Refrigerator

Abstract

This refrigerator comprises: a main body; a door including a door cam; a hinge bracket including a hinge cam; and a door pusher. The hinge cam includes a first hinge cam surface and a second hinge cam surface for guiding the movement of the door cam. The door cam includes a first door cam surface configured to move along the first hinge cam surface so as to rotate in the direction in which the door closes, and a second door cam surface configured to move along the second hinge cam surface so as to rotate in the direction in which the door closes. The door pusher is configured to press the door so that the door rotates from a position when the first door cam surface is located on the first hinge cam surface to a position when the second door cam surface is located on the second hinge cam surface.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

[0002] A refrigerator is a device that maintains food freshness by including a main body with a storage compartment and a cooling system that supplies cold air to the storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a refrigerator compartment, which is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius and used to refrigerate food, and a freezer compartment, which is maintained at approximately 0 to -30 degrees Celsius and used to freeze food. The storage compartment is designed to have an open front for food entry and exit.

[0003] A refrigerator uses a compressor, condenser, expander, and evaporator to repeat the cooling cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating the refrigerant. A single evaporator located in the freezer can cool both the freezer and refrigerator compartments, or the freezer and refrigerator can each have their own evaporators, allowing for independent cooling.

[0004] The refrigerator includes a door configured to open and close the storage compartment. The door is configured to rotate relative to the main body, allowing the storage compartment to be opened and closed.

[0005] The door may be configured to allow a user to open and close the door by grasping a handle provided on the door and rotating it relative to the main body. Alternatively, the refrigerator may include a door opening / closing structure configured to allow the door to be easily opened or closed.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure such that the door can be opened automatically.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure so that the door can be easily opened.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator having an improved structure that allows the door to automatically rotate to a fully open position.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the door cam may further include a door cam body, and a door cam curved portion disposed between the first door cam surface and the second door cam surface. The first door cam surface may be inclined with respect to the door cam body such that the door cam curved portion becomes lower from one end of the first door cam surface connected to the door cam body toward the door cam curved portion. The second door cam surface may be inclined with respect to the door cam body such that the door cam curved portion becomes higher from one end of the second door cam surface connected to the door cam body toward the door cam body.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first hinge cam surface can be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface and the door cam rises along the first hinge cam surface when the door is opened. The second hinge cam surface can be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that the second door cam surface contacts the second hinge cam surface and the door cam descends along the second hinge cam surface when the door is opened.

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

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface with respect to the horizontal direction may be smaller than the inclination angle of the second hinge cam surface with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge cam may further include a hinge cam body, and a hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface. The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body such that the angle increases upward from one end of the first hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body toward the hinge cam curved portion. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body such that the angle decreases downward from the one end of the hinge cam curved portion toward the one end of the second hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the angle by which the door rotates from a position where the door closes the storage compartment to a position where the door pusher maximally presses the door may be greater than the angle by which the door rotates from a position where the door closes the storage compartment to a position where the door cam contacts the hinge cam curve.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the door is closed, the contact surface of the first door cam surface against the first hinge cam surface may be located between the end of the first hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body and the hinge cam curved portion.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the door pusher may be configured to move between a first pusher position when the door is closed and a second pusher position in a direction that presses the door from the first pusher position. When the door pusher is positioned at the second pusher position, the second door cam surface may be positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second pusher position may be a position at which the door pusher has moved to its maximum in a direction in which the door is pressed. The second door cam surface may be configured to move along the second hinge cam surface so as to rotate in a direction in which the door is opened from a position at which the door pusher has reached the second pusher position due to the weight of the door.

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

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may further include an input device configured to obtain a door opening signal, and a driving device configured to provide a driving force to the door pusher to move the door pusher relative to the main body. The driving device may move the door pusher to press the door until the second door cam surface contacts the second hinge cam surface based on the input device obtaining a first door opening signal, and then stop the door pusher. The driving device may move the door pusher to press the door while the first door cam surface contacts the first hinge cam surface based on the input device obtaining a second door opening signal, and stop the door pusher before the second door cam surface contacts the second hinge cam surface.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include a main body forming a storage compartment, a door configured to open and close the storage compartment, the door including a door cam provided at a lower portion of the door, a hinge bracket connecting the main body and the door and supporting a lower portion of the door so that the door can rotate, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam, and a door pusher configured to press the door to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam so that the door rotates in a closing direction, and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam so that the door rotates in an opening direction. The door cam may include a first door cam surface configured to move along the first hinge cam surface so that the door rotates in a closing direction when positioned on the first hinge cam surface, and a second door cam surface configured to move along the second hinge cam surface so that the door rotates in an opening direction when positioned on the second hinge cam surface. The door pusher may be configured to press the door from when the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface until the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include a main body forming a storage compartment, a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam, a hinge bracket connecting the main body and the door and rotatably supporting the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam, and a door pusher configured to press the door to open the door. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam so that the door rotates in a closing direction when the door rotates less than a first angle from a position where the storage compartment is closed. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam so that the door rotates in an opening direction when the door rotates at a second angle greater than the first angle from a position where the storage compartment is closed. The door pusher may be configured to press the door so that the door rotates at a second angle or more from a position where the storage compartment is closed.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include a main body forming a storage compartment, a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam, a hinge bracket connecting the main body and the door and rotatably supporting the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam, and a door pusher configured to press the door to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam so that the door rotates in a closing direction when in contact with the door cam, and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam so that the door rotates in an opening direction when in contact with the door cam. The door pusher may be configured to press the door until the door cam comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0035] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge bracket, a door bracket, a hinge shaft, a door cam, a hinge cam, etc., disposed at the bottom of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0049] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

[0050] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0051] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

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

[0053] The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0054] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0055] In addition, terms such as 'front', 'rear', 'top', 'bottom', 'side', 'left', 'right', 'upper', and 'lower' used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0056] The terms “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0057] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0058] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0059] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a body.

[0060] The “body” may include an inner case, an outer case placed on the outside of the inner case, and an insulating material provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0061] The "inner case" may include at least one of a case, plate, panel, or liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The "outer case" may form the outer appearance of the body, and may be joined to the outer side of the inner case so that insulation is placed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0062] "Insulation" can insulate the interior and exterior of a storage room so that the temperature inside the storage room can be maintained at a set temperature without being affected by the external environment. In one embodiment, the insulation can include foam insulation. The foam insulation can be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam, a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent, between the inner and outer layers.

[0063] In one embodiment, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation material in addition to the foam insulation, or the insulation may consist solely of the vacuum insulation material instead of the foam insulation. The vacuum insulation material may include a core material and an outer shell material that accommodates the core material and seals the interior under a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulation material is not limited to the foam insulation or vacuum insulation material described above, and may include various materials that can be used for insulation.

[0064] A "storage room" may include a space defined by an interior wall. The storage room may further include an interior wall defining a corresponding space. The storage room may store various items, such as food, medicine, and cosmetics, and the storage room may be configured to be open on at least one side for the entry and exit of items.

[0065] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When a refrigerator includes two or more storage compartments, each compartment may have a different purpose and be maintained at different temperatures. To achieve this, each storage compartment may be separated from the others by a partition wall containing insulation.

[0066] The storage room may be provided to be maintained at an appropriate temperature range depending on the intended use, and may include a "refrigerator," a "freezer," or a "variable temperature room," which are distinguished according to the intended use and / or temperature range. The refrigerator room may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for refrigerating items, and the freezer room may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for freezing items. "Refrigeration" may mean cooling items to a temperature that does not freeze them, and for example, a refrigerator room may be maintained at a temperature ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to +7 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" may mean cooling items to freeze them or keep them in a frozen state, and for example, a freezer room may be maintained at a temperature ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius. The variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator room or a freezer room, at the user's option or not.

[0067] In addition to names such as "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room," a storage room may also be called by various other names such as "vegetable room," "fresh room," "cooling room," and "ice room." The terms "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room" used hereinafter should be understood to encompass storage rooms having corresponding uses and temperature ranges.

[0068] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open and close an open side of a storage compartment. The door may be configured to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be configured to open and close multiple storage compartments. The door may be installed on the front of the main body in a pivotal or sliding manner.

[0069] The “door” may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door is closed. The door may include insulation, similar to the body, to insulate the storage compartment when the door is closed.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the door may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door, a door inner panel forming the back of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided on the interior of these.

[0071] The door inner panel may be provided with a gasket that seals the storage compartment by contacting the front of the body when the door is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to accommodate a door basket for storing items.

[0072] In one embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forming the front of the door. The door body may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door body, a door inner panel forming the rear of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided inside these.

[0073] Depending on the arrangement of the door and storage compartment, refrigerators can be classified into French door type, side-by-side type, bottom mounted freezer (BMF), top mounted freezer (TMF), or single-door refrigerator.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0075] A “cold air supply device” may include a system of machines, devices, electronic devices and / or combinations thereof that can generate cold air and guide the cold air to cool a storage room.

[0076] In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle that includes the processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device can include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator capable of driving the refrigeration cycle. In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool a storage compartment by generating heat and cooling through the Peltier effect.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are arranged.

[0078] The "machine room" may be designed to be partitioned and insulated from the storage room to prevent heat generated by components placed within the machine room from being transferred to the storage room. The interior of the machine room may be configured to be connected to the exterior of the main body to dissipate heat from components placed within the machine room.

[0079] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door so that it is accessible to a user without having to open the door.

[0080] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include an ice-making device configured to produce ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray configured to store water, an ice-separating device configured to separate ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket configured to store ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0082] The “control unit” may include a memory that stores or memorizes a program and / or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor that outputs a control signal for controlling a cold air supply device, etc. according to the program and / or data memorized in the memory.

[0083] Memory stores or records various information, data, commands, programs, etc. necessary for the operation of the refrigerator. Memory can store temporary data generated during the generation of control signals for controlling components within the refrigerator. Memory may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0084] The processor controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor can control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate NPU that performs the operations of an artificial intelligence model. The processor may also include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like. The processor may generate control signals to control the operation of the cooling system. For example, the processor may receive temperature information about the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control the operation of the cooling system based on the temperature information.

[0085] Additionally, the processor may process user input of the user interface and control the operation of the user interface based on programs and / or data stored / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive user input from the user interface. Additionally, the processor may transmit display control signals and image data to the user interface for displaying an image on the user interface in response to the user input.

[0086] The processor and memory may be provided as a single unit or separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one subprocessor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0087] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all components within the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories that individually control the components within the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control the operation of a cooling device based on the output of a temperature sensor. Additionally, the refrigerator may separately include a processor and memory that control the operation of a user interface based on user input.

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

[0089] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

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

[0091] Hereinafter, refrigerators according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

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

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

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

[0095] The main body (10) may include an inner case (11) forming a storage compartment (20) and an outer case (12) forming the exterior of the refrigerator (1). The outer case (12) may be formed to have a shape of a box with an approximately open front. The outer case (12) may form the top, bottom, left and right sides, and the rear of the refrigerator (1). The inner case (11) may be open at the front. The inner case (11) may have a storage compartment (20) provided therein, which may be provided on the inner side of the outer case (12). The inner wall of the inner case (11) may form the inner wall of the storage compartment (20).

[0096] An insulating material may be provided between the inner case (11) and the outer case (12) to insulate the inner case (11) and the outer case (12). The insulating material may be foamed between the inner case (11) and the outer case (12) to bond the inner case (11) and the outer case (12) to each other. For example, the insulating material may include insulating materials made of various materials, such as urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene insulation, and vacuum insulation panels.

[0097] The main body (10) may further include a top table (14) provided on the upper portion of the main body (10). The top table (14) may be coupled to the upper portion of the outer case (12). The top table (14) may be coupled to the upper surface of the outer case (12). The top table (14) may cover various electrical components. An accommodation space in which various electrical components are accommodated may be formed on the inside of the top table (14). For example, the top table (14) may cover a door opening device (100) described below, and the door opening device (100) may be accommodated on the inside of the top table (14).

[0098] A storage compartment (20) may be formed inside the main body (10). For example, the storage compartment (20) may include a refrigerator that is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius and used to refrigerate food. For example, the storage compartment (20) may include a freezer that is maintained at approximately -30 to 0 degrees Celsius and used to freeze food.

[0099] In various embodiments, the storage compartment (20) may be partitioned into a plurality of regions. The main body (10) may include a partition (13) that partitions the storage compartment (20) into a first storage compartment (21) and a second storage compartment (22). For example, the partition (13) may extend in the vertical direction (Z), and the first storage compartment (21) and the second storage compartment (22) may be arranged horizontally to each other. For example, the storage compartment (20) may be partitioned into a first storage compartment (21) arranged on the left side and a second storage compartment (22) arranged on the right side. As an example, the first storage compartment (21) may be used as a freezer, and the second storage compartment (22) may be used as a refrigerator, but is not limited thereto.

[0100] Inside the storage room (20), a shelf (25) for placing food and a drawer (26) for storing food may be provided.

[0101] A refrigerator (1) may include a cooling system configured to generate cold air using a cooling cycle and supply the generated cold air to a storage compartment (20). The cooling system may generate cold air using a cooling cycle that compresses, condenses, expands, and evaporates a refrigerant. For example, the cooling system may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blower fan, and the like.

[0102] The main body (10) may include a cold air supply duct that forms a cold air path through which cold air generated by the cooling system flows into the storage chamber (20). The cold air supply duct may be formed at the rear of the inner case (11). The cold air supply duct may be provided at the rear of the storage chamber (20) and may be connected to the storage chamber (20).

[0103] A door (30) may be provided to open and close the storage compartment (20). The door (30) may be provided to open and close an opening formed on one side of the main body (10). The door (30) may be provided to be rotatable with respect to the main body (10). The door (30) may be coupled to a hinge bracket (40) connecting the door (30) and the main body (10), and may be provided to be rotatable with respect to the main body (10).

[0104] The outer surface of the door (30) may form a part of the exterior of the refrigerator (1). When the door (30) is closed, the outer surface of the door (30) may form at least a part of the front exterior of the refrigerator (1). When the door (30) is closed, the inner surface of the door (30) may face the interior of the storage compartment (20). The inner surface of the door (30) referred to herein means one side of the door (30) that faces the storage compartment (20) when the door (30) closes the storage compartment (20). In addition, the outer surface of the door (30) referred to herein means the other side opposite to the inner surface of the door (30) that faces the storage compartment (20) when the door (30) closes the storage compartment (20), and means the front of the door (30) that is visible when the refrigerator (1) is viewed from the front.

[0105] A door gasket (34) may be provided on the inner surface of the door (30) to seal the gap between the door (30) and the main body (10) and prevent leakage of cold air from the storage compartment (20). The door gasket (34) may be provided along the perimeter of the inner surface of the door (30). The door gasket (34) may be configured to include an elastic material such as rubber.

[0106] A door shelf (35) for storing food may be provided on the inner side of the door (30).

[0107] For example, a door (30) may include a door frame (31), an upper door cap (32), and a lower door cap (33) (see FIGS. 2, 5, etc.). The door frame (31) may form the overall appearance of the door (30). The upper door cap (32) may form the upper surface of the door (30). The upper door cap (32) may be coupled to the upper portion of the door frame (31). The lower door cap (33) may form the lower surface of the door (30). The lower door cap (33) may be coupled to the lower portion of the door frame (31).

[0108] Door insulation may be foamed and provided between the door frame (31), upper door cap (32), and lower door cap (33).

[0109] The door frame (31), upper door cap (32), and lower door cap (33) may be formed as separate parts and then joined together. Alternatively, the door frame (31) and upper door cap (32) may be formed integrally, the door frame (31) and lower door cap (33) may be formed integrally, or the door frame (31), upper door cap (32), and lower door cap (33) may be formed integrally as a whole.

[0110] The door (30) may include a handle (38). A user may open or close the door (30) by holding the handle (38) with his / her hand. In other words, the user may open or close the storage compartment (20) by holding the handle (38) with his / her hand and rotating the door (30). For example, the handle (38) may include a groove shape that is formed concavely so as to be gripped. For example, the handle (38) may be provided on the door frame (31) of the door (30).

[0111] As described below, the door (30) can be opened by a door opening device (100).

[0112] As described below, the refrigerator (1) may include an input device (60) configured to obtain a signal for operating the door opening device (100). For example, the input device (60) may be mounted on the door (30). For example, the input device (60) may be positioned in an area adjacent to the handle (38) of the door (30).

[0113] A refrigerator (1) may include a plurality of doors (30L, 30R) configured to open and close a plurality of storage compartments (21, 22) that are partitioned from each other. For example, the refrigerator (1) may include a first door (30L) configured to open and close a first storage compartment (21) and a second door (30R) configured to open and close a second storage compartment (22). For example, the first door (30L) and the second door (30R) may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y). The first door (30L) may be arranged on the left side, and the second door (30R) may be arranged on the right side. The first door (30L) may be referred to as a “left door (30L)”, and the second door (30R) may be referred to as a “right door (30R)”. The first door (30L) and the second door (30R) can rotate independently of each other with respect to the main body (10).

[0114] For example, the first door (30L) can be opened by the first door opening device (100L) positioned on the left. For example, the second door (30R) can be opened by the second door opening device (100R) positioned on the right.

[0115] For example, the first door (30L) may include a first input device (60L) configured to obtain a signal for operating the first door opening device (100L). For example, the second door (30R) may include a second input device (60R, see FIG. 2) configured to obtain a signal for operating the second door opening device (100R).

[0116] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator (1) may further include a third door (30D). For example, the third door (30D) may be provided to be rotatable relative to the second door (30R). The third door (30D) may be rotatably coupled to the second door (30R). The second door (30R) may have an opening, and the third door (30D) may open or close the opening of the second door (30R) while rotating relative to the second door (30R). For example, the opening of the second door (30R) may be provided at the upper portion of the door frame (31) of the second door (30R). When the third door (30D) opens the opening of the second door (30R), a user may have access to a door shelf (35) disposed at the upper portion of the second storage compartment (22) or the upper portion of the second door (30R). That is, according to one embodiment, the right door of the refrigerator (1) may be configured as a double door including a second door (30R) and a third door (30D).

[0117] For example, a handle may be provided on the third door (30D), and a user may hold the handle with his / her hand and rotate the third door (30D) relative to the second door (30R) to open the opening of the second door (30R).

[0118] The door (30) of the refrigerator (1) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited to the first door (30L), second door (30R), and third door (30D) described above.

[0119] The refrigerator (1) may include a hinge bracket (40) connecting the main body (10) and the door (30). The hinge bracket (40) may be respectively coupled to the main body (10) and the door (30).

[0120] The hinge bracket (40) can be fixed to the main body (10). For example, the hinge bracket (40) can be coupled to the outer body (12).

[0121] The door (30) may be rotatably provided on a hinge bracket (40). The door (30) may be rotatably coupled to the hinge bracket (40). The hinge bracket (40) may rotatably support the door (30). The door (30) may be rotatably provided on the main body (10) by the hinge bracket (40). The rotation axis of the door (30) may pass through the hinge bracket (40). The hinge bracket (40) may be coupled to a door cap of the door (30).

[0122] A plurality of hinge brackets (40) may be provided to support both sides of the door (30) in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the door (30). For example, a plurality of hinge brackets (40) may be arranged in a vertical direction (Z) to support the upper and lower sides of the door (30).

[0123] The refrigerator (1) may include a hinge shaft (50) coupled to a door (30) and a hinge bracket (40). The hinge shaft (50) may be inserted into the door (30). For example, the hinge shaft (50) may be inserted into a door cap of the door (30). The hinge shaft (50) may pass through the hinge bracket (40). The hinge shaft (50) may rotatably support the door (30) relative to the hinge bracket (40). The hinge bracket (40) may be coupled to the door (30) by the hinge shaft (50).

[0124] The hinge shaft (50) may pass through the rotation axis of the door (30). The hinge shaft (50) may extend in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the door (30). For example, the hinge shaft (50) may extend in the vertical direction (Z). For example, the hinge shaft (50) may have a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis of the door (30) as its central axis.

[0125] A plurality of hinge shafts (50) may be provided so as to be coupled to both sides of the door (30) in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the door (30). For example, a plurality of hinge shafts (50) may be arranged in a vertical direction (Z) to be coupled to the upper and lower parts of the door (30), respectively.

[0126] The configuration of the refrigerator (1) described above with reference to FIG. 1 is merely an example for explaining a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may be provided to include various configurations for performing the function of supplying cold air to a storage compartment for storing food.

[0127] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating a refrigerator with its door closed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating a door opening device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure opening the door. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating various components of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in isolation.

[0128] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the hinge bracket (40) and hinge shaft (50) of the refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can support the upper portion of the door (30) so that the door (30) can rotate.

[0129] The hinge bracket (40) may include an upper hinge bracket (41) supporting the upper side of the door (30). The upper hinge bracket (41) may be coupled to the upper side of the door (30). The upper hinge bracket (41) may be coupled to the upper side of the upper door cap (32). The upper hinge bracket (41) may be coupled to the upper side of the main body (10). For example, the upper hinge bracket (41) may include a left upper hinge bracket (41L) supporting the upper side of the first door (30L) and a right upper hinge bracket (41R) supporting the upper side of the second door (30R). The left upper hinge bracket (41L) may be coupled to the upper side of the first door (30L) and the upper left side of the main body (10). The upper right hinge bracket (41R) can be coupled to the upper part of the second door (30R) and the upper right part of the main body (10). The upper left hinge bracket (41L) and the upper right hinge bracket (41R) can be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y).

[0130] The hinge shaft (50) may include an upper hinge shaft (51) coupled to the upper portion of the door (30) and the upper hinge bracket (41). The upper hinge shaft (51) may pass through the upper door cap (32) of the door (30). The upper hinge shaft (51) may pass through the upper hinge bracket (41). For example, the upper hinge shaft (51) may include a left upper hinge shaft (51L) coupled to the upper and left upper hinge brackets (41L) of the first door (30L), and a right upper hinge shaft (51R) coupled to the upper and right upper hinge brackets (41R) of the second door (30R) (see FIG. 2). The upper left hinge shaft (51L) can pass through the upper door cap (32) and the upper left hinge bracket (41L) of the first door (30L). The upper right hinge shaft (51R) can pass through the upper door cap (32) and the upper right hinge bracket (41R) of the second door (30R).

[0131] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a door opening device (100) configured to open a door (30). The door opening device (100) may be configured to rotate the door (30) relative to the main body (10) to open the storage compartment (20). The door opening device (100) may be configured to pressurize the door (30) to open the door (30).

[0132] The door opening device (100) can be mounted on the main body (10). The door opening device (100) can be mounted on the upper part of the main body (10). For example, the door opening device (100) can be accommodated on the inner side of the top table (14). The door opening device (100) can be covered from above by the top table (14). The door opening device (100) can be placed on the upper surface of the outer body (12).

[0133] A plurality of door opening devices (100) may be provided to open a plurality of doors (30), respectively. For example, a refrigerator (1) may include a first door opening device (100L) provided to open a first door (30L) and a second door opening device (100R) provided to open a second door (30R).

[0134] The first door opening device (100L) may be provided to open the first storage compartment (21) by rotating the first door (30L). The second door opening device (100R) may be provided to open the second storage compartment (22) by rotating the second door (30R). According to one embodiment, when the second door opening device (100R) operates, the second door (30R) and the third door (30D) may rotate together, thereby opening the second storage compartment (22). The operation of the first door opening device (100L) opening the first door (30L) and the operation of the second door opening device (100R) opening the second door (30R) may be performed independently of each other.

[0135] The first door opening device (100L) and the second door opening device (100R) may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y). For example, the first door opening device (100L) may be arranged on the left side with respect to the center of the upper portion of the main body (10), and the second door opening device (100R) may be arranged on the right side with respect to the center of the upper portion of the main body (10). The first door opening device (100L) mounted on the upper portion of the main body (10) may be arranged to pressurize the upper portion of the first door (30L), and the second door opening device (100R) mounted on the upper portion of the main body (10) may be arranged to pressurize the upper portion of the second door (30R).

[0136] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the door opening device (100) may be mounted at various locations of the main body (10) and may be configured to pressurize various portions other than the upper portion of the first door (30L) or the second door (30R) to open the first storage compartment (21). For example, unlike as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the door opening device (100) may be mounted at the lower portion of the main body (10) to pressurize the lower portion of the first door (30L) or the second door (30R).

[0137] The first door opening device (100L) and the second door opening device (100R) may have corresponding structures. FIG. 4 illustrates in detail the structure of the first door opening device (100L) configured to open the first door (30L), and the structure of the first door opening device (100L) illustrated in FIG. 4 may also be applied to the structure of the second door opening device (100R). The description of the structure of the door opening device (100) described below may be applied to the structure of the first door opening device (100L) and the structure of the second door opening device (100R), respectively.

[0138] The door opening device (100) may include a door pusher (120) configured to pressurize the door (30) to open the door. The door pusher (120) may be configured to be movable relative to the main body (10). The door pusher (120) may be configured to pressurize the door (30) while moving relative to the main body (10). The door pusher (120) may pressurize the door (30) while moving forward from the main body (10) toward the door (30), thereby opening the door (30) that was closed.

[0139] The door pusher (120) may be provided to be movable between a first pusher position (P1) and a second pusher position (P2). For example, the door pusher (120) may be provided to be reciprocally movable between the first pusher position (P1) and the second pusher position (P2). The first pusher position (P1) may be the position of the door pusher (120) when the door (30) is in a closed position. The second pusher position (P2) may be the position at which the door pusher (120) moves from the first pusher position (P1) in a direction in which the door pusher (120) presses the door (30) to open the door (30) that was closed. The second pusher position (P2) may be a position where the door pusher (120) has moved forward from the first pusher position (P1).

[0140] The door pusher (120) can be accommodated in a space within the top table (14) when positioned at the first pusher position (P1). That is, the door pusher (120) can be inserted into the inside of the top table (14) when positioned at the first pusher position (P1), and can be withdrawn from the top table (14) and moved from the first pusher position (P1) to the second pusher position (P2). The top table (14) can include an opening (14a). The door pusher (120) can be provided to penetrate the opening (14a) of the top table (14) and be movable between the first pusher position (P1) and the second pusher position (P2).

[0141] For example, the door pusher (120) may be provided to be linearly movable between a first pusher position (P1) and a second pusher position (P2). The door pusher (120) may be provided to be linearly reciprocally movable with respect to the main body (10). The door pusher (120) may be provided to be linearly movable in the forward and backward direction (X) with respect to the main body (10). Alternatively, the door pusher (120) may also be provided to be non-linearly movable with respect to the main body (10).

[0142] The door opening device (100) may include a pusher case (110) that supports a door pusher (120). The pusher case (110) may movably support the door pusher (120).

[0143] The pusher case (110) may form a receiving space for receiving at least a portion of the door pusher (120). The door pusher (120) may be provided to be movable between a position that is maximally retracted into the receiving space of the pusher case (110) and a position that is extended forward from the receiving space of the pusher case (110). For example, the pusher case (110) may include a first pusher case (111) and a second pusher case (112) coupled to the first pusher case (111), and the receiving space of the pusher case (110) may be formed between the first pusher case (111) and the second pusher case (112).

[0144] The pusher case (110) can be mounted on the main body (10). The pusher case (110) can be fixed to the main body (10). For example, the pusher case (110) can be coupled to a top table (14). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pusher case (110) can be coupled to various locations of the main body (10).

[0145] The door opening device (100) may include a driving device (130). The driving device (130) may provide driving force to the door pusher (120) so that the door pusher (120) may move relative to the main body (10). The driving device (130) may move the door pusher (120) from a first pusher position (P1) to a second pusher position (P2) based on a door opening signal. The driving device (130) may move the door pusher (120) that has reached the second pusher position (P2) to the first pusher position (P1).

[0146] The driving device (130) may include a power source (131) configured to generate power for opening the door (30). The power source (131) may be configured to generate power for moving the door pusher (120). The power source (131) may include a motor of various structures.

[0147] The power source (131) can be supported by the pusher case (110). The power source (131) can be accommodated inside the pusher case (110).

[0148] The driving device (130) may include a power transmission member (132) configured to transmit power generated by a power source (131) to a door pusher (120). For example, the power transmission member (132) may include at least one gear. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the power transmission member (132) may include a plurality of gears. The door pusher (120) may include a pusher gear portion (121) configured to mesh with the power transmission member (132), and the door pusher (120) may receive power from the gear of the power transmission member (132) through the pusher gear portion (121). For example, the power transmission member (132) and the pusher gear portion (121) may form a rack-and-pinion gear structure.

[0149] The power transmission member (132) can be supported by the pusher case (110). The power transmission member (132) can be accommodated inside the pusher case (110).

[0150] The driving device (130) may include a motor driver (133) connected to a power source (131). The power source (131) may receive a driving current from the motor driver (133) and generate power. The motor driver (133) may be electrically connected to a control unit of the refrigerator (1). The motor driver (133) may be controlled by the control unit of the refrigerator (1). The motor driver (133) may operate based on a control signal received from the control unit. The motor driver (133) may include a circuit including various electronic components for driving the power source (131) based on the control signal.

[0151] The door opening device (100) may include a position detection sensor configured to detect the position of the door pusher (120). The position detection sensor may detect the position of the door pusher (120) in various ways. For example, the position detection sensor may include various types of magnetic field sensors, such as a hall sensor configured to detect the magnetic field of a magnet mounted on the door pusher (120). The control unit may control the power source (131) to move or stop the door pusher (120) based on an electrical signal received from the position detection sensor. For example, the position detection sensor may be electrically connected to a motor driver (133). For example, the position detection sensor may be mounted on the motor driver (133).

[0152] For example, the position detection sensor may be supported by the pusher case (110). The position detection sensor may be accommodated within the pusher case (110).

[0153] By this configuration, the door opening device (100) can open the door (30).

[0154] The door opening device (100) can operate based on a door opening signal for opening the door (30). The door opening signal for opening the door (30) can be generated based on a user input for opening the door (30). According to one embodiment, the refrigerator (1) can include an input device (60) configured to obtain the door opening signal. The input device (60) can be electrically connected to a driving device (130), and the driving device (130) can move the door pusher (120) to press the door (30) based on the input device (60) obtaining the door opening signal. The input device (60) can be electrically connected to a control unit of the refrigerator (1), and the control unit can control the driving device (130) to cause the door pusher (120) to open the door (30) based on the input device (60) obtaining the door opening signal.

[0155] For example, the input device (60) may be arranged to obtain a door opening signal based on a user touching or pressing the input device (60). For example, the input device (60) may be configured to obtain a touch signal for opening the door (30). The input device (60) may receive a touch signal when the user touches a part of the input device (60) or at least places a body (e.g., a hand, etc.) in close proximity to the input device (60). The input device (60) may include a capacitance sensor configured to detect a change in capacitance due to the user's touching action. The touch signal may be input to the input device (60) based on a change in capacitance according to the user's touching action, and the input device (60) may generate a door opening signal based on a change in capacitance according to the user's touching action.

[0156] However, the type of input device (60) is not limited thereto, and for example, the input device (60) may include various types of input devices such as a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, and a micro switch.

[0157] According to one embodiment, the input device (60) may be placed on the door (30). For example, the input device (60) may be placed on the handle (38) of the door (30) or at a location adjacent thereto. When a user touches the handle (38) of the door (30), the input device (60) can easily obtain a user input for opening the door (30). In addition, the input device (60) may be placed at various locations, such as the front of the door (30).

[0158] The input device (60) may include a first input device (60L) configured to obtain a door opening signal for opening a first door (30L), and a second input device (60R) configured to obtain a door opening signal for opening a second door (30R).

[0159] The first door opening device (100L) can open the first door (30L) based on the first input device (60L) obtaining a door opening signal. The driving device (130) of the first door opening device (100L) can move the door pusher (120) to press the first door (30L) based on the first input device (60L) obtaining the door opening signal. The control unit can control the driving device (130) of the first door opening device (100L) to cause the door pusher (120) to open the first door (30L) based on the first input device (60L) obtaining the door opening signal.

[0160] The second door opening device (100R) can open the second door (30R) based on the second input device (60R) obtaining a door opening signal. The driving device (130) of the second door opening device (100R) can move the door pusher (120) to press the second door (30R) based on the second input device (60R) obtaining the door opening signal. The control unit can control the driving device (130) of the second door opening device (100R) to cause the door pusher (120) to open the second door (30R) based on the second input device (60R) obtaining the door opening signal.

[0161] For example, the first input device (60L) may be mounted on the first door (30L). The first input device (60L) may be mounted on the door frame (31) of the first door (30L). The first input device (60L) may be positioned adjacent to the handle (38) of the first door (30L).

[0162] For example, the second input device (60R) may be mounted on the third door (30D). The second input device (60R) may be mounted on the door frame (31) of the third door (30D). The second input device (60R) may be positioned adjacent to the handle (38) of the third door (30D). According to one embodiment, since the handle (38) of the third door (30D) has better accessibility to the user than the handle (38) of the second door (30R), the second input device (60R) may be positioned on the handle (38) of the third door (30D), thereby allowing the user to more easily input a door opening signal to the second input device (60R) and operate the second door opening device (100R).

[0163] The structure of the door opening device (100) described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A refrigerator (1) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include door opening devices of various structures capable of opening a door (30) based on a door opening signal.

[0164] For example, unlike the above-described refrigerator (1) may include a door opening device mounted on the door (30) and configured to open the door (30). Such a door opening device may include, for example, a body pusher that is movably mounted on the door (30) and configured to press the body (10) while moving toward the body (10), and may be configured to open the door (30) as a reaction when the body pusher presses the body (10).

[0165] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door lower portion, a hinge bracket, a door cam, and a hinge cam, which are arranged on the lower left side of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door lower portion, a hinge bracket, a door cam, and a hinge cam, which are arranged on the lower right side of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hinge bracket, a door bracket, a hinge shaft, a door cam, a hinge cam, and the like, which are arranged on the lower side of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0166] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the hinge bracket (40) and hinge shaft (50) of the refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can support the lower portion of the door (30) so that the door (30) can rotate.

[0167] The hinge bracket (40) may include a lower hinge bracket (42) supporting the lower side of the door (30). The lower hinge bracket (42) may be coupled to the lower side of the door (30). The lower hinge bracket (42) may be coupled to the lower side of the door (30). The lower hinge bracket (42) may be coupled to the lower side of the body (10). For example, the lower hinge bracket (42) may include a left lower hinge bracket (42L) supporting the lower side of the first door (30L) and a right lower hinge bracket (42R) supporting the lower side of the second door (30R). The left lower hinge bracket (42L) may be coupled to the lower side of the first door (30L) and the left lower side of the body (10). The lower right hinge bracket (42R) can be coupled to the lower part of the second door (30R) and the lower right part of the main body (10). The lower left hinge bracket (42L) and the lower right hinge bracket (42R) can be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y).

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

[0169] The aforementioned upper right hinge bracket (41R) and lower right hinge bracket (42R) may be arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the second door (30R). The rotation axis of the second door (30R) may pass through the upper right hinge bracket (41R) and the lower right hinge bracket (42R). For example, the upper right hinge bracket (41R) and the lower right hinge bracket (42R) may be arranged in a perpendicular direction (Z) to each other.

[0170] The hinge shaft (50) may include a lower hinge shaft (52) coupled to the lower portion of the door (30) and the lower hinge bracket (42). The lower hinge shaft (52) may pass through the lower door cap (33). The lower hinge shaft (52) may pass through the lower hinge bracket (42). For example, the lower hinge shaft (52) may include a left lower hinge shaft (52L) coupled to the lower and left lower hinge brackets (42L) of the first door (30L), and a right lower hinge shaft (52R) coupled to the lower and right lower hinge brackets (42R) of the second door (30R). The left lower hinge shaft (52L) may pass through the lower door cap (33) and the left lower hinge bracket (42L) of the first door (30L). The lower right hinge shaft (52R) can penetrate the lower door cap (33) and the lower right hinge bracket (42R) of the second door (30R).

[0171] The aforementioned upper left hinge shaft (51L) and lower left hinge shaft (52L) may be arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the first door (30L). The rotation axis of the first door (30L) may pass through the upper left hinge shaft (51L) and the lower left hinge shaft (52L). For example, the upper left hinge shaft (51L) and the lower left hinge shaft (52L) may be parallel to each other in the vertical direction (Z).

[0172] The aforementioned upper right hinge shaft (51R) and lower right hinge shaft (52R) may be arranged in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the second door (30R). The rotation axis of the second door (30R) may pass through the upper right hinge shaft (51R) and the lower right hinge shaft (52R). For example, the upper right hinge bracket (41R) and the lower right hinge bracket (42R) may be aligned in the vertical direction (Z).

[0173] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cam device configured to guide the opening or closing of a door (30). The cam device may assist in the opening or closing of the door (30). Depending on the position of the door (30), the cam device may guide the door (30) to rotate in an opening direction or a closing direction. The cam device may guide the door (30) to rotate in a closing direction when the door (30) rotates less than a first angle from a position where the door closes the storage compartment (20). The cam device may guide the door (30) to rotate in an opening direction when the door (30) rotates at least a second angle greater than the first angle from a position where the door closes the storage compartment (20). Specifically, the cam device may include a hinge cam (200) and a door cam (300). The hinge cam (200) and the door cam (300) can be in contact with each other. The hinge cam (200) and the door cam (300) can be engaged with each other.

[0174] The hinge bracket (40) may include a hinge cam (200). Specifically, the lower hinge bracket (42) may include a hinge cam (200). The hinge cam (200) may be fixed to the main body (10). The hinge cam (200) may be provided at a portion of the hinge bracket (40) that is coupled with the door (30). The hinge cam (200) may be provided at a portion of the lower hinge bracket (42) that is coupled with the lower door cap (33). For example, the hinge cam (200) may be arranged on the upper surface of the lower hinge bracket (42).

[0175] The hinge cam (200) may be provided in multiple numbers. For example, the hinge cam (200) may include a first hinge cam (200L) provided on the left lower hinge bracket (42L) and a second hinge cam (200R) provided on the right lower hinge bracket (42R). The first hinge cam (200L) may be configured to guide the rotation of the first door (30L). The second hinge cam (200R) may be configured to guide the rotation of the second door (30R). The first hinge cam (200L) and the second hinge cam (200R) may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y). The first hinge cam (200L) may be arranged on the upper surface of the left lower hinge bracket (42L). The second hinge cam (200R) can be placed on the upper surface of the lower right hinge bracket (42R).

[0176] The door (30) may include a door cam (300). The door cam (300) may be fixed to the door cap of the door (30). For example, the door cam (300) may be coupled to the lower door cap (33). The door cam (300) may be provided at the lower portion of the door (30). The door cam (300) may be provided at a portion coupled to the hinge bracket (40) of the door (30). The door cam (300) may be provided at a portion coupled to the lower hinge bracket (42) of the door (30).

[0177] The door cam (300) may be provided in multiple numbers. For example, the door cam (300) may include a first door cam (300L) provided on the first door (30L) and a second door cam (300R) provided on the second door (30R). The first door cam (300L) may be configured to guide the rotation of the first door (30L). The second door cam (300R) may be configured to guide the rotation of the second door (30R). The first door cam (300L) and the second door cam (300R) may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y). The first door cam (300L) may be arranged at the lower portion of the first door (30L). The second door cam (300R) may be arranged at the lower portion of the second door (30R).

[0178] According to one embodiment, the first hinge cam (200L) and the second hinge cam (200R) may be symmetrical to each other and have structures that are substantially corresponding to each other. According to one embodiment, the first door cam (300L) and the second door cam (300R) may be symmetrical to each other and have structures that are substantially corresponding to each other.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 7, the hinge cam (200) may include a hinge cam body (210). For example, the hinge cam body (210) may be coupled to a body portion of the lower hinge bracket (42). The hinge cam body (210) may be penetrated by a lower hinge shaft (52). The hinge cam body (210) may include a hinge cam hole (210a), the lower hinge shaft (52) may include the hinge cam hole (210a), and the lower hinge shaft (52) may penetrate the hinge cam hole (210a). For example, the width (e.g., diameter) of the lower hinge shaft (52) may roughly correspond to the width (e.g., diameter) of the hinge cam hole (210a). The lower hinge shaft (52) can pass through the lower hinge bracket hole (42a) formed in the body portion of the lower hinge bracket (42), and the hinge cam (200) can be connected to the body portion of the lower hinge bracket (42) by the lower hinge shaft (52). The hinge cam (200) can be connected to the door (30) by the lower hinge shaft (52). Although the coupling structure of the first hinge cam (200L) is illustrated in FIG. 7, the features described above can also be correspondingly applied to the second hinge cam (200R).

[0180] Referring to FIG. 7, the door cam (300) may include a door cam body (310). For example, the door cam body (310) may be coupled to a lower door cap (33). For example, the door (30) may include a door bracket (36) fixed to a bottom surface of the lower door cap (33), and the door cam body (310) may be coupled to the door bracket (36). The door cam body (310) may be penetrated by a lower hinge shaft (52). The door cam body (310) may include a door cam hole (310a), and the lower hinge shaft (52) may penetrate the door cam hole (310a). For example, the width (e.g., diameter) of the lower hinge shaft (52) may roughly correspond to the width (e.g., diameter) of the door cam hole (310a). The lower hinge shaft (52) can pass through the door bracket hole (36a) formed in the door bracket (36) and the lower door cap (33), and the door cam (300) can be connected to the door bracket (36) and the lower door cap (33) by the lower hinge shaft (52). The door cam (300) can be connected to the lower hinge bracket (42) by the lower hinge shaft (52). The door cam (300) can be connected to the hinge cam (200) by the lower hinge shaft (52). Although the coupling structure of the first door cam (300L) is illustrated in FIG. 7, the features described above can also be correspondingly applied to the second door cam (300R).

[0181] Hereinafter, the structure and function of the first hinge cam (200L) and the first door cam (300L) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 20, and the corresponding contents can be applied to the structure and function of the second hinge cam (200R) and the second door cam (300L).

[0182] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge cam of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a door cam of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating a hinge cam of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a first door cam surface of a door cam sliding along a first hinge cam surface of a hinge cam in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a second door cam surface of a door cam sliding along a second hinge cam surface of a hinge cam in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0183] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12, a hinge cam (200) and a door cam (300) of a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be in contact with each other and engaged with each other. The hinge cam (200) may guide the movement of the door cam (300) by being in contact with the door cam (300). The hinge cam (200) may be configured to guide the movement of the door cam (300) so that the door (30) rotates in a closing or opening direction. For example, the door cam (300) may be positioned above the hinge cam (200), and the door cam (300) may slide and move along the hinge cam (200) due to the weight of the door (30).

[0184] The hinge cam (200) can guide the movement of the door cam (300) in different directions depending on the relative position of the door cam (300), thereby rotating the door (30) in a closing direction or in an opening direction. For example, when the door (30) is rotated less than a first angle from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed, the hinge cam (200) can guide the movement of the door cam (300) so that the door (30) rotates in a closing direction. For example, when the door (30) is rotated more than a second angle that is greater than the first angle from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed, the hinge cam (200) can guide the movement of the door cam (300) so that the door (30) rotates in an opening direction.

[0185] A portion of the hinge cam (200) that the door cam (300) comes into contact with when the door (30) is rotated less than a first angle from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed, and a portion of the hinge cam (200) that the door cam (300) comes into contact with when the door (30) is rotated more than a second angle from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed, may be different from each other. A portion of the door cam (300) that the hinge cam (200) comes into contact with when the door (30) is rotated less than a first angle from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed, and a portion of the door cam (300) that the hinge cam (200) comes into contact with when the door (30) is rotated more than a second angle from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed, may be different from each other.

[0186] The hinge cam (200) may include a first hinge cam surface (221) and a second hinge cam surface (222). For example, the first hinge cam surface (221) and the second hinge cam surface (222) may be positioned in a direction from the hinge cam body (210) toward the door cam (300). For example, the first hinge cam surface (221) and the second hinge cam surface (222) may be positioned above the hinge cam body (210).

[0187] The first hinge cam surface (221) may be configured to guide the movement of the door cam (300) so that the door (30) rotates in the closing direction when it comes into contact with the door cam (300). When the door (30) rotates less than a first angle from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed, the door cam (300) may come into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221). The case where "the door (30) rotates less than a first angle from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed" may also include a case where the door (30) is completely closed.

[0188] The door cam (300) can slide along the first hinge cam surface (221) so that the door (30) rotates in the closing direction due to the weight of the door (30) when it comes into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221). The first hinge cam surface (221) can be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the XY plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so that the door cam (300) descends along the first hinge cam surface (221) when the door cam (300) comes into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221) and the door (30) closes. However, if a force greater than the force that causes the door cam (300) to slide along the first hinge cam surface (221) due to the weight of the door (30) is applied (e.g., a force that causes the door (30) to rotate to open by the door opening device (100), the door cam (300) may move along the first hinge cam surface (221) so as to rotate in the direction in which the door (30) opens. The first hinge cam surface (221) may be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the XY plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so that the door cam (300) comes into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221) and rises along the first hinge cam surface (221) when the door (300) opens.

[0189] The second hinge cam surface (222) may be configured to guide the movement of the door cam (300) so that the door (300) rotates in the direction in which the door (30) opens when it comes into contact with the door cam (300). When the door (30) rotates by a second angle or more from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed, the door cam (300) may come into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222).

[0190] The angle at which the door (30) is rotated from the position at which the storage compartment (20) is closed when the door cam (300) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222) may be greater than the angle at which the door (30) is rotated from the position at which the storage compartment (20) is closed when the door cam (300) contacts the first hinge cam surface (221).

[0191] The door cam (300) can slide along the second hinge cam surface (222) so that the door (30) rotates in the direction in which the door (30) opens due to the weight of the door (30) when it comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222). The second hinge cam surface (222) can be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the XY plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so that the door cam (300) descends along the second hinge cam surface (222) when the door cam (300) comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222) and the door (30) opens. However, if a force greater than the force that causes the door cam (300) to slide along the second hinge cam surface (222) due to the weight of the door (30) is applied (e.g., a force of a user trying to close the door (30), the door cam (300) may move along the second hinge cam surface (222) so as to rotate in the direction in which the door (30) closes. The second hinge cam surface (222) may be inclined with respect to a horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the XY plane and perpendicular to the Z direction) so that the door cam (300) rises along the second hinge cam surface (222) when the door cam (300) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222) and the door (30) closes.

[0192] The first hinge cam surface (221) and the second hinge cam surface (222) can extend in different directions.

[0193] The first hinge cam surface (221) and the second hinge cam surface (222) may be connected to each other. The hinge cam (200) may include a hinge cam curved portion (223) disposed between the first hinge cam surface (221) and the second hinge cam surface (222). The distance from the hinge cam body (210) to the hinge cam curved portion (223) may be greater than the distance from the hinge cam body (210) to the first hinge cam surface (221) and the distance from the hinge cam body (210) to the second hinge cam surface (222). For example, the first hinge cam surface (221) may have a distance in the vertical direction (Z) from the hinge cam body (210) increasing from one end of the first hinge cam surface (221) connected to the hinge cam body (210) toward the hinge cam curved portion (223). For example, the first hinge cam surface (221) may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body (210) (or with respect to the horizontal direction (the direction parallel to the XY plane and perpendicular to the Z direction)) such that the distance from the one end of the first hinge cam surface (221) connected to the hinge cam body (210) toward the hinge cam curved portion (223) increases in the vertical direction (Z). For example, the distance in the vertical direction (Z) from the hinge cam body (210) of the second hinge cam surface (222) may decrease as it moves from the hinge cam curved portion (223) toward the end of the second hinge cam surface (222) that is connected to the hinge cam body (210). For example, the second hinge cam surface (222) may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body (210) so as to be lowered as it moves from the hinge cam curved portion (223) toward the end of the second hinge cam surface (222) that is connected to the hinge cam body (210). That is, the door cam (300) may rise highest when it contacts the hinge cam curved portion (223).

[0194] The hinge cam (200) may include a hinge cam protrusion (220) that protrudes from the hinge cam body (210) toward the door cam (300). The hinge cam protrusion (220) may include a first hinge cam surface (221) and a second hinge cam surface (222) that are connected to each other. The hinge cam protrusion (220) may include a hinge cam curved portion (223). The hinge cam curved portion (223) may be a portion of the hinge cam protrusion (220) that most protrudes in the vertical direction (Z) from the hinge cam body (210). The hinge cam curved portion (223) may be a portion of the hinge cam protrusion (220) that is highest upward.

[0195] A plurality of hinge cam protrusions (220) may be provided. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions (220) may include a first hinge cam surface (221) and a second hinge cam surface (222) that are connected to each other. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions (220) may include a hinge cam curved portion (223). For a pair of adjacent hinge cam protrusions (220) among the plurality of hinge cam protrusions (220), the first hinge cam surface (221) of one hinge cam protrusion (220) may face the second hinge cam surface (222) of the other hinge cam protrusion (220).

[0196] For example, a plurality of hinge cam protrusions (220) may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the rotational direction of the door (30). The area between the plurality of hinge cam protrusions (220) may be approximately parallel to the horizontal direction and flat.

[0197] For example, the hinge cam (200) may include three hinge cam protrusions (220). The three hinge cam protrusions (220) may be spaced apart from each other at equal intervals. However, the number of hinge cam protrusions (220) provided on the hinge cam (200) is not limited thereto.

[0198] The door cam (300) may include a first door cam surface (321) and a second door cam surface (322). For example, the first door cam surface (321) and the second door cam surface (322) may be positioned in a direction from the door cam body (310) toward the hinge cam (200). For example, the first door cam surface (321) and the second door cam surface (322) may be positioned lower than the door cam body (310).

[0199] The first door cam surface (321) may be configured to move along the hinge cam (200) in a direction in which the door (30) closes when it comes into contact with the hinge cam (200). The first door cam surface (321) may come into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221) when the door (30) rotates less than a first angle from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed. The first door cam surface (321) may be guided in movement by the first hinge cam surface (221) so as to rotate in a direction in which the door (30) closes when it comes into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221). The first door cam surface (321) may slide along the first hinge cam surface (221) so as to rotate in a direction in which the door (30) closes due to the weight of the door (30) when it comes into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221). The expression "the first door cam surface (321) is in contact with the first hinge cam surface (221)" may be used to mean various states in which the first door cam surface (321) is placed on the first hinge cam surface (221), such as when the first door cam surface (321) is in contact with a point on the first hinge cam surface (221), when the first door cam surface (321) is in line contact with the first hinge cam surface (221), and when the first door cam surface (321) is in surface contact with the first hinge cam surface (221). The expression “when the first door cam surface (321) comes into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221)” may be used to mean not only the moment when the first door cam surface (321) begins to come into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221), but also a continuous period of time during which the first door cam surface (321) comes into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221).

[0200] The first door cam surface (321) may be positioned on the first hinge cam surface (221) when the door (30) rotates less than a first angle from a position where the door closes the storage compartment (20). The first door cam surface (321) may be configured to move along the first hinge cam surface (221) so that the door (30) rotates in the closing direction when positioned on the first hinge cam surface (221).

[0201] The second door cam surface (322) may be configured to move along the hinge cam (200) in the direction in which the door (30) opens when it comes into contact with the hinge cam (200). The second door cam surface (322) may come into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222) when the door (30) rotates at a second angle or more from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed. The second door cam surface (322) may be guided in movement by the second hinge cam surface (222) so as to rotate in the direction in which the door (30) opens when it comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222). The second door cam surface (322) may slide along the second hinge cam surface (222) so as to rotate in the direction in which the door (30) opens due to the weight of the door (30) when it comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222).

[0202] The expression "the second door cam surface (322) is in contact with the second hinge cam surface (222)" can be used to mean various states in which the second door cam surface (322) is placed on the second hinge cam surface (222), such as when the second door cam surface (322) is in contact with a point on the second hinge cam surface (222), when the second door cam surface (322) is in line contact with the second hinge cam surface (222), and when the second door cam surface (322) is in surface contact with the second hinge cam surface (222). The expression “when the second door cam surface (322) comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222)” may be used to mean not only the moment when the second door cam surface (322) begins to come into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222), but also a continuous period of time during which the second door cam surface (322) comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222).

[0203] The second door cam surface (322) may be positioned on the second hinge cam surface (222) when the door (30) rotates at a second angle or more from a position where the door closes the storage compartment (20). The second door cam surface (322) may be configured to move along the second hinge cam surface (222) so as to rotate in the direction in which the door (30) opens when positioned on the second hinge cam surface (222).

[0204] The angle at which the door (30) rotates from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed when the hinge cam (200) contacts the second door cam surface (322) may be greater than the angle at which the door (30) rotates from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed when the hinge cam (200) contacts the first door cam surface (321). The angle at which the door (30) rotates from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed when the second door cam surface (322) is positioned on the second hinge cam surface (222) may be greater than the angle at which the door (30) rotates from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed when the first door cam surface (321) is positioned on the first hinge cam surface (221).

[0205] The first door cam surface (321) and the second door cam surface (322) may extend in different directions. For example, the first door cam surface (321) may extend in a direction approximately parallel to the first hinge cam surface (221). For example, the second door cam surface (322) may extend in a direction approximately parallel to the second hinge cam surface (222).

[0206] The first door cam surface (321) and the second door cam surface (322) may be connected to each other. The door cam (300) may include a door cam curved portion (323) disposed between the first door cam surface (321) and the second door cam surface (322). The door cam curved portion (323) may be configured to contact the hinge cam curved portion (223). The distance from the door cam body (310) to the door cam curved portion (323) may be greater than the distance from the door cam body (310) to the first door cam surface (321) and the distance from the door cam body (310) to the second door cam surface (322). For example, the distance in the vertical direction (Z) from the door cam body (310) of the first door cam surface (321) may increase from the end of the first door cam surface (321) that is connected to the door cam body (310) toward the door cam curved portion (323). For example, the first door cam surface (321) may be inclined with respect to the door cam body (310) (or with respect to the horizontal direction (the direction parallel to the XY plane and perpendicular to the Z direction)) so as to lower in the vertical direction (Z) from the end of the first door cam surface (321) that is connected to the door cam body (310) toward the door cam curved portion (323). For example, the distance in the vertical direction (Z) from the door cam body (310) of the second door cam surface (322) may decrease from the end of the door cam curved portion (323) that is connected to the door cam body (310) of the second door cam surface (321). For example, the second door cam surface (322) may be inclined relative to the door cam body (310) (or relative to the horizontal direction (parallel to the XY plane and perpendicular to the Z direction)) so that the higher the second door cam surface (322) is in the vertical direction (Z) toward the end connected to the door cam body (310) from the door cam curved portion (323), the higher it rises. That is, the door cam (300) may rise highest when the door cam curved portion (323) contacts the hinge cam (200).

[0207] The door cam (300) may include a door cam protrusion (320) that protrudes from the door cam body (310) toward the hinge cam (200). The door cam protrusion (320) may include a first door cam surface (321) and a second door cam surface (322) that are connected to each other. The door cam protrusion (320) may include a door cam curved portion (323). The door cam curved portion (323) may be a portion of the door cam protrusion (320) that most protrudes in the vertical direction (Z) from the door cam body (310). The door cam curved portion (323) may be a portion of the door cam protrusion (320) that is lowest.

[0208] The door cam protrusions (320) may be provided in plurality. Each of the plurality of door cam protrusions (320) may include a first door cam surface (321) and a second door cam surface (322) that are connected to each other. Each of the plurality of door cam protrusions (320) may include a door cam curved portion (323). For a pair of adjacent door cam protrusions (320) among the plurality of door cam protrusions (320), the first door cam surface (321) of one door cam protrusion (320) may face the second door cam surface (322) of the other door cam protrusion (320).

[0209] For example, a plurality of door cam protrusions (320) may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the rotational direction of the door (30). The area between the plurality of door cam protrusions (320) may be approximately parallel to the horizontal direction and flat.

[0210] The number of hinge cam protrusions (220) included in the hinge cam (200) and the number of door cam protrusions (320) included in the door cam (300) may be the same. A plurality of hinge cam protrusions (220) and a plurality of door cam protrusions (320) may correspond one to one to each other, and one door cam protrusion (320) may contact one hinge cam protrusion (220). For example, one door cam protrusion (320) may be configured so that its movement is guided only by one hinge cam protrusion (220) as the door (30) rotates.

[0211] For example, the door cam (300) may include three door cam protrusions (320). The three door cam protrusions (320) may be spaced apart from each other at equal intervals. However, the number of door cam protrusions (320) provided on the door cam (300) is not limited thereto.

[0212] The angle at which the first hinge cam surface (221) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the XY plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be greater than the angle at which the second hinge cam surface (222) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The angle at which the first hinge cam surface (221) is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body (210) may be greater than the angle at which the second hinge cam surface (222) is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body (210). Since the vertical direction (Z) length of the first hinge cam surface (221) and the vertical direction (Z) length of the second hinge cam surface (222) are the same, the horizontal direction length of the first hinge cam surface (221) may be shorter than the horizontal direction length of the second hinge cam surface (222).

[0213] The angle at which the first door cam surface (321) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the XY plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be greater than the angle at which the second door cam surface (322) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The angle at which the first door cam surface (321) is inclined with respect to the door cam body (310) may be greater than the angle at which the second door cam surface (322) is inclined with respect to the door cam body (310). Since the vertical direction (Z) length of the first door cam surface (321) and the vertical direction (Z) length of the second door cam surface (322) are the same, the horizontal direction length of the first door cam surface (321) may be shorter than the horizontal direction length of the second door cam surface (322).

[0214] Due to the difference in the inclination angles of the first hinge cam surface (221) and the second hinge cam surface (222), or the difference in the inclination angles of the first door cam surface (321) and the second door cam surface (322), when the door (30) is closed, the first door cam surface (321) can slide more smoothly along the first hinge cam surface (221), so that the door (30) can rotate and close more efficiently. In addition, when the door (30) is opened, the second door cam surface (322) can slide more gently along the second hinge cam surface (222), so that the door (30) can rotate and open more gently, thereby reducing the load applied to the door (30) or the hinge bracket (40).

[0215] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first hinge cam surface (221) and the second hinge cam surface (222) may have various inclination angles, and the first door cam surface (321) and the second door cam surface (322) may have various inclination angles.

[0216] In various embodiments, the angle at which the first hinge cam surface (221) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the XY plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second hinge cam surface (222) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The angle at which the first hinge cam surface (221) is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body (210) may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second hinge cam surface (222) is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body (210) (see the embodiment of FIG. 13).

[0217] In various embodiments, the angle at which the first door cam surface (321) is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the XY plane or a direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second door cam surface (322) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The angle at which the first door cam surface (321) is inclined with respect to the door cam body (310) may be less than or equal to the angle at which the second door cam surface (322) is inclined with respect to the door cam body (310) (see the embodiment of FIG. 14).

[0218] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, the operation of the hinge cam (200), door cam (300), etc. when the door (30) is closed and when the door (30) is opened will be described.

[0219] When the door (30) is closed, the first door cam surface (321) may contact the first hinge cam surface (221). For example, when the door (30) is closed, the contact surface where the first door cam surface (321) contacts the first hinge cam surface (221) may be located between one end where the first hinge cam surface (221) contacts the hinge cam body (210) and the hinge cam curved portion (223). Referring to FIG. 10, when the door (30) is closed, the contact surface where the first door cam surface (321) contacts the first hinge cam surface (221) may be located on the line L1.

[0220] When the door (30) rotates less than the first angle from the position where the storage compartment (20) is closed and the first door cam surface (321) comes into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221), the door (30) can rotate in the closing direction due to the weight of the door (30). Referring to FIG. 10, the contact surface where the first door cam surface (321) and the first hinge cam surface (221) come into contact can be located between the line L1 and the line L2. The line L2 can be defined as a line passing through the rotation axis of the door (30) (or the center of the hinge cam hole (210a)) and the hinge cam curved portion (223).

[0221] If the force that causes the door (30) to rotate in the opening direction is sufficiently large, such as the force of the user directly trying to open the door (30) or the force of the door opening device (100) pressing the door (30), the door (30) may rotate in the opening direction despite the weight of the door (30), and the contact surface where the first door cam surface (321) and the first hinge cam surface (221) come into contact may gradually come closer to the L2 line. When the door (30) is opened, the door cam (300) may move along the first hinge cam surface (221) and rise.

[0222] When the door (30) rotates at a second angle or more from the position where the storage compartment (20) is closed and the second door cam surface (322) comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222), the door (30) can rotate in the opening direction due to the weight of the door (30). Referring to FIG. 10, the contact surface where the second door cam surface (322) and the second hinge cam surface (222) come into contact can be located between the line L2 and the line L4. The line L4 can be defined as a line passing through the rotational axis of the door (30) (or the center of the hinge cam hole (210a)) and the end where the second hinge cam surface (222) comes into contact with the hinge cam body (210). When the door (30) opens, the contact surface where the second door cam surface (322) and the second hinge cam surface (222) come into contact can gradually get closer to the line L4. When the door (30) is opened, the door cam (300) can move and descend along the second hinge cam surface (222). After the door cam (300) has completely descended along the second hinge cam surface (222), the rotation of the door (30) can stop. At this time, the door (30) can be opened to the maximum angle.

[0223] If the force that causes the door (30) to rotate in the closing direction, such as the force that the user exerts to directly close the door (30), is sufficiently large, the door (30) may rotate in the closing direction despite the weight of the door (30).

[0224] The position of the door cam (300) may be highest when the door cam curved portion (323) contacts the hinge cam curved portion (223). The position of the door cam (300) may be highest when the door cam curved portion (323) is located on the hinge cam curved portion (223). When the door cam curved portion (323) contacts the hinge cam curved portion (223), the contact surface may be located on the line L2. When the door cam curved portion (323) contacts the hinge cam curved portion (223), the opening angle of the door (30) may be the first angle described above, or may be the second angle described above.

[0225] The expression "the door cam curve (323) contacts the hinge cam curve (223)" can be used to mean various states in which the door cam curve (323) is placed on the hinge cam curve (223), such as when the door cam curve (323) contacts a point on the hinge cam curve (223), when the door cam curve (323) makes line contact with the hinge cam curve (223), and when the door cam curve (323) makes surface contact with the hinge cam curve (223). The expression “when the door cam curve (323) comes into contact with the hinge cam curve (223)” may be used to mean not only the moment when the door cam curve (323) begins to come into contact with the hinge cam curve (223), but also a continuous period of time during which the door cam curve (323) comes into contact with the hinge cam curve (223).

[0226] By the structure of the hinge cam (200) and door cam (300) as described above, depending on the opening angle of the door (30), the door (30) may be guided to rotate in the closing direction (see FIG. 11) or may be guided to rotate in the opening direction (see FIG. 12).

[0227] In order to improve durability so that the shape or angle of each of the door cam (300) and the hinge cam (200) is not deformed due to the load or frictional force of the door (30) when the door cam (300) moves along the hinge cam (200), the hinge cam (200) and the door cam (300) may include a rigid material. For example, the hinge cam (200) may include various materials such as polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon (NYLON), or metal. For example, the door cam (300) may include various materials such as polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon (NYLON), or metal.

[0228] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge cam of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a door cam of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0229] In describing an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the same drawing reference numerals may be given to configurations corresponding to those of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12, and repeated descriptions may be omitted.

[0230] Referring to FIG. 13, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge cam (200) may include a first hinge cam surface (221) and a second hinge cam surface (222), each inclined with respect to a horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the XY plane or a direction perpendicular to the Z direction). The first hinge cam surface (221) and the second hinge cam surface (222) may each be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body (210).

[0231] For example, the angle at which the first hinge cam surface (221) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the XY plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be smaller than the angle at which the second hinge cam surface (222) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The angle at which the first hinge cam surface (221) is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body (210) may be smaller than the angle at which the second hinge cam surface (222) is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body (210). Since the vertical direction (Z) length of the first hinge cam surface (221) and the vertical direction (Z) length of the second hinge cam surface (222) are the same, the horizontal direction length of the first hinge cam surface (221) may be longer than the horizontal direction length of the second hinge cam surface (222).

[0232] Referring to FIG. 14, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the door cam (300) may include a first door cam surface (321) and a second door cam surface (322) that are inclined with respect to a horizontal direction (e.g., a direction parallel to the XY plane or a direction perpendicular to the Z direction), respectively. The first door cam surface (321) and the second door cam surface (322) may each be inclined with respect to the door cam body (310).

[0233] For example, the angle at which the first door cam surface (321) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., the direction parallel to the XY plane or the direction perpendicular to the Z direction) may be smaller than the angle at which the second door cam surface (322) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The angle at which the first door cam surface (321) is inclined with respect to the door cam body (310) may be smaller than the angle at which the second door cam surface (322) is inclined with respect to the door cam body (310). Since the vertical direction (Z) length of the first door cam surface (321) and the vertical direction (Z) length of the second door cam surface (322) are the same, the horizontal direction length of the first door cam surface (321) may be longer than the horizontal direction length of the second door cam surface (322).

[0234] The first hinge cam surface (221) and the first door cam surface (321) may be substantially parallel. The first hinge cam surface (221) and the first door cam surface (321) may be extended to have substantially the same inclination angle.

[0235] The second hinge cam surface (222) and the second door cam surface (322) may be substantially parallel. The second hinge cam surface (222) and the second door cam surface (322) may be extended to have substantially the same inclination angle.

[0236] Due to the difference in the inclination angles of the first hinge cam surface (221) and the second hinge cam surface (222), or the difference in the inclination angles of the first door cam surface (321) and the second door cam surface (322), when the door (30) is opened, the second door cam surface (322) can slide more smoothly along the second hinge cam surface (222), so that the door (30) can rotate and open more efficiently. In addition, when the door (30) is closed, the first door cam surface (321) can slide more gently along the first hinge cam surface (221), so that the door (30) rotates gently and closes, thereby reducing the load applied to the door (30), the hinge bracket (40), the main body (10), etc.

[0237] The present disclosure is not limited to the ones illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 14, and in various embodiments, the angle at which the first hinge cam surface (221) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the angle at which the second hinge cam surface (222) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be the same. In various embodiments, the angle at which the first door cam surface (321) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and the angle at which the second door cam surface (322) is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be the same.

[0238] FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view illustrating a closed door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door cam and a hinge cam, when a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is closed. FIG. 17 is an enlarged top view illustrating a door opening device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure opening a door. FIG. 18 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door cam and a hinge cam, when a door opening device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure opens a door. FIG. 19 is an enlarged top view illustrating a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure further opened by the door cam and the hinge cam after being opened by a certain angle by the door opening device. FIG. 20 is an enlarged view illustrating various components, such as a door cam and a hinge cam, when a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is further opened by the door cam and the hinge cam after being opened by a certain angle by the door opening device.

[0239] In FIGS. 15 to 20, the process of opening the first door (30L) as an example of a door (30) is illustrated in detail, but the contents described below can be equally applied to the process of opening the second door (30R).

[0240] For convenience of understanding, it is assumed that FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the appearance of each component when the door (30) is closed, FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the appearance of each component when the opening angles of the doors (30) are the same, and FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate the appearance of each component when the opening angles of the doors (30) are the same.

[0241] Referring to FIGS. 15 to 20, when the door (30) of the refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is opened, the door pusher (120) of the door opening device (100) can press the door (30) to rotate the door (30) in the opening direction, and the cam device including the hinge cam (200) and the door cam (300) can rotate the door (30) in the opening direction by causing the second door cam surface (322) to slide along the second hinge cam surface (222) due to the weight of the door (30).

[0242] When the door (30) is opened, if the door pusher (120) presses the door (30) only until the first door cam surface (321) of the door cam (300) comes into contact with the first hinge cam surface (221) of the hinge cam (200) and then stops pressing, the door (30) can stop rotating in the opening direction and then rotate in the closing direction again. In other words, if the door pusher (120) stops pressing the door (30) while the door (30) does not rotate until the second door cam surface (322) of the door cam (300) comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222) of the hinge cam (200), the door (30) can stop rotating in the opening direction and then rotate in the closing direction again.

[0243] In order to enable the door (30) to rotate to a fully open position without stopping during the opening process, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the door opening device (100) may be configured to open the door (30) until the door cam (300) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222). The door opening device (100) may be configured to open the door (30) until the second door cam surface (322) contacts the hinge cam (200). That is, the door opening device (100) may be configured to open the door (30) until the second door cam surface (322) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222). The door opening device (100) may be configured to open the door (30) until the door (30) rotates a second angle or more from a position where the door (30) closes the storage compartment (20). When the door opening device (100) rotates the door (30) to a certain opening angle or more, the second door cam surface (322) comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface (222), and thus the door (30) can continue to open due to its own weight.

[0244] For example, the door pusher (120) may be configured to press the door (30) until the door cam (300) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222). The door pusher (120) may be configured to press the door (30) until the second door cam surface (322) contacts the hinge cam (200). That is, the door pusher (120) may be configured to press the door (30) until the second door cam surface (322) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222). The door pusher (120) may be configured to press the door (30) until the door (30) rotates a second angle or more from a position where the door closes the storage compartment (20).

[0245] As illustrated in FIGS. 15, 17, and 19, the door pusher (120) can move between a first pusher position (P1) and a second pusher position (P2). When the door pusher (120) is positioned at the second pusher position (P2), the door cam (300) can contact the second hinge cam surface (222). When the door pusher (120) is positioned at the second pusher position (P2), the hinge cam (200) can contact the second door cam surface (322). That is, when the door pusher (120) is positioned at the second pusher position (P2), the second door cam surface (322) can contact the second hinge cam surface (222). When the door pusher (120) is positioned at the second pusher position (P2), the door (30) may be in a position rotated by a second angle or more from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

[0246] The door pusher (120) can be stopped after reaching the second pusher position (P2). The driving device (130) of the door opening device (100) can stop the door pusher (120) after moving the door pusher (120) to the second pusher position (P2). For example, the driving device (130) can stop the door pusher (120) after moving the door pusher (120) to press the door (30) until the second door cam surface (322) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222). The control unit can control the driving device (130) so that the door pusher (120) presses the door (30) until the second door cam surface (322) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222).

[0247] After the door pusher (120) stops at the second pusher position (P2), the driving device (130) can move the door pusher (120) back to the first pusher position (P1).

[0248] When the door pusher (120) reaches the second pusher position (P2), i.e., when the door pusher (120) presses the door (30) to the maximum, the angle at which the door (30) rotates from the position at which the storage compartment (20) is closed may be greater than the angle at which the door (30) rotates from the position at which the storage compartment (20) is closed when the door cam (300) contacts the hinge cam curve (223). When the door pusher (120) presses the door (30) to the maximum, the angle at which the door (30) rotates from the position at which the storage compartment (20) is closed may be greater than the angle at which the door (30) rotates from the position at which the storage compartment (20) is closed when the door cam curve (323) is positioned on the hinge cam curve (223). The door pusher (120) may be configured to pressurize the door (30) until the door (30) rotates at a third angle greater than the second angle described above from a position where the door (30) closes the storage compartment (20). The third angle may be defined as the opening angle of the door (30) when the door pusher (120) reaches the second pusher position (P2), which is the position where the door (30) is pressed to the maximum.

[0249] For example, when the door (30) is rotated at a third angle from a position where the storage compartment (20) is closed, the second door cam surface (322) may contact the second hinge cam surface (222). For example, when the door (30) is rotated at a third angle from a position where the storage compartment is closed, the contact surface where the second door cam surface (322) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222) may be located on line L3 of FIG. 10. For example, line L3 may be located between line L2 and line L4.

[0250] Even if the door pusher (120) returns to the first pusher position (P1) after pressurizing the door (30) to the maximum, the door cam (300) can move along the second hinge cam surface (222) due to the weight of the door (30) because the second door cam surface (322) and the second hinge cam surface (222) are in contact. Accordingly, the door (30) can rotate in a direction in which it opens further from the position at which the door pusher (120) reaches the second pusher position (P2). That is, the door (30) can rotate to open at an angle greater than the third angle by the second door cam surface (322) and the second hinge cam surface (222) (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

[0251] As the door opening device (100), the door cam (300), and the hinge cam (200) are configured to operate in conjunction with each other in this manner, the door (30) can automatically rotate to a fully open position without stopping during the opening process. According to one embodiment, the door (30) can be designed to automatically rotate to an opening angle of approximately 80 to 100 degrees by the above structure.

[0252] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the door (30) is rotated by a certain angle or more by the door opening device (100), the door (30) can be opened using only the weight of the door (30), so a structure that requires applying another force (e.g., elastic force, etc.) to open the door (30) is unnecessary. Accordingly, the number of components of the structure for opening the door (30) can be reduced, and production costs can be reduced.

[0253] In addition, in the case of an embodiment in which the refrigerator (1) is of the SBS type, the door (30) may be relatively heavier than in other types of refrigerators. Therefore, it may not be efficient to configure a structure that requires applying other forces such as elasticity to rotate the heavy door (30), and the design may also be difficult. However, in the case of opening or closing the door (30) using the door cam (300) and the hinge cam (200) as in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the heavier the door (30), the more efficiently the door (30) can be opened and closed.

[0254] As in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the hinge cam (200) includes a plurality of hinge cam protrusions (220) including hinge cam surfaces (221, 222), and the door cam (300) includes a plurality of door cam protrusions (320) including door cam surfaces (321, 322), so that the load of the door (30) can be distributed when the door (30) is opened or closed, and the durability of the part can be improved.

[0255] In order for the door (30) to be completely opened by the structure of the door opening device (100), the door cam (300), and the hinge cam (200), design parameters related to the shapes of the hinge cam (200) and the door cam (300), such as the height, length, or inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface (221), the height, length, or inclination angle of the second hinge cam surface (222), the height, length, or inclination angle of the first door cam surface (321), and the height, length, or inclination angle of the second door cam surface (322), and design parameters related to the door opening device (100), such as the maximum extension length of the door pusher (120), and the position of the point at which the door pusher (120) presses the door (30), need to be appropriately set.

[0256] In various embodiments, the design parameters associated with the first hinge cam (200L) and the first door cam (300L) may be different from the design parameters associated with the second hinge cam (200R) and the second door cam (300R). In various embodiments, the design parameters associated with the first door opening device (100L) may be different from the design parameters associated with the second door opening device (100R). In this way, the parameters between the components on the left side of the refrigerator (1) and the components on the right side may be set differently, for example, because the horizontal direction (Y) length of the first door (30L) and the horizontal direction (Y) length of the second door (30R) are different.

[0257] In various embodiments, the design parameters associated with the first hinge cam (200L) and the first door cam (300L) may be approximately the same as the design parameters associated with the second hinge cam (200R) and the second door cam (300R). In various embodiments, the design parameters associated with the first door opening device (100L) may be approximately the same as the design parameters associated with the second door opening device (100R). In this case, the horizontal (Y) length of the first door (30L) and the horizontal (Y) length of the second door (30R) may be the same.

[0258] Alternatively, in various embodiments, the design parameters associated with the first hinge cam (200L) and the first door cam (300L) may be approximately the same as the design parameters associated with the second hinge cam (200R) and the second door cam (300R), and the design parameters associated with the first door opening device (100L) may be different from the design parameters associated with the second door opening device (100R). Conversely, in various embodiments, the design parameters associated with the first hinge cam (200L) and the first door cam (300L) may be different from the design parameters associated with the second hinge cam (200R) and the second door cam (300R), and the design parameters associated with the first door opening device (100L) may be approximately the same as the design parameters associated with the second door opening device (100R). In this case, even if the horizontal direction (Y) length of the first door (30L) and the horizontal direction (Y) length of the second door (30R) are different from each other, the first door (30L) and the second door (30R) can be configured to open to corresponding degrees by appropriately setting the parameters.

[0259] According to one embodiment, the distance in the horizontal direction (Y) between the rotation axis of the door (30) and the door pusher (120) may be shorter than the distance between the end opposite to the rotation axis of the door (30) and the door pusher (120) (see FIG. 2, FIG. 15, etc.). That is, the door pusher (120) may be arranged closer to the end adjacent to the rotation axis among the two ends of the door (30). As a result, the maximum extension distance of the door pusher (120) for bringing the second hinge cam surface (222) and the second door cam surface (322) into contact with each other may be reduced. In addition, as a result, the minimum rotation angle of the door (30) for bringing the second hinge cam surface (222) and the second door cam surface (322) into contact with each other may not become excessively small under the condition that the maximum extension distance of the door pusher (120) is the same. If the minimum rotation angle of the door (30) for the second hinge cam surface (222) and the second door cam surface (322) to come into contact with each other becomes too small, the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface (221) and the first door cam surface (321) becomes too high, which may cause a problem in that the opening efficiency of the door (30) is reduced.

[0260] In the above, an embodiment has been described in which the door opening device (100) opens the door (30) until the second door cam surface (322) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222) when the input device (60) obtains a door opening signal. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, depending on the type of the door opening signal obtained by the input device (60), the door opening device (100) may open the door (30) until the second door cam surface (322) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222), or may open the door (30) while the first door cam surface (321) contacts the first hinge cam surface (221) and stop opening the door (30) before the second door cam surface (322) and the second hinge cam surface (222) contact each other.

[0261] For example, the input device (60) can obtain a first door opening signal for fully opening the door (30) or a second door opening signal for opening the door (30) only to a smaller angle. The driving device (130) of the door opening device (100) can operate based on the first door opening signal or the second door opening signal. The control unit can control the driving device (130) based on whether the signal received from the input device (60) is the first door opening signal or the second door opening signal.

[0262] The driving device (130) can move the door pusher (120) to press the door (30) until the door cam (300) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222) based on the input device (60) obtaining the first door opening signal, and then stop the door pusher (120). The driving device (130) can move the door pusher (120) to press the door (30) while the door cam (300) contacts the first hinge cam surface (221) based on the input device (60) obtaining the second door opening signal, and then stop the door pusher (120) before the door cam (300) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222).

[0263] The driving device (130) can move the door pusher (120) to press the door (30) until the second door cam surface (322) contacts the hinge cam (200) based on the input device (60) obtaining the first door opening signal, and then stop the door pusher (120). The driving device (130) can move the door pusher (120) to press the door (30) while the first door cam surface (321) contacts the hinge cam (200) based on the input device (60) obtaining the second door opening signal, and then stop the door pusher (120) before the second door cam surface (322) contacts the hinge cam (200).

[0264] The driving device (130) can move the door pusher (120) to press the door (30) until the second door cam surface (322) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222) based on the input device (60) obtaining the first door opening signal, and then stop the door pusher (120). The driving device (130) can move the door pusher (120) to press the door (30) while the first door cam surface (321) contacts the first hinge cam surface (221) based on the input device (60) obtaining the second door opening signal, and then stop the door pusher (120) before the second door cam surface (322) contacts the second hinge cam surface (222).

[0265] The driving device (130) can move the door pusher (120) to pressurize the door (30) until the door (30) rotates more than the second angle based on the input device (60) obtaining the first door opening signal, and then stop the door pusher (120). The driving device (130) can move the door pusher (120) to pressurize the door (30) only while the door (30) rotates less than the first angle based on the input device (60) obtaining the second door opening signal, and then stop the door pusher (120).

[0266] According to one embodiment, the door opening device (100) can be set to a first mode or a second mode in advance by a user input. Based on the door opening device (100) being set to the first mode, a door opening signal obtained by the input device (60) can be determined as a first door opening signal, and based on the door opening device (100) being set to the second mode, a door opening signal obtained by the input device (60) can be determined as a second door opening signal.

[0267] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator (1) may include a plurality of input devices (60) formed at separate locations from each other. Some of the plurality of input devices (60) may be configured to obtain a first door opening signal, and others may be configured to obtain a second door opening signal.

[0268] According to one embodiment, a door opening signal obtained by the input device (60) may be determined as a first door opening signal based on a time at which a user input (e.g., a touch or a push) is applied to the input device (60) being a first time, and a door opening signal obtained by the input device (60) may be determined as a second door opening signal based on a time at which a user input is applied to the input device (60) being a second time.

[0269] According to one embodiment, the input device (60) may determine the door opening signal obtained by the input device (60) as the first door opening signal based on the number of times a user input (e.g., a touch or a push) is applied to the input device (60) being a first type of number of times, and the input device (60) may determine the door opening signal obtained by the input device (60) as the second door opening signal based on the number of times a user input is applied to the input device (60) being a second type of number of times.

[0270] In addition, the input device (60) can receive the first door opening signal and the second door opening signal separately by various methods.

[0271] In the above, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20, various embodiments in which the hinge cam (200) includes a first hinge cam surface (221) and a second hinge cam surface (222), and the door cam (300) includes a first door cam surface (321) and a second door cam surface (322) that are interlocked with each other have been described.

[0272] Alternatively, according to various embodiments, the hinge cam (200) may include a first hinge cam surface (221) and a second hinge cam surface (222), but the door cam (300) may not include two or more door cam surfaces extending in different directions. Alternatively, according to various embodiments, the door cam (300) may include a first door cam surface (321) and a second door cam surface (322), but the hinge cam (200) may not include two or more hinge cam surfaces extending in different directions.

[0273] In the above, referring to FIGS. 1 to 20, the refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment is described as a side-by-side type in which the refrigerator and the freezer are arranged left and right, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Unlike as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 18, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the refrigerator may include various types of refrigerators, such as a one-door type, a BMF (Bottom Mounted Freezer) type in which the refrigerator is arranged on the upper side and the freezer is arranged on the lower side, a TMF (Top Mounted Freezer) type in which the freezer is arranged on the upper side and the refrigerator is arranged on the lower side, or a French Door Type.

[0274] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include a main body forming a storage compartment, a door configured to open and close the storage compartment, the door including a door cam provided at a lower portion of the door, a hinge bracket connecting the main body and the door and supporting a lower portion of the door so that the door can rotate, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam, and a door pusher configured to press the door to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam so that the door closes, and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam so that the door opens. The door cam may include a first door cam surface configured to move along the first hinge cam surface so that the door rotates in a closing direction when positioned on the first hinge cam surface, and a second door cam surface configured to move along the second hinge cam surface so that the door rotates in an opening direction when positioned on the second hinge cam surface. The door pusher may be configured to press the door from when the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface until the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0275] When the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface, the angle at which the door is rotated from a position at which the storage compartment is closed may be greater than the angle at which the door is rotated from a position at which the storage compartment is closed when the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface.

[0276] When the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface, the first door cam surface may be configured to slide down along the first hinge cam surface so that the door rotates in a closing direction. When the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface, the second door cam surface may be configured to slide down along the second hinge cam surface so that the door rotates in an opening direction.

[0277] The first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface may extend in different directions. The first door cam surface and the second door cam surface may extend in different directions.

[0278] The door cam may further include a door cam body and a door cam curved portion disposed between the first door cam surface and the second door cam surface. The first door cam surface may be inclined with respect to the door cam body such that the first door cam surface lowers from an end connected to the door cam body toward the door cam curved portion. The second door cam surface may be inclined with respect to the door cam body such that the second door cam surface raises from the door cam curved portion toward an end connected to the door cam body of the second door cam surface.

[0279] The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface and the door cam rises along the first hinge cam surface when the door is opened. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction such that the second door cam surface contacts the second hinge cam surface and the door cam descends along the second hinge cam surface when the door is opened.

[0280] The angle at which the first hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be greater than the angle at which the second hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0281] The angle at which the first hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction may be smaller than the angle at which the second hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0282] The hinge cam may further include a hinge cam body, and a hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface. The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body such that the angle increases upward from an end of the first hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body toward the hinge cam curved portion. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body such that the angle decreases downward from the hinge cam curved portion toward an end of the second hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body.

[0283] The angle at which the door is rotated from a position where the storage compartment is closed when the door pusher presses the door to the maximum may be greater than the angle at which the door is rotated from a position where the storage compartment is closed when the door cam contacts the hinge cam curve.

[0284] When the door is closed, the contact surface of the first door cam surface against the first hinge cam surface may be located between the end where the first hinge cam surface is connected to the hinge cam body and the hinge cam curved portion.

[0285] The door pusher may be arranged to be movable between a first pusher position, which is the position of the door pusher when the door is closed, and a second pusher position, which is moved from the first pusher position in a direction that presses the door. When the door pusher is positioned at the second pusher position, the second door cam surface may be positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

[0286] The second pusher position may be the position of the door pusher when the door pusher has moved to its maximum in the direction of pressing the door. The second door cam surface may be arranged to move along the second hinge cam surface so that the door pusher further rotates in the direction in which the door opens from the position when the door pusher reaches the second pusher position due to the weight of the door.

[0287] The hinge cam may include a hinge cam body and a plurality of hinge cam protrusions protruding from the hinge cam body toward the door cam. The plurality of hinge cam protrusions may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the rotational direction of the door. Each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions may include the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface that are connected to each other.

[0288] The refrigerator may further include an input device configured to obtain a door opening signal, and a driving device configured to provide a driving force to the door pusher so that the door pusher is movable relative to the main body. The driving device may move the door pusher to press the door until the second door cam surface contacts the second hinge cam surface based on the input device obtaining the first door opening signal, and then stop the door pusher. The driving device may move the door pusher to press the door while the first door cam surface contacts the first hinge cam surface based on the input device obtaining the second door opening signal, and stop the door pusher before the door cam contacts the second hinge cam surface.

[0289] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include a main body forming a storage compartment, a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam, a hinge bracket connecting the main body and the door and rotatably supporting the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam, and a door pusher configured to press the door to open the door. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam so that the door rotates in a closing direction when the door rotates less than a first angle from a position where the storage compartment is closed. The hinge cam may be configured to guide the door cam so that the door rotates in an opening direction when the door rotates at a second angle greater than the first angle from a position where the storage compartment is closed. The door pusher may be configured to press the door so that the door rotates at a second angle or more from a position where the storage compartment is closed.

[0290] The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam so that the door rotates in a closing direction when in contact with the door cam, and a second hinge cam surface extending in a different direction from the first hinge cam surface and configured to guide movement of the door cam so that the door rotates in an opening direction when in contact with the door cam. The door pusher may be configured to press the door until the door rotates at a third angle greater than the second angle from a position where the storage compartment is closed. When the door rotates at the third angle from a position where the storage compartment is closed, the door cam may contact the second hinge cam surface.

[0291] The hinge cam may further include a hinge cam body, and a hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface. The first hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body such that a vertical distance from the hinge cam body increases from an end of the first hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body toward the hinge cam curved portion. The second hinge cam surface may be inclined with respect to the hinge cam body such that a vertical distance from the hinge cam body decreases from the hinge cam curved portion toward an end of the second hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body.

[0292] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include a main body forming a storage compartment, a door configured to open and close the storage compartment and including a door cam, a hinge bracket connecting the main body and the door and rotatably supporting the door, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam engaged with the door cam, and a door pusher configured to press the door to open the door. The hinge cam may include a first hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam so that the door rotates in a closing direction when in contact with the door cam, and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide movement of the door cam so that the door rotates in an opening direction when in contact with the door cam. The door pusher may be configured to press the door until the door cam surface comes into contact with the second hinge cam surface.

[0293] The door cam may include a first door cam surface configured to contact the first hinge cam surface, and a second door cam surface extending in a different direction from the first door cam surface and configured to contact the second hinge cam surface.

[0294] According to the invention, a refrigerator can automatically open a door by including a door opening device including a door pusher and a cam device including a door cam and a hinge cam.

[0295] According to the invention, a door can be easily opened by a door opening device including a door pusher and a cam device including a door cam and a hinge cam.

[0296] According to the idea of ​​the present disclosure, the door pusher of the door opening device can press the door until the door cam reaches an angle at which the door cam is guided by the hinge cam to move in the direction in which the door is opened, thereby allowing the door to rotate to a fully opened position without stopping during the opening process.

[0297] The effects according to the idea of ​​the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0298] The above illustrates and describes specific embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. A body forming a storage room; A door configured to open and close the storage room, the door including a door cam disposed at the bottom of the door; A hinge bracket connected to the main body and the door and supporting the lower part of the door so that the door rotates, the hinge bracket including a hinge cam that engages with the door cam; and A door pusher configured to pressurize the door to open the door; The above hinge cam, A first hinge cam surface configured to guide a first movement of the door cam so that the door rotates in a closing direction; and a second hinge cam surface configured to guide a second movement of the door cam so that the door rotates in the opening direction; The above door cam is, A first door cam surface configured to move along the first hinge cam surface so that the door rotates in a closing direction when positioned on the first hinge cam surface; and A second door cam surface configured to move along the second hinge cam surface so as to rotate in the direction in which the door opens when positioned on the second hinge cam surface; The above door pusher, A refrigerator configured to pressurize the door so that the door rotates from a position of the door when the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface to a position of the door when the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

2. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator in which the angle at which the door rotates from a position at which the storage compartment is closed to a position at which the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface is greater than the angle at which the door rotates from a position at which the storage compartment is closed to a position at which the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface.

3. In paragraph 1, The first door cam surface is configured to slide down along the first hinge cam surface during the first movement of the door cam, A refrigerator in which the second door cam surface is configured to slide down along the second hinge cam surface during the second movement of the door cam.

4. In paragraph 1, The first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface extend in different directions, A refrigerator in which the first door cam surface and the second door cam surface extend in different directions.

5. In paragraph 1, The above door cam is, door cam body; and Further comprising a door cam curved portion disposed between the first door cam surface and the second door cam surface; The first door cam surface is inclined relative to the door cam body so that it lowers downward from one end of the first door cam surface connected to the door cam body toward the door cam curved portion, A refrigerator in which the second door cam surface is inclined relative to the door cam body so that the surface is higher toward one end of the second door cam surface connected to the door cam body from the door cam curved portion.

6. In paragraph 1, The first hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that the first door cam surface is positioned on the first hinge cam surface and the door cam rises along the first hinge cam surface when the door is opened. A refrigerator in which the second hinge cam surface is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so that the second door cam surface contacts the second hinge cam surface and the door cam descends along the second hinge cam surface when the door is opened.

7. In paragraph 6, A refrigerator wherein the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface with respect to the horizontal direction is greater than the inclination angle of the second hinge cam surface with respect to the horizontal direction.

8. In paragraph 6, A refrigerator wherein the inclination angle of the first hinge cam surface with respect to the horizontal direction is smaller than the inclination angle of the second hinge cam surface with respect to the horizontal direction.

9. In paragraph 1, The above hinge cam, hinge cam body; and Further comprising a hinge cam curved portion disposed between the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface; The first hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body so that it rises upward from one end of the first hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body toward the hinge cam curved portion, A refrigerator in which the second hinge cam surface is inclined with respect to the hinge cam body so as to be lowered toward one end of the second hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body from the hinge cam curved portion.

10. In paragraph 9, A refrigerator in which the angle at which the door rotates from a position at which the storage compartment is closed to a position at which the door pusher presses the door to the maximum is greater than the angle at which the door rotates from a position at which the door closes the storage compartment to a position at which the door cam contacts the hinge cam curve.

11. In paragraph 9, A refrigerator in which the contact surface of the first door cam surface when the door is closed is located between one end of the first hinge cam surface connected to the hinge cam body and the hinge cam curved portion.

12. In paragraph 1, The door pusher is configured to move between a first pusher position when the door is closed and a second pusher position in a direction that presses the door from the first pusher position, A refrigerator wherein when the door pusher is positioned at the second pusher position, the second door cam surface is positioned on the second hinge cam surface.

13. In paragraph 12, The second pusher position is the position where the door pusher has moved to the maximum in the direction of pressing the door, A refrigerator in which the second door cam surface is configured to move along the second hinge cam surface so that the door is rotated in the direction in which the door opens from a position at which the door pusher reaches the second pusher position due to the weight of the door.

14. In paragraph 1, The above hinge cam, hinge cam body; and A plurality of hinge cam protrusions protruding from the hinge cam body toward the door cam and arranged spaced apart from each other along the rotational direction of the door; A refrigerator wherein each of the plurality of hinge cam protrusions includes the first hinge cam surface and the second hinge cam surface connected to each other.

15. In paragraph 1, an input device configured to obtain a door opening signal; and Further comprising a driving device configured to provide driving force to the door pusher to move the door pusher relative to the main body; The above driving device is, Based on the input device obtaining the first door opening signal, the door pusher is moved to press the door until the second door cam surface contacts the second hinge cam surface, and then the door pusher is stopped. A refrigerator in which the input device, based on obtaining a second door opening signal, moves the door pusher to pressurize the door while the first door cam surface contacts the first hinge cam surface and stops the door pusher before the second door cam surface contacts the second hinge cam surface.

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