Abstract: A passage switching valve for maintaining a plurality of outlet ports to be opened and for uniformly distributing a fluid to the outlet ports and a refrigerator employing the same are disclosed. The passage switching valve includes a housing having an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, an opening and closing member for opening and closing the outlet ports, and a driving device for operating the opening and closing member. The outlet ports are provided in a lower position than the inlet port. A collecting portion is formed by providing a recess in the bottom portion of the housing such that a fluid can be collected and the outlet ports are formed in the collecting portion.

Abstract: A clothes drying machine, which reduces the deterioration of the elastic force of a sealing member maintaining the hermetic sealing of a gap between the rear surface of a door and the front surface of a housing.

Abstract: A hinge device for storage cases to hingedly connect a case body and a door. The hinge device includes a housing fixed to one of the case body and the door, first and second hinge shafts rotatably attached to opposite ends of the housing, respectively, such that the first and second hinge shafts are fixed to the other of the case body and the door, a cam driving unit disposed at the first hinge shaft in the housing, and a torsion spring having one end fixed to the second hinge shaft and the other end fixed in the housing such that the rotation resistance of the door is increased when the door is closed, and the torsion spring is returned to its original state when the door is opened.

Abstract: A hinge device including: a bracket having a shaft hole; a shaft inserted through the shaft hole; a longitudinal insert home diametrically formed on one or both sides of the shaft and a pair of shoulder members formed centrally on the shaft with a fixed distance from one another. A first shoulder member is larger than the second shoulder member. A torsion spring is placed between the bracket and the shaft. A plurality of space washers having holes placed on one or both sides of the bracket. A plurality of disc springs have through holes which have protrusion members that insert into the insert home of the shaft when the shaft is inserted into the bracket. A guide washer having a through hole which has protrusion member that inserts into the insert home of the shaft when the shaft is inserted into the bracket. A nut screw onto the shaft to stabilize a horizontal position of the attached elements.