EP2638342A2

EP2638342A2 - A refrigerator comprising a slidable door shelf with a rotating cover

Info

Publication number: EP2638342A2
Application number: EP11779703.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kadir Ridvan Celik; Elif Altay
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2010-11-12
Filing date: 2011-11-10
Publication date: 2013-09-18
Also published as: WO2012062877A2; WO2012062877A3; CN103189695B; CN103189695A

Abstract

The present invention relates to refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2), a door (3) which provides access into the body (2), two flanges (4), disposed on opposite sides of the door (3), extending into the body (2) when the door (3) is closed, two supporters (5) disposed on the flange (4), facing each other oppositely, at least one channel (6) disposed on the supporter (5), extending in the horizontal direction, at least one shelf (8) having a slide (7) disposed on the side wall thereof, borne in the channel (6), and that can make back and forth linear motion in the horizontal direction by the motion of the slide (7) in the channel (6) and a cover (9) having a closed position wherein it covers shelf (8) and an open position to which it shifts by making angular motion, wherein access into the shelf (8) is provided.

Description

A REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING A MOVABLE SHELF AND A COVER

The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a sliding type shelf and a cover covering the shelf.
In refrigerators, shelves are provided which are generally disposed on the door wherein preferably breakfast foods etc. are stored. The said shelves are desired to be kept closed when not in use since these foods get spoiled in a short time when exposed to air. Furthermore, another user expectation is that these shelves should be easily accessible during usage since they are used frequently. Openings of the state of the art shelves remain open when not in use and this situation causes the foodstuffs placed in the door to be exposed to air and be spoiled in a shorter time period.
In the state of the art United States of America Patent Application No US4798425, a refrigerator is described, that comprises a storage compartment disposed on the door, having a cover that can be pivotally opened/closed.
In the state of the art European Patent Document No EP1245917, a refrigerator is described that comprises a storing compartment having a sliding container.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator comprising a shelf that is provided to keep the foods placed therein fresh for a longer period of time.
The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aims of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a shelf mounted on the door or the body, making linear motion in the horizontal direction and a cover, having a closed position providing to form a closed volume inside the shelf by closing over the shelf, and an open position that provides access into the shelf, changed from the closed position by making rotational motion. The refrigerator furthermore comprises an actuation mechanism that has a cam connected to the cover, with curved sides, making rotational motion around the horizontal axis whereto it is connected and a guide having curved sides, positioned on the shelf side wall so as to contact the curved sides of the cam, and moving in the horizontal plane together with the shelf, and that provides the shelf and the cover to move with respect to each other as a result of the rolling motion the cam makes on the guide. While the cam rotates around the horizontal axis it is connected, the cover connected to the cam also rotates and shifts between the open and closed positions. Since the shelf is borne inside the channels extending perpendicularly to the door plane by means of the rails disposed on its outer side walls, the rotational motion of the cam is transmitted to the guide such that it makes linear motion. The shelf also makes back and forth linear movement together with the guide in perpendicular direction to the door plane. In both the open and closed positions of the cover, the cam and the guide are positioned on one another so that their structures complement one another.
In the closed position of the cover, the shelf is in the storage position and the rear wall of the shelf almost bears against the inner surface of the door. When the cover is changed from the closed position to the open position, the shelf is brought to the shelf-usage position by moving outside the door plane, in other words, by moving forward. While the shelf is in the usage position, access of the user to the entire shelf is facilitated since the supporting surface of the shelf moves towards the user. Furthermore, while the shelf is in the storage position, the foods placed into the shelf are provided to be stored for a longer time as the cover is in the closed position.
The cover has two side covers and a front cover that extends between the side covers. One end of the pin, whereto the cam is connected, is secured to the side cover, the other end is borne in the housings situated on the supporters secured to the flanges that are located on both sides of the door. The pin is secured to a point near the lower side of the side cover so as to remain below the center of gravity of the side cover. Thus, the cover is provided to open with an angle as wide as possible by means of an acute angled rotational motion made by the cam. Consequently, the user is provided with ease of usage in the usage position of the shelf.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the guide comprises a peak and a dip following each other. The cam has a concave portion seated on the peak in the closed position of the cover and a convex portion seated in the dip when the cover is changed from the closed position to open position. The concave portion has a curvature matching the peak, the convex portion a curvature matching the dip. The concave portion rolls over the peak and moves into the dip during changing of the cover from the closed position to the open position. Meanwhile, the convex portion pushes the peak, providing the guide to move forward inside the channel. When the convex portion, situated after the concave portion, is seated inside the dip, the rotational motion of the cam and hence the cover end and the cover changes to the open position. When the cover shifts to the open position, the rear wall of the shelf is at the farthest position possible with respect to the door plane. Flexibility is provided in the motion of the cam and the guide by means of the peak-convex portion and dip-concave portion pairs having surfaces sliding over one another. The movement of the cam and the guide with respect to each other are realized in a manner as frictionless and silent as possible.
By means the refrigerator of the present invention, more hygienic and healthy storage conditions are provided by closing the shelves disposed on the door when not in use by means of the cover.
The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached claims, where:
Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a refrigerator while the cover is in the open position.
Figure 2 – is the perspective view of a refrigerator while the cover is in the closed position.
Figure 3 – is the perspective view of a shelf and the cover while the cover is in the closed position.
Figure 4 – is the perspective view of a shelf and the cover while the cover is in the open position.
Figure 5 – is the detailed view of a shelf and the cover while the cover is in the closed position.
Figure 6 – is the detailed view of a shelf and the cover while the cover is in half-open position.
Figure 7 – is the detailed view of a shelf and the cover while the cover is in the open position.
Figure 8 – is the detailed view of a shelf and the cover from another angle while the cover is in the open position.
Figure 9 – is the detailed view of a shelf and the cover from another angle while the cover is in the closed position.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Refrigerator
Body
Door
Flange
Supporter
Channel
Slide
Shelf
Cover
Cam
Guide
Actuation mechanism
Housing
Pin
Dip
Peak
Convex portion
Concave portion
119. Handle
Side cover
Front cover

The refrigerator (1) comprises a body (2), a door (3) providing access into the body (2), two flanges (4), disposed on opposite sides of the door (3), extending into the body (2) when the door (3) is closed, two supporters (5) disposed on the flange (4), facing each other oppositely, at least one channel (6) disposed on the supporter (5), extending in the horizontal direction, at least one shelf (8) having a slide (7) disposed on the side wall thereof, borne in the channel (6), and that can make back and forth linear motion in the horizontal direction by the motion of the slide (7) in the channel (6) and a cover (9) having a closed position wherein the shelf (8) is covered and an open position to which it changes by an angular movement and which provides access into the shelf (8).
The shelf (8) is in form of an open-top box and is mounted on the door (3) by the slides (7) disposed on both of its sides being inserted into the channels (6). The cover (9) is movably fastened on the supporter (5) so as to remain on the shelf (8). The shelf (8) has a storage position, wherein a closed volume is formed inside the shelf (8), wherein the foods are stored, by changing the cover (9) to the closed position and a usage position wherein access into the shelf (8) is provided by changing the cover (9) to the open position. The shelf (8) and the cover (9) move with respect to each other. While the shelf (8) moves in the horizontal direction, the cover (9) makes rotational motion around the horizontal axis whereto it is connected.
When the cover (9) is in the closed position, the shelf (8) is in the storage position and when the cover (9) is in the open position, the shelf (8) is in the usage position. When the shelf (8) is in the storage position, the rear wall of the shelf (8) almost contacts the door (3) plane, when the shelf (8) is changed to the usage position by being pulled forward, the shelf (8) moves away from the door (3) and a gap is formed between the rear wall of the shelf (8) and the door (3) plane. The shelf (8) is changed to the storage position from the usage position by being pushed backwards.
The refrigerator (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises at least one actuation mechanism (12)

that has a cam (10) connected to the cover (9), having sides (E1) in curvilinear form, moving together with the cover (9) by rotating around a horizontal axis and a guide (11) connected to the shelf (8), having sides (E2) in curvilinear form, moving linearly in the horizontal direction together with the shelf (8),
that provides the shelf (8) and the cover (9) to move with respect to each other as a result of the cam (10) making rolling motion on the guide (11) by the curvilinear sides (E1) of the cam (10) contacting the curvilinear sides (E2) of the guide (11) (Figure 4).

The cover (9) is positioned on the shelf (8) such that the curvilinear sides (E1 and E2) of the cam (10) and the guide (11) contact each other. During the cover (9) shifting between the open and closed positions, the cam (10) moves by rolling on the guide (11) by the curvilinear sides (E1) of the cam (10) following the curvilinear sides (E2) of the guide (11). The curvilinear sides (E2) of the guide (11) function as an orbit for the motion of the cam (10). The cam (10) is provided to rotate around the axis whereto it is connected by moving the cover (9) in the closed position or the shelf (8) in the storage position. Since the curvilinear sides (E1) of the cam (10) are in contact with the curvilinear sides (E2) of the guide (11), the rotational motion of the cam (10) actuates the motion of the guide (11) and provides the guide (11) to make translatory motion. While the cover (9) shifts from the closed position to the open position by turning towards the door (3) plane by means of the angular motion made by the cam (10), the shelf (8) shifts from the storage position to the usage position by moving linearly together with the guide (11).
As a result of the cooperate of the cam (10) and the guide (11), the position of the cover (9) and the shelf (8) are provided to be changed by moving only the cover (9) or the shelf (8). For example, the user changes the shelf (8) in the storage position to the usage position and can access thereinto easily by only changing the cover (9) in the closed position to the open position. Meanwhile, since the cover (9) and the shelf (8) can remain respectively in the open position and the usage position by themselves, the user is provided with ergonomic usage conditions to for taking foods or beverages from the shelf (8) without requiring to hold the cover (9) or the shelf (8). Similarly, after taking the desired foods, the user is enabled to change the cover (9) to the closed position and the shelf (8) to the storage position by only pushing the shelf (8) or turning the cover (9). Consequently, the foods stored in the shelf (8) are prevented from being exposed to air, their freshness is provided to be preserved for a long period of time. Furthermore, the actuation mechanism (12) is provided to function silently with the cooperate of the curvilinear sides (E1, E2) of the cam (10) and the guide (11).
The refrigerator (1) furthermore comprises a housing (13) disposed on the supporter (5) and a pin (14) connected to the cover (9), borne in the housing (13) and which forms the rotational axis of the cam (10). The cover (9) has two opposite side covers (20) facing each other, whereon the pins (14) are attached and a front cover (21) extending between the side covers (20). The mounting of the cover (9) to the supporter (5) and hence on the door (3) is performed by attaching one end of the pins (14) to the outer surface of the side covers (20), and bearing the other end inside the housing (13) to be freely rotatable in the housing (13). When the cover (9) is in the closed position, the front lower side of the front cover (21) is seated on the upper side of the shelf (8) front wall. When the cover (9) is brought to the open position, the rear lower side of the front cover (21) moves closer to the rear wall of the shelf (8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the pin (14) is attached to a point that is almost near the lower side of the side cover (20). The point whereat the pin (14) is attached to the side cover (20) remains below the center of gravity of the side cover (20). Since the point whereto the pin (14) is attached is also the rotational axis of the cam (10), moving the pin (14) away from the center of gravity of the side cover (20) decreases the force used during opening/closing of the cover (9). Furthermore, the position of the point wherefrom the pin (14) is attached to the side cover (20) determines the height of the opening wherefrom access is provided into the shelf (8) when the cover (9) is changed to the open position. The width of the opening in the open position of the cover (9) is increased by leaving a distance between the point wherefrom the pin (14) is attached to the side cover (20) and the center of gravity of the side cover (20). Accordingly, the user is provided with easy access to all parts of the shelf (8) without any obstructions in front of him/her in the usage position of the shelf (8).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the guide (11) has a peak (16) and a dip (15) adjacent to each other and disposed side by side on the side wall of the shelf (8). The dip (15) is near the rear wall of the shelf (8) and the peak (16) is situated in front of the dip (15), after the dip (15). In other words, the peak (16) is closer to the front wall of the shelf (8). The peak (16) and the dip (15) have a continuous wavy form together.
The cam (10) has a convex portion (17) that is seated into the dip (15) in the open position of the cover (9) and a concave portion (18) seated on the peak (16) as the convex portion (17) gets out of the dip (15) when the cover (9) is changed to the closed position. The curvature of the convex portion (17) is in matching form to the curvature of the dip (15) and the curvature of the concave portion (18) matches the curvature of the peak (16). The concave portion (18) is seated on the peak (16) when the cover (9) is in the closed position and the shelf (8) is in the storage position. The cam (10) starts to rotate around the pin (14) and the concave portion (18) starts to roll over the peak (16) by the actuation of the actuation mechanism (12). As the concave portion (18) rolls over the peak (16), the side walls of the concave portion (18) bear against the side walls of the peak (16) and the concave portion (18) pushes the peak (16) forwards. Thus, the shelf (8) moves forward, in other words, outwards in perpendicular direction to the door (3) plane. Since the concave portion (18) and the convex portion (17) together have a continuous form, when the concave portion (18) completes the rolling motion over the peak (16), the convex portion (17) starts to roll in the dip (15). The inner side wall of the dip (15) exerts pressure to the outer side of the convex portion (17) and continues to push the shelf (8) forwards. When the convex portion (17) is entirely seated into the dip (15), the motion of the cover (9) ends and the cover (9) shifts to the open position. When the cover (9) shifts to the open position, the shelf (8) shifts to the usage position and access is provided thereinto. During changing of the cover (9) from the open position to the closed position, the reverse of the above described movement becomes effective.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cover (9) is shaped almost as a quarter cylinder. Since the front cover (21) is in circular form, it moves towards behind the shelf (8) by rotating during changing of the cover (9) to the open position, and is prevented from forming obstruction in front of usage area of the user. Furthermore, in the closed position of the cover (9) a more esthetic appearance is provided inside the body (2).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises two handles (19, 119) each one attached to the shelf (8) and the cover (9). The actuation of the actuation mechanism (12) is provided by means of the handle (19, 119). When the shelf (8) is desired to be changed from the storage position to the usage position, the handle (19) on the shelf (8) can either be pulled forwards or the handle (119) on the cover (9) can be turned towards the door (3) plane depending on the desire of the user. The movement of the shelf (8) and the cover (9) are facilitated by means of the handles (19 and 119).
By means of the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, the shelf (8), containing foods placed therein, is kept closed when not in use, and access is provided thereinto by being opened as per the desire of the user. Consequently, the foods in the shelf (8) are prevented from being exposed to air and the foods can be preserved for a longer period of time.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A refrigerator (1) comprising

-a body (2),

-a door (3) providing access into the body (2),

-two flanges (4), disposed on opposite sides of the door (3), extending into the body (2) when the door (3) is closed,

-two supporters (5) disposed on the flange (4), facing each other oppositely,

-at least one channel (6) disposed on the supporter (5), extending in the horizontal direction,

-at least one shelf (8) that has a slide (7) disposed on its side wall, borne in the channel (6), and that can make back and forth linear motion in the horizontal direction by the motion of the slide (7) in the channel (6) and,

-a cover (9) having a closed position wherein it covers the shelf (8) and an open position wherein access into the shelf (8) is provided,

characterized by at least one actuation mechanism (12),

-that has a cam (10) connected to the cover (9), that has sides (E1) in curvilinear form, moving together with the cover (9) by rotating around a horizontal axis and a guide (11) connected to the shelf (8), having sides (E2) in curvilinear form, moving linearly in the horizontal direction together with the shelf (8),

-that provides the shelf (8) and the cover (9) to move with respect to each other as a result of the cam (10) making rolling motion on the guide (11) by the curvilinear sides (E1) of the cam (10) contacting the curvilinear sides (E2) of the guide (11).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a housing (13) disposed on the supporter (5) and a pin (14) connected to the cover (9), borne in the housing (13) and forming the rotational axis of the cam (10).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a cover (9) having two opposite side covers (20) facing each other, whereon the pins (14) are attached and a front cover (21) extending between the side covers (20).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 or 3, characterized by the pin (14) that is attached to a point which is almost near the lower side of the side cover (20).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the guide (11) having a peak (16) and a dip (15) adjacent to each other and disposed side by side on the side wall of the shelf (8).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the cam (10) having a convex portion (17) that is seated into the dip (15) in the open position of the cover (9) and a concave portion (18) seated on the peak (16) as the convex portion (17) gets out of the dip (15) when the cover (9) is changed to the closed position.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the convex portion (17) the curvature of which is in matching form to the curvature of the dip (15) and the concave portion (18) the curvature of which is in matching form the curvature of the peak (16).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the cover (9) being shaped almost as a quarter cylinder..
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by two handles (19, 119) each one attached to the shelf (8) and the cover (9).