Refrigerator having knock detection device
First Claim
1. A refrigerator comprising:
- a cabinet configured to form a storage space;
a first door configured to open and close the cabinet, and rotatably connected to the cabinet by a first hinge, the first door having a first door frame with a first opening which is in communication with the storage space;
a second door configured to open and close the first opening and including a second door frame with a second opening and a panel assembly provided at the second opening to allow an inside of the refrigerator to be seen through the panel assembly from an outside of the refrigerator, the panel assembly comprising;
a front panel,an insulation panel spaced apart from a rear surface of the front panel, anda spacer provided between the front panel and the insulation panel,wherein an insulation space is defined between the front panel and the insulation panel;
a knock detection device disposed to be in close contact with the panel assembly, and configured to detect a user'"'"'s knocking operation on the panel assembly; and
a lighting unit provided inside the refrigerator and configured to be turned on based on a signal of the knock detection device in a state in which the second door is closed to allow the inside of the refrigerator to be seen through the panel assembly from the outside of the refrigerator,wherein the second door frame includes a recess to receive the knock detection device, and in a state in which the knock detection device is received in the recess, the knock detection device is disposed at a rear side of the front panel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerator may include a first door having a first opening and a second door to open and close the first opening. The second door may include a door frame with a second opening and a panel assembly provided at the second opening. The panel assembly may include a front panel, and insulation panel, and a spacer. The door frame may include a recess to receive a knock detection device at a rear side of the front panel, which may detect a user'"'"'s knocking operation on the panel assembly to turn on a lighting unit to allow the inside of the refrigerator to be seen through the panel assembly. The door frame may also include at least one injection port to inject a foaming solution for molding an insulation provided in an insulation space defined by the door frame and the panel assembly.
5 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet configured to form a storage space; a first door configured to open and close the cabinet, and rotatably connected to the cabinet by a first hinge, the first door having a first door frame with a first opening which is in communication with the storage space; a second door configured to open and close the first opening and including a second door frame with a second opening and a panel assembly provided at the second opening to allow an inside of the refrigerator to be seen through the panel assembly from an outside of the refrigerator, the panel assembly comprising; a front panel, an insulation panel spaced apart from a rear surface of the front panel, and a spacer provided between the front panel and the insulation panel, wherein an insulation space is defined between the front panel and the insulation panel; a knock detection device disposed to be in close contact with the panel assembly, and configured to detect a user'"'"'s knocking operation on the panel assembly; and a lighting unit provided inside the refrigerator and configured to be turned on based on a signal of the knock detection device in a state in which the second door is closed to allow the inside of the refrigerator to be seen through the panel assembly from the outside of the refrigerator, wherein the second door frame includes a recess to receive the knock detection device, and in a state in which the knock detection device is received in the recess, the knock detection device is disposed at a rear side of the front panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet configured to form a storage space; a first door configured to open and close the cabinet and rotatably connected to the cabinet by a first hinge, the first door having a first opening which is in communication with the storage space; and a second door configured to open and close the first opening, the second door including a door frame with a second opening and a panel assembly provided at the second opening to allow an inside of the refrigerator to be seen through the panel assembly from an outside of the refrigerator, the panel assembly comprising; a front panel, an insulation panel spaced apart from a rear surface of the front panel, a spacer provided between the front panel and the insulation panel, a knock detection device disposed to be in close contact with the panel assembly and configured to detect a user'"'"'s knocking operation on the panel assembly; and a lighting unit configured to be turned on based on a signal of the knock detection device in a state in which the second door is closed to allow the inside of the refrigerator to be seen through the panel assembly from the outside of the refrigerator, wherein the door frame and the panel assembly define an insulation space in which an insulation is provided, wherein the door frame includes; a recess to receive the knock detection device, a first injection port to inject a foaming solution for molding the insulation and formed at a position which is at least partially overlapped with a space between the panel assembly and one side frame of the door frame, a second injection port to inject the foaming solution for molding the insulation and spaced apart from the first injection port, wherein, in a state in which the knock detection device is received in the recess, the knock detection device is disposed at a rear side of the front panel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet configured to form a storage space; a door configured to open and close the cabinet and rotatably connected to the cabinet by a hinge, the door having an opening which is in communication with the storage space; a panel assembly provided at the opening, the panel assembly comprising; a front panel, an insulation panel spaced apart from a rear surface of the front panel, and a spacer provided between the front panel and the insulation panel, a frame disposed at a perimeter of the panel assembly; a knock detection device configured to detect a user'"'"'s knocking operation on the panel assembly; and a lighting unit configured to be turned on based on a signal of the knock detection device in a state in which the door is closed to allow the inside of the refrigerator to be seen through the panel assembly from the outside of the refrigerator, wherein the frame and the panel assembly define an insulation space in which an insulation is provided, wherein the frame includes; a recess to receive the knock detection device, a first injection port to inject a foaming solution for molding the insulation and formed at a position which is at least partially overlapped with a space between the panel assembly and one side frame of the frame, and a second injection port to inject the foaming solution for molding the insulation and spaced apart from the first injection port, wherein, in a state in which the knock detection device is received in the recess, the knock detection device is disposed at a rear side of the front panel. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification