IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0936246
(2007-11-07)
|
등록번호 |
US-7841493
(2011-01-31)
|
우선권정보 |
KR-10-2006-0111905(2006-11-13) |
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Park, Kyong Bae
- Jhee, Sung
- Cho, Nam Soo
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
5 인용 특허 :
3 |
초록
▼
A dispenser for a refrigerator is provided. The dispenser may include a cover which opens or shuts an opening of a duct that guides contents from an interior of the refrigerator to the dispenser for discharge. An actuator transmits an externally applied force to the cover to cause the cover to move
A dispenser for a refrigerator is provided. The dispenser may include a cover which opens or shuts an opening of a duct that guides contents from an interior of the refrigerator to the dispenser for discharge. An actuator transmits an externally applied force to the cover to cause the cover to move and selectively open and shut the opening. A regulator controls action of the actuator to adjust movement of the cover.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A dispenser for a refrigerator, comprising: a cover configured to selectively open and close an opening of a duct through which contents are discharged from the dispenser; an actuator configured to transmit an external force to the cover to selectively open and close the open
What is claimed is: 1. A dispenser for a refrigerator, comprising: a cover configured to selectively open and close an opening of a duct through which contents are discharged from the dispenser; an actuator configured to transmit an external force to the cover to selectively open and close the opening; and a damping system configured to interact with the actuator so as to regulate movement of the cover, wherein the damping system includes: a first elastic member configured to provide an elastic force to the cover; and a damping member configured to control an opening velocity and a closing velocity of the cover, wherein the first elastic member and the damping member are configured to exert forces in opposite directions and then exert forces in the same direction so as to open the cover, and wherein the elastic member and the damping member are configured to exert forces in the same direction and then exert forces in opposite directions so as to close the cover. 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes: a lever configured to receive the external force; and a transmitter configured to transmit the external force received by the lever to the cover so as to move the cover. 3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the transmitter includes: a shaft provided at a side of the cover; a linking member configured to move in response to the external force applied to the lever; and a converter configured to convert a movement of the linking member to a rotation of the shaft. 4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the shaft is provided at a side edge of the cover and the converter is coupled to an end of the shaft, and wherein the linking member has a first end coupled to the lever and a second end that engages the actuator. 5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the linking member is configured to rotate about its first end in response to the external force applied to the lever, and the converter is configured to rotate the shaft in response to the rotation of the linking member. 6. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the linking member includes: a lever link having a first end connected to the lever and configured to rotate together with the lever; a first link having a first end connected to a second end of the lever link and configured to rotate together with the lever link; and a second link having a first end connected to the second end of the lever link and a second end configured to engage with the shaft, wherein the second link is configured to transmit rotating force provided to the shaft via the converter. 7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the converter includes: a pinion gear provided on a portion of the shaft; and a rack gear provided on a portion of the second link corresponding to the pinion gear and configured to engage with the pinion gear. 8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the rack gear is provided at the second end of the second link, and wherein the rack gear is configured to rotate the pinion gear and the shaft in response to a movement of the lever and a corresponding rotation of the second link about its first end. 9. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the second link includes at least one bent portion, wherein the at least one bent portion is configured to transmit force to the converter and to buffer a load of the transmitted force. 10. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the converter includes an actuating member provided on the shaft, wherein the actuating member is configured to be actuated by a movement of the second link so as to rotate the shaft. 11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein a second end of the second link is rotatably connected to the actuating member. 12. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein a second end of the second link contacts the actuating member such that the second end of the second link pushes the actuating member. 13. The dispenser of claim 12, further comprising a roller installed on the end of the second link. 14. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the damping member is configured to generate a damping force based on a force applied thereto by the actuator. 15. The dispenser of claim 14, further comprising a second elastic member wherein the second elastic member is configured to interact with the damping member so as to adjust the opening and closing velocity of the cover. 16. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the damping member comprises: a first damping part; and a second damping part, wherein the first damping part is configured to be slidably inserted into and coupled to the second damping part. 17. The dispenser of claim 16, further comprising a second elastic member provided within the second damping part and positioned between the first damping part and the second damping part. 18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the second elastic member is configured to expand or contract based on a movement of the actuator and a corresponding relative movement between the first and second damping parts. 19. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the second elastic member is one of a coil spring, a gas spring, or a hydraulic cylinder. 20. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the closing velocity has a first velocity period and a second velocity period, and wherein the cover moves more quickly in the second velocity period than in the first velocity period. 21. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein a direction of force generated by the first elastic member is substantially opposite to a direction of force generated by the damping member during the first velocity period. 22. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein a direction of force generated by the first elastic member is substantially the same as a direction of force applied by the damping member during the second velocity period. 23. A refrigerator comprising the dispenser of claim 1. 24. A refrigerator, comprising: a main body having at least one storage chamber formed therein; a door rotatably coupled to the main body; and a dispenser installed in one of the storage chamber or the door, wherein the dispenser includes: a cover configured to selectively open or close an opening of a duct that discharges contents from the dispenser; an actuator configured to transmit an external force to the cover so as to selectively open or close the opening; and a damping system configured to control the actuator so as to regulate movement of the cover, wherein the damping system includes: a first elastic member configured to provide an elastic force to the cover; and a damping member configured to control an opening velocity and a closing velocity of the cover, wherein the first elastic member and the damping member are configured to exert forces in opposite directions and then exert forces in the same direction so as to open the cover, and wherein the elastic member and the damping member are configured to exert forces in the same direction and then exert forces in opposite directions so as to close the cover. 25. A dispenser for a refrigerator, comprising: a cover configured to selectively open and close an opening of a duct through which contents are discharged from the dispenser; an actuator configured to transmit an external force to the cover to selectively open and close the opening; and a damping system configured to interact with the actuator so as to regulate movement of the cover, wherein the damping system includes: a first elastic member configured to provide an elastic force to the cover; and a damping member configured to control an opening velocity and a closing velocity of the cover, wherein the closing velocity has a first velocity period and a second velocity period, wherein the cover moves more quickly in the second velocity period than in the first velocity period. 26. The dispenser of claim 25, wherein a direction of force generated by the first elastic member is substantially opposite to a direction of force generated by the damping member during the first velocity period. 27. The dispenser of claim 25, wherein a direction of force generated by the first elastic member is substantially the same as a direction of force applied by the damping member during the second velocity period.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.