CN116592565A

CN116592565A - Shelf assembly for cooling device

Info

Publication number: CN116592565A
Application number: CN202310102587.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·厄泽尔; O·巴斯; F·古勒尔
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2022-02-14
Filing date: 2023-02-13
Publication date: 2023-08-15
Also published as: US20230258394A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a shelf assembly (100) for a cooling device (1) comprising a storage chamber (70) with an inner liner (71), the shelf assembly comprising a shelf panel (61) with a bracket structure (50) interacting to attach a movable drawer (60) for defining a storage cavity to the shelf panel (61). Each of the bracket structures (50) includes: a connecting bracket (14) for fixing the shelf assembly (100) to the liner (71), a carrying bracket (30) formed with more than one engagement portion (31) laterally spaced from each other, and a fixing bracket (10) connected to a lower surface of the shelf panel (61) facing the storage cavity, the fixing bracket having more than one receiving recess (12) for receiving the corresponding engagement portion (31).

Description

Shelf assembly for cooling device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a shelf assembly according to the preamble of claim 1.

Background

In a household appliance, a storage container, such as a cooling container, is built by a user and selectively opened and closed. Generally, storage containers have shelf panels supported by some frame members, including a rack structure.

Typically, the shelf assembly configuration is secured to a cooling device, such as a refrigerator, by a rear profile. However, the rear profile is insufficient to balance the weight on the shelf, resulting in undesirable lateral movement during use. In shelving systems associated with drawers, undesirable separation and lateral jolting of the drawer from the shelf panel limits the provision of a durable drawer assembly.

Reference is made to US 8850839 (B2) which discloses a cooling device, the shelves of which are each characterized by a tempered glass panel and stop members for storing food, and support ribs on both side walls of the storage chamber for supporting the shelves.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shelf assembly for a domestic cooling device, ensuring a durable arrangement of drawers and preventing lateral movement of the drawers.

The present invention proposes a shelf assembly for a cooling device comprising a storage compartment with an inner liner, the shelf assembly comprising shelf panels having bracket structures that interact to attach to the shelf panels movable drawers for defining storage cavities, each bracket structure comprising: a connecting bracket for securing the shelf assembly to the liner, a carrying bracket formed with more than one engagement portions laterally spaced from each other, and a securing bracket connected to a lower surface of the shelf panel facing the storage cavity, the securing bracket having more than one receiving recess for receiving a corresponding engagement portion. The present invention eliminates the need for a separate fixing element that involves the use of screws to fix the carrier bracket to the fixing bracket. In addition, this also reduces the number of components and the installation effort, and avoids installation tolerances.

In one possible embodiment, each joint comprises: an inclined front wall configured to be inserted into a hanging groove arranged on the fixing bracket; an inclined rear wall corresponding to the receiving recess; a base protrusion extending from an upper wall facing the fixing bracket; and a tipping recess adjacent the base projection. The tipping groove is configured to tip the engagement portion at a predetermined angle. The engagement portion constitutes a snap-in configuration enabling the carrier bracket to be attached to the fixed bracket, while the tipping groove is both easy to assemble and flexible in heavy load situations.

In a possible embodiment, the carrying bracket is formed with a guide slot arranged as a longitudinally extending channel in which the respective attachment means of the drawer are arranged such that the drawer can be slidably moved between a closed position in which the shelf panel completely covers the entrance of the drawer and an open position in which the storage cavity is accessible from outside the drawer. The function of the above-described construction is to reduce lateral movement of the drawer and provide a durable securement. Therefore, it can prevent sagging deformation of the drawer assembly due to long-term overload.

In one possible embodiment, the guide slot comprises more than one contact area formed as a series of edge projections extending towards the drawer. Due to the arrangement of the contact areas, the contact area of the drawer and the shelf assembly is minimized, which minimizes friction generated by the drawer movement. Thus, mechanical deformations and undesirable noise caused by friction are avoided.

In one possible embodiment, the carrying bracket comprises more than one holding projection facing the guide slot, each holding projection extending perpendicular to the plane of movement of the drawer slidable. By limiting the vertical movement of the drawer in the guide slot, the retaining projection only provides for movement of the drawer in the push-pull direction.

In one possible embodiment, the longitudinal protrusion is arranged on a wall of the carrier bracket and the longitudinal protrusion is shaped and sized to fit into a retaining groove of the fixing bracket, the retaining groove having a substantially C-shaped cross section and being configured to extend along the longitudinal protrusion. Therefore, when the longitudinal protrusions are inserted into the holding grooves on the fixing bracket, the load borne by the bearing bracket is transferred to the fixing bracket. This arrangement helps the carrier bracket to be firmly attached to the fixed bracket in the horizontal and vertical axes.

In one possible embodiment, the bearing bracket has an abutment member formed at an end of the bearing bracket such that an end of the fixing bracket opposite to the connection bracket abuts against the abutment member. Thereby, the fixing bracket and the carrying bracket are mounted and constitute a common plane in contact with the shelf panel.

In one possible embodiment, the abutment member has substantially the same thickness as the fixed bracket. This ensures consistency of the shelf assembly and the shelf panel, i.e. the glass panel contact surface.

In one possible embodiment, the carrier bracket comprises a locking ramp provided at an end of the carrier bracket provided with the abutment member, wherein the locking ramp has an inclined surface protruding towards the abutment member. The locking ramp provides further restraint to the disengagement of the drawer and prevents the drawer from being accidentally disengaged.

In one possible embodiment, the carrier bracket has more than one rib formed uniformly, wherein the ribs adjacent the locking ramp have a substantially triangular cross section for providing strength between the upper wall and a bottom wall formed opposite the upper wall of the carrier bracket. Thus, the shelf assembly can firmly cope with the case where the drawer is kept pulled out and the load is unevenly distributed.

In one possible embodiment, the carrying bracket comprises a stop hook coupled to a lateral surface of the drawer. The stop hook limits the drawer from accidentally sliding out and prevents disengagement.

The invention also provides a cooling device comprising the shelf assembly. Preferably, the cooling device is a domestic cooling device, in particular a refrigerator.

Drawings

The drawings are given for the purpose of illustrating the invention only, and the advantages of the invention over the prior art have been summarized above and will be described in detail below.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a cooling device comprising a shelf assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the storage container illustrating the shelf assembly with its transverse axis extending parallel to the front and rear frame members and the shelf assembly with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the shelf assembly transverse axis;

fig. 3 shows a side perspective view of a shelf assembly according to the present invention, wherein the reservoir is pulled out and brought to an open position;

fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a fixing bracket according to the present invention, which includes a supporting protrusion, four hanging grooves and a receiving recess.

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of a receiving recess according to the invention, which comprises a latch wall, side walls and an opening;

fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a carrier bracket according to the invention comprising a stop hook and more than one contact area;

fig. 7 shows an enlarged view taken from detail C of fig. 6 according to the invention;

fig. 8 shows an enlarged view taken from detail B of fig. 6 according to the invention;

fig. 9 shows an upper perspective view of a carrier bracket comprising a guide slot and more than one retaining protrusion according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a bottom perspective view of a load-bearing bracket including longitudinal stiffeners, bottom walls, and slots according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a carrier bracket, a stationary bracket attached thereto, and a connecting bracket;

FIG. 12 shows a bottom perspective view of the carrier bracket and the stationary bracket attached thereto;

FIG. 13 shows another perspective view of the carrier bracket and the stationary bracket attached thereto;

fig. 14 shows a top view of a shelf assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly taken along lines A-A and B-B of FIG. 14;

fig. 16 shows an enlarged view taken from detail D of fig. 15, wherein detail D illustrates the connection between the engagement protrusions of the fixed bracket and the carrier bracket;

FIG. 17 shows a view of a shelf assembly including drawers and connecting brackets according to the present invention;

fig. 18 shows an enlarged view of detail E from fig. 17, wherein detail E illustrates the connection between the drawer and the carrying bracket.

Detailed Description

Herein, the width direction of the shelf assembly, shelf panel, and drawer corresponds to the direction of the first horizontal axis x in fig. 2.

Herein, the depth direction of the shelf assembly, shelf panel and drawer corresponds to the direction of the second horizontal axis z in fig. 2.

Herein, the vertical direction of the shelf assembly, shelf panel, and drawer corresponds to the vertical axis y direction in fig. 2.

The present invention proposes a shelf assembly 100 for a cooling device 1, as shown in fig. 1, comprising a storage chamber 70 with an inner liner 71. The storage chamber 70 has a compartmentalized storage space in which food and shelf assemblies may be placed. The inner liner 71 is the inner wall of the cooling device 1 facing the compartment storage space. These inner walls are side walls, top wall, bottom wall and rear wall. The present invention, as illustrated in fig. 2 and 3, shows a shelf assembly 100 of a cooling device 1 comprising a shelf panel 61, a pair of attachment means 62 arranged in parallel spaced relationship, and a movable drawer 60 defining a storage cavity. The main frame 63 is connected to the front side of the shelf panel 61. As can be seen in fig. 2, the main frame 63 has two U-shaped channels. One of the U-shaped channels receives the front edge of the shelf panel 61. The other U-shaped channel receives the front end of the carrier 30. Shelf panel 61, on the other hand, has an interactive bracket structure 50 for securing removable drawer 60 to shelf panel 61. In one possible embodiment of the invention, each of the support structures 50 comprises: a connecting bracket 14 for fixing the shelf assembly 100 to the inner liner 71, a carrying bracket 30 formed with more than one engagement portion 31 laterally spaced apart from each other, and a fixing bracket 10 connected to a lower surface of the shelf panel 61 facing the storage cavity, the fixing bracket having more than one receiving recess 12 so as to receive the corresponding engagement portion 31. The fixing bracket 10 has a flat surface for adhering the fixing bracket 10 to a lower surface of the shelf panel facing the fixing bracket 10, which is not shown by an adhesive member.

In one possible embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, drawer 60 is movable between a closed position in which drawer 60 is fully inserted into storage chamber 70 and an open position in which drawer 60 is at least partially pulled from storage chamber 70 during use. In other words, drawer 60 is slidably movable between a closed position in which shelf panel 61 completely covers the entrance to drawer 60 and an open position in which the storage cavity is accessible from outside drawer 60. Drawer 60 has two attachment means 62 on the mutually facing walls. Each attachment device 62 is attached to a respective load bearing bracket 30.

As can be seen in fig. 4, the fixing bracket 10 further comprises a longitudinal projection 39 providing a holding groove 11 arranged along the fixing bracket 10 for at least partially receiving the carrying bracket 30. The cross section of the holding groove 11 is substantially C-shaped. The fixing bracket 10 includes a hanging groove 13. The inclined front wall 312 of the carrier bracket 30 is positioned into the suspension slot 13 such that the inclined rear wall 313 rests against the peripheral wall of the suspension slot 13. Thus, the stability of the bearing bracket 30 is ensured.

As shown in fig. 6 and 9, guide slot 38 is provided with more than one contact area 35 near the lateral surface of drawer 60. Yet another feature of the contact region 35 is that it is configured as a series of edge projections extending along the first horizontal axis x of the shelf assembly 100.

Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, revealing more than one stiffener 33 adjacent to the locking ramp 32. Each stiffener 33 has a substantially triangular cross section that provides structural strength and durability between the upper wall 40 and the bottom wall 41 of the load bearing bracket 30. When drawer 60 is pulled and brought to the open position, the center of gravity on carrier 30 moves forward. The ribs 33 illustrated in fig. 12 are disposed on the upper wall 40 to provide a shelf assembly 100 that can withstand conditions in which the drawer 60 remains extended and unevenly loaded.

As shown in fig. 11, the load bearing bracket 30 is attached to the fixed bracket 10 in the following manner. First, the longitudinal protrusion 39 of the bearing bracket 30 is inserted into the holding groove 11. Thereafter, the engaging portion 31 of the carrier 30 as a flexible member is pushed toward the fixed bracket 10 and attached in the receiving portion 12 of the upper portion of the fixed bracket 10.

Fig. 13 shows an assembled state of the bearing bracket 30 and the fixing bracket 10. The carrier bracket 30 is provided with an abutment member 34 at a first end 43 of the upper wall 40. The distal end of the fixed bracket 10 opposite the connecting bracket 14 abuts the abutment member 34, the abutment member 34 and the connecting bracket 14 being located at opposite ends of the shelf assembly 100 when the carrier bracket 30 is connected to the fixed bracket 10. When drawer 60 is pulled out of cooling device 1, abutment member 34 dampens any possible vibrations of fixed support 10. The thickness of the abutment member 34 is substantially equal to the thickness of the fixed bracket 10. In securing the load bearing bracket 30 to the fixed bracket 10, an integrated structure is provided, which is imparted by the abutment member 34. Furthermore, this integration ensures that the load carried by the shelf panel 61 in the Z-direction is evenly distributed. Thus, uniformity of the shelf assembly 100 and smoothness of the contact surface of the shelf panel 61 are both ensured.

As with reference to fig. 14 and 15, cross-sectional views of shelf assembly 100 taken along lines A-A and B-B illustrate the connection between drawer 60, interface 31, and fixed bracket 10. The engagement portion 31 is attached to the fixed bracket 10 by a snap-fit connection.

Referring to fig. 16, the attachment means 62 is only partially contacted in the guide groove 38 due to the inclined design of the guide groove 38. Thus, contact between the distal end of guide slot 38 facing drawer 60 and attachment means 62 is reduced to a minimum level. The first contact point of drawer 60 with guide slot 38 coincides with the orthogonal projection of holding groove 11 on the plane surrounding guide slot 38. Drawer 60 can be located at the distal end of guide slot 38 if guide slot 38 is not formed as an angled planar surface. In this case, more load will be applied to this connection area due to the moment created here, causing the sloped rear wall 313 of the engagement portion 31 to disengage from the latch portion 121 of the receiving portion 12.

As can be seen from the above explanation, the inclined plane of the guide slot 38 results in a shelf assembly 100 that is more durable and durable.

Referring to fig. 13, a stopper hook 36 coupled with a lateral surface of the drawer 60 is disposed on the bottom wall 41 of the loading ledges 30. Further, stop hook 36 extends at least partially into the interior space of drawer 60. The stop hook 36 limits the drawer 60 from accidentally sliding out and prevents disengagement.

As is clear from fig. 16, the longitudinal protrusion 39 of the carrying bracket 30 is attached to the holding groove 11, and the attachment between the longitudinal protrusion 39 and the holding groove 11 can prevent the shelf panel 61 from swinging up and down.

Referring to fig. 5, the engagement portions 31 are inserted into the corresponding openings 123 disposed on the fixing bracket 10 and the latch portions 121 disposed on the fixing bracket 10, respectively. The attachment between engagement portion 31 and latch portion 121 helps to reduce lateral movement of drawer 60.

Referring to fig. 8, the engaging portion 31 has an inclined front wall 312 corresponding to the hanging groove 13 provided on the fixing bracket 10, an inclined rear wall 313 facing the receiving portion 12, a base projection 314, and a tip-over recess 311 adjacent to the base projection 314. When the inclined front wall 312 is inserted into the hanging groove 13, the inclined rear wall 313 is engaged with the receiving portion 12. Thus, the movement of the engaging portion 31 is restricted by the peripheral wall of the receiving portion 12. Further, the inclined front wall 312 and the inclined rear wall 313 are arranged in the shape of a hook. The tip recess 311 is designed to allow the engagement portion 31 to have a predetermined tip angle. The engagement portion 31 has a snap-in structure allowing the carrier bracket 30 to be connected to the fixed bracket 10, while the tipping recess 311 facilitates installation and provides greater flexibility under heavy load conditions. Fig. 17 shows a side view of shelf assembly 100 including drawer 60 and connecting bracket 14. An enlarged view taken from detail E of fig. 17 shows the connection between the reservoir 70 and the carrier bracket 30. Further, fig. 18 shows that the base protrusions 314 are mated with corresponding recesses formed on the fixing bracket 10.

It can also be seen from the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 10 that a plurality of holding projections 37 are provided facing the guide grooves 38, each extending perpendicularly to the plane of movement of the drawer 60 pulled away from the cooling device.

List of reference numerals

100 shelf assembly

50 support structure

10 fixed support

11 holding groove

12 receiving recess

121 latch part

123 opening

13 hanging groove

14 connection support

30 bearing support

31 joint portion

311 tipping recess 312 inclined front wall 313 inclined rear wall

314 base projection

32 lock ramp

33 reinforcing rib

34 abutment member

35 contact area

36 stop hook

37 holding projection

38 guide groove

39 longitudinal projection

40 upper wall

41 bottom wall

43 first end

60 drawers

61 shelf panel

62 attachment device

63 main frame

70 storeroom

71 inner lining board

x first horizontal axis

y vertical axis

z second horizontal axis

Claims

1. A shelf assembly (100) for a cooling device (1) comprising a storage chamber (70) with an inner liner (71), the shelf assembly comprising a shelf panel (61) with interacting bracket structures (50) to attach a movable drawer (60) defining a storage cavity to the shelf panel (61),

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

each of the bracket structures (50) includes: a connecting bracket (14) for fixing the shelf assembly (100) to the liner (71), a carrying bracket (30) formed with more than one engagement portion (31) laterally spaced from each other, and a fixing bracket (10) connected to a lower surface of the shelf panel (61) facing the storage cavity, the fixing bracket having more than one receiving recess (12) for receiving the corresponding engagement portion (31).

2. The shelf assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein each engagement portion (31) comprises: an inclined front wall (312) configured to be insertable into a hanging groove (13) arranged on the fixed bracket (10); an inclined rear wall (313) corresponding to the receiving recess (12); a base projection (314) extending from an upper wall (40) facing the fixed bracket (10); and a tipping recess (311) adjacent the base projection (314).

3. Shelf assembly (100) according to claim 2, wherein the carrying bracket (30) is formed with guide slots (38) arranged as longitudinally extending channels in which the respective attachment means (62) of the drawer (60) are positioned, so that the drawer (60) can be slidably moved between a closed position in which the shelf panel (61) completely covers the entrance of the drawer (60) and an open position in which the storage cavity is accessible from outside the drawer (60).

4. A shelf assembly (100) according to claim 3, wherein the guide groove (38) comprises more than one contact area (35) formed as a series of edge projections extending towards the drawer (60).

5. The shelf assembly (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the carrying bracket (30) comprises more than one holding projection (37) facing the guide slot (38), each holding projection (37) extending perpendicular to the plane of movement in which the drawer (60) is slidable.

6. The shelf assembly (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a longitudinal protrusion (39) is arranged on a wall of the carrying bracket (30), the longitudinal protrusion (39) being shaped and dimensioned to fit into a retaining groove (11) of the fixing bracket (10), the retaining groove (11) having a substantially C-shaped cross section and being configured to be extendable along the longitudinal protrusion (39).

7. Shelf assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrying bracket (30) is provided with an abutment member (34) formed at an end of the carrying bracket (30) such that an end of the fixing bracket (10) opposite to the connecting bracket (14) abuts against the abutment member (34).

8. The shelf assembly (100) of claim 7, wherein the abutment member (34) has substantially the same thickness as the fixed bracket (10).

9. The shelf assembly (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the carrying bracket (30) comprises a locking ramp (32) provided at an end of the carrying bracket (30) provided with the abutment member (34), the locking ramp (32) having an inclined surface protruding towards the abutment member (34).

10. The shelf assembly (100) of claim 9, wherein the carrier bracket (30) has more than one rib (33) formed uniformly, the rib (33) adjacent the locking ramp (32) having a generally triangular cross section for providing strength between the upper wall (40) and a bottom wall (41) formed opposite the upper wall (40) of the carrier bracket (30).

11. The shelf assembly (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrying bracket (30) comprises a stop hook (36) for coupling with a lateral surface of a drawer (60).

12. A cooling device (1) comprising a shelf assembly (100) according to any of the preceding claims.