JP2013053843A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator configured to prevent interference between a sub-door hinge and a main door or a refrigerator body, and to minimize cold air leakage.SOLUTION: The refrigerator is characterized in that a sub-hinge connecting a main door and a sub-door is not connected with a main hinge, a sub-door hinge is prevented from interfering with the main door or a refrigerator body, cold air leakage can be thus minimized, opening of the main door and the sub-door is smoothly performed using a single latch assembly, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and reliability for concurrent operation of a latch can be secured.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

  A refrigerator is a household electrical appliance for refrigerated or frozen storage so that food and drink are maintained in a fresh state for a long time without rot.

  Recently, there is an increasing demand for refrigerators that can reduce power consumption by efficiently utilizing the storage space of the refrigerator and minimizing the loss of cold air that is generated in the process of opening and closing the refrigerator door.

  In response to such a demand, a refrigerator has been proposed in which a separate sub door is provided inside the main door so as to be rotatable in the same direction as the main door, similar to the structure of a conventional home bar door.

  However, in the case of such a structure, there is a disadvantage in that a separate auxiliary gasket must be attached to the frame portion of the sub door in order to prevent the leakage of cold air generated by cutting a part of the main door. In addition, due to the weak thermal insulation performance of the gasket part attached to the auxiliary door, condensation may occur on the front of the door. To prevent this, a separate heater is added to prevent condensation. There are also disadvantages that must be made.

  Another method is to divide one door into a main door and a sub-door, store a thing with a high frequency of going in and out on the back of the main door, and store a thing with a relatively low frequency in the sub-door. Is sold.

  Here, the refrigerator door is divided into a main door and a sub door, the back of the sub door is in contact with the front frame of the refrigerator body, and the back frame of the main door is in contact with the front frame of the sub door, In order to prevent leakage of the cooler between the refrigerator body and the door and leakage of cold air between the main door and the sub door, a sealing member must be interposed between the refrigerator body and the sub door and between the main door and the sub door.

  In order to improve such a problem, a refrigerator is proposed in which the sub door is completely accommodated in the refrigerator, and the back frame portion of the main door provided on the front surface of the sub door contacts the front frame portion of the refrigerator body. It was done.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator showing a state where a main door of a refrigerator currently on sale is opened, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator showing a state where all main doors and sub doors are opened.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional refrigerator 1 includes a main body 2 having a cooling compartment 2a therein and a door for selectively opening and closing the cooling chamber 2a. The door includes a main door 3 that forms a front portion of the refrigerator 1 and a sub-door 4 that rotates coaxially with the main door 3.

  Specifically, the main door 3 rotates independently of the sub door 4 so that the front portion of the sub door 4 is exposed to the outside. The sub door 4 rotates integrally with the main door 3 to allow storage and entry / exit of items stored in the cooling chamber 2a. The sub door 4 is completely accommodated in the cooling chamber 2 a and has no structure that is in close contact with the front frame portion of the main body 2. That is, the rear frame portion of the main door 3 is brought into close contact with the front frame portion of the main body 2.

  The main door 3 is connected to the main hinge 5 to rotate, and the sub door 4 is connected to the sub hinge 6 to rotate. The sub hinge 6 is connected to the rotation shaft of the main hinge 5 and rotates coaxially with the main hinge 5. A plurality of door baskets 4 a may be attached to the sub door 4.

  In the case of the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, in order for the sub hinge 6 to rotate coaxially with the main hinge 5, one end of the sub hinge 6 is connected to the sub door 4 and the other end is connected to the main hinge 5. Must be concatenated. In this case, the back surface of the main door 3, specifically, the portion that contacts the sub hinge 6 when the main door 3 is closed, must be recessed or cut open to accommodate the sub hinge 6. In addition, a recess for receiving the sub hinge 6 must be formed in the front frame portion of the main body 2 with which the sub hinge 6 contacts. That is, the back surface of the main door 3 and / or the front surface of the main body 2 must be depressed with a size and depth corresponding to the shape and thickness of the sub hinge 6.

  Due to such structural limitations, the main body 2 and the main door 3 where the sub-hinge 6 is located have a disadvantage that the heat insulation effect is inferior to the other parts.

  In addition, the back of the main door 3 and / or the front of the main body 2 where the sub-hinge 6 is placed must be provided with a sealing and heat insulating member to prevent cold air leakage and to retain heat. There are disadvantages.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the refrigerator showing a state where only the main door of the refrigerator currently sold is opened, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the refrigerator showing a state where all the main door and the sub door are opened.

  Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a conventional refrigerator 1 formed of a main door and a sub door includes a main body 2 having a storage space therein and a front surface of the main body. And a latch assembly for preventing the door from being separated when closed.

  Specifically, the door includes a main door 3 that forms a front portion of the main body 2, and a sub door 4 that is rotatably provided behind the main door 3 and is accommodated in the storage space. The refrigerator compartment is pivotally coupled to the main body by a hinge assembly 9.

  In addition, the latch assembly maintains a closed state in which the main door 3 is fixed to the sub door 4 and the first latch 8 is configured to fix the sub door 4 to the inside of the storage space. A second latch 9 is included.

  The door and latch assembly structure configured as described above has the following problems.

  First, since two latches are required to separate the operation of opening only the main door and the operation of opening both the main door and the sub door, there is a disadvantage that the manufacturing cost increases.

  Next, since the latch operation must be performed independently by the operation of opening only the main door and the operation of opening both the main door and the sub door, there is a disadvantage that two latch driving units are required. Therefore, the manufacturing cost increases, and there is a disadvantage that it is required to ensure reliability for the simultaneous operation of the latches.

  The present invention has been proposed to improve the above-described problems. In the refrigerator structure in which the sub door is completely accommodated in the cooling chamber and the main door is in contact with the front surface of the refrigerator main body, the sub door hinge and It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that can prevent interference with a main door or a refrigerator body and minimize cold air leakage.

  We also provide a refrigerator that can improve the problem of installing a separate gasket to prevent the deterioration of the heat insulation performance caused by the installation of the sub door or installing a separate heater to prevent condensation on the edge of the sub door. The purpose is to do.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator capable of smoothly opening a main door and a sub door using a single latch assembly, reducing manufacturing cost and ensuring reliability for simultaneous operation of latches. .

  To achieve the above object, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body having a cooling chamber therein, and a front surface of the main body. The door includes a main door that forms a front portion of the main body, and a sub door that rotates coaxially with the main door behind the main door, and the main door is rotatably connected to the main body. And a hinge assembly including a sub-hinge that allows the main door to pivot independently of the sub-door, and the sub-hinge connects the front surface of the sub-door and the back surface of the main door. It is characterized by that.

  A refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a main body provided with a cooling chamber therein, a door rotatably provided on the front surface of the main body to selectively open and close the cooling chamber, and the door includes: A main door that forms a front portion of the main body, and a sub door that rotates coaxially with the main door behind the main door, and at least a part of the main door is mounted on one side of the sub door to selectively rotate the door. A latch assembly that restrains rotation of the sub door, and a second restraining means that restrains rotation of the main door, and a first restraining means that includes the first restraining means. The connecting means is configured to operate in conjunction with the second restraining means.

  The refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above has the following effects.

  First, when the sub door is closed, it is completely accommodated in the refrigerator main body, and only the main door and the refrigerator main body are in contact with each other. Therefore, there is an effect that the cold air leakage phenomenon generated at the boundary portion between the main door and the sub door is minimized.

  Second, since it is not necessary to install a separate gasket at the contact portion between the main door and the sub door, there is an effect of increasing productivity.

  Third, since it is not necessary to separately install a heater for preventing condensation generated at the contact portion between the main door and the sub door, there is an effect that productivity is increased and power consumption is reduced.

  Fourth, there is an advantage that cold air leakage due to interference between the hinge supporting the sub door and the main door and / or the refrigerator main body and a shaking phenomenon at the time of opening and closing the door do not occur.

  The refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration has the following effects.

  Since the operation of opening only the main door using the single latch assembly and the operation of opening both the main door and the sub door are smoothly performed, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, since the operation of the main door and the sub door can be controlled by a single latch assembly, only one latch driving part is required, and the size of the latch mounting part can be reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator. it can.

  In addition, since the interlocking member controls the operation of the respective hooking parts simultaneously depending on whether only the main door is opened or when both the main door and the sub door are opened, there is an advantage that reliability for the simultaneous operation of the hooking parts can be ensured. .

It is a perspective view of the refrigerator which shows the state by which the main door of the refrigerator currently sold is open | released. It is a perspective view of the refrigerator which shows the state by which the main door and the subdoor were all open | released. It is a top view of the refrigerator which shows the state by which only the main door of the refrigerator currently sold is open | released. It is a top view of the refrigerator which shows the state by which the main door and the subdoor were all opened. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a main door of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention is opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a sub door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is opened. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hinge structure that rotatably connects a main door and a sub door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention to a main body. FIG. 3 is a state diagram sequentially illustrating a state in which a main door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is opened. FIG. 3 is a state diagram sequentially illustrating a state in which a main door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is opened. FIG. 3 is a state diagram sequentially illustrating a state in which a main door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is opened. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the refrigerator by 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a latch assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the latch assembly from which the case surrounding an exterior was removed. FIG. 6 is a side view of the latch assembly with the case removed. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a state of the latch assembly in a state where a refrigerator door according to a second embodiment of the present invention is completely closed. It is a top view which shows the state of the latch assembly at the time of only the main door of a refrigerator rotating. It is a top view which shows the state of the latch assembly at the time of the main door and subdoor of a refrigerator rotating integrally. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a latch assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a latch assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sealing structure between a door and a main body of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a horizontal sectional view of a refrigerator.

  Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the main door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is opened, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the sub door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is opened. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a hinge structure for rotatably connecting the main door and the sub door of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention to the main body.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the refrigerator 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention selectively opens and closes the cooling chamber on the front surface of the main body 11 having a storage space or a cooling chamber 111 therein. The door 12 includes a hinge assembly 20 that allows the door 12 to rotate in a state where the door 12 is connected to the main body 11.

  Specifically, the door includes a main door 121 that forms a front surface portion of the refrigerator 10 and a sub door 122 that is housed in the cooling chamber 111 and rotates integrally with the main door 121. The main door 121 can be rotated independently or integrally with the sub door 122.

  In addition, the hinge assembly 20 includes a main hinge 21 that allows the main door 121 to be rotatably connected to the main body 11, and a sub-hinge 22 that connects the main door 121 and the sub door 122. Specifically, the sub hinge 22 maintains the state in which the sub door 122 is accommodated in the main body 11 when only the main door 121 is opened and closed. In addition, the load of the sub door 122 is transmitted to the main door 121 through the sub hinge 22 and finally supported by the main hinge 21.

  Meanwhile, a large number of shelves 112 and drawers 113 may be installed in the freezer compartment 111 provided in the main body 11. A plurality of door baskets 123 may be provided on the sub door 122. A part of the cool air supplied to the cooling chamber 111 is supplied to the sub door 122.

  The sub door 122 may be provided with a space for storing food and drinks and other items that require cooling, and a back space of the main door 121 may be provided with a storage space. An object having a relatively high frequency of entering and exiting may be stored on the back surface of the main door 121, and an object having a relatively low frequency of entering and exiting may be stored in the sub door 122. Therefore, since only the main door 121 needs to be opened when taking out an object with a high entry / exit frequency, there is an effect that the loss of cold air is reduced.

  When the door 12 is closed, the rear frame of the main door 121 is brought into close contact with the front frame portion of the main body 11. The sub door 122 is completely accommodated in the cooling chamber 111. Therefore, it is sufficient that a gasket for preventing cold air leakage is attached only to a portion where the main door 121 and the main body 11 are in contact with each other.

  On the other hand, the main door 121 and the sub door 122 are configured to rotate coaxially about the main hinge 21. In other words, the main door 121 is directly connected to the main hinge 21 and rotates around the main hinge 21 as a rotation center. Since the sub door 122 is mounted on the back surface of the main door 121, the sub door 122 rotates integrally with the main door 121 when the sub door 122 is opened. Accordingly, it can be said that the sub door 122 also rotates with the main hinge 21 as a rotation axis.

  Specifically, the hinge shaft 23 passes through one end of the main hinge 21 and is inserted into the upper surface of the main door 121. The main hinge 21 is fixedly fastened to a corner portion on the upper surface of the main body 11, and one end of the main hinge 21 extends forward of the main body 11. The hinge shaft 23 is inserted into the upper surface of the main door 121 through the extended one end. The main hinge 21 is provided at an upper end and a lower end of the main door 121, respectively.

  Further, the sub hinge 22 connecting the sub door 122 and the main door 121 may be formed in an articulated link shape.

  Specifically, the sub hinge 22 includes a sub door side fixing portion 221 fixed to the front surface of the sub door 122, a multi-joint link 222 that is rotatably connected from one end of the sub door side fixing portion 221, and the multi-joint link 222. A main door side fixing part 223 is rotatably connected to one end and fixed to the back surface of the main door 121.

  More specifically, the multi-joint link 222 has a structure in which a large number of links 222a and 222b are rotatably connected to each other. A support frame 124 may be surrounded along the front inner frame portion of the sub door 122. A support bracket 124 a for fastening the sub door side fixing part 221 of the sub hinge 22 may be provided on the front surface of the support frame 124. A plurality of fastening holes for inserting fastening members such as screws are formed in the sub door side fixing portion 221 and the support bracket 124a. A number of fastening holes are also formed in the back surface of the main door 121 and the main door side fixing portion 223.

  In this embodiment, the sub-hinge 22 is presented as forming a four-bar link structure. That is, the first to third rotating shafts 224, 225, and 226 are provided at portions that connect the links.

  As shown, the sub hinge 22 only connects the front surface of the sub door 122 and the rear surface of the main door 121, and is not connected to the rotation shaft of the main hinge 21. Accordingly, unlike the conventional structure in which the sub hinge is connected to the hinge shaft of the main hinge, a recessed structure for avoiding interference with the sub hinge is not required on the back surface of the main door or the front surface of the main body.

  8 to 10 are state diagrams sequentially illustrating a state in which the main door of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the main door 121 is in close contact with the front surface of the main body 11 and closes the cooling chamber 111. In such a state, the sub hinge 22 is maintained in a folded state.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the main door 121 is opened at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. At this time, the main door 121 rotates about the hinge shaft 23 around the main hinge 21, and the multi-joint link 222 of the sub-hinge 22 begins to expand. Here, an elastic member 227 such as a torsion spring may be attached to the second rotating shaft 225 of the rotating shafts of the sub hinge 22. Then, the elastic member 227 exerts an elastic restoring force in a direction in which an angle formed by two links connected to the second rotation shaft 225 is increased. As indicated by arrows in the drawing, when the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 227 is applied, the force is finally transmitted to the sub door side fixing portion 221 and the main door side fixing portion 223. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the sub door 122 receives a force inside the cooling chamber 111 until the main door 121 is completely opened. The phenomenon that the sub door 122 is opened together can be prevented. Of course, it will be clarified that an elastic member may be attached to all the rotating shafts connecting adjacent links.

  On the other hand, in order to open the sub door 122, a switch or button for opening the sub door 122 is pushed in a state where the door 12 is completely closed, or a handle protruding forward from the sub door 122 is pulled. Then, the sub door 122 is opened while rotating integrally with the main door 121, and rotates about the hinge shaft 23 that is the rotation center of the main door 121. The interior of the cooling chamber 111 is exposed to the outside by opening the sub door 122.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 11, the refrigerator 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 11 having a storage space or a cooling chamber 111 therein, and a door that selectively opens and closes the cooling chamber on the front surface of the main body 11. 12 and a latch assembly 30 attached to one side, for example, the upper surface of the sub door 122, for controlling the opening and closing of the main door 121 and the sub door 122. Here, the latch assembly 30 may be mounted not only on the upper surface of the sub door 122 but also on the side surface and the bottom surface. Other configurations are the same as the structure shown in the first embodiment, and thus overlapping description is omitted.

  FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of a latch assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the latch assembly with a case surrounding the outside being removed, and FIG. 14 is a view in which the case is removed. FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, a latch assembly 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a latch case 31 that surrounds and protects an internal structure, and a plurality of doors for blocking or releasing the opening of the main door or the sub door. The hooking portion 32, the plurality of stoppers 33 that selectively engage the hooking portion 32 and selectively limit the opening of the door, and the rotation of any one of the plurality of stoppers 33 is selectively limited. The hooker 34 and the plurality of stoppers 33 include a connection gear 35 that rotates in conjunction with each other.

  Specifically, the plurality of hooks 32 include a first hook 321 fixed inside the main body 11 of the refrigerator 10 and a second hook 232 protruding from the back of the main door 121. The plurality of stoppers 33 include a first stopper 331 that selectively restrains the first hooking portion 321 and a second stopper 332 that selectively restrains the second hooking portion 322.

  More specifically, side grooves of the first stopper 331 and the second stopper 332 are formed with hooking grooves 331a and 332a into which the first hooking portion 321 and the second hooking portion 322 are inserted, respectively. A first pinion 331b and a second pinion 332b that mesh with the gear of the connection gear 35 are formed on the side surfaces of the first stopper 331 and the second stopper 332, respectively. A hooking groove 332c is formed at one side corner of the second stopper 332 so that the rotation end of the hooker 34 is engaged.

  According to the above configuration, the second hooking portion 322 rotates the second stopper 332 according to the opening form of the main door 121 and the sub door 122, and the first stopper 331 is also rotated by the rotation of the second stopper 332. Rotate. The operation mechanism of the latch assembly 30 will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

  On the other hand, the latch case 31 is formed with a first hooking groove 311 and a second hooking groove 312 on the opposite sides of the first hooking part 321 and the second hooking part 322, respectively. Depending on the opening form of the door 12, the first hooking portion 321 and the second hooking portion 322 are inserted into the first and second hooking grooves 311 and 312 respectively, or from the first and second hooking grooves 311 and 312 respectively. To be separated.

  FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating a state of the latch assembly in a state in which the door of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention is completely closed.

  Referring to FIG. 15, in the state where the door 12 is completely closed, as shown, the first hooking portion 321 and the second hooking portion 322 are the first hooking groove 311 and the second hooking groove of the latch case 31. Each of the frames 312 is held in a completely inserted state.

  Specifically, in the process in which the second hooking portion 322 is inserted into the second hooking groove 312 of the latch case 31, the second stopper 332 rotates counterclockwise on the drawing. When the second hooking portion 322 is completely inserted into the second hooking groove 312 of the latch case 31, the second hooking portion 322 is in a state of being hooked on the hooking groove 332a of the second stopper 332. Become. As the second stopper 332 rotates counterclockwise, the connecting gear 35 rotates simultaneously clockwise. Then, as the connecting gear 35 rotates clockwise, the first stopper 331 rotates counterclockwise. This is because the first stopper 331 and the second stopper 332 are gear-coupled by the connecting gear 35.

  Further, the first stopper 331 rotates counterclockwise, and finally, the open end of the engagement groove 331a of the first stopper 331 is directed toward the first engagement portion 321. The first hook portion 321 is completely inserted into the hook groove 331a. Then, the end of the hooker 34 is in a state of being hooked into the hooking groove 332c of the second stopper 332, and the rotation of the second stopper 332 is blocked.

  Meanwhile, the door 12, specifically, the main door 121 may be provided with a push button 40 that controls the rotation of the hooker 34. In detail, the button part 41 is exposed on the front part of the main door 121 and can be provided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction by an operation of pressing by the user. Then, the push end 42 is extended rearward from the button portion 41, and the main door 121 is kept closed and in contact with the other end of the hooker 35. Here, the push end 42 does not need to be directly extended from the back surface of the button part 41. In other words, the mounting position of the button portion 41 and the push end 42 is set to be different, and the push end 42 is designed to move backward when the button portion 41 is pushed by a mechanical or electrical connecting means. Good. For example, the latch assembly 30 may be mounted on the upper end portion of the door 12, and the push end 42 may be formed at a position corresponding to the height of the latch assembly 30. The button part 41 may be provided on the front surface of the main door 121 which is lower than the push end 42. That is, a force for pressing the button portion 41 may be transmitted to the push end 42 via a separate power transmission means.

  FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state of the latch assembly when only the main door of the refrigerator rotates.

  Referring to FIG. 16, when the push button 40 is pressed to open the main door 121, the hooker 34 rotates counterclockwise on the drawing.

  Specifically, when the hooker 34 rotates, the end of the hooker 34 is separated from the second stopper 332, and the mutual connection relationship is released. When the main door 121 is pulled in this state, the second stopper 322 is rotated clockwise while the second hooking portion 322 moves. Here, since the hooker 34 is formed of an elastic member such as a torsion spring, the pushing end 42 of the push button 40 returns to the position at the moment when it is separated from the hooker 34.

  More specifically, when the second stopper 332 is rotated clockwise, the first stopper 331 is simultaneously rotated clockwise by the connecting gear 35. Then, the first hooking portion 321 inserted into the hooking groove 331a of the first stopper 331 is changed to the state of hooking the hooking groove 331a. When the hooking portion 321 is restrained by the hooking groove 331a, the rotation of the sub door 122 to which the latch assembly 30 is mounted is blocked. Therefore, the sub door 122 is maintained in the cooling chamber 111 of the refrigerator 10 while the main door 121 rotates.

  FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a state of the latch assembly when the main door and the sub door of the refrigerator rotate together.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, when the door 12 is completely closed, the first hooking portion 321 is only inserted into the hooking groove 331 a of the first stopper 331. That is, the first hook portion 321 is in a state that can be completely separated from the hook groove 331a. When the main door 121 and the sub door 122 are pulled together without pressing the push button 40 in this state, the first hooking portion 321 is separated from the first stopper 331.

  As described above, according to the driving mechanism of the latch assembly 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when only the main door 121 is opened, the rotation of the sub door 122 is restricted by the first hooking portion 321, and the main door 121 and the sub door When the entire door 122 is opened, the sub door 122 is freely separated from the first hook portion 321. Thus, a single latch assembly has the effect of controlling the two forms of opening mechanism.

  18 and 19 are plan views of a latch assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, in this embodiment, there is a difference in that the connecting rod 36 is applied instead of the connecting gear 35 in the structure of the latch assembly 30 according to the second embodiment.

  Specifically, one end of the connecting rod 36 is connected to the first stopper 331 and the other end is connected to the second stopper 332.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the state of the latch assembly 30 in a state where the main door 121 is opened. When the main door 121 is closed in this state, the second stopper 332 rotates counterclockwise. As the second stopper 332 rotates, the other end of the connecting rod 36 moves backward while rotating counterclockwise. At the same time, one end of the connecting rod 36 moves backward while rotating counterclockwise. That is, the restraining state of the first hooking portion 321 is released while the first stopper 331 is rotated by the backward movement of the connecting rod 36.

  Specifically, when the main door 121 is completely closed, the first stopper 331 and the second stopper 332 are in a state as shown in FIG. When the sub door 122 is pulled in this state, the first hooking portion 321 is separated from the first stopper 321 as shown in FIG.

  In addition to the connecting gear 35 and the connecting rod 36 described above, means for transmitting the rotational movement of the second stopper 332 to the first stopper 331 so that the two stoppers 331 and 332 rotate in conjunction with each other is proposed. It can be said that all the means for performing such a function are included in the concept of the present invention.

  20 is a perspective view showing a sealing structure between a door and a main body of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is a horizontal sectional view of the refrigerator.

  Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, in the case of the refrigerator 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the door 12 is formed by the main door 121 and the sub door 122, but prevents cold air leakage that occurs at the contact portion between the main body 11 and the door 12. It is sufficient that the sealing member 50 is formed only at the contact portion between the main door 121 and the main body 11.

  Specifically, in the case of a conventional structure in which the sub door is in close contact with the front surface of the main body and the main door is in close contact with the front surface of the sub door, the frame portion in which the main door and the sub door are in contact and the frame portion in which the main body and the sub door are in contact with each other A sealing member must be applied to each.

  On the other hand, the sub door 122 according to the present invention is completely accommodated in the main body 11 so that the front frame portion of the sub door 122 is not in contact with the front frame portion of the main body 11. Therefore, it is sufficient that the sealing member 50 is applied only to the contact portion between the main door 121 and the main body 11. Therefore, there is an effect of reducing the manufacturing process and manufacturing cost of the refrigerator.

Claims (14)

A main body having a cooling chamber therein;
A main door that forms a front portion of the main body, and a sub-door that rotates coaxially with the main door behind the main door, and is rotatably provided on the front surface of the main body to selectively open and close the cooling chamber Door to
A main hinge that allows the main door to be pivotally connected to the main body, and a hinge assembly that includes a sub hinge that allows the main door to be pivotally connected independently of the sub door. ,
The refrigerator is characterized in that the sub hinge connects a front surface of the sub door and a rear surface of the main door.   The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the sub-hinge is completely accommodated in the cooling chamber with the door closed.   The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the sub hinge is an articulated link member that is folded or widened when the main door rotates. The sub hinge is
A sub door side fixing portion fixed to the front surface of the sub door;
A main door side fixing portion fixed to the back surface of the main door;
The refrigerator according to claim 3, comprising: a multi-node link that connects the sub door side fixing portion and the main door side fixing portion, and a plurality of links are rotatably connected to each other.   The refrigerator according to claim 4, further comprising an elastic member provided on any one or all of the rotating shafts connecting the ends of adjacent multi-node links.   The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the elastic member includes a torsion spring that provides a force in a direction in which an angle formed by the adjacent multi-node links increases when the main door is opened. A main body having a cooling chamber therein;
A main door that forms a front portion of the main body, and a sub-door that rotates coaxially with the main door behind the main door, and is rotatably provided on the front surface of the main body to selectively open and close the cooling chamber Door to
A latch assembly that is attached to one side of the sub door and that selectively restrains rotation of the door, and
The latch assembly includes:
First restraining means for restraining rotation of the sub door;
A second restraining means for restraining the rotation of the main door;
And a connecting means for operating the first restraining means in conjunction with the second restraining means. The first restraining means includes
A first hook fixed to one side of the cooling chamber;
The refrigerator according to claim 7, further comprising: a first stopper that is formed on one side to accommodate the first hooking portion and that allows the first hooking portion to be selectively applied. The second restraining means includes
A second hook fixed to one side of the main door;
The refrigerator according to claim 8, further comprising: a second stopper that is formed on one side to receive the second hooking portion and that allows the second hooking portion to be selectively applied.   The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the connecting means includes a gear that meshes with the first stopper and the second stopper.   The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the connecting means includes a connecting rod for connecting the first stopper and the second stopper. A push button provided to the main door;
The refrigerator according to claim 9, further comprising: a hooker having one end on the second stopper to selectively restrain rotation of the second stopper.   The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the hooker is rotated by a pressing operation of the push button, and a state of being engaged with the second stopper is released.   The refrigerator according to claim 7, further comprising a sealing member applied to a contact portion between the main body and the main door.

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