WO2023249433A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and relates to a refrigerator which includes a storage room having an inner space efficiently configured therein and thus enables cold air to flow smoothly in the inner space. The present invention may include: a cabinet having a storage room provided therein; a main door rotatably provided on the cabinet to open or close the storage room; a main door basket installed on the main door; and a sub-door positioned inside the cabinet and rotatably provided with respect to the main door, wherein the sub-door forms an accommodation part provided with a storage space positioned inside the storage room in a closed state thereof, and at least a part of the main door basket is positioned in the storage space.

Description

refrigerator

The present invention relates to a refrigerator that efficiently configures the internal space of a storage compartment and allows cold air to flow smoothly in this internal space.

In general, a refrigerator is a device that discharges cold air generated by a refrigeration cycle consisting of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, etc. to lower the temperature inside the compartment (inside the storage compartment) to freeze or refrigerate food, etc.

Refrigerators generally include a freezer compartment for storing frozen food or beverages as a storage compartment, and a refrigerating compartment for storing the food or beverages at low temperatures.

There are three types of refrigerators: Top Mount Type, where the freezer is located at the top of the refrigerator, Bottom Freezer Type, where the freezer is located at the bottom of the refrigerator, and Side-by-Side Type, where the freezer and refrigerator are divided into left and right sides. It can be divided into (Side By Side Type). In this case, a door is provided in each of the freezer and refrigerator compartments, and the freezer or refrigerator compartment can be accessed through the door.

In addition to refrigerators that have separate refrigerator and freezer compartments, there are also refrigerators that provide access to the freezer and refrigerator compartments through a single door. Most of these refrigerators are small, and a freezer is generally provided in a certain space inside the refrigerator.

In addition, among top-mount type refrigerators, French Type refrigerators are also available, in which the upper refrigerator compartment is opened and closed through left and right doors. The freezer compartment of a French-type refrigerator can also be opened and closed through the left and right doors.

Recently, home bars, ice makers, shelves or baskets are installed on the back of refrigerator doors, and there is an increasing trend to use the back of the door as a separate storage space or as a separate functional space. In other words, the function of the door goes beyond simply opening and closing the freezer or refrigerator compartment, and the door performs additional functions such as forming a separate storage space or generating and supplying ice or cold water.

In addition, a double door type refrigerator is provided in which a sub (auxiliary) door is mounted on the main door that opens and closes the storage compartment. This can be called a door-in-door (DID) refrigerator, that is, a DID refrigerator.

Using this DID refrigerator, the user can use the storage room by opening the main door, and use the sub storage room by opening only the sub door with the main door closed.

The sub-storage room is located behind the main door and can be said to be a storage area that is separated from the storage room by a partition. Recently, there is a trend for such sub-storage areas to be formed not only in part of the main door, but in substantially the entire area of the main door.

Therefore, the sub-storage room inside the main door can be opened and closed, forming a separate door. This can be referred to as an internal door. In preparation for this, the main door described above can be referred to as an external door.

Such main doors and sub doors may be provided with baskets for storing food or objects. However, it may be difficult to supply cold air to the basket installed in these sub doors or the basket installed in the main door.

In addition, there is a problem in that the main door itself becomes too thick, or the doors themselves, including the sub-door and main door, take up too much volume, reducing the area of the refrigerator's original storage compartment or making the refrigerator too large.

For example, the invention described in the following prior art document (patent document 1) relates to a refrigerator provided with a container in which a storage area (corresponding to a sub-storage room) different from the internal storage compartment of such a refrigerator is defined on the door side.

According to the refrigerator disclosed in the invention described in Patent Document 1, it may be difficult to efficiently supply cold air to the basket installed on the external door side.

In addition, since the basket installed on the outer door side has a width corresponding to the width of the outer door, if the storage space of the basket is taken into consideration, the outer door may become excessively thick. Related to this, in such refrigerators, it may be difficult to load a lot of food or items into the basket installed on the external door.

In some cases, interference may occur between the inner basket installed in the container and the basket installed on the outer door.

Even if these baskets are arranged to prevent interference, the cold air flow path may not be provided efficiently, or the baskets may block cold air, reducing refrigeration efficiency.

Meanwhile, the invention described in another prior art document (patent document 2) below includes an outer door on which a storage shelf is installed in the opening that opens the storage compartment of the refrigerator main body, and an inner door provided between the storage compartment and the outer door to prevent cold air leakage. A refrigerator with a door installed is shown.

According to the refrigerator disclosed in the invention described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to select the case of opening both the outer door and the inner door and the case of opening only the outer door by operating the opening/closing handle.

Therefore, when both doors are opened, the shelf can be kept covered, and to remove food stored on the shelf, only the outer door can be opened, thereby clearly preventing cold air from escaping from the side that is not related to food removal. It is possible to prevent temperature drop when taking out food.

Since this inner door is provided to cover the shelf side of the outer door, openings for the flow of cold air are formed on the upper and lower sides to supply cold air to the shelf side.

In this way, since the inner door is designed to prevent cold air leakage, a separate storage space is not formed and is provided to cover the entire outer door including the shelf. Therefore, the overall storage space of the refrigerator becomes rather narrow, making it impossible to store many foods or items.

In this way, sub-storage rooms are expanding, but there is a need for a method to ensure that these sub-storage rooms and the baskets installed inside and outside the sub-storage rooms have optimal door thickness, efficient cold air flow, and loading capacity.

[Prior art literature]

[Patent Document]

1. Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0019489 (published on February 19, 2016)

2. Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1988-142682 (published on September 20, 1988)

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and is intended to provide a refrigerator that can efficiently configure a storage space divided according to the compartment of the refrigerator door, taking into account the volume of the refrigerator.

In addition, it is intended to provide a refrigerator that can effectively supply cold air to a storage space formed by dividing it according to the compartment of the refrigerator door.

In addition, it is intended to provide a refrigerator that can effectively supply cold air to the storage space on the door side by using a cold air supply unit for controlling cold air on the door side of the refrigerator.

In addition, it is intended to provide a refrigerator in which the thickness of the external door can be reduced, thereby preventing the overall volume of the refrigerator from increasing unnecessarily.

In addition, the present invention seeks to provide a refrigerator that can efficiently load a lot of food or items into an external basket installed on an external door and an internal basket installed on an internal door.

In addition, the aim is to provide a refrigerator that can efficiently supply cold air to the external basket and internal basket.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention can be configured so that a basket installed on the main door is located in a sub-storage space divided according to the partition of the refrigerator door.

That is, a sub-door forming a sub-storage space including a first area on the storage space side and a second area adjacent thereto can be configured, and the basket installed on the main door is positioned in the second area to overlap.

At this time, the sub door may include a receiving portion that forms a storage space corresponding to a width between the first side in the storage room direction and the second side in the main door direction.

A sub-door basket installed to be spaced apart from the second side may be provided in at least a portion of this storage space.

In an exemplary embodiment, the width of the sub-door basket may correspond to a width from the first side to a third side spaced apart from the second side in the direction of the first side.

Meanwhile, the main door basket may be located in the storage space between the second side and the third side so as not to overlap the sub-door basket within the storage space.

Additionally, a cold air flow path that allows cold air to pass through the storage space may be provided.

This cold air flow path may include an inflow flow path through which cold air flows in and an outlet flow path through which cold air flows out, and the inflow flow path may be connected to a cold air discharge port through which cold air is discharged to the inside of the storage compartment of the refrigerator.

Additionally, the inlet flow path may be formed in the first area, and the outflow flow path may be formed in the second area. Accordingly, cold air can be efficiently supplied or circulated and passed through the sub-storage space. Additionally, even when multiple sub-door and main door baskets are installed, cold air can be efficiently circulated or passed through the sub-storage space.

Specifically, as a first aspect for achieving the above object, the present invention includes: a cabinet provided with a storage compartment; a main door rotatably provided on the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment; A main door basket installed on the main door; a sub-door located inside the cabinet and rotatable relative to the main door, the sub-door having a receiving portion forming a storage space located inside the storage compartment when the sub-door is closed, the storage space including the main door; At least a portion of the basket may be located.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving part may have an opening on a side facing the main door.

In an exemplary embodiment, a sub-door basket installed in the receiving portion may be further included.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sub-door basket may be positioned to be spaced apart from an open surface of the accommodating part by a first distance inside the accommodating part.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the main door basket may be located within a first distance of the receiving portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower side of the sub-door basket may include a first discharge hole through which cold air passes.

In an exemplary embodiment, a cold air flow path through which cold air flows may be formed in the receiving portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cold air flow path includes: an inlet flow path through which cold air flows; And it may include an outflow passage through which cold air flows out.

In an exemplary embodiment, the storage space includes a first area where a sub-door basket is installed; and a second area located between the first area and the main door, and the inlet flow path may be located in the first area.

In an exemplary embodiment, the outlet flow path may be located in the second area.

In an exemplary embodiment, the inflow passage may be connected to a cold air discharge port through which cold air is discharged into the storage compartment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sub door basket may be located closer to the cold air outlet than the main door basket.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower side of the main door basket may include a second discharge hole through which cold air passes.

As a second aspect for achieving the above object, the present invention includes: a cabinet provided with a storage room; a main door rotatably provided on the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment; a main door basket installed on the main door toward the storage room; It includes a sub-door that is rotatable relative to the main door, and the sub-door includes a receiving portion that forms a storage space located inside the storage compartment in a closed state, and the storage space includes a sub-door basket on which a sub-door basket is installed. first area; And it may include a second area located between the first area and the main door.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the main door basket may be located in the second area.

In an exemplary embodiment, a cold air flow path through which cold air flows may be formed in the storage space.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cold air flow path includes: an inlet flow path through which cold air flows; And it may include an outflow passage through which cold air flows out.

In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet flow path may be located in the first area.

In an exemplary embodiment, the outlet flow path may be located in the second area.

In an exemplary embodiment, the inflow passage may be connected to a cold air discharge port through which cold air is discharged into the storage compartment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sub door basket may be located closer to the cold air outlet than the main door basket.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower side of the sub-door basket may include a first discharge hole through which cold air passes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower side of the main door basket may include a second discharge hole through which cold air passes.

In an exemplary embodiment, the main door basket includes: a first main door basket located at the upper side within the second area; a second main door basket located below the first main door basket within the second area; And it may include a third main door basket located between the first main door basket and the second main door basket.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sub-door basket includes: a first sub-door basket located at the upper side within the first area; a second sub-door basket located below the first sub-door basket within the first area; and a third sub-door basket positioned between the first sub-door basket and the second sub-door basket.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first main door basket may be located lower than the first sub door basket.

As a third aspect for achieving the above object, the present invention includes: a cabinet provided with a storage room; a main door rotatably provided on the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment; A main door basket installed on the main door; a sub-door rotatable relative to the main door, located inside the storage compartment in a closed state, and having a receiving portion with an open surface facing the main door; and a sub-door basket installed within the accommodating part, wherein the sub-door basket may be positioned spaced apart from an open surface of the accommodating part inside the accommodating part.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sub-door basket may be positioned to be spaced apart from an open surface of the accommodating part by a first distance inside the accommodating part.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the main door basket may be located within a first distance of the receiving portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, a cold air flow path through which cold air flows may be formed in the receiving portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cold air flow path includes: an inlet flow path through which cold air flows; And it may include an outflow passage through which cold air flows out.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sub door basket may be located closer to the inlet flow path than the main door basket.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the storage space divided according to the compartment of the refrigerator door can be efficiently configured by taking into account the volume of the refrigerator.

Additionally, cold air can be effectively supplied to the inner door forming this sub-storage compartment.

Cold air supplied to this inner door may be supplied using a cold air supply unit for controlling cold air on the refrigerator door side. Therefore, cold air can be effectively supplied to the storage space on the inner door side using the cold air supply unit installed in the refrigerator.

Additionally, the thickness of the external door may become thinner. Therefore, the overall volume of the refrigerator can be prevented from being unnecessarily increased.

Additionally, the outer basket and the inner basket may not interfere with each other.

In addition, a lot of food or items can be efficiently loaded into the external basket installed on the external door and the internal basket installed on the internal door.

Additionally, cold air can be efficiently supplied to the external basket and internal basket.

Furthermore, there are additional technical effects not mentioned here. Those skilled in the art can understand additional technical effects through the description and drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator that can be applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing main parts of the main door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the right refrigerating compartment door of a refrigerator that can be applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a cold air supply unit that can be applied to a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a perspective view individually illustrating the main door and sub door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a perspective view individually illustrating the main door and sub door of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

12 and 13 are schematic diagrams showing the relative positions of the main door and sub-door of a refrigerator with respect to the cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing the combined structure of the sub door and main door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the flow of cold air in the sub door and main door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, identical or similar components will be assigned the same reference numbers regardless of reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes “module” and “part” for components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the ease of preparing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves. Additionally, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed descriptions will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the attached drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and should not be construed as limiting the technical idea disclosed in this specification by the attached drawings.

Furthermore, although each drawing is described for convenience of explanation, it is within the scope of the present invention for a person skilled in the art to implement another embodiment by combining at least two or more drawings.

Additionally, when an element such as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” another component, it is to be understood that it may be present directly on the other element or that there may be intermediate elements in between. There will be.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator that can be applied to an embodiment of the present invention. First, a refrigerator that can be applied to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

The refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 is a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which a refrigerating compartment is provided at the top of the cabinet 10 and a freezer compartment is provided at the bottom. The refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment of this refrigerator can be said to be a storage compartment provided inside the cabinet 10 or a part of the main storage compartment 11.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to this type of refrigerator, and the present invention can be applied to any refrigerator equipped with a door that is rotatably mounted on a cabinet to open and close the storage compartment of the refrigerator.

Referring to FIG. 1, the left refrigerating compartment door 20 and the right refrigerating compartment door 25, which are doors that open and close the refrigerating compartment, may be rotatably mounted on the left and right sides of the cabinet 10, respectively. Of course, unlike this, the refrigerator compartment door may be mounted so that one door can rotate.

The freezer door provided below the refrigerator door may also include a left freezer door 30 and a right freezer door 40 that are rotatably mounted on both sides of the lower front of the cabinet 10, respectively. In contrast, the freezer door may be equipped with a single door that can be rotated, or it can be equipped with a drawer-type door that can be pulled out in the forward and backward directions.

As shown in FIG. 1, the right refrigerating compartment door 25 is rotatably mounted on one side of the cabinet 10 and the main door 26 is rotatably mounted with respect to the main door 26 or the cabinet 10. It may include a sub door 27. That is, by opening the main door 26 and the sub door 27 together, the refrigerator compartment (main storage compartment 11) can be accessed.

An opening 29 is provided inside the center of the main door 26, and a sub-storage room (storage space) or a door basket (not shown) may be provided on the inner side of the main door 26 (in the storage room direction).

The rotation direction of the sub door 27 may be the same as that of the main door 26.

As mentioned above, the left refrigerating compartment door 20 and the right refrigerating compartment door 25 may be symmetrically installed on the left and right sides of the cabinet 10. At this time, unlike shown in FIG. 1, the left refrigerating compartment door 20 and the right refrigerating compartment door 25 may have the same structure. That is, the left refrigerating compartment door 20 may also have a structure including the main door 26 and the sub door 27 as described above.

Figure 2 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing main parts of the main door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3 show that the left refrigerating compartment door 20 and the right refrigerating compartment door 25 have the same symmetrical structure, and both the left refrigerating compartment door 20 and the right refrigerating compartment door 25 are open. .

The description of these doors can be applied individually to the left refrigerating compartment door 20 and the right refrigerating compartment door 25 shown in FIG. 2 . Additionally, the description of the doors can also be individually applied to the left freezer door 30 and the right freezer door 40.

A main door frame 141 forming the frame of the main door 100 may be installed on the main door 100, and a basket (main door basket; 140, 140, 142, 143) can be accepted.

At this time, referring to FIG. 4, guides 4; 4a, 4b may be installed on the main door frame 141 to accommodate the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143. This guide 4 may include a first guide 4a provided on one side of the main door frame 141 and a second guide 4b provided on the other side of the main door frame 141.

More specifically, the first guide 4a and the second guide 4b may be fixed to both sides of the door recessed surface 43, respectively. The first guide 4a may be located in a direction away from the hinge portion 460, and the second guide 4b may be located in a direction approaching the hinge portion 460.

A plurality of guide fastening parts 41 may be provided on the guide 4 along the height direction of the main door 100. The plurality of guide fastening parts 41 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the height direction.

The main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 may be coupled to this guide fastening portion 41. The guide fastening portion 41 may be formed as a coupling hole 42 formed through one surface of the guide 4.

In particular, the coupling hole 42 may be formed through one side of the guide 4 facing the main door basket 140, 142, and 143. Parts of the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 may be inserted into the coupling hole 42 and coupled to and supported by the guide 4.

As the plurality of coupling holes 42 are provided along the height direction, the coupling positions of the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 coupled to and supported by the coupling holes 42 can be freely selected. As the number of coupling holes 42 increases, the installation height of the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 can be adjusted more precisely.

For example, there may be 10 or more guide fastening parts 41 along the height direction. That is, there may be 10 or more coupling holes 42 along the height direction. If there are 10 coupling holes 42, height adjustment of the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 can also be performed in 10 steps. The above-mentioned number is merely an example and is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the coupling hole 42 may be formed to penetrate one surface of the guide 4 in the front-back direction. This forward and backward direction may mean the forward and backward direction when the main door 100 is closed.

Additionally, when the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 are coupled to the coupling hole 42, they may be coupled in the front-back direction along the penetrating direction of the coupling hole 42.

As shown in FIG. 4, the right refrigerating compartment door 25 is rotatably mounted with respect to the main door 100, which is rotatably mounted on one side of the cabinet 10, and the main door 100 or the cabinet 10. It may include a sub door 400. That is, by opening the main door 100 and the sub door 400 together, the refrigerator compartment (main storage compartment 11) can be accessed.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 4 , the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a hinge portion 460 that rotatably supports the right refrigerator compartment door 25 to the cabinet 10 . The hinge unit 460 may include a first hinge 461 that rotatably supports the external door 100 to the cabinet 10 . Additionally, the hinge unit 460 may include a second hinge 462 that rotatably supports the inner door 400 to the cabinet 10 or the outer door 100.

The first hinge 461 and the second hinge 462 may be provided to rotate about a rotation axis located on the same line. The first hinge 461 may be rotatable independently from the second hinge 462. Additionally, the second hinge 462 may be located inside the first hinge 461.

The rotatable range of the second hinge 462 may depend on the angle of the first hinge 461. For example, when the first hinge 461 is opened by rotating by a first angle in the closed state, the second hinge 462 may be individually rotated within the first angle range in the closed state. When the first hinge 461 is opened by being rotated by a second angle in the closed state, the second hinges 462 may be individually rotated within the second angle range in the closed state. That is, the second hinge 462 may be restricted from rotating at an angle greater than the opening angle of the first hinge 461.

Such hinge parts 460 are provided at the upper and lower portions of the right refrigerating compartment door 25, respectively, and can rotatably support the right refrigerating compartment door 25 to the cabinet 10.

Meanwhile, referring again to FIG. 3, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an accessory portion 600 that is detachably coupled to the main doors 100 and 130. The accessory unit 600 may be located on one side (for example, the left side) of the main door 130 facing the main storage compartment 11.

For example, the user can access the accessory portion 600 located on one side of the left main door 130 by rotating and opening the left main door 130.

Referring to FIG. 3, the accessory portion 600 is shown in a basket shape that can accommodate various storage items such as cans and bottles. However, it is not limited to this, and the accessory unit 600 may be provided as a device with various functions. A detailed description of this will be omitted.

In this way, the right refrigerating compartment door 25 may include a main door 100 rotatably coupled to the cabinet 10. In addition, the right refrigerating compartment door 25 may further include a sub door 400 inserted into the cabinet 10. This sub door 400 may be rotatably coupled to at least one of the main door 100 and the cabinet 10.

The sub door 400 and the main door 100 may be individually rotatable. That is, when the sub door 400 is closed, the sub door 400 does not rotate and only the main door 100 can be rotated to open. When only the main door 100 is opened, the user can access the sub-storage room (storage space) 440.

The sub door 400 and the main door 100 may be detachably coupled to each other. In particular, one side of the sub door 400 and the main door 100 located in a direction away from the rotation axis may be detachably coupled to each other.

When the sub door 400 and the main door 100 are combined, they can rotate together, and when the sub door 400 and the main door 100 are separated, only the main door 100 can rotate. Of course, even if the sub door 400 and the main door 100 are separated, the coupling of one side located on the rotation axis can be maintained.

Meanwhile, when the refrigerating compartment door 25 is closed, the sub door 400 may rotate together with the main door 100 to open the storage compartment 11. In relation to this, the state in which the sub door 400 and the main door 100 rotate as one will be described later.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the sub door 400 for combining and separating the main door 100 will be briefly described.

The main door 100 may include a latch 160, and the sub door 400 may include a latch insertion hole 401. The latch 160 may be inserted into and coupled to the latch insertion hole 401. In this way, when the latch 160 and the latch insertion hole 401 are coupled together, the sub door 400 and the main door 100 are coupled and can rotate together. When the latch 160 and the latch insertion hole 401 are disconnected, the sub door 400 and the main door 100 are separated and can rotate separately.

In this way, the sub door 400 may include a latch insertion hole 401 that is coupled to the latch 160 of the main door 100. The latch insertion hole 401 may be recessed on one side of the sub door 400 facing the main door 100. The latch 160 provided on the main door 100 can be inserted into the latch insertion hole 401.

Separation of the latch 160 and the latch insertion hole 401 can be implemented through separate operations. The latch 160 can be separated from the latch insertion hole 401 by operating a lever (not shown) provided separately on the main door 100.

For example, when the main door 100 is opened without operating the lever, the sub door 400 may be opened together with the main door 100. Additionally, when the main door 100 is opened while operating the lever, the sub door 400 may not move and only the main door 100 may be opened by rotating.

The right refrigerating compartment door 25 and the left refrigerating compartment door 20 may include sub doors 400 and 490, respectively. At this time, a pillar 500 may be located between the sub-door 400 on the right and the sub-door 490 on the left. The filler 500 can prevent cold air from the storage compartment 11 from leaking to the outside through the space between the sub-door 400 on the right and the sub-door 490 on the left.

Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the right refrigerating compartment door of a refrigerator that can be applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a state in which the outer door 100 is opened in the right refrigerator door 25, and Figure 6 shows a state in which the main door 100 and the sub door 400 are opened together in the right refrigerator door 25. It is showing.

Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the main door 100 and the sub door 400 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

As previously explained, the description of the door can be applied equally to all doors (left/right refrigerator/freezer doors). As an example, the following description can be equally applied to the left refrigerating compartment door 20.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the right refrigerating compartment door 25 may include a main door 100 and a sub door 400. The main door 100 may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet 10. When the main door 100 is opened, the user can access the sub-storage room (storage space) 440 formed in the sub-door 400.

The main door 100 located outside the sub door 400 may also be referred to as an external door 100. That is, when the sub door 400 is provided, the main door 100 to which the sub door 400 is coupled can be referred to as an external door. Additionally, the sub door 400 may be referred to as an internal door. Hereinafter, the term main door 100 may be used interchangeably with the term external door. Likewise, the term sub-door 400 may be used interchangeably with the term inner door.

The sub door 400 may include a storage space 440. One side of this storage space 440 may be open. For example, the storage space 440 may be opened in a direction toward the main door 100 . Specifically, the storage space 440 may have an opening on the side facing the main door 100 .

This storage space 440 may be formed by the receiving portion 430. That is, the storage space 440 may be formed by the receiving portion 430 in the shape of a container with at least one side open.

Internal door baskets 150 and 151 may be installed inside the storage space 440 formed by the receiving portion 430.

At this time, the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 and the inner door baskets 150, 151, and 152 may be provided so as not to overlap each other. More specifically, the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 and the inner door baskets 150, 151, and 152 may be provided so as not to overlap each other in the horizontal direction.

Additionally, the storage space 440 may include a first area 441 facing the storage compartment 11 and a second area 441 outside. That is, the storage space 440 may include a first area 441 formed inside the cabinet 10 in the depth direction and a second area 442 located outside the first area 441. .

The sub door baskets 150 and 151 may be installed in the first area 441. Additionally, at least a portion of the main door basket 140 may be located in the second area when the main door 100 is closed. Therefore, the sub door 400 including the sub door baskets 150 and 151 and the main door 100 including the main door basket 140 are combined to form an efficient storage space 440 without interfering with each other. You can.

As described above, the sub door 400 may form a storage space 440 having a width between the first side in the direction of the storage compartment 11 and the second side in the direction of the main door 100. Such a storage space 440 may be formed by a receiving portion 430 that has an approximate container shape.

The storage space 440 of the sub door 400 may have a predetermined width extending from the front surface of the cabinet 10 to the depth direction of the cabinet 10.

At this time, the sub-door baskets 150 and 151 may be located within the storage space 440 and spaced apart from the front surface of the cabinet 10. That is, since the sub-door baskets 150 and 151 are located in the first area 441, they can be located a certain distance away from the open surface of the storage space 440.

At this time, the sub-door baskets 150 and 151 may be installed over a certain width in at least a portion of the storage space 440. In other words, the sub-door baskets 150 and 151 may have a width corresponding to the first area 441. Additionally, at least a portion of the main door basket 140 may be located in the second area 442 when the main door 100 is closed. The storage space 440 including the first area 441 and the second area 442 will be described in detail later.

When the sub door 400 is closed, the storage space 440 formed by the receiving portion 430 of the sub door 400 may be inserted and positioned inside the storage compartment 11. At this time, both the first area 441 and the second area 442 may be inserted and positioned inside the storage compartment 11.

As a result, the sub door 400 including the sub door baskets 150 and 151 and the main door 100 including the main door basket 140 are combined to form an efficient storage space 440 without interfering with each other. can do. Therefore, the amount of load that can be stored compared to the same volume may increase. Additionally, since at least a portion of the main door basket 140 is located within the storage space 440, cold air can be efficiently supplied to the main door basket 140. Additionally, the fluidity of air flowing through the main door basket 140 and the sub door baskets 150 and 151 may increase. In addition, the overall thickness of the door can be reduced.

In some cases, the first area 441 is inserted into the storage compartment 11, a part of the second area 442 is inserted into the storage compartment 11, and the remaining part of the second area 442 is inserted into the storage compartment 11. It may be located outside the storage room 11.

In this way, the sub door 400 forms a storage space 440 located inside the storage compartment 11 in a closed state, and at least a portion of the main door basket 140 may be located in this storage space 440. .

In Figure 5, the sub door 400 is shown in a closed state without rotating together with the main door 100. Meanwhile, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the sub door 400 rotates together with the main door 100 and is opened.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the main door 100 may include a door gasket 146 to prevent cold air inside the storage compartment 11 from leaking. For example, the door gasket 146 is located between the cabinet 10 and the inner surface of the main door 100 when the main door 100 is closed to prevent cold air from leaking out of the storage compartment 11. The door gasket 146 may be provided along the perimeter of the main door frame 141.

Referring to FIG. 6 , when the sub door 400 is rotated together with the main door 100 and opened, the main storage compartment 11 may be exposed.

A shelf 13 (or storage box) may be provided inside the main storage compartment 11. The shelf 13 can partition the inside of the storage room 11. This shelf 13 can improve space utilization of the main storage compartment 11 by dividing the interior of the main storage compartment 11 in the height direction.

Referring to FIG. 6 , a cold air inflow path 410 may be formed in the sub door 400, penetrating one side (for example, the top surface) of the sub door 400. For example, this inlet flow path 410 may be positioned to allow cold air inside the storage compartment 11 to flow in. As another example, the inlet flow path 410 may be connected to the cold air outlet 330 (see FIG. 7) through which cold air is supplied through a separate cold air supply unit 300 (see FIG. 8).

Although not shown in FIG. 6, an outflow passage 420 (see FIG. 9) through which cold air flows out may be formed on the other side (as an example) of the sub door 400. The inlet flow path 410 and the outlet flow path 420 may form a flow path through which cold air circulates through the storage space 440.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the sub door 400 and the main door 100 are coupled (for example, by combining the latch 160 and the latch insertion hole 401), the storage space of the sub door 400 ( The sub door basket 150 and the main basket 140 may be located together in 440). Therefore, cold air can be efficiently supplied to the main door basket 140 through the storage space 440.

As mentioned above, the portion where the sub-door basket 150 is located in the storage space 440 of the sub-door 400 may correspond to the first area 441, and the portion where the main door basket 140 is located This may correspond to the second area 442.

At this time, for efficient flow and circulation of cold air, the position of the sub-door basket 150 installed at the top within the sub-door 400 is the position of the main door basket 140 installed at the top on the inner surface of the main door (storage room side). It can be provided higher. Accordingly, cold air flowing in through the inlet flow path 420 may first be supplied to the sub-door basket 150 adjacent to the inlet flow path 420 and then flow toward the main door basket 140.

Additionally, referring to FIG. 6, the main storage compartment 11 formed within the cabinet 10 can be seen when both the left refrigerator compartment door 20 and the right refrigerator compartment door 25 are open (the state in FIG. 2 is a sub The door 400 is in a closed state, and in this case, the main storage room 11 can be seen through the sub door 400.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the frame 12 forming the cabinet 10 of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown as viewed from below. The cabinet 10 and frame 12 may have substantially the same configuration. In other words, the cabinet 10 can be formed by forming an exterior on the frame 12.

As described above, a sub door 400 may be provided inside the main door 100. That is, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 10 or 12 provided with a storage compartment 11, and a main door 100 rotatably provided on the cabinet 10 or 12 to open and close the storage compartment 11. And it may include a sub door 400 located in the storage compartment 11 and rotatable with respect to the main door 100.

This sub door 400 may include a storage space (sub storage room) 440. Additionally, the sub door 400 may include a cold air flow path (inflow flow path) 410 that allows cold air circulation (A) to occur in the storage space 440. Cold air may flow into the storage space 440 through this inlet flow path 410.

As an exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator may be provided with a separate cold air outlet 330. This cold air outlet 330 may be configured to control cold air caused by opening and closing the door.

In this way, the cold air inflow path 410 formed in the storage space 440 may be connected to the cold air discharge port 330. Accordingly, cold air discharged from the cold air discharge port 330 may be circulated through the storage space 440 formed in the sub door 400.

This cold air outlet 330 may be located on the upper side of the refrigerator storage compartment 11. Cold air supplied to the storage compartment 11 of the refrigerator can be supplied together through this cold air outlet 330. That is, cold air for cooling food stored in the storage compartment 11 of the refrigerator may be supplied through the cold air discharge port 330 through a different path. This cold air outlet 330 may form an air curtain-type cold air control unit.

Meanwhile, cold air may be supplied to the storage space 440 formed in the sub door 400 through a separate cold air supply unit 300 (see FIG. 8). That is, according to an exemplary embodiment, a separate cold air supply unit 300 may be installed on the upper side of the cabinet 10 or 12 and discharges cold air downward.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a cold air supply unit that can be applied to a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8 , the cold air supply unit 300 capable of supplying cold air to the storage space 440 formed in the sub door 400 will be described as an example.

As described above, cold air may be supplied to the storage space 440 formed in the sub door 400 through a separate cold air supply unit 300 as shown in FIG. 8.

The cold air supply unit 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention may have an outer shape formed by a housing 321 and a front cover 322 coupled to the front of the housing 321.

A cold air discharge grill 311 may be formed on the front lower side of the housing 321, and the front cover 322 may be located above the cold air discharge grill 311.

Additionally, an intake grill 312 is provided at the rear of the housing 321 to allow air outside the cold air supply unit 300 to flow into the housing 321.

An evaporator 306 may be installed inside the housing 321. The evaporator 306 may be connected in parallel with a refrigerator compartment evaporator or a freezer compartment evaporator provided in the storage compartment 11 inside the refrigerator cabinet 10. As another example, it is possible to have a separate cooling cycle including a compressor, condenser, and expansion valve inside the housing 321.

A blowing device including a blowing fan 303, a fan housing 305, and a fan motor 324 may be disposed at the front end of the housing 321. This blower device may be shielded by the front cover 322.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the frame 12 forming the cabinet 10 of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown as viewed from above. As mentioned above, the cabinet 10 and frame 12 may have substantially the same configuration. In other words, the cabinet 10 can be formed by forming an exterior on the frame 12.

As described above, a sub door 400 may be provided inside the main door 100. That is, the storage compartment 11 inside the main door 100 may be provided with a sub door 400 that is rotatable with respect to the main door 100.

Specifically, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 10 or 12 provided with a storage compartment 11, and a main door 100 rotatably provided on the cabinet 10 or 12 to open and close the storage compartment 11. ) and a sub door 400 that is rotatable relative to the main door 100.

This sub door 400 may include a storage space (sub storage room) 440. In addition, the sub door 400 may include a cold air flow path that allows cold air circulation (A -> B -> C direction) to pass from the upper to the lower side of the sub door 400 in the storage space 440. there is.

The cold air flow path of the sub door 400 may include an inflow flow path 410 through which cold air flows in and an outlet flow path 420 through which cold air flows out. At this time, as described above, the inlet flow path 410 may be connected to the cold air discharge port 330 through which cold air is discharged inside the storage compartment of the refrigerator.

As described above, the refrigerator may be equipped with a cold air outlet 330 to control cold air when the door is opened and closed. In this way, the cold air inflow path 410 formed in the storage space 440 may be connected to the cold air discharge port 330.

Accordingly, cold air discharged from the cold air discharge port 330 may be circulated through the storage space 440 formed in the sub door 400. That is, cold air discharged from the cold air discharge port 330 may first flow into the inside of the sub door 400 along the inflow passage 410 and flow in the path indicated by arrow A.

In this way, cold air that flows into the inside of the sub door 400 through the inlet flow path 410 may flow out to the outside of the sub door 400 as indicated by arrow B through the outflow flow path 420.

Thereafter, the cold air that flows out of the sub door 400 through the outflow passage 420 may bypass and flow into the storage compartment 11 space of the refrigerator, as indicated by arrow C. In this way, cold air flowing into the space of the storage compartment 11 may later pass through the inflow passage 410 and flow into the inside of the sub door 400.

Figure 10 is a perspective view individually illustrating the main door and sub door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is a perspective view individually illustrating the main door and sub door of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the operation and effects of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. At this time, the description will be mainly made with reference to FIG. 10 .

Referring to FIG. 10, a sub door 400 may be provided to be rotatable relative to the main door 100. In FIG. 10 , structures such as a hinge 460 (see FIG. 4 ) for rotation between the main door 100 and the sub door 400 are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 10, the sub door 400 may include an accommodating portion 430 forming a storage space (sub storage compartment) 440.

As shown, the receiving portion 430 may have a box shape with five sides excluding the front opening surface 432. Additionally, the receiving portion 430 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape to form a storage space.

The receiving portion 430 may have a shape that allows it to be stably seated in the storage compartment 11 when the sub door 400 is closed. For example, the shape of the receiving portion 430 is such that the portion located at the center of the cabinet 10 is curved, so that the two sub doors 400 can be stably accommodated inside the storage compartment 11.

For example, the receiving portion 430 may have an inclined or curved surface on one side of the first area 441 (the direction toward the other sub door 490 of the refrigerator). That is, the first area 441 of the storage space 440 of the sub door 400 may include an inclined surface or a curved surface.

Meanwhile, in some cases, a cover 450 that can be opened and closed may be installed on the front opening surface of the receiving part 430. This cover 450 may be made of a transparent or translucent material so that food or articles stored in the sub-storage compartment 440 can be seen. For example, this cover 450 may be located at the boundary between the first area 441 and the second area 442. That is, the cover 450 may be located inside the opening surface 432 of the receiving portion 430 at a certain depth (W; a first distance) from the opening surface 432.

Accordingly, the sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152 may be positioned at a first distance W from the open opening surface 432 of the accommodating part 430 to the inside of the accommodating part 430.

In this way, the receiving portion 430 may be open on one side or may form a storage space (sub-storage room) 440 that is sealed by the cover 450 except for the cold air flow path. That is, when the cover 450 is provided, the sub door 400 including the receiving portion 430 and the cover 450 can form a closed internal space. Therefore, it can function as a sub door 400 that can control the storage compartment 11. At this time, the closed internal space may be formed in the first area 441.

Meanwhile, the cover 450 may be omitted. That is, even if the cover 450 is omitted, the cold air in the storage compartment 11 can be controlled by the portion forming the first area 441 of the storage space 440 formed by the accommodation portion 430.

Referring to FIG. 10 , in some cases, the receiving portion 430 may have an opening 431 formed on the opposite side (i.e., the back) of the front opening surface 432.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 11 , the receiving portion 430 may form a rear opening surface 433 in which the entire opposite surface of the front opening surface 432 is omitted. That is, a rear opening surface 433 in which the entire rear surface of the receiving portion 430 is open may be formed.

Accordingly, an edge surface including a front opening surface 432 and a rear opening surface 433 is formed in the receiving portion 430, and a storage space 440 can be formed by this border surface.

As described above, the storage space 440 includes a first area 441 facing the storage room 11 (or the depth direction of the cabinet 10) and a second area facing the outside (i.e., toward the main door 100). It may include area 442. The sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152 may be installed in the first area 441.

Meanwhile, main door baskets 140, 142, and 243 may be installed on the main door 100. At this time, in a state in which the main door 100 is closed, that is, in a state in which the main door 100 is coupled to the sub door 400, at least a portion of the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 are in the second area 442. It can be located within. For example, the entire main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 may be located within the second area 442.

Accordingly, the main door 100 itself can be thinned. Therefore, the overall volume of the refrigerator can be prevented from being unnecessarily increased.

Additionally, the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 and the sub door baskets 150, 151, and 152 may not interfere with each other.

If the main door baskets (140, 142, 143) and the sub-door baskets (150, 151, 152) interfere with each other, the main door baskets (140, 142, 143) and the sub-door baskets (150, 151, 152), the flow of cold air flowing through it is not smooth, so refrigeration efficiency may be reduced. Additionally, as a result, the amount of food or objects loaded into the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 and the sub door baskets 150, 151, and 152 may be drastically reduced.

Accordingly, a lot of food or items can be efficiently loaded into the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 installed on the main door 100 and the sub door baskets 150, 151, and 152 installed on the sub door 400. .

Additionally, cold air can be efficiently supplied to the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 and the sub door baskets 150, 151, and 152.

As an exemplary embodiment, the sub door 400 may form a closed space at least in the opening and closing direction of the sub door 400. That is, the portion of the sub door 400 excluding the inlet flow path 410 and the outlet flow path 420 may be formed to be sealed.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 , the inlet flow path 410 may be formed on the upper surface of the receiving part 430, and the outflow flow path 420 may be formed on the lower surface of the receiving part 430.

This inflow passage 410 can be freely formed on the upper surface of the receiving portion 430 at a location communicating with the storage space 440. Additionally, the outflow passage 420 may be freely formed on the lower surface of the receiving portion 430 at a location communicating with the storage space 440.

For example, the inflow passage 410 may be formed on the upper surface of the receiving portion 430 corresponding to the first area 441. Considering the location of the storage compartment 11 located inside the refrigerator and the corresponding location of the cold air outlet 330, it may be advantageous for the inflow passage 410 to be formed at a location corresponding to the first area 441.

As another example, the inflow passage 410 may be formed on the upper surface of the receiving portion 430 corresponding to the second area 442. Meanwhile, the inflow passage 410 may be formed on the upper surface of the receiving portion 430 corresponding to the boundary between the first region 441 and the second region 442. The formation position of this inlet flow path 410 is determined by the location and shape of the storage compartment 11, the position of the cold air outlet 330, and the relative position of the sub-door baskets 150, 151, 152 and the main door baskets 140, 142, 143. It may correspond to at least one of the locations.

Meanwhile, the outflow passage 420 may be formed on the lower surface of the receiving portion 430 corresponding to the second area 442. Considering the relative positions of the sub-door baskets 150, 151, 152 and the main door baskets 140, 142, 143 disposed in the storage space 440, the outflow flow path 420 corresponds to the second area 442. It may be advantageous to be formed in location. When the outlet flow path 420 is formed at a position corresponding to the second area 442, cold air can be efficiently supplied to the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143, at least a portion of which is located in the second area 442. there is.

As another example, the outflow passage 420 may be formed on the lower surface of the receiving portion 430 corresponding to the first area 441. Meanwhile, the outflow passage 420 may be formed on the lower surface of the receiving portion 430 corresponding to the boundary between the first region 441 and the second region 442. The formation position of this outflow flow path 420 is determined by the location and shape of the storage compartment 11, the position of the cold air outlet 330, and the relative position of the sub-door baskets 150, 151, 152 and the main door baskets 140, 142, 143. It may correspond to at least one of the locations.

Hereinafter, the inlet flow path 410 is formed on the upper surface of the receiving part 430 corresponding to the first area 441, and the outflow flow channel 420 is formed on the lower surface of the receiving part 430 corresponding to the second area 442. The formed example will be described in detail.

Meanwhile, the inflow passage 410 may be formed on the upper surface of the receiving portion 430 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the upper surface. This longitudinal direction may be substantially the same as the formation direction of the cold air discharge port 330.

Additionally, the outflow passage 420 may be formed on the lower surface of the receiving portion 430 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the lower surface. For example, the length and shape of the outlet flow path 420 may be substantially the same as the inlet flow path 410.

In this way, the sub door 400 can form a storage space 440 that is a sealed space in the opening and closing direction by a pivotable hinge connection with the cabinet 10. Accordingly, the cold air in the storage compartment 11 can be interrupted when the sub door 400 is closed.

At this time, even when the sub door 400 is closed, cold air can be circulated through the inlet flow path 410 and the outlet flow path 420. Therefore, cold air can be supplied to food stored in the storage space 440 through this circulation of cold air.

Additionally, the internal space 440 formed by the receiving portion 430 may be provided with a plurality of sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152 in the vertical direction. The installation positions of the plurality of sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152 may be changeable.

As described above, cold air discharged from the cold air discharge port 330 may first flow into the inside of the sub door 400 along the inflow passage 410 and flow in the path indicated by arrow A.

In this way, the cold air that flows into the inside of the sub door 400 through the inflow passage 410 can cool the stored items, such as food and drinks, stored in the sub door basket 150. That is, cold air flowing into the inside of the sub-door 400 through the inflow passage 410 may pass through the sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152 while moving from the upper to the lower side of the storage space 440.

After cooling the food, beverages, etc. stored in the sub-door baskets 150, 151, 152, the cold air flows out of the sub-door 400 through the outflow passage 420 as indicated by arrow B. It can be.

Thereafter, the cold air that flows out of the sub door 400 through the outflow passage 420 may bypass and flow into the storage compartment 11 space of the refrigerator, as indicated by arrow C.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the storage space 440 can be formed by being efficiently divided according to the partition of the refrigerator door. That is, a sub-storage room 440, which is a sealed space, can be formed inside the main door 100.

In addition, the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 installed in the main door 100 can be located in this sub-storage room 440, so the main door 100 can be slimmed and overall space efficiency can be improved. You can.

In addition, cold air can be effectively supplied to the sub door 400 forming the sub storage compartment 440.

Cold air supplied to the sub door 400 may be supplied using the cold air supply unit 300 for controlling cold air on the refrigerator door side. Therefore, cold air can be effectively supplied to the storage space 440 on the sub-door 400 side using the cold air supply unit 300 installed in the refrigerator.

The sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152 are the first sub-door basket 150 located on the upper side within the first area 441, and the first sub-door basket 150 within the first area 441. It may include a second sub-door basket 152 located on the lower side and a third sub-door basket 151 located between the first sub-door basket 150 and the second sub-door basket 152. Here, at least one third sub-door basket 151 may be provided. 10 and 11 show an example in which two third sub-door baskets 151 are installed.

In addition, the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 include a first main door basket 140 located on the upper side within the second area 442, and a first main door basket 140 within the second area 442. It may include a second main door basket 143 located below and a third main door basket 142 located between the first main door basket 140 and the second main door basket 143. Here, two or more third main door baskets 142 may be provided. Here, at least one third main door basket 142 may be provided. 10 and 11 show an example in which one third main door basket 142 is installed.

For example, the inflow passage 410 may be located close to the first sub-door basket 150 located at the uppermost side. Additionally, the inflow passage 410 may be located closer to the first sub-door basket 150 than to the first main door basket 140 located on the upper side. That is, the first main door basket 140 may be located lower than the first sub door basket 150. Accordingly, the first sub-door basket 150 may be located close to the cold air outlet 330.

In this way, the sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152 may be installed in the first area 441. Additionally, the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 may be located in the second area when the main door 100 is closed.

The receiving part 430 may form a storage space 440 corresponding to a width between the first side in the direction of the storage compartment 11 and the second side in the direction of the main door 100.

In this way, when the sub door 400 is closed, the storage space 440 including the first area 441 and the second area 442 formed by the sub door 400 is inserted into the storage compartment 11. can be located.

12 and 13 are schematic diagrams showing the relative positions of the main door and sub-door of a refrigerator with respect to the cabinet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 shows a state in which the sub doors (400, 490) are closed and the main doors (100, 130) are open, and Figure 13 shows a state in which both the sub doors (400, 490) and the main doors (100, 130) are closed. It is showing.

First, referring to FIG. 12, the area occupied by the sub doors 400 and 490 may be inserted and positioned in the depth direction of the storage compartment 11. That is, when the sub doors 400 and 490 are closed, the first area 441 and the second area 442 occupied by the sub doors 400 and 490 are both the storage room 11 space defined by the cabinet 10. It can be located inside.

At this time, the area occupied by the sub doors 400 and 490 may be formed from the first side F1 to the second side F2 based on the depth direction of the storage compartment 11. Additionally, the first area 441 may have a width corresponding to the width between the first side (F1) and the third side (F3) located between the first side (F1) and the second side (F2). Meanwhile, the second area 442 may have a width corresponding to the width between the second side (F2) and the third side (F3).

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the first side F1 may mean the deepest position in the depth direction of the storage compartment 11. On the other hand, the second side (F2) may mean the outermost position in the depth direction of the storage compartment (11). For example, the second side F2 may be a location where the open surface of the storage space 440 formed by the receiving portion 430 is located.

In this case, referring to FIG. 10 together, the sub-door baskets 150, 152, and 152 have a third side (F3) spaced apart from the first side (F1) and the second side (F2) by a second area 442. ) can be installed across the range. In other words, the width from the first side (F1) to the third side (F3) may correspond to the first area 441. Additionally, the width from the third side (F3) to the second side (F2) may correspond to the second area 442.

At this time, the inflow passages 410 and 411 may be located in the first area 441, that is, the area between the first side (F1) and the third side (F3). Additionally, the outflow passages 420 and 421 may be located in the second area 442, that is, the area between the second side (F2) and the third side (F3).

Meanwhile, a filler 500 is located between the two sub doors 400 and 490, so that cold air inside the storage compartment 11 can be interrupted.

Referring to FIG. 13, when the main doors 100 and 130 are closed, the thickness occupied by the main doors 100 and 130 is substantially the storage space 440 (first area 441 + second area 442). You can see that it does not penetrate. Accordingly, the thickness of the main doors 100 and 130 may become thinner. Accordingly, the portion unnecessarily occupied by the main doors 100 and 130 in the overall volume of the refrigerator can be reduced. In other words, the overall volume use efficiency of the refrigerator can be increased.

This is because the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 installed on the main doors 100 and 130 can be substantially located inside the storage space 440 inside the sub doors 400 and 490.

Moreover, the main doors (100, 130) may include only an installation area (102; see FIG. 14) where the main door baskets (140, 142, 143) are fixedly installed, so the thickness of the main doors (100, 130) is It can be substantially thinner.

Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing the combined structure of the sub door and main door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, it mainly shows the interior of the storage space 440 in which the sub door 400 and the main door 100 are coupled to each other.

As shown, the sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152 are installed from the first side (F1) to the third side (F3) spaced apart from the second side (F2) by the second area 442. You can. In other words, the width from the first side (F1) to the third side (F3) may correspond to the first area 441.

Additionally, the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 may be installed across the second side F2 from the third side F3 to the installation area 102 of the main door 100. In other words, the width from the third side (F3) to the second side (F2) may correspond to the second area 442.

The installation area 102 of the main door 100 may correspond to an area defined by the main door frame 141 where the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 can be installed. The thickness of the installation area 102 may be thinner than the upper area 101 and the lower area 103 of the main door 100. The thickness difference between the installation area 102, the upper area 101, and the lower area 103 may be a difference taking into account the space where the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 are installed.

In this way, the installation area 102 of the main door 100 where the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 can be installed may form a first bent portion 104 on the upper side of the main door 100, A second bent portion 105 may be formed on the lower side of the main door 100. The main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 can be freely installed in the installation area 102 from the first bent part 104 to the second bent part 105.

As mentioned above, the sub door baskets 150, 151, and 152 are the first sub door basket 150 located on the upper side within the first area 441, and the first sub door basket 150 located on the upper side within the first area 441. Includes a second sub-door basket 152 located below the door basket 150 and a third sub-door basket 151 located between the first sub-door basket 150 and the second sub-door basket 152. can do.

At this time, a discharge hole 144 may be formed on the lower side of at least one of the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143. This discharge hole 144 may form a flow path through which cold air introduced through the inlet flow path 410 can be discharged downward. Hereinafter, the discharge hole 144 formed in the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 will be referred to as the first discharge hole 144.

Figure 14 shows an example in which the first discharge hole 144 is formed in all main door baskets 140, 142, and 143. Among them, the discharge hole (hereinafter referred to as the third discharge hole) 145 formed in the second main door basket 143 located at the lowest part of the second area 143 is located at a position corresponding to the outflow passage 420. You can. Accordingly, the outflow passage 420 is not blocked by the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 and cold air can be circulated smoothly.

Additionally, a discharge hole 153 may be formed on the lower side of at least one of the sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152. This discharge hole 153 may form a flow path through which cold air introduced through the inlet flow path 410 can be discharged downward. Hereinafter, the discharge hole 153 formed in the sub door baskets 150, 151, and 152 will be referred to as the second discharge hole 153.

14 shows an example in which the second discharge hole 153 is formed in the sub-door baskets 150 and 151, excluding the second sub-door basket 152 located at the lowermost side among the sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152. It is showing.

For example, the second sub-door basket 152, which is located at the bottom of the sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152, may be located closest to the bottom of the first area 441. Accordingly, the second discharge hole 153 may not be formed in the second sub-door basket 152 located at the lowermost side.

Meanwhile, a reinforcing material may be provided on at least one side of the receiving portion 430 forming the sub door 400. For example, a first reinforcing material 433 that is thicker than the thickness of the receiving part 430 may be located on the upper side of the receiving part 430. Additionally, a second reinforcing material 434 that is thicker than the thickness of the receiving portion 430 may be located below the receiving portion 430.

Figure 15 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the flow of cold air in the sub door and main door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 15 , the flow path of cold air in the storage space 440 where the sub door 400 and the main door 100 are coupled to each other will be described.

As shown, the sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152 may be located in the first area 441. In this way, the area corresponding to the width of the sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152 may be the first area 441.

Additionally, the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 may be located in the second area 442. As such, an area substantially corresponding to the width of the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 may be the second area 442. Here, it is practical because the second area 442 may be narrower than the width of the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 by the thickness of the installation area 102.

As described above, the installation area 102 of the main door 100 may correspond to an area defined by the main door frame 141 where the main door baskets 140, 142, and 143 can be installed. The thickness of the installation area 102 may be thinner than the upper area 101 and the lower area 103 of the main door 100.

As mentioned above, the sub door baskets 150, 151, and 152 are the first sub door basket 150 located on the upper side within the first area 441, and the first sub door basket 150 located on the upper side within the first area 441. Includes a second sub-door basket 152 located below the door basket 150 and a third sub-door basket 151 located between the first sub-door basket 150 and the second sub-door basket 152. can do.

At this time, a first discharge hole 144 may be formed on the lower side of at least one of the external baskets 140, 142, and 143.

Figure 15 shows an example in which the first discharge hole 144 is formed in all main door baskets 140, 142, and 143. Among them, the third discharge hole 145 formed in the second main door basket 143 located at the lowest part of the second area 442 may be located at a position corresponding to the outlet flow path 420.

Additionally, a second discharge hole 153 may be formed on the lower side of at least one of the sub-door baskets 150, 151, and 152. This second discharge hole 153 may form a flow path through which cold air introduced through the inlet flow path 410 can be discharged downward.

In this way, the discharge holes through which cold air can flow through the sub-door baskets (150, 151, 152) and the main door baskets (140, 142, 143) are the first main door basket (140) and the third main door basket (142). ), a second discharge hole 153 through which cold air can flow through the first discharge hole 144 formed in the first sub-door basket 150 and the third sub-door basket 151, and the second main door basket ( It may include a third discharge hole 145 formed in 143).

The inflow passage 410 formed in the first area 441 may be located close to the first sub-door basket 150 located at the uppermost side. Additionally, the outflow passage 420 formed in the second area 442 may be located close to the second main door basket 143 located at the lowermost side.

Accordingly, the cold air (A) introduced through the inflow passage 410 may first be supplied to the first sub-door basket 150 located at the uppermost side and then flow in the direction D toward the second area 442. . Additionally, cold air supplied to the first sub-door basket 150 may flow downward (E direction) through the second discharge hole 153 formed in the first sub-door basket 150.

In this way, the cold air flowing downward through the second discharge hole 153 may be supplied to the third sub-door basket 151, and then flows toward the second area 442 or the third sub-door basket 151. It can flow downward through the second discharge hole 153 formed in .

In addition, some of the cold air supplied to the third sub-door basket 151 may pass through the third sub-door basket 151 and flow into the third main door basket 142 located in the second area 442. .

Meanwhile, cold air supplied to the second area 442 in the D direction may flow into the first main door basket 140. In this way, cold air supplied to the first main door basket 140 may flow downward through the first discharge hole 144.

In this way, cold air flowing downward along the first area 441 may reach the second sub-door basket 152 located at the lowest level. The cold air that reaches the second sub-door basket 152 may flow again in the direction F toward the second area 442 and then flow into the second main door basket 143.

Thereafter, the cold air supplied to or located around the second main door basket 143 moves toward the outflow passage 420 (direction B) through the third discharge hole 145 and passes through the outflow passage 420. It may leak outside.

As described above, cold air that has passed through the outflow passage 420 may flow back into the storage compartment 11 space.

The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but rather to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

Through the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that efficiently configures the internal space of the storage compartment and allows cold air to flow smoothly in the internal space.

Claims (35)

1. cabinets with storage compartments;

   a main door rotatably provided on the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment;

   A main door basket installed on the main door;

   A sub-door located inside the cabinet and rotatable relative to the main door,

   The refrigerator, wherein the sub door has a receiving portion that forms a storage space located inside the storage compartment in a closed state, and at least a portion of the main door basket is located in the storage space.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion has an open side facing the main door.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising a sub-door basket installed in the receiving portion.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the sub-door basket is positioned at a first distance away from the open surface of the accommodating part inside the accommodating part.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the main door basket is located within a first distance of the receiving portion.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein a lower side of the sub-door basket includes a first discharge hole through which cold air passes.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a cold air flow path is formed in the receiving portion to allow cold air to pass through.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cold air flow path is:

   An inlet flow path through which cold air flows; and

   A refrigerator characterized in that it includes an outflow passage through which cold air flows out.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the storage space is:

   A first area where the sub-door basket is installed; and

   It includes a second area located between the first area and the main door,

   The refrigerator, characterized in that the inlet flow path is located in the first area.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the outlet flow path is located in the second area.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the inflow passage is connected to a cold air outlet through which cold air is discharged into the storage compartment.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the sub-door basket is located closer to the cold air outlet than the main door basket.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a lower side of the main door basket includes a second discharge hole through which cold air flows.
14. cabinets with storage compartments;

    a main door rotatably provided on the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment;

    a main door basket installed on the main door toward the storage room;

    It includes a sub door that is rotatable relative to the main door,

    The sub door includes a receiving portion that forms a storage space located inside the storage compartment in a closed state,

    The storage space is,

    A first area where the sub-door basket is installed; and

    A refrigerator comprising a second area located between the first area and the main door.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the main door basket is located in the second area.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein a cold air flow path is formed in the receiving portion to allow cold air to pass through.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cold air flow path is,

    An inlet flow path through which cold air flows; and

    A refrigerator characterized in that it includes an outflow passage through which cold air flows out.
18. The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the inflow passage is located in the first area.
19. The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the outlet flow path is located in the second area.
20. The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the inflow passage is connected to a cold air outlet through which cold air is discharged into the storage compartment.
21. The refrigerator according to claim 20, wherein the sub-door basket is located closer to the cold air outlet than the main door basket.
22. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein a lower side of the sub-door basket includes a first discharge hole through which cold air passes.
23. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the lower side of the main door basket includes a second discharge hole through which cold air flows.
24. The method of claim 14, wherein the main door basket is:

    a first main door basket located on the upper side within the second area;

    a second main door basket located below the first main door basket within the second area; and

    A refrigerator comprising a third main door basket located between the first main door basket and the second main door basket.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the sub door basket is:

    a first sub-door basket located at the upper side within the first area;

    a second sub-door basket located below the first sub-door basket within the first area; and

    A refrigerator comprising a third sub-door basket located between the first sub-door basket and the second sub-door basket.
26. The refrigerator according to claim 25, wherein the first main door basket is located lower than the first sub door basket.
27. cabinets with storage compartments;

    a main door rotatably provided on the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment;

    A main door basket installed on the main door;

    a sub-door rotatable relative to the main door, located inside the storage compartment in a closed state, and having a receiving portion with an open surface facing the main door; and

    Includes a sub-door basket installed in the receiving portion,

    The refrigerator, characterized in that the sub-door basket is positioned spaced apart from the open surface of the accommodation unit to the inside of the accommodation unit.
28. The refrigerator according to claim 27, wherein the sub-door basket is positioned at a first distance away from the open surface of the accommodating part inside the accommodating part.
29. The refrigerator according to claim 28, wherein at least a portion of the main door basket is located within a first distance of the receiving portion.
30. The refrigerator according to claim 27, wherein a cold air flow path is formed in the receiving portion to allow cold air to pass through.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the cold air flow path is,

    An inlet flow path through which cold air flows; and

    A refrigerator characterized in that it includes an outflow passage through which cold air flows out.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the storage space is:

    A first area where the sub-door basket is installed; and

    It includes a second area located between the first area and the main door,

    The refrigerator, characterized in that the inlet flow path is located in the first area.
33. The refrigerator according to claim 32, wherein the outlet flow path is located in the second area.
34. The refrigerator according to claim 31, wherein the sub-door basket is located closer to the inflow passage than the main door basket.
35. The refrigerator according to claim 27, wherein a discharge hole through which cold air passes is provided below at least one of the sub-door basket and the main door basket.

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