DE102010003831A1 - Refrigerator with intermediate door to reduce the temperature compensation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerator with an interior and a heat-insulating outer door. It is characterized in that an at least partially transparent intermediate door is provided between the interior and the outer door, which is less good heat insulating than the outer door, preferably non-heat insulating, but at least largely obstructing the air outlet from the interior.

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, in particular a refrigerator or a freezer, with an interior and a heat-insulating outer door.

Such - well known - refrigerators are opened with a certain frequency only to be able to review or view the content. After such a review or consideration then often a shopping list to supplement the inventories created. Such an opening of the refrigeration device leads, in particular when this is a cabinet-type appliance with a door which can be opened on the front side, to a significant outflow of cold air and consequently energy loss.

To provide an insight into the interior of a refrigerator without losing energy, is in a built-in refrigerator according to the DE 201 00 997 U1 provided to provide a transparent insulating glass door for the heat-insulating closing of the built-in refrigerator and to install on the insulating glass door a variable screen, which separately - for example in the form of a door - can be opened and thus allows insight into the interior of a built-in refrigerator. Such a solution is associated with high production costs due to the insulating glass to be used.

The present invention has for its object to provide a refrigerator, in which an opening of the outer door to visit the interior should be possible without significant exchange of air, which is also easy to manufacture.

This object is achieved with a refrigeration device according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

An inventive refrigeration device is characterized in that between the interior and the outer door an at least partially transparent intermediate door is provided, which is less good heat insulating than the outer door, preferably even non-heat insulating, but at least largely obstructing the air outlet from the interior. By "heat-insulating" is meant that the heat transfer coefficient through the material of the intermediate door - which has, for example, a thickness of 1 to 7 mm - values, as is usual for outer walls or doors of refrigerators such as refrigerators or freezers. Accordingly, "non-heat insulating" or "less good heat insulating" means that the respective heat transfer values are significantly greater.

Due to the transparency of the intermediate door inspection of the interior of the refrigerator, especially when the lighting is turned on, easily possible. The basic idea of the present invention is based on the fact that, if the refrigeration appliance is not opened too long, the main energy loss occurs due to a flow of cold air from the interior and not due to heat conduction and radiation losses. Thus, the intermediate door does not need to ensure a completely airtight completion of the interior, as it would be necessary if they had to permanently close the interior airtight to the outside. Above all, it does not need good thermal insulation properties (heat conduction), as this function is taken over by the outer door. Since thus only has to be prevented that cold air flows in larger quantities, a structurally simple and cost-effective to be realized embodiment of the intermediate door without overly complex sealing measures. Due to the less good thermal insulation properties of the intermediate door, the area outside the intermediate door is also cooled in the "normal", closed state of the refrigeration device.

The invention is well used in refrigerators, where at least one door shelf projecting into the interior space is provided on the inside of the outer door. Since the intermediate wall is poor or not heat-insulating, so reasonably thermally conductive, thus located in the at least one door rack content is cooled with closed outer door by heat conduction and not by convection. Another advantage arises when the intermediate door has on its side facing the outer door a profile which is adapted to the profile of the inside of the outer door. Thus, for example, the intermediate door, the at least one door rack literally enclose, if it is also open with the outer door open and rests against the outer door and thus prevent the flow of cold air through convection with the outer door open. As a result, the contents of the door racks remain better cooled than without the presence of an intermediate door.

It may be advantageous with respect to a construction of the respective pivot axes, when the outer door and the intermediate door are pivotable about the same pivot axis. This means that no complicated mechanisms must be provided to ensure a "tracking" of the intermediate door to the Verschwenkungsweg the outer door.

A particularly simple and versatile handling results when the intermediate door has a handle that is accessible from outside even when the outside door is closed. Then, when opening the intermediate door by attacking this handle the outer door also automatically opens, and the intermediate door remains in contact with the outer door, thus preventing excessive overheating of the contents of door compartments or objects located in the door compartments and at the same time allowing unhindered access to the interior of the refrigeration device. If, on the other hand, the outer door is opened on its handle attached thereto, the intermediate door remains closed, but still provides an insight into the interior of the refrigerator due to its transparency and largely protects it from being heated by preventing the outflow of cold air.

A particularly simple embodiment of the sealing of the refrigeration device results when the intermediate door is arranged completely within the circumferential seal for the sealing between the outer door and the interior, for example on the outer door. "Completely inside" means that the seal forms a ring around the intermediate door, so that the intermediate door does not impair the sealing effect of this seal. Alternatively, it is of course also possible to "pinch" the intermediate door between corresponding seals between the outer door and the interior.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intermediate door is divided into an upper and a lower portion. These different sections may for example have a different transparency, so that, for example, the lower compartments of the interior are better or less einshrbar than the upper. In addition, it may be provided that the lower portion and the upper portion can be opened separately. Further, for example, the upper portion may be profiled according to the door racks, while the lower portion is designed profileless or flat.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the intermediate door is releasably secured to the refrigeration device. Thus, the intermediate door by a user who so desires, be completely or temporarily removed from the refrigerator.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the intermediate door is designed such that it can be stowed in the interior. Thus, such an intermediate door can be sunk, for example, after an opening movement by 90 ° in a corresponding recess in a side wall of the interior. Alternatively, the intermediate door can also be rolled up, so that it can be stowed or wound up in the manner of a roller blind.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the intermediate door made of glass or plastic, for. As polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC), which are all transparent or transparent. Intermediate doors made of PMMA or PC, for example, can be extruded, and depending on requirements, they can be screwed or glued after extrusion with a corresponding frame or hinge for pivotal attachment to the refrigerator. The thickness of such a plastic door is z. B. 0.2-3 mm, preferably 0.5-1.5 mm, so that heat can be passed through quite well. Alternatively, the intermediate door may also be formed of a fabric, which is held in a corresponding frame. Such a fabric can be designed to be sufficiently transparent, as is known, for example, from mosquito lattices, and such lattices also hinder air flows very strongly and can therefore almost completely prevent the escape of air from the interior of the refrigeration device. By area, z. B. in the frame, the door can also be made of wood.

According to an alternative embodiment, the intermediate door may be releasably coupled to the outer door by a coupling mechanism adapted to start opening the intermediate door as soon as the outer door is opened further than a particular first opening angle of, for example, 70 °. Thus, in this embodiment, if the outer door is opened by means of a handle attached to it, the intermediate door initially remains closed. As a result, objects that are located in a door rack or in a door storage compartment, accessible for access. In addition, the interior of the refrigerator can be viewed through the intermediate door, without causing an energy loss. Only then, when the outer door is opened beyond the first opening angle, does the coupling mechanism automatically open the intermediate door and thus also access the interior space for access by a user. Thus, a user needs only a single handle attached to the outer door for selective access to items located in the door or located in the interior.

If the coupling mechanism is designed to bring the intermediate door up to the open outer door and thus "closes" any door racks and / or door storage compartments located there, this offers the advantage that, apart from the short time of movement of the intermediate door by the coupling mechanism - Only either the interior or provided in the door storage space is "open" and thus subject to a certain loss of energy.

An advantageous development of this embodiment is that the coupling mechanism has an unlocking device, by means of which the connection of the intermediate door with the Loosened outside door or at least the automatic opening of the intermediate door can be prevented by the coupling mechanism, as long as the opening angle of the outer door is smaller than the first opening angle. Thus, a user can open the refrigerator in the usual way and access the stowed objects in the outer door, without the intermediate door is opened and allows a loss of energy from the interior. This possibility exists without further intervention of the user only until reaching the first opening angle of the outer door. If, on the other hand, the user wishes to open the outer door beyond the first opening angle, without the intermediate door being opened, he only needs to actuate the unlocking mechanism in order to leave the intermediate door in the closed state even when the outer door is opened further. However, if he wants to access the interior, he can open the outer door in the usual way, whereby the coupling mechanism automatically opens the intermediate door and thus allows access to the interior without further intervention of the user. Such an embodiment of the invention can significantly increase the comfort for a user.

There are a variety of technical implementations for such a clutch mechanism conceivable: For example, this may include an arrangement of a cylinder with piston, acted upon by a spring cable or lever, which with a stop or latching mechanism or a friction clutch, depending on the respective way a ensures different friction and thus blocking is provided.

It may be advantageous if the intermediate door is designed as a height-adjustable slide so as to be able to regulate the temperature compensation in the interior of the refrigerator or the outflow of cold air. It is particularly advantageous if the intermediate door is not only adjustable in height in its entirety, but can be provided for example by a telescopic mechanism or by overlapping moving with a selectable total height.

Further features, special features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of various embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 in plan view (from above) a first embodiment of the refrigerator according to the invention;

2 a second embodiment of the refrigerator according to the invention in a schematic cross-sectional view; and

3 a third embodiment of the refrigerator according to the invention in a perspective view.

In 1 is a schematic plan view of a refrigeration device 10 represented, on which a heat-insulating outer door 14 to close the interior 12 is appropriate. The outside door 14 is as shown in 1 opened at an angle of about 60 °. Between the outer door 14 and the interior 12 is an additional door, namely an intermediate door 20 attached, which is shown in a position open by 30 °. Both the outside door 14 as well as the intermediate door 20 are a common pivot axis shown only schematically 11 pivotable. The intermediate door 20 is either completely or only in certain areas transparent or transparent and thus allows even when closed an insight into the interior 12 , The intermediate door is designed so that it is not as good heat insulating as the outer door 14 , wherein it is preferably made of a thin plastic material.

On the inside of the outside door 14 several door racks are attached, of which only the top door racks 15 you can see. The intermediate door 20 is formed so that it is not completely flat, but has a profile which matches the profile of the inside of the outer door 14 - characterized by the profile of the outside door 14 attached door racks - is adjusted. So the interior 12 of the refrigeration device 10 Can be tightly sealed, is on the inside of the outer door 14 a circumferential seal shown only schematically 18 as well as on the inside of the intermediate door 20 a likewise only schematically illustrated circumferential seal 28 attached (of which, for simplicity, only the left part of the vertically extending part is shown), in the closed state, both through the outer door 14 and the intermediate door 20 be clamped.

On the inside of the outside door 14 is optionally one end of a cylinder in the upper area 34 attached, with a piston 32 interacts with its free end on the outside of the intermediate door 20 is attached. The arrangement is made such that by this arrangement of the cylinder 34 and the piston 32 which a clutch mechanism 30 form, the relative opening angle between the outer door 14 and the intermediate door 20 can be varied from 0 ° to, for example, about 90 °. For example, the piston 32 be telescopically telescoping. The coupling mechanism 30 is designed so that when the outside door 14 with closed intermediate door 20 is opened by more than a first opening angle of, for example 70 ° or 80 °, the intermediate door 20 automatically 20 to the outside door 14 and thus access to the interior 12 releases. For example, by acting on a spring while the intermediate door 20 completely to the outer door 14 be introduced or used. At the cylinder 34 is an unlocking device 40 in the form of, for example, a release button attached. The coupling mechanism 30 with the unlocking device 40 is designed so that upon actuation of the unlocking either the connection of the intermediate door 20 with the outside door 14 is completely solved, or that at least the automatic opening of the intermediate door 20 through the clutch mechanism 30 can be prevented. This inhibiting the automatic opening is only in a range of 0 ° to the first opening angle of the outer door 14 allows, for example, the outer door 14 can be fully opened without the intermediate door 20 automatically opens with. The connection of intermediate door 20 and outside door 14 can be completely solved, for example, that the cylinder 34 at the outside door 14 or the piston 32 at the door 20 is disengaged or notched.

Alternatively to the embodiment of the clutch mechanism 30 in the form of a cylinder 34 and a piston 32 can also be used with a spring acted cable or a lever system, which a stop device or a latching mechanism or a friction clutch, in which the friction and thus if the blocking depends on the distance covered have.

The intermediate door 20 can be made of glass, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC), wherein a production of PMMA can be done for example by deep drawing. Alternatively, the intermediate door 20 also consist of a correspondingly transparent designed fabric, which is then suitably held in a frame and stretched by this.

In the following embodiments, like parts are designated by like reference numerals and will not be described again to avoid unnecessary repetition. Thus, preferably those details are described in which the refrigeration device 10 different from the first embodiment.

2 shows a second embodiment of the refrigerator according to the invention 10 in a horizontal cross section. The intermediate door 20 is not the same pivot axis in this second embodiment 11 swiveling designed as the outer door 14 , but it has its own pivot axis 21 on, which is further arranged offset to the center of the refrigerator out as the pivot axis 11 , Thus, the entire intermediate door 20 which, in contrast to the shape shown in the first embodiment is largely flat, also further spaced from the outer door and thus is closer to the back of the refrigerator 10 , The intermediate door 20 is narrower and has a handle 22 on, with the outside door closed 14 not accessible from the outside. In this second embodiment, the intermediate door 20 from the refrigeration device 10 be removed, for example, by clipping them out or simply unhooking them from their storage. In the right side wall of the refrigerator 10 is a storage space 27 for stowing the intermediate door 20 provided if their use is not desired and they should be stowed away to save space and easy to access. The intermediate door 20 On the one hand, it is adjustable in height and, on the other hand, it is subdivided into an upper section and a lower section. As a result, if desired, horizontal gaps can be formed above the upper section and below the lower section and between the two sections so as to be able to control or regulate the temperature compensation within the refrigeration device. Preferably, the intermediate door 20 designed so that their overall height can be changed, which can be done for example by a shift of the upper portion and the lower portion relative to each other such that they overlap at least partially.

At the front of the refrigerator 10 is a circumferential seal 13 provided (from the left only the vertically extending part is shown), and the intermediate door 20 lies completely within the circumferential seal 13 , Thus, the sealing of the interior takes place 12 of the refrigeration device 10 outwardly solely through the seal 13 at the outside door 14 is applied.

3 shows a third embodiment of the refrigerator according to the invention in a perspective view. On the inside of the outside door 14 are three door racks 15 . 16 and 17 appropriate. The intermediate door 20 is designed so that when it is on the outside door 14 is applied, the door racks 15 - 17 encompasses and seals. The outside door 20 has at least one transparent section 24 on.

In contrast to the first embodiment, in which the intermediate door 20 through the clutch mechanism 30 can be opened is in this third embodiment on the left side of the intermediate door 20 a handle 29 provided, even with the outside door closed 14 is accessible from the outside. Thus, a user wants the outside door 14 together with the intermediate door 20 he just needs to open the handle 29 attack and the intermediate door 20 together with the outer door 14 to open. Will he, however, the intermediate door 20 keep closed, an opening of the outer door is enough 14 solely on the basis of the attached external handle 19 , Thus, the user the refrigeration device very flexible in the way on which part of the refrigerator 10 he accesses and / or in which part he would like to inspect.

It goes without saying that switching on the interior lighting as in conventional refrigerators can be effected by means of a switch located on the outside door. Thus, with the outer door open, even when the intermediate door is (still) closed, the interior is illuminated, allowing easy viewing of the interior.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

The refrigerator

11

swivel axis

12

inner space

13

poetry

14

Front door

15-17

door racks

18

poetry

19

outside handle

20

between the door

21

swivel axis

22

Handle

24

transparent section

27

storage space

28

poetry

29

Handle

30

clutch mechanism

32

piston

34

cylinder

40

unlocking

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 20100997 U1 [0003]

Claims (11)

Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ), in particular household refrigeration appliance, with an interior ( 12 ) and a heat-insulating outer door ( 14 ), characterized in that between the interior ( 12 ) and the outer door ( 14 ) an at least partially transparent intermediate door ( 20 ), which are less thermally insulating than the outer door ( 14 ), but the air outlet from the interior ( 12 ) is formed at least largely obstructing. Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that on the inside of the outer door ( 14 ) At least one in the interior ( 12 ) protruding door rack ( 15 . 16 . 17 ) is provided. Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate door ( 20 ) on her outer door ( 14 ) facing side has a profile that matches the profile of the inside of the outer door ( 14 ) is at least largely adapted. Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate door ( 20 ) one with the outer door closed ( 14 ) externally accessible handle ( 29 ) having. Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a circumferential seal ( 13 ) for sealing between the outer door ( 14 ) and the interior ( 12 ) and the intermediate door ( 20 ) completely within the seal ( 13 ) is arranged. Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate door ( 20 ) into an upper section ( 24 ) and a lower section ( 26 ) is divided. Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate door ( 20 ) detachable on the refrigeration unit ( 10 ) is attached. Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate door ( 20 ) is designed so that in the interior ( 12 ) stowable, in particular roll up, is. Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate door ( 20 ) of glass, polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate or one of a frame ( 22 ) Held tissue is formed. Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a coupling mechanism ( 30 ) for detachably coupling the intermediate door ( 20 ) with the outer door ( 14 ) is provided, which is designed so that it automatically opens an opening of the intermediate door ( 20 ), as soon as the outer door ( 14 ) is opened further than by a predetermined first opening angle. Refrigeration appliance ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate door ( 20 ) is designed as a height-adjustable slide, preferably with adjustable total height.

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