Patent Description:
In general, refrigerators are home appliances for storing food at a low temperature in a storage space that is covered by a door. For this, the refrigerators cool the inside of the storage space by using cool air generated by being heat-exchanged with a refrigerant circulated through a refrigeration cycle to store food in an optimum state.

Such a refrigerator is becoming larger and multifunctioned as dietary changes and user's preferences become more diverse, and thus, a refrigerator having various structures and convenience devices for user's convenience and freshness of stored food has been introduced.

The storage space of the refrigerator may be opened/closed by the door. Also, refrigerators may be classified into various types according to an arranged configuration of the storage space and a structure of the door that opens and closes the storage space.

The refrigerator door may be classified into a rotation-type door that opens and closes a storage space through rotation thereof and a drawer-type door that is inserted and withdrawn in a drawer like manner.

Also, the drawer-type door is often disposed in a lower region of the refrigerator. Thus, when the drawer-type door is disposed in the lower region of the refrigerator, a user has to turn their back to take out a basket or food in the drawer-type door. If the basket or the food is heavy, the user may feel inconvenient to use the drawer-type door or may be injured.

In order to solve such a limitation, various structures are being developed in which the drawer-type door is capable of being elevated.

For example, a refrigerator provided with a lifting mechanism for elevating a storage box provided in a refrigerating compartment is disclosed in <CIT>).

However, the lifting mechanism for the elevation is disposed outside the storage box, and thus is exposed. This may cause serious safety problems. In addition, the lifting mechanism may become contaminated due to the lifting mechanism being exposed to the outside.

Also, since a driving part of the lifting mechanism is exposed to the outside, noise during operation of the driving part may be transmitted to the outside as is, which may cause the user's dissatisfaction.

In addition, since a frame on which the storage box is seated has an L shape, an upper end of the frame may protrude further upward than an upper end of the door. As a result, an elevation height of the storage box may be limited.

If an upper end of a vertical portion of the frame protrudes further than a top surface of the door, the vertical portion of the frame may be exposed to the outside to aesthetically deteriorate an outer appearance. Furthermore, when the frame descends, the user's clothing or body parts may get caught to cause an accident. <CIT> discloses a refrigerator that includes a compartment, a first container, a second container, a door, and a selection device. The first container and the second container are located in the compartment and configured to be movable in a first direction. The door is operably connected to the second container and configured to provide access to at least one of the first container and the second container of the compartment when the door is moved to an open position. The selection device is located on the refrigerator and configured for inputting a selection of either the first container or the second container. The selected container is presented in an accessible position when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position. This document discloses a refrigerator according to the preamble of appended claim <NUM>. <CIT> shows a cooling device comprising a body having two opposite side walls, at least one shelf whereon the items are placed, that can be at a higher position and a lower position, at different heights from each other and at least one height adjustment mechanism that provides the height of the shelf to be changed. <CIT> discloses a refrigerator including a movable body disposed in an inner case, the inner case defining a storage compartment therein, a shelf connected to the movable body via a connection member, and a guard configured to surround an edge of the shelf, the guard having a size greater than the size of the shelf, the guard being provided with a protrusion member protruding toward the movable body, wherein the movable body is provided with a guide rail configured to guide the sliding movement of the protrusion member. <CIT> shows a movable support for electric household appliances intended to be fixed in pieces of furniture. The movable support comprises a top for receiving an appliance and an electromechanical device for driving the top in such a way as to bring the appliance either into a storage position or into a use position. The electromechanical device comprises a motor unit attached to a base and capable of driving two pairs of levers which are on the one hand connected to the top and on the other hand to the base by means of small wheels. <CIT> discloses an air outlet control structure of an air duct and an air-cooled refrigerator. The air duct comprises two air outlets, the size of their openings being controlled by the air outlet control structure. The air outlet control structure comprises two sliding blocks connected to a power assembly, wherein the two sliding blocks are arranged at the two air outlets in a sliding mode and used for controlling the sizes of the openings.

The present invention, as detailed in appended claim <NUM>, has been proposed to improve the above-described limitations.

Embodiments provide a refrigerator including an elevation plate disposed in a storage box and an elevation device configured to allow the elevation plate to move vertically.

The elevation device includes a driving motor, a curved rack that rotates by receiving driving force of the driving motor and is curved at a predetermined curvature, and an elevation bar configured to connect the curved rack to the elevation plate.

The elevation bar allows the elevation plate to ascend or descend while moving along a rotation trajectory of the curved rack together with the curved rack.

A plate support device may be connected to the elevation plate so that the elevation plate is elevated while being maintained in a horizontal state.

According to one aspect, a refrigerator comprises a cabinet having a storage space therein; and a drawer slidably movable forward and backward from the storage space, the drawer comprising a door; a storage box provided at a rear surface of the door; an elevation plate disposed within the storage box; and an elevation device connected with one side of the elevation plate to lift (i.e. vertically elevate) the elevation plate, wherein the elevation device comprises a driving motor; a curved rack to rotate by a rotational force generated by the driving motor, the curved rack being curved at a predetermined curvature; and an elevation bar to connect the curved rack with the elevation plate, the elevation bar to rotate together with the curved rack to lift (i.e. ascend) and lower (i.e. descend) the elevation plate.

The elevation plate may have a rectangular plate shape. A A first and second elevation bar may engage with the elevation plate at opposite corners along one edge thereof. The curved rack may comprise a circular rack or an arc-shaped rack. A rotation axis of the curved rack may be disposed corresponding to a center portion or a vertical centerline of the elevation plate. That is, the elevation device may be disposed at or within a door of the drawer, and the rotation axis of the curved rack may correspond to a center of the door.

The refrigerator may further comprise a driving gear gear-connected to the curved rack to rotate the curved rack. A gear part may be disposed at an inner circumferential surface or an outer circumferential surface of the curved rack. The driving gear may be engaged with the gear part.

The refrigerator may further comprise a reduction gear connected with a shaft of the driving motor to reduce a rotational rate or a rotational speed of the driving motor. The driving gear may be connected with a driving shaft of the reduction gear.

The elevation device may be accommodated at or within the door. The elevation bar may pass through a rear surface of the door to connect with the one side of the elevation plate. Here, a rear surface may denote a surface of the door facing the storage space or the elevation plate. Further, a front end of the elevation plate may denote an end or edge facing the door, a rear end of the elevation plate may denote an end or edge opposite to the front end, i.e. facing away from the door. A front direction may denote the direction of withdrawal of the drawer out of the storage space. Likewise, a rear direction may denote the direction of insertion of the drawer into the storage space.

An arc-shaped guide slit to guide movement of the elevation bar may be disposed at the rear surface of the door.

The elevation bar may move vertically in an arc to ascend or descend the elevation plate. As the elevation bar ascends or descends the elevation bar, the elevation may traverse in a left and right direction with respect to the elevation plate.

The refrigerator may further comprise an idle gear mounted at an end of the elevation bar.

A gear part may be disposed at a bottom surface of the elevation plate. The idle gear may be engaged with the gear part.

A guide groove to guide movement of the idle gear may be disposed at a front surface of the elevation plate. The gear part may be disposed at the guide groove.

The refrigerator may further comprise a plate support device to support the elevation plate to maintain a horizontal state while the elevation plate ascends and descends.

The plate support device may comprise a pair of scissor links to connect the elevation plate with a bottom of the storage box. One scissor link may be disposed to connect with one side of the elevation plate with the bottom of the storage box, and another scissor link may be disposed to connect another side of the elevation plate with the bottom of the storage box.

The plate support device may comprise a rail assembly to connect a side surface of the elevation plate with a side surface of the storage box. The rail assembly may comprise a fixed rail connected with the side surface of the storage box; and a movable rail connected with the side surface of the elevation plate and movably connected with the fixed rail.

The rail assembly may be provided in one or in plurality at each of left and right surfaces of the elevation plate.

The refrigerator may further comprise a rotation plate having an elevation bar insertion hole through which the elevation bar is inserted. A rotation plate mounting hole into which the rotation plate is inserted may be disposed at the rear surface of the door. The rotation plate may cover the arc-shaped guide slit.

The elevation device may be disposed within the door. The elevation device may include a front surface and a rear surface. The driving motor may be disposed at the front surface of the elevation device. The rear surface of the elevation device may include an arc-shaped guide that aligns with the arc-shaped guide slit at the rear surface of the door.

The refrigerator further comprises a spring disposed at an inner circumference of the curved rack. The spring is configured to be compressed when the elevator plate descends.

The refrigerator may further comprise a center mount disposed at the inner circumference of the curved rack. The center mount may include a shoulder in which an end of the spring abuts. The curved rack may include a spring pressing rib protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the curved rack in which an other end of the spring abuts.

The refrigerator may further comprise a manipulation part provided at the drawer to input at least one of a draw-in/out command of the drawer and an operation command of the elevation device.

The manipulation part may further comprise a sensor and an image projecting device. When the sensor senses an object in a proximity, the image projecting device may project The elevation plate may have a rectangular plate shape. The first and second elevation bar may engage with the elevation plate at opposite corners along one edge thereof. an image in which a command is capable of being received.

Hereinafter, an elevation device and a refrigerator including the same according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a front view of a refrigerator provided with an elevation device according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator when a drawer provided with the elevation device ascends after being withdrawn.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment includes a cabinet <NUM> defining a storage space and a door that covers an opened front surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

The storage space of the cabinet <NUM> may be partitioned into a plurality of spaces. For example, the storage space may be partitioned into an upper storage space <NUM> and a lower storage space <NUM> by a partition member such as a mullion. Also, one of the upper storage space <NUM> and the lower storage space <NUM> may be a refrigerating compartment and the other may be a freezing compartment. The upper storage space <NUM> and the lower storage space <NUM> may be independent spaces that are maintained at different temperatures. Also, the embodiment does not exclude that the storage space may be partitioned into three or more spaces in which internal temperatures are maintained to be different from each other.

The door may include a rotatable door <NUM> rotatably coupled to the front surface of the cabinet <NUM> and a sliding door <NUM> coupled to a drawer that is slidably inserted into the upper storage space <NUM> or the lower storage space <NUM>.

A plurality of drawers <NUM> may be accommodated in the lower storage space <NUM>. Here, the plurality of drawers may be disposed vertically. Of course, it does not exclude that the drawer <NUM> is disposed in the upper storage space <NUM>.

An elevation device <NUM> according to the embodiment is provided to elevate food stored in the drawer <NUM>. Thus, the elevation device <NUM> may be provided in the sliding door <NUM> of the drawer <NUM>.

A display <NUM> may be disposed on one side of a front surface of the rotating door <NUM>. The display <NUM> may have a liquid crystal display structure or a <NUM> segment display structure.

Also, a manipulation part <NUM> to input an opening/closing command of the rotating door <NUM> and/or the drawer <NUM> may be provided on one side of the front surface of the rotating door <NUM>.

The manipulation part <NUM> may be integrated with the display <NUM> and may operate in a touch type manner or a button type manner. The manipulation part <NUM> may be used to input a command related to an operation of the refrigerator <NUM> such as setting a temperature within the storage space. Also, the manipulation part <NUM> may be used to input a draw-in/out command of the drawer <NUM> and/or an operation command of the elevation device.

A manipulation part <NUM> may be provided at the drawer <NUM>. Particularly, the manipulation part <NUM> may be provided at a front surface of the sliding door <NUM> of the drawer <NUM>. The manipulation part <NUM> may be used to input a draw-in/out command of the drawer <NUM> and/or an operation command of the elevation device. Here, the manipulation part <NUM> may be provided in a touch or button type. The manipulation part <NUM> may be provided as a sensor detecting proximity or movement of the user or provided as an input unit that operates by a user's motion or voice.

Also, as illustrated in the drawings, a manipulation device <NUM> may be provided at a lower end of the lowermost drawer <NUM>. The manipulation device <NUM> may include a sensor 302a detecting user's approach and an image projection device 302b projecting an image to a bottom of an installation space in which the refrigerator <NUM> is installed. Thus, when the sensor 302a detects the user's approach, a switch image may be projected onto the installation surface by the image projecting device 302b. Also, the user may access the switch image projected onto the bottom so that a specific command including the draw-in/out command of the drawer may be performed.

The drawer <NUM> may be designed to move into and out of the cabinet <NUM> or of the storage space <NUM>, i.e. horizontally forward and backward by a draw-out motor (not shown) and a pinion <NUM>, which are provided in the cabinet <NUM>, and a draw-out rack <NUM> or a rail, which is provided at a bottom surface of the drawer <NUM>. Also, the operation command of the draw-out motor may be inputted through any one or all of the manipulation parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

Also, the drawer <NUM> may be designed to continuously perform a horizontal sliding operation and a vertical elevating operation through a single draw-out command.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view of the drawer provided with the elevation device according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a rear perspective view of the drawer when the elevation plate ascends.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the drawer <NUM> of the refrigerator according to the embodiment may include a sliding door <NUM>, a storage box <NUM> disposed at a rear surface of the sliding door <NUM>, and an elevation plate <NUM> disposed at the storage box <NUM>. Also, the elevation device <NUM> according to the embodiment may be disposed at the sliding door <NUM> and may be mechanically connected to the elevation plate <NUM> to lift the elevation plate <NUM>, i.e. to allow the elevation plate <NUM> to move in the vertical direction.

The food may be directly placed on the elevation plate <NUM> so as to be stored. Alternatively, a separate storage case <NUM> may be provided at the storage box <NUM> so that the food is placed in the separate storage case <NUM>, which is placed on the elevation plate <NUM>.

A guide slit <NUM> having an arc shape may be disposed at the rear surface of the sliding door <NUM>, and an elevation bar to be described later may be inserted into the guide slit <NUM>. In other words, the elevation bar included in the elevation device <NUM> may pass through the rear surface of the sliding door <NUM> and may be connected to the elevation plate <NUM>. The elevation bar may move vertically along the guide slit <NUM> to allow the elevation plate <NUM> to move vertically.

An elevation manipulation part <NUM> for inputting command to drive the elevation device <NUM> may be disposed at a top surface of the sliding door <NUM>. The elevation manipulation part may include a touch type or button type input part and a display part. When the input part provided at the elevation manipulation part <NUM> is touched or pressed, the forward and backward movement and the elevation operation may be continuously performed, or only the elevation operation may be performed.

When the top surface of the sliding door <NUM> is inclined downward towards the front end, the elevation manipulation part <NUM> may be manipulated even when the drawer is closed. Thus, in the state in which the drawer <NUM> is closed, the input part of the elevation manipulation part <NUM> may be manipulated to sequentially perform the withdrawal of the drawer <NUM> and the ascending of the elevation plate <NUM>.

Alternatively, a control program may be designed so that a drawer manipulation part <NUM> provided at the front surface of the sliding door <NUM> is manipulated to maximally withdraw the drawer <NUM> forward, and then, the elevation manipulation part <NUM> is manipulated to allow the elevation plate <NUM> to ascend.

Hereinafter, a structure and operation of the elevation device <NUM> according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a front perspective view of the elevation device according to an embodiment, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the elevation device when viewed from a rear side, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the elevation device when viewed from a front side.

Referring to <FIG>, the elevation device <NUM> according to the embodiment includes a housing <NUM>, a spring <NUM>, an elevation bar <NUM>, a curved rack <NUM>, a driving gear <NUM>, a cover <NUM>, a driving motor <NUM>, and a reduction gear <NUM>.

In detail, the sliding door <NUM> includes a front surface part exposed to the outside, a rear surface part as an opposite surface of the front surface part, and an edge part connecting the front surface part to the rear surface part. Also, the edge part includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a left surface, and a right surface.

The rear surface part of the sliding door <NUM> includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may be a surface which closely contacts the rear surface of the elevation device <NUM>, and the second surface may be the front surface of the storage box <NUM>.

A front surface of the housing <NUM> is opened and covered by the cover <NUM>, and a rear surface closely contacts the first surface of the rear surface part of the sliding door <NUM>. A side wall <NUM> extends at an edge of the housing <NUM>, and the cover <NUM> is connected to a front end of the side wall <NUM>. The side wall <NUM> may be disposed on the housing <NUM>, but may be disposed on an edge of the cover <NUM>. An arc-shaped guide slit <NUM> is disposed at the rear surface of the housing <NUM>. The guide slit <NUM> may be aligned with the guide slit <NUM> disposed at the rear surface part of the sliding door <NUM>.

A support boss <NUM> and a coupling boss may protrude from a front corner point of the housing <NUM>. The support boss <NUM> and the coupling boss may be disposed at four corners of the front surface of the housing <NUM>, respectively.

An outer sleeve <NUM> surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the curved rack <NUM> may extend from the front surface of the housing <NUM>. The outer sleeve <NUM> may extend by a length corresponding to an extension length (or width) of the side wall <NUM>. The outer sleeve <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape that surrounds the curved rack <NUM>.

A center mount <NUM> may protrude from the front surface of the housing <NUM> corresponding to the inside of the outer sleeve <NUM>. A distance between an outer edge of the center mount <NUM> and the outer sleeve <NUM> may correspond to a radial width of the curved rack <NUM>. A space between the center mount <NUM> and the outer sleeve <NUM> may be defined as a curved rack mounting part <NUM> on which the curved rack <NUM> is mounted. The guide slit <NUM> may be disposed in the curved rack mounting part <NUM>.

A spring seating part <NUM> may be disposed at an edge of the center mount <NUM> at a predetermined depth in a central direction of the center mount <NUM> and may extend by a predetermined length in a circumferential direction. The spring seating part <NUM> may be rounded at a predetermined curvature. One end of the spring seating part <NUM> may include a shoulder <NUM>, and a rack stopper <NUM> may extend from the other end of the spring seating part <NUM> in the circumferential direction of the center mount <NUM>.

A driving gear accommodation part <NUM> may be provided at an edge of the center mount <NUM>, which corresponds to an opposite side of the spring seating part <NUM>. The driving gear accommodation part <NUM> may be provided by cutting a portion of the center mount <NUM> in the central direction. The driving gear accommodation part <NUM> may be rounded at the same curvature as the driving gear <NUM> to accommodate a portion of a circumferential surface of the driving gear <NUM>.

The spring <NUM> may be accommodated in the spring seating part <NUM>. As illustrated in the drawings, the spring is a coil spring.

The curved rack <NUM> may have a circular ring shape being hollow therein. In detail, the curved rack <NUM> includes an outer rim <NUM> having a width corresponding to a width of the outer sleeve <NUM>, an inner rim surrounding an inside of the outer rim <NUM> and having the same width as the outer rim <NUM>, and a connection rim <NUM> connecting a rear end of the outer rim <NUM> to a rear end of the inner rim <NUM>. A guide groove <NUM> may be disposed between the outer rim <NUM> and the inner rim <NUM>.

A gear part <NUM> may be disposed at an inner circumferential surface of the inner rim <NUM>, and a spring pressing rib <NUM> may protrude from one side of the inner circumferential surface of the inner rim <NUM>. The spring pressing rib <NUM> may have a width corresponding to the width of the inner rim <NUM> and may extend by a predetermined length in the central direction of the curved rack <NUM>.

An elevation bar mounting part <NUM> may be provided in the form of a hole or groove at one side of the connection rim <NUM>, and one end of the elevation bar <NUM> may be fitted into the elevation bar mounting part <NUM>. The elevation bar <NUM> may sequentially pass through the guide slits <NUM> and <NUM> and may be connected to the elevation plate <NUM>. Thus, each of the guide slits <NUM> and <NUM> may have a width corresponding to an outer diameter of the elevation bar <NUM>.

One surface of the spring pressing rib <NUM> may support one end of the spring <NUM>. When the spring <NUM> extends maximally, the spring <NUM> may closely contact the shoulder <NUM>. That is, when the curved rack <NUM> rotates, the spring pressing rib <NUM> moves in the circumferential direction within the spring seating part <NUM>.

The driving gear <NUM> may be accommodated in the driving gear accommodation part <NUM> and may engage with the gear part <NUM> of the inner circumferential surface to rotate the curved rack <NUM>. Otherwise, the driving gear <NUM> may be engaged with the gear part <NUM> of the outer circumferential surface.

The reduction gear <NUM> may be seated at a front surface of the cover <NUM>. A reduction gear support rib <NUM> extending along an outer edge of the reduction gear <NUM> may be disposed at the front surface of the cover <NUM>.

A driving shaft hole <NUM> may be disposed at the cover <NUM> corresponding to the inside of the reduction gear support rib <NUM>, and a driving shaft <NUM> extending from the reduction gear <NUM> may pass through the driving shaft hole <NUM> and may be connected to a center of the driving gear <NUM>.

An arc-shaped rack guide <NUM> may extend from the rear surface of the cover <NUM>, and the rack guide <NUM> may be fitted into the guide groove <NUM> of the curved rack <NUM>. Both ends of the rack guide <NUM> may extend up to both ends of the guide slit <NUM>, respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the rack guide <NUM> may have a circular sleeve shape.

The coupling boss <NUM> and the support boss <NUM> may extend from the corner portion of the rear surface of the cover <NUM>. Here, the coupling boss <NUM> and the support boss <NUM> may be coupled to the coupling boss and the support boss <NUM>, which extend from the front surface of the housing <NUM>. For example, the support boss <NUM> may be fitted into an outer circumferential surface of the support boss <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to allow the cover <NUM> to be coupled to the housing <NUM> without being shaken. Also, in a state in which the coupling boss <NUM> closely contacts the front surface of the housing <NUM>, the coupling boss <NUM> may be coupled to the coupling boss through a coupling member.

The driving motor <NUM> and the reduction gear <NUM> may be modular coupled by a coupling bracket.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a connection structure between the elevation plate and the elevation bar according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a guide gear <NUM> may be disposed at the bottom surface of the elevation plate <NUM>, and an idle gear <NUM> may be mounted at the other end of the elevation bar <NUM>.

In detail, one end of the elevation bar <NUM> is connected to the curved rack <NUM>, and the idle gear <NUM> is engaged with the guide gear <NUM>.

In this state, when the curved rack <NUM> rotates, the elevation bar <NUM> moves in the circumferential direction of the curved rack <NUM> with a horizontal vector component and a vertical vector component. As a result, the idle gear <NUM> rotates from one end to the other end of the guide gear <NUM>, and the elevation plate <NUM> moves vertically.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a connection structure between an elevation plate and an elevation bar according to another embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an elevation bar having a U shape with a wide width may be disposed at a bottom surface of the front end of the elevation plate <NUM>.

In detail, an elevation bar <NUM> is inserted into a space defined by an elevation bar guide <NUM>. Thus, the elevation bar <NUM> moves in left and right directions within the elevation bar guide <NUM> to allow an elevation plate to move vertically.

An outer circumferential surface of the elevation bar <NUM> slidably moves in a state of contacting a bottom surface of the elevation plate <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an idle gear may be connected to the other end of the elevation bar <NUM>, and a guide gear may be disposed at the bottom surface of the elevation plate <NUM> corresponding to the inside of the elevation bar guide <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a guide groove <NUM> may be disposed at a front surface of an elevation plate <NUM>, and the other end of an elevation bar <NUM> is fitted into the guide groove <NUM>. Thus, the elevation plate <NUM> and the elevation bar <NUM> may be connected to each other.

In detail, left and right lengths of the guide grooves <NUM> may correspond to a movement displacement in left and right directions of the elevation bar <NUM>.

An idle gear <NUM> is disposed at the other end of the elevation bar <NUM>. The idle gear <NUM> may be inserted into the guide groove <NUM>. Of course, the guide gear <NUM> may be disposed at a top surface of the guide groove <NUM> so as to engaged with the idle gear <NUM>.

<FIG> is a rear view of the elevation device when the elevation plate is disposed at the lowest height in a state in which the drawer is removed, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a state of the inside of the elevation device when the elevation plate is disposed at the lowest height.

Referring to <FIG>, a state in which the elevation bar is hung on the lowermost end of the guide slit <NUM> disposed in the housing <NUM> may be a state in which the elevation plate <NUM> is disposed at the lowest height. Here, the elevation plate <NUM> is disposed at a position that is closest to the bottom of the accommodating box <NUM>.

The lowermost end of the guide slit <NUM> may extend up to a bottom center a2 corresponding to the lowermost end of the curved rack <NUM>, and the uppermost end of the guide slit <NUM> may extend up to a top center a1 corresponding to the uppermost end <NUM> of the curved rack <NUM>.

In a state in which the elevation plate <NUM> is disposed at the lowest point, the spring <NUM> is compressed by a minimum length. In detail, when the curved rack <NUM> rotates in a direction in which the elevation plate descends, spring pressing rib <NUM> rotates in a direction of compressing the spring <NUM> within the spring seating part <NUM>.

Since restoring force of the spring <NUM> prevents the elevation plate <NUM> from descending sharply, the spring <NUM> is compressed when the elevation plate <NUM> descends.

Also, when the elevation plate <NUM> is disposed at the lowest point, the spring pressing rib <NUM> may contact the rack stopper <NUM> so that the curved rack <NUM> does not rotate further.

<FIG> is a rear view of the elevation device when the elevation plate is disposed at the highest height in the state in which the drawer is removed, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a state of the inside of the elevation device when the elevation plate is disposed at the highest height.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the driving gear <NUM> rotates in the opposite direction, and the curved rack <NUM> also rotates in the opposite direction, the spring pressing rib <NUM> rotates in a direction of restoring the spring <NUM> to its original state. Also, the elevation bar <NUM> pushes up the elevation plate <NUM> while rotating along the guide slit <NUM>.

That is, as the curved rack <NUM> rotates, and thus, the elevation plate <NUM> ascends, the spring <NUM> extends in the direction of restoring to its original state. In addition, the restoring force of the spring <NUM> acts as force of pushing up the elevation plate <NUM> to reduce a load of the driving motor <NUM>.

When the elevation plate <NUM> reaches the highest point, the spring pressing rib <NUM> contacts the shoulder <NUM> corresponding to the end of the spring seating part <NUM>. When the spring pressing rib <NUM> contacts the shoulder <NUM>, the curved rack <NUM> does not rotate further.

Hereinafter, a support device for stably supporting the elevation plate <NUM> will be described as an example.

If one elevation device <NUM> is connected to the front surface of the elevation plate, when the elevation plate ascends or descends, the elevation bar <NUM> may be away from a vertical surface that bisects the elevation plate <NUM> into left and right portions.

Here, when the elevation bar <NUM> is away from the vertical surface that bisects the elevation plate <NUM> into left and right portions, a load of the elevation plate <NUM> may be biased to one side, and thus, the elevation plate may not be maintained in the horizontal state.

In addition, in the structure in which one elevation bar <NUM> is connected to the elevation plate <NUM>, when the food is accommodated to be concentrated to the left side or the right side of the elevation plate <NUM>, load imbalance may occur, and thus, the elevation plate <NUM> may not be maintained in the horizontal state.

As a result, when the elevation plate <NUM> ascends, the horizontal state may not be maintained. Thus, the edge of the elevation plate <NUM> may interfere with the inner circumferential surface of the storage box <NUM> to cause noise, and the driving motor may be burdened with increase in load.

Therefore, there may be a need for a support device for preventing the elevation plate from drooping during the elevation operation of the elevation plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the elevation plate to which a plate support device is coupled, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the elevation plate to which the plate support device is coupled.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a plate support device <NUM> supporting the elevation plate <NUM> to maintain a horizontal state may be coupled to the bottom surface of the elevation plate <NUM>.

For example, the plate support device <NUM> may include a lower frame <NUM>, an upper frame <NUM>, and a pair of scissor links <NUM>.

In detail, each of the lower frame <NUM> and the upper frame <NUM> may be a rectangular frame having a size corresponding to a planar shape of the elevation plate <NUM>.

The pair of scissor links <NUM> may be provided at left and right edges of the elevation plate <NUM>, respectively.

Each of the pair of scissor links <NUM> may include a first link <NUM> and a second link <NUM> that cross each other in an X shape. Also, a connector <NUM> may be inserted into a crossing point of the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM>. Here, the connector <NUM> may serve as a rotation center of the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM>.

The left scissor link <NUM> may be defined as a left first link and a left second link, and the right scissor link <NUM> may be defined as a right first link and a right second link.

Front ends of the two first links and front ends of the two second links may be connected to each other by fixed bars <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. In detail, the front ends of the left and right first links may be connected to each other by the first fixed bar <NUM>, and the front ends of the left and right second links may be connected to each other by the second fixed bar <NUM>.

Rear ends of the two first links and the rear ends of the two second links may be connected to each other by movable bars <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. In detail, the rear ends of the left and right first links are connected to each other by the first movable bar <NUM>, and the rear ends of the left and right second links are connected to each other by the second movable bar <NUM>.

The first fixed bar <NUM> may be fixed to the lower frame <NUM>, and the second fixed bar <NUM> may be fixed to the upper frame <NUM>.

The first movable bar <NUM> is disposed to be movable forward and backward at the bottom surface of the upper frame <NUM>, and the second movable bar <NUM> is disposed to be movable forward and backward direction at the top surface of the lower frame <NUM>.

In detail, the first fixed bar <NUM> may be fixed to the lower frame <NUM> by a lower holder <NUM>, and the second fixed bar <NUM> may be fixed to the upper frame <NUM> by an upper holder <NUM>. Each of the lower holder <NUM> and the upper holder <NUM> may be rounded or bent to cover the fixed bars <NUM> and <NUM>, and both ends thereof may closely contact the lower frame <NUM> and the upper frame <NUM>. Also, both ends of the lower holder <NUM> and the upper holder <NUM> may be fixed to the lower frame <NUM> and the upper frame <NUM> by coupling members, respectively.

The first movable bar <NUM> may be movably connected to a bottom surface of the upper frame <NUM> by an upper guide <NUM>, and the second movable bar <NUM> may be movably connected to a top surface of the lower frame by a lower guide <NUM>.

Each of the upper guide <NUM> and the lower guide <NUM> may include a bent part that is bent in an n shape and a contact part that is bent again from both ends of the bent part to the outside to respectively closely contact the upper frame <NUM> and the lower frame <NUM>. An upper guide space <NUM> and a lower guide space <NUM> are disposed between a top surface of the bent part and a bottom surface of the upper frame <NUM> or a top surface of the lower frame <NUM>, respectively. Ends of the first movable bar <NUM> and the second movable bar <NUM> are inserted to move forward and backward, respectively.

While the elevation plate <NUM> ascends by the operation of the elevation device <NUM>, the movable bars <NUM> and <NUM> slidably move in a direction that is closer to the fixed bars <NUM> and <NUM>, that is, in the forward direction. Then, when the elevation plate <NUM> reaches the highest point, the movable bars <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed at the front ends of the guide spaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

On the other hand, while the elevation plate <NUM> descends by the operation of the elevation device <NUM>, the movable bars <NUM> and <NUM> slidably move in a direction that is away from the fixed bars <NUM> and <NUM>, that is, in the backward direction. Then, when the elevation plate <NUM> reaches the lowest point, the movable bars <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed at the rear ends of the guide spaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

As described above, since the scissor link <NUM> is connected to each of the left and right edges of the elevation plate <NUM>, the elevation plate <NUM> may ascend or descend while maintaining the horizontal state even though the single elevation device <NUM> is connected to the elevation plate <NUM>.

Also, since the plate support device <NUM> is disposed inside the storage box <NUM>, the plate support device <NUM> is not exposed to the outside when the elevation plate <NUM> moves vertically. Thus, possibility of introduction of foreign substances into the plate support device <NUM> may be minimized, and also, possibility of user's injury due to catching of the user's clothing or body parts into the scissor link <NUM> may be prevented.

Alternatively, the plate support device <NUM> may be disposed at the rear end of the elevation plate, one end of the scissor link <NUM> may be disposed at the left edge of the elevation plate, and the other end may be disposed at the right edge of the elevation plate.

In this case, when the elevation plate <NUM> is elevated, a center of the scissor link <NUM> may only vertically move at the center of the rear end of the elevation plate, and both ends of the scissor link <NUM> may move in the left and right directions.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an elevation plate provided with a support device according to another embodiment, and <FIG> is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in this embodiment, a plate support device <NUM> having a form of a rail and supporting left and right surfaces of an elevation plate <NUM> is proposed.

In detail, the plate support device <NUM> according to this embodiment may be mounted at front and rear ends of the left and right surfaces and front and rear ends of the left and right surfaces of the elevation plate <NUM>, respectively. However, it is noted that the plate support device <NUM> may also have a structure in which the plate support device <NUM> is disposed at each of centers of the left and right surfaces of the elevation plate.

The plate support device <NUM> may include a fixed rail <NUM> fixed to an inner surface of a sidewall of a storage box <NUM>, a rail base <NUM> fixed to a side surface of the elevation plate <NUM>, and a movable rail <NUM> movably fixed to the rail base <NUM>. Alternatively, the rail base <NUM> may not be separately provided, and the movable rail <NUM> may be directly fixed to the side surface of the elevation plate <NUM>.

The movable rail <NUM> is disposed to be movable vertically along the fixed rail <NUM> in a state of being inserted into the fixed rail <NUM>.

As described above, in the plate support device <NUM> having the rail shape, the elevation plate <NUM> may be symmetrically disposed at a position with respect to a vertical surface that bisects the elevation plate into left and right portions so that the elevation plate <NUM> stably moves vertically while being maintained in the horizontal state.

In addition to the above-described plate support device <NUM>, it is noted that support devices having various shapes, which perform a support function in which the elevation plate <NUM> moves vertically while being maintained in the horizontal state are included in the spirit of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view of the curved rack according to another embodiment, and <FIG> is a front perspective view of the curved rack.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a curved rack 53a according to this embodiment is characterized in that the curved rack 53a has an arc shape rather than a circular shape.

In detail, in the foregoing embodiment, although the circular curved rack <NUM> is provided in the elevation device <NUM> as an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an arc-shaped (or C-type) rack may be applied as illustrated in the drawings.

Here, to maintain the curved rack 53a to be always fitted in the rack guide <NUM>, the curved rack 53a may have a length greater than a half of a circumference of the circular curved rack <NUM>.

That is to say, it may be advantageous in that an angle θ defined by both ends of the arc-shaped curved rack 53a is less than about <NUM> degrees in terms of operational stability. The angle defined by both the ends of the arc-shaped curved rack 53a may be interpreted as an angle defined by a surface passing through one end of the curved rack 53a and the center of the curved rack 53a and a surface passing through the other end of the curved rack 53a and the center of the curved rack 53a.

The arc-shaped curved rack 53a may have the same structure as the circular curved rack <NUM> except that the arc-shaped curved rack 53a has an arc length less than a circumferential length of the circular curved rack <NUM>. Also, since the constituents of the elevating apparatus provided with the curved rack 53a of the arc shape are the same or similar as those described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view of a drawer provided with an elevation device according to another embodiment, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of an elevation device when viewed from a rear side according to another embodiment, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the elevation device when viewed from a front side.

Referring to <FIG>, an elevation device 50a according to this embodiment may have a feature in which a structure for preventing foreign substances from being introduced into an elevation device through a guide slit <NUM>, through which an elevation bar <NUM> passes, may be additionally provided at a rear surface of a sliding door <NUM> constituting a drawer <NUM>.

When a user opens the drawer <NUM>, if the guide slit <NUM> disposed at the rear surface of sliding door <NUM> is visible, not only is it aesthetically displeasing, but also foreign substances including food may get caught in the guide slit <NUM>, and interfere with an operation of the elevation bar <NUM>.

When a separate storage case <NUM> is provided on an elevation plate <NUM>, the above-described disadvantages may be solved. However, even if the separate storage case <NUM> is not provided, the above-described disadvantages may be solved by the elevation device 50a according to this embodiment.

In detail, the elevation device 50a according to this embodiment may have a feature in which a rotation plate <NUM> and a rotation plate holder <NUM> may be further added to the structure of the elevation device <NUM> according to the foregoing embodiment, and a rotation plate mounting hole may be disposed at a rear surface of the sliding door <NUM>.

Also, since the constituents of the driving motor <NUM>, the reduction gear <NUM>, the cover <NUM>, the driving gear <NUM>, the curved rack <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, and the elevation bar <NUM> are the same or similar as those according to the foregoing embodiment, duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

In more detail, the housing <NUM> of the elevation device 50a according to this embodiment has the following difference when compared to the housing <NUM> according to the foregoing embodiment.

First, the rotation plate seating part <NUM> on which the rotation plate <NUM> is seated may be disposed to be stepped or recessed at the rear surface of the housing <NUM>. The stepped depth or recessed depth of the rotation plate seating part <NUM> may be less than the thickness of the rotation plate <NUM>. That is, a portion of the thickness of the rotation plate <NUM> may be accommodated by the rotation plate seating part <NUM>, and the other portion may be accommodated by the rear surface of the sliding door <NUM>.

Also, the guide slit <NUM> may be disposed inside the rotation plate seating part <NUM>.

Second, a holder insertion hole <NUM> into which the rotation plate holder <NUM> is fitted may be disposed at the center of the rear surface of the housing <NUM>.

The rotation plate holder <NUM> may include a holder body <NUM> having a diameter greater than that of the holder insertion hole <NUM> and a protrusion <NUM> extending from rear surfaces of the holder body <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape having a diameter equal to or less than that of the holder insertion hole <NUM>. Thus, when the rotation plate holder <NUM> is inserted into the holder insertion hole <NUM>, only the protrusion <NUM> passes through the holder insertion hole <NUM>, and the holder body <NUM> may be disposed to contact the rear surface of the housing. The protrusion <NUM> may have a length greater than a thickness of the rear surface of the housing <NUM>.

The rotation plate <NUM> may include a circular plate part and a holder sleeve <NUM> extending from a center of a front surface of the circular plate part. An elevation bar insertion hole <NUM> may be disposed at an edge of the circular plate part.

The holder sleeve <NUM> may have an inner diameter equal to or slightly less than that of the protrusion <NUM> to allow the protrusion <NUM> to be press-fitted into the holder sleeve <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an edge of one side of the protrusion <NUM> may be cut off (D-cut) to define a non-circular cross-section, and the inside of the holder sleeve <NUM> may have the same shape as the protrusion <NUM>.

When the elevation device 50a is mounted at the rear surface of the sliding door <NUM>, the circular plate part may be fitted into the rotation plate mounting hole <NUM>, and the edge of the circular plate part and the edge of the rotation plate mounting hole <NUM> may contact each other. In addition, since a gap does not occur between the circular plate part and the rotation plate mounting hole <NUM> during the vertical movement of the elevation plate <NUM>, food and other foreign substances may be prevented from being introduced into the sliding door <NUM>. Thus, there may be an advantage in that a risk of a safety accident in which the user's fingers are caught is prevented.

Also, since the rear surface of the circular plate part and the rear surface of the housing <NUM> define a smooth single surface, the phenomenon that the circular plate part interferes with the sliding door <NUM> when the elevation plate <NUM> is elevating may be prevented. In addition, there is an advantage to minimize the accumulation of dust on the edge portion of the circular plate part.

Although the constituents of the elevation device that elevates the elevation plate has been described in detail, the most basic and essential components that elevate the elevation plate may be the driving motor for generating power, the curved rack that is connected to the driving motor to rotate by receiving the rotation force of the driving motor, and the elevation bar connecting the curved racks to the elevation plate. Also, the various additional devices including the reduction gears, the driving gears, springs, and the like may be additional constituents, which are selectively provided as necessary to more stably perform the vertical movement of the elevation plate.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the gear part <NUM> of the curved rack <NUM> may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface that is opposite to the inner circumferential surface of the curved rack <NUM>, and the driving gear <NUM> may be gear-connected to the outer circumferential surface of the curved rack <NUM>.

The refrigerator according to the proposed embodiments may have the following effects.

In detail, the refrigerator according to the embodiments may be configured so that the elevation plate provided in the drawer ascends in the state in which the drawer is withdrawn. Thus, there may be the advantage that the user does not excessively bow their waist so as to take out the food accommodated in the drawer.

Particularly, in the situation in which food is heavy or the container containing food to be lifted up is heavy, the elevation device may operate to allow the food to ascend up to a desired height, thereby preventing the user from being injured and improving the convenience of use.

Since the device that is necessary for elevating the elevation plate is disposed in the drawer, i.e., the storage box, the possibility of the user accessing to the device may be prevented. Thus, there may be the effect that accidents may be prevented, in which the user's clothing or body parts are caught.

Also, unlike the prior art, the storage box itself constituting the drawer is not elevated, and a separate elevation plate may be provided in the storage box. A rail assembly for withdrawing the drawer may be connected to the side surface of the storage box. Thus, there may be the advantage that the load acting on the rail assembly is designed to be distributed at the storage box.

Also, since the driving device is disposed inside the door or the storage box, there may be the advantage of minimizing the noise.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) having a storage space (<NUM>) therein; and
a drawer (<NUM>) slidably movable into and out from the storage space (<NUM>),
an elevation plate (<NUM>) disposed within the drawer (<NUM>); and
an elevation device (<NUM>) for lifting the elevation plate (<NUM>),
characterized in that the elevation device (<NUM>) comprises:
a driving motor (<NUM>);
a curved rack (<NUM>) configured to be rotated by the driving motor (<NUM>); and
an elevation bar (<NUM>) coupled at one end with the curved rack (<NUM>) and being movably engaged at the other end opposite to the one end with the elevation plate (<NUM>), such that the elevation bar (<NUM>) is rotated together with the curved rack (<NUM>) to lift and lower the elevation plate (<NUM>),
wherein the refrigerator further comprises a spring (<NUM>) disposed along a circumference of the curved rack (<NUM>) and configured to be compressed when the elevation plate (<NUM>) is lowered.