Patent Description:
In general, a refrigerator is equipped with a display portion for informing a user of the operating condition of the refrigerator and for controlling the refrigerator according to the information input by the user. In the meantime, recently, an exterior material of glass is used to make an external appearance of a refrigerator be luxurious. However, since such a display portion should be installed, a front of a door cannot be decorated with an exterior material of glass.

<FIG> is a front view showing a refrigerator with a conventional display portion installed thereto, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a refrigerator door with the conventional display portion installed thereto.

As shown in the figures, a front external appearance of a door <NUM> for a refrigerator is defined by an outer door <NUM>. In addition, a door liner <NUM> defining a rear external appearance of the door <NUM> is coupled to the rear of the outer door <NUM>. An insulating layer (not shown) is further formed between the outer door <NUM> and the door liner <NUM>.

In the meantime, a pair of cap decorations <NUM>, which define top and bottom external appearances of the door <NUM>, are coupled to upper and lower ends of the outer door <NUM> and the door liner <NUM>, respectively.

Each of the cap decorations <NUM> includes a cap main body <NUM> extending from side to side and an edge portion <NUM> bent from a bottom edge of the cap main body <NUM> and extending by a predetermined length. Thus, the cap main body <NUM> and the edge portion <NUM> define a predetermined space within the cap decoration <NUM> to be opened downward or upward.

A pair of door decorations <NUM> are respectively coupled to both sides of the outer door <NUM>, door liner <NUM>, and cap decorations <NUM>.

Each of the door decorations <NUM> is formed to have a side portion <NUM> vertically extending and a fastening hook <NUM> bent from a front end of the side portion <NUM> and extending. The side portions <NUM> define both side external appearances of the door <NUM>, and the fastening hooks <NUM> are respectively formed with fastening grooves 24a opened in the direction to face each other, into which side edges of a front plate <NUM> and display assembly, which will be described below, are respectively inserted.

The cap decorations <NUM> and the door decorations <NUM> are to each other fixed with a plurality of screws (not shown). That is, the screws that penetrate the cap decorations <NUM> fix the cap decorations <NUM> and the door decorations <NUM> to each other.

In the meantime, the front plate <NUM> is installed on the front of the outer door <NUM>. The front plate <NUM>, which improves the front external appearance of the door <NUM>, is formed of a coated glass plate. In addition, both side edges of the front plate <NUM> are inserted into the fastening grooves 24a to be fixed. The front plate <NUM> is made so that its height is lower than that of the outer door <NUM>, thus enabling a display assembly, which will be described below, to be installed to the front plate.

The display assembly <NUM> is installed to a lower end of the front plate. The display assembly comprises a display section for showing an operating condition of the refrigerator and a control section for controlling an operating condition of the refrigerator.

However, the above prior art has the following problems.

That is, since the display assembly is separately manufactured and installed, there is a problem in that it is impossible to create an external appearance of the display assembly to have integrity with the front plate.

In addition, since the display assembly is installed to protrude in the prior art, it is impossible to create an external appearance of the display assembly to have integrity with the front plate. Further, foreign materials are introduced into the display and control sections of the display assembly, thereby often resulting in the cause of a trouble. Thus, the necessity for a refrigerator with the front formed of a glass becomes a prominent feature.

Meanwhile, in order to manufacture a refrigerator with the front formed of a transparent plate, a display portion should be installed within a front decoration. However, it has been necessary to provide a structure for stably seating the display portion in a correct position of the front decoration.

Both <CIT> and <CIT> describe refrigerators comprising a display portion mounted on a refrigerator door.

Accordingly, the present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a refrigerator door which is easily cleaned and prevents moisture, dust or the like from being permeated since a display portion of a refrigerator is isolated from the outside.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a refrigerator door, in which a predetermined space for accommodating a display portion is provided in an additional door main body and the display portion is stably seated in the display accommodating portion.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator door which is configured for its front to be formed of a single transparent member and for the number of its parts to be reduced.

The present invention provides a refrigerator door as set out in claim <NUM>. According to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator door comprising: an outer door defining the front of the door, wherein extending portions are formed on both sides of the outer door to be bent and extend by a predetermined length, the outer door formed to have a display accommodating portion defined by depressing its front by a predetermined size; a door liner defining a rear external appearance of the refrigerator door, the door liner being coupled to the extending portions of the outer door, thus defining a predetermined space between the outer door and the door liner; an insulating layer formed in a space between the outer door and the door liner; a display portion inserted into the display accommodating portion; wherein a front decoration formed of a single sheet of transparent plate is positioned in front of the outer door to define the front of the refrigerator door; wherein the display portion is attached to a rear of the front decoration; wherein a rear surface of the front decoration is colored with a color, and wherein the front decoration has a transparent window formed in a position corresponding to the display portion for making it possible to observe the display portion.

According to the present invention so described in detail above, the following advantages can be expected.

That is, since a front of a display portion of a refrigerator door is formed of a single transparent plate, there is an advantage in that the refrigerator appears to be generally unified and clear.

Further, since the refrigerator display portion according to the present invention is isolated from the outside and installed on the rear of a front decoration, there is no concern about permeation of moisture, dust or the like. Thus, there is an advantage in that it is possible to freely clean with a damp cloth or the like.

Also, in a case where the front decoration is formed of a plastic member, the member is light, which advantageously makes the assembling process simplified. In addition, there is few concern of the breakage, thereby advantageously increasing the working efficiency.

Further, in the refrigerator door according to the present invention, the coupling of the display portion and a display accommodating portion is performed by means of their edge portions formed in two steps, so that it is advantageous to stably couple the display portion to the display accommodating portion.

Also, according to the present invention, since a shock absorbing member formed of an elastic material is installed between the display portion and the display accommodating portion, it is advantageous to stably support the display portion and to absorb the shocks applied to the display portion during transportation or use of the refrigerator.

In addition, according to the refrigerator door of the present invention, the display accommodating portion may be formed to be larger than the display portion, whereby it is possible to easily perform a process of coupling the display accommodating portion and the display portion. Further, since elastic ribs push the display portion upward, it is advantageous to prevent the display portion from floating after the coupling.

Also, according to the present invention, the elastic ribs make a snapping sound when the display portion is inserted into the display accommodating portion. Thus, there is an advantage in that a manufacturer can confirm the complete coupling of the display portion by hearing the snapping sound.

In addition, in the refrigerator door according to the present invention, since the display portion is inserted along guide grooves when inserted into the display accommodating portion, there is an advantage in that the insertion process is easy.

Also, according to the present invention, since the display portion is fixedly supported after inserted into the display accommodating portion, there is an advantage in that there is no concern about the movement of the coupling position of the display portion during the use of the refrigerator.

In addition, the refrigerator door according to the present invention is configured so that the display portion manufactured in a single body is fixed to the display accommodating portion, thereby making the fastening structure thereof simple. Therefore, there is an advantage in that there is little concern about floating and removal of the display device.

In addition, in the refrigerator door according to the present invention, a peripheral portion of a display section of the display portion may be colored with the same color as the front decoration. Thus, although the peripheral portion of the display section and a transparent portion of the front decoration are not correctly aligned with each other and some misalignment therebetween occurs, it cannot be observed from the outside. Thus, in a case where such a gap is a fine one which does not raise a problem in function, it is advantageous to reduce the inferiority of products due to the gap.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing that a display portion is installed to a refrigerator door according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the preferred embodiment according to the present invention comprises an outer door <NUM> defining the front of the door, wherein extending portions <NUM> are formed on both sides of the outer door <NUM> to be bent and extend by a predetermined length. The outer door <NUM> is formed with a display accommodating portion <NUM> which is defined by depressing a predetermined space, wherein the display accommodating portion <NUM> is a portion into which a display portion <NUM> which will be described below is installed.

A door liner <NUM> defining the rear of the refrigerator door is coupled to the rear of the outer door <NUM>. The door liner <NUM> is coupled to the extending portions <NUM> of the outer door <NUM>, thus defining a predetermined space between the outer door <NUM> and the door liner <NUM>.

An insulating layer (not shown) is formed in a space between the outer door <NUM> and the door liner <NUM>, wherein the insulating layer is formed by allowing foam liquid such as foam resin to foam in the space.

A pair of cap decorations <NUM> defining top and bottom external appearances of the door are fitted to upper and lower ends of the assembly of the outer door <NUM> and door liner <NUM>, respectively. The cap decoration <NUM> includes a decoration main body <NUM> formed to extend from side to side and ribs <NUM> formed to be bent by a predetermined length from edges of the decoration main body. As enlargedly shown in <FIG>, it is preferred that three of the ribs <NUM> be formed and thus two grooves be defined between the respective ribs <NUM>. Among the grooves, the inside groove <NUM> is a portion into which the assembly of the aforementioned outer door <NUM> and door liner <NUM> is fitted, and the groove formed in the outside (hereinafter, referred to as 'fastening groove') is a portion into which a front decoration <NUM>, which will be describe below, is fitted.

Door decorations <NUM> are fitted into and installed to both left and right sides of the assembly of the outer door <NUM> and door liner <NUM> so that both ends of the door decorations <NUM> face those of the cap decorations <NUM> at both left and right sides of the cap decorations <NUM>. The door decoration <NUM> is formed to have the same cross section as the cap decoration <NUM> in principle. Thus, it is preferred that a coupling groove to which a front decoration <NUM> is coupled be formed in the front of the door decoration <NUM>.

As described above, the door liner <NUM> is coupled to the outer door <NUM> and the cap decorations <NUM> and the door decorations <NUM> which support the door liner <NUM> and outer door <NUM> are coupled, thereby defining a door body (hereinafter, referred to as 'door assembly').

The display portion <NUM> is installed to the display accommodating portion <NUM> which is formed in the front of the door assembly, wherein the display portion <NUM> comprises a display section <NUM> for informing a user of an operating condition of the refrigerator and a control section <NUM> for controlling the operating condition of the refrigerator and is formed to have a size corresponding to the display accommodating portion <NUM>.

After the display portion <NUM> is installed to the door assembly, the front decoration <NUM> is installed on the front thereof. The front decoration <NUM> is made of a sheet of transparent plate and is installed by respectively fitting an edge of the front decoration <NUM> into the coupling grooves and the fastening grooves <NUM> formed in the cap decorations <NUM> and the door decorations <NUM>. The rear surface of the front decoration <NUM> is colored with a color for representing the external appearance of the refrigerator, and a transparent window <NUM> for making it possible to observe the display portion <NUM> is form in the portion in contact with the display portion <NUM>. In addition, an input position mark for enabling a user to recognize an input position is printed on a position corresponding to an input section of the display portion <NUM>.

In the meantime, the front decoration <NUM> may be made of a plastic material, preferably, may be made of a sheet of plastic material and have the rear surface painted with a color to be represented.

Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerator door according to the present invention will be described in detail.

The user, who intends to control the refrigerator according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, pushes the input section printed on the front decoration <NUM> by hand. At this time, the display portion <NUM> positioned in the rear of the front decoration <NUM> detects a magnetic field or body temperature generated by the user's hand, converts it into an input signal, and then, controls the operating condition of the refrigerator by the input signal.

Meanwhile, since there is no concern about permeation of water through the display portion <NUM> when the user intends to clean the exterior of the refrigerator, it is possible to wipe the front of the door with a damp cloth or the like.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a refrigerator door according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a detailed sectional view showing that a display portion is mounted to the refrigerator door according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figures, the first embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the preferred embodiment of the present invention except for the configuration of a display portion <NUM> and a display accommodating portion <NUM>. The display accommodating portion <NUM> which is depressed and formed in an outer door <NUM> is formed so that an inside edge of the display accommodating portion <NUM> is formed in multiple steps. For convenience of explanation, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in focus on the embodiment in which the inside edge of the display accommodating portion <NUM> is formed in two steps. As shown in <FIG>, the two-stepwise portion defines a seating space <NUM> around the inside edge of the display accommodating portion <NUM>, and the seating space <NUM> is formed with a seating surface <NUM> having steps.

The display portion <NUM> is inserted into the display accommodating portion <NUM>. The display portion <NUM> is formed in two steps corresponding to the display accommodating portion <NUM> so that the rear of the display portion <NUM> is correctly seated in the seating surface <NUM> defined in the display accommodating portion <NUM>.

Although the display portion <NUM> may be directly inserted into the display accommodating portion <NUM> as described above, it is preferred that a shock absorbing member <NUM> be installed between the display accommodating portion <NUM> and the display portion <NUM>.

It is preferred that an elastic member installed to be fixed to the seating surface <NUM> be used as the shock absorbing member <NUM>. Also preferably, the shock absorbing member <NUM> provides a certain elastic force when the display portion <NUM> is fitted, thereby absorbing shocks applied to the display portion <NUM> and supporting it not to move. In the meantime, both sides of the front of the display portion <NUM> are temporarily attached to a front decoration <NUM> with a double sided tape <NUM> or the like, and then, they are assembled.

Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerator door according to the present invention will be described in detail according to assembling order and use order thereof.

In order to assemble the refrigerator door according to the first embodiment of the present invention, foam liquid is first applied to the outer door <NUM>, and then a door liner <NUM> is coupled thereto before the foam liquid foams. Then, cap decorations <NUM> are coupled to the upper and lower ends of the outer door <NUM> in order for the foam liquid not to flow out, and then, the foam liquid is caused to foam.

Thereafter, the front decoration <NUM> and the display portion <NUM> are fitted to the front of the outer door <NUM>. At this time, the display portion <NUM> is temporarily attached to the rear of the front decoration <NUM> with the double sided tape <NUM> or the like. The display portion <NUM> temporarily coupled to the front decoration <NUM> is inserted together with the front decoration <NUM> into the front of the outer door <NUM>.

Then, door decorations <NUM> are coupled to the left and right sides of the outer door <NUM>, thereby completing the door assembling.

The user, who intends to use the assembled refrigerator door, can read the contents displayed on the display portion <NUM> through a transparent window <NUM> which is formed to be transparent in the front decoration <NUM>, and input input signals by touching a button portion (not shown) printed on the front decoration <NUM> by hand.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a refrigerator door in which the second embodiment of the present invention is employed, <FIG> is a side sectional view showing that a display portion of the second embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the refrigerator door, and <FIG> is a side sectional view showing that the display portion of the second embodiment of the present invention is coupled to the refrigerator door.

The second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the preferred embodiment of the present invention except for a display accommodating portion <NUM> and a display portion <NUM>.

The display portion <NUM> is installed to the display accommodating portion <NUM> which is formed in the front of an outer door <NUM>, wherein the display portion <NUM> and the display accommodating portion <NUM> are formed so that a predetermined reserved space is formed therebetween. It is for the purpose of enabling an elastic member, which will be described below, to be provided in the reserved space.

An elastic member for elastically supporting the display portion <NUM> upward, which will be described below, is installed to a lower end of the display accommodating portion <NUM>. Preferably, as shown in <FIG>, elastic ribs <NUM> each of which is formed by curvedly bending an elastic material and installed are used as the elastic member. At this time, there may be formed one or more of the elastic ribs <NUM>.

In the meantime, when the elastic ribs <NUM> are installed to the display accommodating portion <NUM>, it is preferred that a seating groove <NUM> in which the elastic ribs <NUM> can be seated be formed in the bottom surface of the display portion <NUM> in the shape corresponding to bents of the elastic ribs <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the refrigerator door according to the present invention will be described in detail through an installation process of the display portion <NUM>.

The manufacturer, who intends to assemble the refrigerator display according to the present invention, first couples the display portion <NUM> to a front decoration <NUM>. Preferably, the front decoration <NUM> and the display portion <NUM> are temporarily attached to each other with a double sided tape <NUM>. At this time, it is important to couple a display section <NUM> of the display portion <NUM> and a transparent window <NUM> of the front decoration <NUM> to be correctly aligned with each other.

After attaching the display portion <NUM> to the front decoration <NUM>, the manufacturer, as shown in <FIG>, inserts the upper end of the front decoration <NUM> into a cap decoration <NUM> provided in an upper end of the outer door <NUM> and then inserts the display portion <NUM> into the display accommodating portion <NUM> by rotating the front decoration <NUM>.

When the display portion <NUM> is inserted into the display accommodating portion <NUM>, the elastic ribs <NUM> are compressed which are installed on the lower end of the display accommodating portion <NUM>. The elastic ribs <NUM> push the display portion <NUM> upward when compressed. Then, when the display portion <NUM> is completely inserted, the bents of the elastic ribs <NUM> are seated in the seating groove <NUM> provided in the bottom surface of the display portion <NUM>. At this time, the elastic ribs <NUM> make a snapping sound at the same time when they are seated, so that the manufacturer can confirm the complete insertion of the display portion <NUM> by hearing the snapping sound.

After the complete insertion of the display portion <NUM>, the assembling of the refrigerator door is completed by installing a pair of door decorations <NUM> to the left and right sides of the door main body and front decoration <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a refrigerator door in which the third embodiment of the present invention is employed, <FIG> is an enlarged perspective view showing a display portion and a display accommodating portion of the third embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is an enlarged perspective view showing an embodiment in which installation positions of guide grooves and guide protrusions are modified from the third embodiment of the present invention.

In order to clearly show the configuration of the display portion and display accommodating portion, a front decoration attached to the front of the display portion is omitted in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in the figures, the third embodiment of the present invention comprises an outer door <NUM> defining the front of the door, wherein the outer door <NUM> is formed with a display accommodating portion <NUM> which is defined by depressing a predetermined space. The display accommodating portion <NUM> is a portion into which a display portion <NUM> which will be described below is installed. Preferably, the display accommodating portion <NUM> is formed to be somewhat larger than the display portion <NUM> which will be described below and thus to be easily inserted into the display portion <NUM>.

A guide protrusion <NUM> is formed on one or both sides of the display accommodating portion <NUM>. The guide protrusion <NUM> is inserted into a guide groove <NUM>, which will be described below, thus guiding the insertion of the display portion <NUM> and supporting it.

Hereinafter, a case where the guide protrusion <NUM> is formed on each of both the sides of the display accommodating portion <NUM> will be described as an example.

The display accommodating portion <NUM> is mounted with the display portion <NUM>. The display portion <NUM> comprises a display section <NUM> for informing a user of an operating condition of the refrigerator and a control section <NUM> for controlling the operating condition of the refrigerator and is formed in a shape corresponding to the display accommodating portion <NUM>.

The guide grooves <NUM> are formed in both the sides of the display portion <NUM>. The guide grooves <NUM> are formed in correspondence to the moving direction in which the display portion <NUM> is inserted, and guide the insertion of the display portion <NUM> while the guide protrusions <NUM> are inserted into the guide grooves <NUM>. Therefore, in a case where the display portion <NUM>, which is fixed to the front decoration <NUM>, is fitted together with the front decoration <NUM> into the display accommodating portion <NUM>, it is preferred that each of the guide grooves <NUM> is shaped in a circular arc so that the center of the circular arc corresponds to a cap decoration <NUM> provided in the upper end of the outer door <NUM>.

Then, a trailing end of the guide groove <NUM> is formed in correspondence with the position in which the display portion <NUM> is finally fixed, thereby supporting the display portion <NUM> after the display portion <NUM> is completely inserted.

The front decoration <NUM> is installed on the front of the outer door <NUM>. At this time, the display portion <NUM> is inserted into the display accommodating portion <NUM> with the display portion <NUM> attached to the front decoration <NUM> with a double sided tape <NUM>, which is for the purpose of correctly aligning the display section <NUM> and a transparent window <NUM> transparently formed in the front decoration <NUM> with each other.

In the meantime, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the positions in which the guide protrusions and the guide grooves are formed may be changed. That is, as shown in <FIG>, guide grooves <NUM>' may be formed in both sides of the display accommodating portion <NUM> and guide protrusions <NUM>' may be formed on the display portion <NUM>.

Even though the positions of the guide protrusions and grooves <NUM>' and <NUM>' are changed, their respective operations are identical to those of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerator door according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail through an installation process of the display portion <NUM>.

The user, who intends to assemble the refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention, first couples the display portion <NUM> to the front decoration <NUM>. Preferably, the front decoration <NUM> and the display portion <NUM> are temporarily attached to each other with the double sided tape <NUM>. At this time, it is important to couple a display section <NUM> of the display portion <NUM> and the transparent window <NUM> of the front decoration <NUM> to be correctly aligned with each other.

After attaching the display portion <NUM> to the front decoration <NUM>, the user fits the guide protrusions <NUM> provided on both the sides of the display accommodating portion <NUM> into the guide grooves <NUM> provided in the display portion <NUM>. At this time, it is preferred as described above that the display accommodating portion <NUM> be formed to be larger than the display portion <NUM> and thus to correspondence the insertion of the display portion <NUM>.

After the guide protrusions <NUM> are inserted into the guide grooves <NUM>, the user slowly pushes the front decoration <NUM> and thus completely inserts the display portion <NUM> into the display accommodating portion <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a first example not part of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a refrigerator door according to the fourth embodiment first example not part of the present invention, <FIG> is an enlarged perspective view showing a display portion, a display accommodating portion and a door decoration of the first example not part of the present invention, and <FIG> is a sectional view showing that a refrigerator main body and the display portion are coupled through support and fixing plates according to the first example not part of the present invention.

As shown in the figures, the first example not part of the present invention has the same configuration as the preferred embodiment of the present invention except for a display accommodating portion and a display portion and door decoration.

As shown in <FIG>, support plate insertion portions <NUM>, into which support plates <NUM> which will be described below are inserted, are formed to be depressed shallower than a display accommodating portion <NUM> and to extend from both sides of the display accommodating portion <NUM> of the first example not part of the present invention to both sides of a door main body, respectively.

In the meantime, the support plate insertion portions <NUM> are formed with fastening holes <NUM> to which screws can be fastened.

In addition, cap decorations <NUM> and door decorations <NUM> are respectively fitted to upper and lower ends and both sides of the assembly of an outer door <NUM> and door liner <NUM>. Each of the cap decorations <NUM> and door decorations <NUM> comprises a decoration main body <NUM> extending from side to side and ribs <NUM> formed to be bent by a predetermined length from edges of the decoration main body. As enlargedly shown in <FIG>, it is preferred that three of the ribs <NUM> be formed and thus two grooves be defined between the respective ribs <NUM>. Among the grooves, the inside groove <NUM> is a portion to which the assembly of the aforementioned outer door <NUM> and door liner <NUM> is fitted, and a fastening groove <NUM> is a portion into which a front decoration <NUM>, which will be describe below, is fitted.

In the meantime, the intermediate rib <NUM> of the door decorations <NUM> includes a fixing plate <NUM> which is formed by extending a portion of the intermediate rib <NUM>. It is preferred that as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, each fixing plate <NUM> be formed at the position corresponding to the support plate <NUM> of the display portion <NUM> to have a width and length corresponding thereto.

When the door decorations <NUM> are coupled after the display portion <NUM> is fitted into the display accommodating portion <NUM>, the fixing plates <NUM> are positioned on the support plates <NUM>.

Then, the fixing plates <NUM> are formed with screw fixing holes <NUM> corresponding to the fastening holes <NUM> and through-holes <NUM> which will be described below. The screw fixing hole <NUM> is a portion which is penetrated by a screw, which then penetrates the through-hole <NUM> which will be described below and is fastened to the fastening hole <NUM>.

In addition, the front surface of each screw fixing hole <NUM> is formed by depressing a predetermined area with a predetermined depth, which is for the purpose of allowing a head of the fastened screw not to protrude from the front surface of the fixing plate <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the support plates <NUM> are formed to extend outward from both the sides of the display portion <NUM> by a predetermined length, and formed with the through-holes <NUM> at positions corresponding to the fastening holes <NUM> so that the screws penetrating the through-holes <NUM> are fastened to the fastening holes <NUM>. After fastening the display portion <NUM>, a minimum thickness D of the insulating layer is as shown in <FIG>.

Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerator door according to the first example not part of the present invention will be described in detail according to assembling order.

In order to assemble the refrigerator door according to the first example not part of the present invention, the display portion <NUM> is first fitted into the display accommodating portion <NUM> formed in the front of the outer door <NUM>. After the display portion <NUM> is brought into close contact with and fitted into the display accommodating portion <NUM>, the door decorations <NUM> are coupled thereto. The door decorations <NUM> are coupled to both sides of the outer door <NUM>. At this time, the fixing plates <NUM> formed on the door decorations <NUM> are positioned on the support plates <NUM> of the display portion <NUM>. Thereafter, screws are fitted through the screw fixing holes <NUM> formed in the fixing plates <NUM>, pass through the through-holes <NUM> of the support plates <NUM>, and then are fastened to the fastening holes <NUM> of the outer door <NUM>.

After the display portion <NUM> is fitted into the display accommodating portion <NUM>, the front decoration <NUM> is coupled to the front thereof.

Hereinafter, a second example not part of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a refrigerator door according to the second example not part of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the second example not part of the present invention is not provided with an outer door, contrary to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the second example not part of the present invention, the front external appearance of the refrigerator door is defined by a front decoration <NUM>. The front decoration <NUM>, which is formed of a single transparent plate, may be colored with a predetermined color or figured with a predetermined pattern.

In addition, a door liner <NUM> is provided on the rear of the front decoration <NUM>. The door liner <NUM>, which defines a rear external appearance of the door, is fixed to the rear of the front decoration <NUM> in a process of forming an insulating layer (not shown) by solidifying foam liquid which will be described below.

Door decorations <NUM> are coupled to both side ends of the front decoration <NUM>. The door decorations <NUM>, which define both side external appearances of the door, are respectively formed with fastening grooves <NUM> on surfaces of the respective door decorations <NUM> facing each other. The fastening grooves <NUM> are formed to vertically extend, and both the side ends of the front decoration <NUM> are respectively inserted into the fastening grooves <NUM>.

Cap decorations <NUM> are coupled to upper and lower ends of the front decoration <NUM>. In the cap decorations <NUM> which define top and bottom external appearances of the door, coupling grooves <NUM>, into which the upper and lower ends of the front decoration <NUM> are inserted, are respectively formed on surfaces of the cap decorations <NUM> facing each other. In addition, the outside upper and lower ends of the door decorations <NUM> are brought into close contact with both sides of the cap decorations <NUM>, respectively.

In addition, a display portion <NUM> is installed on the rear surface of the front decoration <NUM>. The display portion <NUM> is connected to a control section (not shown) of a refrigerator, and thus serves to receive an operating signal for operating the refrigerator by means of touch screen and to display various information connected with the operation of the refrigerator to the outside. The display portion <NUM> is temporarily attached to a side of the rear surface of the front decoration <NUM> with a double sided tape (not shown).

Hereinafter, a manufacturing method of the refrigerator door according to the second example not part of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> are views showing a process of manufacturing the refrigerator door according to the second example not part of the present invention;.

First, as shown in <FIG>, the display portion <NUM> is installed to a side of the rear surface of the front decoration <NUM>. At this time, the display portion <NUM> is temporarily attached to the rear surface of the front decoration <NUM> with a double sided tape or other attaching means.

Then, as shown in <FIG>, the door decorations <NUM> are respectively coupled to both the side ends of the front decoration <NUM>. At this time, both the side ends of the front decoration <NUM> are respectively inserted into the fastening grooves <NUM> of the door decorations <NUM>.

Also, as shown in <FIG>, the cap decorations <NUM> are coupled to the upper and lower ends of the front decoration <NUM> to which the door decorations <NUM> are coupled, respectively. At this time, the upper and lower ends of the front decoration <NUM> are inserted into the coupling grooves <NUM> of the cap decorations <NUM>, and the outside upper and lower ends of the door decorations <NUM> are respectively brought into close contact with both the side ends of the cap decorations <NUM>.

In such a state, as shown in <FIG>, the front decoration <NUM> to which the door decorations <NUM> and the cap decorations <NUM> are coupled is oriented for the front of the front decoration <NUM> is directed downward. That is, the opening portion of the space defined by the front decoration <NUM>, the door decorations <NUM> and the cap decorations <NUM> is directed upward with respect to the figure. Then, foam liquid is injected into the space defined by the front decoration <NUM>, the door decorations <NUM> and the cap decorations <NUM>.

In the meantime, as shown in <FIG>, if the injection of the foam liquid is completed, the door liner <NUM> is positioned over the opening portion of the space defined by the front decoration <NUM>, the door decorations <NUM> and the cap decorations <NUM>, i.e., the upper face in the figure. Then, the door liner <NUM> is fixed in a predetermined position by solidification of the foam liquid.

Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a refrigerator door in which the fourth embodiment of the present invention is employed, and <FIG> is a front view showing that a display device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is mounted to the refrigerator door.

As shown in the figures, the fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a display portion <NUM> including a display section <NUM> for informing a user of an operating condition of the refrigerator and a control section <NUM> for controlling an operating condition of the refrigerator. At this time, the display section <NUM> includes a colored portion <NUM> which is colored by a predetermined width along a peripheral portion of the display section <NUM>. It is preferred that the colored portion <NUM> be colored with the same color as a front decoration <NUM>, which will be described below.

The front decoration <NUM> is installed on the front of the display portion <NUM>. An edge portion of the front decoration <NUM> is inserted into and installed to coupling grooves <NUM> formed in cap decorations <NUM> and fastening grooves <NUM> formed in door decorations <NUM>, respectively. The rear of the front decoration <NUM> is colored with a color by which the external appearance of the refrigerator intends to be represented, and preferably, with the same color as the colored portion <NUM>. A transparent window <NUM> is formed in a portion corresponding to the display section <NUM> so that the display section <NUM> can be observed. In addition, input positions <NUM> are printed at positions corresponding to the control section <NUM> of the display portion <NUM> in order for a user to confirm the input positions <NUM>. At this time, the transparent portion of the rear of the front decoration <NUM> is formed so that its edge portion overlaps with the colored portion <NUM> by a predetermined width.

When the front decoration <NUM> is installed on the front of the display portion <NUM>, the transparent portion of the front decoration <NUM> are located at the same position as the display section <NUM> of the display portion <NUM>. At this time, the transparent portion of the front decoration <NUM> is positioned so as to partially overlap with the colored portion <NUM> of the display section <NUM>, thus generating a somewhat overlapping portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Therefore, even if a fine gap occurs between the transparent portion of the front decoration <NUM> and the display section <NUM>, the colored portion <NUM> causes the observation through the gap from the outside to be impossible.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but is defined by the claims. It will be apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes thereto within the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator door, comprising:
an outer door (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) defining the front of the door, wherein extending portions (<NUM>) are formed on both sides of the outer door (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to be bent and extend by a predetermined length, the outer door (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) formed to have a display accommodating portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) defined by depressing its front by a predetermined size;
a door liner (<NUM>, <NUM>) defining a rear external appearance of the refrigerator
door, the door liner (<NUM>, <NUM>) being coupled to the extending portions (<NUM>) of the outer door (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), thus defining a predetermined space between the outer door (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the door liner (<NUM>, <NUM>);
an insulating layer formed in a space between the outer door (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the door liner (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a display portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>)
inserted into the display accommodating portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a front decoration (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) formed of a single sheet of transparent plate, positioned in front of the outer door (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to define the front of the refrigerator door;
wherein the display portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>)
is attached to a rear of the front decoration (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
wherein a rear surface of the front decoration (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>)
is colored with a color, and wherein the front decoration (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) has a transparent window (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) formed in a position corresponding to the display portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for making it possible to observe the display portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).