EP2274492B1 - Household appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance having a body and a hinged door by at least one hinge to the body, and having an opening limiting body having at least two sections, of which a first portion is held in an opening-limited position on the body and of which a second portion is fixed on the door. The household appliance is preferably a refrigerator or freezer.

The doors of household appliances usually have only a limited opening angle. In order to prevent the door from striking the maximum opening position when it is opened powerfully and thereby damaging it, a mechanism should be provided which defines an opening-limited position of the door and prevents the door from being opened further. Such devices should also be able to absorb the kinetic energy of the door when it hits. However, this is not satisfied by the prior art opening limiting devices.

In particular, in the field of built-in home appliances, it is known to use multi-joint hinges whose hinged together arms by design have only a limited angular freedom. Such multi-joint hinges are costly due to their necessarily complicated structure, and they require a considerable installation depth, the provision of which can be particularly problematic in household appliances in stand construction.

The WO 2007/031469 A1 discloses a door for a household appliance with a door leaf and a hinge for hinging the door leaf to a body of the household appliance, wherein the hinge comprises a hinge pin and a hinge sleeve which rotatably engage each other and one of which is fixed to the door leaf and the other to a support arm , which is intended for attachment to the body. The hinge has an opening limiting body, of which a first portion is fixed to the door leaf and from which a second portion abuts against the support arm in an opening-limited position of the door. The opening-limiting body comprises a base plate from which the first and second portions protrude. The opening limiting body of WHERE 2007/031469 A1 has the disadvantage that it is substantially rigid, so that the door when striking in the opening-limited position hits very hard and can be damaged.

The WO 2007/031425 A1 US-A-5 837 831 discloses the similar features of the preamble of claim 1, but having two different hinges. The hinges each counteract pivoting movement of the door leaf beyond a maximum opening angle to counter torque. In an angular range immediately before reaching the maximum opening angle, the first hinge is freely rotatable, and the second exerts increasing counter-torque with increasing opening angle. The second hinge has an elastically deformable buffer body with a cantilever arm which extends radially to the pivot axis, and in which a braking portion abuts from the side when the door approaches its maximum opening angle. The construction of the hinge with the buffer body is very expensive.

From the US 5 272 789 A is a spring-loaded hinge for refrigerator doors known. In a first opening area, a spring of the hinge is biased to bias the door to its closed position. In another opening area, the spring moves within a slot so that the door is movable without bias until one end of the spring abuts the end of the slot so as to delimit a further opening of the door.

From the US 2,955,315 A is a refrigerator with a door known, whose opening is limited by opening-hinges. The hinges each have a pivot pin with laterally wegstehendeem end. The laterally projecting end abuts against a stop block made of shock-absorbing material in the opening-limited position.

From the EP 0 111 019 A1 is not a household appliance, but a cooling device for the presentation of refrigerated products in supermarkets known. A glass door of the cooling device is biased in its closed position. In order to keep the door open for loading the cooling device, an open-holding mechanism is provided which has a spring by means of which the door is locked in its widest open position becomes. A stop plate of the door strikes rigid against a fixed loop of the spring.

From the GB 2 410 059 A is a household appliance in the form of a refrigerator known, the door is hinged with hinges, which exert on opening the door an increasing torque against this opening movement. For this purpose, a ramp is provided on the door, on which a portion of a bracket of the hinge slidably and elastically evasive ascends to brake the movement. There is neither a stop nor an opening limit provided; The drive-up block must be made of wear-resistant material.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a household appliance, are connected to each other in the body and door by a simply constructed and yet resilient opening-limited hinge.

The object is achieved by a household appliance with the features of claim 1.

It is envisaged that in a generic household appliance, the opening limiting body is designed to convert at least part of the kinetic energy of the door in spring energy of the opening limiting body when striking the door in the opening-limited position, wherein the opening limiting body visibly deforms elastically. As a result, overstressing the door at the door stop is resiliently absorbed and the forces occurring are reduced. The externally visible area of the door can not be damaged. Visible deformation means a deformation of more than 0.1mm, preferably more than 0.3mm, more preferably more than 0.5mm, and most preferably from 0.8mm to 2mm.

Preferably, the opening limiting body is loaded in the recording of the spring energy to bending. For this purpose, the opening limiting body according to the invention at least one leg which elastically springs when striking the door in the opening-limited position. The leg preferably bends elastically. In addition, the opening limiting body or a leg of the same are loaded in the recording of the spring energy on torsion or strain.

Preferably, the leg is formed by an angling. During the elastic movement, the angle of the angling may possibly increase or decrease elastically. In addition, the leg can bend elastically.

Particularly preferably, the opening limiting body has at least two resilient sections, which convert the kinetic energy into spring energy when the door is hit in the opening-limited position. This may be two legs of the opening limiting body, which are bent elastically when striking the door in a similar or different manner.

The direction of the bending movement of the resilient portions preferably extends at least partially radially and / or parallel to the pivot axis. As a result, the invention differs from conventional opening limiting bodies, in which the bending movement takes place in the circumferential direction, ie in the same direction as the braking force when the door is stopped. As a result, the opening limiting body can be made very simple.

The first portion of the opening limiting body is preferably formed by the bend, which is connected to a resilient leg. According to the invention, the resilient leg rests on a support at least in the vicinity of its transition to the first section and is held at its end opposite the first section. The support is part of the door. According to the invention, the resilient leg exerts a force on the support when the door is hit in the opening-limited position.

Particularly preferably, the leg is connected to the second portion and held by this. As a result, the second section may serve as another support.

The first section is cantilevered from the leg and engages behind a portion of the hinge fixed to the body.

The leg is at least approximately over its length on a support. In this way, if necessary, forces exerted on the support are well distributed.

The first portion and the leg may be the same length or different lengths. The relative lengths of the first section and the leg determine the bending moments that act on the leg or on the first section. The longer a section, the greater the distance from the overlay, and the greater the bending moment.

Preferably, the second portion is resilient and serves as a mounting portion with which the opening limiting body is fixed to the door. The second section thus preferably performs a dual function: on the one hand, it serves as a fastening section, i. if necessary, a bending axis runs through it. On the other hand, it can also feather itself, in particular pick up a bending moment.

According to the invention, the first section of the opening-limiting body extends substantially parallel to the pivot axis - e.g. perpendicular - and the second section substantially transverse to the pivot axis - e.g. horizontal. Essentially means here with a deviation of up to 20 °. The middle leg, however, preferably runs obliquely to the pivot axis, e.g. at an angle of 45 ° to 85 °, preferably 70 ° to 80 ° to the pivot axis.

In a plan view along the pivot axis of the first and the second portion of the Öffnungsbegrenzungskörper and the pivot axis preferably form a triangle.

Preferably, the opening limiting body is made of an angled spring material with a flat cross section. He can e.g. be produced as a punched / bent part of a metal sheet, in particular steel sheet. This preferably has a thickness of 3-6mm. The first section is in this case, for reasons of space, preferably quite narrow.

Alternatively, the opening limiting body can be made of an angled spring material with a round or oval cross-section, in particular of a

Wire element. The wire preferably has a diameter of about 3mm to 5mm, preferably about 4mm. The opening-limiting body is preferably made of a high-grade steel, e.g. Chrome steel or chrome-nickel steel. The strength and strength of the material is to be such that the opening limiting body elastically deforms by about 0.1 to 3 mm, preferably 0.2 to 2 mm, and more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm in the forces occurring when the door is hit , in particular, bends.

Alternatively, it is also possible to form the opening limiting body of an elastically deformable plastic material with a round or oval cross-section.

According to the invention, when the door is being hit, the leg is arched away at its opening-limited position by a bearing surface of the door serving as a support. In doing so, the leg is supported e.g. at one or both of its ends against the support surface, while the middle portion of the leg is bent and thus converts kinetic energy into spring energy. The support surface is preferably formed in a connection piece described in more detail below. According to the invention the support surface is parallel to the leg and thus aligned obliquely to the pivot axis.

The force exerted by the opening limiting body or its legs when the door is hit at its opening-limited position on the door is according to the invention at least partially aligned parallel to the pivot axis of the hinge. As a result, the force is advantageously transmitted to a lower region of the door or the connecting piece.

The second section of the opening limiting body is preferably fixed in a form-fitting manner on the door leaf. Preferably, it is positively enclosed by a trough. This can be achieved by bending the second section into an eyelet. In addition, the eyelet can be held by a screw. A cohesive or frictional connection or combinations thereof with a positive connection are also conceivable.

The hinge preferably has a bearing pin and a bearing sleeve, which rotatably engage with each other and one of which is fixed to the door and the other to a support arm which is provided for attachment to the body. Particularly preferably, the hinge comprises a hinge element, which has a mounting portion for mounting on the body of the household appliance, a support arm projecting from the mounting portion, and a bearing element arranged at the free end of the support arm, wherein the support arm engages in a receiving space of the door which is open toward the rear of the door. Preferably, the first portion of the Öffnungsbegrenzungskörpers is held on the support arm, for example, he engages behind the support arm.

The door preferably has a maximum opening angle of 110 ° -180 °, more preferably of 120 ° -150 ° and particularly preferably of more than 130 °, in particular of 135 ° ± 5 °.

The hinge element is preferably designed as described below:
Preferably, two projecting in opposite directions bearing pin are arranged at the free end of the support arm of the hinge element. The two journals form a bearing element and replaced the rolled-up sleeve of the hinge element according to the prior art.

Preferably, the two journals are aligned along a common pivot axis of the hinge. The journals thus define the pivot axis by their longitudinal direction. When the door is hinged to the hinge element, a bearing pin is preferably placed on one of the two bearing journals and is mounted in a bearing eye fixed to the door.

The two bearing journals preferably have at least substantially the same cross-section, which may be, for example, each polyhedron-shaped, rectangular or square with edge lengths of the same length within ± 0.1 to ± 0.5 mm. In particular, the two bearing pins are arranged at least substantially mirror-symmetrically to a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. This has the advantage that the hinge element can be used for both sides, so that an articulation of the door on both the left and on the right side of the body is possible. For this purpose, the two bearing journals are preferably aligned on a line or parallel to one another and preferably have the same length. Particularly preferably, the entire hinge element is substantially mirror-symmetrical to a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis.

The hinge element is preferably formed from a flat material blank, in particular from a sheet metal blank. Particularly preferably, the hinge element is made of a steel sheet. Preferably, high strength steel is used, for example chromium steel or stainless steel. The thickness of the flat material blank is preferably 3 mm to 7 mm, particularly preferably about 5 ± 1 mm.

The hinge element can be easily manufactured as a stamped / bent part, preferably by punching from a steel sheet and subsequent bending. Thus, mounting portion, support arm and journals can be made in one piece. The hinge element can be produced inexpensively and yet has a high strength.

Preferably, the support arm has a curvature in a section perpendicular to the pivot axis. As a result, a recess is formed, into which a side wall of a receiving space of the door engages when opening the door, whereby a large opening angle is allowed.

The curvature of the support arm is preferably designed such that an even larger opening angle is made possible than in the case of WO 2007/031469 A1 , To achieve this, the hinge element is preferably adapted as far as possible to the pivoting movement of the side wall of the receiving space of the door. In particular, the support arm is angled at an obtuse angle from the mounting portion to - together with the mounting portion - to span a semicircle along which the side wall is pivoted when opening the door. Preferably, the mounting portion and the adjacent thereto portion of the support arm are adapted as far as possible to a semicircular shape. For structural reasons, the mounting portion will usually be straight, as it is to attach to the body of a household appliance. The support arm is then at an obtuse angle of preferably more than 100 °, more preferably more than 110 ° and more preferably from about 115 ° ± 5 ° from the mounting section.

Furthermore, the support arm preferably describes a total of a curve or a curve of more than 90 °, preferably of more than 120 °, and particularly preferably from 130 ° to 150 °. This allows to position the journals near the pivot axis and allows an even larger opening angle.

Particularly preferably, the radius of curvature of the support arm is different over its length. The transition between different radii of curvature is preferably continuous, so that the support arm is particularly stable. Continuously variable radii of curvature can be produced in a hot bending process. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the support arm continuously increases from a point near the mounting portion to a certain point, and from there to a point near the free end.

Preferably, the support arm has a first portion adjacent to the mounting portion, e.g. is substantially not or little curved, and a second portion adjacent to the first portion, the first portion and an end portion adjacent the second portion including an acute intermediate angle. This intermediate angle is less than 90 °, preferably less than 60 °, and more preferably from 30 ° to 50 °. The first portion preferably has a total bending of less than 10 °, and the second portion preferably has a maximum radius of curvature of about 5 to 15 mm.

The second portion connects the first portion, which extends substantially along the circumferential direction of the pivoting movement, with the end portion of the support arm, at the end of which the bearing journals are arranged and which extends substantially radially to the pivot axis. The end portion preferably has no or only a slight curvature, since it is adapted as far as possible to the radial direction. Alternatively, the end portion may also have a slight bend of e.g. up to 10 °.

Due to the curvature of the support arm, e.g. achieved that the adjoining the second portion end portion of the support arm in a section perpendicular to the pivot axis at an angle of more than 10 °, preferably more than 20 ° and particularly preferably from 30 ° to 40 ° to the mounting portion.

By this type of curvature, the shape of the support arm is adapted as far as possible to the circular pivoting of the side wall of the arranged in the door receiving space. As a result, an opening angle of the hinge of more than 130 °, in particular of up to 135 °, preferably up to 140 ° and optionally even up to 160 ° or 180 °.

In the direction of the pivot axis, the support arm preferably has a lower height at its free end than the mounting portion. As a result, the available space is used optimally and created sufficient space for the protruding in opposite directions bearing pin.

Preferably, the support arm tapers from the mounting portion toward its free end in the direction of the pivot axis at least on one side. By a gradual taper, the forces are optimally distributed over the hinge element. Particularly preferably, the support arm tapers from the mounting portion to its free end in the direction of the pivot axis on both sides. In this way, the hinge element is slightly elastic, which increases the resistance to breakage of the hinge element when the door is exposed to heavy loads.

Particularly preferably, the support arm tapers in the direction of the pivot axis mirror-symmetrically to a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis of the mounting portion to its free end. This leads to a high load capacity and allows to use the hinge element both as a right stop and as a left stop.

The taper is advantageously not constant over the length of the support arm. Rather, the support arm preferably tapers over a first portion adjacent to the mounting portion and has a constant height in the direction of the pivot axis at its end portion adjacent the free end. More preferably, the taper is at least partially approximately linear, i. in a spread on a plane support arm approximately along a straight line. An exponential decreasing from the mounting portion to the free end tapering is also conceivable.

The bearing pins preferably have a non-rotationally symmetrical and in particular rectangular or square cross section. This makes it possible to each rotatably receive one of the two journals in a bearing pin, which is mounted in a bearing eye fixed to the door. Preferably, a bearing pin on the mounted downwardly projecting bearing journals, especially if it is an upper hinge of the door.

For storage in the bearing eye, the bearing pin preferably has a circular-cylindrical section, on whose front side a hole or a receptacle for a bearing journal is arranged. The receptacle preferably has the same, not rotationally symmetrical and preferably rectangular or square cross-sectional shape as the bearing pin, so that the bearing pin can be rotatably received in the bearing pin. The hole is preferably a through hole.

In addition, the bearing pin in addition to the receptacle preferably has a continuous cable channel, which runs in particular parallel to the pivot axis. This can be done in an elegant way cables from the body in the door. This is particularly useful when there is a control electronics in the door, e.g. a display operating module.

The bearing pin is preferably injection molded from plastic. Particularly preferably it consists of a good sliding plastic such as POM (polyoxymethylene).

Preferably, the door has an outer wall and an inner wall, between which there is a cavity filled with insulating foam material. At the upper and / or lower transverse edge of the outer and inner wall, a connecting piece or a door closure strip is preferably arranged, which preferably connects the outer and inner wall with each other and closes off the cavity. The connector is preferably made of plastic, e.g. ABS and is preferably formed as an injection molded part.

The cladding to the body receiving space for receiving the support arm of the hinge element is preferably arranged in the connecting piece. Furthermore, the support is preferably arranged on the connecting piece, for example in a bottom wall of the receiving space. The receiving space is also preferably limited by a side wall. In this side wall, a clearance for at least partially receiving the opening limiting body is preferably arranged. In particular, the first portion of the opening limiting body extends into the clearance, which is preferred is formed by a bulge in the side wall. The side wall is preferably formed by the connecting piece. In the open position of the door, the side wall engages in the recess formed by the curvature of the support arm, whereby a particularly large opening angle is achieved.

In the rest position of the opening limiting body, the first portion is preferably spaced by a gap from the side wall of the connecting piece. This is preferably at least partially created by the franking and serves to create space for elastic deformation of the first section.

Preferably, the bearing eye is further embedded in the connector, in particular it is formed by a bearing bush formed on the connector.

The door is preferably articulated on two hinges on the body, wherein the opening limiting body according to the invention can be used only in a hinge, in particular the upper hinge, or on both hinges.

The household appliance is preferably a refrigerator, in particular a refrigerator or freezer or a fridge-freezer in a stand construction.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Kältegeräts, an dem die vorliegende Erfindung verwirklicht ist, mit geschlossener Tür;

Fig. 2

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht des Kältegeräts der Fig. 1 mit offener Tür;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Scharnierelements, an dem die vorliegende Erfindung verwirklicht ist;

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt durch das Scharnierelement der Fig. 3, jedoch in gespiegelter Ansicht;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausschnitts der oberen vorderen Ecke des Korpus eines Kältegeräts, an dem das Scharnierelement der Fig. 3 befestigt ist;

Fig. 6

eine ähnliche Ansicht wie Fig. 5 mit aufgesetztem Lagerbolzen;

Fig. 7

einen Querschnitt durch den Lagerbolzen entlang der Linie VII in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die rechte obere Ecke der Tür von der Innenseite, mit Blick auf den Aufnahmeraum, wobei der obere Rand der Tür zu Klarheitszwecken abgeschnitten ist;

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Ansicht der rechten oberen Ecke des Korpus mit angelenkter Tür;

Fig. 10

eine perspektivische Ansicht ähnlich derjenigen der Fig. 9, wobei die obere Abdeckleiste der Tür abgenommen ist, und wobei um das Scharnierelement Verkleidungen angeordnet sind;

Fig. 11

einen Querschnitt durch eine rechte obere Ecke des Kältegeräts bei geöffneter Tür;

Fig. 12

einen Querschnitt durch eine rechte obere Ecke des Kältegeräts bei geschlossener Tür;

Fig. 13

einen Längschnitt durch einen Öffnungsbegrenzungskörper und das darunter liegende Verbindungsstück;

Fig. 14

eine schematische Seitenansicht des Öffnungsbegrenzungskörpers der Fig. 13.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator, to which the present invention is implemented, with the door closed;

Fig. 2

a schematic perspective view of the refrigeration device of Fig. 1 with open door;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of a hinge member to which the present invention is implemented;

Fig. 4

a cross section through the hinge element of Fig. 3 but in a mirrored view;

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a section of the upper front corner of the body of a refrigerator, on which the hinge element of Fig. 3 is attached;

Fig. 6

a similar view as Fig. 5 with attached bearing pin;

Fig. 7

a cross section through the bearing pin along the line VII in Fig. 6 ;

Fig. 8

a perspective view of the right upper corner of the door from the inside, looking at the receiving space, wherein the upper edge of the door is cut for clarity purposes;

Fig. 9

a perspective view of the upper right corner of the carcass with hinged door;

Fig. 10

a perspective view similar to that of Fig. 9 wherein the upper cover strip of the door is removed, and wherein panels are arranged around the hinge element;

Fig. 11

a cross section through a right upper corner of the refrigerator with the door open;

Fig. 12

a cross section through a right upper corner of the refrigerator with the door closed;

Fig. 13

a longitudinal section through an opening limiting body and the underlying connector;

Fig. 14

a schematic side view of the opening limiting body of Fig. 13 ,

Fig. 1 shows as an embodiment of a household appliance, in which the invention is implemented, a refrigerator 1 in a stand construction with a carcass 4 and a door 2, the the body 4 is hinged about an axis 3 pivotally. The axis 3 passes through the door 2 parallel to an in Fig. 1 Side face of the body 4 facing away from the observer.

The door 2 comprises an outer wall 5, which is bent inwards on the sides and is advantageously formed from sheet metal, in particular sheet metal. The thus formed cavity in the door is limited to the refrigerator interior through the inner wall 6, see Fig. 2 which is advantageously molded from plastic. The cavity formed between outer wall 5 and inner wall 6 is filled with insulating foam material.

Outer and inner wall are connected to each other at the upper transverse edge of the door by a connecting piece 7, which simultaneously closes the cavity in the door upwards. Downwardly, the cavity is also bounded by a lower connector (not shown). This may be the same or different formed as the upper connector 7. In the connector 7 receiving spaces 8 are provided on both sides. To cover the receiving spaces 8 up, is on the connector 7 in the Fig. 1 and 2 not shown cover strip attached. The door is preferably mirror-symmetrical about a longitudinal axis, so that it can be hinged on both sides to the body.

Fig. 2 shows the fridge the Fig. 1 with the door open. As a result, both receiving spaces 8 are clearly visible. On the side of the pivot axis 3 projects into the receiving space 8 arranged there, the support arm of a hinge element 10 which is fixed to the upper portion 9 of the door 2 facing the front frame of the body 4. Preferably, display and / or operating elements for the refrigerator are also arranged on the upper section 9.

From the Fig. 1 and 2 It can also be seen that the outer wall 5 in the direction of the pivot axis 3 is longer than the inner wall 6, so that the connecting piece 7 is completely or partially covered by the outer wall 5 to the visible side. As a result, the door 2 outwardly on a uniform, formed by the outer wall 5 outer surface, which causes an appealing aesthetic impression.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the in Fig. 2 recognizable hinge element 10. The hinge element 10 is formed from a vertically oriented strip heavy plate and has a mounting portion 11 for attachment to the body 4 of the household appliance 1 and a protruding from the mounting portion 11 support arm 12, at the end of two identical upwardly or downwardly projecting bearing journals 16a, 16b are arranged. In the mounting portion 11, two holes 17 can be seen, which are provided to receive (not shown) screws with which the hinge element 10 is attached to the body 4 of the household appliance 1.

The pivot axis 3 extends in the longitudinal direction of the two bearing journals 16a and 16b. The height B of the hinge element 10 in the region of the two bearing journals 16a and 16b is slightly greater than the height of the mounting portion 11 in the direction of the pivot axis 3. Advantageously, the height B of the two bearing journals 16a and 16b is 20mm to 40mm, more preferably 30mm to 35th mm. The support arm 12 tapers from the mounting portion 11 to its free end, from which the two journals 16a and 16b protrude. This ensures that the hinge element 10 does not project beyond the upper portion 9 of the front frame of the body 4, which is only about 40 to 60 mm high, so as not to unnecessarily reduce the useful space of the refrigerator. If the support arm 12 had a constant height as in the prior art, the bearing journals 16a and 16b taken together would have to have a considerably greater height.

The hinge element 10 is mirror-symmetrical in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis defined by the bearing pins 16a, 16b. In this way, the hinge member 10 can be used for both a left stop as well as for a right stop.

Fig. 4 shows the hinge member 10 of Fig. 3 in cross-section and in mirror image to that of Fig. 3 , The hinge element 10 has over its length a constant thickness d, which is about 5 mm. Based on Fig. 4 Now, the preferred curvature of the support arm 12 will be explained.

The mounting portion 11 fixed to the body 4 is substantially straight along a line L ₁ . From the mounting portion 11, a first portion 13 of the support arm 12 is angled at an obtuse angle β, which is about 105 ° ± 5 °. The first section 13 initially runs essentially straight along the line L ₂ and then merges into a curved second section 14. The curved second section 14 is in turn .The in a straight end portion 15 through which extends along the line L _3, section 14 has a large curvature, so that the first portion 13 and the end portion 15 γ an intermediate angle of less than 80 °, in the example shown of 40 ° ± Enclose 5 °. The smaller the intermediate angle γ, the greater the achievable opening angle of the door 2.

Due to the curvature of the second portion 14 of the end portion 15, at the free end of the bearing pins 16 are arranged inclined by an angle α to the mounting portion 11. The inclination angle α is more than 10 °, preferably more than 20 ° and particularly preferably more than 30 °, in the example shown about 32 °.

By the described curvature of the support arm 12, a recess 18 is formed, in which the side wall of the receiving space 8 pivots when opening the door, and along the dotted line P, which just does not touch the mounting portion 11.

Fig. 5 shows again a perspective view of the hinge element 10, which is now attached to the upper right corner of the front frame of the body 4 of a household appliance. For this purpose, threaded holes are provided for the holes 17 passing through screws in the upper portion 9 of the front frame. Fig. 5 shows a right stop of the door, so that the support arm 12 is bent to the right.

In Fig. 5 It can be seen that the support arm 12 tapers from the mounting portion 11 to its free end, on a plane mirror-symmetrical to a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. The taper is strongest in the first section 13, then continues in the second section 14, while the end portion 15 is only slightly tapered or even has a constant height. The taper in the first and between sections is approximately linear, that is, in a spread on a plane support arm 12 approximately along a straight line, to the transition to the end portion 15. An exponentially decreasing from the mounting portion 11 to the end portion 15 taper is also conceivable.

Fig. 6 shows one to Fig. 5 comparable representation, in which now a bearing pin 20 is placed on the lower bearing pin 16b. A cross section of the bearing pin 20 along the line VII is in Fig. 7 shown. The bearing pin 20 has a lower portion with a circular cylindrical outer surface, which is provided for storage in a bearing eye fixed to the door. At the top is on a side of a shell-like portion 19, which serves as a cable channel and as a lining for the end portion of the hinge member 10.

How out Fig. 7 it can be seen, a square cross-section hole 22 is provided in the bearing pin 20, which receives the bearing pin 16b without play. Adjacent to the hole 22 a parallel to the pivot axis extending cable channel 21 is arranged with an oval or any cross-section, which is provided for guiding cables from the body 4 in the door 2. Preferably, the cable channel 21 and the hole 22 are continuous. The bearing pin 20 is made as an injection molded part of a plastic with a low coefficient of friction such as polyoxymethylene (POM).

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view into the receiving space 8 in the upper right corner of the door 2, seen from the body 4 from. The upper portion including the cover strip of the door 2 is cut off for the sake of better visibility. Downwards, the inner wall 6 can be seen, at the outer edges of a magnetic seal 29 is arranged. Above the inner wall 6, the connecting piece 7 connects. Behind the outer wall 5 is arranged, which is bent to the side to an outer wall side portion 25. Together with a side wall portion 51 of the connecting piece 7, the outer wall side portion 25 thus forms the side wall 28 of the receiving space 8 in the door 2.

The receiving space 8 further has a bottom wall 37 and a wall 38 to the visible side of the door, in which a pocket 39 is embedded. In the area of the pocket 39, the wall 39 runs parallel to and very close or adjacent to the outer wall 5.

In the connecting piece 7, the bearing eye 24 is further formed by forming a bearing sleeve 23, in which the bearing pin 20 (in Fig. 8 not shown).

Finally, in Fig. 8 an opening limiting body 30 can be seen, which is formed by a wire element, which has an approximately parallel to the pivot axis extending first portion 32. This first section 32 engages behind the support arm 12 and thereby defines an opening-limited position of the door. At the other end of the opening limiting body 30 is a second portion 34 is curved into an eyelet and received in a trough 35 in the bottom 37 of the connecting piece 7. As a result, it is fixed positively to the door. In the middle of the eyelet, the second portion 34 is additionally fastened by a screw 31. A middle leg 33 of the opening limiting body 30 extends along a bearing surface 36, which is oriented obliquely relative to the pivot axis 3 and which is likewise formed in the bottom 37 of the connecting piece 7.

Fig. 9 shows how Fig. 6 a perspective view of the upper right corner of the refrigerator 1, with hinged door. In contrast to Fig. 6 the lower portion of the bearing pin 20 is pivotally received in the bearing sleeve 23 of the bearing eye 24. In this case, the first portion 32 of the opening limiting body 30 engages behind the support arm 12 and is therefore in Fig. 9 covered. At the top, the receiving space 8 is covered by a cover strip 43.

Further shows Fig. 9 a cable bundle 45 which is guided through the cable channel 21 in the bearing pin 20 in the cavity of the door 2.

Fig. 10 also shows a perspective view of the upper right corner of the refrigerator with hinged door, but without cable bundle 45 and with removed cover strip 43. Furthermore, in Fig. 10 the panels of the hinge element shown, which are formed by plastic elements 40, 41 and 42.

In addition, in Fig. 10 to recognize the lower portion of the bearing sleeve 23, which protrudes into the cavity formed between the outer wall 5 and the inner wall 6 and can be guided by the cable into the door 2.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show cross sections perpendicular to the pivot axis through the hinge member 10 with hinged thereto door with the door open ( Fig. 11 ) and closed door ( Fig. 12 ). The pivot axis 3 extends in each case through the axis of the bearing pin 20th

In the sectional views of the upstanding portion 19 of the bearing pin 20, a cut cable bundle 45 and a screw 26 can be seen, with which the mounting portion 11 on the body of a household appliance (not shown) is attached. Any panels of the hinge element are not shown for purposes of clarity. The opening limiting body 30 can be seen from above, as well as the trough 35, in which the second portion 34 is fixed.

How out Fig. 11 it can be seen engages the first portion 32 of the Öffnungsbegrenzungskörpers 30 behind the support arm 12 and strikes there in the opening-limited position of the door in the region between the second portion 14 and the end portion 15 of the support arm 12. In this widely opened position, the side wall 28 of the receiving space 8 pivots into the recess of the support arm 12 formed by the curvature. The sections 13, 14 and 15 of the support arm 12 are curved such that the side wall 28 does not abut the support arm 12 when opening the door, although it describes along the dotted line P an arc of up to 135 °. In order to allow a particularly large opening angle, the first portion 32 of the opening limiting body 30 is further arranged in a clearing 52 in the side wall 28, so that it engages behind the support arm 12 even with a large opening angle.

At the in Fig. 12 illustrated closed position of the door, the curved portion 14 of the support arm 12 projects into the pocket 39, which is formed in the wall 38 of the connecting piece 7. Through the pocket 39, it is possible to form the first section 13 particularly long and the curvature of the second section 14 particularly strong, which allows a particularly large opening angle of the door.

Based on FIGS. 13 and 14 will now be explained in more detail the elastic movement of the opening limiting body.

Fig. 13 shows a section through the connecting piece 7, on which the opening limiting body 30 rests. The leg 33 is supported against the inclined support surface 36, while the first portion is bent at the bend 46 upwards. The second portion 34 is angled at the bend 48 from the leg 33 and fixed by the screw 31 on the connecting piece 7 and thus on the door.

The same parts are highly schematized also in Fig. 14 shown in side view, wherein the sections 32, 33 and the legs 34 of the opening limiting body 30 are shown here only as dashes. The solid lines represent the opening limiting body 30 in the rest position. The broken lines represent the shape the opening-limiting body 30 in a state in which the door strikes in its opening-limited position. Then, a force F _{1 is} exerted on the first portion 32 by the support arm 12. The transmitted kinetic energy is absorbed in two spring lines, which in the FIGS. 13 and 14 with R ₁ and R _{2 are} designated.

Depending on the distance from the bend 46, the force F ₁ acts on the first portion 32, the first portion 32 can spring in the direction R ₁ , wherein it bends in this direction. Since the first portion 32 is relatively short (about 5 to 10 mm), it will only bend relatively slightly. In addition, if necessary, the radius of curvature at the bend 46 can also increase elastically. The maximum deflection of the first portion 32 in the direction R ₁ is about 0.3 to 1mm. In order to provide sufficient space for this deflection, the upper portion 32 is separated from the side wall portion 51 by a gap. The gap has a width e of about 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably about 1 ± 0.2 mm.

On the other hand, the leg 33 - and possibly also the second portion 34 - bulges upward in the direction indicated by R ₂ . Here, the leg 33 is supported in the region of the bend 46 on the bearing surface 36, so that a force acts on the bearing surface 36, see arrow F ₂ . In addition, if necessary, a tensile force acts on the second portion 34, which is derived on the trough enclosing the eye. Due to the relatively long length of the leg 33 (about 20-30mm) it will bulge visibly, namely, for example, about 0.2 to 2mm in the direction R ₂ . In this case, bend the leg and possibly also the second portion 34 and thereby absorb spring energy. Furthermore, the radius of curvature at the bend 48 and thus the angle of curvature at 48 can also be increased elastically, as in FIG Fig. 14 to recognize.

The spring movements R ₁ and R ₂ are in Fig. 14 possibly exaggerated. The forces occurring when the door stops are derived on the underlying oblique support surface 36 (force F ₂ ) and the trough enclosing the eye. In this way, the forces are distributed sufficiently well to avoid damage to the connector 7.

The invention thus provides a resilient doorstop, which absorbs the forces occurring during the door stop resiliently and thus prevents overstress.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

household appliance

2

door

3

swivel axis

4

Body of household appliance

5

Exterior wall of the door

6

Interior wall of the door

7

joint

8th

Reception room in the connector

9

Upper section of the front frame of the carcass

10

hinge element

11

mounting portion

12

Beam

13

First section of the support arm

14

Second section of the support arm

15

End portion of the support arm

16, 16a, 16b

pivot

17

mounting holes

18

Curvature formed recess in the support arm 12th

19

Upper section of the bearing pin

20

bearing bolt

21

Cabel Canal

22

Hole for journal

23

bearing bush

24

bearing eye

25

Exterior wall-side portion

26

screw

28

Side wall of the receiving space 8

29

magnetic seal

30

Opening restriction body

31

screw

32

First section of the opening limiting body 30

33

Middle leg of the opening limiting body 30

34

Second section of the opening limiting body 30

35

Trough in the connector 7

36

Slanted bearing surface

37

Bottom of the receiving space 8

38

Front wall of the receiving space 8

39

Bag in the back wall 38

40

Cladding of the support arm

41

Covering the bearing bolt

42

Covering the mounting section

43

Upper cover strip of the connector 7

45

cable bundle

51

Sidewall portion of the connector 7

52

Franking in the side wall 28

Claims (10)

1. Household appliance (1) with a body (4) and a door (2) hinged onto the body (4) by at least one hinge, and with a body limiting the opening (30), having at least two sections (32, 34), of which a first section (32) is held in an opening-limited position of the door (2) on the body (4) and of which a second section (34) is attached to the door (2),
   wherein the body limiting the opening (30) is designed, when the door (2) strikes the stop in the limited-opening position, to convert at least a part of the kinetic energy of the door (2) into spring energy of the body limiting the opening (30), wherein the body limiting the opening (30) visibly elastically deforms,
   wherein the body limiting the opening (30) has at least one arm (32) which, when the door (2) strikes the stop, flexes elastically in the limited-opening position,
   wherein the first section (32) projects from the arm (33) as a cantilever and engages behind a section of the hinge defined on the body,
   wherein the flexible arm (33), at least close to its transition into the first section (32), rests on a support, in order to transmit a force aligned at least partly parallel to the pivot axis of the hinge to the door (2) when the door (2) strikes the stop in its limited-opening position, and is held at its end lying opposite the first section (32), wherein the first section (32) of the body limiting the opening (30) runs substantially in parallel to the pivot axis (3) and the second section (34) runs substantially at a right angle to the pivot axis (3), wherein the arm (33) rests at least approximately over its length on the support, characterised in that the arm (33), when the door (2) strikes the stop in its limited-opening position, is curved away by a support surface (36) of the door (2) acting as a support, wherein the support surface (36) is aligned at an angle to the pivot axis (3).
2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the body limiting the opening (30), on accepting the spring energy, is stressed into bending and/or the arm (33) is formed by an angled element.
3. Household appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the first section (32) of the body limiting the opening (30) is formed by the angled element which is connected to a flexible arm (33).
4. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body limiting the opening (30) features at least two sprung sections (32, 33) which, when the door (2) strikes the stop in the limited-opening position, convert the kinetic energy into spring energy, preferably such that the direction of the bending movement (R₁, R₂) of the sprung sections (32, 33) runs at least partly radially and/or in parallel to the pivot axis (3).
5. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the arm (33) is connected to the second section (34) and is held by the latter.
6. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first section (32) and the arm (33) are embodied as different lengths or equal in length.
7. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second section (34) is embodied flexible and serves as an attachment section.
8. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first section and the second section (32, 34) of the body limiting the opening (30) as well as the pivot axis (3) form a triangle when viewed from above along the pivot axis (3).
9. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the body limiting the opening (30) is made of an angled spring material with a flat cross section or with a round or oval cross section or is made of an elastically-deformable plastic material with a round or oval cross section.
10. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by one, a plurality or all of the following features a) to e):

    a) the second section (32) of the body limiting the opening (30) is attached by a form fit to the door (2);

    b) the hinge comprises a journal and a journal sleeve, which engage rotatably in one another and of which one is fixed to the door (2) and the other to a carrier arm (12) which are intended for attachment to the body (4), with the first section (32) being held in a limited-opening position of the door (2) on the carrier arm (12);

    c) the hinge comprises a hinge element (10) which features a mounting section (11) for mounting on the body (4) of the household appliance, a carrier arm (12) projecting from the mounting section (11) and a bearing element (16a, 16b) arranged at the free end of the carrier arm, with the carrier arm (12) engaging into a receiving space (8) of the door (2) open towards the rear side of the door (2);

    d) the door (2) has a maximum angle of opening of more than 130°; and/or

    e) the household appliance (1) is a refrigeration device, especially a refrigerator.

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