Patent Description:
A refrigerator is a household appliance used to store food in a refrigerated or frozen state.

In recent years, the capacity of the refrigerator has been increasing. A home bar, ice maker, shelf or door box has been mounted on the back face of the refrigerator door. A refrigerator is a household appliance used for storing food in a refrigerated or frozen state.

In this type of refrigerator, when the refrigerator door is closed, a shelf or storage box mounted on a storage compartment of the refrigerator main body may interfere with components mounted on the back face of the refrigerator door.

In order to solve this interference problem, a front end of the shelf or storage box mounted inside the storage room of the refrigerator main body, that is, a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment, is disposed at a position spaced from the front face of the refrigerator main body by a predetermined distance. Therefore, in order to retrieve the food stored in the shelf or storage box, the user may have inconvenience to insert his/her hand deeply into the storage room. Further, it is difficult for the user to confirm the food stored in the rear position of the storage room. This problem is more pronounced in large refrigerators. That is, in the casing of the large refrigerator, an anteroposterior dimension of a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment is large. Thus, this has the disadvantage that the user cannot easily pull out the food stored deeply in the rear-end portion of the shelf.

To remove this disadvantage, <CIT> discloses a refrigerator in which a shelf or a storage box installed in a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment is placed on an L-shaped storage frame, and the storage frame is connected to a bottom of the refrigerator door via a multi-joint link.

However, the refrigerator presented in the prior art document has following problems.

First, regardless of the intention of the user, the shelf and the storage box are always drawn out in a front direction of the refrigerator in conjunction with the opening of the refrigerator door. Thus, there is an inconvenience that the shelf and storage box cannot be used in a fixed position.

Second, the frame structure for drawing out the shelf is exposed to the outside. Thus, there is a problem that when the refrigerator door is opened, the inside of the refrigerator cannot be visible clearly, and it is difficult to clean the inside of the refrigerator.

Documents <CIT>. <CIT> and <CIT> disclose refrigerators comprising sliding shelf assemblies.

Further relevant prior art is disclosed in document <CIT>.

The present disclosure is proposed to improve the problems of the prior art as presented in the above. The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator in which coupling between a shelf and a withdrawing mechanism for withdrawing the shelf may be released by a simple operation.

The present invention is disclosed in the independent claim.

Any references in the following description to embodiments, objects, aspects and/or examples which are not covered by the appended claims are considered as not being part of the present invention.

<FIG> and <FIG> show embodiments being useful for understanding the invention, which are outside the subject-matter of the claims. <FIG> show an embodiment according to the present invention, which discloses a refrigerator according to claim <NUM>.

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

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, The refrigerator <NUM>, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cabinet <NUM> having a storage space formed therein, and a door that is pivotally or slidably mounted on the front face of the cabinet <NUM> to selectively open and close the storage space.

Specifically, the storage space may include a refrigerator compartment <NUM> provided to store food in a refrigerated state, and a freezer compartment <NUM> provided to store the food in a frozen state. In addition, the refrigerator compartment <NUM> may be disposed above, below or to the side of the freezer compartment <NUM>. In this embodiment, the refrigerator compartment <NUM> is partitioned from the freezer compartment <NUM> by a mullion <NUM>. In the present disclosure, a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which the refrigerator compartment <NUM> is disposed above the freezer compartment <NUM> will be exemplified.

Further, the door includes a refrigerator compartment door <NUM> for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment <NUM> and a freezer compartment door <NUM> for opening and closing the freezer compartment <NUM>. Specifically, the refrigerator compartment door <NUM> may include a single pivotable door pivotally provided on the side edge of the front face of the cabinet <NUM>, or French doors which are pivotally provided on the left and right edges of the front face of the cabinet <NUM> respectively and which open or close an opening in the front face of the refrigerator compartment <NUM>. The former and latter door may be selected depending on the structure. In this embodiment, an example in which the refrigerator compartment door <NUM> is provided in the form of the French doors will be illustrated. In one embodiment, the freezer compartment door <NUM> may also be provided as a French type door as in the refrigerator compartment door <NUM>, or alternatively as a drawer type door.

The pair of refrigerator compartment doors <NUM> are pivotally connected to the front face of the cabinet <NUM> via a hinge assembly. In addition, a plurality of storage casings <NUM> including a shelf or a basket may be arranged on the back face of the pair of the refrigerator compartment doors <NUM> in the vertical direction.

Inside the refrigerator compartment <NUM>, a plurality of storage boxes <NUM> and a plurality of shelf assemblies <NUM> may be arranged. Specifically, the plurality of storage boxes <NUM> may be arranged side by side on the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment <NUM>. The plurality of storage boxes <NUM> may be arranged in the vertical direction as well. In addition, the plurality of shelf assemblies <NUM> may be disposed side by side on the left and right sides of the refrigerator compartment <NUM>. Further, the plurality of shelf assemblies <NUM> may be arranged in the vertical direction as well.

The cabinet <NUM> may include an inner cabinet <NUM> defining the refrigerator compartment <NUM> and the freezer compartment <NUM>, an outer cabinet <NUM> surrounding the inner cabinet <NUM> and forming the appearance of the cabinet <NUM>, and a thermal insulating material (not shown) filled between the inner cabinet <NUM> and the outer cabinet <NUM>.

Further, the shelf assembly <NUM> may include a shelf support arm <NUM> in the form of a cantilever secured to the rear face of the inner cabinet <NUM>, and a shelf <NUM> that slides in an anteroposterior direction along the shelf support arm <NUM> in a state of being seated on the top face of the shelf support arm <NUM>.

Accordingly, the user may open the refrigerator compartment door <NUM> on the left side to withdraw food stored in the storage box <NUM> and the shelf assembly <NUM> on the left side. The user may open the refrigerator compartment door <NUM> on the right side to withdraw food stored in the storage box <NUM> and the shelf assembly <NUM> on the right side.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a shelf withdrawing mechanism <NUM> that allows the shelf assembly <NUM> located on the back face of the refrigerator compartment door to move forward of the refrigerator compartment <NUM> when either the left or right refrigerator compartment door is opened.

Hereinafter, a shelf withdrawing mechanism for performing the above function will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the shelf withdrawing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the withdrawing mechanism.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the withdrawing mechanism <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may allow the shelf <NUM> of the shelf assembly <NUM> to be withdrawn forward when the door <NUM> is opened. When the door <NUM> is closed, the withdrawing mechanism <NUM> functions to insert the shelf <NUM> into the refrigerator.

Specifically, the shelf assembly <NUM> is secured to a pair of support frames (not shown) mounted perpendicularly to the rear face of the refrigerator compartment <NUM>. In one example, a catch hook protrudes from each of the left and right rear-end portion portions of the shelf support arm <NUM>. Each catch hook is inserted into each of catch holes formed in the pair of support frames. In addition, the shelf <NUM> is coupled to the shelf support arm <NUM> to be slidable from the shelf support arm <NUM> in the anteroposterior direction.

Furthermore, the withdrawing mechanism <NUM> may include an inner casing <NUM> that forms a portion of the side face of the refrigerator compartment <NUM>, i.e., a portion of the inner cabinet <NUM>, an outer casing <NUM> coupled with the inner casing <NUM> on the opposite side of the inner casing <NUM>, a sliding member <NUM> provided between the inner casing <NUM> and the outer casing <NUM> and movable in the anteroposterior direction of the refrigerator <NUM>, a link member <NUM> connecting the top face of the sliding member <NUM> to the top face of the door <NUM>, and a connector <NUM> that connects the sliding member <NUM> to the shelf <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be removably coupled to the side face of the shelf <NUM> and may selectively be coupled to the sliding member <NUM>.

Specifically, when opening the door <NUM>, the link member <NUM> is moved forward while rotating about the center of rotation of the door <NUM>. As a result, the sliding member <NUM> connected to the rear end of the link member <NUM> moves forward of the refrigerator <NUM>. Moreover, as the sliding member <NUM> moves forward, the shelf <NUM> connected to the sliding member <NUM> via the connector <NUM> is moved forward.

The outer casing <NUM> and the sliding member <NUM> may be placed in the space between the inner cabinet <NUM> and the outer cabinet <NUM>. They may be surrounded by the heat insulating material to prevent shaking thereof. In addition, since the sliding member <NUM> is located outside the inner casing <NUM>, the sliding member <NUM> is not exposed to the outside when the user opens the door <NUM> so that the refrigerator compartment <NUM> opens.

Hereinafter, each component constituting the withdrawing mechanism will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the outer casing constituting the withdrawing mechanism according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the outer casing <NUM> constituting the withdrawing mechanism <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has a rectangular plate shape having a predetermined width W. Four edges of the outer casing are vertically bent to define the thickness. In addition, a plurality of coupling portions <NUM> may be formed on the bent portion of the outer casing <NUM>.

Further, a plurality of coupling bosses <NUM> may protrude from the center of the inner face of the outer casing <NUM> and may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the outer casing <NUM>.

Further, a plurality of guide grooves <NUM> are formed in the outer casing <NUM>. Each groove <NUM> may extend by a predetermined length in the width direction of the outer casing <NUM>. In addition, the plurality of guide grooves <NUM> may be arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the outer casing <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a sliding member constituting a withdrawing mechanism according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the sliding member <NUM> constituting the withdrawing mechanism <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape.

Specifically, the sliding member <NUM> may include an outer face <NUM> facing the outer casing <NUM>, an inner face <NUM> (<FIG>) facing the inner casing <NUM> as the opposite face to the outer face <NUM>, a front-end portion <NUM> facing the front face of the refrigerator <NUM>, a rear-end portion <NUM> defining a face opposite the front-end portion <NUM>, an upper-end portion <NUM> connecting the top faces of the front-end portion <NUM> and the rear-end portion <NUM>, a lower-end portion <NUM> connecting the bottom face of the front-end portion <NUM> and the bottom face of the rear-end portion <NUM>, a link-connection portion <NUM> vertically protruding from the upper-end portion <NUM>, and a link-connection boss <NUM> protruding from the top face of the link-connection portion <NUM>.

Further, a plurality of guide ribs 330b may be protruded from the outer face <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM> to guide movement of the sliding member <NUM> in the anteroposterior direction. Further, a plurality of spacer ribs 330a may be protruded from the outer face <NUM> such that the outer casing <NUM> is spaced apart from the sliding member <NUM> by a predetermined distance.

The guide rib 330b protrudes at a position corresponding to the guide groove <NUM> formed in the outer casing <NUM>, is inserted into the guide groove <NUM>, and moves in an anteroposterior direction.

The guide groove <NUM> may be formed to protrude from the inner face of the outer casing <NUM> to the outer face thereof. The vertical width or thickness of the guide groove <NUM> may have a size corresponding to the thickness of the guide rib 330b. As moving the guide rib 330b along and in the guide groove <NUM>, this may prevent the sliding member <NUM> from shaking when the member <NUM> is moving.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the inner casing constituting the withdrawing mechanism according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the inner casing <NUM> constituting the withdrawing mechanism <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a casing body <NUM> having a rectangular plate shape corresponding to the shape of the outer casing <NUM>, and a link cover portion <NUM> extending vertically from the top of the casing body <NUM>.

Specifically, the inner casing <NUM> may further include an edge portion <NUM> bent outwardly from the edge of the casing body <NUM>. A plurality of coupling holes <NUM> may be formed in the edge portion <NUM>. In addition, the coupling portions <NUM> formed on the edge portions of the outer casing <NUM> are inserted into the coupling holes <NUM> respectively such that the inner casing <NUM> and the outer casing <NUM> may be integrally coupled to each other.

Further, a plurality of coupling holes <NUM> may be formed in the center of the casing body <NUM>. The plurality of coupling holes <NUM> may be arranged at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the casing body <NUM>. In addition, the coupling bosses <NUM> protruding from the outer casing <NUM> are respectively fitted into the plurality of coupling holes <NUM>. In addition, a coupling member passing through the coupling hole <NUM> may be inserted into the coupling boss <NUM> such that the inner casing <NUM> and the outer casing <NUM> may be coupled together. Moreover, the casing body <NUM> of the inner casing <NUM> and the outer casing <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other by the projecting length of the coupling boss <NUM> to define a space. The sliding member <NUM> may be received in the space.

Further, in the casing body <NUM>, a number of guide slits <NUM> corresponding to the number of the shelves <NUM> are formed.

Specifically, the connector <NUM> may be inserted into the guide slit <NUM>. The connector moves in and along the slit. The slit may be formed to position-correspond to the side face of the shelf assembly <NUM>. Therefore, even when the shelf <NUM> moves in the anteroposterior direction, the guide slit <NUM> is not exposed to the outside due to the shelf support arm <NUM>.

Furthermore, the link cover portion <NUM> is constructed to have a space defined therein for accommodating the link member <NUM>. The link cover portion <NUM> performs a shielding function for shielding the link member so that the link member <NUM> is not exposed to the interior of the refrigerator when the user opens the door <NUM>.

Specifically, the link cover portion <NUM> has a horizontal portion extending horizontally from the top of the casing body <NUM> and a vertical portion extending upward from the edge of the horizontal portion. In addition, the vertical portion has a front wall 343a, a side wall 343b, and a rear wall 343c. The ends of the walls constituting the vertical portion are in close contact with the top face of the inner cabinet <NUM>, that is, the ceiling of the refrigerator compartment <NUM>. In addition, in the front wall 343a, a link through-hole 343d through which the link member <NUM> passes may be formed. Therefore, a remaining portion of the link member <NUM> except for a portion of the member <NUM> protruding forward through the link through-hole 343d may be shielded by the link cover portion <NUM> and may not be exposed to the outside.

In this connection, the inner cabinet <NUM> may replace the casing body <NUM>, and only the link cover portion <NUM> may be provided so as to connect the top and the ceiling portion of the inner cabinet <NUM>. Thus, the guide slit <NUM> may be formed in the inner cabinet <NUM>. Furthermore, the outer casing <NUM> may be coupled directly to the inner cabinet <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view showing a state where the connector constituting the withdrawing mechanism is connected to the sliding member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view of a state in which the connector is mounted on the shelf assembly.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a receiving groove <NUM> is defined within the edge of the rear-end portion of the inner face <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM>. In addition, a connector <NUM> that fits in the receiving groove <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM> is mounted on the shelf assembly <NUM>.

Specifically, the connector <NUM> may be removably coupled to the edge of the bottom face of the shelf <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may be connected to the shelf <NUM> and may be moved integrally with the shelf <NUM>. In addition, a portion of the connector <NUM> may protrude outward from the rear end of the shelf support arm <NUM> and be exposed to the outside. Thus, substantially the protruding portion of the connector <NUM> is fitted into the receiving groove <NUM>. In this connection, the protruding portion of the connector <NUM> may be referred to as a "protrusion".

Specifically, the protrusion of the connector <NUM> may be inserted into the receiving groove <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM> through the guide slit <NUM> of the inner casing <NUM>. Thus, the connector <NUM> may be connected to the sliding member <NUM> and may be moved integrally with the sliding member <NUM>.

Using this structure of the withdrawing mechanism <NUM>, following may be achieved. When the user opens the door <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM>, the shelf <NUM> of the shelf assembly <NUM> is withdrawn forward. When the user closes the door <NUM>, the shelf <NUM> is inserted into the refrigerator.

The connector <NUM> and receiving groove <NUM> may be formed at a point corresponding to the position of the shelf assembly <NUM>. Each of numbers of the connectors <NUM> and receiving grooves <NUM> may correspond to the number of the shelf assemblies <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, inserting the protrusion of the connector <NUM> by a predetermined length inwardly of the shelf assembly <NUM> may allow the protrusion to be separated from the receiving groove <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM>. In this case, since the length of the protrusion is relatively short, the protrusion does not reach the receiving groove <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM>. Thus, when the protrusion is inserted by the predetermined length inwardly of the shelf <NUM>, the shelf <NUM> is not withdrawn forward in a response wot the opening operation of the door <NUM>. Thus, the position of the shelf <NUM> may be maintained on the top face of the shelf support arm <NUM>.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the user inserts the protrusion of the connector <NUM> into the inside of the shelf <NUM> by the predetermined length via pressing of a pressing portion on the connector <NUM>. Thus, the association movement between the door <NUM> and the shelf <NUM> may be disabled.

Hereinafter, the pressing portion of the connector for performing the same function will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, which discloses a refrigerator according to claim <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the connector. <FIG> is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the connector <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention, which discloses a refrigerator according to claim <NUM>, includes a connecting unit <NUM> protruding out of the shelf assembly <NUM> for being selectively inserted in the receiving groove <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM>, a guide unit <NUM> surrounding a part of the connecting unit <NUM> and guiding the connecting unit <NUM> so as to be movable in the lateral direction of the refrigerator <NUM>, an actuating unit <NUM> for enabling inserting of the connecting unit <NUM> into the interior of the guide unit <NUM>.

The connecting unit <NUM> is a portion that protrudes toward the side of the shelf assembly <NUM> and is selectively inserted in the receiving groove <NUM>. The connecting unit <NUM> is accommodated in a receiving space <NUM> defined in the guide unit <NUM> and is configured to be movable in the lateral direction of the refrigerator <NUM>.

Specifically, the connecting unit <NUM> may include a body portion <NUM> received within the receiving space <NUM> and having one end selectively inserted into the receiving groove <NUM>, a coupling portion <NUM> formed on the bottom face of the body portion <NUM>, a contact portion <NUM> which is coupled to the coupling portion <NUM> and has a first inclined face (<NUM> in <FIG>) on one end thereof, an extending portion <NUM> protruding from the side face of the body portion <NUM>, and an elastic member <NUM> surrounding the extending portion <NUM>.

Specifically, the body portion <NUM> has a rod shape extending long in the lateral direction of the refrigerator <NUM>. The edge portion of the portion <NUM> may be rounded. Further, when the contact portion <NUM> is coupled to the coupling portion <NUM> so that the unit <NUM> is mounted on the actuating unit <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> may, in part, be placed on the top face of the rear end of the he actuating unit <NUM> while the body portion <NUM> may be partially received within the receiving space <NUM> defined within the guide unit <NUM>. In addition, the body portion <NUM> may be moved laterally within the receiving space <NUM>.

The extending portion <NUM> may be a portion wound by the elastic member <NUM> so that the body portion <NUM> moves laterally within the receiving space <NUM>. The extending portion <NUM> may protrude a predetermined length from the side face of the body portion <NUM>. The extending portion <NUM> may be received in the receiving space <NUM> defined within the guide unit <NUM>.

The elastic member <NUM> may be wound around the extending portion <NUM> to elastically support the side surface of the body portion <NUM>. In one example, the elastic member <NUM> may include a spring. One end of the elastic member <NUM> contacts the side face of the body portion <NUM>, while the other end of the member <NUM> may be fixed to the inner wall of the guide unit <NUM>. Accordingly, when the body portion <NUM> is moved to the right side of the refrigerator <NUM>, the elastic member <NUM> is compressed. At this time, the elastic member <NUM> may provide a pressing force for pressing the body portion <NUM> toward the left side of the refrigerator <NUM> using the restoring force thereof.

The coupling portion <NUM> may be a portion coupled to the contact portion <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may be connected to the contact portion <NUM> and may be moved integrally with the coupling portion <NUM>.

The contact portion <NUM> may be coupled to the connecting unit <NUM> and inserted into the actuating unit <NUM>.

Specifically, the contact portion <NUM> may be coupled to the coupling portion <NUM> and be accommodated in a predetermined space within the actuating unit <NUM>. The first inclined face <NUM> may be formed on one end of the contact portion <NUM>. The contact portion <NUM> may be moved laterally within the predetermined space via relative movement with a second inclined face <NUM> of the movable portion <NUM>, which will be described later.

In this figure, the contact portion <NUM> is illustrated as being separate from the body portion <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not so limited. The contact portion <NUM> may be integrally formed on the bottom face of the body portion <NUM>.

The guide unit <NUM> serves to guide the connecting bar <NUM> so that the connecting bar <NUM> moves in a direction to be inserted into the receiving groove <NUM> or in a direction away from the groove. The guide unit <NUM> has the space in which the contact portion <NUM> is accommodated.

Specifically, the guide unit <NUM> may include a lower housing <NUM> on which the connecting unit <NUM> is seated, and an upper housing <NUM> covering the top face of the lower housing <NUM>. The lower housing <NUM> and the upper housing <NUM> may be removably coupled to each other.

The receiving space <NUM> may be defined by recessing the top face of the lower housing <NUM> in a shape corresponding to the shape of the body portion <NUM> and the extending portion <NUM>. Furthermore, the bottom face of the upper housing <NUM> may be recessed to correspond to the recessed shape of the lower housing <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the actuating unit <NUM> includes a pressing portion <NUM> that the user grasps to insert the connecting unit <NUM> into the interior of the guide unit <NUM>.

Specifically, the actuating unit <NUM> includes a movable portion <NUM> that moves in an anteroposterior direction, and a guide portion <NUM> fixed to the shelf <NUM> and guiding the movement of the movable portion <NUM>.

More specifically, the movable portion <NUM> may include a pressing portion <NUM> that the user grasps by hand, an extending portion <NUM> extending rearward from the pressing portion <NUM>, and a protruding portion <NUM> formed from the rear end of the extending portion <NUM> and having a second inclined face <NUM> formed on one side thereof.

The extending portion <NUM> may extend in an elongated manner in the anteroposterior direction of the refrigerator <NUM> and may be mounted in the interior space of the guide portion <NUM>. Furthermore, to the front end of the extending portion <NUM>, a pressing portion <NUM> pressed by the user is fixed, while, to the rear end of the portion <NUM>, a protruding portion <NUM> formed to press the contact portion <NUM> is fixed.

Thee movable portion <NUM> may be moved in the anteroposterior direction in the inner space of the guide portion <NUM> via the pressing of the pressing portion <NUM>. At this time, the second inclined face <NUM> formed on the protruding portion <NUM> pushes the first inclined face <NUM> formed on the contact portion <NUM>. Thus, the contact portion <NUM> may be moved in the left direction or the right direction.

The guide portion <NUM> includes a cover portion <NUM> that surrounds the extending portion <NUM> and guides the anteroposterior directional movement of the extending portion <NUM>, and a space defining portion <NUM> formed on the rear end of the cover portion <NUM> and having a receiving space for receiving the contact portion <NUM> therein.

The cover portion <NUM> has a hollow shape. The cover portion <NUM> may be formed to have a length corresponding to the length of the extending portion <NUM> so as to accommodate the extending portion <NUM>. The inner space of the cover portion <NUM> may be configured such that the extending portion <NUM> is moved in an anteroposterior direction therein. Further, inside of the cover portion <NUM>, an elastic member <NUM> for resiliently supporting the end portion of the extending portion <NUM> when the extending portion <NUM> moves in the anteroposterior direction may be further provided.

The space defining portion <NUM> may be coupled to the end portion of the cover portion <NUM>. The accommodating space may be defined in the space defining portion <NUM> so that the contact portion <NUM> is movable a predetermined distance in the lateral direction of the refrigerator <NUM> in the space. The space defining portion <NUM> may be formed in a substantially inverted L shape. the top face of the space defining portion <NUM> may be located on the same line as the top face of the cover portion <NUM>. In addition, the guide unit <NUM> may be disposed on one side of the space defining portion <NUM>. In one example, the lower housing <NUM> of the guide unit <NUM> may be fixedly attached to one side of the space defining portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the lower housing <NUM> and the space defining portion <NUM> may be integrally formed.

Hereinafter, the operation of separating the connecting unit from the receiving groove by pressing the pressing portion such that the contact portion moves in a predetermined direction will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the connector when the movable portion is pressed by the user, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, referring to <FIG>, the contact portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM> may be urged in the left direction of the refrigerator <NUM> by the elastic member <NUM>.

Specifically, the contact portion <NUM> may be urged in the left direction by the elastic member <NUM> elastically supporting the side face of the body portion <NUM> connected to the contact portion <NUM>. The contact portion <NUM> may be laterally moved within the receiving space defined by the space defining portion <NUM>. At this time, the first inclined face <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> may be in face-contact with the second inclined face <NUM> of the protruding portion <NUM>.

That is, when the contact portion <NUM> is urged in the left direction by the elastic member <NUM>, the first inclined face <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> presses the second inclined face <NUM> of the protruding portion <NUM>. In this way, the movable portion <NUM> can be moved toward the front face of the refrigerator <NUM>.

When, as described above, the contact portion <NUM> is moved in the left direction by the elastic member <NUM>, the body portion <NUM> connected to the contact portion <NUM> is inserted into the receiving groove <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM>. Thus, when the refrigerator door <NUM> is opened, the shelf <NUM> may be withdrawn forward together with the sliding member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, when the movable portion <NUM> is moved rearward of the refrigerator <NUM> by the pressing of the pressing portion <NUM>, the contact portion <NUM> may be moved in the right direction in accordance with the backward movement of the movable portion <NUM>.

Specifically, when the movable portion <NUM> is moved backward, and, thus, as the first inclined face <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> moves relative to the second inclined face <NUM> of the protruding portion <NUM>, the contact portion <NUM> may be moved in the right direction. Subsequently, when the protruding portion <NUM> is moved to the rear end of the space defining portion <NUM>, the connecting unit <NUM> connected to the contact portion <NUM> is separated from the receiving groove <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM>. Therefore, even when the refrigerator door <NUM> is opened, the shelf <NUM> is not connected to the sliding member <NUM>. Thus, the shelf <NUM> is not withdrawn forward together with the sliding member <NUM>.

At this time, the respective inclined contact faces <NUM> and <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> and the protruding portion <NUM> are not in surface contact with each other. Rather, the parallel contact surfaces of the contact portion <NUM> and the protruding portion <NUM> are in surface contact with each other. Thus, even when the contact portion <NUM> is pressed in the left direction by the elastic member <NUM>, the contact portion <NUM> is no longer moved in the leftward direction. That is, when the movable portion <NUM> is moved to the end of the space defining portion <NUM>, the position of the contact portion <NUM> may be held in a fixed manner.

Hereinafter, an operation of the connector will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> shows a connector when the shelf automatic withdrawing function is activated according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows the connector when the shelf automatic withdrawing function is deactivated.

First, referring to <FIG>, the body portion <NUM> of the connecting unit <NUM> is moved in the left direction by the elastic member <NUM>. Then, the unit <NUM> is inserted into the receiving groove <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM>. Thus, coupling between the connecting unit <NUM> and the sliding member <NUM> may allow the shelf <NUM> to be withdrawn forward as the refrigerator door <NUM> is opened.

In contrast, referring to <FIG>, when the user wishes to disable the shelf automatic withdrawing function, the user presses the pressing portion <NUM>. Then, the movable portion <NUM> is moved rearward. Thus, the first inclined face <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> slides along the second inclined face <NUM> of the movable portion <NUM>. The portion <NUM> is moved by a predetermined distance d in the rightward direction. In addition, as the contact portion <NUM> is moved in the right direction, the connecting unit <NUM> is separated from the receiving groove <NUM> of the sliding member <NUM>.

Once the connection between the connecting unit <NUM> and the sliding member <NUM> is released, the shelf <NUM> is not withdrawn together with the sliding member <NUM> even when the sliding member <NUM> is withdrawn forward when the refrigerator door <NUM> is opened.

<FIG> shows a shelf when a shelf automatic withdrawing function is disabled according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a plurality of shelf assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged on the refrigerator compartment <NUM> in a vertical direction. The plurality of shelf assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> include a first shelf assembly <NUM> mounted on the rear side of the refrigerator compartment <NUM> and a second shelf assembly <NUM> disposed below the first shelf assembly <NUM>.

The first shelf assembly <NUM> and the second shelf assembly <NUM> may respectively include a first shelf support arm <NUM> and a second shelf support arm <NUM> that are secured to the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment <NUM>, and a first shelf <NUM> and a second shelf <NUM>, which are installed so as to be movable in the anteroposterior direction on the shelf support arms, respectively.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may also disable the shelf automatic withdrawing function for the desired shelf assembly among the shelf assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>.

In one example, the user may disable the shelf automatic withdrawing function for the first shelf assembly <NUM> via manipulation of the connector. In this case, when the refrigerator door <NUM> is opened, the second shelf <NUM> of the second shelf assembly <NUM> is withdrawn forward as the refrigerator door <NUM> is opened. However, the first shelf <NUM> of the first shelf assembly <NUM> is not withdrawn forward as the refrigerator door <NUM> is opened.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator (<NUM>) comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) that defines a storage space;
a door (<NUM>) configured to open and close at least a portion of the storage space;
a shelf assembly (<NUM>) comprising a shelf support arm (<NUM>) fixed to an inside of the cabinet (<NUM>), and a shelf (<NUM>) that is slidably connected to the shelf support arm (<NUM>); and
a withdrawing mechanism (<NUM>) configured to allow the shelf (<NUM>) to be withdrawn forward based on the door (<NUM>) being opened, the withdrawing mechanism (<NUM>) comprising:
a sliding member (<NUM>) that is disposed at a side surface of the cabinet (<NUM>), that is configured to move in a front-rear direction of the cabinet (<NUM>), and that defines a receiving groove (<NUM>),
a link (<NUM>) that connects the door (<NUM>) to the sliding member (<NUM>) and that is configured to cause the sliding member (<NUM>) to move in the front-rear direction based on movement of the door (<NUM>), the link (<NUM>) having a front end connected to the door (<NUM>) and a rear end connected to the sliding member (<NUM>), and
a connector (<NUM>) configured to connect the sliding member (<NUM>) to the shelf (<NUM>), the connector (<NUM>) comprising:
a connecting bar (<NUM>) protruding out of the shelf assembly (<NUM>) that is configured to be selectively inserted into the receiving groove (<NUM>) and
that is configured to be movable in a lateral direction of the cabinet (<NUM>), a guide (<NUM>) that is configured to surround a part of the connectingbar (<NUM>) and to guide the connecting bar (<NUM>) to move in a lateral direction of the cabinet (<NUM>),
an actuating bar (<NUM>) that is configured to insert the connecting bar (<NUM>) into the interior of the guide (<NUM>) and that is configured to move in the front-rear direction,
wherein the connecting bar (<NUM>) protrudes toward the side of the shelf assembly (<NUM>) and is selectively inserted in the receiving groove (<NUM>); and
wherein the connecting bar (<NUM>) is configured to be accommodated in a receiving space (<NUM>) defined in the guide (<NUM>).