REFRIGERATOR

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0180917, filed on December 6, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more specifically, to a refrigerator including a convertible compartment.

Description of the Related Art

A refrigerator is a home appliance for supplying cold air generated using circulation of refrigerant to a storage compartment to keep various types of storage objects fresh for a long time. Cold air supplied to the refrigerator can be generated as refrigerant sequentially circulating through a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator flows into the evaporator and liquid refrigerant is vaporized into a gaseous refrigerant by absorbing heat inside the refrigerator. The cold air generated through the evaporator can be supplied to the storage compartment by a grill fan including a cold-air flow path through which the cold air flows and a blower fan that blows the cold air into the storage compartment.

The storage compartment can be used for various purposes, such as a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment. Since the refrigerating compartment stores items under refrigerated conditions and the freezing compartment stores items under frozen conditions, it is necessary to control the amount of cold air supplied to the refrigerator and freezing compartments differently so as to maintain different temperatures. Accordingly, the refrigerator may have a plurality of independent storage compartments to secure a plurality of storage spaces for various purposes. When the refrigerator has the plurality of storage compartments with the independent storage spaces, cold air can be supplied to each storage compartment by a separate evaporator disposed in each of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment.

Meanwhile, to meet various types of food storage needs of users, a refrigerator may have a convertible compartment, which is a multi-purpose storage compartment capable of maintaining a refrigerated, frozen, or user-specified temperature by controlling temperature according to the user’s needs. The convertible compartment can be formed as a separate storage space from both of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment and can require a cold-air control system independent of both of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment.

However, the amount or type of food stored in the convertible compartment can vary depending on the user, the time period, or the like. Accordingly, various requirements have been generated with respect to the size of the convertible compartment.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to providing a refrigerator capable of meeting various user needs related to a convertible compartment.

The present invention is also directed to providing a refrigerator in which the size of a convertible compartment can be easily changed by a user as needed.

Objects of the present invention are not limited to the above object, and other objects and advantages of the present invention which are not mentioned can be understood by the following description and more clearly understood by various embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, it will be able to be easily seen that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be achieved by devices and combinations thereof that are described in the claims.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator including a cabinet having an open front surface, one or more doors configured to open and close a front surface of the cabinet, a fixed shell fixed to the door, and a moving shell configured to vertically move along the door.

At least a portion of a space formed by the cabinet forms a refrigerating compartment, and the door opens and closes the refrigerating compartment.

The fixed shell and the moving shell form a convertible compartment separated from the refrigerating compartment.

The refrigerator may further include a cold-air supply duct configured to transfer cold air generated from an evaporator to the convertible compartment.

The fixed shell may be fixed to a lower end portion of the door.

The moving shell may move between a first position at which at least a portion overlaps the fixed shell in a front-rear direction and a second position higher than the first position.

A size of the convertible compartment when the moving shell is positioned at the second position may be larger than a size of the convertible compartment when the moving shell is positioned at the first position.

The refrigerator may further include a first storage shelf disposed on the door, and a second storage shelf disposed on the door and disposed above the first storage shelf.

When the moving shell is positioned at the first position, the convertible compartment may be formed below the first storage shelf.

When the moving shell is positioned at the second position, the first storage shelf may be removed, and the convertible compartment may be formed below the second storage shelf.

When the moving shell is positioned at the second position, an upper end of the moving shell may come into contact with a lower end of the second storage shelf.

The fixed shell may include a first fixed shell and a second fixed shell.

The moving shell may include a first moving shell and a second moving shell.

The first fixed shell and the second fixed shell may be fixed to the door.

The first moving shell and the second moving shell may vertically move along the door.

The first fixed shell and the first moving shell may form the first storage shelf.

The second fixed shell and the second moving shell may form the second storage shelf.

The first storage shelf may include a first fixed shell fixed to the door and a first moving shell that vertically moves along the door.

The second storage shelf may include a second fixed shell fixed to the door and a second moving shell that moves along the door.

The refrigerator may be configured such that at least a portion of the first moving shell overlaps the first fixed shell in a front-rear direction and at least a portion of the second moving shell overlaps the second fixed shell in the front-rear direction and configured to have a first state in which the first moving shell and the second moving shell are spaced apart from each other.

The first moving shell may move upward in the first state, and the second moving shell may have the second state moving downward from the first state.

In the second state, the convertible compartment may be formed in a space formed by the first fixed shell, the first moving shell, and the second moving shell, and a lower surface of the second fixed shell may form an upper surface of the convertible compartment.

In the second state, an upper end of the first moving shell and a lower surface of the second moving shell may come into contact with each other.

In the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, the storage space can be used more efficiently.

In the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, the size of the convertible compartment can be changed as needed.

In the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, user convenience can be improved.

Specific effects together with the above effects are described together with a description of the following detailed matters for carrying out the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a freezer door is removed and a refrigerator door provided with a convertible compartment is open.

FIG. 3 is a view of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a sub door of the refrigerator door provided with the convertible compartment is open.

FIG. 4 is a view of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the refrigerator door provided with the convertible compartment is fully open.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a supply and recovery configuration of cold air to and from the convertible compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a first configuration of the convertible compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention and a state in which the size of the convertible compartment is relatively small.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the first configuration of the convertible compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention and a state in which the size of the convertible compartment is relatively large.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a second configuration of the convertible compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention and a state in which an additional convertible compartment is not used.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the second configuration of the convertible compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention and a state in which an additional convertible compartment is configured.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a fixing part of a moving shell of the convertible compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and thus those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will be able to easily carry out the technical spirit of the present disclosure. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar components.

Although “first,” “second,” and the like are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise stated, it is obvious that a first component may be a second component.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each component may be singular or plural.

Hereinafter, the arrangement of an arbitrary component on an “upper portion (or lower portion)” of a component or “above (or under)” the component may not only mean that the arbitrary component is disposed in contact with an upper surface (or a lower surface) of the component, but also mean that other components may be interposed between the component and the arbitrary component disposed above (or under) the component.

In addition, when a first component is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “joined” to a second component, the components may be directly connected or joined, but it should be understood that a third component may be “interposed” between the components, or the components may be “connected,” “coupled,” or “joined” through the third component.

The singular expression used herein includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the application, terms such as “composed of” or “comprising” should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or operations described in the specification and should be construed as not including some of the components or some of the operations or further including additional components or operations.

Throughout the specification, when “A and/or B” is described, this means A, B, or A and B unless otherwise specified, and when “C to D” is described, this means C or more and D or less unless otherwise specified.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[Structure of refrigerator including convertible compartment]

A refrigerator including a convertible compartment according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a freezer door is removed and a refrigerator door provided with a convertible compartment is open.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exterior of a refrigerator 1 may be formed by a cabinet 10 including one or more storage compartments, which are storage spaces of items, and a plurality of doors capable of opening and closing an open front surface of the cabinet 10. The cabinet 10 may include an outer case 11 and an inner case 12 coupled to the inside of the outer case 11. An insulation material may be filled between the inner case 12 and the outer case 11, and various types of ducts related to a cold-air system may pass through the insulation material. A space formed by the inner case 12 may be divided by a barrier unit 17. A first storage compartment disposed on an upper portion of the inner case 12 may function as a refrigerating compartment 20, and a second storage compartment disposed on a lower portion of the inner case 12 may function as a freezing compartment 30.

A refrigerator grille fan assembly 21 and a freezer grille fan assembly 31, which discharge cold air generated from an evaporator to the storage compartments, may be disposed in the refrigerating compartment 20 and the freezing compartment 30, respectively. In addition, one or more storage units 22 for storing items may be disposed within the refrigerating compartment 20, and one or more storage units 32 for storing items may also be disposed within the freezing compartment 30.

The refrigerating compartment 20 may be opened and closed by a pair of first doors 13. The pair of first doors 13 may be a pair of pivoting doors rotatably connected to one side and the other side of the cabinet 10, respectively, by hinges. A dispenser 15 that allows a user to take out water or ice without opening the door may be mounted on one of the first doors 13.

In addition, the other of the first doors 13 may be provided with a convertible compartment 40 that may be used for different purposes according to user settings. The convertible compartment 40 may be used as a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, or a separate storage compartment with a desired temperature, according to user settings. The following description will provide an embodiment in which the first door 13 with the dispenser 15 is a left door and the first door 13 with the convertible compartment 40 is a right door.

The freezing compartment 30 may be opened and closed by a pair of second doors 14. The pair of second doors 14 may be a pair of rotatable doors rotatably connected to one side and the other side of the cabinet 10, respectively, by hinges, but are not limited thereto, and the pair of second doors 14 may be drawer-type doors that are drawn in and out by rails.

FIG. 3 is a view of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a sub door of the refrigerator door provided with the convertible compartment is open, and FIG. 4 is a view of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the refrigerator door provided with the convertible compartment is fully open.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first door 13 provided with the convertible compartment 40 may be composed of a main door 131 and a sub door 132. The first door 13 may be implemented in a door- in-door manner. The main door 131 is a door attached to the cabinet 10 and serves as an access door to the entire interior of the refrigerating compartment 20. The sub door 132 may be connected to one side of the main door 131 by a hinge and rotatably opened and closed independently of the main door 131. The main door 131 may be provided with the convertible compartment 40.

The size of the convertible compartment 40 may be changed as needed. This will be described below.

In addition, the main door 131 may be provided with one or more storage compartment. The storage compartments may include storage shelves 61 and 62. A convertible compartment may be formed by the storage shelves 61 and 62. By forming an additional convertible compartment on the storage shelves 61 and 62, the size of the convertible compartment may be ultimately changed. The detailed description thereof will be given below.

A front opening 133 having an open front surface may be formed in a front surface of the main door 131. Accordingly, a user may access an accommodation space of the convertible compartment 40 through the front opening 133 by opening only the sub door 132 without opening the main door 131. That is, the front surface of the convertible compartment 40 may be closed in a closed state of the sub door 132, but opened in an open state of the sub door 132.

A front surface of the sub door 132 may include a transmissive unit 16. Accordingly, the user can easily check items stored inside the convertible compartment 40 without opening the sub door 132. In this case, the transmittance of the transmissive unit 16 may be changed according to a special user action, such as a knock-on, or user settings. For example, the transmissive unit 16 may normally maintain an opaque or semi-transparent state and may be changed to a transmissive state through an input from a control unit.

A convertible compartment fan 44 and a gasket 45 may be disposed on an outer side of one side surface of the convertible compartment 40, and a discharge cover 46 may be disposed on an inner side of the one side surface of the convertible compartment 40. The discharge cover 46 and the convertible compartment fan 44 may be disposed to face each other. A cold-air supply duct connection port 23 may be formed on one side of the inner case 12 constituting the refrigerating compartment 20. In the closed state of the main door 131, the convertible compartment fan 44 and the gasket 45 of the convertible compartment 40 may be disposed at positions that communicate with the cold-air supply duct connection port 23 of the inner case 12. Accordingly, in the closed state of the main door 131, the cold-air supply duct connection port 23 of the inner case 12 may communicate with the convertible compartment fan 44 and the discharge cover 46 of the convertible compartment 40. The main door 131 may be provided with one or more storage units. As described above, the one or more storage units may be implemented by the storage shelves 61 and 62. The present specification describes a structure in which the convertible compartment 40 is disposed at the bottom and the storage compartments are disposed above the convertible compartment 40, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Cold-air system of convertible compartment]

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a supply and recovery configuration of cold air to and from the convertible compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a cold-air system of the convertible compartment according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with further reference to FIG. 5.

The refrigerator grille fan assembly 21 for supplying cold air to the refrigerating compartment 20 may be disposed in the refrigerating compartment 20. The refrigerator grille fan assembly 21 may be disposed on a rear inner side of the refrigerating compartment 20. The refrigerator grille fan assembly 21 may include a refrigerator evaporator 211 for generating cold air to be supplied to the refrigerating compartment 20 and a refrigerator blower fan 212 for blowing the generated cold air. The refrigerator grille fan assembly 21 described herein is described in a broad sense including the refrigerator evaporator 211, but is not limited thereto, and the refrigerator grille fan assembly 21 may be described in a narrow sense separated from the refrigerator evaporator 211. In addition, the refrigerator grille fan assembly 21, the refrigerator blower fan 212, and the refrigerator evaporator 211 may be referred to as a first grill fan, a first blower fan, and a first evaporator, respectively.

A refrigerating compartment cooling system may repeat the following cycle. High-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant from a compressor may release heat and change into a liquid state in a condenser, the liquid refrigerant may move to the refrigerator evaporator 211 through an expansion valve, and in the refrigerator evaporator 211, the refrigerant may change into a gaseous state to absorb heat from the surroundings to generate cold air. The cold air generated in this way may be blown into the refrigerating compartment 20 by the refrigerator blower fan 212, thereby cooling the inner side of the refrigerating compartment 20.

A cold-air discharge structure 213 including a refrigerator cold-air flow paths 214 may be disposed on the rear inner side of the refrigerating compartment 20. The cold-air discharge structure 213 may be disposed above the refrigerator grille fan assembly 21 and may communicate with the refrigerator grille fan assembly 21. Cold air blown by the refrigerator blower fan 212 may move along the refrigerator cold-air flow paths 214 of the cold-air discharge structure 213 and may be supplied into the refrigerating compartment 20 through cold-air guide holes and the like formed in the cold-air discharge structure 213.

The freezer grille fan assembly 31 for supplying cold air to the freezing compartment 30 may be disposed in the freezing compartment 30. The freezer grille fan assembly 31 may be disposed on a rear inner side of the freezing compartment 30. The freezer grille fan assembly 31 may include a freezer evaporator 311 for generating cold air to be supplied to the freezing compartment 30 and a freezer blower fan 312 for blowing the generated cold air. In addition, the freezer grille fan assembly 31 may further include an ice-making fan 313 for supplying cold air to an ice-making device. For example, the ice-making device may be mounted on the freezing compartment 30, a door, or the like. The freezer grille fan assembly 31 described herein is described in a broad sense including the freezer evaporator 311, but is not limited thereto, and the freezer grille fan assembly 31 may be described in a narrow sense separated from the freezer evaporator 311. In addition, the freezer grille fan assembly 31, the freezer blower fan 312, and the freezer evaporator 311 may be referred to as a second grill fan, a second blower fan, and a second evaporator, respectively. A freezing compartment cooling system may repeat the following cycle. High-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant from a compressor may release heat and change into a liquid state in a condenser, the liquid refrigerant may move to the freezer evaporator 311 through an expansion valve, and in the freezer evaporator 311, the refrigerant may change into a gaseous state to absorb heat from the surroundings to generate cold air. The cold air generated in this way may be blown into the freezing compartment 30 by the freezer blower fan 312, thereby cooling the inner side of the freezing compartment 30.

For example, the compressor may be disposed in a machine compartment positioned at a rear outer lower end of the freezing compartment 30. A single compressor may implement both the refrigerating compartment cooling system and the freezing compartment cooling system, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and two compressors may implement the refrigerating compartment cooling system and the freezing compartment cooling system, respectively.

In this way, according to the present invention, the refrigerating compartment 20 and the freezing compartment 30 may each implement independent cooling systems. The convertible compartment 40 may receive cold air generated from the refrigerating compartment cooling system or the freezing compartment cooling system. In the present invention, an embodiment in which the convertible compartment 40 receives cold air from the refrigerating compartment cooling system will be described.

Referring to FIG. 5, the convertible compartment 40 may receive the cold air generated from the refrigerator evaporator 211 through a cold-air supply duct 50 that communicates with the refrigerator evaporator 211. One side and the other side of the cold-air supply duct 50 may communicate with the refrigerator grille fan assembly 21 provided with one sides of the refrigerator evaporator 211 and the convertible compartment 40, respectively. The cold-air supply duct 50 may be formed to extend along one side surface from the rear surface of the inner case 12 constituting the refrigerating compartment 20. The cold-air supply duct 50 extending along the one side surface of the inner case 12 may communicate with a cold-air supply duct connection port 23 formed on the one side surface of the inner case 12.

The amount of cold air supplied to the convertible compartment 40 may be controlled by a damper 54. For example, the damper 54 may be disposed between the refrigerator grille fan assembly 21 and the cold-air supply duct 50. When the damper 54 is opened, the cold air generated from the refrigerator evaporator 211 may be transferred to the convertible compartment 40, but when the damper 54 is closed, the cold air generated from the refrigerator evaporator 211 may not be transferred to the convertible compartment 40, thereby blocking the introduction of the cold air into the convertible compartment 40. The damper 54 may be opened at a predetermined angle, rather than being fully open or closed, and the amount of cold air passing through the damper 54 may be controlled depending on the angle being opened.

A convertible compartment fan 44 may be mounted on the one side surface of the convertible compartment 40. The convertible compartment fan 44 may be disposed on the one side surface of the convertible compartment 40 and may communicate with the cold-air supply duct connection port 23 formed on the one side surface of the inner case 12 in the closed state of the main door 131 provided with the convertible compartment 40. Accordingly, the convertible compartment fan 44 and the cold-air supply duct 50 may communicate with each other with the inner case 12 interposed therebetween. The convertible compartment fan 44 may assist in suctioning the cold air generated from the refrigerator evaporator 211 and discharging the cold air into the convertible compartment 40, and when the cold air supplied from the cold-air supply duct 50 is blocked by the damper 54, the convertible compartment fan 44 may serve to circulate the air within the convertible compartment 40.

According to the present invention, the convertible compartment 40 may receive the cold air generated from the refrigerator evaporator 211, and the convertible compartment 40 can achieve a temperature that is lower than or higher than the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 20. That is, according to the present invention, since the cold air generated by the refrigerator evaporator 211 is supplied to the convertible compartment 40, compared to supplying the convertible compartment 40 with cold air from the freezer evaporator 311 that provides relatively colder air, structural modification or increases in material costs related to thermal insulation shielding of the convertible compartment 40 may not occur.

In addition, according to the present invention, the operations of the convertible compartment fan 44 and the damper 54 may be controlled to implement a convertible compartment temperature-decreasing mode, which achieves the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 that is lower than that of the refrigerating compartment 20, and a convertible compartment temperature-increasing mode, which achieves the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 that is higher than that of the refrigerating compartment 20. However, the convertible compartment temperature-decreasing mode as defined herein is not limited to achieving the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 that is lower than that of the refrigerating compartment 20, but may control the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 to achieve a predetermined temperature that is lower than the currently measured temperature of the convertible compartment 40. Likewise, the convertible compartment temperature-increasing mode as defined herein is not limited to achieving the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 that is higher than that of the refrigerating compartment 20, but may control the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 to achieve a predetermined temperature that is higher than the currently measured temperature of the convertible compartment 40.

For example, the convertible compartment temperature-decreasing mode may be implemented as follows. When the temperature conditions required in the refrigerating compartment 20 are satisfied, the operation of the cold-air control system of the refrigerating compartment may be stopped. In this case, the operation of the refrigerator blower fan 212 may also be stopped, thereby stopping the supply of cold air into the refrigerating compartment 20. Even when the operation of the refrigerator blower fan 212 is stopped in this way, when the convertible compartment fan 44 of the convertible compartment 40 is operated in an open state of the damper 54, the cold air generated in the refrigerator evaporator 211 may be suctioned into the convertible compartment 40 by the convertible compartment fan 44. Accordingly, even when the supply of cold air into the refrigerating compartment 20 is stopped, cold air may be continuously supplied into the convertible compartment 40, thereby achieving a temperature that is lower than that of the refrigerating compartment 20.

In addition, even when the cold-air control system of the refrigerating compartment is operated in a state in which the temperature conditions required in the refrigerating compartment 20 is not satisfied, when the convertible compartment fan 44 of the convertible compartment 40 is operated, compared to the refrigerating compartment 20 to which cold air is supplied only by the air volume of the refrigerator blower fan 212, more cold air may be blown to the convertible compartment 40 in a state in which the air volumes of the refrigerator blower fan 212 and the convertible compartment 44 are combined, thereby achieving the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 that is lower than that of the refrigerating compartment 20. In this way, according to the present invention, the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 may be controlled to be decreased independently of the operation of the cold-air control system of the refrigerating compartment 20 or the cold-air control system of the freezing compartment 30.

For example, the convertible compartment temperature-increasing mode may be implemented as follows. The damper 54 capable of controlling the amount of cold air supplied to the convertible compartment 40 may be closed to block the cold air generated from the refrigerator evaporator 211 from being transferred to the convertible compartment 40 through the cold-air supply duct 50. In this way, when the supply of cold air to the convertible compartment 40 is blocked, the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 that is higher than that of the refrigerating compartment 20 can be achieved. In this way, according to the present invention, the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 may be controlled to be increased independently of the operation of the cold-air control system of the refrigerating compartment 20 or the cold-air control system of the freezing compartment 30.

In addition, according to the present invention, the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 may be controlled to be increased without using a separate heating member. When the separate heating member is disposed in the convertible compartment 40 and generates heat, the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 may be increased, but a temperature near the one side of the refrigerating compartment 20 adjacent to the convertible compartment 40 may also be increased. In this way, when the temperature near the one side of the refrigerating compartment 20 adjacent to the convertible compartment 40 increases, cold-air imbalance between left and right areas of the refrigerating compartment 20 may occur. In addition, when the temperature near the one side of the refrigerating compartment 20 adjacent to the convertible compartment 40 increases, the cold-air control system of the refrigerating compartment 20 needs to be continuously operated to meet a set temperature within the refrigerating compartment 20, which is detrimental to the energy efficiency of the refrigerator 1. In this way, according to the present invention, the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 may be controlled to be increased simply by controlling the opening and closing of the damper 54 without using a separate heating member, thereby enhancing the energy efficiency of the refrigerator 1 and preventing the cold-air balance throughout the refrigerator 1 from being disrupted.

Meanwhile, to enhance the energy efficiency of the refrigerator 1 and maintain cold-air balance throughout the refrigerator 1, cold air may be discharged more intensively to the first door 13 in which the convertible compartment 40 is disposed. In particular, when the warm air is frequently introduced according to the user’s usage pattern of frequently opening the sub door 132 to use the convertible compartment 40 or the convertible compartment heater disposed in the convertible compartment 40 is operated, it can be difficult to maintain the cold-air balance between the left and right areas of the refrigerating compartment 20. To this end, a door supply duct 52 for supplying cold air to the first door 13 provided with the convertible compartment 40 may be additionally disposed in the refrigerating compartment 20. The door supply duct 52 may be disposed to extend from an outer side of an upper surface of the refrigerating compartment 20 so that one end of the other side of the door supply duct 52 may communicate through an opening formed in an upper surface of the inner case 12, but is not limited thereto. The door supply duct 52 may also be disposed to extend from an inner side of the upper surface of the refrigerating compartment 20.

One side of the door supply duct 52 may communicate with the cold-air discharge structure 213 disposed on the rear inner side of the refrigerating compartment 20, and the other side of the door supply duct 52 may discharge cold air downward from an upper area of the first door 13. The other side of the door supply duct 52 that discharges cold air to the first door 13 may be disposed to vertically overlap the first door 13 provided with the convertible compartment 40 and supply cold air. The door supply duct 52 does not directly communicate with the first door 13 or the convertible compartment 40, but may discharge cold air downward from a position vertically overlapping the upper area of the first door 13 provided with the convertible compartment 40, thereby achieving an effect substantially similar to supplying cold air directly to the first door 13. In this way, according to the present invention, by additionally arranging the door supply duct 52, more cold air may be supplied near one side of the refrigerator in which the first door 13 provided with the convertible compartment 40 is disposed, thereby solving the problem of the cold air imbalance between the left and right areas of the refrigerator.

In addition, the door supply duct 52 may be disposed closer to one outer surface of the refrigerating compartment 20 in which the cold-air supply duct 50 is disposed to extend than the other outer surface of the refrigerating compartment 20 in which the cold-air supply duct 50 is not disposed. Accordingly, in a left-right direction of the refrigerating compartment 20, the cold-air supply duct 50 and the door supply duct 52 may be disposed to be more biased to the first door 13 in which the convertible compartment 40 is disposed. By arranging the cold-air supply duct 50 and the door supply duct 52 adjacent to the first door 13 provided with the convertible compartment 40 in this way, it is possible to solve the problem of cold-air imbalance that may be caused by the presence of the convertible compartment 40 and the frequent opening of the sub door 132.

As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention may control the operations of the convertible compartment fan 44 and the damper 54, thereby achieving the convertible compartment temperature-decreasing mode, which maintains the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 that is lower than that of the refrigerating compartment 20, and the convertible compartment temperature-increasing mode, which maintains the temperature of the convertible compartment 40 that is higher than that of the refrigerating compartment 20. However, the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention is not limited to achieving the convertible compartment temperature-decreasing mode and the convertible compartment temperature-increasing mode by controlling the operations of the convertible compartment fan 44 and the damper 54 and can also achieve the above modes by adding components or performing other control methods.

Meanwhile, the cold air supplied to the convertible compartment 40 may be discharged into the refrigerating compartment 20 through an outlet 421 formed in the convertible compartment 40. For example, the outlet 421 may be formed on the convertible compartment door 42. The cold air discharged into the refrigerating compartment 20 through the outlet 421 may be recovered to the refrigerator evaporator compartment 21, cooled through the refrigerator evaporator 211, and circulated to be supplied back into the convertible compartment 40. In this way, according to the present invention, the cold air in the convertible compartment 40 received from the cold-air supply duct 50 may be discharged into the refrigerating compartment 20 through the outlet 421 formed in the convertible compartment 40, thereby recovering the cold air in the convertible compartment 40 to the refrigerator evaporator 211. Accordingly, since a separate recovery duct is not required, the design for cold-air recovery can be simplified and the cost of structural modifications can be reduced.

[First configuration of convertible compartment]

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views illustrating the first configuration of the convertible compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state in which the size of the convertible compartment is relatively small, and FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which the size of the convertible compartment is relatively large.

Hereinafter, the first configuration of the convertible compartment according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the convertible compartment 40 may be formed by a moving shell 41 and a fixed shell 42. The moving shell 41 and the fixed shell 42 may be mounted on a door liner 135. The door liner 135 may substantially form a body portion of the main door 131. The door liner 135 may be formed in the shape of a rectangular frame having a hollow with the front opening 133 formed therein. A pair of protrusions, which are disposed at opposing positions and protrude inward from the door liner 135, may be formed on both inner sides of the door liner 135. The pair of protrusions may function to support and fix both sides of the convertible compartment 40. Accordingly, the convertible compartment 40 may be mounted on the pair of protrusions and fixed to the inner side of the door liner 135.

The fixed shell 42 may be fixed to the first door 13 (more specifically, the door liner 135), and the moving shell 42 may vertically move along the first door 13 (more specifically, the door liner 135). The fixed shell 42 may be positioned inside the moving shell 41. The fixed shell 42 may have open front and upper surfaces and closed side surfaces and rear surface. The fixed shell 42 may be fixed to a lower side of the main door 131 (more specifically, the door liner 135). The fixed shell 42 may form an accommodation space for storing items. According to an embodiment, a portion of the front surface of the fixed shell 42 may be closed. For example, a portion of a lower end portion of the front surface of the fixed shell 42 may be closed. The moving shell 41 may have open front and lower surfaces and closed side surfaces and rear surface. An upper surface of the moving shell 41 may be closed or open.

When the upper surface of the moving shell 41 is open, the accommodation space for storing items in the convertible compartment 40 may be formed by the fixed shell 42, the moving shell 41, and a lower surface of the first storage shelf 61 or a lower surface of the second storage shelf 62. When the upper surface of the moving shell 41 is closed, the accommodation space for storing items in the convertible compartment 40 may be formed by the fixed shell 42 and the moving shell 41.

The moving shell 41 may vertically move along the main door 131 (more specifically, the door liner 135). To this end, movement guides may be formed on both sides of the moving shell 41, and guide grooves for accommodating the movement guides may be formed in the main door 131 (more specifically, the door liner 135). The movement guides may be formed to protrude from both sides of the moving shell 41. Conversely, the movement guides may be formed on the main door 131 (more specifically, the door liner 135), and the guide grooves may be formed in the moving shell 41.

The moving shell 41 may be disposed inside the fixed shell 42. In this case, the guide grooves (or movement guides) for guiding the movement of the moving shell 41 may be formed on the fixed shell 42 and the main door 131 (more specifically, the door liner 135).

Referring to FIG. 6, in a first state in which the size of the convertible compartment 40 is relatively small, the moving shell 41 may be in a downwardly moved state. In the first state, the convertible compartment may be formed below the first storage shelf. In the first state, at least a portion of the moving shell 41 may overlap the fixed shell 42 in the front-rear direction.

Referring to FIG. 7, in a second state in which the size of the convertible compartment 40 is relatively large, the moving shell 41 may be in an upwardly moved state. In the second state, the first storage shelf 61 may be removed. In this case, an upper end of the moving shell 41 may come into contact with a lower end of the second storage shelf 62. In the second state, the convertible compartment 40 may be formed below the second storage shelf 62.

According to an embodiment, in the second state, the first storage shelf 61 may also move upward. In this case, the second storage shelf 62 may be accommodated inside the first storage shelf 61.

According to an embodiment, there may be no second storage shelf 62. In this case, the first storage shelf 61 may vertically move together with the moving shell 41.

[Second configuration of convertible compartment]

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views illustrating the second configuration of the convertible compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which an additional convertible compartment is not used, and FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which an additional convertible compartment is formed.

Hereinafter, the second configuration of the convertible compartment according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

The second configuration of the convertible compartment according to the embodiment of the present invention, which are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, may store food or other items that need to be stored at a temperature higher than that of the refrigerating compartment.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator 1 may comprises a first moving shell 611, a second moving shell 621, a first fixed shell 612, and a second fixed shell 622.

The first moving shell 611 and the first fixed shell 612 may form the first storage shelf 61.

The second moving shell 621 and the second fixed shell 622 may form the second storage shelf 62.

In other words, the first storage shelf 61 may include a first moving shell 611 and a first fixed shell 612, and the second storage shelf 62 may include a second moving shell 621 and a second fixed shell 622. The first fixed shell 612 may be disposed inside the first moving shell 611, and the second fixed shell 622 may be disposed inside the second moving shell 621.

The first fixed shell 612 and the second fixed shell 622 may be in the form of storage boxes having an open upper surface. The first moving shell 611 and the second moving shell 621 may have open upper and lower surfaces.

The first moving shell 611 and the second moving shell 621 may be vertically disposed along the main door 131 (more specifically, the door liner 135). To this end, movement guides may be formed on both sides of each of the first moving shell 611 and the second moving shell 621, and guide grooves for accommodating the movement guides may be formed in the main door 131 (more specifically, the door liner 135). The movement guides may be formed to protrude from both sides of each of the first moving shell 611 and the second moving shell 621. Conversely, the movement guide may be formed on the main door 131 (more specifically, the door liner 135), and the guide groove may be formed in each of the first moving shell 611 and the second moving shell 621.

The first moving shell 611 may be disposed inside the first fixed shell 612, and the second moving shell 621 may be disposed inside the second fixed shell 622. In this case, the guide grooves (or movement guides) that guide the movement of the first moving shell 611 and the second moving shell 621 may be formed in the first fixed shell 612, the second fixed shell 622, and the main door 131 (more specifically, the door liner 135).

Referring to FIG. 8, at least a portion of the first moving shell 611 may be disposed to overlap the first fixed shell 612 in the front-rear direction, and at least a portion of the second moving shell 621 may be disposed to overlap the second fixed shell 622 in the front-rear direction. In this state, the first moving shell 611 and the second moving shell 621 may be spaced apart from each other, and a convertible compartment may not be formed between the storage shelves 61 and 62.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first moving shell 611 may move upward, and the second moving shell 621 may move downward, thereby forming a convertible compartment. In this case, an upper end of the first moving shell 611 and a lower end of the second moving shell 621 may come into contact with each other, and the convertible compartment may be formed by the first fixed shell 612, the first moving shell 611, the second moving shell 621, and a lower surface of the second fixed shell 622. In this state, since the cold air supplied to the refrigerating compartment may not flow to the convertible compartment, the convertible compartment illustrated in FIG. 9 may maintain a higher temperature than the refrigerating compartment.

[Fixing part of moving shell]

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a fixing part of a moving shell of the convertible compartment of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The fixing part according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first fixing bracket 71 and a second fixing bracket 72.

The first fixing bracket 71 may rotate about a first rotational shaft 711, and the second fixing bracket 72 may rotate about a second rotational shaft 721. The first rotational shaft 711 and the second rotational shaft 721 may be formed in the moving shell 41 (or the first moving shell 611 or the second moving shell 621).

The second fixing bracket 72 may include a fixing protrusion 722 disposed below the second rotational shaft 721. In addition, a guide groove (or a moving guide) 1351 and a fixing groove 1352 may be formed in the door liner 135.

A lower surface of the rear of the first fixing bracket 71 and an upper surface of the front of the second fixing bracket 72 may come into contact with each other. Accordingly, when the front of the first fixing bracket 71 is raised upward, the rear of the first fixing bracket 71 moves downward, thereby moving the front of the second fixing bracket 72 downward, and thus the fixing protrusion 722 disposed on a lower side of the second fixing bracket 72 moves rearward and is removed from the fixing groove 1352, thereby allowing the moving shell 41 (or the first moving shell 611 or the second moving shell 621) to be movable.

Thereafter, when the front of the first fixing bracket 71 moves downward, the fixing protrusion 722 may move forward and may be inserted into the fixing groove 1352 to fix the position of the moving shell 41 (or the first moving shell 611 or the second moving shell 621).

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary drawings, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in the specification, and it is apparent that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention. In addition, even when the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described in the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it goes without saying that the effects predictable by the corresponding configuration should be recognized.