Display unit installing structure for refrigerator

• US 7,967,404 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Oh, Seung-jin, Woo, Ki-cheol, Kim, Jin-hyun, Lee, Ik-kyu, Lee, Soo-beom
• Primary Examiner(s): Jayne; Darnell M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rohrhoff; Dan
• Application Number:
  US11/722,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20070290588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,013 Days
• Field of Search: 312/405, 312/405.1, 312/280, 312/282, 312/321.5, 623/31, 624/40, 623/77, 248/126, 248/299.1, 248/224.7, 248/222.51
• US Class Current: 312/405.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/04 Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
• 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 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: F16M 2200/063 Parallelogram arms
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/18 Aesthetic features
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/005 Mounting of control devices

Abstract

A display unit installing structure for a refrigerator includes an accommodating unit which is formed by depressing a portion on a front surface of a door and in which a display unit for displaying a variety of information thereon and inputting operating signals are retractably installed; a link mechanism for guiding accommodation and withdrawal of the display unit and tiltably supporting the display unit withdrawn from the accommodating unit at a predetermined angle; and a locking arrangement for preventing the display unit from being inadvertently escaping from the accommodating unit. The display unit can be retractably installed on the front surface of the refrigerator door.

Claims

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

an accommodating unit which is formed by depressing a portion on a front surface of a door and in which a display unit for displaying a variety of information thereon and inputting operating signals are retractably installed;

a link mechanism for guiding accommodation and withdrawal of the display unit and tiltably supporting the display unit withdrawn from the accommodating unit at a predetermined angle; and

a locking means for preventing the display unit from inadvertently escaping from the accommodating unit; and

a guide means for guiding the display unit to be received in the accommodating unit,

wherein the locking means includes;

at least one locking protrusion provided on one of the accommodating unit and the display unit; and

at least one locking groove provided on the other of the accommodating unit and display unit such that the locking protrusion is selectively inserted in the locking groove as the display unit is received in or withdrawn from the accommodating unit,

wherein the locking protrusion is shaped as a taper of which diameter is decreased from a base toward a tip end thereof, and the locking groove is shaped as a taper corresponding to the shape of the locking protrusion,

wherein the locking protrusion and groove are protruded from a bottom surface of the accommodating unit and depressed into a rear surface of the display unit, respectively, in accordance with a trajectory along which the display unit is received into or withdrawn from the accommodating unit by means of the link mechanism,

wherein the guide means includes at least one pair of guide ribs which are provided on opposite side surfaces of the accommodating unit and brought into close contact with side surfaces of the display unit received in the accommodating unit to support the display unit thereon, and

wherein the guide ribs are formed by protruding a portion of the side surface of the accommodating unit in a direction toward the opposite side surfaces, and a guide surface inclined to be flared outwardly is provided at an outer end of the guide rib to guide the accommodation and withdrawal of the display unit.

2. The display unit installing structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link mechanism includes at least one link member of which both ends are pivotally connected to a bottom surface of the accommodating unit and a rear surface of the display unit, respectively.

3. The display unit installing structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the link member is composed of first and second link members arranged in parallel with each other in a vertical or horizontal direction.