Refrigerator

A refrigerator includes a cabinet including an inner case; and a drawer assembly installed in the inner case, in which the drawer assembly includes: a basket which forms a receiving space and can be pulled in and out of the storage chamber; a supporter assembly connected to the basket, the supporter assembly to guide the pulling-in and out of the basket; and a cover connected to the supporter assembly, the cover covering the receiving space, the cover being movable in a direction opposite to the basket when the basket is pulled in and out. The basket includes a first roller installed close to a rear end of the side wall thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0102319, filed in Korea on Aug. 29, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

A refrigerator may be a household appliance which can store food in an internal storage space which is shielded by a door at low temperatures, and the refrigerator may store the food in an optimal state by cooling an inside of the storage space using cold air generated by heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle. Such a refrigerator may be large-sized and multifunctional as dietary life is changed and taste of a user is diversified and the refrigerator which has various storage spaces for the user's convenience and has a convenience device is released.

Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2017-0138321, which is a related art, discloses a refrigerator. The refrigerator of the related art includes a cabinet in which a storage space is formed, a pantry assembly provided in the storage space and forming a receiving space for a separate food, and a shielding member which is provided on the pantry assembly and shields a portion of the upper surface of the pantry assembly.

The pantry assembly includes a pair of support members disposed on both sides of the storage space, a receiving member provided between the pair of support members to pull in and out along the support member, a cover member which shields a portion of an opened upper surface of the receiving member and is moved in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the receiving member by being interlocked with pulling-in and out operations of the receiving member, and a drive unit which is provided on the support member and connects so that the receiving member and the cover member are interlocked with each other.

The drive unit includes a second gear assembly coupled to the receiving member and moved in the same direction as the receiving member when the receiving member is pulled in and out, a first gear member coupled to the cover member and moved in the same direction as the cover member; a connecting gear rotatably provided between the second gear assembly and the first gear assembly and connecting the second gear assembly and the first gear member; and an elastic member for forcing the receiving member to be pulled in in a state where the receiving member and the second gear assembly are coupled. According to the related art, a user has to apply a force greater than the elastic force of the elastic member and the load of the receiving member in order to pull the receiving member.

When the elastic force of the elastic member is increased, while a force by which a user pulls the receiving member is increased to make it difficult to open the receiving member, the receiving member is easily returned to the original position thereof by the elastic member in a process of pushing the receiving member in order to return the receiving member to an original position thereof. However, in a case where the elastic force of the elastic member is large, there is a disadvantage that the collision noise is large in a process of returning the receiving member to the original position.

On the other hand, when the elastic force of the elastic member is small, a force to pull the receiving member is required to be small. However, there is a disadvantage that the load of the receiving member is larger than the force that the elastic member pulls the receiving member in a process of pushing the receiving member in order to return the receiving member to the original position thereof, so that the receiving member cannot be completely returned to the original position thereof only by the elastic force of the elastic member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, a refrigerator1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet10that forms a storage chamber, and a refrigerator door20for opening and closing the cabinet10. The storage chamber may be partitioned into a refrigerating chamber11and a freezing chamber12by the partitioning portion (or partition)13in the cabinet10. InFIG. 1, as an example, the freezing chamber12is located below the refrigerating chamber11, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The refrigerator door20may include a refrigerating chamber door21for opening and closing the refrigerating chamber11and a freezing chamber door22for opening and closing the freezing chamber12. Although not limited, a pair of refrigerating chamber doors21arranged on the left and right sides may open and close the refrigerating chamber11.

In addition, a pair of freezing chamber doors22arranged on the left and right sides may open and close the freezing chamber12. The storage chamber may include a pantry assembly (or first drawer assembly)50in which a food receiving space is exposed forward by pulling-in and out. In the pantry assembly50, a receiving space having an area larger than a pulled-out area may be exposed to the outside when the pantry assembly50is pulled out.

The position where the pantry assembly50is provided is not limited, but the following description will be made about the disposition of the pantry assembly50in the refrigerating chamber11. The pantry assembly50may be positioned at the lowermost portion of the refrigerating chamber11. A width of the pantry assembly50may be substantially the same as a width of the refrigerating chamber11.

The cabinet10may include an inner case101that forms the refrigerating chamber11. The inner case101may include a pair of side walls102and103spaced left and right and a bottom wall104connecting the pair of side walls102and103. The pantry assembly50may be fixed to the pair of side walls102and103.

The pantry assembly50may include a receiving member (or basket)510forming a receiving space511, a supporter assembly connected to the receiving member510and guiding the pulling-in and out of the receiving member510, and a cover member (or cover)580connected to the supporter assembly and opening and closing the receiving space511being interlocked with the basket510.

The supporter assembly may include a pair of supporters530connected to the basket510to support the basket510. The pair of supporters530may be installed on each of the pair of side walls102and103.

The cover580may cover a portion of the receiving space511. A second drawer assembly40may be positioned above the cover580. At least one shelf30may be provided above the second drawer assembly40in the refrigerating chamber11. Food may be placed on the shelf30.

The second drawer assembly40may include a drawer42which forms a receiving space and can be pulled out forward, a drawer supporter43which supports a lower side of the drawer42, and a drawer cover41covering the upper side of the drawer42. The drawer supporter43may be fixed to the inner case101and may cover a portion of the upper side of the basket510.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cover580is a movable cover, and the drawer supporter43may be a fixed cover which is kept in a fixed state. In addition, food may be placed on the drawer cover41, and the drawer cover41may function as the shelf30.

The space which is not covered by the cover member580may be covered by the drawer supporter43.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the basket510may form the receiving space511. The basket510may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having an opened top surface.

The basket510may include a bottom wall512, a pair of side walls513and514extending upward from both side ends of the bottom wall512, and a rear wall515connecting rear ends of a pair of side walls513and514. The basket510may further include a front opening517and the front opening517may be covered by a front cover520coupled to the front surface of the basket510. A deco cover522may be coupled to a lower portion of the front cover520.

A cool air slot516for passing cool air may be formed in the rear wall515of the basket510. The cool air slot516may be formed when the upper end of the rear wall515is recessed downward.

Each of the pair of side walls513and514of the basket510may include a guide protrusion518extending in the front and rear direction. The guide protrusions518may extend rearward from the front end portion of each of the side walls513and514and extend to a position spaced apart from the rear ends of the side walls513and514by a predetermined distance. The length of the guide protrusion518may be determined in consideration of a distance for pulling out the basket510.

A first roller supporter513bto which the first roller525is coupled may be formed on each of the side walls513and514of the receiving member510.

The first roller supporter513bmay be positioned behind the guide protrusions518at the respective side walls513and514. In other words, the first roller supporter513bmay be positioned behind the guide protrusion518and may be formed on a position adjacent to the rear ends of each of the side walls513and514.

The pair of supporters530may support the basket510and may guide the sliding of the basket510. The guide rails540for guiding the first roller525of the basket510may be provided on the surfaces of the pair of supporters530facing each other.

The guide rails540may protrude from the respective supporters530to receive the first rollers525. At this time, the guide rails540may protrude in a direction approaching each other at the respective supporters530.

The guide rail540may include a space540afor receiving the first roller525. The first roller525may move along the guide rail540while rotating in the space540a. Each of the side walls513and514of the basket510may include one or more fastening bosses531for fastening to the side walls102and103of the inner case101.

Each of the side walls513and514of the basket510may include a transmission protrusion519for transmitting the moving force of the basket510to the cover580. The transmission protrusions519may be positioned above the guide protrusions518and may be positioned substantially at a side of the central portion in the front and rear direction of the respective side walls513and514.

When the basket510is slid in the first direction in order to pull out the basket510, the cover580may be slid in a second direction which is a direction opposite to the first direction so that the receiving space511of the basket510is opened. At this time, the cover580may be moved by receiving the movement force of the basket510.

Therefore, the supporter assembly may further include a transmission unit550for transmitting the movement force of the basket510to the cover580. The transmission unit550may be supported by the supporter530and may be connected to the cover580.

The transmission unit550may transmit the moving force of the basket510to the cover580in some sections in a process of pulling-in of the basket510, and the moving force of the basket510may not be transferred to the cover580in some other sections. For example, the transmission unit550may transmit the movement force of the basket510to the cover580until the basket510is pulled out by a predetermined distance from the pulling-in completion position.

When the basket510is pulled out by a distance larger than the predetermined distance from the pulling-in completion position, the transmission unit550may block the movement force of the basket510to the cover580. Specifically, the transmission unit550may include a connection member562which may be connected to the transmission protrusion519of the basket510, a first rack557to which the connection member562is rotatably connected, a transmission gear552which is connected to the first rack557, and a second rack554which is connected to the transmission gear552and coupled to the cover580.

The transmission unit550may be covered by a unit cover (or cover plate)570. The cover plate570may be coupled to the supporter530. The cover plate570may be positioned in a direction opposite to the guide rail540with respect to the supporter530to cover the transmission unit550.

The first rack557may include a first rack gear portion (or first rack gear)559connected to the transmission gear552as a linear rack moving in a linear direction. The gear teeth of the first rack gear559may face upward. The first rack557may further include a coupling body558provided at a substantially central portion of the first rack gear559and to which the coupling member562is coupled.

The coupling member562may be rotatably connected to the coupling body558. The transmission gear552may be a pinion gear, and may be positioned between the first rack557and the second rack554. At this time, the transmission gear552may be connected to the first rack gear559at the upper side of the first rack gear559.

This may reduce a lateral thickness in the horizontal direction by the transmission unit550. As the horizontal thickness of the transmission unit550in the lateral direction increases, since the volume of the basket510decreases, when the horizontal thickness of the transmission unit550may be reduced, the volume reduction amount of the basket510can be minimized.

The second rack554may be a linear rack which moves in a linear direction and may include a second rack gear portion (or second rack gear)555which meshes with the transmission gear552. The second rack gear555may be engaged with the transmission gear552at the upper side of the transmission gear552. This may reduce the horizontal thickness in the lateral direction by the transmission unit550.

The basket510may be positioned on one side of the supporter530and a portion of the transmission unit550may be positioned on the other side of the supporter530. This may prevent the transmission unit550from being exposed in the process of inserting and withdrawing the basket510.

Since the basket510and the transmission unit550may be positioned opposite to each other with respect to the supporter530, an opening536through which the connection member562passes may be formed on the supporter530so that the transmission protrusion519of the basket510may be connected to the transmission unit550.

The opening536may extend in the longitudinal direction of the supporter530. At this time, the longitudinal direction is the front and rear direction of the supporter530. The supporter530may further include a gear shaft537for rotatably supporting the transmission gear552. The gear shaft537may be inserted in the center of the transmission gear552.

A connection frame584may be coupled to both sides of the cover580. The connection frame584may include a first connection frame and a second connection frame and may be connected to the transmission unit550to receive the movement force of the basket510through the transmission unit550.

The connection frame584may prevent the cover580from being damaged when the movement force of the basket510is received. The cover580may be formed in the form of a thin plate. When the cover580is directly connected to the transmission unit550, the cover580may be damaged when the movement force is transmitted to the cover580, but, according to the present embodiment, this phenomenon may be prevented.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the connection member562may include a space portion (or notch)563formed by a portion of the upper surface thereof being recessed downward. The notch563may receive the transmission protrusion519of the basket510.

The connection member562may include a front body563bforming the notch563, a rear body563cspaced apart from the front body563b, and a lower body563aforming a bottom of the notch563. Therefore, the transmission protrusion519may be received in the notch563between the front body563band the rear body563c.

A first protrusion564and a second protrusion565which are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction may be provided on one surface of the lower body563a. The first protrusion564and the second protrusion565may be arranged in a direction parallel to the linear movement direction of the connection member562, for example.

The first protrusion564may overlap with the notch563in the vertical direction. The second protrusion565may be positioned in front of the first protrusion564and may overlap with the notch563in the vertical direction.

A rack coupling shaft566for coupling with the first rack557may be provided on the other surface of the lower body563a. For example, the rack coupling shaft566may be rotatably coupled to the coupling body558of the first rack557. To this end, the rack coupling shaft566may have a cylindrical shape so as to protrude from the other surface of the lower body563aso that the connection member562may be rotated with respect to the first rack557.

The rack coupling shaft566may be positioned on the opposite side of the first protrusion564with respect to the lower body563a. In other words, the first protrusion564may horizontally overlap with the rack coupling shaft566in the lateral direction.

The lower body563amay further include reinforcement grooves569a,569b, and569cof a shape which is recessed so as to reduce the weight of the connection member562and to enhance the strength of the lower body563a. One reinforcing groove569amay be positioned around the rack coupling shaft566, although not limited. In addition, another reinforcing groove569cmay be disposed around the first protrusion564.

Referring toFIGS. 5 to 10, the supporter530may include a first rack guide546afor guiding the movement of the first rack557while supporting the first rack557, and a rack cover546bcovering the upper side of the first rack557. The first rack557may be positioned between the first rack guide546aand the rack cover546b. The supporter530may further include a guide slot538for guiding the movement of the connection member562. The guide slot538may be a groove shape which is formed by being recessed in the supporter530.

The guide slot538may include a first slot538afor guiding the linear movement of the connection member562, and a second slot538bwhich is bent at the front end of the first slot538aand extends downward. The first slot538ais formed in a linear shape. The second slot538bmay extend inclinedly at a front end of the first slot538aand extend inclinedly rearward at the first slot538a.

As will be described later, the connection member562may move along the first slot538aand may be rotated in a process of moving from the front end portion of the first slot538atoward the second slot538b. The first protrusion564and the second protrusion565may be received in the guide slot538. For example, the first protrusion564and the second protrusion565may be located in the first slot538aat the fully inserted position of the basket510.

The positional relationship between the first protrusion564and the second protrusion565in the guide slot538in a process of pulling-in of the receiving member510will be described later with reference to the drawings. The supporter530may further include a rack slot539athrough which the second rack554passes. The second rack554may further include a cover coupling rib556extending in the horizontal direction. The cover coupling rib556may pass through the rack slot539a.

The rack slot539amay be elongated in a direction (for example, a front and rear direction) parallel to the moving direction of the second rack554so that the cover coupling rib556of the second rack554which moves linearly does not interfere. The supporter530may further include a front guide539b, and a rear guide539c, which guide the movement of the second rack554in the front and rear direction.

The front guide539band the rear guide539cmay be spaced apart from each other in the front and rear direction and a portion of the transmission gear552may be positioned between the front guide539band the rear guide539c. Therefore, the transmission gear552may be connected to the second rack554without interference with the front guide539band the rear guide539c.

The supporter530may further include a stopper539dfor restricting the movement of the second rack554in a process of pulling-out the basket510. The stopper539dmay be located behind the second rack554and when the cover580opens the receiving space511in a process of pulling-out the basket510, the cover580may be stopped by restricting the movement of the second rack554.

The position at which the cover580is stopped may be substantially the open completion position of the cover580. The supporter530may further include a receiving portion536afor receiving the connection member562passing through the opening536. The receiving portion536amay protrude from the supporter530toward the basket510. The guide slot538may be formed in the receiving portion536a.

The guide rail540of the supporter530may include a first guide portion (or first guide rail)541, and a second guide portion (or second guide rail)542spaced from the first guide rail541above the first guide rail541. A space540amay be formed between the first guide rail541and the second guide rail542, and the first roller525may rotate in the space540a, and may move along the guide rails540.

The vertical length between the first guide rail541and the second guide rail542may be equal to or larger than the diameter of the first roller525. The first roller525may move along the upper surface of the first guide rail541while being rotated during the pulling-in and out of the basket510in a state of being seated on the upper surface of the first guide rail541.

In an assembling process, each of the guide rails541and542may include inlet inclined portions541aand542awhich may be inclined in a direction away from each other so that the first roller525of the basket510may be easily pulled in the space540aof the guide rail540. When the transmission unit550is installed on the supporter530, The cover plate570may be coupled to the supporter530so that the cover plate570covers the transmission unit550.

One or more cover coupling hooks549may be formed on the supporter530and one or more hook coupling holes573to which the cover coupling hooks549are fastened may be formed on the cover plate570. The cover plate570may include a gear cover572that covers the transmission gear552. The gear cover572may correspond to the transmission gear552. A fastening member S1may be fastened to the gear shaft537through the cover plate570when the cover plate570covers the transmission unit550.

A configuration in which the transmission unit550is coupled to the supporter530and the cover plate570is coupled to the supporter530may be referred to as a supporter assembly SA. In other words, the supporter assembly SA may include a supporter530, a transmission unit550, and a cover plate570.

Referring toFIG. 11, when the basket510is pulled in a state where the first roller525is received in the space540aof the guide rail540, each of the guide rails541and542of the guide rail540may include inclined surfaces541band542binclined downward toward the rear so that the basket510may be automatically moved to the fully inserted position.

The inclined surfaces541band542bmay include a first inclined surface541bincluded in the first guide rail541and a second inclined surface542bincluded in the second guide rail542. “Automatic pulling-in” may mean that the basket510may be pulled in even if the user removes the force pushing the basket510.

Although not limited, the inclination angle of the first and second inclined surfaces541band542bwith respect to the horizontal plane may be approximately 8 degrees so that the first roller525may be lowered along the first inclined surface541band the second inclined surface542bby the load of the basket510and the cover580when no food is stored in the basket510.

When the first roller525is positioned on each of the first and second inclined surfaces541band542bin a case of moving along the upper surface of the first guide rail541, the first roller525may be inclined downward and thus the basket510to which the first roller525is connected may be inclined downward and may be automatically moved to the fully inserted position.

The rear end portion of the first guide rail541and the rear end portion of the second guide rail542may be connected by a connection portion543. The first roller525may remain in contact with the first and second inclined surfaces541band542bwhen the basket510is moved to the fully inserted position. The first roller525may be in contact with the connection portion543. Therefore, the connection portion543may serve as a stopper for stopping the basket510when the basket510is moved to the fully inserted position.

Alternatively, the guide rails540may further include horizontal portions541cand542cextending from the rear end portions of the first and second inclined surfaces541band542bof the respective guide rails541and542. The horizontal portions541cand542cmay include a first horizontal portion541cextending horizontally at the rear end portion of the first inclined surface541band a second horizontal portion542cextending horizontally at the rear end portion of the second inclined surface542b.

The first horizontal portion541cof the first guide portion541and the second horizontal portion542cof the second guide portion542may be connected by the connection portion543. Also in this case, the first roller525may be in contact with the first and second inclined surfaces541band542band the connection portion543at the pulling-in completion position of the basket510. For example, the length of the first and second horizontal portions541cand542cmay be smaller than the radius of the first roller525.

The first and second inclined surfaces541band542bof the guide rail540may be inclined downward with respect to the insertion of the basket510. Therefore, when the basket510is pulled out, the first roller525may be lifted along the first and second inclined surfaces541band542b.

Since the first roller525may be positioned on the rear end portion of the side walls513and514of the basket510, although the first roller525may be lifted along the first and second inclined surfaces541band542b, the front portion of the basket510may not be lifted due to the load of the basket510.

In this case, when the basket510linearly moves in an inclined state without being linearly moved in a horizontal direction, the load of the basket510mayacts as a moment of the first rack557and thus the basket510may not be smoothly pulled in and out. Therefore, the present embodiment may further include a horizontal keeping structure which may be lifted or lowered in a state the basket510forms a horizontal when the first roller525is lifted or lowered along the first and second inclined surfaces541band542b.

Specifically, the supporter530may include a second roller534for supporting the guide protrusion518of the basket510. A plurality of second rollers534may be installed on surfaces facing each other in a pair of supporters530. The second roller534may be positioned in front of the guide rail540in the supporter530.

The second roller534may be in contact with the lower surface of the guide protrusion518and may rotate by friction with the guide protrusion518in a process of pulling-in and out the basket510, and thus facilitating the pulling-in and out of the basket510.

The guide protrusion518may include a lower rib518a, an upper rib518bpositioned above the lower rib518a, and a plurality of connection ribs518cwhich connect the lower rib518aand the upper rib518bto each other. The lower rib518amay be in contact with the second roller534in a process of pulling-in and out the basket510. The upper rib518bmay extend in a linear shape line in the horizontal direction.

A portion of the lower rib518amay extend in a straight line in the horizontal direction and may be parallel to the upper rib518b. The other portion of the lower rib518bmay be inclined upward toward the front. The lower rib518amay include an inclined rib518d. In other words, the horizontal keeping structure may include the inclined ribs518d.

At this time, the inclination angle of the inclined ribs518dmay be the same as the inclination angle of the first and second inclined surfaces541band542bof the guide rails540. The front end portion of the inclined rib518dmay be connected to the upper rib518b. The inclined ribs518dand the upper ribs518bmay be connected by one or more connection ribs518c.

Therefore, when the first roller525is lifted or lowered along the first and second inclined surfaces541band542b, the front side of the basket510may be lifted or lowered together by the inclined ribs518d. Meanwhile, the cover580or the connection frame584may include a spacer rib585protruding downward. For example, the spacer ribs585may protrude downward from the connection frame584.

The spacer ribs585may be in contact with the upper surfaces of the side walls513and514of the basket510at the fully inserted position of the basket510. For example, the spacer ribs585may be in contact with a side of the front end portion of the upper surface of the side walls513and514.

The cover580and the upper surface of the basket510may be spaced apart from each other by the spacer ribs585at the fully inserted position of the basket510. In other words, a gap G1may exist between the cover580and the basket510. The gap G1may allow the refrigerating chamber11and the receiving space511of the basket510to communicate with each other at the fully inserted position of the basket510. Therefore, cold air may circulate through the receiving space511and the refrigerating chamber11.

The refrigerator1may further include a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the receiving space511. The amount of cool air supplied to the receiving space511may be determined based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

When there is no gap between the cover580and the basket510, since the cool air may stagnate in the receiving space511and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor may be lowered, the cold air may not flow into the receiving member511. When the temperature of the receiving space511sensed by the temperature sensor increases, cool air may again be supplied to the receiving space511. As described above, when the cold air supply and supply interruption are repeated, the temperature change width of the food stored in the receiving space511may become large, and the freshness of the food may become low.

On the other hand, since the receiving space511and the refrigerating chamber11may communicate with each other by the gap G1existing between the cover580and the basket510and thus the cool air may be circulated, the temperature change width of the food stored in the receiving space511may be minimized and freshness may be kept. The basket510may be lifted by the first and second inclined surfaces541band542band the inclined ribs518din a process of pulling-out of the basket510.

When the sidewalls513and514of the basket510have the same height, the sidewalls513and514may interfere with the spacer ribs585in the process of pulling-out of the basket510. Therefore, in order to prevent the side walls513and514of the basket510from interfering with the spacer ribs585in the process of pulling-out the basket510, each of the side walls513and514of the basket510may include a first wall513ahaving a horizontal upper surface, an inclined wall513bhaving an upper surface inclined downward as it goes backward from the first wall513a, and a second wall513cwhich extends rearward from the inclined wall513band has a horizontal upper surface.

At this time, the inclination angle of the upper surface of the inclined wall513bmay be the same as the inclination angle of the first and second inclined surfaces541band542bof the guide rail540. Thus, in a process of pulling-in the basket510, the basket510may be stably moved to the fully inserted position by the first and second inclined surfaces541band542bof the guide rail540.

In addition, in a process of pulling-out the basket510, the basket510may be moved in a state of being kept horizontal without being inclined forward and backward by the inclining rib518dand the inclined wall513band thus stable pulling-out may be possible.

In addition, when the cover580covers the receiving space511at the fully inserted position of the basket510, since the spacer ribs585may be seated on the first wall513a, the phenomenon that the cover580is inclined toward the front side may be prevented.

Referring toFIGS. 12 to 14, the connection frame584may be coupled to the cover580. The connection frame584may be detachably coupled to the second rack554when the connection frame584is coupled to the cover580. Therefore, the cover580may be separated from the pantry assembly50when the pantry assembly50is installed in the inner case101.

The cover580may include an upper wall580a, a pair of outer walls580bextending downward from both ends of the upper wall580a, and a front wall580eextending downward from the front end of the upper wall580a. The front wall580emay connect the pair of outer walls580b. The cover580may further include a pair of inner walls580cspaced apart from the pair of outer walls580bbetween the pair of outer walls580b.

Each of the inner walls580cmay extend downward from the lower surface of the cover580. Therefore, a space581amay be formed between the inner wall580cand the outer wall580b, and the connection frame584may be received in the space581a.

The connection frame584may include a rib receiving slot587for receiving the cover coupling rib556of the second rack554. In other words, the cover coupling rib556of the second rack554may be received in the rib receiving slot587through the rack slot539a.

The rib receiving slot587may have a predetermined length from the rear end portion toward the front end of the connection frame584. The connection frame584may be divided into an upper frame586and a lower frame585with reference to the rib receiving slot587.

The upper frame586may include a recessed portion586cformed by a portion of the upper surface thereof being recessed downward. The weight of the upper frame586may be reduced by the recessed portion586cand the strength thereof may be improved.

The recessed portion586cmay include a coupling wall586afor coupling with the cover580. A coupling hole586bmay be formed in the coupling wall586a. The upper surface580aof the cover580may include a coupling hook580dto be coupled to the coupling wall586a.

The coupling hook580dmay be received in the recessed portion586cin a process in which the connection frame584is received in the space581abetween the inner wall580cand the outer wall580b, and is hooked to the coupling hole580bof the coupling wall586a. A hook hole556amay be formed in the cover coupling rib556of the second rack554. The hook hole556amay be located at approximately the central portion of the cover coupling rib556.

The lower frame585may include a frame hook585gfor hooking the hook hole556a. When the frame hook585gis hooked to the hook hole556ain a process in which the cover coupling rib556is received in the rib receiving slot587, the coupling of the connection frame584and the second rack554may be completed.

The connection frame584and the cover580may be referred to as a cover unit. The hooking of the frame hook585gand the hook hole556amay be released by a tool operated by a user. In order to move the tool, a first opening580fmay be formed on the upper wall580aand a second opening586gmay be formed on the bottom surface586hof the recessed portion586c.

The first opening580fand the second opening586gmay overlap with the hook hole556and the frame hook585gin the vertical direction. Accordingly, the frame hooks585gmay be pressed so that the frame hook585gis separated from the hook hole556awhen the tool is sequentially passed through the first opening580fand the second opening586gfrom the upper side of the cover580.

A rib582extending downward may be provided on a side of the rear end portion of the upper wall580aso that the center of gravity of the cover580is positioned on the rear side of the cover580. The ribs582may be formed in a lattice shape, for example, and may be positioned between the pair of inner walls580cat the upper wall580a.

FIG. 15 (a)illustrates the side wall of the inner case, andFIG. 15 (b)illustrates a state where the supporter assembly is assembled on the side wall of the inner case.FIG. 16 (a)illustrates a state where the cover member is coupled to the supporter assembly, andFIG. 16 (b)illustrates a state where the receiving member is coupled to the supporter assembly.

Referring toFIG. 15, a fastening hole102afor fastening the fastening member S2may be formed on each side wall102of the inner case. After the supporter assembly SA is assembled, the fastening bosses531of the supporters530may be aligned with the fastening holes102a, and the fastening members S2may be fastened to the fastening bosses531and the fastening hole102a.

Next, as illustrated inFIG. 16 (a), a connection frame584connected to the cover580may be coupled to a cover coupling rib556of a second rack554protruding outside the supporter530. When the cover580is connected to the supporter assembly SA, when the basket510is pushed after the first roller525and the guide protrusion518of the basket510are received into a space540aof the guide rail540of the supporter530, the assembling of the pantry assembly50may be completed.

FIG. 17 (a)illustrates a state where the receiving member is located at the pulling-in completion position, andFIG. 17 (b)illustrates a state where the receiving member is pulled out by the first distance at the pulling-in completion position.FIG. 17(c) illustrates a state where the receiving member is pulled out by a second distance and the cover member has moved to the opening completion position, andFIG. 17 (d)illustrates a state where the receiving member has moved to the pulling-out completion position.

Referring toFIGS. 4 to 19, the transmission protrusion519of the basket510may be positioned at the notch563of the connection member562at the fully inserted position of the basket510. The connection member562may be positioned behind the transmission gear552. The transmission gear552may mesh with the front end of the first rack gear559and may mesh with the rear end of the second rack gear555.

At this time, at least one gear or tooth of the first rack gear559and at least one gear or tooth of the second rack gear555may be overlapped in the vertical direction. The gear ratio of the transmission gear552to the first rack gear portion559may be set to 1:1, although not limited thereto. In addition, the gear ratio between the transmission gear552to the second rack gear portion554may be set to 1:1. In addition, the first protrusion564and the second protrusion565of the connection member562may be located in the first slot538a.

In this state, when the basket510is pulled toward the user to pull out the basket510, the basket510may be moved linearly in the horizontal direction after being lifted to a predetermined height by the inclined surface541band542bof the guide rail540.

At this time, in a case where the first protrusion564and the second protrusion565of the connection member562are positioned in the first slot538a, in the process of pulling-out of the basket510, the rotation of the connection member562may be restricted and the connection member562may be linearly and moved stably. In a case where the connection member562linearly moves, the first rack557connected to the connection member562may linearly move in the first direction (arrow direction inFIG. 17).

When the first rack557moves in the first direction, the transmission gear552may be rotated in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and the rotation of the transmission gear552may cause the second rack554to be linearly moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Then, the cover580may move in the second direction together with the second rack554, so that the basket511of the receiving member510is opened.

In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the transmission protrusion519may be positioned lower than the upper ends of the front body563band the rear body563cforming the notch563. The height of the front body563bmay be lower than the height of the rear body563c. Therefore, the upper surface of the transmission protrusion519may be positioned lower than the upper end563dof the front body563b.

This is because the basket510may be lifted by the inclined surfaces541band542bof the guide rail540at the initial pulling-out of the basket510, so that the transmission protrusion519may be prevented from being separated from the notch563. In addition, in order to prevent the transmission protrusion519from being separated, the upper surface of the transmission protrusion519may be positioned at a position lower than the upper end563dof the front body563bat a position in which the transmission protrusion519is lifted.

Therefore, even if the transmission protrusion519is lifted due to the lifting of the basket510, the transmission protrusion519may be kept in a state where the transmission protrusion519is positioned at the notch563, and thus the connection member562may be moved together when the transmission protrusion519is moved as illustrated inFIG. 17 (b).

In other words, when the basket510is pulled out, the transmission protrusion519may be in contact with the front body563bof the connection member562to push the front body563bforward.

Referring toFIGS. 17 (c)and19, when the second rack554is in contact with the stopper539bin a process of pulling-out of the basket510, the moving of the second rack554may be restricted, and the cover580may be stopped. In the present embodiment, the position of the cover510when the second rack554contacts the stopper539bmay be referred to as an opening completion position.

If the movement force of the basket510is continuously transmitted to the cover580in a state where the cover580is stopped, the transmission unit and/or the cover580may be broken. Therefore, the second protrusion565of the connection member562may be aligned with the second slot538bjust before the cover580is moved to the opening completion position and stopped. In this state, when the basket510is further pulled forward, the second protrusion565may be moved to the second slot538b, and the connection member562may be rotated in this process.

The connection member562may be rotated around the rack coupling shaft566. The guide slot may include a curved guide surface538cwhich connects the first slot538aand the second slot538bto each other so that the second protrusion565may smoothly move into the second slot538bin the first slot538a.

When the connection member562is rotated, the height of the front body563bof the connection member562may be lowered so that the front body563bmay be deviated from the moving path of the transmission protrusion519. Therefore, the transmission protrusion519may continuously move in the first direction without interfering with the front body563b. On the other hand, the moving force of the transmission protrusion519may no longer be transmitted to the connection member562. Therefore, in a state where the cover580is stopped, the basket510may move in the first direction.

In a case of the present embodiment, since the second slot538bmay be inclined downwardly from the front end portion of the first slot538atoward the rear, unless the rotational force is applied to the connection member562, the connection member562may be prevented from rotating clockwise with reference toFIG. 17.

Referring toFIG. 17 (d), when the cover580is stopped, the basket510may be continuously pulled out in the first direction. The pulling-out of the basket510may be restricted by a pulling-out restricting portion518eprovided in the basket510in a process of pulling out the basket510.

The position at which the pulling-out of the basket510is restricted and thus the basket510is stopped is the pulling-out completion position. For example, the pulling-out restricting portion518emay be provided on the guide protrusion518. The pulling-out restricting portion518emay protrude downward from the rear end portion of the lower rib518a.

The pull-out restricting portion518emay be in contact with the second roller534of the supporter530at the pull-out completion position. The pulling-out restricting portion518emay have a curved surface for surface contact with the second roller534so that the basket510may be kept a state of being stopped at the pull-out completion position.

Referring toFIGS. 17 to 20, the basket510may be pushed to be moved in the second direction so that the basket510which is moved to the pulling-out completion position is pulled in. Since the transmission protrusion519of the basket510is deviated from the space portion563of the connection member562at the beginning of the pulling-in of the basket510, the connection member562may keep a state of being stopped at the time of moving of the basket510. In other words, the cover580may remain stopped at the opening completion position.

Next, as illustrated inFIG. 20 (a), the transmission protrusion519may be in contact with the rear body563cof the connection member562in a process in which the basket510is pulled in. As illustrated above, since the height of the rear body563cmay be higher than the height of the front body563b, even if the connection member562is rotated in the process of pulling-out of the basket510, the rear body563cmay be located on the path of the transmission protrusion519.

Accordingly, when the transmission protrusion519pushes the rear body563cbackward (second direction), the connection member562may be rotated in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and the transmission protrusion519may be positioned in the notch563of the connection member562. In this state, when the basket510is continuously pushed in, the transmission protrusion519may push the rear body563c, so that the connection member562is moved in the second direction together with the basket510.

Then, the first rack557may move together with the connection member562in the second direction, and the transmission gear552may be rotated counterclockwise in the drawing. As the transmission gear552rotates, the second rack554may linearly move in the first direction. Then, the cover580may move in the first direction together with the second rack554to close the receiving space511of the basket510.

When the first roller525encounters the first and second inclined surfaces541band542bof the guide rail540while the basket510is moving toward the fully inserted position, the basket510may be automatically moved to the fully inserted position while being lowered by the first and second inclined surfaces541band542b. At this time, the first and second inclined surfaces541band542bmay automatically move the basket510to the fully inserted position even if there is no force to push the basket510.

Referring toFIG. 20 (c), an imaginary line A1passing vertically through the rotation shaft of the transmission gear552at the fully inserted position of the basket510may be closer to the front end than rear end of the pantry assembly50. In addition, in a fully inserted position of the basket510, the center of gravity C2of the basket510and the center of gravity C1of the cover580may be located forward of the imaginary line A1passing through the rotation shaft vertically.

In the present specification, the “front” of the imaginary line A1may be a direction toward the front surface of the basket510from the imaginary line A1and the “rear” may be a direction toward the rear side wall of the basket510from the imaginary line A1. The center of gravity C2of the basket510may be positioned closer to the imaginary line A1than the center of gravity C1of the cover580.

The transmission protrusion519and the connection member562may be located behind the imaginary line A1. In addition, the rear end portion of the cover580may be positioned behind the imaginary line A1. At this time, at least a portion of the ribs282of the cover580may be positioned behind the imaginary line A1.

Referring toFIG. 20 (b), when the first roller525of the basket510enters the first and second inclined surfaces541band542bof the guide rail540, the center of gravity C2of the basket510and the center of gravity C1of the cover580may be positioned forward of the imaginary line A1. The center of gravity C2of the basket510may be positioned forward of the center of gravity C1of the cover580.

Referring toFIG. 20 (a), when the cover580is moved to the opening completion position, the center of gravity C2of the basket510may be positioned forward of the imaginary line A1. On the other hand, the center of gravity C1of the cover580may be located behind the imaginary line A1.

According to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that, when the receiving member is moved from the pulling-out completion position to the pulling-in completion position, the receiving member may be automatically returned to the pulling-in completion position by the inclined surface of the guide rail without the elastic force of the elastic member. In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the guide protrusion provided on the side wall of the receiving member includes the inclined rib, when the height is changed by the inclined surface in a process in which the receiving member is pulled in and out, there is an advantage that the entire receiving member may be kept horizontal without being inclined.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the connection frame is connected to the cover member and the connection frame is connected to the second rack of the transmission unit550, in a process in which the cover member is operated to open and close the receiving space of the receiving member, the cover member may be prevented from being damaged.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the gap between the cover member and the receiving member may be formed by the cover member or the spacer rib formed on the connection frame, so that the cool air flow may be smooth, and in a state where the cover member covers the receiving space, a phenomenon in which the cover member tilts forward may be prevented.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator in which a receiving member may automatically return to a pulling-in completion position in a process in which the receiving member is pulled in without an elastic force of an elastic member. The present embodiment provides a refrigerator in which the entire receiving member may be kept horizontal without being inclined when the receiving member is changed in height in a process in which the receiving member is pulled in and out. The present embodiment provides a refrigerator in which the cover member may be prevented from being broken in a process of pulling-in and out of the receiving member.

A refrigerator may include: a cabinet having an inner case forming a storage chamber; and a pantry assembly installed on both side walls of the inner case. The pantry assembly may include a receiving member forming a receiving space and capable of being pulled in and out from the storage chamber; a supporter assembly connected to the receiving member and guiding the pulling-in and out of the receiving member; and a cover member which is connected to the supporter assembly, covers the receiving space, and can move in a direction opposite to the receiving member when the receiving member is pulled in and out.

The receiving member may include a first roller installed close to the rear end portion of both side walls, and the supporter assembly may include a supporter having a guide rail forming a space for receiving the first roller. The guide rail may include a first guide portion, and a second guide portion located above the first guide portion and forming the space together with the first guide portion, and the first roller may be supported by the first guide portion in a state where the first roller is received in a space of the guide rail.

The first guide portion may include a first inclined surface which is inclined so that the receiving member is lowered in a process of pulling-in of the receiving member. The second guide portion may include a second inclined surface inclined at the same angle as the first inclined surface of the first guide portion.

In this embodiment, the guide rail may further include a connection portion connecting the first inclined surface of the first guide portion and the second inclined surface of the second guide portion with each other. Alternatively, the guide rails may further include first and second horizontal portions extending from the inclined surfaces of the guide portions, respectively, and the first and second horizontal portions of the guide portions may be connected by a connection portion, respectively.

The length of the first and second horizontal portions may be smaller than the radius of the first roller. In the present embodiment, the receiving member may move between a fully inserted position and a fully withdrawn position.

The first roller may be in contact with the first inclined surface of the first guide portion before the receiving member is moved to the fully inserted position. In the present embodiment, the receiving member may further include a guide protrusion protruding from both side walls and extending in the front and rear direction of the receiving member.

The supporter may further include a second roller for supporting the guide protrusion, and the guide protrusion may include an inclined rib with which the second roller is in contact when the first roller is in contact with the first inclined surface of the first guide portion. The first and second inclined surfaces and the inclined ribs may allow the receiving member to move while keeping horizontal without being inclined in the front and rear direction in a process of pulling-in and out of the receiving member.

The inclined angle of the inclined rib may be the same as the inclined angle of the first guide portion. In the present embodiment, the guide protrusion may include a lower rib, an upper rib spaced apart from the lower rib, and a plurality of connecting ribs connecting the lower rib and the upper rib with each other. The lower rib may include the inclined rib, and the inclined rib may be connected to the front end portion of the upper rib. The inclined rib and the upper rib may be connected by one or more connecting ribs.

The refrigerator of the present embodiment may further include a connection frame connected to both sides of the cover member, in which the supporter assembly may further include a transmission unit550which is connected to the connection frame and transmits the movement force of the receiving member to the cover member. At least one of the cover member and the connection frame may include a spacer rib so that a gap exists between the cover member and the receiving member.

The spacer rib may extend downward from at least one of the cover member and the connection frame and may be seated on the upper surfaces of the side walls on both sides of the receiving member. Each of the side walls of the receiving member may include a first wall having a horizontal upper surface, an inclined wall having an upper surface inclined downwardly from the first wall toward the rear side, and a second wall extending rearward from the inclined wall and having a horizontal upper surface.

When the first roller is in contact with the first inclined surface of the first guide portion, the spacer rib may be in contact with the inclined wall. The inclined angle of the upper surface of the inclined wall may be the same as the first inclined surface of the first guide portion. The receiving member may include a transmission protrusion to be connected to the transmission unit550.

The transmission unit550may include a connection member connected to the transmission protrusion of the receiving member, a first rack connected to the connection member, a transmission gear engaged with the first rack, and a second rack engaged with the transmission gear connected to the cover member. An imaginary line A1passing through the rotation shaft of the transmission gear vertically may be positioned closer to the front end than the rear end of the pantry assembly at the fully inserted position of the receiving member.

At the fully inserted position of the receiving member, the center of gravity C2of the receiving member and the center of gravity C1of the cover member may be located forward of the imaginary line A1and the transmission protrusion and the connection member may be located behind the imaginary line A1. At the fully inserted position of the receiving member, the rear end portion of the cover member may be located behind the imaginary line A1.

The cover member may further include a rib extending downward from a rear end portion of the cover member, wherein at least a portion of the rib is located behind the imaginary line A1, at the fully inserted position of the receiving member. The ribs may be formed in a lattice shape as an example.

The cover member may be moved to the opening completion position before the receiving member is moved from the inserted position to the withdrawn position. At the opening completion position of the cover member, the center of gravity C1of the cover member may be located behind the imaginary line A1.

The second rack may include a cover coupling rib which is connected to the connecting frame and includes a hook hole. The connecting frame may include a slot for receiving the cover coupling rib and a frame hook for hooking the hook hole of the cover coupling rib received in the slot. The cover member may include a first opening, and the connection frame may include a second opening aligned with the first opening and the hook hole.