-and-down direction. When the supporter (160) is moved in the up-and-down direction, the shelf (25) supported by the supporter (160) can be moved in the up-and-down direction so that the height of the shelf (25) can be adjusted. After the height of the shelf (25) is adjusted, when the user releases the external force applied to the grip portion (181), the grip portion (181) can rotate around the handle shaft (183) together with the connecting portion (185) by the elastic force of the compressed elastic member (187) to the position before the external force was applied to the grip portion (181). When the connecting portion (185) rotates around the handle shaft (183), the fixing projection (189) can be fixed to a plurality of fixing grooves (171). When the fixing projection (189) is fixed to one of the plurality of fixing grooves (171), the position of the shelf (25) can be fixed. Since the fixing grooves (171) are formed in a plurality, the height of the shelf (25) can be adjusted more precisely depending on the positions of the plurality of fixing grooves (171) to which the fixing projection (189) is fixed.

[0111] The height adjustment device (100) may include a guard (190) that accommodates a pair of links (120). The guard (190) may be mounted inside the storage compartment (20). The guard (190) may be mounted on a side wall of the storage compartment (20) inside the storage compartment (20). The guard (190) may be mounted on a partition (28) inside the storage compartment (20). In the drawing, one of the guards (190) provided on both sides of the shelf (25) is mounted on a side wall of the upper storage compartment (21) among the storage compartments (20), and the other is mounted on a partition (28) provided inside the upper storage compartment (21), but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, if the partition (28) is not provided in the upper storage room (21) and the shelf (25) has a length approximately equal to the distance between the two side walls of the upper storage room (21), the guards (190) may be mounted on both side walls of the upper storage room (21). (See Fig. 2)

[0112] The guard (190) can accommodate a pair of links (120) and prevent the pair of links (120) from being exposed to the outside. Since the pair of links (120) are prevented from being exposed to the outside by the guard (190), when a user adjusts the other side of the pair of links (120) to move up and down in order to adjust the height of the shelf (25), the user's hand can be prevented from being caught in the pair of links (120).

[0113] The guard (190) can guide the other side of a pair of links (120) to move vertically. The guard (190) can include a first guide slot (191) that guides the first moving axis (133) provided on the other side of the first link (130) among the pair of links (120) to move vertically in the vertical direction. The first guide slot (191) can be formed to be long in the vertical direction. The first guide slot (191) can be formed to be vertical in the vertical direction.

[0114] The guard (190) may include a second guide slot (193) that guides the second moving shaft (143) provided on the other side of the second link (140) among a pair of links (120) to move up and down while rotating around the rotation axis (141). The second guide slot (193) may be formed to form an arc shape in the up and down direction. The second guide slot (193) may be formed to correspond to a trajectory along which the second moving shaft (143) rotates around the rotation axis (141) in the up and down direction.

[0115] The guard (190) may include a third guide slot (195) that guides the handle shaft (183) to move vertically in the up-and-down direction. The third guide slot (195) may be formed to be long in the up-and-down direction. The third guide slot (195) may be formed to be vertical in the up-and-down direction.

[0116] Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13, let us examine in detail the operation of adjusting the height of the shelf (25).

[0117] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a handle according to one embodiment is fixed to a link gear coupled to the other side of a first link. FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a state in which the handle in FIG. 9 is rotated in the direction of the arrow about the handle axis and is released from the link gear coupled to the other side of the first link. FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a state in which the handle is moved downward in FIG. 10 and the supporter is moved downward together with the handle. FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an external force applied to the handle according to one embodiment is released and the handle is rotated in the direction of the arrow about the handle axis and is fixed to the link gear coupled to the other side of the first link. FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a shelf according to one embodiment is moved downward and its height is adjusted.

[0118] As illustrated in FIG. 9, if the fixing projection (189) of the handle (180) is fixed to one of the plurality of fixing grooves (171) of the link gear (170) coupled to the other side of the first link (130), the position of the shelf (25) can be fixed. Since the first moving axis (133) provided on the other side of the first link (130) and the second moving axis (143) provided on the other side of the second link (140) are both located close to the fixed bar (110), this may be the case when the shelf (25) is at the highest position within the height-adjustable range. At this time, the sliding axis (131) provided on one side of the first link (130) may be located at the leftmost position in the drawing in the first sliding hole (111) of the fixed bar (110). In addition, the second moving axis (143) provided on the other side of the second link (140) is not visible in the drawing, but may be located at the far left side of the second sliding hole (167) of the supporter (160) in the drawing. (See FIG. 3 and FIG. 11)

[0119] As illustrated in FIG. 10, when a user grips the grip portion (181) of the handle (180) and applies an external force to the grip portion (181) so that the grip portion (181) rotates in the direction of the arrow about the handle axis (183), the handle (180) rotates and the fixing projection (189) can be released from the plurality of fixing grooves (171) of the link gear (170) coupled to the other side of the first link (130). When the fixing projection (189) of the handle (180) is released from the plurality of fixing grooves (171), the handle (180) can be freely moved in the up and down direction.

[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 11, when the handle (180) is moved downward while the handle (180) can be freely moved up and down, the supporter (160) can be moved downward together with the handle (180). When the supporter (160) is moved downward, the shelf (25, see FIG. 3) supported by the supporter (160) can be moved downward together with the supporter (160). In addition, the first moving axis (133) of the first link (130) and the second moving axis (143) of the second link (140) coupled to the supporter (160) can also be moved downward together with the supporter (160). At this time, the sliding axis (131) provided on one side of the first link (130) can be slidably moved from the leftmost side to the rightmost side in the drawing in the first sliding hole (111) of the fixed bar (110). In addition, the second moving axis (143) provided on the other side of the second link (140) can slide from the leftmost side to the rightmost side in the drawing in the second sliding hole (167) of the supporter (160).

[0121] As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, after the height of the shelf (25) is adjusted, when the user releases the external force applied to the grip portion (181), the handle (180) can be rotated in the direction of the arrow about the handle axis (183). When the handle (180) is rotated in the direction of the arrow about the handle axis (183), the fixing projection (189) can be fixed to one of the plurality of fixing grooves (171) formed in the link gear (170). When the fixing projection (189) is fixed to the link gear (170), the position of the shelf (25) can be fixed. At this time, the sliding axis (131) provided on one side of the first link (130) may be moved to the rightmost side in the drawing in the first sliding hole (111) of the fixing bar (110). Additionally, the second moving axis (143) provided on the other side of the second link (140) may be moved to the rightmost side in the drawing in the second sliding hole (167) of the supporter (160).

[0122] In the drawing, only the appearance of the shelf (25) being adjusted to move from the upper direction to the lower direction to lower its height is shown, but the operation of adjusting the shelf (25) to move from the lower direction to the upper direction to raise its height can also be performed by rotating the handle (180) to be fixed and released from the link gear (170) in the same manner as the above operation, and then moving the handle (180).

[0123] As described above, since the height of the shelf (25) can be easily adjusted by simply operating the handle (180), the height of the shelf (25) can be adjusted without having to remove food or other items stored on the shelf (25) from the shelf (25). In addition, since the height of the shelf (25) can be easily adjusted by simply operating the handle (180), the upper and lower spaces of the shelf (25) can be easily distributed as needed.

[0124] Fig. 14 is a drawing illustrating a pair of height adjustment devices connected to both sides of a shelf according to one embodiment. Fig. 15 is a drawing illustrating the remaining components of a height adjustment device, excluding the guard, connected according to one embodiment. Fig. 16 is a drawing illustrating Fig. 15 with the supporter removed.

[0125] As illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16, the height adjustment device (200) may include a fixed bar (210) mounted inside the storage compartment (20). The fixed bar (210) may be mounted on a side wall of the storage compartment (20) or a partition (28) inside the storage compartment (20), similar to the fixed bar (110) illustrated in FIG. 3. (See FIG. 2)

[0126] A fixed bar (210) may be coupled to one side of a pair of links (220). The fixed bar (210) may include a first sliding hole (211) to which a sliding shaft (231) provided on one side of a first link (230) of the pair of links (220) is coupled so as to be slidable. The first sliding hole (211) may be formed to be long in the longitudinal direction of the fixed bar (210) so that the sliding shaft (231) can be slidably coupled. The fixed bar (210) may include a first rotation hole (213) to which a rotation shaft (241) provided on one side of a second link (240) of the pair of links (220) is rotatably coupled. Compared to the fixed bar (110) illustrated in FIG. 5, the configuration is the same, but the positions of the first sliding hole (211) and the first rotation hole (213) may be opposite.

[0127] The height adjustment device (200) may include a pair of links (220) connected in an X shape. One side of the pair of links (220) may be connected to a fixed bar (210), and the other side opposite to the one side may be provided to be movable in an up-and-down direction.

[0128] A pair of links (220) may include a first link (230) that is slidably connected to a fixed bar (210) at one end. The first link (230) may include a sliding shaft (231) that is provided at one end and slidably connected to the fixed bar (210). The sliding shaft (231) may be slidably moved along a first sliding hole (211) that is formed long in the longitudinal direction of the fixed bar (210). The first link (230) may include a first moving shaft (233) that is provided at the other end opposite to one end and that moves vertically in an up-and-down direction when the sliding shaft (231) provided at one end slides. The up-and-down direction may be a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fixed bar (210).

[0129] The first link (230) may have a sliding axis (231) provided on one side and positioned at the front of the shelf (25). The first link (230) may have a first moving axis (233) provided on the other side and positioned at the rear of the shelf (25).

[0130] A pair of links (220) may include a second link (240) rotatably coupled to a fixed bar (210) at one end. The second link (240) may include a rotational shaft (241) provided at one end and rotatably coupled to the fixed bar (210). The second link (240) may include a second moving shaft (243) provided at the other end opposite the one end and rotated about the rotational shaft (241) and moved in an up-and-down direction when the rotational shaft (241) provided at the one end rotates. Since the second moving shaft (243) rotates about the rotational shaft (241), it may move while forming an arc-shaped trajectory when moved in the up-and-down direction. The second moving shaft (243) can be fixed and released from one of the plurality of fixing protrusions (289) formed on the handle (280) so that the handle (280) can be fixed and released from the other side of the second link (240).

[0131] The second link (240) may have a rotation axis (241) provided on one side and positioned at the rear of the shelf (25). The second link (240) may have a second movement axis (243) provided on the other side and positioned at the front of the shelf (25).

[0132] A pair of links (220) may include a connecting shaft (250) that allows the first link (230) and the second link (240) to be rotatably connected in an X shape. Since the first link (230) and the second link (240) are rotatably connected by the connecting shaft (250), when the second moving shaft (143) formed on the other side of the second link (240) moves in the vertical direction, the first moving shaft (233) formed on the other side of the first link (230) can also move in the vertical direction. In addition, since the first link (230) and the second link (240) are connected in an X shape by the connecting shaft (250), when the first moving shaft (233) and the second moving shaft (243) move in the vertical direction, distortion can be prevented.

[0133] The height adjustment device (200) may include a supporter (260) to which a shelf (25) is fixed. The supporter (260) may be coupled to the other side of a pair of links (220). That is, the supporter (260) may be coupled to a first moving axis (233) and a second moving axis (243) formed on the other side of a first link (230) and a second link (240), respectively. Accordingly, when the first moving axis (233) and the second moving axis (243) are moved in the vertical direction, the supporter (260) may be moved in the vertical direction together with the first moving axis (233) and the second moving axis (243). Since the shelf (25) is fixed to the supporter (260), the shelf (25) may also be moved in the vertical direction together with the supporter (260), so that the height of the shelf (25) may be adjusted.

[0134] The supporter (260) may include a fixing groove (261) to which the shelf (25) is fixed. The shelf (25) is formed of a plastic or glass material, and food, etc., may be stored on the upper portion. Since the edge of the shelf (25) is directly fitted into the fixing groove (261) of the supporter (260) and fixed, even without the shelf trim (26) illustrated in FIG. 3, damage to the edge can be prevented by the supporter (260). Although the shelf (25) is illustrated in the drawing as not including the shelf trim (26) illustrated in FIG. 3, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the shelf (25) may include the shelf trim (26), as illustrated in FIG. 3. When the shelf (25) is provided to include the shelf trim (26), the supporter (260) may be provided without the fixing groove (261), and the shelf (25) may be mounted on the upper portion of the supporter (260).

[0135] The supporter (260) may include a fixing hole (263) to which a first moving axis (233) provided on the other side of the first link (230) is fixed. Since the first moving axis (233) provided on the other side of the first link (230) is fixed to the fixing hole (263), when the first moving axis (233) moves in the vertical direction, the supporter (260) may also move in the vertical direction together with the first moving axis (233).

[0136] The supporter (260) may include a rotation groove (265) to which a handle shaft (283) of a handle (280) is rotatably coupled. The handle (280) may be rotated around the handle shaft (283) rotatably coupled to the rotation groove (265).

[0137] The supporter (260) may include a sliding hole (267) into which a second moving shaft (243) provided on the other side of the second link (240) is coupled so as to be able to slide. The sliding hole (267) may be referred to as a second sliding hole to distinguish it from the first sliding hole (211) formed on the fixed bar (210). When the second link (240) rotates around the rotational axis (241) provided on one side of the second link (240), the second moving shaft (243) may slide along the sliding hole (267). The sliding hole (267) may be formed to be long in the longitudinal direction of the supporter (260) so that the second moving shaft (243) may slide. Since the second moving shaft (243) provided on the other side of the second link (240) is coupled to the sliding hole (267), when the second moving shaft (243) moves in the up-and-down direction, the supporter (260) can also move in the up-and-down direction together with the second moving shaft (243).

[0138] The height adjustment device (200) may include a handle (280) that is fixed and released to the other side of one of the pair of links (220). The handle (280) may be rotatably coupled to the supporter (260). The handle (280) may be fixed and released to the other side of the second link (240) of the pair of links (220). The handle (280) may be provided to be fixed and released to the other side of any of the links (220), but since the handle (280) is positioned toward the front of the shelf (25) so that a user can easily operate the handle (280), the handle (280) may be fixed and released to the other side of the second link (240). The handle (280) can be fixed to the other side of the second link (240) to fix the position of the shelf (25), or can be released from the other side of the second link (240) to adjust the height of the shelf (25).

[0139] The handle (280) may include a grip portion (281). The grip portion (281) may be a portion that a user grips to rotate the handle (280).

[0140] The handle (280) may include a handle shaft (283) that rotatably couples the grip portion (281) to the supporter (260). The handle shaft (283) may be rotatably coupled to a rotation groove (265) of the supporter (260). After a user grips the grip portion (281), when an external force is applied to the grip portion (281), the grip portion (281) may be rotated about the handle shaft (283). Depending on the rotational direction of the grip portion (281) that rotates about the handle shaft (283), the handle (280) may be fixed and released from the other side of the second link (240).

[0141] The handle (280) may include a connecting portion (285) that is connected to the grip portion (81) and rotates together with the grip portion (281). The connecting portion (285) may be accommodated within a sliding hole (267) formed in the supporter (260) by rotation of the handle (280), or may be moved from the inside of the sliding hole (267) to the outside.

[0142] The handle (280) may include an elastic member (287). The elastic member (287) may be arranged to be in contact with the supporter (260). That is, one end of the elastic member (287) may be supported by the supporter (260). The elastic member (287) may be compressed or returned to a state before being compressed, depending on the rotational direction of the grip portion (281) that rotates around the handle shaft (283). The grip portion (281) may be rotated around the handle shaft (283) by an external force from the user, and then may be rotated to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic member (287). That is, when a user applies an external force to the grip part (281) after gripping the grip part (281), the grip part (281) rotates around the handle shaft (283) and compresses the elastic member (287), and when the user's external force is released, the grip part (281) can be rotated to the position before the external force was applied to the grip part (281) by the elastic force of the elastic member (287).

[0143] The handle (280) may include a plurality of fixing protrusions (289) to which the second moving shaft (243) provided on the other side of the second link (240) is fixed and released. The plurality of fixing protrusions (289) may be provided on the connecting portion (285). Before an external force from the user is applied to the grip portion (281), the second moving shaft (243) may be fixed to one of the plurality of fixing protrusions (189) by the elastic force of the elastic member (287). Since the plurality of fixing protrusions (189) are provided on the connecting portion (285), they may be accommodated in the sliding hole (267) formed in the supporter (260) by the rotation of the handle (280), or may be moved from the inside of the sliding hole (267) to the outside.

[0144] When the user applies an external force to the grip portion (281) so that the grip portion (281) rotates so that the second moving shaft (243) can be detached from the plurality of fixed protrusions (189), the grip portion (281) can rotate around the handle shaft (283) together with the connecting portion (285) and compress the elastic member. When the connecting portion (285) rotates around the handle shaft (283), the second moving shaft (243) can be detached from the plurality of fixed protrusions (189), and the plurality of fixed protrusions (289) can be released from the second moving shaft (243). When the plurality of fixed protrusions (289) are released, the handle (280) can be freely moved in the up and down direction. When the handle (280) is moved in the up and down direction, the supporter (260) to which the handle (280) is coupled can be moved in the up and down direction. When the supporter (260) is moved up and down, the shelf (25) fixed to the supporter (260) is moved up and down, so that the height of the shelf (25) can be adjusted. After the height of the shelf (25) is adjusted, when the user releases the external force applied to the grip portion (281), the grip portion (281) can rotate around the handle shaft (283) together with the connecting portion (285) by the elastic force of the compressed elastic member (287) to the position before the external force was applied to the grip portion (281). When the connecting portion (285) is rotated around the handle shaft (283), the second moving shaft (243) can be fixed to one of the plurality of fixing protrusions (289). When the second moving shaft (243) is fixed to one of the plurality of fixing protrusions (289), the position of the shelf (25) can be fixed.

[0145] The height adjustment device (200) may include a guard (290) that accommodates a pair of links (220). The guard (290) may be mounted inside the storage compartment (20) in the same manner as the guard (190) illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0146] The guard (290) can accommodate a pair of links (220) and prevent the pair of links (220) from being exposed to the outside. Since the pair of links (220) are prevented from being exposed to the outside by the guard (290), when a user adjusts the other side of the pair of links (220) to move up and down in order to adjust the height of the shelf (25), the user's hand can be prevented from being caught in the pair of links (220).

[0147] The guard (290) can guide the other side of a pair of links (220) to move vertically. The guard (290) can include a first guide slot (291) that guides the first moving axis (233) provided on the other side of the first link (230) among the pair of links (220) to move vertically in the vertical direction. The first guide slot (291) can be formed to be long in the vertical direction. The first guide slot (291) can be formed to be vertical in the vertical direction.

[0148] The guard (290) may include a second guide slot (293) that guides the second moving axis (243) provided on the other side of the second link (240) among a pair of links (20) to move up and down while rotating around the rotation axis (241). The second guide slot (293) may be formed to form an arc shape in the up and down direction. The second guide slot (293) may be formed to correspond to a trajectory along which the second moving axis (243) rotates around the rotation axis (241) in the up and down direction.

[0149] Next, with reference to FIGS. 17 to 21, we will examine in detail the operation of adjusting the height of the shelf (25).

[0150] FIG. 17 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a plurality of fixing protrusions of a handle according to one embodiment are fixed to a second moving shaft provided on the other side of a second link. FIG. 18 is a drawing illustrating a state in which the handle is rotated in the direction of the arrow about the handle axis in FIG. 17 and the second moving shaft is released from the plurality of fixing protrusions. FIG. 19 is a drawing illustrating a state in which the handle is moved upward in FIG. 18 and the supporter is moved upward together with the handle. FIG. 20 is a drawing illustrating a state in which an external force applied to the handle according to one embodiment is released and the handle is rotated in the direction of the arrow about the handle axis and the plurality of fixing protrusions of the handle are fixed to the second moving shaft provided on the other side of the second link. FIG. 21 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a shelf according to one embodiment is moved upward and its height is adjusted.

[0151] As illustrated in Fig. 17, if a plurality of fixing protrusions (289) of the handle (280) are fixed to the second moving axis (243) provided on the other side of the second link (240), the position of the shelf (25) can be fixed. Since the first moving axis (233) provided on the other side of the first link (230) and the second moving axis (243) provided on the other side of the second link (240) are both located far from the fixed bar (210), this may be the case when the shelf (25) is at the lowest position within the height-adjustable range. At this time, the sliding axis (231) provided on one side of the first link (230) may be positioned to be offset to the left in the drawing from the first sliding hole (211) of the fixed bar (210). In addition, the second moving axis (243) provided on the other side of the second link (240) can be positioned to be offset to the left in the drawing from the sliding hole (267) of the supporter (260). At this time, since the second moving axis (243) is positioned to the left in the sliding hole (267) of the supporter (260), it can be fixed to the leftmost fixing protrusion among the plurality of fixing protrusions (289).

[0152] As illustrated in Fig. 18, when a user grips the grip portion (281) of the handle (280) and applies an external force to the grip portion (281) so that the grip portion (281) rotates in the direction of the arrow about the handle axis (283), the handle (280) rotates and the second moving axis (243) provided on the other side of the second link (240) is released from the plurality of fixing protrusions (289), so that the handle (280) can be released from being fixed. When the handle (280) is released, the handle (280) can be freely moved in the up and down direction.

[0153] As illustrated in FIG. 19, when the handle (280) is moved upward while the handle (280) can be freely moved up and down, the supporter (260) can be moved upward together with the handle (280). When the supporter (260) is moved upward, the shelf (25, see FIG. 14) fixed to the supporter (260) can be moved upward together with the supporter (260). In addition, the first moving axis (233) of the first link (230) and the second moving axis (243) of the second link (240) coupled to the supporter (260) can also be moved upward together with the supporter (260). At this time, the sliding axis (231) provided on one side of the first link (230) can be slidably moved from the left to the right in the drawing in the first sliding hole (211) of the fixed bar (210). In addition, the second moving axis (243) provided on the other side of the second link (240) can slide from the left to the right in the drawing in the sliding hole (267) of the supporter (260).

[0154] As illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, after the height of the shelf (25) is adjusted, when the user releases the external force applied to the grip portion (281), the handle (280) can be rotated in the direction of the arrow about the handle axis (283). When the handle (280) is rotated in the direction of the arrow about the handle axis (283), the second moving axis (243) can be fixed to one of the plurality of fixing protrusions (289). At this time, since the second moving axis (243) is moved to the right in the sliding hole (267) of the supporter (260), it can be fixed to the rightmost fixing protrusion among the plurality of fixing protrusions (289). When the second moving axis (243) is fixed to the plurality of fixing protrusions (289), the handle (280) can be fixed and the position of the shelf (25) can be fixed. At this time, the sliding axis (231) provided on one side of the first link (230) may be moved to the right in the drawing in the first sliding hole (211) of the fixed bar (210).

[0155] As described above, since the height of the shelf (25) can be easily adjusted by simply operating the handle (280), the height of the shelf (25) can be adjusted without having to remove food or other items stored on the shelf (25) from the shelf (25). In addition, since the height of the shelf (25) can be easily adjusted by simply operating the handle (280), the upper and lower spaces of the shelf (25) can be easily distributed as needed.

[0156] In the drawing, only the appearance of the shelf (25) being adjusted to increase in height by moving from the lower direction to the upper direction is shown, but the operation of adjusting the shelf (25) to decrease in height by moving from the upper direction to the lower direction can also be performed by rotating the handle (280) to be fixed and released from the second moving axis (243) of the second link (240) in the same manner as the above operation, and then moving the handle (280).

[0157] According to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, a refrigerator includes a cabinet (10) having a storage compartment (20) provided therein, a shelf (25) arranged inside the storage compartment, and a height adjusting device (100, 200) for adjusting the height of the shelf. The height adjusting device includes a fixed bar (110, 210) mounted inside the storage compartment, a pair of links (120, 220) connected in an X shape, one side of which is coupled to the fixed bar and the other side of which is provided to be movable in an up-and-down direction, a supporter (160, 260) supporting the shelf and coupled to the other side of the pair of links, and a handle (180, 280) coupled to the supporter and fixed and released from the other side of one of the pair of links. According to the present disclosure, the height of the shelf can be easily adjusted. The height of the shelf can be adjusted without removing food stored on the shelf from the shelf. By adjusting the height of the shelves, you can easily distribute the space above and below the shelves as needed.

[0158] The height adjustment device may further include a pair of guards (190, 290) each connected to one side of the shelf, and configured to accommodate the pair of links to prevent exposure of the pair of links. According to the present disclosure, the problem of hands being caught between the pair of links when adjusting the height of the shelf can be prevented.

[0159] The above pair of links (120, 220) may include a first link (130, 230) having one side slidably coupled to the fixed bar, a second link (140, 240) having one side rotatably coupled to the fixed bar, and a connecting shaft (150, 250) that allows the first link and the second link to be rotatably connected in an X shape. According to the present disclosure, when adjusting the height of the shelf, distortion of the pair of links can be prevented.

[0160] The above handle (180) can be fixed and released to the other side of the first link (130).

[0161] The above height adjustment device (100) may further include a link gear (170) coupled to the other end of the first link and through which the handle is fixed and released.

[0162] The above link gear may include a plurality of fixing grooves (171) through which the handle is fixed and released.

[0163] The first link may include a sliding axis (131, 231) provided on one side and slidably connected to the fixed bar in the longitudinal direction of the fixed bar, and a first moving axis (133, 233) provided on the other side and vertically moved in the up-and-down direction when the sliding axis slides.

[0164] The second link may include a rotational axis (141, 241) provided on one side and rotatably coupled to the fixed bar, and a second moving axis (143, 243) provided on the other side and rotating around the rotational axis and moving in the up-and-down direction when the rotational axis is rotated.

[0165] The above fixed bar may include a first sliding hole (111, 211) to which the sliding axis is slidably coupled and a first rotating hole (113, 213) to which the rotating axis is rotatably coupled.

[0166] The handle (180) may include a gripping portion (181), a handle shaft (183) that rotatably connects the gripping portion to the supporter, a connecting portion (185) that is connected to the gripping portion and rotates together with the gripping portion, an elastic member (187) provided on the gripping portion and that rotates the gripping portion around the handle shaft by an external force and then returns to its original position, and a fixing projection (189) provided on the connecting portion and that is fixed and released from the plurality of fixing grooves when the gripping portion is rotated around the handle shaft.

[0167] The above supporter (160) may include a support member (161) that supports the shelf, a fixing hole (163) to which the first moving axis is fixed, a second rotating hole (165) to which the handle axis is rotatably coupled, and a second sliding hole (167) to which the second moving axis is slidably coupled.

[0168] The height adjustment device (100) may further include a guard (190) that guides the other side of the pair of links and the handle shaft to move up and down. According to the present disclosure, the up and down movement of the pair of links can be made easier.

[0169] The guard (190) may include a first guide slot (191) that guides the first moving axis to move vertically in the up-and-down direction, a second guide slot (193) that guides the second moving axis to move vertically while rotating around the rotation axis, and a third guide slot (195) that guides the handle axis to move vertically in the up-and-down direction. According to the present disclosure, the up-and-down movement of a pair of links can be made easier.

[0170] The handle (280) may be fixed and released from the other side of the second link (240), and may include a grip portion (281), a handle shaft (283) that rotatably connects the grip portion to the supporter, a connecting portion (285) that is connected to the grip portion and rotates together with the grip portion, an elastic member (287) that rotates the grip portion around the handle shaft by an external force and then returns to its original position, and a plurality of fixing protrusions (289) that are provided on the connecting portion and that are fixed and released from a moving shaft provided on the other side of the second link when the grip portion rotates around the handle shaft.

[0171] The shelf is fixed to the supporter (260), and the supporter may include a fixing groove (261) into which the shelf is inserted and fixed, a fixing hole (263) into which the other side of the first link is fixed, a rotating groove (265) into which the handle shaft is rotatably coupled, and a sliding hole (267) into which the other side of the second link is slidably coupled.

[0172] According to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, a refrigerator includes a cabinet (10) having a storage compartment (20) provided therein, a shelf (25) disposed inside the storage compartment, and a height adjustment device (100, 200) for adjusting the height of the shelf. The height adjustment device includes a fixed bar (110, 210) mounted inside the storage compartment, a supporter (160, 260) for supporting the shelf, a pair of links (120, 220) connected in an X shape, one side of which is coupled to the fixed bar, the other side of which is provided to be movable in an up-and-down direction and is coupled to the supporter, and a handle (180, 280) that is rotatably coupled to the supporter and is fixed and released from the other side of one of the pair of links. According to the present disclosure, the height of the shelf can be easily adjusted. The height of the shelf can be adjusted without removing food stored on the shelf from the shelf. By adjusting the height of the shelves, you can easily distribute the space above and below the shelves as needed.

[0173] The height adjustment device may further include a pair of guards (190, 290) each connected to one side of the shelf, and configured to accommodate the pair of links to prevent exposure of the pair of links. According to the present disclosure, the problem of hands being caught between the pair of links when adjusting the height of the shelf can be prevented.

[0174] The above pair of links may include a first link (130, 230) having one side slidably coupled to the fixed bar in the longitudinal direction and the other side movable in the up-and-down direction, a second link (140, 240) having one side rotatably coupled to the fixed bar and the other side movable in the up-and-down direction, and a connecting shaft (150, 250) that allows the first link and the second link to be rotatably connected in an X shape. According to the present disclosure, when adjusting the height of the shelf, distortion of the pair of links can be prevented.

[0175] When the handle is released from the other side of one of the pair of links, the handle can move up and down together with the supporter to adjust the height of the shelf.

[0176] When the handle is moved up and down, the other side of the pair of links coupled to the supporter can be moved up and down together with the supporter.

[0177] The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0178]

[0179] In describing the refrigerator with reference to the attached drawings above, specific shapes and directions have been mainly described, but it should be understood that various modifications and changes can be made by a person skilled in the art, and such modifications and changes should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the disclosed invention.

Claims

1. A cabinet with a storage space inside; A shelf arranged inside the storage room; and Including a height adjustment device for adjusting the height of the shelf; The above height adjustment device, A fixed bar mounted inside the above storage room; A pair of links connected in an X shape, one end of which is connected to the fixed bar and the other end of which is provided to be able to move in an up-and-down direction; A supporter supporting the above shelf and coupled to the other side of the pair of links; and A handle coupled to the above supporter and fixed and released to the other side of one of the pair of links; A refrigerator containing:

2. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator further comprising a guard, wherein the height-adjusting devices are provided in pairs and are respectively connected to opposite sides of the shelf, and the guard accommodates the pair of links to prevent exposure of the pair of links.

3. In paragraph 1, The above pair of links, A first link having one side slidably connected to the fixed bar; a second link, one side of which is rotatably connected to the fixed bar; and A refrigerator including a connecting shaft that allows the first link and the second link to be rotatably connected in an X shape.

4. In paragraph 3, A refrigerator wherein the above handle is fixed and released on the other side of the first link.

5. In paragraph 4, A refrigerator wherein the height adjustment device is coupled to the other end of the first link and further includes a link gear through which the handle is fixed and released.

6. In paragraph 5, A refrigerator wherein the above link gear includes a plurality of fixing grooves through which the handle is fixed and released.

7. In paragraph 5, The first link above is, A sliding axis provided on one side and connected to the fixed bar so as to be able to slide in the length direction of the fixed bar; and A refrigerator including a first moving axis provided on the other side and moving vertically in the up-and-down direction when the sliding axis slides.

8. In paragraph 7, The second link above is, a rotating shaft provided on one side and rotatably connected to the fixed bar; and A refrigerator including a second moving shaft provided on the other side and rotating around the rotational axis and moving in the up-and-down direction when the rotational axis rotates.

9. In paragraph 8, The above fixed bar is, A first sliding hole to which the above sliding axis is coupled so as to be able to slide; and A refrigerator including a first rotary hole to which the rotary shaft is rotatably coupled.

10. In paragraph 9, The above handle is, phage department; A handle shaft that rotatably connects the above-mentioned grip part to the supporter; A connecting part connected to the above-mentioned grip part and rotating together with the above-mentioned grip part; An elastic member provided on the grip part, and allowing the grip part to rotate around the handle axis by an external force and then to return to its original position; and A refrigerator comprising: a fixing projection provided at the above connecting portion and fixed and released from the plurality of fixing grooves when the grip portion rotates around the handle axis; 11. In Article 10, The above supporters, A support member supporting the above shelf; A fixed hole to which the first moving axis is fixed; A second rotary hole into which the handle shaft is rotatably coupled; and A refrigerator including a second sliding hole to which the second moving axis is slidably coupled.

12. In paragraph 11, A refrigerator wherein the height adjustment device further includes a guard that guides the other side of the pair of links and the handle shaft to move up and down.

13. In paragraph 12, The above guard, A first guide slot that guides the first moving axis to move vertically in the up-down direction; A second guide slot that guides the second moving axis to move up and down while rotating around the rotation axis; and A refrigerator including a third guide slot for guiding the handle shaft to move vertically in the up-and-down direction.

14. In paragraph 3, The above handle is fixed and released on the other side of the second link, The above handle is, phage department; A handle shaft that rotatably connects the above-mentioned grip part to the supporter; A connecting part connected to the above-mentioned grip part and rotating together with the above-mentioned grip part; An elastic member that allows the above-mentioned grip portion to rotate around the handle axis by an external force and then return to its original position; and A refrigerator comprising: a plurality of fixed projections provided on the above connecting portion and fixed and released from a moving axis provided on the other side of the second link when the grip portion rotates around the handle axis; 15. In paragraph 14, The above shelf is fixed to the above supporter, The above supporters, A fixing groove into which the above shelf is inserted and fixed; A fixing hole to which the other side of the first link is fixed; A rotary groove in which the handle shaft is rotatably coupled; and A refrigerator including a sliding hole to which the other side of the second link is slidably connected.

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