Refrigerator comprising vacuum space

Abstract

A refrigerator has a vacuum space formed between an outer case and an inner case of a body thereof for enhancing a heat insulating function. The refrigerator includes a body having a storage space for storing a predetermined storage object, wherein the body includes an inner case having the storage space, an outer case having an inside surface spaced a predetermined gap from an outside surface of the inner case to house the inner case, and a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case sealed to maintain a vacuum state for heat insulating between the inner case and the outer case.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An appliance comprising:
 an inner case;   an outer case spaced apart from the inner case, wherein a vacuum space is disposed between the inner case and outer case and configured to insulate the outer case from the inner case, the vacuum space having a thickness in a first direction;   a supporting portion disposed between a surface of the inner case and a surface of the outer case, and to provide a gap between the inner case and the outer case; and   at least one of a reinforcing member, a reinforcing frame, or a forming portion, wherein the reinforcing member is mounted to at least one of the surface of the inner case or the surface of the outer case for reinforcing strength of the inner case or the outer case, the reinforcing member being a reinforcing rib projected from at least one of the surface of the inner case or the surface of the outer case,   wherein the reinforcing frame is provided to at least one of the surface of the inner case or the surface of the outer case,   wherein the forming portion is provided for reinforcing strength of the inner case or the outer case, and   wherein the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion includes a portion extending in a different direction from a direction in which the supporting portion extends.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion is formed in a shape of boss or a column. 
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion has a portion extending in the first direction, and the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion has a portion extending in a second direction. 
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion comprises:
 a base portion provided between the surface of the inner case and the surface of the outer case, and a supporting member projecting from the base portion.   
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion includes a portion extending in a different direction from a direction in which the supporting member extends. 
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion includes a portion extending in a different direction from a direction in which the base portion extends. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the supporting member includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member, and the first supporting member and the second supporting member are arranged spaced apart from each other on the base portion. 
     
     
         8 . The appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the base portion includes a portion which surrounds the inner case. 
     
     
         9 . An appliance comprising:
 an inner case;   an outer case spaced apart from the inner case, wherein a vacuum space is disposed between the inner case and outer case and configured to insulate the outer case from the inner case, the vacuum space having a thickness in a first direction; and   at least one of a reinforcing member, a reinforcing frame, or a forming portion, wherein the reinforcing member is mounted to at least one of a surface of the inner case or a surface of the outer case for reinforcing strength of the inner case or the outer case, the reinforcing member being a reinforcing rib projected from at least one of the surface of the inner case or the surface of the outer case,   wherein the reinforcing frame is provided to at least one of the surface of the inner case or the surface of the outer case,   wherein the forming portion is provided for reinforcing strength of the inner case or the outer case, and   wherein the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion includes a portion extending in a different direction from the first direction.   
     
     
         10 . The appliance of  claim 9 , further comprising a supporting portion disposed between the surface of the inner case and the surface of the outer case, and to provide a gap between the inner case and the outer case, the supporting portion is formed in a shape of boss or a column. 
     
     
         11 . The appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the supporting portion has a portion extending in the first direction, and the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion has a portion extending in a second direction. 
     
     
         12 . The appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion includes a portion having less height than the thickness of the vacuum space. 
     
     
         13 . The appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion includes a portion having more length than the thickness of the vacuum space. 
     
     
         14 . The appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion has a band shape having at least one corner, and is arranged along a surface of the appliance. 
     
     
         15 . The appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion includes a portion provided at a corner of the appliance, the corner being defined by a first surface of the appliance and a second surface of the appliance, the first surface and the second surface extending in a different direction each other. 
     
     
         16 . The appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion includes a portion extending toward a corner of the appliance, the corner being defined by a first surface of the appliance and a second surface of the appliance, the first surface and the second surface extending in a different direction each other. 
     
     
         17 . The appliance of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing frame, or the forming portion includes a portion extending and crossing a corner of the appliance, the corner being defined by a first surface of the appliance and a second surface of the appliance, the first surface and the second surface extending in a different direction each other. 
     
     
         18 . The appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the supporting portion comprises:
 a base portion provided between the surface of the inner case and the surface of the outer case, and a supporting member projecting from the base portion.   
     
     
         19 . The appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the supporting member includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member, and the first supporting member and the second supporting member are arranged spaced apart from each other on the base portion. 
     
     
         20 . An appliance comprising:
 an inner case;   an outer case spaced apart from the inner case, wherein a vacuum space is disposed between the inner case and outer case and configured to insulate the outer case from the inner case, the vacuum space having a thickness in a first direction;   a supporting portion disposed between a surface of the inner case and a surface of the outer case, and to provide a gap between the inner case and the outer case; and   at least one of a reinforcing member, a reinforcing frame, or a forming portion, wherein the reinforcing member is mounted to at least one of the surface of the inner case or the surface of the outer case for reinforcing strength of the inner case or the outer case, the reinforcing member being a reinforcing rib projected from at least one of the surface of the inner case or the surface of the outer case,   wherein the reinforcing frame is provided to at least one of the surface of the inner case or the surface of the outer case,   wherein the forming portion is provided for reinforcing strength of the inner case or the outer case, and   wherein the supporting portion includes a portion extending in a different direction from the first direction.