APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SECURING COMPRESSOR IN REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

Disclosed are an apparatus and a method of securing a compressor in a refrigerator. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus being capable of preventing the compressor from being separated from the refrigerator when the refrigerator is moved, such as during transportation of the refrigerator, and reducing a possibility of failure that may be caused by such separation. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: first and second mounting rods arranged to be distanced from each other; securing members coupled to the first and second mounting rods; and a reinforcing member coupled to the first and second mounting rods to be mounted on the securing members.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0060985, filed May 29, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and a method of securing a compressor in a refrigerator. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of reliably securing a compressor in a refrigerator when the refrigerator is moved.

Description of the Related Art

As well known in the art, a refrigerator is an appliance which stores and maintains fresh food items. For this purpose, the refrigerator performs a refrigeration cycle of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation phases of a refrigerant to lower the temperature inside a storage compartment of the refrigerator.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator includes a machine room 2 provided at a lower portion of a rear surface of the refrigerator, a compressor 4 provided in the machine room 2 and for compressing the refrigerant of a phase of a low temperature and a low pressure into refrigerant of a phase of a high temperature and a high pressure for operating a refrigeration cycle, a condenser 6 causing the refrigerant passing through the compressor 4 to be heat exchanged with ambient air, and a blowing fan 8 causing heat generated in the condenser 6 to be removed by blowing action.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the compressor 4 includes securing parts 14 provided at opposite sides thereof, and each having through holes 24 for securing. The compressor 4 is mounted on a base plate 12 of the refrigerator and the base plate 12 has holes (not shown) formed therein and into which mounting rods 18 are inserted for mounting the compressor 4. The mounting rods 18 are inserted into the holes and vibration absorbers 16 are positioned thereon and are capable of reducing vibration caused by the compressor. Furthermore, the securing part 14 of the compressor 4 is coupled onto the vibration absorbers 16. Herein, securing members 20 are adapted to be mounted for secure coupling therebetween. An e-ring may be used as the securing member 20, which is easy to attach and detach and provides a securing force.

However, usage of the securing member 20 (such as an e-ring and the like) may cause unwanted and unexpected separation of the compressor when the refrigerator is transported. Such a phenomenon may cause failure of the compressor and may result in damage requiring maintenance work, such as compressor replacement and the like.

Thus, it is necessary to design a securing apparatus which is simple and easy to mount while preventing the above-mentioned problems and thus enabling firm and reliable securing of the compressor within the refrigeration appliance.

The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention have been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and an objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus being capable of preventing separation of the compressor in a secured state and thus firmly and reliably securing the compressor to the refrigerator.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus being simple and easy to mount while providing an improved securing force.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus being capable of preventing separation of the compressor and thus facilitating maintenance work.

It is to be understood that the objectives of the present invention are not limited to the objectives described above, and other objectives not mentioned can be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

The embodiments of the present invention for achieving the above objectives and for performing the characteristic functions of the present invention are described as follows.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus including: first and second mounting rods positioned at a distance from each other; securing members coupled to the first and second mounting rods; and a reinforcing member coupled to the first and second mounting rods and operable to be mounted on the securing members.

The reinforcing member may include multiple through holes formed through a surface of the reinforcing member.

The reinforcing member may include: a first through hole formed through a first side of a surface of the reinforcing member; and a second through hole formed through a second side of the surface of the reinforcing member, wherein the first and second through holes may have different shapes.

The first through hole may include: a first insertion portion configured to allow the first mounting rod to be inserted thereinto; and a first seat portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first insertion portion, the first seat portion having the same diameter as the diameter of a groove formed on an outer surface of the first mounting rod.

The second through hole may include a second insertion portion configured to allow the second mounting rod to be inserted thereinto.

The second through hole may further include a second seat portion connected to the second insertion portion to receive the second mounting rod therein.

The second insertion portion may be open from a side of the reinforcing member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the method including: fitting vibration absorbers over first and second mounting rods; mounting a securing part of the compressor onto the vibration absorbers coupled to the first and second mounting rods; mounting securing members onto the securing part coupled to the first and second mounting rods; and coupling a reinforcing member onto the securing members coupled to the first and second mounting rods.

The reinforcing member may include a first through hole formed through a first side of a surface of the reinforcing member and a second through hole formed through a second side of the surface of the reinforcing member, and where the coupling the reinforcing member may include coupling the first through hole to the first mounting rod and then coupling the second through hole to the second mounting rod.

The first through hole may include: a first insertion portion configured to receive the first mounting rod to be inserted thereinto; and a first seat portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first insertion portion, the first seat portion having the same diameter as a diameter of a groove formed on an outer surface of the first mounting rod, and where the coupling the reinforcing member may further include fitting the first insertion portion over the first mounting rod vertically and then moving horizontally toward the first seat portion.

The second through hole may further include a second insertion portion configured to allow the second mounting rod to be inserted thereinto and a second seat portion connected to the second insertion portion to secure the second mounting rod, and where the coupling the reinforcing member may further include fitting the second insertion portion over the second mounting rod and then moving horizontally toward the second seat portion.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator comprises: a storage space for maintaining a temperature for food storage therein; a compressor; and a device for securing the compressor, the device comprising: first and second mounting rods positioned at a distance from each other; securing members coupled to the first and second mounting rods; and a reinforcing member coupled to the first and second mounting rods to be mounted on the securing members, wherein said securing members and said first and second mounting rods are configured to secure a securing part of the compressor. According to the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus being capable of preventing separation of the compressor in a secured state and thus firmly and reliably securing the compressor to the refrigerator.

Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus being simple and easy to mount while providing an improved securing force.

Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus being capable of preventing separation of the compressor and thus facilitating maintenance work.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly recognized by those skilled in the art from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing an interior of a machine room of a refrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a compressor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7A is a view showing a first step of mounting the reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a view showing a second step of mounting the reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7C is a view showing a state in which the reinforcing member is mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific structural and functional descriptions of embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein are only for illustrative purposes of the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms without departing from the spirit and significant characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention are disclosed only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For instance, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Similarly, the second element could also be termed the first element.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another element, it can be directly coupled or connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “directly coupled” or “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other expressions that explain the relationship between elements, such as “between”, “directly between”, “adjacent to”, or “directly adjacent to” should be construed in the same way.

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will refer to the same or like parts. Terms used in this specification are selected to describe embodiments and thus should not be construed as the limit of the present invention. An element expressed in a singular form in this specification may be plural elements unless it is necessarily singular in the context. The terms “comprise” and/or “comprising” means inclusion of a shape, number, process, operations, member, element, and/or a group of those, but do not mean exclusion of or denial of addition of another shape, number, process, operation, element, and/or a group of those.

Hereinbelow, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Securing a Compressor in Refrigerator

An apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator according to embodiments of the present invention includes: mounting rods; securing members coupled to the mounting rods; and a reinforcing member coupled to the mounting rods and mounted on the securing members.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the mounting rods 18 are inserted into holes (not shown) formed in a base plate 12 of the refrigerator. A head 118 side of each of the mounting rods 18 which faces the ground surface is shaped flat and wide such that a surface area of contact with the ground surface is large. A bar 218 of the mounting rod 18 is substantially cylindrical and is smaller than the head 118 in diameter. The bar 218 may have a groove 318 formed at an end of an outer surface thereof for coupling with the securing member 20 and the reinforcing member 40, where the groove has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bar 218.

A vibration absorber 16 may be positioned on the head 118 of the mounting rod 18. The vibration absorber 16 may have a hole (not shown) formed at a central portion thereof to be coupled to the mounting rod 18. In other words, the mounting rod 18 is inserted into the vibration absorber 16 and both are brought into coupling relationship with each other. Meanwhile, the vibration absorber 16 may be constructed from any well known and suitable material such as elastic rubber and the like.

The compressor 4 is mounted on the vibration absorbers 16. Specifically explained, securing parts 14 provided at opposite sides of the compressor 4 are coupled to the mounting rods 18, thereby resulting in the compressor being mounted. For example, the securing parts 14 having a thin planar plate shape protrude laterally in opposite directions from the body of the compressor 14. Each of the securing parts 14 has multiple through holes 24 such that the mounting rods 18 are inserted thereinto. The planar plated-shaped securing part 14 is placed on the vibration absorbers 16.

The securing members 20 are mounted on the securing part 14 to prevent separation of the securing part 14 and the vibration absorbers 16. The securing members 20 may preferably be E-rings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any well known and suitable securing member can be fitted over the mounting rod 18 in a lateral direction thereof. Each of the securing members 20 is fitted and secured into the groove 318 formed at an end of an outer surface of the mounting rod 18 such that the securing member 20 is coupled to the mounting rod 18.

As shown in FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is included a reinforcing member 40 configured to facilitate securing of the securing part 14 and the securing members 20. The reinforcing member 40 is a substantially planar-shaped plate member and preferably has the same size and shape as the securing part 14 of the compressor 4. However, the thickness of the reinforcing member 40 may be larger than, smaller than, or equal to the thickness of the securing part 14 as required.

Referring to FIG. 6, the reinforcing member 40 includes at least two holes. In other words, the reinforcing member 40 includes a first through hole 42 and a second through hole 44 that are formed through the surface of the reinforcing member 40 at a first side and a second side thereof, respectively. It is preferable that the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 44 be of different shapes. The first through hole 42 and the second through hole 44 are coupled to the mounting rods 18. More specifically, the first through hole 42 and the second through hole 44 are coupled to different mounting rods. The mounting rod 18 which is inserted into the first through hole 42 will be referred to as a first mounting rod and the mounting rod 18 which is inserted into the second through hole 44 will be referred to as a second mounting rod.

The first through hole 42 is formed at the first side of the reinforcing member 40 and includes a first insertion portion 420, a first neck portion 422, and a first seat portion 424.

The first insertion portion 420 is configured to receive the first mounting rod 18 which is inserted thereinto. In other words, the first insertion portion 420 is equal to or greater than the first mounting rod 18 in diameter such that the first mounting rod 18 is inserted thereinto. The first seat portion 424 is configured to receive the first mounting rod 18 which is secured thereto. In other words, the first seat portion 424 is approximately equal to a groove 318 of the first mounting rod 18 in diameter, such that the first mounting rod 18 is secured thereto. The first neck portion 422 allows the first insertion portion 420 and the first seat portion 424 to communicate with each other such that the first insertion portion 420 and the first seat portion 424 are changed in size.

The second through hole 44 is formed at a position opposite to the first through hole 42 and includes a second insertion portion 440, a second neck portion 442, and a second seat portion 444.

The second insertion portion 440 is configured to receive the second mounting rod 18 which is inserted thereinto. In other words, the second insertion portion 420 is equal to or larger than the second mounting rod 18 in diameter such that the second mounting rod 18 may be inserted thereinto. The second insertion portion 440 is inwardly open at a side of the reinforcing member which abuts the compressor 4, and has a size sufficient for the second mounting rod 18 to be movable toward the second seat portion 444. The second seat portion 444 is configured to allow the second mounting rod 18 to be secured thereto. In other words, the second seat portion 444 is approximately equal in diameter to a groove 318 formed on an outer surface of the second mounting rod 18, such that the second mounting rod 18 is secured thereto. In this case, the first seat portion 424 and the second seat portion 444 are approximately of the same size. The second neck portion 442 allows the second insertion portion 440 and the second seat portion 444 to communicate with each other such that the second insertion portion 440 and the second seat portion 444 are changed in size.

Hereinafter, a method of securing a compressor in a refrigerator using the apparatus described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C.

Securing parts 20 are provided at opposite sides of the compressor 4 and each of the securing parts 20 has first and second through holes 42 and 44, and mounting rods 18 are inserted into the first and second through holes 42 and 44. To distinguish two mounting rods 18, one of the mounting rods that is inserted into the first through hole 42 is referred to as a first mounting rod and a remaining one that is inserted into the second through hole 44 is referred to as a second mounting rod. However, these are used for clarification and the first mounting rod and the second mounting rod may be interchanged with each other. The opposite securing parts 20 are secured in the same way, so only one securing part will be described below for ease of discussion.

A reinforcing member 40 is coupled to the mounting rods 18 in a configuration in which securing members 20 are mounted on the mounting rods 18. As shown in FIG. 7A, the reinforcing member 40 is placed obliquely, and the first mounting rod 18 is inserted into a first insertion portion 420 of the first through hole 42. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, the reinforcing member 40 is moved downward along a first neck portion 422 in the direction of the arrow, causing the first mounting rod 18 to be coupled to a first seat portion 424.

Thereafter, a second insertion portion 440 of the second through hole 44 is fitted over the opposite-side second mounting rod 18. When the reinforcing member 40 placed obliquely is rotated in the direction of the arrow (indicating rotation), the second mounting rod 18 is inserted into the second insertion portion 440 through a second neck portion 442, causing the second mounting rod 18 to be seated in a second seat portion 444.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the apparatus comprising:

first and second mounting rods positioned at a distance from each other;

securing members coupled to the first and second mounting rods; and

a reinforcing member coupled to the first and second mounting rods to be mounted on the securing members, wherein said securing members and said first and second mounting rods are configured to secure a securing part of the compressor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member includes multiple through holes formed through a surface thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member comprises:

a first through hole formed through a first side of a surface of the reinforcing member; and

a second through hole formed through a second side of the surface of the reinforcing member, and wherein

the first and second through holes have different shapes.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first through hole comprises:

a first insertion portion configured to receive the first mounting rod for insertion thereinto; and

a first seat portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first insertion portion, wherein the first seat portion has a same diameter as a diameter of a groove formed on an outer surface of the first mounting rod.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second through hole includes a second insertion portion configured to receive the second mounting rod for insertion thereinto.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second through hole further includes a second seat portion connected to the second insertion portion to receive the second mounting rod therein.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second insertion portion is open from a side of the reinforcing member.

8. A refrigerator comprising:

a storage space for maintaining a temperature for food storage therein;

a compressor; and

a device for securing the compressor, the device comprising: first and second mounting rods positioned at a distance from each other; securing members coupled to the first and second mounting rods; and a reinforcing member coupled to the first and second mounting rods to be mounted on the securing members, wherein said securing members and said first and second mounting rods are configured to secure a securing part of the compressor.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the reinforcing member includes multiple through holes formed through a surface thereof.

10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the reinforcing member comprises:

a first through hole formed through a first side of a surface of the reinforcing member; and

a second through hole formed through a second side of the surface of the reinforcing member, and wherein

the first and second through holes have different shapes.

11. The refrigerator s of claim 10, wherein the first through hole comprises:

a first insertion portion configured to receive the first mounting rod for insertion thereinto; and

a first seat portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first insertion portion, wherein the first seat portion has a same diameter as a diameter of a groove formed on an outer surface of the first mounting rod.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the second through hole includes a second insertion portion configured to receive the second mounting rod for insertion thereinto.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the second through hole further includes a second seat portion connected to the second insertion portion to receive the second mounting rod therein.

14. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the second insertion portion is open from a side of the reinforcing member.

15. A method of securing a compressor in a refrigerator, the method comprising:

fitting vibration absorbers over first and second mounting rods;

mounting a securing part of the compressor onto the vibration absorbers coupled to the first and second mounting rods;

mounting securing members onto the securing part coupled to the first and second mounting rods; and

coupling a reinforcing member onto the securing members coupled to the first and second mounting rods.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the reinforcing member includes a first through hole formed through a first side of a surface thereof and a second through hole formed through a second side of the surface thereof, and

wherein the coupling the reinforcing member comprises: coupling the first through hole to the first mounting rod; and coupling the second through hole to the second mounting rod.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first through hole comprises:

a first insertion portion configured to receive the first mounting rod for insertion thereinto; and

a first seat portion having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first insertion portion, wherein the first seat portion having a same diameter as a diameter of a groove formed on an outer surface of the first mounting rod, and wherein further

the coupling the reinforcing member further comprises fitting the first insertion portion over the first mounting rod vertically and then moving horizontally toward the first seat portion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second through hole further includes a second insertion portion configured to receive the second mounting rod for insertion thereinto and a second seat portion connected to the second insertion portion to secure the second mounting rod, and wherein

the coupling the reinforcing member further comprises fitting the second insertion portion over the second mounting rod and then moving horizontally toward the second seat portion.