DE102010001453B4 - Refrigeration devices, in particular household refrigeration devices - Google Patents

Abstract

Refrigeration device with a cooling space (1) in which at least one shelf (9) for chilled goods is arranged, which has at least one light source (21) whose light can be coupled into the shelf (9) and which is connected to an electrical power supply via an electrical connection point is connected, and the electrical connection point has a light source-side contact element (43) and a refrigeration device-side contact element (39) which are detachably connected to one another, characterized in that the contact elements (39, 43) are magnetically connected to one another via a releasable coupling, with at least one of the contact elements (39, 43) is a permanent magnet which interacts magnetically with the other contact element (39, 43).

Description

The invention relates to a refrigeration device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Refrigerators are usually provided with light sources that can illuminate the refrigerator compartment for goods to be brought in or taken out.

From the EP 0 934 496 B1 a generic refrigeration device is known, in whose cooling space edge-lit plates can be installed. The edge-lit plates have a light source on the edge, the light of which can be coupled into the plate. The light source is integrated on a housing at the edge of the plate and coupled to the electrical power supply via electrical connection lines. The electrical power supply cables must therefore be partially laid within the cold room. In addition, it is difficult to remove a shelf from the cooling space, since the electrical power connection between the edge-side plate housing and the refrigeration device must first be released.

From the EP 0 971 186 A2 Another refrigeration device with a cooling space is known, in which light sources are provided which couple the light directly into the edge of the respective shelf. The light sources are introduced as LEDs in the groove bottom of an edge-side guide channel which is integrated in the inner wall delimiting the cooling space.

The WO 2003/062722 A1 discloses a refrigerated cabinet with a shelf made of light-conducting material which is arranged on the refrigerated cabinet and at the edge of which an electrical light source 24 is attached. Electrical or electromechanical contact points are provided on projections of the refrigeration unit and on the shelf in order to supply the light sources electrically

The US 2009/0021927 A1 , KR 10 2008 0 022 440 A , EP 1 760 733 A1 , WO 2009/015693 A1 and JP 2010-112572 A each disclose a cooling device with an illuminable shelf. In addition, an inductive interface is provided in each case in order to supply the shelf with electrical energy.

The U.S. 3,506,325 A discloses a cooling device with an illuminable shelf, the shelf being electrically supplied via a rail system by means of sliding contacts.

The object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration device, in particular a household refrigeration device, in which the electrical connection point between the shelf and in the refrigeration device can be produced in a simple manner.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

According to the characterizing part of claim 1, the electrical connection point between the light source and the refrigeration device has at least one contact element on the light source side and one contact element on the refrigeration device side, which are detachably connected to one another. In this way, a simple removal of the shelf from the cold room and a simple tool-free installation of the shelf in the cold room is guaranteed.

The two contact elements are magnetically connected to one another via a simple detachable coupling. At least one of the contact elements is a permanent magnet that interacts magnetically with the other contact element.

The light source can preferably be integrated in an edge strip of the shelf. The edge strip can comprise at least one narrow edge side of the shelf, the light from the light source being coupled in via the side of the shelf enclosed by the edge strip.

In order to enable simple installation and removal of the shelf according to the invention, it is advantageous if the two contact surfaces of the contact elements lie in a horizontal plane in the installation position. In this way, the shelf can be released in the vertical direction from the contact element of the refrigeration device.

It is preferred if the contact elements are arranged largely safe from contamination. Against this background, the contact element of the light source can be arranged in the installed position on an underside of the cover plate or the edge strip of the cover plate.

For stable mounting on the cover plate and a reliable electrical connection to the electrical power supply, the edge strip of the cover plate can have a base section which surrounds the edge of the cover plate. In addition, the edge strip can have a holding leg projecting laterally therefrom, on the underside of which the contact element is arranged. Between the retaining leg and the base section there is a recess in the housing in which the contact element can be safely arranged, protected from external influences.

The contact element of the refrigeration device can be integrated directly in an inner wall that delimits the cooling space, with the power supply line connected to it continuing outside the cooling space. In this way, a wireless power supply for the light source, preferably in the low voltage range, can be achieved at least within the cooling space.

In order to reduce the number of components, it can be advantageous if the contact element of the refrigeration device is designed directly as a support projection which can support the shelf in its installed position. Such support projections are usually integrated in the lateral inner lining of the cooling space. A particularly reliable electrical contact can be achieved if the shelf is supported with its edge strip with the interposition of the two contact elements on the support projection.

Alternatively, the support function can be separated from the electrical contacting of the light source. In this case, the support projections provided in the inner lining for supporting the shelf are arranged separately from the respective contact elements of the refrigeration device.

According to the invention, the storage plate serves as a light guide with at least one light exit surface and a blind surface from which a reduced amount of light can be emitted compared to the light exit surface.

So that the cold room is illuminated with as little energy as possible, with the exception of the above-mentioned edge side of the shelf, which serves as a light coupling point, the remaining three narrow edge sides of the shelf e.g. light emission can be prevented by means of edge strips, so that light can only be emitted into the cooling space via the light emission surfaces provided for this purpose.

The light exit and blind surfaces can be made for example by printing or etching on the surface of the shelf. However, such surface structures can be scratched and are difficult to clean. In contrast, it is advantageous to introduce laser structures in the glass or in the glass-like material of the cover plate, with the aid of which the light introduced into the cover plate is guided along the light guide section to the light exit surface and can be emitted there into the cooling space.

In a simple technical embodiment, the light source can be attached directly to an edge strip of the shelf. This results in a structural unit consisting of a light source and a shelf, in which the shelf-edge strip carries the light source.

The edge strip can be adapted accordingly in order to ensure a loss-free introduction of light into the shelf. For this purpose, the edge strip can have a light guide shaft which optically connects the light source with the coupling point of the shelf. The light guide shaft preferably opens into a clamping groove or insertion groove in the edge strip in which the edge of the shelf is enclosed. The light source can preferably be arranged directly in the light guide shaft.

The light guide shaft formed in the edge strip can be limited by the abovementioned narrow edge side of the shelf, which serves as a coupling point. On the side facing away from the shelf, the light guide shaft can be equipped with the light source via an assembly opening.

The light source can have at least one LED, but in particular a row of LEDs, which can extend along the edge of the shelf. In such a case, the light guide shaft can be approximately slot-shaped, the slot width of which corresponds approximately to the length of the shelf edge strip and the slot height of which corresponds approximately to the material thickness of the shelf.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

• 1 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht ein Kältegerät mit erfindungsgemäßen Abstellplatten;
• 2 in einer vergrößerten perspektivischen Teilschnittansicht einen Ausschnitt des Kühlraumes des Kältegeräts mit einer der erfindungsgemäßen Abstellplatten;
• 3 in einer Explosionsdarstellung die Abstellplatte mit Randleisten; und
• 4 in einer Teilschnittansicht die Abstellplatte mit einer in der Randleiste integrierten Lichtquelle.

Show it:

• 1 in a perspective view of a refrigeration device with shelves according to the invention;
• 2 in an enlarged perspective partial sectional view a detail of the cooling space of the refrigeration device with one of the storage shelves according to the invention;
• 3 in an exploded view the shelf with edge strips; and
• 4th in a partial sectional view the shelf with a light source integrated in the edge strip.

In the 1 is a refrigeration device with a cold room 1 shown which in a device lateral direction y through opposite side walls 3 , on the front through an appliance door 5 and on the back through a back wall 7th is limited. The boundary walls 3 , 7th of the refrigerator 1 as well as the appliance door 5 are constructed in a known manner to provide thermal insulation.

According to the 1 is the appliance door 5 of the refrigerator shown in an open position, whereby the refrigerator 1 is visible. The refrigerator 1 is by means of horizontal shelves 9 in cooling compartments arranged one above the other 11 divided. The shelves 9 can be made of glass or vitreous material. As from the 2 shows are the storage shelves 9 on support projections 13th supported that in the side walls 3 of the refrigerator 1 are integrated. Every shelf 9 is with its side edges on two each in the device depth direction x spaced apart support projections 13th supported.

In the 3 is shown on the front edge of the shelf 9 a front skirt 14th and on the rear edge a rear rim 15th are plugged. The marginal ridges 14th , 15th extend in the direction of the device side y over the entire length of the shelf 9 . From the two marginal ridges 14th , 15th is in the 2 only the rear rim 15th shown. As from the 3 shows the two marginal ridges 14th , 15th one retaining groove each 19th in which the front edge or the rear edge of the shelf 9 is edged. Furthermore, the 3 roughly schematically that in the rear rim 15th six LEDs 21st are integrated, which are in series and spaced from one another along the rear edge side 17th the shelf 9 extend.

The geometry of the sidebar 15th as well as the arrangement of the LEDs 21st in the sidebar 15th are from the 4th evident. According to the 4th the shelf protrudes 9 so far into the retaining groove 19th one that the marginal side 17th the shelf 9 in system with a groove base 29 is. In the holding groove 19th opens a light guide shaft 33 in which a circuit board 35 with the LEDs arranged in series 21st is held. From the LEDs 21st is in the 4th only one LED 21st shown. The light guide shaft 33 is at the bottom of the groove 29 facing side through the edge side 17th the glass plate 9 limited. The fiber optic shaft is on the opposite side 33 an assembly opening 31 for installing the board 35 on.

Below is the one from the LEDs 21st outgoing light path described. According to the 4th connects the light guide shaft 33 the LEDs 21st over the edge side 17th , which serves as a coupling point, optically with the shelf 9 . This is how light is drawn from the LEDs 21st into a light guide section 37 the shelf 9 fed in. Via the light guide section 37 the light turns into laser structures 23 guided which in the material of the shelf 9 are provided. On the laser structures 23 the light is scattered and reaches the light emission surfaces on the top and bottom 25th the shelf 9 in the refrigerator 1 .

In the 3 are the light emitting surfaces 25th designed as four strips arranged in parallel, which extend in the direction of the side of the device y almost the entire length of the shelf 9 extend. From the remaining surface sections of the shelf 9 occurs in comparison to the light emitting surfaces 25th a reduced amount of light. These surface sections are here as blind surfaces 27 designated. Like in the 3 is indicated, the light exit is on the front edge side 17th through the front rim 14th prevented.

The power supply of the LEDs 21st takes place according to the 4th via an electrical contact element 39 , which on the back wall 7th of the refrigerator is arranged. The electrical contact element 39 is made of ferromagnetic material and attached to an electrical supply line 41 of the refrigerator connected. On the electrical contact element 39 lies the sidebar 15th with a retaining leg 45 on. The retaining leg 45 jumps from a base section 47 the sidebar 15th towards the rear wall 7th of the appliance.

On the underside of the angled retaining leg 45 is a magnet 43 arranged. The magnet 43 is via a supply line 49 with the LEDs 21st connected and forms an electrical contact with the contact element 39 of the appliance. In this way the magnet takes care 43 for reliable contact with the LEDs 21st .

Overcoming the magnetic holding force, the edge strip 15th manually from the contact elements 39 be solved. Thus is the shelf 9 Can be removed from the cold room without tools, although the power supply to the LEDs 21st comparatively difficult to access in the margin 15th the shelf 9 over the back wall 7th of the refrigerator takes place.

List of reference symbols

1

Cold room

3

Side wall

5

Appliance door

7th

Back wall

9

Shelf

11

Cooling compartment

13

Support protrusion

14, 15

Sidebar

17th

Edge side, coupling point

19th

Holding groove

21st

LED, light source

23

Laser structure

25th

Light exit surface

27

Blind area

29

Groove bottom

31

Assembly opening

33

Light guide shaft

35

circuit board

37

Light guide section

39

Contact element

41

supply line

43

Magnet, contact element

45

Retaining leg

47

Base section

49

Connecting line

x

Device depth direction

y

Device lateral direction

Claims (12)

Refrigeration device with a cooling space (1) in which at least one shelf (9) for chilled goods is arranged, which has at least one light source (21) whose light can be coupled into the shelf (9) and which is connected to an electrical power supply via an electrical connection point is connected, and the electrical connection point has a light source-side contact element (43) and a refrigeration device-side contact element (39) which are detachably connected to one another, characterized in that the contact elements (39, 43) are magnetically connected to one another via a releasable coupling, with at least one of the contact elements (39, 43) is a permanent magnet which interacts magnetically with the other contact element (39, 43). Appliance after Claim 1 , characterized in that the contact surfaces of the two contact elements (39, 43) lie in the installed position in a horizontal plane. Appliance after Claim 1 , characterized in that the light source (21) is integrated in an edge strip (15) of the shelf (9). Refrigeration device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (39) is arranged in the installed position on an underside of the cover plate (9). Refrigeration device according to one of the Claims 3 or 4th , characterized in that the edge strip (15) has a base section (47) which encloses an edge (17) of the cover plate (9), and a holding leg (45) protruding laterally therefrom, on the underside of which the contact element (43) is arranged . Refrigerating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (39) is integrated in an inner wall delimiting the cooling space (1). Refrigeration device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (39) of the refrigeration device is at least partially integrated in a support projection (13) for supporting the shelf (9). Appliance after Claim 7 , characterized in that the shelf (9) can be supported with its edge strip (15) with the interposition of the contact elements (39, 43) on the support projection (13). Refrigerating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that light from the narrow edge sides (17) of the shelf (9) is at least partially prevented. Refrigeration device according to one of the Claims 3 to 9 , characterized in that a light guide shaft (33) is formed in the edge strip (15), which optically connects the light source (21) with the coupling point (17) of the shelf (9), and / or perpendicular to the edge side (17) extends outside. Appliance after Claim 10 , characterized in that the light guide shaft (33) formed in the edge strip (15) is delimited by the narrow edge side (17) of the shelf (9) and / or an assembly opening (31) on the side facing away from the shelf (9) for installing the light source (21). Refrigerating appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (21) has at least one row of LEDs (21) which extend along the edge side (17) of the shelf (9).

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