Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include an inner case provided in an outer case, a recess formed in the inner and having a predetermined depth, a light source received in the recess, and a cover received in the recess and surrounding the light source. The light source may direct light toward a rear portion of the inner case to illuminate a corresponding compartment formed there. The cover may include an extension extending substantially in parallel to the inner case and received in the recess to prevent light emitted by the light source from being directed toward a front portion of the inner case.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 an inner case defining a storage compartment therein;   a recess formed in the inner case;   a light source received in the recess and positioned in the recess so as to direct emitted light toward a rear side of the inner case; and   a cover received in the recess and surrounding the light source, wherein the cover comprises:
 a first panel extending substantially in parallel to the inner case; and 
 a second panel extending at a predetermined angle from the first panel to direct light emitted by the light source toward the rear side of the inner case. 
   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the recess comprises:
 a first inclined wall that extends at a first angle from a first top peripheral edge of the recess; and   a second inclined wall that extends at a second angle from a second top peripheral edge of the recess, opposite the first top peripheral edge thereof, a bottom edge of the second inclined wall joining a bottom edge of the first inclined wall such that the recess has a V shaped cross section.   
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second panels of the cover are positioned below the first and second top peripheral edges of the recess, respectively, such that the cover does not protrude outward beyond the recess into the storage compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , further comprising a diffusion pattern formed on the second panel of the cover for scattering light emitted by the light source. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the second panel of the cover is made of a transparent material and the first panel of the cover is made of a semi-transparent material. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the diffusion pattern comprises a plurality of irregularities formed on an interior side of the second panel facing the light source. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the first inclined wall of the recess faces the second panel of the cover, and the second panel of the cover faces the rear side of the inner case, and wherein the light source is installed on the first inclined wall of the recess so as to emit light for transmission through the second panel and toward the rear side of the inner case. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the recess further comprises first and second end walls respectively connecting opposite ends of the first and second inclined walls. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         10 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 an inner case that defines a storage compartment therein;   a recess formed in a wall of the inner case;   a light source installed in the recess; and   a cover installed in the recess, surrounding the light source, such that an installation position of the cover is also recessed from the wall of the inner case, the recess, the light source and the cover being positioned so as to direct light emitted by the light source toward a rear of the inner case, wherein the recess comprises:   a first inclined wall extending at a first angle from a portion of the wall of the inner case defining a first peripheral edge of the recess; and   a second inclined wall extending at a second angle from a portion of the wall of the inner case defining a second peripheral edge of the recess, wherein distal ends of the first and second inclined walls are joined such that the recess has a V shaped cross section.   
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the recess further comprises first and second end walls respectively connecting opposite ends of the first and second inclined walls. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the cover comprises:
 a first panel extending substantially in parallel to the wall of the inner case in which the recess is formed; and   a second panel extending at a predetermined angle from the first panel to direct light emitted by the light source toward the rear side of the inner case.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator of  claim 12 , further comprising a diffusion pattern comprising a plurality of irregularities formed on an interior side of the second panel of the cover, facing the light source, for scattering light emitted by the light source. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the first inclined wall of the recess faces the second panel of the cover, and the second panel of the cover faces the rear side of the inner case, and wherein the light source is installed on the first inclined wall of the recess so as to emit light for transmission through the second panel and toward the rear side of the inner case.