Abstract:
Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator with at least one opening therein. The refrigerator also includes a storage chamber defined by interior walls of the cabinet and configured to store food stuffs. The refrigerator further includes a door configured to open and close an access point to the storage chamber by rotating about a rotational axis. In addition, the refrigerator includes a supporting member positioned at the storage chamber and configured to be moved in connection with opening and closing of the door.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the priority to Korean Application No. 10-2009-0049241, filed on Jun. 3, 2009, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirely. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Refrigerators have storage chambers to store food, and these storage chambers are selectively opened and closed by doors. In general, the storage chambers include a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and the refrigerators are classified into various types according to disposition shapes of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber. Further, the refrigerators are classified according to shapes of the doors and opening and closing structures thereof. 
     Designated spaces to store food are generally provided on the doors. For example, a designated space (e.g., a door basket) is provided on the inner surface of a door, and food having a relatively tall height, such as a bottle, is stored in the basket. When the door is opened, food is put into and taken out of the door basket. That is, the door basket is accessible from the inside of the door. Another shape of the food storage spaces provided in the door is a storage chamber called as a home bar. Such a storage chamber is defined in the door, but the storage chamber is accessible from the outside of the door, in principle, through a subsidiary door provided in the door. That is, food may be put into and taken out of the door storage chamber by opening the subsidiary door without opening the door. As described above, as structures of the refrigerators are continually diversified, demand for an increase in convenience of the refrigerators in use is required so as to meet the diversification. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator with at least one opening therein. The refrigerator also includes a storage chamber defined by interior walls of the cabinet and configured to store food stuffs. The refrigerator further includes a door configured to open and close an access point to the storage chamber by rotating about a rotational axis. In addition, the refrigerator includes a supporting member positioned at the storage chamber and configured to be moved in connection with opening and closing of the door. 
     Implementations may includes one or more of the following features. For example, the refrigerator further includes a motion conversion unit coupled to the door and the supporting member, respectively, and configured to convert rotation of the door into movement of the supporting member. The supporting member is configured to be rotated about a rotational axis in connection with opening and closing of the door. The supporting member is configured to be moved forward based on opening of the door and to be moved backward based on closing of the door. The motion conversion unit comprises a link member and a door connection part. 
     In some examples, the refrigerator further includes a stopper configured to be extended from the door connection part and stop movement of the door connection part when the door is opened. The refrigerator further includes a connection hole configured to connect the door and the motion conversion unit. The refrigerator further includes a rotary shaft configured to be rotatably connected to the connection hole, wherein the connection hole has a greater inner diameter than an outer diameter of the rotary shaft. 
     The connection hole is extended in a lengthwise direction of the link member. The supporting member has a tray to enlarge a size of the supporting area. When the door is opened, the supporting member is opened in response to the opening of the door, and when the door is closed, the supporting member is closed in response to the closing of the door. 
     In another aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator with at least one opening therein. The refrigerator also includes a storage chamber defined by interior walls of the cabinet and configured to store food stuffs. The refrigerator further includes a door configured to open and close the storage chamber by rotating about a rotational axis. In addition, the refrigerator includes a supporting member positioned at the storage chamber and configured to be opened and closed in connection with opening and closing of the door. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the refrigerator further includes a motion conversion unit coupled to the door and the supporting member, respectively, and configured to convert rotation of the door into movement of the supporting member. The supporting member is configured to be rotated about a rotational axis based on opening and closing of the door. The supporting member is configured to be moved forward and backward in connection with opening and closing of the door. The motion conversion unit comprises a link member and a door connection part. 
     In some examples, the refrigerator further includes a connection hole configured to connect the door and the motion conversion unit. The connection hole is extended in a lengthwise direction of the link member. The supporting member has a tray to enlarge a size of the supporting area. When the door is opened, the supporting member is opened in response to the opening of the door, and when the door is closed, the support is closed in response to the closing of the door. 
     In yet another aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator with at least one opening therein. The refrigerator also includes a first storage chamber defined by interior walls of the cabinet and configured to store food stuffs. The refrigerator further includes a first door configured to open and close the first storage chamber and a second storage chamber that is smaller than the first storage chamber defined at a side of the first door, and that is configured to enable access to food stuffs while the first door remains closed. In addition, the refrigerator includes a second door, located in a predetermined portion of the first door, configured to open and close the second storage chamber by rotating about a rotational axis and a supporting member positioned at the second storage chamber and configured to be moved in connection with opening and closing of the second door. 
     Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the refrigerator further includes a motion conversion unit coupled to the second door and the supporting member, respectively, and configured to convert rotation of the second door into movement of the supporting member. The support member is configured to be rotated about a rotational axis in response to opening and closing of the second door. The supporting member is configured to be moved forward and backward in response to opening and closing of the second door. The motion conversion unit comprises a link member and a door connection part. 
     In some examples, the refrigerator further includes a connection hole is configured to connect the second door and the motion conversion unit, wherein the connection hole is extended in a lengthwise direction of the link member. The supporting member has a tray to enlarge size of the supporting area. When the second door is opened, the supporting member is opened in connection with the opening of the second door, and when the second door is closed, the support is closed in connection with the closing of the second door. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are views of a refrigerator, for example; 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an opened state of first storage chambers; and 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an opened state of second storage chambers; 
         FIG. 3  is a longitudinal-sectional view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4(   a ),  4 ( b ), and  4 ( c ) are views illustrating opening of first and second doors of the refrigerator; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of a refrigerator; 
         FIG. 6  is a longitudinal-sectional view of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a refrigerator; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of a refrigerator; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view schematically illustrating a connection part between a door and a support in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIGS. 11(   a ),  11 ( b ), and  11 ( c ) are views illustrating an operation of the door of the refrigerator of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, preferred implementations of the present technology will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     First, with reference to  FIG. 1 , an overall structure of a refrigerator in accordance with one implementation of the present technology will be described. Hereinafter, a side by side type refrigerator will be exemplarily described for convenience, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     Storage chambers  12  (hereinafter, referred to as “first storage chambers”) to store food are provided in a cabinet  10  of a refrigerator  1 . The first storage chambers  12  may include a freezing chamber  12   b  and a refrigerating chamber  12   a . In the side by side type refrigerator, the freezing chamber  12   b  and the refrigerating chamber  12   a  are may be arranged horizontally, that is, side by side. 
     Doors  20  (hereinafter, referred to as “first doors”) to selectively open and close the first storage chambers  12  are provided on the refrigerator cabinet  10 . Storage chambers  40  (hereinafter, referred to as “second storage chambers”) to store food are also provided in the first doors  20 , and the second storage chambers  40  are selectively opened and closed by doors  30  (hereinafter, referred to as “second doors”). 
     Now, respective parts of the refrigerator  1  will be described in detail. 
     The first storage chambers  12  provided in the cabinet  10  of the refrigerator  1  include the freezing chamber  12   b  and the refrigerating chamber  12   a , which are divided by a partition wall  14 , and racks and drawers are installed in the first storage chambers  12 . 
     The second storage chambers  40  are provided in the first doors  20 , and have designated spaces to store food. The second storage chambers  40  are generally configured such that the designated spaces are surrounded by the second storage chambers  40 . That is, the second storage chambers  40  have the designated spaces within the first doors  20 , and are fundamentally accessible from the outsides of the first doors  20 . That is, the second storage chambers  40  do not exclude accessibility from the inside of the doors  20 , but the second storage chambers  40  are fundamentally accessible using the second doors  30  provided on the outer surfaces of the first doors  20  (with reference to  FIG. 2 ). Further, door baskets  25 , which are storage spaces defined separately from the second storage chambers  40 , may be provided on the inner surfaces of the first doors  20 . The door baskets  25  are configured such that designated spaces are not surrounded thereby, and thus are accessible from the insides of the first doors  20 . That is, the door baskets  25  are not accessible using the second doors  30 , but are accessible only by opening the first doors  20 . 
     Since the second storage chambers  40  have the designated spaces surrounded thereby, the second storage chambers  40  may employ a structure which communicates cool air with the first storage chambers  42 . For example, the second storage chamber  40  is provided with a communication part  46 , which communicates with the first storage chamber  12  to allow cool air in the first storage chamber  12  to be introduced to the inside of the second storage chamber  40 . Further, the second storage chamber  40  may be provided with communication parts  48 , which communicate directly with front ends  18  of cool air ducts provided through the partition wall  14  of the cabinet  10  of the refrigerator  1 . 
     Hereinafter, with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first doors and the second doors will be described in detail. 
     In  FIG. 3 , a mounting part  21  depressed in a direction of the cabinet  10  is provided at the first door  20 , and the second door  30  may be installed on the mounting part  21 . That is, for example, a part  29  stepped in the direction of the cabinet  10  is provided at a designated portion of the first door  20 , i.e., an approximately central portion of the first door  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and the second door  30  is located along the stepped part  29 . 
     In some examples, the shape of the second door  30  may correspond to the shape of the first door  20 . Particularly, a width of the second door  30  is substantially equal to a width of the first door  20 , and a height of the second door  30  may be properly selected. Further, a thickness of the second door  30  may be equal to a thickness of the mounting part  21  provided on the first door  20 . Throughout the above configuration, since the second door  30  is located at a portion of the first door  20 , a user recognizes the second door  30  as the first door  20  or a portion of the first door  20 , and thus the external appearance of the refrigerator  1  is not spoiled. 
     In this implementation, in  FIG. 2 , a first concave part  26  depressed inwardly to a designated depth is provided at a designated portion of the first door  20 , i.e., between the lower end of the second door  30  and a connection part  24 , to which the first door  20  is rotatably connected. Further, a second concave part  28  depressed downwardly from a portion of the first door  20  adjacent to the first concave part  26  is further provided on the first door  20 , and a third concave part  36  depressed upward is provided at the lower end of the second door  30  adjacent to the first concave part  26 . Through this configuration, the second concave part  28  and the third concave part  36  respectively serve as a handle for the first door  20  and a handle for the second door  30 , and thus the first door  20  and the second door  30  do not require separate handles. 
     For example, a protrusion part  34 , protruding to the inside of the second storage chamber,  40  is positioned on the rear surface of the second door  30 , and a gasket  35  for sealing is provided around the protrusion part  34 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a connecting and rotating structure among the cabinet, the first door, and the second door will be described. Here, connection of the second door  30  to the mounting part  21  of the first door  20  will be exemplarily described. 
     The first door  20  selectively opens and closes the first storage chamber, and the second door  30  selectively opens and closes the second storage chamber provided in the first door  20 . In this implementation, a rotating direction of the first door  20  and a rotating direction of the second door  30  are identical. For example, since the first door  20  is rotated around a vertical axis, the second door  30  is also rotated around the vertical axis. 
     If the rotating direction of the first door  20  and the rotating direction of the second door  30  are equal, a radius of rotation of the refrigerator  1  may be determined based on the first door  20  to open and close the first storage chamber. Thus a user disposes the refrigerator  1  such that there is no obstacle around a radius of rotation of the first door  20 . Also, if the rotating direction of the first door  20  and the rotating direction of the second door  30  are equal, the size of the second storage chamber provided in the first door  20  may be increased. Further, since the rotating direction of the first door  20  and the rotating direction of the second door  30  are equal, a sealing structure between the first door  20  and the second door  30  may be employed as a sealing structure between the cabinet  10  and the first door  20 . 
     A rotary shaft of the first door  20  and a rotary shaft of the second door  30  may be parallel with each other. In this implementation, the rotary shaft of the first door  20  and the rotary shaft of the second door  30  may be arranged coaxially. Through this configuration, only one shaft may be used, and thus an assembly structure is simplified. 
     Now, the above coaxial arrangement will be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , one side of a first connection member  110  is connected to an upper surface  14  of the cabinet  10 , and the other side of the first connection member  110  is connected to an upper surface of the second door  30  by means of a rotary shaft  130  (hereinafter, referred to as an “upper rotary shaft”). One side of a second connection member  120  is connected to an upper surface of the first door  20 , and the other side of the second connection member  120  is connected to the upper surface of the second door  30  by means of the same upper rotary shaft  130 . The second connection member  120  is located under the first connection member  110 . Therefore, the above upper rotary shaft  130  functions as the common upper rotary shaft of the first door  20  and the second door  30 . 
     A rotary shaft  132  (hereinafter, referred to as a “lower rotary shaft for the second door”) for the lower portion of the second door  30  is provided at the lower end of the second door  30 . The lower rotary shaft  132  for the second door  30  is connected to the connection part  24  (with reference to  FIG. 2 ) provided on the mounting part  21  of the first door  20 . Further, a rotary shaft  134  (hereinafter, referred to as a “lower rotary shaft for the first door”) for the lower portion of the first door  20  is provided on the lower end of the first door  20 . The lower rotary shaft  134  for the first door  20  is connected to the lower end of the refrigerator cabinet  10  by a second connection member  140 . 
     Hereinafter, with reference to  FIGS. 4(   a ),  4 ( b ), and  4 ( c ), operations of the first door and the second door in accordance with this embodiment will be described. 
       FIG. 4(   a ) illustrates a state in which both the first door  20  and the second door  30  are closed. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4(   b ), opening of the second door  30  will be described. In order to access the second storage chamber  40  provided in the first door  20 , the second door  30  needs to be opened. When a user pulls only the second door  30  forward, the first door  20  is not rotated and only the second door  30  is rotated around the common upper rotary shaft  130  and the lower rotary shaft  132  for the second door  30 , thereby opening the second storage chamber  40 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4(   c ), opening of the first door  20  will be described. 
     In order to access the first storage chamber  12 , the first door  20  needs to be opened. When a user pulls the first door  20  forward, the first door  20  together with the second door  30  is rotated around the common upper rotary shaft  130  and the lower rotary shaft  134  for the first door  20 , thereby opening the first storage chamber  12 . In this implementation, the second connection chamber  120  is rotated such that the first and the second doors  20  and  30  can rotate together. 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a refrigerator will be described. 
     The refrigerator of this implementation is similar to the former implementation for example the second door  30  is a portion of the first door  30 , but, some structures to selectively open and close the first door  20  and the second door  30  are modified For example, a mounting part  21   a  of a first door  20  is modified. That is, in the former implementation, the upper end of the mounting part  21  (with reference to  FIG. 3 ) of the first door  20  is exposed, and thus the upper surface of the first door  20  and the upper surface of the second door  30  are on the same level. However, in this implementation, a protrusion part  39  is provided on the upper end of a first door  20 , and the upper surface of a second door  30  is rotatably connected to the lower surface of the protrusion part  39 . Therefore, the upper surface of the second door  20  is located at a height lower than the protrusion part  29  of the first door  20 . 
     In this implementation, a pair of rotary shafts  139  for the first door  20  is provided on the first door  20 , and a pair of rotary shafts  138  for the second door  30  is provided on the second door  30 . Of course, in the same manner as the former implementation, the rotary shaft  139  for the first door  20  and the rotary shaft  138  for the second door  30  may be located coaxially, and further, the same rotary shaft may be used as an upper rotary shaft of the rotary shafts  139  for the first door  20  and an upper rotary shaft of the rotary shafts  138  for the second door  30 . 
     In the structure of the mounting part  21   a  in this implementation, instead of the rotary shafts  138  for the second door  30 , a hinge structure installed on the inner surface of the first door  20  and/or the inner surface of the second door  30  may be used. 
     Also,  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate that handles  27  for the first doors  20  and handles  37  for the second doors  30  are respectively provided on the outer surfaces of the first doors  20  and the second doors  30 . The structure of the handles is not limited thereto, that is, as described in the former implementation, concave parts serving as handles may be provided on the first doors  20  and the second doors  30 , respectively. 
     Although this implementation illustrates the side by side type refrigerator, the present technology is not limited thereto. In some examples, it may be applied to a top freezer type refrigerator in which a freezing chamber is located at the upper portion of a main body, or a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which a freezing chamber is located at the lower portion of a main body. Further, the present technology may be applied to a refrigerator in which a refrigerating chamber is located at the upper portion of a main body and a freezing chamber is located at the lower portion of the main body, the freezing chamber is opened and closed by a drawer type door  90  and the refrigerating chamber is opened and closed by a pair of doors rotated around a pair of vertical shafts, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , this embodiment illustrates that a shape of the first door corresponds to a shape of the second door, for example, a width of the first door and a width of the second door are equal and a length of the second door is shorter than a length of the first door. The present technology is not limited thereto. For example, the present technology may be applied to a refrigerator in which width and height of a second door are less than those of a first door. 
     Further, a different type of a second door, which are, for example, rotated in a direction differing from a rotating direction of the first doors, may be provided. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 8 , a refrigerator will be described as follows. 
     In this implementation, a supporting member  210  is provided between a second storage chamber  40  and a second door  30 , and the supporting member  210  is operated in connection with opening and closing of the second door  30 . For example, when the second door  30  is opened, the supporting member  210  is opened in connection with the opening of the second door  30 , and when the second door  30  is closed, the support  210  is closed in connection with the closing of the second door  30 . 
     The second door  30  is rotatably connected to a first door  20 , and the supporting member  210  is rotatably connected to the second storage chamber  40 . Further, a motion conversion unit  200  to convert rotation of the second door  30  into rotation of the supporting member  210  is provided between the second door  30  and the support  210 , and thus converts a motion of the second door  30  into a motion of the supporting member  210 . 
     Now, rotating directions of the second door  30  and the supporting member  210  will be described. As an example, the second door  30  is rotated around a vertical axis (hereinafter, referred to as “a first axis (a door rotary axis)”) Z, and the supporting member  210  is rotated around an axis (hereinafter, referred to as “a second axis (a support rotary axis)”) X being perpendicular to the first axis Z and being parallel with the ground. The motion conversion unit  200  serves to convert rotation of the second door  30  around the first axis Z into rotation of the supporting member  210  around the second axis X. Here, one end (a portion connected to the second door  30 ) of the motion conversion unit  200  is rotated around an axis (hereinafter, referred to as “a third axis (a conversion rotary axis)”) Y being perpendicular to the first axis Z and the second axis X, i.e., being parallel with the ground but perpendicular to the second axis X. 
     Further, any other movements of the supporting member  210  is within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the supporting member can move a forward or backward direction like movement of a tray in response to movement of the second door  30 . That is, when the second door  30  is opened, the supporting member  210  moves a forward direction to open and when the second door  30  is closed, the supporting member  210  moves a backward direction to close. 
     Now, with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the motion conversion unit will be described in detail. 
     In the motion conversion unit  200 , one end of a link member  220  is connected to the second door  30  and the other end of the link member is connected to the supporting member  210 . For example, a door connection part  221  is rotatably connected to the second door  30 , and a support connection part  224  is universally supported by the support  210 . 
     In more detail, one end of the connection member  230  is connected to the inner surface of the second door  30 , and the other end of the connection member  230  is connected to the door connection part  221  by means of a rotary shaft  250 . Therefore, when the second door  30  is rotated around the door rotary axis Z (in  FIG. 8 ), the door connection part  221  of the link member  220  is rotated around the conversion rotary shaft  250 . When the door connection part  221  of the link member  220  is rotated, the support connection part  224  of the link member  220  moves up and down. Therefore, the supporting member  210  connected to the support connection part  224  is rotated around a support rotation shaft  214 . A length of the link member  220  may be properly determined in consideration of installed positions and radiuses of rotation of the supporting member  210  and the second door  30 . 
     Hereinafter, the door connection part  221  will be described in detail. 
     For example, a curved part  226  having a designated curvature is provided on one end of the link member  220 , and a cam part  240  corresponding to the curved part  226  is provided on the second door  30 . Through this configuration, when the second door  30  is rotated, the cam part  240  moves down along the curved part  226  of the door connection part  221  and then presses down the link member  220 , thereby allowing the link member  220  to be more smoothly rotated. 
     Further, a stopper  227  extended outward is provided at the tip of the door connection part  221 . When the supporting member  210  becomes level, the stopper  227  is caught by the cam part  240 , and thus serves to easily support the leveled the supporting member  210 . 
     In some examples, a concave part  410  is provided on the inner surface of the second door  30 , and the connection member  230  and the cam part  240  may be located in the concave part  410  when the second door  30  is closed. 
     Further, the door connection part  221  is connected to the rotary shaft  250  of the link member  220  at a designated clearance. In this implementation, a connection hole  222 , to which the rotary shaft  250  is rotatably connected, has a greater inner diameter than an outer diameter of the rotary shaft  250  and is defined as an oval shape extended in the lengthwise direction of the link member  220 . Through this configuration, when the second door  30  is closed, damage to the motion conversion unit  200  is prevented, and motion conversion by the motion conversion unit  200  is reasonably achieved. 
     Hereinafter, the support connection part  224  will be described in detail. 
     The support connection part  224  is supported by the bottom surface of the support  210 . For example, the support connection part  224  and the supporting member  210  are connected by a ball joint. For this purpose, a support holding part  212  is provided on the bottom surface of the supporting member  210 , and the support connection part  224  is connected to the support holding part  212 . 
     In this implementation, concave parts  420  and  430  are provided on the bottom surface of the support  210 . The concave parts  420  and  430  include a first concave part  430  being parallel with the door rotary shaft under the condition that the support  210  is closed, and a second concave part  420  being parallel with the support rotary shaft  214 . The first concave part  430  serves to support the motion conversion unit  200 , particularly the link member  220 , when the second door  30  is closed, and the second concave part  420  serves to support the link member  220  from below, when the second door  30  is opened. 
     Hereinafter, with reference to  FIGS. 11(   a ),  11 ( b ), and  11 ( c ), an operation of the second door in accordance with this implementation will be described. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11(   a ) and  11 ( b ), when the second door  30  is opened, the supporting member  210  is also opened by the motion conversion unit  200  connected to the second door  30 . Here, since one end of the link member  220  of the motion conversion unit  200 , i.e., the door connection part  221  is rotated downward, and the other end of the link member  220 , i.e., the support connection part  224  pulls the front end of the support  210  downward, the supporting member  210  is rotated around the support rotary shaft  214  and thus is opened. As shown in  FIG. 11(   c ), when the support  210  is completely opened, the link member  220  contacts the second concave part  420  on the bottom surface of the supporting member  210 , and thus supports the supporting member  210 . When the second door  30  is closed, the above operation is carried out in reverse order, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     In this implementation, the supporting member  210  may have a tray to extend an supporting area. When the second door  30  is opened and the supporting member  210  is also opened. A user then pulls out foods from the second storage chamber  40  and puts the foods on the supporting member  210 . In that case, a space of the supporting member  210  may be enough to put a lot of foods on the supporting member  210 . Meanwhile, the user sometimes put a few foods on the supporting member  210  and sometimes put a lot of foods on the supporting member  210 . If the supporting member has a tray, the user can adjust the space of the supporting member  210 . For example, if the user wants to put a lot of food on the supporting member  210  at once, the user use the tray so that the supporting area or space can enlarge enough to put the foods on there. 
     Although this implementation illustrates that the supporting member  210  is provided between the second storage chamber  40  and the second door  30 , the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the principle of the present invention may be applied to a case in which a supporting member is provided between a first storage chamber and a first door. Further, the principle of the present invention may be applied to a conventional refrigerator, i.e., a refrigerator provided with storage chambers and doors to open and close the storage chambers, as long as supports and motion conversion units are provided between the storage chambers and the doors. 
     As is apparent from the above description, when a door is opened and closed, a supporting member is automatically opened and closed in connection with the opening and closing of the door, thereby increasing convenience in use of the refrigerator. 
     Also, the supporting member opened and closed in connection with the opening and closing of the door may be used as a kind of subsidiary door, thereby increasing convenience in use of the refrigerator. 
     It will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. For example, advantageous results still could be achieved if steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or if components in the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.