Patent Publication Number: US-11391505-B2

Title: Refrigerator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National Stage Application which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2019/005528 filed on May 9, 2019, which claims foreign priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application 10-2018-0066276 filed on Jun. 8, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator including a door provided with a latch device. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Generally, a refrigerator is an appliance that keeps food fresh by including a main body provided with a storage compartment therein and a cold air supply system for supplying cold air to the storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment that is maintained at temperature of about 0 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius to keep food refrigerated, and a freezing compartment that is maintained at temperature of about 0 degrees Celsius to −30 degrees Celsius to keep food frozen. 
     The storage compartment is provided with shelves to store food. The storage compartment is provided with an open front to allow food to be put in and taken out, and the open front of the storage compartment may be opened and closed by a first door rotatably coupled to the main body. A rear surface of the first door may be provided with a door pocket for storing food separately from the shelves arranged in the storage compartment. 
     Because the door pocket is provided on the rear surface of the first door, generally, the first door needs to be opened to access the door pocket. On the other hand, there is a refrigerator having a separate second door on the first door so that the door pocket may be accessed without opening the first door. A refrigerator having such a second door may allow access to the door pocket provided on the rear surface of the first door by opening only the second door without opening the first door, so that the diversity of food storage may be increased and the effect of preserving cold air may be obtained. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator capable of easily opening a door. 
     The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator in which a latch device may be easily installed on a door. 
     Technical Solution 
     One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a main body including a storage compartment, a first door disposed in front of the main body and having an opening, a second door disposed in front of the first door to open and close the opening of the first door, and a latch device configured to couple or separate the second door to or from the first door, wherein the latch device includes a fixing member disposed on the first door, a locking member provided on the second door to be coupled or separated from the fixing member, and an input member provided on the second door to be rotatable in the left and right directions, and wherein the locking member rotates in a direction of being separated from the fixing member when the input member rotates in the left direction, and the locking member rotates in the direction of being separated from the fixing member when the input member rotates in the right direction. 
     The latch device may further include a latch case disposed on the second door, the locking member may be coupled to the latch case to be rotatable with respect to a first rotation axis, and the input member may be coupled to the latch case to be rotatable with respect to a second rotation axis. 
     The locking member may include a locking protrusion formed at one end close to the fixing member and a receiving protrusion formed at the other end close to the input member, and the input member may include a first pressing portion configured to press the receiving protrusion when the input member rotates in the right direction and a second pressing portion configured to press the receiving protrusion when the input member rotates in the left direction. 
     The receiving protrusion may include a receiving roller rotatably provided on a portion coming into contact with the first pressing portion or the second pressing portion. 
     At least one of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion may include an input roller rotatably provided on a portion coming into contact with the receiving protrusion when the input member rotates. 
     The latch device may further include an elastic member configured such that one end thereof is fixed to the latch case and the other end opposite to the one end is fixed to the locking member to press the locking member in a direction of being coupled to the fixing member. 
     The second door may further include a latch cover forming an accommodation space in which at least a portion of the latch case is accommodated. 
     The latch case may include a cover portion to cover the accommodation space of the latch cover. 
     The cover portion may be formed to cover a portion of the second door to which the latch cover is coupled. 
     The cover portion may include a through hole formed in a size and shape corresponding to the input member so that the input member passes therethrough. 
     The latch case may be provided to be screwed to at least one of the latch cover and the second door. 
     The first rotation axis may extend in a direction different from the second rotation axis. 
     The first rotation axis may extend in a direction perpendicular to the second rotation axis. 
     The refrigerator may further include a door handle installed on the second door and disposed in front of the latch device to be spaced apart from the latch device. 
     The input member may be disposed to protrude from a front surface of the second door. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a main body including a storage compartment, a first door disposed in front of the main body and having an opening, a second door disposed in front of the first door to open and close the opening of the first door, and a latch device, wherein the latch device includes a fixing member disposed on the first door, a latch case disposed on the second door, a locking member coupled to the latch case to be rotatable with respect to a first rotation axis and including a locking protrusion provided at one end to be coupled to or separated from the fixing member and a receiving portion provided at the other end opposite to the one end, an input member slidably coupled to the latch case and including a connection portion connected to the receiving portion of the locking member to rotate the locking member, wherein the connection portion includes an inclined portion to correspond to a rotation range of the receiving portion. 
     The latch case may include a rib extending along a sliding direction of the input member. 
     The latch device may further include an elastic member configured to press the input member in a direction of being withdrawn from the latch case, and the elastic member may be disposed at the center on a plane perpendicular to the sliding direction of the input member. 
     The input member may further include a limiting protrusion being interfered by the latch case to limit a range in which the input member is withdrawn from the latch case. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a main body including a storage compartment, a first door disposed in front of the main body to open and close the storage compartment, and a latch device, wherein the latch device includes a fixing member disposed on the main body, a latch case disposed on the door, a locking member coupled to the latch case to be rotatable with respect to a first rotation axis extending along the left and right directions and configured to be coupled to or separated from the fixing member, and an input member coupled to the latch case to be rotatable with respect to a second rotation axis extending along the up and down directions, wherein the input member is configured to rotate the locking member in a direction of being separated from the fixing member when rotating in a first direction and to rotate the locking member in the direction of being separated from the fixing member even when rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     In a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a locking member is released from a fixing member when an input member rotates in the right direction as well as to the left direction, so that a door can be easily opened. 
     In the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a latch device is configured as one assembly, so that the latch device can be easily installed on the door. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a state in which all first doors and second doors are closed. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a state in which all the first doors and the second doors of the refrigerator illustrated in  FIG. 1  are opened. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a state in which the first doors of the refrigerator illustrated in  FIG. 1  are closed and only the second doors are opened. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a door device of the refrigerator illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a state in which the second door of the door device of the refrigerator illustrated in  FIG. 4  is opened. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a latch device provided in the door device illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear lower perspective view of a partial configuration of the latch device illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a rear upper cross-sectional perspective view of a state in which a locking member of the latch device illustrated in  FIG. 7  is coupled to a fixing member. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a portion of the cross section taken along line A-A′ in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a rear upper cross-sectional perspective view of a state in which the locking member is separated from the fixing member as an input member of the latch device illustrated in  FIG. 7  rotates to the right direction. 
         FIG. 11  is a rear upper cross-sectional perspective view of a state in which the locking member is separated from the fixing member as the input member of the latch device illustrated in  FIG. 7  rotates to the left direction. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a latch device according to an embodiment, which is different from the latch device illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a latch device according to another embodiment, which is different from the latch device illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a door device according to an embodiment, which is different from the door device illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a door device having a latch device according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the latch device illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a state in which a locking member is coupled to a fixing member, as a portion of the cross section taken along line B-B′ in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a state in which the locking member is separated from the fixing member, as a portion of the cross section taken along line B-B′ in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     MODE OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only examples of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and various modifications may be made at the time of filing of the present disclosure to replace the embodiments and drawings of the present specification. 
     Like reference numbers or signs in the various drawings of the application represent parts or components that perform substantially the same functions. 
     The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to restrict and/or to limit the present disclosure. For example, the singular expressions herein may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, the terms “comprises” and has are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. The term “and/or” includes any combination of a plurality of related items or any one of a plurality of related items. 
     In this specification, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper portion,” “lower portion,” “left,” and “right” used in the following description are defined with reference to the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a refrigerator  1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, illustrating a state in which all first doors  41  and  51  and second doors  42  and  52  are closed.  FIG. 2  illustrates a state in which all the first doors  41  and  51  and the second doors  42  and  52  of the refrigerator  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are opened.  FIG. 3  illustrates a state in which the first doors  41  and  51  of the refrigerator  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  are closed and only the second doors  42  and  52  are opened. 
     The refrigerator  1  may include a main body  10 , a storage compartment  20  formed by being partitioned up and down inside the body  10 , door  30 ,  40 , and  50  configured to open and close the storage compartment  20 , and a cold air supply device (not shown) configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment  20 . 
     The main body  10  may include an inner case (not shown) forming the storage compartment  20 , an outer case  11  coupled to an outer side of the inner case to form an outer appearance, and an insulator foamed between the inner case and outer case  11  to insulate the storage compartment  20 . 
     The cold air supply device may generate cold air using a cooling circulation cycle in which a refrigerant is compressed, condensed, expanded, and evaporated. 
     The storage compartment  20  may be partitioned by a partition  15 . A plurality of shelves  25  and storage containers  26  may be provided inside the storage compartment  20  to store food. 
     The storage compartment  20  may be divided into a plurality of storage compartments  21  and  22  by the partition  15 . The partition  15  may be disposed horizontally inside the storage compartment  20  to divide the storage compartment  20  into the upper storage compartment  21  and the lower storage compartment  22 . Although not shown, the partition  15  may include a lower partition (not shown) vertically disposed in the lower storage compartment  22  to divide the lower storage compartment  22  into a first lower storage compartment (not shown) and a second lower storage compartment (not shown). 
     The upper storage compartment  21  of the upper storage compartment  21  and the lower storage compartment  22  divided by the partition  15  may be used as a refrigerating compartment, and the lower storage compartment  22  may be used as a freezing compartment. Conversely, in the refrigerator  1  of the present disclosure, the upper storage compartment  21  may be used as a freezing compartment, and the lower storage compartment  22  may be used as a refrigerating compartment. The division of the storage compartment  20  described above is only an example, and each of the storage compartments  21  and  22  may be used differently from the above configuration. 
     The upper storage compartment  21  may be opened and closed by a pair of upper door devices  40  and  50  rotatably coupled to the main body  10 . The pair of upper door devices  40  and  50  may include the upper left door  40  and the upper right door  50 . The upper left door  40  may include an upper left door handle  46 . The upper right door  50  may include an upper right door handle  56 . The upper left door handle  46  may be provided on the second left door  42 . The upper right door handle  56  may be provided on the second right door  52 . 
     The lower storage compartment  22  may be opened and closed by a pair of lower door devices  30  rotatably coupled to the main body  10 . The pair of lower door devices  30  may include a lower left door  31  and a lower right door  32 . The lower left door  31  may include a lower left door handle  33 . The lower right door  32  may include a lower right door handle  34 . 
     Alternatively, the doors for opening and closing the lower storage compartment  22  may be configured to be driven in a sliding manner. 
     The pair of upper door devices  40  and  50  and the pair of lower door devices  30  may open and close a main body opening  10   a  of the main body  10 . 
     An upper left door shelf  47  capable of storing food may be provided on a rear surface of the upper left door  40 . An upper right door shelf  57  capable of storing food may be provided on a rear surface of the upper right door  50 . A lower left door shelf (not shown) capable of storing food may be provided on a rear surface of the lower left door  31 . A lower right door shelf (not shown) capable of storing food may be provided on a rear surface of the lower right door  32 . 
     An upper left gasket  49  may be provided at an edge of the rear surface of the upper left door  40  to seal a gap with the main body  10  in a state in which the upper left door  40  is closed. The upper left gasket  49  may be installed in the form of a loop along the edge of the rear surface of the upper left door  40 . A magnet (not shown) may be provided inside the upper left gasket  49 . An upper right gasket  59  may be provided at an edge of the rear surface of the upper right door  50  to seal a gap with the main body  10  in a state in which the upper right door  50  is closed. The upper right gasket  59  may be installed in the form of a loop along the edge of the rear surface of the upper right door  50 . A magnet (not shown) may be provided inside the upper right gasket  59 . A lower left gasket (not shown) may be provided at an edge of the rear surface of the lower left door  31  to seal a gap with the main body  10  in a state in which the lower left door  31  is closed. The lower left gasket may be installed in the form of a loop along the edge of the rear surface of the lower left door  31 . A magnet (not shown) may be provided inside the lower left gasket. A lower right gasket (not shown) may be provided at an edge of the rear surface of the lower right door  32  to seal a gap with the main body  10  in a state in which the lower right door  32  is closed. The lower right gasket may be installed in the form of a loop along the edge of the rear surface of the lower right door  32 . A magnet (not shown) may be provided inside the lower right gasket. 
     Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, only the upper left door  40  will be described, and the upper left door  40  will be referred to as the door device  40 . Also, the upper left door handle  46  will be referred to as the door handle  46 , the upper left door shelf  47  will be referred to as the door shelf  47 , and the upper left gasket  49  will be referred to as the first gasket  49 . However, the door device  40 , which will be described below, may be applied to the upper right door  50  and may be applied to at least one of the pair of lower door devices  30 . 
     The door device  40  may be provided as a double door including the first door  41  and the second door  42 . 
     The first door  41  may be rotatably connected to the main body  10  by a first hinge unit  61 . The first door  41  may be disposed in front of the main body  10 . The first door  41  may cover a portion of the main body opening  10   a  of the main body  10 . The door shelf  47  and the first gasket  49  may be provided on the first door  41 . 
     The first door  41  may include a door opening  43  formed to allow a user to access a door storage compartment  48  and put or take food in or out in a state in which the first door  41  is closed. The door opening  43  is formed to penetrate the first door  41  and may be opened and closed by the second door  42 . 
     A dispenser  70  capable of dispensing purified water, carbonated water, or ice from the outside without opening the door device  40  may be provided on the first door  41 . The dispenser  70  may include a dispensing space  71  in which purified water, carbonated water, or ice may be taken out, and a lever  72  capable of selecting whether to take out or not. 
     The second door  42  may be disposed in front of the first door  41  to open and close the door opening  43  of the first door  41 . The second door  42  may be provided to be rotatable in the same direction as the second door  41 . The present embodiment exemplifies that the second door  42  is rotatably supported on a second hinge unit  62  installed on the first door  41  to be rotatable with respect to the first door  41 , but is not limited thereto, and the second hinge unit  62  may be installed on the main body  10  so that the second door  42  may be provided to be rotatable with respect to the main body  10 . 
     The second door  42  may include the door handle  46  formed to be gripped by a user. The door handle  46  may be provided at the other end opposite to one end of the second door  42  connected to the second hinge unit  62 . The door handle  46  may extend by a predetermined length in the up and down directions. Upper and lower end portions of the door handle  46  may be fixed to the second door  42 , respectively, and the remaining portion of the door handle  46  between the upper and lower end portions may be formed to be spaced apart from the second door  42 . Accordingly, the user may grip the door handle  46  through a space between the second door  42  and the door handle  46 . 
     The second door  42  may include a second gasket  44  for maintaining airtightness with the first door  41 . The second gasket  44  may be installed in the form of a roof on a rear surface of the second door  42 . The second gasket  44  may be disposed to correspond to the door opening  43  of the first door  41 . A magnet (not shown) may be provided in the second gasket  44 . 
     A dispenser opening  45  for exposing the dispenser  70  provided on the first door  41  to the outside may be formed on the second door  42 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a door device of the refrigerator  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a state in which the second door  42  of the door device  40  of the refrigerator  1  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is opened.  FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a latch device  100  provided in the door device  40  illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 7  is a rear lower perspective view of a partial configuration of the latch device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 8  is a rear upper cross-sectional perspective view of a state in which a locking member  130  of the latch device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 7  is coupled to a fixing member  106 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a portion of the cross section taken along line A-A′ in  FIG. 4 . 
     Hereinafter, the latch device  100  provided in the door device  40  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 9 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 9 , the door device  40  may be provided with the latch device  100  configured to couple the second door  42  to the first door  41  or to separate the second door  42  from the first door  41 . The latch device  100  may be disposed in the rear of the door handle  46  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The latch device  100  may be disposed to be covered by the door handle  46  when viewed from the front. The door handle  46  may be provided to have a width larger than that of the latch device  100 . The door handle  46  may be disposed to be spaced apart from the latch device  100  by a predetermined distance. The user may drive the latch device  100  or grip the door handle  46  through a space between the door handle  46  and the latch device  100 . 
     The latch device  100  may include the fixing member  106 , a latch case  110 , an input member  120 , and the locking member  130 . The fixing member  106  may be disposed on the first door  41 . The latch case  110 , the input member  120 , and the locking member  130  may be disposed on the second door  42 . 
     The fixing member  106  may be disposed on the other side opposite to one side of the first door  41  connected to the first hinge unit  61 . The fixing member  106  may include a fixing protrusion  107  to which a locking protrusion  131  of the locking member  130  is selectively coupled. The fixing member  106  may include a fixing space  108  in which the locking protrusion  131  is accommodated. 
     The latch case  110  may be disposed on the other side opposite to one side of the second door  42  connected to the second hinge unit  62 . The latch case  110  may rotatably support the input member  120 . The latch case  110  may rotatably support the locking member  130 . 
     The latch case  110  may include a first support hole  111  to rotatably support the input member  120  and a second support hole  112  to rotatably support the locking member  130 . 
     A first shaft protrusion  123  of the input member  120  may be rotatably coupled to the first support hole  111 . The first support hole  111  may support the input member  120  so that the input member  120  is rotatable with respect to a first rotation axis extending substantially in the up and down directions. 
     A second shaft protrusion  133  of the locking member  130  may be rotatably coupled to the second support hole  112 . The second support hole  112  may support the locking member  130  so that the locking member  130  is rotatable with respect to a second rotation axis extending substantially in the left and right directions. 
     The first rotation axis may extend in a different direction from the second rotation axis. The first rotation axis may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second rotation axis. 
     A latch cover  101  may be provided on the second door  42 . The latch cover  101  may be installed at a portion of the second door  42  where the latch device  100  is installed. The latch cover  101  may include an accommodation space  102  in which at least a portion of the latch device  100  is accommodated. The latch cover  101  may include a door coupling portion  103  coupled to a portion of the second door  42 . 
     The latch device  100  may be coupled to the latch cover  101  by a fixing member  151 . Specifically, the latch case  110  may be inserted into the latch cover  101  in a state in which the input member  120  and the locking member  130  are mounted. The fixing member  151  may be coupled to a fixing hole (not shown) formed on the latch cover  101  and an insertion portion  116  formed on the latch case  110 . Accordingly, the latch device  100  may be fixed to the latch cover  101 . The fixing member  151  may be a screw. The fixing member  151  may be sequentially coupled to a fixing hole  42   a  formed on the rear surface of the second door  42 , the fixing hole of the latch cover  101 , and the insertion part  116  of the latch case  110 . Accordingly, the latch device  100  may be fixed to the latch cover  101  and the second door  42 . 
     Because the latch device  100  is fixed to the latch cover  101  and/or the second door  42  in a state in which the input member  120  and the locking member  130  are mounted on the latch case  110 , the latch device  100  may be mounted relatively easily. 
     The latch case  110  may include a cover portion  113  to cover the accommodation space  102  of the latch cover  101 . The cover portion  113  may be formed to cover a portion of the second door  42  to which the latch cover  101  is coupled. Specifically, referring to  FIG. 9 , a portion of the second door  42  may be bent, and the bent portion of the second door  42  may be inserted into the door coupling portion  103  of the latch cover  101 . The cover portion  113  may extend to cover the bent portion of the second door  42  inserted into the latch cover  101 . An outer appearance of the second door  42  may be improved by the cover portion  113 . 
     The latch case  110  may include a through hole  114  through which an input portion  121  of the input member  120  passes. The through hole  114  may be formed on the cover portion  113 . The through hole  114  may have a size and/or shape in consideration of rotational driving of the input member  120 . The through hole  114  may be provided in a size in which a user may not see an internal configuration of the latch device  100 . That is, the through hole  114  may be provided to correspond to a size and/or shape of the input portion  121 . 
     The input member  120  may be coupled to the latch case  110  to be rotatable with respect to the second rotation axis. When rotating in a first direction, the input member  120  may rotate the locking member  130  in a direction in which the locking member  130  is separated from the fixing member  106 . Even when rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the input member  120  may also rotate the locking member  130  in the direction in which the locking member  130  is separated from the fixing member  106 . The first direction may be set to the right direction, and the second direction may be set to the left direction. 
     The input member  120  may include a pressing part  122  configured to press the locking member  130  in the direction in which the locking member  130  is separated from the fixing member  106  when the input member  120  rotates. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the pressing part  122  may include a first pressing portion  122   a  and a second pressing portion  122   b.    
     The first pressing portion  122   a  may be formed to press a receiving protrusion  132  of the locking member  130  when the input member  120  rotates to the right. The first pressing portion  122   a  may extend from the first shaft protrusion  123  of the input member  120  toward a rear right side. That is, the first pressing portion  122   a  may extend with a predetermined angle in the right direction with respect to the front and rear directions. 
     The second pressing portion  122   b  may be formed to press the receiving protrusion  132  of the locking member  130  when the input member  120  rotates to the left. The second pressing portion  122   b  may extend from the first shaft protrusion  123  of the input member  120  toward a rear left side. That is, the second pressing portion  122   b  may extend with a predetermined angle in the left direction with respect to the front and rear directions. 
     In other words, the pressing part  122  may include the first pressing portion  122   a  and the second pressing portion  122   b  extending from the first shaft protrusion  123  toward the rear right and left sides, respectively. The pressing part  122  may have a substantially alphabet “Y” shape. 
     The input member  120  may include the input portion  121  extending forward from the first shaft protrusion  123 . The input portion  121  may be disposed to pass through the through hole  114 . The input portion  121  may extend to protrude from a front surface of the second door  42 . Accordingly, the user may easily operate the input portion  121 . 
     The input member  120  may include the first shaft protrusion  123  forming a rotation axis. The first shaft protrusion  123  may be rotatably inserted into the first support hole  111  of the latch case  110 . The first shaft protrusion  123  may substantially extend along the up and down directions. 
     The locking member  130  may be coupled to the latch case  110  to be rotatable with respect to the first rotation axis. The locking member  130  may include the second shaft protrusion  133  rotatably inserted into the second support hole  112  of the latch case  110 . The second shaft protrusion  133  may extend substantially along the left and right directions. 
     The locking member  130  may be provided to be coupled to or separated from the fixing member  106 . The locking member  130  may include the locking protrusion  131  formed at one end close to the fixing member  106  and the receiving protrusion  132  formed at the other end close to the input member  120 . 
     The locking protrusion  131  may extend along the front and rear directions, and an end thereof may protrude substantially downward. The locking protrusion  131  may extend rearward from the second shaft protrusion  133 . A protruding portion of the locking protrusion  131  may be caught on the fixing protrusion  107  of the fixing member  106 . As the locking protrusion  131  is caught on the fixing protrusion  107 , the second door  42  may be fixed to the first door  41 . 
     The receiving protrusion  132  may extend substantially downward from the second shaft protrusion  133 . The receiving protrusion  132  may extend along a direction substantially perpendicular to the locking protrusion  131 . The receiving protrusion  132  may come into contact with the pressing part  122 . 
     When the input member  120  rotates in the right direction, the receiving protrusion  132  may be rotated by being pressed by the first pressing portion  122   a . In this case, the receiving protrusion  132  rotates rearward, and accordingly, the locking protrusion  131  rotates upward. As the locking protrusion  131  rotates upward, the locking protrusion  131  may be separated from the fixing member  106 . 
     When the input member  120  rotates in the left direction, the receiving protrusion  132  may be rotated by being pressed by the second pressing portion  122   b . In this case, the receiving protrusion  132  rotates rearward, and accordingly, the locking protrusion  131  rotates upward. As the locking protrusion  131  rotates upward, the locking protrusion  131  may be separated from the fixing member  106 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the latch device  100  may further include an elastic member  141 . One end of the elastic member  141  may be fixed to a first fixing portion  115  of the latch case  110 , and the other end of the elastic member  141  may be fixed to a second fixing portion  134  of the locking member  130 . The elastic member  141  may press the locking member  130  in a direction in which the locking member  130  is fixed to the fixing member  106 . The elastic member  141  may be a spring. 
       FIG. 10  is a rear upper cross-sectional perspective view of a state in which the locking member  130  is separated from the fixing member  106  as the input member  120  of the latch device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 7  rotates to the right direction.  FIG. 11  is a rear upper cross-sectional perspective view of a state in which the locking member  130  is separated from the fixing member  106  as the input member  120  of the latch device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 7  rotates to the left direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , when the user rotates the input member  120  of the latch device  100  protruding from the front surface of the second door  42  in the first direction, that is, in the right direction (R direction), the first pressing portion  122   a  of the input member  120  rotates and may press the receiving protrusion  132 . The pressed receiving protrusion  132  is pushed to the rear, and accordingly, the locking protrusion  131  of the locking member  130  rotates in the upward direction (U direction). As the locking protrusion  131  rotates, the locking protrusion  131  is separated from the fixing protrusion  107 , and accordingly, the second door  42  is separated from the first door  41 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , when the user rotates the input member  120  of the latch device  100  protruding from the front surface of the second door  42  in the second direction, that is, in the left direction (L direction), the second pressing portion  122   b  of the input member  120  rotates and may press the receiving protrusion  132 . The pressed receiving protrusion  132  is pushed to the rear, and accordingly, the locking protrusion  131  of the locking member  130  rotates in the upward direction (U direction). As the locking protrusion  131  rotates, the locking protrusion  131  is separated from the fixing protrusion  107 , and accordingly, the second door  42  is separated from the first door  41 . 
     Thereafter, when the user releases a force applied to the input portion  121  of the input member  120 , the elastic member  141  rotates the locking protrusion  131  of the locking member  130  in the downward direction, the locking protrusion  131  is coupled to the fixing protrusion  107 , and the pressing part  122  and the input portion  121  return to their original positions. Accordingly, the second door  42  may be fixed to the first door  41 . 
     As such, because the latch device  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may release the locking member  130  from the fixing member  106  not only when rotating the input member  120  in the right direction, but also when rotating the input member  120  in the left direction, the use of the latch device  100  is easy. In addition, because the latch device  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may separate the second door  42  from the first door  41  regardless of the rotation direction, not only a normal right-handed user, but also a left-handed user may conveniently use the latch device  100 . In addition, because the input portion  121  of the input member  120  of the latch device  100  protrudes from the front surface of the second door  42 , the user may operate the input portion  121  even without gripping the door handle  46 , so that the input portion  121  may be used even when the user holds an object in both hands, thereby increasing convenience of use. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a latch device according to another embodiment, which is different from the latch device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     In a description of a latch device illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the latch device  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , and a description thereof may be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the locking member  130  of a latch device  200  may include a receiving shaft  232  and a receiving roller  233  rotatably coupled to the receiving shaft  232 , unlike the receiving protrusion  132  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 11 . 
     The receiving shaft  232  may extend substantially downward from the second shaft protrusion  133 . The receiving shaft  232  may have a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     The receiving roller  233  may be rotatably coupled to the receiving shaft  232 . The receiving roller  233  may be provided to come into contact with the first pressing portion  122   a  and the second pressing portion  122   b.    
     According to this configuration, when the first pressing portion  122   a  or the second pressing portion  122   b  rotates the locking member  130  as the latch device  200  according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12  rotates the input portion  121 , the receiving roller  233  of the locking member  130  is rolled on the first pressing portion  122   a  or the second pressing portion  122   b , so that a friction between the first and second pressing portions  122   a  and  122   b  and the locking member  130  may be reduced, thereby improving durability of the locking member  130 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a latch device according to another embodiment, which is different from the latch device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     In a description of a latch device  300  illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the latch device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , and a description thereof may be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the input member  120  of the latch device  300  may include a first roller support portion  222   a , a first input roller  223   a , a second roller support portion  222   b , and a second input roller  223   b , unlike the first pressing portion  122   a  and the second pressing portion  122   b  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 11 . 
     The first roller support portion  222   a  may extend from a rear end of the input portion  121  toward a rear right side. The first roller support part  222   a  may extend in a direction of being inclined at a predetermined angle to the right with respect to a direction in which the input portion  121  extends. The first input roller  223   a  may be rotatably coupled to an end of the first roller support  222   a.    
     The second roller support portion  222   b  may extend from the rear end of the input portion  121  toward a rear left side. The second roller support part  222   b  may extend in a direction of being inclined at a predetermined angle to the left with respect to the direction in which the input portion  121  extends. The second input roller  223   b  may be rotatably coupled to an end of the second roller support  222   b.    
     According to this configuration, when the first input roller  223   a  presses the receiving protrusion  132  as the latch device  300  according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13  rotates the input portion  121 , the first input roller  223   a  is rolled on the receiving protrusion  132 , so that a friction between the first input roller  223   a  and the receiving protrusion  132  may be reduced, thereby improving durability of the input member  120 . 
     Also, when the second input roller  223   b  presses the receiving protrusion  132  as the latch device  300  according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 13  rotates the input portion  121 , the second input roller  223   b  is rolled on the receiving protrusion  132 , so that a friction between the second input roller  223   b  and the receiving protrusion  132  may be reduced, thereby improving durability of the input member  120 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a door device according to an embodiment, which is different from the door device  40  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     In a description of a door device  40 ′ illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the door device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , and a description thereof may be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , a door handle  46 ′ of the door device  40 ′ according to another embodiment of the present disclosure does not have a shape protruding from the front surface of the second door  42  and extending in the up and down directions, but may have a groove shape extending in the up and down directions from a side surface of the second door  42 . The user may open the second door  42  by putting his or her hand in an inner space of the door handle  46 ′ and gripping the second door  42 . 
     Like the door device  40 ′ illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the latch device  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a door that does not have a shape of protruding from the front surface of the second door  42  like the door handle  46  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the door device  40  having a latch device  400  according to another embodiment.  FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the latch device  400  illustrated in  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 17  illustrates a state in which a locking member  430  is coupled to the fixing member  106 , as a portion of the cross section taken along line B-B′ in  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 18  illustrates a state in which the locking member  430  is separated from the fixing member  106 , as a portion of the cross section taken along line B-B′ in  FIG. 15 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the latch device  400  may include the fixing member  106  installed on the first door  41 , a latch case  410  installed on the second door  42 , an input member  420 , and the locking member  430 . The latch cover  101  may be mounted on the second door  42 . The configurations of the fixing member  106  and the latch cover  101  are the same as those illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , and thus a description thereof will be omitted. 
     The latch case  410  may include a movement space  411  in which the input member  420  is slidably coupled. The movement space  411  may be formed to substantially correspond to a size and/or shape of the input member  420 . 
     The input member  420  may be slidably coupled to the movement space  411  of the latch case  410 . The input member  420  may include an input portion  421  exposed to the outside of the second door  42  so that the user may operate the input portion  421 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the input member  420  may have a connection portion  424  connected to a receiving portion  432  of the locking member  430  to rotate the locking member  430 . The connection portion  424  may extend rearward from the input portion  421  and may have a cross-section different from that of another portion to be inserted into a groove of the receiving portion  432 . 
     The connection portion  424  may include a first inclined portion  424   a  and a second inclined portion  424   b  formed to correspond to a rotation range of the receiving portion  432  in consideration of the rotation of the receiving portion  432 . 
     The first inclined portion  424   a  may be formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle forward from a surface on which the input member  420  presses the receiving portion  432 . The second inclined portion  424   b  may be formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle rearward from a surface on which the input member  420  pulls the receiving portion  432 . 
     The input member  420  may include a rib  422  extending along a sliding movement direction and protruding from an outer surface thereof facing the latch case  410 . The rib  422  may improve durability of the latch case  410  and the input member  420  by reducing a friction between the input member  420  and the latch case  410  and may allow the input member  420  to smoothly slide. 
     The input member  420  may include a limiting protrusion  423  configured to limit a range in which the input member  420  is withdrawn from the latch case  410 . The limiting protrusion  423  may protrude to be interfered by an inner surface of the latch case  410 .  FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate that the limiting protrusions  423  are provided on upper and lower sides of the input member  420 , respectively, but are not limited thereto, and the limiting protrusion  423  may be provided on the left side and/or the right side of the input member  420  as well. 
     The locking member  430  may be coupled to the latch case  110  to be rotatable with respect to the first rotation axis. The locking member  430  may include a shaft protrusion  433  rotatably inserted into a support hole  412  of the latch case  110 . 
     The locking member  430  may include a locking protrusion  431  provided to be coupled to or separated from the fixing member  106 . The locking protrusion  431  may extend rearward from the shaft protrusion  433 , and an end thereof may protrude downward. 
     The locking member  430  may include the receiving portion  432  extending substantially downward from the shaft protrusion  433 . 
     The latch device  400  may include an elastic member  441  provided to press the input member  420  in a withdrawal direction. One end of the elastic member  441  may be fixed to a first fixing portion  426  of the input member  420 , and the other end of the elastic member  441  may be fixed to a second fixing portion  416  of the latch case  410 . The input portion  421  may protrude only by a predetermined length from the front surface of the second door  42  by the elastic member  441  and the limiting protrusion  423 . 
     The elastic member  441  may be disposed in a substantially central portion on a plane perpendicular to a sliding direction of the input member  420 . According to this arrangement of the elastic member  441 , when the input member  420  slides, the input member  420  is not biased in any one of up, down, left, and right directions, so that a friction between an inner surface of the latch case  410  and the input member  420  may be reduced. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , when the second door  42  is fixed to the first door  41 , the locking protrusion  431  is coupled to the fixing protrusion  107 , the elastic member  441  presses the input member  120  in the withdrawal direction, and the limiting protrusion  423  may be interfered by the inner surface of the latch case  410  so that the input member  420  is not separated from the latch case  410 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , when the user presses the input member  420  of the latch device  400  protruding from the front surface of the second door  42  to move the input member  420  in a C direction, one surface of the connection portion  424  of the input member  420  may press the receiving portion  432 . Accordingly, the locking member  430  rotates with respect to the shaft protrusion  433 , and the locking protrusion  431  is separated from the fixing protrusion  107 . A front surface of the receiving portion  432  comes into contact with the first inclined portion  424   a , and a rear surface of the receiving portion  432  comes into contact with the second inclined portion  424   b . The elastic member  441  is contracted. Accordingly, the second door  42  is separated from the first door  41 . 
     When the user releases a force applied to the input member  120 , the elastic member  441  moves the input member  120  in the withdrawal direction, and the locking protrusion  431  is coupled to the fixing protrusion  107 . Accordingly, the second door  42  is fixed to the first door  41 . 
     As such, because the input portion  421  of the input member  420  of the latch device  400  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure protrudes from the front surface of the second door  42 , the user may operate the input portion  121  even without gripping the door handle  46 , so that the input portion  121  may be used even when the user holds an object in both hands, thereby increasing convenience of use. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a refrigerator  2  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In a description of the refrigerator  2  illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the refrigerator illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , and a description thereof may be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , the latch device  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 11  may be applied to the side-by-side type refrigerator  2  having a single door  1030 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the refrigerator  2  may include a main body  1010 , storage compartments  1021  and  1023  provided inside the main body  1010  and having an open front side, and a door  1030  rotatably coupled to the main body  1010  to open and close the storage compartments  1021  and  1023 . 
     The main body  1010  may include an inner case  1011  forming the storage compartments  1021  and  1023 , an outer case  1013  forming an outer appearance, a cold air supply device (not shown) configured to supply cold air to the storage compartments  1021  and  1023 , a partition  1015  configured to partition the storage compartments  1021  and  1023  in the left and right directions, and a support member  1017  configured to support the main body  1010 . 
     The support member  1017  configured to support the main body  1010  may be coupled to a lower rear portion of the main body  1010  and a lower portion of a lower hinge  1070  coupled to a lower front portion of the main body  1010 . 
     The cold air supply device may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blowing fan, a cold air duct, and the like, and an insulator (not shown) is foamed between the inner case  1011  and outer case  1013  of the main body  1010  to prevent cold air to leak from the storage compartment  20 . 
     A machine compartment (not shown) in which a compressor and a condenser for compressing a refrigerant and condensing the compressed refrigerant are installed is provided at a lower rear side of the main body  1010 . 
     The storage compartments  1021  and  1023  are partitioned left and right by the partition  1015 , the refrigerating compartment  1021  is provided on the right side of the main body  1010 , and the freezing compartment  1023  is provided on the left side of the main body  1010 . 
     Although the drawing illustrates that the refrigerating compartment  1021  is provided on the right side of the main body  1010  and the freezing compartment  1023  is provided on the left side of the main body  1010  by the partition  1015 , the freezing compartment  1023  may be provided on the right side of the main body  1010  and the refrigerating compartment  1021  may be provided on the left side of the main body  1010 . 
     Each of the storage compartments  1021  and  1023  is provided with a plurality of shelves  1025  so that each of the storage compartments  1021  and  1023  including the refrigerating compartment  1021  and the freezing compartment  1023  may have a plurality of storage spaces, and a plurality of storage containers  1027  to store food and the like may be disposed at a lower portion of the storage compartment  1021 . 
     Although the drawing illustrates that a plurality of the shelves  1025  and a plurality of the storage containers  1027  are provided in both the refrigerating compartment  1021  and the freezing compartment  1023 , the plurality of shelves  1025  and storage containers  1027  may be provided in only one of the refrigerating compartment  1021  and the freezing compartment  1023 . 
     The refrigerating compartment  1021  and the freezing compartment  1023  are opened and closed by a refrigerating compartment door  1031  and a freezing compartment door  1033  that are rotatably coupled to the main body  1010 , respectively, and an upper hinge  1060  and the lower hinge  1070  are coupled to upper and lower portions of the main body  1010 , respectively, so that the refrigerating compartment door  1031  and the freezing compartment door  1033  are rotatably coupled to the main body  1010 . 
     A plurality of door guards  1035  configured to store food and the like may be provided on rear surfaces of the refrigerating compartment door  1031  and the freezing compartment door  1033 . Although the drawing illustrates that a plurality of the door guards  1035  is provided on the rear surfaces of the refrigerating compartment door  1031  and the freezing compartment door  1033 , respectively, the plurality of door guards  1035  may be provided on only one of the refrigerating compartment door  1031  and the freezing compartment door  1033 . 
     The fixing member  106  of the latch device  100  may be installed on the partition  1015  of the main body  1010 . 
     The latch device  100  may be installed such that the input portion  121  protrudes from a front surface of the freezing compartment door  1033  and the locking protrusion  131  protrudes from the rear surface of the freezing compartment door  1033 . 
     According to this configuration, the freezing compartment door  1033  may be fixed to the main body  1010  or separated from the main body  1010 . That is, when the freezing compartment door  1033  is closed, the locking protrusion  131  may be fixed to the fixing member  106 . When the user rotates the input portion  121  in the left or right direction, the locking protrusion  131  is released from the fixing member  106 , and the freezing compartment door  1033  may be separated from the main body  1010 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates that the latch device  100  is disposed only on the freezing compartment door  1033 , but is not limited thereto, the latch device  100  may also be disposed on the refrigerating compartment door  1031 . 
     While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.