CAN SERVER AND REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME

Abstract

Disclosed is a can server, and a refrigerator having the can server. The refrigerator having a can server, comprises: a refrigerator body having a cooling chamber therein; a door for opening and closing the cooling chamber; and a can server having a body arranged so as to be rotatable between a supporting position protruding from an inner wall of the cooling chamber or the door and supporting a can, and a withdrawing position implemented on the inner wall in upper and lower directions. When using the can server, the body of the can server is rotated to the supporting position thereby to support a can. On the contrary, when not using the can server, the body of the can server is rotated to the withdrawing position in parallel to the wall surface thereby to enhance a spatial utilization degree for the cooling chamber, a home bar, or an inner space of the door.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0101677, filed on Oct. 9, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a can server and a refrigerator having the same, and particularly, to a can server capable of enhancing a spatial utilization degree by being rotated, and a refrigerator having the same.

2. Background of the Invention

Generally, a refrigerator serves to freshly maintain food items in a cool state or a frozen state. The refrigerator comprises a body having a cooling chamber therein, a door for opening and closing the cooling chamber, and a refrigerating cycle apparatus for supplying cool air to the cooling chamber.

The refrigerating cycle apparatus is implemented as a vapor compression refrigerating cycle, comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant by emitting heat, an expander for depressurizing and expanding the refrigerant, and an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant by making the refrigerant absorb peripheral latent heat.

Food items contained in various types of vessels are stored inside the refrigerator, i.e., in the cooling chamber.

For convenience of circulation and storage, alcoholic drinks or beverages are accommodated in cans to be circulated.

Some refrigerators are provided with can supporting apparatuses or can servers (hereinafter, will be referred to as ‘can server’) for supporting cans containing alcoholic drinks or beverages therein.

As shown in FIG. 1, a can server 10 includes can supporting portions 12 for accommodating and supporting cans 5, and a frame 11 for supporting the can supporting portions 12.

A plurality of can accommodating portions 15 having circular cross sections, and configured to accommodate the cans 5 having circular cross sections are formed at the can supporting unit 12. The can supporting portions 12 are formed at the frame 11 in upper and lower directions with a gap therebetween.

However, the conventional can server for a refrigerator has some problems.

Firstly, since the frame 11 and the can supporting portions 12 are fixedly installed at the refrigerator, a cooling space is unnecessarily occupied by the frame 11 and the can supporting portions 12 even when a user does not use the can server.

Secondly, since the can accommodating portions 15 are configured to have circular cross sections in correspondence to the cans 5, other items rather than the cans 5 may not be supported by the can accommodating portions 15.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a can server capable of enhancing a spatial utilization degree by being rotated, and a refrigerator having the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a can server capable of enhancing a user's convenience by allowing an inner space to be variously utilized by being rotated and detachably mounted, and a refrigerator having the same.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a refrigerator having a can server, comprising: a refrigerator body having a cooling chamber therein; a door for opening and closing the cooling chamber; and a can server including a body arranged so as to be rotatable between a supporting position protruding from an inner wall of the cooling chamber or the door and supporting a can, and a withdrawing position arranged on the inner wall in upper and lower directions.

The can server may include rotation shaft parts formed at one of the inner wall of the door and the can server; and shaft coupling parts formed at another of the inner wall and the can server, and coupled to the rotation shaft parts.

Each of the rotation shaft parts may include a rotation shaft, and a first cam profile having top and bottom portions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft. And, each of the shaft coupling parts may include a shaft accommodating portion, and a second cam profile having bottom and top portions alternately arranged in correspondence to the top and bottom portions of the first cam profile, in a circumferential direction of the shaft accommodating portion.

The body may be configured to have a circular cross section.

The body may be provided with a through hole.

The rotation shaft part and the shaft coupling part may be configured so as to elastically come in contact with each other.

The rotation shaft part may be formed at the body, and the shaft coupling part may be formed at an outer side of the rotation shaft part.

The shaft accommodating portion may be penetratingly formed so as to pass the rotation shaft therethrough.

A stopping portion for stopping the body from downwardly rotating by contacting the body may be formed between the shaft coupling parts.

The body may be configured so as to be detachably mounted to the inner wall of the cooling chamber or the door.

According to another aspects of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises: a refrigerator body having a cooling chamber therein; a door for opening and closing the cooling chamber; a supporting member fixed to an inner wall of the cooling chamber or the door; and a can server having a body rotatably coupled to the supporting member and supporting a can.

Here, the can server may include rotation shaft parts each having a rotation shaft formed at one of the supporting member and the body, and having a first cam profile provided with top and bottom portions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft; and shaft coupling parts each having a shaft accommodating portion formed at another of the supporting member and the body so as to accommodate the rotation shaft therein, and having a second cam profile having bottom and top portions alternately arranged in correspondence to the top and bottom portions of the first cam profile, in a circumferential direction of the shaft accommodating portion.

The rotation shaft part and the shaft coupling part may be configured so as to elastically come in contact with each other.

The body may be detachably mounted to the supporting member.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is also provided a can server, comprising: a supporting member fixed to an inner wall of a cooling chamber or a door; a body rotatably coupled to the supporting member and supporting a can; rotation shaft parts each having a rotation shaft formed at one of the supporting member and the body, and having a first cam profile provided with top and bottom portions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft; and shaft coupling parts each having a shaft accommodating portion formed at another of the supporting member and the body so as to accommodate the rotation shaft therein, and having a second cam profile having bottom and top portions alternately arranged in correspondence to the top and bottom portions of the first cam profile, in a circumferential direction of the shaft accommodating portion.

The body may be detachably mounted to the supporting member.

The rotation shaft parts and the shaft coupling parts may be configured so as to elastically come in contact with each other.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a can server for a refrigerator in accordance with the conventional art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator having a can server according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a main part of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged perspective view showing a rotation shaft part and a shaft coupling part of FIG. 3, respectively;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a supporting position for the can server of FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 perspective views showing a refrigerator having a can server according to a second embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator having a can server according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, a refrigerator having a can server comprises a refrigerator body 110 having a cooling chamber therein; doors 122 and 123 for opening and closing the cooling chamber; a home bar 125 formed at the door(refrigerating chamber door) 123; and a can server 130 rotatably installed in the home bar 125 in upper and lower directions. Here, the cooling chamber indicates a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and the refrigerator body 110 may be configured to include one of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber.

The refrigerator body 110 is provided with a freezing chamber (not shown), and a refrigerating chamber 121 disposed at left and right sides of a partition wall, respectively. The refrigerator body 110 is implemented as a two-door type refrigerator including a freezing chamber door 122 and a refrigerating chamber door 123 at a front side thereof, for opening and closing the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber 121 in left and right directions, respectively. Here, the refrigerator body may be also implemented as a ‘top freezer type refrigerator’, or a ‘bottom freezer type refrigerator’ that a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber are arranged in upper and lower directions.

Door pockets 124 for storing food items having a relatively small size are installed in the refrigerating chamber door 123 with a gap therebetween in upper and lower directions.

At an upper region of the refrigerating chamber door 123, provided is a home bar 125 configured to accommodate food items therein and to allow the food items stored therein to be drawn out without opening and closing the refrigerating chamber door 123.

The home bar 125 includes a case 127 having an opening formed at a front surface thereof and serving as an accommodating space, and a home bar door 129 for opening and closing the opening of the case 127.

A can server 130 for accommodating and supporting cans (C) such as alcoholic drinks or beverages is provided in the home bar 125.

As shown in FIG. 3, the can server 130 includes a body 131 configured to support the can (C); rotation shaft parts 141 formed at one of the case 127 and the body 131; and shaft coupling parts 151 formed at another of the case 127 and the body 131, and rotatably supporting the rotation shaft parts 141.

The body 131 may be formed to have circular cross section so as to accommodate and support the can, and may be provided with a through hole 132 for smoothly passing air and reducing an entire weight and an amount of required materials. One pair of rotation shaft parts 141 may be formed at one side of the body 131 with a gap therebetween. A stopping portion 135 configured to contact a wall surface of the case 127 when the body 131 is in a supporting position may be formed between the rotation shaft parts 141. Accordingly, the body 131 may be prevented from downwardly rotating. The stopping portion 135 is protruding from a wall surface of the case 127, and have an inclined structure that its end is more protruding towards a lower side.

The stopping portion 135 and the shaft coupling parts 151 may be directly formed on an inner wall of the case 127, or may be formed at the supporting member 128 as shown in FIG. 3. The supporting member 128 may be formed in a plate shape. In the present invention, the supporting member 128 is formed to have a long length in upper and lower directions, but may be formed to have a long length in right and left directions.

A plurality of stopping portions 135 and shaft coupling parts 151 may be provided at the supporting member 128 so that the plurality of bodies 131 can be rotatably coupled thereto. In the present invention, two stopping portions 135 and two pairs of shaft coupling parts 151 are formed at one supporting member 128 in upper and lower directions.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the rotation shaft parts 141 includes a rotation shaft 143 spacing from the body 131 in a width direction of the body 131, and extending from the body 131 in a longitudinal direction; and a first cam profile 145 having top and bottom portions 146a and 146b alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft 143. The top portions 146a and the bottom portions 146b are respectively implemented in four in number, and the top portions 146a are disposed in upper and lower directions and in right and left directions.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the shaft coupling parts 151 includes a shaft accommodating portion 153 for rotatably accommodating the rotation shaft 143, and a second cam profile 155 having bottom and top portions 156a and 156b alternately arranged in correspondence to the top and bottom portions 146a and 146b of the first cam profile 145, in a circumferential direction of a shaft accommodating portion 153. The shaft accommodating portion 153 is implemented as a through hole to pass the rotation shaft 143 therethrough. Here, the shaft accommodating portion 153 may be implemented as a groove for inserting the end of the rotation shaft 143.

The top and bottom portions 146a and 146b of the first cam profile 145, and the top and bottom portions 156b and 156a of the second cam profile 155 are, respectively, formed to have a curved cross section that each height is gradually changed in the shaft direction, so as to smoothly sliding-contact when being relatively rotated.

The second cam profile 155 is provided with the bottom portions 156a in upper and lower directions, and in right and left directions. And, each of the top portions 156b is arranged between the bottom portions 156a. Under these configurations, when the body 131 is to support the can C, the can server 130 is fixed to a supporting position protruding from a wall surface of the case 127 in a horizontal direction. On the contrary, when the can C is not to be supported by the body 131, the can server 130 is arranged at a withdrawing position in parallel to the wall surface. Accordingly, a spatial utilization degree for the refrigerator can be enhanced.

Each of the rotation shaft parts 141 is provided with a shaft supporting portion 142 extending from the body 131 in a width direction of the body 131 by a certain length. The shaft supporting portion 142 is formed so as to be elastically deformed when the rotation shaft 143 is coupled to or detached from the shaft accommodating portion 153. The shaft supporting portion 142 and the shaft accommodating portion 153 may be configured so as to elastically come in contact with each other after being coupled to each other.

Here, the rotation shaft part 141 may be formed on an inner wall of the case 127, and the shaft coupling part 151 may be formed at the body 131.

As shown in FIG. 7, the can server 130 may be installed on an inner wall of cooling chamber, i.e., the refrigerating chamber 121. As shown in FIG. 8, the can server 130 may be installed on an inner wall of the refrigerating chamber door 123, i.e., near the door pockets 124 of the refrigerating chamber door 123. In these cases, the rotation shaft parts 141 may be installed on an inner wall of the refrigerating chamber 121, or on an inner wall of the refrigerating chamber door 123. And, the shaft coupling parts 151 may be formed at the body 131.

Under these configurations, once the rotation shaft 143 is inserted into the shaft accommodating portion 153, the top portions 146a of the first cam profile 145 are inserted into the bottom portions 156a of the second cam profile 155, and the top portions 156b of the second cam profile 155 are inserted into the bottom portions 146b of the first cam profile 145.

When the can server 130 is not used, as indicated by the two types of dotted lines shown in FIG. 6, the body 131 of the can server 130 is rotated to a withdrawing position by being upwardly pressed by a user's hand. Accordingly, a utilization degree for an inner space of the refrigerator can be enhanced. Here, as the rotation shaft part 141 and the shaft coupling part 151 come in elastic contact with each other, separation therebetween is prevented, and the body 131 is prevented from rotating with respect to the supporting member 128.

When the can C is to be supported by the can server 130, as indicated by the solid line shown in FIG. 6, the body 131 of the can server 130 is rotated by being downwardly pressed by a user's hand. Once the body 131 is downwardly rotated from the withdrawing position, the top portions 146a of the rotation shaft part 141 move along the second cam profile 155. Here, the shaft supporting portion 142 of each of the rotation shaft parts 141 is elastically deformed in the shaft direction, thereby elastically contacting the first cam profile 145 and the second cam profile 155 with each other. More concretely, the top portions 146a of the first cam profile 145 are sliding-moved by elastically contacting the second cam profile 155. Once the body 131 continues to rotate thereby to be disposed at a position perpendicular to the wall surface of the case 127, i.e., disposed in a horizontal direction, the stopping portion 135 contacts the wall surface of the case 127. Accordingly, the body 131 is prevented from downwardly rotating.

When the can server 130 is not to be used for a long time, or when a spatial utilization degree for the refrigerator is to be enhanced, the body 131 is separated from the shaft coupling part 151 by inwardly pressing the shaft supporting portion 142 of the rotation shaft part 141

As aforementioned, when the can server is not to be used, the can server is rotated to the withdrawing position in parallel to the wall surface. Accordingly, an inner space where the can server is installed, such as the home bar, the cooling chamber, a space between the door pockets, or a peripheral space, can be effectively utilized.

In the present invention, the body of the can server is configured so as to be rotated, and so as to be detachably mounted to the inner wall of the cooling chamber or the door. Accordingly, the can server is rotated to the withdrawing position when not used, thereby to enhance a spatial utilization degree. Furthermore, the can server is separated from the shaft coupling part thus to be stored outside the refrigerator, thereby effectively utilizing the home bar, the cooling chamber, or the space between the door pockets, or the peripheral space.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator having a can server, comprising:

a refrigerator body having a cooling chamber therein;

a door for opening and closing the cooling chamber; and

a can server having a body arranged so as to be rotatable between a supporting position protruding from an inner wall of the cooling chamber or the door and supporting a can, and a withdrawing position implemented on the inner wall in upper and lower directions.

2. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 1, wherein the can server comprises:

rotation shaft parts formed at one of the inner wall and the can server; and

shaft coupling parts formed at another of the inner wall and the can server, and coupled to the rotation shaft parts.

3. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 2, wherein each of the rotation shaft parts comprises a rotation shaft, and a first cam profile having top and bottom portions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft, and

wherein each of the shaft coupling parts comprises a shaft accommodating portion, and a second cam profile having bottom and top portions alternately arranged in correspondence to the top and bottom portions of the first cam profile in a circumferential direction of the shaft accommodating portion.

4. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to have a circular cross section.

5. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 1, wherein the body is provided with a through hole.

6. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 2, wherein the rotation shaft part and the shaft coupling part are configured to elastically come in contact with each other.

7. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 2, wherein the rotation shaft part is formed at the body, and the shaft coupling part is formed at an outer side of the rotation shaft part.

8. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 2, wherein the shaft accommodating portion is penetratingly formed so as to pass the rotation shaft therethrough.

9. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 7, wherein a stopping portion for stopping the body from downwardly rotating by contacting the body is formed between the shaft coupling parts.

10. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 1, wherein the body is configured so as to be detachably mounted to the inner wall of the cooling chamber or the door.

11. A refrigerator having a can server, comprising:

a refrigerator body having a cooling chamber therein;

a door for opening and closing the cooling chamber;

a supporting member fixed to an inner wall of the cooling chamber or the door; and

a can server having a body rotatably coupled to the supporting member and supporting a can.

12. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 11, wherein the can server comprises:

rotation shaft parts each having a rotation shaft formed at one of the supporting member and the body, and having a first cam profile provided with top and bottom portions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft; and

shaft coupling parts each having a shaft accommodating portion formed at another of the supporting member and the body so as to accommodate the rotation shaft therein, and having a second cam profile having bottom and top portions alternately arranged in correspondence to the top and bottom portions of the first cam profile, in a circumferential direction of the shaft accommodating portion.

13. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 12, wherein the rotation shaft part and the shaft coupling part are configured to elastically come in contact with each other.

14. The refrigerator having a can server of claim 11, wherein the body is detachably mounted to the supporting member.

15. A can server, comprising:

a supporting member fixed to an inner wall of a cooling chamber or a door;

a body rotatably coupled to the supporting member and supporting a can;

rotation shaft parts each having a rotation shaft formed at one of the supporting member and the body, and having a first cam profile provided with top and bottom portions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft; and

shaft coupling parts each having a shaft accommodating portion formed at another of the supporting member and the body so as to accommodate the rotation shaft therein, and having a second cam profile having bottom and top portions alternately arranged in correspondence to the top and bottom portions of the first cam profile, in a circumferential direction of the shaft accommodating portion.

16. The can server of claim 15, wherein the body is detachably mounted to the supporting member.

17. The can server of claim 15, wherein the rotation shaft part and the shaft coupling part are configured to elastically come in contact with each other.