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

In recent years, refrigerators tend to increase in size more and more, and multi-functions are applied to refrigerators as dietary life changes and high-quality is pursued, and accordingly, refrigerators of various structures with consideration of user convenience and energy efficiency are being brought to the market.

Representatively, there is a refrigerator in which a separate storage space is defined in a door, and a home bar door for opening or closing the separate storage space is provided to store foods in the storage space.

Also, <CIT> discloses a refrigerator having a structure in which a storage space is defined in a first door of the refrigerator, and a sub door that is rotatably disposed on the first door to open or close the storage space is provided, wherein the storage space has a size corresponding to the whole of an upper portion of the first door so that ends of the sub door are disposed at the same position as both left and right ends and an upper end of the first door.

Also, an opening/closing device constituted by a latch hook and a latch cam is disposed on the first door and the sub door, and thus, the sub door is fixed in a closed state. The opening/closing device may be released in restriction by manipulating a manipulation button disposed on the sub door to open the sub door.

According to the related art, the manipulation button for opening the sub door is exposed to a front surface of the sub door to deteriorate an exterior of the front surface of the refrigerator door that occupies the most of an exterior of the refrigerator.

Also, since the manipulation button is disposed at a position corresponding to that of a locking device for restricting the sub door, the manipulation button may be very limited in installation position and manipulation structure.

In addition, since the manipulation button is pushed and manipulated in a direction opposite to an opening direction of the door, there is an inconvenience in manipulating of the manipulation button.

<CIT> provides a refrigerator including a sub hinge connecting a main door to a sub door, and a main hinge connecting the main door to a main body of the refrigerator. The sub hinge is not connected to the main hinge. A single latch assembly allows both the main door and the sub door to be opened and secured. <CIT> relates to a refrigerator in which an intermediate door is provided between a refrigerating compartment and a refrigerator door that can open and close the front opening of the refrigerating compartment.

Embodiments provide a refrigerator in which a manipulation member for opening manipulation of a sub door is disposed on an outer end of the sub door of the refrigerator.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a locking member for selectively restricting a sub door or releasing the restriction of the sub door is disposed at one position at which the sub door is easily fixed, and a manipulation member for manipulating an operation of the locking member is disposed at the other position, at which the manipulation member is easily manipulated, by a connection member.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a manipulation member for opening manipulation of a sub door is not exposed to a front surface of the sub door while maintaining the opening and restriction performance of the sub door.

In one embodiment, a refrigerator including a cabinet defining a first storage compartment in which a food is stored, a main door rotatably mounted on the cabinet to open or close the first storage compartment, an accommodation device that is accessible through an opening of the main door, the accommodation device defining a second storage compartment in a back surface of the main door, and a sub door opening or closing the opening is characterized in that the refrigerator further includes a door opening assembly with which one side of a back surface of the sub door and one side of the main door are selectively restricted, the door opening assembly being configured to selectively restrict the sub door and the main door on a circumferential surface of the sub door.

A locking unit selectively restricted with one side of the door opening assembly is disposed on the main door, and the locking unit may include: a latch cam rotating to be selectively coupled to one side of the door opening assembly; and an opening rod exposed through a front surface of the main door, the opening rod being pushed to release the restriction between the latch cam and the door opening assembly.

The door opening assembly may include: a locking member protruding from the back surface of the sub door, the locking member being coupled to the locking unit; a manipulation member exposed to one side of the circumferential surface of the sub door; a push rod mounted movable backward on the sub door corresponding to the opening rod, the push rod moving to push the opening rod; and a connection member interlocked with the manipulation member within the sub door to allow the push rod to move.

An elastic member may be disposed on each of the opening rod and the push rod to allow each of the opening rod and the push rod to return to its original position after the opening rod and the push rod move.

The connection member may have upper and lower ends which respectively contact the push rod and the manipulation member, and the contact portions may have sloped or rounded shapes corresponding to each other.

The manipulation member may include: a body on which a rotation shaft mounted inside the sub door is disposed; a push part disposed on a lower end of the body to protrude outward from the sub door so that the push part is pushed by a user; and an operational part disposed on an upper end of the body to contact a lower end of the connection member.

The door opening assembly may include: a locking member protruding from the back surface of the sub door; a manipulation member exposed to one side of the circumferential surface of the sub door, the manipulation member being manipulated by a user; and a connection member connecting the locking member to the manipulation member inside the sub door, the connection member being interlocked with the manipulation member to release the restriction between the locking member and the main door.

The locking member may be rotatably mounted on the sub door and rotate to be selectively restricted with a hook part of the main door.

The manipulation member may include: a rotational part rotatably mounted inside the sub door; a push part disposed on the rotational part and exposed to an outer end of the door, the push part being pushed by the user; and a support part extending from one side of the rotational part and shaft-coupled to the connection member, the support part supporting the connection member so that the connection member vertically moves.

A guide member may be mounted inside the sub door, and the guide member may include: a latch mounting part on which the locking member is rotatably mounted; and a connection member guide part opened at a lower side of the latch mounting part to communicate with the latch mounting part, the connection member guiding the connection member.

A locking member case in which the locking member is accommodated, a connection member case in which the connection member is accommodated, and a manipulation member case in which the manipulation member is accommodated may be disposed inside the sub door to prevent a foam solution that is filled into the sub door from being introduced.

The door opening assembly may include a manipulation member exposed to the outside of the sub door and manipulated by a user, and the manipulation member may be exposed to a grip part that is recessed so the user grasps the grip part when the main door is opened.

The door opening assembly may include a manipulation member exposed to the outside of the sub door and manipulated by a user, and the manipulation member may be exposed to the outside by passing through a cap deco disposed on an end of the sub door.

The door opening assembly may be disposed on an end disposed on a side that faces a rotation shaft of the sub door.

Each of the main door and the sub door may be disposed on both left/right sides or both up/down sides, and door opening assembles disposed on the sub doors may include manipulation members exposed to the outside of the sub doors and manipulated by a user.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view of a refrigerator with a sub door opened according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a front view of the sub door.

Referring to <FIG>, a refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment includes a cabinet <NUM> defining a storage space and a door opening or closing the storage space. Here, an outer appearance of the refrigerator <NUM> may be defined by the cabinet <NUM> and the door.

The inside of the cabinet <NUM> may be partitioned into left and right sides to define a freezing compartment <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment <NUM>. Also, the door may include a freezing compartment door <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment door <NUM>, which respectivley open and close the freezing compartment <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment <NUM>.

Also, an accommodation device <NUM> for defining a separate storage space separated from the inside of the refrigerating compartment <NUM> may be disposed on the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>. Thus, in a state where the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> is closed, the inside of the refrigerating compartment <NUM> may be defined as a first storage compartment, and the inside of the accommodation device <NUM> may be defined as a second storage compartment <NUM>.

The refrigerating compartment door <NUM> may include a main door <NUM> opening or closing the first storage compartment and a sub door <NUM> opening or closing the second storage compartment <NUM>.

The main door <NUM> may have an upper end connected to a top surface of the cabinet <NUM> by a door hinge <NUM>. Also, the main door <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet <NUM>. Also, although not shown in detail, a separate hinge (not shown) may be disposed on a lower end of the main door <NUM> so that the main door <NUM> is rotatably mounted. Thus, as the main door <NUM> rotates, the refrigerating compartment <NUM> may be opened or closed. The main door <NUM> rotates to accommodate foods in the refrigerating compartment <NUM>.

Also, an opening <NUM> may be defined in an upper portion of the main door <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may extend from a grip part <NUM> that serves as a handle up to a position adjacent to an upper end of the main door <NUM>. Also, the opening <NUM> may extend up to a position adjacent to each of both side ends of the main door <NUM>. Also, the accommodation device <NUM> may be disposed on a back surface of the main door <NUM> according to a rear side of the opening <NUM>. The accommodation device <NUM> has a shape that is opened in a front direction. Also, foods may be accessible into the accommodation device <NUM> through the opening <NUM>.

A sealer (not shown) may be disposed around a back surface of the main door <NUM> to contact a circumference of a front surface of the cabinet <NUM> when the main door <NUM> is closed. The sealer may be formed of an elastically deformable and compressible material. Also, a magnet may be disposed inside the sealer and thus closely attached to the cabinet <NUM>.

Also, the foods accommodated in the accommodation device <NUM> may be accessible through the opening <NUM> in the state where the main door <NUM> is closed. Thus, in a state where the main door <NUM> covers the refrigerating compartment <NUM>, the opening <NUM> may be opened to take the foods in or out of the accommodation device <NUM>.

Two openings <NUM> may be vertically provided with respect to the grip part <NUM>, or at least one accommodation device and sub door <NUM> may be disposed on each of the freezing compartment door <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>.

Also, the opening <NUM> may be further defined in the freezing compartment door <NUM> and be opened or closed by a separate door. If necessary, only one opening <NUM> that is opened or closed by the sub door <NUM> may be provided. That is, the opening <NUM> may be provided in various positions of the door.

The opening <NUM> may have a size corresponding to that of a front surface of the accommodation device <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may vertically overlap the grip part <NUM> of the main door <NUM> and be horizontally disposed up to a region except for portions of both left and right ends of the main door <NUM>. Thus, since the opening is defined to correspond to the most of an upper area of the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>, a size and utility of the opening <NUM> may be significantly different from those of a home bar that is used in a general refrigerator.

The grip part <NUM> may be configured to open or close the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>, i.e., the main door <NUM>. The grip part <NUM> may be horizontally lengthily disposed at a central portion of the main door <NUM> and have a shape that is recessed so that a user pulls the grip part <NUM> by using a hand thereof. The grip part <NUM> may be disposed at a position that is easily grasped by the user and also may form a lower boundary with an upper portion of the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> as if the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> including the sub door <NUM> is shown as one main door <NUM>.

The grip part <NUM> may have a shape that is recessed inward and downward so that the user easily grasps the grip part <NUM>. Also, the grip part <NUM> may be disposed with the same shape on the freezing compartment door <NUM>. When viewed from a front side, the grip part <NUM> may be disposed at the same height as that from a left end to a right end of the refrigerator <NUM>. Thus, even though the sub door <NUM> is disposed on the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>, when viewed from the front side, the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> and the freezing compartment door <NUM> may be seen as if they have the same shape.

The sub door <NUM> may be configured to open or close the opening <NUM>. The sub door <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the main door <NUM> by using an upper hinge <NUM>. The upper hinge <NUM> may be configured so that both ends of the upper hinge <NUM> are shift-coupled to a top surface of the main door <NUM> and a top surface of the sub door <NUM> to rotate by using the main door <NUM> as an axis.

Also, a lower hinge (not shown) is further disposed on a lower end of the sub door <NUM>. The lower hinge may be disposed on the lower end of the sub door <NUM> and be mounted on the main door <NUM> to rotatably support the sub door <NUM>. Although not shown in detail, the lower hinge may have a cam structure or spring structure so that the sub door <NUM> is more smoothly opened or closed.

Thus, the main door <NUM> and the sub door <NUM> may independently rotate with respect to each other. The main door <NUM> and the sub door <NUM> may be independently manipulated to selectively open or close the refrigerating compartment <NUM> and the opening <NUM>.

A front surface of the sub door <NUM> may be formed of the same material as the freezing compartment door <NUM>. Also, a design or pattern may be continuously formed on the front surface of the sub door <NUM>. Also, the front surface of the sub door <NUM> may be disposed on the same plane as that of the freezing compartment door <NUM> in the state where the sub door <NUM> is closed.

Also, a circumference of the sub door <NUM> except for a lower end of the sub door <NUM> adjacent to the grip part <NUM> may correspond to a circumference of the main door <NUM>. Thus, in the state where the sub door <NUM> is closed, when viewed from the front side, the connection portions on which the sub door <NUM> is disposed may have a sense of unit so that the connection portions are not shown.

Thus, in the state where the sub door <NUM> is closed, when viewed from the front side, the front surfaces of the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> and the freezing compartment door <NUM> may be seen as if they have the same shape. If a user never seen the sub door <NUM>, the user may not easily recognize the sub door <NUM> as if the whole of the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> is formed as one door.

A door basket for accommodating foods is disposed on a back surface of the sub door <NUM>. The door basket may be detachably mounted and be adjusted in mounting position so that the door basket is height-adjustably mounted on the back surface of the sub door <NUM>.

Also, a locking member <NUM> is disposed on the back surface of the sub door <NUM>. Also, a receiving (accommodation) part <NUM> may be defined in one side of the main door <NUM> that corresponds to the locking member <NUM>.

When the sub door <NUM> is closed, the locking member <NUM> may be inserted into the receiving part <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> may be restricted within the receiving part <NUM> in the state where the locking member <NUM> is inserted into the receiving part <NUM> to maintain the closed state of the sub door <NUM>.

Also, a manipulation member <NUM> is disposed on a lower end of the sub door <NUM>. The manipulation member <NUM> may be configured to allow the user to manipulate an operation of the locking member <NUM>. The manipulation member <NUM> may be disposed on a corner of a lower end of the sub door <NUM>. Here, the manipulation member <NUM> may be disposed on a corner of the sub door <NUM> that is far away from the rotation shaft so that the sub door <NUM> easily rotates.

Also, the sub door <NUM> includes a door opening assembly <NUM> (see <FIG>) including the locking member <NUM> and the manipulation member <NUM> to open or close the sub door <NUM>. Hereinafter, a structure of the door opening assembly <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a lower end of the sub door <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line <NUM>-<NUM>' of <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the door opening assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the door opening assembly <NUM> may include the manipulation member <NUM> that is manipulated by the user, the locking member <NUM> inserted and restricted into the accommodation part <NUM>, and a connection member <NUM> connected to the manipulation member <NUM> to allow the locking member to be operable.

In detail, the manipulation member <NUM> is disposed on the lower end of the sub door <NUM>. The manipulation member <NUM> may be one component of the door opening assembly <NUM> to allow the locking member <NUM> to be operable. Also, the manipulation member <NUM> is disposed on a corner of the lower end of the sub door <NUM>.

The manipulation member <NUM> may protrude to the outside in the state where the manipulation member <NUM> is disposed on the lower end of the sub door <NUM> so that the user is capable of manipulating the manipulation member <NUM>. Here, only a portion of the manipulation member <NUM> that is manipulated by the user may be exposed to the grip part <NUM> disposed at a center of the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>. That is, the exposed portion of the manipulation member <NUM> may be minimized when the user sees the refrigerator.

The manipulation member <NUM> is mounted on a cap deco <NUM> defining the lower end of the sub door <NUM> and also rotates by the user's manipulation.

Explaining the manipulation member <NUM> in more detail, the manipulation member <NUM> may include a rotational part <NUM> in which a hinge shaft <NUM> is inserted, a support part <NUM> extending from an upper portion of the rotational part <NUM>, and a push part <NUM> extending from a lower portion of the rotational part <NUM>.

The manipulation member <NUM> may be shaft-coupled to the cap deco <NUM> through the hinge shaft <NUM>. Also, the support part <NUM> extends forward from the upper portion of the rotational part <NUM> and has an end shaft-coupled to an end of the connection member <NUM>. Also, the push part <NUM> extends forward from the lower portion of the rotational part <NUM>. Here, the push part <NUM> may be inclined or rounded so that the push part <NUM> is gradually away from the support part <NUM> in the extension direction thereof. The push part <NUM> may have a wide cross-sectional area on the extending end thereof so that the user easily manipulates the push part <NUM>.

Also, in the state where the manipulation member <NUM> is mounted on the cap deco <NUM>, the support part <NUM> and the rotational part <NUM> except for the push part <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM> may be disposed inside the cap deco <NUM>, and thus, only the push part <NUM> may be exposed downward from the cap deco <NUM>. Here, a front end of the push part <NUM> is configured so that the user pushes the push part <NUM> to allow the manipulation member <NUM> to rotate in a state where the front end of the push part <NUM> is spaced apart from a lower end of the cap deco <NUM>.

A lower end of the connection member <NUM> is shaft-coupled to a connection member coupling part <NUM> disposed on the support part <NUM>. Thus, when the manipulation member <NUM> rotates, the connection member <NUM> may vertically move.

The connection member <NUM> may have a long rod shape. The connection member <NUM> may have the lower end shaft-coupled to the connection member coupling part <NUM> and an upper end contacting a bottom surface of the locking member <NUM> in a state where the upper end of the connection member <NUM> is not fixed. Here, the upper end of the connection member <NUM> that is in contact with the locking member <NUM> may be disposed at a point that is away from the rotation shaft <NUM> of the locking member <NUM>. Thus, when the connection member <NUM> vertically moves, the locking member <NUM> may rotate about the rotation shaft <NUM> thereof.

Also, an insulation material may be disposed between an outer case <NUM> defining an exterior of the sub door <NUM> and a door liner <NUM> defining the inside of the sub door <NUM>. A guide member <NUM> for guiding the movement of the connection member <NUM> may be disposed on the sub door <NUM>.

The guide member <NUM> may be disposed on a position on which the locking member <NUM> is disposed. A connection member guide part <NUM> disposed inside the sub door <NUM> to accommodate the connection member <NUM> and a locking member mounting part <NUM> on which the locking member <NUM> is mounted may be disposed on the guide member <NUM>. The guide member <NUM> may perform an insulation function within the sub door <NUM>. For this, the guide member <NUM> may be formed of a polyethylene material having superior insulation performance.

The locking member <NUM> may be rotatably mounted on the locking member mounting part <NUM> of the guide member <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> has a rear end shaft-coupled to the inside of the locking member mounting part <NUM> and a front end passing through the door liner <NUM> to protrude backward.

Explaining the locking member <NUM> in more detail, the locking member <NUM> has a predetermined width and be lengthily disposed in a front/rear direction. Also, a shaft coupling part <NUM> shaft-coupled to the inside of the guide member <NUM> or the sub door <NUM> is disposed on a rear end of the locking member <NUM>.

Also, an elastic member support part <NUM> by which an elastic member <NUM> is supported is disposed above the shaft coupling part <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may provide an elastic force to allow the locking member <NUM> to be horizontally maintained. The elastic member <NUM> may support the elastic member support part <NUM> at the locking member mounting part <NUM>.

A body <NUM> extending backward is disposed on the shaft coupling part <NUM>. The body <NUM> extends to pass through the locking member mounting part <NUM>. The body <NUM> may have an end that protrudes to pass through the back surface of the sub door <NUM>.

Also, a restriction part <NUM> is disposed on the end of the body <NUM>. The restriction part <NUM> may be coupled to a hook part <NUM> (see <FIG>) disposed on the accommodation part <NUM> and having a projection shape when the locking member <NUM> is inserted into the accommodation part <NUM>.

In detail, the restriction part <NUM> may be provided to allow a front portion of the body <NUM> to be opened. Also, the hook part <NUM> may be accommodated into the restriction part <NUM>. Also, a restriction roller <NUM> is rotatably disposed on a front end of the restriction part <NUM>. The restriction roller <NUM> may induce hooking and restriction between the restriction part <NUM> and the hook part <NUM> while moving along a slope <NUM> of the hook part <NUM>.

In the guide member <NUM>, the locking member mounting part <NUM> through which the body <NUM> passes may have a vertical width greater than a thickness of the body <NUM>. Also, the locking member mounting part <NUM> may have a space in which the body <NUM> moves while the locking member <NUM> rotates.

Also, the locking member mounting part <NUM> may communicate with an upper end of the connection member guide part <NUM>. An upper end of the connection member <NUM> passing through the connection member guide part <NUM> may support a bottom surface of the body <NUM> within the locking member mounting part <NUM> to rotate the locking member <NUM>.

Hereinafter, an operation of the door opening assembly will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a view of a state of the door opening assembly <NUM> in a state where the sub door <NUM> is closed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the state where the sub door <NUM> is closed, the back surface of the sub door <NUM> may be closely attached to the front surface of the main door <NUM>. Here, the locking member <NUM> may be fixed in the state where the locking member <NUM> is accommodated into the accommodation part <NUM>.

In the state where the sub door <NUM> is fully closed, the locking member <NUM> may be restricted in the state where the hook part <NUM> of the accommodation part <NUM> is inserted into the restriction part <NUM> of the locking member <NUM>. Thus, the sub door <NUM> may be maintained in the closed state.

Here, the locking member <NUM> may be in a horizontal state. Also, the elastic member <NUM> may support the locking member <NUM> in a state where the elastic member <NUM> is not compressed. Also, a bottom surface of the locking member <NUM> may be in contact with the upper end of the connection member <NUM>, and the connection member <NUM> may not transmit other external forces to the locking member <NUM>.

The manipulation member <NUM> is connected to a lower end of the connection member <NUM>, and the push par <NUM> is exposed to the outside through the lower end of the sub door <NUM>. Also, the push part <NUM> may be pushed in a state where the push part <NUM> is away from the bottom surface of the sub door <NUM> to allow the manipulation member <NUM> to rotate.

In this state, if it is intended to open the sub door <NUM>, the user may rotate the locking member <NUM> through the manipulation of the manipulation member <NUM> to release the restriction between the locking member <NUM> and the accommodation part <NUM>, thereby opening the sub door <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view of a state of the door opening assembly in the state where the sub door is opened.

As illustrated in <FIG>, to open the sub door <NUM>, the user pushes the push part <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM>. When the push part <NUM> is pushed, the manipulation member <NUM> rotates about the rotation shaft <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM>, and thus the support part <NUM> moves upward.

As the support part <NUM> moves, the connection member <NUM> connected to the support part <NUM> may also move upward. Here, the connection member <NUM> may stably move upward by the guide member <NUM>. The upper end of the connection member <NUM> may lift the bottom surface of the locking member <NUM>.

The locking member <NUM> may rotate about the rotation shaft <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> by the upper end of the connection member <NUM>. Here, the elastic member <NUM> is compressed. As the locking member <NUM> rotates, the restriction part <NUM> disposed on the front end of the locking member <NUM> may be lifted upward. Thus, the restriction part <NUM> hooked and restricted with the hook part <NUM> of the accommodation part <NUM> may be released, and the sub door <NUM> may freely rotate and be opened.

Here, since the user pushes the manipulation member <NUM> disposed at a position that is away from the rotation shaft of the sub door <NUM> to manipulate the manipulation member <NUM>, the user may rotate the sub door <NUM> while the user pushes the manipulation member <NUM> or grasps the corresponding portion after pushing the manipulation member <NUM>.

Also, if the user separates a hand thereof from the push part <NUM> after the sub door <NUM> is opened, the locking member <NUM> may rotate by an elastic restoring force of the elastic member <NUM> and then return to its initial horizontal state. Thus, the connection member <NUM> may also move upward, and the manipulation member <NUM> connected to the connection member <NUM> may also rotate. Here, the push part <NUM> may also protrude downward from the sub door <NUM> so that the manipulation member <NUM> is in the manipulable state.

When the sub door <NUM> is closed in the state where the locking member <NUM> returns to its initial state, the restriction roller <NUM> disposed on the front end of the locking member <NUM> moves along the slope <NUM> of the hook part <NUM>, and thus, the locking member <NUM> smoothly rotates to compress the elastic member <NUM>.

Also, when the restriction roller <NUM> passes over the slope <NUM> of the hook part <NUM>, the hook part <NUM> is inserted into the restriction part <NUM> of the locking member <NUM>, and the locking member <NUM> may be in the restricted state as illustrated in <FIG>. The state in which the locking member <NUM> is hooked and restricted within the accommodation part <NUM> may be a state in which the sub door <NUM> is closely attached to the main door <NUM>. Here, the closely attached state of the sub door <NUM> may be maintained before the manipulation member <NUM> is manipulated.

A refrigerator may be realized according to various other embodiments different from the foregoing embodiment.

For example, a refrigerant according to another embodiment may include a door opening assembly having a structure different from that of the above-described door opening assembly.

A refrigerator according to a second embodiment may have the same constitution as the foregoing embodiment except for a door opening assembly and constitutions connected to the door opening assembly. Thus, their duplicated descriptions may be denoted by the same reference numeral, and also, their detailed description will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to another (second) embodiment will be described.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a sub door <NUM> according to the second embodiment. <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating an operation state of a door opening assembly <NUM> according to the second embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a refrigerator door <NUM> according to the second embodiment includes an outer case <NUM> defining an outer surface thereof and a door liner <NUM> defining an inner surface thereof. Here, an exterior of the refrigerator may be defined by the outer case <NUM> and the door liner <NUM>. Also, a cap deco <NUM> is mounted on a lower end at which the outer case <NUM> and the door liner <NUM> are coupled to each other. Also, a door opening assembly <NUM> is disposed inside the door <NUM>.

The door opening assembly <NUM> includes a manipulation unit <NUM> manipulated by a user, a locking unit <NUM> for maintaining a closed state of the door <NUM>, and a connection unit <NUM> for allowing the manipulation unit <NUM> to be interlocked with the locking unit <NUM>.

Also, an insulation material for insulation is mounted and foamed and filled into the door <NUM> in a state where the door opening assembly <NUM> is. Here, the door opening assembly <NUM> may be buried by the insulation material. Also, the inner constitutions of the door opening assembly <NUM> may be operable without being affected by the insulation material.

In detail, the manipulation unit <NUM> may include a manipulation member <NUM> that is pushed and manipulated by the user, a manipulation member case <NUM> mounted inside the door <NUM> to provide a space in which the manipulation member <NUM> is accommodated, and a case cover <NUM> coupled to the manipulation member case <NUM> to cover an opened surface.

The manipulation member <NUM> is rotatably mounted inside the manipulation member case <NUM>. When a push part <NUM> rotates, the manipulation member <NUM> may rotate. Also, the push part <NUM> may protrude downward from the door <NUM> to protrude. When the push part <NUM> is pushed, the manipulation member <NUM> is inserted into the manipulation member case <NUM> while rotating.

Also, a support part <NUM> supporting a lower end of a connection member <NUM> is disposed on the manipulation member <NUM>. The support part <NUM> extends forward from a rotation shaft <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM>. Here, the support part <NUM> may horizontally extend to stably support the lower end of the connection member <NUM>.

Also, a lower portion of the connection member <NUM> may pass through a top surface of the manipulation member case <NUM> and then be inserted into the manipulation member case <NUM>. Thus, the connection member <NUM> may be maintained in contact with the support part <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM>.

The locking unit <NUM> may be disposed above the manipulation unit <NUM>, i.e., disposed at an approximately central portion of a vertical height of the door <NUM>. Here, an accommodation part in which the locking member <NUM> of the locking unit <NUM> is selectively hooked and restricted like the foregoing embodiment may be provided in a main body or the other door of the refrigerator corresponding to the locking unit <NUM>.

The locking unit <NUM> may include a locking member <NUM> hooked and restricted with an accommodation part provided in an object that is hooked and restricted for fixing the door <NUM>, a locking member bracket <NUM> on which the locking member <NUM> is rotatably mounted, a locking member case <NUM> accommodating the locking member <NUM> and the locking member bracket <NUM>, and a case cover <NUM> covering an opened portion of the locking member case <NUM>.

In detail, the locking member case <NUM> may have opened front and rear surfaces. The front surface of the locking member case <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to an opened side of a door liner <NUM> and then be mounted on the opened side of the door liner <NUM>. Also, the case cover <NUM> is mounted on an opened rear surface of the locking member case <NUM> to provide a space in which the locking member <NUM> and the locking member bracket <NUM> are accommodated.

The locking member <NUM> passes through the locking member case <NUM> and the door liner <NUM> to protrude. Also, a restriction part <NUM> having a hook shape may protrude outward from the locking member <NUM>. Thus, the restriction member <NUM> may be fixed to a hook part of the refrigerator body or the other door due to the selective rotation of the locking member <NUM>.

A rotation shaft <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> may be rotatably mounted on the locking member bracket <NUM>. An elastic member such as a torsion spring may be disposed on the rotation shaft <NUM>. Thus, when the locking member <NUM> rotates, the elastic member may provide an elastic force for allowing the locking member <NUM> to return to its original position.

The connection unit <NUM> is disposed between the manipulation unit <NUM> and the locking unit <NUM>. The connection unit <NUM> may be lengthily disposed in a vertical direction to connect the locking unit <NUM> to the manipulation unit <NUM>.

In detail, the connection unit <NUM> may include the connection member <NUM> for allowing the manipulation member <NUM> to be interlocked with the locking member <NUM> and a connection member case <NUM> providing a space in which the connection member <NUM> is accommodated.

The connection member <NUM> may have a rod shape having a predetermined length. The connection member <NUM> has an upper end contacting a bottom surface of the locking member <NUM> and a lower end contacting the support part <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM>. Also, the lower portion of the connection member <NUM> may be bent to contact a lower end of the support part <NUM> that is disposed at a rear side within the manipulation member case <NUM>. Thus, when the manipulation member <NUM> rotates, the manipulation member <NUM> may stably vertically move by the connection member <NUM>.

The connection member case <NUM> is fixed to a back surface of the door liner <NUM>, and upper and lower ends of the connection member case <NUM> are fixed to the locking member case <NUM> and the manipulation member case <NUM>, respectively. Also, the connection member case <NUM> has an inner space. The connection member <NUM> is accommodated into the inner space of the connection member case <NUM> so that the connection member <NUM> is vertically movable within the inner space when the door liner <NUM> is mounted. Also, when an insulation material is injected into the door <NUM>, introduction of the insulation material into the connection member case <NUM> may be prevented.

In the operation of the door opening assembly <NUM> having the above-described structure according to the second embodiment, when the manipulation member <NUM> is manipulated, the connection member <NUM> moves vertically. As the connection member <NUM> moves, the locking member <NUM> rotates, and thus, an object is selectively hooked or restricted with the locking member <NUM> to allow the door <NUM> to be opened or maintained in the closed state.

For example, a door opening assembly according to a third embodiment includes a locking member, a manipulation member, a connection member, and a push rod which are disposed on a sub door. Also, a locking unit that operates by the push rod is disposed on a main door.

A refrigerator according to a third embodiment may have the same constitution as the foregoing embodiment except for constitutions of a door opening assembly. Thus, their duplicated descriptions may be denoted by the same reference numeral, and also, their detailed description will be omitted.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a state in which a sub door <NUM> is opened according to the third embodiment. <FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line <NUM>-<NUM>' of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment includes a cabinet <NUM> defining a storage space and a door arrangement opening or closing the storage space. Here, an outer appearance of the refrigerator <NUM> may be defined by the cabinet <NUM> and the door arrangement.

The inside of the cabinet <NUM> may be partitioned into left and right sides to define a freezing compartment <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment <NUM>. Also, the door arrangement may include a freezing compartment door <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment door <NUM>, which respectivley open and close the freezing compartment <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment <NUM>.

The refrigerating compartment door <NUM> may include a main door <NUM> opening or closing the first storage compartment and a sub door <NUM> that is a sub door for opening or closing the second storage compartment <NUM>.

Two openings <NUM> may be vertically provided with respect to the grip part <NUM>, or at least one accommodation device and sub door may be disposed on each of the freezing compartment door <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>.

The opening <NUM> may have a size corresponding to that of a front surface of the accommodation device <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may vertically overlap the grip part <NUM> of the main door <NUM> and be horizontally disposed up to a region except for portions of both left and right ends of the main door <NUM>. Thus, since the opening <NUM> is defined to correspond to the most of an upper area of the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>, a size and utility of the opening <NUM> may be significantly different from those of a home bar that is used in a general refrigerator.

Also, a locking unit <NUM> is disposed on one side of the front surface of the main door <NUM> that is away from the rotation shaft of the main door <NUM>. The locking unit <NUM> may maintain the closed state of the sub door <NUM>. In addition, the locking unit <NUM> may selectively restrict a locking member <NUM> disposed on the sub door <NUM> by the user's manipulation to selectively restrict the sub door <NUM>.

The locking member <NUM> is disposed on the back surface of the sub door <NUM> to protrude from a central portion of one end of the back surface of the sub door <NUM>. Also, the locking unit <NUM> is disposed on the front surface of the main door <NUM> corresponding to the locking member <NUM>.

Thus, when the sub door <NUM> is closed, the locking member <NUM> may be inserted into the locking unit <NUM> and thus be selectively coupled to the locking unit <NUM>.

Also, a cover plate <NUM> for covering a front surface of the locking unit <NUM> may be disposed on the front surface of the locking unit <NUM>. Alternatively, the locking unit <NUM> may directly contact the back surface of the main door <NUM>. In this case, the front surface of the main door <NUM> may serve as the cover plate <NUM>.

The locking unit <NUM> may be fixed and mounted inside the main door <NUM> and be disposed on a back surface of the cover plate <NUM>. Also, an opening rod <NUM> that is pushed by a push rod <NUM> that will be described later is mounted on the locking unit <NUM>. The opening rod <NUM> is elastically supported by an elastic member <NUM> such as a spring within the locking unit <NUM>.

In detail, the locking unit <NUM> may include a locking unit case <NUM> defining an exterior thereof and fixedly mounted on the inside of the main door <NUM>, a latch cam <NUM> rotatably mounted on the inside of the locking unit case <NUM> and selectively coupled to the locking member <NUM> to restrict the locking member <NUM>, a stopper <NUM> selectively restraining rotation of the latch cam <NUM>, and an opening rod <NUM> moving the stopper <NUM> to allow the latch cam <NUM> to rotate.

The locking unit case <NUM> has an opened one side so that the locking member <NUM> is inserted therein. Also, the locking unit case <NUM> has a space in which the latch cam <NUM>, the stopper <NUM>, and the opening rod <NUM> are mounted.

The latch cam <NUM> is rotatably disposed inside the locking unit case <NUM>. When the latch cam <NUM> rotates, the latch cam <NUM> may return to its original position by a torsion spring (not shown) disposed on a rotation shaft thereof.

Also, a latch insertion part <NUM> in which the locking member <NUM> is inserted is disposed in the latch cam <NUM>. The latch insertion part <NUM> may be recessed to be selectively coupled to the locking member <NUM>. Thus, when the sub door <NUM> is closed, the latch insertion part <NUM> rotates by the locking member <NUM> inserted through a latch slot <NUM> and simultaneously is coupled to the locking member <NUM> to restrict the locking member <NUM>.

Also, a hook part (not shown) having a projection or groove shape that is provided on/in a general push switch may be disposed on an outer surface of the latch cam <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> may rotate in one direction by the pushing manipulation and thus be hooked and restricted the hook part or released from the restriction with the hook part. Thus, the hook part may variously change in shape. This may correspond to a general technology, and thus, its detailed description will be omitted.

The stopper <NUM> for selectively restraining the rotation of the latch cam <NUM> is disposed under the latch cam <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> may be shaft-coupled or coupled in a manner similar to the shaft-coupling so that a lower end of the stopper <NUM> moves in a left/right or front/rear direction. When the latch cam <NUM> rotates, a lower end of the stopper <NUM> may move along the hook part disposed on the outer surface of the latch cam <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> may connected to one side of the locking unit case <NUM> by an elastic member such as a spring. The stopper <NUM> may move in the front/rear or left/right direction and then return to its original position by an elastic force of the elastic member.

A rod mounting part <NUM> on which the opening rod <NUM> is mounted movable in a front/rear direction is disposed at a front side of the stopper <NUM>. The rod mounting part <NUM> may be opened to a front side of the locking unit case <NUM>. In this case, the rod mounting part <NUM> may be disposed at a position corresponding to that of the push rod <NUM>.

The opening rod <NUM> may be mounted on the rod mounting part <NUM>. The opening rod <NUM> may have a front end disposed in a rod hole <NUM> defined in the cover plate <NUM> and a rear end contacting the stopper <NUM>. Also, a rod support part may protrude outward from the opening rod <NUM> to interfere with the rod mounting part <NUM>, thereby restraining the forward movement of the opening rod <NUM>. Since the opening rod <NUM> is supported by the elastic member <NUM> such as a spring, when external force is removed after the opening rod <NUM> moves backward, the opening rod <NUM> may return to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic member <NUM>.

Thus, as the push rod <NUM> moves backward, when the opening rod <NUM> moves backward, the opening rod <NUM> may push the stopper <NUM> to separate the stopper <NUM> from the latch insertion part <NUM> of the latch cam <NUM>. Simultaneously, the latch cam <NUM> rotates to separate the latch cam <NUM> and the locking member <NUM> from each other.

The cover plate <NUM> has a plate shape, and a latch slot <NUM> that is opened so that the locking member <NUM> is inserted is defined in the cover plate <NUM>. Also, a rod hole <NUM> is defined in the cover plate <NUM> corresponding to the opening rod <NUM>. The rod hole <NUM> may be disposed at a position corresponding to the push rod <NUM> to allow the push load <NUM> to be accessible.

<FIG> is a front view of the sub door <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of a lower end of the sub door <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the sub door <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sub door <NUM> may be configured to open or close the opening <NUM>. The sub door <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the main door <NUM> by using an upper hinge <NUM>. The upper hinge <NUM> may be configured so that both ends of the upper hinge <NUM> are shift-coupled to a top surface of the main door <NUM> and a top surface of the sub door <NUM> to rotate by using the main door <NUM> as an axis.

Also, a locking member <NUM> is disposed on the back surface of the sub door <NUM>. Also, the latch slot <NUM> may be defined in one side of the main door <NUM> that corresponds to the locking member <NUM>.

When the sub door <NUM> is closed, the locking member <NUM> may be inserted into the latch slot <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> may be restricted within the accomodation part <NUM> in the state where the locking member <NUM> is inserted into the latch slot <NUM> to maintain the closed state of the sub door <NUM>.

Also, a manipulation member <NUM> is disposed on a lower end of the sub door <NUM>. The manipulation member <NUM> may be configured to allow the user to manipulate an opening of the sub door <NUM>. The manipulation member <NUM> may be disposed on a corner of a lower end of the sub door <NUM>. Here, the manipulation member <NUM> may be disposed on a corner of the sub door <NUM> that is far away from the rotation shaft so that the sub door <NUM> easily rotates.

Also, the sub door <NUM> includes a door opening assembly <NUM> including the manipulation member <NUM> to open or close the sub door <NUM>. Hereinafter, a structure of the door opening assembly <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the sub door. <FIG> is a perspective view of a door opening assembly and a locking unit <NUM> according to the third embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a door opening assembly <NUM> is disposed inside the sub door <NUM>. That is, the door opening assembly <NUM> is disposed between an outer case <NUM> defining an exterior of the sub door <NUM> and a door liner <NUM> defining the inside of the sub door <NUM>. Here, the door opening assembly <NUM> may be mounted so that only a manipulation member <NUM> for manipulation is exposed to the outside.

Here, an insulation material is filled into the sub door <NUM>. The insulation material may not be filled into a region in which the door opening assembly <NUM> is disposed, or a separate insulation structure may be provided to surround the door opening assembly <NUM>, but a foam solution is not injected, to allow the door opening assembly <NUM> to smoothly operate.

The door opening assembly <NUM> may include a manipulation member <NUM> that is manipulated by the user, a push rod <NUM> selectively protruding backward from the inside of the sub door <NUM> to push the opening rod <NUM>, and a connection member <NUM> connected to the manipulation member <NUM> so that the push rod <NUM> is operable.

In detail, the manipulation member <NUM> is disposed on a lower end of the sub door <NUM>. The manipulation member <NUM> may be one component of the door opening assembly <NUM> to allow the push rod <NUM> to be operable. Also, the manipulation member <NUM> is disposed on a corner of a lower end of the manipulation member <NUM>.

The manipulation member <NUM> may protrude to the outside in the state where the manipulation member <NUM> is disposed on the lower end of the sub door <NUM> so that the user is capable of manipulating the manipulation member <NUM>. Here, only a portion of the manipulation member <NUM> that is manipulated by the user may be exposed to a grip part <NUM> disposed at a center of a refrigerating compartment door <NUM>. That is, the exposed portion of the manipulation member <NUM> may be minimized when a user sees the refrigerator.

The manipulation member <NUM> is mounted on a cap deco <NUM> defining the lower end of the sub door <NUM> and also rotates by the user's manipulation. Explaining the manipulation member <NUM> in more detail, the manipulation member <NUM> may include a body <NUM> mounted inside the sub door <NUM>, a rotation shaft <NUM> disposed on each of both sides of the body <NUM>, a push part <NUM> extending from a lower end of the body <NUM> and manipulated by the user, and an operational part <NUM> extending upward from an upper end of the body <NUM>.

The push part <NUM> may be bent from a lower end of the body <NUM> and be exposed to a lower side of the sub door <NUM>. The push part <NUM> may be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the sub door <NUM> and be bent in parallel to a bottom surface of the sub door <NUM>. Thus, the user may push or rotate the push part <NUM> through the lower end of the sub door <NUM> to manipulate the manipulation member <NUM>.

Also, in the state where the manipulation member <NUM> is mounted inside the sub door <NUM> or on the cap deco <NUM>, the body, the rotation shaft <NUM>, and the operational part <NUM> except for the push part <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM> may be disposed inside the cap deco <NUM>, and only the push part <NUM> may protrude downward from the cap deco <NUM>. Here, a front end of the push part <NUM> is configured so that the user pushes the push part <NUM> to allow the manipulation member <NUM> to rotate in a state where the front end of the push part <NUM> is spaced apart from a lower end of the cap deco <NUM>.

The operational part <NUM> extends upward from the upper end of the body <NUM> and has a predetermined curvature. The operational part <NUM> may have an upper end contact a lower end of the connection member <NUM>. The upper end of the operational part <NUM> may push the lower end of the connection member <NUM> upward according to the manipulation of the push part <NUM> to vertically move the connection member <NUM>.

For this, the upper end of the operational part <NUM> may have a slope. Thus, the slope may have the same inclination as the lower end of the connection member <NUM> so that the operational part <NUM> surface-contacts the lower end of the connection member <NUM>.

The connection member <NUM> may have a long rod shape. The connection member <NUM> may have the lower end contacting the operational part <NUM> and the upper end contacting the push rod <NUM>. Here, the connection member <NUM> may stably vertically move inside the sub door <NUM>. For this, a separate guide, passage, or case for preventing the connection member <NUM> from horizontally moving may be provided.

The upper and lower ends of the connection member <NUM> may have slopes <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The slopes <NUM> and <NUM> of the lower and upper ends may be in contact with the operational part <NUM> and the push rod <NUM>, respectively. Thus, when the manipulation member <NUM> is manipulated, the push rod <NUM> may be manipulated through the connection member <NUM>.

Also, the push rod <NUM> is disposed on the sub door <NUM>. The push rod <NUM> is configured to control an operation of the locking unit <NUM>. That is, the push rod <NUM> may be configured to push the opening rod <NUM>, thereby releasing the restriction of the sub door <NUM> and opening the sub door <NUM>.

In detail, the push rod <NUM> may be mounted on a mounting plate <NUM> disposed on a door liner <NUM> of the sub door <NUM>. A push rod hole <NUM> through which the push rod <NUM> passes is defined in the mounting plate <NUM>. A latch mounting part <NUM> on which the locking member <NUM> is mounted is disposed above the push rod hole <NUM>.

The push rod <NUM> may include a rod part <NUM> extending by a predetermined length, a contact part <NUM> disposed on a rear end of the rod part <NUM> to contact the upper end of the connection member, and a rod case <NUM> through which the rod part <NUM> passes and in which a spring <NUM> is accommodated.

The rod case <NUM> is fixedly mounted on a back surface of the mounting plate <NUM>, and the spring <NUM> is accommodated in the rod case <NUM>. Also, an end of the rod part <NUM> may pass through the rod case <NUM> and be disposed in the push rod hole <NUM>. Here, the contact part <NUM> is exposed to a rear side of the rod case <NUM>.

Since the contact part <NUM> has a hemisphere shape to protrude backward, the contact part <NUM> may contact the sloped upper end of the connection member <NUM> and easily move in the front/rear direction through the contact with the connection member <NUM>.

Thus, when the connection member <NUM> moves upward, the slope <NUM> of the connection member <NUM> may push the contact part <NUM>, and thus, the rod part <NUM> may move forward to allow a front end thereof to protrude forward from the door liner <NUM> through the push rod hole <NUM>. Also, the spring <NUM> disposed inside the rod case <NUM> may be compressed as the rod part <NUM> moves forward.

The front end of the rod part <NUM> that protrudes through the push rod hole <NUM> may be disposed to push the front end of the opening rod <NUM>. Thus, the restriction between the locking unit <NUM> and the locking member <NUM> may be released.

The locking member <NUM> may be mounted on the latch mounting part <NUM> of the mounting plate <NUM> to protrude backward from a rear end of the door liner <NUM>. Also, a restriction part <NUM> that is opened to be coupled to the latch cam <NUM> constituting the locking unit <NUM> may be further disposed on the locking member <NUM>. That is, the locking member <NUM> is inserted into the latch slot <NUM> in the state where the sub door is closed. Here, the sub door <NUM> may be maintained in the closed state due to the hooking and restriction with the rotating latch cam <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view of a state of the door opening assembly in a state where the sub door is closed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the state where the sub door <NUM> is closed, the back surface of the sub door <NUM> may be closely attached to the front surface of the main door <NUM>. Here, the locking member <NUM> may be inserted into the latch slot <NUM> and then fixed in a state where the locking member <NUM> is hooked and restricted with the latch cam <NUM>.

In detail, in the state where the sub door <NUM> is fully closed, the restriction part <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> may be inserted into the latch insertion part <NUM> of the latch cam <NUM> and then hooked and fixed. Thus, the locking member <NUM> may be in the restricted state, and the sub door <NUM> may also be maintained in the closed state.

Here, the push rod <NUM> may be maintained in a state where an external force is not applied, and the spring <NUM> is not compressed. In this state, the push rod <NUM> may move backward, and the end of the push rod <NUM> may be disposed inside the push rod hole <NUM>. Thus, the push rod <NUM> may not protrude, but be disposed inside the mounting plate <NUM>.

Also, in the state where the contact part <NUM> contacts the upper end of the connection member <NUM>, the lower end <NUM> of the connection member <NUM> may be in contact with the operational part <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM>. Thus, when the user push the push part <NUM>, the push rod <NUM> may be immediately interlocked.

In detail, the manipulation member <NUM> may be in contact with the lower end of the connection member <NUM>, and the push part <NUM> may be exposed to the outside through the lower end of the sub door <NUM>. Here, the push part <NUM> may be pushed in a state where the push part <NUM> is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the sub door <NUM> to allow the manipulation member <NUM> to rotate.

In this state, if it is intended to open the sub door <NUM>, the user may manipulate the manipulation member <NUM> to move the push rod <NUM> forward. Thus, the push rod <NUM> may push the opening rod <NUM> to release the restriction with the stopper <NUM>, and the latch cam <NUM> may rotate to release the restriction with the locking member <NUM>. As described above, when the restriction of the locking member <NUM> is released, the locking member <NUM> may be withdrawn from the latch slot <NUM> to open the sub door <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, to open the sub door <NUM>, the user pushes the push part <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM>. When the push part <NUM> is pushed, the manipulation member <NUM> rotates about the rotation shaft <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM>, and thus the operational part <NUM> may rotate in a counterclockwise direction to push the lower end of the connection member <NUM> upward.

The connection member <NUM> may move upward by the operational part <NUM>, and the slope <NUM> disposed on the upper end of the connection member <NUM> may push the contact part <NUM> of the push rod <NUM>. Thus, the push rod <NUM> may smoothly move backward. As the push rod <NUM> moves backward, the spring <NUM> may be compressed.

As the push rod moves backward, the front end of the push rod <NUM> may pass through the push rod hole <NUM> to push the end of the opening rod <NUM>. Thus, the opening rod <NUM> may be inserted, and the rear end of the opening rod <NUM> may push the stopper <NUM>, thereby releasing the restriction between the stopper <NUM> and the latch cam <NUM>.

When the restriction of the latch cam <NUM> is released, the latch cam <NUM> rotates by the elastic restoring force of the elastic member that forcibly rotates the latch cam <NUM>. Thus, the latch insertion part <NUM> of the latch cam <NUM> may move forward to release the restriction of the locking member <NUM>. Thus, the sub door <NUM> may freely rotate and be opened by the user.

Also, if the user separates a hand thereof from the push part <NUM> after the sub door <NUM> is opened, the connection member <NUM> moves downward by a self-weight thereof. Thus, the lower end of the connection member <NUM> may push the operational part <NUM>, and the manipulation member <NUM> may return to its original position while rotating.

Also, since the external force applied to the spring <NUM> is removed, the push rod <NUM> moves backward by the elastic restoring force. Thus, the connection member <NUM> contacting the contact part <NUM> of the push rod <NUM> may move downward.

When the sub door <NUM> is closed in the state where each of the manipulation member <NUM> and the push rod <NUM> returns to its initial state, the front end of the locking member <NUM> may be inserted through the latch slot <NUM> and be accommodated into the latch insertion part <NUM> of the latch cam <NUM> to allow the latch cam <NUM> to rotate.

Also, the elastic member is compressed while the latch cam <NUM> rotates, and the restriction part <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> is inserted into the latch insertion part <NUM> and then is restricted to maintain the closed state of the sub door <NUM>.

A refrigerator may be realized according to various other embodiments different from the foregoing embodiments.

For example, a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment includes an additional openable door on each of a refrigerating compartment door and a freezing compartment door. Also, a door opening assembly may be disposed on each of the additional doors.

The refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment may have the same constitution as the foregoing embodiments except for a structure of the door and a mounting position of the door opening assembly. Thus, their duplicated descriptions may be denoted by the same reference numeral, and also, their detailed description will be omitted.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an exterior of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a refrigerator <NUM> according to a fourth embodiment includes a freezing compartment <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment <NUM> which are partitioned into both sides of a cabinet <NUM>. A freezing compartment door <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment door <NUM> which respectively open or close the freezing compartment <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment <NUM> are disposed on the cabinet <NUM>.

Also, a grip part <NUM> is disposed on a front surface of each of the freezing compartment door <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>. The grip part <NUM> may be recessed inward so that a user grasps the grip part <NUM> to open or close the freezing compartment door <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>.

An opening that is defined by opening a portion of the front surface of each of the freezing compartment door <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> may be defined in each of the freezing compartment door <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>, and thus foods accommodated in the accommodation device may be accessible through the opening. The accommodation device may be provided on each of the freezing compartment door <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> and may be disposed above the grip part <NUM>. Also, a first sub door <NUM> and a second sub door <NUM> for opening or closing the opened front surfaces of the accommodation devices disposed on the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> and the freezing compartment door <NUM> may be provided on the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> and the freezing compartment door <NUM>.

Each of the first and second sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> may have the same plane as the front surface of each of the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> and the freezing compartment door <NUM>, which are disposed under the grip part <NUM>. Also, the first and second sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> may have the same pattern and be formed of the same material. Since other structures except for the mounting position of the second sub door <NUM> may be equal to that of the first sub door <NUM> according to the first embodiment, their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

Also, a door opening assembly may be disposed on each of the first and second sub doors <NUM> and <NUM>. The door opening assembly may have the same constitution as the door opening assembly <NUM> according to the first or second embodiment except for a mounting position thereof, and thus its detailed description will be omitted.

In detail, manipulation members <NUM> and <NUM> of the door opening assembles that are disposed on the first and second sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on lower ends of the first and second sub doors <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Here, the manipulation members <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on corners that are adjacent to each other.

That is, the manipulation members <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on ends of the first and second sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> disposed at positions that are far away from rotation shafts of the first and second sub doors <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Thus, the manipulation members <NUM> and <NUM> may be easily manipulated, and the first and second sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> may rotate at the same time.

Also, since the manipulation members <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed adjacent to each other, the user may more easily manipulate the first and second sub doors <NUM> and <NUM>.

For example, a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment includes an additional openable door on at least one of a refrigerating compartment door <NUM> and a freezing compartment door <NUM>. Also, a door opening assembly may be disposed on the additional door.

The refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment may have the same constitution as the foregoing embodiments except for a structure of the door and a mounting position of the door opening assembly. Thus, their duplicated descriptions may be denoted by the same reference numeral, and also, their detailed description will be omitted.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an exterior of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment. <FIG> is a perspective view of the refrigerator with a sub door opened.

Referring to <FIG>, a refrigerator <NUM> according to a fifth embodiment includes a freezing compartment <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment <NUM> which are partitioned into both sides of a cabinet <NUM>. A freezing compartment door <NUM> and a refrigerating compartment door <NUM> which respectively open or close the freezing compartment <NUM> and the refrigerating compartment <NUM> are disposed on the cabinet <NUM>.

An opened accommodation device <NUM> is disposed in a front surface of the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>. The accommodation device <NUM> may be disposed on each of upper and lower sides of the grip part <NUM>. Also, a first sub door <NUM> and a third sub door <NUM> for opening or closing opened front surfaces of storage compartments <NUM> of the accommodation device disposed on the refrigerating compartment door <NUM> may be provided on the refrigerating compartment door <NUM>.

Front surfaces of the first and third sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on the same plane and have the same plane as a front surface of the freezing compartment door <NUM>. Also, the first and third sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> may have the same pattern and be formed of the same material. Since the first and third sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> have the same structure as the sub door <NUM> according to the first embodiment, their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

Also, a door opening assembly may be disposed on each of the first and third sub doors <NUM> and <NUM>. The door opening assembly may have the same structure as the door opening assembly according to the first or second embodiment except for a mounting position thereof, and thus its detailed description will be omitted.

In detail, manipulation members <NUM> and <NUM> of the door opening assembles that are disposed the first and third sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on upper ends of the first and third sub doors <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Here, the manipulation members <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on facing corners that are adjacent each other.

That is, the manipulation members <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on lower and upper ends of the first and third sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> disposed at positions that are far away from rotation shafts of the first and third sub doors <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. Thus, the manipulation members <NUM> and <NUM> may be easily manipulated, and the first and third sub doors <NUM> and <NUM> may rotate at the same time.

Also, since the manipulation members <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed adjacent to each other, the user may more easily manipulate the first and third sub doors <NUM> and <NUM>.

Although not shown, a pair of additional sub doors may be openably disposed on the refrigerating compartment door and the freezing compartment door according to the combination of the third and fourth embodiments, respectively. Also, a door opening assembly may be disposed on each of the additional doors. Here, the door opening assembly may be disposed on an end of each of the doors that are disposed on an area on which the grip part is disposed. Also, the door opening assembly may be disposed at a position that is far away from a rotation shaft of each of the doors.

According to the proposed embodiments, since the locking member is disposed at the position at which the door is easily fixed, and the manipulation member is disposed on the end at which the user's manipulation is easy, and the design of the front surface is not deteriorated in the door opening assembly, the opening/closing performance of the door may be maintained while maintaining the more elegant exterior of the door.

Also, the manipulation member may be disposed on a side facing the rotation shaft of the door so that the opening/closing and the rotation of the door are performed at the same position. Thus, the door may be more easily opened or closed.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator (<NUM>) comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) defining a storage compartment (<NUM>);
a main door (<NUM>) rotatably mounted on the cabinet (<NUM>) to open or close the storage compartment (<NUM>) and having an opening (<NUM>);
a sub door (<NUM>) for opening or closing the opening (<NUM>); and
a door opening assembly (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) to open or close the sub door (<NUM>), the door opening assembly (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprising:
a manipulation member (<NUM>) to be manipulated by a user,
a locking member (<NUM>) to be inserted and restricted into an accommodation part (<NUM>) defined in one side of the main door (<NUM>) that corresponds to the locking member (<NUM>), and
a connection member (<NUM>) connected to the manipulation member (<NUM>) to allow the locking member (<NUM>) to be operable;
characterized in that:
the manipulation member (<NUM>) is disposed on a lower end of the sub door (<NUM>), and
wherein the manipulation member (<NUM>) is mounted on a cap deco (<NUM>) defining a lower end of the sub door (<NUM>) and is configured to rotate by a user's manipulation.