Storage Space Variable Type Refrigerator

Abstract

A storage space variable type refrigerator having a food receiving unit for receiving food thereon, the refrigerator comprising a lifting unit for automatically moving the food receiving unit up and down according to a food capacity. In the refrigerator, a storage efficiency is increased, a loss of cold air generated when the shelf is drawn out with opening a door of the refrigerator in order to store food having a large volume in the refrigerator is prevented, and a user' s convenience is enhanced.

1 . A storage space variable type refrigerator having a food receiving unit for receiving food thereon, the refrigerator comprising a lifting unit for automatically moving the food receiving unit up and down according to a food capacity. 
   
   
       2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the food receiving unit is a shelf. 
   
   
       3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the lifting unit comprises:
 a plurality of supporting blocks protruding from each edge of the shelf and coupled to an inner side wall of the refrigerator; and   a plurality of springs coupled to the supporting blocks for elastically supporting the shelf.   
   
   
       4 . The refrigerator of  claim 3 , wherein the supporting blocks are detachably constructed. 
   
   
       5 . The refrigerator of  claim 3 , wherein the supporting blocks are positioned at a lower side of the shelf, and the spring is compressed according to a weight of food placed on the shelf thereby to lower the shelf. 
   
   
       6 . The refrigerator of  claim 3 , wherein the supporting blocks are positioned at an upper side of the shelf, and the spring is extended according to a weight of food placed on the shelf thereby to lower the shelf. 
   
   
       7 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the lifting unit comprises:
 a plurality of supporting blocks protruding from an inner side wall of the refrigerator and extending in parallel with two edges of the shelf adjacent to the inner side wall of the refrigerator; and   a plurality of springs coupled to the supporting blocks for elastically supporting the shelf.   
   
   
       8 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , wherein the supporting blocks are detachably constructed. 
   
   
       9 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the food receiving unit is an ice container having an elastic side wall for storing ice provided from an ice maker of the refrigerator. 
   
   
       10 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , wherein the side wall of the ice container has multi stages that can be overlapped with one another or separated from one another. 
   
   
       11 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , wherein the side wall of the ice container is formed of bellows. 
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , wherein the lifting unit comprises:
 a block coupled to a side wall of the ice container;   a protrusion portion protruding from an inner side wall of the refrigerator and coupled to the ice container; and   a spring disposed between the block and the protrusion portion.   
   
   
       13 . The refrigerator of  claim 12 , wherein the block is positioned at a lower side than the protrusion portion, and the side wall of the ice container is extended as the spring is extended. 
   
   
       14 . The refrigerator of  claim 12 , wherein the block is positioned at an upper side than the protrusion portion, and the side wall of the ice container is extended as the spring is compressed. 
   
   
       15 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , wherein the lifting unit comprises:
 a block coupled to a side wall of the ice container;   a first protrusion portion protruding from an inner side wall of the refrigerator and coupled to the ice container;   a second protrusion portion positioned at a lower side of the first protrusion portion and protruding from the inner side wall of the refrigerator; and   a spring disposed between the block and the second protrusion portion.   
   
   
       16 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , wherein the lifting unit comprises:
 a first protrusion portion protruding from an inner side wall of the refrigerator and coupled to the ice container;   a second protrusion portion positioned at a lower side of the first protrusion portion and protruding from the inner side wall of the refrigerator;   a connection plate contacting a lower surface of the ice container; and   springs disposed between the second protrusion portion and the connection plate for elastically supporting the connection plate.   
   
   
       17 . The refrigerator of  claim 16 , wherein blocks are connected to a lower surface of the connection plate, and the spring is connected between the second protrusion portion and the block. 
   
   
       18 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the lifting unit comprises a plurality of springs each having one end connected to a plurality of shelves and another end connected to an upper side wall of the refrigerator for elastically supporting the shelves. 
   
   
       19 . The refrigerator of  claim 18 , wherein the shelves are disposed in a vertical direction.