Refrigerator

A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet provided with a storage compartment, an inner case to define an appearance of the storage compartment, a first door (20) pivotally mounted to the cabinet, to open or close one side of the storage compartment, and a second door (40) pivotally mounted to the cabinet, to open or close the other side of the storage compartment. The second door (40) is provided with a pillar (100) rotatable to come into contact with the first door (20). The pillar (100) is spaced apart from a top wall of the inner case and a bottom wall of the inner case, to be prevented from coming into contact with the inner case when the second door (40) is maintained to seal the storage compartment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application PCT/KR2015/011928, filed on Nov. 6, 2015, which claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2014-0154466, filed on Nov. 7, 2014, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator having two side-by-side type doors to open one storage compartment, thereby being capable of achieving an improvement in use convenience.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a refrigerator is an appliance for storing food in a fresh state within a storage compartment (freezing compartment or refrigerating compartment) for a certain period of time by cooling the storage compartment through repeated operation of a refrigeration cycle.

Such a refrigerator includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant circulating through a refrigeration cycle into a high-temperature and high-pressure state. The refrigerant compressed in the compressor generates cold air while passing through a heat exchanger, and the generated cold air is supplied to a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment.

Generally, the refrigerator has an arrangement in which the freezing compartment is arranged at the upper side, and the refrigerating compartment is arranged at the lower side. On the other hand, in a side-by-side type refrigerator, the freezing and refrigerating compartments thereof are arranged to laterally neighbor to each other.

In a refrigerator of another type, a storage compartment provided at the upper or lower side of the refrigerator can be opened by two side-by-side type doors.

In the case in which one storage compartment can be opened by two side-by-side type doors, a pillar is provided at one of the two doors. The pillar, which is provided at only one of the two doors, comes into contact with the two doors through rotation thereof when the storage compartment is closed by the two doors and, as such, functions to enhance sealability of the storage compartment.

In a conventional refrigerator provided with such a pillar, typically, a structure including a protrusion and a guide groove is provided at an inner case of the refrigerator in order to guide rotation of the pillar.

In conventional cases, the structure to guide rotation of the pillar is formed at an upper portion of the inner case, to extend downwards. For this reason, there is inconvenience in using the storage compartment by the user.

Furthermore, in a state in which the door provided with the pillar seals a corresponding portion of the storage compartment, the pillar obstructs a path, along which a drawer installed in the refrigerator moves, because the pillar is in a state of being unfolded while escaping from the corresponding door. For this reason, there is a problem in that, when two drawers are arranged in parallel, the drawers should have different widths.

Furthermore, since the pillar is in an unfolded state as mentioned above, baskets provided at the doors should have smoothly curved corners in order to prevent the baskets from coming into contact with the pillar during rotation thereof together with the doors. For this reason, there is a problem in that the storage capacity of each basket is reduced.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having two side-by-side type doors to open one storage compartment, thereby being capable of achieving an improvement in use convenience.

Solution to Problem

The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a refrigerator including a cabinet provided with a storage compartment, an inner case to define an appearance of the storage compartment, a first door pivotally mounted to the cabinet, to open or close one side of the storage compartment, and a second door pivotally mounted to the cabinet, to open or close the other side of the storage compartment, wherein the second door is provided with a pillar rotatable to come into contact with the first door, wherein the pillar is spaced apart from a top wall of the inner case and a bottom wall of the inner case, to be prevented from coming into contact with the inner case when the second door is maintained to seal the storage compartment.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In accordance with the present invention, the structure for rotating the pillar does not protrude into the storage compartment and, as such, the capacity of the storage compartment may be increased. In addition, inconvenience of the user caused by a protruding structure may be eliminated.

In addition, the pillar is in a folded state under the condition that the door provided with the pillar seals the storage compartment, and the other door opens the storage compartment. Accordingly, when the drawer installed at the side of the other door is withdrawn, the drawer is not caught on the pillar. In this regard, it may be possible to install a pair of drawers having the same width at respective sides of the doors.

Meanwhile, since the pillar is in a folded state under the condition that the door provided with the pillar seals the storage compartment, and the other door opens the storage compartment, the basket installed at the other door is not caught on the pillar when the other door rotates. Accordingly, the basket may have angled corners and, as such, may have an increased storage capacity.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

During the process, sizes and shapes of constituent elements or the like illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. Further, the following terminologies are defined in consideration of the functions in the present invention and may be construed in different ways by intention or practice of users and operators. Therefore, the definitions of terms used in the present description should be construed based on the contents throughout the specification.

FIG. 1is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, the refrigerator according to the illustrated embodiment includes a cabinet1defining an appearance of the refrigerator.

The cabinet1is provided with a storage compartment2for storing food.

The storage compartment2may be defined by an inner case10provided at an inside of the cabinet1. The inner case10may include a top wall12and a bottom wall14in order to define an inner surface of the storage compartment2. The storage compartment2is open at a front side thereof and, as such, the user may access the storage compartment2through the front side of the storage compartment2.

The cabinet1is provided, at a front side thereof, with a first door20pivotally mounted to the cabinet1, to open or close one side of the storage compartment2, and a second door40pivotally mounted to the cabinet1, to open or close the other side of the storage compartment2. When the first door20and second door40close the front side of the storage compartment2, the storage compartment2may be completely sealed.

The second door40may be provided with a pillar100rotatable to come into contact with the first door20. The pillar100generally has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The pillar100is coupled to the second door40such that the pillar100is rotatable with respect to the second door40. In this case, the pillar100may be arranged to have different rotation angles with respect to the second door40in accordance with rotation angles of the second door40with respect to the storage compartment2or whether the first door20opens or closes the storage compartment2.

The pillar100has a shorter length than the distance between the top wall12and the bottom wall14in the inner case10in order to prevent the pillar100from contacting the top wall12and bottom wall14. That is, although the second door40rotates to close the storage compartment2, the pillar100does not contact any of the top wall12and bottom wall14. There is no element arranged at the structure of the inner case10, namely, the top wall12and bottom wall14, to limit rotation of the pillar100and, as such, the top wall12and bottom wall14may generally form one plane.

The first door20may be provided with a door dike22defining a rear appearance of the first door20. Similarly, the second door40may be provided with a door dike42defining a rear appearance of the second door40.

Baskets24and44may be mounted to the door dikes22and42, to store various food articles. The basket24, which is provided at the first door20, at which the pillar100is not provided, does not interfere with the pillar100when the first door20rotates. In this regard, the basket24may have angled corners. In this case, accordingly, it may be possible to store an increased amount of food in the basket24, as compared to a basket having round corners.

The storage compartment2may be provided with a first drawer34arranged at the side of the first door20, and a second drawer32arranged at the side of the second door40. In this case, the first drawer34and second drawer32may be flush with each other. That is, the first drawer34and second drawer32may be arranged at the same level at left and right sides in the storage compartment2, respectively. The first drawer34and second drawer32may be independently withdrawn.

The first drawer34and second drawer32may have the same width. That is, the first drawer34and second drawer32may have the same storage capacity and, as such, are interchangeable. If the first drawer34and second drawer32have different widths and, as such, have different shapes, manufacturing costs thereof may be increased because it is necessary to manufacture two kinds of drawers. On the other hand, when the first drawer34and second drawer32have the same shape, as described above, there is an advantage in that manufacturing costs may be reduced.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, it may be possible to open the first door20and to withdraw the first drawer34under the condition that the second door40seals a corresponding portion of the storage compartment2. This effect may be achieved because the pillar100is not arranged on a path, along which the first drawer34is withdrawn. This will be described later with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Meanwhile, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first door20and second door40may have the same width. Accordingly, the processes for manufacturing the first door20and second door40may be partially duplicated and, as such, manufacturing costs of the first door20and second door40may be reduced. This will be described later with reference to the remaining ones of the accompanying drawings.

A drive assembly140may be provided at an inside of the top wall12in the inner case10, to rotate the pillar100under particular conditions. The drive assembly140is arranged to be movable in forward and rearward directions.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the pillar100may be rotated without using a physical element such as a guide protrusion, but using magnetic force. In this regard, the drive assembly140may be embedded in the top wall12, to be hidden from the user.

Accordingly, the portion of the top wall12where the drive assembly140is installed may have the same level as other portions of the top wall12adjacent thereto. That is, the portion of the top wall12where the drive assembly140is installed is flush with the adjacent portions of the top wall12and, as such, the user cannot find whether or not the drive assembly140is installed at the inside of the top wall12. In this regard, it may be possible to eliminate inconvenience of the user caused by protrusion of the top wall portion where the drive assembly140is installed or other problems, for example, reduction of storage capacity.

FIG. 2is a view explaining a region where magnetic members are installed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, gaskets21and41are installed at rear sides of the first and second doors20and40, respectively. The gaskets21and42are made of a rubber material and, as such, may seal the storage compartment2while contacting an opening formed at the front side of the storage compartment2.

The door dikes22and42may be arranged at rear sides of the gaskets21and41, respectively, to define rear appearances of the first and second doors20and40. As described above, the baskets24and44may be provided at the door dikes22and42, respectively.

The first door20may be provided with a first door magnetic member26having magnetic force, and a door dike magnetic member28having magnetic force. A second door magnetic member46having magnetic force may be provided at the second door40.

The pillar100may be provided with a first pillar magnetic member102to magnetically interfere with the first door magnetic member26, and a second pillar magnetic member106to magnetically interfere with the second door magnetic member46. In this case, the first pillar magnetic member102may magnetically interfere with not only the first door magnetic member26, but also the door dike magnetic member28.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each magnetic member may mean a magnet having N and S poles.

Each of the first door magnetic member26, second door magnetic member46, first pillar magnetic member102, second pillar magnetic member106, and door dike magnetic member28may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a wider cross-section at one side than at the other side.

The first door magnetic member26may be installed at the gasket21of the first door20, whereas the door dike magnetic member28may be installed at the door dike22provided at a rear side of the first door20. In addition, the second door magnetic member46may be installed at the gasket41of the second door40.

The door dike magnetic member28may be arranged inwards of the storage compartment2, as compared to the second door magnetic member46.

The first pillar magnetic member102and second pillar magnetic member106may be arranged to be perpendicular to corresponding surfaces of the pillar100, which generally has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, respectively. The first and second pillar magnetic members102and106are installed at the pillar100and, as such, rotate together with the pillar100when the pillar100rotates.

A third pillar magnetic member110, which may magnetically interfere with the drive assembly140, is provided at an upper portion of the pillar100. In this case, the third pillar magnetic member110may have a rectangular parallelepiped structure having a relatively greater area towards an upper portion thereof.

The first pillar magnetic member102, second pillar magnetic member106, and third pillar magnetic member110are arranged to be perpendicular to one another while being close to corresponding ones of the surfaces of the pillar100, respectively, to achieve easy magnetic interference with one another under the condition that the first pillar magnetic member102, second pillar magnetic member106, and third pillar magnetic member110are arranged at positions where magnetic interference between corresponding ones thereof may be generated.

Meanwhile, the pillar100is rotatably mounted to the second door40and, as such, may selectively come into contact with the gaskets21and41respectively provided at the first and second doors20and40.

FIG. 3is a view illustrating another region not illustrated inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIG. 3, the drive assembly140may be installed to be embedded in the top wall12of the inner case10. A drive magnetic member144capable of generating magnetic force is installed at the drive assembly140.

In this case, the drive magnetic member144may magnetically interfere with the third pillar magnetic member110and, as such, may rotate the pillar100when the pillar100satisfies desired conditions.

The drive magnetic member144may move in a lateral direction of the storage compartment2. That is, the pillar100may be rotated in accordance with variation of the lateral position of the drive magnetic member144.

The drive magnetic member144may be moved within the drive assembly140in accordance with spring force applied thereto from a spring or magnetic force applied thereto from another magnetic member.

Meanwhile, since the drive assembly140is installed without being exposed to the outside of the top wall12or protruded from the top wall12, the drive assembly140does not physically limit rotation of the pillar100. Accordingly, the portion of the top wall12in the inner case10where the drive assembly140is installed may be flush with other portions of the top wall12adjacent thereto.

That is, rotation of the pillar100may be determined by magnetic interference between the drive assembly140and the pillar100.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent rotation of the pillar100from being physically limited under the condition that the second door40is maintained to seal the storage compartment2, the pillar100does not contact the top wall12of the inner case10and the bottom wall14of the inner case10. To this end, the pillar100is spaced apart from the top wall12and bottom wall14.

FIG. 4is a view explaining polarities of magnetic members installed at the doors and pillar. In detail,FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)illustrate a procedure in which magnetic interference is generated between corresponding ones of the magnetic members in accordance with relative positions of the first and second doors.

Referring toFIG. 4, the first door magnetic member26includes a first surface26aexhibiting a particular polarity, and a second surface26bexhibiting opposite polarity to the first surface26a. In this case, the particular polarity may be one of N and S polarities. The first and second surfaces26aand26bare arranged opposite each other.

In the following description, first surfaces of the magnetic members may exhibit the same polarity, whereas second surfaces of the magnetic members may exhibit the same polarity, in order to generate attraction between particular ones of the magnetic members, and repulsion between other particular ones of the magnetic members.

Similarly, the second door magnetic member46includes a first surface46aexhibiting a particular polarity, and a second surface46bexhibiting opposite polarity to the first surface46a.

The first pillar magnetic member102, which magnetically interferes with the first door magnetic member26, also includes a first surface102aexhibiting a particular polarity, and a second surface102bexhibiting opposite polarity to the first surface102a.

The second pillar magnetic member106, which magnetically interferes with the second door magnetic member46, also includes a first surface106aexhibiting a particular polarity, and a second surface106bexhibiting opposite polarity to the first surface106a.

In this case, the first surfaces26aand102aof the first door magnetic member26and first pillar magnetic member102may have the same polarity such that attraction is generated between the first door magnetic member26and first pillar magnetic member102.

Meanwhile, the first surfaces46aand106aof the second door magnetic member46and second pillar magnetic member106may have the same polarity such that attraction is generated between the second door magnetic member46and the second pillar magnetic member106in a state in which the pillar100rotates a predetermined angle (state ofFIG. 4(b)).

For reference, as illustrated inFIG. 4(b), the pillar100may rotate from a state ofFIG. 4(a)in a counterclockwise direction up to an angle, at which the pillar100is perpendicular to the state ofFIG. 4(a). That is, the pillar100is mounted to the second door40such that the pillar100rotates within a predetermined angle range.

The door dike magnetic member28includes a first surface28aexhibiting a particular polarity, and a second surface28bexhibiting opposite polarity to the first surface28a, for magnetic interference thereof with the first pillar magnetic member102. In this case, the door dike magnetic member28may be arranged such that repulsion is generated between the door dike magnetic member28and the first pillar magnetic member102in a state ofFIG. 4(b).

FIG. 5is a view explaining polarities of the magnetic members installed at the pillar and drive assembly.

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b)are views illustrating a procedure in which the pillar rotates in accordance with movement of the drive magnetic member.FIG. 5(c)is a side view corresponding toFIG. 5(a).

Referring toFIG. 5(c), the drive assembly140is arranged over the pillar100. In this case, the drive assembly140is embedded in the first inner case10, to be hidden from the user. For convenience of explanation, several elements are omitted fromFIG. 5(c).

As described above, the drive assembly140is provided with the drive magnetic member144. The drive magnetic member144includes a first surface144aexhibiting a particular polarity, and a second surface144bexhibiting opposite polarity to the first surface144a.

The third pillar magnetic member110includes a first surface110aexhibiting a particular polarity, and a second surface110bexhibiting opposite polarity to the first surface110a.

In this case, the drive magnetic member144and third pillar magnetic member110may be arranged such that attraction is generated therebetween. To this end, the first surfaces110aand144amay have the same polarity, and the second surfaces110band144bmay have the same polarity.

Referring toFIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the drive magnetic member144may be arranged to be laterally movable within the drive assembly140. That is, an elastic member may be provided at each side or one side of the drive magnetic member144, to restrain movement of the drive magnetic member144. Alternatively, two separate magnets may be provided at the drive magnetic member144, to restrain lateral movement of the drive magnetic member144.

When the drive magnetic member144moves from a position ofFIG. 5(a)to a position ofFIG. 5(b), the pillar100is rotated from a position ofFIG. 5(a)in a clockwise direction. As a result, one surface of the pillar100comes into contact with the gasket of the first door20and, as such, may seal the storage compartment2.

FIG. 6is a view explaining an operation in which the second door rotates to open the storage compartment, which has been sealed by the first and second doors.

The first door20may rotate about a first rotation axis20a, and the second door40may rotate about a second rotation axis40a.

In a state ofFIG. 6(a), the first door20and second door40seal the storage compartment2.

When the user rotates the second door40, the pillar100is rotated while contacting the first door20. When the pillar100is in an unfolded state with respect to the second door40, the pillar100comes into contact with the first door20during rotation of the second door40. In this case, during rotation of the second door40, the pillar100is rotated by rotational force of the second door40and, as such, is folded toward the second door40(cf.FIG. 6(b)).

As the rotation angle of the second door40increases, the rotation angle of the pillar100is increased. Consequently, the pillar100may be rotated to be perpendicular to the front surface of the second door40, as illustrated inFIG. 6(c).

Since the pillar100is completely folded when the second door40rotates, rotation of the second door40to open the storage compartment2may be achieved without any interference even when the first door20is maintained to seal the storage compartment2.

Meanwhile, in accordance with operations corresponding to the order ofFIG. 6(c),FIG. 6(b), andFIG. 6(a), the second door40may rotate to seal the storage compartment2under the condition that the first door20is maintained to seal the storage compartment2, and the second door40has rotated to open the storage compartment2.

Under the condition that both the first door20and the second door40seal the storage compartment2, the pillar100should be rotated to be unfolded with respect to the second door40, namely, to be parallel to the front surface of the second door40. This is because the pillar100contacts not only the first door20, but also the second door40, in an unfolded state thereof and, as such, the storage compartment2may be substantially sealed.

Under the condition that the first door20is maintained to seal the storage compartment2, the user may rotate the second door40, to seal the storage compartment2by the second door40, as illustrated inFIG. 6(c).

In this case, when the second door40reaches the state ofFIG. 6(b), the pillar100may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction in accordance with attraction generated between the first surface102aof the first pillar magnetic member102in the pillar100and the second surface102bof the first door magnetic member26. That is, although the pillar100does not contact the first door20during closing of the second door40, the pillar100may be rotated from a folded state to an unfolded state by virtue of attraction between two magnets.

Meanwhile, when the second door40further rotates from the state ofFIG. 6(b)in a direction that the storage compartment2is sealed, the pillar100is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction because the distance between the first pillar magnetic member102and the first door magnetic member26is reduced. As a result, the pillar100substantially reaches the state ofFIG. 6(a).

That is, although the pillar100does not physically come into contact with an upper or lower portion of the inner case, the pillar100may be rotated in accordance with relative positions of the first door20and second door40.

In the illustrated embodiment, in a state in which the second door40does not seal the storage compartment2, the pillar100may be folded toward the second door40by magnetic force. On the other hand, in a state in which the second door40seals the storage compartment2, together with the first door20, the pillar100is unfolded to contact both the first door20and the second door40and, as such, the storage compartment2is substantially sealed.

FIG. 7is a view explaining an operation in which the first door rotates to open the storage compartment, which has been sealed by the first and second doors.FIG. 8is a view illustrating a state in which the drive assembly is omitted from the configuration ofFIG. 7.

In operations according to the order ofFIGS. 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c)orFIGS. 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c), only the first door20is rotated to open the storage compartment2under the condition that the second door40is maintained to seal the storage compartment2.

First, as illustrated inFIG. 7(a)or8(a), the pillar100is in an unfolded state under the condition that the first door20and second door40are maintained to seal the storage compartment2.

When the user rotates the first door20in the above-described state, the drive magnetic member144is moved toward the first door20, as illustrated inFIG. 7(b). Movement of the drive magnetic member144may be achieved by external force from a motor or the like or elastic force of an elastic member such as a spring. The elastic force may be accumulated in the elastic member in a restrained state of the elastic member, and may be applied to the drive magnetic member144when the restrained state of the elastic member is released. That is, a configuration of any type may be employed to move the drive magnetic member144, so long as the configuration can move the drive magnetic member144in a left direction toward the first door20when the first door20rotates.

Of course, an additional magnet may be provided at the first door20, and another additional magnet may be provided at the drive magnetic member144, in order to implement a design in which movement of the first door20influences on the drive magnetic member144in accordance with magnetic interference between the two magnets.

Meanwhile, when the first door20rotates to the state ofFIG. 7(b)or8(b), repulsion may be generated between the first surface28aof the door dike magnetic member28and the first surface102aof the first pillar magnetic member102as the first surface28aapproaches the first surface102a. As a result, force causing the pillar100to be folded toward the second door40may be generated (cf.FIGS. 4 and 5).

In addition, attraction may be generated between the first surface144aof the drive magnetic member144and the second surface110bof the third pillar magnetic member110as the first surface144aapproaches the second surface110b.

When the drive magnetic member144moves toward the second door40in the state ofFIG. 7(b)or8(b), force causing the pillar100to be folded toward the second door40may be additionally generated by virtue of the attraction between the drive magnetic member144and the third pillar magnetic member110.

That is, the pillar100may be folded toward the second door40in accordance with magnetic relation of the drive magnetic member144and magnetic relation of the door dike member28, as illustrated inFIG. 7(c)or8(c).

Meanwhile, when the pillar100is sufficiently rotated, attraction may be generated between the second surface46bof the second door magnetic member46and the first surface106aof the second pillar magnetic member106and, as such, force to sufficiently fold the pillar100may be additionally provided.

Since folding of the pillar100is carried out under the condition that the first door20opens the storage compartment2, and the second door40is maintained to seal the storage compartment2, the pillar100does not obstruct a path, along which the drawer arranged at the side of the first door20moves, during withdrawal of the drawer. If the pillar100cannot be unfolded under the above-described condition, the width of the drawer arranged at the side of the first door20should be reduced by the unfolding width of the pillar100. In this case, there is a problem in that the two drawers respectively arranged at opposite sides have different widths. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the drawer arranged at the side of the first door20may have a relatively great width because the pillar100is folded under the above-described condition. In addition, the drawers respectively arranged at opposite sides may have the same width.

On the other hand, the first door20may rotate to seal the storage compartment2under the condition that the second door40is maintained to seal the storage compartment2, and the first door40has rotated to open the storage compartment2.

These operations may be carried out in accordance with the order ofFIGS. 7(c), 7(b) and 7(a)orFIGS. 8(c), 8(b) and 8(a).

The drive magnetic member144is moved toward the first door20when the first door20rotates from the state ofFIG. 7(c)or8(c) to the state ofFIG. 7(b)or8(b), in order to rotate the pillar100in the counterclockwise direction. That is, as the drive magnetic member144moves left, force causing unfolding of the pillar100is applied to the pillar100.

In this case, magnetic interference may be generated between the door dike magnetic member28and the magnetic member installed at the pillar100. In spite of such magnetic interference, the pillar100may be rotated in the counterclockwise direction by virtue of leftward movement of the drive magnetic member144because magnetic force between the drive magnetic member144and the third pillar magnetic member110has most influence on rotation of the pillar100.

When the first door20and second door40seal the storage compartment2, and the pillar100reaches a state of being unfolded toward the first door20, as illustrated inFIG. 7(a)or8(a), the drive magnetic member144cannot rotate the pillar100by movement thereof even when the drive magnetic member144moves right toward the second door40. This is because a rotating arm portion of the pillar100extending from a rotation axis of the pillar100is short due to a linear movement path of the drive magnetic member144and, as such, sufficient rotational force to rotate the pillar100cannot be provided.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pillar100is folded when the first door20rotates to open or seal the storage compartment2under the condition that the second door40is maintained to seal the storage compartment2. Accordingly, the basket24installed at the first door20does not interfere with the pillar100during rotation of the first door20.

If the pillar100is maintained in an unfolded state, irrespective of rotation of the first door20, the basket24installed at the first door20is caught on the pillar100during rotation of the first door20. In order to avoid such a problem, the basket24should have smoothly curved corners, to be prevented from being caught on the pillar100. In this case, the storage capacity of the basket24is reduced and, as such, the storage space usable by the user is substantially reduced.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, when the basket24is rotated together with the first door20, the pillar100, which may obstruct a rotation trace of the basket24, is folded. Accordingly, the storage space of the basket24installed at the first door20may be increased.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In accordance with the present invention, it may be possible to provide a refrigerator having two side-by-side type doors to open one storage compartment, thereby being capable of achieving an improvement in use convenience.