EP0727627B1 - Refrigerator with mains switch - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cooling device according to the preamble of the first claim.

In a known cooling device of this type (DE-GM 93 08 907) is for switching the Mains supply circuit a manually operable Mains switch provided by means of electromechanical Contacts performs the required switching operation. Around to avoid accidentally turning off the power switch or e.g. is improperly operated by children the power switch can be triggered by a button Locking device assigned that removed from the power switch is arranged by its actuator. Of the The mains switch is locked in the on position, this locking only by pressing the additional key can be specifically unlocked and then automatically switches to the off position. At this Embodiment is the mechanical effort for that trained child safety considerably, the separate arrangement of actuation button and release button requires additional construction work.

The invention is based, with one Cooling device according to the preamble of the first claim Take measures by which with simple means an unintentional turning off of the power switch can be prevented.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the characteristic features of the first claim.

In one embodiment of a cooling device according to the Invention is the power switch with only one Provide switch-off delay device so that in the event of inadvertent or inadmissible actuation of the In any case, the mains switch still has time in the switched-on position remains to restore the switch-on state. It is it expedient at the end of the selectable or predetermined Time delay value this process acoustically and / or optically to signal to the initiated To draw attention to the switch-off process. It can corresponding signal also beyond the switch-off time at least visually maintained to spoil it to counteract any goods that may still be stored. For the sake of safety, the appropriate facility for Switch-off time delay constructed so that the process of Time delay only expires as long as a trip element is operated manually. Is the duration of this operation shorter than the preset tripping time value, switches the device expediently automatically in the Initial state back, in which the preset Time delay value is reactivated. A Shutdown is only possible if one the triggering element is actuated for a sufficiently long period of time becomes. Brief actuations of the trigger link are therefore irrelevant. The one assigned to the power switch Device for the switch-off time delay preferably has an electronically controllable timer on the by means of an electrically connected to its control input connected switch must be started. After this This automatic reset button must start until the delay period expires in actuated Position held when an actual Switching off a corresponding supply circuit for the cooling device is to be reached. Otherwise, one only brief actuation of the push button ignored. The device preferably has one electronic counter based on a predetermined Delay time value is preset and during the Actuation of the push button used for counter control counts down from a preset value or up to increments a preset value and then the Switching off causes. A corresponding to the count Display value can be on an optical display device, in particular an LCD display. It is For example, it is possible to count down from one preset value, for example 5, during the Expiry of the time delay to another value, for example to count the value 0. After completing this Counting the device or an electrical operated device part switched off. It is useful thereby, additionally or alternatively besides the optical Display also an acoustic display to control that a signal during the expiring time delay value emits so that the visual display is not observed must and third parties can also take note. The Control of the expiry of the time delay time preferably made by a microprocessor which the corresponding display elements depending on the Pressing the push button controls. It is expedient, the status of the device or the concerned device part to be switched off in a memory store, especially in an EEPROM, which too Customer service purposes can be queried. The display of the Time delay value can also alternate with a temperature display in the same display and by means of the same display elements are made. The Device for delayed switch-off can be a Contain element that is in the manner of a monostable flip-flop or an R-C controlled Schmitt trigger is. It is advisable to press the key switch at the same time for restarting the supply circuit use, switching on without time delay he follows. With this structure, one becomes one electrical supply circuit switched on, in particular electronically trained or electronic controlled power switch after a manually triggered Start of a time delay device with a time delay switched on in the switched-off state, when the start condition of the time delay device beyond the preset time delay value is maintained. The activation of the power switch in contrast, the switch-off state is instantaneous. However, the unintentional switch-on should only be done under Additional conditions may also be possible Switch-on process analogous to the switch-off process with appropriate facilities can be controlled.

The invention is based on a schematic diagram additionally explained.

A cooling device, not shown in the drawing, in particular a freezer 1, has an operating and Display panel 2 on the front below one Worktop 3 and above a front door 4 is arranged. There is a in the aperture Actuator of a push button switch 5 with which Freezer switched on without delay but switched off with a delay can be when the actuator of the key switch 5 beyond a predetermined time delay period is continuously operated manually. In one also in the aperture integrated display element 7, in particular controlled by a microprocessor appears in the normal operating case is the one currently prevailing in the cold room Temperature. However, if the key switch 5 is actuated, the display switched so that one of the preset switch-off delay corresponding Value is displayed, for example from a Display value 5 during the actuation period of the Key switch 5 to another value, example value the value 0 is counted down. Only when this value is reached, the power supply is switched off especially for driving the refrigerant circuit. At the same time, an aperture 2 can also be assigned Warning element 8 at least during the course of Time delay must be activated and an acoustic and / or give an optical warning signal. If this Warning signal even during the switch-off phase of the Supply network can be maintained by means of a Acknowledgment button 9 to switch off this warning signal be made when the turn-off process actually has been consciously controlled. This warning signal can also then be activated if the cooling is insufficient Cold store the prescribed low storage temperature cannot be maintained. After a shutdown the power switch by means of the push button 5 can by actuating the same again, preferably using it the microprocessor the renewed, especially instantaneous The mains switch is switched on. Otherwise, the Alarm device 8 is not activated as long as the normal Operating condition of the cooling device exists and the Key switch 5 is not actuated.

Claims (11)

1. Cooling appliance, in particular refrigerator or freezer, having a manually controllable mains switch for switching on or off a current supply, characterised in that the mains switch has a device for delaying the switch-off time.
2. Cooling appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the device only runs provided a release member (5) is actuated.
3. Cooling appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the device only returns automatically to the starting state when actuation of the release member (5) is interrupted or curtailed during the started delay time span.
4. Cooling appliance according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterised in that the device has an electronically controllable time switch, which is to be started by means of a touch contact electrically connected to its control input and which automatically deletes a delay time span after a start by actuation of the touch contact (5) if the touch contact is not actuated before the expiry of a selectable maximum delay time span after which the supply current circuit is interrupted.
5. Cooling appliance according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterised in that the device has an electronic counter, which is pre-set to a predetermined delay time value and in that the time value is counted back during actuation of a touch contact (5) acting as counter control.
6. Cooling appliance according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterised in that the device is coupled to a display indicating the present delay value.
7. Cooling appliance according to claim 6, characterised in that the display emits an optical and/or acoustic signal if the time delay value is changed.
8. Cooling appliance according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterised in that the device is constructed in the manner of a monostable flip-flop or RC-controlled Schmitt trigger.
9. Cooling appliance according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterised in that the device is capable of being set manually without time delay from the 'off state to the 'on' state, in which the switching off time delay is prepared.
10. Cooling appliance according to claim 9, characterised in that the touch contact (5) controls the mains switch into the 'on' position.
11. Method of controlling a cooling appliance according to claim 1 or one of the subsequent claims, characterised in that a mains switch connected into the electrical supply current circuit is switched off with delay after a manually released start of a time delay device if the starting condition is maintained beyond the pre-set time delay value and in that the mains switch is switched on selectively without switch-on delay.

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