Hinge refrigerator

Abstract

A hinge assembly is provided which is pivotally supported to support the rotation of the door and a refrigerator supplied with the hinge assembly. The refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door that opens and closes the cabinet, and a hinge device; The hinge apparatus comprising: A moving part configured to hinge-connect a door to a main body, wherein there are two sets of adjustment holes, to adjust the position of the door in regards to the main body; A fixing part is placed in a lower position than the moving part, configured to fix the moving part to the main body; Two adjustment members that control the installation position of the door relative to the main body and the adjacent door, each adjustment member controls the installation position of the door in one direction.

Description

[0001] Hinge refrigerator

[0002] Description

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a hinge assembly and a refrigerator provided with a hinge assembly to adjust a level difference door and main body and to adjust a gap between doors.

[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0007] A refrigerator is a commonly used household device for store food.

[0008] This appliance typically includes a cabinet with an internal space divided into a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, and a door located on the front of the cabinet that can be opened and closed to access the interior space.

[0009] The door is supported at the top and bottom by hinges, which allow it to swing open and closed. In the case of a four-door refrigerator, there may be variations in the level of the doors or gaps between the doors and the main body of the appliance.

[0010] The problem with conventional refrigerators is that if the distance between the main body and the door is set larger than the specified distance, the outside air may flow between the main body and the door, causing an increase in energy consumption. Also, if the distance between the main body and the door is less than a specified gap, the door does not close well or there is noise when opening and closing the door.

[0011] However, the hinge device presented in the refrigerator in the related art does not have the ability to both change the distance between the main body and the door and adjust the distance between the doors.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] This disclosure has been developed to overcome the above drawbacks and other problems associated with the conventional arrangement. The embodiments show a hinge device supported to support door rotation, and also describe a refrigerator with a hinge device. An aspect of the disclosure is to provide a refrigerator capable of adjusting a gap between doors, and can easily control a gap between a main body and the doors of the refrigerator with a simple structure.

[0014] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a refrigerator may include a cabinet; a door formed to open and close the cabinet; a hinge apparatus to hinge-connect a door to a main body;

[0015] The embodiments provide a hinge assembly that is supported for rotational support of the door and refers to a refrigerator provided with the hinge assembly.

[0016] The hinge apparatus comprises the following: a moving part coupled to the door and formed to be moved in two directions with respect to the cabinet and the door ; adjustment member configured to adjust the moving part in the two directions; The adjustment members change the installation position of the moving part to control the gap between the main body and the door. Besides, the adjustment members change the installation position of the moving part to control the gap between the doors.; and a fixing part fixed to the cabinet under the moving part, to fix the moving part to the main body, which has a plurality of holes whereby the adjustment members are coupled to fix the moving part to the fixing part.

[0017] The moving part may be configured to have at least one position relative to the main body and through the adjusting member may move the moving part in the first direction in which the moving part moves from the main body toward the door and the second direction in which the moving part moves against the first direction.

[0018] The moving part may include insertion holes formed on it and the adjustment members are inserted in them.

[0019] The insertion holes may include a fastening hole, and at least one set of adjustment holes which may be formed in a circumferential direction around the fastening hole.

[0020] A fastening member may be coupled into a portion of the adjustment member and may fix the adjustment member to the main body.

[0021] The main body of the refrigerator may have a fastening hole formed on it and the fastening member may be penetratingly coupled into it.

[0022] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the hinge apparatus comprising a moving part which is connected to the door, a first fixing part which is placed below the moving part and has the same adjustment holes as the moving part, a second fixing part which is placed under the first fixing part. The second fixing part may include fixing portion and support portion, also the second fixing part may have at least one fastening hole. The fixing portion may limit the movement of the moving part and the support portion may support the moving part. The moving part may have an opening by which the moving part is connected to the second fixing part. The first fixing part may have an opening by which the moving part and the first fixing part are connected to the second fixing part. The hinge has adjustment members to control the installation position of the door relative to the main body and the adjacent door, each adjustment member controls the installation position of the door in one direction. The adjustment members include the adjusting fastener and may include the fastening hole. The adjusting fastener fixes the moving part to the fixing part. This hinge can also comprise at least one fastening member that may be penetratingly inserted into the fastening hole to fix the moving part to the main body.

[0023] According to the third embodiment, the hinge includes a moving part, at least one fixing part and two adjustment members. The hinge can also include at least one fastening member. Also, the moving part has a complex hole set. Each of the adjusting fastener of the adjustment member is inserted into one of the complex adjustment holes of the complex holes set and one of the corresponding holes of the adjustment holes on the fixing part to adjust the hinge in the first and second direction. Finally, the fastening member closes the fastening hole of the moving part to the fastening hole of the fixing part in order to connect the hinge to the main body.

[0024] In the fourth embodiment of this invention, the hinge device includes a moving part, at least one fixing part and an adjustment member. The hinge can also comprise at least one fastening member. Also, the moving part has a complex adjustment hole set. The adjustment member includes two adjusting fasteners. Each of the adjusting fastener of the adjustment member may be inserted into one of the holes of the complex hole set and one of the corresponding holes of the adjustment hole set on the fixing part to adjust the hinge in the first and second direction. Finally, the fastening member is closed to the fastening hole of the moving part and the fastening hole of the fixing part in order to connect the hinge to the main body.

[0025] In the fifth embodiment of this invention, the hinge device includes a moving part, at least one fixing part which has two brackets that may protrude from a side of the fixing part to support the adjustment member. The hinge may also comprise at least one fastening member that is penetratingly coupled to the moving part and fixes the moving part to the main body. The moving part which there are two sets of adjustment holes for adjusting the position of the doors relative to the main body in the first and second direction. Every hole in the adjustment hole set has a twin in the same set of the adjustment hole by which the adjustment member is supported. Both adjustment member controls the installation position of the door relative to the main body, by coupling the moving part to the fixing part through the support brackets. Each of the adjustment member is inserted into a pair of adjustment holes for adjustment in the first and second direction. Finally, the fastening member is closed to the fastening hole and the fastening hole 723, 724 in order to connect the hinge to the main body.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] These and / or other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the hinge disposed at an upper end of a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge of FIG. 2;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an adjustment member and a fastening member of FIG. 2;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a state where an adjustment member is inserted into an insertion hole of a moving part;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating a state where the posture of an adjustment member is set so that a moving part moves in a direction of an arrow XI, Yl;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a state where the posture of an adjustment member is set so that a moving part moves in a direction of an arrow X2, Y2; FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge disposed on an upper end of a refrigerator according to second embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge of FIG. 8;

[0036] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge disposed on an upper end of a refrigerator according to the third embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge of FIG. 10;

[0038] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge disposed on an upper end of a refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge of FIG. 12;

[0040] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge disposed on an upper end of a refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge of FIG. 14;

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following are different examples of the present disclosure, which will be explained with reference to accompanying illustrations. However, it's important to note that the present disclosure is not restricted to the specific examples explained below, but includes various modifications and / or equivalents of the examples. Similar drawing reference numbers may be used for similar elements in the illustrations.

[0044] The terms "first, second, and so forth" are used to describe different elements without necessarily indicating their order or importance, and to distinguish one element from another, but they don't necessarily correspond to the actual order of the elements.

[0045] A singular expression may include a plural expression unless specifically described otherwise.

[0046] Additionally, the terms used in the description are meant to describe a specific example, but are not intended to limit the scope of other examples. All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the description should be understood as having meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs.

[0047] The terms used in the present disclosure that are defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted to have meanings that are identical or similar to those in the related art, and they should not be interpreted too strictly unless they have been specifically defined in this document.

[0048] The wording used in the present disclosure should not be interpreted to exclude other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. a hinge assembly according to the present disclosure can be applied to all refrigerators provided with a hinge assembly.

[0049] Although a hinge device is exemplified here for use in a refrigerator, it is not limited to that use. The hinge device can be used in any situation where there is a need to adjust the distance between the doors and a body or the special surface and structure on which it is installed. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the disclosure may include a cabinet 2 and doors 3, 4, 5 and 6.

[0052] The cabinet 2 forms the appearance of the refrigerator 1. The interior of the cabinet 2 may have a freezer compartment 7 and a refrigerator compartment 8. In the refrigerator 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, the freezer compartment is provided on the bottom and the refrigerator compartment 8 is provided on the top.

[0053] The doors, at least one on the right side 3,5 and at least one on the left 4,6 are located on the front surface of cabinet 2.

[0054] The upper and lower ends of each of the door may be supported by hinges. A left hinge 10 may be placed on the left side of the upper surface of the cabinet 2, so that the left side door 4 opens and closes in relation to the front surface of the cabinet 2. A right hinge 11 may be placed on the right side of the upper surface of the cabinet 2, so that the right door 3 opens and closes in relation to the front surface of the cabinet 2.

[0055] The left hinge 10 and the right hinge 11, which are located at the upper end of the left side door 4 and at the upper end of the right door 3 respectively, may have the same structure; so, the right hinge 10 will be disclosed as an example, hereinafter.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge disposed on upper end of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

[0057] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first embodiment for the hinge.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an adjustment member and a fastening member of the first embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hinge 10 of the first embodiment of the disclosure may include a moving part 20, at least one fixing part 30, and two Adjustment members 40,50. The hinge may include at least one fastening member 60,70 too.

[0060] The moving part 20 may be connected to the door 4 and may be formed to move linearly relative to the cabinet 2 in a first direction. The moving part 20 may be located in the upper part of the fixed part 30 located in the cabinet 2. Here, the first direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the cabinet 2.

[0061] One end of the upper moving part 20 may be defined by a cylindrical hinge shaft 21 for connection to the door 4. In this case, since the door 4 may rotate at a certain angle based on the hinge shaft 21, the door 4 may selectively open and close the interior of the cabinet 2.

[0062] The moving part 20 may be formed of a flat plate and may include a slide portion 22. This slide portion 22 is in contact with the fixing part 30 and slides with respect to the fixing part 30. The slide section 22 may be flat on a roughly rectangular plane. Both side surfaces of this section may be parallel to each other. In this way, the moving part 20 may include a pair of side surfaces 25, 26 in the first direction, as well as a pair of side surfaces 27, 28 in a second direction.

[0063] Referring to Figs 2 and 3, the moving part 20 may include two sets of insertion holes 100a, 100b. The sets of insertion holes 100a, 100b are considered in order to adjust the position of the door relative to the main body of the refrigerator in the two directions. The first set of the insertion holes is used for adjustment in the first direction and the second set of insertion holes is used for adjustment in the second direction. Here, the second direction refers to a direction parallel to the front surface of the cabinet 2. Therefore, the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0064] Two adjustment members 40,50 are used to control the installation position of the door relative to the main body. According to Figure 4, the adjustment member 40,50 include at least one adjusting fastener 42,52. It is the adjusting fastener 42,52 that fix the moving part 20 to the fixing part 30 in a special position. The adjusting fastener 42,52 may be a pin, a screw or like.

[0065] These two adjusting fasteners 42,52 are configured to be positioned within the set of insertion holes 100a,100bin order to adjust the moving part 20 in a first direction and a second direction. Each of the adjustment members 40,50 controls the installation position of the door in one of the directions, wherein the adjustment members 40,50 are coupled to a part of the moving part 20.

[0066] Accordingly, the moving part 20 may include a pair of side surfaces 27 and 28 formed in a second direction. The position of these surfaces may be changed according to the adjustment of the adjustment members 40,50. Here, without loss of generality X direction may refer to the first direction and Y refers to the second direction or vice versa.

[0067] Since the mounting position of the moving part 20 is changed as described above, both the gap between the main body 2 and the door 4 and the gap between the doors 3,4 are also changed.

[0068] Two examples of this change in the gap between the doors and the gap between the door and the main body are shown in Figures 6 and 7. In this way, by changing the position of the moving part 20 in the first direction and the second direction or against this, the distance between the door and the cabinet as well as the distance between doors changes.

[0069] After the movable part 20 is moved to adjust its mounting position, the adjustment member 40,50 are inserted into the two sets of insertion holes 100a, 100b located on the moving part 20.

[0070] The insertion holes 100a, 100b and so the moving part 20 may include at least one central hole 110,120 and several adjustment holes 130,140 in the circumferential direction around the central part.

[0071] The moving part 20 has at least one fastening hole 110,120, which is formed on it to fasten the fastening member 60,70 fasten the moving part 20 to the fixing part 30 and so to the main body 2. The moving part 20 may have two sets of adjustment holes 130, 140, to adjust the position of the door in regards to the main body in the two directions.

[0072] This fixing part 30 may include two sets of adjustment holes 230, 240, and each set of adjustment holes 230,240 corresponds to one of the sets of adjustment holes 130,140 on the moving part 20 respectively. At least one set of adjustment holes 130, 140 on the moving part 20 or at least one set of adjustment holes 230, 240 on the fixed part 30 may have a rectangular shape, the holes of which may be arranged in parallel and their width are aligned with the corresponding setting direction.

[0073] According to Figure 2, the fixing part 30 located at a lower position than the moving part 20 is configured to fix the moving part 20 to the main body 2.

[0074] The fixing part 30 may clamp the one side of the moving part 20 to stably fix the one side of the moving part 20 onto the upper surface of the body 2.

[0075] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an adjustment member as illustrated in FIG. 1

[0076] The adjustment member 40,50 may have at least one fastening hole 41, 51 which is formed thereon and to which the fastening member 60,70 is fastened.

[0077] The adjustment members 40,50 may be inserted into the adjustment holes 130,140 to adjust the installation position of the moving part 20.

[0078] According to Figure 4, the adjustment member 40,50 may include a Fastening hole 41,51. The fastening hole 41, 51 is formed to penetrate in the direction of the Z axis.

[0079] The fastening member 60,70 or the like may be penetratingly inserted into the fastening hole of the moving par 110, 120 to fix the moving part 20 to the main body. The fastening member 60,70 may also fixe the adjustment member 40,50 to the upper surface of the body 2 so that the adjustment member 40,50 maintains a state of a predetermined position. In this case, the fastening member 60,70 may pass through the central hole 41, 51 of the adjustment members 40, 50 and may be closed to the fastening hole 110, 120 which is penetratingly formed on the surface of the main body 2.

[0080] The adjustment member 40, 50 may have an adjusting fastener 42, 52 projecting downwardly. The adjusting fastener 42, 52 may be placed in each set of the adjustment holes 130, 140 of the moving part and correspondingly to each set of adjustment holes 230,240 of the fixing part to adjust the position of the moving part. The set of the adjustment holes 130, 140 may be arranged circumferentially around the fastening hole 110,120 respectively. In the same way, the set of the adjustment holes 230, 240 may be arranged circumferentially around the fastening holes 210, 220 respectively. The adjusting fastener 42, 52 may be a pin, a screw or alike.

[0081] The number of adjustment holes in each direction is the number of desired positions in that direction. For example, if the hinge is designed to be adjusted to N different positions on the X axis and M different positions on the Y axis, the sets of adjustment holes 130, 230 will each have N holes, and the sets of adjustment holes 140,240 will each have M holes. In the first embodiment of this invention, if N and M are 4 each, then the hinge is designed for 4 positions in the X direction and 4 positions in the Y direction, as shown in Figure 3.

[0082] FIG. 3 exemplifies the first embodiment of the invention, wherein the two sets of the adjustment holes 130,140 each have 4 holes; meaning that the installation position of the moving part 20 may have 4 selections on the X axis and 4 selections on the Y axis. In the example shown in FIG.r, the set of adjustment holes 130, 230 are used to adjust the installation position of the moving part 20 on the X axis, and the set of adjustment holes 140, 240 are utilized to adjust the moving part location on the Y axis. In this example the installation position of the moving part 20 can be adjusted through 4 x 4 which equals sixteen different positions; the adjusting fastener 42, 52 then are inserted into the corresponding holes to fix the position of the moving part 20.

[0083] Figure 5 is a schematic view of the example shown in FIG. 7 , wherein the adjusting fastener 42 of the adjustment member 40 is inserted into one of the holes of the adjustment holes 130 and the corresponding hole of the adjustment holes 230 to fix the moving part on the X direction, and the adjusting fastener 52 of the adjustment member 50 is inserted to one of the holes of the adjustment holes 140 and the corresponding hole of the adjustment holes 240 to fix the moving part on the Y direction .

[0084] Referring to Figure 5, the adjustment member 40,50 may have a quadrangular, circular or any other shape.

[0085] In general, to adjust the hinge in a predetermined location, first the moving part 20 may be adjusted in the first direction by inserting the first adjusting fastener 42 in the corresponding holes to fix the hinge in the first direction; then the moving part 20 may be slidably moved in the second direction and finally the second adjusting fastener 52 may be inserted in the corresponding adjustment holes to fix the hinge in the second direction.

[0086] To adjust the hinge in a specified position, first, the moving part 20 is fixed in the first directions by inserting the first adjusting fastener 42 into one of the holes of the first set of the adjustment holes 130 and the corresponding hole of the adjustment holes 230; then the moving part 20 is slidable moved in the second direction; and finally, the moving part 20 is fixed in the second directions by inserting the second adjustment member 50 into one of the holes of the second set of the adjustment holes 140 and its corresponding hole of the adjustment hole 240.

[0087] For example, in FIG. 3, the hinge may be adjusted in a predetermined X direction by placing two corresponding desired holes of the adjustment holes 130 and 230 in front of each other, and inserting the adjusting fastener 42 into these two said holes, so the moving part 20 is fixed on X direction. Then the moving part may be slidably moved on Y direction so that the two desired corresponding holes of the adjustment holes 140 and 240 are placed in in front of each other, then the adjusting fastener 52 is inserted into these two said holes to fix the hinge in the desired Y position. In this way, the hinge is adjusted in the desired X and Y location. The desired holes of the adjustment holes are selected based on the predetermined X, Y location of the hinge.

[0088] Figures 6 and 7 are top views of the example demonstrated in FIG. 5 showing the hinge adjusted in two different X, Y positions.

[0089] The adjustment holes corresponding to each direction are embedded in such a way that each hole corresponds to a hinge specific position. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, 7, if the hinge is supposed to be fixed on one of four positions zero, 1, -1, and 2 mm (called xl, x2, x3, x4 here) relative to a default position on X axis, then four holes are provided in the set of adjustment holes 130 on the moving part 7 • and correspondingly four holes are provided in the set of adjustment holes 230 on the fixing part 7 • . This means that hole 131 corresponds to hole 231, and when these two holes are facing each other, the hinge will be placed at a position of 1 mm compared to the default position in the X direction and this puts the distance between the door and the main body2 to 2 mm in the X direction. In the same way, hole 132 corresponds to hole 232, and when these two holes are facing each other, the hinge is placed at a position of mm compared to the default position in the X direction.

[0090] For example, if the default position is selected where the door and the body are completely joined together (y=0) and if the door is vertically attached to the body (x=0), the distance between the door and the body will be 0 mm; in this case, hole 130 is placed in front of hole 230 and the first adjusting fastener 42 is inserted into these two holes to fix the moving part 20 to the fixing part 30 in X direction. In the same way, the rest of the holes in the X direction on the moving part 20, when they are placed in front of the similar holes on the fixing part 30, adjust the distance between the door and the body to a certain amount.

[0091] Adjust the hinge in the Y direction may be done in the same way. This means that if the hinge is designed to be adjusted in 4 different positions in the Y direction, then four holes are provided in each set of adjustment holes 140, 240, which when the two corresponding holes are set opposite each other, they make four positions (yi, y2, ya, yr) for the hinge. Therefore, the hinge can be set in 16 different positions (xi, yi), (xi, ya), (X2, y2), (X2, yi), ...

[0092] In FIG. 6,7, four positions xi, X2, X3, X4 on the X axis correspond to four holes 131, 132, 133 and 134 on the moving part 2 • , and four holes 231, 232, 232, 234 on the fixing part 7 • respectively. In the same way, four positions yi, y2, ya, yr on the Y axis correspond to four holes 141, 142, 143 and 144 on the moving part 2, and four holes 241, 242, 242, 244 on the fixing part 30 respectively FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating the hinge disposed on an upper end of a refrigerator according to the second embodiment.

[0093] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge of FIG. 8.

[0094] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the hinge apparatus comprising a moving part 20 which is connected to the door 4 and is formed to move in two directions relative to the cabinet and the door, a first fixing part 80 which is placed below the moving part 20 and has the same adjustment holes 330, 340 as the moving part 20, a second fixing part 90 which is placed under the first fixing part 80. The second fixing part 90 may include fixing portion 91 and support portion 92, also the second fixing part may have at least one fastening hole 93, 94. The second fixing part 90 may be placed in a part of the main body 2 that corresponds to the upper surface of the main body 2. The fixing portion 91 may limit the movement of the moving part 20 and the support portion 92 may support the moving part.

[0095] The moving part 20 may have an opening 23 by which the moving part 20 is connected to the second fixing part 90. The first fixing part 80 may have an opening 83 by which the moving part 20 and the first fixing part 80 are connected to the second fixing part 90.

[0096] The fixing portion 91 may be placed inside the opening 83 of the first fixing part 80 to connect the first fixing part 80 to the second fixing part 90. The fixing portion 91 may be placed inside the opening 23 of the moving part 20 to connect the fixing part 90 to the moving part 20. The hinge may have adjustment members 40,50. The adjustment members 40, 50 include the adjusting fastener 42, 52 and may include the fastening hole 41, 51. The adjusting fastener 42,52 fixes the moving part 20 to the fixing part 80,90. This hinge can also comprise at least one fastening member 60 that may be penetratingly inserted into the fastening hole 41 to fix the moving part 20 to the main body 2.

[0097] The first adjusting fastener 42 of the adjustment member 40 is placed inside one pair of the holes of adjustment holes 130,330, to fix the hinge position on the X axis, and then with the sliding movement of the moving part 20, the second adjusting fastener 52 of the adjustment member 50 is placed inside the corresponding pair of holes of the adjustment holes 140, 340 to fix the hinge position on the Y axis. And finally, the fastening member 60may be closed to the fastening hole 110, 310 and 93, in the same way, the fastening member 70 may be closed to the fastening hole 120, 320 and 94; in order to connect the moving part 20 to the refrigerator body 2 and the second fixing part 90. In this way, the hinge is adjusted in two directions. In this embodiment, reference numbers to the same elements as the previous embodiment are expressed.

[0098] In the first and second embodiments, at least one of the holes in the first set of adjustment holes 130 may overlap with at least one of the holes in the second set of adjustment holes 140 on the moving part 20 to form a complex shape hole, by which the moving part 20 can be adjusted in the first direction and the second direction. In the same way, at least one of the holes in the first set of adjustment holes 230, 330 may overlap with at least one of the holes in the second set of adjustment holes 240, 340 on the moving part 20 to form a complex shape hole, by which the moving part 20 can be adjusted in the first direction and the second direction. In this regard, there are the third and fourth embodiments, which are described below.

[0099] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the hinge disposed on an upper end of a refrigerator according to the third embodiment.

[0100] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge of FIG. 10.

[0101] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the hinge disposed on an upper end of a refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment.

[0102] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge of FIG. 12.

[0103] According to the third embodiment, the hinge500 includes a moving part 510, at least one fixing part 30 and two adjustment members 40,50. The hinge 500 can also include at least one fastening member 60. Also, the moving part 510 has a complex hole set 530. In this embodiment, reference numbers to the same elements as the previous embodiments first and second are expressed. In this embodiment, every complex adjustment hole 531 to 533 has two parts 531a and 532b, 532a and 532b, 533a and 533b.

[0104] In this embodiment which is shown in FIG. 11, the first adjusting fastener 42 of the adjustment member 40 is inserted into one of the complex adjustment holes 531a, 532a, 533a, 534 of the complex holes set 530 and one of the corresponding holes of the adjustment holes 230 on the fixing part 30 to adjust the hinge in the first direction .Then with the sliding movement of the moving part 510, the second adjusting fastener 52 of the adjustment member 50 is placed inside one of the holes 53 lb, 532b, 533b, 535 of the set of adjustment holes 530 and one of the corresponding holes of the adjustment holes 240 on the fixing part 30 to adjust the hinge in the second direction . Finally, the fastening member 60, 70 closes the fastening hole 540, 550 of the moving part 510 to the fastening hole 210, 220 of the fixing part 30 in order to connect the hinge to the main body 2. In this way, the hinge is adjusted in the two directions.

[0105] In the fourth embodiment of this invention, the hinge device 600 includes a moving part 610, at least one fixing part 620 and an adjustment member 630. The hinge can also comprise at least one fastening member 60. Also, the moving part 610 has a complex adjustment hole set 640. The adjustment member 630 includes two adjusting fasteners 631, 632. In this embodiment, reference numbers to the same elements as the previous embodiment are expressed.

[0106] In the fourth embodiment, the first adjusting fastener 631 of the adjustment member 630 may be inserted into one of the holes 641a, 642a of the complex hole set 640 and one of the corresponding hole of the adjustment hole set 670 on the fixing part 620 to adjust the hinge in the first direction, and then with the sliding movement of the moving part 610, the second adjusting fastener 632 of the adjustment member 630 is placed inside one of the holes 641b, 642b of the complex adjustment hole set 640 and one of the corresponding hole of the adjustment hole set 670 on the fixing part 620 to adjust the hinge in the second direction. Finally, the fastening member 60, 70 is closed to the fastening hole 650, 660 of the moving part 610 and the fastening hole 680, 690 of the fixing part 620 in order to connect the hinge to the main body 2.

[0107] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge disposed on an upper end of a refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment.

[0108] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge of FIG. 14.

[0109] In the fifth embodiment of this invention, the hinge device 700 includes a moving part 710, at least one fixing part 720 which is located below the moving part 710 and at least one adjustment member 730, 740. The fixing part 720 has two brackets 721,722 that may protrude from a side of the fixing part 720 to support the adjustment member VT • AT • . The hinge may also comprise at least one fastening member 60 that is penetratingly coupled to the moving part 710 and fixes the moving part 710 to the main body 2. In this embodiment, reference numbers to the same elements as the previous embodiment are expressed.

[0110] The moving part 710 configured to connect the door to the main body, wherein there are two sets of adjustment holes 711, 712 for adjusting the position of the door relative to the main body; wherein the first set of adjustment holes 711 is for adjusting the moving part 710 in the first direction and the second set of adjustment holes 712 is for adjusting the moving part 710 in the second direction. Every hole in the adjustment hole set 711, 712 has a twin in the same set of the adjustment hole 711, 712 by which the adjustment member 730, 740 is supported. Both adjustment member 730, 740 control the installation position of the door relative to the main body 2, by coupling the moving part 710 to the fixing part 720 through the support brackets 721, 722.

[0111] The set of adjustment holes 711 ,712 is formed on the sides of the moving part 710, and every hole of the adjustment holes 711 ,712 has a width corresponding to the width of the adjustment member 730, 740.

[0112] In the fifth embodiment, the first adjustment member 730 is inserted into a pair of adjustment holes 712 for adjustment in the first direction, and then with the sliding movement of the moving part 710, the second adjustment member 740 is inserted into a pair of the set of adjustment holes 711 to adjust the hinge in the second direction. Finally, the fastening member 60,70 is closed to the fastening hole 713, 714 and the fastening hole 723, 724 in order to connect the hinge to the main body. In this way, the hinge is adjusted in two directions.

[0113] As described above, in the refrigerator 1 according to these embodiments, the level difference between the right door 3 and the left door 4 can be adjusted by adjusting the moving part of the hinges 10 in a first direction.

[0114] In addition, the gap between the door and the body 2 of the refrigerator 1 can be by adjusting the moving part of the hinges 10 in the second direction. Therefore, by having a refrigerator hinge according to one embodiment of the disclosure, it is possible to adjust the surface difference between the door and the body as well as the distance between the doors.

[0115] Please note that the terms used in the text above are not intended to limit the disclosure of information, but rather to describe the disclosure of information. As such, disclosure is subject to change unless specifically noted otherwise. Therefore, it can be disclosed freely without leaving the scope of the claim.

[0116] Summary of the description:

[0117] A Hinge apparatus comprising:

[0118] A moving part configured to hinge-connect a door to a main body, wherein there are two sets of adjustment holes, to adjust the position of the door in regards to the main body, wherein the first set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a first direction, and the second set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a second direction;

[0119] A fixing part disposed in a lower position in regards to the moving part, configured to fix the moving part to the main body, wherein there are a first set of adjustment holes to adjust the fixing part in a first direction, and a second set of adjustment holes is to adjust the fixing part in a second direction, each set of adjustment holes corresponds to one of the sets of adjustment holes on the moving part; and

[0120] At least one adjustment member to control the door installation position in regards to the main body, comprising at least one adjusting fastener, wherein the adjustment member is coupled to the moving part, wherein the adjustment fastener fixes the moving part to the fixing part.

[0121] The adjusting fastener is a pin, a screw or like.

[0122] The hinge apparatus further comprises a fastening member which is penetratingly coupled to the moving part, and fixes the moving part to the main body.

[0123] Moreover, the adjustment member may have a fastening hole which is formed thereon and to which the fastening member is fastened.

[0124] The moving part and the fixing part further comprising a fastening hole for the fastening member to fasten.

[0125] The set of adjustment holes on the moving part and the fixing part may be positioned in a circumferential direction around the corresponding fastening hole. The fixing part may comprise a support portion to support the moving part and a fixing portion to limit the movement of the moving part.

[0126] At least one set of adjustment holes on the moving part or the fixing part may have a rectangular shape whose widths are aligned with the corresponding adjustment direction.

[0127] At least one of the holes in the first sets of adjustment holes on the moving part or the fixing part may overlap with at least one of holes in the second set of the adjustment holes of the corresponding part to make a complex hole by which the moving part can be adjusted in the first direction and the second direction.

[0128] Also, a method was disclosed to hinge-connect a door to a main body, comprising:

[0129] A moving part configured to hinge-connect a door to a main body, wherein there are a first set of adjustment holes and a second set of adjustment holds, to adjust the position of the door in regards to the main body, wherein the first set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a first direction, and the second set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a second direction; Two adjusting fasteners to fixes the moving part to the fixing part, wherein a first adjusting fastener controls the door installation position in regards to the main body in the first direction, and a second adjusting fastener controls the door installation position in regards to the main body in the second direction.

[0130] Including the steps of:

[0131] Fixing the moving part in the first directions by inserting the first adjusting fastener into one of the holes of the first set of the adjustment holes;

[0132] Sliding the moving part in the second direction; and

[0133] Fixing the moving part in the second directions by inserting the second adjusting fastener into one of the holes of the second set of the adjustment holes.

[0134] In the method disclosed, the adjusting fastener is a pin, a screw or like.

[0135] The method further comprising a fastening member which is penetratingly coupled to the moving part, and fixes the moving part to the main body.

[0136] The moving part may have a fastening hole wherein the first set of adjustment holes or the second set of adjustment holes are positioned in a circumferential direction around the fastening hole.

[0137] At least one of the holes in the first sets of adjustment holes may overlap with at least one of holes in the second adjustment holes to make a complex hole set by which the moving part can be adjusted in the first direction and the second direction.

[0138] At least one set of adjustment holes on the moving part may have a rectangular shape whose widths are aligned with the corresponding adjustment direction.

[0139] Also, a hinge apparatus was disclosed comprising:

[0140] A moving part configured to hinge-connect a door to a main body, wherein there are two sets of adjustment holes, to adjust the position of the door in regards to the main body, wherein the first set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a first direction, and the second set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a second direction; At least one adjustment member to control the door installation position in regards to the main body, wherein the adjustment member is coupled to the moving part; and

[0141] A fixing part disposed in a lower position in regards to the moving part, comprising at least one supporting bracket protruding from the fixing part to support the adjustment member; wherein the fixing part configured to fix the moving part to the main body.

[0142] The hinge may further comprise a fastening member which is penetratingly coupled to the moving part, and fixes the moving part to the main body.

[0143] The set of adjustment holes may be formed on a side of the moving part.

[0144] At least one set of adjustment holes on the moving part have a rectangular shape whose width are aligned with the corresponding adjustment direction.

[0145] The forementioned hinge may be used in a refrigerator to connect a door of the refrigerator to the refrigerator body.

[0146] EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE FIGURES

[0147] 1. Refrigerator

[0148] 2. Cabinet, main body

[0149] 3. 4, 5, 6. Door

[0150] 7. Freezer compartment

[0151] 8. Refrigerator compartment

[0152] 10, 11, 300, 500, 600, 700. Hinge

[0153] 20. Moving part

[0154] 22. Slide portion of the moving part

[0155] 23. Opening of the moving part

[0156] 25 to 28. Side surfaces of the moving part

[0157] 30. Fixing part

[0158] 40 first adjustment member

[0159] 50. Second adjustment member

[0160] 41, 51. Fastening hole of the adjustment member

[0161] 42. First adjusting fastener

[0162] 52. Second adjusting fastener

[0163] 60, 70. Fastening member

[0164] 80. First fixing portion

[0165] 83. Opening of the first fixing part on the second embodiment

[0166] 90. Second fixing portion

[0167] 91. Fixing portion

[0168] 92. Support portion

[0169] 93. 94. Fastening hole on the second fixing part of the second embodiment

[0170] 100a, 100b. Insertion holes of the moving part (which include the fastening holes and adjustment holes of the moving part)

[0171] 200a, 200b. Insertion holes of the fixing part (which include the fastening holes and adjustment holes of the moving part)

[0172] 110, 120. Central hole or Fastening hole of the moving part

[0173] 210, 220. Fastening hole of the fixing part

[0174] 130, 140. Sets of adjustment holes on the moving part

[0175] 131 to 134. adjustment holes on the moving part

[0176] 134 to 144. adjustment holes on the moving part 230, 240. Sets of adjustment holes on the fixing part

[0177] 231 to 234. adjustment holes on the fixing part

[0178] 241 to 244. adjustment holes on the fixing part

[0179] 310, 320. Fastening hole on the moving part of the second embodiment

[0180] 330, 340. Sets of adjustment holes on the moving part of the second embodiment

[0181] 500. Hinge of the third embodiment

[0182] 510. Moving part of the third embodiment

[0183] 530. Set of complex adjustment holes on the moving part of the third embodiment

[0184] 531 to 535. Complex adjustment holes on the moving part of the third embodiment

[0185] 531a, 532a, 533a. The first side of complex adjustment holes on the moving part of the third embodiment

[0186] 531b, 532b, 533b. The second side of complex adjustment holes on the moving part of the third embodiment

[0187] 540, 550. Fastening holes on the moving part of the third embodiment

[0188] 610. Moving part of the fourth embodiment

[0189] 620. Fixing part of the fourth embodiment

[0190] 630. Adjustment member of the fourth embodiment

[0191] 640. Set of complex adjustment holes on the moving part of the fourth embodiment

[0192] 641, 642. Complex adjustment holes on the moving part of the fourth embodiment

[0193] 641a, 642a. The first side of complex adjustment holes on the moving part of the fourth embodiment

[0194] 641b, 642b. The second side of complex adjustment holes on the moving part of the fourth embodiment

[0195] 650, 660. Fastening holes on the moving part of the fourth embodiment

[0196] 670. Adjustment holes on the fixing part of the fourth embodiment

[0197] 680, 690. Fastening hole on the fixing part of the fourth embodiment

[0198] 710. Moving part of the fifth embodiment

[0199] 711.712. Set of adjustment holes of the fifth embodiment

[0200] 713,714. Fastening hole on the moving part of the fifth embodiment

[0201] 720. Fixing part of the fifth embodiment

[0202] 721, 722. Supporting bracket of the fixing part of the fifth embodiment

[0203] 723, 724. Fastening hole on the fixing part of the fifth embodiment

[0204] 730, 740. Adjustment member of the fifth embodiment

Claims

Hinge refrigeratorClaims1. A Hinge apparatus comprising:A moving part configured to hinge-connect a door to a main body, wherein there are two sets of adjustment holes, to adjust the position of the door in regards to the main body, wherein the first set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a first direction, and the second set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a second direction;A fixing part disposed in a lower position in regards to the moving part, configured to fix the moving part to the main body, wherein there are a first set of adjustment holes to adjust the fixing part in a first direction, and a second set of adjustment holes is to adjust the fixing part in a second direction, each set of adjustment holes corresponds to one of the sets of adjustment holes on the moving part; andAt least one adjustment member to control the door installation position in regards to the main body, comprising at least one adjusting fastener, wherein the adjustment member is coupled to the moving part, wherein the adjustment fastener fixes the moving part to the fixing part.

2. The hinge apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjusting fastener is a pin, a screw or like.

3. The hinge apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a fastening member which is penetratingly coupled to the moving part, to fix the moving part to the main body.

4. The hinge apparatus of claim 3, wherein the adjustment member further comprising a fastening hole to which the fastening member is fastened.

5. The hinge apparatus of claim 4, wherein the moving part and the fixing part further comprising a fastening hole for the fastening member to fasten.

6. The hinge apparatus of claim 5, wherein the set of adjustment holes on the moving part and the set of adjustment holes on the fixing part are positioned in a circumferential direction around the corresponding fastening hole.

7. The hinge apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fixing part comprises: a support portion to support the moving part and a fixing portion to limit the movement of the moving part.

8. The hinge apparatus of claim 1 to 7, wherein at least one set of adjustment holes on the moving part or the fixing part have a rectangular shape whose widths are aligned with the corresponding adjustment direction.

9. According to claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the holes in the first sets of adjustment holes on the moving part or the fixing part overlaps with at least one of holes in the second set of the adjustment holes of the corresponding part to make a complex hole by which the moving part can be adjusted in the first direction and the second direction.

10. A method to hinge-connect a door to a main body, comprising:A moving part configured to hinge-connect a door to a main body, wherein there are two sets of adjustment holes, to adjust the position of the door in regards to the main body, wherein a first set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a first direction, and a second set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a second direction;Two adjusting fasteners to fixes the moving part to the fixing part, wherein a first adjusting fastener controls the door installation position in regards to the main body in the first direction, and a second adjusting fastener controls the door installation position in regards to the main body in the second direction;Including the steps of:Fixing the moving part in the first directions by inserting the first adjusting fastener into one of the holes of the first set of the adjustment holes;Sliding the moving part in the second direction; andFixing the moving part in the second directions by inserting the second adjusting fastener into one of the holes of the second set of the adjustment holes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the adjusting fasteners are a pin, a screw or like.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a fastening member which is penetratingly coupled to the moving part, and fixes the moving part to the main body.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the moving part has a fastening hole wherein the first set of adjustment holes or the second set of adjustment holes are positioned in a circumferential direction around the fastening hole.

14. The method of claim 10 to 13, wherein at least one of the holes in the first sets of adjustment holes overlaps with at least one of holes in the second adjustment holes to make a complex hole set by which the moving part can be adjusted in the first direction and the second direction.

15. The method of claim 10 to 14, wherein at least one set of adjustment holes on the moving part have a rectangular shape whose widths are aligned with the corresponding adjustment direction.

16. A Hinge apparatus comprising:A moving part configured to hinge-connect a door to a main body, wherein there are two sets of adjustment holes, to adjust the position of the door in regards to the main body, wherein the first set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a first direction, and the second set of adjustment holes is to adjust the moving part in a second direction;At least one adjustment member to control the door installation position in regards to the main body, wherein the adjustment member is coupled to the moving part; andA fixing part disposed in a lower position in regards to the moving part, comprising at least one supporting bracket protruding from the fixing part to support the adjustment member; wherein the fixing part configured to fix the moving part to the main body.

17. The hinge apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a fastening member which is penetratingly coupled to the moving part, and fixes the moving part to the main body.

18. The hinge apparatus of claim 17, wherein the set of adjustment holes are formed on a side of the moving part.

19. The hinge apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one set of adjustment holes on the moving part have a rectangular shape whose width are aligned with the corresponding adjustment direction.

20. The hinge of any preceding claims, wherein the hinge is used in a refrigerator to connect a door of the refrigerator to the refrigerator body.

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