KR20040013817A - A door-switch for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A door switch for a refrigerator is provided to simplify structure thereof and to be conveniently installed. CONSTITUTION: A door switch includes hinges(20) fixed to a main body of a refrigerator, and having flanges(22) fixed to an upper end or a lower end of one side of the main body of the refrigerator, and cylindrical hinge shafts(24) formed on lower parts of the flanges; hinge grooves(40) having the hinge shafts inserted thereto, and formed on an upper side and a lower side of the door to support a door(D); a pair of movable terminals(32a,32b) installed on inner circumferential surfaces of the hinge grooves to be separated from each other and protruded in vertical direction, and having one ends connected with an outside power source; and fixed terminals(34) installed on peripheral surfaces of the hinge shafts, and having a pair of separating parts(34a,34b) corresponding with the movable terminals to contact with the movable terminals when the door is opened, and to have the separating parts facing the movable terminals, respectively, when the door is closed.

Description

Door switch for refrigerator {A door-switch for refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a door switch for a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a door switch for a refrigerator installed between a hinge shaft which is a support shaft when the door is opened and closed, and a hinge groove which is inserted into the hinge shaft and formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the door. will be.

The door switch for a refrigerator is provided at the front of the refrigerator so as to be turned on / off by opening and closing the door. The door switch is turned on when the door of the refrigerator is opened to turn on the lamp in the refrigerator, so that the user can distinguish the food being stored, and when the door is closed, the door switch turns off the lamp inside the refrigerator.

1A and 1B show a structure and an operating state according to opening and closing a door of a door switch according to the prior art.

As shown in these drawings, the conventional door switch 10 protrudes through the upper plate 11a of the case 11 inside the case 11 forming the appearance of the door switch 10. The button 12 is provided.

The button 12 is installed to be inserted or protruded into the case 11 by opening and closing a door (not shown). The top plate 11a is provided with a button passing hole 11b for installing the button 12, and a guide 11c for guiding the access path of the button 12 on the outer periphery of the button passing hole 11b. ) Is formed.

Inside the case 11, a case inner end of the button 12 is supported by a spring 13. Therefore, by the elastic force of the spring 13, the button 12 is inserted or projected into the case 11 in accordance with the opening and closing of the door.

In addition, a case inner part of the button 12 is formed to have a diameter larger than that of the button through hole 11b so that the button 12 protrudes only a predetermined length outward of the case 11.

In addition, a contact portion 12a is formed at one side of the outer circumference of the case inner portion of the button 12. One side of the contact portion 12a is provided with a terminal driving mechanism 14 which is in close contact with the contact portion 12a, and a movable terminal 15 and a fixed terminal 16 are provided at one side of the terminal driving mechanism 14. The terminal switch unit is composed of.

The conventional door switch 10 is installed in an inner case (not shown). In addition, in order for the door switch 10 to be turned on / off by opening and closing the refrigerator door, the button 12 is installed to protrude to the outside of the inner case.

The door switch of the refrigerator according to the prior art having such a configuration operates as follows.

When the door is closed, the button 12 is inserted into the case 11 by one side of the door to move the terminal drive 14 to the right while the contact portion 12a moves. When the terminal drive 14 is moved to the right side, the movable terminal 15 is also moved to the right side and the movable terminal 15 is spaced apart from the fixed terminal 16. Therefore, the high light (not shown) is turned off by the separation between the movable terminal 15 and the fixed terminal 16.

Meanwhile, when the door is opened, the button 12 protrudes out of the case 11 by the elastic force of the spring 13 contracted to the lower end of the inner side of the case of the button 12. Accordingly, the contact portion 12a of the button 12 is also raised, and the terminal drive 14, which has been moved to the right side by the contact portion 12a, is moved to the left side again.

When the terminal driving hole 14 is moved to the left side, the movable terminal 15 that is pushed to the right by being pushed by the terminal driving hole 14 is also moved to the left side, so that the movable terminal 15 and the fixed terminal 16 are moved. Is contacted. As a result, the inner lamp is turned on by the contact between the movable terminal 15 and the fixed terminal 16.

However, the refrigerator door switch according to the prior art having such a configuration has the following problems.

First, separately manufactured door switch 10 must be installed in the inner case, and the structure of the door switch 10 is complicated, and it is inconvenient to install the door switch 10, and the foaming liquid may leak during the foaming process. There is a disadvantage that the site is increased.

In addition, since the door switch 10 is installed to protrude to the outside of the outer case, the button 12 is exposed to the outside in the open state of the door, so the aesthetics are not good.

The present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a door switch for a refrigerator that is simple in structure and can be easily installed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a door switch for a refrigerator that improves aesthetics.

Figure 1a and 1b is a cross-sectional view showing the operation state according to the configuration and door opening and closing of the door switch according to the prior art.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a door switch according to the present invention.

Figure 3a and 3b is a cross-sectional view showing an operation state according to the opening and closing the door of the door switch according to the present invention.

Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

20: hinge 22: flange

24: hinge axis 26: door side bush

28: hinge side bush 32a, 32b: movable terminal

34: Fixed terminal 34a, 34b: Spacer part

40: hinge groove

According to the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention is fixed to the main body of the refrigerator, the hinge having a hinge axis; A hinge groove inserted into the hinge shaft and formed on upper and lower surfaces of the door to rotatably support the door; A pair of movable terminals installed on the inner circumferential surface of the hinge groove so as to be spaced apart from each other and protrude in a vertical direction, each end of which is connected to an external power source; And formed on an outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft and formed into an arc shape having a pair of spaced portions corresponding to the movable terminal, contacting the movable terminal when the door is opened, and contacting the movable terminal when the door is closed. The spacer is configured to include a fixed terminal to face each other.

The refrigerator door switch according to the present invention comprises only the movable terminal and the fixed terminal, and is installed between the hinge shaft and the hinge groove, so that the structure of the door switch is simple and the installation of the door switch is easy. And since the door switch is not exposed to the outside even when the door is open, there is a good sense of beauty.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 shows a configuration of a door switch according to the present invention. According to this, the hinge 20 includes a flange 22 fixed to an upper end or a lower end of one side of a refrigerator main body, and a cylindrical hinge shaft 24 formed below the flange 22. A hinge groove 40 into which the hinge shaft 24 is fitted is formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the door. The door switch is installed between the hinge shaft 24 and the hinge groove 40.

A pair of movable terminals 32a and 32b are installed on the inner circumferential surface of the hinge groove 40. The movable terminals 32a and 32b are formed to be spaced apart from each other so as to protrude in a vertical direction on a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the hinge groove 40, and one end thereof is connected to external power sources D1 and D2 to turn on the door switch. According to the on / off, power is supplied to the internal lights (not shown) or cut off. The movable terminals 32a and 32b have elasticity in a direction perpendicular to the inner circumferential surface of the hinge groove 40. In this embodiment, the pair of movable terminals 32a and 32b are provided to be symmetrical to the hinge shaft 24, but are not necessarily limited thereto.

On the other hand, a fixed terminal 34 is installed on the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 24. The fixed terminal 34 is formed in an arc shape and has a pair of spaced portions 34a and 34b in the vertical direction corresponding to the movable terminals 32a and 32b. Therefore, the fixed terminal 34 is in contact with the movable terminals 32a and 32b when the door D is opened, and is spaced apart from the movable terminals 32a and 32b when the door D is closed. do. In this embodiment, corresponding to the pair of movable terminals 32a and 32b symmetrically provided on the hinge shaft 24, the spaced portions 34a and 34b of the fixed terminal 34 are also connected to the hinge shaft 24. It is formed to be symmetrical.

The materials of the movable terminals 32a and 32b and the movable terminal 34 may be any conductors. In this embodiment, the movable terminal 34 and the mobile terminals 32a and 32b are formed by using a copper plate.

The operation of the embodiment of the present invention having the configuration as described above will be described.

3A and 3B show an operating state according to opening and closing of the door of the door switch according to the present invention. As shown in these figures, in the state in which the door D is closed, the pair of movable terminals 32a and 32b provided on the inner circumferential surface of the hinge groove 40 and the fixed terminal 34 provided on the hinge shaft 24 are shown. A pair of spacers 34a and 34b are positioned to face each other. Therefore, the movable terminals 32a and 32b and the fixed terminal 34 are not electrically connected, and the door switch is turned off, so that the external power sources D1 and D2 connected to one end of each of the movable terminals 32a and 32b. Since it is blocked, the interior lamp (not shown) is turned off.

When the door D is opened, the door D rotates about a hinge axis 24 by a predetermined angle, and the movable terminals 32a and 32b installed on the inner circumferential surface of the hinge groove 40. Also rotate at the same angle. Accordingly, the movable terminals 32a and 32b are moved at positions facing the spaced portions 34a and 34b of the fixed terminal 34 to be electrically connected to the fixed terminals 34. As a result, the current of the external power sources D1 and D2 connected to one end of the movable terminals 32a and 32b flows through the fixed terminal 34, so that the door switch is turned on and the lamp is turned on.

When the door D is closed again, the movable terminals 32a and 32b and the fixed terminal 34 are spaced apart from each other so that the door switch is turned off. Therefore, the external power sources D1 and D2 are cut off, and the interior lights are turned off again.

Next, a variant embodiment can be described.

4A and 4B show another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the door side bush 26 is provided in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the hinge groove 40, and the hinge side bush 28 is installed in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft 24. The door side bush 26 and the hinge side bush 28 have a thin cylindrical shape, and the movable terminals 32a and 32b are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the door side bush 26, and the hinge side bush 28 is provided. The fixed terminal 34 is installed on the outer circumferential surface of the) to constitute the door switch.

In this embodiment, since the movable terminals 32a and 32b and the fixed terminal 34 are respectively installed in the door side bush 26 and the hinge side bush 28 separately manufactured, the hinge shaft 24 and the hinge groove ( It is easier to install the door switch than to install the door switch directly.

According to the present invention discussed above, it can be seen that the basic technical idea that the door switch is installed between the hinge shaft 24 and the hinge groove 40.

Within the scope of the basic technical idea of the present invention, many modifications are possible to those skilled in the art, and the scope of the present invention should be interpreted based on the appended claims. will be.

As described above in detail, the door switch for a refrigerator according to the present invention is installed between a hinge shaft which is a support shaft when the door is opened and closed, and a hinge groove which is inserted into the hinge shaft and is formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the door. It is simple and easy to install, and it is possible to prevent the leakage of the foam liquid during the foaming process.

The door switch for a refrigerator according to the present invention has an advantage of improving aesthetics since it is not exposed to the outside when the door is opened.

Claims (3)

A hinge fixed to the body of the refrigerator and having a hinge axis; A hinge groove inserted into the hinge shaft and formed on upper and lower surfaces of the door to rotatably support the door; A pair of movable terminals installed on the inner circumferential surface of the hinge groove so as to be spaced apart from each other and protrude in a vertical direction, each end of which is connected to an external power source; And It is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the hinge shaft, and is formed in an arc shape having a pair of spaced portions corresponding to the movable terminal, and in contact with the movable terminal when the door is opened, and spaced apart from the movable terminal when the door is closed. Refrigerator door switch comprising a fixed terminal to the side facing each other. The refrigerator door switch of claim 1, wherein the fixed terminal is formed in a cylindrical shape. According to claim 1 or 2, wherein the door side bush is installed in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hinge groove, the movable terminal is installed in the inner peripheral surface of the door side bush, the hinge side bush is installed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the hinge shaft The fixed terminal is a door switch for a refrigerator, characterized in that installed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the hinge-side bush.