Plant cultivation device and refrigerator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12342771-B2
Application number	US-202017791152-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 17, 2020
Priority date	Jan 6, 2020
Publication date	Jul 1, 2025
Grant date	Jul 1, 2025

Abstract

An apparatus for cultivating plants and a refrigerator according to a embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet including a cultivation chamber with an open front; a door configured to be rotatably coupled to the cabinet by hinges to open and close the cultivation chamber; a machine room provided under the cabinet; a pair of coupling frames configured to extend in a front and rear direction from both sides of the machine room; and a supporter configured to be mounted on the pair of coupling frames and to be supported on the ground, in which the front end of the coupling frame is positioned more forward than the front of the cabinet, and the supporter is positioned between the front end of the coupling frame and the front of the cabinet.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus for cultivating plants comprising:
a cabinet defining a cultivation chamber with an open front;
a door rotatably coupled to the cabinet and configured to open and close the cultivation chamber;
a machine room disposed under the cabinet;
a machine room cover configured to cover an open front of the machine room;
a pair of coupling frames configured to extend in a front and rear direction from both sides of the machine room; and
a supporter mounted on the pair of coupling frames and configured to be supported on a ground surface,
wherein a front end of a coupling frame of the pair of coupling frames is disposed more forward than a front of the cabinet,
wherein the supporter is disposed between the front end of the coupling frame and the front of the cabinet, and
wherein the supporter is mounted on the machine room cover, and the machine room cover is detachably coupled to the pair of coupling frames.

2. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 1 ,
wherein the supporter is configured to be disposed vertically below the door, based on the door being closed.

3. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 1 ,
wherein the machine room cover accommodates a portion of the coupling frame.

4. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 3 ,
wherein a front surface of the machine room cover is configured to be disposed on the same extension line as a front surface of the door, based on the door being closed.

5. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 3 ,
wherein the coupling frame is made of a metal material and configured to extend along a side or a lower surface of the machine room.

6. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 3 ,
wherein the coupling frame includes
a first surface extending in a vertical direction; and
a second surface bent in a horizontal direction intersecting with the first surface at a lower end of the first surface,

wherein the supporter is mounted on the second surface.

7. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 6 ,
wherein the first surface is in contact with a side surface of the machine room, and
wherein the second surface is in contact with a lower surface of the machine room.

8. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 6 ,
wherein a portion of the first surface and the second surface protrude more forward than a side surface and a lower surface of the machine room, and
wherein the supporter is mounted on the portion of the first surface that protrudes more forward than the lower surface of the machine room.

9. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 8 ,
wherein the machine room cover is coupled to the first surface.

10. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 3 ,
wherein the supporter includes
a support portion configured to be in contact with the ground surface; and
a rod portion extending from a center of the support portion and having a thread formed on an outer circumferential surface of the rod portion, and

wherein the supporter is configured to, based on a rotation of the rod portion, adjust a distance between the machine room and the ground surface.

11. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 3 ,
wherein the supporter passes through a lower surface of the machine room cover and is fastened to the coupling frame.

12. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 11 ,
wherein a cutout is defined on a lower surface of the machine room cover through which a portion of the supporter passes.

13. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 3 ,
wherein the machine room cover includes
a front surface; and
a circumferential surface bent along a circumference of the front surface and extending to the open front of the machine room, and

wherein the circumferential surface is coupled to the coupling frame.

14. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 3 ,
wherein a support bracket coupled to the coupling frame is disposed inside the machine room cover, and
wherein the supporter is fastened to the coupling frame through the support bracket.

15. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 1 ,
wherein the coupling frame extends from the inside of the machine room.

16. The apparatus for cultivating plants of claim 15 ,
wherein a moving wheel is mounted on the coupling frame, and
wherein the moving wheel is disposed at a position rear of the supporter.

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Lim Kiyoung

Classifications

• F25D2400/38

  Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels · CPC title

• F25D23/003

  for cooling refrigerating machinery · CPC title

• F25D23/00

  General constructional features (F25D21/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F25D2323/0011

  Means for leveling refrigerators · CPC title

• A01G31/06 Primary

  Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers · CPC title