Refrigerator
A refrigerator may include a storage compartment, an inner door which comprises an opening having a size corresponding to a size of the storage compartment, a plurality of door guards, and an outer door which open and close the storage compartment, wherein the inner door comprises a control unit may control an internal environment of the storage compartment.
1. A refrigerator comprising:
a body;
a storage compartment formed in the body;
a first door pivotably coupled with the body and comprising an opening to the storage compartment;
a second door pivotable with respect to the first door to thereby be movable between a closed position in which the second door closes the opening and an open position in which the second door opens the opening; and
a control unit comprising a user interface portion on the first door to receive an input from a user, the control unit being configured to control an internal environment of the storage compartment in accordance with the received input, wherein
when the second door is in the closed position, the second door covers the user interface portion to thereby prevent the user from operating the user interface portion,
when the second door is pivoted to thereby be moved from the closed position to the open position, the second door uncovers the user interface portion to thereby allow the user to operate the user interface portion, and
the second door includes a transparent or translucent material that allows the user interface portion and the storage compartment to be at least partially visible to the user through the material while the second door is in the closed position.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the user interface portion comprises a display portion to display information on the internal environment of the storage compartment to the user.
3. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to control at least one of a temperature, humidity, smell, and lighting of the storage compartment in accordance with the received input.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1 , further comprising:
a mounting portion provided on the first door, wherein
the control unit is mounted on the mounting portion and includes a circuit board and a cover covering the circuit board,
the control unit comprises a housing which accommodates the circuit board and the cover, and
the housing is coupled with the mounting portion.
5. The refrigerator of claim 4 , wherein
the circuit board comprises:
an operational portion, and
a display portion to display information on the internal environment of the storage compartment to the user,
the cover includes a button portion on the operational portion, and
the user interface portion comprises the display portion and the button portion.
6. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein
the first door comprises an upper frame, a lower frame, a left frame, and a right frame which form the opening, and
the control unit is disposed on at least one of the upper frame, the lower frame, the left frame, and the right frame.
7. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein
the first door comprises an inner panel, an outer panel forming an interposing space with the inner panel, and an insulator foamed in the interposing space, and
the control unit is disposed between the inner panel and the outer panel.
8. The refrigerator of claim 7 , further comprising:
a plurality of door guards provided on the first door,
wherein the inner panel comprises an inner wall which forms the opening and supports the plurality of door guards.
9. A refrigerator comprising:
a body;
a storage compartment formed in the body;
a first door pivotably coupled with the body and comprising an opening that allows access to the storage compartment from outside of the refrigerator by a user of the refrigerator when the first door is closed;
a second door pivotable with respect to the first door to thereby be movable between a closed position in which the second door closes the opening and an open position in which the second door opens the opening; and
a control unit comprising a user interface portion on the first door to receive an input from the user, the control unit being configured to control an internal environment of the storage compartment in accordance with the received input, wherein
when the second door is in the closed position, the second door covers the user interface portion to thereby prevent the user from operating the user interface portion,
when the second door is pivoted to thereby be moved from the closed position to the open position, the second door uncovers the user interface portion to thereby allow the user to operate the user interface portion, and
the second door includes a transparent or translucent material that, while the first door is closed with the second door being in the closed position,
allows the storage compartment to be at least partially visible to the user through the material and the opening, and
allows the user interface portion to be at least partially visible to the user through the material.
10. The refrigerator of claim 9 , wherein the user interface portion comprises a display portion to display information on the internal environment of the storage compartment to the user.
11. The refrigerator of claim 9 , wherein the control unit is configured to control at least one of a temperature, humidity, smell, and lighting of the storage compartment in accordance with the received input.
12. The refrigerator of claim 9 , further comprising:
a mounting portion provided on the first door, wherein
the control unit is mounted on the mounting portion and includes a circuit board and a cover covering the circuit board,
the control unit comprises a housing which accommodates the circuit board and the cover, and
the housing is coupled with the mounting portion.
13. The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein
the circuit board comprises:
an operational portion, and
a display portion to display information on the internal environment of the storage compartment to the user;
the cover includes a button portion on the operational portion, and
the user interface portion comprises the display portion and the button portion.
14. The refrigerator of claim 9 , wherein
the first door comprises an upper frame, a lower frame, a left frame, and a right frame which form the opening, and
the control unit is disposed on at least one of the upper frame, the lower frame, the left frame, and the right frame.
15. The refrigerator of claim 9 , wherein
the first door comprises an inner panel, an outer panel forming an interposing space with the inner panel, and an insulator foamed in the interposing space, and
the control unit is disposed between the inner panel and the outer panel.
16. The refrigerator of claim 15 , further comprising:
a plurality of door guards provided on the first door,
wherein the inner panel comprises an inner wall which forms the opening and supports the plurality of door guards.