Door opening and closing device for refrigerator
First Claim
1. A door opening and closing device for a refrigerator comprising:
- a door coupled to a main body defining a storage compartment therein, by means of a hinge unit;
a gasket disposed between the door and the main body to provide a hermetic seal therebetween; and
an opening and closing unit for opening and closing the door with respect to the main body,wherein the opening and closing unit comprises;
a drive unit for generating a driving force;
a gasket separation mechanism for pushing the main body using rotational force transmitted from the drive unit to separate the gasket from the main body or the door; and
a door rotating mechanism for rotating the door using the rotational force transmitted from the drive unit,wherein the gasket separation mechanism comprises;
a push pinion gear configured to transmit the rotational force of the drive unit anda push rack configured to engage with the push pinion gear and to increase a distance between the main body and the door,wherein the door rotating mechanism comprises;
a rotational pinion gear configured to transmit the rotational force of the drive unit; and
a rotational rack configured to engage with the rotational pinion gear and to move linearly,wherein the rotational rack engages with a hinge gear located on an outer surface of the hinge unit, andwherein the door opening and closing device further comprises a synchronizer that is configured to be rotated by the push rack to thereby cause the rotational rack to engage with the rotational pinion gear.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A door opening and closing device for a refrigerator includes a door coupled by means of a hinge unit to a main body defining a storage compartment therein, a gasket disposed between the door and the main body to provide a hermetic seal therebetween, and an opening and closing unit for opening and closing the door with respect to the main body, wherein the opening and closing unit includes a drive unit for generating a driving force, a gasket separation mechanism for pushing the main body using rotational force transmitted from the drive unit to separate the gasket from the main body or the door, and a door rotating mechanism for rotating the door using the rotational force transmitted from the drive unit.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A door opening and closing device for a refrigerator comprising:
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a door coupled to a main body defining a storage compartment therein, by means of a hinge unit; a gasket disposed between the door and the main body to provide a hermetic seal therebetween; and an opening and closing unit for opening and closing the door with respect to the main body, wherein the opening and closing unit comprises; a drive unit for generating a driving force; a gasket separation mechanism for pushing the main body using rotational force transmitted from the drive unit to separate the gasket from the main body or the door; and a door rotating mechanism for rotating the door using the rotational force transmitted from the drive unit, wherein the gasket separation mechanism comprises; a push pinion gear configured to transmit the rotational force of the drive unit and a push rack configured to engage with the push pinion gear and to increase a distance between the main body and the door, wherein the door rotating mechanism comprises; a rotational pinion gear configured to transmit the rotational force of the drive unit; and a rotational rack configured to engage with the rotational pinion gear and to move linearly, wherein the rotational rack engages with a hinge gear located on an outer surface of the hinge unit, and wherein the door opening and closing device further comprises a synchronizer that is configured to be rotated by the push rack to thereby cause the rotational rack to engage with the rotational pinion gear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification