Switching device for refrigerator

• US 20050138948A1
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Soo-Beom
• Granted Patent: US 7,266,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/331
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/0081 for transmitting energy, e.g. electrical cable routing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/31 for refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/12 Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/024 Door hinges
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/40 Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring

Abstract

The present invention relates to a switching device for a display unit installed to a door for a refrigerator. In the present invention, the display unit 29 is installed on a front surface of the refrigerator door 25. A power switch 37 for applying power to the display unit 29 is provided on a lateral surface of a hinge plate 38 of a hinge assembly 35 by which the door 25 can be pivotally installed to a main body 21 of the refrigerator, and a connector 39 is also provided on a rear surface of the hinge plate 38. The power switch 37 and the connector 39 are connected to the display unit 29 by means of lead wires W1 and W2.

Claims

1. A switching device for a refrigerator including a main body of the refrigerator with a storage space defined therein, a door for opening and closing the storage space and the integrated product installed to the door, comprising:

a hinge assembly for pivotally connecting the door to the main body;

a power switch installed to a side of the hinge assembly for applying power to the integrated product for the refrigerator; and

a connector installed to another side of the hinge assembly for transmitting external electrical signals to the integrated product.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power switch is installed to a lateral surface of the hinge assembly, and the connector is installed to a rear surface of the hinge assembly.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrated product is a display unit, and the connector is connected to an antenna.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lead wire (W1) for connecting the power switch and the integrated product and a lead wire (W2) for connecting the connector and the integrated product pass through a through-hole formed in a hinge pin of the hinge assembly.

5. A switching device for a refrigerator including a main body of the refrigerator with a storage space defined therein, a door for opening and closing the storage space and the integrated product installed to the door, comprising:

a hinge assembly for pivotally connecting the door and the main body with respect to each other; and

a power switch installed to a lateral or rear surface of the hinge assembly for applying power to the integrated product for the refrigerator installed to the door.

6. A switching device for a refrigerator including a main body of the refrigerator with a storage space defined therein, a door for opening and closing the storage space and the integrated product installed to the door, comprising:

a hinge assembly for pivotally connecting the door and the main body with respect to each other; and

a connector installed to a lateral or rear surface of the hinge assembly for transmitting external electrical signals to the integrated product for the refrigerator installed to the door.