Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator in which two or more accommodating spaces are provided and doors are provided at the accommodating spaces, respectively. Handles are formed in the doors so that the handles are inconspicuous from an external appearance of the refrigerator, thereby newly designing the external appearance of the refrigerator. In addition, even though two doors are disposed to be adjacent to each other, accessibility to the handle may be ensured, thereby easily opening and closing the doors of the refrigerator.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit and priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0157887, filed on Nov. 13, 2014, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The Embodiments according to the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door, and more particularly, to a refrigerator in which two or more accommodating spaces are provided and doors are provided at the accommodating spaces, respectively, and a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In general, two or more accommodating spaces may be provided in a refrigerator. Further, doors may be provided at the accommodating spaces, respectively. Accordingly, the two or more doors may be attached to the refrigerator so as to be adjacent to each other. 
         [0004]    In addition, handles may be needed to easily open and close the doors. 
         [0005]    Meanwhile, the refrigerator performs inherent functions of the refrigerator, and an external appearance of the refrigerator may be considered as one element for design. That is, an external appearance of the refrigerator may be considered important, and the handle may greatly affect the external appearance of the refrigerator. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, it is necessary to newly develop the handle of the refrigerator in consideration of the external appearance of the refrigerator. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a new type of refrigerator in which a handle is formed in a door of the refrigerator such that the handle is inconspicuous when viewing an external appearance of the refrigerator, and a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door. 
         [0008]    In addition, the present disclosure has been made m an effort to provide a refrigerator in which handles are formed at sides which face each other when two doors are disposed to he adjacent to each other, and accessibility to the handles may he ensured, and a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door. 
         [0009]    In addition, the present disclosure has been made in air effort to provide a refrigerator in which a thermal insulation effect, may be excellently maintained even though a thickness of a door of the refrigerator is decreased due to a shape of a handle, and a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door. 
         [0010]    Technical problems to be achieved in the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned technical problem, and any other not-mentioned technical problem will be obviously understood from the description below by those skilled in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains. 
         [0011]    An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including: a first storage chamber; a second storage chamber; a partition portion which defines the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber; a first door which is used to open and close the first storage chamber; a second door which is used to open and close the second storage chamber; a stepped portion which is formed at a side of the first door which laces a side of the second door; and a first handle which is formed to be recessed in the stepped portion. 
         [0012]    In addition, according to the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first door may have a first venting hole which is formed at the side facing the second door so that the interior of the first door communicates with the outside of the first door, 
         [0013]    In addition, according to the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second door may have a second handle that is formed to be recessed at the side facing the first door. 
         [0014]    In addition, according to the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second handle may be positioned within a width of the stepped portion when viewed from the front side. 
         [0015]    In addition, according to the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the second door may have a second venting hole which is formed at the side facing the first door so that the interior of the second door communicates with the outside of the second door. 
         [0016]    In addition, according to the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a top portion of the first handle may be disposed at the same height as or lower than an upper surface of the partition portion. 
         [0017]    In addition, according to the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a top portion of the stepped portion may be disposed at the same height as or lower than the upper surface of the partition portion. 
         [0018]    In addition, according to the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a bottom portion of the second handle may be disposed at the same height as or higher than a bottom surface of the partition portion. 
         [0019]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door, including: a first step of forming a stepped portion so that the stepped portion is lower than one surface of a member having a box shape; a second step of forming a first handle in the stepped portion so that the first handle has a recessed shape; a third step of forming a first, venting hole and a first injection hole in the member; a fourth step of assembling a first interior member inside the member; a fifth step of injecting a liquid phase first thermal insulating material through the injection hole; and a sixth step of hardening the liquid phase first thermal insulating material. 
         [0020]    In addition, according to the method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, air existing in the member may be discharged through the first venting hole when die first thermal insulating material is injected. 
         [0021]    Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door, including: a first step of forming a second handle m a member having a box shape so that the second handle has a recessed shape; a second step of forming a second venting hole and a second injection hole in the member; a third step of assembling a second interior member inside the member; a fourth step of injecting a liquid phase thermal insulating material through the injection hole; and a fifth step of hardening the liquid phase thermal insulating material. 
         [0022]    In addition, according to the method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, air existing in the member may be discharged through the second venting bole when the second thermal insulating material is injected. 
         [0023]    Other detailed matters of the exemplary embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings. 
         [0024]    According to the refrigerator and the method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the handle is formed in the door so that the handle is inconspicuous from the external appearance of the refrigerator, thereby newly designing the external appearance of the refrigerator. 
         [0025]    In addition, according to the refrigerator and the method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, even though two doors are disposed to be adjacent to each other, accessibility to the handle may be ensured, thereby easily opening and closing the doors of the refrigerator. 
         [0026]    In addition, according to the refrigerator and the method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, even though the handle is concavely formed such that a thickness of the thermal insulating material in the vicinity of the handle is decreased, the handle may he disposed at a position of the partition portion of the refrigerator, thereby excellently maintaining a thermal insulation effect. 
         [0027]    The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting, in addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a view for explaining a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane that runs through a handle of the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a view for explaining a process of manufacturing a first door in a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a view for explaining a process of manufacturing a second door in a method of manufacturing the refrigerator door according the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawing, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. 
         [0033]    Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods of achieving the advantages and features will be clear with reference to an exemplary embodiment described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0034]    Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment, which will be described below, is illustratively described to help understand the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be modified to be variously carried out differently from the exemplary embodiment described herein. However, in the description of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions and specific drawings for publicly known related functions and constituent elements may be omitted when it is determined that the detailed descriptions and the specific drawings may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. In addition, to help understand the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings are not illustrated based on actual scales, but parts of the constituent elements may be exaggerated in terms of sizes. 
         [0035]    Meanwhile, the terms used in the description are defined considering the functions of the present disclosure and may vary depending on the intention or usual practice of a manufacturer. Therefore, the definitions should be made based on the entire contents of the present specification. 
         [0036]    Like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the specification. 
         [0037]    Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The attached  FIG. 1  is a view for explaining the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane that runs through a handle of the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0038]    According to die refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, two or more doors may be attached to a cabinet  10 . 
         [0039]    A first storage chamber  12  and a second storage chamber  14  may be formed in the cabinet  10 , and a partition portion  16  is formed between the first storage chamber  12  and the second storage chamber  14 . 
         [0040]    The first storage chamber  12  may be a freezing chamber, and the second storage chamber  14  may be a refrigerating chamber. Accordingly, there may be a great difference between a temperature in the first storage chamber  12  and a temperature in the second storage chamber  14 . Therefore, the partition portion  16  inhibits cold energy from flowing between the first storage chamber  12  and the second storage chamber  14 . 
         [0041]    A first door  20  is installed on the cabinet  10  so as to open and close the first storage chamber  12 . Likewise, a second door  30  is installed on the cabinet  10  so as to open and close the second storage chamber  14 . 
         [0042]    The first door  20  has a stepped portion  22  which is concavely formed at a side that faces the second door  30 , and a first handle  24  is formed to be recessed in the stepped portion  22 . 
         [0043]    The stepped portion  22  provides a space into which a user&#39;s hand may be inserted between the first door  20  and the second door  30 . 
         [0044]    The first handle  24  provides a space into which the user&#39;s finger may be inserted. The first handle  24  is provided to allow the user to insert his/her finger into the space of the first handle  24  and then pull the first door  20  in order to open the first door  20 . 
         [0045]    That is, when the user opens the first door  20 , the user inserts his/her finger into the space of the first handle  24  through the space, which is formed by the stepped portion  22 , and then pulls the first door  20 . 
         [0046]    Therefore, according to the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first handle  24  for opening the first door  20  is not readily viewed from the outside of the refrigerator, and as a result, an external appearance of the refrigerator may be newly designed in a more creative manner. 
         [0047]    Meanwhile, the first door  20  of the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have a first venting hole  26  which is formed at the side facing the second door  30  so that the interior of the first door  20  communicates with the exterior of the first door  20 . 
         [0048]    A liquid phase thermal insulating material is injected into a member  110  when the first door  20  is manufactured, and in this case, the first venting hole  26  allows air existing in the member  110  to be easily discharged to the outside, thereby allowing the thermal insulating material to be smoothly injected, and allowing the thermal insulating material to smoothly flow. 
         [0049]    On the other hand, the second door  30  of the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have a second handle  32  which is formed to be recessed at a side facing the first door  20 . 
         [0050]    The second handle  32  is used to open the second door  30 . Further, the second handle  32  is formed at the side facing the first door  20 , such that the second handle  32  may not be readily viewed from the outside of the refrigerator. That is, when the user opens the second door  30 , the user may access the second handle  32  through the space formed by the stepped portion  22 . 
         [0051]    Therefore, the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure ensures accessibility to the first and second handles  24  and  32 , such that the user may conveniently open the first and second doors  20  and  30 . 
         [0052]    On the other hand, the second handle  32  of the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be positioned within a width of the stepped portion  22  when viewed from the front side of the refrigerator. Accordingly, when the user intends to open the second door  30 , the user may easily access the second handle  32 . 
         [0053]    On the other hand, the second door  30  of the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may have a second venting hole  36  which is formed at the side facing the first door  10  so that the interior of the second door  30  communicates with the outside of the second door  30 . 
         [0054]    A liquid phase thermal insulating material is injected into a member  120  when the second door  20  is manufactured, and in this case, the second venting hole  36  allows air existing in the member  120  to be easily discharged to the outside, thereby allowing the thermal insulating material to be smoothly injected, and allowing the thermal insulating material to smoothly flow. 
         [0055]    On the other hand, a top portion of the first handle  24  of the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed at the same height as or lower than an upper surface of the partition portion  16 . 
         [0056]    While a thickness of a first thermal insulating material  52  may be somewhat decreased by the first handle  24 , a portion of the first door  20  which is positioned in front of the first storage chamber  12  may be formed to be thick as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , thereby excellently maintaining a thermal insulation effect. That is, it is possible to maximally inhibit heat exchange between cold air formed in the first storage chamber  12  and air outside the refrigerator. 
         [0057]    On the other hand, a top portion of the stepped portion  22  of the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed at the same height as or lower than the upper surface of the partition portion  16 . 
         [0058]    While the thickness of the first thermal insulating material  52  may be somewhat decreased by the stepped portion  22 , the portion of the first door  20  which is positioned in front of the first storage chamber  12  may be formed to be thick as illustrated in FIG,  2 , thereby excellently maintaining a thermal insulation effect. That is, it is possible to maximally inhibit heat exchange between cold air formed in the first storage chamber  12  and air outside the refrigerator. 
         [0059]    On the other hand, a bottom portion of the second handle  32  of the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed at the same height as or higher than a bottom surface of the partition portion  16 . 
         [0060]    While a thickness of a second thermal insulating material  34  may be somewhat decreased by the second handle  32 , a portion of the second door  20  which is positioned in front of the second storage chamber  14  may be formed to be thick as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , thereby excellently maintaining a thermal insulation effect. That is, it is possible to maximally inhibit heat exchange between cold air formed in the second storage chamber  14  and air outside the refrigerator. 
         [0061]    Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The attached  FIG. 3  is a view for explaining a process of manufacturing the first door of the refrigerator according the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  is a view for explaining a process of manufacturing the second door of the refrigerator according the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0062]    First, the method of manufacturing the first door  20  will be described in a stepwise manner with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0063]    First Step: In the first step, a member initially having a plate shape is formed into a box shape. Thereafter, the stepped portion  22  is formed to be lower than one surface of the member  110  having the box shape. Here, the box shape means a shape that corresponds to an external appearance of the first door  20 , but does not include a shape that is formed in the next step. 
         [0064]    That is, in the first step, the member  110  having the box shape may be formed by being pressed in a state in which the member  110  is disposed between a lower mold and an upper mold. 
         [0065]    Second Step: In the second step, the first handle  24  is formed as a recessed shape in the stepped portion  22 . The first handle  24  may be formed by a slide mold, and the slide mold is moved in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the upper mold is moved. 
         [0066]    The slide mold is operated immediately after the upper mold and the lower mold come into direct contact with each other. Because the mechanical configuration, of the slide mold is a known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0067]    Third Step: In the third step, the first venting hole  26  and a first injection bole  28  are formed in the member  110  having the box shape. The first venting hole  26  and the first injection hole  28  may be formed by drilling or punching. 
         [0068]    Fourth Step: In the fourth step, a first interior member  42  is assembled inside the member  110  having the box shape. The first interior member  42  is assembled to the member  110  having the box shape of the first door  20 , thereby forming a space in the first door  20 . 
         [0069]    Fifth Step: In the fifth step, the liquid phase first thermal insulating material  52  is injected through the injection hole  28  into the space in the first door  20  formed by the assembled member  110  having the box shape and first interior member  42 . The first thermal insulating material  52  is foamed to form air layers, and the air layers increase the thermal insulation effect. 
         [0070]    Sixth Step: In the sixth step, the liquid, phase first thermal insulating material  52  is hardened. The first thermal insulating material  52 , which has been foamed, is hardened, such that the first thermal insulating material  52  does not flow. 
         [0071]    As described above, the method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may manufacture the first door  20  of the refrigerator, hi particular, the stepped portion  22  is formed first, and then die first, handle  24  is formed in the stepped portion  22 , such that the first handle  24  may be formed to he inconspicuous from the external appearance of the refrigerator. 
         [0072]    In addition, according to the method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, air existing in the space in the first door  20  formed by the assembled member  110  having the box shape and first interior member  42  may be discharged through the first venting hole  26  when the first thermal insulating material  52  is injected into the space. Accordingly, when the first thermal insulating material  52  is injected into the space between the member  110  having the box shape and the first interior member  42 , air is discharged through the first venting hole  26 . That is, the first thermal insulating material  52  may be quietly injected. 
         [0073]    Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the second door  30  will be described in a stepwise manner with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0074]    First Step: In the first step, the member  120  initially having a plate shape is formed into a box shape. Thereafter, the second handle  32  is formed as a recessed shape in the member  120  having the box shape. Here, the box shape means a shape that corresponds to an external appearance of the second door  30 , but does not include a shape that is formed in the next step. 
         [0075]    That is, in the first step, the member  120  having the box shape may he formed by being pressed in a state in which the member  120  is disposed between a lower mold and an upper mold. 
         [0076]    Second Step: In the second step, the second venting hole  36  and a second injection bole  38  are formed in the member  120  having the box shape formed in the first step. The second venting hole  36  and the second injection hole  38  may be formed by drilling or punching. 
         [0077]    Third Step: In the third step, a second interior member  44  is assembled inside the member  120  having the box shape formed in the second step. The second interior member  44  is assembled to the member  120  having the box shape of the second door  30 , thereby forming a space in the second door  30 . 
         [0078]    Fourth Step: In the fourth step, the liquid phase thermal insulating material  54  is injected through the injection hole  38  into the space in the second door  30  formed by the assembled member  120  having the box shape and second interior member  44 . The second thermal insulating material  54  is foamed to form air layers, and the air layers increase the thermal insulation effect. 
         [0079]    Fifth Step: In the fifth step, the liquid phase thermal insulating material  54  is hardened. The second thermal insulating material  54 , which has been foamed, is hardened, such that the second thermal insulating material  54  does not flow. 
         [0080]    As described above, the method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may manufacture the second door  30  of the refrigerator. In particular, even though a separate access space for allowing the user to access the second handle  32  is not formed in the second door  30 , the user may access the second handle  32  using the stepped portion  22  provided in the first door  20 . In addition, the second handle  32  is formed in a recessed shape at the side lacing the first door  20 , such that the second handle  32  may be formed to be inconspicuous from the external appearance of the refrigerator. 
         [0081]    In addition, according to file method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, air existing in the space in the second door  20  formed by the assembled member  120  having the box shape and the second interior member  44  may be discharged through the second venting hole  36  when the second thermal insulating material  54  is injected. Accordingly, when the second thermal insulating material  54  is injected into the space between the member  120  having the box shape and the second interior member  44 , air is discharged through the second venting hole  36 . That is, the second thermal insulating material  54  may be quickly injected. 
         [0082]    The refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be used to keep stored objects cold, and the method of manufacturing a refrigerator door according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may he used to manufacture a refrigerator door. 
         [0083]    From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.