WO2022265255A1

WO2022265255A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2022265255A1
Application number: PCT/KR2022/007555
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jihyun Lee; Kyukwan Choi; Minsub Kim; Hangbok Lee; Sungkyong Han; Yezo Yun
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2021-06-15
Filing date: 2022-05-27
Publication date: 2022-12-22
Also published as: KR20220167867A

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage space, a door configured to open and close the storage space, and a dispenser provided in the door to dispense one or more of water or ice. The dispenser includes a dispenser housing comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, first and second sidewalls configured to connect the upper wall to the lower wall, and a rear wall that is movable with respect to the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a detection portion configured to detect movement of the rear wall when the rear wall is pushed to move.

Description

REFRIGERATOR

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

In general, refrigerators are home appliances for storing foods at low temperature in an inner storage space covered by a refrigerator door. Here, the inside of the storage space is cooled using cool air that is generated by being heat-exchanged with a refrigerant circulated in a refrigeration cycle to store the foods in an optimal state.

The refrigerator tends to increase in size more and more, and multi-functions are provided to the refrigerator as dietary life changes and pursues high quality, and accordingly, refrigerators of various structures in consideration of user convenience are, brought to the market.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1221763, which is a prior art document, discloses a structure for mounting a manipulation lever of a refrigerator dispenser.

In the case of the prior art document, in the dispenser provided at one side of a door of the refrigerator to dispense beverage or ice to the outside, the dispenser includes a dispenser casing recessed to the inside of the door to define an inner shape of the dispenser and a manipulation lever provided in the recessed surface of the dispenser casing to adjust an operation of the dispenser.

The manipulation lever includes a contact portion having a plate shape to be in contact with a cup for receiving beverage or ice and a first coupling portion disposed on a lower portion of a rear surface of the contact portion and hinge-coupled to the recessed surface of the dispenser casing.

The manipulation lever pushes an upper portion of the contact portion so that the contact portion rotates about the first coupling portion as an axis.

However, since the manipulation lever according to the prior art document protrudes in a state of being coupled to the recessed surface of the dispenser casing, there is a limitation in that the manipulation lever acts as an obstacle in a process of cleaning the dispenser casing, and thus, the cleaning is difficult.

In addition, since a size of the manipulation lever is considerably less than that of the recessed surface of the dispenser casing, the manipulation lever has to be accurately pushed, and thus, user's manipulation convenience is low.

In addition, since the manipulation lever has to be accurately pushed, in the case of a bulky container, there is a disadvantage in that the manipulation lever is not pushed.

Embodiments provide a refrigerator in which cleanability of a dispenser housing is improved.

Optionally or additionally, embodiments provide a refrigerator in which a rear wall of a dispenser housing serves as a manipulation surface without a lever having a protruding shape to improve aesthetics.

Optionally or additionally, embodiments provide a refrigerator in which a container capable of pushing a manipulation surface increases in size.

In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage space. The refrigerator may further include a door configured to open and close the storage space. The refrigerator may further include a dispenser provided in the door to dispense one or more of water or ice.

The dispenser may include a dispenser housing.

The dispenser housing may include an upper wall. The dispenser housing may further include a lower wall spaced apart from the upper wall.

The dispenser housing may further include first and second sidewalls configured to connect the upper wall to the lower wall. The dispenser housing further may further include a rear wall movable with respect to the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

The dispenser housing may further include a detection portion configured to detect movement of the rear wall when the rear wall is pushed to move.

The dispenser may further include a discharge portion which extends from the upper wall and in which a passage for the water or ice is disposed.

An upper end of the rear wall may be disposed higher than a lower end of the discharge portion.

The upper end of the rear wall may be disposed behind the discharge portion. A lower end of the rear wall may be configured to overlap the discharge portion in a vertical direction.

A horizontal distance between an upper end of the rear wall and an opening of the dispenser housing may be greater than a horizontal direction between a lower end of the rear wall and the opening of the dispenser housing.

A distance between the first sidewall and the second sidewall may gradually decrease in a direction away from an opening of the dispenser housing.

A length of the rear wall in a left and right direction may be greater than that of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall in the left and right direction.

The dispenser housing may include a first extension wall extending from the first sidewall. The dispenser housing may further include a second extension wall extending from the second sidewall.

The first extension wall and the second extension wall may be disposed to face each other.

When the rear wall is pushed, at least a portion of the rear wall may be disposed between the first extension wall and the second extension wall.

The detection portion may be disposed between the first extension wall and the second extension wall.

When the rear wall is pushed, the rear wall may rotate around a rotation center.

The rotation center of the rear wall may be disposed closer to a lower end of the rear wall than an upper end of the rear wall.

The rotation center of the rear wall may be disposed closer to the lower end than a point that bisects a vertical height of the rear wall.

The detection portion may be disposed behind the rear wall and higher than the rotation center.

The detection portion may be disposed closer to a point that bisects a vertical height of the rear wall than the lower end of the rear wall.

The upper wall may include a stopper configured to restrict movement of the rear wall while the rear wall is pushed.

The upper wall may include an inclined surface that is inclined downward in a direction away from an opening of the dispenser housing.

In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes a dispenser with a dispenser housing.

The dispenser housing includes an upper wall and a rear wall disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

The dispenser housing may include first and second sidewalls configured to connect the upper wall to the lower wall. The dispenser housing may further include a rear wall disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

The rear wall may include a fixed wall connected to the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The rear wall may further include a movable wall that is movable with respect to the fixed wall.

The dispenser may further include a detection portion configured to detect the movement of the movable wall when the movable wall is pushed. the detection portion may be provided behind the movable wall.

A surface area of a front surface of the movable wall is greater than that of a front surface of the fixed wall.

A ratio of a length of the fixed wall in a left and right direction to a length of the movable wall in the left and right direction may be about 0.8 or more.

A ratio of a height of the fixed wall to a height of the movable wall may be about 0.8 or more.

The dispenser may include a discharge portion which extends from the upper wall and in which a passage for the water or ice is disposed.

An upper end of the movable wall may be disposed higher than a lower end of the discharge portion.

The movable wall may be configured to overlap the discharge portion in a horizontal direction.

A length of the movable wall in a left and right direction may be greater than that of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall in the left and right direction.

A rotation center of the movable wall may be disposed closer to a lower end of the movable wall than an upper end of the movable wall.

In this embodiment, the dispenser housing may include the rear wall serving as the manipulation portion, and the rear wall may define the rear surface of the dispenser housing. Therefore, the aesthetics of the dispenser housing may be improved, and the cleanability of the dispenser housing may be improved.

In addition, since the entire rear wall of the dispenser housing serves as the manipulation portion, it may be advantageous in that the size of the cup or container capable of pushing the manipulation surface may increase.

In addition, since the rotation center and the detection portion are disposed at the position lower than the central portion of the rear wall, it may be advantageous in that the detection portion accurately detects the manipulation of the rear wall.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view of a dispenser provided in a refrigerator door.

FIG. 3 is a view of a discharge portion in the dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lighting module and a sterilization module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization module installed at a side of an opening of a discharge tube according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control of the refrigerator according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a rear wall is not manipulated in the dispenser housing.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which the rear wall is manipulated in the dispenser housing.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a dispenser according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that when components in the drawings are designated by reference numerals, the same components have the same reference numerals as far as possible even though the components are illustrated in different drawings. Further, in description of embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of well-known configurations or functions disturb understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.

Also, in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used. The terms are merely used to distinguish the corresponding component from other components, and do not delimit an essence, an order or a sequence of the corresponding component. It should be understood that when one component is “connected”, “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly connected or jointed to the latter or may be “connected”, coupled” or “joined” to the latter with a third component interposed therebetween.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a view of a dispenser provided in a refrigerator door, and FIG. 3 is a view of a discharge portion in the dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lighting module and a sterilization module according to an embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sterilization module installed at a side of an opening of a discharge tube according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control of the refrigerator according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment may include a cabinet 10 having a storage space. The refrigerator 1 may further include a refrigerator door 20 that opens and closes the storage space.

Although not limited, the storage space may be divided into a first space 11, which is defined at an upper side, and a second space 12, which is defined at a lower side. The refrigerator door 20 may include a first door 21 that opens and closes the first space 11 and a second door 22 that opens and closes the second space 12.

The first space 11 may be a refrigerating compartment, and the second space 12 may be a freezing compartment or vice versa. Alternatively, the storage space may include a first space and a second space, which are divided into left and right sides. Alternatively, the storage space may be a single space, and a single refrigerator door may open and close the storage space.

At least one or more of the first door 21 and the second door 22 may be a rotation type door. Alternatively, the single refrigerator door 20 may be a rotation type door.

In this embodiment, a structure in which two first doors 21 are disposed at the left and right sides will be described as an example.

The first door 21 may be rotatably connected to the cabinet 10 by a hinge device.

Any one of the two first doors 21 may include a dispenser 100. The dispenser 100 may discharge water and/or ice. In FIG. 1, a structure in which the dispenser 100 is provided at the first door 21 that is disposed at the left side is illustrated as an example.

The dispenser 100 may include a dispenser housing 110. The dispenser housing 110 may be partially recessed backward to define a space 220 in which a cup or container is disposed.

The dispenser housing 110 may include an upper wall 220. The dispenser housing 110 may further include a lower wall 230 spaced apart from the upper wall 220.

The dispenser housing 110 may further include both

sidewalls

240 and 250 that connect the lower wall 230 to the upper wall 220. The dispenser housing 111 may further include a rear wall 210 that connects the lower wall 230 to the upper wall 220.

The rear wall 210 may connect the

sidewalls

240 and 250 to each other.

The upper wall 220, the lower wall 230, the

sidewalls

240 and 550, and the rear wall 210 may define the space 200.

The lower wall 230 may support the cup or container. The rear wall 210 may be movably disposed in the dispenser housing 110. In this embodiment, the rear wall 210 serves as a manipulation portion manipulated by a user to input a dispensing command of the water or ice. Here, a front surface of the rear wall 210 serves as an manipulation surface.

A protrusion 212 may be disposed on the front surface of the rear wall 210 so that the user recognizes the front surface as the manipulation surface.

The dispenser 100 may further include a discharge portion through which the water and/or ice passes.

The discharge portion may further include a first body 130. The first body 130 may be disposed to protrude into the space 200.

The first body 130 may be disposed to protrude downward, for example, from the upper wall 220. That is, the first body 130 may be disposed in the space 200.

The first body 130 may be spaced apart from the rear wall 210 and the

sidewalls

240 and 250.

The first body 130 may serve as a display. For example, the first body 130 may include a round portion 131 provided with

buttons

133, 134, and 135. The first body 130 may further include a straight portion 132 extending rearward from each of both ends of the round portion 131. Substantially, the round portion 131 may serve as the display.

The round portion 131 may be disposed behind the opening 201 of the dispenser housing 110.

The

buttons

133, 134, and 135 may be arranged in a horizontal direction on the round portion 131.

The

buttons

133, 134, and 135 may include first to third buttons.

The first button 133 is a water selection button that is selected to be switched to a state in which water is dispensable. Each of the second button 134 and the third button 135 is an ice selection button that is selected to be switched to a state in which ice is dispensable.

The second button 134 and the third button 135 are buttons for selecting types of ice.

The second button 134 may be a button selected to dispense ordinary ice. The third button 135 is a button for selecting ice cubes (crushed ice). The ordinary ice refers to ice itself generated by an ice maker (not shown), and the ice cube refers to ice in a state in which ordinary ice is crushed by a blade.

Although not limited, the first button 133 may be disposed between the second button 134 and the third button 135. When the first button 133 is disposed at a center among the buttons, the user may easily recognize and manipulate the first button 133.

The dispenser 100 may further include a detection assembly (not shown) (or light emitting assembly) that detects button manipulation of each of the

buttons

133, 134, and 135 and irradiates light in response to the manipulated

button

133, 134, or 135.

The detection assembly may be disposed within an area defined by the first body 130. For example, the detection assembly may be disposed to face the round portion 131 at a rear side of the round portion 131.

The detection assembly may include a switch that detects mechanical manipulation of the

buttons

133, 134, and 135, or a touch sensor that detects a change in capacitance when the

buttons

133, 134, and 135 are touched. It should be noted that there is no limitation on a type and structure of the sensor for detecting the manipulation of the

buttons

133, 134, and 135 in this embodiment.

Although not shown, the detection assembly may include first to third light emitting elements.

When the first button 133 is selected, light may be irradiated from the first light emitting element to the first button 133 or around the first button 133.

When the second button 134 is selected, light may be irradiated from the second light emitting element to the second button 134 or around the second button 134.

When the third button 135 is selected, light may be radiated from the third light emitting element to the third button 135 or around the third button 135.

The dispenser 100 may further include a transmissive member 550 disposed below the first body 130.

The dispenser 100 may further include a second body 140 disposed below the transmissive member 550.

In this embodiment, since each of the first body 130 and the second body 140 is disposed in a shape protruding into the space 200, the first body 130 and the second body 140 may be collectively referred to as a protrusion member. The transmissive member 550 may be disposed to be rounded along a circumference (periphery of a circumference) of the protrusion member.

The second body 140 may support the transmissive member 550. A lower end of the first body 130 and an upper end of the second body 140 may be spaced apart from each other, and a portion of the transmissive member 550 may be disposed between the lower end of the first body 130 and the upper end of the second body 140.

The transmissive member 550 is a portion through which the light irradiated from the lighting module 500, which will be described later, is transmitted. The user may check the light transmitted from the transmissive member 550.

In this embodiment, since the transmissive member 550 is disposed at a boundary between the first body 130 and the second body 140, the user may easily check the transmitted light at the boundary between the first body 130 and the second body 140.

A radius of the second body 140 may be less than a radius of the round portion 132 of the first body 130. A center of the second body 140 may coincide with a center of the round portion 132. In this case, since the second body 140 and the first body 130 are disposed in a stepped shape, when light is transmitted through the transmissive member 550 between the first body 130 and the second body 140, recognition of the light may be further improved.

A discharge port 150 for discharging water may be provided inside the second body 140. The discharge port 150 may protrude to a lower side of the second body 140. Thus, the user may easily check the discharge port 150 and may easily align the cup or container with the discharge port 150.

Alternatively, a bottom surface of the discharge port 150 may be disposed at the same height as the bottom surface of the second body 140.

A discharge tube 432 of a water tube 430 to be described later may be inserted into the discharge port 150. That is, water is actually discharged through the discharge tube 432, and the discharge port 150 may serve to protect the discharge tube 432.

The dispenser 100 may further include an ice chute (not shown) providing a passage through which ice is discharged.

In this embodiment, the water passage and the ice passage may pass through the inside of the first body 130 and the second body 140.

In this case, the discharge tube 132 may be disposed in front of an ice outlet. That is, the discharge tube 132 may be disposed closer to the opening 200 of the dispenser housing 110 than the ice outlet.

The dispenser 100 may further include a lighting module 500.

The lighting module 500 may include a lighting unit 510. The lighting module 500 may include the transmissive member 550.

The lighting unit 510 may include a lighting PCB 511. The lighting unit 510 may include a plurality of light emitting

portions

514 and 516 installed on the lighting PCB 511. Light irradiated from one or more of the plurality of light emitting

portions

514 and 516 may pass through the transmissive member 550.

When the transmissive member 550 emits light along the circumference of the second body 140 as a whole, the aesthetics may be improved compared to the case in which the light is transmitted through a certain portion.

The transmissive member 550 may include the round portion. The round portion may be disposed to surround the ice chute.

The plurality of light emitting

portions

514 and 516 may include a plurality of first light emitting portions 514 spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction and a plurality of second light emitting portions 516 spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.

A color of the light irradiated from the first light emitting portion 514 may be different from a color of the light irradiated from the second light emitting portion 516. For example, the plurality of first light emitting portions 514 may be blue LEDs, and the plurality of second light emitting portions 516 may be white LEDs.

The sterilization module 400 may sterilize a passage in the water tube 430 and water passing through the passage by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the water tube 430.

The sterilization module 400 may include a PCB 420 on which an UV generator 422 is installed. The sterilization module 400 may include a housing 410 accommodating the PCB 420.

An opening 434 may be provided in the water tube 430, and the housing 410 may be coupled to the water tube 430 so that the UV generator 422 is aligned with the opening 434.

The UV rays irradiated from the UV generator 422 may reach the discharge tube 432 disposed at an end of the water tube 430.

A transmissive portion 440 through which the ultraviolet rays are transmitted may be provided in the opening 434. The transmissive portion 440 may restrict a flow of water toward the UV generator 442 while allowing light to pass therethrough. A sealing member 442 may be coupled to a circumference of the transmissive portion 440. The sealing member 442 may prevent water from flowing toward the UV generator 422 and the PCB 420.

The refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment may further include a controller 50 for overall control or control of some components.

The controller 50 may control at least the sterilization module 400 and the lighting module 500.

The refrigerator 1 may further include a detection portion 52 capable of detecting the manipulation of the rear wall 210.

The controller 50 may control the first light emitting portion 514 and the second light emitting portion 516 to be turned off when the manipulation of the rear wall 210 is not detected by the detection portion 52.

The controller 50 may turn on any one of the first light emitting portion 514 and the second light emitting portion 516 when the detection portion 52 detects the manipulation of the rear wall 210. For example, the second light emitting portion 516 may be turned on.

As a result, the light irradiated from the second light emitting portion 516 may be transmitted through the transmissive member 550, and thus, the user may check light having the first color.

In a state in which the second light emitting portion 516 is turned on, an intensity of the light of the second light emitting portion 516 may be maintained constantly or be reduced in stages.

When the sterilization module 400 operates regardless of whether the detection portion 52 detects the manipulation of the rear wall 210, the other one of the first light emitting portion 514 and the second light emitting portion 516 may be turned on. For example, the first light emitting portion 514 may be turned on.

As a result, the light irradiated from the first light emitting portion 514 may be transmitted through the transmissive member 550, and thus, the user may check light having the second color.

Since the color of the light transmitted from the transmissive member 550 is checked, the user may easily check whether a sterilization mode in which the sterilization module 400 operates is being performed.

In this embodiment, the sterilization mode may be manually selected or deselected by the user. Alternatively, the sterilization mode may be automatically selected.

When the sterilization mode is manually or automatically selected, the controller 50 may operate the sterilization module 400 to turn on the first light emitting portion 514.

When the sterilization mode is manually selected, the sterilization module 400 may continue to operate until the sterilization mode is released (switched to a normal mode). In this case, the first light emitting portion 514 may be turned off after being turned on for a predetermined time. In this case, the turn-on time of the first light emitting portion 514 may be less than a turn-off time. The turn-on and off of the first light emitting portion 514 may be repeated until the sterilization mode is manually released.

As another example, when the sterilization mode is automatically selected, the sterilization module 400 may be installed after operating for a reference time.

In this case, the first light emitting portion 514 may be maintained in the turn-on state for the reference time. Alternatively, the first light emitting portion 514 may be turned off after operating for a first time less than the reference time.

In a state in which the first light emitting portion 514 is turned on, an intensity of the light of the first light emitting portion 514 may be maintained constantly or be reduced in stages.

The sterilization mode may be automatically selected at a predetermined time interval or even when an amount of water to be dispensed reaches the reference amount.

According to this embodiment, since it is possible to sterilize the passage of the tube through which water flows and the discharge tube through which water is dispensed, hygiene may be improved.

In addition, since light having a specific color is transmitted through the transmissive member while the sterilization mode is being performed, the user may easily confirm that the passage through which water is dispensed is being sterilized.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the user may easily check whether the dispenser is in the normal mode (non-sterilization mode) or the sterilization mode by classification of colors of light transmitted through the transmissive member.

In addition, according to this embodiment, since the transmissive member is disposed in the rounded shape, the user may check the light transmitted from the transmissive member regardless of the user's position.

Hereinafter, a structure of the dispenser housing will be described in more detail.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which the rear wall is not manipulated in the dispenser housing, and FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which the rear wall is manipulated in the dispenser housing.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7 to 12, as described above, the dispenser housing 110 may include the upper wall 220, the lower wall 230, and both the

sidewalls

240 and 250 connecting the lower wall 230 to the upper wall 220, and the rear wall 210.

The rear wall 210 may serve as the manipulation portion while defining the entire rear surface of the dispenser housing 110. That is, the user may manipulate (press or push) the rear wall 210 to dispense water or ice.

When the rear wall 210 is pressed or pushed, the rear wall 210 may rotate.

In a state in which the rear wall 210 is not manipulated, or external force F is not applied to the rear wall 210 so that the rear wall 210 is rotatable, a lower end 21a of the rear wall 210 may be spaced apart from a top surface of the lower wall 230.

However, the lower end 210a of the rear wall 210 may be disposed adjacent to the top surface of the lower wall 230 so that a gap between the lower end 210a of the rear wall 210 and the top surface of the lower wall 230 is reduced.

For example, the gap between the lower end 210a of the rear wall 210 and the top surface of the lower wall 230 may be less than each of a thickness of the rear wall 210 and a thickness of the lower wall 230.

In the state in which the rear wall 210 is not manipulated, or the external force F is not applied to the rear wall 210 so that the rear wall 210 is rotatable, an upper end 210b of the rear wall 210 may be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the upper wall 220. However, the upper end 210b of the rear wall 210 may be disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the upper wall 220 so that a gap between the upper end 210b of the rear wall 210 and the bottom surface of the upper wall 220 is reduced.

Alternatively, in a state in which the rear wall 210 is not manipulated so that the rear wall 210 is rotatable, the upper end 210b of the rear wall 210 may be in contact with the bottom surface of the upper wall 220.

A vertical length of the rear wall 210 itself may be greater than a height 2H of the opening 201 of the dispenser housing 110.

The vertical height of the rear wall 210 may be the same as or similar to the height 2H of the opening 201 of the dispenser housing 110.

A portion of the rear wall 210 may be disposed behind the first body 130 and the second body 140. That is, the first body 130 and the second body 140 may be disposed between the rear wall 210 and the opening 201.

The rear wall 210 may be spaced apart from the first body 130 and the second body 140.

The rear wall 210 may be perpendicular or inclined with respect to the lower wall 230.

For example, in FIG. 9, the rear wall 210 may be gradually inclined upward in a direction away from the opening 201 of the dispenser housing 110.

That is, a distance D1 between the lower end 210a of the rear wall 210 and the opening 201 of the dispenser housing 110 is less than a distance D2 between the upper end 210b of the rear wall 210 and the opening 201 of the dispenser housing 110.

The upper end 210b of the rear wall 210 may be disposed higher than a lower end of the discharge portion. For example, the upper end 210b of the rear wall 210 may be disposed higher than the lower end of the second body 140.

The upper end 210b of the rear wall 210 may be disposed behind the first body 130. The lower end 210a of the rear wall 210 may be disposed below the second body 140. The lower end 210a of the rear wall 210 may be disposed to vertically overlap the first body 130 (or the second body 140).

A rotation center C1 of the rear wall 210 may be disposed closer to the lower end 210a than the upper end 210b.

That is, the rotation center C1 of the rear wall 210 may be disposed lower than a point at which a height of the opening 201 (or a height of the rear wall 210 in the vertical direction) is bisected.

The rotation center C1 of the rear wall 210 may be disposed closer to the lower end 210a than the point at which the vertical height of the rear wall 210 is bisected.

In general, the user may push the central portion of the front surface 210c of the rear wall 210 by using the cup or container. When the rotation center C1 of the rear wall 210 is disposed closer to the lower end 210a than the point at which the vertical height of the rear wall 210 is bisected, the rear wall 210 may easily rotate, and the detection portion 52 may accurately detect the movement of the rear wall 210.

Due to the arrangement of the rotation center C1, a distance D3 between the lower end 210a and the opening 201 after the manipulation of the rear wall 210 is less than the distance D1 between the lower end 210a and the opening 201 before the manipulation of the rear wall 210.

On the other hand, a distance D4 between the upper end 210b and the opening 201 after the manipulation of the rear wall 210 is greater than the distance D2 between the upper end 210b and the opening 201 before the manipulation of the rear wall 210.

An inclined surface 224 may be provided on the bottom surface of the upper wall 220 to prevent the distance of the upper end 210a while the rear wall 210 is manipulated from increasing. The inclined surface 224 may be inclined downward as it moves away from the opening 201.

A stopper 222 for restricting the rotation of the rear wall 210 in a state in which the rear wall 210 rotates at a predetermined angle may be provided at an end of the upper wall 220.

The stopper 222 may extend downward, for example, from the upper wall 220 and may be in contact with the upper end 210b of the rear wall 210.

A hinge portion 214 for enabling the rotation of the rear wall 210 may be provided on a rear surface of the rear wall 210. The hinge portion 214 may be coupled to the rear wall 210. A portion of the hinge portion 214 may protrude backward. The rotation center may be disposed at the protruding portion.

The dispenser 100 may further include a hinge coupling portion 280 to which the hinge portion 214 is coupled. As the hinge portion 214 is coupled to the hinge coupling portion 280, the rear wall 210 may rotates about the rotation center C1.

The dispenser 100 may further include an elastic member so that the rear wall 210 is disposed in a standby state when no external force is applied to the rear wall 210. At least a portion of the elastic member may push the rear surface of the rear wall 210 forward at a position higher than the rotation center C1. For example, the elastic member may include a coil spring, a torsion spring, or a leaf spring.

Alternatively, the elastic member may include a torsion spring disposed to surround the rotation center.

Alternatively, at least a portion of the elastic member may pull the rear surface of the rear wall 210 at a position lower than the rotation center C1.

The detection portion 52 may be disposed behind the rear wall 210, and the detection portion 52 may be disposed higher than the hinge part 214. The detection portion 52 may be a micro switch that is turned on when the rear wall 210 is manipulated, but it should be noted that there is no limitation on the type of the detection portion 52 in this embodiment.

The detection portion 52 may be disposed closer to the point, at which the vertical height of the rear wall 210 is bisected, than the rotation center C1 of the rear wall 210. For example, the detection portion 52 may be disposed closer to the point, at which the vertical height of the rear wall 210 is bisected, than the lower end 210a of the rear wall 210. According to this arrangement, when the central portion of the front surface 210c of the rear wall 210 is pushed, the detection portion 52 may accurately detect the pushing of the rear wall 210.

In this embodiment, since the rear wall 210 defines the rear surface of the dispenser housing 110, the rear wall 210 serves as the manipulation portion without existing in the protruding shape. Thus, the aesthetics of the dispenser housing 110 may be improved, and the cleanability of the dispenser housing 110 may be improved. That is, when cleaning the dispenser housing 110 by using a rag or the like, the rear wall 210 may be easily cleaned.

The

sidewalls

240 and 250 may include a first sidewall 240 and a second sidewall 250. The first sidewall 240 and the second sidewall 250 may be disposed in an inclined state.

For example, a distance between the first sidewall 240 and the second sidewall 250 may decrease as a distance from the opening 201 of the dispenser housing 110 increases.

Referring to FIG. 11, a length L1 of the rear sidewall 210 in a left and right direction may be greater than a length L2 of each of the first sidewall 240 and the second sidewall 250 in the left and right direction.

The length L1 of the rear sidewall 210 in the left and right direction may be less than the sum of the lengths L2 of the first sidewall 240 and the second sidewall 250 in the left and right direction.

The length L2 of the rear wall 210 in the left and right direction may be equal to or greater than the distance D1 between the lower end 210a of the rear wall 210 and the opening 201 of the dispenser housing 110.

At least a portion of each of the first sidewall 240 and the second sidewall 250 may be gradually inclined in a direction away from the opening 201 of the dispenser housing 110 from the lower side to the upper side.

The dispenser housing 110 may further include an extension wall 270 to prevent a gap from being generated between the rear wall 210 and each of the

sidewalls

240 and 250 in the state in which the rear wall 210 is pushed or pressed.

The extension wall 270 may include a first extension wall 271 and a second extension wall 272, which are disposed to face each other.

The first extension wall 271 and the second extension wall 272 may extend in a forward and backward direction and may be spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction. At least a portion of the rear wall 210 may be disposed between the first extension wall 271 and the second extension wall 272 in the state in which the rear wall 210 is pushed.

The first extension wall 271 and the second extension wall 272 may be provided as separate walls from the

sidewalls

240 and 250 and then be connected to the rear ends of the

sidewalls

240 and 250 or may be integrated with the

sidewalls

240 and 250 to extend from the

sidewalls

240 and 250, respectively.

For example, the first extension wall 271 may extend away from the opening 201 from the rear end of the first sidewall 240, and the second extension wall 272 may extend away from the opening 201 from the rear end of the second sidewall 250.

Thus, the detection portion 52 may be disposed in a space between the first extension wall 271 and the second extension wall 272.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a dispenser according to another embodiment.

This embodiment is the same as the foregoing embodiment except that a rear wall includes a fixed wall and a movable wall. Thus, only characterized portions in this embodiment will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 13, a dispenser 100a according to this embodiment includes a dispenser housing 110. The dispenser housing 110 may include an upper wall 220, a lower wall 230,

sidewalls

240 and 250, and a rear wall 300.

The rear wall 300 may include a fixed wall 302.

The fixed wall 302 may be integrated with or coupled to one or more of the upper wall 220, the lower wall 230, and the

sidewalls

240 and 250 and then be fixed in position.

The rear wall 300 may include a movable wall 310 that is movable relative to the fixed wall 302.

The movable wall 310 serves as an manipulation portion described in the foregoing embodiment. Before the manipulation of the movable wall 310, a front surface of the movable wall 310 may define a continuous surface with a front surface of the fixed wall 302.

The fixed wall 302 may be disposed to surround an entire circumference of the movable wall 310.

A surface area of a front surface of the movable wall 310 may be greater than a surface area of a front surface of the fixed wall 302.

A length L3 of the fixed wall 302 in the left and right direction may be greater than a length L4 of the movable wall 310 in the left and right direction. A ratio of a length D3 of the fixed wall 302 to a length L4 of the movable wall 310 in the left and right direction may be about 0.8 or more.

A height H1 of the fixed wall 302 may be greater than a height H2 of the movable wall 310. A ratio of the height H1 of the fixed wall 302 to the height H2 of the movable wall 310 may be about 0.8 or more.

Thus, the movable wall 310 defines most of an outer appearance of the rear wall 300.

A length L4 of the movable wall 310 in the left and right direction may be greater than a length of each of the

sidewalls

240 and 250 in a horizontal direction.

A portion of the movable wall 310 is disposed behind the first body 130 and the second body 140 described in the foregoing embodiment. An upper end of the movable wall 310 may be disposed higher than a lower end of the first body 130.

A rotation center of the movable wall 310 may be disposed closer to the lower end than to the upper end. During the rotation of the movable wall 310, it may be disposed lower than a point at which a height of the opening of the dispenser housing is bisected.

Claims

A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet having a storage space;

a door configured to open and close the storage space; and

a dispenser provided in the door to dispense one or more of water or ice,

wherein the dispenser comprises:

a dispenser housing comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, first and second sidewalls configured to connect the upper wall to the lower wall, and a rear wall movable with respect to the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and

a detection portion configured to detect movement of the rear wall when the rear wall is pushed.
The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the dispenser comprises a discharge portion which extends from the upper wall and in which a passage for the water or ice is disposed,

an upper end of the rear wall is disposed higher than a lower end of the discharge portion.
The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the upper end of the rear wall is disposed behind the discharge portion, and

a lower end of the rear wall is configured to overlap the discharge portion in a vertical direction.
The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a horizontal distance between an upper end of the rear wall and an opening of the dispenser housing is greater than a horizontal direction between a lower end of the rear wall and the opening of the dispenser housing.
The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a distance between the first sidewall and the second sidewall gradually decreases in a direction away from an opening of the dispenser housing, and

a length of the rear wall in a left and right direction is greater than that of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall in the left and right direction.
The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the dispenser housing comprises a first extension wall extending from the first sidewall and a second extension wall extending from the second sidewall,

the first extension wall and the second extension wall are disposed to face each other, and

when the rear wall is pushed, at least a portion of the rear wall is disposed between the first extension wall and the second extension wall.
The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the detection portion is disposed between the first extension wall and the second extension wall.
The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein, when the rear wall is pushed, the rear wall rotates around a rotation center, and

the rotation center of the rear wall is disposed closer to a lower end of the rear wall than an upper end of the rear wall.
The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the rotation center of the rear wall is disposed closer to the lower end than a point that bisects a vertical height of the rear wall.
The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the detection portion is disposed behind the rear wall and higher than the rotation center.
The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the detection portion is disposed closer to a point that bisects a vertical height of the rear wall than the lower end of the rear wall.
The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the upper wall comprises a stopper configured to restrict movement of the rear wall when the rear wall is pushed.
The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the upper wall comprises an inclined surface that is inclined downward in a direction away from an opening of the dispenser housing.
A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet having a storage space;

a door configured to open and close the storage space; and

a dispenser provided in the door to dispense one or more of water or ice,

wherein the dispenser comprises a dispenser housing including an upper wall, a lower wall, first and second sidewalls configured to connect the upper wall to the lower wall, and a rear wall disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall,

the rear wall comprises a fixed wall connected to the first sidewall and the second sidewall and a movable wall movable with respect to the fixed wall,

wherein a detection portion configured to detect the movement of the movable wall while the movable wall is pushed is provided behind the movable wall, and

a surface area of a front surface of the movable wall is greater than that of a front surface of the fixed wall.
The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein a ratio of a length of the fixed wall in a left and right direction to a length of the movable wall in the left and right direction is about 0.8 or more.
The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein a ratio of a height of the fixed wall to a height of the movable wall is about 0.8 or more.
The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the dispenser comprises a discharge portion which extends from the upper wall and in which a passage for the water or ice is disposed,

an upper end of the movable wall is disposed higher than a lower end of the discharge portion.
The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the movable wall is configured to overlap the discharge portion in a horizontal direction.
The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein a length of the movable wall in a left and right direction is greater than that of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall in the left and right direction.
The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein a rotation center of the movable wall is disposed closer to a lower end of the movable wall than an upper end of the movable wall.