Patent Description:
In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance for storing food at low temperature in an internal storage space that is shielded by a refrigerator door, and is configured to store the stored food in an optimal state by cooling the inside of the storage space using cold air generated through heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating through the refrigeration cycle.

Such a refrigerator is gradually being enlarged and multi-functional according to a trend of changes in dietary life and high-quality products, and a refrigerator equipped with various structures and convenience devices in consideration of user convenience is being developed.

In order to harmonize with an environment in which the refrigerator is disposed or with surrounding furniture or home appliances, structures for varying an outer appearance of a door front of the refrigerator are developed, and this situation is also applied to general home appliances in the same way.

<CIT> discloses a structure in which a glass plane defining an outer appearance is mounted on a door front of a refrigerator. Disclosed is a structure in which a plurality of recessed grooves are formed in a front part of a door body, and a glass panel is mounted by forming an installation part bent in multiple stages on a rear surface of the glass panel and inserting the installation part into the recessed grooves. In addition, a structure in which an upper end of the glass panel is restrained by mounting a blocking part to limit upward flow of the glass panel is disclosed.

However, conventionally, a blocking part is fixedly mounted on a refrigerator door after the glass panel is mounted, and accordingly, there is a problem in that it is not possible to maintain a constant interval between the glass panel and the blocking part.

An end of the glass panel is separated from a covering part of a door front, and thus, there is a problem in that the glass panel is deformed or damaged when the glass panel is pressed from the front.

There is a problem in that the glass panel is damaged when an impact is applied to the end of the glass panel because a portion of a perimeter of the glass panel is exposed. <CIT> relates to a door for a refrigerator, which is provided with a simple constitution and facilitated in attaching and detaching of a decorative panel of the door while capable of improving an appearance of the same. Accordingly, a handle main body, having a handle unit, an upper cap door and a fitting inserting groove integrally in the same plane, is attached to an upper part of a door main body while a lower cap door is attached to a lower part of the same. <CIT> relates to a refrigerator having a glass plate provided on the front surface of a door, and more particularly to a refrigerator having a structure for preventing a glass plate from dropping due to aging or impact. Accordingly, the refrigerator has a glass plate provided on the front face of a door, a first fixing part for fastening the glass plate and a latch part to each other, and a second anchoring member for fastening a door frame having a catch part and the glass plate to each other. Moreover, when the second anchoring member has the function of fastening the door frame and the glass plate to each other, the latch part and the catch part are not in an engaged state. In addition, when the second anchoring member loses the function of fastening the door frame and the glass plate to each other, the latch part and the catch part are in an engaged state. <CIT> relates to a cooling chamber door for opening and closing a cooling chamber for cooling an object. Accordingly, a door for a cooling room includes: a door part disposed at an opening of a cooling room having the opening at a front side and configured to cool a stored object; and a glass panel disposed at the front side of the door part. The door for the cooling room includes: a support part provided at a front portion of the door part and supporting the glass panel; and an attachment part which is provided on a rear surface of the glass panel and removably attaches the glass panel to the support part. <CIT> relates to a refrigerator having a door with a decoration panel attached to the front, wherein the refrigerator includes a main body including a storeroom, a door body arranged to open or close the storeroom, a decoration panel coupled to a front side of the door body, and a holder mounted on the front side of the door body to be coupled to the decoration panel. <CIT> relates to a refrigerator having an improved structure of a door, wherein the refrigerator comprises: a main body having a front side thereof open; and a door configured to open and close the open front side of the main body. The door includes: a door body including chassis forming opposite side surfaces and a space formed between the chassis; and a door panel separably mounted on the door body, and when mounted on the door body, arranged in the space of the door body while having opposite end portions supported by the chassis. <CIT> relates to a refrigerator including a main body forming a storage compartment, and a door configured to open and close the storage compartment. The door includes a door body rotatably coupled to the main body and including an insulator therein, a panel body positioned in a front of the door body, a first trim disposed at a first edge of the panel body and configured to be coupled to the door body while being rotated with respect to the door body, and a second trim disposed at a second edge opposite to the first edge of the panel body and configured to be coupled to the door body when the first trim is coupled to the door body.

A home appliance according to the invention is defined in the independent claim. is an object of the present disclosure to provide a door for a home appliance, in particular for a refrigerator, or a home appliance, in particular a refrigerator, having the same for improving the quality of assembly finish after a door panel is mounted.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a door for a home appliance, in particular for a refrigerator, or a home appliance, in particular a refrigerator, having the same for improving the assembly workability of a door panel.

It is an object of an embodiment of the present disclosure to provide a door for a home appliance, in particular for a refrigerator, or a home appliance, in particular a refrigerator, having the same for maintaining the state in which a door panel is firmly mounted.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a door for a home appliance includes: a door body and a door panel (e.g. detachably) mounted on the door body. The door panel includes a panel defining a front surface, i.e. a front appearance, of the door, and a panel bracket disposed on or at a rear surface of the panel. The door body includes a cap deco defining an edge portion of the door body, in particular the cap deco may define an upper or a lower portion or a lateral portion of the door body. Accordingly, the cap deco may be denoted as an upper cap deco, a lower cap deco or a side deco. One of the panel bracket and the cap deco includes a mounting protrusion protruding therefrom in horizontal direction and/or towards the other one of the panel bracket and the cap deco. The other one of the panel bracket and the cap deco includes a protrusion accommodating part into which the mounting protrusion is inserted. For instance, the panel bracket may include the mounting protrusion protruding rearward, and the cap deco may include the protrusion accommodating part into which the mounting protrusion is coupled or inserted.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a home appliance includes a cabinet with a space formed therein, and a door configured to open and close the space and including a door body and a door panel (e.g. detachably) mounted on the door body. The door panel includes a panel defining a front surface, i.e. a front appearance, of the door, and a panel bracket disposed on or at a rear surface of the panel. The door body includes a cap deco defining an edge portion of the door body, in particular the cap deco may define an upper or a lower portion or a lateral portion of the door body. Accordingly, the cap deco may be denoted as an upper cap deco, a lower cap deco or a side deco. One of the panel bracket and the cap deco includes a mounting protrusion protruding therefrom in horizontal direction and/or towards the other one of the panel bracket and the cap deco. The other one of the panel bracket and the cap deco includes a protrusion accommodating part into which the mounting protrusion is inserted. For instance, the panel bracket may include the mounting protrusion protruding rearward, and the cap deco may include the protrusion accommodating part into which the mounting protrusion is coupled or inserted.

The home appliance may be a refrigerator, a cooking appliance, a laundry machine, such as a washing and/or drying machine or a laundry manager, or a dish washer.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a cabinet with a storage space formed therein, and a door configured to open and close the storage space, and including a door body filled with an insulator and a door panel (e.g. detachably) mounted on the door body, wherein the door panel includes a panel defining a front appearance of the door, and a panel bracket disposed on a rear surface of the panel and including a mounting protrusion protruding rearward, wherein the door body includes a cap deco defining a portion of a perimeter surface of the door body, and including a protrusion accommodating part into which the mounting protrusion is inserted. According to the invention, a deco cover may be mounted to shield an opening of the cap deco, the deco cover including a restraining part protruding into the cap deco, and wherein the restraining part is in contact with the protrusion accommodating part into which the mounting protrusion is coupled or inserted when the deco cover is mounted and maintains a restrained state of the mounting protrusion and the protrusion accommodating part.

The door for a home appliance and/or the home appliance and/or the refrigerator according to any one of these aspects may include one or more of the following features:.

Directional indications are to be understood with respect to a closed state of the door in an operational orientation of the home appliance. In particular, directional indications, such as rearward and forward, are to be understood with respect to the position of the door from perspective of a user operating the door. That is, "rearward" or "rear surface" may refer to a direction or a surface toward or facing the space in a closed state of the door. Likewise, "forward" or "front surface" may refer to a direction or a surface toward or facing a user.

The door body may be adjacent to or facing the space in a closed state of the door. That is, the door body may cover or close the space in a closed state of the door. The home appliance may be a refrigerator and/or the door body may be filled with insulator material.

The door panel may be detachably mounted on the door body, or it may be fixedly mounted thereon.

The panel bracket may be attached or adhered or mounted to the rear surface of the panel, i.e. to the surface of the panel facing the door body (in a mounted state of the panel). The panel bracket may extend along an edge portion of the door panel, i.e. to an edge portion of the door panel facing the edge portion, or the portion of the perimeter surface, of the door body.

In one embodiment, the mounting protrusion may protrude from the panel bracket, e.g.in rearward direction. The mounting protrusion may protrude from the panel bracket and/or from the panel toward the door body. The protrusion accommodating part may protrude from the cap deco, i.e. forward and/or towards the panel bracket and/or toward the door body. In another embodiment, the mounting protrusion may protrude from the cap deco, e.g.in forward direction. The mounting protrusion may protrude from the cap deco and/or from the door body toward the door panel, i.e. toward the panel bracket of the door panel. The protrusion accommodating part may protrude from the panel bracket and/or the door body toward the cap deco and/or the door body. The mounting protrusion may be detachably inserted or may be insertable into the protrusion accommodating part.

The panel bracket may be an upper panel bracket and/or a lower panel bracket.

The edge portion may include an upper portion, a lower portion and/or a lateral portion of the door body. The edge portion may also be the perimeter surface. The perimeter surface of the door body may also be denoted as peripheral surface or side surface or lateral surface. That is, the perimeter surface may denote a surface surrounding the door body in a plane perpendicular to a (front) surface of the panel. The perimeter surface of the door body may be an upper and/or lower surface or portion of the door body.

The cap deco may define a portion of a perimeter surface of the door body, e.g. the cap deco may define an upper portion or a lower portion or a lateral portion of the door body. Accordingly, the cap deco may be denoted as an upper cap deco, a lower cap deco or a side deco. The cap deco may have an opening, in or on which a deco cover may be mounted.

According to the invention, a deco cover is mounted to shield an opening of the cap deco. The opening of the cap deco may be formed in a horizontal surface thereof, i.e. in an upper or lower surface of the cap deco.

According to the invention, the deco cover includes a restraining part protruding into the cap deco. The restraining part is in contact with the protrusion accommodating part into which the mounting protrusion is inserted when the deco cover is mounted to maintain a restrained state of the mounting protrusion and the protrusion accommodating part. The restraining part may be mounted on or at the cap deco. The restraining part may be in contact with the protrusion accommodating part at opposite sides thereof, e.g. the restraining part may be in contact with lateral surfaces of the protrusion accommodating part. In other words, the protrusion accommodating part may be inserted between portions or members of the restraining part. The restraining part is configured to restrain a movement or deformation of the protrusion accommodating part, i.e. to prevent an escape of the mounting protrusion inserted in the protrusion accommodating part from said protrusion accommodating part. In other words, the restraining part is configured to lock an inserted state of the mounting protrusion in the protrusion accommodating part.

The cap deco may be an upper cap deco. The cap deco may have an open upper surface, i.e. the opening may be formed in an upper surface of the cap deco. The cap deco may have open front and upper surfaces. The cap deco may include a recess in which the protrusion accommodating part is formed. That is, the cap deco may include a recessed front surface on which the protrusion accommodating part is formed.

An insertion direction of the mounting protrusion into the protrusion accommodating part may be defined in horizontal direction, e.g. rearward direction. I mounting protrusion may be inserted through the front surface when the door panel is mounted.

An insertion direction of the restraining part into the cap deco, i.e. into the opening of the cap deco, may be defined in vertical direction, e.g. downward direction. The restraining part may be inserted through the upper surface. An insertion direction of the restraining part and an insertion direction of the mounting protrusion may be perpendicular to each other.

Of course, the cap deco may also be a lower cap deco. The cap deco may have an open lower surface, i.e. the opening may be formed in a lower surface of the cap deco. The cap deco may have open front and lower surfaces. The cap deco may include a recess in which the protrusion accommodating part is formed. That is, the cap deco may include a recessed front surface on which the protrusion accommodating part is formed. An insertion direction of the mounting protrusion into the protrusion accommodating part may be defined in horizontal direction, e.g. rearward direction. The mounting protrusion may be inserted through the front surface when the door panel is mounted. An insertion direction of the restraining part into the cap deco, i.e. into the opening of the cap deco, may be defined in vertical direction, e.g. upward direction. The restraining part may be inserted through the lower surface. An insertion direction of the restraining part and an insertion direction of the mounting protrusion may be perpendicular to each other.

According to the invention, protrusion accommodating part is elastically deformable, e.g. in lateral direction.

The restraining part is configured to restrain elastic deformation of the protrusion accommodating part. The protrusion accommodating part may be elastically deformed in a direction crossing a direction in which the mounting protrusion is inserted, and/or the restraining part may restrain an outer surface of the protrusion accommodating part and may limit elastic deformation of the protrusion accommodating part.

The protrusion accommodating part may include one pair of accommodating members spaced apart from each other. The accommodating members may be elastically deformable to allow insertion of the mounting protrusion therebetween. The one pair of accommodating members may extend forward in a state in which rear ends thereof are fixed to the cap deco and/or may be elastically deformed to be press-fitted into a space between the pair of accommodating members.

An interval or distance between (front) ends of the one pair of accommodating members may be smaller than a (e.g. largest) diameter of the mounting protrusion, in particular than a (e.g. largest) diameter of a portion of the mounting protrusion inserted between the accommodating members. Here, the diameter may refer to the maximum diameter of the mounting protrusion, in particular of the insert part, in a horizontal plane, i.e. in the horizontal plane in which a virtual line between front ends of the accommodating members is disposed. The accommodating members of the accommodating part may be bent towards each other such that a distance between ends of the accommodating members is smaller than a distance parallel thereto between a center portion of the accommodating members.

The one pair of accommodating members may be inclined or rounded to surround a perimeter surface of the mounting protrusion, and/or an interval between middle portions of the one pair of accommodating members may be larger than the interval between the front ends.

The mounting protrusion may include an insert part to be inserted into the protrusion accommodating part. The mounting protrusion may include further an extension connecting the insert part to the panel bracket, in particular to the rear surface of the panel bracket. The mounting protrusion may include an extension extending rearward from a rear surface of the panel bracket, and an insert part formed at an end of the extension and press-fitted between the one pair of accommodating members. The insert part may have a larger diameter than the extension. The extension may have a diameter smaller than a distance between the (front) ends of the accommodating members.

The insert part may be formed with a larger width than the extension and/or may be formed with a width that is reduced toward front and rear ends compared with a central part.

The extension may be formed with a smaller width than the interval between the front ends. The insert part may be formed with a larger width than the interval between the front ends. An outer surface of the insert part may be inclined or rounded to be in contact with inner surfaces of the one pair of accommodating members.

The restraining part may extend in a direction crossing the one pair of accommodating members from the deco cover, and/or outer surfaces of the one pair of accommodating members may be restrained by being pressed.

The restraining part may include one pair of restraining members arranged in parallel to be spaced apart from each other. That is, the restraining part may include a pair of restraining members extending in parallel in front-rear direction and/or in downward direction, the restraining members being spaced apart from each other. The one pair of accommodating members and the mounting protrusion may be disposed between the one pair of restraining members when a cover member is mounted.

A rib may extend along inner surfaces of the one pair of restraining members, which face each other. The rib in contact with the outer surface of the accommodating member may be formed. The rib may extend on an inner surface of each of the restraining members, i.e. on the surface facing the other one of the pair of restraining members. The rib may extend in vertical direction, i.e. in insertion direction of the restraining part.

The plurality of ribs may be spaced apart from each other. A most protruding portion of the outer surface of the accommodating member may be positioned between the ribs spaced apart from each other. Here, a most protruding portion may refer to a cross-section in horizontal plane.

A protrusion height of the rib may be reduced as extending upward from a lower end. That is, the rib has a greater protrusion height at a lower end of the restraining member than at an upper end of the restraining member.

A plurality of mounting protrusions, e.g. at least two or more than two mounting protrusions, may be continuously and/or regularly and/or horizontally arranged on said one of the panel bracket and the cap deco. The plurality of mounting protrusions may be continuously and/or regularly and/or horizontally arranged in a direction in which the panel bracket extends. The protrusion accommodating parts may be formed to face the plurality of mounting protrusions, respectively. The mounting protrusion may be disposed along a short side of a perimeter of the panel with a rectangular shape. The mounting protrusions may be arranged along a short side of the panel having a rectangular shape, in particular at an edge portion of the short side.

The door body may include a body cover defining a front surface of the door body. The door body may include further a door liner spaced apart from the body cover and defining a rear surface of the door body. The door body may include an upper cap deco connecting an upper end of the body cover and an upper end of the door liner, and/or a lower cap deco connecting a lower end of the body cover and a lower end of the door liner. The door body may include further a side deco defining both surfaces of the door body. An insulator may be filled in a space formed by coupling the body cover, the door liner, the upper cap deco, the lower cap deco, and the side deco. An upper end and a lower end of the door panel may be restrained by the lower cap deco and the upper cap deco.

The cap deco may include an upper cap deco defining an upper surface of the door body and including the protrusion accommodating part, and a lower cap decode defining a lower surface of the door body, and the panel bracket may include an upper bracket provided on an upper end of a rear surface of the panel and including the mounting protrusion, and a lower bracket provided on a lower end of a rear surface of the panel and supported by a lower end of the lower cap deco.

A restraining protrusion protruding upward may be formed on the lower cap deco, a lower mounting part that has an open lower surface and into which the restraining protrusion is inserted may be formed on the lower bracket, and the mounting protrusion may be inserted into the protrusion accommodating part to restrain upper and lower ends of the door panel in a state in which the restraining protrusion is inserted into the lower mounting part.

The panel may be formed in a metal plate and may include a bending part bent rearward on a perimeter of the panel, and a bending part accommodating groove into which the bending part is inserted may be formed on a front surface of the panel bracket when the panel bracket is coupled to a rear surface of the panel.

The panel may be formed of a plate-shaped material, plastic, ceramic, and a composite material.

Hereinafter, detailed embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is limited to the embodiments in which the idea of the present disclosure is proposed, and other degenerate idea or other embodiments included in the scope of the present disclosure may be easily proposed by addition, changes, deletions, etc. of other elements.

Prior to a description, directions are defined. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a front surface of a door, that is, a direction in which a door panel is directed shown in <FIG> is defined as a front direction, a rear surface of the door, that is, a direction in which a door liner is directed is defined as a rearward direction, a direction toward a bottom on which a refrigerator is mounted is defined as a downward direction, and a direction away from the bottom is defined as an upward direction.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in the drawing, a refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet that defines a storage space, and a refrigerator door <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as the door <NUM>) that is disposed in front of the cabinet and opens and closes the storage space.

The storage space may have an open front surface, and may be divided into a plurality of spaces as necessary. For example, the storage space of the refrigerator <NUM> may be partitioned up and down, and may have a refrigerating compartment at an upper portion and a freezing chamber at a lower portion.

The door <NUM> may include refrigerating compartment doors <NUM> and <NUM> and freezing compartment doors <NUM> and <NUM>, for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. The refrigerating compartment doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed at an upper side, and a pair of the refrigerating compartment doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided on both right and left sides to open and close the refrigerating compartment via rotation. The freezing compartment doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed below the refrigerating compartment doors <NUM> and <NUM>, and a pair of the freezing compartment doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided to open and close the freezing compartment via rotation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, for convenience of description and understanding, although the refrigerator having a pair of the doors <NUM> at an upper front side and a pair of the doors <NUM> at a lower front side of the cabinet is exemplified, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and is applicable to all types of refrigerators including a door.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, any one of the refrigerating compartment doors <NUM> will be exemplified, and the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> will be referred to as the door <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may define a front appearance of the refrigerator <NUM> by a panel <NUM> defining a front surface in a closed state. The door <NUM> may further include a dispenser <NUM> for taking out water or ice from the outside as necessary.

Needless to say, the door <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may not include the dispenser <NUM>, and in this case, an entire front surface of a door panel <NUM> may be defined by the panel <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the structure of the door <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a refrigerator door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the refrigerator door.

As shown in the drawings, the door <NUM> may include a door body <NUM> for opening and closing the storage space, and the door panel <NUM> that is coupled to the door body <NUM> and defines the front appearance of the door <NUM>.

The door body <NUM> may define the overall shape of the door <NUM>, and may substantially open and close and insulate the storage space. The door body <NUM> may be formed by coupling a body cover <NUM> defining a front surface, a door liner <NUM> defining a rear surface, an upper cap deco <NUM> defining an upper surface, a lower cap deco <NUM> defining a lower surface, and a side deco <NUM> defining right and left side surfaces.

The body cover <NUM> may define a front shape of the door body <NUM>. The body cover <NUM> may be formed in a metal plate shape, and may be formed of an iron plate material to which a magnet <NUM> is capable of being attached. A plurality of screws <NUM> may be fastened around the body cover <NUM> to fixedly couple the body cover <NUM> to the upper cap deco <NUM>, the lower cap deco <NUM>, and the side deco <NUM>.

The door liner <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material and may define a rear shape of the door body <NUM>. Although not shown in detail, the door liner <NUM> may have an ice making chamber connected to the dispenser <NUM> to make and store ice.

The upper cap deco <NUM> may be coupled to an upper end of the body cover <NUM> and may define an upper appearance of the door body <NUM>. The upper cap deco <NUM> may define an upper end of a front surface of the door body <NUM> and may have a protrusion accommodating part <NUM> to which an upper bracket <NUM> of the door panel <NUM> is coupled when the door panel <NUM> is mounted.

A deco opening <NUM> recessed downward may be formed on an upper surface of the upper cap deco <NUM>. Although not shown, electrical components may be accommodated inside the deco opening <NUM>. For example, the electrical component may include various devices to be accommodated inside the deco opening <NUM>, such as a sensor device for detection of a user, a microphone for detecting voice of the user, a speaker for outputting sound, and a door locking device for automatic opening of the door <NUM>.

The deco opening <NUM> may be opened toward an upper side of the upper cap deco <NUM>, and an open upper surface of the deco opening <NUM> may be shielded by a deco cover <NUM>. The deco cover <NUM> may be mounted on the upper cap deco <NUM> to shield the deco cover <NUM>, and may be coupled to the upper cap deco <NUM> to define an upper surface of the door body <NUM>. In addition, a restraining part <NUM> for restraining the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> may protrude downwardly from the upper cap deco <NUM>.

A hinge mounting part <NUM> may be formed at one end of the upper cap deco <NUM>. A hinge device for rotatably mounting the door <NUM> to a cabinet <NUM> may be coupled to the hinge mounting part <NUM>.

The structures of the upper cap deco <NUM> and the deco cover <NUM> will be described below in more detail.

The lower cap deco <NUM> may be coupled to lower ends of the body cover <NUM> and the door liner <NUM> to form a lower appearance of the door body <NUM>. The lower cap deco <NUM> ma define a lower front end of the door body <NUM> and may be coupled to a lower bracket <NUM> of the door panel <NUM> when the door panel <NUM> is mounted.

The side deco <NUM> may connect the body cover <NUM> to right and left ends of the body cover <NUM>, the door liner <NUM>, the upper cap deco <NUM>, and the lower cap deco <NUM>, and may define an outer appearance of right and left side surfaces of the door body <NUM>. In addition, a side support part <NUM> protruding forward compared with the body cover <NUM> may be formed on the side deco <NUM> to support both right and left ends of the door panel <NUM> when the door panel <NUM> is mounted.

The door panel <NUM> may define a front appearance of the door <NUM> and, as necessary, may be to be detached from the door body <NUM>. For example, the door panel <NUM> may be manufactured to have various colors or textures, and may be selectively mounted on the door body <NUM> according to a user's preference. In addition, the outer appearance of the refrigerator <NUM> may be changed by replacing the door panel <NUM>.

The door panel <NUM> may include the panel <NUM> defining an outer appearance, and a panel bracket provided on a rear surface of the panel <NUM> to mount the door panel <NUM> on the door body <NUM>. The panel bracket may include at least one of the upper bracket <NUM> or the lower bracket <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the structures of the upper bracket <NUM> and the lower bracket <NUM> coupled to the door panel <NUM> and the door panel <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a rear surface of a door panel that is one component of a door.

As shown in the drawing, the door panel <NUM> may include the panel <NUM> and the panel bracket.

The panel <NUM> may be formed of a plate-shaped material. For example, the panel <NUM> may be formed of a stainless steel plate material. The panel <NUM> may be formed of a plate-shaped material and may have a bent perimeter. In detail, the panel <NUM> may include a panel front part <NUM> defining a front appearance, and bending parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> bent rearward along a perimeter of the panel front part <NUM>.

The panel front part <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular shape to form a front surface of the door <NUM> and may be formed in a planar shape. The bending parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (refer to <FIG> and <FIG>) may include an upper bending part <NUM> formed along an upper end of the panel front part <NUM> and extending rearward perpendicular to the panel front part <NUM>, and a lower bending part <NUM> formed along a lower end of the panel front part <NUM> and extending rearward perpendicular to the panel front part <NUM>. The upper bending part <NUM> and the lower bending part <NUM> may be fixedly inserted into the upper bracket <NUM> and the lower bracket <NUM>, respectively.

The bending parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may further include a side bending part <NUM> formed along both sides of the panel front part <NUM>. The side bending part <NUM> may extend rearward perpendicularly to the panel front part <NUM>, and the extending end may be further bent to be round inward again. Accordingly, when the door panel <NUM> is transported, the upper bending part <NUM> and the lower bending part <NUM> may be covered by the upper bracket <NUM> and the lower bracket <NUM>, and an end of the side bending part <NUM> may be rounded, and accordingly, it may be possible to prevent safety accidents such as being cut or stabbed by a sharp end of the panel <NUM>.

The upper bracket <NUM> may be provided on an upper end of the panel <NUM>. The upper bracket <NUM> may have a length corresponding to a horizontal length of the panel and may be attached to an upper end of a rear surface of the panel <NUM>. An upper end of the upper bracket <NUM> may protrude compared with the upper end of the panel <NUM> and may support the upper end of the panel <NUM> to protect the upper end of the panel <NUM> and to define an upper appearance of the door panel <NUM>.

A mounting protrusion <NUM> protruding rearward may be formed on a rear surface of the upper bracket <NUM>. The mounting protrusion <NUM> may be coupled to the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> of the upper cap deco <NUM> to fixedly mount the door panel <NUM> on the door body <NUM>. As such, the upper bracket <NUM> may define an upper end of the door panel <NUM>, and simultaneously, may have a function of mounting the door panel <NUM> on the door body <NUM>. The upper bracket <NUM> may be referred to as a first bracket.

The lower bracket <NUM> may be provided to oppose the upper bracket <NUM>.

In detail, the lower bracket <NUM> may be provided at a lower end of the panel <NUM>. The lower bracket <NUM> may have a length corresponding to a horizontal length of the panel <NUM> and may be attached to a lower end of the rear surface of the panel <NUM>. The lower end of the lower bracket <NUM> may protrude compared with the lower end of the panel <NUM> and may support the lower end of the panel <NUM> to protect the lower end of the panel <NUM> and to define a lower appearance of the door panel <NUM>.

A lower mounting part <NUM> protruding rearward may be formed on a rear surface of the lower bracket <NUM>. The lower mounting part <NUM> may be coupled to the lower cap deco <NUM> and may fixedly mount the door panel <NUM> on the door body <NUM>. As such, the lower bracket <NUM> may define a lower end of the door panel <NUM>, and simultaneously, may have a function of mounting the door panel <NUM> on the door body <NUM>. The lower bracket <NUM> may be referred to as a second bracket to be distinguished from the first bracket.

The door panel <NUM> may further include a buffer member <NUM>. The buffer member <NUM> may be attached to the rear surface of the panel <NUM> and may fill a space between the panel <NUM> and the body cover <NUM> when the door panel <NUM> is mounted on the door body <NUM>. Thus, even if an impact or pressure is applied to a front surface of the door panel <NUM>, it may be possible to prevent the door panel <NUM> from being deformed or damaged. The buffer member <NUM> may be formed of an elastic material such as sponge, foam PU, or foam PE.

The door panel <NUM> may further include the magnet <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> may be attached to the rear surface of the panel <NUM>. When the door panel <NUM> is mounted on the door body <NUM>, the magnet <NUM> may be attached to the body cover <NUM> via magnetic force. Thus, the door panel <NUM> may maintain a state of being temporarily fixed to the door body <NUM> by the magnet <NUM>. The door panel <NUM> may maintain a more firmly mounted state to the door body <NUM> by the magnet <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> may be vertically elongated and may be disposed between the upper bracket <NUM> and the lower bracket <NUM>. In addition, the magnet <NUM> may be disposed on both right and left sides of the buffer member <NUM>.

A dispenser opening <NUM> may be formed in a portion of the panel front part <NUM>, which corresponds to a position of the dispenser <NUM>. The dispenser opening <NUM> may be formed to correspond to a shape of the dispenser <NUM> and may be coupled to a perimeter of a dispenser case <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) included in the dispenser <NUM>. An adhesive member <NUM> may be further provided along a perimeter of the dispenser opening <NUM> to maintain the state in which a perimeter of the dispenser opening <NUM> is fixedly coupled.

Needless to say, the door <NUM> may not include the dispenser <NUM>, and may include a display for displaying an operation state of the refrigerator <NUM>. The panel <NUM> may be formed of glass, plastic, ceramic, composite material, and the like in addition to a metal material, and may be formed in a plate shape defining a front surface of the door <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the structures of the upper bracket <NUM> and the lower bracket <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is an enlarged partial perspective view of an upper part of a rear surface of the door panel. <FIG> is a perspective view of an upper bracket, which is a component of the door panel, viewed from the front. <FIG> is a perspective view of the upper bracket viewed from the rear.

As shown in the drawings, the upper bracket <NUM> may be coupled to the upper end of the panel <NUM>. The upper bracket <NUM> may be disposed in front of the upper cap deco <NUM> and may be mounted on the upper cap deco <NUM> when the door panel <NUM> is mounted.

The upper bracket <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material, and may include a coupler <NUM> coupled to the rear surface of the panel <NUM>, a support part <NUM> formed on an upper end of the front surface of the coupler <NUM>, and the mounting protrusion <NUM> protruding rearward from the rear surface of the coupler <NUM>.

In detail, the coupler <NUM> may be attached to the rear surface of the panel <NUM> and may be formed in a plate shape having a predetermined area. A horizontal width of the coupler <NUM> may be formed to correspond to a horizontal length of the panel <NUM>.

An adhesive may be applied to a front surface of the coupler <NUM> or a member for bonding such as a double-sided tape may be disposed on the front surface. Accordingly, the coupler <NUM> may maintain a state of being completely adhered to the rear surface of the panel <NUM>.

An upper accommodating groove <NUM> may be formed at an upper portion of the coupler <NUM>. The upper accommodating groove <NUM> may extend from one end of the upper bracket <NUM> to the other end, and may be recessed to allow an upper end of the panel <NUM> to be inserted thereinto. Accordingly, in the panel <NUM>, the upper end may be inserted into the upper accommodating groove <NUM>, and simultaneously, the front surface of the coupler <NUM> may be bonded to the rear surface of the panel <NUM>. In addition, the upper bracket <NUM> may be assembled with the upper cap deco <NUM> in the state of being coupled to the panel <NUM>.

The support part <NUM> may be formed at the upper end of the upper bracket <NUM>. The support part <NUM> may be formed above the coupler <NUM> and may protrude forward from the upper end of the upper accommodating groove <NUM>. Thus, the support part <NUM> may support the upper end of the upper bending part <NUM> and may be in contact with the upper end of the panel <NUM>. In this case, the upper bracket <NUM> may maintain the state in which the upper bending part <NUM> and the support part <NUM> are in close contact with each other in the state in which the coupler <NUM> is adhered to the panel <NUM>, and may prevent an interval between the panel <NUM> and the support part <NUM> from being widened when the door panel <NUM> is viewed from the front.

The support part <NUM> may protrude to a position corresponding to a front plate of the panel <NUM>, and thus, the support part <NUM> may define an upper appearance of the door panel <NUM> while supporting the upper end of the panel <NUM>. The support part <NUM> may support the upper end of the panel <NUM> to restrain an upward flow of the panel <NUM> and to simultaneously protect the upper end of the panel <NUM> from being damaged by impact.

The support part <NUM> may be formed to have a thinner thickness as protruding forward, and may be inclined or rounded to minimize exposure of the support part <NUM> when viewed from the front.

The support part <NUM> may also protrude rearward, and a rear end of the support part <NUM> may be in contact with a front end of the deco cover <NUM>. In addition, the support part <NUM> may form a portion of an upper surface of the door body <NUM>.

The mounting protrusion <NUM> may protrude rearward from the rear surface of the coupler <NUM>. The mounting protrusion <NUM> may protrude at a position opposing the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> of the upper cap deco <NUM>. For example, one of the mounting parts <NUM> may be disposed on both right and left sides of the upper bracket <NUM>, and two may be disposed in a central portion spaced apart from each other, and thus a total of four mounting parts <NUM> may be formed. The mounting protrusion <NUM> may be formed to be inserted into the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>.

In detail, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may include an extension 324b and an insert part 324a. The extension 324b may protrude rearward from the coupler <NUM> and may be formed to have a length and a width for being inserted into an accommodating part opening 437d of a front end of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>. The insert part 324a may be formed at a rear end of the extension 324b and may be formed to be inserted into the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>.

The insert part 324a may have a greater width than the width of the extension 324b, and may be formed with a corresponding shape to be in contact with an inner surface of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> in the state of being inserted into the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>. The insert part 324a may be easily inserted into the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>, and may be formed not to be easily separated by maintaining a restrained state in the inserted state. To this end, the insert part 324a may be formed to have a width that is the largest at a central portion and is reduced forward and rearward. A perimeter surface of the insert part 324a may be inclined or rounded. For example, the insert part 324a may be formed in a circular or oval shape when viewed from above.

The mounting protrusion <NUM> may have a predetermined height in a vertical direction, and both the insert part 324a and the extension 324b may have perimeter surfaces of the same height. In addition, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may have an open lower surface to form a protrusion space 324c therein.

It may be possible to lose weight during injection molding of the upper bracket <NUM> by the protrusion space 324c, and the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be accurately molded to a set size and shape without shrinkage. Thus, the engagement of the mounting protrusion <NUM> with the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> may be ensured.

As such, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be integrally molded with the upper bracket <NUM>, and may be injection molded from a plastic material.

<FIG> is an enlarged partial perspective view of a lower part of a rear surface of the door panel. <FIG> is a perspective view of a lower bracket, which is a component of the door panel, viewed from the front. <FIG> is a perspective view of the lower bracket viewed from the rear.

As shown in the drawings, the lower bracket <NUM> may be formed of a plastic material, and may have a length corresponding to the right and left widths of the panel <NUM>. The lower bracket <NUM> may be formed to have a width set in a vertical direction.

The lower bracket <NUM> may be provided at the lower end of the door panel <NUM> and may be coupled to the lower cap deco <NUM> to restrain the lower end of the door panel <NUM>. The lower bracket <NUM> may be coupled to a lower end of the rear surface of the panel <NUM>, and the door panel <NUM> may be mounted on the lower cap deco <NUM>, and simultaneously, may define a lower appearance of the door panel <NUM> and to support the lower end of the panel <NUM>.

In detail, the lower bracket <NUM> may include a lower coupler <NUM>, a lower support part <NUM>, and the lower mounting part <NUM>.

The lower coupler <NUM> may be formed in a planar shape and may be in contact with the rear surface of the panel <NUM>. The lower coupler <NUM> may include an adhesive member such as adhesives or a double-sided tape to be mounted in close contact with the rear surface of the panel <NUM>. A pattern or groove structure for facilitating adhesion may be further formed on the lower coupler <NUM>.

A lower accommodating groove <NUM> may be formed in a lower portion of a front surface of the lower coupler <NUM>. The lower accommodating groove <NUM> may extend from one end of the lower bracket <NUM> to the other end, and may be recessed to allow the lower bending part <NUM> of the panel <NUM> to be inserted. Accordingly, in the panel <NUM>, the lower bending part <NUM> may be inserted into the lower accommodating groove <NUM>, and simultaneously, the front surface of the lower coupler <NUM> may be bonded to the rear surface of the panel <NUM>. The lower bracket <NUM> may be assembled with the lower cap deco <NUM> in a state of being coupled to the panel <NUM>.

The lower support part <NUM> may be formed at a lower end of the lower bracket <NUM>, and may protrude forward from the lower end of the lower accommodating groove <NUM>. Thus, a lower support part <NUM> may support the lower end of the lower bending part <NUM> and may be in contact with the lower end of the panel <NUM>. In this case, the lower bracket <NUM> may maintain the state in which the lower bending part <NUM> and the lower support part <NUM> are in close contact with each other in the state in which the lower coupler <NUM> is adhered to the panel <NUM>, and may prevent an interval between the panel <NUM> and the lower support part <NUM> from being widened when the door panel <NUM> is viewed from the front.

The lower support part <NUM> may protrude to a position corresponding to the panel front part <NUM> of the panel <NUM>, and thus the lower support part <NUM> may define a lower appearance of the door panel <NUM> while supporting the lower end of the panel <NUM>. The lower support part <NUM> may support the lower end of the panel <NUM> to restrain a lower flow of the panel <NUM> and to simultaneously protect the lower end of the panel <NUM> from being damaged by impact.

The lower support part <NUM> may be formed to have a thinner thickness as protruding forward, and may be inclined or rounded to minimize exposure of the lower support part <NUM> when viewed from the front.

The lower mounting part <NUM> may also protrude rearward from the rear surface of the lower coupler <NUM>. The lower mounting part <NUM> may protrude from a position corresponding to a locking protrusion 442a formed on the lower cap deco <NUM>, and may have a structure in which the locking protrusion 442a is inserted and locked.

The lower mounting part <NUM> may include a horizontal extension 334a and a vertical extension 334b. The horizontal extension 334a may protrude rearward from an upper side of the lower accommodating groove <NUM>. The vertical extension 334b may extend downward from a lower end of the protruding horizontal extension 334a. The lower mounting part <NUM> may have an open lower surface to form a lower mounting part space 334c into which the locking protrusion 442a is inserted.

The lower mounting part space 334c may be opened elongated in a horizontal direction, and all the plurality of the locking protrusions 442a may be inserted into the inside of the lower mounting part space 334c through the open lower surface of the lower mounting part <NUM> and may be restrained by the lower mounting part <NUM>. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 334d partitioning the lower mounting part space 334c may be disposed at regular intervals inside the lower mounting part space 334c. Accordingly, the reinforcing rib 334d may reinforce the lower mounting part <NUM> to prevent the lower mounting part <NUM> from being damaged and to prevent the door panel <NUM> from being separated from the door body <NUM>.

In addition, an additional reinforcement part <NUM> extending through the lower mounting part <NUM> may be further formed on the rear surface of the lower coupler <NUM>. The additional reinforcing part <NUM> may prevent the lower mounting part <NUM> from being deformed together with the reinforcing ribs 334d and to simultaneously reinforce the strength of the lower bracket <NUM>.

In order to mount the door panel <NUM>, the lower end of the door panel <NUM>, i.e., the lower bracket <NUM> may be first fixed to the lower cap deco <NUM>, and the upper end of the door panel <NUM>, i.e., the upper bracket <NUM> may be mounted on the upper cap deco <NUM>. The coupling state of the mounting protrusion <NUM> and the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> may be restrained by mounting the deco cover <NUM>, and the door panel <NUM> may be completely mounted.

The lower support part <NUM> may be formed on the rear surface of the lower coupler <NUM>. The lower support part <NUM> may protrude rearward from the rear surface of the lower coupler <NUM> and may protrude compared with the lower mounting part <NUM>. Thus, when the door panel <NUM> is mounted, the lower support part <NUM> may be in contact with a lower front part <NUM> of the lower cap deco <NUM> and may support the lower bracket <NUM> from the rear. The plurality of lower support parts <NUM> may be formed in a direction in which the lower coupler <NUM> extends.

Hereinafter, the structures of the door body <NUM> and the upper cap deco <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a partial perspective view of a door body that is a component of the door. <FIG> is a perspective view of an upper cap deco that is a component of the door body.

As shown in the drawing, the upper cap deco <NUM> may be mounted on an upper end of the door body <NUM> to form an upper portion including the upper end of the door body <NUM>. In the state in which the upper cap deco <NUM> is mounted on the door body <NUM>, rear, front, and upper surfaces of the upper cap deco <NUM> may be exposed to the outside.

In detail, the upper cap deco <NUM> may include a front part <NUM> defining a front surface, a rear part <NUM> defining a rear surface, an upper part <NUM> defining an upper surface, and a side part <NUM> defining right and left side surfaces.

The rear part <NUM> may be formed in a planar shape by coupling a lower end of rear part <NUM> to an upper end of the door liner <NUM>. The rear part <NUM> may be exposed rearward in the state of being mounted on the door body <NUM> and may form an outer appearance of an upper end of the rear surface of the door body <NUM>.

The lower end of the front part <NUM> may be coupled to the upper end of the body cover <NUM>. The front part <NUM> may be exposed forward in the state of being mounted on the door body <NUM> and may form an outer appearance of the upper end of the front surface of the door body <NUM>.

A cover coupler 431a may be formed on the lower end of the front part <NUM>. A deco screw hole 431b may be formed in the cover coupler 431a and may be formed at a position corresponding to a cover screw hole <NUM> formed in the body cover <NUM>. The body cover <NUM> may be coupled to the upper cap deco <NUM> by the screws <NUM> coupled to the cover screw hole <NUM> through the deco screw hole 431b.

A deco recess <NUM> may be formed on the upper end of the front part <NUM>. The deco recess <NUM> may form a space in which the mounting protrusion <NUM> is partially accommodated, and the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> may be formed inside the deco recess <NUM>.

The deco recess <NUM> may extend from a left end to a right end of the upper end of the front part <NUM>. In addition, the deco recess <NUM> may have open front and upper surfaces, and may be recessed rearward and downward. Accordingly, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be inserted from the front when the door panel <NUM> is mounted, and the restraining part <NUM> may be inserted from the top when the deco cover <NUM> is mounted.

The deco recess <NUM> may include a recess lower surface 436b and a recess rear surface 436a. The recess lower surface 436b may define a bottom recessed in a downward direction of the deco recess <NUM>, and the recess rear surface 436a may define a rear wall recessed rearward.

In this case, a front end of the recess lower surface 436b may define a front end of the front part <NUM>, and when the door panel <NUM> is mounted, the front end of the recess lower surface 436b may be in contact with a rear surface of the coupler <NUM> of the upper bracket <NUM>. Thus, in the state in which the door panel <NUM> is mounted, the upper bracket <NUM> may be supported from the rear, and even if force is applied to an upper end of a front surface of the door panel <NUM> or the upper end of the front surface of the door panel <NUM> is pressed, the door panel <NUM> may be prevented from being deformed.

The recess lower surface 436b may be spaced apart from an upper side of the cover coupler <NUM>. A plurality of lower support parts 436c may be formed between the recess lower surface 436b and the upper end of the cover coupler <NUM>. The lower support part 436c may be formed in a rib shape that perpendicularly intersects the recess lower surface 436b, and may connect the recess lower surface 436b and the cover coupler <NUM> to support the lower support part 436c from the below to prevent the lower support part 436c from being deformed. The plurality of lower support parts 436c may be arranged at regular intervals.

Thus, the present disclosure may provide a structure for preventing the recess lower surface 436b from being deformed and for stably supporting and coupling the upper bracket <NUM> even if a load is applied to the recess lower surface 436b by mounting the door panel <NUM>.

The protrusion accommodating part <NUM> may be formed inside the deco recess <NUM>. The protrusion accommodating parts <NUM> may be formed at positions to oppose the mounting parts <NUM>, and may be formed to correspond to the number of the mounting parts <NUM> to be coupled to the mounting parts <NUM>, respectively.

The protrusion accommodating part <NUM> may be formed in the deco recess <NUM> and may include a pair of accommodating members 437a and 437b that are spaced apart from each other. The protrusion accommodating part <NUM> may be formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness, and may be configured in such a way that the mounting protrusion <NUM> is inserted between the pair of accommodating members 437a and 437b.

In detail, the accommodating members 437a and 437b may protrude forward from the recess rear surface 436a. The lower end of the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be spaced apart from the recess lower surface 436b. Thus, the accommodating members 437a and 437b extending forward may be elastically deformed in right and left directions by inserting the mounting protrusion <NUM>.

The front ends of the pair of accommodating members 437a and 437b may be spaced apart from each other to form the accommodating part opening 437d. The accommodating part opening 437d may be an entrance into which the mounting protrusion <NUM> is inserted. The pair of accommodating members 437a and 437b may have an interval that is the largest at a central portion and is reduced forward and rearward. The accommodating members 437a and 437b may be formed in a shape corresponding to a shape of an outer shape of the insert part 324a to surround an outer surface of the insert part 324a of the mounting protrusion <NUM>. That is, the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be formed to be round in a shape corresponding to the outer surface of the insert part 324a.

Accordingly, when the door panel <NUM> is mounted, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be press-fitted into a space between the pair of accommodating members 437a and 437b, in a process of inserting the mounting protrusion <NUM>, the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be elastically deformed, and after the mounting protrusion <NUM> is completely inserted, the accommodating members 437a and 437b may surround the outer surface of the insert part 324a to restrain the mounting protrusion <NUM> from being easily separated from the inside of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>.

Needless to say, lower ends of the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be molded in the state of being coupled to the recess lower surface 436b, and in this case, the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> may not be elastically deformed. However, since the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> has a structure open upward, a restraining protrusion may be inserted into the lower mounting part space 334c through a single process of moving the door panel <NUM> downward from an upper side rather than rotating the door panel <NUM>, and the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the inside of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> and may simultaneously fix the upper and lower ends of the door panel <NUM>.

The upper part <NUM> of the upper cap deco <NUM> may connect the rear part <NUM> and the upper end of the front part <NUM> and may form an upper surface of the door body <NUM>. A deco opening <NUM> recessed downward may be formed in the upper part <NUM>. The deco opening <NUM> may define a space with an open upper surface, and may provide a space in which an electrical component such as a sensor or a PCB is accommodated when the electrical component is disposed in the door <NUM>.

The deco opening <NUM> may be shielded by the deco cover <NUM>. The deco cover <NUM> may be formed in a corresponding shape to shield the deco opening <NUM>. The deco cover <NUM> may be detachably mounted on the deco opening <NUM> to easily couple and decouple the upper bracket <NUM> and the upper cap deco <NUM>.

A hinge mounting part <NUM> recessed downward may be formed at one side of the upper part <NUM>. The hinge mounting part <NUM> may be a part on which a hinge device as a rotation axis of the door <NUM> is mounted and may be formed at one side of right and left sides.

A side part of the upper cap deco <NUM> may be formed on right and left side surfaces of the upper cap deco <NUM>. The side part <NUM> may be shielded by the side deco <NUM>, and a perimeter of the side part <NUM> may be in close contact with a perimeter of the side deco <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the structure of the deco cover <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a deco cover that is a component of the door body.

As shown in the drawing, the deco cover <NUM> may be mounted on the upper cap deco <NUM> to shield the deco opening <NUM> and may define at least a portion of an upper appearance of the door body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the state in which the deco cover <NUM> is mounted, an upper surface of the door body <NUM> may be formed by the upper part <NUM> of the upper cap deco <NUM>, a cover upper surface <NUM> of the deco cover <NUM>, and the support part <NUM> of the upper bracket <NUM>.

The deco cover <NUM> may include the cover upper surface <NUM> for shielding the deco opening <NUM>, and a cover edge <NUM> extending downward along a perimeter of the cover upper surface <NUM>. A hook 462a may be formed on the cover edge <NUM> and may be caught and restrained inside the deco opening <NUM> to maintain the state in which the deco cover <NUM> is mounted.

The restraining part <NUM> for restraining the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> may be formed on the lower surface of the deco cover <NUM>. The restraining part <NUM> may be formed vertically above the plurality of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>, and may be formed in a number corresponding to the number of the protrusion accommodating parts <NUM>. Accordingly, when the deco cover <NUM> is mounted, the restraining parts <NUM> may be respectively coupled to the corresponding protrusion accommodating part <NUM> to restrain the protrusion accommodating parts <NUM>.

In detail, the restraining part <NUM> may include a pair of restraining members 463a and 463b spaced apart from each other, and the restraining members 463a and 463b may extend downward from the cover upper surface <NUM>. That is, the restraining members 463a and 463b may extend in a direction crossing the accommodating members 437a and 437b, and the pair of the restraining members 463a and 463b may extend to be in contact with outer surfaces of the pair of accommodating members 437a and 437b.

In this case, a length by which the restraining members 463a and 463b extend may be a length by which the restraining members 463a and 463b cross at least a portion of the accommodating members 437a and 437b when the deco cover <NUM> is mounted. In the state in which the deco cover <NUM> is mounted, the accommodating members 437a and 437b and the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be disposed between the pair of restraining members 463a and 463b, and the state in which the mounting protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be maintained.

The pair of restraining members 463a and 463b may be disposed to face each other, and may be formed in a shape that is symmetrical to each other based on a portion between the restraining members 463a and 463b. That is, the restraining members 463a and 463b may include a contact part 463c extending downward from an upper surface of the cover, and a side part 463d extending in a direction crossing the contact portion 463c at both ends of the contact portion 463c.

The contact part 463c may be formed to face the outer surfaces of the accommodating members 437a and 437b, and the contact parts 463c of the restraining members 463a and 463b disposed on the right and left sides may be disposed in parallel to each other. In this case, a distance D1 between the restraining members spaced apart from each other may correspond to a horizontal width D4 of the most protruding portion of the accommodating members 437a and 437b. In this case, the horizontal width D4 of the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be a horizontal width in the state in which the mounting protrusion <NUM> is accommodated inside.

A contact rib 463e may be formed on the contact part 463c. The contact rib 463e may extend vertically along the contact part 463c. The plurality of contact ribs 463e may be formed in parallel to each other. For example, a pair of contact ribs 463e may be formed and may extend in a vertical direction at positions spaced apart from each other on both sides based on the center of the contact part 463c.

Accordingly, in the state in which the deco cover <NUM> is mounted and the restraining part <NUM> is in contact with the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>, the most protruding portion of the outer surface of the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be positioned in a region between the contact ribs 463e. The pair of contact ribs 463e may be in contact with the outer surfaces of the accommodating members 437a and 437b, respectively.

The contact rib 463e may extend upward from the lower end of the contact part 463c. The contact rib 463e may have a lower protrusion height as extending upward from the lower end. That is, the contact rib 463e may have the most protruding lower end and may press the outer surfaces of the accommodating members 437a and 437b during an initial contact and insertion process with the accommodating members 437a and 437b. In the state in which the deco cover <NUM> is completely mounted, the most protruding lower end of the contact rib 463e may also support the lower end of the accommodating members 437a and 437b to prevent the restraining part <NUM> and the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> from being randomly separated from each other.

The side part 463d may extend in a direction away from the accommodating members 437a and 437b from an end of the contact part 463c. The side part 463d may support the contact part 463c from the outside and may support the contact part 463c to prevent the contact part 463c from being deformed or damaged. The side part 463d may extend along both ends of the contact part 463c from the upper surface <NUM> of the cover, and may extend to the extending lower end of the contact part 463c. The lower end of the side part 463d may be inclined, and thus when the restraining members 463a and 463b are in contact with the accommodating members 437a and 437b, the restraining members 463a and 463b may face the outside of the accommodating members 463a and 463b, and the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be guided toward the contact part 463c.

A partition wall <NUM> inserted into the inside of the deco opening <NUM> may be extend downward on the cover upper surface <NUM>. The partition wall <NUM> may define a space in which the electrical component is to be accommodated. The partition wall <NUM> may be formed in contact with a perimeter surface of the deco opening <NUM> and may extend downward. For example, the partition wall <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from below.

A deco cover screw hole 461a may be formed in the cover upper surface <NUM>. The deco cover screw hole 461a may be a hole to which a screw for firmly fixing the deco cover <NUM> is coupled, and a screw passing through the deco cover screw hole 461a may be coupled to a deco boss <NUM> formed inside the deco opening <NUM> to more firmly fix and mount the deco cover <NUM> on the upper cap deco <NUM>. Retention of restraints of the door panel <NUM> may be ensured by ensuring firm fixed mounting of the deco cover <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a mounting structure of the door panel <NUM> will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an order in which the door panel is mounted. <FIG> is a perspective view taken along XV-XV' of <FIG>.

As shown in the drawings, the door panel <NUM> may be prepared in the state in which the upper bracket <NUM> and the lower bracket <NUM> are attached to the panel <NUM>.

In this case, the upper bending part <NUM> and the lower bending part <NUM> of the panel <NUM> may be inserted into the inside of the upper accommodating groove <NUM> and the lower accommodating groove <NUM>. Thus, during transport and assembly, sharp bending parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the panel <NUM> may not be exposed, and the door panel <NUM> may be simply mounted on the door body <NUM>.

In the state of being attached to the panel <NUM>, the upper bracket <NUM> and the lower bracket <NUM> may support ends of the panel <NUM>, i.e., the bending parts <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Thus, in the state in which the door panel <NUM> is mounted on the door body <NUM>, the upper and lower ends of the panel <NUM> may be maintained in the state of being in close contact with the support part <NUM> and the lower support part <NUM>, thereby preventing an interval therebetween from being formed.

In order to mount the door panel <NUM>, the door panel <NUM> may be brought to the front surface of the door body <NUM>. In this case, the door panel <NUM> may be mounted by disposing right and left ends of the panel <NUM> between the side deco <NUM>.

In this case, in the state in which the lower end of the door panel <NUM>, that is, the lower bracket <NUM> is caught and restrained by the lower cap deco <NUM>, the upper end of the door panel <NUM>, that is, the upper bracket <NUM> may be coupled, and lastly the door panel <NUM> may be completely restrained while the deco cover <NUM> is mounted.

First, a coupling structure of the lower end of the door panel is now described in more detail with reference to <FIG>, and the lower cap deco <NUM> may be provided at the lower end of the door body <NUM> and may define a lower appearance of the door <NUM> and the door body <NUM>.

In the state in which the lower cap deco <NUM> is mounted on the door body <NUM>, the lower front part <NUM> may be exposed to form a lower front end of the door body <NUM>.

The lower support part <NUM> protruding downward may be formed on a lower surface of the lower cap deco <NUM>. The lower support part <NUM> may protrude forward from the lower end of the lower front part <NUM> and may protrude by a height corresponding to a side support part <NUM>. Both ends of the lower support part <NUM> may be in contact with the lower end of the side support part <NUM> and may have a height corresponding to a front surface of the panel <NUM>.

The lower support part <NUM> may support the door panel <NUM> from the below. The locking protrusion 442a protruding upward may be formed on the lower support part <NUM>. The plurality of locking protrusions 442a may be formed and may protrude at regular intervals along the lower support part <NUM>. The locking protrusion 442a may be spaced apart from the lower front part <NUM>.

When the door panel <NUM> is mounted, the locking protrusion 442a may be inserted into and mounted on the lower end of the door panel <NUM>, that is, the lower mounting part <NUM> of the lower bracket <NUM>. The locking protrusion 442a may be inserted into the inside of the lower mounting part space 334c to support the lower bracket <NUM>. Thus, the lower end of the door panel <NUM> may be fixedly mounted on the lower end of the lower cap deco <NUM>.

In this case, a lower support protrusion <NUM> of the lower bracket <NUM> may be in contact with the lower front part <NUM> of the lower cap deco <NUM>, and thus even if load or compressive force is applied to the lower front end of the door panel <NUM>, the door panel <NUM> may not be deformed or damaged.

In the state in which the lower end of the door panel <NUM> is fixedly mounted on the lower cap deco <NUM> by moving the door panel <NUM> downward from an upper side, the upper end of the door panel <NUM> may be fixed to the upper cap deco <NUM> by rotating the upper end of the door panel <NUM> using the lower end of the door panel <NUM> as an axis.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a coupling structure of a mounting protrusion of an upper bracket and a protrusion accommodating part of an upper cap deco. <FIG> is a perspective view taken along XVII-XVII' of <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion A of <FIG>.

A state before the upper end of the door panel <NUM> is mounted on the upper cap deco <NUM> in the state in which the lower end of the door panel <NUM> is mounted on the lower cap deco <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

In this case, in order to fix the upper end of the door panel <NUM>, the upper end of the door panel <NUM> may be moved rearward. In this case, in the state in which the lower end of the door panel <NUM> is restrained, the door panel <NUM> may be rotated using the lower end of the door panel <NUM> as an axis.

When the upper end of the door panel <NUM> is moved rearward, the mounting protrusion <NUM> protruding from the upper bracket <NUM> may be moved rearward. Before the mounting protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>, a width D3 of the accommodating part opening may be smaller than a maximum width D2 of the insert part 324a. An accommodating part space 437c may be equal to or slightly smaller than the maximum width D2 of the insert part 324a.

Accordingly, during a process in which the mounting protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>, the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be elastically deformed while being moved away right and left to pass through the accommodating part opening 437d.

When the mounting protrusion <NUM> is inserted between the accommodating members 437a and 437b, that is, into the inside of the accommodating part space 437c, the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be elastically restored to be adhered to surround a perimeter of the insert part 324a.

Needless to say, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be inserted through an open upper surface of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> by moving the door panel <NUM> up and down rather than rotating the upper end of the door panel <NUM>. In this case, the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>, that is, the accommodating members 437a and 437b may not be elastically deformed.

When the rear surface of the door panel <NUM>, that is, the coupler <NUM> of the upper bracket <NUM> is in close contact with the front part <NUM> of the upper cap deco <NUM>, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be completely inserted into the inside of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> to be in the state as shown in <FIG>.

In this case, the door panel <NUM> may be temporarily fixed to a front surface of the door body <NUM>, and the deco cover <NUM> may be mounted. In a process in which the deco cover is mounted on the upper cap deco <NUM>, the restraining part <NUM> restrains elastic deformation of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>.

Needless to say, as necessary, the accommodating members 437a and 437b may not be elastically deformed, and in this case, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be moved downward from an upper side and may also be inserted into the inside of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM> through an open upper surface of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>.

In detail, in a process in which the deco cover <NUM> is mounted, the restraining members 463a and 463b may be in contact with the outer surface of the accommodating members 437a and 437b while moving downward. In this case, the insert part 324a of the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the inside of the protrusion accommodating part <NUM>. In the state in which the mounting protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the accommodating part space 437c, a width D4 between the outer surface of the pair of accommodating members 437a and 437b may correspond to the distance D1 between the restraining members.

Accordingly, when the deco cover <NUM> is completely mounted in the state in which the insert part 324a of the mounting protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the inside of the accommodating part space 437c, the restraining members 463a and 463b may press and fix the accommodating members 437a and 437b from the outside, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In this case, the restraining members 463a and 463b may be in contact with both sides of the most protruding portion of the accommodating members 437a and 437b. In particular, when the pair of contact ribs 463e presses the outer surface of the accommodating members 437a and 437b, the most protruding portion of the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be disposed in a space between the pair of contact ribs 463e.

Thus, in the state in which the restraining members 463a and 463b are in contact with the outer surface of the accommodating members 437a and 437b, the accommodating members 437a and 437b may not be deformed to the outside. In the state in which the accommodating members 437a and 437b are not elastically deformed, the mounting protrusion <NUM>, that is, the insert part 324a may be maintained to be inserted into the inside of the accommodating part space 437c and may not be separated from the accommodating part space 437c.

That is, in the state in which the deco cover <NUM> is mounted, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be maintained to be inserted into the inside of the accommodating part space 437c, and the accommodating members 437a and 437b may be prevented from being deformed, thereby originally preventing the mounting protrusion <NUM> from being arbitrarily separated.

Accordingly, even if the door <NUM> is repeatedly opened and closed or an impact is applied to the door <NUM> when the door <NUM> is opened and closed, the door panel <NUM> may be maintained to be firmly and stably mounted without being separated.

When only the deco cover <NUM> is separated for maintenance or replacement of the door panel <NUM>, the door panel <NUM> may be easily removed without a separate tool or device, and a necessary operation may be performed quickly.

The embodiment of the present disclosure will be possible in various other embodiments in addition to the above-described embodiment. According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, a door panel or an outer panel defining an exterior may be applied to home appliances other than a refrigerator to change the exterior color of the household appliance. Another embodiment of the present disclosure may differ only in the size and shape of the door panel or outer panel and an object of application, but the structure of the door panel or outer panel is the same, and the same reference numerals are used for the same configuration, and the detailed description thereof is to be omitted.

In embodiments to be described below, the configuration of the door panel, the cap deco, and the deco cover are the same as in the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration may be understood with reference to the description and drawings of the above-described embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted to avoid repetition.

Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of an outer panel of the indoor unit.

As shown in the drawings, an indoor unit <NUM> of the air conditioner according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a case <NUM> defining an outer appearance, and an outer panel <NUM> mounted on a front surface of the case <NUM> and defining a front appearance of the indoor unit <NUM>.

Although not shown in detail, in general, the case <NUM> may accommodate components constituting a refrigeration cycle including a heat exchanger and a blower fan, and an inlet for sucking indoor air and an outlet for discharging heat-exchanged air into an indoor space may be formed at one side of the case <NUM>.

A side deco defining a side surface may be provided at right and left sides of a case front surface <NUM>, and an upper cap deco <NUM> and a lower cap deco <NUM> may be provided at upper and lower ends of the case front surface <NUM>, respectively.

The upper cap deco <NUM> and the lower cap deco <NUM> may have the same structure as the upper cap deco <NUM> and the lower cap deco <NUM> of the above-described embodiment, only different in size and arrangement.

Accordingly, a protrusion accommodating part 513b into which a mounting protrusion 522a of an upper bracket <NUM> is inserted may be formed on a front surface of the upper cap deco <NUM>, and a restraining part 513d that is in contact with the protrusion accommodating part 513b to maintain a restrained state of the mounting protrusion 522a and the protrusion accommodating part 513b may protrude downward on a deco cover 513c for shielding an opening 513a formed on an upper surface of the upper cap deco <NUM>. A catch protrusion 514a for coupling with a lower bracket <NUM> may be formed on the lower cap deco <NUM>.

A side deco <NUM> may protrude forward from the case front surface <NUM> to define a panel accommodating space 511a in which a panel assembly <NUM> is accommodated. The outer panel <NUM> may define a front appearance of the indoor unit <NUM> and may be disposed in the panel accommodating space 511a.

The lower end of the outer panel <NUM> may be caught and restrained by the lower cap deco <NUM>, and the upper end of the outer panel <NUM> may be coupled to the upper cap deco <NUM> to fixedly mount the outer panel <NUM> on the front surface of the case <NUM>.

The outer panel <NUM> may have the same structure as the door panel <NUM> of the above-described embodiment, only different in size as a whole. The outer panel <NUM> may include a panel <NUM> defining a front surface, the upper bracket <NUM> mounted at an upper end of a rear surface of the panel <NUM>, and the lower bracket <NUM> mounted at a lower end of the rear surface of the panel <NUM>.

The mounting protrusion 522a inserted into and mounted on the protrusion accommodating part 513b of the upper cap deco <NUM> may be formed on the upper bracket <NUM>. A lower mounting part 523a coupled to the catch protrusion 514a of the lower cap deco <NUM> may be formed on the lower bracket <NUM>.

A support part for supporting the upper end of the panel <NUM> may be formed on the upper bracket <NUM>, and a lower support part for supporting the lower end of the panel <NUM> may be formed on the lower bracket <NUM> to support the panel <NUM> and to define an outer appearance of the upper and lower ends of the outer panel <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the state in which the outer panel <NUM> is mounted, the outer panel <NUM> may define a neat front appearance of the indoor unit <NUM>, and when the outer panel <NUM> is mounted, it may be possible to easily align and firmly mount the outer panel <NUM>. In addition, the outer panel <NUM> may be simply separated and mounted to easily change or replace an outer appearance of the indoor unit <NUM>.

A buffer member <NUM> in contact with the case front surface <NUM> may be provided on a rear surface of the panel <NUM>. A magnet <NUM> to be magnetically attached to the case front surface <NUM> formed of steel may be provided on both right and left sides of the rear surface of the panel <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a laundry manager according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a door of the laundry manager.

As shown in the drawing, a laundry manager <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may have an outer appearance defined by a case <NUM> defining a laundry accommodating space and a door <NUM> for opening and closing an open front surface of the case <NUM>.

In general, the case <NUM> may have a laundry accommodating space in which laundry is accommodated, and a heat pump, a water tank, a steam generator, and an air circulation fan may be provided inside a machine room formed separately from the laundry accommodating space.

An outlet for discharging steam generated by the steam generator and dry air heated by the heat pump may be formed inside the laundry accommodating space, and an inlet for sucking air of the laundry accommodating space may be formed therein.

The door <NUM> may be rotatably mounted on the case <NUM>, and may be configured to define a front appearance of the laundry manager <NUM> in a state in which the door <NUM> is closed. In addition, the door <NUM> may include a door body <NUM> for opening and closing the laundry accommodating space, and a door panel <NUM> mounted on the door body <NUM> to define a front surface of the door <NUM>.

A body plate <NUM> may be provided on a front surface of the door body <NUM> to define a front surface of the door body <NUM>. A side deco <NUM> extending up and down may be provided along both right and left ends of the door body <NUM>. An upper surface of the door body <NUM> may be formed by an upper cap deco <NUM> for connecting upper ends of the side deco <NUM> at both right and left sides, and a lower surface of the door body <NUM> may be formed by a lower cap deco <NUM> for connecting lower ends of the side deco <NUM> at both right and left sides.

Accordingly, a protrusion accommodating part 643b into which a mounting protrusion 632a of an upper bracket <NUM> is inserted may be formed on a front surface of the upper cap deco <NUM>, and a restraining part 643d that is in contact with the protrusion accommodating part 643b and maintains a restrained state of the mounting protrusion 632a and the protrusion accommodating part 643b may protrude downward on a deco cover 643c for shielding an opening 643a formed on an upper surface of the upper cap deco <NUM>. A catch protrusion 644a coupling with a lower bracket <NUM> may be formed on the lower cap deco <NUM>.

The side deco <NUM> may protrude compared with the front surface of the body plate <NUM>, and a panel accommodating space 641a in which the door panel <NUM> is accommodated may be formed in front of the body plate <NUM>. The door panel <NUM> may define a front appearance of the laundry manager <NUM> and may be disposed in the panel accommodating space 641a.

A lower end of the door panel <NUM> may be caught and restrained by the lower cap deco <NUM>, and an upper end of the door panel <NUM> may be coupled to the upper cap deco <NUM> to fixedly mount the door panel <NUM> on the front surface of the case <NUM>.

The door panel <NUM> may have the same structure as the door panel <NUM> of the above-described embodiment, only different in size as a whole. The door panel <NUM> may include a panel <NUM> defining a front surface, the upper bracket <NUM> mounted at an upper end of a rear surface of the panel <NUM>, and the lower bracket <NUM> mounted at a lower end of the rear surface of the panel <NUM>.

The mounting protrusion 632a inserted into and mounted on the protrusion accommodating part 643b of the upper cap deco <NUM> may be formed on the upper bracket <NUM>. A lower mounting part 633a coupled to the catch protrusion 644a of the lower cap deco <NUM> may be formed on the lower bracket <NUM>.

A support part for supporting the upper end of the panel <NUM> may be formed on the upper bracket <NUM>, and a lower support part for supporting the lower end of the panel <NUM> may be formed on the lower bracket <NUM> to support the panel <NUM> and to define an outer appearance of the upper and lower ends of the door panel <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the state in which the door panel <NUM> is mounted, the door panel <NUM> may define a neat front appearance of the laundry manager <NUM>, and when the door panel <NUM> is mounted, it may be possible to easily align and firmly mount the door panel <NUM>. In addition, the door panel <NUM> may be simply separate and mount to easily change or replace an outer appearance of the laundry manager <NUM>.

A buffer member <NUM> in contact with the body plate <NUM> may be provided on a rear surface of the panel <NUM>. A magnet <NUM> to be magnetically attached to the body plate <NUM> formed of steel may be provided on both right and left sides of the rear surface of the panel <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a dish washer according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a door of the dish washer.

As shown in the drawings, a dish washer <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may have an outer appearance defined by a case <NUM> defining a space in which dishes are accommodated and washed, and a door <NUM> for opening and closing an open front surface of the case <NUM>.

Although not shown in detail, in general, the case <NUM> may have a washing space therein, a rack that is to be drawn in and out of the washing space and on which dishes are placed, a nozzle for spraying water for washing dishes, and a sump and a water tank for supplying washing water.

A lower end of the door <NUM> may be rotatably mounted on the case <NUM>, and the door <NUM> may be configured to define a front appearance of the dish washer <NUM> in the state in which the door <NUM> is closed. The door <NUM> may include a door body <NUM> for opening and closing the washing space, and a door panel <NUM> mounted on the door body <NUM> and defining a front surface of the door <NUM>.

Accordingly, a protrusion accommodating part 743b into which a mounting protrusion 732a of an upper bracket <NUM> is inserted may be formed on a front surface of the upper cap deco <NUM>, and a restraining part 743d that is in contact with the protrusion accommodating part 743b to maintain a restrained state of the mounting protrusion 732a and the protrusion accommodating part 743b may protrude downward on a deco cover 743c for opening and closing an opening 743a formed on an upper surface of the upper cap deco <NUM>. A catch protrusion 744a for coupling with a lower bracket <NUM> may be formed on the lower cap deco <NUM>.

The side deco <NUM> may protrude compared with a front surface of the body plate <NUM>, and a panel accommodating space 741a in which the door panel <NUM> is accommodated may be formed in front of the body plate <NUM>. The door panel <NUM> may define a front appearance of the dish washer <NUM> and may be disposed in the panel accommodating space 741a.

The lower end of the door panel <NUM> may be caught and restrained by the lower cap deco <NUM>, and the upper end of the door panel <NUM> may be coupled to the upper cap deco <NUM> to fixedly mount the door panel <NUM> on the front surface of the case <NUM>.

The door panel <NUM> may have the same structure as the door panel <NUM> of the above-described embodiment, only different in size as a whole. The door panel <NUM> may include a panel <NUM> defining a front surface, the upper bracket <NUM> mounted at a lower end of the rear surface of the panel <NUM>, and the lower bracket <NUM> mounted at a lower end of the rear surface of the panel <NUM>.

The mounting protrusion 732a inserted into and mounted on the protrusion accommodating part 743b of the upper cap deco <NUM> may be formed on the upper bracket <NUM>. A lower mounting part 733a coupled to the catch protrusion 744a of the lower cap deco <NUM> may be formed on the lower bracket <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the state in which the door panel <NUM> is mounted, the door panel <NUM> may define a neat front appearance of the dish washer <NUM>, and when the door panel <NUM> is mounted, it may be possible to easily align and firmly mount the door panel <NUM>. In addition, the door panel <NUM> may be simply separated and mounted to easily change or replace an outer appearance of the dish washer <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a cooking device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a door of the cooking device.

As shown in the drawing, a cooking device <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may have an outer appearance defined by a case <NUM> defining a space in which food is accommodated and cooking is performed, and a door <NUM> for opening and closing an open front surface of the case <NUM>.

Although not shown in detail, in general, the case <NUM> may have a cooking space therein, a heater or a magnetron for cooking food in the cooking space, a fan for air circulation inside the cooking space, or a turntable on which food is accommodated and rotated.

The door <NUM> may be rotatably mounted on the case <NUM> and may be configured to define a front appearance of the cooking device <NUM> in the state in which the door <NUM> is closed. The door <NUM> may include a door body <NUM> for opening and closing the cooking space, and a door panel <NUM> mounted on the door body <NUM> and defining a front surface of the door <NUM>.

A sight window <NUM> for viewing the cooking space may be formed at approximately the center of the door body <NUM>.

Accordingly, a protrusion accommodating part 843b into which a mounting protrusion 832a of an upper bracket <NUM> is inserted may be formed on a front surface of the upper cap deco <NUM>, and a restraining part 843d that is in contact with the protrusion accommodating part 843b to maintain a restrained state of the mounting protrusion 832a and the protrusion accommodating part 843b may protrude downward on a deco cover 843c for opening and closing formed on an upper surface of the upper cap deco <NUM>. A catch protrusion 844a for coupling with a lower bracket <NUM> may be formed on the lower cap deco <NUM>.

The side deco <NUM> may protrude compared with a front surface of the body plate <NUM>, and a panel accommodating space 841a in which the door panel <NUM> is accommodated may be formed in front of the body plate <NUM>. The door panel <NUM> may define a front appearance of the cooking device <NUM> and may be disposed in the panel accommodating space 841a.

The mounting protrusion 832a inserted into and mounted on the protrusion accommodating part 843b of the upper cap deco <NUM> may be formed on the upper bracket <NUM>. A lower mounting part 833a coupled to the catch protrusion 844a of the lower cap deco <NUM> may be formed on the lower bracket <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the state in which the door panel <NUM> is mounted, the door panel <NUM> may define a neat front appearance of the cooking device <NUM>, and when the door panel <NUM> is mounted, it may be possible to easily align and firmly mount the door panel <NUM>. In addition, the door panel <NUM> may be simply separated and mounted to easily change or replace an outer appearance of the cooking device <NUM>.

A panel opening <NUM> may be formed on the panel <NUM>. The panel opening <NUM> may be formed with a corresponding size at a position corresponding to the sight window <NUM>. Thus, when a door panel <NUM> is mounted, a sight window <NUM> may be exposed forward through the panel opening <NUM>.

A handle <NUM> for opening and closing the door <NUM> may be further provided on a front surface of the panel <NUM>.

The following effects may be expected in the refrigerator and the home appliance according to the proposed embodiment.

In the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a panel bracket may be coupled to an end of a panel defining a front surface of a door, and the panel bracket may support the end of the panel and may simultaneously define an end of the door.

Thus, the end of the pane and a support part of the panel bracket may be mounted on the door body in the state of being in close contact with each other, and an interval is not formed between the pane and the support part and an adhered state therebetween may be maintained. Due to this structure, viewed from the front, the door panel may maintain an outer appearance in the state in which the end of the pane and the support part are in close contact with each other, and accordingly, an outer appearance may be advantageously improved and assembly finish quality may be advantageously improved.

In particular, the door bracket may be already attached to the panel to complete the finish before the door panel is mounted, and accordingly, even after the door panel is mounted on the door body, the interval between the panel and the support part may not be widened or deformed, and the state in which the panel and the support part are first coupled may be maintained, thereby advantageously maintaining the finished quality.

When the panel is formed of a metal plate, a bending part bent at an end of the pane may be covered by attaching the panel bracket. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent a user from being injured by a sharp end of the panel during a transporting and assembling process for mounting the door panel, and the work safety of an operator may be advantageously ensured.

An end of the panel may be supported by the support part, and thus may be prevented from being directly exposed to the outside. Thus, even if an external impact is applied to an end of the door panel, the door panel may be protected by the support part, and the panel may be advantageously prevented from being damaged.

The door panel may be disposed at an end of a rear surface of the panel bracket in the state of being mounted on the door body, and the panel bracket may be supported by a front surface of the upper cap deco of the door. Thus, even if a load is applied to the end of the door panel or the door panel is compressed and pressed, the door panel may be supported by the upper cap deco from the rear, thereby advantageously preventing the panel from being deformed and damaged.

Upper and lower ends of the door panel may be fixedly mounted on an upper cap deco and a lower cap deco, respectively, and the door panel may be fixedly mounted on the door body by moving and manipulating the door panel without a separate tool.

In particular, the restraining protrusion may be inserted into the lower mounting part space by moving the door panel up and down, and a mounting protrusion may be inserted into the protrusion accommodating part, and accordingly, the door panel may be easily separated and mounted without a separate tool. Thus, the assembly workability of the door panel may be improved, and maintenance may be easily performed. In addition, even if the door panel is to be replaced, the door panel may be replaced and mounted through a very simple operation.

The mounting protrusion may be integrally formed with the panel bracket together with the support part for supporting the panel, and it may be possible to fixedly mount the door panel as well as to define an outer appearance of the door by the panel bracket. Thus, man-hours may be advantageously reduced by reducing the number of parts of a product, and manufacturing cost may be advantageously reduced.

When the deco cover is mounted in the state in which the door panel is mounted, the restraining part of the deco cover presses and fixes the protrusion accommodating part and prevents the accommodation member included in the protrusion accommodating part from being deformed. Thus, when the protrusion accommodating part is restrained by the restraining part in the state in which the mounting protrusion is inserted into the inside of the protrusion accommodating part, the protrusion accommodating part is prevented from being deformed, and thus the mounting protrusion is prevented from being arbitrarily separated from the protrusion accommodating part.

Claim 1:
A home appliance comprising:
a cabinet defining a space therein; and
a door (<NUM>) configured to open and close the space, and including a door body (<NUM>) and a door panel (<NUM>) mounted on a front surface of the door body (<NUM>),
wherein the door panel (<NUM>) includes:
a panel (<NUM>) defining a front surface of the door (<NUM>); and
a panel bracket (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on a rear surface of the panel (<NUM>),
wherein the door body (<NUM>) includes a cap deco (<NUM>, <NUM>) defining an upper or lower portion of the door body (<NUM>),
wherein one of the panel bracket (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the cap deco (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes a mounting protrusion (<NUM>) protruding towards the other one of the panel bracket (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the cap deco (<NUM>, <NUM>), and wherein the other one of the panel bracket (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the cap deco (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes a protrusion accommodating part (<NUM>) with which the mounting protrusion (<NUM>) is coupled to mount the door panel (<NUM>) on the door body (<NUM>),
wherein the protrusion accommodating part (<NUM>) is elastically deformable to allow insertion of the mounting protrusion (<NUM>) by press-fitting,
characterized in that
the home appliance further comprises a deco cover (<NUM>) mounted to cover an opening (<NUM>) of the cap deco (<NUM>), and including a restraining part (<NUM>) protruding into the cap deco (<NUM>),
wherein the restraining part (<NUM>) is in contact with the protrusion accommodating part (<NUM>) when the deco cover (<NUM>) is mounted at the cap deco (<NUM>), and
wherein the restraining part (<NUM>) is configured to maintain an inserted state of the mounting protrusion (<NUM>) in the protrusion accommodating part (<NUM>) and/or to restrain elastic deformation of the protrusion accommodating part (<NUM>).