Refrigerator and control method thereof

• US 8,287,061 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2007
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Ha, Myung-Woo
• Primary Examiner(s): Jayne, Darnell
• Assistant Examiner(s): WRIGHT, KIMBERLEY
• Application Number:
  US12/375,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20100095601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,901 Days
• Field of Search: 312/405, 312/405.1, 312/327, 312/328, 312/321.5, 312/319.2, 312/319.3, 312/292, 162/86, 493/86, 493/87, 292/DIG.4, 292/DIG.71, 292/137, 292/174
• US Class Current: 312/405
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/02 Doors; Covers F25D23/08 takes precedence locks or fastenings E05B65/0042
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/023 Door in door constructions

Abstract

A refrigerator and a method of controlling the refrigerator are provided. A home bar door is closed when external pressure is applied to the home bar door in a state where the home bar door is opened.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a door provided with an opening;

a home bar door rotatably installed at the door to open or close the opening, the home bar door rotating upwardly and downwardly on a hinge portion provided at a lower portion of the home bar door to open, the hinge portion extending from the home bar door in a horizontal direction, the home bar door comprising;

an inner part defining an interior of the home bar door, the inner part being exposed in a state where the home bar is opened and having a flat surface; and

an outer part opposite to the inner part, and

an opening/closing unit coupled to both the home bar door and the opening to close the home bar door when external force is applied in a state where the home bar door is opened, the opening/closing unit comprising;

a guide slit defining a moving area;

a moving member that is coupled to the door and the home bar door, the moving member configured to support the home bar door and being movable inside the moving area, the guide slit guiding movement of the moving member;

a locking groove formed on a lower portion of the guide slit that locks the moving member in a state where the home bar door is opened to be approximately at a right angle from the door when the moving member is moved to the lower portion of the guide slit, wherein the moving member is released from the locking groove when the home bar door is moved to be more than the right angle from the door; and

an elastic member configured to bias the home bar door so that home bar door is closed when an external force is applied to the home bar door, at least one portion of the elastic member being coupled to the hinge portion to surround the hinge portion,

wherein the moving member is coupled to both sides of the home bar door such that goods may be placed on the flat surface.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the opening/closing unit further comprises:

a coupling member having a first side coupled to the moving member to move the moving member when the home bar door is opened and closed.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the moving member is provided with a hook step that is configured to be interlocked with the locking groove.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an inclined surface is formed on a lower portion of the locking groove to enable the moving member to be released from the locking groove.