Mounting structure for display unit in refrigerator

• US 7,430,111 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Oh, Seung Jin, Lee, Ik Kyu
• Primary Examiner(s): Lea-Edmonds; Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): WRIGHT, INGRID D
• Application Number:
  US11/275,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20060145576A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 361/725, 312/406
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2092 comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/24 changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each otherF16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/041 for balancing rotational movement of the head
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/06 Refrigerators with a vertical mullion
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/40 Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/005 Mounting of control devices

Abstract

A mounting structure for a display unit in a refrigerator includes an accommodating space formed by depressing a portion of a front surface of a door, an installation space formed in the door to communicate with a portion of the accommodating space, a display unit retractably mounted to the accommodating space to display a variety of information and receive a plurality of operating signals, a first lead wire of which one end is led into the installation space through the door, and a second lead wire of which one end is connected to the display unit and the other end is led into the installation space and connected to the first lead wire. With such an arrangement the external appearance of the refrigerator can be improved, the durability and operational reliability of the refrigerator can be ensured, and the usability can also be enhanced.

Claims

1. A mounting structure for a display unit in a refrigerator, comprising:

an accommodating space formed as a depression in a portion of a front surface of a door;

a display unit retractably mounted to the accommodating space and including a display screen to display a variety of information, wherein the display unit is movable between an extended position and a retracted position with the display screen being visible and operable for display in both the extended position and the retracted position; and

a link mechanism for guiding a withdrawal or accommodation motion of the display unit and for supporting the display unit withdrawn from the accommodating space to be tiltable at a predetermined angle,

wherein the link mechanism includes;

a bracket fixed to a bottom surface defining the accommodating space;

a mounting plate fixed to a rear surface of the display unit; and

a link member of which both ends are pivotally connected to a front surface of the bracket and a rear surface of the mounting plate, respectively.

2. A mounting structure for a display unit in a refrigerator, comprising:

an accommodating space formed as a depression in a portion of a front surface of a door;

a display unit retractably mounted to the accommodating space and including a display screen for displaying a variety of information, wherein the display unit is movable between an extended position and a retracted position with the display screen being visible and operable for display in both the extended position and the retracted position;

a link mechanism for guiding a withdrawal or accommodation motion of the display unit and for supporting the display unit withdrawn from the accommodating space to be tiltable at a predetermined angle;

a hinge assembly provided in the accommodating space or at a connection portion between the display unit and the link mechanism to impart an external force to the link mechanism in a direction in which the display unit is withdrawn; and

a locking means for maintaining the display unit to be accommodated in the accommodating space against the external force from the hinge assembly.

3. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the link mechanism includes:

a bracket fixed to a bottom surface defining the accommodating space;

a mounting plate fixed to a rear surface of the display unit; and

a link member of which both ends are pivotally connected to a front surface of the bracket and a rear surface of the mounting plate, respectively.

4. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hinge assembly includes:

a frame fixed to a portion of the bracket or mounting plate;

a linearly reciprocating sliding cam installed at a side of the frame;

a rotary cam installed at a side of the frame and rotatably reciprocating within a predetermined angular range in cooperation with the linear reciprocation of the sliding cam; and

an elastic member provided at a side of the frame to impart a predetermined elastic force to the sliding cam, wherein when the sliding cam is linearly moved in a direction by the elastic force imparted by the elastic member, the link member is rotated in a direction in which the display unit is withdrawn from the accommodating space by the rotary cam rotating about a predetermined direction in cooperation with the liner reciprocation of the sliding cam.

5. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the locking means includes:

a locking protrusion provided at one of a position on the sliding cam and a corresponding position on the rotary cam; and

a locking groove provided at the other of the position on the sliding cam and the corresponding position on the rotary cam such that the locking protrusion is inserted in the locking groove when the display unit is withdrawn from the accommodating space, and the locking protrusion is detached from the locking groove when the display unit is received in the accommodating space.

6. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein a handle is provided on a lower surface of the display unit, and a lower side of the accommodating space is spaced apart from the lower surface of the display unit by a predetermined distance when the display unit is received in the accommodating space.

7. A mounting structure for a display unit in a refrigerator, comprising:

an accommodating space formed as a depression in a portion of a front surface of a door;

an installation space formed in the door to communicate with a portion of the accommodating space;

a display unit retractably mounted to the accommodating space and including a display screen to display a variety of information, wherein the display unit is movable between an extended position and a retracted position with the display screen being visible and operable for display in both the extended position and the retracted position;

a first lead wire of which one end is led into the installation space through the door;

a second lead wire of which one end is connected to the display unit and the other end is led into the installation space and connected to the first lead wire;

a link mechanism for guiding a withdrawal or accommodation motion of the display unit and for supporting the display unit withdrawn from the accommodating space to be tiltable at a predetermined angle;

a hinge assembly provided in the accommodating space or at a connection portion between the display unit and the link mechanism to impart an external force to the link mechanism in a direction in which the display unit is withdrawn; and

a locking means for maintaining the display unit to be accommodated in the accommodating space against the external force imparted by the hinge assembly.

8. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the link mechanism includes:

a bracket fixed to a bottom surface defining the accommodating space;

a mounting plate fixed to a rear surface of the display unit; and

a link member of which both ends are pivotally connected to a front surface of the bracket and a rear surface of the mounting plate, respectively.

9. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the installation space is formed as a depression in a portion of a bottom surface defining the accommodating space toward the interior of the door, and the bracket covers a front face of the installation space communicating with the accommodating space.

10. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein an outlet opening through which an end of the second lead wire is led out is formed at a position of the mounting plate, a channel through which the second lead wire led out through the outlet opening passes is formed through the link member, and an inlet opening through which the second lead wire passing through the channel of the link member is led into the installation space is formed in the bracket.

11. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein mating connectors are provided at ends of the first and the second lead wires led into the installation space, respectively.

12. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the hinge assembly includes:

a frame fixed to a portion of the bracket or mounting plate;

a linearly reciprocating sliding cam installed at a side of the frame;

a rotary cam installed at a side of the frame and rotatably reciprocating within a predetermined angular range in cooperation with the linear reciprocation of the sliding cam; and

an elastic member provided at a side of the frame to impart a predetermined elastic force to the sliding cam, wherein when the sliding cam is linearly moved in a direction by the elastic force imparted by the elastic member, the link member is rotated in a direction in which the display unit is withdrawn from the accommodating space by the rotary cam rotating about a predetermined direction in cooperation with the liner reciprocation of the sliding cam.

13. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 12, wherein the locking means includes:

a locking protrusion provided at one of a position on the sliding cam and a corresponding position on the rotary cam; and

a locking groove provided at the other of the position on the sliding cam and the corresponding position on the rotary cam such that the locking protrusion is inserted in the locking groove when the display unit is withdrawn from the accommodating space, and the locking protrusion is detached from the locking groove when the display unit is received in the accommodating space.

14. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein a handle is provided on a lower surface of the display unit, and a lower side of the accommodating space is spaced apart from the lower surface of the display unit by a predetermined distance when the display unit is received in the accommodating space.

15. A mounting structure for a display unit in a refrigerator comprising:

an accommodating space formed as a depression in a portion of a front surface of a door;

a display unit retractably mounted to the accommodating space and including a display screen to display a variety of information, wherein the display unit is movable between an extended position and a retracted position with the display screen being visible and operable for display in both the extended position and the retracted position;

a link mechanism for guiding a withdrawal or accommodation motion of the display unit and for supporting the display unit withdrawn from the accommodating space to be tiltable at a predetermined angle; and

an installation space formed in the door to communicate with a portion of the accommodating space.

16. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 15, wherein the installation space is formed as a depression in a portion of a bottom surface defining the accommodating space toward the interior of the door.

17. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein the link mechanism includes:

a bracket fixed to a bottom surface defining the accommodating space;

a mounting plate fixed to a rear surface of the display unit; and

a link member of which both ends are pivotally connected to a front surface of the bracket and a rear surface of the mounting plate, respectively.

18. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the bracket covers a front face of the installation space communicating with the accommodating space.

19. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

a first lead wire of which one end is led into the installation space through the door; and

a second lead wire of which one end is connected to the display unit and the other end is led into the installation space and connected to the first lead wire, wherein an outlet opening through which an end of the second lead wire is led out is formed at a position of the mounting plate, a channel through which the second lead wire led out through the outlet opening passes is formed through the link member, and an inlet opening through which the second lead wire passing through the channel of the link member is led into the installation space is formed in the bracket.

20. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 19, wherein mating connectors are provided at ends of the first and the second lead wires led into the installation space, respectively.

21. The mounting structure as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:

a first lead wire of which one end is led into the installation space through the door; and

a second lead wire of which one end is connected to the display unit and the other end is led into the installation space and connected to the first lead wire.