Patent Description:
The door of the refrigerator constitutes the front surface of the refrigerator. The user opens the door of the refrigerator to take out food stored in the refrigerator and closes the door to cool and store the food in the refrigerator.

As described above, the door of the refrigerator is a component which is mainly operated by the user, and the opening type of the door of the refrigerator may be changed according to the installation position of the refrigerator.

As an example, in a case where the refrigerator door is configured in a rotation type, depending on the installation position of the refrigerator, the hinge is connected to the right side of the refrigerator door to rotate the refrigerator door to the right, or the hinge is connected to the left side of the refrigerator door to rotate the refrigerator door to the left.

A top panel of a refrigerator is disclosed in <CIT>), which is a prior document.

It is characterized in that the top cover is provided on an upper surface of a main body having a door that is pivotally opened and closed, and a hinge cover part covering the hinge shaft of the door and a top cover part covering the front of the upper surface of the main body are integrally provided.

The hinge cover part includes a hinge main body part which is provided on the upper surface of the main body to cover the base bracket of the hinge assembly, and a hinge shaft part which is provided to protrude forward from the hinge main body part to be capable of covering the hinge shaft of the hinge assembly provided on the door so as to fit into the base bracket. The hinge shaft part is formed integrally with the hinge main body part.

According to the prior document, since the hinge shaft part and the hinge main body part are integrally formed, there is a disadvantage that all of the top panels including the hinge cover part have to be replaced in a case where the rotation direction of the door is to be changed.

<CIT> discloses a top hinge cover assembly for refrigeration equipment. The top hinge cover assembly for the refrigeration equipment comprises a cover body, a hinge plate cover and a sealing plug, wherein wiring space is formed in the cover body, the hinge plate cover is detachably arranged at one end of the cover body, and the sealing plug is detachably arranged at the other end of the cover body. The top hinge cover assembly is assembled and fixed through a split structure, and the cover body can be adapted to the model of a refrigerator by being cut into different lengths during manufacturing according to the specific model of the refrigerating equipment.

<CIT> relates to a refrigerator comprising a cabinet wherein items to be cooled are disposed and whereon an opening is situated that allows the user to access therein, a door which prevents the heat transfer between the cabinet and the outer environment when closed and which allows the user to access the cabinet when opened, and which is mounted onto the right or left edge of the cabinet such that it will be able to be opened by rotating around the vertical axis, a frame which surrounds the opening and whereon the door is seated when closed, a control card which is located on the cabinet, a control panel which is located on the door and which enables the user to change, adjust and track certain parameters.

<CIT> relates to a cover strip assembly, in particular for a refrigeration device. Said cover strip assembly comprises a cover strip that comprises a first receiving area for at least two different types of hinges. The first receiving area is arranged on a first lateral end area of the cover strip and comprises at least one first cover that can be connected to the cover strip and which can cover an area of the first receiving area that is exposed by said type of hinge.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator having a hinge assembly, capable of changing a rotation direction of a door by replacing components detachable from the hinge cover without replacing the entire hinge cover.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator having a hinge assembly, in which a slot in which an unused bracket cover is located is prevented from being exposed to the outside when the rotation direction of a door is changed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator having a hinge assembly, in which an electric wire connection operation is easy when the rotation direction of a door is changed.

One or more of these objects are solved by the features of the independent claim.

A refrigerator according to the invention includes a cabinet having a storage space, a hinge bracket installed on an upper wall of the cabinet and having a hinge shaft, a door configured to be connected to the hinge shaft and to open and close the storage space while rotating, and a hinge cover installed on the upper wall of the cabinet and covering the hinge bracket.

The upper wall of the cabinet may be also denoted as top wall or upper/top surface.

The refrigerator according to the invention includes the following features:
The hinge cover includes a first mounting part and a second mounting part disposed to be spaced apart in a horizontal direction.

The hinge cover includes a bracket cover. The bracket cover is detachably mounted on one mounting part of the first mounting part and the second mounting part disposed at a position corresponding to the hinge bracket. The bracket cover is configured to cover the hinge bracket.

The hinge cover includes a shielding member detachably mounted on another mounting part of the first mounting part and the second mounting part.

The hinge cover may include a front wall. The hinge cover may further include side walls extending rearward from both ends or sides of the front wall. The front wall may extend in a vertical plane, perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The hinge cover may include a cover body including a front wall and side walls extending from both ends of the front wall. Each of or one of the first mounting part and the second mounting part may be formed on the front wall.

Each of or one of the first and second mounting parts includes a slot configured to penetrate the front wall and to extend upward from a lower surface of the front wall. Each of or one of the first and second mounting parts may further include a fixing protrusion formed on a surface forming the slot and coupled to the bracket cover and/or to the shielding member.

The shielding member may include a coupling body formed in a shape and size corresponding to the slot.

The coupling body may include a protruding groove in which the fixing protrusion is received.

The shielding member and/or the bracket cover may be mounted on each of or one of the first and second mounting parts in a first direction, i.e. in an upward direction. The shielding member and/or the bracket cover may be mounted slidably on the first and/or second mounting parts.

Each of or one of the first and second mounting parts may further include a restriction protrusion configured to restrict movement of the shielding member and the bracket cover in a second direction intersecting the first direction, e.g. the second direction may be a front and/or rear direction.

The coupling body may include a protrusion hole through which the restriction protrusion passes.

The slot may be defined by both side surfaces and an upper surface connecting both side surfaces, i.e. upper sides of both side surfaces. The fixing protrusion may be provided on each of or one of both side surfaces.

The restriction protrusion may protrude from the upper surface.

The bracket cover may include a cover body configured to cover the hinge bracket.

The bracket cover may include a coupling part configured to extend from the cover body and formed in a shape and size corresponding to the slot.

The coupling part may include a protruding groove in which the fixing protrusion is received.

An engagement protrusion configured to engage the fixing protrusion in a state where the fixing protrusion is received in the protrusion groove may be provided in the protrusion groove.

The coupling part may include a protrusion hole through which the restriction protrusion of the first and/or second mounting part passes.

The shielding member may further include a coupling guide configured to extend from the coupling body. The coupling guide may have a larger width in lateral direction, i.e. in the left and right direction, than the coupling body and/or an upper surface located higher than the upper surface of the coupling body.

The coupling guide may be located at a rear side of the front wall when the shielding member is mounted on one mounting part.

The cabinet may include a front wall and a rounded connection wall configured to connect the front wall and the upper wall. The lower end part of the coupling body may cover the connection wall.

The bracket cover may further include a coupling guide configured to extend from the coupling part. The coupling guide may have a larger width in the lateral direction, i.e. in the left and right direction, than the coupling part and/or an upper surface located higher than the upper surface of the coupling part.

The coupling guide may be located at a rear side of the front wall when the bracket cover is mounted on one mounting part.

The cover body may include an upper wall and a circumferential wall extending downward from a circumference of the upper wall.

The upper wall may be provided with an opening through which an electric wire passes. The bracket cover may further include an opening cover coupled to the cover body to cover the opening.

The upper wall of the cover body may be provided with a seating part which is recessed downward. The opening may be provided in the seating part. The opening cover may be located in the seating part in a state of covering the opening.

The opening cover may include a hook configured to couple with the cover body. A slit through which the hook passes may be formed in the seating part.

The opening cover may cover a part of the opening. The electric wire may be located at a portion of the opening which is not covered by the opening cover.

The hinge cover includes a first mounting part and a second mounting part configured to be disposed to be spaced apart in a horizontal direction, a bracket cover configured to be mounted on the first mounting part when the hinge bracket is installed in the first position and configured to be mounted on the second mounting part to cover the hinge bracket when the hinge bracket is installed in the second position, and a shielding member configured to be mounted on the second mounting part when the hinge bracket is installed in the first position and configured to be mounted on the first mounting part when the hinge bracket is installed in the second position.

The hinge cover may be installed in the cabinet in a state where the shielding member and the hinge bracket are mounted.

Each of the first and second mounting parts includes a slot configured to extend upward from a lower end of the hinge cover. The shielding member and the bracket cover may be slidingly coupled to the slot. A fixing protrusion configured to be coupled to each of the shielding member and the bracket cover may be provided on a surface forming the slot.

The surface forming the slot may include a restriction protrusion configured to couple with each of the shielding member and the bracket cover.

It is noted that orientation or directional indications, such as upper, lower, front, rear, etc., may refer to an orientation of the hinge assembly in a mounted state, e.g. mounted to a refrigerator, and to a refrigerator in a normal position, i.e. an operational position. Here, upper and lower surfaces or walls may refer to respective surfaces or walls positioned correspondingly in vertical direction and extending horizontally. Likewise, front and rear may denote a direction towards the door or towards a user in front of the door or the refrigerator, and a direction away from the door or from the user, respectively. The lateral direction or the left and right direction may refer to a horizontal direction and may be perpendicular to a front-rear direction.

In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure relating to a hinge assembly having a hinge cover and a hinge bracket will be described. Although embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to a refrigerator, it is well understood that the embodiments of a hinge assembly may also be applied to a furniture or another household appliance having a door, such as a freezer, etc..

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state where some doors of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment are opened, <FIG> is a view illustrating a state where a hinge cover whose rotation direction is determined so that the door is rotated in one direction is installed in the cabinet, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hinge cover of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> of the present embodiment includes a cabinet <NUM> forming a storage space, and a door <NUM> for opening and closing the storage space.

The cabinet <NUM> may include one independent storage space or may include a plurality of separate storage spaces. Hereinafter, an example in which the cabinet <NUM> includes a plurality of storage spaces will be described. However, it should be noted that even when the cabinet <NUM> includes one storage space, the hinge cover described below and the technique of changing the rotation direction of the door using the hinge cover can be applied.

The storage space may include a first storage space <NUM>. The first storage space <NUM> may be located at an upper part among a plurality of storage spaces, for example. The first storage space <NUM> may be opened and closed by a door <NUM> of a type which is rotated by a hinge.

The storage space may include a second storage space located below the first storage space <NUM>, and the second storage space may be opened and closed by one or more doors <NUM>. At least one door <NUM> may be, for example, a sliding door.

Hereinafter, it will be described that the rotation direction of the door <NUM> of the rotation type can be changed, and the door of the rotation type will be referred to as "door <NUM>".

The refrigerator <NUM> further includes a hinge cover <NUM> mounted on the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. The hinge cover <NUM> covers a hinge bracket <NUM> to be described later.

The hinge cover <NUM> may include a cover body. The cover body may include a front wall <NUM> and a pair of side walls <NUM> extending rearward from both ends of the front wall <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, "front" refers to a direction from the cabinet <NUM> toward the door <NUM>, and "rear" refers to a direction away from the door <NUM>.

The hinge cover <NUM> may further include an upper wall <NUM> connecting the upper end of the front wall <NUM> and the pair of side walls <NUM>.

The hinge cover <NUM> may further include an extension wall <NUM> extending from the upper wall <NUM> toward the rear. The extension wall <NUM> may also be connected to the pair of side surfaces <NUM> and may be fastened to the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet by a fastening member (not illustrated). Accordingly, at least the lower side of the hinge cover <NUM> may be opened.

The front wall <NUM> may include a first mounting part <NUM> and a second mounting part <NUM> spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction, i.e. in lateral direction. The first mounting part <NUM> may be located close to the left side wall of the pair of side walls <NUM>, and the second mounting part <NUM> may be located close to the right side wall of the pair of side walls <NUM>.

The hinge cover <NUM> includes a bracket cover <NUM> mounted on any one of the first mounting part <NUM> and the second mounting part <NUM> in correspondence with the rotation direction of the door <NUM>, and a shielding member <NUM> mounted on the other of the first mounting part <NUM> and the second mounting part <NUM>.

The bracket cover <NUM> is configured to be detachably mounted on any one of the mounting parts <NUM> and <NUM>. The shielding member <NUM> is also configured to be detachably mounted on any one of the mounting parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

Therefore, the first mounting part <NUM> and the second mounting part <NUM> have the same structure except for a different position on the hinge cover <NUM>. Thus, the bracket cover <NUM> and the shielding member <NUM> may have the same coupling structure for coupling with each of the mounting parts <NUM>, <NUM>.

Hereinafter, when the refrigerator <NUM> is viewed from the front of the refrigerator <NUM>, the hinge bracket <NUM> connected to the right side of the door <NUM> will be described first.

In this case, the hinge bracket <NUM> may be installed at a part close to the right wall <NUM> from the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>.

To correspond to the hinge bracket <NUM>, the bracket cover <NUM> may be mounted on the second mounting part <NUM>. When the bracket cover <NUM> is mounted on the second mounting part <NUM>, the shielding member <NUM> may be mounted on the first mounting part <NUM>, and vice versa.

Conversely, in order to change the rotation direction of the door <NUM>, the hinge bracket <NUM> may be connected to the left side of the door <NUM>. In this case, the hinge bracket <NUM> or a new hinge bracket symmetrical with the hinge bracket <NUM> may be installed at a position close to the left wall from the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. In addition, the bracket cover <NUM> or a new bracket cover symmetrical thereto may be mounted on the first mounting part <NUM>, and the shielding member <NUM> may be mounted on the second mounting part <NUM>.

A part of the hinge bracket <NUM> may be seated on the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>, and another part thereof may extend forward from the cabinet <NUM>. On the hinge bracket <NUM>, a hinge shaft <NUM> may be provided in a part extending forward of the cabinet <NUM> (hereinafter "extension part"). The hinge shaft <NUM> can be extended from the hinge bracket <NUM> to the lower side.

The bracket cover <NUM> may cover an extension part of the hinge bracket <NUM> in a state of being mounted on the hinge cover <NUM>. For example, an extension part of the hinge bracket <NUM> may be received in an inner space of the bracket cover <NUM>.

The bracket cover <NUM> and the shielding member <NUM> may be coupled to the hinge cover <NUM>, in particular to the front wall <NUM> of the hinge cover, in a first direction. For instance, bracket cover <NUM> and the shielding member <NUM> may be coupled slidably to the hinge cover <NUM> in the first direction, e.g. in an upwards direction, i.e. by sliding from the lower side towards the upper side of the hinge cover <NUM>.

In a state where the bracket cover <NUM> is coupled to the hinge cover <NUM>, the hinge cover <NUM> may be fastened to the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. When the hinge cover <NUM> is fastened to the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>, the bracket cover <NUM> may cover a part of the hinge bracket <NUM> exposed to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>, and thus it may be minimized that the hinge bracket <NUM> is exposed to the outside. For example, a part of the hinge bracket <NUM> may be received in the bracket cover <NUM>.

The bracket cover <NUM> may include an opening 352b (see <FIG>) providing a fastening space for a connector for connecting an electric wire drawn out from the inside to the outside of the door <NUM> and/or an electric wire extending to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>. The opening may be covered by an opening cover <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a first mounting part of the present embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, since the structure of the first mounting part <NUM> is the same as that of the second mounting part <NUM>, only the first mounting part <NUM> will be described below.

The first mounting part <NUM> may include a slot <NUM> for providing a space for the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM> to be located.

The slot <NUM> may be formed in the front wall <NUM>. The slot <NUM> may be formed as a lower end of the front wall <NUM> is recessed upward, e.g. formed like a recess in the lower end of the front wall <NUM>. That is, the slot <NUM> may be open toward a lower side of the front wall <NUM>. Alternatively, the slot <NUM> may be formed by penetrating a part of the front wall <NUM> in the front and rear direction and may extend upward from the lower end of the front wall <NUM>.

Therefore, if the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM> is moved upward after the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM> is aligned under the slot <NUM>, at least a part of the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM> may be received in the slot <NUM>.

In order to fix the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM> to the first mounting part <NUM>, the first mounting part <NUM> may include a fixing protrusion <NUM>.

The slot <NUM> may be have two side surfaces <NUM> and an upper surface <NUM>. The fixing protrusion <NUM> may protrude from both side surfaces <NUM> into the slot <NUM>.

The fixing protrusion <NUM> serves to prevent separation in a direction opposite to the direction in which the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM> inserted into the slot <NUM> is coupled. In other words, when the fixing protrusion <NUM> is coupled to the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM>, the downside separation of the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM> from the first mounting part <NUM> can be prevented.

The first mounting part <NUM> may further include a restriction protrusion <NUM> for restricting movement in a second direction in a state where the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM> is mounted on the first mounting part <NUM>. The second direction may be, for example, a front and rear direction and/or a left and right direction.

The restriction protrusion <NUM> may protrude from the upper surface <NUM> into the slot <NUM>. The restriction protrusion <NUM> may extend downward from the upper surface <NUM>, for example. In order to effectively restrict the movement of the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM>, a plurality of restriction protrusions <NUM> may protrude from the upper surface <NUM>. The plurality of restriction protrusions <NUM> may be spaced apart in a horizontal direction.

Both side surfaces <NUM> of the slot <NUM> may be inclined so that the distance from the lower side to the upper side of both side surfaces becomes closer so that the shielding member <NUM> or the bracket cover <NUM> can be easily inserted into the slot <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the shielding member of the present embodiment, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a state where the shielding member of the present embodiment is mounted on the hinge cover.

Referring to <FIG>, the shielding member <NUM> may include a coupling body <NUM> inserted into the slot <NUM>. The coupling body <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the slot <NUM>.

The coupling body <NUM> may include a front surface 382a and a circumferential surface 382b extending from the front surface 382a.

The circumferential surface 382b includes two side surfaces and an upper surface, and a protrusion groove <NUM> into which the fixing protrusion <NUM> is inserted may be formed on each of both side surfaces.

A protrusion hole <NUM> through which the restriction protrusion <NUM> passes may be formed on the upper surface of the circumferential surface 382b.

In the process of mounting the shielding member <NUM> to the first mounting part <NUM>, the fixing protrusion <NUM> is inserted through the inlet of the protrusion groove <NUM>, and the restriction protrusion <NUM> can pass through the protrusion hole <NUM>.

The shielding member <NUM> may further include a coupling guide <NUM> extending from the circumferential surface <NUM>. The coupling guide <NUM> may be located on the opposite side of the front surface 382a with respect to the circumferential surface <NUM>. That is, the coupling guide <NUM> may be located at a rear side of the coupling body <NUM>.

A part of the coupling guide <NUM> may extend in a direction away from each other on both sides of the circumferential surface 382b, and another part thereof may extend upward from the circumferential surface 382b.

Accordingly, the distance between both end parts of the coupling guide <NUM> is greater than the widths of the front surface 382a in the left and right direction, i.e. than the width of the slot <NUM> or than a corresponding distance between the side surfaces <NUM> of the slot. In addition, the upper end of the coupling guide <NUM> is located higher than the upper surface of the circumferential surface 382b and/or higher than the upper surface <NUM> of the slot <NUM>.

Accordingly, in a state where the coupling body <NUM> of the shielding member <NUM> is aligned with the slot <NUM>, the coupling guide <NUM> can be brought into contact with the rear surface 300a of the front wall <NUM> of the hinge cover <NUM>. In this way, when the shielding member <NUM> is raised while the coupling guide <NUM> is in contact with the rear surface 300a of the front wall <NUM>, the coupling body <NUM> can be stably moved upwards in a state where movement of the coupling body <NUM> is restricted in the slot <NUM> in the front and rear direction.

The coupling guide <NUM> is located at the rear side of the front wall <NUM> in a state where the shielding member <NUM> is mounted on the first mounting part <NUM>.

Accordingly, the coupling guide <NUM> may restrict the separation of the shielding member <NUM> forward in a state where the shielding member <NUM> is mounted on the first mounting part <NUM>.

The coupling body <NUM> may be formed in a shape and size corresponding to the slot <NUM>. Even if the coupling body <NUM> is formed in a slightly smaller shape than the slot <NUM> due to an error in the manufacturing process, the gap between the coupling body <NUM> and the face forming the slot <NUM> can be covered by the coupling guide <NUM>.

The coupling body <NUM> may further include an extension part 382c covering a part of the cabinet <NUM>. The extension part 382c extends downward from the lower end part of the front surface 382a.

Accordingly, the lower end 382d of the extension part 382c is located lower than the lower end of the circumferential surface 382b and the lower end 386a of the coupling guide <NUM>. The extension part 382c may cover a connection wall 102a (see <FIG>) of the cabinet <NUM> to be described later.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state where the bracket cover and the opening cover of the present embodiment are separated, <FIG> is a view illustrating a state where the opening cover is coupled to the bracket cover in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a state where the bracket cover is mounted on the hinge cover.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, the bracket cover <NUM> may include a cover body <NUM> for covering the hinge bracket <NUM>.

The cover body <NUM> may include an upper wall <NUM> and a circumferential wall <NUM> extending downward from the upper wall <NUM>. The lower side of the cover body <NUM> may be opened. In other words, the cover body <NUM> may include a lower opening.

Accordingly, the upper wall <NUM> and the circumferential wall <NUM> may form a space <NUM> therein, and a part of the hinge bracket <NUM> may be received in the space <NUM>. Corresponding to the shape of the hinge bracket <NUM>, a part of the upper wall <NUM> may have a shape bent in the horizontal direction at least once, e.g. a C or L shape.

An opening 352b may be formed in the upper wall <NUM>. An electric wire and a connector for connecting an electric wire may pass through the opening 352b. In addition, the connector may be located in the space <NUM>.

The bracket cover <NUM> may further include an opening cover <NUM> covering the opening 352b. The upper wall <NUM> of the cover body <NUM> includes a seating part 352a recessed downward so that the opening cover <NUM> is prevented from protruding upward while covering the opening 352b, and the opening 352b may be formed in the seating part 352a.

The recession depth of the seating part 352a may be substantially the same as the thickness of the opening cover <NUM>.

The opening cover <NUM> may include a hook <NUM> to be coupled to the cover body <NUM>. The hook <NUM> may extend downward from the edge of the opening cover <NUM>.

A slit <NUM> through which the hook <NUM> passes is formed in the seating part 352a, and after the hook <NUM> passes through the slit <NUM>, the hook <NUM> may engage the lower surface of the wall forming the seating part 352a.

In a state where the opening cover <NUM> is coupled to the cover body <NUM>, a part of the opening 352b is exposed to the outside. In other words, the opening cover <NUM> covers a part of the opening 352b and does not cover another part of the opening 352b.

In the opening 352b, a part <NUM> exposed by the opening cover <NUM> provides a space for the electric wire to be located.

The bracket cover <NUM> may further include a coupling part <NUM> extending from the cover body <NUM>. The coupling part <NUM> may include an upper surface 356a and both side surfaces 356b.

The upper surface 356a of the coupling part <NUM> may be located lower than the upper wall <NUM>. The width between both side surfaces 356b of the coupling part <NUM> may be formed smaller than the widths of the bracket cover <NUM> in the left and right direction.

The coupling part <NUM> may be formed in a shape and size corresponding to the slot <NUM> of each of the mounting parts <NUM>, <NUM>.

Both side surfaces 356b of the coupling part <NUM> may include protrusion grooves <NUM> for coupling the fixing protrusions <NUM> of the mounting parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

In the protrusion groove <NUM>, an engagement protrusion <NUM> for engaging the fixing protrusion <NUM> in a state where the fixing protrusion <NUM> is received may be provided. An inclined surface 359a for the fixing protrusion <NUM> to ride over may be formed on the upper side of the engagement protrusion <NUM>.

The upper surface 356a of the coupling part <NUM> may have a protrusion hole <NUM> through which the restriction protrusion <NUM> passes.

In the process of mounting the bracket cover <NUM> to the mounting parts <NUM>, <NUM>, the fixing protrusion <NUM> is inserted through the inlet of the protrusion groove <NUM>, and the restriction protrusion <NUM> can pass through the protrusion hole <NUM>.

In this state, when the bracket cover <NUM> is additionally raised, the fixing protrusion <NUM> moves relatively along the inclined surface 359a of the engagement protrusion <NUM> and finally engages on the lower surface of the engagement projection <NUM> within the protrusion groove <NUM>.

The user can feel that the fixing protrusion <NUM> engages the lower surface of the engagement protrusion <NUM> within the protrusion groove <NUM>, and accordingly, it can be checked that the bracket cover <NUM> is normally mounts on the mounting part <NUM>, <NUM>.

The bracket cover <NUM> may further include a coupling guide <NUM> extending from the coupling part <NUM>. The coupling guide <NUM> is located on the opposite side of the cover body <NUM> with respect to the coupling part <NUM>.

A part of the coupling guide <NUM> may extend in a direction away from each other on both sides of the coupling part <NUM>, and other parts thereof may extend upward from the coupling part <NUM>.

Therefore, the distance between both end parts of the coupling guide <NUM> is greater than the width of the coupling part <NUM> in the left and right direction. In addition, the upper end of the coupling guide <NUM> is located higher than the upper surface 356a of the coupling part <NUM>.

The width of the coupling part <NUM> in the front and rear direction may be substantially the same as the width of the slot <NUM> in the front and rear direction.

Therefore, in a state where the coupling part <NUM> of the bracket cover <NUM> is aligned with the slot <NUM>, the coupling guide <NUM> can be brought into contact with the rear surface 300a of the front wall <NUM> of the hinge cover <NUM>. In this way, when the bracket cover <NUM> is raised while the coupling guide <NUM> is brought into contact with the rear surface 300a of the front wall <NUM>, the coupling part <NUM> can be stably moved upwards in a state where the movement of the coupling part <NUM> in the front and rear direction is restricted within the slot <NUM>.

The coupling guide <NUM> is located on the rear side of the front wall <NUM> in a state where the bracket cover <NUM> is mounted on the mounting parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

Accordingly, the coupling guide <NUM> may restrict separation of the bracket cover <NUM> forward in a state where the bracket cover <NUM> is mounted on the mounting parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the cabinet <NUM> may include an upper wall <NUM> and a front wall <NUM>. In the manufacturing process of the cabinet <NUM>, the upper wall <NUM> and the front wall <NUM> may be connected by a rounded connection wall 102a.

In a state where the hinge cover <NUM> is coupled to the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>, the lower end part <NUM> of the front wall <NUM> of the hinge cover <NUM> can cover the connection wall 102a. For example, the lower end part <NUM> of the front wall <NUM> may be located lower than the upper wall <NUM>. The front wall <NUM> may include a round surface <NUM> having a curvature corresponding to or similar to the connection wall 102a so as not to interfere with the connection wall 102a. That is, the lower end part <NUM> of the front wall <NUM> may be formed corresponding to the connection wall 102a.

Accordingly, in a state where the hinge cover <NUM> is coupled to the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>, it can be prevented that a gap is generated between the connection wall 102a of the cabinet <NUM> and the front wall <NUM> of the hinge cover <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view illustrating a state where the hinge cover is coupled to the cabinet.

Referring to <FIG>, each side wall <NUM> of the hinge cover <NUM> may further include an extension part <NUM> extending downward to cover the side wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>.

By the extension part <NUM>, it can be prevented that a gap is generated between the top wall <NUM> and the side wall <NUM> of the hinge cover <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a state where the rotation direction of the door of <FIG> is changed.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in order to change the rotation direction of the door <NUM>, the hinge cover <NUM> may be separated from the cabinet <NUM>. Then, the shielding member <NUM> coupled to the first mounting part <NUM> of the hinge cover <NUM> and the hinge cover <NUM> coupled to the second mounting part <NUM> are separated.

Then, after changing the position of the hinge bracket <NUM>, or separating the hinge bracket <NUM>, a new hinge bracket having a symmetrical shape of the hinge bracket <NUM> can be installed in a changed position in the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>.

Thereafter, the bracket cover <NUM> or a new bracket cover having a symmetrical shape thereof may be mounted on the first mounting part <NUM>, and the shielding member <NUM> may be mounted on the second mounting part <NUM>.

Finally, the hinge cover <NUM> may be fixed to the upper wall <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>.

According to the proposed embodiment, without replacing the entire hinge cover, by replacing the bracket cover detachably coupled to the hinge cover or by changing the position of the bracket cover and the shielding member, the rotation direction of the door can be changed. Therefore, there is an advantage that the cost for changing the rotation direction of the door is reduced.

In addition, since the shielding member is coupled to the mounting part where the bracket cover is not used, the slot can be prevented from being exposed to the outside.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) having a storage space;
a door (<NUM>) configured to open and close the storage space; and
a hinge assembly, including:
a hinge bracket (<NUM>) installed on an upper wall (<NUM>) of the cabinet (<NUM>) and having a hinge shaft (<NUM>) connected to the door (<NUM>); and
a hinge cover (<NUM>) installed on the upper wall (<NUM>) of the cabinet (<NUM>) and covering the hinge bracket (<NUM>),
wherein the hinge cover (<NUM>) includes:
a first mounting part (<NUM>) and a second mounting part (<NUM>) disposed on either side of the hinge cover (<NUM>) to be spaced apart from each other,
a bracket cover (<NUM>) detachably mounted on one of the first mounting part (<NUM>) and the second mounting part (<NUM>) to cover the hinge bracket (<NUM>), and
a shielding member (<NUM>) detachably mounted on the other one of the first mounting part (<NUM>) and the second mounting part (<NUM>) to cover the same.
characterized in that:
each of the first mounting part (<NUM>) and the second mounting part (<NUM>) includes a slot (<NUM>) extending upward from a lower end of the hinge cover (<NUM>),
wherein the shielding member (<NUM>) and the bracket cover (<NUM>) are slidingly couplable to the slot (<NUM>) and are mountable on each of the first and second mounting parts (<NUM>, (<NUM>) in an upward direction.