EP2612092B1

EP2612092B1 - Guide rail and frame assembly, shelf pan and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: EP2612092B1
Application number: EP11748416.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea FRONMÜLLER; Lulu Huang; Lukas Meier; Alexander Rupp; Feng Tao
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2010-08-30
Filing date: 2011-08-26
Publication date: 2014-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2031-08-26
Also published as: WO2012028546A3; CN102384630B; WO2012028546A2; EP2612092A2; ES2491740T3; CN102384630A

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a guide rail and frame assembly, a shelf pan comprising such a guide rail and frame assembly, and a refrigerator in which such a shelf pan can be mounted.

BACKGROUND

A refrigerator usually comprises shelf pans in its interior, so as to utilize the space of the interior effectively and conveniently. In a conventional shelf pan, a border is provided around side edges of a panel of the shelf pan. In the interior of the refrigerator, rids are provided on an inner shell of the refrigerator. The border is mounted around the shelf pan, and a stop is provided at the side edge so as to prevent the shelf pan from sliding out of the refrigerator in drawing the shelf pan.
When the refrigerator is operated, the stop is collided over a long period of time such that the rib of the inner shell is easy to damage. Because the rib is integrated with the inner shell of the refrigerator body, it is difficult to replace the rib if it is damaged, which may make the entire shelf pan unable to be mounted. Further, because the border made of material such as plastic is provided around the shelf pan, it is soiled easily and is difficult to clean.
A guide rail and frame assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in US 2008/231155A .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a guide rail and frame assembly, which is assembled or disassembled easily, replaced conveniently, does not tip over easily and can be operated safely.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a shelf pan which has a high bearing capacity, such that the shelf pan may be drawn smoothly and thus items placed on the shelf pan do not tip over easily.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator in which such a shelf pan is mounted, such that the inner shell of the refrigerator is manufactured in a simple process and is assembled conveniently. For this refrigerator, the shelf pan may be drawn smoothly and it has a high bearing capacity. Therefore, if the shelf pan is damaged after being used for a long period of time, it can be detached and replaced.
The present invention provides a guide rail and frame assembly comprising a guide rail and a frame according to claim 1.
In another exemplary embodiment of the guide rail and frame assembly, the anti-tipping member is provided at an end of the slidable rail, and a top part of the anti-tipping member has a longitudinal length different from a root part of the anti-tipping member. The longitudinal distance between the fixing member and the anti-tipping member is greater than the longitudinal distance between the fixing hole and the anti-tipping hole.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the guide rail and frame assembly, the fixing member is embodied as an elastic piece. The fixing member comprises a top part and a pair of hooks which extend from both ends of the top part toward a root part of the fixing member respectively. The maximum distance between the hooks is greater than the longitudinal length of the fixing hole.
In another preferable schematic embodiment of the guide rail and frame assembly, the fixing member has a width different from the anti-tipping member.
The present invention further provides a shelf pan which comprises a panel and a pair of guide rail and frame assemblies according to the present invention, wherein both opposite side edges of the panel are insertable into the corresponding clamping portions of the guide rail and frame assemblies. Furthermore, the shelf pan is provided with at least a blocking lever therein, wherein both ends of the blocking lever are secured in the corresponding blocking lever grooves of the pair of the guide rail and frame assemblies respectively.
The present invention further provides a refrigerator which comprises a body and a shelf pan according to the present invention, wherein the fixed rail of the shelf pan can be secured in the body.
In the guide rail and frame assembly according to the present invention, the frame and the guide rail can be assembled and replaced simply and conveniently, and in use, the guide rail is not easy to release out of the frame.
In the present invention, a guide rail mechanism is introduced into the shelf pan. Therefore, the shelf pan has a high bearing capacity and can be drawn smoothly. When the guide rail is damaged or the panel is soiled, it is convenient to disassemble them so as to replace or clean them. Moreover, the shelf pan will be tipped over in use due to items placed unevenly on it.
Because such a shelf pan is provided in the refrigerator, it is prevented from colliding with the interior of the refrigerator when a user operates it improperly. The shelf pan can be detached conveniently, drawn smoothly and does not tip over easily even if more items are placed on the shelf pan. Therefore, the space of the refrigerator is fully utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an exploded and perspective schematic view of a guide rail and frame assembly according to the present invention.
Figure 2A is a partial exploded schematic view, showing an anti-tipping member and a fixing portion as shown in figure 1.
Figure 2B is a schematic view, showing that the anti-tipping member as shown in figure 2A is mounted in an anti-tipping hole.
Figure 2C is a schematic view, showing a final position of the anti-tipping member as shown in figure 2B after it is mounted in the anti-tipping hole.
Figure 3A is a partial exploded schematic view, showing a fixing member and the fixing portion as shown in figure 1.
Figure 3B is a schematic view, showing a status that the fixing member shown in figure 2A is mounted in a fixing hole.
Figure 4 is a schematic view of a shelf pan according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic view of a shelf pan according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to understand the technical features, objectives and effects of the present invention more clearly, the present invention will be explained now by embodiments of the present invention in combination with figures. In these figures, the same reference numeral refers to the part having the same configuration or the part having a similar configuration and the same function.
In the context, terms "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are only used to indicate the position relationships between corresponding parts, instead of defining their absolute positions. "A shelf pan" refers not only to a plane, but also to a shape whose center is low and whose circumference is high or any other shape on which items can be placed and which is erected at its edge. The wording of "exemplary" means "as an example, instance or explanation". The "exemplary" illustration or embodiment described in the context should not be explained as a more preferable or more advantageous technical solution.
Figure 1 shows an exploded and perspective schematic view of a guide rail and frame assembly according to the present invention. As shown in figure 1, the guide rail and frame assembly 100 comprises a guide rail 20 and a frame 10. The guide rail 20 comprises a fixed rail 22 and a slidable rail 24 which extend in a longitudinal direction (a direction of the arrow A shown in figure 1) of the guide rail. The slidable rail 24 is movable along the fixed rail 22. It can be understood by the skilled in the art that the guide rail 20 may be a two-piece guide rail or a three-piece guide rail. That is, the guide rail 20 can be any guide rail which is well known to the skilled in the art.
The slidable rail 24 has a fixing member 26 and an anti-tipping member 26 which are provided on the slidable rail. The fixing member 26 and the anti-tipping member 28 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. The fixing member 26 and the anti-tipping member 28 can be fixed directly on the slidable rail 24 in an appropriate manner such as riveting, soldering, bonding and the like. Otherwise, the fixing member 26 and the anti-tipping member 28 can be first fixed on a base plate, and then the base plate is provided on the slidable rail 24 in an appropriate manner such as riveting, soldering, bonding and the like.
Although only one fixing member 26 is illustrated in the embodiment shown in figure 1, the skilled in the art may understand that the number of the fixing member can be more than one.
The frame 10 comprises a clamping portion 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 20. The clamping portion 12 may be in the shape of a reversed U, such that it facilitates clamping plate-shaped items. The frame 10 further comprises a fixing portion 14. The fixing portion 14 extends longitudinally in a direction parallel to the clamping portion 12. Provided on the fixing portion 14 are a fixing hole 16 which is adaptable to the fixing member 26 and an anti-tipping hole 18 which is adaptable to the anti-tipping member 28. When the guide rail and frame assembly 100 is assembled, the clamping portion 12 is located at one side of the fixing portion 14, and the fixing member 26 and the anti-tipping member 28 are inserted into the fixing hole 16 and the anti-tipping hole 18 from the other side (that is, the side departing from the clamping portion) of the fixing portion respectively, such that the frame 10 is connected fixedly with the slidable rail 24. In this case, the slidable rail 24 may drive the frame 10 to move with respect to the fixed rail 22.
The fixing member 26 and the anti-tipping member 28 may be provided at other appropriate longitudinal positions on the slidable rail 24 respectively. However, the skilled in the art can understand that, in a more preferable embodiment of the guide rail and frame assembly, the anti-tipping member 28 should be provided as adjacent as possible an end 248 of the slidable rail, and the distance between the fixing member 26 and the anti-tipping member 28 should be as great as possible, such that a good anti-tipping effect can be obtained.
Figure 2A shows a configuration of the anti-tipping member 28. A top part 281 of the anti-tipping member has a longitudinal length (in the direction of the arrow A shown in figure 1), which is greater than the longitudinal length of a root part 282 of the anti-tipping member. That is, the anti-tipping member 28 has substantially a T-shape. When the anti-tipping member 28 is inserted in the fixing portion 14, the anti-tipping member 28 must be first inserted into the anti-tipping hole 18, as shown in figure 2B, and then the frame 10 is moved to its position shown in figure 2C in a direction indicated by the arrow B shown in figure 2B. If the frame 10 is tipped upwards slightly (as shown by the dotted line shown in figure 2C), the top part 281 of the anti-tipping member will prevent the fixing portion 14 from further tipping upwards. Thus an anti-tipping effect is achieved.
Under a consideration of ensuring the installation, the longitudinal distance between the fixing member 26 and the anti-tipping portion 28 is greater than that between the fixing hole 16 and the anti-tipping hole 18, as shown in figure 1, such that there is a possibility that the fixing portion 14 is movable in the direction illustrated by the arrow B shown in figure 2B after the anti-tipping member 28 is inserted in the anti-tipping hole 18.
Figure 3A shows a configuration of the fixing member 26. The fixing member 26 is embodied as an elastic piece, which comprises a top part 261, a root part 262 and a pair of hooks 264 and 265. The pair of hooks 264 and 265 extend from the top part 261 of the fixing member toward the root part 262 of the fixing member respectively. The maximum distance between the hooks 264 and 265 is greater than the size of the fixing hole 16. Therefore, as shown in figure 3B, when it is desired to insert the fixing member 26 into the fixing hole 16, the top part 261 of the fixing member is first entered into the fixing hole, and then since the fixing member 26 is elastic, the pair of hooks are deformed by suffering from pressing of edges of the fixing hole 16, such that the fixing member 26 can be inserted completely in the fixing hole 16. Under the action of the elastic force of the fixing member 16, a stable engagement between the fixing member 16 and the fixing portion 14 is ensured.
Only one exemplary arrangement of the fixing member 26 and the anti-tipping member 28 is described above. It is conceivable that the fixing member 26 and/or the anti-tipping member 28 may be embodied as other appropriate arrangement as long as it secures the frame 10 and prevents the frame from tipping over.
Furthermore, as shown in figure 1, the frame 10 is sometimes directional such that it can be mounted easily. The fixing member 26 may have a width different from the anti-tipping member 28. Therefore, the fixing hole 16 corresponding to the fixing member 26 may have a width different from the anti-tipping hole 18 corresponding to the anti-tipping member 28. For convenience, the frame 10 has a C-shaped blocking lever groove 19 thereon. The blocking lever groove 19 is provided at a side of the clamping portion 12 departing from the fixing portion 14. The blocking lever groove 19 extends in a direction parallel to the clamping portion 12.
Figure 4 is a schematic view, showing a shelf pan according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 4, the shelf pan 300 comprises a pair of guide rail and frame assemblies 100 as well as a panel 30. Both opposite side edges of the panel 30 are inserted into the clamping portions 12 of the guide rail and frame assemblies 100 respectively. In a more preferable embodiment, the panel 30 may be made of glass. However, it is understood by the skilled in the art that the panel may also be made of other materials such as woods, engineering plastics, composite sheets and the like. When the panel 30 is pulled, the frame 10 is driven to move, such that the slidable rail on the guide rail and frame assembly 100 is driven to move with respect to the fixed rail.
Figure 5 is a schematic view, showing a shelf pan according to anther embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 5, the shelf pan 300 comprises a pair of guide rail and frame assemblies 100, a panel 30 as well as two blocking levers 40. Both opposite side edges of the panel 30 are inserted into the guide rail and frame assemblies 100 respectively. Each of the blocking levers 40 is secured in corresponding blocking lever grooves 19 of the pair of guide rail and frame assemblies 100 at both ends respectively, such that items placed on the panel 30 are prevented from falling off when the panel 30 is moved. Of course, it is also possible that only one blocking lever 40 is provided.
Figure 6 is a partial sectional view, showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in figure 6, the refrigerator comprises a body 50 and the shelf pan 300. The fixed rail 22 is secured on the body 50. Although only one shelf pan is illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 6, it is understood by the skilled in the art that the position of the shelf pan in the refrigerator and the number of the shelf pan can be modified as required.
The above detailed explanations are just used to specifically illustrate some feasible embodiments of the present invention. These explanations cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

Lists of reference numerals

100	Guide rail and frame assembly
10	Frame	12	Clamping portion	14	Fixing portion
16	Fixing hole	18	Anti-tipping hole	19	Blocking lever groove
20	Guide rail	21	Fixed rail	24	Slidable rail
				248	End of the slidable rail
26	Fixing member	261	Top part of the fixing member	262	Root part of the fixing member
264, 265	hook
28	Anti-tipping member	281	Top part of the anti-tipping member	282	Root part of the anti-tipping member
300	Shelf pan
40	Blocking lever
50	Refrigerator body

Claims

A guide rail and frame assembly (100) comprising a guide rail (20) and a frame (10), wherein the guide rail comprises a fixed rail (22) and a slidable rail (24) which is movable along the fixed rail (22), and the frame (10) comprises a clamping portion (12) extending in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail (20), whereby
provided on the slidable rail (24) are an anti-tipping member (28) and at least a fixing member (26) spaced apart from each other;
the frame (10) further has a fixing portion (14) thereon, which fixing portion (14) is provided in parallel to the clamping portion (12), the fixing portion (14) is provided with a fixing hole (16) which is adaptable to the fixing member (26) and an anti-tipping hole (18) which is adaptable to the anti-tipping member (28);
the fixing member (26) and the anti-tipping member (28) are insertable, from a side of the fixing portion (14) departing from the clamping portion (12), into the fixing hole (16) and the anti-tipping hole (18) respectively,
characterised in that the frame (10) has a C-shaped blocking lever groove (19) thereon, the blocking lever groove (19) is provided on a side of the clamping portion (12) de-parting from the fixing portion (14), and the blocking lever groove extends in a direction parallel to the clamping portion (12).
The guide rail and frame assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the anti-tipping member (28) is provided at an end (248) of the slidable rail, and a top part (281) of the anti-tipping member (28) has a longitudinal length greater than a root part (282) of the anti-tipping member, and
the longitudinal distance between the fixing member (26) and the anti-tipping member (28) is greater than the longitudinal distance between the fixing hole (16) and the anti-tipping hole (18).
The guide rail and frame assembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixing member (26) is embodied as an elastic piece, the fixing member (26) comprises a top part (261) and a pair of hooks (264, 265) which extend from both ends of the top part (261) toward a root part (262) of the fixing member, the maximum distance between the hooks (264, 265) is greater than the longitudinal length of the fixing hole (16).
The guide rail and frame assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fixing member (26) has a width different from the anti-tipping member (28).
A shelf pan (300) comprising a panel (30), characterized in that the shelf pan (300) further comprises a pair of guide rail and frame assemblies (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and both opposite side edges of the panel (30) are insertable into the corresponding clamping portions (12) of the guide rail and frame assemblies (100).
The shelf pan (300) according to claim 5, wherein the shelf pan (300) further comprises at least a blocking lever (40), both ends of the blocking lever (40) are secured in the corresponding blocking lever grooves (19) of the pair of the guide rail and frame assemblies (100).
A refrigerator comprising a body (50), characterized in that the refrigerator further comprises a shelf pan (300) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the fixed rail (22) can be secured in the body (50).