阅读说明：本技术 冰箱以及冰箱用升降装置 (Refrigerator and lifting device for refrigerator ) 是由 崔光铉 于 2019-01-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明的实施例涉及冰箱以及冰箱的升降装置,所述升降装置包括：下框架,固定于向冰箱的内侧和外侧引出/引入的抽屉部的底部；上框架,配置于所述下框架的上方,并在下方支撑收纳物；一对第一杆,一端与所述下框架轴结合,另一端随着所述上框架移动；一对第二杆,与所述第一杆以交叉的方式轴结合而形成交叉组件,一端与所述上框架的两侧轴结合,另一端随着所述下框架移动,所述第一杆和所述第二杆中的任一个杆通过与设置于所述上框架和所述下框架的外部的驱动装置直接连接来接受动力,所述第一杆和所述第二杆利用所述驱动装置的旋转而旋转,由此使所述上框架升降。(Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator and a lifting apparatus of the refrigerator, the lifting apparatus including: a lower frame fixed to a bottom of the drawer part drawn out/introduced to the inside and outside of the refrigerator; an upper frame disposed above the lower frame and supporting an object to be stored therebelow; a pair of first levers, one end of which is coupled to the lower frame shaft and the other end of which moves along with the upper frame; and a pair of second levers which are coupled to the first levers in a crossing manner to form a crossing assembly, one ends of which are coupled to both side shafts of the upper frame and the other ends of which move along with the lower frame, wherein one of the first and second levers is directly connected to a driving device provided outside the upper frame and the lower frame to receive power, and the first and second levers are rotated by the rotation of the driving device to thereby raise and lower the upper frame.)

1. A refrigerator, characterized by comprising:

a case formed with an upper storage space and a lower storage space;

a door part for opening and closing the lower storage space;

a drawer part configured to be able to draw out/in the lower storage space;

a drive device provided in the door section; and

a lifting device arranged on the drawer part and used for lifting the storage object,

the lifting device comprises:

a lower frame fixed to the bottom of the drawer part;

an upper frame disposed above the lower frame and supporting the storage object therebelow;

a pair of first levers, one end of which is coupled to both side shafts of the lower frame and the other end of which moves along with the upper frame; and

a pair of second rods, which are shaft-coupled with the first rods in a crossing manner to form a crossing assembly, one ends of which are shaft-coupled with both sides of the upper frame and the other ends of which move along with the lower frame,

either one of the first and second levers receives power by being directly connected with a driving device provided outside the upper and lower frames,

the first lever and the second lever are rotated by rotation of the driving device, thereby lifting and lowering the upper frame.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the upper frame and the lower frame are supported by a pair of the cross members disposed at left and right sides,

the driving device is connected to the left and right cross members, respectively, to simultaneously operate the pair of cross members.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

frame rims extending in directions facing each other are formed at peripheries of the upper frame and the lower frame,

in a state where the upper frame is moved to the lowermost position, the frame rims of the upper frame and the lower frame are coupled to each other to form an accommodating space,

the first rod and the second rod are accommodated inside the accommodating space in a folded state.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3,

the upper frame and the lower frame are formed in a quadrangular frame shape with an opening at the center,

an auxiliary plate for supporting the storage object and shielding the upper frame is placed on the upper frame,

the auxiliary plate includes:

a frame portion accommodating the upper frame; and

and a support part formed at the inner side of the frame part, inserted into the central parts of the openings of the upper frame and the lower frame, and recessed to place food or a container.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

a rotation shaft as a rotation center of the first lever penetrates the lower frame and protrudes,

the rotating shaft is connected to the driving device at an outer side of the lower frame.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5,

a lever projection is further formed at a side of the first lever spaced apart from the rotational shaft,

the driving means is combined with both the rotation shaft and the lever protrusion and rotates the first lever.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the refrigerator further includes:

a first sliding shaft connecting ends of a pair of the first rods arranged to be spaced apart from each other; and

a second sliding shaft connecting ends of a pair of the second rods disposed to be spaced apart from each other,

a first slide guide that is penetrated by the first slide shaft and guides movement of the first slide shaft is provided on an inner surface of the upper frame,

a second slide guide is provided on an inner surface of the lower frame, and the second slide guide is penetrated by the second slide shaft to guide movement of the second slide shaft.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7,

the first sliding shaft and one side of the upper frame opposite to the first sliding shaft are connected by an elastic component,

the elastic member is extended when the upper frame is lowered.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

rotors are provided at ends of the first and second levers, respectively, and are coupled to the upper and lower frames to perform a rolling motion when the first and second levers rotate.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 1,

the drawer part is provided with a containing space with an opening on the upper side,

a drawer cover is provided inside the storage space, the drawer cover dividing the storage space into a front space drawn out to the outside of the lower space and a rear space located behind the front space,

the lifting device is arranged at the inner side of the front space,

the upper frame and the lower frame are formed to have a size corresponding to the front space.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a refrigerator and a lifting device for the refrigerator.

Background

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance for storing food at a low temperature in a storage space inside shielded by a refrigerator door. Therefore, the refrigerator cools the inside of the storage space using cold air generated by heat exchange with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle, thereby storing food in an optimum state.

With the change of dietary life and the trend of high-end products, recent refrigerators are becoming large-sized and multifunctional, and various structures and refrigerators provided with convenience devices are continuously appearing for the convenience of users and the effective use of internal spaces.

The storage space of the refrigerator can be opened and closed by a refrigerator door. The refrigerator may be classified into various types according to the arrangement of the storage space and the structure of a refrigerator door for opening and closing the storage space.

The refrigerator door may be classified into a rotating type door that opens and closes the storage space by rotating and a drawer type door that is drawn out/introduced in a drawer type.

Further, the drawer door is mostly disposed in a lower region of the refrigerator, and when the drawer door is disposed in the lower region of the refrigerator, it is necessary to take out the housing or the food accommodated inside the drawer door by bending down, and when the housing or the food is heavy, inconvenience in using the housing or possible injury may be felt.

In order to solve such problems, various structures for enabling the drawer type door to be lifted and lowered are being developed.

Typically, U.S. Pat. No. 9,377,238 discloses a refrigerator including a lifting mechanism for lifting a storage chamber provided in a refrigerating chamber.

However, in the conventional art, the lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering is configured to be disposed outside the storage room and exposed, which causes a serious problem in safety. Further, the lifting mechanism has a structure exposed to the outside, and thus there is a problem of poor appearance.

Further, since the driving unit is exposed to the outside, noise may be directly transmitted to the outside when the driving unit operates, which may cause dissatisfaction of a user.

Further, since the elevating mechanism is disposed inside the refrigerator, the storage capacity of the inside of the refrigerator may be significantly reduced, which may cause a loss of the storage capacity of the entire refrigerator and may cause a problem of significantly reducing the storage efficiency.

Further, since all the elevating mechanisms are provided inside the refrigerator, when the elevating mechanisms are to be maintained, the refrigerator door and the elevating mechanism need to be separated, thereby reducing maintainability.

Further, since the driving unit of the lifting mechanism has a structure in which the storage room can be lifted by pushing one end of the cross support unit, there is a problem in that sufficient power for lifting cannot be provided when the storage room has a large capacity or heavy objects are placed inside the storage room. In this case, there are problems such as further increase in volume loss and noise in the refrigerator and increase in manufacturing cost.

Further, since the elevating mechanism supports one side of the entire bottom surface of the storage compartment due to the arrangement position of the driving part, only an eccentric load is generated in a state where the storage compartment is filled with the stored material, and a serious safety problem occurs due to the eccentric load in a state where the refrigerator door is drawn out, and there is also a problem that the elevating operation cannot be smoothly performed.

Further, since the lifting mechanism has a structure for lifting and lowering the entire storage chamber, in order to lift and lower the storage chamber, the storage chamber needs to be completely drawn out from the storage space of the refrigerator to the outside, and the storage chamber can be drawn out only to a position where it does not interfere with the upper door and the refrigerator main body so as not to interfere with the lifting and lowering. However, in such a structure, when the refrigerator door is completely drawn out, there are problems in stability such as an increase in loss of cold air in the refrigerator and a drop due to a load generated by the door, the storage chamber, and the elevating mechanism in a drawn-out state. Therefore, there is a need for an improved structure for drawing/in, and there is a structure that is difficult to be practically applied to a storage room or a refrigerator door having a large volume.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a lifting device for a refrigerator, in which an electric device for lifting is provided inside a door portion, and a mechanical device for lifting the drawer portion is provided in a drawer outside the door.

It is another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a lifting device for a refrigerator, which can prevent a drawer from drooping due to an eccentric load when the drawer is lifted and lowered, thereby ensuring a stable lifting operation.

It is another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a refrigerator lifting device which can separate a lifting device as a mechanical structure and a driving device as an electric device together when a door portion and a drawer portion are separated from each other, the lifting device being provided inside the drawer portion and lifting at least a part of the drawer portion, and the driving device being provided inside the door portion and generating power.

It is another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a lifting device for a refrigerator, which can improve the assembling operability, cleanability, and maintainability of a liftable drawer door.

It is another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a lifting device for a refrigerator that can provide a drawer structure that can be lifted and lowered in a state in which loss of storage capacity is minimized.

It is another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a lifting device for a refrigerator, which can smoothly perform a lifting operation by a cross assembly.

It is another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a lifting apparatus for a refrigerator, which have a structure in which a cross member is not exposed to the outside during a lifting operation of the lifting apparatus, thereby improving appearance and safety in use.

The refrigerator lifting device of the embodiment of the invention comprises: a lower frame fixed to a bottom of a drawer part, the drawer part drawing in/out an inside and an outside of the refrigerator; an upper frame disposed above the lower frame and supporting an object to be stored therebelow; a pair of first levers, one end of which is coupled to the lower frame shaft and the other end of which moves along with the upper frame; and a pair of second levers which are shaft-coupled to the first levers in a crossing manner to form a crossing assembly, one ends of which are shaft-coupled to both sides of the upper frame and the other ends of which move along with the lower frame, wherein any one of the first and second levers receives power by being directly connected to a driving device provided outside the upper frame and the lower frame, and the first and second levers rotate by the rotation of the driving device, thereby lifting and lowering the upper frame.

The upper frame and the lower frame are supported by a pair of the cross assemblies disposed on both left and right sides, and the driving devices are connected to the cross assemblies on both left and right sides, respectively, thereby simultaneously operating the pair of cross assemblies.

Frame rims extending in directions facing each other are formed at peripheries of the upper frame and the lower frame, the frame rims of the upper frame and the lower frame are connected to each other to form the accommodation space in a state where the upper frame is moved to the lowermost position, and the first rod and the second rod are accommodated inside the accommodation space in a folded state.

Coupling grooves and coupling ends, which are protruded and recessed in shapes corresponding to each other in the facing direction of the upper and lower frames, are formed at the end portions of the frame rims, and the coupling grooves and the coupling ends can be coupled to each other when the upper frame moves downward.

The first bar and the second bar are configured to overlap each other, and a width of the receiving space may be greater than a thickness of the first bar and the second bar in an overlapped state.

The upper frame and the lower frame are formed in a quadrangular frame shape, and an auxiliary plate for supporting a storage object and shielding the upper frame may be placed on the upper frame.

The auxiliary plate may include: a frame portion for accommodating the upper frame; and a support part formed at the inner side of the frame part, inserted into the central parts of the openings of the upper frame and the lower frame, and recessed to place food or a container.

A rotation shaft as a rotation center of the first lever penetrates the lower frame and protrudes, and the rotation shaft may be connected to the driving device at an outer side of the lower frame.

A lever protrusion may be further formed at one side of the first lever spaced apart from the rotation shaft, and the driving means is coupled to both the rotation shaft and the lever protrusion and rotates the first lever.

The refrigerator may further include: a first sliding shaft connecting ends of a pair of the first rods arranged to be spaced apart from each other; and a second slide shaft connecting ends of the pair of second rods disposed to be spaced apart from each other, wherein a first slide guide is provided on an inner surface of the upper frame, the first slide guide being penetrated by the first slide shaft to guide movement of the first slide shaft, and a second slide guide is provided on an inner surface of the lower frame, the second slide guide being penetrated by the second slide shaft to guide movement of the second slide shaft.

Rotors are provided at ends of the first and second levers, and are respectively coupled to the upper and lower frames to perform a rolling motion when the first and second levers rotate.

The refrigerator may be provided with a partitioning portion which crosses the center of the opening of the upper frame and the lower frame to partition the opening into left and right sides, and a pair of first and second levers axially coupled to each other may be disposed on both sides with respect to the partitioning portion.

The first sliding shaft is connected to an opposite side of the upper frame by an elastic member, which is extensible when the upper frame is lowered.

The refrigerator of the embodiment of the invention is characterized by comprising: a case formed with an upper storage space and a lower storage space; a door part for opening and closing the lower storage space; a drawer part configured to be able to draw out/in the lower storage space; a drive device provided in the door section; and a lifting device provided in the drawer part for lifting the storage, the lifting device including: a lower frame disposed inside the drawer part; an upper frame disposed above the lower frame and supporting the storage object therebelow; and a cross assembly having a plurality of levers that are shaft-coupled so as to connect the lower frame and the upper frame in a state of crossing each other, the levers being rotated by the driving means, thereby lifting the upper frame.

The drawer part is formed with a storage space having an upper side opening, the storage space including: a front space provided with the lifting device and led out to the outside of the lower storage space; and a rear space located rearward of the front space, the upper frame and the lower frame may have a size corresponding to the front space.

A drawer cover for dividing the front space and the rear space may be provided at the drawer part.

The door part is provided with a coupling assembly which is coupled to the lifting device exposed to the front side of the drawer part to transmit the power of the driving device. The driving means and the lifting means can be selectively separated together with the door part and the drawer part by the operation of the coupling assembly.

The upper frame and the lower frame are formed in a quadrangular frame shape having an opening at the center, the upper frame and the lower frame are brought into contact with each other to form an accommodation space in a state where the upper frame is lowered, and the plurality of rods are arranged inside the accommodation space in a folded state.

The refrigerator of the embodiment of the invention is characterized by comprising: a case formed with an upper storage space and a lower storage space; a door part for opening and closing the lower storage space by drawing in/out; a drive device provided in the door section; a lifting device support part extending backwards on the back of the door part; a lifting device mounted on the frame; and a housing installed to the lifting device to be lifted, the lifting device including: a lower frame fixedly mounted on the lifting device supporting part; an upper frame disposed above the lower frame and supporting the housing therebelow; and a cross assembly having a plurality of levers that are shaft-coupled so as to connect between the lower frame and the upper frame in a state of crossing each other, the levers being rotated by the driving means, thereby lifting the upper frame.

The lifting device support may include at least one face for supporting a lower side face of the lifting device.

The refrigerator and the lifting device for the refrigerator according to the embodiments of the present invention can expect the following effects.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that a part of the receiving space inside the drawer door is lifted and lowered in a state where the drawer door is drawn out. Therefore, the user does not need to excessively bend down when receiving food inside the drawer door disposed below, and thus the convenience of use can be improved.

In particular, although a user must lift heavy food or a container containing food with strong force, the lifting device inside the drawer door can be lifted up to a position where the lifting device is easily lifted up by the driving of the driving device, thereby preventing the user from being injured and remarkably improving the convenience of use.

In addition, the embodiment of the invention has a structure that the driving device which is used for providing power and is composed of an electric device is arranged at the inner side of the door part, and the lifting device which is used for lifting is arranged at the inner side of the drawer part, so that the driving device and the lifting device are not exposed to the outside, the use stability is ensured, and the appearance is improved.

In particular, by disposing the driving device formed of an electric device inside the door portion, the approach of the user can be blocked from the source, and an effect of preventing the occurrence of a safety accident can be expected.

In addition, the driving device is configured to be arranged at the inner side of the door, thereby having the effect of reducing noise in use by blocking noise.

Further, by disposing a driving device occupying most of the weight of the entire structure in the door portion, it is possible to minimize the loss of the storage capacity of the drawer portion.

In addition, the lifting device has a structure that can be compactly folded and accommodated in the frame in a lowered state, thereby having an advantage that the capacity of the accommodating portion for accommodating food can be secured to the maximum. Further, the auxiliary plate is configured to be inserted into a central portion of the opening of the frame, so that substantially all of the remaining portions except for the outer peripheral portion of the frame are spaces for receiving food, thereby having an advantage of maximizing a storage capacity of the receiving portion.

Further, since the cross unit constituting the lifting device is configured to rotate the rod itself by receiving the power of the driving device, the power transmitted to the cross unit is used to rotate the rod without loss, so that the cross unit can be operated efficiently, and stable lifting operation can be performed even in a state where heavy food is stored.

The coupling member for transmitting power for lifting and lowering the lifting and lowering device may transmit the rotational force together not only to the rotation shaft but also to a side spaced apart from the rotation shaft by the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.

Therefore, the force applied to the portion spaced apart from the rotation shaft can be applied with a large force due to the moment, and thus a force larger than that applied when the lifting device is lifted is provided, thereby providing an advantage that the lifting operation can be easily and efficiently performed.

Further, since the lifting device may be provided at a portion of the front of the drawer portion, the lifting device does not interfere with the upper door or the upper cabinet even when the drawer portion is lifted and lowered without being completely exposed to the outside. Also, there are advantages in that it is possible to prevent sagging or durability problems caused by excessive drawing of a heavy drawer door, and also, there is an advantage in that loss of cool air caused by excessive drawing of a drawer is prevented.

Furthermore, since the entire lifting structure can be made compact by having a structure in which a part of the drawer is lifted and lowered instead of lifting and lowering the entire drawer, a lightweight structure can be used, and thus loss of storage capacity can be minimized and a compact structure can be maintained.

Further, the lifting device is composed of a pair of cross members disposed on both left and right sides, and the pair of cross members can be simultaneously operated by the driving device, so that there is an advantage that the food supported by the lifting device can be lifted and lowered in a stable state without being eccentric or inclined to one side.

Further, when the lifting device is operated, a sliding guide for guiding the sliding of the rod may be provided at the frame, and a rotor rolling along the inside of the frame may be provided at the end of the rod, thereby providing an advantage that the operation of the crossing unit can be very smooth and soft.

Further, since the cross member operates in a state of being accommodated in the accommodating portion and the upper side surface is shielded by the auxiliary plate, the cross member can be prevented from being exposed from the outside.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing a lifting state of a drawer door of the refrigerator.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the drawer door with the container separated.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drawer door in a state where the drawer part and the door part are separated from each other when viewed from the front.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the door portion.

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the door section with the door cover removed.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the door portion.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a driving apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the driving device.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a screw assembly as one component of the driving device.

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the screw assembly.

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a motor assembly as one member of the driving part.

Fig. 13 is a view showing a coupling structure of the motor assembly and the driving shaft.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling structure of a connecting assembly and a link, which is one member of the driving device.

Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting assembly viewed from one direction.

Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting assembly viewed from another direction.

Fig. 17 and 18 are views showing an operating state of the connection assembly.

Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the drawer portion.

Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling relationship between the drawer part and the coupling assembly.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of a portion a of fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the lifting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the auxiliary plate separated from the lifting device.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the lifting device.

Fig. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the lifting device in a state where a cross assembly as one member of the lifting device is opened.

Fig. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the lifting device in a state where the cross assembly is folded.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of an upper frame as one member of the lifting device.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the crossing assembly.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the lifting device in a raised state as viewed from below.

Fig. 30 is an enlarged view of part B of fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is an enlarged view of part C of fig. 29.

Fig. 32 is a partial perspective view seen from the lower side of the state where the lifting device is lifted up.

Fig. 33 is a sectional view taken along line 33-33' of fig. 23.

Fig. 34 is a perspective view showing a connection state of the connection assembly and the lifting device.

Fig. 35 is a partial sectional view showing a connection state of the connection assembly and the lifting device.

Fig. 36 is a perspective view showing a state where the connection assembly and the lifting device are separated from each other.

Fig. 37 is a perspective view of a state where the drawer door is closed.

Fig. 38 is a perspective view of a state where the drawer door is completely opened.

Fig. 39 is a sectional view of the drawer door in a state where the cabinet of the drawer door is completely lowered.

Fig. 40 is a perspective view illustrating a state of the driving device in a state where the cabinet of the drawer door is completely lowered.

Fig. 41 is a perspective view illustrating a state of the lifting device in a state where the casing of the drawer door is completely lowered.

Fig. 42 is a sectional view of the drawer door in a state where the cabinet of the drawer door is completely lifted.

Fig. 43 is a perspective view illustrating a state of the driving device in a state where the cabinet of the drawer door is completely lifted.

Fig. 44 is a perspective view illustrating a state of the lifting device in a state where the casing of the drawer door is completely lifted.

Fig. 45 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling structure of a lifting device and an auxiliary plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 46 is an exploded perspective view of the lifting device.

Fig. 47 is a view showing the arrangement state of the auxiliary plate in the state where the lifting device is at the lowest position.

Fig. 48 is a diagram showing an operation state of the lifting device of the refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 49 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 50 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 51 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and other inventions which are stepped back or other embodiments within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention can be easily obtained by addition, change, deletion, or the like of other components.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing a lifting state of a drawer door of the refrigerator.

As shown in the drawings, the refrigerator 1 may have an outer shape formed of a cabinet 10 forming a storage space and a door 2 for shielding an opened front side of the cabinet 10.

The storage space inside the cabinet 10 may be divided into a plurality of spaces. For example, the upper space 11 of the case 10 may be divided into a refrigerating chamber, and the lower space 12 may be divided into a freezing chamber. Of course, the divided upper and lower spaces may be independent spaces maintaining different temperatures from each other instead of the refrigerating chamber or the freezing chamber, and the independent spaces may be referred to as the upper and lower spaces, respectively.

The door 2 may be composed of a rotating door 20 that opens and closes the upper space by rotating and a drawer door 30 that opens and closes the lower space by drawing in/out in a drawer type. The lower space may be divided up and down again, and the drawer door 30 may be composed of an upper drawer door 30 and a lower drawer door 30. Also, the external appearances of the swing door 20 and the drawer door 30 may be formed of a metal material, and form an external appearance exposed to the front surface.

Although the present invention is described with reference to a refrigerator in which the rotary door 20 and the drawer door 30 are disposed together, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be applied to all types of refrigerators provided with refrigerator doors drawn/introduced in a drawer type. Also, the swing door 20 is disposed at an upper portion and may be referred to as an upper door, and the drawer door 30 is disposed at a lower portion and may be referred to as a lower door.

A display 21 may be provided on the front surface side of the rotary door 20, and the display 21 may be a structure of a liquid crystal display or an 88-segment structure. In the case where the door 2 is formed of a metal material in appearance, the display 21 may be formed by punching a plurality of fine holes, and display information by light passing through the plurality of holes.

In addition, an operation part 22 may be provided at the side of the swing door 20, and the operation part 22 may operate the upper door 2 or the lower door 2 to automatically rotate or be drawn out. The operation unit 22 may be integrated with the display 21 and implemented in a touch manner or a key manner. The operation unit 22 is operable to input the overall operation of the refrigerator 1, and is operable to draw out/in the drawer door 30 or to raise/lower the inside of the drawer door 30.

The drawer door 30 may also provide an operating portion 301. The operation portion 301 may be disposed on a drawer door 30 side located at the lowermost portion of the drawer doors 30, and the operation portion 301 may be disposed in a touch manner or a key manner.

Of course, the operation unit 22 or 301 may be configured by a sensor capable of detecting the approach or movement of the user, or may be configured to be capable of inputting an operation by the action or voice of the user.

As shown in the drawing, an inclined portion 311a formed to be inclined may be formed at a lower portion of a front surface of the lower drawer door 30, and the operating device 302 may be mounted to the inclined portion 311 a. The operation device 302 is configured by a projection lamp capable of outputting a video, a proximity sensor, and the like, and may be configured to project a virtual switch in the form of an image on the ground and detect the image by the proximity sensor. Of course, the operating device 302 may be simply constituted by only a proximity sensor. The automatic drawing out/in and/or lifting of the lower drawer door 30 may be operated by the operation of the operating means.

In addition, the lower drawer door 30 may be automatically drawn out/in according to the operation of the operation portion 301. The food or the container 36 placed inside the lower drawer door 30 can be lifted and lowered in a state where the drawer door 30 is drawn out in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 301.

That is, the lower drawer door 30 may operate automatic drawing-out or drawing-in and/or automatic lifting using at least one of the plurality of means for operating 22, 301, 302, 303. Of course, only one of the plurality of devices 22, 301, 302, and 303 for operation may be provided as necessary.

An operating device 303 (see fig. 3) may be provided on the upper surface of the lower drawer door 30. When the operating device 303 is provided on the upper surface of the lower drawer door 30, it cannot be operated in a state where the lower drawer door 30 is closed because it is not exposed. Thus, the operating device 303 can be used in the lifting operation of the lower drawer door 30.

In addition, the operating means 22, 301, 302, 303 may be formed in plurality and used for drawing out/drawing in and lifting up and down of the lower drawer door 30, and the drawing out/drawing in and lifting up and down may be operated according to an operation combination or a sequential operation of the plurality of operating means 22, 301, 302, 303.

The lower drawer door 30 is disposed in a lowermost storage space of the refrigerator 1, and the container 36 inside the drawer door 30 may be raised and lowered after the lower drawer door 30 is drawn forward to store the food items stored in the lower drawer door 30.

Preferably, the container 36 is formed to have a predetermined height. Since the container 36 is placed on the lifting device 80, the position lifted when the lifting device 80 is lifted may be to increase the height of the container 36 above the height of the lifting device 80. The user can easily access the container 36 or easily lift the container 36 when the lifting device 80 is lifted.

The container 36 may be formed to be completely received in the receiving portion 32 at the time of drawing/drawing of the door 30 and to be located at a higher position than the upper end of the drawer door 30 at the time of the ascent of the elevating device 80.

The lower drawer door 30 may be automatically drawn out/drawn in a front and rear direction by the drawing out/drawing in motor 14 and the pinion gear 141 provided to the cabinet 10 and the drawing out/drawing in rack 34 provided to the lower side of the lower drawer door 30.

The container inside the lower drawer door 30 can be lifted and lowered by the driving device 40 and the lifting device 80 provided in the lower drawer door 30.

Hereinafter, the lower drawer door 30 of the present invention and a structure for operation of the lower drawer door 30 will be described in more detail, and the lower drawer door 30 will be referred to as a drawer door or a door unless otherwise described.

On the other hand, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the number and form of the drawer doors 30, and the present invention can be applied to all refrigerators having a drawer type drawing/drawing door provided in a lower storage space.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the drawer door with the container separated. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drawer door in a state where the drawer part and the door part are separated from each other when viewed from the front.

As shown, the door 30 may include: a door portion 31 for opening and closing the storage space; and a drawer part 32 coupled to a rear surface of the door part 31 and drawn out/introduced together with the door part 31.

The door 31 is exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10 to form the appearance of the refrigerator 1, and the drawer 32 is disposed inside the cabinet 10 to form a storage space. Also, the door portion 31 and the drawer portion 32 may be configured to be coupled to each other and drawn out/in together in the front-rear direction.

The drawer part 32 is always positioned at the rear of the door part 31, and can form a space for receiving stored foods or containers. A storage space opened upward may be formed inside the drawer 32, and the exterior of the drawer 32 may be formed by a plurality of plates 391, 392, 395 (see fig. 19). The plurality of plates 391, 392, 395 may be formed of a metal material like stainless steel, and disposed not only outside but also inside the drawer part 32, thereby enabling the entire drawer part 32 to be formed to have stainless steel or stainless steel-like texture.

In a state where the door 30 is drawn, a machine room 3 may be disposed behind the door 30, and the machine room 3 may include a compressor, a condenser, and the like constituting a refrigeration cycle. Therefore, the rear half of the drawer part 32 may be formed in a shape in which the upper end is more protruded than the lower end, and the rear surface of the drawer part 32 may be formed with the inclined surface 321.

In addition, a drawing-in/out rail 33 capable of guiding the drawing-in/out of the door 30 may be formed at both side surfaces of the drawer part 32. The door 30 can draw/introduce the cabinet 10 through the drawing/introducing rail 33. The lead-out/in rail 33 is shielded by the outer plate 391 so as not to be exposed to the outside. The lead-out/in rail 33 may be constituted by a rail that can be extended in a multi-stage manner.

A rail bracket 331 is provided on the drawing/drawing rail 33, and the rail bracket 331 may extend toward both side surfaces of the drawer part 32 on one side of the drawing/drawing rail 33. And, the rail bracket 331 may be fixedly coupled to an inner sidewall surface of the refrigerator. Therefore, the drawer 32, i.e., the door 30, can draw in/out the casing 10 by means of the drawing/in rail 33.

The drawing/drawing rails 33 may be provided at lower ends of both side surfaces of the drawer part 32, and thus, the drawing/drawing rails 33 may be disposed on a lower surface of the drawer part 32. Therefore, the drawing/drawing rails 33 are disposed at both side lower ends of the drawer portion 32, and may be referred to as lower rails (under rails).

An extraction/introduction rack 34 may also be provided under the drawer part 32. The drawing/drawing rack 34 may be disposed at both sides and interlocked with the driving of the drawing/drawing motor 14 installed at the cabinet 10, thereby enabling the automatic drawing/drawing of the door 30. That is, at the time of an operation input of the operation part 22, 301, the drawing/drawing motor 14 is driven, whereby the door 30 can be drawn/drawn in with the movement of the drawing/drawing rack 34. Also, at this time, stable drawing/in of the door 30 can be achieved by the drawing/in rail 33.

Of course, the drawer part 32 may not have the drawing-out/drawing-in rack 34, and a user may grasp one side of the door part 31 and draw in/out the door 30 by directly pushing and pulling.

The interior of the drawer 32 may be divided into a front space S1 and a rear space S2. The front space S1 is provided with a lifting device 80 that moves up and down in the vertical direction, and a container 36 that is placed on the lifting device 80 and moves up and down together with the lifting device 80. Although the container 36 is shown in the form of an open-top box in the drawings, it may be a closed box structure such as a kimchi bucket, and may be stacked in plural or arranged side by side.

When the door 30 is drawn out, the entire drawer 32 cannot be drawn out of the storage space due to the limitation of the drawing distance of the door 30, but at least the front space S1 is drawn out of the storage space, and the whole or a part of the rear space S2 is located inside the cabinet.

The distance of the door 30 like this may be limited by the drawing/drawing rack 34 or the drawing/drawing rail 33. This is because the moment applied to the door 30 in the drawn state increases as the drawn distance of the door increases, so that it is difficult to maintain a stable state, and there may occur a problem that the refrigerator is unstable, such as deformation or breakage of the drawing/drawing rail 33 or the drawing/drawing rack 34, or the refrigerator 1 topples.

The elevator 80 and the container 36 are accommodated in the front space S1, and the elevator 80 may be configured to be vertically moved up and down and simultaneously move up and down the food or the container 36 placed on the elevator 80. The elevating device 80 may be disposed below the container 36, and the elevating device 80 may be shielded by the container 36 when the container 36 is mounted, so that any member of the elevating device 80 is not exposed to the outside.

A drawer cover 37 may be additionally provided at the rear space S2. The front space S1 and the rear space S2 may be divided by the drawer cover 37. In a state where the drawer cover 37 is attached, the front and upper surfaces of the rear space S2 are shielded, thereby preventing an unused space from being exposed to the outside.

However, when the drawer cover 37 is separated, the rear space S2 can be accessed, and the rear space S2 can store foods. In order to use the rear space S2, a pocket or a container corresponding to the shape of the rear space may be additionally disposed in the rear space S2.

Also, the elevating device 80 inside the drawer part 32 can be simply installed separately to use the entire space inside the drawer part 32, and the entire space inside the drawer part 32 can be used by separating the elevating device 80 and the drawer cover 37.

At this time, the elevating device 80 can be separated from the driving device 40, and the elevating device 80 can be easily separated from the inside of the drawer part 32 without detaching the driving device 40. The structure of the lifting device 80 for separating and attaching will be described in detail later.

The appearances of the inner and outer sides of the drawer part 32 can be formed by the separate plates 391, 392, 395 and the components mounted to the drawer part 32 are shielded, thereby making the outside and the inside look neat. The plates 391, 392, 395 may be formed in plural and of a stainless steel material, thereby being capable of providing a high-grade and neat appearance.

On the other hand, the door portion 31 and the drawer portion 32 constituting the door 30 may have a structure capable of being separated from or coupled to each other. The assembling operability and maintainability are improved by the separable structure of the door portion 31 and the drawer portion 32.

The back surface of the door portion 31 and the front surface of the drawer portion 32 can be coupled to each other, and may be configured to provide power for the elevation of the elevating means 80 when the door portion 31 and the drawer portion 32 are coupled. The driving means 40 for the elevation of the elevating means 80 may be provided to the door part 31, and the door part 31 and the drawer part 32 may be selectively connected.

In particular, the driving device 40 provided in the door portion 31 may be configured by a member that operates by inputting a power source and a member for transmitting power to the lifting device 80. Therefore, when the drive device 40 requires maintenance, the door portion 31 can be separated and then processed, and the processing can be simply performed by replacing the door portion 31.

The door 31 and the drawer 32 may be coupled by a pair of door frames 316 provided at both sides. The door frame 316 may include a door coupling portion 316a extending in the vertical direction and coupled to the door portion 31, and a drawer coupling portion 316b extending rearward at a lower end of the door coupling portion 316 a. The door coupling portion 316a may be coupled to the door portion 31 by an additional coupling member, but may be coupled to one side of the door portion 31 by a simple coupling structure. And, the drawer coupling portion 316b is inserted into both sides of the drawer portion 32 and adjacent to the drawing/drawing rail 33.

The drawer coupling portion 316b can be inserted into the drawer portion 32 to support the drawer portion 32 in a state where the door coupling portion 316a is coupled to the door portion 31. Also, the drawer coupling portion 316b may be coupled to the drawer portion 32 by an additional coupling member, or may be coupled by a structure that is formed to be coupled to each other.

Further, a coupling assembly 70 is provided on a rear surface of the door portion 31 so that the driving device 40 can be coupled to a lifting device 80 when the door portion 31 is coupled to the drawer portion 32, a drawer opening 35 may be formed in a front surface of the drawer portion 32 at a position corresponding to the coupling assembly 70, and a portion of the lifting device 80 is exposed through the opening.

On the other hand, the door portion 31 is formed to not only substantially open and close the storage space of the cabinet 10 but also form the front appearance of the refrigerator 1.

The appearance of the door portion 31 may be formed by an outer shell 311 forming a front surface and a part of a circumferential surface, a door liner 314 forming a rear surface, and upper and lower panels 312 and 313 forming upper and lower surfaces. The interior of the door portion 31 between the outer case 311 and the door liner 314 may be filled with an insulating material 300.

The gate part 31 and the driving assembly constituting the gate 30 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the door portion. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the door section with the door cover removed. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the door portion.

The front surface of the door portion 31 may be formed by the outer panel 311, and the back surface may be formed by the door liner 314. A driving device 40 for operating the elevating device 80 may be provided inside the door 31. Although the driving device 40 is disposed inside the door portion 31, it is not buried inside the heat insulating material 300, but is disposed inside a space formed by the door liner 314, and is shielded by the door cover 315 so as not to be exposed to the outside.

In detail, the space between the outer panel 311 and the door liner 314 may be filled with an insulating material 300, which insulates the inside of the storage space 12. Further, a plurality of door recesses may be formed in the door liner 314 to be recessed inward. The door recess may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the lifting device 80 and may be recessed toward the inside of the door portion 31.

The door recess includes a motor recess 314a, a shaft recess 314b, a connector recess 314c, a link recess 314d, and the screw recess 314e and is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of each member of the lifting device 80 so that the entire lifting device 80 can be inserted into the inner space of the door portion 31. In particular, the link recess 314d may be formed to include a rotation region of the link 42 to smoothly rotate the link 42 when the driving device 40 operates.

Also, the door recess may include a lamp recess 314 f. The lamp recess 314f may be recessed at the back upper end of the door portion 31. A door lamp 318 may be disposed on the lamp recess 314f, and the inside of the door portion 31 may be illuminated by the door lamp 318.

In detail, the door lamp 318 may be formed long in the lateral direction from the left side to the right side of the rear surface of the door portion 31, and may be located at the uppermost end in an inner region of the gasket 317 formed along the outer circumference of the rear surface of the door portion 31.

The door light 318 may include a plurality of LEDs 318c and a light guide 318a, the light guide 318a guiding the illumination irradiated from the LEDs 318c to the inside of the door 30, particularly, the drawer part 32.

The LEDs 318c are arranged along the lower end of the light guide 318a and are arranged to face the upper surface of the door 30, so that light is irradiated to the inner surface of the light guide 318 a.

The light guide 318a may be formed in a shape corresponding to the lamp recess 314f, and may be formed in a curved surface. The light emitted from the lower LED318c is directed rearward and downward, thereby illuminating the inside of the drawer 32. The curved surface may be coated or surface treated for light reflection, and may be referred to as a reflecting surface.

On the other hand, the door lamp 318 may be formed with a lamp cover 318b spaced apart in front of the light guide 318 a. The lamp cover 318b may be formed in a curved shape. The lamp cover 318b is made of a transparent material that can transmit light so that the light reflected by the light guide 318a is directed toward the inside of the drawer 32. In addition, the light guide 318a may cool the driving device 40 by guiding cool air to the inside of the space where the driving device 4 is disposed.

Therefore, the lamp cover 318b may be exposed to the rear surface of the door 31, and the lower end of the curved surface of the lamp cover 318b is spaced apart from the door 315, thereby forming a space into which cool air can flow. And, the air cooling the driving device 40 may be discharged through the door opening 315e at the lower end of the door cover 315. Therefore, the cold air circulating through the rear surface of the door 31 can cool not only the driving device 40 but also the entire lower storage space 12 by assisting the circulation of the cold air around the drawer 32.

The door cover 315 is formed to have an appearance of a rear surface of the door 31, and is formed to cover the driving device 40 mounted on the door 31. The door 315 may be formed in a plate shape to shield the driving device 40 from being exposed in a state where the driving device 40 is mounted.

The door 315 may be formed with a cover recess at a corresponding position in such a manner as to cover the driving unit 40 at the rear. The cover recess may be formed such that a front surface of the door cover 315, i.e., a surface facing the driving device 40, is recessed, and a rear surface of the door cover 315, i.e., a surface facing the inside of the storage space, is protruded. The cover recess may include a motor recess 315a, a shaft recess 315b, and a link recess 315 c. In particular, the link recess 315c may be formed to include a rotation region of the link 42 so as to smoothly rotate the link 42 when the driving device 40 operates.

On the other hand, the upper end of the door cover 315 may be formed to be spaced apart from the upper end of the rear surface of the door portion 31 and to expose the door lamp 318. This ensures a space inside the drawer 32 to which light is irradiated, and provides a space for supplying cool air to the driving device 40.

The side cut portions 315d may be formed at both left and right side ends of the door 315. The side cut part 315d is a part where the stay 319 coupled to the door frame 316 can be exposed, and may be formed by cutting inward in a shape corresponding to the stay 319.

Door openings 315e may be formed at both left and right sides of the lower portion of the door cover 315. The door opening 315e is formed such that a part of the coupling assembly 70 is inserted into the door opening 315e and protrudes toward the rear surface of the door part 31. The door opening 315e may be formed in a corresponding shape at a position facing the drawer opening 35. Therefore, when the door 31 is coupled to the drawer 32, a part of the coupling assembly 70 exposed through the door opening 315e is coupled to the elevating device 80, thereby realizing power transmission.

The supporter 319 may be formed of a metal material and can be firmly fixed and mounted on the rear surface of the door portion 31. The supporting member 319 can be exposed from both sides of the rear surface of the door 31 and firmly coupled to the door coupling portion 316a of the door frame 316, thereby maintaining the door 31 fixed to the drawer 32.

The door opening 315e may include a through portion 315g and a guide portion 315f, the through portion 315g may be opened to enable the operation of the coupling assembly 70, and the guide portion 315f may be formed to be opened along an operation path in which the coupling assembly 70 operates when the driving device 40 is operated. Also, the door opening 315e may be formed at a position opposite to the drawer opening 35, and may be formed in the same shape.

In detail, since the through portion 315g is formed in a shape corresponding to at least the pushing portion 741 of the coupling assembly 70, a user can selectively separate the coupling assembly 70 and the lifting device 80 by operating the pushing portion 741 exposed through the through portion 315 g.

The guide portion 315f may be opened to correspond to a rotation path of the connecting member 73 that rotates together with the link 42 when the driving device 40 is driven. Therefore, when the link 42 and the connecting member 73 rotate, the rotation is possible without being interfered by the door 315.

On the other hand, the door opening 315e penetrates behind the door 31, which exposes the coupling assembly 70, but the exposed portion can be shielded in a state of being coupled to the drawer 32.

However, since the surface on which the door opening 315e is formed is located forward of the cover recess, the pushing part 741 and the front surface of the drawer part 32 are slightly spaced from each other in a state where the door part 31 and the drawer part 32 are coupled to each other. Therefore, in a state where the door 31 and the drawer 32 are coupled, the user can insert a hand into a space between the door 31 and the drawer 32 and operate the push part 741.

A door gasket 317 may be provided along the outer circumference of the rear surface of the door portion 31, and the door gasket 317 may be in contact with the front side surface of the case 10 to be airtight when the door 30 is closed.

On the other hand, the driving device 40 may be disposed inside the door portion 31 and shielded by the door cover 315. The driving unit 40 can transmit power to the lifting unit 80 through the connection assembly 70 and simultaneously transmit power to both left and right sides of the lifting unit 80 through the connection assemblies 70 disposed at both sides, so that the lifting unit 80 can be lifted and lowered in a horizontal state without being inclined or deviated to one side regardless of the situation.

The structure of the driving device 40 will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a driving apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the driving device.

As shown, the driving device 40 may include: a motor assembly 60; screw assemblies 50 disposed on both sides of the motor assembly 60 and connected by a shaft 41; a connecting rod 42 connected with the screw assembly 50; and the connection assembly 70.

In detail, the motor assembly 60 may be located at the center of the left and right sides of the door portion 31 and may provide power for the elevation of the elevation device 80. The screw assemblies 50 and the links 42 on both sides may be driven by a motor assembly 60 including a single drive motor 64.

In particular, the motor assembly 60 may be decelerated and the amount of force transmitted adjusted by a combination of gears. A shaft 41 may be disposed at an upper end of the motor unit 60 to penetrate the motor unit 60 from left to right, i.e., laterally, and a plurality of gears may be combined inside the motor unit 60 for rotation of the shaft 41.

In addition, the motor assembly 60 has a structure in which the driving motor 64 and the gears are arranged up and down to minimize a space of a recess when being mounted to the door portion 31, and particularly, the motor assembly 60 may be formed to widen a width in a left and right side direction and minimize a thickness in a front and rear direction to minimize the thickness of the motor assembly 60. In addition, the driving motor 64 constituting the motor unit 60 is protruded toward the drawer part 32 to minimize the depth of the recess of the door part 31, thereby ensuring the heat insulation performance.

The shaft 41 is transversely inserted through the motor unit 60, and both ends thereof are coupled to the screw units 50 disposed on both left and right sides, so that the power of the motor unit 60 can be simultaneously transmitted to the screw units 50 disposed on both sides. The shaft 41 may be referred to as a power transmission member.

For this, the shaft 41 may be formed to have a length that penetrates the motor assembly 60 and both ends of which can be inserted into the screw assembly 50. Also, a shaft driving gear 411 may be provided at the center of the shaft 41, and the shaft driving gear 411 may be combined with a gear inside the motor assembly 60 and rotate. In addition, shaft gears 412 may be provided at both ends of the shaft 41. The shaft gear 412 may have a structure capable of being gear-coupled with the screw assembly 50, and the shaft gears 412 at both sides are formed in the same structure, whereby the screw assemblies 50 at both sides can receive the same rotational force when the shaft 41 is rotated, thereby enabling the screw assemblies 50 to be simultaneously operated and to have the same operation state.

On the other hand, the screw assembly 50 may be disposed at both left and right sides of the motor assembly 60. The upper end of the screw assembly 50 may be connected to the shaft 41, and power is transmitted to rotate the screw 52 by gear coupling with the shaft gear 412, thereby enabling the screw holder 56 to move along the screw 52. The link 42 is coupled to the screw holder 56, and the link 42 may be configured to rotate in accordance with the movement of the screw holder 56.

For this, it may be configured that the upper end of the screw assembly 50 is inclined toward the outside and the lower end is inclined toward the inside. At this time, the screw assemblies 50 at both sides may be formed to be symmetrical with respect to the motor assembly 60. Therefore, the motor assembly 60 may be disposed between the screw assemblies 50 positioned at both sides, and the screw assemblies 50 positioned at both sides may be formed such that the distance therebetween becomes gradually smaller as they get closer to the lower end from the upper end.

The screws 52 provided to the screw assembly 50 are arranged in the same direction as the screw assembly 50, and the extensions of the screws 52 on the left and right sides cross each other. And, the screw holder 56 moves along the screw 52 as the screw 52 rotates, and the link 42 connected to the screw holder 56 rotates as the connecting assembly 70 rotates. The screw assembly 50, the link 42 and the connecting assembly 70 are formed in bilateral symmetry, and the link 42 can be simultaneously rotated at the same angle by the driving of the screw assembly 50.

The link 42 is a member for connecting between the screw holder 56 and the connecting assembly 70, and both ends may be rotatably combined with the screw holder 56 and the connecting assembly 70, respectively. Therefore, the link 42 can rotate about the connection assembly 70 when the screw holder 56 moves linearly.

On the other hand, the coupling assemblies 70 disposed on both the left and right sides are coupled to each other by the connector bracket 43, and the coupling assemblies 70 are firmly supported on the door portion 31, thereby effectively transmitting the rotational force to the elevating device 80.

Hereinafter, each member included in the driving device 40 having the above-described structure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a screw assembly as one component of the driving device. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the screw assembly.

The screw assemblies 50 are disposed on both left and right sides of the inner side of the door portion 31, and the pair of screw assemblies 50 are different only in their mounting positions and have the same structure and shape, and therefore, only the screw assembly 50 provided on one side will be described.

As shown, the screw assembly 50 may include: a housing 51; a case cover 55 for shielding an upper side of the opening of the case 51; a screw 52 provided inside the housing 51; and a screw holder 56 moving along the screw 52.

The housing 51 forms an outer shape of the screw assembly 50, and has a space formed therein for accommodating the screw 52 and the screw holder 56, and an upper side of the opening is shielded by the housing cover 55.

The housing 51 may be formed by bending a plate-shaped metal material, or may be formed of a plastic material. The housing 51 may include the central portion 511 and side portions 512. The central portion 51 may be formed at a position corresponding to the screw 52, and the central portion 51 may accommodate at least a portion of the screw 52 and provide a space in which the screw holder 56 coupled to the screw 52 can be moved up and down.

The side portions 512 extend from both sides of the central portion 511 in a stepped manner, and can extend from both side ends of the central portion 511 in both sides and then be vertically bent to form both side surfaces of the housing 51, and can be bent inward again at both side surface end portions of the housing 51.

Therefore, a space for accommodating the screw 52 and the screw holder 56 can be formed inside the housing 51 by the side portion 512. Both side ends of the side portion 512 may be bent outward, and a hole 512a may be formed to fasten a coupling member in a state of being mounted to the door recess, thereby fixedly mounting the housing 51 to the door liner 314.

Since the screw recess 314e formed in the door liner 314 may have a stepped shape like the outer surface of the housing 51, the screw assembly 50 may be firmly fixed without play or separation during operation because the screw recess and the outer surface of the housing 51 are configured to be engaged with each other.

On the other hand, a case cut part 513 may be formed at an upper portion of the case 51. The housing cut-out part 513 is formed by cutting at a position corresponding to the positions of the shaft gear 412 and the spiral gear 53 disposed inside the housing 51, and is formed so as not to interfere with the coupling of the shaft gear 412 and the spiral gear 53.

The screw 52 may be accommodated inside the housing 51 and may be located at the central portion 511. Further, since the screw 52 has a thread 521 formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, the screw holder 56 can move in the vertical direction along with the screw 52 when the screw 52 rotates.

A lower spacer 542 rotatably supporting the screw 52 may be provided at a lower end of the screw 52. A lower protrusion 523 protruding at the lower end of the screw 52 can be inserted into the spacer 542. The lower spacer 542 may be formed in a bearing-like structure, so that the screw 52 can be rotated in a state of being supported by the lower spacer 542.

The lower spacer 542 may be fixedly mounted to the lower cap 54. The lower cap 54 is installed to shield the lower surface of the opening of the housing 51 and forms the lower surface of the screw assembly 50.

The screw 52 may extend to an upper end of the housing 51, and a helical gear 53 and an upper partition 541 may be installed above the screw 52.

The screw gear 53 is positioned at an upper end of the screw 521 and is integrally rotated with the screw 52. The spiral gear 53 may be gear-coupled to a shaft gear 412 attached to the shaft 41 in a crossed state, and may receive power from the shaft 41. Therefore, the spiral gear 53 and the shaft gear 412 may be formed in a shape like a bevel gear, and provide a structure capable of transmitting power in a crossed state.

An upper protrusion 522 extending upward may be formed at an upper end of the screw 52. The upper spacer 541 may be penetratingly mounted on the upper protrusion 522. The upper spacer 541 is fixed to the inside of the housing cover 55 and rotatably supports the upper end of the screw 52.

In this way, the upper and lower ends of the screw 52 can be rotatably supported by the upper and lower spacers 541 and 542. The power transmitted from the shaft gear 412 to the spiral gear 53 rotates the screw 52, and the screw holder 56 can be lifted and lowered.

On the other hand, the screw holder 56 may further include a lifting block 57, a holder body 58, and a holder cover 59.

The lifting block 57 may include: a block 571 in which a block through-hole 571a is formed for allowing the screw 52 to pass therethrough; and a body coupling part 572 extending from the block 571 in both sides. The block 571 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the block through-hole 571a may be formed to vertically penetrate through the block 571 from the center thereof. Since the screw corresponding to the thread 521 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the block through hole 571a, the elevating block 57 can be moved in the vertical direction while moving along with the thread 521 when the screw 52 rotates.

A fastening opening 572a may be formed in the body coupling part 572. The fastening opening 572a is formed at both sides centering on the block through opening 571a and is formed to be able to fasten a screw so that the elevating block 57 is combined with the holder body 58 and moves together.

The holder body 58 is coupled to the elevating block 57 and can be elevated and lowered together inside the housing 51, and a surface exposed to the outside of the housing 51 may be coupled to the holder cover 59.

The holder body 58 may be hollow inside and may form a space, and particularly, a block receiving portion 581 for receiving the lifting block 57 may be formed at a lower portion of the holder body 58. The block accommodating portion 581 is opened rearward and downward and is formed to be communicable with the hollow portion. Therefore, the elevating block 57 is inserted and mounted from below to above of the holder body 58 and is positioned inside the block accommodating portion 581.

A through portion 582 may be formed above the block accommodating portion 581 to penetrate in the vertical direction. The through portion 582 is formed so that the screw 52 passes through the inside thereof and does not contact the thread 521 of the screw 52.

Holder fastening portions 583 for fastening a coupling member 572b coupling the elevating block 57 and the holder body 58 may be formed at both sides of an outer side surface of the through portion 582. The holder fastening portion 583 is located at a position corresponding to the body coupling portion 572, and can be integrally fixed by a coupling member 572 such as a screw at a position corresponding to each other when the elevating block 57 and the holder body 58 are coupled.

Side surface portions of the holder body 58 may extend to both side surfaces of the housing 51. A bearing unit 584 may be provided between both side surfaces of the holder body 58 and the inner surface of the housing 51. The bearing unit 584 may include a plurality of bearings 584a arranged in series in the vertical direction and a retainer 584b rotatably mounting the bearings 584 a.

Therefore, the plurality of bearings 584a can be rotatably attached to the retainer 584b, and the side surface portion of the holder body 58 is in contact with the inner surface of the housing 51 and performs rolling motion. Of course, the structure of the bearing unit 584 is not limited to this, and another structure that can perform rolling motion between the holder body 58 and the housing 51 may be used.

The bearing units 584 are disposed on both sides of the holder body 58, so that the holder body 58 can be smoothly raised and lowered inside the housing 51. In particular, the bearing units 584 on both sides are kept in contact with the inner surface of the housing 51 during the lifting operation, so that the retainer body 58 is not moved and can be lifted stably and smoothly. Further, positions of the inner side surface of the side portion 512 contacting the bearing 584a and the both side surfaces of the holder body 58 corresponding to the bearing unit 584 are recessed, whereby a relatively stable rolling motion of the bearing 584a can be realized.

On the other hand, although not shown, there may be an embodiment in which the screw module 50 does not include the bearing unit 584, and shafts (not shown) for guiding the screw 52 are provided on both sides thereof, and the shafts extend from the upper end to the lower end of the housing 51 and penetrate both sides of the screw holder 56 in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the screw holder 56 from moving and being movable along the screw 52.

The holder cover 59 may be coupled to one surface of the holder body 58. The holder cover 59 is coupled to a rear surface of the holder body 58 and is exposed to the outside through an open surface of the housing 51. Also, a holder protrusion 591 protruding rearward may be formed on the holder cover 59. The holder protrusion 591 penetrates one end of the link 42 and has a circular cross section to enable the link 42 to rotate in a state of penetrating the link 42.

Also, a boss restricting member 592 may be coupled to an end of the holder boss 591 penetrating the link 42. The protrusion restricting member 592 may be formed to be larger than an opening of the link 42 formed to enable the retainer protrusion 591 to pass through. Also, after the holder protrusion 591 is inserted into the link 42 in such a manner as to pass through the link 42, the protrusion limiting member 592 may be coupled to an end of the holder protrusion 591 using an additional coupling member.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the screw holder 56 has a structure in which the elevation block 57, the holder body 58, and the holder cover 59 are formed separately and coupled to each other. In this case, the holder body 58 directly subjected to load may be formed of a metal material, and the elevating block 57 having a complicated internal structure and the holder cover 59 having a small load may be injection-molded of a plastic material.

That is, since the elevator block 57 needs to be formed with a thread to move along the screw 52, it is complicated in structure and requires wear resistance and lubrication properties so as to be formed of engineering plastics through injection molding. Further, since a load is substantially applied when the elevating device 80 moves, the holder body 58, which requires high strength, may be formed to have a structure that can be formed by pressing a metal material. The holder cover 59 coupled to the link 42 and generating a frictional force when the link 42 rotates may be formed of a plastic material by injection molding. As such, the lift block 57, the holder body 58, and the holder cover 59, which are formed of different materials in a manner corresponding to the respective structures and environments, may be combined with each other and integrally lifted and lowered inside the housing 51.

Of course, the entire screw holder 56 may be formed of a single member, or a part of the elevating block 57, the holder body 58, and the holder cover 59 may be integrally formed.

On the other hand, a case cover 55 may be provided at an upper end of the case 51. The housing cover 55 may cover an upper side of the opening of the housing 51, and may cover the helical gear 53 and the shaft gear 412 inside the housing 51.

A lower opening 551 through which the screw 52 passes may be formed in a lower surface of the housing cover 55. The upper portion of the screw 52 is inserted into the housing cover 55 through the lower opening 551, and at least the spiral gear 53 can be located inside the housing cover. The screw 52 is fixed to the housing 51 and the housing cover 55 by a screw fixing member 531, and the accurate position of the helical gear 53 can be always maintained.

An upper spacer mounting portion 553 may be formed on an inner upper surface of the case cover 55, and the upper spacer mounting portion 553 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape in which the upper spacer 541 is mounted. The housing cover 55 can rotatably support the upper end of the screw 52.

A side opening 552 into which the shaft 41 is inserted may be formed on a side surface of the housing cover 55. The side opening 552 may be open to enable the shaft gear 412 to be located inside the housing cover 55. Also, the shaft 41 may be fixed to the inside of the housing cover 55 by a shaft fixing member 612, and the shaft gear 412 may be maintained in a state of being coupled to the spiral gear 53 while maintaining an accurate position.

Therefore, in the state where the housing cover 55 is attached, the ends of the shaft 41 and the screw 52 can be shielded, and particularly the shaft gear 412 can be shielded. In addition, the power transmission by the shaft 41 can be ensured by always positioning the shaft gear 412 and the helical gear 53 at the accurate positions.

Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a motor assembly as one member of the driving part. Fig. 13 is a view showing a coupling structure of the motor assembly and the driving shaft.

As shown, the motor assembly 60 may include a drive motor 64, a plurality of gears, and a motor housing 61 and motor covers 62, 63.

Specifically, the driving motor 64 supplies power for raising and lowering the raising and lowering device 80, and may be configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions. Therefore, when a lifting signal of the lifting device 80 is inputted, the lifting device rotates forward and backward, and thus power for lifting the lifting device 80 can be supplied. And may be stopped when a stop signal based on a load of the driving motor or detection of a sensor is input.

The driving motor 64 may be fixedly installed at a lower portion of the motor housing 61, and a rotation shaft of the driving motor 64 may protrude through the motor housing 61 to an opposite side. A first gear 651 may be provided on a rotation shaft of the driving motor 64 to be rotatable when the driving motor 64 is driven.

The drive motor 64 and the shaft 41 may be disposed on one surface of the motor housing 61, and a plurality of gears 651, 652, 653, 654, 655 may be disposed on the opposite surface. On one side of the motor housing 61, for power transmission and reduction of the driving motor 64, a second gear 652 capable of meshing with the first gear 651, a third gear 653 meshing with the second gear 652, a fourth gear 654 meshing with the third gear 653, and a fifth gear 655 meshing with the fourth gear 654 may be included. Of course, the plurality of gears 651, 652, 653, 654, 655 may be variously combined according to the reduction gear ratio and the magnitude of the transmitted force, and may include at least a first gear 651 coupled to the rotation shaft of the driving motor 64 and a fifth gear 655 coupled to the shaft 41.

On the other hand, the fifth gear 655 may be composed of a power transmission part 655a and a power conversion part 655 b. The power transmission part 655a may be formed in a spur gear shape and may be rotated by being engaged with the fourth gear 654. Also, the power conversion part 655b may be formed to be gear-coupled with the shaft driving gear 411 mounted on the shaft 41.

The shaft 41 extends transversely through the motor assembly 60 and may extend in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the rotational axis of the drive motor 64 and the rotational axis of the fifth gear 655. The shaft driving gear 411 is positioned inside the motor assembly 60 and can be vertically gear-coupled to the power converting part 655 b. Therefore, the power conversion part 655b can realize power transmission to the shaft 41 by being formed in a shape like a bevel gear. Of course, other gear structures capable of transmitting power may be used for the power conversion part 655b and the shaft drive gear 411.

On the other hand, shaft fixing members 612 through which the shaft 41 passes may be provided on both side surfaces of the upper portion of the motor housing 61. A bushing 414 may be provided on the shaft 41 penetrating the shaft fixing member 612. The shaft sleeve 414 may pass through the shaft fixing member 612, and the shaft fixing member 612 may support the shaft sleeve 414. Therefore, the shaft 41 does not play, and the power conversion part 655b and the shaft drive gear 411 can be rotated while maintaining a stable meshing state.

On the other hand, a rotation shaft 655c may be protrusively formed at a rotation center of the fifth gear 655. Also, a plurality of guide protrusions 611 may be formed on the motor housing 61 adjacent to the fifth gear 655. Also, a gear restricting member 66 into which the rotation shaft 655c and the guide protrusion 611 are inserted may be provided. The gear restricting member 66 is a member capable of holding the fifth gear 655 in a restricted state, and may have a rotation shaft hole 661 formed at the center thereof to allow the rotation shaft 655c to pass therethrough, and may have guide holes 662 formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of guide bosses 611. Therefore, in the state where the gear restricting member 66 is attached, the fifth gear 655 can be prevented from coming off and also can be prevented from traveling at all, so that the fifth gear 655 and the shaft gear 412 can be kept in a state of being meshed and rotated, and power transmission to the shaft 41 can be ensured.

On the other hand, the motor covers 62, 63 may include a front cover 62 and a rear cover 63 that shield the front side and the rear side of the motor housing 61, respectively. The front side of the motor housing 61 is a surface facing the door liner 314, and the side of the motor housing 61 is a surface facing the door cover 315.

The front cover 62 is coupled to a front side surface of the motor housing 61, and may be formed to entirely cover the plurality of gears 651, 652, 653, 654, 655 mounted to the front side surface of the motor housing 61. Further, since the gear recess 621 may be formed in the front cover 62, the plurality of gears 651, 652, 653, 654, 655 are accommodated inside the gear recess 621 and fix the rotation shaft, thereby being stably rotated. A restricting member recess 622 for accommodating the gear restricting member 66 may be formed in the front cover 62.

The rear cover 63 may be coupled to a rear side surface of the motor housing 61 to cover a portion of the shaft 41 and the driving motor 64 mounted to the rear side surface of the motor housing 61.

Accordingly, a shaft receiving portion 631 for shielding the power converting portion 655b of the shaft driving gear 411 and the fifth gear 655 combined at the rear side surface of the motor housing 61 may be formed. Also, a motor receiving portion 632 for receiving the driving motor 64 may be formed. The shaft fixing member 612 can be fixedly attached to both left and right side ends.

On the other hand, a plurality of fixing portions 633 may be convexly formed at both sides of the rear cover 63. The plurality of vibration prevention members 67 are press-fitted into the fixing portion 633, and a coupling member penetrating the vibration prevention members 67 is fastened to the door liner 314, so that the motor assembly 60 is fixed and mounted. The vibration preventing member 67 is formed of a rubber or urethane material, thereby reducing vibration noise generated when the motor assembly 60 is driven.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling structure of a link and a coupling assembly which is one member of the driving device.

As shown, the link 42 may be formed to connect the screw assembly 50 and the connecting assembly 70.

The structure of the link 42 will be described in detail below, and the link 42 may be formed in a bar or rod shape having a prescribed width, and may be formed as a holder protrusion 591 extending from the rotational shaft of the connecting assembly 70 to the screw assembly 50.

In detail, the link 42 may include a first extension 421 connected to the connection assembly, a second extension 423 connected to the screw holder 56, and an intermediate portion 422 for connecting the first extension 421 and the second extension 423.

The first and second extending portions 421 and 423 are disposed parallel to each other, and the middle portion 422 is formed to be inclined. The first extension 421 may be located behind the second extension 423 due to the inclination of the middle part 422.

According to the structure and shape of the link 42 bent as described above, the link 42 is not deformed or broken even if a very large force is applied to the link 42. Also, the link 42 may be formed of a metal material so as to stably transmit power even when the lifting device 80 on which heavy food is placed is lifted.

The link 42 can connect the connection unit 70 disposed relatively rearward and the screw holder 56 disposed relatively forward by the inclination of the intermediate portion 422.

On the other hand, a first link hole 424 may be formed at the first extension 421 for coupling with the link fixing member 75 of the coupling assembly 70. The first link hole 424 may be formed in a polygonal shape corresponding to one side of the link fixing member 75, as shown, in a quadrangular shape, and combined with the link fixing member 75, whereby the link fixing member 75 can be rotated together when the link 42 is rotated.

Also, the link protrusion 425 may be formed at the first extension 421. The link projection 425 is disposed apart from the first link hole 424 and may be disposed toward the intermediate portion 422. The link protrusion 425 may be formed to be able to be combined with the connection member 73 of the connection assembly 70. That is, the rotational force of the link 42 is transmitted to the coupling assembly 70 through the first link hole 424 and the link protrusion 425, and then transmitted to the elevating device 80, so that the elevating device 80 can be elevated.

Also, a second link hole 426 into which the holder protrusion 591 of the screw holder 56 can be inserted may be formed in the second extension 423. The second link hole 426 may be formed in a size corresponding to a shape into which the holder protrusion 591 may be inserted, and may be formed in an elongated hole shape along the extending direction of the second extending portion 423 so that the holder protrusion 591 may move as the screw holder 56 ascends and descends. Therefore, in a state where the screw holder 56 is positioned at the lowermost position, the holder protrusion 591 is positioned at the left end of the second link hole 426, and as the screw holder 56 moves upward, the holder protrusion 591 moves to the right side of the second link hole 426 and the link 42 can be rotated.

On the other hand, the connection assembly 70 may be provided at one side end of the link 42, i.e., at a position corresponding to the first extension 421. A connecting member 73 for connecting the link 42 and the lifting device 80 is rotatably mounted on the inner side of the connecting assembly 70.

The connecting member 73 may be combined with the link fixing member 75 by a fixing shaft 77 and thus may be rotated together when the link 42 is rotated. Further, the connecting member 73 is connected to the link projection 425 and the cross projection 841b, so that a large force can be transmitted to the elevating device 80, and the elevating device 80 can be efficiently lifted. Therefore, the elevating device 80 in a state where food is placed can be sufficiently elevated by only one driving motor 64, and a compact configuration can be realized.

Also, the external appearance of the coupling assembly 70 is formed by a coupling case 71 and a coupling cover 72, and the link fixing member 75 and the coupling member 73 may be mounted to the coupling case 71.

Hereinafter, the structure of the connection assembly 70 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting assembly viewed from one direction. Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting assembly viewed from another direction. Fig. 17 and 18 are views showing an operating state of the connection assembly.

Referring to the drawings, the connection assembly 70 may include the connection case 71, the connection cover 72, a connection member 73, a pushing member 74, a link fixing member 75, and an elastic member 76.

Specifically, the connecting case 71 is formed to have an opening on one surface, and a space 711 capable of accommodating the link fixing member 75, the connecting member 73, the pushing member 74, and a part of the link 42 is formed therein. A through hole 712 may be formed in the space 711. An external fixing member 78 may be provided on an outer side surface of the connection case 71 corresponding to the through-hole 712.

Also, the link fixing member 75 may include an elastic support portion 751 and the through protrusion 752. The elastic support portion 751 is accommodated in a space inside the connection case 71, and forms a surface capable of supporting one end of the elastic member 76. A through-projection 752 may be formed at the center of the elastic support portion 751, and the through-projection 752 may have a quadrangular cross-sectional shape so as to extend through the first link hole 424 of the link 42 and the through-hole 712 in this order. The through protrusion 752 may be inserted into a fixing groove 781 formed at the external fixing member 78.

On the other hand, a shaft insertion portion 752a into which the fixed shaft 77 is inserted may be formed inside the through boss 752. The fixed shaft 77 and the shaft insertion portion 752a may be formed in corresponding shapes and may be formed to have a quadrangular cross section like the through protrusion 752, whereby a rotational force may be stably transmitted to the link fixing member 75 without sliding when the link 42 rotates.

The fixing shaft 77 is inserted into the shaft insertion portion 752a of the through protrusion 752 after passing through the first connection portion 731 of the connection member 73. The shaft insertion portion 752a may be formed to have a length that allows insertion into the shaft insertion portion. Both ends of the fixed shaft 77 may be formed to be able to fasten the coupling members 771 and 772, and the link fixing member 75, the external fixing member 78, and the connecting member 73 may be coupled to the fixed shaft 77 by fastening the coupling members 771 and 772. Therefore, when the link fixing member 75 rotates along with the rotation of the link 42, the connecting member 73 connected to the fixed shaft 77 also rotates together.

On the other hand, an elastic member 76 may be provided between the connecting member 73 and the link fixing member 75. The elastic member 76 may be compressed when the connection member 73 is moved. In detail, the elastic member 76 may be formed in a coil-shaped spring structure, and one end may be supported by the elastic support portion 751 and the other end may be supported by the connection support portion 734 of the connection member 73.

The connection member 73 is movable in a front and rear direction inside the space of the connection housing 71, and at this time, is inserted into or protruded from the space by being guided by the fixed shaft 77.

The structure of the connection member 73 is described in detail below, and the connection member 73 may include: a first connecting part 731 penetrated by the fixed shaft 77 and having the same center as the rotation axis of the link 42; a second coupling part 732 spaced apart from the first coupling part 731 for inserting the link protrusion 425; and a connection part 733 for connecting the first connection part 731 and the second connection part 732.

The first connection part 731 may be formed in a cylindrical shape having a hollow inside. Also, the first connection part 731 may include therein: a first hollow portion 731a into which the fixed shaft 77 is inserted; a second hollow portion 731b formed to have a diameter greater than that of the first hollow portion 731a, in which a coupling member 771 fastened to the fixing shaft 77 is located; and a third hollow portion 731c formed to have a diameter larger than that of the second hollow portion 731b, and into which the rotation shaft 841a of the elevating device 80 is inserted.

On the other hand, the first hollow portion 731a has a quadrangular cross section corresponding to the fixing shaft 77, and the second hollow portion 731b may have a circular cross section. The third hollow portion 731c may be formed in a groove shape into which the rotation shaft 841a of the elevating device 80 can be inserted, and at least a portion of the third hollow portion may be recessed in correspondence to a rotation locus of an end portion of the rotation shaft 841a so that the rotation shaft 841a can be locked and restricted after being rotated by a predetermined angle during rotation. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 21, in order to be locked and restricted in the third hollow portion 731c, both surfaces of the rotation shaft 841a are formed in a planar shape, and thus can be locked and restricted with the stepped inner side of the third hollow portion 731 c.

A connection support portion 734 may be formed at one side of the first connection portion 731 to protrude outward by a predetermined width. The connection support portion 734 protrudes outward and supports one end of the elastic member 76, and at this time, the end of the elastic member 76 is in contact with the connection support portion 734, and one end of the first connection portion 731 is inserted into the elastic member 76, so that the elastic member 76 is prevented from being detached.

The connection support portion 734 may be formed to be larger than the size of the through hole 742 formed in the push member 74, so that the connection support portion can be maintained in a state of being attached to the rear surface of the push member 74. Therefore, at the time of the pressing operation of the urging member 74 or at the time of returning to the initial position by the elastic member 76, the connection support portion 734 and the urging member 74 move together in a state of being in contact.

The second connection part 732 is located at a distance from the first connection part 731 via the connection member 733. The second connection part 732 may be formed in a cylindrical shape having a hollow 732a penetrating in a front and rear direction, and the link protrusion 425 may be inserted from one side of the opening and the cross protrusion 841b may be inserted from the other side of the opening. At this time, the link protrusions 425 and the cross protrusions 841b may have the same outer diameter and correspond to the inner diameter of the second connection part 732.

The connection part 733 may be configured such that the rotation shaft 841a and the cross-projection 841b of the elevating device 80 can be inserted into the first connection part 731 and the second connection part 732, respectively. Of course, as the second connection part 732 is separated from the first connection part 731, the lifting and lowering of the lifting and lowering device 80 is facilitated, but when the distance between the first connection part 731 and the second connection part 732 exceeds a predetermined distance or more, the movement locus of the link protrusion 425 and the cross protrusion 841b inserted into the second connection part 732 extends to a high position between the rear surface of the door part 31 and the front surface of the drawer part 32, and thus the locus of the opening is exposed, which may affect the appearance. Therefore, the position of the second connection part 732 is determined by the length of the connection part 733, and the rotation locus of the second connection part 732 may be formed to a height that does not expose to the outside, that is, to a position lower than the upper end of the elevating device 80.

The pushing member 74 is provided inside the connection case 71 and is formed to be exposed through an opening of the connection cover 72, whereby a user can operate. The push member 74 may include a push portion 741 exposed through the opening 721 of the connection cover 72 and a push guide 744 extending along a portion of an outer circumference of the push portion 741.

A through hole 742 for passing the first connection part 731 may be formed in the pushing part 741. The through hole 742 may be formed to have a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first connection part 731 and slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the connection support part 734. Therefore, when the pushing member 74 is moved by pressing the pushing part 741, the connecting member 73 contacting the pushing member 74 is also moved together, and thus the lifting device 80 can be selectively connected thereto.

The outer periphery of the pushing portion 741 extends toward the connection housing 71 and then is bent outward again to form a pushing flange 743. Therefore, the push flange 743 interferes with the outer periphery of the opening 721 of the connection cover 72, whereby the push member 74 is not detached and can be maintained in a restricted state by the connection cover 72. For this, the open outer circumference of the connection cover 72 may be formed with a stepped portion 722, and the stepped portion 722 enables the push flange 743 to be received in a rear surface of the stepped portion 722.

On the other hand, the push guide 744 may be formed on an outer circumferential side of the push part 741. The pushing guide portion 744 includes a guide surface 744a extending along the outer periphery of the pushing portion 741 and contacting the inner surface of the connection housing 71, and guide bosses 744b provided on both sides of the guide surface 744 a. And, the guide boss 744b may be penetrated by a guide rod 713 extending at a bottom surface of the recess of the connection case 71.

Therefore, when the pushing member 74 moves forward and backward, the guide surface 744a is in contact with the inner surface of the connection housing 71, the guide boss 744b moves along with the guide rods 713 on both sides, and the pushing member 74 moves forward and backward in a stable state without play.

The connection cover 72 is mounted on a front surface of an opening of the connection housing 71, and an opening 721 may be formed to expose the push part 741. The connection cover 72 can be firmly fixed to the connection housing 71 by a coupling member, and thus the structure inside the connection housing 71 can be maintained in an installed state.

On the other hand, the connection case 71, the pushing member 74, and a part of the connection cover 72 may be opened by cutting a rotation locus corresponding to the connection member 73. Therefore, when the connection member 73 is rotated, the connection member 73 can be prevented from interfering with the connection housing 71, the pushing member 74, and the connection cover 72.

Based on the above-described structure, the user can achieve selective coupling or decoupling of the coupling assembly 70 and the lifting device 80 by operating the push member 74 of the coupling assembly 70.

Next, the structure of the drawer 32 coupled to the door 31 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the drawer portion.

As shown, the drawer portion 32 may include: a drawer body 38 forming the overall shape of the drawer portion 32; a lifting device 80 which is provided inside the drawer body 38 and can lift and lower the container and the food; and a plurality of plates 391, 392, 395 for forming the external appearance and interior of the drawer part 32.

In further detail, the drawer body 38 may be injection molded from a plastic material to form the overall shape of the drawer portion 32. The drawer body 38 has a basket shape with an open upper side, and a food storage space is formed therein. The drawer body 38 may have an inclined surface 321 formed at a rear side thereof, thereby preventing interference with the machine room 3.

The door frame 316 may be installed at both sides of the drawer part 32. The door frame 316 may be coupled to frame mounting parts 383 formed at both sides of the lower side or both sides of the lower side of the drawer part 32, and the drawer part 32 and the door part 31 may be integrally drawn out/in a state where the door frame 316 is coupled to the drawer part.

In order to separate the door portion 31 and the drawer portion 32, the door frame 316 is first separated from the drawer portion 32, and then the door portion 31 may be separated from the drawer portion 32 by the operation of the coupling assembly 70. The door frame 316 and the drawer part 32 may be coupled to each other by a coupling structure based on a separate coupling member or by a coupling structure between the door frame 316 and the drawer part 32.

An extraction/introduction rack 34 may be provided on both left and right sides of the lower side of the drawer part 32. The drawer portion 32 can be drawn out/in the front-rear direction by the drawing-out/in rack 34. In detail, in a state where the drawer 32 is mounted on the housing 10, at least a portion of the drawer is located inside the storage space. Also, the drawing/drawing rack 34 may be combined with a pinion gear 141 provided at the bottom surface of the storage space. Therefore, upon driving of the drawing/drawing motor 14, the drawing/drawing rack 34 can be moved by the rotation of the pinion gear 141, thereby enabling the drawing/drawing of the door 30.

Of course, the door 30 may be drawn out/drawn in not automatically but by the user pushing and pulling the door 30, in which case the drawing/drawing rack 34 is omitted, or may be drawn in/drawn in only by the drawing/drawing rail 33.

In addition, rail mounting portions 382 for mounting the drawing/drawing rails 33 may be formed at lower portions of both side surfaces of the drawer body 38, and the drawing/drawing rails 33 guide the drawing/drawing of the drawer body 38. The rail mounting part 382 extends from a front end to a rear end and may be formed with a space capable of accommodating the drawing/drawing rail 33 therein. The drawing/drawing rail 33 is a rail extending in a multi-stage manner, and one end thereof is fixed to the storage space inside the cabinet 10 and the other end thereof is fixed to the rail mounting part 382, thereby enabling the drawing/drawing of the door 30 to be more stable.

Further, a plurality of plates 391, 392, 395 made of a plate-like metal material such as stainless steel may be provided on the drawer body 38 to form at least a part of the inner surface and the outer appearance of the drawer body 38.

In detail, outer plates 391 may be provided on both left and right sides of the outer side of the drawer body 38. The outer plates 391 are attached to both left and right side surfaces of the drawer body 38 to form an external appearance of both side surfaces, and in particular, can prevent components such as the door frames 316 and the drawing/drawing rails 33 attached to both sides of the drawer body 38 from being exposed to the outside.

A plurality of ribs 384 may be formed on both sides of the outer side surface of the drawer body 38, and the ribs may be crossed vertically and horizontally. In the case where the weight of the door is increased by providing the driving means and the elevating means, the reinforcing rib 384 can maintain the drawer body 38 in a strong state by reinforcing the strength of the drawer body 38 itself. Further, the ribs 384 can support the outer plates 391 attached to both side surfaces, and therefore, the appearance of the drawer 32 can be firmly maintained.

Inner side plates 392 may be provided on both left and right sides of the inner side of the drawer body 38. The inner panels 392 are attached to the left and right sides of the drawer body 38 to form the inner left and right sides.

The inner plate 395 may be formed of a front portion 395a, a lower portion 395b, and a rear portion 395c corresponding in size and shape to the inner front surface, the lower surface, and the rear surface of the drawer body 38. The inner plate 395, which may be formed by bending a plate-shaped stainless steel material, may be formed at an inner side except for the remaining portions of the left and right sides of the drawer body 38. The left and right side ends of the inner plate 395 may be in contact with the inner plate 392. Of course, the front surface portion 395a, the lower surface portion 395b, and the rear surface portion 395c constituting the inner plate 395 may be formed separately and coupled or connected to each other.

The entire inner side of the drawer body 38 may be formed by the inner plate 392 and the inner plate 395, and the inner side of the drawer body 38 may provide a metal feeling. Therefore, the storage space inside the drawer 32 has a metallic texture as a whole, so that not only can food stored inside the drawer 32 be uniformly refrigerated as a whole, but also excellent cooling performance and storage performance can be provided to a user visually.

The drawer cover 37 may include: a cover front 371 dividing the interior of the drawer body 38 into a front space S1 and a rear space S2; and a cover upper surface portion 372 bent at an upper end of the cover front surface portion 371 to shield an upper side surface of the rear space S2.

That is, in the case where the drawer cover 37 is installed, only the front space S1 for disposing the elevating device 80 can be exposed inside the drawer body 39, and the rear space S2 can be shielded by the drawer cover frame space 830.

On the other hand, a lifting device 80 may be provided inside the drawer body 38. The lifting device 80 is connected to the connection assembly 70 and can be lifted up and down, and is configured to be capable of uniformly lifting up and down both the left and right sides.

A drawer opening 35 is formed at a lower portion of a front surface of the drawer part 32 to couple the elevating device 80 with the coupling assembly 70. The drawer opening 35 provides a passage through which the connection member 73 can be inserted and coupled with the elevating device 80. Further, by providing the drawer opening 35 with a shape that opens along the rotation path of the connection member 73 when the connection member 73 rotates, it is possible to achieve stable rotation without interference when the connection member 73 rotates and the lifting device 80 moves up and down.

On the other hand, the lifting device 80 is of a cross type, and is folded in a lowered state and opened in a raised state, thereby lifting and lowering the container or food placed on the upper surface.

Also, a support plate 81 may be provided on the elevating device 80, and the support plate 81 may provide a placing surface of the container 36 or a surface for placing food.

Next, a connection structure between the connection assembly 70 and the lifting device will be described.

Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling relationship between the drawer part and the coupling assembly. Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of a portion a of fig. 20.

As shown in the drawing, drawer openings 35 are formed on both left and right sides of the lower end of the front surface of the drawer portion 32. The drawer openings 35 at the left and right sides are formed to be symmetrical to each other, and the rotation shaft 841a and the cross-projection 841b of the elevating device 80 may be exposed through the drawer openings 35. That is, the drawer opening 35 may be opened at a position corresponding to the rotation shaft 841a and the cross-projection 841b of the elevating device 80.

Also, the drawer opening 35 may be composed of a center portion 351 and a trajectory portion 352. The center portion 351 is located at a position corresponding to the rotation shaft 841a of the elevating device 80, and may be formed in a size to allow the first connection portion 731 of the connection member 73 to be inserted. The trajectory part 352 is connected to the central part 351 and is opened in a shape corresponding to a trajectory of movement by rotation of the second connection part 732 of the connection member 73. Therefore, while the lifting device 80 is lifted, the rotation shaft 841a of the lifting device 80 rotates on the center portion 351, and the intersecting protrusion 841b of the lifting device 80 can move along the trajectory portion 352. That is, when the elevating device 80 is elevated, the cross projection 841b and the second connection part 732 are positioned inside the center part 351 and the trace part 352.

On the other hand, the height of the drawer opening 35 is lower than the upper end of the elevating device 80, i.e., the upper surface of the supporting plate 81. Therefore, in any state in which the lifting device 80 is mounted, the drawer opening 35 cannot be seen from the inside of the drawer part 32.

In a state where the elevating device 80 is mounted inside the drawer part 32, the rotation shaft 841a and the cross projection 841b of the elevating device 80 are exposed through the drawer opening 35. In a state where the door 30 is coupled, the connection member 73 of the connection assembly 70 is inserted into the drawer opening 35 and coupled to the rotation shaft 841a and the cross projection 841b of the elevating device 80.

The connection assemblies 70 are disposed at both left and right sides of the drawer part 32, and may have symmetrical shapes with each other. And, the selective separation and combination of the elevating means 80 and the connecting assembly 70 can be performed by the operation of the push member 74.

On the other hand, the outer peripheral portion of the support plate 81 protrudes upward, so that the container 36 or the food can be stably placed. Further, since the outer circumferential portion of the supporting plate 81 may be formed to extend downward, the remaining components of the elevating device 80 may be accommodated below the supporting plate 81, and the outer circumference of the supporting plate 81 may be shielded to provide a neat appearance.

Furthermore, the supporting plate 81 has a size and shape corresponding to the front space to prevent the foreign substances from entering the elevating device 80 provided below the front space S1, and to cut off the approach to the elevating device 80, thereby fundamentally preventing safety accidents.

Next, the structure of the lifting device 80 will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the lifting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the auxiliary plate separated from the lifting device.

As shown in the drawing, the lifting device 80 is formed in a quadrangular shape having a size corresponding to a space in front of the drawer part 32 when viewed from above, and has a predetermined thickness.

The lifting device 80 may be attached to the bottom of the inner surface of the drawer 32 and may be detachably attached to the inner side of the drawer 32. That is, since the lifting device 80 can be released from the coupling assembly 70 in a state of being mounted on the drawer part 32, it is possible to separate only the lifting device 80 from the inside of the drawer part 32 in a state of being mounted on the door part 31.

The lifting device 80 may generally include an upper frame 82, a lower frame 83, and a cross assembly 84 disposed between the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83.

The appearance of the elevating device 80 may be formed by the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83. The upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 may be formed in a quadrangular frame shape, and have a prescribed width and thickness.

The lower end of the upper frame 82 and the upper end of the lower frame 83 may correspond to each other in shape, and the lower end of the upper frame 82 and the upper end of the lower frame 83 may be coupled or coupled to each other in a state where the upper frame 82 is positioned at the lowermost position.

Also, the cross member 84 may be disposed between the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83. The cross member 84 may be connected to the connecting member 70 and may have a structure such that it is opened or folded while rotating according to the rotation of the link 42, whereby the upper frame 82 is lifted and lowered.

When the upper frame 82 is located at the lowermost position, the cross member 84 may be accommodated between the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83, and if the auxiliary plate 81 is installed, not only the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 but also the cross member 84 may not be exposed to the outside.

At this time, the rotation shaft 841b and the lever projection 841a for transmitting the rotation force in the cross assembly 84 may penetrate the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 and protrude forward, and may be combined with the connection assembly 70 when the elevating device 80 is installed.

On the other hand, the auxiliary plate 81 may be a member of the lifting device 80, and may be attached to the upper frame 82 to form an upper surface of the lifting device 80. Also, the container 36 or food may be placed on the auxiliary plate 81. Therefore, when the lifting device 80 is operated, the upper frame 82 and the auxiliary plate 81 can be lifted and lowered together, and the container 36 or the food can be lifted and lowered.

In more detail, the auxiliary plate 81 may include a supporting surface 811 formed in a plate shape and a frame 812 formed at an outer circumference of the supporting surface 811.

The supporting surface 811 may be positioned lower than the bezel 812, and the supporting surface 811 may be formed to have a size and shape corresponding to those of the lower surface of the receptacle 36. Therefore, when the container 36 is placed on the auxiliary plate 81, the container 36 can be inserted into the space formed by the frame 812, and the lower surface can be supported by the support surface 811. Therefore, the container 36 can be kept in a stable storage state even during the lifting operation of the lifting device 80.

The frame 812 is formed to have a predetermined width, and an outer side surface extends downward. The rim 812 may extend to contact the outer circumferential surface of the upper frame 82. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface of the upper frame 82 can be shielded by the bezel 812 in a state where the auxiliary plate 81 is attached. Further, when viewed from above, the upper frame 82 made of a metal material can be exposed to the outside without exposing only the auxiliary plate 81 made of a plastic material through the front space.

The frame 812, which forms both the left and right sides of the auxiliary plate 81, may be formed with a handle portion 813. Stepped portions 814 having a step inward are formed on both sides of the frame 812 on which the handle portion 813 is formed, and the handle portion 813 may be formed to be recessed in the center of the stepped portions 814. Therefore, in a state where the elevating device 80 is accommodated in the drawer part 32, the user can insert his or her hand into the step part 814 and the grip part 813 and lift the auxiliary plate 81, and can detach or attach the auxiliary plate 81 from or to the upper frame 82.

On the other hand, a cut-out portion 815 may be formed at a corner portion of the auxiliary plate 81 to facilitate the attachment of the auxiliary plate 81, or a part of the corner of the upper frame 82 may be exposed. Also, a concave groove 816 may be formed at the front surface of the auxiliary plate 81 to prevent interference with the lever projection 841 a.

Next, the structures of the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 and the cross member 84 constituting the lifting device 80 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the lifting device. Fig. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the lifting device in a state where a cross assembly as one member of the lifting device is opened. Fig. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the lifting device in a state where the cross assembly is folded. Fig. 27 is a perspective view of an upper frame as one member of the lifting device.

As shown in the drawing, the upper frame 82 has a rectangular frame shape corresponding to the size of the inner front space S1 of the drawer 32, and the support plate 81 can be placed on the upper side.

The upper frame 82 has a structure that substantially supports the food or container frame space 830 together with the support plate 81 and can be lifted together. The upper frame 82 may form a frame part 821 that forms an outer circumferential shape of the upper frame 82 as a whole, and may include a dividing part 822 that divides a space inside the frame part 821 into left and right sides.

The frame portion 821 and the partition portion 822 may be formed in a shape of bending both ends to increase strength and prevent deformation, because the frame portion 821 and the partition portion 822 may be formed in an outer frame to support the support plate 81 and thus require high strength.

Specifically, the frame portion 821 and the dividing portion 822 may be formed of a plate-shaped metal material, bent at both ends to form bent portions, and then may be coupled to each other after forming a groove, a hole, or a cut portion necessary for coupling with another member. In particular, the frame portions 821 may be formed by molding members forming front, rear, left, and right side surfaces of the upper frame 82, respectively, and then coupling the molded members to each other. The dividing portion 822 can be coupled to the frame portion 821 in a state where the frame portion is assembled, and spaces 823 and 824 can be formed on both sides of the upper frame 82 with respect to the dividing portion 822.

Borders 821a, 821b, 831a, 831b may be formed on both the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83, and lower ends of the borders 821a, 821b of the upper frame 82 and upper ends of the borders 831a, 831b of the lower frame 83 are connected to each other to form a space in a lowermost state of the upper frame 82. Also, the cross member 84 may be received in a space formed by the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83.

Also, the ends of the cross member 84 may be received on both sides of the inner side surface of the upper frame portion 82 to form a slide guide 825 for guiding the movement of the cross member 84. The slide guides 825 may be disposed on both sides with respect to the dividing portion 822. Further, the cross modules 84 having the same configuration may be disposed on both sides with reference to the dividing section 822.

The slide guide 825 may be separately formed of a plastic material excellent in wear resistance and lubrication performance and mounted to the upper frame 82. In addition, a long hole 825a through which a sliding shaft 842 of the cross member 84 passes may be formed in the sliding guide 825, and the sliding shaft 842 may move along with the sliding guide 825. A sliding surface 825b having a predetermined width may be formed along the outer circumference of the long hole 825a, and the sliding shaft 842 is relatively stably supported by the sliding surface 825b, thereby enabling the crossing unit 84 to be relatively smoothly unfolded or folded.

The frame portion 821 may be formed with rims 821a, 821b vertically bent along the outer circumference. The rims 821a, 821b may be formed on both inner and outer sides of the frame portion 821. The slide guide 825 may be formed on a rim 821b inside the frame portion 821.

A frame groove 821d may be formed in the frame 821a outside the frame portion 821. The frame groove 821d is a groove for accommodating the cross projection 841b of the elevating device 80 in a state where the elevating device 80 is completely moved downward, and may be formed at a position corresponding to the cross projection 841b at an end of the frame 821 a. When the upper frame 82 is completely moved downward and brought into contact with the lower frame 83, the upper frame is brought into contact with the frame groove 821d formed in the lower frame 83 to form a complete hole shape, and the cross projection 841b can pass therethrough.

On the other hand, the frame groove 821c may be formed at a position corresponding to the rotation shaft 841a according to the size or position of the rotation shaft 841 a. The frame grooves 821c, 821d, the rotary shaft 841a, and the cross projection 841b are disposed adjacent to the left and right ends of the elevating device 80 and exposed through the drawer opening 35.

Coupling grooves 821f and coupling ends 821e may be formed at both ends of the upper frame 82 corresponding to both side surfaces of the drawer part 32. The coupling groove 821f and the coupling end 821e may be formed at an extended end of the rim 821 a. Also, the coupling end 821e may be formed in a shape protruding downward, and the coupling groove 821f may be formed in a shape recessed upward. The coupling grooves 821f and the coupling ends 821e may be formed on both the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 and formed to be coupled with the coupling ends 821e and the coupling grooves 821f of the lower frame 83, respectively, in a state where the upper frame 82 is completely moved downward.

On the other hand, cross fixing members 826 may be provided at both ends in the space inside the frame portion 821. The cross fixing member 826 is a member capable of fixing the rotation shaft 847 of the cross unit 84, and may be provided in a pair at both ends.

The cross fixing member 826 may be disposed inside the receiving space 830 of the frame portion 821 corresponding to the coupling end 821 e. That is, the coupling end 821e may be formed in a size corresponding to one surface of the cross fixing member 826 so that the cross fixing member 826 can be fixedly mounted. Therefore, the coupling end 821e can provide a surface to be coupled with the cross fixing member 826 by an additional coupling member like a screw.

Also, the cross fixing member 826 continuously generates friction with the rotation shaft 847 and thus may be formed of an engineering plastic material having wear resistance. A through hole 843b through which the rotating shaft 847 passes may be formed in the cross fixing member 826.

Since the plurality of cross fixing members 826 may be provided at both ends of the frame portion 821 to rotatably fix both ends of the rotating shaft 847, the rotating shaft 847 may be stably fixed, and the cross assembly 84 may be smoothly opened or folded.

On the other hand, the lower frame 83 may have the same structure as the upper frame 85 except for the direction. The lower frame 83 is composed of a frame portion 831 and a dividing portion 832, and forms spaces 833, 834 in which the cross members 84 are provided, respectively.

The slide guide 835 is provided in the inner side frame 831b of the lower frame 83. The slide guide 835 may have the same structure and shape as the slide guide 825 of the upper frame 82. The second sliding shaft 846 of the cross member 84 may pass through the sliding guide 835 of the lower frame 83 and move along the sliding guide 835.

Also, a first frame groove 831c and a second frame groove 831d may be formed in the outer side frame 821a of the lower frame 83. The first and second frame slots 831c and 831d may be formed at positions corresponding to the frame slots 821d formed in the upper frame 82, and the rotation shaft 841b and the lever projection 841a may be exposed to the outside through the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 in a state where the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are coupled to each other.

Further, coupling ends 831e and coupling grooves 831f, which are formed to be engaged with end portions of the upper frame 82, may be formed on both side surfaces of the frame portion 831 of the lower frame 83, respectively. The coupling end 831e and the coupling groove 831f formed at the lower frame 83 may be located at positions facing each other in such a manner as to be able to couple the coupling groove 821f and the coupling end 821e of the upper frame 82 to each other, and may be formed in shapes corresponding to each other. That is, the coupling end 821e of the upper frame 82 may be formed at a position opposite to the coupling groove 831f of the lower frame 83, and the coupling groove 821f of the upper frame 82 may be formed at a position opposite to the coupling end 831e of the lower frame 83. Therefore, if the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are coupled to each other, the portions of the lower end of the outer side surface of the upper frame 82 and the upper end of the outer side surface of the lower frame 83, which are respectively protruded and recessed, are coupled to each other, whereby the lower frame 83 and the upper frame 82 appear to be integrally formed.

Further, the coupling end 831e is disposed at a position further outside than the coupling groove 831f, and thus the cross fixing member 836 may be formed at a corresponding position. Therefore, the cross fixing members 826 of the upper frame 82 and the cross fixing members 836 of the lower frame 83 do not interfere with each other when the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are coupled to each other.

As such, the lower frame 83 and the upper frame 82 may have the same structure and shape except for the arrangement positions of the coupling grooves 831f, the coupling ends 831e, and the cross-fixing members 836.

Also, the cross fixing member 826 may be provided in an inner receiving space 830 formed when the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are coupled to each other. In detail, in a state where the upper frame 82 is completely moved downward, the outer side frame 821a of the upper frame 82 and the outer side frame 821a of the lower frame 83 are in contact with each other.

The upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are coupled to each other to form an accommodating space 830 therein, and the cross member 84 can be accommodated in the accommodating space 830 in a completely folded state. That is, in a state where the elevating device 80 is lowered to the lowest position, the remaining members of the cross assembly 84 except for the first slide shaft 842 and the second slide shaft 846 can be positioned inside a space formed by the upper frame 82 and the frame part 821 of the lower frame 83. The first slide shaft 842 and the second slide shaft 846 may be positioned inside the spaces 823, 824, 833, 834 formed by the dividing parts 822, 832.

Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately prepare a space for accommodating the cross assembly 84 in addition to the upper and lower frames 82 and 83, and thus it is possible to minimize the loss of the storage space inside the drawer part 32.

Moreover, the support plate 81 also has a structure capable of receiving the upper frame 82 and/or the lower frame 83, and thus an additional space for disposing the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 is not required. Therefore, the loss of space for disposing the elevating device 80 can be minimized, and the storage capacity of the drawer part 32 can be ensured.

That is, even when the elevating device 80 of a complicated cross type is provided, only a space corresponding to the thickness of the supporting plate 81 or the state where the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are coupled is lost, and thus the inside of the drawer portion 32 can be used very effectively.

On the other hand, a lifter fixing portion 837 may be formed on a bottom surface of the frame portion 821 of the lower frame 83. The lifter fixing portion 837 is formed in an open hole shape and can be engaged with a lifter coupling portion (not shown) having a convex shape protruding from the bottom surface of the drawer part 32 when the lifter 80 is mounted inside the drawer part 32. That is, the elevating devices 80 can be engaged with each other by a simple operation of placing them inside the drawer part 32, can be fixed inside the drawer part 32, and can be maintained in a stable state without floating when the elevating devices 80 are operated. In addition, when the lifting device 80 is used without being disposed inside the drawer part 32, the lifting device 80 can be separated from the drawer part 32 by simply lifting without using a separate tool.

The cross members 84 may be provided at left and right sides, respectively, and connected to the connection members 70, respectively, so that the upper frame 82 may be independently lifted upward from both sides by power transmitted through the shafts 41 and the links 42, respectively. In this case, the cross members 84 on both sides have a structure capable of simultaneously raising and lowering the same height without variation or change in the structural characteristics of the driving device 40 including one driving motor 64, the shaft 41, and the screw assembly 50.

Therefore, even when a heavy load is supported, the pair of cross members 84 disposed on both sides can be independently applied with force by the pair of links 42 operating simultaneously, and the pair of cross members 84 can be lifted and lowered simultaneously. At this time, the cross member 84 can raise and lower the upper frame 82, i.e., the auxiliary plate 81, in a horizontal state.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the crossing assembly.

Describing the cross-over assembly 84 with reference to fig. 28, the cross-over assembly 84 may include: a pair of first rods 841 arranged side by side with each other; a first sliding shaft 842 for connecting both ends of the first rod 841; and a first rotation shaft 843.

The first rod 841, the first sliding shaft 842, and the first rotating shaft 843 may have a width that can be accommodated inside the frame part 821. The first rod 841 may be disposed at a position corresponding to a region of the frame portion 821, and the first rotation shaft 843 may be disposed at a position corresponding to a region of the frame portion 821.

Also, the rotation shaft 841a and the cross-projection 841b may be formed at one end of the first lever 841. At this time, the rotation shaft 841a may be positioned on the same extension line as the first rotation shaft 843, and the first rotation shaft 843 may rotate when the rotation shaft 841a rotates.

A rotation reinforcement portion 843a may be formed on the first rotating shaft 843. The rotation reinforcement portion 843a can connect a part of the first lever 841 and the entire first rotation shaft 843, and thus the first rotation shaft 843 can be rotated together when the first lever 841 rotates, and thus the rotation reinforcement portion can receive a moment generated at this time.

Further, mounting holes 342b are formed at both ends of the rotation reinforcing portion 843a, and the cross fixing member 826 may be mounted so as to pass through the mounting holes 842 b. Accordingly, the first rotation shaft 843 may be rotatably mounted on the cross fixing member 826 of the lower frame 83.

The first sliding shaft 842 is connected to the other end of the first rod 841, and may be disposed to penetrate the sliding guide 825. Accordingly, the first sliding shaft 842 can move along with the sliding guide 825 of the upper frame 82 when the first lever 841 rotates.

Also, a first rotor 841c may be provided at an upper end of the first rod 841 connected to the first sliding shaft 842. The first rotor 841c is in contact with the inner surface of the frame portion 821 and rotates while being in contact with the inner surface of the frame portion 821 when the first slide shaft 842 moves along with the slide guide 825. Therefore, even when the upper frame 82 is pressed by an upper load, the operation of the lifting device 80 can be smoothly performed.

On the other hand, an elastic member mounting portion 842a may be formed on the first slide shaft 842. The elastic member mounting portion 842a is used to fix a cross elastic member 85, and the cross elastic member 85 connects the first slide shaft 842 and an inner surface of the frame portion 821 which rotatably fixes a side surface of the second lever 844, and one end of the cross elastic member 85 having a coil spring shape can be fixed by forming a mounting hole 842 b.

As shown in fig. 23, in a state where the lifting device 80 is at the lowest height, the frame portion 821 and the first sliding shaft 842 are at the farthest positions, and thus the cross elastic member 85 can be in the maximum extension state. Therefore, when the upper frame 82 is raised, the restoring force of the cross elastic member 85 provides an additional increased force so that the lifting device 80 can be raised with a small force.

As shown in fig. 24, in a state where the elevating device 80 is at the maximum height, the first slide shaft 842 is located at the position closest to the frame part 821, and thus the cross elastic member 85 can be in a minimum extension state or a non-extension state. On the other hand, when the elevating device 80 descends, the cross elastic member 85 extends and the upper frame 82 descends, so that the upper frame 82 can be slowly descended by the elastic force of the cross elastic member 85, and thus the elevating device 80 can be buffered even in a state where heavy food is stored, thereby reducing noise and enabling a soft descent.

Also, a pair of second bars 844 intersecting the first bars 841 are provided, and the first bars 841 and the second bars 844 may be connected by an intersecting shaft 845 so as to be rotatable in an intersecting state. On the other hand, the second rod 844 may be disposed between the first rods 841 disposed at both sides. That is, the cross shaft 845 may be formed to sequentially penetrate the first rod 841 and the second rod 844 outside the first rod 841.

A second sliding shaft 846 for connecting the upper end of the second rod 844 and a second rotating shaft 847 for connecting the lower end of the second rod 844 may be provided on the second rod 844.

The second rod 844, the second sliding shaft 846, and the second rotating shaft 847 also have a shape and an arrangement that can be accommodated in the frame portion 821. Also, in this state, a second rotation shaft 847 connecting the upper ends of the second rods 844 at both sides may be provided.

The second rotating shaft 847 may be rotatably mounted on the cross fixing member 826 of the upper frame 82. In this case, a rotation bushing 847a may be provided on the second rotation shaft 847 penetrating the cross fixing member 826. The rotating bush 847a may be in contact with an inner surface of the cross fixing member 826, and may be formed of a plastic material having excellent lubrication performance and wear resistance, thereby smoothing the operation of the cross assembly 84.

The lower ends of the second rods 844 disposed on both sides may be connected by the second sliding shaft 846. The second sliding shaft 846 may be installed to penetrate the sliding guide 835 provided in the lower frame 83, and may be movable along the sliding guide 835 according to the elevation of the elevation device 80.

Also, a second rotor 844c may be provided at a lower end of the second rod 844 connected to the second sliding shaft 846. The second rotor 844c contacts an inner surface of the frame portion 831 and rotates while contacting the inner surface of the frame portion 831 when the second slide shaft 846 moves along with the slide guide 835. Therefore, even when the lower frame 83 is pressed by an upper load, the operation of the lifting device 80 can be smoothly performed.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the lifting device in a raised state as viewed from below. Fig. 30 is an enlarged view of part B of fig. 29. Fig. 31 is an enlarged view of part C of fig. 29. Fig. 32 is a perspective view of a portion of the lifting device viewed from a lower side in a state where the lifting device is lifted.

Next, a coupling structure of the cross assembly 84, the upper frame 82, and the lower frame 83 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, and the cross assembly 84 formed by coupling the first rod 841 and the second rod 844 is disposed on both left and right sides between the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83, and may be configured to be simultaneously opened or folded to lift and lower the upper frame 82.

As shown in fig. 30 and 31, the upper end of the second lever 844 may be disposed at both left and right side ends of the upper frame 82. In this case, the upper end of the second rod 844 may be fixedly attached in a state of being accommodated in the inner surface of the frame portion 821.

The second rotation shaft 847 connecting both sides of the upper end of the second lever 844 may pass through the pair of cross fixing members 826 provided in the upper frame 82, and in this case, the rotation of the second rotation shaft 847 passing through the cross fixing members 826 in a fixed state may be realized by providing a rotation bush 847a between the cross fixing members 826 and the upper frame 82.

A second sliding shaft 846 connecting both sides of the lower end of the first rod 841 penetrates the sliding guide 835, and moves along with the sliding guide 835 when the first rod 841 rotates. At this time, the first rotor 841c at the upper end of the first rod 841 is in contact with the inner lower surface of the upper frame 82, and can perform a rolling motion in contact with the inner surface of the upper frame 82 when the first rod 841 rotates.

On the other hand, a plate-shaped guide portion 848 may be formed at a portion where the upper end of the first rod 841 is connected to the first slide shaft 842, and the play of the first rod 841 in the left-right direction may be restricted by the guide portion 848. That is, the first rod 841 may be spaced apart from an inner side surface of the bent both side surfaces of the upper frame 82 by a width corresponding to the guide portion 848. The guide portion 848 may have a width corresponding to the width of the second lever 844, and thus may be located in a space inside the frame portion 821 without interfering with each other when the first lever 841 and the second lever 844 are folded.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 32, the lower ends of the first rods 841 are positioned at both sides of the lower frame 83 and can be accommodated inside the frame portion 831. The first rotating shaft 843 connected to the lower end of the first rod 841 may be fixed to pass through cross fixing members 836 provided at both sides of the lower frame 83.

At this time, the first lever 841 is disposed more outward than the second lever 844, and thus the cross fixing member 836 provided to the lower frame 83 is located more outward than the cross fixing member 826 provided to the upper frame 82, thereby preventing interference between the cross fixing members 826, 836 when the upper frame 82 descends. In addition, the positions of the coupling ends 821e and 831e are also disposed outward and inward, respectively, to prevent interference due to the arrangement of the cross fixing members 826 and 836, and the coupling ends 821e and 831e and the coupling grooves 821f and 831f facing each other at the end portions of the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are formed in shapes corresponding to each other to enable coupling when the upper frame 82 is lowered.

The second rotor 844c may be provided at a lower end of the second lever 844 in a state of being in contact with an inner side surface of the lower frame 83. When the second slide shaft 846 moves along the slide guide 835, the second rotor 844c rolls along the inner surface of the lower frame 83 in a state of being accommodated in the inside of the frame portion 831.

In this manner, the lower end of the first rod 841 and the upper end of the second rod 844 in the cross member 84 are rotatably fixed to the lower frame 83 and the upper frame 82, respectively. When the lifting device 80 operates, the first lever 841 and the second lever 844 rotate, and the first rotor 841c and the second rotor 844c rotate in a state of being in contact with the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83, and the first slide shaft 842 and the second slide shaft 846 smoothly rotate.

On the other hand, the second rod 844 may be positioned inside the pair of first rods 841, and both the first rods 841 and 844 may be accommodated inside the accommodating space 830 formed by the frame portions 821 and 831 in a state where the lifting device 80 is completely lowered.

Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33-33' of fig. 23.

Referring to fig. 32 and 33, the first rod 841 may be disposed further outward than the second rod 844. Also, the end portions of the first and second rods 841 and 844 are each receivable inside the frame portion 831 of the lower frame 83.

In detail, the first and second bars 841 and 844 may be disposed side by side with each other, and a sum of a width W2 of the first bar 841 and a width W3 of the second bar 844 may be smaller than a width W1 inside the frame portion 831, i.e., corresponding to a width of the accommodating space 830 or slightly smaller than the width of the accommodating space 830.

Therefore, in the process of folding the first and second rods 841 and 844 to each other by the operation of the lifting device 80, not only the first and second rods 841 and 844 do not interfere with each other, but also they can be completely accommodated inside the frame portion 831.

In a state where the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are coupled to each other, the height of the space between the frame portions 821 and 831 between the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 is the sum of the thicknesses of the first rod 841 and the second rod 844 and is higher than the height of the first rod 841 and the second rod 844 in a completely folded state.

Furthermore, the length L2 of the first and second rods 841 and 844 is at least equal to or less than the length L1 from the outer ends of the upper and lower frames 82 and 83 to the central portion or the length from the outer ends of the upper and lower frames 82 and 83 to the dividing portions 822, 832.

With this configuration, the first lever 841 and the second lever 844 are completely accommodated in the accommodating space 830 inside the frame portions 821 and 831 formed by the coupling of the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 in a state where the upper frame 82 is completely lowered. At this time, the first and second rotating shafts 843 and 847 are also accommodated inside the right and left frame portions 821 and 831 forming the upper and lower frames 82 and 83.

Hereinafter, the selective coupling and power connection state of the elevating means 80 and the connecting assembly 70 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 34 is a perspective view showing a connection state of the connection assembly and the lifting device. Fig. 35 is a partial sectional view showing a connection state of the connection assembly and the lifting device. Fig. 36 is a perspective view showing a state where the connection assembly and the lifting device are separated from each other.

As shown in the drawing, when the driving device 40 or the elevating device 80 requires maintenance or the elevating device 80 does not need to be used, the driving device 40 and the elevating device 80 can be simply separated and combined.

As shown in fig. 34 and 35, when the door 31 and the drawer 32 are coupled to each other and the coupling assembly 70 and the lifting device 80 are coupled to each other, power can be transmitted. At this time, the connection member 73 is connected to the link 42 and the elevating device 80, and particularly, the first connection part 731 is inserted into the fixed shaft 77 and the rotation shaft 841a of the elevating device 80, and the second connection part 732 is inserted into the link protrusion 425 and the cross protrusion 841 b.

In this state, when the link 42 is rotated by the operation of the driving device 40, the rotation shaft 841a of the elevating device 80 is also rotated by the first connection part 731, and the rotation of the cross member 84 of the elevating device 80 is realized.

At this time, the second connection part 732 also connects the cross projection 841b of the lifting device 80, so that a large force can be transmitted to the lifting device 80. In detail, since the second connection part 732 is located at a position spaced apart from the first connection part 731, a moment acts on the second connection part 732 like a link when the first connection part 731 is rotated as an axis. Therefore, a larger moment than that generated in the first connection part 731 acts on the second connection part 732, and thus the lifting device 80 can be rotated with a larger force.

The pair of cross members 84 are disposed on both sides and can receive power, respectively, so that the lifting device 80 can be efficiently lifted with a small force.

Of course, when a sufficient torque is generated by the driving device 40, the connection member 73 may be formed of a single shaft structure connecting the link 42 and the rotation shaft 841a of the elevating device 80. The cross module 84 may be configured such that the connection member 73 is connected to both sides of one cross module 84, and the lifting device 80 is lifted and lowered.

On the other hand, when a situation requiring maintenance of the driving device or the lifting device 80 occurs during use of the refrigerator 1, the user may move the connection member 73 forward by pressing the push member 74 of the connection assembly 70, as in fig. 28, thereby releasing the coupling between the connection member 73 and the lifting device 80.

In this state, the door portion 31 and the drawer portion 32 can be separated, and the entire driving device 40 provided inside the door portion 31 can be completely separated from the drawer portion 32 by one operation.

The driving device 40 can be maintained in a state where the door 31 is separated, and the door 31 that normally operates may be replaced and mounted as necessary. At this time, the connection member 73 of the door portion 31 is coupled to the rotation shaft 841a and the cross projection 841b of the elevating device without special assembly and disassembly, so that the door portion can be coupled to each other in a state of being capable of transmitting power.

Of course, the door portion 31 and the drawer portion 32 may be firmly coupled to each other by a door frame or other members, but when the door portion 31 and the drawer portion 32 are separated or coupled, another coupling or decoupling operation of the door frame 316 may occur.

Next, the state in which the door 30 of the refrigerator 1 of the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described structure is drawn in/out and lifted and lowered will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 37 is a perspective view of a state where the drawer door is closed.

As shown in the drawings, the rotary door 20 and the door 30 of the refrigerator 1 are kept in a closed state in a state where food is stored. In this state, the user can receive food by drawing out/in the door 30.

A plurality of the doors 30 may be provided above and below, and may be drawn out to be opened by a user's operation. In this case, the operation of the user may be an operation unit 301 that touches the front surface of the revolving door 20 or the door 30, or an input based on an opening operation of an operation device 302 provided at the lower end of the door 30. Further, the operation unit 301 and the operation device 302 may be configured to individually control the drawing/drawing of the door 30 and the lifting of the lifting member frame space 830. Of course, the user may open the door by grasping the handle of the door 30.

In addition, although the case where the door 30 positioned at the lowermost position among the doors 30 arranged at the upper and lower positions is opened and lifted is described as an example below, the upper and lower doors 30 may be drawn in/out and lifted and lowered in the same manner.

Fig. 38 is a perspective view of a state where the drawer door is completely opened. Fig. 39 is a sectional view of the drawer door in a state where the cabinet of the drawer door is completely lowered.

As shown in the drawing, the door 30 is drawn forward in response to a drawing operation of the door 30 by a user. The door 30 may be extended and drawn out along the drawing/drawing track 33.

In addition, it may be provided in such a manner that the door 30 is drawn out/drawn in by the driving of the drawing out/drawing in motor 14, not opened by the direct drawing of the user. The drawing/drawing rack 34 provided on the bottom surface of the door 30 may be combined with a pinion gear 141 provided on the cabinet 10 and rotated upon driving of the drawing/drawing motor 14, so that the door 30 may be drawn/drawn in accordance with the driving of the drawing/drawing motor 14.

The drawing/drawing distance of the door 30 can be at least as long as the front space S1 inside the drawer 32 is completely exposed to the outside. Therefore, in this state, the container or the food can be prevented from being disturbed by the door 20 or 30 or the box 10 disposed above when the lifting device 80 is lifted.

In this case, the drawing/drawing distance of the door 30 may be implemented by a drawing/drawing detection device 15 disposed at the cabinet 10 and/or the door 30. The drawing/drawing detection means 15 may be constituted by a detection sensor for detecting the magnet 389 so as to be able to detect a state where the door 30 is completely drawn or completely closed.

For example, as shown in the drawing, a magnet 389 may be provided at the bottom of the drawer 32, and a detection sensor may be provided at the casing 10. The drawing/drawing detection means 15 may be provided at positions corresponding to the position of the magnet 389 in a state where the door 30 is closed and the position of the magnet 389 in a state where the door 30 is completely drawn. Thereby, the drawing/drawing state of the door 30 can be judged by the drawing/drawing detection device 15.

Further, if necessary, the drawing/drawing of the door 30 may be detected by providing switches at a position where the door 30 is completely inserted and a position where the door 30 is completely drawn, or the drawing/drawing of the door 30 may be detected by counting the number of rotations of the drawing/drawing motor 14 or by a sensor for measuring a distance between the rear surface of the door portion 31 and the front end of the housing 10.

In a state where the door 30 is completely drawn out, the elevating device 80 may be raised by driving the driving motor 64. The lifting device 80 can be actuated after the door 30 is sufficiently drawn out to ensure that the food or container 36 placed on the lifting device 80 can be safely lifted.

That is, the elevating device 80 ascends in a state where the door 30 is drawn out and the front space S1 is completely exposed to the outside, thereby preventing the container 36 or the stored food placed on the elevating device 80 from being interfered by other doors 20 and 30 or the box 10.

The state in which the door 30 is drawn out will be described in detail, and the front space S1 is completely drawn out to the outside of the lower storage space 12 in the state in which the door 30 is drawn out for ascending and descending.

In particular, the rear end L1 of the front space S1 is drawn out more than the front end L2 of the box 10 or the upper door 20, and needs to be located at least forward of the front end L2 of the box 10 or the upper door 20 so as not to interfere with the raising and lowering of the raising and lowering device 80.

Thereafter, in order to drive the lifting device 80, the drawer part 32 is not completely drawn out at the time of drawing out, and may be drawn out only to a position for avoiding interference at the time of lifting the lifting device 80 as shown in fig. 39. At this time, at least a part of the rear space S2 of the drawer 32 is located inside the lower storage space 12. That is, the rear end L3 of the drawer 32 is located at least inside the lower storage space 12.

Therefore, even in a state where the weight of the stored articles is added to the weight of the door 30 itself including the driving device 40 and the elevating device 80, stable drawing/drawing and elevating operations can be performed without sagging or breaking the drawing/drawing rail 33 or the door 30 itself.

The elevating device 80 may start to ascend in a state where it is confirmed that the door 30 is completely drawn out. Further, the lifting device 80 may start to be lifted after a set time elapses after the drawing of the door 30 is confirmed, so as to ensure the safety of the user and prevent damage to the stored food.

Of course, the user may directly input the ascending of the ascending and descending device 80 by operating the operation unit 301 after the door 30 is drawn out. That is, the user may operate the operation unit 301 to draw out the door 30, or may operate the operation unit 301 again to move up and down the lifting device 80.

Thereafter, the door 30 can be lifted and lowered by operating the operation unit 301 in a state of being manually drawn out by the user.

On the other hand, the driving means 40 and the elevating means 80 are not operated until the door 30 reaches the completely drawn state like fig. 39, and the elevating means 80 maintains the lowermost state.

Fig. 40 is a perspective view illustrating a state of the driving device in a state where the casing of the drawer door is completely lowered. Fig. 41 is a perspective view showing a state of the lifting device in a state where the casing of the drawer door is completely lowered.

As shown in the drawing, when a signal for operating the driving device 40 is not input, the driving device 40 does not operate, and the elevating device 80 is kept at the lowest position.

In this state, the driving device 40 is in the state shown in fig. 32, the driving motor 64 is not operated, and the screw holder 56 is located at the lowest position of the screw 52. The link 42 is also in a non-rotating state, and the first connection portion 731 and the second connection portion 732 of the connection member 73 are disposed at the same height.

Thereafter, as shown in fig. 41, the lifting device 80 is in a state where the upper frame 82 is positioned at the lowest position, and the current state is maintained as long as the driving device 40 does not operate.

In this state, the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are brought into a state of being connected to each other, and the inside of the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 can be brought into a state of accommodating the cross member 84.

At this time, since the link 42 is in a non-operating state, the rotation shaft 841a and the cross projection 841b of the elevating device 80 connected to the connecting assembly 70 can be in a state of not receiving any external force.

Then, the end of the frame portion 821 and the slide shaft 842 may be in the farthest state from each other, and the cross elastic member 85 may be in the maximum extension state. Therefore, when the driving of the driving device 40 is started, the upper frame 82 can be lifted more effectively by the restoring force of the cross elastic member 85 in addition to the power transmission by the driving device 40.

While maintaining this state, the user waits for an up-down signal to be input, and when the user inputs an up-down operation, the driving device 40 starts operating.

Fig. 42 is a sectional view of the drawer door in a state where the cabinet of the drawer door is completely lifted.

As shown in fig. 39, when the operation signal of the driving device is inputted in a state where the drawing of the door 30 is completed, the driving device 40 starts to operate, and the state of fig. 42 is changed by the lifting and lowering of the lifting and lowering device 80.

The driving unit 40 is connected to the lifting unit 80 by the connecting unit 70, and thus can transmit power to the lifting unit 80. At the same time as the operation of the driving device 40 is started, power is transmitted to the lifting device 80 through the connection assembly 70, and the lifting device 80 starts to ascend.

On the other hand, the elevator 80 continues to rise and stops when it rises to a sufficient height to allow easy access to the food or container 36 placed on the elevator 80, as shown in fig. 34. In this state, the user can easily lift the food or container 36 without excessively bending over.

When a rise end signal of the elevating device 80 is input, the driving of the driving motor 64 is stopped. For this purpose, a height detection device 16 can be provided which is able to detect the position of the lifting device 80. The height detection device 16 is provided in the door portion 31 and can be provided at a position corresponding to the highest position of the lifting device 80 and the lowest height of the lifting device 80.

The height detecting means 16 may be constituted by a detection sensor for detecting the magnet 389, and may determine whether or not the ascent of the ascending and descending means 80 is completed by detecting the magnet 389 provided to the ascending and descending means 80. The height detecting device 16 may be configured as a switch, and the switch may be turned on when the elevating device 80 reaches the maximum elevation state. The height detecting device 16 may be provided on the lifting rail 44 or the screw 52 to detect the highest position at which the lifting device 80 is lifted. Further, it may be determined whether or not the lifting device 80 is lifted at the highest level according to a variation in the load applied to the driving motor 64.

In addition, in a state where the elevating device 80 is raised to the highest position, the driving motor 64 is stopped. In this state, although the elevating means 80 is positioned inside the drawer part 32, the food or the container 36 placed on the elevating means 80 may be positioned higher than the upper side of the opening of the drawer part 32 and easily accessed by the user. In particular, excessive stooping for lifting the container 36 is not required, and therefore, safer and more convenient handling can be achieved.

Next, a state where the elevating device 80 is raised to the highest position will be described in detail, and the elevating device 80 is raised by the driving of the driving device 40 to be located at a position lower than at least the upper end of the drawer part 32.

In a state where the container 36 is placed on the lifting device 80, the upper end H1 of the container 36 may be lifted to a position higher than the upper end H2 of the lower storage space 12 with reference to the container 36. The height at this time is a height at which the user can lift the container 36 without bending down, and can be an optimum use height.

That is, although the driving device 40 is configured to be lifted and lowered inside the drawer 32, the container 36 can be positioned at a position easily accessible to a user in a state where the container 36 is placed on the lifting device 80.

After the food storage operation by the user is completed, the user can lower the lifting device 80 by operating the operation portion 301. The lowering of the elevating means 80 is performed by the reverse rotation of the driving motor 64, and is slowly performed by a process reverse to the process described above.

When the lifting device 80 finishes its lowering, the state shown in fig. 39 is obtained, and the lowering of the lifting device 80 can be finished by the height detection device 16. The height detecting device 16 may be provided at a corresponding position in order to detect the magnet provided to the elevating device 80 when the elevating device 80 is located at the lowermost position. Therefore, when the end of the lowering of the elevating device 80 is detected, the driving device 40 is stopped.

Also, the door 30 may be introduced after the driving motor 64 is stopped. At this time, the door 30 may be closed by the operation of the user, or may be closed by the driving of the drawing/drawing motor 14. When the door 30 is completely closed, the state can be changed to the state shown in fig. 29.

Next, a state in which the elevating device 80 is raised and lowered by the operation of the driving device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 43 is a perspective view showing a state of the driving device in a state where the casing of the drawer door is completely lifted. Fig. 44 is a perspective view showing a state of the lifting device in a state where the casing of the drawer door is completely lifted.

As shown in the drawing, when the driving motor 64 rotates forward and backward in response to an up or down signal of the elevating device 80, the driving device 40 starts to operate.

The shaft 41 is rotated by the driving of the driving motor 64, which is described with reference to the movement of the elevating device 80. By the rotation of the shaft 41, the shaft gear 412 and the spiral gear 53 on both sides of the shaft 41 are rotated in a meshed state with each other, and thereby the screw 52 is rotated.

At this time, the shaft gears 412 on both sides are connected to both ends of the shaft 41 and rotate together, and thus the same rotational force is transmitted to the screw assemblies 50 disposed on both sides. Also, in the screw assembly 50 having the same structure, the screws 52 rotate at the same rotation speed, and the screw holders 56 simultaneously ascend to the same height.

As the screw holder 56 ascends, the link 42 connected to the screw holder 56 rotates. The link 42 is continuously rotated in a state of being axially coupled to the connection assembly 70, and the connection member 73 connected to the link 42 is also rotated together with the rotation of the link 42.

In a state where the connecting member 73 is coupled to not only the rotation shaft of the link 42 but also the link protrusion 425 of the link 42 located at a position spaced apart from the rotation shaft 841a, the connecting member 73 and the elevating device 80 connected to the connecting member 73 are rotated by a moment further increased by the link protrusion 425.

The rotation shaft 841a and the cross projection 841b of the elevating device 80 are coupled to the first coupling part 731 and the second coupling part 732 of the coupling member 73, respectively, and the rotation force is transmitted to the first lever 84 of the crossing assembly 84 by the rotation of the coupling member 73, thereby expanding the crossing assembly 84 more effectively.

As the cross member 84 expands, the slide shaft 842 moves from the side adjacent to the dividing portion 822 toward the opposite position, i.e., toward the frame portion 821, and the first and second rods 841 and 844 rotate in the direction of increasing angle from the lower frame 83.

On the other hand, the slide shaft 842 is connected to the frame part 821 at the opposite position by the cross elastic member 85, and can move to the frame 821 with a small force by the restoring force of the cross elastic member 85, so that the lifting of the lifting device 80 can be assisted.

Eventually, the cross assembly 84 is opened and the upper frame 82 is raised, the container 36 or food item placed on the support plate 81 is raised, and finally the lifting device 80 is raised to the maximum height as shown in fig. 44.

In this state, the driving device 40 is stopped, and when the user performs an operation for lowering the elevating device 80 after receiving food, the driving motor 64 rotates in the reverse direction, and the elevating device 80 is lowered to the state shown in fig. 39 by operating in the reverse order to the above-described process.

On the other hand, the present invention is susceptible to various other embodiments in addition to the embodiments described hereinbefore.

Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same members as those of the embodiments described above in the other embodiments of the present invention are given the same reference numerals, and the illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted.

Fig. 45 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling structure of a lifting device and an auxiliary plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 46 is an exploded perspective view of the lifting device. Fig. 47 is a view showing the arrangement state of the auxiliary plate in the state where the lifting device is at the lowest position.

As shown, the lifting device 80 of the second embodiment of the present invention may include an upper frame 82, a lower frame 83, and a pair of cross members 84. Also, the elevating device 80 may include an auxiliary plate 86 placed above the upper frame 82.

The coupling structure of the upper frame 82, the lower frame 83 and the cross assembly 84 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the lower frame 83 is fixed to the inner side of the drawer 32 so that the upper frame 82 can be lifted and lowered in accordance with the operation of the cross assembly 84.

On the other hand, the same structure may be disposed on both the left and right sides of the cross member 84. Also, the cross member 84 of one side includes a pair of first and second rods 841 and 844, and the first rod 841 and the second rod 844 are shaft-coupled to each other to be rotatably coupled.

The ends of the first lever 841 disposed on both sides are connected by a first rotating shaft 843, and the ends of the second lever 844 disposed on both sides are connected by a second rotating shaft 847. The first rotating shaft 843 and the second rotating shaft 847 may penetrate through cross fixing members 826 and 836 attached to the lower frame 83 and the upper frame 82, respectively. Therefore, the first lever 841 and the second lever 844 can rotate about one end of the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83.

Further, a first rotor 841c and a second rotor 844c may be provided at the other ends of the first lever 841 and the second lever 844, respectively. The first and second rotors 841c and 844c are in contact with the inner sides of the upper and lower frames 82 and 83 and roll along the inner sides of the upper and lower frames 82 and 83 when the cross assembly 84 is actuated.

The first and second levers 841 and 844 and the first and second rotation shafts 843 and 847 can be accommodated in spaces inside the frame portions 821 and 831 formed by the upper and lower frames 82 and 83. Therefore, when the upper frame 82 is completely lowered, the lower end of the upper frame 82 and the upper end of the lower frame 83 are connected to each other to form a space, and the cross member 84 can be accommodated in the frame space 830 inside the frame portions 821 and 831.

Therefore, when the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are coupled, the cross member 84 is accommodated inside the frame portions 821 and 831 without being exposed to the outside, and only the rotary shaft 841b and the rod projection 841a coupled to the coupling member 70 are exposed to the outside.

Also, even in a state where the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are coupled to each other due to the movement of the upper frame 82 to the lowermost position, as shown in fig. 45, the upper and lower ends of the upper frame 82 and the lower frame 83 are in contact with each other, and the receiving space 830 is formed inside.

The auxiliary plate 86 can be placed on the upper frame 82, and in this case, a support surface 861 of the auxiliary plate 86 is formed to have a shape corresponding to the inside of the frame space 830 so as to be inserted into the inside of the accommodating space 830.

Also, the rim 862 of the auxiliary board 86 may be formed to have a width corresponding to the width of the upper surface of the frame portion 821 of the upper frame 82. Therefore, the frame 862 of the auxiliary plate 86 can be placed on the upper frame 82 so as to surround the outer periphery of the upper frame 82 from above. As shown in fig. 47, the supporting surface 811 may extend to the bottom of the inner side of the frame space 830, i.e., to the bottom surface of the lower frame 83. Therefore, even if the elevating device 80 is installed, only the space for disposing the upper and lower frames 82 and 83 is lost by the drawer part 32 and the entire remaining space can be used as a storage space.

As described above, in comparison with the lifting apparatus 80 described above, the lifting apparatus 80 according to the second embodiment of the present invention does not include the slide guides 825 and 835 and the dividing portions 822 and 832, and the first slide shaft 842 and the second slide shaft 846 may be omitted from the cross member 84.

Further, reference numerals not described may have the same configurations as those of the embodiments described above.

Fig. 48 is a diagram showing an operation state of the lifting device of the refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, the door 30 of the refrigerator 1 of the third embodiment of the present invention may include: a door portion 31 provided with the driving device 40; and a lifter supporting part 320 extending rearward from the door part 31 and supporting the lifter 80.

The lifter supporting part 320 may have at least one surface capable of supporting the lower surface of the lifter 80. The lifter support 320 is connected to the back surface of the door 31 and is formed in a plate shape or a frame shape extending rearward, thereby supporting the lifter 80 downward. In this case, the lifting device 80 may be fixed to the upper surface of the lifting device support 320 and exposed to the outside when the door 30 is drawn out.

Of course, the lifter supporting portion 320 may not be a simple plate-shaped structure, but may have a structure for shielding the outer circumference of the lifter 80 to prevent the lifter 80 from being exposed.

Also, a drawing-out/drawing-in rail and a drawing-out/drawing-in rack 34 may be further provided in the lifter supporting part 320, and the door 30 may be drawn out/drawn in using a drawing-out/drawing-in motor 14 and a pinion gear 141 provided to the cabinet 10.

The lifting device 80 is fixedly installed at the lifting device supporting part 320 and can be drawn in/out together when the door 30 is drawn in/out. The lifting device 80 may have the same structure as that of the previous embodiment, and may be connected to the connection assembly 70 to perform a lifting operation in accordance with the operation of the driving device 40. An auxiliary plate 81 may be further provided on an upper surface of the upper frame 82, and the container 36 may be placed on the auxiliary plate 81 to be lifted.

That is, compared to the drawer 32 of the embodiment described above, the third embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including the lifter supporting part 320 for supporting the lifter 80.

Fig. 49 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, a refrigerator 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention may include: a case 10 formed with a storage space divided up and down; and a door 2 for opening and closing the storage space.

The door 2 may be provided with: a rotary door 20 provided at an upper portion of a front side of the cabinet 10 to open and close an upper storage space; and a door 30 provided at a lower portion of a front side of the cabinet 10 to open and close a lower storage space. As in the above-described embodiments, the door 30 is configured to be drawn out and drawn in front and back, and the container and the food in the drawer 32 can be lifted up and down by the operation of the driving device 80 in the door 30 in a state where the door 30 is drawn out.

The lifting device 80 may be provided in a front space region in the interior of the drawer 32, and thus the lifting device 80 may lift and lower the food in the front space region out of the entire region of the drawer 32.

An operating portion 301 or an operating device 302 may be provided at one side of the door portion 31, and the driving device 40 may be provided inside the door portion 31. The drawing/drawing of the door 30 and/or the raising/lowering of the raising/lowering device 80 can be performed by the operation of the operation unit 301 or the operation device 302.

The drawer part 32 is provided with a lifting device 80, and the lifting device 80 can be lifted and lowered by a coupling assembly for coupling the driving device and the lifting device. The construction of the drawer door 30, the construction of the driving device 40, and the construction of the elevating device 80 are the same as those of the above-described embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The lifting device 80 may be provided with a plurality of containers 361. The container 361 may be a closed container like a kimchi bucket, and a plurality of containers may be placed on the lifting device 80. The container 361 can be lifted and lowered together with the lifting and lowering of the lifting and lowering device 80. Therefore, in the raised state, at least a part of the container 361 can protrude upward of the drawer 32, and the user can easily lift the container 361.

On the other hand, even in a state where the drawer door 30 is drawn out, if the swing door 20 is in an open state, the lifting device 80 interferes with the swing door 20, and thus is provided to be lifted in a state where the swing door 20 is closed. For this purpose, a door switch for detecting opening and closing of the rotary door 20 may be provided.

Fig. 50 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, a refrigerator 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention may include a cabinet 10 formed with a storage space and a door 2 for opening and closing an opened front side of the cabinet 10.

In the closed state, the door 2 forms the front appearance of the refrigerator 1 and may be formed of a drawer door 30 drawn in the front-rear direction. A plurality of the drawer doors 30 may be continuously arranged in the up-down direction. And, each of the drawer doors 30 may be independently drawn out/introduced according to a user's operation, and a driving device 40 and a lifting device 80 may be provided on the drawer door 30.

The driving means 40 may be provided at the door portion 31, and the elevating means 80 may be provided at the inner side of the drawer portion 32. When the door 31 and the drawer 32 are coupled, the driving device 40 and the lifting device 80 may be coupled to each other by the coupling assembly 70, thereby enabling power transmission. The lifting device 80 may be disposed in a front space S1 of the entire storage space of the drawer 32.

The drawing/drawing of the drawer door 30 and the lifting of the lifting device 80 may be separately performed, or the lifting of the lifting device 80 after the drawing of the drawer door 30 and the drawing of the drawer door 30 after the lowering of the lifting device 80 may be continuously performed.

When the plurality of drawer doors 30 are vertically arranged, the elevating device 80 disposed inside the drawer door 30 disposed relatively downward is not elevated in a state where the drawer door 30 disposed relatively upward is drawn out, so that the stored foods and containers are prevented from interfering with the drawer door 30 drawn out upward.

In fig. 38, the case where the lifting device 80 is lifted up in a state where the drawer door 30 located at the lowermost position is drawn out is illustrated as an example, but the lifting device provided inside may be lifted up after the drawer door 30 located at the upper position is drawn out.

Of course, if the height of the drawer door 30 located at the upper side is sufficiently high, only the drawer door 30 located at the lowermost side or the drawer door 30 located at the relatively lower side may be configured to be lifted or lowered.

Fig. 51 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, a refrigerator 1 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention may include a cabinet 10 formed with a storage space and a door 2 for opening and closing an open front side of the cabinet 10.

The storage space inside the cabinet 10 may be divided into upper and lower spaces, or the upper and lower storage spaces may be divided into left and right sides again as necessary.

The door 2 may include: a rotary door 20 installed at an upper portion of the cabinet 10 to be rotatable, for opening and closing an upper storage space; and a drawer door 2 installed at a lower portion of the case 10 to be drawn out and drawn in, for opening and closing a lower storage space.

The lower space of the cabinet 10 may be divided into left and right spaces, and a pair of the drawer doors 30 may be provided to open and close the divided lower spaces. The drawer door 30 may be disposed in a pair on both left and right sides, and the drawer door 30 may be provided with a driving device 40 and a lifting device 80.

The driving means 40 may be provided at the door portion 31, and the elevating means 80 may be provided at the inner side of the drawer portion 32. When the door 31 and the drawer 32 are coupled, the driving device 40 and the lifting device 80 may be coupled to each other by the coupling assembly 70 and may transmit power. The lifting device 80 may be disposed in a front space S1 of the entire storage space of the drawer 32.

The drawer door 30 is configured as in the previously described embodiment, and is drawn out/introduced by a user's operation, and the user can more conveniently access the food or container inside the drawer door 30 by lifting and lowering the lifting device 80 in a state where the drawer door 30 is drawn out.