A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage space therein, and a drawer slidably movable forward and backward from the storage space. The drawer includes a door, a storage box provided at a rear surface of the door, an elevation plate disposed within the storage box, and an elevation device connected with one side of the elevation plate to vertically elevate the elevation plate. The elevation device includes a driving motor, a first curved rack to rotate by a rotational force generated by the driving motor, the first curved rack being curved at a predetermined curvature and having an outer circumferential surface, a first elevation bar to connect the first curved rack with the elevation plate, a second curved rack being curved at a predetermined curvature and having an outer circumferential surface to engage with the outer circumferential surface of the first curved rack, and a second elevation bar to connect the second curved rack with the elevation plate.

A refrigerator includes: a cabinet; an upper door; a lower door that is a drawer type door; a draw-out rail that connects the lower door to a storage space in the cabinet and that guides insertion and withdrawal of the lower door in a front-rear direction; an elevation assembly that is located in the lower door, that elevates an object stored in the lower door in a state in which the lower door is withdrawn, and that elevates the object relative to the lower door; and a door restriction device configured to selectively restrict an opening movement of the upper door based on whether the lower door is opened or closed. The door restriction device is configured to restrict the opening movement of the upper door based on the lower door being opened, and to allow the opening movement of the upper door based on the lower door being closed.

The invention relates to an adjustment device for adjusting the orientation of a front panel of a drawer, having a holder (10) and an adjustment unit (40), wherein the adjustment unit (40) can be adjusted in relation to the holder (10) by means of an adjuster (30). For reliable angle orientation of the front panel of the drawer, the invention makes provision for the adjuster (30) to have two adjustable supporting portions (38, 39), which interact with abutments (10.16, 10.17) such that the adjustment unit (40) can be adjusted with guidance in two opposite directions, that the supporting portions (38, 39) can each be adjusted on an eccentric track, and that the eccentric tracks are oriented in opposite directions.

Disclosed herein is a lifting apparatus and refrigerator having the same, by which a driving motor to generate driving force to vertically move a basket may be miniaturized and the load of the driving motor may be reduced. A refrigerator includes a main body, a storeroom formed inside the main body with an open front, a drawer slidingly coupled with the main body to open or close the storeroom and provided at a lower side thereof with a basket having storage space, and a lifting apparatus moving the basket vertically, wherein the lifting apparatus includes a driving motor, a driving shaft rotated by the driving motor, a lifting unit moving the basket vertically by means of rotational force of the driving shaft, and a coil spring coupled to the driving shaft and transferring energy in a direction in which the driving shaft is rotated to reduce a load of the driving motor, when the driving shaft is rotated to move the basket upward.

A refrigerator includes: a cabinet; an upper door; a lower door that is a drawer type door; a draw-out rail that connects the lower door to a storage space in the cabinet and that guides insertion and withdrawal of the lower door in a front-rear direction; an elevation assembly that is located in the lower door, that elevates an object stored in the lower door in a state in which the lower door is withdrawn, and that elevates the object relative to the lower door; and a door restriction device configured to selectively restrict an opening movement of the upper door based on whether the lower door is opened or closed. The door restriction device is configured to restrict the opening movement of the upper door based on the lower door being opened, and to allow the opening movement of the upper door based on the lower door being closed.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage chamber, a drawer door, a motor assembly provided at the storage chamber and configured to provide a driving force that moves the drawer door relative to the storage chamber, and a rack gear assembly provided at the drawer door and having an extendable rack gear. The rack gear includes a fixed rack fixed to the drawer door and a moving rack slidably coupled to the fixed rack. The drawer door includes a drawer part that defines an upwardly open storage space, and a door part that is configured to, based on the drawer door being inserted into the storage chamber, close the storage chamber.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage chamber, a drawer door inserted into and withdrawn out of the storage chamber, a motor assembly provided at the storage chamber, a rack gear assembly provided at the drawer door and having an extendable rack gear that is configured to be coupled to the pinion gear, and a guide unit that is provided at an inner surface of the storage chamber and configured, based on the drawer door being withdrawn out of the storage chamber, to couple a portion of the rack gear assembly to the inner surface of the storage chamber to thereby allow the rack gear to extend. The drawer door includes a drawer part that defines an upwardly open storage space, and a door part that is configured to, based on the drawer door being inserted into the storage chamber, close the storage chamber.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage chamber, a drawer door, a rail assembly that slidably couples the drawer door to the cabinet, a driving device disposed at the door part, and an elevation device disposed at the drawer part to vertically elevate at least a portion of the drawer part. The driving device includes a motor assembly, a pair of screw units, and a pair of levers, each of the pair of levers being coupled to and configured to be rotated by a corresponding one of the pair of screw units to elevate the elevation device. The drawer door includes a door part configured to open and close the storage chamber and a drawer part that is configured to be inserted into and withdrawn out of the storage chamber and defines a storage space.

An elevation device for a refrigerator drawer includes a lower frame, an upper frame, and a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly includes: a pair of first rods having a first end rotatably coupled to the lower frame and a second end that translates along the upper frame; and a pair of second rods having a first end rotatably coupled to the upper frame and a second end that translates along the lower frame. The second rod is rotatably coupled to and crosses the first rod. The first or second rod is connected to a driving device via the first end of the first or second rod, with the driving device disposed outside the upper frame and the lower frame. The first and second rods are configured to, based on power from the driving device, rotate about their respective first ends to elevate the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

The present invention is a drawer that is easily accessible on a chair by a disabled person or elderly person who has difficulty with standing or sitting. The drawer is on the side of the chair. The drawer can be reached while the person is sitting. There is a cover over the drawer, and the cover opens sideways.

The present invention can be applied to multi-use sofas with armrests on both sides.

The present invention can utilize electronic locking on one or both sides of the drawer near the top of the drawer. The present invention can also utilize biometric fingerprints as a means of locking.

The present invention allows access to the drawer using only one's arms, so no standing up is necessary.