EP0780645B1 - Drawer type storage compartment - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a drawer-like storage compartment, which at least on its two long sides in a storage compartment receptacle such as a housing, a frame or the like is guided and which is a parallel guide device has, which consists of counter teeth and from two largely rigidly coupled, mutually opposed rollers formed axially which is an external toothing of the same pitch circle diameter have and which to cooperate with the counter teeth assets, either the counter toothing or the rollers are arranged in a fixed position.

For storage compartments which are in the manner of a drawer along their two long sides in for example on the side walls guides arranged in a furniture body can be guided it happens that the drawer-like storage compartment tilted when moving within the guides. This problem increases when the storage compartment a relatively short guide length in relation to its width and also has a lateral, allows eccentric force transmission.

To the problem of tilting the storage compartment inside Avoiding his guides was described in CH-PS 445 761 proposed a parallel guidance, which in addition to the actual Management of the storage compartment additionally provided on this is. The parallel guidance is in each case by a stationary over the actual management of the storage compartment Rack and by meshing with it, have the same pitch circle diameter and rigidly coupled gears. By Such parallel guidance is always ensured that the storage compartment is uniform and therefore within its guidance is moved without tilting, even if for the introduction the movement a jerky or off-center, lateral Force is applied to the storage compartment.

However, this type of parallel guidance then results a problem if the storage tray out of its guide for cleaning purposes removed and then back in these guides should be used because of the danger now there is one of the two arranged in pairs Gears mesh with another tooth of the rack comes like the other so that the storage compartment is not vertical but at a different angle to the Drawer guides can be moved.

The invention has for its object for a storage compartment propose measures according to the preamble of claim 1, through which always easily ensured is that when inserting the storage compartment into its guides correct engagement of the externally toothed rollers in the counter toothing takes place.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the opposing toothing is preceded by a positive guidance, which the externally toothed rollers in an at least essentially movement perpendicular to the counter-toothing can engage with the counter toothing.

Such a positive guidance is when the Storage compartments in its guides cause that when inserted of the storage compartment occurring in its guides Intercepted forces in the direction of guidance and in a vertical direction force component acting to be converted so that corresponding teeth on the two rigidly coupled Rollers always securely in corresponding tooth gaps engage on the counter toothing. In this way is achieved that none of the externally toothed rollers of the ahead of others in the direction of movement of the storage compartment, see above that skewing or even tilting of the storage compartment in his leadership despite the parallel guidance facility as a result one unintentionally caused when it was inserted Skew is avoided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the subject of Invention is provided that the positive control as a smooth-surface, backdrop-like feeder formed which has a first guide portion which the rollers in a vertically spaced to counter teeth Position and which one can bring a second subsequent, leading to the counter toothing Has guide section, when leaving the externally toothed rollers already in engagement with the counter toothing are located.

Such a structurally simple construction of positive guidance is on the one hand simple in terms of production technology and therefore inexpensive producible and on the other hand special in their operation robust and wear-resistant. It is also one Forced guidance can be arranged in a space-saving manner in a confined space.

The externally toothed rollers are particularly precise the counter toothing, if after a next advantageous embodiment of the subject of the invention it is provided that the backdrop-like feed device as Guide channel is formed, which has a first funnel-like essentially on the outside diameter of the Roller narrowing channel section and an attached to it subsequent, essentially directed towards the counter toothing Has channel section, which over its entire Length at least largely to the outside diameter of the externally toothed roller is adapted.

In addition, such a solution has the advantage that the introduction of the rollers into the feed device their funnel-shaped first, as an introductory cut trained guide channel significantly easier is, so that completely inexperienced operating personnel on the one hand rapid insertion of the drawer, on the other hand at the same time in the correct position merging the externally toothed Rollers with the counter toothing succeed.

Correct intervention is particularly safe and easy the externally toothed rollers in the counter toothing bring about when according to a next preferred embodiment the subject of the invention is provided that the externally toothed rollers with their outer contour in their vertical position for counter-toothing to its outer contour a distance of at least the radius of the rollers exhibit.

This is particularly smooth and therefore conveniently managed Storage compartment if according to a further advantageous embodiment the subject of the invention is provided that the externally toothed, interacting with the counter toothing Rollers and additional axially opposite one another Rollers serve to guide the storage compartment.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the The object of the invention is that the externally toothed, rollers interacting with the counter-toothing on its lateral surface next to its external teeth have smooth guide surface, which are used to guide the Storage compartments like the additional castors on a smooth Able to support the guideway.

With such a solution, both the guide elements for the storage compartment as well as the mechanics for the tilt-free Moving the storage compartment to a structural unit summarized so that there is a space-saving overall structure results. Furthermore, this is from the guide elements and the mechanics for tilt-free movement of the Storage compartment generated assembly allows multiple storage compartments on top of each other without loss of storage space can be arranged, the mechanics for parallel guidance of the storage compartment and thus for tilt-free moving the loading of the storage compartments is not hindered. Furthermore the unit results in a cheaper Tolerance build-up between the functional elements, resulting in low-cost, non-cutting manufacturing processes suitable for large quantities, such as plastic injection molding too offer to achieve a high quality of leadership.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the object the invention provides that the counter teeth on the inside of the higher leg serving as a guide, cross-sectionally U-shaped profile is provided, which on the two side walls of the Shot arranged and on the inside of his deeper Provide legs with a smooth guideway is, and that with the counter teeth and the smooth guideway engaging, largely rigidly coupled rollers on the front, section leading in the insertion direction into the receptacle of the storage compartment are arranged.

In addition to the advantage that such a solution is extremely stable support for a load loaded with heavy goods Storage compartment is created, especially the advantage that the external teeth on the rigidly coupled Casters even when pulled out of the holder, under Under certain circumstances, the storage compartment is tilted completely with the counter serration is engaged on the guide rail so that the storage compartment always in this extreme pull-out position can be moved safely without tilting and therefore smoothly can. In addition, contamination of the counter teeth is due to their arrangement on the higher leg of the U-shaped Profiles always safely avoided.

Manufacturing technology is particularly easy to manufacture guide profile serving as a guide means with the counter toothing and the smooth guideway, if after an alternative design of the object the invention provides that the counter teeth and the smooth guideway side by side on the inner surface of the lower leg as a guide serving, in cross-section U-shaped profile on both Side walls of the recording are provided, and that with the counter-toothing and the smooth guideway on deeper-lying legs, as far as possible rigidly coupled rollers on the front, Section leading in the direction of insertion into the usable space of the storage compartment are arranged.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the object The invention can provide that the counter teeth and the smooth guideway next to each other at the bottom of the storage compartment in pairs along whose side edges are arranged and that with the counter toothing and the smooth guideway castors engaged on the underside of the storage compartment stationary on the side walls of the recording are.

Such a solution enables the exchange in a simple manner the feeding and parallel guidance of the storage compartment serving functional elements in the event of damage. They are also already in use for a longer period Functional elements with regard to their functionality easy to surpass visually.

A used according to the claims is particularly useful 1 to 9 trained drawer-like storage compartment, if this in a refrigerator with at least one inside arranged in its heat-insulating housing, for storage storage space that can be locked by a door is arranged and if those used to guide it U-shaped rails with their facing away from the usable space Outside embedded in the thermal insulation of the housing and is supported by this on its profile walls.

In addition, by embedding the U-shaped profiles in the thermal insulation material of the housing also the insert of inexpensive, naturally less rigid materials, how plastic is possible to produce the U-shaped profiles, because of their necessary stiffness for guidance purposes by applying thermal insulation to its walls is generated.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Darstellung den unteren Abschnitt eines Mehrtemperaturen-Haushaltskühlgerätes in Seitenansicht, mit zwei übereinander angeordneten, an Laufrollen geführten Ablagefächern, von denen das tieferliegende, an seinem vorderen Abschnitt mit außenverzahnten Laufrollen ausgestattet ist, welche über eine im türseitigen Frontbereich an Führungsschienen angeordnete Zwangsführung der Gegenverzahnung an den Führungsschienen zuführbar sind,

Fig. 2

das tieferliegende Ablagefach ohne Tür mit den an seinem vorderen Abschnitt angeordneten außenverzahnten, über eine Achse starr miteinander gekoppelten Laufrollen und eines der Führungsprofile mit frontseitig daran angeordneten Zwangsführung in raumbildlicher Darstellung von oben,

Fig. 3

in einem Ausschnitt das wärmeisolierende Gehäuse des Kühlgerätes im Bereich der Führungsprofile und der mit dessen Gegenverzahnungen in Eingriff befindlichen außenverzahnten Laufrolle, im Vertikalschnitt und

Fig. 4

eine der Führungsschienen im Bereich ihres türnahen, mit der Zwangsführung versehenen Endabschnitts.

The invention is explained in the following description using the example of a refrigeration device shown in simplified form in the accompanying drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of the lower section of a multi-temperature household cooling device in a side view, with two stacking compartments arranged one above the other, guided on castors, of which the lower one, on its front section, is equipped with externally toothed castors, which has a positive guidance of the counter-toothing arranged on guide rails in the front of the door can be fed on the guide rails,

Fig. 2

the deep-lying storage compartment without a door with the externally toothed rollers arranged on its front section, rigidly coupled to one another via an axis, and one of the guide profiles with positive guidance arranged on the front in a spatial representation from above,

Fig. 3

in a cutout, the heat-insulating housing of the cooling device in the region of the guide profiles and the externally toothed roller, which is in engagement with its counter-teeth, in vertical section and

Fig. 4

one of the guide rails in the area of its door section, which is provided with the positive guidance.

In Fig. 1 is a simplified schematic representation of the lower section of a multi-temperature household cooling device 10 shown, the heat insulating housing 11 one of a likewise heat-insulating door 12, has designed as a cooling space 13 usable space. This is equipped with a chipless shaped inner lining 14, which are essentially perpendicular to the door 12 extending side walls 15 (only one is shown here) with arranged at a parallel distance above one another, in cross section U-shaped, inserted into the side walls 15 Guide profiles 16 and 17 are provided. Of these are the guide legs arranged higher in the cooling space 13 and on the outside of the also not shown, the yoke connecting the two legs from the heat insulation material of the housing 11 supported. The one another facing inner sides of the legs of the guide profiles 16 are smooth, with the in the installed position Guide profiles 16 deeper inside as a guideway is executed. The guide profiles 17 are, too like the guide profiles 16, on the outside of their rear wall 18 and on the outside of her legs 19 by that Supported heat insulation material of the housing 11, wherein the higher leg 19 on the inside in contrast to which the guide profiles 16 with a rack-like trained counter toothing 20 is provided (see see also Fig. 2, 3 and 4). The counter toothing 20 is for Protection of their directed towards the lower leg 19 Teeth set back from the opening of the guide profile 17, arranged immediately adjacent to the rear wall 18. The one opposite the inside with the counter-toothing 20 The inside of the lower leg 19 is in contrast to the former as a flat and smooth guideway 21 formed, which like the counter toothing 20 from Plastic injection molded guide profile 17 immediately is integrally formed with this. The guideway 21 and the counter toothing 20 are essentially the same long and end at a distance from the door 12 facing End section of the guide profiles 17. This is for the guide profiles 17 with a cross section essentially U-shaped and smooth surface as Forced guidance channel 22 equipped, which with the opening of its U-shaped cross section in the Cooling room 13 is directed. The guide channel 22 has one first, obliquely from its free end facing the door 12 downward in the direction of the cold room floor guide section 22.1, whose through the legs of the U-shaped boundary walls 22.2 and 22.3 funnel-shaped from its free end facing the door 12 run towards each other. The boundary walls 22.2 and 22.3 go in to a second, directly to the guide section 22.1 subsequent guide section 22.4 belonging Boundary walls 22.5 and 22.6 over. These are related to each other at the transition point "Ü" at a distance from the outside diameter an externally toothed gear explained in more detail below Roller arranged. From the boundary walls 22.5 and 22.6 has the lower-lying boundary wall 22.6 from the transition point "Ü", a horizontal, arranged essentially parallel to the guideway 21 Section on. This includes a stop "A" serving, essentially on the radius of the externally toothed Track-tuned circular arc-like segment on the horizontal guideway 21 connects. The higher boundary wall 22.5, which at the transition point "Ü" of the two guide sections 22.1 and 22.4 bends towards the counter toothing 20 and which runs out in the base of their teeth is at their kink point from the lower boundary wall 22.6 at its junction "A" to the guideway 21 at a distance of Diameter of those to be explained in more detail below externally toothed roller removed.

The guide channel 22 is an insertion opening towards the door 12 22.7 upstream, which is due to the open training of the the door 12 facing end of the guide profile 17 generated and which is also provided on the guide profiles 16 is.

Following the insertion opening 22.7 are the guide profiles 17 at their end facing the door 12 with one each a hub, not shown, on a likewise not shown Bearing journals rotatably mounted on fixed bearings 23 equipped, which with a smooth tread are provided. The rollers 23 serve as supports for at the opening edge of a drawer-like Storage compartments 24 arranged parallel to the side walls 15 of the plastic inner lining 14 extending a supporting strip 26 belonging to a frame-like surround 25, which is the side portions of the frame-like bezel 25 form. The support strips 26, which both on their the roller 23 facing the bottom and on this opposite top with a rolling track 27 are provided with each other to form the frame-like Binding 25 connected via cross bars, of which the Cross bar 28 near the door for fastening the storage compartment 23 the door 12 is used, while the far cross member 29 on his lateral edges with bearing mounts 30 for storing a largely torsionally rigid bearing axis 31 is formed (see in particular FIGS. 2 and 3). The bearing axis 31 is on their ends projecting freely over the bearing mounts 30 each with a flat, which with a-im Hub 34 arranged hub 34 form-fitting cooperates. Due to the positive connection, they are on the two Ends of the bearing axis 31 provided rollers 33 in same tooth position on the bearing axis 31 against rotation and rigidly coupled together. The rollers 33 are axial on the bearing axis 31, on the one hand, via no closer designated sliding disc through the side edges of the Querholmes 29 and the other by close to the two free ends of the bearing axis 31 provided, in not closer engaging holding grooves shown, unspecified and commonly used for such purposes Circlips fixed (see Fig. 3).

The rollers on the bearing shaft 31 are held against rotation 33 of the same pitch circle diameter are on its outer surface 35 in two different widths, essentially sections corresponding to the width of the rollers 33, of which the wider, the rear wall 18 of the guide profiles 17 facing section with external teeth 36, which for both rollers 33 with the same number of teeth and equipped with the same tooth module. Immediately to the External toothing 36 closes a narrower section which is equipped with a smooth guide surface 37 is (see Fig. 2, 3).

1, the storage compartment 24 is in the Cooling space 13 as a storage compartment receptacle for storage compartment 24 serving housing 11 using the rollers 23 and 33 in Art of a castor pull-out symbolized by the double arrow directions of movement shown movable. The leadership the storage compartment 24 is on the one hand by the arranged inside the guide profiles 17 externally toothed Casters 33 causes which with their external teeth 36 with the higher leg of the guide profiles 17th provided counter teeth 20 are engaged and themselves simultaneously with its smooth guide surface 37 on the as Guideway 21 trained inside of the underlying Support leg 19. On the other hand serve to guide the Storage compartment 24 near the opening edge of the refrigerator compartment 13 fixed rollers 23, which the storage compartment 24 on the undersides designed as rolling tracks 27 support the support strips 26. When moving the storage compartment 24 when the door 12 is opened or closed, the external teeth roll 36 rigidly with each other via the bearing axis 31 coupled rollers 33 on the counter teeth 20, with the torsionally rigid connection of the two rollers 33 ensures that even with an off-center force attack when moving the door 12 a tilt-free and thus smooth movement of the storage compartment 24 within the Cold room 13 is guaranteed. The external teeth 36 adjacent smooth guide surface of the roller 33 wallows during the movement process of the storage compartment 24 on the smooth surface guideway 21 and forms the support of the storage compartment 24 on its portion remote from the door.

Above the storage compartment 24 there is another one in the cooling space 13 storage compartment 40 provided with a smaller receiving volume, which also in the form of a roller pull-out the cooling space 13 is movable out. For this purpose are on the two long sides, on the front section of the door Storage compartments 40 rotatably mounted on the overhead Rolling path 27 of the support strips 26, with one provided smooth-running tread rollers 41, while at the door distant portion of the storage compartment 41 rotatably mounted rollers 42 are provided, which are with its smooth surface on the inside of the Support lower leg of the guide profiles 16.

Is the storage compartment 24 for cleaning purposes or the like after overcoming its extension path from the cold room 13 limit stops have been removed from the cooling space 13, this will be the subsequent insertion of the storage compartment 24 into the cooling space 13 and the associated insertion the externally toothed rollers 33 in the guide profiles 17 facilitated by the guide channel 22. This serves in a first step, its first, sloping, to facilitate the introduction of the rollers 33 funnel-shaped guide section 22.1 widening towards door 12, at the end of the rollers 33 with their outer contour at least around their radius from the outer contour of the counter-toothing 20 are spaced. In a second step to facilitate insertion of the rollers 33 into the guide profiles 17 the adjoining the guide section 22.1, for the counter toothing 20 directed section 22.4, which the rollers 33 fit as far as possible picks up and the insertion depth of the rollers 33 in the Guide channel 22 through the stop provided at its end "A" limited. The storage compartment is in this position 24 around that formed by the rollers 23 on the underside the support strips 26 attacking supports in the direction pivotable to the bottom of the cooling space 13, whereby the Rollers 33 of the counter teeth 20 are supplied. there the rollers 33 dive simultaneously with the exit this guide section 22.4 with the corresponding teeth their external toothing in the tooth gaps of the counter toothing 20 a. Through this way of engaging the two Gears are inherent in principle due to the meshing in the direction of insertion of the storage compartment 24 by the Stop "A" intercepted force component ensures that the teeth of the externally toothed rollers 33 with the same distance from the beginning of the counter toothing 20 tooth gaps removed Counter teeth are engaged so that the door 12 parallel movable to the opening edge of the cooling space 13 and thus an inclination of the door 12 to the opening edge of the refrigerator 13 is avoided.

Contrary to the described embodiment, it is also possible, the counter toothing 20 and the guide track 21 on lower leg 19 of the guide profile 17 side by side to arrange. It is also conceivable in the same way, the counter-toothing 20 and the guideway 21 each in pairs the underside of the storage compartment 24 at its lateral edges to arrange. In this embodiment, they are rigid coupled rollers forming a pair of rollers, which with the external toothing 36 and with the guide surface 37 are equipped to be arranged instead of the rollers 23. In the event that the storage compartment 24 made of plastic injection molding is made, the counter teeth 20 and the guide track 21 directly on the underside of the bottom of the storage compartment 24 with molded.

As an alternative to the one described, which is designed as a guide channel 22 Forced guidance is also possible as one-sided arranged guide, similar to a guideline.

Claims (10)

1. Storage bin (24) of drawer-like construction, which is guided at least at its two longitudinal sides in a storage bin receiver such as a housing, a support frame or the like, and which has a parallel guide device, which is formed from a counter-toothing (20) and from two guide rollers (33) which are substantially rigidly coupled together, disposed opposite one another on the same axis, have an external toothing (36) of the same pitch circle diameter and are co-operable with the counter-toothing (20), wherein either the counter-toothing (20) or the guide rollers (33) are arranged in stationary location, characterised in that mounted in front of the counter-toothing (20) is a constrained guide (22) which is able to bring the externally toothed guide rollers (23) in a movement, which runs at least substantially perpendicularly relative to the counter-toothing (20), into engagement with the counter-toothing (20).
2. Storage bin of drawer-like construction according to claim 1, characterised in that the constrained guide (22) is constructed as a smooth-surfaced, slot-like feed device which has a first guide portion, which is able to bring the externally-toothed guide rollers (33) into a position vertically spaced relative to the counter-toothing (22), and which has a second guide portion which joins thereat, leads to the counter-toothing (20) and on departure from which the externally-toothed guide rollers (33) are already disposed in engagement with the counter-toothing (20).
3. Storage bin of drawer-like construction according to claim 2, characterised in that the slot-like feed device is constructed as a guide channel (22), which has a first, funnel-like channel section (22.1) narrowing substantially to the external diameter of the externally toothed guide rollers (33) and a channel section (22.4) which adjoins thereat, is directed towards the counter-toothing (20) and is matched at least largely to the external diameter of the externally toothed guide roller (33).
4. Storage bin of drawer-like construction according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the externally toothed guide rollers (33) have by their outer profile in their vertical position relative to the counter-toothing (20) a spacing of at least the radius of the externally-toothed guide rollers (33) relative to the outer profile of the counter-toothing.
5. Storage bin of drawer-like construction according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the extemally toothed guide rollers (33) able to engage in the counter-toothing (20) and additional guide rollers (23) arranged opposite to one another on the same axis serve for guidance of the storage bin (24).
6. Storage bin of drawer-like construction according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the externally toothed guide rollers (23) co-operating with the counter-toothing (20) have at their circumferential surface (35) not only their external toothing (36), but also a smooth guide surface (37) which for guidance of the storage bin (24) is able to be supported, like the additional guide rollers (33), on a smooth-surfaced guide track (21, 27).
7. Storage bin of drawer-like construction according to claim 6, characterised in that the counter-toothing (20) is provided at the inner side of the higher disposed limb (19) of a guide profile member (17) of U-shaped cross-section which serves as guide means and is arranged at both side walls (15) of the use space (13) and which is provided at the inner side of its lower disposed limb (19) with the smooth-surfaced guide track (21) and that the guide rollers (33), which stand in engagement with the counter-toothing (20) and the smooth-surfaced guide track (21) and which are substantially rigidly coupled together, are arranged at the forward portion (29), which is leading in the direction of pushing into the use space (13), of the storage bin (24).
8. Storage bin of drawer-like construction according to claim 6, characterised in that the counter-toothing (20) and the smooth-surfaced guide track (21) are provided adjacent to one another at the inner surface of the lower disposed limb (19) of a guide profile member (17) of U-shaped cross-section which serves as guide means and is arranged at the side walls (15) of the use space (13) and that the guide rollers (33), which stand in engagement with the counter-toothing (20) and the smooth-surfaced guide track (21) at the lower disposed limb (19) and which are substantially rigidly coupled together, are arranged at the forward portion (29), which is leading in the direction of pushing into the use space (13), of the storage bin (24).
9. Storage bin of drawer-like construction according to claim 6, characterised in that the counter-toothing (20) and the smooth-surfaced guide track (21) are arranged adjacent to one another at the underside of the storage bin (24), which serves as guide means, in paired manner along the lateral edges thereof and that the guide rollers (33), which stand in engagement with the counter-toothing (20) and the smooth-surfaced guide track (21) at the underside of the storage bin (24), are arranged in stationary location at the side walls (15) of the use space (13) in the vicinity of the opening thereof.
10. Cooling appliance with a use space which is arranged at least within its thermally-insulated housing, serves for storage of stock to be stored, is closable by a door and within which at least one storage bin is provided, characterised in that the storage bin (24) is constructed according to one of claims 7 to 9 and the U-shaped guide profile members (17) serving for the guidance thereof are embedded by their outer sides remote from the use space (13) in the thermal insulation of the housing (11) and are supported by this at their profile walls (18, 19).

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