Patent Publication Number: US-11041673-B2

Title: Refrigerator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/093,861, filed on Oct. 15, 2018, which is National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2017/004074, filed on Apr. 14, 2017, which claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2016-0046050, filed on Apr. 15, 2016. The disclosures of the prior applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A refrigerator is a household appliance used to store food in a refrigerated or frozen state. 
     In recent years, the capacity of the refrigerator has been increasing. A home bar, ice maker, shelf or door box has been mounted on the back face of the refrigerator door. A refrigerator is a household appliance used for storing food in a refrigerated or frozen state. 
     In this type of refrigerator, when the refrigerator door is closed, a shelf or storage box mounted on a storage compartment of the refrigerator main body may interfere with components mounted on the back face of the refrigerator door. 
     In order to solve this interference problem, a front end of the shelf or storage box mounted inside the storage room of the refrigerator main body, that is, a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment, is disposed at a position spaced from the front face of the refrigerator main body by a predetermined distance. Therefore, in order to retrieve the food stored in the shelf or storage box, the user may have inconvenience to insert his/her hand deeply into the storage room. 
     Further, it is difficult for the user to confirm the food stored in the rear position of the storage room. This problem is more pronounced in large refrigerators. That is, in the casing of the large refrigerator, an anteroposterior dimension of a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment is large. Thus, this has the disadvantage that the user cannot easily pull out the food stored deeply in the rear-end portion of the shelf. 
     To remove this disadvantage, Korean Patent Publication No. 2010-0130357 discloses a refrigerator in which a shelf or a storage box installed in a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment is placed on an L-shaped storage frame, and the storage frame is connected to a bottom of the refrigerator door via a multi-joint link. 
     However, the refrigerator presented in the prior art document has following problems. 
     First, regardless of the intention of the user, the shelf and the storage box are always drawn out in a front direction of the refrigerator in conjunction with the opening of the refrigerator door. Thus, there is an inconvenience that the shelf and storage box cannot be used in a fixed position. 
     Second, the frame structure for drawing out the shelf is exposed to the outside. Thus, there is a problem that when the refrigerator door is opened, the inside of the refrigerator cannot be visible clearly, and it is difficult to clean the inside of the refrigerator. 
     Technical Purpose 
     The present disclosure is proposed to improve the problems of the prior art as presented in the above. The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator in which coupling between a shelf and a withdrawing mechanism for withdrawing the shelf may be released by a simple operation. 
     Technical Solution 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having a storage space defined therein; a door pivotally connected to a front face of the cabinet for selectively opening and closing the storage space; a shelf assembly including a shelf support arm fixed to an inner side of the cabinet, and a shelf slidably connected to the shelf support arm; and a withdrawing mechanism configured for allowing the shelf to be withdrawn forward when the door is pivoted to open the storage space. 
     The withdrawing mechanism includes: a sliding member installed on a side face of the cabinet so as to move in anteroposterior direction; a link member having a front-end portion connected to the door and a rear-end portion thereof connected to the sliding member, wherein the link member is configured for allowing the sliding member to move forward or rearward together with the pivoting movement of the door; and a connector for selectively connecting the sliding member to the shelf. 
     The connector includes: a connecting unit selectively inserted into a receiving groove formed in the sliding member, wherein the connecting unit has a first inclined face formed on one side thereof; and an actuating unit having a second inclined face formed on one end thereof, wherein the second inclined face contacts the first inclined face, wherein when the actuating unit moves toward a rear face of the cabinet, the second inclined face moves along the first inclined face such that the connecting unit moves to be separated from the receiving groove. 
     Technical Effects 
     The refrigerator according to embodiments of the present disclosure has following effects. 
     First, the coupling between the shelf and the withdrawing mechanism for withdrawing the shelf may be released by a simple operation using a pressing button. Thus, there is an advantage that the user may freely choose whether or not to use the shelf automatic withdrawing function in response to the opening of the refrigerator door. 
     Second, the button structure for releasing the coupling between the shelf and the withdrawing mechanism does not interfere with the components installed in the refrigerator. Thus, there is an advantage that interference does not occur when using refrigerator. 
     Third, since the button structure for releasing the coupling between the shelf and the withdrawing mechanism is simplified and detachable, the material cost may be reduced and the refrigerator may be easily maintained. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an interior of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a shelf withdrawing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the withdrawing mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an outer casing that constitutes the withdrawing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a sliding member constituting the withdrawing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an inner casing constituting the withdrawing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  shows a state in which a connector constituting the withdrawing mechanism is connected to the sliding member constituting the withdrawing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a shelf assembly having the connector mounted thereon. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the connector. 
         FIG. 12  is a vertical cross-sectional view as taken along a line A-A in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the connector with a movable portion thereof being pressed by the user, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  shows the connector in a state which the shelf automatic withdrawing function is activated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  shows the connector when the shelf automatic withdrawing function is disabled. 
         FIG. 17  shows the shelf when the shelf automatic withdrawing function is deactivated according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS 
     Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , The refrigerator  10 , according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet  11  having a storage space formed therein, and a door that is pivotally or slidably mounted on the front face of the cabinet  11  to selectively open and close the storage space. 
     Specifically, the storage space may include a refrigerator compartment  111  provided to store food in a refrigerated state, and a freezer compartment  112  provided to store the food in a frozen state. In addition, the refrigerator compartment  111  may be disposed above, below or to the side of the freezer compartment  112 . In this embodiment, the refrigerator compartment  111  is partitioned from the freezer compartment  112  by a mullion  113 . In the present disclosure, a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which the refrigerator compartment  111  is disposed above the freezer compartment  112  will be exemplified. 
     Further, the door includes a refrigerator compartment door  12  for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment  111  and a freezer compartment door  13  for opening and closing the freezer compartment  112 . Specifically, the refrigerator compartment door  12  may include a single pivotable door pivotally provided on the side edge of the front face of the cabinet  11 , or French doors which are pivotally provided on the left and right edges of the front face of the cabinet  11  respectively and which open or close an opening in the front face of the refrigerator compartment  111 . The former and latter door may be selected depending on the structure. In this embodiment, an example in which the refrigerator compartment door  12  is provided in the form of the French doors will be illustrated. In one embodiment, the freezer compartment door  13  may also be provided as a French type door as in the refrigerator compartment door  12 , or alternatively as a drawer type door. 
     The pair of refrigerator compartment doors  12  are pivotally connected to the front face of the cabinet  11  via a hinge assembly. In addition, a plurality of storage casings  121  including a shelf or a basket may be arranged on the back face of the pair of the refrigerator compartment doors  12  in the vertical direction. 
     Inside the refrigerator compartment  111 , a plurality of storage boxes  115  and a plurality of shelf assemblies  20  may be arranged. Specifically, the plurality of storage boxes  115  may be arranged side by side on the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment  111 . The plurality of storage boxes  115  may be arranged in the vertical direction as well. In addition, the plurality of shelf assemblies  20  may be disposed side by side on the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment  111 . Further, the plurality of shelf assemblies  20  may be arranged in the vertical direction as well. 
     The cabinet  11  may include an inner cabinet  117  defining the refrigerator compartment  111  and the freezer compartment  112 , an outer cabinet  116  surrounding the inner cabinet  117  and forming the appearance of the cabinet  11 , and a thermal insulating material (not shown) filled between the inner cabinet  117  and the outer cabinet  116 . 
     Further, the shelf assembly  20  may include a shelf support arm  21  in the form of a cantilever secured to the rear face of the inner cabinet  117 , and a shelf  22  that slides in an anteroposterior direction along the shelf support arm  21  in a state of being seated on the top face of the shelf support arm  21 . 
     Accordingly, the user may open the refrigerator compartment door  12  on the left side to withdraw food stored in the storage box  115  and the shelf assembly  20  on the left side. The user may open the refrigerator compartment door  12  on the right side to withdraw food stored in the storage box  115  and the shelf assembly  20  on the right side. 
     The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a shelf withdrawing mechanism  30  that allows the shelf assembly  20  located on the back face of the refrigerator compartment door to move forward of the refrigerator compartment  111  when either the left or right refrigerator compartment door is opened. 
     Hereinafter, a shelf withdrawing mechanism for performing the above function will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the shelf withdrawing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the withdrawing mechanism. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the withdrawing mechanism  30  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may allow the shelf  22  of the shelf assembly  20  to be withdrawn forward when the door  12  is opened. When the door  12  is closed, the withdrawing mechanism  30  functions to insert the shelf  22  into the refrigerator. 
     Specifically, the shelf assembly  20  is secured to a pair of support frames (not shown) mounted perpendicularly to the rear face of the refrigerator compartment  111 . In one example, a catch hook protrudes from each of the left and right rear-end portion portions of the shelf support arm  21 . Each catch hook is inserted into each of catch holes formed in the pair of support frames. In addition, the shelf  22  is coupled to the shelf support arm  21  to be slidable from the shelf support arm  21  in the anteroposterior direction. 
     Furthermore, the withdrawing mechanism  30  may include an inner casing  34  that forms a portion of the side face of the refrigerator compartment  111 , i.e., a portion of the inner cabinet  117 , an outer casing  32  coupled with the inner casing  34  on the opposite side of the inner casing  34 , a sliding member  33  provided between the inner casing  34  and the outer casing  32  and movable in the anteroposterior direction of the refrigerator  10 , a link member  31  connecting the top face of the sliding member  33  to the top face of the door  12 , and a connector  35  that connects the sliding member  33  to the shelf  22 . The connector  35  may be removably coupled to the side face of the shelf  22  and may selectively be coupled to the sliding member  33 . 
     Specifically, when opening the door  12 , the link member  31  is moved forward while rotating about the center of rotation of the door  12 . As a result, the sliding member  33  connected to the rear end of the link member  31  moves forward of the refrigerator  10 . Moreover, as the sliding member  33  moves forward, the shelf  22  connected to the sliding member  33  via the connector  25  is moved forward. 
     The outer casing  32  and the sliding member  33  may be placed in the space between the inner cabinet  117  and the outer cabinet  116 . They may be surrounded by the heat insulating material to prevent shaking thereof. In addition, since the sliding member  33  is located outside the inner casing  34 , the sliding member  33  is not exposed to the outside when the user opens the door  12  so that the refrigerator compartment  111  opens. 
     Hereinafter, each component constituting the withdrawing mechanism will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the outer casing constituting the withdrawing mechanism according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the outer casing  32  constituting the withdrawing mechanism  30  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has a rectangular plate shape having a predetermined width W. Four edges of the outer casing are vertically bent to define the thickness. In addition, a plurality of coupling portions  323  may be formed on the bent portion of the outer casing  32 . 
     Further, a plurality of coupling bosses  322  may protrude from the center of the inner face of the outer casing  32  and may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the outer casing  32 . 
     Further, a plurality of guide grooves  321  are formed in the outer casing  32 . Each groove  321  may extend by a predetermined length in the width direction of the outer casing  32 . In addition, the plurality of guide grooves  321  may be arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the outer casing  32 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a sliding member constituting a withdrawing mechanism according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the sliding member  33  constituting the withdrawing mechanism  30  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape. 
     Specifically, the sliding member  33  may include an outer face  336  facing the outer casing  32 , an inner face  335  ( FIG. 8 ) facing the inner casing  34  as the opposite face to the outer face  336 , a front-end portion  331  facing the front face of the refrigerator  10 , a rear-end portion  332  defining a face opposite the front-end portion  331 , an upper-end portion  333  connecting the top faces of the front-end portion  331  and the rear-end portion  332 , a lower-end portion  334  connecting the bottom face of the front-end portion  331  and the bottom face of the rear-end portion  332 , a link-connection portion  337  vertically protruding from the upper-end portion  333 , and a link-connection boss  338  protruding from the top face of the link-connection portion  337 . 
     Further, a plurality of guide ribs  330   b  may be protruded from the outer face  336  of the sliding member  33  to guide movement of the sliding member  33  in the anteroposterior direction. Further, a plurality of spacer ribs  330   a  may be protruded from the outer face  336  such that the outer casing  32  is spaced apart from the sliding member  33  by a predetermined distance. 
     The guide rib  330   b  protrudes at a position corresponding to the guide groove  321  formed in the outer casing  32 , is inserted into the guide groove  321 , and moves in an anteroposterior direction. 
     The guide groove  321  may be formed to protrude from the inner face of the outer casing  32  to the outer face thereof. The vertical width or thickness of the guide groove  321  may have a size corresponding to the thickness of the guide rib  330   b . As moving the guide rib  330   b  along and in the guide groove  321 , this may prevent the sliding member  33  from shaking when the member  33  is moving. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the inner casing constituting the withdrawing mechanism according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the inner casing  34  constituting the withdrawing mechanism  30  according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a casing body  345  having a rectangular plate shape corresponding to the shape of the outer casing  34 , and a link cover portion  343  extending vertically from the top of the casing body  345 . 
     Specifically, the inner casing  34  may further include an edge portion  346  bent outwardly from the edge of the casing body  345 . A plurality of coupling holes  344  may be formed in the edge portion  346 . In addition, the coupling portions  323  formed on the edge portions of the outer casing  32  are inserted into the coupling holes  344  respectively such that the inner casing  34  and the outer casing  32  may be integrally coupled to each other. 
     Further, a plurality of coupling holes  342  may be formed in the center of the casing body  345 . The plurality of coupling holes  342  may be arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the casing body  345 . In addition, the coupling bosses  322  protruding from the outer casing  32  are respectively fitted into the plurality of coupling holes  342 . In addition, a coupling member passing through the coupling hole  342  may be inserted into the coupling boss  322  such that the inner casing  34  and the outer casing  32  may be coupled together. Moreover, the casing body  345  of the inner casing  34  and the outer casing  32  may be spaced apart from each other by the projecting length of the coupling boss  322  to define a space. The sliding member  33  may be received in the space. 
     Further, in the casing body  345 , a number of guide slits  341  corresponding to the number of the shelves  22  are formed. 
     Specifically, the connector  35  may be inserted into the guide slit  341 . The connector moves in and along the slit. The slit may be formed to position-correspond to the side face of the shelf assembly  20 . Therefore, even when the shelf  22  moves in the anteroposterior direction, the guide slit  341  is not exposed to the outside due to the shelf support arm  21 . 
     Furthermore, the link cover portion  343  is constructed to have a space defined therein for accommodating the link member  31 . The link cover portion  343  performs a shielding function for shielding the link member so that the link member  31  is not exposed to the interior of the refrigerator when the user opens the door  12 . 
     Specifically, the link cover portion  343  has a horizontal portion extending horizontally from the top of the casing body  345  and a vertical portion extending upward from the edge of the horizontal portion. In addition, the vertical portion has a front wall  343   a , a side wall  343   b , and a rear wall  343   c . The ends of the walls constituting the vertical portion are in close contact with the top face of the inner cabinet  117 , that is, the ceiling of the refrigerator compartment  111 . In addition, in the front wall  343   a , a link through-hole  343   d  through which the link member  31  passes may be formed. Therefore, a remaining portion of the link member  31  except for a portion of the member  31  protruding forward through the link through-hole  343   d  may be shielded by the link cover portion  343  and may not be exposed to the outside. 
     In this connection, the inner cabinet  117  may replace the casing body  345 , and only the link cover portion  343  may be provided so as to connect the top and the ceiling portion of the inner cabinet  117 . Thus, the guide slit  341  may be formed in the inner cabinet  117 . Furthermore, the outer casing  32  may be coupled directly to the inner cabinet  117 . 
       FIG. 8  is a view showing a state where the connector constituting the withdrawing mechanism is connected to the sliding member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a state in which the connector is mounted on the shelf assembly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , a receiving groove  339  is defined within the edge of the rear-end portion of the inner face  335  of the sliding member  33 . In addition, a connector  35  that fits in the receiving groove  339  of the sliding member  33  is mounted on the shelf assembly  20 . 
     Specifically, the connector  35  may be removably coupled to the edge of the bottom face of the shelf  22 . The connector  35  may be connected to the shelf  22  and may be moved integrally with the shelf  22 . In addition, a portion of the connector  35  may protrude outward from the rear end of the shelf support arm  21  and be exposed to the outside. Thus, substantially the protruding portion of the connector  35  is fitted into the receiving groove  339 . In this connection, the protruding portion of the connector  35  may be referred to as a “protrusion”. 
     Specifically, the protrusion of the connector  35  may be inserted into the receiving groove  339  of the sliding member  33  through the guide slit  341  of the inner casing  34 . Thus, the connector  35  may be connected to the sliding member  33  and may be moved integrally with the sliding member  33 . 
     Using this structure of the withdrawing mechanism  30 , following may be achieved. When the user opens the door  12  of the refrigerator  10 , the shelf  22  of the shelf assembly  20  is withdrawn forward. When the user closes the door  12 , the shelf  22  is inserted into the refrigerator. 
     The connector  35  and receiving groove  339  may be formed at a point corresponding to the position of the shelf assembly  20 . Each of numbers of the connectors  35  and receiving grooves  339  may correspond to the number of the shelf assemblies  20 . 
     According to the present disclosure, inserting the protrusion of the connector  35  by a predetermined length inwardly of the shelf assembly  20  may allow the protrusion to be separated from the receiving groove  339  of the sliding member  33 . In this case, since the length of the protrusion is relatively short, the protrusion does not reach the receiving groove  339  of the sliding member  33 . Thus, when the protrusion is inserted by the predetermined length inwardly of the shelf  22 , the shelf  22  is not withdrawn forward in a response wot the opening operation of the door  12 . Thus, the position of the shelf  22  may be maintained on the top face of the shelf support arm  21 . 
     According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the user inserts the protrusion of the connector  35  into the inside of the shelf  22  by the predetermined length via pressing of a pressing portion on the connector  35 . Thus, the association movement between the door  12  and the shelf  22  may be disabled. 
     Hereinafter, the pressing portion of the connector for performing the same function will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the connector.  FIG. 12  is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 12 , the connector  35  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a connecting unit  351  protruding out of the shelf assembly  20  for being selectively inserted in the receiving groove  339  of the sliding member  33 , a guide unit  352  surrounding a part of the connecting unit  351  and guiding the connecting unit  351  so as to be movable in the lateral direction of the refrigerator  10 , an actuating unit  353  for enabling inserting of the connecting unit  351  into the interior of the guide unit  352 . 
     The connecting unit  351  may be a portion that protrudes toward the side of the shelf assembly  20  and is selectively inserted in the receiving groove  339 . The connecting unit  351  may be accommodated in a receiving space  3523  defined in the guide unit  352  and may be configured to be movable in the lateral direction of the refrigerator  10 . 
     Specifically, the connecting unit  351  may include a body portion  3511  received within the receiving space  3523  and having one end selectively inserted into the receiving groove  339 , a coupling portion  3512  formed on the bottom face of the body portion  3511 , a contact portion  3515  which is coupled to the coupling portion  3512  and has a first inclined face ( 3516  in  FIG. 13 ) on one end thereof, an extending portion  3513  protruding from the side face of the body portion  3511 , and an elastic member  3514  surrounding the extending portion  3513 . 
     Specifically, the body portion  3511  has a rod shape extending long in the lateral direction of the refrigerator  10 . The edge portion of the portion  3511  may be rounded. Further, when the contact portion  3515  is coupled to the coupling portion  3512  so that the unit  351  is mounted on the actuating unit  353 . The body portion  3511  may, in part, be placed on the top face of the rear end of the he actuating unit  353  while the body portion  3511  may be partially received within the receiving space  3523  defined within the guide unit  352 . In addition, the body portion  3511  may be moved laterally within the receiving space  3523 . 
     The extending portion  3513  may be a portion wound by the elastic member  3514  so that the body portion  3511  moves laterally within the receiving space  325 . The extending portion  3513  may protrude a predetermined length from the side face of the body portion  3511 . The extending portion  3513  may be received in the receiving space  3523  defined within the guide unit  352 . 
     The elastic member  3514  may be wound around the extending portion  3513  to elastically support the side surface of the body portion  3511 . In one example, the elastic member  3514  may include a spring. One end of the elastic member  3514  contacts the side face of the body portion  3511 , while the other end of the member  3514  may be fixed to the inner wall of the guide unit  352 . Accordingly, when the body portion  3511  is moved to the right side of the refrigerator  10 , the elastic member  3514  is compressed. At this time, the elastic member  3514  may provide a pressing force for pressing the body portion  3511  toward the left side of the refrigerator  10  using the restoring force thereof. 
     The coupling portion  3512  may be a portion coupled to the contact portion  3515 . The coupling portion  3512  may be connected to the contact portion  3515  and may be moved integrally with the coupling portion  3512 . 
     The contact portion  3515  may be coupled to the connecting unit  351  and inserted into the actuating unit  353 . 
     Specifically, the contact portion  3515  may be coupled to the coupling portion  3512  and be accommodated in a predetermined space within the actuating unit  353 . The first inclined face  3516  may be formed on one end of the contact portion  3515 . The contact portion  3515  may be moved laterally within the predetermined space via relative movement with a second inclined face  3544  of the movable portion  354 , which will be described later. 
     In this figure, the contact portion  3515  is illustrated as being separate from the body portion  3511 . However, the present disclosure is not so limited. The contact portion  3515  may be integrally formed on the bottom face of the body portion  3511 . 
     The guide unit  352  serves to guide the unit  351  so that the connecting unit  351  moves in a direction to be inserted into the receiving groove  339  or in a direction away from the groove. The guide unit  352  has the space in which the contact portion  3515  is accommodated. 
     Specifically, the guide unit  352  may include a lower housing  3521  on which the connecting unit  351  is seated, and an upper housing  3522  covering the top face of the lower housing  3521 . The lower housing  3521  and the upper housing  3522  may be removably coupled to each other. 
     The receiving space  3523  may be defined by recessing the top face of the lower housing  3521  in a shape corresponding to the shape of the body portion  3511  and the extending portion  3513 . Furthermore, the bottom face of the upper housing  3522  may be recessed to correspond to the recessed shape of the lower housing  3521 . 
     In one embodiment, the actuating unit  353  includes a pressing portion  3541  that the user grasps to insert the connecting unit  351  into the interior of the guide unit  352 . 
     Specifically, the actuating unit  353  includes a movable portion  354  that moves in an anteroposterior direction, and a guide portion  355  fixed to the shelf  22  and guiding the movement of the movable portion  354 . 
     More specifically, the movable portion  354  may include a pressing portion  3541  that the user grasps by hand, an extending portion  3542  extending rearward from the pressing portion  3541 , and a protruding portion  3543  formed from the rear end of the extending portion  3542  and having a second inclined face  3544  formed on one side thereof. 
     The extending portion  3542  may extend in an elongated manner in the anteroposterior direction of the refrigerator  10  and may be mounted in the interior space of the guide portion  355 . Furthermore, to the front end of the extending portion  3542 , a pressing portion  3541  pressed by the user is fixed, while, to the rear end of the portion  3542 , a protruding portion  3543  formed to press the contact portion  3515  is fixed. 
     Thee movable portion  354  may be moved in the anteroposterior direction in the inner space of the guide portion  355  via the pressing of the pressing portion  3541 . At this time, the second inclined face  3544  formed on the protruding portion  3543  pushes the first inclined face  3516  formed on the contact portion  3515 . Thus, the contact portion  3515  may be moved in the left direction or the right direction. 
     The guide portion  355  includes a cover portion  3551  that surrounds the extending portion  3542  and guides the anteroposterior directional movement of the extending portion  3542 , and a space defining portion  3552  formed on the rear end of the cover portion  3551  and having a receiving space for receiving the contact portion  3515  therein. 
     The cover portion  3551  has a hollow shape. The cover portion  3551  may be formed to have a length corresponding to the length of the extending portion  3542  so as to accommodate the extending portion  3542 . The inner space of the cover portion  3551  may be configured such that the extending portion  3542  is moved in an anteroposterior direction therein. Further, inside of the cover portion  3551 , an elastic member  3537  for resiliently supporting the end portion of the extending portion  3542  when the extending portion  3542  moves in the anteroposterior direction may be further provided. 
     The space defining portion  3552  may be coupled to the end portion of the cover portion  3551 . The accommodating space may be defined in the space defining portion  3552  so that the contact portion  3515  is movable a predetermined distance in the lateral direction of the refrigerator  10  in the space. The space defining portion  3552  may be formed in a substantially inverted L shape. the top face of the space defining portion  3552  may be located on the same line as the top face of the cover portion  3551 . In addition, the guide unit  352  may be disposed on one side of the space defining portion  3552 . In one example, the lower housing  3521  of the guide unit  352  may be fixedly attached to one side of the space defining portion  3552 . Alternatively, the lower housing  3521  and the space defining portion  3552  may be integrally formed. 
     Hereinafter, the operation of separating the connecting unit from the receiving groove by pressing the pressing portion such that the contact portion moves in a predetermined direction will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 13  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 14  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the connector when the movable portion is pressed by the user, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     First, referring to  FIG. 13 , the contact portion  3515  of the connector  35  may be urged in the left direction of the refrigerator  10  by the elastic member  3514 . 
     Specifically, the contact portion  3515  may be urged in the left direction by the elastic member  3514  elastically supporting the side face of the body portion  3511  connected to the contact portion  3515 . The contact portion  3515  may be laterally moved within the receiving space defined by the space defining portion  3552 . At this time, the first inclined face  3516  of the contact portion  3515  may be in face-contact with the second inclined face  3544  of the protruding portion  3543 . 
     That is, when the contact portion  3515  is urged in the left direction by the elastic member  3514 , the first inclined face  3516  of the contact portion  3515  presses the second inclined face  3544  of the protruding portion  3543 . In this way, the movable portion  354  can be moved toward the front face of the refrigerator  10 . 
     When, as described above, the contact portion  3515  is moved in the left direction by the elastic member  3514 , the body portion  3511  connected to the contact portion  3515  is inserted into the receiving groove  339  of the sliding member  33 . Thus, when the refrigerator door  12  is opened, the shelf  22  may be withdrawn forward together with the sliding member  33 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , when the movable portion  354  is moved rearward of the refrigerator  10  by the pressing of the pressing portion  3541 , the contact portion  3515  may be moved in the right direction in accordance with the backward movement of the movable portion  354 . 
     Specifically, when the movable portion  354  is moved backward, and, thus, as the first inclined face  3516  of the contact portion  3515  moves relative to the second inclined face  3544  of the protruding portion  3543 , the contact portion  3515  may be moved in the right direction. Subsequently, when the protruding portion  3543  is moved to the rear end of the space defining portion  3552 , the connecting unit  351  connected to the contact portion  3515  is separated from the receiving groove  339  of the sliding member  33 . Therefore, even when the refrigerator door  12  is opened, the shelf  22  is not connected to the sliding member  33 . Thus, the shelf  22  is not withdrawn forward together with the sliding member  33 . 
     At this time, the respective inclined contact faces  3516  and  3544  of the contact portion  3515  and the protruding portion  3543  are not in surface contact with each other. Rather, the parallel contact surfaces of the contact portion  3515  and the protruding portion  3543  are in surface contact with each other. Thus, even when the contact portion  3515  is pressed in the left direction by the elastic member  3514 , the contact portion  3515  is no longer moved in the leftward direction. That is, when the movable portion  354  is moved to the end of the space defining portion  3552 , the position of the contact portion  3515  may be held in a fixed manner. 
     Hereinafter, an operation of the connector will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 15  shows a connector when the shelf automatic withdrawing function is activated according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 16  shows the connector when the shelf automatic withdrawing function is deactivated. 
     First, referring to  FIG. 15 , the body portion  3511  of the connecting unit  351  is moved in the left direction by the elastic member  3514 . Then, the unit  351  is inserted into the receiving groove  339  of the sliding member  33 . Thus, coupling between the connecting unit  351  and the sliding member  33  may allow the shelf  22  to be withdrawn forward as the refrigerator door  12  is opened. 
     In contrast, referring to  FIG. 16 , when the user wishes to disable the shelf automatic withdrawing function, the user presses the pressing portion  3541 . Then, the movable portion  354  is moved rearward. Thus, the first inclined face  3516  of the contact portion  3515  slides along the second inclined face  3544  of the movable portion  354 . The portion  3515  is moved by a predetermined distance d in the rightward direction. In addition, as the contact portion  3515  is moved in the right direction, the connecting unit  351  is separated from the receiving groove  339  of the sliding member  33 . 
     Once the connection between the connecting unit  351  and the sliding member  33  is released, the shelf  22  is not withdrawn together with the sliding member  33  even when the sliding member  33  is withdrawn forward when the refrigerator door  12  is opened. 
       FIG. 17  shows a shelf when a shelf automatic withdrawing function is disabled according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , a plurality of shelf assemblies  40  and  50  may be arranged on the refrigerator compartment  111  in a vertical direction. The plurality of shelf assemblies  40  and  50  include a first shelf assembly  40  mounted on the rear side of the refrigerator compartment  111  and a second shelf assembly  50  disposed below the first shelf assembly  40 . 
     The first shelf assembly  40  and the second shelf assembly  50  may respectively include a first shelf support arm  41  and a second shelf support arm  51  that are secured to the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment  111 , and a first shelf  42  and a second shelf  52 , which are installed so as to be movable in the anteroposterior direction on the shelf support arms, respectively. 
     According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may also disable the shelf automatic withdrawing function for the desired shelf assembly among the shelf assemblies  40  and  50 . 
     In one example, the user may disable the shelf automatic withdrawing function for the first shelf assembly  40  via manipulation of the connector. In this case, when the refrigerator door  12  is opened, the second shelf  52  of the second shelf assembly  50  is withdrawn forward as the refrigerator door  12  is opened. However, the first shelf  41  of the first shelf assembly  40  is not withdrawn forward as the refrigerator door  12  is opened. 
     According to this structure, the coupling between the shelf and the withdrawing mechanism for withdrawing the shelf may be released by a simple operation using the pressing portion of the connector. Thus, there is an advantage that the user can freely select whether to use the automatic withdrawing function for the opening of the refrigerator door.