Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator according to the present invention can absorb an amount of impact applied to a bush member or components of a door when the door is opened and closed, by wrapping at least a partial area of the outer surface of the bush member guiding the movement of a pin with a bush reinforcing member.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator including a hinge assembly.

[0002] A refrigerator is a home appliance that supplies cold air to a storage room through heat exchange with a refrigerant that circulates a cooling cycle, thereby keeping various types of storage objects fresh for a long period of time.

[0003] The refrigerator has a door that can open or close the front of the storage compartment.

[0004] The door can be implemented as a revolving door or a drawer door depending on the opening and closing method.

[0005] If the door is of a pivoting type, the door can be operated to open and close by pivoting away from the cabinet by a hinge assembly.

[0006] In this case, one side of the hinge assembly is fixed to the cabinet, and the door is connected to the other side of the hinge assembly so that it can rotate in one direction away from the cabinet.

[0007] Typically, a door rotates in one direction with its center of rotation fixed around its axis of rotation.

[0008] In this case, the center of rotation of the door is located inside the door, not outside the door.

[0009] Meanwhile, depending on the user's needs for a specific space where the refrigerator is to be installed, the refrigerator may be placed adjacent to a wall of the installation space.

[0010] However, if the refrigerator is installed adjacent to the wall of the installation space, the following problems may occur.

[0011] When the door is opened with the center of rotation of the door's rotation axis fixed inside the door, the front edge of the door protrudes laterally beyond the outer surface of the refrigerator cabinet, causing interference with the wall of the installation space, making it difficult for the door to open properly.

[0012] Accordingly, even when the refrigerator is installed adjacent to a wall of the installation space, a hinge assembly in which the center of rotation of the door changes can be used so that the door can be easily opened without interference by the wall of the installation space.

[0013] However, in the case of a hinge assembly in which the center of rotation of the door changes, there is a possibility that the parts that guide the rotation of the door may be damaged due to impact or collision between the parts during the process of opening or closing the door.

[0014] In particular, if the user's usage pattern is such that the door is opened and closed quickly with excessive force, problems such as deformation, breakage, and cracks may occur due to repeated load increases and impacts on the hinge assembly and door components.

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of absorbing shock applied to components constituting a door and a hinge assembly when the door is opened and closed.

[0016] In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator capable of absorbing the impact at both end areas of a bush member where the impact is concentrated when the door is fully closed or fully opened.

[0017] In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator in which parts of a bush reinforcing member and a door stopper can be shared.

[0018] In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator in which the pins of the hinge member can be prevented from being damaged or deformed by directly contacting both ends of the guide slot.

[0019] In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that can prevent a phenomenon of lifting from the front of the cabinet due to an installation tolerance of a gasket placed on the back of the door.

[0020] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator whose door can be easily opened without interference by the wall of the installation space, even when the refrigerator is installed adjacent to the wall of the installation space.

[0021] The objectives of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above. Other objectives and advantages of the present invention not mentioned above can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objectives and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a refrigerator includes a cabinet including one or more storage compartments, one or more doors for opening and closing the storage compartments, and a hinge assembly having one side and the other side connected to the cabinet and the door, respectively, wherein the hinge assembly includes a hinge member having one or more pins mounted thereon, a bush member including a guide slot for guiding movement of the pins, and a bush reinforcing member surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the bush member.

[0023] The above bush reinforcing member may include a bush reinforcing portion formed to conform to the shape of the outer surface of the guide slot.

[0024] A guide rib on which the pin is seated is arranged on the upper surface of the guide slot, and the bush reinforcing member may include a bush reinforcing portion formed to match the shape of the outer surface of the guide rib.

[0025] The above bush reinforcement part can contact the outer surface of the above bush member.

[0026] The guide slot includes a first end and a second end positioned in directions in which the pin can move to the maximum extent in the first direction and the second direction, respectively, and the bushing reinforcement can surround the first end and the second end of the guide slot.

[0027] The above bushing reinforcement may surround a first contact surface that contacts the first end portion when the pin moves to the maximum in the first direction, and a second contact surface that contacts the second end portion when the pin moves to the maximum in the second direction.

[0028] The above bush reinforcing member may be a door stopper that controls the maximum opening angle of the door.

[0029] The above hinge member may include a stopper stop portion, and the bush reinforcing member may include a stopper portion that contacts the stopper stop portion when the door is opened to a maximum angle to limit the opening of the door.

[0030] The above bush reinforcing member may be made of a harder material than the above bush member.

[0031] The above bush reinforcing member may include metal.

[0032] At both ends of the guide slot, a first buffer area and a second buffer area may be formed to have a predetermined spacing so as not to come into contact with the pin.

[0033] When the pin moves to the maximum in the first direction, the pin can move to the first boundary line of the first buffer area, and when the pin moves to the maximum in the second direction, the pin can move to the second boundary line of the second buffer area.

[0034] The first direction is the direction in which the door is closed, and when the door is closed at a maximum angle, the pin can move to the first boundary line.

[0035] The second direction is the direction in which the door is opened, and when the door is opened to the maximum angle, the pin can move to the second boundary line.

[0036] A gasket is positioned on the back of the door to seal the space between the door and the cabinet, and when the gasket is compressed to the maximum, the door can be closed at a maximum angle.

[0037] The inner diameter of the guide slot corresponding to the path along which the pin moves may be the same as the inner diameters of the first buffer area and the second buffer area.

[0038] The inner diameters of the first buffer region and the second buffer region may be larger than the inner diameter of the pin.

[0039] The guide slot includes a first end portion and a second end portion positioned in directions in which the pin can move to the maximum extent in the first direction and the second direction, respectively, and when the pin moves to the maximum extent in the first direction, the pin may not contact the first end portion, and when the pin moves to the maximum extent in the second direction, the pin may not contact the second end portion.

[0040] When the door is opened and closed, the center of rotation of the door may change depending on the movement path of the pin.

[0041] The pins include a first pin and a second pin arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and when the door is opened and closed, the first pin and the second pin are constrained to the guide slot and can move along the guide slot.

[0042] The pins include first pins and second pins arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and the guide slots include first guide slots and second guide slots arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and when the door is opened and closed, the first pin is bound to the first guide slot and moves along the first guide slot, and when the door is opened and closed, the second pin is bound to the second guide slot and moves along the second guide slot.

[0043] A refrigerator according to the present invention can absorb the amount of impact applied to the bush member or the door components when the door is opened and closed by wrapping at least a portion of the outer surface of the bush member that guides the movement of the pin with a bush reinforcing member.

[0044] In this way, by absorbing the impact of the bush reinforcing member, deformation or damage to the parts constituting the door and hinge assembly that may occur when the door is repeatedly opened and closed can be prevented.

[0045] The refrigerator according to the present invention can more effectively absorb the impact of the two end areas where the impact is concentrated when the door is fully closed or fully opened by having the bush reinforcing member surround the first end and the second end of the guide slot, which are positioned in the direction in which the pin can move to the maximum in the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

[0046] In the refrigerator according to the present invention, since the bush reinforcing member that absorbs the impact caused by opening and closing the door can also function as a door stopper that controls the maximum opening angle of the door, not only can parts be shared, but space utilization of parts installed in the door can also be increased.

[0047] In addition, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a first buffer area and a second buffer area formed to have a predetermined space between the pins at each end of the guide slot so as not to come into contact with the pins, so that even when the door is closed or opened at the maximum angle, the pins of the hinge member can be prevented from directly coming into contact with the both end ends of the guide slot.

[0048] Accordingly, even if a user applies more force than necessary to the door to close or open the door beyond the maximum angle, the pins of the hinge member can be prevented from directly contacting the two ends of the guide slot, thereby preventing deformation or damage to the components constituting the door and hinge assembly.

[0049] In addition, the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a first buffer area, which is a predetermined space between the first end of the pin and the guide slot, so that when the door is closed at a maximum angle, the gasket of the door in contact with the front of the cabinet to seal the storage compartment can be prevented from being lifted from the front of the cabinet due to installation tolerance.

[0050] In addition, the refrigerator according to the present invention can enable the door to be easily opened without interference by the wall of the installation space even when the refrigerator is installed adjacent to the wall of the installation space, since the center of rotation of the door changes according to the movement path of the pin when the door is opened and closed.

[0051] In addition to the effects described above, specific effects of the present invention are described below while explaining specific details for carrying out the invention.

[0052] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator.

[0053] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second hinge assembly positioned on the upper portion of the first door.

[0054] FIG. 3 illustrates a second hinge assembly connected to the lower portion of the first door with the door closed.

[0055] Figures 4 to 6 illustrate various embodiments of a bush reinforcing member.

[0056] Figure 7 illustrates a second hinge assembly connected to the lower portion of the first door with the door open to its maximum opening angle.

[0057] FIG. 8 illustrates a first buffer area of ​​a guide slot according to one embodiment with the door closed.

[0058] FIG. 9 illustrates a second buffer area of ​​a guide slot according to one embodiment with the door open to its maximum opening angle.

[0059] FIG. 10 illustrates a first buffer area of ​​a guide slot according to another embodiment with the door closed.

[0060] FIG. 11 illustrates a second buffer area of ​​a guide slot according to another embodiment with the door open to its maximum opening angle.

[0061] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of a second hinge assembly according to another embodiment.

[0062] Fig. 13 is a plan view showing a bush reinforcing member joined to a bush member according to another embodiment.

[0063] Fig. 14 is a plan view illustrating a bush member mounted on a door according to another embodiment.

[0064] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the technical idea of ​​the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known technologies related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0065] Although terms like "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a "first" component may also be a "second" component.

[0066] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0067] Hereinafter, the phrase "any configuration is placed on (or below)" a component or "on (or below)" a component may mean that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of said component, and that other configurations may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0068] Additionally, when it is described that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to one another, but that other components may also be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through another component.

[0069] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not necessarily be construed to include all of the components or steps described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0070] Throughout the specification, when we refer to "A and / or B", this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when we refer to "C to D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

[0071] Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0072] First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a refrigerator, a hinge assembly, and the connection relationship of each of the main components constituting the same according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0073] A refrigerator (1) may have an exterior formed by a cabinet (2) including one or more storage rooms, which are storage spaces for products, inside, and one or more doors that can open and close the open front of the cabinet (2).

[0074] The cabinet (2) may include an outer case (4) forming the outer surface of the refrigerator (1) and an inner case (3) forming the inner surface.

[0075] The outer case (4) and the inner case (3) are formed to have a space separated from each other, and the space separated can be filled with an insulating material to form a foaming area.

[0076] The inside of the inner case (3) can be divided into one or more storage spaces.

[0077] The inner case (3) may include one or more storage rooms, and for example, when multiple storage rooms are provided, it may include a first storage room (5) and a second storage room (6) arranged in a vertical direction.

[0078] For example, the first storage compartment (5) located at the top may be a refrigerator, and the second storage compartment (6) located at the bottom may be a freezer.

[0079] However, the positions of the first storage room (5) and the second storage room (6) are not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the positions of the first storage room (5) and the second storage room (6) may be swapped with each other, and may be arranged parallel to each other in the left-right direction.

[0080] The first storage room (5) can be opened and closed by a pair of first doors (10) arranged parallel to each other in the left and right directions.

[0081] A pair of first doors (10) can be arranged to be connected to the cabinet (2) so as to be rotatable from the cabinet (2) by hinge assemblies respectively arranged on one side and the other side of the cabinet (2).

[0082] For example, a first hinge assembly (30) that supports the upper side of the first door (10) may be arranged in the upper region of the first door (10), and a second hinge assembly (40) that supports the lower side of the first door (10) may be arranged in the lower region of the first door (10).

[0083] A hinge mounting portion (17) may be formed on one side of the first door (10) adjacent to the upper surface of one side of the cabinet (2) with a predetermined space sunken in from the rear and side of the first door (10) toward the front.

[0084] That is, the hinge mounting portion (17) can be formed at one corner where the rear and side of the first door (10) meet.

[0085] A first hinge assembly (30) that allows the first door (10) to rotate rotatably from the cabinet (2) can be mounted on the hinge mounting portion (17).

[0086] The second hinge assembly (40) can support the upper side of the second door (20) which is placed at the lower side of the first door (10).

[0087] Therefore, the second hinge assembly (40) can simultaneously support the lower side of the first door (10) and the upper side of the second door (20).

[0088] A third hinge assembly (50) that supports the lower side of the second door (20) may be placed in the lower area of ​​the second door (20).

[0089] A height adjustment member (51) for adjusting the vertical height difference of the refrigerator (1) can be placed in the third hinge assembly (50).

[0090] In this way, the first door (10) can be opened and closed rotatably from the cabinet (2) by the first hinge assembly (30) and the second hinge assembly (40), and the second door (20) can be opened and closed rotatably from the cabinet (2) by the second hinge assembly (40) and the third hinge assembly (50).

[0091] The first hinge assembly (30), the second hinge assembly (40), and the third hinge assembly (50) described in this specification may have different structures for fixing to the cabinet (2), but the operating mechanisms for rotating the first door (10) and the second door (20) to open and close may be the same.

[0092] Hereinafter, the second hinge assembly (40) will be described in detail, and the configuration and operating mechanism of the first hinge assembly (30) and the second hinge assembly (40) can be applied equally to the first hinge assembly (30) and the third hinge assembly (50), whose detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a second hinge assembly (40) can be connected to the lower area of ​​the first door (10) located on the right side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator (1).

[0094] The second hinge assembly (40) connected to the upper area of ​​the first door (10) located on the left when viewed from the front of the refrigerator (1) may have the same structure as the second hinge assembly (40) located on the right or a structure with the left and right shapes swapped.

[0095] A front frame (11), a rear frame, and a side frame (12) are arranged on the front, rear, and side of the first door (10), respectively, so that the front, rear, and side of the first door (10) can be finished, and an upper cap deco is arranged on the upper surface of the first door (10), so that the upper surface of the first door (10) can be finished.

[0096] A door liner (18) may be placed on the rear of the first door (10) to provide a shape for mounting a storage structure such as a basket or other configurations, and to form the rear of the first door (10).

[0097] Accordingly, the rear of the first door (10) can be finished by the door liner (18) and the rear frame, and the rear frame can be positioned higher than the door liner (18) to finish the rear of the upper area of ​​the first door (10).

[0098] Additionally, a gasket (19) may be placed on the rear of the first door (10).

[0099] For example, the gasket (19) may be positioned to surround the outer perimeter of the door liner (18).

[0100] The gasket (19) comes into contact with the front of the cabinet (2) when the first door (10) is closed, thereby sealing the first storage compartment (5), thereby preventing cold air from leaking from the first storage compartment (5).

[0101] The first door (10) can be formed to protrude upwards more than the top surface of the cabinet (2).

[0102] The second hinge assembly (40) may include a second hinge member (102).

[0103] The second hinge member (102) may include a flange portion (112) fixed to the front of the cabinet (2) and a hinge bracket (122) extending forward of the flange portion (112).

[0104] One or more fastening holes are formed in the flange portion (112), and the flange portion (112) can be fixed to the front of the cabinet (2) through a separate fastening member that is fastened through the fastening hole.

[0105] The hinge bracket (122) can be extended to protrude forward perpendicular to the flange portion (112).

[0106] A pair of pin coupling holes (140) that penetrate in the vertical direction may be formed at the front of the hinge bracket (122) at a predetermined distance from each other.

[0107] A pair of pin coupling holes (140) can be connected to a first pin (151) and a second pin (152), which are a pair of pins (150) extending in the vertical direction.

[0108] Accordingly, the first pin (151) and the second pin (152) can also be formed spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance.

[0109] An imaginary line connecting the center of the first pin (151) and the center of the second pin (152) can be arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the front of the first door (10).

[0110] The pin (150) connected to the pin coupling hole (140) can be connected to protrude in both directions, i.e., the upper and lower directions of the hinge bracket (122).

[0111] Accordingly, the pin (150) extending upwardly from the hinge bracket (122) can control the movement of the lower surface of the first door (10), and the pin (150) extending downwardly from the hinge bracket (122) can control the movement of the upper surface of the second door (20).

[0112] The pin (150) may be formed to have a constant outer diameter overall, and an extension (153) having a larger outer diameter may be formed in some areas.

[0113] The extension (153) can be positioned to contact the upper surface of the second hinge member (122).

[0114] A stopper stopper (124) may be formed at the front of the hinge bracket (122).

[0115] For example, the stopper stopper (124) can be formed to protrude in the upper direction of the hinge bracket (122) to have a predetermined height and thickness.

[0116] The maximum opening angle of the first door (10) can be determined depending on the arrangement shape and arrangement angle of the stopper stopper (124).

[0117] The stopper stopper (124) may be positioned adjacent to the side of the first door (10) rather than the pair of pins (150).

[0118] Additionally, the imaginary line extending in the direction of the stopper stopper (124) can be arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the front of the first door (10).

[0119] The hinge bracket (122) may be provided with a latch engaging portion (123) formed by cutting out a portion of the outer surface of the hinge bracket (122).

[0120] For example, as an inlet space is formed between the latch catch portion (123) and the flange portion (112) and is drawn inward from the outer surface of the hinge bracket (122), the latch catch portion (123) can be formed to protrude relatively.

[0121] The second hinge assembly (40) may include a latch member (160) that is fastened to the lower surface of the first door (10) and functions as a stopper to keep the first door (10) closed.

[0122] The latch member (160) may include a latch member (161) formed so as to be engaged with the latch engaging member (123) of the second hinge member (102).

[0123] The latch portion (161) can be formed to have a generally U-shaped shape.

[0124] When the first door (10) is closed, the end of the latch portion (161) is located on the inside of the latch engaging portion (123) of the second hinge member (102), so that the latch engaging portion (123) can be engaged.

[0125] Therefore, the latch portion (161) can function as a stopper to keep the first door (10) closed.

[0126] Additionally, the second hinge assembly (40) may include a door stopper (170) capable of controlling the maximum opening angle of the first door (10).

[0127] The door stopper (170) may include a stopper body portion (171) extending horizontally.

[0128] A stopper part (173) that is bent downward and extended can be formed on one side of the stopper body part (171).

[0129] The door stopper (170) can be fixed to the lower cap deco (15) that closes the lower surface of the first door (10).

[0130] For example, a first lower hole (15a), a second lower hole (15b), and a third lower hole (15c) can be formed in the lower cap deco (15).

[0131] In response to this, a first fastening hole (174), a second fastening hole (175), and a third fastening hole (176) may be formed in the stopper body (171) of the door stopper (170) at positions corresponding to the first lower hole (15a), the second lower hole (15b), and the third lower hole (15c), respectively.

[0132] The first fastening member (181) fastens the first lower hole (15a) and the first fastening hole (174), and the second fastening member (182) fastens the second lower hole (15b) and the second fastening hole (175), thereby fixing the door stopper (170) to the lower surface of the first door (10).

[0133] And the third lower hole (15c) and the third fastening hole (176) are for fixing the latch member (160), and the third fastening member (183) penetrating the latch member (160) can fix the latch member (160) to the lower surface of the first door (10) by fastening the third lower hole (15c) and the third fastening hole (176) together with the latch member (160).

[0134] In this way, the latch member (160) can be fixed to the lower surface of the first door (10) with a door stopper (170) having very high strength interposed therebetween, so that the fastening member for fixing the door stopper (170) and the latch member (160) can be shared, and the latch member (160) can be assembled more closely to the door stopper (170).

[0135] The first fastening member (181), the second fastening member (182), and the third fastening member (183) may use screws, but are not limited thereto.

[0136] When the door stopper (170) is fixed to the lower surface of the first door (10), the stopper portion (173) can be formed to be bent in the lower direction of the first door (10).

[0137] Additionally, the stopper portion (173) can be formed to extend in a direction parallel to the front of the first door (10).

[0138] When the first door (10) is opened, when the stopper part (173) of the door stopper part (173) fixed to the first door (10) comes into contact with the stopper stop part (124) of the second hinge member (102), the rotation of the first door (10) stops.

[0139] Accordingly, the maximum opening angle of the first door (10) can be determined at the point where the stopper portion (173) of the door stopper portion (173) comes into contact with the stopper stop portion (124) of the second hinge member (102).

[0140] The second hinge assembly (40) may include a bush member (200) that guides the movement of the pin (150).

[0141] The bushing (200) can be inserted and fixed into the lower cap deco (15) of the first door (10).

[0142] The bush member (200) may include a bush body portion (210) having a guide slot (220) having a hollow space that provides a space into which a pin (150) protruding downward from the second hinge member (102) is inserted.

[0143] The bush body (210) can be formed so that the upper direction into which the pin (150) is inserted is open, and the lower direction, which is the opposite direction, is closed.

[0144] The bush body (210) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the guide slot (220).

[0145] The guide slot (220) can be formed to have an overall U-shape.

[0146] For example, the first end (213) and the second end (214), which are the two ends of the guide slot (220), may have a U-shape that is bent so as to face the front of the first door (10).

[0147] Therefore, the circumference of the first outer surface of the bush body part (210) facing the rear of the first door (10) may be longer than the circumference of the second outer surface of the bush body part (210) facing the front of the first door (10).

[0148] In this case, the first outer surface (211) of the bush body (210) may correspond to the outer guide line of the guide slot (220), and the second outer surface (212) of the bush body (210) may correspond to the inner guide line of the guide slot (220).

[0149] The first end (213) can connect one end of the outer guide line and one end of the inner guide line, and the second end (214) can connect the other end of the outer guide line and the other end of the inner guide line.

[0150] The guide slot (220) may have a shape in which various shapes of section areas, such as circular sections and / or straight sections, are connected.

[0151] A guide rib (230) can be formed along the upper edge of the bush body (210).

[0152] When the pin (150) of the second hinge member (102) is inserted into the guide slot (220) of the bush member (200) and moves along the guide slot (220), the guide rib (230) can guide the extension (153) of the pin (150) to slide along the upper surface of the guide rib (230).

[0153] That is, the pin (150) of the second hinge member (102) inserted into the guide slot (220) of the bush member (200) can play a role in causing movement of the first door (10) by sliding along the guide slot (220) while in contact with the guide rib (230).

[0154] Therefore, the bush member (200) can play a role in determining the rotational movement direction of the first door (10) while coming into contact with the pin (150).

[0155] The rotational movement direction of the first door (10) may vary depending on the shape of the guide slot (220) formed in the bush member (200).

[0156] In this case, the area of ​​the guide slot (220) positioned adjacent to the first end portion (213) can be defined as the first guide area (221), the area of ​​the guide slot (220) positioned adjacent to the second end portion (214) can be defined as the second guide area (222), and the area of ​​the guide slot (220) between the first guide area (221) and the second guide area (222) can be defined as the third guide area (223).

[0157] Accordingly, the guide slot (220) defining the movement path along which the pin (150) moves can be formed so that the first guide area (221), the third guide area (223), and the second guide area (222) are sequentially arranged along the movement path of the pin (150).

[0158] Additionally, the guide slot (220) can be described as having a second guide area (222), a third guide area (223), and a first guide area (221) sequentially arranged along the path along which the pin (150) moves.

[0159] The curvatures of the guide slots (220) corresponding to the first guide area (221), the second guide area (222), and the third guide area (223) may be formed differently.

[0160] Additionally, guide areas having different curvatures may be included within the first guide area (221), the second guide area (222), and the third guide area (223).

[0161] For example, the third guide area (223) may include three guide areas having different curvatures.

[0162] The stopper body (171) can be formed to surround at least a portion of the outer surface of the bush member (200).

[0163] For example, the stopper body (171) may further include a bushing reinforcement (172) that is opened to surround at least a portion of the outer circumference.

[0164] The bush reinforcement member (172) is formed to surround at least a portion of the outer circumference of the bush member (200), thereby reinforcing the strength of the outer surface of the bush member (200).

[0165] The stopper body part (171) that serves to reinforce the strength of the bush member (200) can be named as a bush reinforcing member (171).

[0166] Hereinafter, the stopper body part (171) will be described by naming it as a bush reinforcing member (171).

[0167] The bush reinforcement part (172) of the bush reinforcement member (170) can be formed to match the shape of the outer surface of the guide slot (220).

[0168] In this case, the bush reinforcement part (172) of the bush reinforcement member (170) can come into contact with the outer surface of the guide slot (220).

[0169] Additionally, the bush reinforcement portion (172) of the bush reinforcement member (170) may be formed to conform to the shape of the outer surface of the guide rib (230) of the bush member (200).

[0170] In this case, the bush reinforcement part (172) of the bush reinforcement member (170) can come into contact with the outer surface of the guide rib (230).

[0171] It is preferable that the bush reinforcing member (170) be made of a harder material with higher strength than the bush member (200) so that it can sufficiently absorb and support external force and impact force applied to the bush member (200).

[0172] For example, the bush reinforcing member (170) may include metal.

[0173] For example, the bush reinforcing member (170) is formed of sheet metal, which is a metal plate, and can be formed through sheet metal processing.

[0174] Referring to FIG. 3, when the first door (10) is completely closed, i.e., when the angle between the first door (10) and the cabinet (2) is 0 degrees, the first pin (151) may be positioned adjacent to the first end (213) in the first guide area (221) of the guide slot (220), and the second pin (152) may be positioned in the third guide area (223).

[0175] Accordingly, the first pin (151) and the second pin (152) can be located in areas where the curvatures of the guide slot (220) are different.

[0176] In this case, the gasket (19) formed on the back surface of the first door (10) can contact the front surface of the cabinet (2) to seal the first storage room (5).

[0177] Referring to FIG. 7, when the first door (10) is fully open, the second pin (152) may be positioned adjacent to the second end (214) in the second guide area (222) of the guide slot (220), and the first pin (151) may be positioned in the third guide area (223).

[0178] Accordingly, the first pin (151) and the second pin (152) can be located in areas where the curvatures of the guide slot (220) are different.

[0179] For example, the opening angle between the first door (10) and the cabinet (2) may be 110 degrees.

[0180] In this case, the opening of the first door (10) may be stopped due to interference caused by contact between the stopper part (173) and the stopper stop part (124).

[0181] The refrigerator (1) according to the present invention can enable the first door (10) to be easily opened without interference by the wall of the installation space, even when the refrigerator (1) is installed adjacent to the wall of the installation space.

[0182] For example, the center of rotation of the first door (10) can be defined as the intersection of the normal to the guide slot (220) at the position of the first pin (151) and the normal to the guide slot (220) at the position of the second pin (152).

[0183] Referring to FIG. 3, when the first door (10) is completely closed, the center of rotation may be located further outward from the front of the first door (10).

[0184] And when the first door (10) is opened, the center of rotation moves inwardly along with the rotation of the first door (10), and can be located inside the first door (10) when the first door (10) is opened to the maximum, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0185] If the first door (10) rotates around a fixed rotation axis, the first door (10) rotates around the fixed rotation axis, so the front edge of the first door (10), which is located in front of the fixed rotation axis, protrudes outward from the side of the cabinet (2).

[0186] Accordingly, when the refrigerator (1) is installed adjacent to a wall in the installation space, it may be difficult to open the first door (10).

[0187] However, according to the present invention, since the center of rotation of the first door (10) changes depending on the movement path of the pin (150) when the first door (10) is opened and closed, even when the refrigerator (1) is installed adjacent to a wall of the installation space, the first door (10) can be easily opened without interference by the wall of the installation space.

[0188] Additionally, in the process of the first pin (151) and the second pin (152) moving within the guide slot (220), the first pin (151) and the second pin (152) may be placed in the guide area of ​​the guide slot (220) having different curvatures.

[0189] For example, when the first pin (151) is located in the first guide area (221), the second pin (152) may be located in the third guide area (223), and when the first pin (151) is located in the third guide area (223), the second pin (152) may be located in the second guide area (222).

[0190] Additionally, even when the first pin (151) and the second pin (152) are positioned in the third guide area (223), they may each be positioned within sections having different curvatures within the third guide area (223).

[0191] In this way, the first pin (151) and the second pin (152) are positioned in the guide area of ​​the guide slot (220) having different curvatures, and as they move within the guide slot (220), the first door (10) can be opened and closed horizontally without being swayed.

[0192] Meanwhile, in the case of the first hinge assembly (30) in which the center of rotation of the first door (10) changes, if the user repeatedly opens and closes the first door (10) quickly by applying more force than necessary according to the user's usage pattern, the components constituting the first hinge assembly (30) and the first door (10) may be subject to repeated load increases and impacts, which may cause deformation, damage, cracks, etc.

[0193] For example, during the process of opening and closing the first door (10), a pair of pins (150) move along the guide slot (220) of the bush member (200).

[0194] However, when a user opens and closes the first door (10) at a high speed, an inertial force is generated in the first door (10) in the direction of movement of the first door (10), and when the first door (10) is opened or closed to the maximum, a collision may occur between the pin (150) and the bush member (200).

[0195] When the moving speed of the first door (10) is fast, the impact caused by the collision between the pin (150) and the bush member (200) may become even greater.

[0196] The first door (10) is completely closed by contact with the cabinet (2) and can be opened to the maximum angle to a point where it is stopped by a door stopper, a bush reinforcing member (170).

[0197] In particular, when the first door (10) is opened to the maximum angle, the impact at the moment when the first door (10) is stopped by the door stopper, the bush reinforcing member (170), becomes even greater.

[0198] In the case of the refrigerator (1), since the user repeatedly opens and closes the first door (10), damage may occur due to the limited life of the parts caused by the repeated opening and closing of the first door (10).

[0199] Accordingly, the refrigerator (1) according to the present invention can absorb the amount of impact applied to the bush member (200) or the components of the first door (10) when the first door (10) is opened and closed by wrapping at least a portion of the outer surface of the bush member (200) that guides the movement of the pin (150) with a bush reinforcing member (170).

[0200] In this way, by absorbing the impact of the bush reinforcing member (170), deformation or damage of the components constituting the first door (10) and hinge assembly, which may occur when the first door is repeatedly opened and closed, can be prevented.

[0201] In addition, the refrigerator (1) according to the present invention can have a bush reinforcing member (170) that absorbs the impact caused by opening and closing the first door (10) and can also function as a door stopper that controls the maximum opening angle of the first door (10), so that not only can parts be shared, but also space utilization of parts installed in the first door (10) can be increased.

[0202] Referring to FIG. 5, the bush reinforcement portion (172) of the bush reinforcement member (170) can be formed to surround a portion of the bush member (200).

[0203] The guide slot (220) of the bush member (200) may include a first end portion (213) positioned in a direction in which the first pin (151) can move to the maximum in the first direction, and a second end portion (214) positioned in a direction in which the second pin (152) can move to the maximum in the second direction.

[0204] The first direction may be the direction in which the first door (10) closes, and the second direction may be the direction in which the first door (10) opens.

[0205] The bush reinforcement part (172) of the bush reinforcement member (170) can be formed in a shape that surrounds the first end (213) and the second end (214) of the guide slot (220).

[0206] As previously explained, the amount of impact applied to the bush member (200) due to the rotational inertial force of the first door (10) may become greater when the first door (10) is closed or fully opened.

[0207] Accordingly, the bush reinforcing member (172) according to the present invention is formed in a shape that surrounds the first end (213) and the second end (214) of the guide slot (220), even if it does not completely surround the outer circumference of the guide slot (220), thereby absorbing the impact at the first end (213) and the second end (214) of the bush member (200) with a large impact amount, thereby more effectively preventing damage.

[0208] The first end (213) and the second end (214) of the guide slot (220) can be positioned to face the front of the first door (10).

[0209] Accordingly, the bush reinforcement member (172) is formed to surround the outer surface of the guide slot (220) facing the front of the first door (10), including the first end (213) and the second end (214) of the guide slot (220), thereby absorbing the impact on the outer surface of the bush member (200), including the first end (213) and the second end (214) of the bush member (200) having a large impact, thereby more effectively preventing damage to the bush member (200).

[0210] The bushing reinforcement (172) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the outer surface of the guide slot (220), and can also be formed in a shape corresponding to the outer surface of the guide rib (230).

[0211] Referring to FIG. 6, the bush reinforcement portion (172) of the bush reinforcement member (170) can be formed to have a minimum shape capable of absorbing the impact of the bush member (200).

[0212] For example, when the pin (150) moves to the maximum in the first direction of the guide slot (220), the first pin (151) can come into contact with the first end (213), and the area of ​​the first end (213) of the guide slot (220) with which the first pin (151) comes into contact can be defined as the first contact surface (217).

[0213] Additionally, when the pin (150) moves to the maximum in the second direction of the guide slot (220), the second pin (152) can come into contact with the second end (214), and the area of ​​the second end (214) of the guide slot (220) with which the second pin (152) comes into contact can be defined as the second contact surface (218).

[0214] In this way, the first contact surface (217) and the second contact surface (218) of the guide slot (220) are areas that can directly contact the first pin (151) and the second pin (152), respectively, so that the amount of impact applied when the first door (10) is opened and closed can be further increased.

[0215] Accordingly, the bush reinforcement part (172) is formed to surround the first contact surface (217) and the second contact surface (218) of the guide slot (220), thereby absorbing the impact on the outer surface of the bush member (200), including the first contact surface (217) and the second contact surface (218) of the bush member (200) having a large impact, thereby more effectively preventing damage to the bush member (200).

[0216] Meanwhile, in order to prevent damage to the bush member (200) and the pin (150) due to impact applied through direct contact between the pin (150) and the bush member (200), a buffer area may be formed so that both ends of the bush member (200) do not come into contact with the pin (150).

[0217] For example, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a first buffer area (227) and a second buffer area (228) may be positioned at both ends of the guide slot (220) so as to have a predetermined spacing space so as not to come into contact with the pin (150).

[0218] When the first pin (151) moves to the maximum in the first direction, the first pin (151) can move to the first boundary line (229a) of the first buffer area (227).

[0219] When the first door (10) is fully closed, the end of the first pin (151) can move to the first boundary line (229a) of the guide slot (220) that is spaced apart from the first end (213) of the guide slot (220) by a predetermined distance so that the first pin (151) does not come into direct contact with the first end (213) of the guide slot (220).

[0220] That is, when the first door (10) is closed at the maximum angle, the first pin (151) can move to the first boundary line (229a), and the space between the first boundary line (229a) and the first end portion (213) can be defined as a first buffer area (227).

[0221] In the present specification, when the first door (10) is closed at the maximum angle, it may mean that the gasket (19) of the first door (10) is compressed to the maximum.

[0222] Therefore, the first buffer area (227) can act as an avoidance space that prevents direct collision between the first pin (151) and the first end (213) of the guide slot (220).

[0223] Additionally, when the second pin (152) moves to the maximum in the second direction, the second pin (152) can move to the second boundary line (229b) of the second buffer area (228).

[0224] When the first door (10) is opened to the maximum, the end of the second pin (152) can move to the second boundary line (229b) of the guide slot (220) that is spaced apart from the second end (214) of the guide slot (220) by a predetermined distance so that the second pin (152) does not directly contact the second end (214) of the guide slot (220).

[0225] That is, when the first door (10) is opened to the maximum angle, the second pin (152) can move to the second boundary line (229b), and the space between the second boundary line (229b) and the second end (214) can be defined as a second buffer area (228).

[0226] Therefore, the second buffer area (228) can act as an avoidance space that prevents direct collision between the second pin (152) and the second end (214) of the guide slot (220).

[0227] Accordingly, when the first door (10) is opened, the first door (10) can be stopped from further opening by contact between the bush reinforcing member (170) and the stopper stopper (124) of the second hinge member (102), but the first door (10) may try to open further than the maximum angle at which it can be opened instantaneously due to the rotational inertial force of the first door (10), and in this process, an impact may occur between the second pin (152) of the first door (10) and the guide slot (220).

[0228] The refrigerator (1) according to the present invention includes a first buffer area (227) and a second buffer area (228) formed to have a predetermined space between the ends of the guide slot (220) so as not to contact the pins (150), so that even when the first door (10) is closed or opened at the maximum angle, the pins (150) of the hinge member can be prevented from directly contacting the ends of the guide slot (220).

[0229] Accordingly, even if the user applies more force than necessary to the door to close or open the door beyond the maximum angle, the pin (150) of the hinge member can be prevented from directly contacting the two ends of the guide slot (220), thereby preventing deformation or damage to the parts constituting the door and hinge assembly.

[0230] In addition, the refrigerator (1) according to the present invention can prevent the gasket (19) of the first door (10) that comes into contact with the front of the cabinet (2) from being lifted from the front of the cabinet (2) due to installation tolerance when the first door (10) is closed at the maximum angle to seal the first storage compartment (5).

[0231] For example, the thickness of the gasket (19) installed on the back surface of the first door (10) may be formed thinner than the initially designed thickness due to a design error or installation error.

[0232] In this case, if there is a first buffer area (227), which is a predetermined space between the first pin (151) and the first end (213) of the guide slot (220), the first pin (151) can move beyond the first boundary line (229a) to a part of the first buffer area (227).

[0233] Accordingly, according to the present invention, since the first door (10) having a gasket (19) having a thin thickness can additionally provide a space in which it can be closed, the phenomenon of the gasket (19) lifting can be corrected.

[0234] The inner diameter of the guide slot (220) corresponding to the path along which the pin (150) described in this way moves may be the same as the inner diameters of the first buffer area (227) and the second buffer area (228).

[0235] That is, since the inner diameters of the first buffer area (227) and the second buffer area (228) are the same as the inner diameter of the guide slot (220), the first pin (151) and the second pin (152) moving along the guide slot (220) can freely invade and move without interference with the side surfaces of the first buffer area (227) and the second buffer area (228), respectively.

[0236] However, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in another embodiment, the inner diameters of the first buffer area (227) and the second buffer area (228) may be formed to be larger than the inner diameters of the first pin (151) and the second pin (152).

[0237] That is, the inner diameter of the first buffer area (227) and the second buffer area (228) can be formed larger than the inner diameter of the guide slot (220) corresponding to the path along which the pin (150) moves.

[0238] The first pin (151) and the second pin (152) moving along the guide slot (220) due to the rotational inertial force of the first door (10) may invade the first buffer area (227) and the second buffer area (228), respectively.

[0239] In this case, when the inner diameters of the first buffer area (227) and the second buffer area (228) are formed to be larger than the inner diameters of the first pin (151) and the second pin (152), even when an external force is applied to the first door (10) in a direction different from the rotational direction, the first pin (151) and the second pin (152) can be prevented from directly colliding with the sides of the first buffer area (227) and the second buffer area (228).

[0240] In another embodiment, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the bushing member (200) of the first hinge assembly (30) may be configured to include a first guide slot (220a) and a second guide slot (220b) that are spaced apart from each other.

[0241] For example, the bush member (200) may include a flat plate-shaped joining body part (215) and a bush body part (210) formed to extend downward from one side of the joining body part (215).

[0242] The bushing body (210) may include a first guide slot (220a) and a second guide slot (220b), which define movement paths of the first pin (151) and the second pin (152) that are arranged spaced apart from each other, respectively.

[0243] A guide rib (230) formed along the shape of the first guide slot (220a) and the second guide slot (220b) may be arranged on the upper surface of the first guide slot (220a) and the second guide slot (220b).

[0244] The first pin (151) and the second pin (152), which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, are respectively bound to the first guide slot (220a) and the second guide slot (220b), and can move along the first guide slot (220a) and the second guide slot (220b).

[0245] For example, the first guide slot (220a) can be formed to have a longer pin movement path than the second guide slot (220b).

[0246] The bush reinforcement portion (172) of the bush reinforcement member (170) can be formed to surround the outer periphery of the bush member (200) including the first guide slot (220a) and the second guide slot (220b).

[0247] Also, referring to FIG. 14, a bushing member (200) including a first guide slot (220a) and a second guide slot (220b) can be inserted into and fixed to a lower cap deco (15) that finishes the lower surface of the first door (10).

[0248] In this case, in order to absorb the impact applied to the bush member (200), a separate bush reinforcing member may not be installed, and the lower cap deco (15) may be formed to surround at least a portion of the perimeter of the outer surface of the bush member (200).

[0249] For this purpose, the lower cap deco (15) surrounding the outer surface of the bush member (200) may include a strength reinforcement part (15d).

[0250] The strength reinforcement part (15d) of the lower cap deco (15) is formed to have a thickness thicker than other areas of the lower cap deco (15) where the strength reinforcement part (15d) is not formed, thereby absorbing the amount of impact applied to the bush member (200).

[0251] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings exemplified above, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Furthermore, even if the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the corresponding configuration should also be acknowledged.

Claims

1. A cabinet containing one or more storage compartments; One or more doors for opening and closing the storage room; and A hinge assembly, one side and the other side of which are connected to the cabinet and the door, respectively; The above hinge assembly, A hinge member having one or more pins; A bushing member including a guide slot for guiding the movement of the pin; and A refrigerator comprising a bush reinforcing member surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of the bush member.

2. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator, wherein the above bush reinforcing member includes a bush reinforcing portion formed to conform to the shape of the outer surface of the guide slot.

3. In paragraph 1, A guide rib on which the pin is seated is arranged on the upper surface of the above guide slot, A refrigerator, wherein the above bush reinforcing member includes a bush reinforcing portion formed to conform to the shape of the outer surface of the guide rib.

4. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator in which the above bush reinforcement part is in contact with the outer surface of the above bush member.

5. In paragraph 1, The above guide slot includes a first end and a second end positioned in directions in which the pin can move to the maximum extent in the first direction and the second direction, respectively, A refrigerator in which the above bushing reinforcement surrounds the first end and the second end of the guide slot.

6. In paragraph 5, A refrigerator in which the bushing reinforcement surrounds a first contact surface that contacts the first end portion when the pin moves to the maximum in the first direction, and a second contact surface that contacts the second end portion when the pin moves to the maximum in the second direction.

7. In paragraph 1, The above bush reinforcing member is a door stopper that controls the maximum opening angle of the door in a refrigerator.

8. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator wherein the above bush reinforcing member is made of a harder material than the above bush member.

9. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator, wherein a first buffer area and a second buffer area are formed at each end of the guide slot so as to have a predetermined space between them so as not to come into contact with the pins.

10. In paragraph 9, When the pin moves to the maximum in the first direction, the pin moves to the first boundary line of the first buffer area, A refrigerator in which, when the pin moves to the maximum in the second direction, the pin moves to the second boundary line of the second buffer area.

11. In paragraph 9, A refrigerator in which the inner diameter of the guide slot corresponding to the path along which the pin moves is the same as the inner diameter of the first buffer area and the second buffer area.

12. In paragraph 1, The above guide slot includes a first end and a second end positioned in directions in which the pin can move to the maximum extent in the first direction and the second direction, respectively, When the pin moves to the maximum in the first direction, the pin does not contact the first end portion, A refrigerator in which the pin does not contact the second end when the pin moves to the maximum in the second direction.

13. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator in which the center of rotation of the door changes according to the movement path of the pin when the door is opened and closed.

14. In paragraph 1, The above pins include a first pin and a second pin arranged to be spaced apart from each other, A refrigerator, wherein when the door is opened and closed, the first pin and the second pin are bound to the guide slot and move along the guide slot.

15. In paragraph 1, The above pins include a first pin and a second pin arranged to be spaced apart from each other, The above guide slot includes a first guide slot and a second guide slot which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, When the door is opened and closed, the first pin is bound to the first guide slot and moves along the first guide slot, A refrigerator, wherein when the door is opened and closed, the second pin is bound to the second guide slot and moves along the second guide slot.

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