REFRIGERATOR
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A refrigerator, comprising:
- a main body having a cooling compartment therein;
a door rotatably coupled to the main body to selectively open and close the cooling compartment, the door comprising;
a main door having a front surface defining a front exterior surface of the main body; and
a sub door positioned at a rear surface of the main door opposite the front surface thereof, and being coaxially rotated with the main door; and
a hinge assembly, comprising;
a main hinge rotatably coupling the main door to the main body; and
a sub hinge independently and rotatably coupling the sub door to the main door, wherein a front surface of the sub door faces and is coupled to the rear surface of the main door.
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Abstract
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a sub hinge connecting a main door to a sub door, and a main hinge connecting the main door to a main body of the refrigerator. The sub hinge is not connected to the main hinge, to prevent interference during door movement and to minimize leakage of cool air. A single latch assembly may allow both the main door and the sub door to be smoothly opened and secured, to reduce manufacturing costs and enhance reliability with respect to a simultaneous operation of the latch.
28 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A refrigerator, comprising:
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a main body having a cooling compartment therein; a door rotatably coupled to the main body to selectively open and close the cooling compartment, the door comprising; a main door having a front surface defining a front exterior surface of the main body; and a sub door positioned at a rear surface of the main door opposite the front surface thereof, and being coaxially rotated with the main door; and a hinge assembly, comprising; a main hinge rotatably coupling the main door to the main body; and a sub hinge independently and rotatably coupling the sub door to the main door, wherein a front surface of the sub door faces and is coupled to the rear surface of the main door. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A refrigerator, comprising:
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a main body having a cooling compartment therein; a door rotatably coupled to the main body to selectively open and close the cooling compartment, the door comprising; a main door having a front surface defining a front exterior surface of the main body; and a sub door provided at a rear surface of the main door and being coaxially rotated with the main door; and a latch assembly that selectively couples the main body, the sub door and the main door to selectively restrict rotation of the door, wherein the latch assembly comprises; a first restriction device restricting rotation of the sub door; a second restriction device restricting rotation of the main door; and a connection device that operably links the first and second restriction devices. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A refrigerator, comprising:
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a main body having a cooling compartment formed therein; a door rotatably coupled to the main body, comprising; a main door having a first side defining an exterior surface of the main body and a second side opposite the first side; and a sub door rotatably coupled to the second side of the main door; a hinge assembly that rotatably couples the door to the main body, comprising; a first hinge that rotatably couples the main door to the main body; and a second hinge that rotatably couples the sub door to the main door, wherein the sub door and the main door rotate together about the first hinge; and a latch assembly that selectively couples the main body, the sub door and the main door, comprising; a first latch selectively engaged between the main body and the sub door, the first latch securing the sub door in the cooling compartment in a first mode thereof and releasing the sub door from the cooling compartment in a second mode thereof; and a second latch selectively engaged between the sub door and the main door, the second latch securing the sub door to the main door in a first mode thereof and releasing the sub door from the main door in a second mode thereof.
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Specification