ES2370494T3 - REFRIGERATOR WITH BASKET ELEVATOR DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Refrigerator with a basket lifting device comprising: a body (10) with cooling chambers (14, 18) for storing food; a frame (26) housed in the cooling chamber (18) arranged in a lower part of the body (10) in a sliding manner; a basket (20) placed on the frame (26) for storing food; a door (22) located on a front side of the frame (26), characterized in that the door (22) is connected in an articulated manner to the frame (26); a first connection (28a, 28b) connected in an articulated manner between the frame (26) and the basket (20), to support an elevated state of the basket; and a second connection (30) connected in an articulated manner between the first connection (28a) and the door (22), to raise the basket (20) when the door (22) rotates.

Description

Refrigerator with basket lifting device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

one.

 Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator with a basket lifting device capable of improving user comfort by lifting a basket installed in a lower part of a body when the basket is Take out from a lower cooling chamber.

2.

 Description of the conventional technique

[0002] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to the conventional technique, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator showing a state in which a basket is placed in a body.

[0003] The conventional refrigerator comprises: a body 102 with an open front side and a housing space; an upper cooling chamber 106 disposed on an upper side of the body 102 and has a pair of upper doors 104 open on both sides, for storing food; and a lower cooling chamber 112 disposed on a lower side of the body 102, separated from the upper cooling chamber 106 by a partition wall 108, and with a bottom door 110 slidingly open.

[0004] A mechanical chamber 116 with a compressor 114 for generating cold air that will be supplied to the upper cooling chamber 106 and the lower cooling chamber 112, etc. It is installed on the back side of the body 102.

[0005] A basket 120 for housing frozen items is arranged in the lower cooling chamber 112 to be slid back and forth, and the lower door 110 is fixed to the front side of the basket 120. Accordingly, when pulls the lower door 110, the basket 120 opens, and when the lower door 110 is pushed, the basket 120 closes. A guide rail 124 is installed between an inner side surface of the basket 120 and an inner side surface of the lower cooling chamber 112, thereby guiding the basket 120 so that it can slide back and forth.

[0006] A plurality of food storage drawers are installed on an upper side of the basket 120 to be slidably opened.

[0007] In the conventional refrigerator, when a user pulls the lower door 110 forward to remove the food stored in the lower cooling chamber 112 or to store food in the lower cooling chamber 112, the basket 120 opens with a movement slider In addition, when the user pushes back the lower door 110 after removing the food stored in the basket 120 or placing food in the basket 120, the basket 120 closes in a sliding motion.

[0008] However, in the conventional refrigerator, since the basket is arranged in a lower part of the refrigerator, the user has to lean or bend over to remove the food stored in the basket or to place food in the basket, being of that awkward way the use of the basket. The Japanese patent application published under reference JP2002264943 discloses a removable container with a variable capacity container and a refrigerator provided with such a variable capacity container. The variable capacity container is constituted by an upper frame body and a lower container that are connected by two transverse structures, in each of which one bar and the other are pivotally supported on an axis, being a fulcrum. to support the center of each of the bars. By changing the angle of intersection between the bars, the depth of the container can vary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator with a basket lifting device capable of improving user comfort by raising a position of a basket, by lifting the basket when the basket is removed. basket installed in a lower part of a body.

[0010] In order to achieve these and other advantages and according to the purpose of the present invention, as included and described widely herein, a refrigerator is provided with a basket lifting device comprising: a body with cooling chambers for storing food ; a frame placed in the cooling chamber arranged in a lower part of the body in a sliding manner; a basket placed in the rack and for storing food; a door located on the front side of the frame, characterized by the fact that the door is connected in an articulated manner to the frame; a first jointly connected connection between the frame and the basket, to sustain an elevated state of the basket; and a second connection connected in an articulated manner between the first connection and the door, to raise the basket when the door is turned.

[0011] It may be provided with at least a first connection with an end part connected in an articulated manner to a lower end of the frame and another end part connected in an articulated manner to a lateral surface of the basket.

[0012] A spring for supplying an elastic force to the first connection in a direction in which the basket is raised, is preferably installed in the articulated connection part of the first connection.

[0013] The refrigerator with a basket lifting device preferably comprises a locking unit for locking the door in the frame, so that the door cannot rotate or to release a state of blocking the door. The locking unit is composed of: a locking hole formed on the front side of the frame; a locking hook removably mounted on the door, to be locked in the locking hole; and a spring to provide an elastic force to the locking hook, so that the locking hook can maintain a locking state in the locking hole.

[0014] The refrigerator with a basket lifting device preferably comprises a stop unit installed between the frame and the door, which prevents the door from returning to its original state after it is rotated. The stop unit is composed of: a bar rotatably connected to a rear surface of the door and having a certain length; a stop hole formed in a frame and through which the bar passes; and a stop protrusion formed at the end of the bar that must thus be stopped at the stop hole.

[0015] The refrigerator with a basket lifting device preferably comprises: a body that has cooling chambers for storing food; a frame placed in the cooling chamber arranged in a lower part of the body in a sliding manner; a basket placed in the rack and for storing food; a door located in the front part of the frame and connected in an articulated way to the frame; a first connection connected in an articulated manner between the frame and the basket, to support an elevated state of the basket; a second connection connected in an articulated manner between the first connection and the door, to raise the basket when the door rotates; and a transmission unit to rotate the first connection in order to lift the basket.

[0016] The transmission unit is composed of: a transmission motor mounted on the frame, and which generates a transmission force; and a power transmission unit for transmitting a transmission force generated from the transmission motor to an articulation shaft to which the first connection is connected.

[0017] The refrigerator with a basket lifting device preferably comprises a control unit for controlling the transmission unit according to the user's setting. The control unit consists of: a switch mounted on the door and adjusted by a user; a first sensor to detect a state in which the basket is raised to the maximum; a second sensor to detect a state in which the basket drops to the maximum; and a controller for controlling a transmission engine operation according to a signal applied from the switch, the first sensor, and the second sensor.

[0018] The precedent and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent with the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings, included to provide a greater understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0020] In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to the conventional technique;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a bottom of the refrigerator according to the conventional technique;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a refrigerator basket lifting device according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part ‘A’ of Fig. 4;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing a basket lifting device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part B of Fig. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view of the operating status of the basket lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator with a basket lifting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the basket lifting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the basket lifting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the basket lifting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a view of the operating status of the basket lifting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Y

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a basket lifting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Next, a refrigerator with a basket lifting device will be explained in more detail in reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Although there may be a plurality of preferred embodiments of the refrigerator with a basket lifting device according to the present invention, the most preferred embodiment will be explained below.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a basket elevator device of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

[0025] The refrigerator according to the present invention comprises: a body 10 with a housing space; an upper cooling chamber 14 arranged on an upper side of the body 10, and with a pair of upper doors 12 open to both sides; a lower cooling chamber 18 disposed on a lower side of the body 10 separated from the upper cooling chamber 14 by a partition wall 16; a basket 20 arranged in the lower cooling chamber 18 to be slidable back and forth, to store food; and a basket lifting device for raising the basket 20 when the basket 20 is opened.

[0026] Preferably, the upper cooling chamber 14 is used as a cooling chamber for storing refrigerated foods, and the lower cooling chamber 18 is used as a freezing chamber for storing frozen foods.

[0027] A lower door 22 for pushing the basket 20 or removing the basket 20 out of the lower cooling chamber 18 along the backward and forward directions of the body 10 is disposed on a front side of the cooling chamber bottom 18. A plurality of drawers 24 that are removed along the back and forth directions of the body 10 and for storing food, are installed on an upper side of the lower cooling chamber

18.

[0028] The basket lifting device includes: a frame 26 arranged in the lower cooling chamber 18 to be slidable backwards or forwards, on which the basket 20 is placed, and on whose front side the connection is articulated bottom door 22; a plurality of first connections 28a and 28b connected in an articulated manner between the basket 20 and the frame 26, to sustain an elevated state of the basket 20; and a four-joint connection articulatedly connected between one of the first connections 28a and 28b and the lower door 22, to raise the basket 20 when the lower door 22 tilts forward.

[0029] The frame 26 has a square box shape with a space where the basket 20 is placed, and a guide rail 32 to guide the frame 26 which must be slidable backwards or forwards, is installed between a lower surface of the frame 26 and a lower surface of the lower cooling chamber 18.

[0030] The guide rail 32 is composed of: a fixed rail 32a fixed to a lower surface of the lower cooling chamber 18; a middle rail 32b slidably connected to the fixed rail 32a; and a removable rail 32c slidably connected to the middle rail 32b and fixed on a lower surface of the frame 26.

[0031] The first connections 28a and 28b are arranged to have a certain angle of inclination. An end part is connected in an articulated manner to an articulation shaft 34 formed at a lower end of the frame 26, and another final part of the first connection joins in an articulated manner to an articulation axis 36 formed at a lower end of the basket

20. At least two first connections 28a and 28b are installed to support an elevated state of the basket 20 when the basket 20 is raised.

[0032] A spring 38 for supplying a certain elastic force to the first connection 28b is installed between a first connection 28b of the first connections 28a and 28b and the articulation shaft.

[0033] The spring 38 can be installed on the first connection 28a, or it can be installed on all first connections 28a and 28b.

[0034] The spring 38 serves to provide an elastic force in a direction in which the first connection 28b is arranged vertically. The spring 38 provides an elastic force to the first connection when the basket 20 is raised, thus facilitating the lifting of the basket 20. The spring 38 can be a spiral spring or a torsion spring.

[0035] A second connection 30 is formed as a type of bar of a certain length. An end part of the second connection is connected in an articulated manner to a middle part of the first connection 28a, and another end part thereof is connected in an articulated manner to an upper end of the lower door 22.

[0036] The connection of four joints serves to raise the basket 20 using the principle of a lever. When the lower door 22 is pulled forward, the second connection 30 is articulatedly connected to the lower door 22. Accordingly, the first connections 28a and 28b articulatedly connected to the second connection 30 rotate from way to become vertical. Then, the basket 20 articulatedly connected to the first connections 28a and 28b moves forward and rises.

[0037] The lower door 22 has a handle 40 for pulling the lower door 22 into an anterior part thereof, and a lower part of the lower door 22 is pivotally connected to an articulated support 42 fixed to the frame 26. A locking device for locking the lower door 22 in the frame 26, is installed at an upper end of the lower door 22. In addition, a stop unit to prevent the lower door 22 turned forward returns to its original state, it is installed in a middle part of the lower door 22.

[0038] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of part 'A' of figure 4, Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing a basket lifting device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of part 'B' of Figure 6.

[0039] The locking device is composed of: a locking hook 46 mounted on the lower door 22 to be moved linearly; a locking hole 48 formed at an upper end of the front part of the frame 26, for locking the locking hook 46; and a spring 50 for supplying an elastic force to the locking hook 46 in a direction in which the locking hook 46 is locked in the locking hole 48.

[0040] The locking hook 46 is composed of: an adjustment part 46a arranged on the handle 40 of the lower door 22 and adjusted by a user; a bar part 46b fully connected to the adjustment part 46a and arranged on an inner side of the lower door 22 to be moved linearly; and a locking part 46c formed at the end of the bar part 46b passing through a hole 44 formed on a rear surface of the lower door 22 so as to be exposed to a rear side of the lower door 22 and be locked in the locking hole 48.

[0041] A pair of the locking hooks 46 are arranged on the right and left sides of the lower door 22, and the spring 50 is disposed between the pair of adjustment parts 46a.

[0042] When the user presses the adjustment parts 46a, the bar part 46b moves linearly and the lock part 46c is separated from the lock hole 48 thus releasing the lock of the lower door 22. The stop unit is composed of: a bar 52 rotatably connected to a rear surface of the lower door 22 and of a certain length; a stop hole 54 formed in the frame 26 and passing the bar 52; and a stop protrusion 56 formed at the end of the bar 52 and stopped at the stop hole 54.

[0043] The bar 52 is preferably formed as a curved surface so that the bar 52 can more easily pass through the stop hole 54 when the lower door 22 rotates.

[0044] When the lower door 22 rotates, the bar 52 passes through the stop hole 54, and when the lower door 22 rotates to the maximum, the stop bulge 56 formed at the end of the bar 52 stops at the hole Stop 54. According to this, the lower door 22 can maintain the current state.

[0045] An operation of a basket lifting device according to the present invention will be explained below.

[0046] Fig. 8 is a view of the operating status of the basket lifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] When the user pulls the lower door 22 when grabbing the handle 40, the frame 26 slides along the guide rail 32 so as to be removed from the lower cooling chamber 18. At that time, the basket 20 located in the frame 26 is exposed to the outside.

[0048] In this state, when the user operates the locking hook 46 of the locking unit, the lock between the lower door 22 and the frame 26 is released. This means, when the user presses the adjustment part 46a of the locking hook 46, that the locking part 46c is separated from the locking hole 48 formed in the frame 26 in order to release the lock of the lower door 22.

[0049] When the lower door 22 rotates forward, the four-joint connection connected in an articulated manner between the lower door 22, the frame 26, and the basket 20 is thus operated to raise the basket 20. Thus, when the lower door 22 rotates, the second connection 30 connected to the lower door 22 rotates together with the lower door 22. As the second connection 30 rotates, the first connections 28a and 28b articulated between the basket 20 and the frame 26 are placed in an upright position to lift the basket 20.

[0050] At that time, the basket 20 is more easily lifted by an elastic force of the spring 38 mounted on the first connections 28a and 28b to thereby improve user comfort.

[0051] When the basket 20 is raised to the maximum, the stop unit mounted between the lower door 22 and the basket 20 is operated, so as to prevent the lower door 22 from rotating to the original state and thus maintaining the elevated state of the basket 20.

[0052] On the contrary, when the basket 20 must descend, the detention of the detention unit is released, and then the basket 20 is pressed down. Accordingly, the basket 20 is placed on an upper surface of the basket 20. At that time, the blocking unit is operated so as to maintain the lowering state of the basket 20.

[0053] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator with a basket lifting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 10 is a side view showing the basket lifting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the basket lifting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] The basket lifting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises: a frame 26 disposed in the lower cooling chamber 18 which must slide backward or forward, in which a basket 20 is placed, and on its front side, a lower door 22 is connected articulated; a plurality of first connections 28a and 28b connected in an articulated manner between the basket 20 and the frame 26, to sustain an elevated state of the basket 20; a second connection 30 connected in an articulated manner between one of the first connections 28a and 28b and the lower door 22, to raise the basket 20, when the lower door 22 rotates forward; a transmission unit to rotate the first connections 28a and 28b, to automatically raise the basket 20; and a control unit for the control of the transmission unit.

[0055] The frame 26, the first connections 28a and 28b, and the second connection 30 have the same structures and operations as mentioned in the first embodiment, whereby explanations are omitted.

[0056] The transmission unit is composed of: a transmission motor 60 mounted on the frame 26 and generating a transmission force; and a power transmission unit, to transmit a transmission force generated from the transmission engine 60 to one of the first connections 28a and 28b.

[0057] The power transmission unit is composed of: a transmission gear 64 fixed to a rotation axis 62 of the transmission motor 60, and which rotates together with the axis of rotation; and a drive gear 66 engaged with the transmission gear 64, and fixed to an articulated shaft 34 on which one end of the first connection 28b is mounted. Since the transmission motor 60 and the articulated shaft 34 are arranged to be perpendicular to each other, the transmission gear 64 and the drive gear 66 are constructed as an angle gear to transmit a maximum power of 90 °.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 12, the control unit is composed of: switches 70a and 70b mounted on the lower door 22, to drive the transmission motor 60 in a forward or reverse direction by an adjustment of the user; a first sensor 72 to detect a state in which the basket 20 is maximized; a second sensor 74 to detect a state in which the basket 20 drops to the maximum; and a controller 76 for controlling an operation of the transmission engine 60, according to a signal applied from switches 70a and 70b, the first sensor 72, and the second sensor 74.

[0059] The switches are composed of: a first switch 70a mounted on the front side of the lower door 22, and adjusted by the user when the basket 20 must be raised; and a second switch 70b set by the user when the basket 20 must descend.

[0060] The first sensor 72 and the second sensor 74 can be mounted in any position where a high state or a lowering state of the basket 20 can be detected. In addition, any sensor that can detect a high state or a lowering state of the basket 20 can be applied as the first sensor 72 and the second sensor 74.

[0061] Fig. 13 is an operational status view of the basket lifting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] An operation of the basket lifting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is explained as follows.

[0063] When the user pulls the lower door 22 using the handle 40, the frame 26 slides along the guide rail 32, in order to be removed from the lower cooling chamber 18. At that time, the basket 20 located in the frame 26 is exposed to the outside.

[0064] In this state, when the user presses the first switch 70a, the controller 76 drives the transmission motor 60 in a forward direction. Then, a transmission force of the transmission motor 60 is transmitted to the articulation shaft 34 by the power transmission unit. As the articulation shaft 34 rotates, the transmission motor 60 rotates in one direction so that the first connection 28b becomes vertical, and thus the basket 20, connected to the first connections 28a and 28b, is raised. When the basket 20 is raised to the maximum, the first sensor 72 detects a position of the basket 20, and applies a signal indicating the position to the controller 76. Then, the controller 76 stops the operation of the transmission engine 60.

[0065] When the user presses the second switch 74 after storing food in the basket 20, in a state in which the basket 20 is raised to the maximum, the controller 76 drives the transmission engine 60 in a backward direction. Accordingly, the transmission engine 60 rotates in one direction so that the first connections 28a and 28b lie flat, and the basket 20 descends, so as to be placed on the upper surface of the frame 26. At that time, the second sensor 74 detects a position of the basket 20 and applies a signal indicating the position to the controller 76. Then, the controller 76 stops the operation of the transmission engine 60.

[0066] Fig. 14 is a side view showing a basket lifting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] The basket lifting device according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same construction as the basket lifting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, except for a pair of first connections 80 and 82 which are constructed, and a first connection 80 shorter than another first connection 82.

[0068] The basket lifting device according to the third embodiment of the present invention serves to improve user comfort by tilting the basket 20 forward, at a certain angle when the basket 20 is lifted. basket according to the third embodiment, the first connection 82 located at the rear of the basket 20, is formed to be longer than the first connection 82 located on the front side of the basket 20, as well as the length L.

[0069] The effects of the refrigerator with a basket lifting device according to the present invention will be explained as follows.

[0070] As the basket is removed from the lower cooling chamber, and then the lower door rotates, the basket is raised to thereby improve user comfort.

[0071] In addition, as the user removes the basket from the lower cooling chamber and then presses the switch, the basket is automatically raised to thereby improve user comfort.

[0072] Additionally, as the basket tilts forward when raised, the user can store food in the basket or take food out of the basket with greater comfort.

[0073] As the present invention can be carried out in different ways, it will also be understood that the embodiments described above are not limited by any of the details of the above description, but should be interpreted in a broad sense and as defined by the appended claim.

Claims (13)

1. Refrigerator with a basket lifting device comprising: a body (10) with cooling chambers (14,18) for storing food; a frame (26) housed in the cooling chamber (18) arranged in a lower part of the body (10) in a sliding manner; a basket (20) placed on the frame (26) for storing food; a door (22) located on a front side of the frame (26), characterized in that the door (22) is connected in an articulated manner to the frame (26); a first connection (28a, 28b) connected in an articulated manner between the frame (26) and the basket (20), to support an elevated state of the basket; Y a second connection (30) connected in an articulated manner between the first connection (28a) and the door (22), to raise the basket (20) when the door (22) rotates.

2.

 Refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the frame (26) has an articulated support (42) and is connected in an articulated manner to the door (22).

3.

 Refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first connection (28a, 28b) has an end part connected in an articulated way to a lower end of the frame (26) and another end part connected in an articulated way to a side surface of the basket (20) .

Four.

 Refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein a spring (38) is installed to supply an elastic force to the first connection (28a, 28b) in a direction in which the basket (20) is raised, in an articulated connection part of the First connection

5.

 Refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first connection (28a, 28b) is composed of a pair of connections, where one connection is longer than the other connection.

6.

 Refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a locking unit, for locking the door

(22) to the frame (26), so that the door cannot rotate, or for the release of a locked state of the door. 7. Refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the blocking unit comprises: a locking hole (48) formed on a front side of the frame (26); a locking hook (46) movably mounted on the door (20), to be locked in the locking hole; Y a spring (50) for supplying an elastic force to the locking hook so that the locking hook is maintained in a locked state in the locking hole. 8. Refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the locking hook (46) comprises: a lever part (46a), which is exposed in a front part of the door and adjusted by a user; a connection part (46b), fully connected to the lever part and removably mounted on the door; Y a locking part (46c), formed at one end of the connecting part and locked by the locking hook. 9. Refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a stop unit installed between the frame (26) and the door (22), to prevent the door from returning to the original state after a rotation. 10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the detention unit comprises: a bar (52) rotatably connected to a rear surface of the door (22) and of a certain length; a stop hole (54) formed in the frame (26) to allow the bar to pass; Y a stop protrusion (56) formed at one end of the bar, so as to be stopped at the stop hole.

eleven.

 Refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit for the rotation of the first connection (28a, 28b) in order to lift the basket (20).

12.

 Refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the transmission unit comprises: a transmission motor (60), mounted on the frame (26), which generates a transmission force; Y

a power transmission unit for transmitting a transmission force generated by the transmission motor to an articulation shaft (34), to which the first connection (28a, 28b) is connected. 13. Refrigerator according to claim 11, which also comprises a control unit for controlling an operation of the transmission unit by a user setting. 14. Refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the control unit comprises: a switch (70a) mounted on the door (22), and adjusted by a user; a first sensor (72) to detect a state in which the basket (20) is maximized; a second sensor (74) to detect a state in which the basket drops to the maximum; Y 15 a controller (76) for controlling a transmission engine operation (60) according to a signal applied from the switch, the first sensor, and the second sensor.