Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator includes: an outer case; an inner case forming a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment below the first storage compartment; a foam insulation between the inner case and the outer case; an evaporator configured to supply cold air to the first and second storage compartment; and a cold air connector coupled to the inner case and forming a flow path to guide the cold air to the evaporator. The inner case includes: a coupling wall having a guide hole communicating with the flow path of the cold air connector to allow the cold air inside the first storage compartment to move to the cold air connector; and a protruding wall on one side of the coupling wall. The cold air connector includes: a connecting wall; an inlet; and an elastic plate. The protruding wall presses the elastic plate in a direction away from the protruding wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 an outer case forming an exterior of the refrigerator;   an inner case forming a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, the second storage compartment being below the first storage compartment;   a foam insulation between the inner case and the outer case;   an evaporator configured to supply cold air to the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment; and   a cold air connector coupled to the inner case and forming a flow path to guide the cold air inside the first storage compartment to the evaporator,   wherein the inner case comprises:
 a coupling wall having a guide hole communicating with the flow path of the cold air connector to allow the cold air inside the first storage compartment to move to the cold air connector; and 
 a protruding wall on one side of the coupling wall and protruding rearwardly, wherein the cold air connector comprises: 
 a connecting wall facing the coupling wall; 
 an inlet through which the cold air from the first storage compartment flows in; and 
 an elastic plate extending rearwardly from the connecting wall and contacting the protruding wall, and 
   wherein the protruding wall presses the elastic plate in a direction away from the protruding wall.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic plate is bent rearwardly from the connecting wall and supported by a side portion of the protruding wall. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting wall comprises a first surface facing the coupling wall and a second surface being a rear surface of the first surface, and
 wherein the cold air connector further comprises a reinforcing rib protruding from the second surface and connected to the elastic plate.   
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 3 , wherein the elastic plate comprises a bending portion bent and connected to the connecting wall, and
 wherein the reinforcing rib is connected to the bending portion.   
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the inner case further comprises a fixing protrusion protruding from the protruding wall and configured to prevent the elastic plate from moving rearwardly with respect to the inner case, and
 wherein the elastic plate comprises a fixing portion into which the fixing protrusion is inserted therein.   
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 5 , wherein the fixing protrusion comprises:
 a catch portion formed to be caught on the elastic plate; and   a connecting portion connecting the catch portion and the protruding wall.   
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the cold air connector further comprises a guide rib surrounding the inlet. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 7 , wherein the guide rib is configured to be inserted into the guide hole, interfere with the inner case, prevent movement of the cold air connector in one direction with respect to the inner case, and protrudes from the connecting wall toward the inner case. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the cold air connector further comprises a recessed portion recessed from the connecting wall and forming a spacing between the connecting wall and the coupling wall. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator of  claim 9 , wherein the recessed portion extends along a perimeter of the inlet. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting wall comprises a first surface facing the coupling wall, and
 wherein the cold air connector further comprises a cover portion protruding from one end of the first surface toward the coupling wall and covering the foam insulation introduced through between the inner case and the cold air connector.   
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further comprising a damper on a rear side of the first storage compartment and configured to open or close a flow path of the cold air generated by the evaporator into the first storage compartment,
 wherein the cold air connector comprises an inlet portion on one side of the damper and forming the inlet.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the cold air connector further comprises an outlet portion coupled to the inner case and configured to allow the cold air within the flow path to flow into the inner case. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the outlet portion comprises a recessed portion recessed in a direction away from the inner case and forming a spacing between the inner case, and configured to prevent an inflow of the foam insulation into the inner case from between the inner case and the cold air connector. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the inner case further comprises a downward protrusion configured to be coupleable to the outlet portion, and the outlet portion comprises an insertion hole configured to allow the downward protrusion to be inserted therein.