DE102009045364A1 - Inner container for a refrigeration device - Google Patents

Abstract

In the case of an inner container for a refrigerator with walls (8; 9) surrounding a storage compartment (3), one of the two recesses (17; 29) formed on the inner container (1) defines a pivot axis of a door (4) and the other takes a latch (12) on the door (4). A bearing bush (30) can optionally be mounted in one or the other recess (17; 29).

Description

The present invention relates to an inner container for a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigerator, which is suitable for holding a pivotable door or flap. Such a door or flap can serve, in particular, to separate different storage zones, such as a normal refrigeration compartment and a freezer compartment, inside the refrigerator.

Internal containers of refrigerators are conventionally deep-drawn, a technique that is economical but does not allow for high manufacturing accuracies. Pins formed in a deep-drawn inner container can be used, on the one hand, to define a pivot axis of a door and, on the other hand, as a receptacle for a latch of the door. If the inner container is to be capable of accommodating both a left-hinged and a right-hinged door, then each peg must be usable for both pivotal axis and latch engagement. Different dimensions of the pins would be disturbing. Unavoidable dimensional inaccuracies of the inner container may result in that when the pivot axis of the door is fixed to the one pin with a small tolerance, the bolt is displaced against the other pin so that it can not be inserted therein. Although it is in principle possible to make the game between the one pin and a fixed bolt of the door hinge so large that can be positioned by moving the door transverse to the pivot axis of the bolt in front of the other pin and inserted into this, but this leads that the door hangs in the closed position crooked, and it can certainly not be ensured that a simple slamming the door is sufficient to lock the latch in the pin.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an inner container for a refrigeration device on which a door with both left and right stop is each mounted so that their pivotal movement is performed with low tolerance and still takes place a locking of the door in the closed position with certainty.

The object is achieved by enclosing in an inner container for a refrigerator with a storage compartment surrounding walls and two recesses formed on the inner container, one of the recesses defining a pivot axis of a door and the other receives a latch of the door, a bushing either one or the other recess is mountable. This allows the cross-sections of the recesses to be generously dimensioned so that, in the closed position of the door, the latch can easily and safely engage in the associated pin and at the same time fix the pivot axis of the door with a small tolerance so that the movement of the door is exact is guided.

In order to mount the same door either with left or right stop, the door preferably has two parallel channels, in which optionally a hinge pin for engagement in the bearing bush or the aforementioned bolt can be mounted.

In order to mount the door in the inner container, the hinge pin is expediently pressed into its channel. This implies that the diameter of the hinge pin can not be greater than the diameter of the retractable to open the door also in his channel latch.

Preferably, the recesses are formed on two identical adapters which are mounted on the inner container. Since the adapters have much smaller dimensions than the inner container to which they are mounted, they can be inexpensively manufactured, for example, by injection molding and there are much sharp-edged structures feasible than by deep drawing, the precise determination of the pivot axis and a clean locking the latch enable. For attachment of the adapter pins may be formed on the inner container; the requirements on their edge sharpness are significantly lower than the adapters, so that the pins can be pulled in a same operation during deep drawing of the inner container.

For safe and secure anchoring of the adapter, the pins may have an undercut. A depth of the undercut of 0.3 to 0.5 mm is sufficient for a tight fit of the adapter. Such an undercut can be formed as part of the deep drawing of the pin.

The recesses may expediently have a slightly non-round, preferably oval, elliptical or rounded rectangular cross-section. Thus, it is possible to drive them out of their recess by rotation of the bearing bush when it is to be mounted for a change of the door stop in the respective other recess.

The recesses are preferably elongated in the depth direction of the inner container so as to facilitate latching of the latch when not receiving the bearing sleeve.

In order to facilitate the release of the bearing bush from the recess, this can be connected to a radially aligned with the pivot axis lever arm.

The lever arm can also be aligned in the direction of the pivot axis in order to be able to pull the bearing bush out of the recess in the axial direction.

A particularly advantageous embodiment, the lever arm and the bearing bush are connected by a film hinge, on the one hand to allow space-saving alignment of the lever arm in the radial direction and on the other, to release the bearing bush, an angled, in particular axial alignment of the lever arm.

The adapters may each have a groove which conceals the lever arm of a bearing bush inserted therein.

This groove is preferably concealed by the door at least when the latter is in the closed position.

The lever arm should be latched in radially oriented position in the groove so that it remains safe even in the radially aligned position and does not hinder the movement of the door when it has been swung out once for releasing the bearing bush from the radial position.

In order to ensure a secure frictional engagement of the bearing bush in the adapter, but on the other hand to allow the insertion of the bearing bush or its release from the adapter with little effort, it is expedient that the bearing bush has radially projecting, the adapter frictionally touching projections.

For the same purpose, it is also advantageous if the flexibility of the bearing bush in the radial direction is increased by a groove. This groove preferably surrounds at least a part of the bearing bush receiving the hinge pin. In particular, the open side of this groove may face the recess, so that the bearing bush is more yielding on this side than on its side facing away from the recess. This promotes sliding out of the bearing bush from the adapter under the action of an axial torque.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

Show it:

1 a perspective view of an inner container according to the invention;

2 an enlarged detail of the inner container;

3 a detail of the inner container with mounted door in section;

4 a section through a modification of the details of 3 in a cutting plane rotated by 90 °;

5 a perspective view of an adapter and a bushing in the mounted on the inner container state; and

6 a section through the adapter and bearing bush according to a modified embodiment.

1 shows in a perspective view an inner container 1 a household refrigerator, here a fridge-freezer combination device. The inner container shown 1 is divided into two storage compartments, a larger, lower refrigerated compartment 2 and an overlying, smaller freezer 3 , At the ready-assembled refrigerator both compartments have a common, not shown outside door; the freezer 3 is through partition 6 and an inner door 4 from the refrigerator compartment 2 separated and isolated against this.

The inner door 4 is shown in open position; in the closed position is a frame-shaped on an inner side of the inner door 4 extending elastic seal 5 at a front edge of the partition 6 as well as at a stage 7 on, which is in a same plane with the front edge of the partition 6 on sidewalls 8th and blanket 9 of the freezer compartment 3 pulls along.

In a front edge area of the ceiling 9 , between the stage 7 and a front frame extending around both compartments 10 , are each adjacent to the side walls 8th two in 1 from the frame 10 concealed hollow cylindrical pin 11 formed, one of which is in 2 is shown in an enlarged view. One of these two mirror-image arranged pin 11 is intended to be one of the in the 3 to 6 more specifically described adapter and a bearing bush inserted therein a pivot axis of the inner door 4 to fix defining hinge pin. The other also accommodates an adapter in the closed position of the inner door 4 a latch 12 (please refer 1 ) intervenes.

The bolt 12 is in a vertical channel of the inner door 4 through one at the bottom edge of the door 4 accessible lever 13 slidable to the door 4 to open. A corresponding channel on the opposite edge of the door 4 picks up the hinge pin. The two channels are identically shaped, so that the bolt 12 and the hinge pin are interchangeable, and also the lever 13 is mountable in two different mirror-image positions with respect to a vertical center plane to the latch 12 in every possible installation position, in the left or in the right channel.

In a recess 14 on a flank of the door 4 , near its bottom edge, is a second, with the latch 12 coupled movable latch 15 to see the door closed in the closed position 4 in a bearing block 16 engages, at the front edge of the partition 6 adjacent to a side wall 8th is arranged. A mirror image bearing bracket at the other end of the leading edge is in the view of 1 behind the door 4 hidden; he takes a second axle bolt of the door 4 on. Also this second axle bolt and the bolt 15 are mutually interchangeable to a mounting of the door 4 optionally with right or left stop, in each case to match the (not shown) outer door to allow.

The already mentioned 2 shows an enlarged view of one of the pins 11 on the ceiling 9 of the freezer compartment 3 , The inner container 1 is shown here transparent to the peculiarities of the pin 11 to show clearly. Over the lateral surface of the substantially cylindrical pin 11 are in the interior of protruding projections 18 distributed. The projections 18 are divided into two groups of three projections, the projections 18 a uniform group evenly over the circumference of the pin 11 are distributed and the groups in the longitudinal direction of the pin 11 staggered. The projections 18 different groups are arranged offset in the circumferential direction against each other, so that a projection 18 one group in the circumferential direction is in each case placed between two projections of the other group.

The projections 18 are impressions of recesses of a mandrel, the deep drawing of the inner container 1 from a the freezer 3 extending punch is extended. For the impression of the projections 18 it is sufficient, from the outside a flexible mold such as a liquid-filled cushion against the inside of the mandrel supported pin 11 to press. As long as the projections 18 not too far inside the pin 11 projecting, the mandrel can easily after molding the projections 18 be withdrawn into the stamp of the freezer compartment; the surface of the punch substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the mandrel supports the cover at the moment of withdrawal 9 around the cone 11 off, so that the thorn itself out of the pin 11 can solve without the blanket 9 unacceptable to deform.

Experiments have shown that in 2 shown arrangement of the projections 18 a safe removal of the pin 11 allowed, as long as the projection of the projections 18 inside the pin 11 less than 0.75 and preferably less than 0.5 mm remains.

3 illustrates the use of the two cones 11 by a section parallel to the front of the inner container 1 , In both cones 11 is in each case an injection molded plastic adapter 19 assembled. The adapter 19 comprises a substantially plate-shaped head piece 21 , which lies flat against the ceiling, and one in the pin 11 engaging, form-fitting at the projections 18 latched pin 22 , The pencil 22 has two through an oriented here across the cutting plane slot 23 separate tongues 24 on, the together a hollow cylinder with two outer circumferential ribs 25 form. Every rib 25 engages behind a group of protrusions 18 , A projection of the projections 18 over the surrounding inner surface of the pin 11 0.2, better 0.3 mm is enough to secure the ribs 25 to ensure. To insert the pen 22 in the cones 11 To facilitate, have the ribs 25 at her from the head piece 21 opposite sides a conically tapered flank 26 , A the head piece 21 facing flat flank 27 engages behind the projections 18 and ensures a tight fit. A cavity 17 extends through the pen 22 and the head piece 21 , The cavity 17 is always down, to the inner door 4 out, expanded. The cross-section of the widened section 29 can be circular; it is preferably slightly out of round for reasons to be described later, and preferably in the depth direction of the inner container 1 slightly more extensive than in the width direction.

One of the two adapters 19 , in the presentation of 3 the left, takes in the flared lower section 29 his cavity 17 the top of the bolt 12 on. The cross section of the section 29 is significantly larger than that of the bolt 12 so that the latch 12 when closing the inner door 4 easily into the cavity 17 can indent, despite any manufacturing tolerances of the inner container 1 ,

At the right adapter 19 is in the lower section 29 of the cavity 17 a bearing bush 30 inserted. In a central opening of the bearing bush 30 is in turn closely tolerated the already mentioned, here with 20 designated hinge pin of the door 4 added. The cross section of the hinge pin 20 corresponds to that of the bolt 12 , In contrast to the bolt 12 is the hinge pin 20 with the help of the bearing bush 30 but exactly on the inner container 1 fixed so that the pivoting movement of the inner door 4 safely guided and the bolts 12 . 15 always sure their locking position in the adapter 19 or the bearing block 16 Find.

4 shows a section through the right pin 11 and the adapter in it 19 and bearing bush 30 fixed hinge pin 20 According to one embodiment of the invention in a section whose sectional plane perpendicular to that of the 3 , in the depth direction of the inner container 1 , runs. The hinge pin 20 is as mentioned above in a channel 33 the door 4 accommodated. It is by a spring, not shown in the direction of its tip receiving bushing 30 applied. To the door 4 To mount it, it is sufficient to open it from the open front of the inner container 1 here in the compartment 2 push in. The hinge pin arrives 20 in contact with an oblique face 34 of the adapter 19 and gets into the channel 33 pushed. To allow this evasive movement, the cross section of the hinge pin 20 - like the bolt 12 - not larger than that of the channel 33 , Once the hinge pin the central opening of the bearing bush 30 reached, it is pressed by the spring into the opening and locked in it.

5 shows a perspective view of the adapter 19 with the bearing bush mounted in it 30 , From this view, among other things, the slightly non-circular shape of the bearing bush 30 clear; its outer shape is that of an oval or slightly in the depth direction of the inner container 1 elongated rectangles whose corners are rounded off so much that the narrow sides have turned into semicircular arches. On the outer circumference of the bearing bush are flat nubs or ribs 31 Molded with an inner wall of the bearing bush 30 receiving cavity 17 of the adapter 19 to be in frictional contact.

In the headpiece 21 of the adapter 19 extends a flat, downwardly open groove 32 from the cavity 17 up to a lateral flank. This groove 32 takes a one-piece over a film hinge 33 to the bearing bush 30 molded lever arm 34 on. On the side flank of the head piece 21 is the free end of the lever arm 34 accessible with your fingers, leaving the lever arm 34 out of the groove 32 can be bent out. A user can now use the lever arm 34 pull down to the bushing 30 from the cavity 17 to solve, or he can the jack 30 around the pivot axis of the door 4 try to turn. Ribs 30 reduce the thereby overcoming static friction by the contact surface between the bearing bush and the adapter 19 to reduce. The slightly out of round outer shape of the bearing bush 30 allows a slight rotation, but at the same time leads to the occurrence of stresses between the bearing bush 30 and the adapter 19 through which the bearing bush 30 from the cavity 17 is forced out.

In support of this displacement effect can on at least a portion of the circumference of the bearing bush 30 an upwardly open groove 35 be formed, in particular in the cross section of 4 to recognize. In 5 is the course of the groove 35 indicated as a dotted outline: it extends crescent-shaped around the central opening of the bearing bush 30 , The groove 35 facilitates deformation of the bearing bush 30 at the pin 11 facing top; the closed bottom of the bearing bush 30 on the other hand, it stays stiff. The bearing bush 30 Therefore, it can escape deformation forced by rotation about the pivot axis by moving downwardly out of the cavity 17 escapes. This facilitates the release of the bearing bush 30 from the adapter 19 ,

A corresponding bearing bush 30 is also in one of the two bearing blocks 16 mounted and removable from this in the manner described above.

By the two bushings 30 dissolved and on the opposite side of the inner container 1 be reassembled and also the positions of the bolt 12 and the hinge pin 20 at the inner door 4 can be swapped against each other, the door can 4 be reinstalled with turned stop.

There is a possibility that by pivoting the lever arm 34 when removing the bearing bushes 30 their foil hinge 33 is plastically deformed. When the lever arm 34 the rebuilt bearing bush 30 not flat in the groove 32 Although this technically leads to no problems, since the lever arm 34 from the bushing 30 from extending into the depth of the inner container and through the closing door 4 in the groove 32 is pressed into it. But there is also the possibility, as in 6 shown the lever arm 34 in the groove 32 to lock, for example by a catch 36 the lever arm 34 in an undercut 37 of the head piece 21 intervenes.

Claims (16)

Inner container for a refrigerator with a storage compartment ( 3 ) surrounding walls ( 8th ; 9 ) and two on the inner container ( 1 ) formed recesses ( 17 ; 29 ), wherein one of the recesses a pivot axis of a door ( 4 ) and the other a bolt ( 12 ) the door ( 4 ), characterized in that a bearing bush ( 30 ) optionally in one or the other recess ( 17 ; 29 ) is mountable. Inner container according to claim 1, characterized in that the door ( 4 ) two parallel channels ( 33 ), in which optionally the bolt ( 12 ) or a hinge pin ( 20 ) for engagement in the bearing bush ( 30 ) is mountable. Inner container according to claim 2, characterized in that the hinge pin ( 20 ) in his channel ( 33 ) is depressible. Inner container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recesses ( 17 ; 29 ) on two identical adapters ( 19 ) are formed in on the inner container ( 1 ) attracted hollow pin ( 11 ) are mounted. Inner container according to claim 4, characterized in that the pins ( 11 ) have an undercut, in which the adapters ( 19 ) are anchored. Inner container according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the undercut has a depth of 0.3 to 0.5 mm. Inner container according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the pins ( 11 ) are deep-drawn. Inner container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recesses ( 29 ) have a slightly non-round, preferably oval, elliptical or rounded rectangular cross-section. Inner container according to claim 8, characterized in that the recesses ( 29 ) are elongated in the depth direction of the inner container. Inner container according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the bearing bush ( 30 ) with a radially aligned to the pivot axis lever arm ( 34 ) connected is. Inner container according to one of the preceding claims, that the bearing bush ( 30 ) with a lever arm ( 34 ), which is alignable in the direction of the pivot axis. Inner container according to claim 11, characterized in that the lever arm ( 34 ) and the bearing bush ( 30 ) by a film hinge ( 33 ) are connected. Inner container according to claim 11 or 12, as far as dependent on claim 4, characterized in that the adapters ( 19 ) each have a groove ( 32 ) for receiving the lever arm ( 34 ) exhibit. Inner container according to claim 13, characterized in that the groove ( 32 ) through the door ( 4 ) is concealed at least in its closed position. Inner container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing bush ( 30 ) radially projecting, the adapter ( 19 ) frictionally engaging projections ( 31 ) having. Inner container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing bush ( 30 ) a groove ( 35 ) with the recess ( 29 ; 17 ) facing the open side.

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