DE102008063391A1 - Cooling device e.g. household cooling device, for storing e.g. food, has gap formed between side edge of shelf and sidewalls by recesses for enabling air flow, where recesses of side edge of shelf adjoin at front and rear edges of shelf - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has an inner container (11) provided with an interior (12). An inner container opening (15) is laid opposite to a rear wall (14) and closed by a door (16). A rear edge of the rear wall and a side edge of a shelf (20) lie opposite to two oppositely facing sidewalls (13), and a front edge of the inner container opening with the shelf is attached to the interior. A gap is formed between the side edge of the shelf and the sidewalls by recesses for enabling air flow. The recesses of the side edge of the shelf adjoin at the front edge and the rear edge of the shelf.

Description

conventional Refrigerating appliances, in particular household refrigerating appliances, such as a refrigerator used in households have in their housing with an inner container a heat insulation shell, in its heat-insulated Interior several shelves mounted one above the other are. The shelves serve as a storage area for refrigerated goods such as foods, medicines and / or chemicals. To cool the interior from the ambient temperature Refrigerators at least one refrigeration unit, which usually on the back of the case or is arranged in the underbody of the refrigerator. It is with at least one evaporator in the interior of the inner container or with a cold channel in operative connection, the cold Air can flow out into the interior. A challenge consists in the refrigerated goods stored in the interior as possible to cool efficiently.

From the EP 1 271 078 A2 is a refrigerator with shelves known, each having a rectangular glass plate and two connected to the glass plate U-shaped strips. The two strips form both a front and a rear edge and - due to the U-shape - additionally a part of the side edges of a shelf. Recesses are provided in areas of the side edges between the strips in which the glass plate is exposed, so that a gap is formed in each case between the side edges and side walls of the housing when the shelf is mounted in the interior. The gaps are intended to allow air flow along the sidewalls to improve the cooling of the interior.

by virtue of the U-shaped strips of the shelves takes place Air flow only in the area of the middle of the side edges, so that, for example, in the area of the front edge of a shelf arranged refrigerated goods only a little of the flow-related Cooling effect can benefit. In an alternative embodiment The shelves are indeed used strips, which only form the front and back edges of a shelf so that a gap and thus a flow of air along each one entire side edge of a shelf can be formed. hereby However, no targeted air flow can be generated, which for example, matched to the geometry of the interior of the refrigerator is.

The Object of the present invention is to provide an improved Refrigerating appliance, in particular household refrigerating appliance, to provide at least one shelf in which a more efficient air flow for cooling refrigerated goods can be produced.

These The object is achieved by a refrigeration device according to claim 1 solved. Further advantageous embodiments The invention are defined in the dependent claims specified.

According to the invention a refrigerator, in particular domestic refrigeration appliance, with at least one inner container and at least one Shelf suggested. The inner container has a Interior on which of two opposite side walls, a rear wall and one of the rear wall opposite and by a door closable inner container opening is limited. The shelf is inside the case attachable and has a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, each side edge comprises a recess. When installed in the interior shelf are the back edge the back wall, the side edges of the side walls and the leading edge of the inner container opening or opposite the door. This is through the recesses in each case a gap between a side edge of the shelf and a side wall for allowing airflow educated. The refrigerator is characterized by it from that the recesses of the side edges of the shelf to the The front edge and / or the rear edge of the shelf adjoin.

Instead of an air flow in the area of the middle of a side edge or on the entire side edge of the shelf is provided according to the invention, an air flow in one adjacent to the leading edge and / or the rear edge front and / or rear area of the side edge. One in this area or in these areas occurring air flow favors the cooling behavior of the refrigerator. One on the leading edge of the airflow makes it possible To effectively cool refrigerated goods stored in this area. Also a present at the rear edge air flow proves to be beneficial for the cooling of the Interior, and also offers the option to remove condensation formed on the rear wall. If recesses and thus air gaps in several superimposed arranged shelves on the side edges both in the area the front and rear edges are provided, can in the Interior cooling-improving air circulation be generated. For example, one is possible down directed flow of cool air in the area of Leading edges, and an upward airflow in the area of the back edges of the shelves (or vice versa).

In an expedient embodiment, the shelf has a rectangular plate and two sidebars connected to the plate, the sidebars each forming part of the side edges of the shelf and adjacent to the recesses. This embodiment allows a flexible setting of the position and the longitudinal dimensions of the recesses and thus the column for forming the air flow. As a result, in particular, the air flow can be matched to the geometry of the interior of the refrigeration device. The position and longitudinal dimensions of the recesses are determined by the position of the sidebars on the plate and by the longitudinal dimensions of the sidebars.

In a further advantageous embodiment the side walls have pairs of mutually parallel Support elements on which the side rails of the shelf when the compartment is inside the compartment. For one have stable and reliable attachment of the shelf the side rails of the shelf preferably locking means on, which in the interior mounted shelf with the support elements and / or the side walls in a mechanical connection stand for fixing the shelf.

In a further advantageous embodiment is a support element formed as a projection, which is about a part of a width of a side wall of the inner container extends so that when mounted in the interior shelf a Sidebar so rests on the projection that the projection just below the sidebar. This embodiment favors the formation of a stable air flow, because the projection does not "project" into the flow path defined by a gap.

In a further advantageous embodiment the shelf has a front and a back bar, which are connected to the plate, the front bar the Front edge and the rear bar the back edge of the Shelf forms. The plate of the shelf has a top for storing refrigerated goods and a bottom on, with the front bar and / or the rear strip preferably a profile section which is opposite to one through the top and / or the underside of the plate protrudes predetermined level. A front bar with such a profile section, for example serve as a handle member to attach the shelf in the Interior and a removal of the shelf easier to design. A back bar with a protruding profile section can act as a spacer to on top of the plate stored refrigerated goods from the rear wall of the housing to space.

In a further advantageous embodiment The side rails of the shelf have a plate embracing Profile with an upper and a lower leg, wherein the upper leg at the top and the bottom leg at the bottom the plate rests. The lower leg has a larger one Length on than the upper leg. This way you can a side member supporting the supporting element in the interior attached shelf, whereby the refrigeration device has an improved appearance.

In a further advantageous embodiment includes a longitudinal dimension of the recesses between 5% and 30% of a longitudinal dimension of the side edges of the shelf. Furthermore, the gap between a side edge of the shelf and a side wall in the interior mounted shelf a gap width in a range between 2 and 20 mm. By these embodiments will be the formation of a defined air flow further favored along the side walls.

other Further developments of the invention are in the subclaims played.

The Invention and its developments and their advantages are in Explained in detail below with reference to drawings. Each show schematically:

1 a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator with inserted shelves, which are formed according to a first advantageous variant of the construction principle of the invention;

2 an exploded perspective view of a shelf of 1 ;

3 a perspective view of the composite shelf of 1 . 2 ;

4 a supervisory view on the shelf of the 1 With 3 ;

5 a bottom view of the shelf of the 1 With 4 ;

6 a front view of the shelf of the 1 With 5 ;

7 a rear view of the shelf of the 1 With 6 ;

8th the shelf of the 1 With 7 in a side view;

9 an enlarged view of a front strip of the shelf of the 1 With 8th ;

10 a section of a supervisory view of the refrigeration device of 1 attached Shelf;

11 a perspective view of the refrigerator of 1 with inserted shelves and a representation of an air flow;

12 a sectional view of the interior of the refrigerator of 11 attached shelf; and

13 and 14 schematic top views of alternative embodiments of a shelf.

Elements with the same function and mode of action are in the 1 With 14 each provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator 10 , in particular household refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration device 10 has a substantially cuboid housing AG with a thermally insulated inner container 11 on. The interior 12 of the inner container 11 is made up of two parallel and oppositely arranged side walls 13 , a back wall 14 , a bottom part 17 , a lid part 18 , and one of the back wall 14 opposite and through a door 16 the housing AG closable inner container opening 15 limited. The refrigeration device 10 also has a 1 Not shown cooling unit to the interior 12 towards the environment of the refrigerator 11 cool. For this purpose, the cooling unit, which, for example, at the back or below the bottom of the refrigerator 10 is arranged, one with the interior 12 connected or in the interior 12 arranged device for heat transfer. This includes in particular a cooling channel, which is in operative connection with at least one evaporator. In practice, a variety of different devices for heat transfer available, the structure and function of which are known in the art, so that will not be discussed further here in the embodiment.

In the refrigerator 10 For example, it may be a refrigerator or refrigeration cabinet used in the home. The refrigeration device 10 can optionally be one in the interior 12 arranged and can be closed by a flap freezer compartment (not shown). In addition, the refrigerator can 10 alternatively, constitute a so-called fridge / freezer combination cabinet, in which an external freezer compartment is provided (not shown).

The refrigeration device 10 has several shelves 20 on which refrigerated goods such as food, medicines and / or chemicals can be stored. 2 shows in a perspective exploded view of the individual components of a shelf 20 , An illustration of the composite shelf 20 is in perspective 3 , in a supervisory presentation in 4 , and in a view from below in 5 shown. The shelf 20 has a rectangular plate 31 on, which preferably consists of a transparent material. For this example, glass, preferably safety glass, or alternatively a transparent plastic into consideration. The shelf 20 further includes two in the depth direction of the inner container 11 extending sidebars 33 on which at the composite shelf 20 a part of the side edges 23 of the shelf 20 form. Further provided are a front bar 35 and a back bar 34 through which a leading edge 25 or a back edge 24 of the shelf.

In the interior 12 of the refrigeration device 10 arranged shelf 20 lie the side edges 23 the side walls 13 opposite or adjacent to the side walls 13 at ( 10 ). In a similar way are the back edge 24 the back wall 14 and the leading edge 25 the housing opening 15 or the (closed) door 16 across from. For attaching the strips 33 . 34 . 35 at the plate 31 have the last 33 . 34 . 35 or a section thereof in cross-section on a U-shaped profile, which is the plate 31 at a border or edge area surrounds ( 8th . 9 and 12 ). For fixing the strips 33 . 34 . 35 with the plate 31 be glued. Alternatively, it is possible the ledges 33 . 34 . 35 by performing an overmolding or casting process on the plate 31 train. By providing the separate strips 33 . 34 . 35 at the plate 31 there is the possibility of the individual strips 33 . 34 . 35 different, for example, from different materials and / or form with different colors. Eligible materials for the strips 33 . 34 . 35 include, for example, plastics or light metals such as aluminum.

For attaching the shelf 20 in the interior 12 have the side walls 13 Pairs of mutually parallel support elements 43 on. The support elements 43 provide a support surface on which the sidebars 33 of the shelf 20 can be stored. The support elements are as projections 43 formed, which only over a small portion of a width of a side wall 13 of the housing 11 extend ( 11 ). Every sidebar 33 of the shelf 20 can in this case of two projections 43 being held. The projections 43 are at different heights on a sidewall 13 provided, creating the shelf 20 or more shelves 20 at different heights in the interior 12 mon are animalizable.

The sidebars 33 facing those edges of the plate 31 on which the sidebars 33 be arranged, a shorter length. By this configuration, the sidebars 33 only part of a side edge 23 of the shelf 20 , Because the sidebars 33 at the shelf 20 also laterally opposite the plate 31 stand out, indicates the shelf 20 in the area of the sidebars 33 a larger width than in areas outside the sidebars 33 in which the edge of the plate 31 not from the sidebars 33 is covered and therefore exposed. Consequently, recesses are created in these areas 26 . 27 depending on the position of the sidebars 33 at the plate 31 in a front or rear area of the shelf 20 ie adjacent to the leading edge 25 or to the back edge 24 available.

In the in the 4 and 5 embodiment shown, the shelf 20 essentially recesses 26 in the front area adjacent to the front edge 25 on. Through the recesses 26 will be in the interior 12 of the refrigeration device 10 attached shelf 20 as in 10 each represented a gap between a side edge 23 of the shelf 20 and a side wall 13 of the housing 11 formed by which air along the side wall 13 perpendicular to the shelf 20 can flow. For example, the gaps allow for a downward, ie in the direction of the bottom part 17 directed flow of cold air. Such air flow is in 11 by arrows in an arrangement of several superimposed in the interior 12 of the refrigeration device 10 arranged shelves 20 illustrated. Due to the air flow, it is possible to cool off in the lower area of the interior 12 on shelves 20 to improve stored refrigerated goods. In particular, refrigerated goods, which in the region of the leading edge 25 a shelf 20 is arranged, and which due to the proximity to the housing opening 15 or the door 16 optionally subject to poorer cooling, be better cooled. This also applies to refrigerated goods, which in on the door 16 optionally provided storage compartments is arranged (not shown).

The sidebars 33 can like in the 4 and 5 represented so on the plate 31 be arranged that in addition to the recesses 26 also in the rear area of the shelf 20 adjacent to the back edge 24 smaller recesses 27 to be provided. Through the recesses 27 can also column in the interior 12 attached shelf 20 be formed to allow an air flow, which may also prove to be advantageous for the cooling of refrigerated goods. For example, it is possible that over the "front" recesses 26 a downward flow of air occurs, whereas the "rear" recesses 27 a flow in the opposite direction upwards (towards the lid part 18 ) enable. The indicated flow directions may depend on parameters such as the size of the recesses 26 . 27 or the geometry of the interior 12 also be the other way around. Due to the opposite flow directions is the formation of air circulation within the interior 12 possible, reducing the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 10 is favored further. In addition, a flow of air at the recesses 27 in the area of the back edge 24 be used to on the back wall 14 to remove formed condensation, whereby, for example, an undesirable formation of an ice layer can be avoided.

The design of the or the shelves 20 with the at the plate 31 attached sidebars 33 allows a flexible setting of the position and the dimensions of the recesses 26 . 27 , and thus the through the recesses 26 . 27 formed air gaps. The airflow permitting gaps are determined by the position of the sidebars 33 at the plate 31 and set their dimensions. In this way, one in the interior 12 of the refrigeration device occurring air flow can be specified. In particular, there is the possibility of the air flow on the geometry of the interior 12 of the refrigeration device 10 to vote, in which case the location or arrangement of a heat transfer device of the cooling unit and an optional freezer compartment can be taken into account. To set an air flow based on the recesses 26 . 27 of several shelves arranged one above the other 20 can the sidebars 33 the individual shelves 20 each the same dimensions and the same position on the associated plates 31 exhibit. It is also possible with the shelves 20 sidebars 33 insert different length and / or the sidebars 33 in different positions on the plates 31 to provide a desired air flow.

In addition, there is the possibility of recesses 26 . 27 only adjacent to one of the edges 24 . 25 to provide, instead of recesses 26 . 27 and thus column both at the front edge 25 and at the back edge 24 train. This is in the 13 and 14 based on schematic top views of further embodiments of a shelf 20 illustrated. At the in 13 illustrated embodiment, the shelf 20 only front and to the front edge 25 adjacent recesses 26 on. For this embodiment, the sidebars 33 directly at the back edge 24 of the shelf 20 disposed be or flush with the back edge 24 connect. To overlap with the back bar 34 The back bar can be avoided 34 as in 13 indicated to be narrower than the plate 31 ,

14 shows one opposite 13 "Mirror-symmetric" configuration. This shows the shelf 20 only to the back edge 24 adjacent recesses 27 on. This can be achieved by using the sidebars 33 directly to the front edge 25 be arranged adjacent. In a similar way, this is the front bar 35 be made narrower than the plate 31 to overlap between sidebars 33 and front bar 35 to avoid.

The recesses 26 . 27 of the shelf 20 preferably have a longitudinal dimension which is between 5% and 30% of a longitudinal dimension of the side edges 23 of the shelf 20 includes. In this way, a defined, ie targeted air flow with the effects described above can be reliably formed. For the same purpose are the sidebars 33 preferably formed such or on the plate 31 provided that a gap in the interior 12 inlaid shelf 20 has a gap width in a range between 2 and 20 mm.

The formation of an effective air flow is further facilitated by the fact that the support of the sidebars 33 provided projections 43 only over a small part of a width of a side wall 13 of the housing 11 extend, while in the interior 12 mounted shelf 20 the sidebars 33 such on the projections 43 rest the protrusions 43 just below the sidebars 33 are arranged ( 11 ). A lead 43 in this way does not protrude into through a recess 26 . 27 or a gap predetermined flow path, so that an unobstructed flow of air along the side walls 13 is possible.

unwanted Turbulences, such as those over the entire Width of a side wall extending support ribs could occur therefore avoided.

For a stable and reliable attachment of the shelf 20 in the interior 12 can the sidebars 33 of the shelf 20 like in the 2 to 5 illustrated locking means 37 . 38 exhibit. The locking means 37 . 38 are also in the in 6 illustrated front view, in 7 shown rear view and the in 8th illustrated lateral view of the shelf 20 displayed. The locking agent 38 is here designed in the form of a web, which as in 12 shown with inserted shelf 20 a lead 43 embraces. By such a positive connection is the shelf 20 in the interior 12 additionally fixed. A corresponding mechanical fixation is via the locking means 37 achieved, which is designed as a laterally projecting ridge. The locking agent 37 can be in the interior 12 mounted shelf 20 For example, in a side wall 13 , which may have a flexible plastic material, press in. Alternatively, in the sidewall 13 one each a locking agent 37 be associated recess formed, in which the locking means 37 can intervene (not shown). In addition to the locking means 37 . 38 can be a sidebar 33 like in the 5 and 8th further illustrate a handle member 39 have a simplified handling of the shelf 20 to enable. The grip element is in this case designed in the form of a closed ridge which encloses a recess.

9 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the front bar 35 , Based on this illustration is also the U-shaped profile of the front bar 35 visible, which is the edge of the plate 31 embraces. The front bar 35 furthermore has one opposite a bottom 52 the plate 31 or one through the bottom 52 predetermined plane obliquely projecting profile section 53 on. In this way, the front bar can act as a handle member to attach the shelf 20 in the interior 12 and taking out the shelf 20 easier to design. The profile section 53 can be like in 9 represented a recess 54 have, resulting in a material savings.

According to the front bar 35 can also the back bar 34 as in 8th indicated having a profile section, which opposite to an upper side 51 the plate 31 or one through the top 51 predetermined level protrudes obliquely. The back bar 34 This can be the same shape as the front bar 35 and vice versa to the front bar 35 at the plate 31 to be appropriate. Through the profile section of the rear bar 34 may be a hitting the plate 31 to the back wall 14 and an optionally associated scratching of the rear wall 14 be avoided. Also, the back bar acts 34 as a spacer, causing on the top 51 the plate 31 stored refrigerated goods from the rear wall 14 is spaced.

12 shows in an enlarged sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of a sidebar 33 , The sidebar 33 has the edge of the plate as described above 31 encompassing and substantially U-shaped profile with an upper leg 41 and a lower leg 42 on. The upper leg 41 lies here at the top 51 and the lower thigh 42 on the bottom 52 the plate 31 at. Here, the lower leg 42 a greater length than the upper leg 41 , In this way, the lead can 43 obscured, causing the refrigeration device 10 in the interior 12 attached shelf 20 has a more pleasant appearance.

The embodiments explained with reference to the figures represent preferred embodiments of the invention. In addition, further embodiments can be realized which comprise further modifications of the invention. In particular, instead of the specified materials for the components of the shelf 20 other materials are used. The bars shown 33 . 34 . 35 are to be regarded as possible embodiments, which can be replaced by differently shaped strips. For example, it is conceivable the sidebars 33 to be provided with other than the locking means shown.

10

The refrigerator

11

inner container

12

inner space

13

Side wall

14

rear wall

15

Inside the container opening

16

door

17

the bottom part

18

cover part

20

Fold bottom

21

recess

23

side edge

24

back edge

25

leading edge

26 27

recess

31

plate

33

sidebar

34

rear bar

35

front bar

37, 38

locking

39

handle element

41 42

leg

43

head Start

51

top

52

bottom

53

profile section

54

recess

AG

outer casing

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - EP 1271078 A2 [0002]

Claims (10)

Refrigerating appliance, in particular household refrigerating appliance, with at least one inner container ( 11 ) and at least one shelf ( 20 ), wherein the inner container ( 11 ) at least one interior ( 12 ), which of two opposite side walls ( 13 ), a back wall ( 14 ) and one of the back wall ( 14 ) and through a door ( 16 ) closable inner container opening ( 15 ), the respective shelf ( 20 ) in the interior ( 12 ) of the housing ( 11 ) is attachable and a leading edge ( 25 ), a back edge ( 24 ) and two side edges ( 23 ), each side edge ( 23 ) a recess ( 26 ; 27 ), wherein in the interior ( 12 ) attached shelf ( 20 ) the back edge ( 24 ) of the back wall ( 14 ), the side edges ( 23 ) the side walls ( 13 ) and the leading edge ( 25 ) of the inner container opening ( 15 ) and through the recesses ( 26 ; 27 ) each have a gap between a side edge ( 23 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) and a side wall ( 13 ) is formed to allow an air flow, characterized in that the recesses ( 26 ; 27 ) of the side edges ( 23 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) to the front edge ( 25 ) and / or the back edge ( 24 ) of the shelf ( 20 ). Refrigerating appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the shelf ( 20 ) a rectangular plate ( 31 ) and two with the plate ( 31 ) connected sidebars ( 33 ), the sidebars ( 33 ) each a part of the side edges ( 23 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) and to the recesses ( 26 ; 27 ). Refrigerating appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the side walls ( 13 ) Pairs of mutually parallel support elements ( 43 ) on which the sidebars ( 33 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) in the interior ( 12 ) attached shelf ( 20 ) rest. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that the sidebars ( 33 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) Locking means ( 37 ; 38 ), which in the interior ( 12 ) attached shelf ( 20 ) with the support elements ( 43 ) and / or the side walls ( 13 ) in a mechanical connection for fixing the shelf ( 20 ) stand. Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that a support element as a projection ( 43 ) which extends over part of a width of a side wall ( 13 ) of the inner container opening ( 11 ) so that in the interior ( 12 ) attached shelf ( 20 ) a sidebar ( 33 ) so on the projection ( 43 ) that the lead ( 43 ) just below the sidebar ( 33 ) is arranged. Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the shelf ( 20 ) a front and a back bar ( 34 ; 35 ), which with the plate ( 31 ), the front panel ( 35 ) the leading edge ( 25 ) and the back bar ( 34 ) the back edge ( 24 ) of the shelf ( 20 ). Refrigerating appliance according to one claim 6, characterized in that the plate ( 31 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) an upper side ( 51 ) for storing refrigerated goods and a bottom ( 52 ), and that the front panel ( 35 ) and / or the back bar ( 34 ) a profile section ( 53 ), which opposite one through the top ( 51 ) and / or the underside ( 52 ) of the plate ( 31 protruding plane protrudes. Refrigerating appliance according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the plate ( 31 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) an upper side ( 51 ) for storing refrigerated goods and a bottom ( 52 ), the sidebars ( 33 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) a the plate ( 31 ) encompassing profile with an upper and a lower leg ( 41 ; 42 ), wherein the upper leg ( 41 ) at the top ( 51 ) and the lower leg ( 42 ) on the bottom ( 52 ) of the plate ( 31 ), and wherein the lower leg ( 42 ) has a greater length than the upper leg ( 41 ). Refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a longitudinal dimension of the recesses ( 26 ; 27 ) between 5% and 30% of a longitudinal dimension of the side edges ( 23 ) of the shelf ( 20 ). Refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gap between a side edge ( 23 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) and a side wall ( 13 ) in the interior ( 12 ) attached shelf ( 20 ) has a gap width in a range between 2 and 20 mm.