KR20190070620A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, a refrigerator comprises: a cabinet having a storage chamber; a refrigerator door configured to open and close the storage chamber and rotatably connected to the cabinet by a hinge device; a cover member covering the hinge device; and a door opening device installed in the cover member and having a push member to open the refrigerator door.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

A refrigerator is a household appliance that can store objects such as foods at a low temperature in a storage room provided in a cabinet. Since the storage chamber is surrounded by the heat insulating wall, the inside of the storage chamber can be maintained at a temperature lower than the external temperature.

The storage room may be divided into a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment according to a temperature zone of the storage compartment.

The user opens and closes the storage room using the door. The user opens the door to put the object into or out of the storage room. Generally, the door is rotatably installed in a cabinet, and a gasket is provided between the door and the cabinet.

Thus, in the closed state of the door, the gasket is brought into close contact with the door and the cabinet to prevent leakage of cold air in the storage compartment. As the adhesion of such a gasket is increased, the effect of preventing cold air leakage can be increased.

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

Recently, a refrigerator in which an auto-closing function is implemented is provided. This auto closing function means a function of automatically closing the door of the refrigerator when the door of the refrigerator is slightly opened by using the adhesion force of the gasket, the magnetic force and the elastic force by the spring.

In addition, the auto-closing function means that the door of the refrigerator is not opened automatically even when the refrigerator is slightly inclined forward.

Therefore, the refrigerator provided recently requires a lot of force to open the door compared to the previous refrigerator. This is because, in order to open the door of the refrigerator, the user has to pull the door with a force greater than the elasticity of the gasket, the magnetic force and the spring.

Accordingly, a door opening device for automatically opening the door has recently been proposed.

<Prior Art 1>

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

In the case of the prior art 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 open position, and a motor for providing power to the push rod.

The push rod is drawn out of the refrigerator door for opening the refrigerator door, and pushes the cabinet to open the refrigerator door.

However, in the case of the prior art document 1, since the door opening device is provided in the refrigerator door, the length of the push rod is restricted within the thickness range of the refrigerator door, so that it is difficult to increase the opening angle of the refrigerator door.

<Prior Art 2>

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-55863 discloses a door opening unit of a refrigerator.

The door opening unit of the prior art document 2 is installed in the ceiling portion of the refrigerator main body. The door opening unit includes a lower case, and the lower case is mounted to be embedded in a part of the ceiling portion.

For example, the lower case is embedded in a ceiling portion and is fastened to the ceiling portion by a screw.

However, in the case of the prior art document 2, when the lower case is embedded in the ceiling portion, the lower case directly coupled to the ceiling portion comes into contact with the heat insulating material. When the lower case is fastened before forming the heat insulating material, There is a problem that the lower case is changed during the cooling of the liquid.

On the other hand, when the foamed liquid is filled into the refrigerator body before the lower case is fastened, the opening for inserting the lower case is covered with a separate cover to prevent leakage of the foamed liquid, So that the work is troublesome and troublesome.

Further, since the lower case is directly fastened to the ceiling portion of the refrigerator body, there is a problem that the vibration generated when the door opening unit operates is directly transmitted to the lower case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator which can easily couple or separate a door opening device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator which can fix a door opening device on the upper side of a cabinet without changing a mold for forming a cabinet.

The present invention also provides a refrigerator in which the opening angle of the refrigerator door can be increased.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator in which vibration of a door opening device is prevented from being transmitted to a cabinet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator in which the waterproof performance of a drive motor is improved.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which the surface of a refrigerator door is prevented from being damaged during opening of the refrigerator door using the push member.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having a storage compartment; A refrigerator door that opens and closes the storage room and is rotatably connected to the cabinet by a hinge mechanism; A cover member covering the hinge mechanism; And a door opening device installed on the cover member and having a push member for opening the refrigerator door.

In order to increase the opening angle of the refrigerator door, the push member may be formed in the form of a call centering on the hinge axis of the hinge mechanism.

Wherein the door opening device is installed on the cover member on the upper side of the cabinet, and the cover member is coupled on the upper side of the cabinet.

The door opening device may further include a housing for accommodating the push member and an anti-vibration member provided on the housing, and the cover member may include an installation protrusion fitted to the anti-vibration member.

The cover member may include a first cover portion that covers the door opening device, and a second cover portion that is connected to the first cover portion and covers a hinge shaft that provides a rotation center of the refrigerator door.

The first cover portion includes a cover plate and a peripheral portion extending around the periphery of the cover plate, and the mounting projection may protrude from the cover plate.

Wherein the dustproof member is protruded to the upper side of the housing in a state where the dustproof member is coupled to the housing and the dustproof member is in contact with the cover plate in a state where the mounting projection is fitted to the dustproof member, May be spaced apart from the cover plate.

The first cover portion may further include an extending rib protruding from the cover plate, and the mounting protrusion may be integrally formed with the extending rib.

The door opening device includes a housing accommodating the push member, a power transmitting portion accommodated in the housing, a driving motor connected to the power transmitting portion at a lower outer side of the housing, and a motor cover As shown in FIG.

The refrigerator of the present embodiment may further include a motor receiving portion provided inside the cabinet and provided in a recessed shape for accommodating the driving motor.

An opening may be formed in the cabinet so that the driving motor can pass through the cabinet.

The housing may include a motor connection portion to which the motor cover is connected. The connection portion between the motor connection portion and the motor cover can be positioned higher than the upper side wall of the cabinet in a state in which the drive motor is housed in the motor accommodation portion and the waterproof performance of the drive motor can be improved.

In this embodiment, the fridge door may be provided with a friction preventing portion for preventing direct contact with the push member.

According to the present invention, as the door opening device is provided on the cabinet side, it is possible to increase the length of the pushing member and thereby increase the opening angle of the refrigerator door.

Further, since the push member is formed in the shape of a bow around the hinge axis, the opening angle of the refrigerator door can be increased to a small length of the push member.

According to the present invention, since the door opening device is coupled to the cover member covering the hinge, the position of the door opening device can be fixed to the cabinet without changing the conventional mold structure for manufacturing the outer case There is an advantage.

Further, according to the present invention, since the door opening device is coupled to the cover member, a structure like a separate bracket for fixing the door opening device is unnecessary, which simplifies the structure.

Further, according to the present invention, since the cover member is coupled to the cabinet after the door opening device is coupled to the cover member, the door opening device is easily assembled and the door opening device is detached together by separating the cover member from the cabinet , It is easy to separate the door opening device.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the mounting projection to which the anti-vibration member is coupled is formed integrally with the cover plate of the cover member as well as the extending rib protruding from the cover plate, there is an advantage that breakage of the mounting projection can be prevented.

According to the present invention, since the connecting portion between the motor connecting portion of the housing and the motor cover is positioned higher than the upper side wall of the cabinet in a state where the door opening device is installed on the mounting bracket, It can not flow to the drive motor side, and the waterproof performance of the drive motor can be improved.

According to the present invention, since the frictional protection portion is provided at the portion of the refrigerator door facing the push member, the surface of the refrigerator door can be prevented from being damaged by the direct friction between the refrigerator door and the push member.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an upper structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a plan view of a refrigerator 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 bottom perspective view of a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a bottom perspective view of a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a perspective view showing a fixing portion of a housing for coupling the dustproof member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a plan view showing a state in which the anti-vibration member is coupled to the fixed portion of the housing;
8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention is seated on a cover member;
9 is a plan view showing a state in which a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on a cover member.
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
11 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line BB of Fig.
12 is a view showing a state in which a guide bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a cabinet;
13 is a perspective view of a guide bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a view showing a state where the motor cover according to the embodiment of the present invention is positioned in the motor accommodating portion.
15 is a view showing a state where a friction preventing portion is provided on a rear surface of a refrigerator door according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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 with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that, in adding reference numerals to the constituent elements of the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference symbols as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the difference that the embodiments of the present invention are not conclusive.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the constituent elements from other constituent elements, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or order of the constituent elements. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, Quot; may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected. &Quot;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a refrigerator showing a door opening device installed on an upper side of a cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a 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 chamber, a refrigerator (not shown) rotatably connected to the cabinet 10, And may include a door 12.

The storage room may include one or more of a freezer 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) for opening the refrigerator door (12). The door opening device 30 may be fixed outside the cabinet 10.

In FIG. 2, for example, the door opening device 30 is located above the cabinet 10.

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

The door opening device 30 may be mounted on the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101, for example.

<Basic structure of door opening device>

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

In FIG. 2, the position of the push member 340 may be referred to as an initial position. 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 can be referred to as a door open position.

The push member 340 may include a push rod 341 in a curved shape so that the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 is increased.

The door opening device 30 includes a driving motor 320 for driving the push member 340 and a power transmitting portion 322 for transmitting the power of the driving motor 320 to the push member 340. [ ).

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

The push rod 341 may include a rack gear 342 for receiving the power of the driving motor 320. The rack gear 342 can engage with one of the plurality of gears.

For example, the push rod 341 may be formed in a shape of an arc centering on the hinge axis 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 axis 126 of the refrigerator door 12 than the outer circumferential surface.

The push member 340 includes a first end 343 that contacts the refrigerator door 12 during the opening of the refrigerator door 12 and a second end 343 that is opposite to the first end 341, (344).

At this time, the first end portion 343 is in direct contact with the refrigerator door 12 or a cover portion 345 such as urethane rubber or silicone is coupled to the push rod 341, The cover portion 345 can be contacted.

In FIG. 3, for example, the cover portion 345 is shown coupled to the cover engaging portion 341a of the push rod 341. The first end portion 343 of the push member 340 is the front portion of the cover portion 345 and the second end portion 344 is the front portion of the cover portion 345 when the cover portion 345 is coupled to the push rod 341. [ May be the end of the push rod 341. [

The length of the first end portion 343 and the second end portion 344 may be greater than the thickness of the refrigerator door 12, although not limited thereto.

Therefore, 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, so that the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 can be increased.

The horizontal distance of the first end portion 343 and the second end portion 344 in the forward and backward directions of the refrigerator 1 is determined by the distance between the first end portion 343 and the second end portion 344 of the refrigerator door 12, It may be formed larger than the thickness.

The length of the push member 340 protruding from the housing 300 to be described later is greater than the thickness of the refrigerator door 12 when the push member 340 is moved to the door opening position .

The push member 340 may be disposed inclined to the side wall 103 of the cabinet 10.

The first end 343 may be disposed to face the refrigerator door 12 with the push member 340 in the initial position.

The first end portion 343 may be positioned closer to the refrigerator door 12 than the second end portion 344 with the push member 340 positioned in the initial position.

The second end portion 344 may be located closer to the side wall 103 of the outer case 101 than the first end portion 343 with the push member 340 being in the initial position .

The door opening device 30 may further include a housing 300 for receiving 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 portion 322 is located in a space formed by the upper housing 301 and the lower housing 310 and the driving motor 320 is connected to the power transmission portion 322, respectively.

The lower housing 310 may have a seating portion 312 on which the power transmitting portion 322 is seated. The seat portion 312 may be formed with a shaft 313 on which a plurality of gears constituting the power transmitting portion 322 are rotatably mounted.

A guide 311 for 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 and the motor cover 330 may be coupled to the driving motor 320 when the driving motor 320 is installed in the lower housing 310. [ To the lower housing 310 so as to enclose the lower housing 310.

The door opening device 30 may further include an opening preventing part for detecting whether the refrigerator door 12 is manually opened. The opening sensing unit may include a magnet 346 and a reed switch 123.

The reed switch 123 may include a container defining 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 intensity of the magnetic field of the magnet 346.

For example, the reed switch 123 may be turned on when the intensity of the magnetic field is greater than a predetermined magnitude, and may be off when the magnetic field sensor is less than a predetermined magnitude.

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

The magnet 346 and the reed switch 123 may be positioned adjacent to each other. For example, the refrigerator door 12 may be arranged to face the refrigerator doors 12 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 the reed switch 123 so that a pair of leads are joined together Lt; / RTI &gt;

On the other hand, when the magnet 346 is separated from the reed switch 123 by a predetermined distance or more, the reed switch 123 can not recognize the magnetic field generated by the magnet 346, It is in a state of being spaced apart (it may be called 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 can be determined that the refrigerator door 12 is manually opened by the user.

The dustproof member 40 may be coupled to the housing 300. The anti-vibration member 40 may be coupled to the lower housing 310, for example. The structure of the anti-vibration member 40 and the method of coupling the anti-vibration member 40 to the housing 300 will be described later.

<Structure of Cover Member>

5 is a bottom perspective view of a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the door opening device 30 of the present embodiment may be installed in the cover member 70.

Since the door opening device 30 is installed on the cover member 70 without changing the conventional mold structure for manufacturing the outer case 101, The position of the door opening device 30 can be fixed.

When the door opening device 30 is installed on the cover member 70, the cover member 70 blocks external exposure.

However, the push member 340 may protrude out of the cover member 70 in the cover member 70 during the operation of the door opening device 30.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that a separate mounting bracket for installing the door opening device 30 is unnecessary.

The cover member 70 includes a first cover portion 710 covering the door opening device 30 and a second cover portion 710 extending from the first cover portion 710 to provide a rotation center of the refrigerator door 12 And a second cover portion 750 covering the hinge shaft 126 to which the hinge shaft 126 is attached.

The first cover part 710 may cover a part of the hinge mechanism 125. That is, the portion of the hinge mechanism 125 located in the cabinet 10 is covered by the first cover portion 710, and the portion of the hinge mechanism 125 located on the refrigerator door 12 is covered by the second cover portion 750 ). &Lt; / RTI &gt;

The first cover part 710 may include a cover plate 711 covering the upper side of the door opening device 30 and a peripheral part 712 extending downward from the cover plate 711.

The peripheral portion 712 may cover the periphery of the door opening device 30. [

The first cover part 710 may include a fastening boss 713 for fastening the fastening member to be fastened to the cabinet 10. The fastening boss 713 may extend downward from the cover plate 711.

The cover plate 711 may have an extending rib 714 protruding downward.

The extension rib 714 can improve the strength of the cover plate 711.

The first cover 710 may further include a mounting protrusion 715 for engaging with the anti-vibration member 40. A plurality of mounting protrusions 715 may be provided on the first cover part 710, although not limited thereto.

The mounting protrusion 715 may protrude downward from the cover plate 711. The mounting protrusion 715 may be integrally formed with the cover plate 711 and the extending rib 714.

The mounting protrusions 715 are integrally formed with the cover plate 711 and the extending ribs 711 as in the present invention so that the mounting protrusions 715 are formed by the reaction force applied to the push members 340 The breakage phenomenon can be prevented.

The mounting protrusion 715 may be formed with a fastening groove 716 for fastening the fastening member (see 50 in FIG. 10).

The cover plate 711 may be provided with a reinforcing rib 717 for connecting the cover plate 711 and the extending rib 714.

The first cover portion 710 may include an opening 718 through which the push member 340 passes. The cover portion 345 of the push member 340 may be positioned in the opening 718 with the push member 340 in the initial position. In other words, the cover portion 345 can cover the opening 718.

In this case, foreign matter or the like can be prevented from entering the internal space of the cover member 70 through the opening 718 while the push member 340 is positioned at the initial position.

<Coupling structure of anti-vibration member>

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fixing part of a housing to which the anti-vibration member according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state where the anti-vibration member is coupled to the fixing part of the housing.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the housing 300 may be provided with depressions 303 and 315 for providing a space for the vibration-preventive member 40 to be positioned.

At this time, a first depression 303 is formed in the upper housing 301, and a second depression 315 is formed in the lower housing 310. The first depressed portion 303 and the second depressed portion 315 may be formed in the same shape. This is to provide a space in which the fastening member (see 50 in Fig. 10) can move.

The fixing portion 304 may be formed on the depressions 303 and 315 of the housing 300 to fix the vibration-preventive member 40 thereto.

For example, the fixing portion 304 may protrude from the first depression 303 of the upper housing 301.

Although not limited thereto, the fixing portion 304 may be formed in a shape such as "U " when viewed from above. Therefore, the fixing portion 304 may form a space 306 in which a portion of the anti-vibration member 40 is positioned.

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

The anti-vibration member 40 may be formed in a shape such as "U ". That is, one side of the anti-vibration member 40 may be opened when viewed from above. The mounting protrusion 714 can be fitted to the anti-vibration member 40 by opening the one side surface.

The anti-vibration member 40 may include an inner circumferential surface 401 and an outer circumferential surface 402, and a slot 403 may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the anti-vibration member 40 to accommodate the fixing unit 304 .

Therefore, the anti-vibration member 40 can be slidably coupled to the fixing portion 304 so that the fixing portion 304 is inserted into the slot 403 of the anti-vibration member 40.

The fixing portion 304 is provided with the coupling hook 304 so that the vibration preventing member 40 is prevented from being separated from the fixing portion 304 while the fixing portion 304 is inserted into the slot 403 of the anti- And a hook insertion part 404 into which the coupling hook 305 is inserted may be formed in the anti-vibration member 40. [

The hook inserting portion 404 may be recessed from the slot 403 toward the inner circumferential surface 401, for example.

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 mounting protrusions 715 are accommodated.

The housing 300 may be installed on the cover member 70 in a state where the anti-vibration member 40 is coupled to the fixed portion 304 of the housing 300.

Therefore, in order to mount the housing 300 on the cover member 70, the mounting projection 715 may be inserted into the space 405 formed by the vibration-proof member 40.

&Lt; Method of installing the door opening device on the cover member >

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention is seated on a cover member, FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on a cover member to be.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG.

8 to 10, after aligning the mounting protrusion 715 of the cover member 70 with the anti-vibration member 40 of the door opening device 30, (70) so that the mounting projection (715) is fitted in the vibration-proof member (40).

At this time, the mounting projection 715 may be inserted into the vibration-proof member 40 in a state in which the cover portion 345 of the push member 340 is positioned at the opening 718 of the cover member 70 have.

The mounting protrusion 715 is fitted in the space 405 of the vibration-proof member 40 and the vibration-proof member 40 is seated in the cover plate 711 (the lower surface of the cover plate).

The housing 300 may be separated from the cover plate 711 in a state where the anti-vibration member 40 is seated on the cover plate 711.

That is, the anti-vibration member 40 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the housing 300 in a state of being coupled to the housing 30. Therefore, the housing 300 can be prevented from contacting the cover plate 711 while the anti-vibration member 40 is seated on the cover plate 711.

The fastening member 50 may be fastened to the mounting protrusion 715 in a state where the mounting protrusion 715 is fitted to the anti-vibration member 40. The fastening member 50 may be fastened to the mounting protrusion 715 while being housed in the depressions 303 and 315 formed in the housing 300.

At this time, the fastening member 50 can be fastened to the mounting protrusion 715 in a state where the washer 60 is inserted between the head portion of the fastening member 50 and the mounting protrusion 715.

The washer 60 may be in contact with the anti-vibration member 40 and may be spaced apart from the mounting protrusion 715. Or the washer 60 may contact the mounting protrusion 715. [

According to the present invention, since the coupling member 50 connects the housing 300 and the cover member 70 with the anti-vibration member 40 interposed therebetween, when the door opening device 30 is operated, It is possible to minimize the transmission of the generated vibration to the cover member 70.

If transmission of vibration to the cover member 70 is minimized, transmission of vibration to the cabinet 10 through the cover member 70 can be minimized.

In addition, by virtue of the same structure, the vibration generated in the refrigerator 1 can be minimally transmitted to the door opening device 30. [

<Structure of guide bracket and installation position>

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state where a guide bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in a cabinet, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a guide bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3, 12 and 13, the guide bracket 80 includes a wire guide 820 for guiding an electric wire and a motor accommodating portion 830 for accommodating the drive motor 320 .

The electric wire guide 820 can guide the electric wire drawn into the refrigerator door 12.

The guide bracket 80 may include a plate-shaped bracket body 810. The wire guide 820 may protrude upward from the bracket body 810.

The motor receiving portion 830 may be formed as the upper surface of the bracket body 810 is depressed downward.

The guide bracket 80 may be fixed to the outer case 101 on the inner side of the outer case 101.

The guide bracket 80 can be fastened to the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101 by a fastening part 822, for example.

The fastening portion 822 may be fastened to the top wall 102 of the outer case 101 while passing through the top wall 102 of the outer case 101. The fastening portion 822 may be formed on the wire guide 820, for example. The fastening portion 822 may include a hook for hooking the upper wall 102 in a state of passing through the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101.

When the guide bracket 80 is fixed to the outer case 101, a foamed liquid for forming a heat insulating material may be filled in a space between the outer case 101 and the inner case.

The connection between the guide bracket 80 and the outer case 101 is increased because the expansion force of the foamed liquid increases the adhesion between the guide bracket 80 and the outer case 101 during the cooling of the foamed liquid, It can be solidified.

The wire guide 820 may be positioned between the inner circumferential surface of the push member 340 and the hinge shaft 126.

The bracket body 810 is positioned below the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101 so that the driving motor 320 is positioned above the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101, A first opening 104 may be formed in the upper surface 102 of the outer case 101 so as to be accommodated in the lower portion 830. [

The wire guide 820 protrudes from the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101 so that the wire guide 820 can protrude above the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101. [ The second opening 105 can be located.

&Lt; Relative position of motor receiving portion and motor cover >

14 is a view showing a state where the motor cover according to the embodiment of the present invention is positioned in the motor receiving portion.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 12 and 14, the housing 300 may be provided with a cover connecting portion 319 for connecting the motor cover 330.

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

The driving motor 320 may be connected to the power transmitting portion 322 located inside the housing 300 from the outside of the housing 300. The lowest point of the cover connecting portion 319 is positioned higher than the lowest point of the driving motor 320 when the driving motor 320 is connected to the power transmitting portion 322.

The driving motor 320 is protruded downward from the housing 300 when the driving motor 320 is connected to the power transmitting unit 322. Therefore, the lowest point of the driving motor 320 is positioned lower than the lowest point of the housing 300 when the driving motor 320 is connected to the power transmitting portion 322.

The motor cover 330 may be connected to the cover connecting portion 319 in a state where the driving motor 320 is connected to the power transmitting portion 322.

The door opening device 30 is installed on the cover member 70 while the motor cover 330 is connected to the cover connection part 319 and the cover member 70 is mounted on the upper side of the cabinet 10 The motor cover 330 and the driving motor 320 can be received in the motor receiving portion 830 of the guide bracket 80 through the outer case 101. [

When the drive motor 320 is housed in the motor housing portion 830 located inside the cabinet 10 as in the present embodiment, the door opening device 30 can be minimized.

The connecting portion of the motor cover 330 and the cover connecting portion 319 is positioned higher than the top wall 102 of the outer case 101 while the driving motor 320 is accommodated in the motor receiving portion 830. [ do.

The connecting portion between the motor cover 330 and the cover connecting portion 319 is located at a predetermined height H from the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101. [

That is, a part of the motor cover 330 is located in the motor housing part 830, and the other part is located outside the outer case 101.

If the liquid falls into the top wall 102 of the outer case 101, fluid may flow into the motor receiving portion 830.

However, in the present embodiment, even if the driving motor 320 is positioned in the motor receiving portion 830, the motor cover 330 covers the driving motor 320, The connecting portion of the connecting portion 319 is positioned higher than the upper wall 102 of the outer case 101 so that the liquid flowing into the motor receiving portion 830 can not flow toward the driving motor 320. Accordingly, the waterproof performance of the driving motor 330 is improved.

<Friction prevention part of the rear surface of the refrigerator door>

FIG. 15 is a view showing a state where a friction preventing unit is provided on the rear surface of a refrigerator door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 and 15, the door opening device 30 of the present embodiment pushes the refrigerator door 12 by the push member 340 to open the refrigerator door 12.

Therefore, in order to prevent direct contact between the push rod 341 and the back surface 12a of the refrigerator door 12 during the pushing operation of the push member 340 by the refrigerator door 12, The fraud push member 340 may include a cover portion 345 coupled to the push rod 341.

A friction preventing portion 124 is provided at a portion of the refrigerator door 12 where the cover portion 345 contacts the back surface 12a. The friction preventing portion 124 may be a film or a thin glass plate and may be attached to the back surface 12a of the refrigerator door 12. [

&Lt; Operation of door opening device >

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

16 is a view showing a state where the 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 open command.

The controller may control the drive motor 320 to rotate in the first direction to move the push member 340 from the initial position to the door open position when it is determined that the door open command has been input, ).

When the driving motor 320 rotates in the first direction, the power transmitting portion 322 transmits the rotational force of the driving motor 320 in the first direction to the push member 340, So that the refrigerator door 12 is rotated by pushing the refrigerator door 12.

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

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

The controller can stop the rotation of the driving motor 320 when it is determined that the push member 340 has moved to the door opening position.

The user can manually increase the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 while the refrigerator door 12 is rotated at a predetermined angle.

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

In the present 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 have.

Meanwhile, the controller determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the pushing member 340 has moved to the door opening position and the driving motor 320 has been stopped.

When it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed at the time when the driving motor 320 is stopped, the controller causes the driving motor 320 to rotate in the second direction to return the push member 340 to the initial position .

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

When the right and left lengths of the refrigerator door 12 are divided into three regions by dividing the refrigerator door 12 into three regions, a portion to which the hinge shaft 126 is connected is referred to as a first region, May be referred to as a third region, and an area between the first region and the third region may be referred to as a second region.

In this embodiment, the push member 340 may press the second region (intermediate region) of the refrigerator door 12 to open the refrigerator door 12. [

The torque of the drive motor 320 required when the push member 340 presses the second region is determined by the torque of the drive motor 320 required when the push member 340 presses the first region Lt; / RTI &gt;

The length of the push member 340 when the push member 340 presses the second region is longer than the length of the push member 340 when the push member 340 presses the first region Should be formed longer.

The push member 340 presses the second region of the refrigerator door 12 so that the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 is increased and the driving force for opening the refrigerator door 12 The torque of the motor 320 is reduced.

16, the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 may be 35 degrees or more while the push member 340 is moved to the door opening position as shown in FIG. 16, and the opening angle of the refrigerator door 12 And the front surface 109 of the cabinet 10 may be 160 mm or more.

The maximum horizontal distance between the rear surface 12a of the refrigerator door 12 and the front surface 109 of the cabinet 10 may be 170 mm or more .

1: Refrigerator 10: Cabinet
12: Refrigerator door 20: Mounting 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
70: cover member 710: first cover part
715: mounting projection 750: second cover part

Claims (15)

A cabinet having a storage compartment;
A refrigerator door that opens and closes the storage room and is rotatably connected to the cabinet by a hinge mechanism;
A cover member covering the hinge mechanism; And
And a door opening device installed on the cover member and having a push member for opening the refrigerator door. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the door opening device is installed on the cover member above the cabinet. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the cover member includes a first cover portion that covers the door opening device,
And a second cover portion connected to the first cover portion and covering a hinge shaft that provides a rotation center of the refrigerator door. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the first cover portion is provided with an opening through which the push member passes. The method of claim 3,
The door opening device includes:
A housing housing said push member,
Further comprising an anti-vibration member provided on the housing,
And the first cover portion is provided with a mounting protrusion fitted to the vibration-proof member. 6. The method of claim 5,
The first cover portion includes a cover plate,
And a peripheral portion extending around the cover plate,
And the mounting protrusion protrudes from the cover plate. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the first cover portion further includes an extending rib projecting from the cover plate,
And the mounting protrusion is formed integrally with the extending rib. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the dustproof member is protruded upward from the housing in a state where the dustproof member is coupled to the housing,
Wherein the dustproof member is in contact with the cover plate and the housing is spaced apart from the cover plate in a state where the mounting protrusion is fitted to the dustproof member. 6. The method of claim 5,
The housing includes a depression for positioning the anti-vibration member,
And a fixing portion protruding from the depression,
And a slot in which the fixing portion is received is provided around an outer peripheral surface of the dustproof member. 10. The method of claim 9,
The fixing part is provided with a coupling hook,
Wherein the dustproof member is provided with a hook insertion portion that is recessed from the slot toward the inner circumferential surface of the dustproof member and into which the coupling hook is inserted. The method according to claim 1,
The door opening device includes a housing for accommodating the push member,
A power transmitting portion accommodated in the housing,
A drive motor connected to the power transmission unit from outside the lower portion of the housing,
And a motor cover covering the driving motor. 12. The method of claim 11,
Further comprising a guide bracket installed inside the cabinet and having a recessed motor receiving portion for receiving the drive motor,
Wherein the cabinet is formed with an opening through which the driving motor passes. 13. The method of claim 12,
The housing is provided with a motor connection portion to which the motor cover is connected,
Wherein a connection portion between the motor connection portion and the motor cover is positioned higher than an upper side wall of the cabinet in a state where the drive motor is housed in the motor accommodation portion. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a frictional preventing portion for preventing direct contact with the push member is provided on a back surface of the refrigerator door. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the friction preventing portion is a film or a thin glass plate.

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