EP2433068B1

EP2433068B1 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: EP2433068B1
Application number: EP10719001A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ozgur Demircan; Ahmet Onder Fesligil; Mehmet Cemal Hacioglu; Gokhan Ozseker; Murat Ungor
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2009-05-22
Filing date: 2010-05-13
Publication date: 2013-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 2030-05-13
Also published as: EP2433068A2; WO2010133504A2; WO2010133504A3

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a door.
In cooling devices, for example in refrigerators, while there are embodiments wherein the configuration is vertical and the door opens forward, there are also embodiments with a horizontal configuration and the door opening upward. Both of the said cooling device configurations provide different conveniences of utilization. Both types of bodies offer advantages and disadvantages depending on the place of usage, food to be stored and the user profile.
In the state of the art United States of America patent document no US2811020 , a cooling device is explained which can be rotated on the circular base and the different compartments inside can be accessed by means of doors on both the front and the side walls. In this embodiment, the door on the cooling device front wall has a vertical axis and the side wall door has a horizontal axis, providing effective access into the cooling device by means of the doors.
In another state of the art document, the United States of America patent application no US4635447 , a market type cooling device is explained wherein the body is mounted on a tray-shaped frame on four legs. The compressor and the condenser of the cooling device are positioned on a frame at the base and the frame is secured to the legs by pins. The invention relates to the refrigeration unit being partially tilted to access the rear side to facilitate maintenance and repairs etc. thereof. In this embodiment, two of the pivot pins on the same alignment that connect the frame and the legs are removed for tilting the refrigerated chest and the refrigerated chest can tilt such that the remaining pins are the rotation axis without moving the frame. In the said embodiment, the cooling device is intended to tilt for a temporary time period sufficient to provide convenience of service.
Patent specification US-A-4 497 183 discloses a cooling device according to the preamble of claim 1.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device which can be used both in the vertical and in the horizontal positions.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the claims.
The cooling device of the present invention comprises a compartment situated at the lowermost part of the cabin wherein the compressor is placed, a plate shaped base whereon the compressor is secured, and at least two supports that extend from the base toward the side walls providing the cabin to be secured on the base by pivoting from the side walls.
The cabin can be turned around the axis formed by the supports and changed to the vertical and horizontal positions with the base remaining stationary. The base holds the cabin by means of the supports during rotation. The rear wall of the cabin in the vertical position, when rotated to change to the horizontal position, is seated on the floor.
The support comprises an L shaped arm and a pin situated on the arm. The arm extends from the base toward the side wall and the pin is disposed between the arm and the side wall. The pin provides the support and hence the base to be pivotally secured to the side wall and forms the rotation axis.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the door opens forward while the cabin is in the vertical position, being suitable for a cabinet type use and in the horizontal position can be opened upwards being suitable for a chest type use.
The corners of the side walls on the side close to the floor as the compartment rotates are rounded thereby configured to be continuously in contact with the floor during the rotation movement. Thus, not only the movement is supported by these corners but also the corner is prevented from obstructing the movement.
The support comprises a fixing element that provides to secure the cabin in the horizontal or vertical positions. The fixing element preferably comprises a lock and a spring. The spring provides the lock to bear on the side wall in a prestressed manner. In different embodiments of the present invention, a hole is provided on the side wall or on an intermediate component wherein the lock is seated in the horizontal and vertical positions. Thus locking is provided in both positions thereby allowing a balanced utilization in these positions.
The connection of the compressor to the refrigeration elements comprises preferably spiral, teflon pipes of resilient features for delivery and return of the refrigerant. Thus, the complications that can be encountered in the connections between the compressor and the refrigeration elements during overturning of the cabin are prevented.
When the cooling device is used in the vertical position, the refrigeration elements are on the rear wall and when changed to the horizontal position the refrigeration elements are situated between the cabin and the floor since the rear wall is seated on the floor. In this position, in order to provide a space in between, legs are provided on the rear wall when the rear wall is seated on the floor to prevent damaging of the refrigeration elements by contacting the floor.
The model embodiments relating to the cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 - is the rear perspective view of a cooling device in the vertical position.
Figure 2 - is the rear detailed view of a cooling device in the vertical position.
Figure 3 - is the rear perspective view of a cooling device while being changed from the vertical position to the horizontal position.
Figure 4 - is the front perspective view of a cooling device while being changed from the vertical position to the horizontal position.
Figure 5 - is the rear perspective view of a cooling device in the horizontal position.
Figure 6 - is the rear detailed view of a cooling device in the horizontal position.
Figure 7 - is the perspective view of the fixing element used in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 - is the cross sectional view of the fixing element used in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 - is the perspective view of the fixing element used in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 - is the cross sectional view of the fixing element used in yet another embodiment of the present invention.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device
2. Cabin
3. Side wall
4. Rear wall
5. Door
6. Compressor
7. Compartment
8. Base
9. Support
10. Fixing element
11. Lock
12. Spring
13. 113. Hole
14. Intermediate component
15. Refrigeration elements
16. Pipe
17. Arm
18. Pin
19. Leg

The cooling device (1), for example the refrigerator, comprises at least one cabin (2) configured as a rectangular prism having two side walls (3) and a rear wall (4) wherein the items to be cooled are placed, a door (5) mounted on the cabin (2) providing access into the cabin (2), a compressor (6) that provides execution of the refrigeration cycle, and a compartment (7) configured as a recess wherein the compressor (6) is disposed, situated at the lower part of the rear wall (4), that extends into the cabin (2) (Figure 1).
The cooling device (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises:

a plate shaped base (8) disposed in the compartment (7) whereon the compressor (5) is secured,
at least two supports (9) fastened to the base (8), providing the base (8) to be pivotally secured to the side walls (3) of the cabin (2).

The cabin (2) is rotated from the vertical position, without moving the base (8), around the axis that connects the points where the supports (9) are secured to the side walls (3) and changed to the horizontal position where the rear wall (4) is almost parallel to the floor.
The support (9) comprises an L shaped arm (17) that preferably extends from the base (8) toward the side wall (3) and a pin (18) providing to secure thereof pivotally to the side wall (3) which forms the rotation axis.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the cabin (2) is in the vertical position, the door (5) can be opened forward by rotating around the axis it is connected to the side wall (3). And in the horizontal position changed by rotating, the door (5) can be opened upward by rotating around the axis it is connected to the side wall (3). Thus, the multi-purpose utilization of the cooling device (1) in compliance with user preferences is provided.
The corners (C) of the side walls (3) adjacent to the rear wall (4) and the floor are rounded such that movement is not prohibited during rotation. As the cabin (2) is moved between the horizontal and vertical positions, this rounded corner (C) is continuously in contact with the floor. Thus, the rotation movement can be realized easily and in a balanced manner.
The support (9) comprises a fixing element (10) that provides to secure the cabin (2) in the horizontal and vertical positions. Accordingly, the cabin (2) can be used in a stable manner both in the horizontal and vertical positions.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element (10) comprises a lock (11) and a spring (12) that provides the lock (11) to bear on the side wall (3) in a prestressed manner. In this embodiment, the side wall (3) comprises two holes (13, 113) positioned to align with the lock (11) when the cabin (2) is changed to the vertical and horizontal positions. Accordingly, when the cabin (2) changes to the vertical position, the lock (11) pushed by the spring (12) is seated in the hole (13) and provides locking in the vertical position. As a result of the user applying force for rotating the cabin (2), the lock (11) moves by dislodging from the hole (13) and when the cabin (2) is changed to the horizontal position, is pushed by the spring (12) and is seated in the other hole (113) and provides locking in the horizontal position.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing element (10) comprises an intermediate component (14) secured on the side wall (3), and whereon holes (13, 113) are arranged. Consequently, the fixing element (10) can be easily mounted to the cooling device (1).
The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises resilient pipes (16) that connect the refrigeration elements (15) such as the condenser, evaporator, capillaries and the compressor (6) providing execution of the refrigeration process to the refrigeration elements (15) for the delivery and return of the refrigerant. Consequently, the connections between the compressor (6) and the refrigeration elements (15) are prevented from being affected by the rotation movement.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration elements (15) are situated on the rear wall (4) while the cooling device (1) is used in the vertical position. The refrigeration elements (15) remain between the cabin (2) and the floor when the cabin (2) is changed to the horizontal position by rotating. In this embodiment, the cooling device (1) furthermore comprises legs (19) disposed on the rear wall (4) that provide the height for preventing the refrigeration elements (15) from contacting the floor when the cabin (2) is changed to the horizontal position and the rear wall (4) faces the floor.
In the cooling device (1) of the present invention, the cabin (2) can be used both in the horizontal and vertical positions thereby the position of the cabin (2) can be arranged to be in compliance with the user needs. Moreover, since the base (8) and compressor (6) secured on the base (8) are not moved while the cabin (2) is changed from the horizontal position to the vertical position, the oil in the compressor (6) is prevented from mixing in the refrigerant.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and an expert in the technique can easily introduce different embodiments within the scope of the claims .

Claims

A cooling device (1) that comprises at least one cabin (2) configured as a rectangular prism having two side walls (3) and a rear wall (4) wherein the items to be cooled are placed, a door (5) mounted on the cabin (2) providing access into the cabin (2), a compressor (6) that provides execution of the refrigeration cycle, a compartment (7) configured as a recess wherein the compressor (6) is disposed, said compartment (7) being situated at the lower part of the rear wall (4) and extending into the cabin (2); and a plate-shaped base (8) disposed in the compartment (7) and on which the compressor (6) is secured, characterized by at least two supports (9) fastened to the base (8), providing the base (8) to be pivotally secured to the side walls (3) of the cabin (2), so that the cabin (2) can be rotated from the vertical position, without moving the base (8), around the axis that connects the points where the supports (9) are secured to the side walls (3) and changed to the horizontal position where the rear wall (4) is almost parallel to the floor.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the support (9) comprising an L-shaped arm (17) that extends from the base (8) toward the side wall (3) and a pin (18) providing to secure pivotally to the side wall (3) and forming the rotation axis.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the door (5) can be opened forward by rotating around the axis to which it is connected to the side wall (3) when the cabin (2) is in the vertical position, and opened upward by rotating around the axis to which it is connected to the side wall (3) when the cabin (2) is changed to the horizontal position by being rotated.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by side walls (3) with the corners (C) thereof adjacent to the rear wall (4) and the floor being rounded and this rounded corner (C) being continuously in contact with the floor as the cabin (2) is moved between the horizontal and vertical positions.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that the support (9) comprises a fixing element (10) for securing the cabin (2) in the horizontal and vertical positions.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the fixing element (10) comprising a lock (11) and a spring (12) that provides the lock (11) to bear on the side wall (3) in a prestressed manner.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 6, characterized in that the side wall (3) comprises two holes (13, 113) positioned to align with the lock (11) when the cabin (2) is changed to the vertical and horizontal positions.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the fixing element (10) comprising an intermediate component (14) that is secured on the side wall (3) having two holes (13, 113) thereon, positioned to align with the lock (11) when the cabin (2) is changed to the vertical and horizontal positions.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by resilient pipes (16) that connect the refrigeration elements (15) such as the condenser, evaporator, capillaries and the compressor (6) that execute the refrigeration process to the refrigeration elements (15) for the delivery and return of the refrigerant.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by refrigeration elements (15) situated on the rear wall (4) while being used in the vertical position and situated between the cabin (2) and the floor when the cabin (2) is changed to the horizontal position by rotating and legs (19) disposed on the rear wall (4) that provide the height to prevent the refrigeration elements (15) from contacting the floor when the cabin (2) is changed to the horizontal position and the rear wall (4) faces the floor.