BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0001] This relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly to a refrigerator having a
basket to enhance utility of a storage space of a door.
2. Background
[0002] A refrigerator may supply cold air, generated by a refrigeration cycle including
a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, into a storage compartment
defined therein to maintain storage items at a freezing temperature or at a refrigerating
temperature slightly above freezing. A refrigerator may include a freezing compartment
in which items are kept frozen, and a refrigerating compartment in which items are
kept at a low temperature. Kimchi refrigerator may keep, for example, food, such as
Kimchi, and vegetables, fresh and at an appropriate temperature.
[0003] At least one door may be rotatably coupled to a main body to open or close an open
front side of the main body. Additionally, a drawer type door, in which a door is
mounted to a front side of a drawer, may be rearwardly pushed inward or forwardly
pulled outward for access to a corresponding compartment of the refrigerator. Shelves
provided in refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment may divide the
storage compartment to accommodate various sizes of storage items and to enhance utility
of a storage space. One or more baskets may be affixed to the refrigerator door for
storage of bottles, jars, tubes and the like having a high use frequency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings
in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator as embodied and broadly described herein;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1, with its doors open;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a basket assembly of a door of the refrigerator shown
in FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tilted state of the basket shown in FIG. 3;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which the basket shown in FIG. 3 and a
mounting frame are separated from the door;
[0010] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the basket assembly shown in FIGs. 3-6;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the basket and the mounting frame shown in
FIG. 5, separated from each other;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a side sectional view illustrating pivotal rotation of the basket relative
to the mounting frame;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a porous bottom plate separated from the basket;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a basket assembly mounted to a door of a refrigerator,
in accordance with another embodiment as broadly described herein;
[0015] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tilted state of a basket of the refrigerator shown
in FIG. 10;
[0016] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the basket shown in FIG. 10;
[0017] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a grip portion of the basket shown in FIG. 10;
[0018] FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the grip portion of the basket shown in FIGs.
10-13;
[0019] FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a hinge of the basket shown in FIGs. 10-14;
[0020] FIG. 16 is a plan view of a punching plate of the basket shown in FIG. 10; and
[0021] FIG. 17 is a plan view of a punching plate of the basket shown in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same or similar elements
are denoted by the same reference numerals. Wherever possible, and detailed description
thereof will not be repeated.
[0023] Features of a refrigerator 10 may be applicable to a top mount type refrigerator
in which a refrigerating compartment 22 is defined as a lower compartment and a freezing
compartment 32 is defined as an upper compartment above the refrigerating compartment
22, a side by side type refrigerator in which the refrigerating compartment 22 and
the freezing compartment 32 are defined as left and right compartments, and a bottom
freezer type refrigerator in which the refrigerating compartment 22 is defined as
an upper compartment and the freezing compartment 32 is defined as a lower compartment
below the refrigerating compartment 22. Simply for ease of discussion and illustration,
a bottom freezer type refrigerator will be described.
[0024] In general, the freezing compartment 32 may be maintained at below a freezing temperature
(i.e. below 0 °C), and the refrigerating compartment 22 may remain at relatively higher
temperatures than the freezing compartment 32.
[0025] The refrigerator 10 may include a cabinet which internally defines a storage space
and externally defines an appearance of the refrigerator 10. The cabinet may provide
for relatively airtight installation and protection of mechanical devices accommodated
therein. The cabinet of the refrigerator 10 may include an outer cabinet 12 which
defines the overall external appearance, and an inner cabinet 14 which internally
defines one or more storage compartments, i.e. the freezing compartment 32 and the
refrigerating compartment 22. A space defined between the outer cabinet 12 and the
inner cabinet 14 may form, for example, a cold air circulation passage.
[0026] A machine room may be defined in the space between the outer cabinet 12 and the inner
cabinet 14, and a refrigerant cycle device to generate cold air via circulation of
refrigerant may be installed in the machine room. The refrigerant cycle device may
keep the interior of the refrigerator at low temperatures so as to maintain freshness
of storage items. The refrigerant cycle device includes, for example, a compressor
that compresses refrigerant, and an evaporator that performs heat exchange between
refrigerant and outside air via phase change from liquid phase refrigerant to gas
phase refrigerant.
[0027] Doors 20 and 30 may open and close the refrigerating compartment 22 and the freezing
compartment 32 respectively. One end of each door 20 or 30 may be pivotally connected
to the cabinet of the refrigerator 10 by, for example, a hinge. The door 20 may include
a plurality of doors. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, doors 20 may be
installed on two opposite side edges of the refrigerator 10 so as to be opened forward.
[0028] A barrier 16 may be interposed between the freezing compartment 32 and the refrigerating
compartment 22 to separate the freezing compartment 32 and the refrigerating compartment
22. The barrier 16 may have a predetermined thickness and may be integrally formed
with the inner cabinet 14. The barrier 16 may extend horizontally such that the refrigerating
compartment 22 and the freezing compartment 32 are divided into upper and lower compartments
by the barrier 16.
[0029] A partition 18 may be installed, for example, at the center of the freezing compartment
32, or other location as appropriate, to divide the interior of the freezing compartment
32 into two spaces. The partition 18 may be a vertical wall to define left and right
freezing compartments 32 separated from each other. As such, two freezing compartment
doors 30 may be provided to open or close the respective freezing compartments 32.
[0030] The refrigerating compartment 22 shown in FIG. 2 does not include a center partition
like the freezing compartment 32. However, installation of a similar partition in
the refrigerating compartment 22 is possible.
[0031] The refrigerating compartment door 20 may be equipped with a variety of storage baskets
50, 60 and 100. The baskets 50, 60 and 100 may have an increased storage capacity
corresponding to a larger refrigerator size and provide easily accessible storage
spaces.
[0032] Hereinafter, a basket assembly according to an exemplary embodiment will be described
in detail with reference to FIGs. 3 to 7. In this embodiment, simply for ease of discussion
and illustration, the basket assembly is mounted to one of the refrigerator doors
20. However, such a basket assembly may be mounted to either/both of the refrigerator
doors and/or either/both of the freezer doors 30, depending on a particular refrigerator
arrangement.
[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the basket 100 may be rotatably mounted to an inner surface
of the refrigerating compartment door 20. The basket 100 may rotate between a closed
substantially airtight position and an open position thereof, and may be mounted to
the refrigerating compartment door 20 by a mounting frame 300, interposed therebetween,
rather than being directly mounted to the inner surface of the door 20.
[0034] Additionally, baskets 60 and 70 may be provided above the basket 100. More specifically,
in certain embodiments, the basket 70 may be an inner basket fitted in a recessed
region of the door 20, and the basket 60 may be an outer basket seated on a door shelf
80 protruding from the door 20.
[0035] The outer basket 60 may be easily separable to facilitate removal of stored items
received in the outer basket 60.
[0036] The inner basket 70 may also be separably installed at the inner surface of the door
20. However, separation of the inner basket 70 may be less frequent, such as for washing
of the basket 70.
[0037] A grip 110 may be provided at an upper end of a front surface of the basket 100,
and a button 210 to release the basket 100 from a closed position thereof may be provided,
for example, at the door shelf 80 immediately above the grip 110.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the basket 100 may be pivotally rotated to an open position
thereof, in response to depression of the button 210 and pulling the grip 110 to tilt
the basket 100.
[0039] As illustrated in the rear perspective view of FIG. 5, the basket 100 may be rotatably
mounted to the mounting frame 300. Mounting protrusions 315 may be formed at the two
opposite sidewalls of the mounting frame 300 and be configured to be separably inserted
into mounting recesses formed in corresponding inner lateral surfaces of the door
20.
[0040] Similarly, in the case of the inner basket 70 positioned above the mounting frame
300, mounting protrusions 75 may be formed at the two opposite sidewalls of the inner
basket 70 and be configured to be inserted into mounting recesses formed in corresponding
inner lateral surfaces of the door 20. The door shelf 80 may be coupled to and supported
by the inner basket 70, and may be seated on and supported by the door shelf 80.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the basket assembly may include the mounting frame 300
fixed to the door 20, the basket 100 rotatably mounted to the mounting frame 300,
and a locking device 200 to lock or unlock a position of the basket 100.
[0042] The mounting frame 300 may include two opposite sidewalls 310 to respectively cover
portions of the two opposite sidewalls of the basket 100, a bottom wall 320 to cover
a corresponding bottom portion of the basket 100, and a top wall 340 to selectively
cover a top opening of the basket 100.
[0043] The sidewalls 310 of the mounting frame 300 may be configured such that rear portions
of the sidewalls of the basket 100 are inserted between the sidewalls 310 when the
basket 100 is in the closed airtight position. The bottom wall 320 of the mounting
frame 300 may be configured to cover a rear portion of the basket 100 when the basket
100 is in the closed airtight position. The top wall 340 of the mounting frame 300
may be configured to close the entire top opening of the basket 100 so as to keep
the basket 100 sealed.
[0044] The basket 100 may have the form of a rectangular box including a bottom wall, front
and rear walls, and two sidewalls. Each sidewall of the basket 100 may have a centrally
stepped shape such that a front portion and a rear portion thereof have different
widths.
[0045] The basket 100 may internally define a first chamber 120 that is located in front
of the mounting frame 300 and a second chamber 140 that is positioned between the
sidewalls 310 of the mounting frame 300. A width between the sidewalls of the basket
100 defining the second chamber 140 may be less than a width between the sidewalls
of the basket 100 defining the first chamber 120. That is, first sidewalls 122 may
define the first chamber 120 and second sidewalls 142 may define the second chamber
140, with a stepped portion 150 formed between the first sidewall 122 and the second
sidewall 142. A distance between the first sidewall 122 and the second sidewall 142
traversed by the stepped portion 150 may correspond to a thickness of the respective
sidewall of the mounting frame 300.
[0046] When the basket 100 is in the closed position, the second chamber 140 is positioned
within the mounting frame 300 and comes into close contact with an indentation in
the inner surface of the door 20 defining a door space. In this case, the first chamber
120 is not introduced into the door space, but is closed and sealed by the top wall
340 of the mounting frame 300. The stepped portion 150 may be supported by a front
end of each sidewall 310 of the mounting frame 300 when the basket 100 is in the closed
position. Additionally, the stepped portion 150 may also be selectively coupled to
a detent 240 of the locking device 200.
[0047] Meanwhile, the inner basket 70 may include at a lower surface thereof a plurality
of support protrusions 73, which may come into contact with and be supported by an
upper surface of the mounting frame 300. The door shelf 80 coupled to the inner basket
70 may also be supported by the upper surface of the mounting frame 300. As such,
the two baskets 60 and 70 and the door shelf 80 may not only be supported by the inner
lateral surface of the door 20 via the mounting protrusions 75, but also be supported
by the mounting frame 300, which results in provision of a more stable supporting
force.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of pivot members 130 may protrude from a lower surface
of the basket 100 and a pair of receiving members 321 may be formed at the bottom
wall 320 of the mounting frame 300, such that the pivot members 130 are respectively
inserted into the receiving members 321 to couple the basket 100 to the mounting frame
300. A virtual straight line passing through the pair of pivot members 130 and the
pair of receiving members 321 defines a pivot axis of the basket 100.
[0049] The bottom wall 320 of the mounting frame 300, at which the receiving members 321
are formed, may have a somewhat U-shaped cross section when viewed from the bottom.
[0050] In certain embodiments, positions of the pivot members 130 and the receiving members
321 may be reversed, and these members may have different shapes from that illustrated
in FIG. 7.
[0051] As described above, the locking device 200 may include the button 210 installed at
the door shelf 80. A shaft 230 of the locking device 200, which is pivotally rotated
when the button 210 is pressed, may be installed at the top wall 340 of the mounting
frame 300. To this end, the top wall 340 of the mounting frame 300 may include a plurality
of upwardly protruding support plates 370, such that the shaft 230 is separably received
in one end of each of the upwardly protruding support plates 370. More specifically,
one end of each of the plurality of upwardly protruding support plates 370 may include
an insertion recess 372 into which reduced diameter portions 231 of the shaft 230
may be received.
[0052] More than one arm 232 may protrude upward from the shaft 230, and a bar shaped actuator
220 may be coupled to the button 210 so as to push the arm 232. The detent 240 may
protrude from either/both ends of the shaft 230 and be engaged with the stepped portion
150 when the basket 100 is closed. A distal end of the detent 240, as illustrated
in FIG. 7, may penetrate a through-hole 344 formed in corresponding end portions of
the top wall 340 of the mounting frame 300.
[0053] The detent 240 may be fixed to the shaft 230 so as to be pivotally rotated along
with the shaft 230, and may also be selectively caught by an upper end of the stepped
portion 150. As such, when the basket 100 is in the closed position, the basket 100
is caught by the detent 240 without a risk of unintentional rotation thereof so long
as the button 210 is not pressed to push the detent 240 upward. The detent 240 may
have a shape suitable to be smoothly pushed upward by the upper end of the stepped
portion 150 as the stepped portion 150 slides during pivotal rotation of the basket
100 from an open position to a closed position thereof.
[0054] Pivotal rotation of the shaft 230 is caused as the detent 240 is pushed upward when
the user pivotally rotates the basket 100 from the open position to the closed position
thereof, or when the actuator 220 pushes the arm 232 in response to pressure applied
to the button 210. In this case, the shaft 230, the button 210 and the detent 240
are returned to their original positions as soon as force applied to rotate the shaft
230 is removed. To this end, the locking device 200 may also include an elastic member
to return the rotated shaft 230 to an original position thereof.
[0055] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary elastic member in the form of a leaf spring 250 that
extends from the shaft 230 in a given direction to come into contact at one end thereof
with the upper surface of the mounting frame 300. The end of the leaf spring 250 may
be supported by the upper surface of the mounting frame 300 and may be elastically
deformed when the shaft 230 is pivotally rotated, thereby causing the shaft 230 to
be pivotally rotated in an opposite direction when force is no longer applied to the
shaft 230. Thereby, the detent 240, as illustrated in FIG. 7, is moved to protrude
from the through-hole 344.
[0056] As illustrated in FIGs. 6 and 7, the top wall 340 of the mounting frame 300 may be
curved at a substantially constant radius of curvature from the pivot axis. Upper
rims of the sidewalls 122 and 142 defining the top opening of the basket 100 may also
be curved to correspond to a curved lower surface of the top wall 340 of the mounting
frame 300. As such, the basket 100 may smoothly slide without interference with the
top wall 340 of the mounting frame 300 during pivotal rotation thereof.
[0057] One or more vertical guide grooves 360 may be formed in the top wall 340 of the mounting
frame 300, and one or more guide pieces 160 may protrude from an upper end of a back
wall of the basket 100 so as to be respectively inserted into the guide grooves 360.
A lower end of the guide groove 360 may be positioned to come into contact with the
guide piece 160 when the basket 100 is in the closed position, and an upper end of
the guide groove 360 may be positioned to come into contact with the guide piece 160
when the basket 100 is in a maximum open position.
[0058] In particular, as illustrated in FIGs. 6 and 7, a support portion 364 having a shape
corresponding to that of the guide piece 160 may be formed at the upper end of the
guide groove 360 such that the guide piece 160 is caught and supported by the support
portion 364. When the basket 100 is in the closed position, the stepped portion 150
may be supported by the front end of the sidewall 310 of the mounting frame 300, and
therefore it may be unnecessary for the lower end of the guide groove 360 to support
the guide piece 160. However, in certain embodiments, the lower end of the guide groove
360 may come into contact with the guide piece 160 when the basket 100 is in the closed
position as described above.
[0059] Next, an operating procedure of the basket 100 will be described with reference to
FIGs. 8A and 8B.
[0060] First, as shown in FIG. 8A, if the user presses the button 210 with the basket 100
closed against the mounting frame 300, the detent 240 of the locking device 200 is
pushed upward. As the detent 240 is pushed upward, the stepped portion 150 of the
basket 100 is released from the detent 240, and thus the basket 100 is pivotally rotatable
to the open position, as shown in FIG. 8B, if the user pulls the grip 110 of the basket
100. As the basket 100 rotates to the open position, the guide piece 160 of the basket
100 is moved along the guide groove 360.
[0061] Once the basket 100 rotates to a maximum open position the guide piece 160 is caught
and supported by the support portion 364 formed at the upper end of the guide groove
360, which prevents further rotation of the basket 100. At the maximum open position
shown in FIG. 8B, the center of gravity of the basket 100 is located forward of a
center vertical axis of the pivot member 130, and therefore the basket 100 may be
kept at the maximum open position.
[0062] On the contrary, if the user pushes the basket 100 upward, the center of gravity
of the basket 100 is moved. Once the center of gravity of the basket 100 is located
rearward of the center vertical axis of the pivoting boss 130, the basket 100 is rotated
even if no rotation force is not applied thereto. As such, the basket 100 may be rotated
back to the closed position while pushing the detent 240 upward, and may be kept at
the closed position as the stepped portion 150 is caught by the detent 240.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 9, a porous plate 180 may be provided on the bottom of the basket
100. The basket 100 may provide a sealed space for storing, for example, vegetables
and fruits, and may also be used to store moist or wet food. This storage environment
may cause water and/or condensation to be collected on the bottom of the basket 100,
thus having a negative effect on stored food. To prevent water discharged from food
stored in the basket 100 from coming into direct contact with the food, the porous
plate 180 may be provided on the bottom surface of the basket 100.
[0064] The porous plate 180 may include a plurality of through-holes 181 to discharge water
downward, and a plurality of spacers 184 formed at a lower surface thereof to achieve
a predetermined distance between the porous plate 180 and the bottom surface of the
basket 100. Although the spacers 184 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 have the form
of bosses, the shape of the spacers is not limited thereto, and other shapes of spacers,
such as ribs, may be used. The porous plate 180 may also include a finger hole 182
to facilitate removal of the porous plate 180 from the basket 100.
[0065] In this arrangement, as a result of the basket being rotatable so as to be opened
away from or closed against the refrigerator door, a refrigerator as embodied and
broadly described herein may achieve efficient utilization of storage space, fresh
food storage, and easier and more convenient introduction and removal of storage items.
[0066] Hereinafter, a basket 400 according to another embodiment will be described in detail
with reference to FIGs. 10 to 14. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a closed state
of the basket 400, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an open state of the basket 400,
and FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the basket 400.
[0067] As shown in FIGs. 10 to 14, the, basket assembly may include the basket 400, a grip
460, a door shelf 410, a hinge portion 470, side frames 490, and a seal 418 all coupled
to the door 20. The basket 400 may provide a storage space capable of storing various
items, such as left over vegetables, for example, that would otherwise be received
in an airtight container when stored in the refrigerator.
[0068] In particular, the basket 400 may be installed on the door 20 to provide easy user
access to frequently used items in small amounts, and to store left over food items,
for example.
[0069] Although a position of the basket 400 provided on the door 20 is not necessarily
limited, the basket 400 may be located at a lower end of the upper door 20, or at
an upper end of the lower door 20, simply in terms of user convenience. For ease of
explanation, in the embodiment shown in FIGs. 10-14, the basket 400 is located at
the lower end of the upper door 20, but a position of the basket 400 is not necessarily
limited in this regard.
[0070] The door shelf 410 protrudes from the door 20, with the bottom of the door shelf
410 engaged with a top opening of the basket 400 to shield a storage space of the
basket 400 from the outside. The additional basket 60 for storage of food may be seated
on the door shelf 410 as previously discussed.
[0071] In summary, the basket 400 may provide a storage space having a top opening, and
the top opening of the basket 400 may be separably engaged with the bottom of the
door shelf 410 to shield the storage space from the outside.
[0072] Next, a coupling relationship between the door shelf 410 and the basket 400 will
be described in more detail with reference to FIGs. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 illustrates
the top opening of the basket 400 and the door shelf 410, and FIG. 14 illustrates
a coupled state of the basket 400 and the door shelf 410.
[0073] The seal 418 may be interposed between the door shelf 410 and the basket 400 and
affixed to a lower surface of the door shelf 410 to fill a gap between the door shelf
410 and the basket 400 when the basket 400 is engaged with the door shelf 410, thereby
providing for airtight closure of the storage space of the basket 400. The seal 418
may be formed of an elastic material that is typically used in an airtight container,
such as urethane or silicone, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the seal 418
affixed to the lower surface of the door shelf 410 may have a shape corresponding
to the top opening of the basket 400.
[0074] In addition to facilitating the coupling and separating of the basket 400 to or from
the door shelf 410, the grip 460 may also stably secure the basket 400 and the door
shelf 410 coupled to each other. The grip 460 may be, for example, a bar shaped member
as illustrated in FIGs. 12 and 13, coupled to an upper end of a front surface of the
basket 400 by, for example, coupling bosses formed at both ends thereof. The upper
end of the front surface of the basket 400, as illustrated in FIG. 12, may be molded
so as to be partially depressed for insertion of the grip 460.
[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the grip 460 may include a grip body 465, a grip portion
468, a locking portion 463, and a pivot shaft 466 penetrating the grip body 465. The
grip portion 468 may be provided at one side of the grip 460 and the locking portion
463 is provided at the other side of the grip 460. Both ends of the grip body 465
may be hinged, or rotatably coupled, to the basket 400 about the pivot shaft 466.
[0076] The grip portion 468 may extend downward from one end of the grip body 465, in a
direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft 466, to provide a portion of the grip 460
that the user may grasp and hold to open the basket 400. The locking portion 463 may
be located at a side of the grip body 465 opposite the grip portion 468 and may protrude
in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft 466. The locking portion 463, as illustrated
in FIG. 14, may protrude upward from the grip body 465 and be fitted into a locking
groove 412 formed in the lower surface of the door shelf 410. The locking groove 412
may be located near a lower end of a front surface of the door shelf 410 and may have
a shape corresponding to the shape of the locking portion 463.
[0077] If the user grasps the grip portion 468 and applies an upward force, the grip 460
is rotated about the pivot shaft 466 and the locking portion 463 provided at the other
end of the grip body 465 is separated from the locking groove 412, allowing the basket
400 to be opened.
[0078] The grip 460 may also include an elastic member 467, such as a spring, provided at
one end thereof to maintain a locked configuration of the grip 460 as illustrated
in FIG. 14.
[0079] The sealing member 418 may extend into the space between the locking portion 463
and the locking groove 412 as illustrated in FIG. 14, to maintain tight contact between
the locking portion 463 and the locking groove 412 when the basket 400 is engaged
with the bottom of the door shelf 410.
[0080] The hinge 470 may be formed at an inner surface of the door 20, at a position downwardly
spaced from the door shelf 410. The hinge 470 may include a hinge shaft 475 for hinge
coupling with the basket 400. The basket 400 may rotate about the hinge shaft 475,
and an upper end of the basket 400 may be engaged with or disengaged from the bottom
of the door shelf 410 via rotation of the basket 400 (see FIGs. 10 and 11). To provide
for rotation of the basket 400, the hinge shaft 475 may be located at a distal end
of the hinge 470.
[0081] The basket 400 may be separable from the hinge 470. That is, the basket 400 may be
configured to selectively release its hinge coupling with the hinge 470 so as to be
completely separated from the hinge 470.
[0082] A hinge shaft coupling portion 476 may be formed at a lower surface of the basket
400 to be coupled to the hinge shaft 475 in the form of a transverse groove in which
more than one shaft coupling boss is formed, as shown in FIG. 17.
[0083] The hinge 470 illustrated in FIGs. 10 to 12 protrudes from the door 20 to stably
support the basket 400 placed thereon. If the hinge 470 only slightly protrudes, the
hinge 470 would be coupled to a rear end of the basket 400, which could cause excessive
sagging when the basket 400 is opened. Accordingly, the hinge 470 may protrude by
a predetermined length.
[0084] On the contrary, if the hinge 470 excessively protrudes, for example, if the hinge
470 protrudes as for as the door shelf 410, the hinge 470 would be coupled to a front
region of the basket 400, which could cause the rear end of the basket 400 to be excessively
lifted during rotation about the hinge shaft 475. In this case, opening of the basket
400 may be obstructed as the basket 400 is caught by the door shelf 410. Therefore,
the hinge 470 may be coupled to an intermediate, or middle position of the basket
400 as illustrated in FIGs. 10 and 11.
[0085] That is, a hinge coupling location suitable to prevent interference between the door
shelf 410 and the basket 400 may be at an approximately middle position of the basket
400. Moreover, with a configuration in which a height of a rear end of the basket
400 is less than that of a front end of the basket 400, the rear end of the basket
400 is unlikely to be caught by the door shelf 410 upon opening of the basket 400.
In this case, the bottom of the door shelf 410 may be partially inclined to conform
to the shape of the basket 400, so as to achieve airtight closure of the basket 400.
[0086] The side frames 490 may be provided between the door shelf 410 and the hinge 470
so as to contact both sidewalls of the basket 400. The side frames 490 may facilitate
the stable seating of the basket 400 on the door 20.
[0087] In this case, the basket 400 may be molded such that portions of the basket 400 corresponding
to the side frames 490 are recessed by a depth equal to the thickness of the side
frames 490. This may eliminate a stepped portion between the side frames 490 and the
basket 400, thereby achieving enhanced convenience and a simplified external appearance.
[0088] A rotation stopper may restrict a rotation range of the basket 400 about the hinge
shaft 475 to prevent items received in the basket 400 from falling out due to excessive
rotation of the basket 475 about the hinge shaft 475.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 13, the rotation stopper may include an anti-rotation protrusion
415 formed at a lower surface of the door shelf 410. When the basket 400 is opened,
a rear portion of the basket 400 may be caught by the anti-rotation protrusion 415,
which prevents further rotation of the basket 400. The shape of the rotation stopper
is not necessarily limited to the illustration of FIG. 13, and may be changed in number
and/or shape. Alternatively, the anti-rotation protrusion 415 may be elongated in
the horizontal direction, corresponding to the hinge shaft 475.
[0090] In another embodiment, the rotation stopper may include a beveled ledge 478 that
protrudes from the distal end of the hinge 470 and has a beveled upper surface. Referring
to FIG. 15, the basket 400 may be caught by the beveled ledge 478 as rotation of the
basket 400 proceeds, which stops rotation of the basket 400. An allowable opening
angle of the basket 40 may be adjusted based on an inclination of the beveled ledge
478.
[0091] A punching plate 480 having drain holes 481 perforated therethrough as illustrated
in FIGs. 16 and 17 may also be provided. The punching plate 480 may be spaced apart
from an inner bottom surface of the basket 400 by a predetermined distance. FIG. 16
is a plan view of the punching plate 480 of the basket 400 according to the second
embodiment of the basket assembly, and FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the punching plate
480 of the basket 400 according to the second embodiment of the basket assembly.
[0092] Drain holes 481 may discharge condensation/water generated by, for example, storage
of vegetables. The number and size of the drain holes 481 are not necessarily limited
to the arrangement shown in FIGs. 16 and 17. The punching plate 480 may also include
a separation hole 482, through which the user may insert, for example, a finger, to
lift and separate the punching plate 480 from the basket 400.
[0093] To provide for a drainage space between the bottom surface of the basket 400 and
the punching plate 480, a pedestal 484 may be formed at a lower surface of the punching
plate 480. The pedestal 484 includes a plurality of bumps, which may be formed into
a grid as illustrated in FIG. 17, or other arrangement as appropriate.
[0094] As is apparent from the above description, through provision of a basket capable
of hermetically sealing a storage space thereof using a sealing member and a locking
member, a refrigerator as embodied and broadly described herein may function to keep
food fresh without using an airtight container.
[0095] Further, the basket as embodied and broadly described herein may be installed on
the door, which provides easy user access. Furthermore, the hinge configuration of
the basket may facilitate easy exposure of an opening of the basket, resulting in
convenient access to items stored therein.
[0096] A basket is provided at a refrigerator door to achieve convenient storage of food
having a need for airtight storage without an airtight container.
[0097] A refrigerator as embodied and broadly described herein may include a cabinet having
an inner storage space, one side of which is open, a door pivotally rotatably coupled
to the cabinet to open or close the open side of the storage space, a mounting frame
coupled to an inner surface of the door, a basket mounted to the mounting frame so
as to be pivotally rotatable between a closed airtight position and an open position,
a locking device provided at the mounting frame to lock or unlock the basket at the
closed airtight position, and a pivoting limiter configured to limit a maximum pivoting
angle of the basket when the basket is opened.
[0098] The mounting frame may be separably coupled to the inner surface of the door.
[0099] The mounting frame may include a pair of sidewalls configured to cover a portion
of both sidewalls of the basket, a bottom wall configured to cover a portion of a
bottom wall of the basket, and a top wall configured to selectively cover a top opening
of the basket.
[0100] The refrigerator may further include a pair of pivot members configured to protrude
from a lower surface of the basket, the pivot members defining a pivot axis of the
basket, and a pair of receiving members formed at the bottom wall of the mounting
frame and configured to receive the pair of pivot members, respectively.
[0101] The basket may include a first chamber configured to be introduced between the sidewalls
of the mounting frame, and a second chamber located in front of the mounting frame,
and a width between the sidewalls of the basket defining the second chamber may be
greater than a width between the sidewalls of the basket defining the first chamber.
[0102] Each sidewall of the basket may include a first sidewall defining the first chamber,
a second sidewall defining the second chamber, and a stepped portion connected between
the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
[0103] The locking device may include a shaft mounted to the top wall of the mounting frame,
a detent protruding from each of both ends of the shaft, the detent being configured
to be engaged with the stepped portion when the basket is in the closed airtight position,
and a button configured to pivotally rotate the shaft.
[0104] The detent may be selectively caught by the stepped portion of the basket so as to
limit pivotal rotation of the basket.
[0105] The locking device may further include an elastic member configured to return the
shaft to an original position thereof if pivotal rotation force is removed.
[0106] The elastic member may be a leaf spring protruding from one side of the shaft, and
an end of the leaf spring may be pressed against an upper surface of the mounting
frame.
[0107] The basket may include a grip formed at an upper end of a front surface thereof.
[0108] The top wall of the mounting frame may be curved at a constant radius of curvature
from the pivot axis of the basket.
[0109] A guide groove may be vertically formed in the top wall of the mounting frame, and
a guide piece may protrude from an upper end of a back wall of the basket and may
be configured to be inserted into the guide groove.
[0110] The guide groove may include a support portion provided at an upper end thereof to
support the guide piece when the basket is in a maximum open position.
[0111] A refrigerator in accordance with another embodiment as broadly described herein
may include a cabinet having an inner storage space, one side of which is open, a
door having one end hinged to the cabinet to open or close the open side of the storage
space via pivotal rotation thereof, a door shelf formed at an inner surface of the
door, and a basket having a storage space provided with a top opening, the top opening
being engaged with a undersurface of the door shelf to block the storage space from
the outside when the basket is coupled to the undersurface of the door shelf.
[0112] The refrigerator may further include an elastic sealing member interposed between
the top opening of the basket and the door shelf when the basket is coupled to the
undersurface of the door shelf.
[0113] The basket may include a grip formed at an upper end of a front surface thereof.
[0114] A locking groove may be formed in the undersurface of the door shelf, and the grip
may include a grip body, both ends of which are hinged to the basket about a pivot
shaft, a grip portion extending from one side of the grip body in a direction perpendicular
to the pivot shaft, and a locking portion protruding from the other side of the grip
body in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft, the locking portion being inserted
into the locking groove.
[0115] A sealing member may be provided in the locking groove to realize close contact between
the locking portion and the locking groove when the locking portion is inserted into
the locking groove.
[0116] The pivot shaft may be provided with an elastic member to maintain coupling between
the locking groove and the locking portion when no force is applied to the grip portion.
[0117] The refrigerator may further include a hinge portion formed at the inner surface
of the door and spaced apart from the door shelf by a distance corresponding to a
height of the basket, the hinge portion including a hinge shaft hinged to the bottom
of the basket.
[0118] The refrigerator may further include a pair of side frames configured to come into
contact with both sidewalls of the basket, and the sidewalls of the basket may be
molded to be recessed by a depth corresponding to a thickness of the side frames.
[0119] The refrigerator may further include a rotation stopper configured to limit a rotation
range such that pivotal rotation of the basket is performed within a predetermined
angular range.
[0120] The rotation stopper may include an anti-rotation protrusion formed at a lower surface
of the door shelf.
[0121] The rotation stopper may include a beveled ledge protruding from a distal end of
the hinge portion and having a beveled upper surface.
[0122] The basket may be separable from the hinge portion as hinge coupling between the
basket and the hinge portion is released.
[0123] The refrigerator may further include a punching plate spaced apart from an inner
bottom surface of the basket by a predetermined distance, the punching plate having
a drain hole perforated therethrough.
[0124] The refrigerator may further include a pedestal formed at a lower surface of the
punching plate to provide a gap between the inner bottom surface of the basket and
the punching plate.
[0125] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example
embodiment," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described
in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention.
The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily
all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted
that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure,
or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0126] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative
embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and
embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit
and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations
and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject
combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended
claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or
arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
1. A refrigerator, comprising:
a cabinet defining a storage space therein having one open side;
a door rotatably coupled to the cabinet to open and close the open side of the storage
space;
a frame coupled to an inner surface of the door;
a basket rotatably coupled to the frame such that the basket is rotatable with respect
to the frame between a closed position and an open position;
a locking device provided at the frame to selectively lock the basket at the closed
position and release the basket for rotation from the closed position; and
a rotation limiter provided between the basket and the frame and configured to limit
a rotation angle of the basket relative to the frame.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises:
a pair of sidewalls coupled to the inner surface of the door so as to extend across
a portion of a corresponding pair of sidewalls of the basket;
a bottom wall configured to extend across a portion of a corresponding bottom wall
of the basket; and
a top wall configured to selectively cover an open top of the basket.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2, further comprising:
a door shelf coupled to a top surface of the top wall of the frame;
a first auxiliary basket separably coupled to a top of the door shelf; and
a second auxiliary basket provided at a rear of the first auxiliary basket, between
the first auxiliary basket and the inner surface of the door.
4. The refrigerator of claim 2, further comprising:
a pair of pivots that protrude from a lower surface of the basket, the pivots defining
an axis of rotation of the basket; and
a corresponding pair of receivers formed at the bottom wall of the frame and configured
to respectively receive the pair of pivots.
5. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the basket comprises:
a first chamber configured to be positioned between the pair of sidewalls of the frame;
and
a second chamber positioned adjacent to the first chamber, and extending outside of
frame, wherein a distance between first portions of the pair of sidewalls of the basket
defining the first chamber is less than a distance between second portions of the
pair of sidewalls of the basket defining the second chamber.
6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein each of the pair of sidewalls of the basket comprises:
a first sidewall defining a corresponding lateral side of the first chamber;
a second sidewall defining a corresponding lateral side of the second chamber; and
a stepped portion connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
7. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the locking device comprises:
a shaft coupled to the top wall of the frame;
a detent that protrudes from each of two opposite ends of the shaft, wherein each
detent is configured to engage a corresponding stepped portion when the basket is
in the closed position;
a button operably coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft is configured to rotate
in response to depression of the button; and
an elastic member coupled between the shaft and the frame and configured to restore
an original position of the shaft in response to removal of a rotation force,
wherein the elastic member comprises at least one leaf spring protruding from an outer
circumferential surface of the shaft, and wherein a distal end portion of the at least
one leaf spring is pressed against an upper surface of the frame.
8. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the rotation limiter comprises:
at least one guide groove extending along the top wall of the frame, in a direction
corresponding to a movement direction of the basket; and
at least one guide piece protruding from an upper end of a back wall of the basket
and configured to be received in the at least one guide groove.
9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the at least one guide groove includes a support
portion provided at one end thereof, wherein the guide piece is supported against
the support portion in a maximum open position of the basket.
10. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises:
a door shelf that protrudes from an inner surface of the door; a hinge assembly provided
at the inner surface of the door and spaced apart from the door shelf by a distance
corresponding to a height of the basket, wherein the hinge assembly includes a hinge
shaft coupled to a bottom of the basket; and
a pair of side frames coupled to the inner surface of the door and configured to come
into contact with two opposite sidewalls of the basket, wherein each of the sidewalls
of the basket includes a recessed portion having a depth corresponding to a thickness
of its respective side frame,
wherein a basket coupled to the inner surface of the door, the basket defining a storage
space having an open top, wherein the open top of the basket is selectively engaged
with a bottom surface of the door shelf to cover the open top of the basket and block
the storage space from an outside of the basket.
11. The refrigerator of claim 10, further comprising interposed seal positioned between
the open top of the basket and the bottom surface of door shelf, wherein the seal
forms a seal between the basket and the door shelf when the basket is coupled to the
bottom surface of the door shelf.
12. The refrigerator of claim 10, further comprising a grip provided at an upper end of
a front surface of the basket,
wherein the grip comprises:
a body having two opposite ends each rotatably coupled to the basket about a pivot
shaft;
a grasping portion extending from a first edge of the body; and
a locking portion protruding from a second edge of the body, opposite the first edge
thereof, wherein the locking portion is selectively received in a locking groove formed
in the bottom surface of the door shelf.
13. The refrigerator of claim 12, further comprising:
a seal provided in the locking groove, wherein the seal seals a gap between the locking
portion and the locking groove when the locking portion is received in the locking
groove; and
an elastic member coupled to the pivot shaft, wherein the elastic member maintains
coupling between the locking groove and the locking portion when no external force
is applied to the grasping portion.
14. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the rotation limiter comprises an anti-rotation
protrusion that extends downward from the bottom surface of the door shelf, and that
selectively contacts a rear surface of the basket as the basket rotates with respect
to the pair of side frames.
15. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the rotation limiter comprises a beveled ledge
provided at an outer peripheral portion of hinge assembly that rotatably couples a
bottom of the basket to the inner surface of the door, the beveled ledge having a
beveled upper surface oriented at a predetermined angle such that the bottom of the
basket contacts the beveled upper surface as the basket rotates to limit the rotation
range of the basket.