EP1895252B1 - Refrigeration and/or freezer device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer.

There are known refrigerators and / or freezers, which have, for example, in the door of the device, a control element or a display. Usually such assemblies are placed on the relevant visible surface, for example on the door, overlapping, which brings with it the advantage that the mounting hole and any fasteners, such as screws or snap hooks can be covered. A disadvantage is that the module does not finish flush. It is also known to use such modules flush, which, however, requires in known solutions that openings or recesses for releasing snap hooks or other fasteners for subsequent disassembly of the assembly are required.

An example of such a removable, flush solution is for a visible part, for example in the patent DE 10251538 A1 , for the refrigerator, for example in the patent US 6,101,809 A disclosed. A refrigerator and / or freezer according to the preamble of claim 1 is made DE 10251538 A1 known.

The object of the present invention is to develop a refrigerator and / or freezer of the type mentioned in such a way that the component without the need of visible openings for fasteners in a visually appealing manner is inserted into the recess.

This object is achieved by a refrigerator and / or freezer with the features of claim 1.

Due to the fact that the recess is larger than the component, it is possible first to introduce the component into the recess and then to move in the plane of the recess, so that the fastening means engage and releasably fix the component. The remaining part surface can be partially or preferably completely filled by the mounting part, which is arranged detachably in the assembled state in the recess. If the component is to be disassembled again, first the mounting part is removed from the recess, then the component is moved in such a way that the fastening means are no longer in engagement and then the component is removed from the recess.

It is thus possible to insert the components to be used first perpendicular to the visible surface or perpendicular to the plane of the recess in the recess or mounting hole and then fix by a movement parallel to the visible surface or by a lying in the plane of the recess movement. It is conceivable, for example, to move the component in the recess down to thereby lock it in the recess. The fixation can be carried out as described by the fact that the component is pushed into one or more brackets and is fixed for example by locking. The latching elements or holders can be located on the component or the recess or both on the component and on the recess. It is conceivable, for example, that the recess has protruding projections from its edge, which engage in recesses on the component.

The fact that the front side of the component with the surface surrounding the recess is flush with the surface results in a particularly appealing visual impression.

By force in one area or in the end of the tiltable mounting part another area or the opposite end of the mounting part is pushed out of the visible surface, the mounting part can be removed and the component to be dismantled after loosening the fastener. The mounting member may have projections on two opposite sides, which cooperate with projections of the mounting frame in the inserted state of the mounting part.

The component, which is a visible part of the device, is for example a display and / or a control element. The mounting frame is preferably a foaming-in part, that is to say a component accommodated at least partially in the foam of the device.

The device may comprise a body, a door or flap and / or an inner container, wherein the mounting frame is located in a recess of one or more of these components of the device.

In the mounting frame said component, which may be designed as an assembly, releasably inserted.

It is preferably provided that the fastening means for fixing the component in the recess are designed such that the component can be fixed in the recess by means of a latching connection. Thus, it is possible to fix the component in a comparatively simple manner by latching in the recess. Preferably, the fixation of the component is effected by a sliding detent.

It is also conceivable that the recess and the component are designed such that the component can be inserted into the recess by a movement perpendicular to the plane of the recess.

Furthermore, it may be provided that the fastening means are arranged such that the component is flush in the fixed state in the recess state with the mounting frame or with the wall of the device, in the recess of the component or the mounting frame is inserted. It is conceivable that the mounting frame is arranged on the side facing away from the outside or from the device interior side of a wall of the device. It may, for example, be arranged on the inside of the outer wall of the device or else, for example, on the side of the inner container facing away from the inner space, or be foamed in there.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the mounting frame has a preferably circumferential projection which is dimensioned such that it is flush with the wall of the device in the inserted state, in the recess of the mounting frame is inserted.

There are no restrictions on the type of component. This may be a display, lighting, control, etc. Of course, a combination of these functionalities in a component is conceivable.

The component can also be an assembly which may have an electronics unit and / or a front cover for covering the electronics unit and / or a housing in which the electronic unit or the front cover is accommodated.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the recess is formed by a Einschäumteil. The Einschäumteil may have undercuts and used according to the arrangement of the recess, for example, in the door or in the inner container of the device and foamed there. The Einschäumteil thus forms the edge of the recess.

Figur 1:

eine Explosionsdarstellung der in einer Ausnehmung des Einbaurahmens einzusetzenden Baugruppe sowie das Montageteil,

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines die Ausnehmung bildenden Einschäumteils,

Figur 3:

eine Draufsicht auf die Baugruppe gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 4:

eine schematische Darstellung der Montageschritte der Baugruppe und des Montageteils,

Figur 5:

Schnittdarstellungen durch den Einbaurahmen und die Baugruppe in unterschiedlichen Ausführungen und

Figur 6:

Schnittdarstellungen durch den Einbaurahmen und das Montageteil bei der Demontage des Montageteils.

Further advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1:

an exploded view of the assembly to be used in a recess of the mounting frame and the mounting part,

FIG. 2:

a perspective view of the recess forming Einschäumteils,

FIG. 3:

a plan view of the assembly according to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4:

a schematic representation of the assembly steps of the assembly and the mounting part,

FIG. 5:

Sectional views through the mounting frame and the module in different versions and

FIG. 6:

Sectional views through the mounting frame and the mounting part during disassembly of the mounting part.

FIG. 1 shows in a perspective view of the existing three elements assembly 10. The assembly 10 consists of a housing 12 for the electronics, which is closed, for example, on its back. Furthermore, the assembly 10 includes the electronics or display 14, by means of which, for example, nominal or actual values of the temperature in the refrigerator or freezer compartment of the device can be displayed. Another component of the assembly 10 is the front cover 16, which has a viewing window area through which the electronics or display 14 is visible in the assembled state, as is apparent from FIG. 3 which shows the assembly 10 in plan view.

The front cover 16 may further comprise operating elements which also consist of FIG. 3 are visible and can be used for example to control the device and / or to influence the display.

Front cover 16 and display or electronics 14 are received in the assembled state in the housing 12. These elements together form the assembly 10.

The assembly 10 is inserted in its assembled state in the mounting frame 40, which may be arranged in or in the region of a recess 20, which may be located for example in the door or elsewhere in the device. The mounting frame 40 is shown in an exemplary representation in FIG. 2 shown.

Like this FIG. 2 shows, the mounting frame surrounds the recess 41st

According to the invention, the device further comprises the mounting part 30, which is designed as a rocking component and by means of suitable fasteners releasably and tiltably inserted into the recess 41.

As stated, the recess 41 can be formed by a Einschäumteil 40, which preferably has undercuts and the in FIG. 2 is shown. The foaming part 40 is preferably closed on its rear side.

Like this FIG. 2 it can be seen, the Einschäumteil 40 in its recess directed to the edge region a plurality of projections 42 which form part of the fastening means by means of which the assembly 10 in the recess 41 is detachably mountable. The assembly 10 and its housing 12 has latching projections 13 which are arranged and dimensioned such that they cooperate in the mounted state of the assembly 10 in the recess 41 with the projections 42 which are located on the inside of the mounting frame 40, and thus ensure the fixation of the assembly 10 in the recess 41. As can be seen from the figures, thus, the assembly 10 can be locked by means of a slide load in the recess 41 in a simple manner and removed by loosening the locking connection as needed.

An essential feature of the invention is that the assembly 10 has a smaller areal extent than the recess 41, that is, that a partial surface of the recess 41 remains, which is not taken in the assembled state of the assembly 10 of this. This remaining free partial area is occupied by the mounting part 30, that in this embodiment is in the mounted state above the assembly 10, as is apparent from FIG. 3 evident. The assembly 10 and the mounting member 30 together form a surface which corresponds completely or substantially to the surface of the recess 41.

In the embodiment shown here, the mounting member 30 is in the mounted state above the assembly 10. It is also conceivable, however, to arrange the mounting part below or next to the assembly 10.

To mount the assembly 10, this is first introduced perpendicular to the visible surface in the recess or mounting hole 41 and then pushed by a lying in the plane of the recess 41 movement at the same time in several brackets or projections 42 until the projections 42 with the projections 13 of Assembly 10 cooperate. In this case, these fastening means are arranged such that the front side of the assembly 10 and the front cover 16 is flush with the areas surrounding the recess 41 of the door or with the surrounding areas of the recess 41 of the mounting frame 40. By said slide load thus a simple flush installation of the component 10 is possible. The same applies to the mounting part 30, which also completes flush in the mounted state.

By said fasteners a secure attachment is ensured without affecting the visible surface.

An advantage of the device according to the invention is that Fügespalte side and flush with the visible surface can be produced with small tolerances.

The remaining partial area, which has arisen due to the latching, is closed by the mounting part 30. As stated, this part is preferably designed as a rocker. By appropriate effort at one end, the opposite end is pushed out of the visible surface and the mounting member 30 can be removed. In reverse order to assembly, then the assembly 10 is pushed back again (in the present embodiment, upward) and removed from the recess 20.

In the embodiment shown here, the mounting part 30 is designed as a visible part, the visible surface can be designed decorative. The visible part can For example, structures, a Metalliclackierung, have a galvanic surface and / or a print of various logos. Due to the different possible embodiments of the mounting part 30, for example, lettering-related distinctions of the control panel or the front cover 16 can be avoided, that is, the standardization of the electronic module is thereby supported.

The present invention further has the advantages that a visible part, for example, the operation in the door or in another element, such as the body or the inner container of a device flush mounted comparatively easily. Alternatively or in addition to the operation, a light or the like may be provided. Another advantage of the invention is that the assembly and disassembly is possible from the visible side of the device and not from the rear side facing away from the visible side.

A flawless appearance is achieved not only by the flush mounting, but also by the fact that openings for snap hooks or the like are not required and that a secure, backlash-free attachment is possible in a relatively simple manner.

Furthermore, a concept for the standardization by a uniform assembly and differentiation by a different clustering of the parts is possible.

The production is cost-effective and easily manageable in terms of production and executable with low tolerances. On comparatively expensive and visually unattractive fasteners such as fittings can be dispensed with.

FIG. 4 shows the steps in the assembly of the assembly 10 in the mounting frame 40. The mounting frame 40 is located in a recess, for example in the Door of the device. Like this already FIG. 2 The housing 10 also has a frame or a housing 12, on whose outer side projections 13 are located, which are also spaced apart in the vertical direction, wherein the arrangement of the Projections 13 and 42 is selected such that the projections 13 can be pushed during insertion of the assembly 10 in the mounting frame 40 between each two projections 42 of the mounting frame. This condition is in FIG. 4 , second illustration shown. As soon as the component 10, as indicated by arrows, is inserted perpendicularly to the open surface formed by the mounting frame 40, it is pushed vertically downward until the projections 13 cooperate with the projections 42, as is apparent from FIG FIG. 4 , third illustration shows. In this state, the assembly 10 is secured so that it can only be moved vertically, but not horizontally.

In the thus freed area above the assembly 10, the mounting member 30 is now used, which is also via a latching connection with the mounting frame in connection, as is more apparent from FIG. 6 evident.

Out FIG. 4 shows that in the installed state, the front surface 16 and the front side of the mounting member 30 are aligned with the edge region of the mounting part 40. Furthermore, it turns out FIG. 4 in that the electrical connection of the electronics unit forming part of the assembly 10 is realized by a plug contact, one part of which is arranged on the electronics unit and the other part on the mounting frame 40.

FIG. 5 shows different embodiments of the mounting frame 40 with inserted assembly 10. As is clear from all three representations according to FIG. 5 As can be seen, the assembly 10 is thereby fixed in the mounting frame 40, that the projections 13 of the assembly 10, the projections 42 of the mounting frame 40 engage behind. In the in FIG. 5 , upper illustration shown embodiment Aligns the front of the front cover 16 with the front of the mounting frame 40th

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5 , Middle representation, the front of the front cover 16 is aligned with the outside of the outer wall 50 of the device. Like this FIG. 5 , middle illustration further shows, the mounting frame 40 is disposed on the inside of the wall 50 and preferably foamed there. The open side of the mounting frame 40 corresponds in size to approximately the recess in the wall 50th

Out FIG. 5 In the lower illustration, an embodiment results, in which the mounting frame is provided on its front side with a circumferential projection 43, which is arranged such that it is aligned both with the outside of the adjacent outer wall 50 and with the front side of the front cover 16. In this case, the outer front is thus formed by the front cover 16, the projection 43 and the outer wall 50 of the device.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the fact that it is at the wall 50 to the outer wall of the device. The invention encompasses the use in any wall. It is conceivable, for example, that it is a wall of the inner container.

FIG. 6 shows finally the disassembly process of the executed as a rocker mounting member 30. As this is FIG. 6 shows, the mounting part on the two opposite sides of projections 31, 32, one of which has a rounded surface and another one having an edge surface. Cooperating with these projections are on the inside of the mounting frame 40 projections 46, 47 which are each formed complementary to the projections 31, 32 of the mounting part. In this case, the projections 32, 47 are designed such that the mutually facing surfaces lie on top of each other, so that they are not moved past each other without rocking the mounting member 30 in disassembly direction can. The located on the other side projections 31, 46 are rounded and allow a relative movement to each other, which occurs when the mounting member 30 is actuated on the side facing away from these projections from the outside, as indicated by the arrow in FIG FIG. 6 is shown. This pushing in of the mounting part 30 on one side causes the projection 31 to move past the projection 46, which leads to a rocking of the mounting part 30. Then, the projection 32 can be moved past the projection 47 and the mounting member 30 are removed.

Claims (15)

1. A refrigerator and/or freezer with at least one built-in frame (40) which includes a recess (41), and with at least one component to be accommodated in the recess (41), wherein

   (i) the recess (41) is greater than the component, so that with the component inserted in the recess (41) a partial area of the recess (41) is kept free; wherein

   (ii) the recess (41) and/or the component includes fastening means, by means of which the component can releasably be fixed in the recess (41); wherein

   (iii) the appliance furthermore includes a mounting part (30) to be releasably fixed in the recess (41), which is dimensioned such that it partly or completely fills the partial area kept free; and wherein

   (iv) the component is a visible part of the appliance;
   characterized in that

   (v) the fastening means are configured such that fixing the component in the recess (41) initially is effected by introducing the same into the recess perpendicular to the visible surface and then by moving the same parallel to the visible surface, wherein the component is pushed into several holders (42) at the same time; that

   (vi) in the condition fixed in the recess (41) the component (10) and the mounting part (30) terminate flush with the regions surrounding the recess (41); and that

   (vii) the mounting part (30) is rockably fixed in the recess (41).
2. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 1, characterized in that the built-in frame (40) is a foamed-in part.
3. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the appliance includes a body, a door or flap and/or an inner container and that the built-in frame (40) is disposed in one or more of these parts of the appliance.
4. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means for fixing the component in the recess (41) are configured such that the component can be fixed by a latching connection.
5. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening means are configured such that fixing the component is effected by a sliding engagement by means of latching elements (13, 42).
6. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (41) and the component are configured such that the component can be introduced into the recess (41) by a movement perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the recess (41).
7. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means are arranged such that in the condition fixed in the recess (41) the component terminates flush with the built-in frame (40) or with the wall (50) of the appliance in whose recess (20) the component or the built-in frame (40) is inserted.
8. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the built-in frame (40) is arranged on the side of a wall (50) of the appliance facing away from the outside or from the appliance interior.
9. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to claim 11, characterized in that the built-in frame (40) includes a preferably circumferential protrusion (43) which is dimensioned such that in the inserted condition it terminates flush with the wall (50) of the appliance, in whose recess (20) the built-in frame (40) is inserted.
10. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting part (30) includes protrusions (31, 32) on two opposite sides, which in the inserted condition of the mounting part (30) cooperate with protrusions (46, 47) of the built-in frame (40).
11. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component is an assembly (10) consisting of several parts.
12. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component comprises an electronic unit (14).
13. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component includes control and/or display elements of the appliance.
14. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component comprises a front cover (16).
15. The refrigerator and/or freezer according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component comprises a housing (12) for accommodating the electronic unit (14) and/or the front cover (16).

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