Refrigerator

A refrigerator includes a body having a cooling chamber, a door configured to open or close the cooling chamber, and a cover disposed at a front region of the cooling chamber so as to be movable up and down. Under such configuration, a temperature change occurring from a predetermined region inside the cooling chamber when the cooling chamber is open, can be prevented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2011-0127152, filed on Nov. 30, 2011, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and particularly, to a refrigerator capable of being simply manipulated, and capable of preventing a temperature change at an inner space thereof.

2. Background of the Invention

As well known, a refrigerator is an apparatus for freshly storing food items in a frozen or cooled state.

The refrigerator may include a body having a cooling chamber, a door for opening or closing the cooling chamber, and a refrigerating cycle device for providing cool air to the cooling chamber.

The refrigerating cycle device may be configured as a vapor-compression type one including a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for radiating a refrigerant, an expander for depressurization-expanding a refrigerant, and an evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant by absorbing peripheral latent heat.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a refrigerator in accordance with the conventional art.

As shown, the refrigerator includes a body10having a cooling chamber20therein, and a cooling chamber door24for opening or closing the cooling chamber20.

The cooling chamber20may include a freezing chamber21and a refrigerating chamber31.

For instance, the freezing chamber21and the refrigerating chamber31may be spaced from each other in upper and lower directions of the body10.

For instance, the freezing chamber21may be provided at an upper side of the body10, whereas the refrigerating chamber31may be provided below the freezing chamber21.

A refrigerating cycle device (not shown) for providing cool air to the cooling chamber20may be provided at the body10.

A cooling chamber door24for opening or closing the cooling chamber20may be provided on the front surface of the body10.

For instance, the cooling chamber door24may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the body10.

The cooling chamber door24may include a freezing chamber door25for opening or closing the freezing chamber21, and a refrigerating chamber door35for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber31.

Shelves27may be provided in the freezing chamber21.

Shelf supporting portions28for supporting the shelves27may be provided in the freezing chamber21.

A plurality of shelves37for partitioning the inside of the refrigerating chamber31in upper and lower directions may be provided in the refrigerating chamber31.

Shelf supporting portions38for supporting the shelves37may be provided in the refrigerating chamber31.

The shelf supporting portions28and38of the freezing chamber21and the refrigerating chamber31may be protruding from the inner wall surfaces of the freezing chamber21and the cooling chamber31, and may extend back and forth.

However, the conventional refrigerator may have the following problems.

Firstly, when the cooling chamber door24is open, external air having a relatively higher temperature is introduced into the cooling chamber20. This may cause food items stored in the cooling chamber20to be badly influenced (e.g., lowering of freshness) due to the high temperature of the external air. Especially, since the temperature difference between the freezing chamber21and the outside is relatively large, the external air may be introduced into the freezing chamber21more drastically.

Food items stored in the freezing chamber21have a relatively low temperature. Accordingly, if the food items come in contact with the external air, they may be badly influenced by the high temperature of the external air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide a refrigerator capable of preventing the change of an inner temperature due to introduction of the external air when a door is open.

Another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a refrigerator capable of preventing cool air from leaking from one region of a freezing chamber when a door is open.

Still another aspect of the detailed description is to provide a refrigerator capable of preventing a temperature change occurring from a predetermined region inside a cooling chamber when the cooling chamber is open.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a refrigerator, comprising: a body having a cooling chamber; a door configured to open or close the cooling chamber; and a cover disposed at a front region of the cooling chamber so as to be movable up and down.

At least a rail may be provided at the cooling chamber in upper and lower moving directions of the cover.

The rail may be concaved from a wall surface of the cooling chamber, and an insertion opening inserted into the rail may be provided at the cover.

The cover may be detachable.

The cooling chamber may include a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and the cover may be provided at the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber.

The refrigerator may further comprise a position fixing unit configured to fix the cover to an upward or downward-moved position.

The position fixing unit may include a protrusion provided at the cover, and an engaging portion engaged with the protrusion.

The engaging portion may be disposed in upper and lower moving directions of the cover.

The protrusion may be configured to elastically come in contact with the engaging portion.

The position fixing unit may include a protrusion unit provided at the cover, and an engaging portion engaged with the protrusion unit.

The protrusion unit may include a body of a plate shape, a protrusion supporting portion elastically-transformable with respect to the body, and a protrusion protruding from the protrusion supporting portion.

The body may be detachably coupled to the cover.

Slit may be formed at the circumference of the protrusion supporting portion such that one region of the protrusion supporting portion is connected to the body, and another region thereof is separated from the body.

The cover may include a frame that moves up and down along the rail, and a plate portion coupled to the frame. And, the protrusion may be provided at the frame.

Slit may be formed at the circumference of the protrusion such that one region of the protrusion is connected to the frame, and another region thereof is separated from the frame.

The insertion portion may be inserted into the rail with an elastic force.

The insertion portion may be provided with a free end having a width greater than an inner width of the rail.

The insertion portion may be provided in plurality so as to be spaced from each other in upper and lower directions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to the present invention will be explained in more details with reference to the attached drawings.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of is the present invention comprises a body110having a cooling chamber120, a door124for opening or closing the cooling chamber120, and a cover140disposed at a front region of the cooling chamber120so as to be movable up and down. The cooling chamber120indicates a space for storing food items in a cool state, for example, a freezing chamber121and a refrigerating chamber131. The body110may be provided at least one of the freezing chamber121and the refrigerating chamber131.

The freezing chamber121may be provided at an upper region of the body110.

The refrigerating chamber131may be provided below the freezing chamber121of the body110.

The door124may include a freezing chamber door125for opening or closing the freezing chamber121, and a refrigerating chamber door135for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber131.

The body110may include a case112afor forming the appearance, and an inner case112bdisposed in the case112ain a state where a space for filling a foaming agent112cis interposed therebetween. The foaming agent112cmay be filled in a space between the case112aand the inner case112b.

A refrigerating cycle device (not shown) for providing cool air to the cooling chamber120(freezing chamber121and the cooling chamber131) may be provided at the body110.

The refrigerating cycle device may be configured as a vapor-compression type one including a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for radiating a refrigerant, an expander for depressurization-expanding a refrigerant, and an evaporator for evaporating a refrigerant by absorbing peripheral latent heat.

A shelf126may be provided in the freezing chamber121, through which the inside of the freezing chamber121may be divided into a plurality of spaces.

The shelf126may be provided in plurality. For instance, two shelves126may be spaced from each other in the freezing chamber121in upper and lower directions.

Shelf supporting portions128for supporting the shelves126may be provided on two side walls of the freezing chamber121.

The shelf supporting portions128may be provided with support protruding portions129protruding from the side walls of the freezing chamber121, and extending back and forth.

The support protruding portions129may be configured to have heights different from each other, so that the height from a bottom surface122aof the freezing chamber121can be controlled. The support protruding portions129may be configured to face each other at the same height on two side walls, so that the shelves126can be supported from the two lower sides thereof.

An illumination portion155for illuminating the inside of the freezing chamber121may be provided at a rear region of the freezing chamber121.

A plurality of cool air discharge openings156may be provided at a rear region of the freezing chamber121. A blowing fan157for blowing cool air may be provided behind the cool air discharge openings156.

The cool air discharge openings156may be spaced from each other in upper and lower directions.

For instance, the cool air discharge openings156may be formed to correspond to spaces partitioned from each other by the shelves126.

More concretely, the shelves126may include a first shelf127aand a second shelf127bspaced from each other in upper and lower directions of the freezing chamber121. Under this configuration, the inside of the freezing chamber121may be divided into three spaces. For instance, a lower compartment123amay be formed between a bottom surface122aof the freezing chamber121and the first shelf127a. A middle compartment123bmay be formed between the first shelf127aand the second shelf127b. And, an upper compartment123cmay be formed between the second shelf127band a ceiling122bof the freezing chamber121. The lower compartment123a, the middle compartment123band the upper compartment123cmay be configured to have the same height. However, in case of controlling the positions of the first shelf127aand the second shelf127b, the lower compartment123a, the middle compartment123band the upper compartment123cmay have heights different from one another.

The cool air discharge openings156may be formed at heights where cool air can be supplied to the lower compartment123a, the middle compartment123band the upper compartment123c, respectively.

A cover140may be provided on a front surface of the freezing chamber121.

The cover140may be configured to be movable up and down in upper and lower directions of the freezing chamber121.

Rails150for guiding upward and downward movements of the cover140may be provided on two side walls of the freezing chamber121.

As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5, the rails150may be inward concaved from the side wall surfaces of the freezing chamber121, and may extend in upper and lower directions.

The rails150may be formed at the inner case112b. That is, the rails150is may be integrally formed with the inner case112b.

The cover140may be formed in a rectangular plate shape.

For instance, the cover140may be formed to have the length corresponding to the width of the freezing chamber121in right and left directions.

The cover140may be configured to have the same height as that of a front surface of one of the lower compartment123a, the middle compartment123band the upper compartment123c.

The cover140may be detachable.

For instance, the cover140may include a cover body141having a plate shape, and insertion portions143provided at the cover body141and inserted into the rails150.

The insertion portions143may protrude from two sides of the cover body141in a lengthwise direction.

As shown inFIG. 5, the insertion portions143may be spaced from each other up and down on two sides.

The insertion portions143may be configured to be elastically-transformable.

For instance, the insertion portions143may be configured to be elastically-transformable in a widthwise direction of the rail150(i.e., back and forth directions of the freezing chamber121).

The insertion portions143may be configured to elastically contact an inner wall surface of the rails150(front wall surface152aand/or rear wall surface152b).

The insertion portions143may be formed to have an approximate ‘U’-shaped section.

One side of the insertion portion143may be connected to the cover body141. A free end144aof the insertion portion143may be configured to be outward widened. More specifically, the free end144aof the insertion portion143may be formed to have an outer width extended than an inner width of the rail150. Under such configuration, the insertion portions143are inserted into the rails150by being elastically-transformed (compressed) so that an outer width of the free end144acan be contracted. As a result, the insertion portions143can elastically come in contact with an inner wall of the rails150. The insertion portions143having been inserted into the rails150move to proper positions, along the rails150, with a predetermined elastic force. Under such configuration, the cover140can be prevented from being suddenly lowered. Another end144bof the insertion portion143(which faces the free end144a) may be configured so that an inner width thereof can be smaller than an inner width of the rail150. Accordingly, the insertion portions143can be easily inserted into the rails150.

Under such configuration, if one of the two insertion portions143of the cover140is inward pressurized on an opening of the corresponding rail150, the insertion portion143can be inserted into the corresponding rail150. Next, if another of the two insertion portions143of the cover140is inward pressurized on an opening of the corresponding rail150, the insertion portion143can be inserted into the corresponding rail150. As the free end144aof the insertion portion143elastically contacts an inner wall surface of the rail150, the cover140is prevented from downward moving to thereby be temporarily fixed to the inserted position.

As shown inFIG. 6, the cover140may be disposed on a desired position by moving up and down. The cover140may be disposed at a position to block a front region of one of the lower compartment123a, the middle compartment123band the upper compartment123cpartitioned from each other by the shelves126. For instance, the cover140may be disposed at a front region of the upper compartment123cto thereby block the front region of the upper compartment123c.

Once the freezing chamber door125is open, cool air inside the freezing chamber121may leak to the outside and external air may be introduced into the freezing chamber121, due to a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the freezing chamber121. However, since the cover140is disposed at a front region of the upper compartment123cto thereby block the front region of the upper compartment123c, cool air inside the upper compartment123cis prevented from leaking to the outside, and external air is prevented from being introduced into the upper compartment123c. As a result, a temperature change inside the upper compartment123ccan be prevented. Accordingly, food items accommodated in the upper compartment123care prevented from contacting external air having a relatively high temperature, thereby being prevented from being badly influenced by the external air.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 7 to 12.

The same components as those of the aforementioned embodiment have the same reference numerals for convenience, and the same explanations may be omitted.

The refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a body110having a cooling chamber120, a door124for opening or closing the cooling chamber120, and covers170aand170bdisposed at a front region of the cooling chamber120so as to be movable up and down.

A freezing chamber121may be provided at an upper region of the body110.

A plurality of shelves126may be provided in the freezing chamber121.

The shelves126may include a first shelf127aand a second shelf127bspaced from each other in upper and lower directions.

Shelf supporting portions128for supporting the shelves126may be provided on two side walls of the freezing chamber121. The shelf supporting portions128may be provided with a plurality of support protruding portions129spaced from each other up and down, for control of the height of the shelves126.

The first shelf127aand the second shelf127bmay be spaced from each other up and down. Accordingly, a lower compartment123a, a middle compartment123band an upper compartment123cmay be provided in the freezing chamber121.

A plurality of drawers133may be provided at a lower region of the refrigerating chamber131.

A plurality of shelves136may be provided at an upper region of the refrigerating chamber131.

An upper space of the refrigerating chamber131may be divided into a plurality of regions by the shelves136in upper and lower directions.

Shelf supporting portions138for supporting the shelves136may be provided on two side walls of the refrigerating chamber131.

The shelf supporting portions138may be provided with support protruding portions139spaced from each other up and down, so that the height of the shelves136can be controlled.

A cool air discharge opening132through which cool air is discharged toward the refrigerating chamber131may be formed at a rear region of the refrigerating chamber131. The cool air discharge opening132may be configured as a slit having a long length in upper and lower directions.

An illumination portion134for illuminating the inside of the refrigerating chamber131may be provided at a rear region of the refrigerating chamber131.

Covers170aand170bmay be provided at front regions of the freezing chamber121and the refrigerating chamber131, respectively.

Rails190aand190bfor guiding the covers170aand170bto be movable up and down, may be provided at the freezing chamber121and the refrigerating chamber131. The covers170aand170bprovided at the freezing chamber121and the refrigerating chamber131, respectively have a similar configuration. And, the rails190aand190bprovided at the freezing chamber121and the refrigerating chamber131, respectively have a similar configuration. Accordingly, the cover170aand the rail190aof the freezing chamber121will be explained hereinafter.

The rail190amay be inward concaved from the two side walls of the freezing chamber121, and may extend in upper and lower directions. Under such configuration, the cover170amay move up and down in upper and lower directions of the freezing chamber121.

The cover170amay be formed to have the length corresponding to the width of the freezing chamber121in right and left directions.

The cover170amay be configured to have a width in upper and lower directions, the width wide enough to block a front surface of at least one of the lower compartment123a, the middle compartment123band the upper compartment123cpartitioned from each other by the first shelf127aand the second shelf127b.

For instance, the cover170amay include a frame171that moves up and down along the rail190a, and a plate portion181coupled to the frame171.

As shown inFIG. 9, the frame171may have the length corresponding to the width of the freezing chamber121in right and left directions.

An opening172may be formed at a central region of the frame171.

The frame171may be formed in an approximate rectangular shape having the opening172at the central region thereof.

The frame171may be formed of a synthetic resin member.

Insertion portions174inserted into the rail190amay be provided at two sides of the frame171.

A plate coupling portion176for coupling the plate portion181may be formed at the frame171.

The plate coupling portion176may be implemented as an opening or a hole which passes through the frame171.

The plate coupling portion176may be formed at two sides of the opening, respectively. The plate portion181may be formed in a plate shape so as to block the opening172.

A plurality of coupling protrusions183may be provided on the rear surface of the plate portion181so as to be coupled to the plate coupling portions176.

The coupling protrusions183may protrude towards the rear side of the plate portion181.

Bent portions182backward protruding and bent may be provided at two sides of the plate portion181.

The coupling protrusions183may be provided at the bent portions182.

Each of the coupling protrusions183may be provided with a stopping jaw184protruding in a widthwise direction. Under such configuration, the coupling protrusions183having been coupled to the plate coupling portions176can be prevented from being separated from the plate coupling portions176.

A position fixing unit210for fixing the cover170aat an upward or downward-moved position may be provided at a contact region between the cover170aand the rail190a. As a result, an upward or downward-moved position of the cover170acan be properly set. This can prevent a temperature change occurring from a rear region of the cover170adue to introduction of external air thereto when the cooling chamber120(freezing chamber121or the refrigerating chamber131) is open.

The position fixing unit210may include a protrusion211moving up and down along the cover170a, and an engaging portion221disposed along the rail190aand engaged with the protrusion211.

The engaging portion221may include top portions222protruding towards the protrusion211, and bottom portions223concaved between the top portions222so as to be spaced from the protrusion211.

The engaging portion221may be configured as a convex-concaved portion having a waveform section.

The top portions222and the bottom portions223may be formed to be alternating with each other in upper and lower moving directions of the cover170a.

The engaging portion221may be provided in the rail190a. For instance, the engaging portion221may be provided on a front inner wall of the rail190a.

The protrusion211may be provided at the frame171. More specifically, the protrusion211may be integrally formed with the insertion portions174.

For instance, the protrusion211may forward protrude towards the insertion portions174.

A protrusion supporting portion213may be formed at the periphery of the protrusion211.

A slit214penetrated so that the protrusion211(protrusion supporting portion213) can be elastically-transformed, may be formed on the circumference of the protrusion supporting portion213.

As shown inFIG. 9, the protrusion supporting portion213may be formed in an approximate rectangular shape. That is, an upper end of the protrusion supporting portion213may be connected to the frame171, and two side ends and a lower end thereof may be separated from the frame171by the slit214. Under such configuration, the protrusion supporting portion213may be elastically-transformed in a thickness direction of the insertion portions174, by an elastic force of the synthetic resins member. As shown inFIG. 13, the protrusion211is pressurized by the top portions222when contacting the top portions222of the engaging portion221. Then, the pressurized protrusion211is transformed in a direction spaced from the engaging portion221. Then, the protrusion211may return to the bottom portions223by its own elastic force after passing the top portions222.

The protrusion211may be individually formed from the cover170a, and may be coupled to the cover170a.

As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, a position fixing unit230may include a protrusion unit231formed of a metallic member so as to be elastically-transformable, and an engaging portion221engaged with the protrusion unit231.

The protrusion unit231may include a body232formed of a metallic member (e.g., spring steel) and having a plate shape, a protrusion supporting is portion234formed by cutting the body232, and a protrusion236protruding from the protrusion supporting portion234. A slit237may be penetratingly-formed on the circumference of the protrusion supporting portion234. Under such configuration, the protrusion supporting portion234(or the protrusion236) may be elastically-transformed with respect to the body232.

More specifically, the protrusion supporting portion234is formed in an approximate rectangular shape. And, a slit237is formed at the periphery of two side edges and a lower edge so that the protrusion supporting portion234can be separated from the body232. Under such configuration, if the protrusion supporting portion234is pressurized in a thickness direction when the protrusion236comes in contact with the top portions222of the engaging portion221, the protrusion supporting portion234is backward elastically-transformed as shown inFIG. 14. On the other hand, if the protrusion236comes in contact with the bottom portions223of the engaging portion221, the protrusion supporting portion234may return to the initial position by its own elastic force.

The protrusion unit231may be coupled to the frame171by a coupling member238(e.g., screws). A coupling hole235for coupling the coupling member238may be penetratingly-formed at the body232of the protrusion unit231.

A protrusion unit coupling portion177for coupling the protrusion unit231may be provided at the insertion portions174of the frame171. The protrusion unit coupling portion177may be provided with a accommodation space178so that the protrusion unit231can be elastically-transformed. For instance, the accommodation space178may be penetratingly-formed at the insertion portions174.

The protrusion unit coupling portion177may be provided with a coupling member connecting portion179for coupling the coupling member238. The coupling member connecting portion179may be provided at the upper and lower sides of the accommodation space178. The coupling member connecting portion179may be implemented as a female screw portion.

Under such configuration, the engaging portion221may be provided in the rail190a, respectively.

The two insertion portions174of the frame171of the cover170amay be inserted into the rail190a, respectively.

Once the insertion portions174are inserted into the rail190a, the protrusions211may elastically come in contact with the engaging portion221. As a result, the cover170acan be fixed to the inserted position without downward moving.

The cover170amay move to a desired position by upward or downward moving.

For instance, if the cover170ais upward pressurized, the protrusion211is backward elastically-transformed by contacting the top portions222of the engaging portion221. If the protrusion211continuously moves to pass through the top portions222, the protrusion211returns to the front bottom portion223by its own elastic force. The upward-moved protrusion211contacts the next top portion222thus to be backward elastically-transformed. Then, the protrusion211returns to the bottom portion223by its own elastic force. The protrusion211may continue to upward move by repeating such processes.

If the upward-pressurizing force applied to the cover170ais released, the protrusion211elastically-contacts the engaging portion221by its own elastic force. This can prevent the cover170afrom being suddenly lowered.

Once the freezing chamber door125is open, cool air inside the freezing chamber121may leak to the outside, and external air may be introduced into the freezing chamber121.

The cover170amay prevent cool air which exists at the rear region thereof from leaking to the outside, and may prevent external air from being introduced into the rear region thereof. Accordingly, a temperature change occurring from the rear region of the cover170acan be prevented.

As aforementioned, in the present invention according to one embodiment, the cover is provided at the front region of the cooling chamber. This can prevent external air from being introduced into the cooling chamber when the door of the cooling chamber is open. Accordingly, a temperature change occurring from the rear region of the cover170acan be prevented.

Furthermore, since the cover is provided at the front region of the freezing chamber, external air is prevented from being introduced into the rear region of the cover when the freezing chamber is open. As a result, a temperature change occurring from the rear region of the cover, due to introduction of external air, can be prevented.

Besides, since the cover which is movable up and down is provided at the front region of the cooling chamber, the position of the cover can be controlled. This can prevent a temperature change occurring from the rear region of the cover when the cooling chamber is open.