Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
  • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
  • F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
  • F25D17/047—Pressure equalising devices
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
  • F25D2700/02—Sensors detecting door opening

Definitions

• Refrigeration device with door opening help
• the present invention relates to a refrigerator with two movably connected housing parts, which together define a heat-insulated interior.
• the refrigerator has a on a first of the housing parts, usually the door of the refrigerator, attached seal which rests in the closed position of the housing parts on the other, second housing part, usually a body of the refrigerator, and the interior is substantially airtight ,
• the refrigeration device has a lifting element for lifting the seal from a bearing surface on the second housing part.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator of the type mentioned, in which the lifting element is designed simple and inexpensive and overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
• a refrigerator with two movably connected housing parts, which together define a heat-insulated interior, and one on a first of the housing parts, preferably a door, mounted seal, in the closed position of the housing parts on a support surface of the other, second housing part, preferably a body , abuts and the interior substantially airtight, and a Abhebeelement for lifting the seal from the support surface to allow a pressure equalization between the interior and the environment of the refrigerator provided.
• the Abhebeelement is at least partially formed of a thermally deformable material, wherein the Abhebeelement in a first form allows a tight contact between the seal and the support surface on the second housing part and can be converted by heat or cold into a second shape in which it Pressure equalization lifts the seal from the support surface.
• the lifting element merely by controlling its temperature, for example by means of an electric heating element or by heat exchange with a reservoir such as the environment or the interior. Lifting the seal from its support surface can thus be done independently of the operation of a door handle by a user. The lifting of the seal from the support surface takes place during the closing operation of the door for a predetermined period of time of z. For example 15 seconds.
• the temperature-deformable material is a bimetal, since this is particularly cost-effective.
• shape memory alloys These are now comparatively inexpensive available. In addition, with these considerable restoring forces and strokes with small dimensions of the lifting element can be realized.
• the lifting member lifts the seal only on a part of its length from the support surface. This makes it possible, immediately after closing the door by partially lifting the seal to create an air path between the outside surrounding the refrigerator ambient atmosphere and the interior of the refrigerator or maintain this airway when closing the door, so that air from outside the refrigerator in the interior can flow, so that no opening of the door obstructing negative pressure can form in the interior.
• the lifting element spreads the seal away from the supporting surface by spreading the two housing parts away from one another by overcoming a possible negative pressure and thus facilitating further opening of the door.
• the lifting element is preferably formed in one piece from the thermally deformable material.
• the lifting element can also be constructed from one or more sections of different material, wherein it preferably consists in at least one section of the temperature-deformable material.
• the temperature-deformable material acts directly on the seal, i. no actuator is provided between the temperature-deformable material and the seal.
• the direct action can be given in particular by a direct contact between the temperature-deformable material and the seal;
• the temperature-deformable material for protection against chemical or mechanical influences is provided with a protective layer of a non temperature-deformable material.
• the thermally deformable material of the lifting element is preferably in thermal contact with a cold reservoir, such as the interior of the refrigerator or the outside atmosphere surrounding the refrigerator, by being mounted in a space communicating with the environment or the interior.
• a cold reservoir such as the interior of the refrigerator or the outside atmosphere surrounding the refrigerator
• the thermal contact can be ensured that the temperature-deformable material is only partially covered by the seal in the closed position of the housing parts.
• the lifting element is also protected from external influences. Due to the recessed in the recess arrangement, the lifting element on the refrigeration device does not visually, so this also represents an aesthetic solution.
• a rapid cooling of the heated, deformed Abhebeelements can be achieved when the recess communicates with the interior, since thus cool indoor air can reach the Abhebeelement.
• the lifting element preferably rises at least partially over the bearing surface of the seal on the second housing part.
• the lifting element for lifting the seal exerts a compressive force on the seal.
• the lifting element is flush in its first form with the bearing surface of the seal on the second housing part, so that the lifting element advantageously barely noticeable in an advantageous manner. Penetration of foreign bodies into the recess can be prevented by the lifting element completely fills the recess in its base.
• the lifting element in its first shape is plate-shaped, for example in the form of a thin (bimetallic) strip formed.
• a flat configuration of the lifting element only a small installation depth is needed, which simplifies the installation of the lifting element and therefore makes cost.
• the lift-off element has a first edge attached to the second housing part and in its second shape has a curved shape in which a second, free edge projects beyond the support surface in the direction of the seal.
• This embodiment is simple and inexpensive.
• the seal is a magnetic seal comprising a magnetic material chamber extending longitudinally of the seal.
• the Abhebeelement preferably extends over the entire width of this chamber. For partial lifting of the seal in the region of the lifting element thus requires only a partial deformation of the seal, an otherwise acting between the support surface and the seal magnetic force does not need to be overcome.
• the lifting member extends only over part of the width of the seal. This ensures that the remaining part of the sealing width over which the lifting element does not extend, can cling to the support surface, but without sealing it by magnetic force.
• the airway into the interior automatically close substantially as soon as it is no longer kept open by incoming air, and cold losses are reduced to a minimum.
• the lifting element is heated by means of a heater in the refrigerator for converting from its first to its second form.
• a heater in the refrigerator for converting from its first to its second form.
• the lifting element has its second shape at ordinary room temperature, in particular in the range of about 15 ° C to about 35 ° C.
• the heating device is connected to a generally existing frame heating of the refrigeration device, so that the frame heating is used as a heat source for heating the lifting element.
• the heater is controlled by a switch which is switched by opening or closing the door of the refrigerator.
• the switch is preferably the door switch which is generally present in every refrigeration device for actuating interior lighting. But it can also be a separate from the interior lighting door switch.
• the heater is preferably turned on when the door is opened and turned off when the door is closed. When the door is opened, the lifting element is thus heated and transferred from its first shape to its second shape. If the door is then closed and the heating device switched off, this is still sustained by heating deformed Abhebeelement the seal temporarily at least over part of its length from its support surface.
• the heating device preferably has an electrical heating element, in particular a PTC heating element, with which short heating times can be realized.
• the refrigerator according to the invention may be a refrigerator or freezer.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic section through a first embodiment of a refrigeration device according to the invention
• FIG. 2 shows a detailed section through a lower region of the body 1 and the door 2 of the refrigeration device from FIG. 1 in the closed state of the door 2 with the gasket 4 resting against the carcass 1;
• Figure 3 shows the same section as Figure 2, wherein the lifting element 7 lifts the seal 4 over part of its length from the support surface 5 on the body 1.
• Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective sectional view through the arrangement shown in Fig. 2;
• FIG. 5 shows a cross section through the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 in a plane A-
• FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section through the arrangement shown in Figure 2 in a plane BB.
• Fig. 7 is a corresponding sectional view of FIG. 4, wherein the
• Lifting element 7 lifts the seal 4 over part of its length from the support surface 5 on the body 1;
• Fig. 8 is a sectional perspective view of the arrangement of Fig. 7 in a space C-C-C;
• FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section through the arrangement shown in Fig. 7 in a plane
• FIG. 10 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8 of a second
• FIG. 11 is a of FIG. 10 corresponding sectional view of a third
• Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic of an inventive refrigerator with a body 1 and a hinged door 2, which together define an interior 3, and a magnetic seal 4, which is fixed to the inside of the door 2 circumferentially and by magnetic force substantially airtight Support surface 5 adheres to the front of the body 1, so that could form a negative pressure in the interior 3, if the door 2 would be closed airtight after penetration of warm air into the interior 3 and the air in the interior 3 cools.
• a lifting element 7 is arranged in a recess 8.
• the lifting element 7 is formed of a temperature-deformable material, such as a shape memory alloy or a bimetal.
• a heating device 10 in this case a PTC heating element 10, is arranged in the recess 8, which serves to heat the lifting element 7.
• Fig. 2 shows the lower edge region of the body 1 and the door 2 in an enlarged section.
• the body 1 is constructed of a formed of sheet metal outer container 11 and a plastic deep-drawn inner container 12, the one with insulating material Enclose filled cavity 9.
• the outer container 11 forms the front of the Käte réelles the frame-shaped support surface 5 for the magnetic seal 4.
• the door 2 of the refrigerator is constructed as well as the body 1 of a metal sheet-shaped outer wall 13 and a plastic deep-drawn inner wall 14, at its vertical edges are interconnected and enclose a filled with insulating material cavity 15 which is closed at the top and bottom by profiles 16 made of plastic.
• a groove 17 is formed, in which a barb-providing head portion of the magnetic seal 4 is engaged.
• the magnetic seal 4 has a plurality of elongated chambers, which impart flexibility thereof, and of which a chamber, designated by reference numeral 18, is filled with a magnetic material which holds a sealing surface of the magnetic seal 4 against the bearing surface 5 formed of sheet metal ,
• the lifting element 7 has a first, inactive shape, in which it is completely received in the recess 8 of the body 1 and flush with the support surface 5 or slightly recessed behind it, and therefore a tight contact between the magnetic seal 4 and the support surface 5 on the body 1 allows.
• Fig. 3 shows the lifting element 7 in an active, second shape in which it rises above the support surface 5 of the magnetic seal 4 out of the recess 8 and the filled with the magnetic material chamber 18 of the magnetic seal 4 of the body 1 continues.
• Gap between the body 1 and the magnetic seal 4 air can flow into the interior 3 of the refrigerator, resulting in a pressure balance between inside and outside.
• Lift-off element 7 is heated by means of heating element 10 from its first
• the heating element 10 is connected to a door switch, not shown, for actuating an interior lighting, also not shown.
• a door switch for actuating an interior lighting, also not shown.
• the switch When opening the door 2 of the refrigerator, the switch is actuated and the heating element 10 is turned on for the duration of the door opening.
• the switch When closing the door, the switch is operated again and the heating element 10th switched off. It cools down with the lifting element 7 still in the second shape. During this cooling time, the magnetic seal 4 as shown in Fig.
• the lifting element 7 or the heating element 10 are designed such that the magnetic seal 4 remains open for a period of time of about 5 seconds to one minute after closing the door 2, ie a period of time in which a pressure equalization has taken place substantially. In a subsequent opening of the door 1, only the magnetic force between the magnetic seal 4 and the bearing surface 5 on the body 1 has to be overcome.
• the actuation of the heating element 10 can also take place via a door switch separate from the interior lighting, which is switched when the door is actuated.
• the lifting element 7 is arranged at the lower, horizontally extending edge of the body 1, it is also possible to arrange the lifting element 7 on one of the two lateral, vertically extending edges of the body 1 , As an alternative to attaching the magnetic seal 4 to the door 2, it is also conceivable to attach the magnetic seal 4 to the body 1 of the refrigerator. In this case, the lifting element 7 would then be arranged in a recess of the door 2.
• 5 and 6 show schematic sectional views of the body 1, the door 2 and located in the first form Abhebeelements 7 with the door closed 2.
• the lifting element 7 is formed in its first form in the form of a sheet-like strip 7, the is completely received in the cuboid recess 8 of the body 1 and is flush with the support surface 5 of the magnetic seal 4. In addition, it fills the recess 8 in its base completely. This prevents that foreign objects, such as dirt particles, can penetrate into the recess 8.
• the lifting element 7 is formed in one piece from a temperature-deformable material, such as a bimetal or a shape memory alloy. It is aligned parallel to the magnetic seal 4 and thus extends in its longitudinal direction over part of its length.
• the lifting element 7 extends over only a part of its width, but over the entire width of a magnetic material comprising chamber 18. This makes it necessary to lift the magnetic seal 4 in the region of the lifting element 7 is not still overcome a magnetic force, but only a partial deformation of the magnetic seal 4.
• the lifting element 7 and thus also the recess 8 extend on the side of the chamber 18 beyond the edge of the magnetic seal 4, whereby the lifting element 7 has an exposed portion 20 which does not in the closed state of the door 2 is covered by the magnetic seal 4.
• a convective heat exchange between the lifting element 7 and the ambient air surrounding the refrigerator or the air in the interior 3 of the refrigerator and thus a rapid cooling of the heated lifting element 4 allows. Notwithstanding the embodiment shown in FIGS.
• the lifting element 7 is partially uncovered to the interior 3 of the refrigerator of the magnetic seal 4, i. the section 20 of the lifting element 7 is in contact with the air in the interior 3 of the refrigerating appliance.
• This embodiment is also included in FIGS. 4 and 5.
• the interior 3 would then be located to the right of the magnetic seal 4 in this case.
• Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section through the arrangement of Figs. 4 and 5.
• the lifting element 7 has a first end 22 which is fixed to the body 1, and a second end 23 which is freely movable. Below the first end 22 of the lifting element 7 is in the recess 8, hidden by the lifting element 7, the Heating element 10 is arranged. It is flush with the first end 22 of the lifting element
• the heating element 10 also extends over only a part of the width of the lifting element 7.
• the strip-shaped lifting element 7 has a curved shape in which its second, free end 23 protrudes beyond the body 1 or the bearing surface 5 of the magnetic seal 4 on the body 1, touches the magnetic seal 4, presses against it and from the bearing surface 5 takes off.
• air can flow to equalize the pressure between the interior 3 of the refrigerating device and the outside atmosphere surrounding the refrigerating device with the door 2 closed, as already described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. an opening of the door 2 obstructing negative pressure in the interior 3 of the refrigerator degraded or the construction of such a negative pressure can be avoided.
• the lifting element 7 is only bent in its second form to such an extent that a front end 25 terminating the lifting element 7 towards the free end 23 remains at least partially sunk in the recess 8.
• the lifting element 7 has a different from Figs. 1 to 9 construction. Otherwise, these embodiments coincide with those of FIGS. 1 to 9. To simplify the illustration of the body 1 is not shown and the magnetic seal 4 shown only in broken lines.
• the cover layer 28 serves to protect the base layer 27 against mechanical influences or chemical influences, such as cleaning agents.
• FIG. 11 shows a lift-off element 7 having three sections, wherein the middle section 30 is formed of a temperature-deformable material, such as a shape-memory alloy or a bimetal, and the other two sections may be formed of other materials that are not temperature-related are deformable.
• the heated Abhebeelements 7 then takes only the middle portion 30 in a curved shape, the other two sections retain their planar shape.
• each refrigerator frame heater would be used to heat the lifting element 7. This could be used to heat the Abhebeelements 7 a resulting in the system of the refrigerator waste heat.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Refrigerator Housings (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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• 2005
  • 2005-05-10 DE DE102005021592A patent/DE102005021592A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2006
  • 2006-04-03 US US11/918,821 patent/US7726754B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-04-03 WO PCT/EP2006/061272 patent/WO2006120084A2/de active Application Filing
  • 2006-04-03 CN CN2006800157586A patent/CN101171471B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-04-03 RU RU2007136020/12A patent/RU2408825C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2006-04-03 EP EP06743233A patent/EP1851493A2/de not_active Withdrawn

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