KR102567057B1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The refrigerator of the present invention includes a cabinet having a storage compartment; a refrigerator door that opens and closes the storage compartment and is rotatably connected to the cabinet by a hinge mechanism; an installation bracket located inside the cabinet coupled to the cabinet; a door opening device installed on the installation bracket outside the cabinet and having a push member for opening the refrigerator door; and a dust-proof member disposed at a joint between the door opening device and the installation bracket.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

A refrigerator is a home appliance capable of storing objects such as food at a low temperature in a storage compartment provided in a cabinet. Since the storage compartment is surrounded by an insulating wall, the inside of the storage compartment can be maintained at a lower temperature than the outside temperature.

According to the temperature range of the storage compartment, the storage compartment may be divided into a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment.

A user opens and closes the storage compartment using a door. To put an object into or take out an object from the storage compartment, the user opens the door. In general, the door is rotatably provided to the cabinet, and a gasket is provided between the door and the cabinet.

Accordingly, when the door is closed, the gasket is in close contact between the door and the cabinet, preventing leakage of cold air from the storage compartment. As the adhesion of the gasket increases, the effect of preventing leakage of cold air may increase.

In order to increase adhesion of the gasket, the gasket may be formed of a rubber magnet, and a magnet may be provided inside the gasket. However, when the adhesion of the gasket is increased, a large force is required when opening the door.

Recently, a refrigerator equipped with an auto closing function has been provided. The auto-closing function refers to a function that automatically closes the door of the refrigerator when the door of the refrigerator is slightly opened by using the adhesive force of the gasket, the magnetic force, and the elastic force of the spring.

Also, the auto closing function refers to a function that prevents the door of the refrigerator from opening by itself even when the refrigerator is slightly tilted forward.

Accordingly, recently provided refrigerators require a lot of force to open the door compared to previous refrigerators. This is because, in order to open the door of the refrigerator, the user must pull the door with a force greater than the adhesive force of the gasket, the magnetic force, and the elastic force of the spring.

Accordingly, recently, a door opening device that automatically opens a door has been proposed.

<Prior Document 1>

Korean Patent Registration No. 1745124 discloses a refrigerator having a door opening device for automatically opening the door of the refrigerator.

In the case of Prior Document 1, the door opening device is located on the upper side of the door of the refrigerator.

The door opening device includes a push rod capable of moving from an initial position to a door opening position, and a motor for providing power to the push rod.

The push rod is drawn out from within the refrigerator door to open the refrigerator door, and pushes the cabinet to open the refrigerator door.

However, in the case of Prior Art 1, since the door opening device is provided on the refrigerator door, the length of the push rod is limited within the thickness range of the refrigerator door, so it is difficult to increase the opening angle of the refrigerator door.

<Prior Document 2>

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-55863 discloses a door opening unit of a refrigerator.

The door opening unit of Prior Document 2 is installed on the ceiling of the refrigerator body. The door opening unit includes a lower case, and the lower case is mounted so as to be embedded in a part of the ceiling.

For example, the lower case is fastened to the ceiling by screws in a state of being embedded in the ceiling.

By the way, in the case of Prior Document 2, in a state where the lower case is embedded in the ceiling, the lower case directly fastened to the ceiling comes into contact with the heat insulating material. In the process of cooling the liquid, a problem occurs in that the lower case is changed.

On the other hand, when the foam liquid is filled into the refrigerator body before the lower case is fastened, the opening through which the lower case is inserted is covered with a separate cover to prevent leakage of the foam liquid, and after foaming is completed, the cover is separated and the lower case is inserted. Since it must be fastened to the ceiling, there is a disadvantage in that the work is cumbersome.

In addition, since the lower case is directly coupled to the ceiling of the refrigerator body, there is a problem in that vibration generated when the door opening unit is operated is directly transferred to the lower case.

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which the opening angle of a refrigerator door can be increased.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which a door opening device can be installed in a cabinet without changing a mold for forming the cabinet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which an installation bracket in which a door opening device is installed can be easily coupled to a cabinet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which a portion to which a vibration-proof member for preventing vibration of a door opening device is transmitted to a cabinet is prevented from being damaged.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which waterproof performance of a driving motor is improved.

A refrigerator of the present invention for solving the above problems includes a cabinet having a storage compartment; a refrigerator door that opens and closes the storage compartment and is rotatably connected to the cabinet by a hinge mechanism; an installation bracket located inside the cabinet coupled to the cabinet; a door opening device installed on the installation bracket outside the cabinet and having a push member for opening the refrigerator door; and a dust-proof member disposed at a joint between the door opening device and the installation bracket. The door opening device and the hinge mechanism may be covered by a hinge cover. An installation portion of the installation bracket may be accommodated in the hinge cover. In a state in which the door opening device is coupled to the installation portion, the installation portion may support a plurality of points of the door opening device, two points are located at the rear opposite to the door in the door opening device, and one point may be located on the opposite side of the hinge mechanism based on the push member in the door opening device.

In order to easily install the mounting bracket to the cabinet, the mounting bracket includes a plurality of fastening parts for fastening to the upper wall of the cabinet, and each fastening part penetrates the upper wall of the cabinet while passing through the upper wall of the cabinet. It may include a hook that hangs on the face wall. In this embodiment, the plurality of installation protrusions may be collectively referred to as an installation unit. The installation portion may pass through an opening of the cabinet and be positioned outside the cabinet.

The installation bracket includes a plurality of installation protrusions for coupling the door opening device, and some fastening parts among the plurality of fastening parts may be integrally formed with some of the plurality of installation protrusions, so that the installation protrusions may be damaged. this may decrease

The installation bracket may include one or more installation protrusions to which the door opening device is coupled, and the installation protrusions may be fitted into the anti-vibration member.

In order to prevent damage to the installation protrusion, the installation protrusion includes a round portion and a straight portion, and in a state in which the installation protrusion is fitted to the anti-vibration member, the anti-vibration member surrounds the entire round portion and the straight line portion. It may enclose part of the wealth.

The round part may have a semicircular cross section and a length of the straight part may be greater than a radius of the round part.

The installation bracket includes a bracket body formed by protruding the installation protrusion, and in a state in which the anti-vibration member is coupled to the fixing part, the anti-vibration member protrudes downward from the housing, and the anti-vibration member protrudes from the installation protrusion. In a fitted state, the anti-vibration member may contact the installation bracket, and the housing may be spaced apart from the bracket body.

The door opening device may include a housing accommodating the push member, a power transmission unit accommodated in the housing, a drive motor connected to the power transmission unit from a lower outer side of the housing, and a motor cover covering the drive motor. may further include.

In order to improve the waterproof performance of the drive motor, the installation bracket includes a motor accommodating portion in a recessed form to accommodate the drive motor and the motor cover, and the housing is provided with a motor connection portion to which the motor cover is connected. , A connection portion between the motor connection portion and the motor cover may be positioned higher than an upper wall of the cabinet in a state in which the door opening device is installed on the installation bracket.

In order to increase the opening angle of the refrigerator door with a reduced length of the pushing member, the pushing member may be formed in an arc shape centered on a hinge axis of the hinge mechanism.

The pushing member may push the middle region when dividing the left and right lengths of the refrigerator door into thirds so that the opening angle of the refrigerator door is increased while torque of the driving motor is reduced.

To increase the opening angle of the refrigerator door, the door opening device may further include a housing accommodating the pushing member, the pushing member may move from the initial position to the door opening position, and the pushing member may move the door opening. In a state in which the pushing member is moved to the open position, the protruding length of the pushing member from the housing may be greater than the thickness of the refrigerator door.

According to the proposed invention, as the door opening device is installed on the cabinet side, the length of the push member can be increased and, accordingly, the opening angle of the refrigerator door can be increased.

In addition, as the push member is formed in an arc shape centered on the hinge axis, the opening angle of the refrigerator door can be increased with a small length of the push member.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the door opening device is installed to the installation bracket after the installation bracket is coupled to the outer case without directly forming a structure for coupling the door opening device to the outer case, it is difficult to manufacture the outer case. There is an advantage in that the position of the door opening device can be fixed with respect to the cabinet without changing the conventional mold structure for the door opening device.

In addition, since the installation bracket includes a fastening portion having a hook, there is an advantage in that the installation bracket can be easily coupled to the cabinet.

In addition, according to the present invention, the installation protrusion to which the anti-vibration member is coupled is composed of a straight portion and a round portion, and since the length of the straight portion is greater than the radius of the round portion, damage to the installation protrusion can be prevented.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the connection part between the motor connection part of the housing and the motor cover is located higher than the upper wall of the cabinet in the state where the door opening device is installed on the installation bracket, the liquid falling to the upper wall of the cabinet Since it cannot flow toward the drive motor, the waterproof performance of the drive motor can be improved.

1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an upper part of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a plan view of a refrigerator showing a state in which a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on an upper side of a cabinet;
3 is an exploded perspective view of a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a lower perspective view of a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a perspective view of an installation bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view showing a state in which the installation bracket of FIG. 5 is installed in a cabinet;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 6;
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 6;
9 is a perspective view showing a fixing part of a housing to which a dustproof member is coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention;
10 is a view showing a state in which a dustproof member is coupled to a fixing part of a housing;
11 is a view showing a state in which a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in an installation bracket;
12 is a view showing a state in which the anti-vibration member of the door opening device is installed on the first installation protrusion;
13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 11;
14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 11;
15 is a view showing a state in which a motor cover according to an embodiment of the present invention is positioned in a motor accommodating portion.
16 is a view showing a state in which a refrigerator door is opened by a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components have the same numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing an embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function hinders understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Also, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used to describe components of an embodiment of the present invention. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the corresponding component is not limited by the term. When an element is described as being “connected,” “coupled to,” or “connected” to another element, that element may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but there may be another element between the elements. It should be understood that may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an upper part of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the refrigerator showing a door opening device installed on the upper side of a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows a state in which the hinge cover is removed as an example.

3 is an exploded perspective view of a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 4, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 10 having a storage compartment, and a refrigerator rotatably connected to the cabinet 10 and opening and closing the storage compartment. A door 12 may be included.

The storage compartment may include at least one of a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment. The refrigerator door 12 may be a single door or a plurality of doors.

When the refrigerator door 12 includes a plurality of doors, the refrigerator door 12 may include an outer door 122 and an inner door 121 .

The refrigerator door 12 may be rotatably connected to the cabinet 10 by a hinge mechanism 125 .

The refrigerator 1 may further include a door opening device 30 installed in the cabinet 10 . The door opening device 30 may automatically open the refrigerator door 12 .

The cabinet 10 may include an outer case 101 . Although not shown, the cabinet 10 may further include an inner case forming a storage compartment, and an insulating material may be provided between the inner case and the outer case 101 .

For example, the door opening device 30 may be seated on the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101 . Also, at least a portion of the door opening device 30 may be covered by a hinge cover 70 covering the hinge mechanism 125 .

<Basic structure of door opening device>

The door opening device 30 may include a pushing member 340 that pushes the refrigerator door 12 to open the refrigerator door 12 .

When the hinge cover 70 covers the door opening device 30 , an opening 701 through which the push member 340 passes may be formed in the hinge cover 70 .

In FIG. 2 , the position of the pushing member 340 may be referred to as an initial position. Also, in this specification, the position of the push member 340 when the opening of the refrigerator door 12 is completed by the push member 340 may be referred to as a door open position.

The push member 340 may include a curved push rod 341 to increase the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 .

The door opening device 30 includes a drive motor 320 for driving the push member 340, and a power transmission unit 322 for transmitting power of the drive motor 320 to the push member 340. ) may further include.

The power transmission unit 322 may include, but is not limited to, a plurality of gears.

The push rod 341 may include a rack gear 342 to receive power from the driving motor 320 . The rack gear 342 may be meshed with one of a plurality of gears.

For example, the push rod 341 may be formed in an arc shape centered on the hinge shaft 126 of the hinge mechanism 125 .

The push rod 341 may include an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface having a larger radius than the inner circumferential surface, and a rack gear 342 may be formed on the outer circumferential surface.

The inner circumferential surface is located closer to the hinge shaft 126 of the refrigerator door 12 than the outer circumferential surface.

The push member 340 has a first end 343 contacting the refrigerator door 12 during the opening process of the refrigerator door 12 and a second end positioned opposite the first end 341. (344).

At this time, the first end 343 is in direct contact with the refrigerator door 12, or a cover part 345 made of a rubber material is coupled to the push rod 341 so that the cover part is attached to the refrigerator door 12. (345) may be contacted.

In FIG. 3 , for example, it is shown that the cover part 345 is coupled to the cover coupling part 341a provided on the push rod 341 . When the cover part 345 is coupled to the push rod 341, the first end 343 of the push member 340 is the front part of the cover part 345, and the second end 344 May be an end of the push rod 341.

Although not limited, the lengths of the first end 343 and the second end 344 may be greater than the thickness of the refrigerator door 12 .

Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, the length of the push member 340 is formed to be greater than the thickness of the refrigerator door 12 to increase the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 .

In addition, even if the push member 340 is formed in a curved shape, the horizontal distance between the first end 343 and the second end 344 in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 1 is equal to that of the refrigerator door 12. It may be formed larger than the thickness.

In particular, in a state in which the push member 340 is moved to the door opening position, the protruding length of the push member 340 to the outside of the housing 300 to be described later is greater than the thickness of the refrigerator door 12. can

The push member 340 may be disposed on the side wall 103 of the cabinet 10 in an inclined state.

In a state in which the push member 340 is located in the initial position, the first end 343 may be disposed to face the refrigerator door 12 .

Also, in a state in which the push member 340 is located in the initial position, the first end 343 may be located closer to the refrigerator door 12 than the second end 344 .

Also, in a state in which the push member 340 is located in the initial position, the second end 344 may be located closer to the side wall 103 of the outer case 101 than the first end 343. .

The door opening device 30 may further include a housing 300 accommodating the push member 340 and guiding the movement of the push member 340 .

The housing 300 may include, but is not limited to, an upper housing 301 and a lower housing 310 .

The power transmission unit 322 is located in a space formed by the upper housing 301 and the lower housing 310, and the drive motor 320 is installed outside the housing 300 to the power transmission unit ( 322) may be connected to one gear.

A seating portion 312 on which the power transmission portion 322 is seated may be formed in the lower housing 310 . A shaft 313 on which a plurality of gears constituting the power transmission unit 322 are rotatably installed may be formed in the seating portion 312 .

Guides 311 guiding the movement of the push member 340 may be formed in the upper housing 301 and the lower housing 310 .

The driving motor 320 may be installed in the lower housing 310 as an example, and in a state in which the driving motor 320 is installed in the lower housing 310, the motor cover 330 is installed on the driving motor 320. It may be fastened to the lower housing 310 so as to surround the.

The door opening device 30 may further include an opening prevention unit for detecting whether or not the refrigerator door is manually opened. The open detector may include a magnet 346 and a reed switch 123 .

The reed switch 123 may include a container forming a predetermined accommodation space and a pair of leads disposed inside the container.

The reed switch 123 may be turned on or off according to the strength of the magnetic field of the magnet 346 .

For example, the reed switch 123 may be turned on when the strength of the magnetic field is greater than or equal to a certain level, and turned off when the sensor of the magnetic field is less than a certain level.

The magnet 346 may be installed in the door opening device 30 . For example, the magnet 346 may be installed at one end of the push rod 341 .

When the cover part 345 is coupled to the push rod 341 , the magnet 346 may be provided at an end of the push rod 341 or the cover part 345 .

The magnet 346 and the reed switch 123 may be positioned adjacent to each other. For example, the refrigerator door 12 may be disposed to face each other in a closed state.

The reed switch 123 can recognize the magnetic field generated by the magnet 346 in a state where the magnet 346 is positioned adjacent to it, so that a pair of leads are connected (referred to as an on state). can).

On the other hand, if the magnet 346 is separated from the reed switch 123 by a certain distance or more, the reed switch 123 cannot recognize the magnetic field generated by the magnet 346, so that a pair of leads It becomes a spaced state (can be said to be an off state).

A controller (not shown) may determine whether the refrigerator door 12 is manually opened based on the state of the reed switch 123 . For example, when the reed switch 123 is turned off, it may be determined that the refrigerator door 12 is manually opened by the user.

An anti-vibration member 40 may be coupled to the housing 300 . The anti-vibration member 40 may be coupled to the lower housing 310 as an example. The structure of the anti-vibration member 40 and a method of coupling the anti-vibration member 40 to the housing 300 will be described later.

<Structure of the mounting bracket and installation location of the mounting bracket>

5 is a perspective view of an installation bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the installation bracket of FIG. 5 is installed in a cabinet. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along B-B in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8 , the door opening device 30 of this embodiment may not be directly installed on the cabinet 10 , but may be installed on an installation bracket 20 fixed to the cabinet 10 .

The installation bracket 20 may be fixed to the outer case 101 inside the outer case 101 .

The installation bracket 20 may be fastened to the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101 by, for example, a plurality of fastening parts 215 , 232 , 233 , and 234 .

The plurality of fastening parts 215 , 232 , 233 , and 234 may be fastened to the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101 while passing through the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101 .

The plurality of fastening parts 215 , 232 , 233 , and 234 may include a first fastening part 215 and second fastening parts 232 , 233 , and 234 .

Further, in a state in which the installation bracket 20 is fixed to the outer case 101 , a foam liquid for forming an insulator may be filled into a space between the outer case 101 and the inner case.

In the process of cooling the foam liquid, the adhesion between the installation bracket 20 and the outer case 101 increases due to the expansion of the foam liquid, so that the coupling between the installation bracket 20 and the outer case 101 is difficult. can be strong

According to this embodiment, a structure for coupling the door opening device 30 to the outer case 101 is not directly formed, and after coupling the installation bracket 20 to the outer case 101, the door Install the opening device 30 to the installation bracket 20.

Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the position of the door opening device 30 can be fixed at the upper side of the cabinet 10 without changing the conventional mold structure for manufacturing the outer case 101 .

In addition, there is an advantage in that the outer case 101 can be used as it is without changing the structure of the foaming jig that holds the outer case 101 in order to fill the inside of the outer case 101 with the foaming liquid.

The installation bracket 20 may include a bracket body 210 . The bracket body 210 may contact the upper wall 102 at the lower side of the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101 .

The bracket body 210 may include an installation part for installing the door opening device 30 . The installation unit may protrude upward from the outer case 101 through the outer case 101 .

The installation unit may include one or more installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213.

The bracket body 210 may include a plurality of installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 so that the position of the door opening device 30 can be firmly fixed. Each of the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 may be coupled to the anti-vibration member 40.

Although not limited, the plurality of installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 may include first to third installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213.

Each of the installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 may protrude upward from the upper surface of the bracket body 210 .

When viewed from the top, each of the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 may include a round portion 211a and a straight portion 211b. For example, the round portion 211a may have a semicircular cross section. The length of the straight portion 211b may be greater than the radius of the round portion 211a. Although not limited, the length of the straight portion 211b may be formed to be twice or more than the radius of the round portion 211a.

This is to prevent the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 from being damaged when the door opening device 30 operates.

For example, when the push member 340 pushes the refrigerator door 12 by the operation of the door opening device 30, the reaction force of the refrigerator door 12 pressing the push member 340 is It acts as the push member 340.

The reaction force applied by the push member 340 is transmitted to the installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 through the housing 300 and the anti-vibration member 40 .

According to the present embodiment, as the length of the straight portion 211b is greater than the radius of the round portion 211a, the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 are integrally formed with the bracket body 210. The area of the portion to be is increased to improve strength, and thus breakage can be prevented.

The thickness of the straight portion 211b may be the same as the diameter of the round portion 211a.

At this time, when the length of the straight portion 211b is greater than the radius of the round portion 211a, compared to the case where the radius of the round portion 211a is increased, the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 Since the increase in the area of the portion integrally formed with the bracket body 210 is large, it is advantageous to improve strength.

On the other hand, although not limited, the first fastening part 215 may be integrally formed with any one installation protrusion among the plurality of installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 .

For example, the first fastening part 215 may be integrally formed with the first installation protrusion 211 .

The first fastening part 215 includes an extension part 216 extending upward from the upper surface of the bracket body 210 and integrally formed with the first installation protrusion 211, and the extension part 216 It may include a hook 217 provided. A slit 218 may be formed in the extension part 216 so that the hook 217 can be elastically deformed while the first fastening part 215 is coupled to the outer case 101 .

The lower end of the hook 217 may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the bracket body 210 so that the hook 217 can be combined with the outer case 101 . And, when the first fastening part 215 is fastened to the outer case 101, the top wall 102 of the outer case 101 is positioned between the hook 217 and the bracket body 210. can

When the first fastening part 215 is integrally formed with the first installation protrusion 211 as in the present embodiment, the strength of the first installation protrusion 211 can be improved. That is, the first fastening part 215 serves as a strength reinforcing part on the side of the first installation protrusion 211 .

A fastening groove 214 for fastening a fastening member (see 50 in FIG. 12 ) to be described later may be formed in each of the installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 .

The installation bracket 20 may further include a motor accommodating part 220 in which the driving motor 320 is accommodated.

The motor accommodating portion 220 may be formed as, for example, an upper surface of the bracket body 210 is depressed downward.

As in the present embodiment, as the motor accommodating part 220 is formed in a downwardly recessed form in the bracket body 210, the door opening device 30 is installed in the installation bracket 20, and the out There is an advantage in that the protruding height of the door opening device 30 from the top wall 102 of the case 101 can be minimized.

Although not limited, the motor accommodating part 220 may be located between the first installation protrusion 211 and the second installation protrusion 212 .

The installation bracket 20 may further include a wire guide 230 for guiding wires. The electric wire guide 230 may guide electric wires introduced into the refrigerator door 12 .

The electric wire guide 230 may protrude upward from the upper surface of the bracket body 210 .

The wire guide 230 may be positioned between the inner circumferential surface of the push member 340 and the hinge shaft 126 .

The second fastening parts 232 , 233 , and 234 may be disposed on the wire guide 230 . For example, the second fastening parts 232 , 233 , and 234 may include hooks that can be elastically deformed in the electric wire guide 230 .

The second fastening parts 232 , 233 , and 234 may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the bracket body 210 .

In addition, when the second fastening parts 232, 233, and 234 are fastened to the outer case 101, the outer case ( A top wall 102 of 101 may be located.

Since the installation bracket 20 is located below the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101, the door opening device 30 is installed on the upper side of the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101. A plurality of openings may be formed in the upper surface wall 102 of the outer case 101 so that the outer case 101 can be installed in (20).

Through the plurality of openings, the plurality of installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 and the wire guide 230 may protrude upward from the top wall 102 of the outer case 101 .

For example, in the plurality of openings, the first opening 104 through which the first installation protrusion 211 and the second installation protrusion 212 can pass together, and the third installation protrusion 213 pass through. It may include a second opening 105 through which the electric wire guide 230 may pass.

The first opening 104 allows the first installation protrusion 211 and the second installation protrusion 212 to pass through, and also allows the motor accommodating portion 220 to be exposed to the outside.

However, it is also possible to form a separate opening in the outer case 101 to expose the motor accommodating portion 220 . Alternatively, the same number of openings as the plurality of installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 may be formed in the outer case 101 .

According to this embodiment, since each of the fastening parts 215, 232, 233, and 234 includes a hook, in the process of moving the installation bracket 20 upward while positioning it on the lower side of the outer case 20 Each fastening part 215 , 232 , 233 , 234 of the installation bracket 20 may pass through the plurality of openings and be fastened to the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101 .

Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the installation bracket 20 can be easily fastened to the outer case 101 .

<Structure for combining anti-vibration members>

9 is a perspective view showing a fixing part of a housing to which a dust-proof member is coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the anti-vibration member is coupled to the fixing part of the housing.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , depressions 303 and 315 providing a space for the anti-vibration member 40 to be located may be formed in the housing 300 . In this case, a first recessed part 303 may be formed in the upper housing 301 and a second recessed part 315 may be formed in the lower housing 310 . Also, the first recessed part 303 and the second recessed part 315 may be formed in the same shape. This is to provide a space in which a fastening member (see 50 in FIG. 12) to be described later can move.

Fixing parts 316 for fixing the anti-vibration member 40 may be formed in the depressions 303 and 315 of the housing 300 .

For example, the fixing part 316 may be formed to protrude from the second recessed part 315 in the lower housing 310 .

Although not limited, the fixing part 316 may be formed in a “U” shape when viewed from above. Accordingly, the fixing part 316 may form a space 318 in which a part of the anti-vibration member 40 is positioned.

The anti-vibration member 40 may be formed of a material capable of absorbing vibration. For example, the anti-vibration member 40 may be made of a rubber material.

The anti-vibration member 40 may be formed in a “U” shape, for example. That is, when viewed from above, one side of the anti-vibration member 40 may be open. By opening the one side surface, the straight portion 211b may be exposed laterally in a state in which the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 are coupled to the anti-vibration member 40.

The anti-vibration member 40 may include an inner circumferential surface 401 and an outer circumferential surface 402, and a slot 403 for accommodating the fixing part 316 may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the anti-vibration member 40. .

Accordingly, the anti-vibration member 40 may be slidably coupled to the fixing part 316 so that the fixing part 316 is inserted into the slot 403 of the anti-vibration member 40 .

To prevent the anti-vibration member 40 from being separated from the fixing part 316 while the fixing part 316 is inserted into the slot 403 of the anti-vibration member 40, the fixing part 316 has a coupling hook. 317 may be formed, and a hook insertion portion 404 into which the coupling hook 317 is inserted may be formed in the anti-vibration member 40 .

For example, the hook insertion part 404 may be recessed toward the inner circumferential surface 401 in the slot 403 .

Since the anti-vibration member 40 is formed in a "U" shape, the inner circumferential surface 401 of the anti-vibration member 40 forms a space 405 in which the installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 are accommodated.

In a state where the anti-vibration member 40 is coupled to the fixing part 316 of the housing 300, the housing 300 may be installed on the installation bracket 20.

Accordingly, the installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 may be fitted into the space 405 formed by the anti-vibration member 40 while the housing 300 is installed on the installation bracket 20 .

<How to install the door opening device to the mounting bracket>

11 is a view showing a state in which a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on an installation bracket, FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which a dustproof member of the door opening device is installed in a first installation protrusion, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG.

8 to 14, after aligning the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 of the mounting bracket 20 and the anti-vibration member 40 of the door opening device 30, the door opening device 30 is moved toward the outer case 101 so that the installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 are fitted into the anti-vibration member 40 .

The installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 are inserted into the space 405 of the anti-vibration member 40 , and the anti-vibration member 40 is seated on the upper surface of the bracket body 210 .

In a state where the anti-vibration member 40 is seated on the upper surface of the bracket body 210, the housing 300 is spaced apart from the upper surface of the bracket body 210.

That is, the anti-vibration member 40 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the housing 300 while being coupled to the housing 30 . Therefore, contact of the housing 300 with the upper surface of the bracket body 210 in a state where the anti-vibration member 40 is seated on the upper surface of the bracket body 210 can be prevented.

In a state where the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 are inserted into the space 405 of the anti-vibration member 40, the anti-vibration member 40 has a round portion 211a of each of the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213. It surrounds the whole and surrounds a part of the linear part 211b.

In a state where the installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 are inserted into the anti-vibration member 40 , the fastening member 50 may be fastened to the installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 . The fastening member 50 may be fastened to the installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 while being accommodated in the depressions 303 and 315 formed in the housing 300 .

At this time, in a state where the washer 60 is interposed between the head portion of the fastening member 50 and the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213, the fastening member 50 is installed on the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213 can be contracted to.

The washer 60 may contact the anti-vibration member 40 and may be spaced apart from the installation protrusions 211 , 212 , and 213 . Alternatively, the washer 60 may contact the upper surfaces of the installation protrusions 211, 212, and 213.

According to the present invention, since the fastening member 50 connects the housing 300 and the mounting bracket 20 with the anti-vibration member 40 intervening, the door opening device 30 is operated. Transmission of vibration to the installation bracket 20 can be minimized. In addition, transmission of vibration generated in the refrigerator 1 to the door opening device 30 may be minimized.

<Relative position of motor housing and motor cover>

15 is a view showing a state in which a motor cover according to an embodiment of the present invention is positioned in a motor accommodating portion.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 15 , the housing 300 may include a cover connection part 319 to which the motor cover 330 is connected.

For example, the cover connection part 319 may be provided in the lower housing 310 . The cover connection part 319 may protrude from the lower housing 310 . Also, the cover connection part 319 may be formed in a rib shape surrounding the driving motor 320 .

The driving motor 320 may be connected to the power transmission unit 322 located in the housing 300 from the outside of the housing 300 . In a state in which the driving motor 320 is connected to the power transmission unit 322 , the lowest point of the cover connection part 319 is located higher than the lowest point of the driving motor 320 .

Also, in a state in which the driving motor 320 is connected to the power transmission unit 322 , the driving motor 320 protrudes downward from the housing 300 . Therefore, in a state where the drive motor 320 is connected to the power transmission unit 322 , the lowest point of the drive motor 320 is lower than the lowest point of the housing 300 .

The motor cover 330 may be connected to the cover connection part 319 while the driving motor 320 is connected to the power transmission part 322 .

When the door opening device 30 is installed on the installation bracket 20 while the motor cover 330 is connected to the cover connection part 319, the motor cover 330 and the driving motor 320 It can be accommodated in the motor accommodating part 220 of the installation bracket 20 by penetrating the outer case 101 .

In a state where the door opening device 30 is installed on the installation bracket 20, the connection portion between the motor cover 330 and the cover connection part 319 is located higher than the top wall 102 of the outer case 101. do.

The connection part between the motor cover 330 and the cover connection part 319 is located at a predetermined height (H) above the top wall 102 of the outer case 101 .

That is, a part of the motor cover 330 is positioned within the motor accommodating part 220 and the other part is positioned outside the outer case 101 .

If the fluid falls to the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101, the fluid may flow to the motor accommodating part 220.

However, in the case of the present embodiment, even if the drive motor 320 is located in the motor accommodating portion 220, the motor cover 330 covers the drive motor 320, but the motor cover 330 and the cover Since the connection part of the connection part 319 is located higher than the top wall 102 of the outer case 101, the liquid flowing into the motor accommodating part 220 cannot flow toward the drive motor 320. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the waterproof performance of the driving motor 330 is improved.

<Operation of the door opening device>

Hereinafter, an operation of the door opening device will be described.

16 is a view showing a state in which a refrigerator door is opened by a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 16 , when the power of the refrigerator 1 is turned on, a controller (not shown) waits for an input of a door opening command.

When it is determined that a door opening command is input, the controller rotates the driving motor 320 in a first direction to move the pushing member 340 from an initial position to a door opening position. ) to control.

When the drive motor 320 rotates in the first direction, the power transmission unit 322 transfers the rotational force of the drive motor 320 in the first direction to the push member 340, and the push member 340 pushes the refrigerator door 12 so that the refrigerator door 12 rotates.

The controller determines whether or not the push member 340 has reached the door opening position during the rotation of the driving motor 320 in the first direction.

The controller may determine whether the push member 340 has reached the door opening position by using a sensor (not shown). Alternatively, the controller may determine that the push member 340 has reached the door opening position when the cumulative rotation number of the driving motor 320 reaches the reference rotation number.

The controller may stop the rotation of the drive motor 320 when it is determined that the push member 340 has moved to the door open position.

In a state where the refrigerator door 12 is rotated at a predetermined angle, the user may manually increase the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 .

Meanwhile, when the controller detects manual opening of the refrigerator door 12 while the refrigerator door 12 is being opened or in a state where the driving motor 320 is stopped after the refrigerator door 12 is opened, The controller may rotate the driving motor 320 in a second direction opposite to the first direction so that the push member 340 returns to an initial position.

In this embodiment, since the curved push member 340 is positioned above the cabinet 10 as described above, the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 by the push member 340 can be increased. there is.

Meanwhile, the controller determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the driving motor 320 is stopped as the push member 340 moves to the door open position.

When it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed from the time point at which the driving motor 320 is stopped, the controller causes the driving motor 320 to rotate in the second direction in order to return the pushing member 340 to an initial position. .

Then, the controller determines whether the push member 340 returns to the initial position, and stops the driving motor 320 when it is determined that the push member 340 returns to the initial position.

Meanwhile, when the left and right lengths of the refrigerator door 12 are divided into three equal parts, the portion to which the hinge axis 126 is connected is referred to as a first region, and the region farthest from the hinge axis is referred to as a third region. A region between the first region and the third region may be referred to as a second region.

In this embodiment, in order to open the refrigerator door 12 , the pushing member 340 may press the second region (middle region) of the refrigerator door 12 .

The torque of the driving motor 320 required when the pushing member 340 presses the second region is the torque of the driving motor 320 required when the pushing member 340 presses the first region. smaller than

Also, the length of the pushing member 340 when the pushing member 340 presses the second region is the length of the pushing member 340 when the pushing member 340 presses the first region. It should be made longer.

In the present invention, the push member 340 presses the second region of the refrigerator door 12, thereby increasing the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 and driving for opening the refrigerator door 12. The torque of the motor 320 was reduced.

Although not limited, the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 may be 35 degrees or more in a state in which the push member 340 is moved to the door opening position as shown in FIG. 16, and the rear surface 12a of the refrigerator door 12 ) and the front surface 109 of the cabinet 10 may be 160 mm or more.

1: refrigerator 10: cabinet
12: refrigerator door 20: installation bracket
30: door opening device
300: housing 320: drive motor
322: power transmission unit 330: motor cover
340: push member
40: anti-vibration member
50: fastening member

Claims (20)

a cabinet with a storage compartment;
a refrigerator door that opens and closes the storage compartment and is rotatably connected to the cabinet by a hinge mechanism including a hinge shaft;
an installation bracket coupled to the cabinet from inside the cabinet and having an installation portion protruding outward from the cabinet through an opening of the cabinet;
a door opening device installed on an installation part of the installation bracket on the outside of the cabinet and having a push member for opening the refrigerator door; and
A dust-proof member disposed at a joint between the door opening device and the installation bracket;
a hinge cover covering the door opening device and the hinge mechanism;
The installation portion of the installation bracket is accommodated in the hinge cover,
The pushing member includes a rack gear formed in an arc shape centered on a hinge axis of the hinge mechanism,
In a state in which the door opening device is coupled to the installation portion, the installation portion may support a plurality of points of the door opening device,
The two points are located at the rear opposite the door in the door opening device,
one point is located on the opposite side of the hinge mechanism relative to the push member in the door opening device;
The hinge cover covers the plurality of points and the hinge axis of the hinge mechanism together. According to claim 1,
The cabinet includes an outer case forming an exterior,
The installation bracket is fastened to the upper wall of the outer case refrigerator. According to claim 2,
The installation bracket includes a plurality of fastening parts for fastening to the upper wall of the outer case,
Each fastening part includes a hook that is caught on the upper wall of the outer case while penetrating the upper wall of the outer case. According to claim 3,
The installation part includes a plurality of installation protrusions for coupling the door opening device,
Some fastening parts among the plurality of fastening parts are integrally formed with some of the plurality of installation projections. According to claim 3,
The installation bracket further includes a wire guide for guiding wires to be connected to the refrigerator door;
Some fastening parts among the plurality of fastening parts are provided in the electric wire guide. According to claim 1,
The installation part includes one or more installation protrusions for coupling the door opening device,
The installation protrusion is fitted to the anti-vibration member of the refrigerator. According to claim 6,
The installation protrusion includes a round part and a straight part,
In a state where the installation protrusion is fitted into the anti-vibration member, the anti-vibration member surrounds the entire round portion and surrounds a portion of the straight portion. According to claim 7,
The round part has a horizontal cross section formed in a semicircular shape,
A refrigerator in which the length of the straight portion is greater than the radius of the round portion. According to claim 7,
The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein one side of the anti-vibration member is opened so that the straight portion is laterally exposed in a state in which the installation protrusion is fitted. According to claim 6,
The door opening device further includes a housing accommodating the push member,
In the housing, a depression for positioning the anti-vibration member;
Including a fixing part protruding from the recessed part,
A refrigerator in which a slot accommodating the fixing part is provided around an outer circumferential surface of the anti-vibration member. According to claim 10,
The fixing part is provided with a coupling hook,
The anti-vibration member is provided with a hook insertion portion recessed toward an inner circumferential surface of the anti-vibration member in the slot and into which the coupling hook is inserted. According to claim 10,
The installation bracket includes a bracket body formed by protruding the installation protrusion,
In a state in which the anti-vibration member is coupled to the fixing part, the anti-vibration member protrudes downward from the housing,
A refrigerator in which the anti-vibration member contacts the installation bracket in a state in which the installation protrusion is fitted to the anti-vibration member, and the housing is spaced apart from the bracket body. According to claim 1,
The door opening device includes a housing accommodating the push member;
A power transmission unit accommodated in the housing;
A drive motor connected to the power transmission unit at the lower outer side of the housing;
Refrigerator further comprising a motor cover covering the driving motor. According to claim 13,
The installation bracket includes a motor accommodating portion in a recessed form to accommodate the driving motor and the motor cover. 15. The method of claim 14,
The housing is provided with a motor connection portion to which the motor cover is connected,
A connection portion between the motor connection portion and the motor cover is positioned higher than an upper wall of the cabinet in a state in which the door opening device is installed on the installation bracket. delete According to claim 1,
The refrigerator is provided with an opening through which the pushing member passes through the hinge cover. According to claim 1,
The installation bracket includes a bracket body in which the installation portion is formed,
The refrigerator body covers the opening. According to claim 1,
The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the pushing member pushes a middle region when dividing the left and right lengths of the refrigerator door into thirds in order to open the refrigerator door. According to claim 1,
The door opening device further includes a housing accommodating the push member,
The push member may move from an initial position to a door opening position,
The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein a protruding length of the pushing member from the housing is greater than a thickness of the refrigerator door in a state in which the pushing member is moved to the door opening position.

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