EP2314965B1

EP2314965B1 - Refrigerator with split type shelves

Info

Publication number: EP2314965B1
Application number: EP10170351.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hyunjung Kim; Yongjoon Kim; Eunjeong Kim; Younseok Lee
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2009-10-14
Filing date: 2010-07-21
Publication date: 2016-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2030-07-21
Also published as: EP2314965A1; US20130264932A1; US20110083465A1; KR20110040567A; CN102042740B; CN102042740A

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a refrigerator with split type shelves, and particularly, to a refrigerator with split type shelves capable of effectively utilizing an inner space of the refrigerator.

2. Background of the Invention

A refrigerator serves to store food items such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and beverages with a fresh state.
Generally, the refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body having storage spaces such as a freezing chamber, a refrigerating chamber, and a vegetable chamber; a refrigerating cycle device disposed inside the refrigerator body, and configured to maintain temperatures of the storage spaces as preset temperatures; and doors disposed at one side of the refrigerator body, and configured to open and close the storage spaces.
In order to effectively utilize a space inside the refrigerator, a plurality of shelves are mounted to a cooling space of the refrigerator so as to accommodate storage items thereon. Recently, being proposed are various techniques for effectively storing a larger amount of storage items in a limited volume defined by the refrigerator body. Some techniques for spatial utilization are to reduce spaces rather than a storage space, e.g., the refrigerating cycle device. Other techniques are to more efficiently store food items in a limited active volume.
Implementation of the aforementioned shelves corresponds to the latter case, and is efficient in that an inner space of the refrigerator is divided into a plurality of spaces for enhanced spatial utilization. However, when the refrigerator is a large capacity type of refrigerator, a depth of the shelves in back and forth directions (i.e., a length extending from a front surface of the refrigerator to a rear surface) is increased. This may cause a difficulty in accommodating food items at an inner space of the refrigerator, or in taking the food items out of the space. These inconveniences may become severe in case of a refrigerator having a narrow width in right and left directions.
A refrigerator according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 10 2004 045 476 .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of easily accommodating storage items at an inner space of the refrigerator, or easily taking the storage items out of the inner space.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention a refrigerator according to claim 1 is provided.
In the present invention, a space inside the refrigerator may be divided into a plurality of spaces horizontally partitioned from each other by a plurality of shelves, not by one shelf, and shelves adjacent to the door may be installed so as to be movable. This may enhance accessibility to the space inside the refrigerator. That is, in the present invention, a shelf may be divided into two or more shelves in back and forth directions of the refrigerator body, and shelves disposed at the door side may be movably installed to enhance accessibility to the shelves disposed inside the refrigerator. Once the shelf assembly is moved to a front surface of the refrigerator body, front surfaces of the first shelves disposed inside the refrigerator can be exposed to a front surface of the refrigerator body. This can allow a user to easily accommodate food items in the space inside the refrigerator, or to easily take the food items out of the space.
The shelf assembly is rotatably installed with respect to the refrigerator body. Here, one end of the shelf assembly may be rotatably installed with respect to the refrigerator body. Alternatively, a central portion of the shelf assembly may be rotatably installed with respect to the refrigerator body.
The shelf assembly may comprise: one or more second shelves disposed between the door and the first shelves; and a fixing frame to which the second shelves are fixed.
The fixing frame may comprise: a shelf fixing portion to which the second shelves are fixed; and a body-fixed portion coupled to the refrigerator body. The shelf fixing portion and the body-fixed portion may be arranged so as to form a rectangular shape.
A plurality of rails slidably mounted to the refrigerator body is installed, and the body-fixed portion of the fixing frame may be hinge-coupled to the rails. Accordingly, the shelf assembly is installed so as to be slidable and rotatable with respect to the refrigerator body.
The body-fixed portion is rotatably coupled to the refrigerator body. When a length of the second shelf is long in back and forth directions, an end portion of the second shelf being rotated may be interfered with an inner wall of the storage space. Accordingly, at least one end of the second shelve may have a circular arc shape when viewed from an upper side of the refrigerator.
The first shelves facing the second shelves may be formed to have complementary shapes to the second shelves.
The second shelve may be implemented in the form of a basket.
An inner side surface of the door may not be protruding towards inside of the storage space.
In the present invention, a user's accessibility to the inner space of the refrigerator may be facilitated, thereby more effectively utilizing the limited spaces and enhancing the user's convenience. Furthermore, since the second shelf disposed in front of the first shelf serves as a cool air shielding member, cool air loss occurring when opening and closing the door may be reduced.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state that a door has been opened according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state that a shelf assembly has been opened according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembly structure of the shelf assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 5A to 5C are planar views showing the operation of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, which shows a refrigerator according to an embodiment not falling under the scope of the claims ;
FIG. 7 is a planar view showing the operation of the refrigerator according to an embodiment not falling under the scope of the claims ;
FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, which shows a refrigerator according to an embodiment not falling under the scope of the claims ; and
FIGS. 9A and 9B are planar views showing the operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment not falling under the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 100 is a general double-door type of refrigerator. The refrigerator 100 comprises a refrigerator body having a storage space therein; and a freezing chamber side door 104 and a refrigerating chamber side door 106 each hinge-coupled to a front surface of the refrigerator body 102, and configured to open and close the storage space while being rotated. Here, the refrigerator of the present invention is not limited to the double-door type of refrigerator, but may be applied to any type of refrigerator having doors hinge-coupled to a refrigerator body and configured to be opened and closed.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state that a door has been opened according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 2, a rear surface of the freezing chamber side door 104 has a flat structure having no protrusions, whereas a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 106 has a plurality of door baskets 106a and 106b disposed in a vertical direction. And, a plurality of shelves 120 are disposed in the refrigerating chamber so as to divide the refrigerating chamber into a plurality of spaces in a vertical direction. Furthermore, a plurality of drawer-type baskets 122 having different sizes are provided below the shelves 120.
A shelf assembly including a fixing frame and second shelves is installed on a front surface of the freezing chamber. The fixing frame 110 has a rectangular shape, and is provided with a plurality of second shelves 112a, 112b, 112c and 112d detachably mounted therein in a vertical direction. Each of the second shelves is provided with walls at the periphery thereof, thereby being implemented in the form of a basket. Furthermore, since intervals between the second shelves are set to be different from each other, items having different heights may be stored on the second shelves.
Especially, a pair of supporting rods 114 are installed on rear upper sides of the two second shelves 112c and 112d disposed at a lower side. This may prevent items stored on the second shelves from falling down while the second shelves are moved.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state that the shelf assembly has been opened towards a front surface of the refrigerator body.
Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of first shelves 130, 140 and 150 are detachably mounted to an inner wall of the freezing chamber at an inner side of the shelf assembly. Supporting walls 132 and 152 are formed on front surfaces of the upper and lower first shelves 130 and 150, thereby preventing items accommodated on the first shelves from being detached from the first shelves. And, the supporting walls and the first shelves are formed of transparent materials, thereby allowing a user to easily check items accommodated on the first shelves.
A bottom surface of the first shelf and a bottom surface of the second shelf are arranged so as to have the same height. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the bottom surface of the first shelf and the bottom surface of the second shelf are arranged so as to have different heights from each other.
The shelf assembly is mounted to the refrigerator body so as to be slidable and rotatable. More concretely, upper and lower surfaces of the fixing frame 110 of the shelf assembly serve as a body-fixed portion, and right and left surfaces thereof serve as a shelf fixing portion for fixing the second shelves. The body-fixed portion is rotatably mounted to a pair of rails 160 fixedly installed to the refrigerator body 102.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembly structure of the shelf assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 4, hinge coupling holes 110a are formed at upper and lower portions of the fixing frame 110. The hinge coupling holes 110a are hinge-coupled to end portions of sliders 162 of the rails 160 by bolts 166. The slider 162 of one rail 160 is slidably coupled to inside of a guide 164, and the guide 164 is fixed to a bottom side of an upper surface of the refrigerator body.
The other rail 160 is fixed to a supporting portion 102a protruding from a lower side wall of the refrigerator body. Under these configurations, while the sliders perform a sliding motion in the guides, the shelf assembly performs a sliding motion in back and forth directions of the refrigerator body, and is rotated centering around the hinge coupling holes.
FIGS. 5A to 5C are planar views showing a movable state of the shelf assembly.
Referring to FIG. 5A, the first shelf 130 occupies about 2/3 of a horizontal sectional surface of the freezing chamber, whereas the second shelf 112a occupies the rest 1/3. FIG. 5A shows a state that the shelf assembly is disposed between the door and the first shelves. Under this state, even if the door is opened, the second shelf disposed in front of the first shelf, and items accommodated in the first shelf serve as cool air shielding walls. Accordingly, cool air loss occurring from an upper space of the first shelf may be prevented.
It is preferable to store frequently used items on the second shelves, whereas it is preferable to store items having a low usage frequency on the first shelves. In case of a general usage, the user may accommodate frequently used items in the second shelves, or take the frequently used items out of the second shelves by merely opening the door.
In order to accommodate items into the first shelves or take the items out of the first shelves, as shown in FIG. 5B, the shelf assembly is pulled towards a front surface of the door. As a result, the slider 162 is protruding from the guide 164, and the shelf assembly is protruding towards a front surface of the refrigerator body. Under this state, once the right side of the shelf assembly is pulled out, the shelf assembly is clockwise rotated as shown in FIG. 5C. At the same time, front surfaces of the first shelves expose the front surface of the refrigerator body. Under this state, the user is easily accessible to the first shelves, thereby easily accommodating items into the first shelves or taking the items out of the first shelves.
Furthermore, since the door has no baskets on its rear surface, the door may have a light weight. This may allow the door to be easily opened, and may prevent falling down of items inside the refrigerator due to impacts occurring when the door is opened, or damages of the refrigerator.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment not falling under the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment will be given to the same parts as those of the first embodiment, and the same explanations will be omitted.
The second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is different from the embodiment of the invention in that the shelf assembly is rotatably mounted to the refrigerator body. That is, the fixing frame 110 is hinge-coupled between a bottom portion of an upper surface of the refrigerator body and the supporting portion 102a. Accordingly, the fixing frame 110 does not perform a sliding motion implemented in the first embodiment. As a result, the refrigerator of this embodiment has a simpler configuration than that of the embodiment of the invention. However, when the second shelves have a deep depth in back and forth directions of the refrigerator body, corners of the second shelves being rotated may interfered with inner walls of the refrigerator body.
In order to prevent the interference, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, portions near vertexes of second shelves 212a, 212b, 212c and 212d are formed in circular arc shapes. In this case, first shelves 230, 240 and 250 facing the second shelves are formed to have complementary shapes to the second shelves. More concretely, when the first shelves are formed in straight lines, spaces formed between the first shelves and the second shelves are not utilizable. Accordingly, the respective first shelves 230, 240 and 250, and one side ends of supporting walls 232 and 252 positioned at the ends of the first shelves are formed in circular arc shapes.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a refrigerator according to a further embodiment not falling under the scope of the claims. This embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment, but is different from the previous embodiment in that the shelf assembly is coupled to the refrigerator body. Accordingly, the same reference numerals as those of the previous embodiment will be given to the same parts as those of the previous embodiment, and the same explanations will be omitted.
Referring to FIG. 8, the shelf assembly and the refrigerator body are coupled to each other by a link member 260. More concretely, the link member 260 has a bar shape extending in a length direction, and has both ends hinge-coupled to the refrigerator body and the fixing frame, respectively. That is, the fixing frame is double hinge-coupled to the refrigerator body. In the third embodiment, the shelf assembly is protruding towards the front surface of the refrigerator body by a length of the link member 260, thereby enhancing accessibility to the first shelved disposed in the refrigerator.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are planar views showing a rotation process of the shelf assembly according to this embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 9A, the fixing frame is counterclockwise rotated at the right end of the link member 260, whereas the fixing frame is clockwise rotated at the left end of the link member 260. This may cause the shelf assembly to be opened in a protruding state towards the front surface of the refrigerator body as shown in FIG. 5B.
Under this state, once the shelf assembly is more rotated in a clockwise direction, the protruding length of the shelf assembly is increased.
The foregoing embodiment of the invention and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.
As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

A refrigerator (100), comprising:
a refrigerator body (102) having a storage space;

doors (104, 106) disposed on a front surface of the refrigerator body (102), and configured to open and close the storage space;

one or more first shelves (103, 140, 150; 230, 240; 250) installed at an inner side of the storage space, and accommodating storage items thereon; anda shelf assembly disposed between the first shelves (130, 140, 150; 230, 240; 250) and a door (104, 106), and installed so as to be movable with respect to the refrigerator body (102) such that front surfaces of the first shelves (130, 140, 150; 230, 240; 250) are exposed to a front surface of the refrigerator body (102), characterized by further comprising:
guides (164) fixed in the refrigerator body (102);

sliders (162) inserted into the guides (164) and protruding from the guides (164) toward a front surface of the refrigerator body (102), and

wherein upper and lower portions of the shelf assembly are hinge-coupled to end portions of the sliders (162) and wherein the shelf assembly is configured to slide toward the front surface of the refrigerator body (102) when the shelf assembly is under the closed state by sliding out the sliders (162) and to rotate with respect to the sliders (162)
The refrigerator (100) of claim 1, wherein the shelf assembly comprises:
one or more second shelves (112a-112d) disposed between the door (104, 106) and the first shelves (130, 140, 150); and

a fixing frame (110) to which the second shelves (112a-112d) are fixed.
The refrigerator (100) of claim 2, wherein the fixing frame (110) comprises:
a shelf fixing portion to which the second shelves (112a-112d) are fixed; and

a body-fixed portion coupled to the refrigerator body (102).
The refrigerator (100) of claim 3, wherein a plurality of rails (160) slidably mounted to the refrigerator body (102) are further included, and
wherein the body-fixed portion of the fixing frame (110) is hinge-coupled to the rails (160).
The refrigerator (100) of claim 2, wherein each of the second shelves (112a-112d) is implemented in the form of a basket.
The refrigerator (100) of claim 1, wherein an inner side surface of the door (104, 106) is not protruding towards inside of the storage space.
The refrigerator (100) of any of claims 2 to 6, wherein further comprises supporting rods (114) installed on rear upper sides of the second shelves (112c, 112d).
The refrigerator (100) of any of claims 2 to 6, supporting walls (132, 152) are formed on front surfaces of the upper and lower first shelves (130, 150).