EP2158435B1 - Shelf, and refrigerator and/or freezer comprising at least one shelf - Google Patents

Description

Support floor and refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one tray

The present invention relates to a support floor and a refrigerator and / or freezer with one or more such trays. Freezers are known from the prior art, which have so-called ice cube makers, the ice cube makers are often attached to the underside of the device ceiling. Although such positioning of the ice cube maker generally ensures good accessibility of the ice cube maker, it is comparatively inflexible since the positioning of the ice cube maker can not be selected but is largely predetermined.
The JP-A-10-220994 shows a support floor with an ice cube maker and with a holder for fixing the ice cube maker on the support floor. In addition, the support floor shows a recess for receiving a water inlet.
The object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and / or freezer, by means of which the ice cube maker is fixable in the device.

This object is achieved by a support floor with the features of claim 1 and by a refrigerator and / or freezer with the features of claim 7.

According to the invention it is provided that the support floor is provided with an ice cube maker, wherein a holder for fixing the ice cube maker is provided on the support base. It is envisaged that the holder is designed such that it engages around the support bottom on the back and fixes the ice cube maker at a position spaced from the back of the support floor, by means of an adhesive, riveting, welding, positive or by means of a Fixed screw, or by means of a realized by an attachable holding part positive connection. The welded connection can be, for example, a connection by means of ultrasonic welding or friction welding.

For example, it can be provided that the ice cube maker in the front region of the supporting floor is connected to the latter by a screw connection. On the back of the support floor, the holder is inventively designed such that it encompasses the support floor, which is possible for example by one or more tabs extending on the top of the support base and limit, for example, a groove-shaped receptacle for receiving the support floor.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the holder comprises a holding part which surrounds a part of the ice cube maker and the support floor. This holding part can for example be attached to the front of the support floor and the ice cube maker and clamps the ice cube maker and the support floor together. It is conceivable to fix the holding part to the ice cube maker by means of a latching connection.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that a reed contact for the drawer query is arranged in the holding part. Preferably, the reed contact has a plug connection, by means of which the reed contact can be connected to an electronic circuit board or to a controller or the like. The connector does not need to be located directly on the reed contact. It is also conceivable that there is a connection cable between reed contact and electronic board, which is designed with a detachable plug connection.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the holder is designed such that the ice cube maker is arranged directly below the support floor. Such a design saves space and has the advantage that an underlying ice drawer can be made correspondingly larger.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the support floor is designed on its rear side with a recess for receiving the water inlet. It is preferably provided that the recess has a rounded edge and is preferably designed as a semicircular or part-circular cutout in the rear region of the support floor.

The support floor may have a recess, for. B. in the form of a groove, a hole, etc. for receiving the holder, such. B. have a screw.

The support floor can be designed as a glass bottom. However, other materials can be used.

The invention further relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with one or more trays according to one of claims 1 to 6.

The support floor can rest directly on a support surface, in particular on a rib of the inner container. It is also conceivable that one or more retaining strips are provided with which the support floor in its lateral edge regions is in communication or by means of which the support base rests on the support surface of the inner container.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the device has at least one drawer, which rests directly on the support floor or by means of slide rails - and is retractable, the slide rails are connected to retaining strips.

Furthermore, at least one securing element may be provided, which is arranged such that it prevents unauthorized removal of the support base from the device. Such a fuse may be designed such that it the support base with the inner container by a non-positive connection, such. B. secures a clamp connection. It can be provided that this backup of the support base is designed such that it can be used and removed from the perspective of standing in front of the device user in the lateral direction between the support base and retaining strip.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the securing element is designed such that it jammed the retaining strip with the inner container. It can be provided that the securing element can be inserted from the front between the inner container and retaining strip.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the water inlet for the ice cube maker runs through the rear of the device, thus there is no connection to the ceiling or the false floor.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the support floor can be removed from the device and used at different positions in the device interior, whereby a special flexibility in terms of the position of the ice cube maker is provided.

Figur 1:

den Tragboden gemäß der Erfindung in einer perspektivischen Darstellung in einer ersten Ausführungsform,

Figur 2:

den Tragboden gemäß der Erfindung in einer zweiten Ausführungsform,

Figur 3:

den rückwärtigen Bereich der den Tragboden auf dessen Rückseite umgreifenden Halterung,

Figur 4:

eine Ansicht des Halteteils von innen,

Figur 5

eine Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Kühl- und/oder Gefriergerätes mit eingesetztem Tragboden gemäß der Erfindung,

Figur 6:

unterschiedliche Darstellungen eines Sicherungselementes zur Fixierung des Tragbodens am Innenbehälter,

Figur 7:

ein Sicherungselement zur Fixierung einer Halteleiste am Innenbehälter und

Figur 8:

eine Ansicht des im rückwärtigen Bereich des Gerätes angeordneten Wasserzulaufs mit Heizvorrichtung.

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

FIG. 1:

the support floor according to the invention in a perspective view in a first embodiment,

FIG. 2:

the supporting floor according to the invention in a second embodiment,

FIG. 3:

the rear region of the support base encompassing the back of the support,

FIG. 4:

a view of the holding part from the inside,

FIG. 5

a view of the refrigerator and / or freezer according to the invention with inserted support floor according to the invention,

FIG. 6:

different representations of a securing element for fixing the support base to the inner container,

FIG. 7:

a securing element for fixing a retaining strip on the inner container and

FIG. 8:

a view of the arranged in the rear region of the device water inlet with heater.

FIG. 1 shows the support floor 10 according to the present invention in a first embodiment. The support floor has a continuous surface. This consists in the present embodiment of glass, but also the use of other materials is conceivable. It is also possible to carry out the support floor as a rust.

Immediately below the tray 10 is the ice cube maker 20 which is secured by means of a bracket to the support floor 10. This holder is in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 from the back of the support base 10 embracing - tabs 22, which are integral with the ice cube maker 20 are executed. Like this FIG. 1 and in particular from the detailed representation according to FIG. 3 Between the tabs 22 and an underlying surface or edge of the ice cube maker 20 there is a groove 23 in which a portion of the rear portion of the tray 10 is inserted, as for example FIG. 3 evident.

The ice cube maker 20 according to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 further secured by a holding part 40, which is designed in cross-section substantially U-shaped and with its legs on the one hand the support base 10 and on the other part of the ice cube maker 20, as for example in FIG. 1 is shown.

Like this further out FIG. 1 it can be seen, the lateral edge regions of the support floor 10 are each carried out with a retaining strip 50 which are placed on ribs 110 of the inner container 100 of a freezer, as can be seen from FIG. 5 evident.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the support floor 10 according to the invention. In this case, the holder is also already out of the FIG. 1 For this purpose, a screw 30 is provided in the user-facing front portion of the support floor 10, which fixes the ice cube maker 20 on the support floor 10. Also in this embodiment, the ice cube maker 20 is thus attached to the support base 10 at a plurality of positions.

Like this from the Figures 1 and 2 shows, the holder is designed such that the ice cube maker is arranged under the support floor 10 and the glass plate hanging, wherein it is held and positioned in the rear area without additional fastening means. There, the holder consists of said tabs 22, which can form an integral part of the rear region of the ice cube maker 20. On the front, the positioning is also formal. Here, the attachment of the ice cube maker 20 by means of a screw 30 or by means of a clamping connection via a holding part 40, which performs a multiple function in the present embodiment, as will be explained in more detail below.

Like this FIG. 1 is apparent, the holding member 40 is locked from the front with the ice cube maker 20 and the support base 10 such that the ice cube maker 20 and the support base 10 are clamped together. Preferably, it is provided that disassembly of the ice cube maker 20 and the holding member 40 without the aid of tools is not possible.

In the holding part 40 is a reed contact 42, as is made FIG. 4 which shows the holding part 40 from the inside facing the ice cube maker 20. The reed contact 42 serves for drawer query. From the prior art it is known to arrange the reed contact behind the panel in the ice cube maker itself. According to this embodiment, it is now provided that the positioning of the reed contact 42 takes place outside the ice cube maker 20. Via a suitable signal line, the reed contact 42 is connected to an electronic board. It is envisaged that the connection cable between reed contact 42 and electronic board is equipped with a detachable plug connection.

Such an embodiment of the invention applies not only to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 but also for that according to FIG. 2 , In this case, the reed contact is positioned over a similar connector in the front of the ice cube maker 20. Out FIG. 2 Furthermore, it can be seen that the front region of the ice cube maker slightly projects beyond the underside of the supporting base 10, so that it is secured by the front side of the ice cube maker 20 positively.

Like this FIG. 5 As can be seen, the support floor 10 according to the present invention can be readily arranged on a rib 110 of the inner container 100 of a freezer or other refrigerator and / or freezer. With a correspondingly variable arrangement of the water inlet, it is also possible to arrange the support floor 10 at different positions in the device. In principle, it can also be considered to detachably arrange the ice cube maker 20 from the support base 10 in order, if appropriate, to arrange it on another support base 10, provided that this is enabled by the water supply.

In any case, the Eiswürfelbereiterposition can be selected in the device with little effort, so that device variants are possibly possible with different drawer division.

Out FIG. 6 and 7 a protection against unauthorized removal of the tray 10 with ice cube maker 20 can be seen. In both cases, the support base 10 is secured against removal from the receiving geometry in the inner container. Preferably, it is provided that the expansion of the fuse and thus the expansion of the support floor 10 is not possible without tools.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the support base 10 is jammed with a portion of the inner container. For this purpose, it is provided that a securing element 60 is inserted, which rests flat on its bottom on the support base 10 and is received in an upper region in a recess 120 on the inner container. This securing element 60 is designed such that it is inserted laterally into the corresponding recess 120 in the inner container 100. The securing element 60 has two at least partially plate-shaped regions, one of which (61) rests on the support base 10 and the other (62) rests against the recess 120. The two plate-shaped regions 61, 62 extend, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to the support floor 10 are interconnected by a portion 63 which is perpendicular or at an angle to the support floor 10 and is directed to the interior of the device.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which a securing element 70 is provided, which does not act directly on the support floor 10, but on the retaining strip 50 which is in communication with the support floor 10. This securing element 70 is inserted from the front between a rib 110 of the inner container 100 of the freezer and the retaining strip 50 and can also be removed forward preferably only with the aid of tools.

FIG. 8 finally shows the execution of the water inlet 120. Like this FIG. 8 As can be seen, the water inlet 120 through the rear panel, that is, there is no connection to the ceiling or the false floor required, creating new device variants are made possible with different position of the ice cube maker. This in FIG. 8 shown component can be designed as a pure water supply or as a combination part with a cable bushing. For receiving the water inlet 120, a semicircular or part-circular recess 12 is provided in the rear region of the support base 10, which also from the FIGS. 1 to 3 can be seen and in which the tabs 22 partially protrude.

In the embodiment shown here, the inlet angle is 20 ° and the material polypropylene. Of course, other angle and material designs are conceivable.

A special hook geometry in the middle tube part allows the attachment of an additional heater 130, as is the case FIG. 8 evident.

The present invention allows a selectable, space-saving position for the ice cube maker, for example, in the central region or on another position of a freezer. Depending on requirements, its position can be offset depending on the variant of the drawer division downwards or upwards.

The freezer can be with in FIG. 5 Drawers, not shown, which run either directly on the support floor 10, as in particular in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 the case is or can be moved in and out via pull-out rails by the retaining strips 50 according to FIG. 1 be formed or communicate with these.

The reference numeral 32 in the Figures 1 and 2 indicates a nub, which is formed on the ice cube maker 20 and engages in a bore in the support floor 10.

The holder of the ice cube maker can be designed as a one-piece component with the ice cube maker and form, for example, a part of the housing. It is also conceivable that the holder and the ice cube maker is formed by two separate, but interconnected components.

Claims (12)

1. A tray (10), in particular a glass base, having an icemaker (20) as well as a holder (22) for fixing the icemaker to the tray, wherein the tray is made with a cut-out (12) at its rear side for the reception of the water inflow, characterized in that the holder is made such that it engages around the tray at the rear side thereof and fixes the icemaker to a position spaced apart from the rear side of the tray by means of an adhesive connection, a rivet connection, a weld or a screw connection or by means of a shape-matched connection which is realized by a holding part (40) which can be pushed on.
2. A tray in accordance with of claim 1, characterized in that the holder or the holding part engages around the icemaker and the tray.
3. A tray in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding part is arranged such that it engages around the tray at its front side, and/or that the holding part is fixed to the icemaker by means of a latch connection.
4. A tray in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reed contact (42) for drawer polling is arranged in the holding part, wherein preferably the reed contact has a plug connection, by means of which the reed contact can be connected to an electronic circuit board.
5. A tray in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder is made such that the icemaker is arranged directly below the tray, and/or in that the cut-out has a rounded edge and is preferably made as a semicircular portion in the tray.
6. A tray in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cut-out is provided in the tray for the holder, in particular a hole for a screw connection of the icemaker.
7. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having one or more trays in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 6.
8. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the tray lies directly on a support surface, in particular on a rib (110) of the inner container (100) of the refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit, or in that the tray is made in its two marginal regions with a holding rail (50), which lies on a support surface, in particular on a rib (110) of the inner container (100) of the refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit.
9. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with one of 7 or 8, characterized in that the unit has at least one drawer which is disposed movable directly on the tray or can be moved in and out by means of extensible rails, with the extensible rails being connected to the holding rails in accordance with claim 8.
10. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that at least one securing element is provided which is arranged such that it prevents a removal of the tray from the unit, wherein preferably the securing element is made such that it clamps the tray to the inner container, wherein the securing element is preferably made such that it can be inserted in a lateral direction between the tray and the inner container.
11. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 8 or 9 and 10, characterized in that the securing element is made such that it clamps a holding rail (50) of the tray to the inner container, wherein preferably the securing element is made such that it can be inserted from the front between the inner container and the holding rail.
12. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with one of the claims 7 to 11, characterized in that a water inflow is provided for the icemaker, which extends through the rear unit wall, and/or in that the tray can be removed from the unit and be inserted at different positions in the inner unit space.

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