Refrigerator

Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body provided to form a storage chamber, a storage container configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage chamber, and having a storage space, a divider configured to be movable with respect to the storage container to divide the storage space, a support shaft arranged in the storage container and configured to guide movement of the divider, and a guide device configured to movably support the divider, and having a plurality of ball bearings arranged to roll with respect to the support shaft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2019/012347 filed Sep. 23, 2019, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0117281 filed Oct. 2, 2018, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more specifically, to a refrigerator having a storage container.

2. Description of Related Art

A refrigerator is a home appliance that is equipped with a main body having a storage chamber and a cold air supply device provided to supply cold air to the storage chamber, and stores food in a fresh state. The storage chamber includes a refrigerating chamber maintained at about 0° C. to 5° C. to store food refrigerated, and a freezing chamber maintained at about 0° C. to −30° C. to store food frozen. In general, the storage chamber is provided to have a front side that is opened for insertion/withdrawal of food, and the open front side of the storage chamber is opened and closed by a door.

The storage chamber is equipped with a shelf on which food may be placed. The storage chamber is provided to have a front side that is open so that food may be inserted and withdrawn therethrough, and the open front side of the storage chamber may be opened and closed by a door rotatably coupled to the main body. The door is provided on a rear side thereof with a door pocket for storing food, in addition to the shelf disposed in the storage chamber.

The refrigerator is in the trend of becoming larger in the capacity of storage as the daily life diversifies, and the large sized refrigerator may include a storage container provided to be withdrawn and inserted to store vegetables and fruits. The storage container has a storage space in which food is stored, and in recent years, the storage container has been developed toward dividing the storage space to maintain an orderly state by preventing different types of food from being mixed in the storage space.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an object of the disclosure to provide a refrigerator capable of smoothly moving a divider provided to divide a storage space of a storage container.

It is another object of the disclosure to provide a refrigerator capable of fixing the position of a divider provided to divide a storage space of a storage container.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a refrigerator including: a main body provided to form a storage chamber; a storage container configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage chamber, and having a storage space; a divider configured to be movable with respect to the storage container to divide the storage space; a support shaft arranged in the storage container and configured to guide movement of the divider; and a guide device configured to movably support the divider, and having a plurality of ball bearings arranged to roll with respect to the support shaft.

The guide device may include a first guide device arranged at one end of the divider and a second guide device disposed at an other end opposite to the one end of the divider.

The guide device may include: a guide body formed to extend along a moving direction of the divider and having a plurality of ball insertion portion into which the plurality of ball bearings are inserted; and a ball cover coupled to the guide body to cover the plurality of ball bearings inserted into the plurality of ball insertion portions.

The plurality of ball bearings may be arranged along an outer circumferential surface of the support shaft to surround the support shaft.

A lubricating oil may be provided on outer surfaces of the plurality of ball bearings or an outer surface of the support shaft.

The refrigerator may further include: a fixing portion arranged on an inner side surface of the storage container; and a stopper configured to be fixed to or released from the fixing portion.

The fixing portion may extend in a same direction as a direction in which the support shaft extends.

The refrigerator may further include a lever configured to move the stopper by being moved with respect to the divider.

The divider may include a push latch device configured to be selectively coupled to the lever, wherein the lever may be configured to: when coupled to the push latch device, move the stopper in a direction to be fixed to the fixing portion, and when separated from the push latch device, move the stopper in a direction to be released from the fixed portion.

The lever may include: a latch protrusion formed to protrude to be inserted into the push latch device; and a push portion configured to come in contact with a portion of the stopper to press the stopper or be pressed by the stopper.

The refrigerator may further include a stopper elastic member arranged to apply an elastic force to the stopper in a direction in which the stopper is released from the fixing portion.

The divider may include a power transmission device configured to transmit a driving force of the lever to the stopper, and the lever may be provided to be movable along a direction in which the divider extends, wherein the power transmission device may be configured to: move the stopper in a direction to be fixed to the fixing portion when the lever moves in a first direction, and move the stopper in a direction to be released from the fixing portion when the lever moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

The power transmission device may include: a first gear provided to rotate according to movement of the lever; and a gear module configured to engage with and rotate relative to the first gear, and connected to the stopper to move the stopper.

The stopper may include a first stopper head arranged at one end of the divider and a second stopper head arranged at an other end opposite to the one end of the divider, and the fixing portion may include a first fixing portion arranged to face the first stopper head and a second fixing portion arranged to face the second stopper head, wherein the second gear module may include: a second gear configured to engage with and rotate relative to the first gear to transmit a force to the first stopper head to move the first stopper head in a direction to be fixed to or released from the first fixing portion; and a third gear configured to engage with and rotate relative to the second gear to transmit a force to the second stopper head to move the second stopper head in a direction to be fixed to or released from the second fixing portion.

The refrigerator may further include a support elastic member arranged to apply an elastic force to the first stopper head and the second stopper head in a direction in which the first stopper head and the second stopper head are fixed to the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, respectively.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a refrigerator including: a main body configured to form a storage chamber; a storage container configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage chamber, and having a storage space; a divider configured to be movable with respect to the storage container to divide the storage space; a support shaft arranged in the storage container and configured to guide movement of the divider; a guide device configured to movably support the divider, and having a plurality of ball bearings arranged to roll with respect to the support shaft; a fixing portion arranged on an inner side surface of the storage container, and extending in a same direction in which the support shaft extends; and a stopper configured to be selectively fixed to or released from the fixing portion.

The guide device may include: a guide body formed to extend along a moving direction of the divider and provided at each end portion with a plurality of ball insertion portion into which the plurality of ball bearings are inserted; and a ball cover coupled to each end portion of the guide body to cover the plurality of ball bearings inserted into the plurality of ball insertion portions.

The plurality of ball bearings may be arranged to roll with respect to the support shaft and the plurality of ball insertion portions.

The refrigerator may further include a lever arranged to have at least a portion exposed to the outside of the divider, and configured to move with respect to the divider to move the stopper in a direction to be fixed to or released from the fixing portion.

According to still another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a refrigerator including: a main body configured to form a storage chamber; a storage container configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage chamber, and having a storage space; a divider configured to be movable with respect to the storage container to divide the storage space; a guide device having a plurality of ball bearings that movably support the divider; a fixing portion formed to extend along an inner side surface of the storage container and having an uneven shape; and a stopper head having a shape corresponding to the uneven shape of the fixing portion to be selectively fixed to the fixing portion.

As is apparent from the above, the refrigerator can allow a divider to perform smooth movement by a driving device of a divider that is configured to roll on a support shaft of a storage container.

The refrigerator can easily fix the position of a divider by allowing a stopper of the divider to be fixed to a fixing portion provided on an inner side surface of a storage container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the disclosure are only preferred examples, and various modifications thereof may also fall within the scope of the disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts or components.

The terms including ordinal numbers like “first” and “second” may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. Descriptions shall be understood as to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items when the items are described by using the conjunctive term “˜ and/or ˜,” or the like.

The terms “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, and “bottom” as herein used are defined with respect to the drawings, but the terms may not restrict the shape and position of the respective components.

FIG.1is a front view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a refrigerator1includes a main body10forming the storage chambers25and26, doors27,28, and29provided to open and close the storage chambers25and26, and a cold air supply device provided to supply cold air to the storage chambers25and26. The cold air supply device may include an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion device, and generate cold air using the latent heat of evaporation of a refrigerant.

The main body10includes an inner case11forming the storage chambers25and26, an outer case12coupled to the outside of the inner case11to form an external appearance, and an insulating material (not shown) provided between the inner case11and the outer case12. (Original) In another aspect, the main body10may include an upper wall14, a lower wall, a left wall15, a right wall16, a rear wall17, and an intermediate wall18.

The storage chambers25and26may be divided in an upper and lower direction by the intermediate wall18. The upper storage chamber25may be used as a refrigerating chamber maintained at substantially 0 to 5 degrees Celsius to keep food in a refrigerated state, and the lower storage chamber26may be used as a freezing chamber maintained at substantially−30 to 0 degrees Celsius to keep food in a frozen state

The lower storage chamber26may include a first lower storage chamber26adisposed below the upper storage chamber25and a second lower storage chamber26bdisposed below the first lower storage chamber26a. The first lower storage chamber26aand the second lower storage chamber26bmay be divided from each other to store different foods.

The storage chambers25and26are provided to have a front side that is open so that food may be inserted and withdrawn therethrough, and the storage chambers25and26may be opened and closed by the doors27,28and29. The upper storage chamber25may be opened and closed by a pair of rotating doors27and28rotatably coupled to the main body10, and the lower storage chamber26may be opened and closed by a drawer door29which is slidably inserted and withdrawn.

The drawer door29may include a first drawer door29afor opening and closing the first lower storage chamber26aand a second drawer door29bfor opening and closing the second lower storage chamber26b.

The upper storage chamber25may be provided therein with an ice making device24for generating ice.

The upper storage chamber25may be provided therein with a shelf31on which food is placed and a sealing container32for keeping food in a sealed state. A shelf support portion33may be provided at a rear side of the upper storage chamber25to support the shelf31, and the shelf31may be coupled to and supported by the shelf support portion33. In detail, a rear end of the shelf31may be coupled to and supported by the shelf support portion33, and a front end of the shelf31may be maintained in an unfixed state.

The shelf support portion33may be installed on the rear wall17of the main body10and/or a duct cover40. The duct cover40may be installed on the rear wall17to form a cold air passage (not shown) for supplying cold air to the upper storage chamber25. Cold air formed by the cold air supply device may be supplied to the upper storage chamber25through a cold air passage.

The duct cover40may be formed of a discharge hole41for supplying cold air from the cold air passage to the upper storage chamber25. The shelf support portion33may be installed on the duct cover40.

The first lower storage chamber26amay have a storage container100arranged therein. The storage container100may be disposed behind the first drawer door29a. The storage container100may be configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the first lower storage chamber26a. As the first drawer door29ais opened and closed, the storage container100may be inserted into or withdrawn from the first lower storage chamber26a. The storage container100may include a storage space101formed to store food therein.

FIG.2is a diagram illustrating a storage container disposed in a first lower storage chamber shown inFIG.1. (Original)FIG.3is an exploded view illustrating a divider shown inFIG.2. (Original)FIG.4is a cross sectional view illustrating a divider driving device shown inFIG.2. (Original)FIG.5is a view illustrating an internal structure of the divider shown inFIG.2when the divider is released from a storage container.FIG.6is a view illustrating a state of a stopper of the divider and a fixing portion of the storage container shown inFIG.5, which is viewed from the above.FIG.7is a view illustrating an internal structure of the divider shown inFIG.2when the divider is fixed to a storage container.FIG.8is a view illustrating a stopper of the divider and a fixing portion of the storage shown inFIG.7, which is viewed from the above.

Referring toFIGS.2and3, the storage container100may include a divider110for dividing the storage space101, a guide device120for movably supporting the divider110, a support shaft102for guiding movement of the divider110, and a fixing portion103for fixing the position of the divider110.

The support shaft102may be disposed adjacent to an inner wall of the storage container100. The support shaft102may extend along the moving direction of the divider110. The support shaft102may be mounted on the inner wall of the storage container100.

Although not shown, when the divider110is formed to extend in the left and right direction and movable in the front and rear direction, the support shaft102may extend in the front and rear direction, and may be disposed on each of left and right side inner walls of the storage container100.

The support shafts102may be disposed on a front side inner wall and a rear side inner wall among the inner walls of the storage container100, respectively, to support the movement of the divider110at both side ends of the divider110. The support shaft102may include a first support shaft102adisposed on the front side inner wall of the storage container100and a second support shaft102bdisposed on the rear side inner wall of the storage container100.

Since the first support shaft102aand the second support shaft102bhave the same configuration as each other, only the first support shaft102awill be described for the sake of convenience of description, and the first support shaft102ais referred to as the support shaft102.

The fixing portion103may be disposed on the inner surface of the storage container100. The fixing portion103may extend in the same direction as the direction in which the support shaft102extends. The fixing portion103may extend in the left and right directions. However, although not shown, when the divider110is formed to extend in the left and right direction and movable in the front and rear direction, the fixing portion103may extend in the front and rear direction, and may be disposed on each of the left and right side inner surfaces of the storage container100.

The fixing portion103may be provided to be engaged with a stopper140to fix the divider110. The fixing portion103may have an uneven shape to correspond to a stopper head141or146of the stopper140. The fixing portion103may have a rack gear shape.

The fixing portion103may include a first fixing portion103adisposed on a front inner surface of the storage container100and a second fixing portion103bdisposed on a rear inner surface of the storage container100such that the position of the divider110is fixed at the both sides of the divider110.

Since the first fixing portion103aand the second fixing portion103bhave the same configuration as each other, hereinafter, only the first fixing portion103awill be described for the sake of convenience of description, and the first fixing portion103awill be referred to as a fixing portion103.

The divider110may be provided to be movable with respect to the storage container100to partition the storage space101. The divider110may be formed to extend in a substantially front and rear direction to divide the storage space101in the left and right direction. On the other hand, although not shown, the divider110may be formed to extend in a substantially left and right direction to divide the storage space101in the front and rear direction. The divider110may include an outer case111and an inner case114.

The outer case111may be provided to cover the inner case114. The outer case111may accommodate the inner case114therein. The outer case111may be formed to extend in the substantially front and rear direction. The outer case111includes a lever mounting portion112on which a lever130is movably mounted, and a lever insertion hole113formed to allow a part of the lever130to be inserted into the outer case111therethrough.

The lever mounting portion112may be formed to allow a lever230to be mounted thereon while an upper surface of an exposed portion131of the lever130is disposed substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the outer case111. The lever mounting portion112may be formed to guide the movement of the lever130in the upper and lower direction. The lever mounting portion112may be formed to extend along the direction in which the outer case111extends. The lever mounting portion112may be formed as a recession on the upper surface of the outer case111.

The lever insertion hole113may be formed to allow a latch protrusion133and a push portion135of the lever130to be inserted into the outer case111therethrough. The lever insertion hole113may be formed in the bottom surface of the lever mounting portion112. The lever insertion hole113may be formed to extend along the direction in which the lever mounting portion112extends. The lever insertion hole113may be formed to pass therethrough from the inside of the outer case11to the outside of the outer case111.

The inner case114may be accommodated in the outer case111. The inner case114may include a lever guide115for guiding the movement of the push portion135of the lever130in the upper and lower direction, a push latch device116configured to be selectively coupled to the lever130, a movement limiting portion117for limiting the movement range of the stopper140, and a stopper guide118for guiding the movement of the stopper140.

The lever guide115may guide the movement of the push portion135of the lever130inserted into the outer case111through the lever insertion hole113. The lever guide115may be formed corresponding in size to the size of the push portion135.

The push latch device116may be configured to have the latch protrusion133of the lever130inserted thereto. The push latch device116may be configured to be coupled to the latch protrusion133when the exposed portion131of the lever130is pushed to cause the latch protrusion133to be inserted into the push latch device116, and to be separated from the latch protrusion133when the exposed portion131of the lever130is pushed once again. Since such a push latch device116is a known technology, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The movement limiting portions117may be disposed to interfere with stopper tails144and149of the stopper140. The movement limiting portion117may be formed to protrude from the inner side bottom surface of the inner case114to limit movement of the stopper140in a direction that the stopper140is separated from the fixing portion103.

The stopper guides118may guide the movement of stopper shafts142and147of the stopper140. The stopper guides118may slidably support the stopper shafts142and147.

The guide device120may include a first guide device120adisposed at one end of the divider110and a second guide device120bdisposed at the other end opposite to the one end of the divider110. The first guide device120amay be disposed at the front end of the divider110. The second guide device120bmay be disposed at the rear end of the divider110. The first guide device120aand the second guide device120bmay stably support sliding driving of the divider110at the both side ends of the divider110. Since the first guide device120aand the second guide device120bhave the same configuration as each other, hereinafter, only the first guide device120awill be described for the sake of convenience of description, and the first guide device120awill be referred to as a guide device120.

The guide device120includes a guide body121formed to extend along the moving direction of the divider110, a plurality of ball bearings123disposed to roll with respect to the support shaft102, and a ball cover125coupled to the guide body121to prevent separation of the plurality of ball bearings123.

The guide body121may be formed to extend from an end portion of the inner case114along a direction in which the support shaft102extends. The guide body121may be integrally formed with the inner case114. However, although not shown, the guide body121may be provided separately from the inner case114and mounted on the end portion of the inner case114.

The guide body121may include a plurality of ball insertion portions122into which the plurality of ball bearings123are inserted. The plurality of ball insertion portions122may support the plurality of ball bearings123to perform rolling. The plurality of ball insertion portions122may be provided corresponding in number to the number of the plurality of ball bearings123.

The guide body121may include a head seating portion121aon which the stopper head141or146is slidably seated. The head seating portion121amay be formed at a substantially center of the guide body121. The head seating portion121amay be provided corresponding in shape and/or size to the shape and/or size of the stopper heads141and146.

The guide body121may include a shaft hollow121binto which the support shaft102is inserted. The support shaft102may come in contact with the plurality of ball bearings123in the shaft hollow121b. The shaft hollow121bmay have a diameter larger than that of the support shaft102.

The guide body121may include a ball cover coupling groove121cto which the ball cover125is coupled. The ball cover coupling groove121cmay be formed at an end portion of an outer circumferential surface of the guide body121. A cover protrusion125aof the ball cover125may be inserted into the ball cover coupling groove121c. Accordingly, the ball cover125may be coupled to the guide body121.

The plurality of ball bearings123may be rollably inserted into the plurality of ball insertion portions122of the guide body121. The plurality of ball bearings123may perform rolling movement on the support shaft102while being inserted into the plurality of ball insertion portions122.

In detail, referring toFIG.4, the plurality of ball bearings123may be disposed along the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft102to surround the support shaft102. The plurality of ball bearings123may be disposed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the support shaft102. In the present embodiment, the ball bearing123is illustrated as including three ball bearings at each end portion of the guide body121, but the number of ball bearings123is not limited thereto, and two or less ball bearings or four or more ball bearings may be provided at each end portion of the guide body121.

The support shaft102may be disposed to come in contact only with the plurality of ball bearings123. Such a configuration may minimize the frictional force generated when the divider110moves with respect to the storage container100.

The plurality of ball bearings123may have lubricating oil on the outer surface thereof to reduce friction occurring when rolling with respect to the support shaft102.

The ball cover125may cover the plurality of ball bearings123inserted into the plurality of ball insertion portions122. The ball cover125may be coupled to the guide body121as the cover protrusion125ais inserted into the ball cover coupling groove121cof the guide body121. As the ball cover125is coupled to the guide body121, the plurality of ball bearings123inserted into the plurality of insertion portions122may not be separated from the guide body121. The ball covers125may be provided at both end portions of the guide body121, respectively.

The ball cover125may include a ball groove126that supports the plurality of ball bearings123to perform rolling. The ball groove126may be provided corresponding in number to the plurality of ball insertion portions122.

The divider110may be provided with the lever130configured to fix the position of the divider110and the stopper140. The lever130may be configured to move the stopper140by moving with respect to the divider110.

The lever130may include the exposed portion131exposed to the outside of the divider110, the latch protrusion133selectively fixed to the push latch device116, and the push portion135formed to push the stopper140or to be pushed by the stopper140.

The exposed portion131, seated on the lever mounting portion112of the outer case111, may be exposed to the outside of the outer case111. When the user desires to fix the position of the divider110, the user may press the exposed portion131to the inside of the divider110.

The latch protrusion133may be formed to protrude to be inserted into the push latch device116. The latch protrusion133may be formed to extend downward from the exposed portion131. The latch protrusion133, in response to the exposed portion131being pressed, may be inserted into the push latch device116to be coupled to the push latch device116, and in response to the exposed portion131being pressed, being inserted into the push latch device116, may be separated from the push latch device116.

The push portion135may be formed to extend downward from the exposed portion131. The push portions135may be disposed at both sides of the latch protrusion133. The push portion135may be disposed to come in contact with the stopper tails144and149of the stopper140. When the latch protrusion133is fixed to the push latch device116, the push portions135press the stopper tails144and149to move the stopper140in a direction in which the stopper140is fixed to the fixing portion103. When the latch protrusion133is separated from the push latch device116, the push portions135are pressed by the stopper tails144and149to be moved upward.

The stopper140may be configured to be fixed to or released from the fixing portion103. The stopper140includes the first stopper head141, the first stopper shaft142, the first stopper elastic member143, the first stopper tail144, the second stopper head146, the second stopper shaft147, the second stopper elastic member148, and the second stopper tail149.

The first stopper head141may be formed to be engaged with the first fixing portion103a. The first stopper head141may have an uneven shape. The first stopper head141may be slidably seated on the head seating portion121a. The first stopper head141may be connected to the first stopper shaft142.

The first stopper shaft142may be formed to extend along the moving direction of the stopper140. One end of the first stopper shaft142may be connected to the first stopper head141. The other end of the first stopper shaft142may be connected to the first stopper tail144. The first stopper elastic member143may be disposed at an outside of the first stopper shaft142. The first stopper shaft142may be accommodated in the first stopper elastic member143.

One end of the first stopper elastic member143may be fixed to the inner case114and the other end of the first stopper elastic member143may be fixed to the first stopper tail144. The first stopper elastic member143may be configured to apply an elastic force to the first stopper tail144in a direction in which the first stopper tail144moves the lever130upward. The first stopper elastic member143may be disposed to apply an elastic force in a direction in which the stopper head141is released from the first fixing portion103a.

The first stopper tail144may be connected to the first stopper shaft142. The first stopper tail144may be pressed toward the movement limiting portion117by the first stopper elastic member143. The first stopper tail144may come in contact with the push portion135of the lever130.

The first stopper tail144may include a first guide surface144aconfigured to come in contact with the push portion135. The first guide surface144amay be formed to be inclined with respect to the moving direction of the lever130. The first guide surface144amay be formed to be inclined with respect to the moving direction of the stopper140. The first guide surface144amay convert a force in the vertical direction of the lever130into a force in the horizontal direction of the stopper140. The first guide surface144amay convert a force in the horizontal direction of the stopper140into a force in the vertical direction of the lever130.

The configurations of the second stopper head146, the second stopper shaft147, the second stopper elastic member148, the second stopper tail149, and the second guide surface149aare the same as those of the first stopper head141, the first stopper shaft142, the first stopper elastic member143, the first stopper tail144, and the first guide surface144aexcept for being arranged symmetrically with respect to the lever130, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation of the stopper140will be described with reference toFIGS.5to8.

Referring toFIGS.5and6, when the lever130is not pressed, the stopper elastic members143and148press the stopper tails144and149toward the movement limiting portions117. The stopper tails144and149may come in contact with the push portions135of the lever130and support the lever130upward. The latch protrusion133is in a state of being separated from the push latch device116.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, in a state in which the exposed portion131of the lever130is pressed, the latch protrusion133is coupled to the push latch device116. The push portions135of the lever130press the stopper tails144and149of the stopper140. The stopper tails144and149are moved in a direction in which the stopper heads141and146of the stopper140are fixed to the fixing portions103. The stopper heads141and146may be fixed to the fixing portions103by being engaged with the fixing portions103.

Thereafter, when the exposed portion131of the lever130is pressed while the latch protrusion133is inserted into the push latch device116, the latch protrusion133is separated from the push latch device116. The stopper elastic members143and148press the stopper tails144and149in a direction in which the stopper heads141and146are released from the fixing portions103. The push portions135of the lever130are pressed by the stopper tails144and149of the stopper140to be moved upward.

FIG.9is an exploded view illustrating a divider according to another embodiment.FIG.10is a view illustrating an internal configuration of the divider shown inFIG.9when the divider is released from the storage container.FIG.11is a view illustrating an internal configuration of the divider shown inFIG.9when the divider is fixed to the storage container.

In the description of the divider with reference toFIGS.9to11, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiment shown inFIGS.2to8, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted.

A divider210may be provided to be movable with respect to the storage container100to partition the storage space101. The divider210may include an outer case211and an inner case214.

The outer case211may be provided to cover the inner case214. The outer case211may include a lever mounting portion211aon which an exposed portion232of a lever230is movably mounted.

The lever mounting portion211amay be formed such that the exposed portion232of the lever230is exposed to the outside of the outer case211in a state in which the lever230is mounted on the lever mounting portion211a. The lever mounting portion211amay be formed to guide the sliding movement of the lever230. The lever mounting portion211amay be formed to extend along the direction in which the outer case211extends.

The inner case214may be accommodated in the outer case211. The inner case214may include a lever seating portion212on which the lever230is slidably seated, a first coupling portion217to which a first gear235is coupled, and a second coupling portion218to which a second gear236is coupled, and a third coupling portion219to which a third gear237is coupled.

The lever seating portion212may be formed to allow the lever230to be slidably coupled thereto. The lever seating portion212may guide the lever230so that the lever230moves along the direction in which the divider210extends.

The first coupling portion217may rotatably support the first gear235. The second coupling portion218may rotatably support the second gear236. The third coupling portion219may rotatably support the third gear237.

The configuration of the guide device120is the same as that described in the above embodiment shown inFIGS.2to8, so detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The divider210may include the lever230configured to fix the position of the divider210, and a stopper240. The lever230may be configured to move the stopper240by moving with respect to the divider210.

The lever230may include a lever body231, the exposed portion232exposed to the outside of the divider210, and an insertion groove233into which an end portion234aof a connection shaft234is rotatably inserted.

The lever body231may be provided to be slidably seated on the lever seating portion212. The lever body231may be formed to extend along the direction in which the inner case214extends.

The exposed portion232may be disposed on the upper side of the lever body231. The exposed portion232may be pressed by a user when the user operates the lever230. The exposed portion232may have an uneven shape so as to generate a frictional force when the exposed portion232is pressed by a user.

The insertion groove233may be formed to allow the end portion234aof the connection shaft234to be rotatably inserted thereinto. When the lever230slides, the insertion groove233may remain in a state of being coupled to the end portion234aof the connection shaft234.

Power transmission devices234,235,236, and237may be provided inside the inner case214. The power transmission devices234,235,236, and237may transmit the driving force of the lever230to the stopper240so that the stopper240moves. In detail, the power transmission devices234,235,236,237may be configured to move the stopper240in a direction to be fixed to the fixing portion103when the lever230moves in a first direction, and move the stopper240in a direction to be released from the fixing portion103when the lever230moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The power transmission devices234,235,236, and237may include the connection shaft234, the first gear235, and a gear module236and237.

The connection shaft234may be formed to extend from the first gear235. The end portion234aof the connection shaft234may be rotatably inserted into the insertion groove233.

The first gear235is provided to rotate according to the movement of the lever230. The first gear235may be disposed at an end portion of the connection shaft234. The first gear235may be rotatably coupled to the first coupling portion217. The first gear235may be rotated as the end portion234aof the connection shaft234coupled to the lever230moves together with the lever230. The end portion235aof the connection shaft234amay be rotate and moved while being inserted into the insertion groove233of the lever230.

The gear modules236and237may engage with and rotate relative the first gear235. The gear module236and237may be connected to the stopper240to move the stopper240. The gear modules236and237may include the second gear236and the third gear237.

The second gear236may be rotatably coupled to the second coupling portion218. The second gear236may engage with and rotate relative to the first gear235to move the first stopper head241in a direction to be fixed to or released from the first fixing portion103a. The second gear236may transmit a force to the first stopper head241.

The second gear236may include a first gear groove236a. The first gear groove236amay be coupled to a first guide protrusion244aof the first stopper tail244to transmit a force to the first stopper tail244.

The third gear237may be rotatably coupled to the third coupling portion219. The third gear237may engage with and rotate relative to the second gear236to move the second stopper head246in a direction to be fixed to or released from the second fixing portion103b. The third gear237may transmit a force to the second stopper head246.

The third gear237may include a second gear groove237a. The second gear groove237amay be coupled to a second guide protrusion249aof the second stopper tail249to transmit a force to the second stopper tail249.

The first gear235, the second gear236, and the third gear237may be covered by a gear cover216.

The stopper240may be configured to be fixed to or released from the fixing portion103. The stopper240may include a first stopper head241, a first stopper shaft242, a first stopper tail244, a second stopper head246, a second stopper shaft247, a second stopper tail249, and a support elastic member245.

The first stopper head241may be formed to be engaged with the first fixing portion103a. The first stopper head241may be connected to the first stopper shaft242.

The first stopper shaft242may extend along the moving direction of the stopper240. One end of the first stopper shaft242may be connected to the first stopper head241. The other end of the first stopper shaft242may be connected to the first stopper tail244.

The first stopper tail244may be connected to the first stopper shaft242. The first stopper tail244may be pressed in a direction away from the second stopper tail244by the support elastic member245.

The first stopper tail244may include the first guide protrusion244a. The first guide protrusion244amay be inserted into the first gear groove236aand moved as the second gear236rotates.

The configurations of the second stopper head246, the second stopper shaft247, the second stopper tail249, and the second guide protrusion249aare the same as those of the first stopper head241, the first stopper shaft.242, the first stopper tail244, and the first guide protrusion244a, except for being arranged symmetrically with respect to the lever230, so detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The operation of the stopper240will be described with reference toFIGS.10and11.

Referring toFIG.10, when the user desires to move the divider210, the user may move the lever230to the right such that the stopper240is separated from the fixing portion103. As the exposed portion232of the lever230is moved, the lever body231is moved. As the lever body231is moved, the first gear235is rotated clockwise by the connection shaft234. As the first gear235rotates clockwise, the second gear236is rotated counterclockwise, and the third gear237is rotated clockwise. As the second gear236rotates counterclockwise, the first stopper tail244, the first stopper shaft242, and the first stopper head241are moved in a direction away from the first fixing portion103a. As the third gear237rotates clockwise direction, the second stopper tail249, the second stopper shaft247, and the second stopper head246are moved in a direction away from the second fixing portion103b.

Referring toFIG.11, when a user desires to fix the position of the divider210, the user releases a force applied to the exposed portion232of the lever230. The support elastic member245applies a force to the first stopper tail244and the second stopper tail249in a direction that the first stopper tail244and the second stopper tail249move away from each other. Accordingly, the first stopper head241is fixed to the first fixing portion103a, and the second stopper head246is fixed to the second fixing portion103b. The second gear236rotates clockwise, and the third gear237rotates counterclockwise. The first gear235rotates counterclockwise. The lever body231is slid to the left by the connection shaft234.

Although the air conditioner has been described by way of embodiments in relation to a specific shape and direction, the above embodiments are illustrative purpose only, and it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and scope of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.