EP2781864B1 - Refrigeration and/or freezer device - Google Patents

Description

Refrigerator and / or freezer

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and / or freezer with at least one body, which delimits at least one cooled interior and with at least one door pivotably arranged relative to the body, by means of which the cooled interior can be closed in the closed position of the door, whereby at the Door at least one locking unit is arranged, which is designed such that it exerts a closing moment on the door, which moves the door into the closed position.

From the state of the art ( DE102009053714A1 ) it is known to provide closing dampers in refrigerators and / or freezers which move the door in a damped position into a closed position. In this way, on the one hand, it can be prevented that the door remains open. On the other hand, it is achieved that the door does not slam shut, but is transferred to the closed position in a dampened manner.

The present invention has for its object to develop a refrigerator and / or freezer of the type mentioned in such a way that a high level of user convenience is achieved.

This object is achieved by a refrigerator and / or freezer with the features of claim 1. According to this, it is provided that the locking unit is designed in such a way that it exerts the said closing torque on the door when a certain door opening angle is reached or undershot and neither closing nor opening moments act on the door when the specific door opening angle is exceeded. It is therefore provided according to the invention that the door remains in a certain angular range where the user desires, since neither an opening nor a closing torque acts on the door in this range.

When a certain angle is reached or undershot, the locking unit intervenes and pulls the door into its closed position. This prevents accidental opening of the door.

It is preferably provided that at least one holder is arranged on the body and that at least one lever extends from the holder to the locking unit or to a module in which the locking unit is located.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holder is designed as a bearing block on which the door is pivotally mounted. In this case, the bracket thus fulfills both the function of the link for the lever and the function of the door mounting.

It is provided that there is at least one link in which the lever is guided both in the holder and in the module mentioned or in another position of the door. The lever is preferably guided in one end in the setting of the bearing block and in the other end in a door-side setting. When opening and closing the door, the lever runs through different positions of the scenes. An end position of the door opening is thus defined by the arrangement and the length of the scenes.

The locking unit is connected to at least one slide carrier which is connected to the lever in a first position in such a way that the lever is fixed to the slide carrier and which can be moved independently of the lever in a second position. The slide can be moved along a straight path that is part of the module. It can also be guided in a backdrop of the module housing.

The slide bracket is moved back and forth when the door is opened and closed as long as the lever is connected to the slide bracket.

The slide carrier has a locking element which fixes the lever to the slide carrier by positive locking in the first position and releases the lever in the second position, so that the lever is not fixed to the slide carrier. The locking element can be pivotally attached to the slide carrier.

The locking element can be guided in at least one link and in its second position, in which the lever is released, can be biased towards the first position. The locking element can be held in its second position by a safety slide.

The safety slide can be arranged movably in the same direction as the slide carrier and can be spring-loaded relative to it. The distance between the slide carrier and the safety slide can be variable.

At least one damper can be provided, which is connected to the slide carrier in such a way that the damper counteracts the movement of the slide carrier in at least one direction of movement.

The closing unit can have at least one tension or compression spring that applies the closing moment. It can form part of the damper or can be arranged on the damper.

The backdrop of the holder or the bearing block can be designed such that the lever is in a region of the backdrop when the door is fully open and in another area of the backdrop when the door is in the closed position, wherein it is preferably provided that the one and the other area is end areas of the backdrop of the holder.

It is conceivable that the movement of the lever in the setting of the holder is brought about by a braking effect which the lever experiences when the door is moved in the closing direction. The braking effect can be brought about by a region of the module arranged on the door through which the lever passes.

Except for the bracket or the bearing block, the aforementioned components can be components of a module which is located on the door of the device. The module can have a module housing, in which the locking unit or the damper, the slide carrier, the safety slide and the locking element are preferably arranged.

The at least one link for the lever and / or for the locking element can be located in the module housing.

The closing damper is preferably designed as a modular unit, so that when used with less damping force, e.g. in the case of a freezer compartment door, the use of simpler dampers, e.g. Air dampers is possible.

Furthermore, the present invention can achieve a low-noise door movement and the mechanism can be arranged largely concealed, so that it appears as little as possible for a user.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Modulgehäuses, des Lagerbockes und des zwischen diesen verlaufenden Hebels,

Figur 2:

eine Darstellung der Anordnung gemäß Figur 1 mit abgenommener Gehäuseabdeckung,

Figur 3 bis 10:

Darstellungen der Anordnung gemäß Figur 1 bei unterschiedlichen Türöffnungswinkeln,

Figur 11:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Modulgehäuses und des Lagerbockes bei teilweise geöffneter Tür,

Figur 12:

eine vergrößerte Ansicht des Bereichs von Gleitträger, Sicherungsschieber und Hebel in der Türöffnungsposition gemäß Figur 3,

Figur 13:

eine Anordnung der Komponenten gemäß Figur 12 in der Türöffnungsposition gemäß Figur 6,

Figur 14:

eine Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß Figur 12 ohne Sicherungsschieber und

Figur 15:

eine Ansicht der Anordnung gemäß Figur 13 ohne Sicherungsschieber.

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

Figure 1:

2 shows a perspective view of the module housing, the bearing block and the lever running between them,

Figure 2:

1 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1 with the housing cover removed,

Figure 3 to 10:

1 shows the door opening at different angles,

Figure 11:

a perspective view of the module housing and the bearing block with the door partially open,

Figure 12:

an enlarged view of the area of slide carrier, locking slide and lever in the door opening position according Figure 3 ,

Figure 13:

an arrangement of the components according to Figure 12 in the door opening position according to Figure 6 ,

Figure 14:

a view of the arrangement according Figure 12 without safety slide and

Figure 15:

a view of the arrangement according Figure 13 without safety slide.

FIG. 1 shows with the reference number 10 a module housing which is arranged on a door of a refrigerator and / or freezer. This module housing can be located, for example, in the upper or in the lower section or in another section, preferably the inside of the door.

The reference numeral 30 denotes a bearing block which is fixed to the body of a refrigerator or freezer by means of the brackets 36. The fixed bearing block 30 has a holder 32 for receiving the bearing axis of the door.

The reference numeral 34 denotes a backdrop that extends in the bearing block 30 and in which the pin 24 of the lever 20 is arranged so as to be movable. The lever 20 extends between the bearing block 30 and the module housing 10 or the components located therein. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the lever 20 is largely accommodated in the housing 10 when the door is closed.

The reference numerals 12 and 14 denote scenes in the form of grooves, which are arranged in the module housing 10. The reference numeral 22 denotes a pin of the lever 20 which runs in the link 12 of the module housing 10 and the reference numerals 72 and 74 denote pins of a locking element which run in the links 12 and 14, respectively. As can further be seen from FIG. 1, in the end region of the link 14, which faces the bearing block 30, there is an upwardly curved link end region 14 '.

At this point, it is pointed out that the term “backdrop” in the context of the present invention encompasses any guidance and is not limited to the backdrops that are shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1 with the housing cover removed.

As can be seen from this figure, the damper 40 is located in one end region of the module housing 10, which can be designed, for example, as an oil-air damper and generates a speed-dependent damping. The damper energy to be applied depends on the door closing speed, the door opening position from which the door closing movement is started and also on the door masses.

In principle, other dampers are also included in the invention.

The reference numeral 50 denotes a slide carrier, which in particular consists of Figure 3 Obvious piston 42 of the damper is connected and which moves back and forth in the module housing 10 when the damper is extended and retracted becomes. The slide carrier 50 has at least one projection 52 which is guided in the link 12.

The reference numeral 60 denotes a safety slide, which is guided with its projections 62, 64 in the scenes 12, 14.

The reference numeral 70 represents a locking element which has the task of holding the pin 22 of the lever 20 in the locking position shown in FIG. 2 or of releasing it (in the case of larger door opening angles).

The reference numeral 90 denotes a compression spring which extends between the slide carrier 50 and the safety slide 60. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the safety slide 60 rests with its projection 62 on the pin 22 of the lever 20 and is thereby prevented from moving to the right despite the pressure force of the spring 90.

FIG. 2 also shows that the link 34 of the bearing block 30 has two end regions A and B, between which the pin 24 of the lever 20 can be moved back and forth.

The reference numeral 74 denotes the pivot point or pin of the locking element 70 about which it can be pivoted in the guide 12. A pivoting movement is made possible when the pin 72 is located in the area of the link 14 '. Then a movement of the lever 20 relative to the locking element 70 and a relative movement between the safety slide 60 and the locking element 70 is possible.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the door and the arrangement of the components shown in the closed position of the door, in which it closes the cooled interior.

If the door is now opened starting from FIG. 2, the positions of the individual elements result from the Figures 3 to 10 as described below.

If the door is opened slightly, we will do so Figure 3 is shown, the slide carrier 50, the locking element 70 and also the safety slide 60 in the module housing 10 move to the right. The same applies to the end region of the lever 20, which is provided with the pin 22. This movement continues when the door is opened further, the piston 42 of the damping unit 40 being extended further and further. This follows from the Figures 4 and 5 .

According to the position of the door Figure 5 the locking element 70 holds the pin 22 of the lever 20 in a form-fitting manner, so that the lever 20 is fixed to it by means of the locking element 70 and thus follows the movement of the locking element and thus also of the slide carrier and the piston 42 in this end region.

At the transition of the Figures 5 and 6 the pin 72 of the locking element is moved into the region 14 'of the groove, which is shown in FIG. 1. This is accompanied by a pivoting movement of the locking element around the pin 74.

The locking element 70 is thus pivoted slightly upward, so that the in Figure 6 shown position results. During this pivoting, the spring 90 presses the safety slide 60 in accordance with Figure 6 to the right so that its edge 62 (cf. Figure 13 ) engages under the pin 72 of the locking element 70. This prevents the locking element from moving in Figure 6 shown release position in its in Figure 5 locking position shown is moved back.

When opening the door again according to the Figures 7 to 10 The lever 20 is freely movable to the extent that it is no longer with the locking element 70 and also no longer with the slide carrier 60 and the damping element 40 or with the locking unit is connected. In this area, neither a closing torque nor an opening torque act on the door.

While the lever is fixed on the slide carrier, the pin 24 of the lever 20 is located at the end region A of the link of the bearing block.

As part of the further door opening, the pin 24 is now moved within the link 34 of the bearing block, as can be seen from a comparison of the Figures 7 and 8th emerges.

This movement is possible until the pin 24 strikes in the end region B of the link 34. Another opening of the door from Figure 9 now causes the lever 20 in the link 80 of the module housing to be moved further to the right until it is in Figure 10 shown right end position reached.

In the in Figure 10 position shown, the door is thus fully open. The pin 24 of the lever is located in the end area B of the link 34 near the door bearing and the pin 22 of the lever 20 is located in the end area of the link 80 of the module housing facing the bearing block.

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the module housing 10 in a position inserted in a door end piece 100. The door end piece or plug-in part can, for example, be located at the top or bottom of the door, preferably outside the area surrounded by the magnetic door seal.

Figure 12 shows in an enlarged view the central section of the module housing 10 with the slide carrier 50 arranged therein and with the locking element 70 which is pivotably arranged on the slide carrier 50. The pivot axis is formed by the pin 74, relative to which the locking element is pivotable and which, according to FIG. 1, is slidably received in the guide 12 of the module housing.

The reference numeral 60 denotes the safety slide which is pressure-loaded by the spring 90, but which is prevented from moving to the right by the pin 22 of the lever 20.

The position of the in Figure 12 The elements shown correspond to the arrangement of the components Figure 5 .

In this position the lever 20 is with its pin 22 through the locking element 70, i. H. prevented from moving relative to the locking element 70 or relative to the slide carrier 50 by the downwardly projecting nose 72 '.

Figure 13 shows a position of the components according to Figure 12 where the door is opened a little more. This further door opening causes a movement of the in Figure 12 and 13 Components shown to the right and due to the shape of the groove 14 or 14 'pivoting of the locking element 70 about the axis 74 upwards. This upward movement allows the safety slide 60 according to Figure 13 is pushed to the right, specifically because of the force of the compression spring 90 and in doing so engages under the pins 74 of the locking element 70 with its legs 62, so that the locking element 70 does not inadvertently return to the position according to FIG Figure 12 , ie is moved into the locking position.

In the Figure 13 a position is shown in which the pin 22 can now be removed from the locking position due to the upwardly pivoted locking element 70, so that a further door opening causes a separation between the lever and the locking element or slide carrier.

Figure 14 shows the arrangement according to Figure 12 without safety slide and clarifies that the locking element 70 is designed as a one-piece component which is arranged on the slide carrier 50 so as to be pivotable about an axis 74. A multi-part design of the locking element 70 is also conceivable and of the Invention includes. In the in Figure 14 In the illustrated position, the pin 22 of the lever 20 is held in the groove-shaped receptacle 73 of the locking element 70 by positive locking. If this is pivoted upwards, as in Figure 15 is shown, the pin 22 and thus the lever 20 can be moved relative to the locking element 70 and thus also relative to the slide carrier and the damper 40.

At a door opening angle of, for example, <35 °, a tensile force (according to the figures to the left) is applied to the slide carrier 50 and to the coil spring, which can be designed as a tension or compression spring and which can be arranged in or on the damper 40 Locking element ("control claw"), which serves as a connecting element between the lever 20 and the slide bracket 50 or the damper 40, applied.

In this position, for example shown in FIG. 2, the connecting element 70 engages with the lever 20 by a positive fit. The force exerted by said spring or another pulling or pushing element is transmitted to the lever 20 via the locking element 70. The lever 20 is moved by this pulling force. This exerts a closing moment on the door, not shown, via the linkage in the link bracket 30.

If the door is opened, the spring mentioned is further pretensioned on the extension path of the damper 40 as a result of the door opening up to approximately 35 °. From this area, the control claw or the connecting element 70 is controlled as a function of the path via the control cams 14, 14 'in the module housing 10 such that the lever 20 leaves the positive connection with the locking element 70 from a certain path, i.e. the lever 20 is then movable independently of the locking element 70.

The lever 20 is then disengaged and is without force, which means in other words that the door is not moved from this opening angle (for example 35 °), since neither a closing nor an opening torque acts on it.

At the same time, the spring-loaded safety slide 60 is brought into a position in a further control spring 90 via a second control cam in the module housing, in which the control claw or the locking element 70 is locked in the release position or in the pretensioned position. This prevents inadvertent resetting of the slide-locking element unit under force.

If a door opening movement occurs which corresponds to a smaller opening angle than, for example, 35 °, this release of the lever 20 does not take place, so that a correspondingly acting travel-dependent tensile force exerts a closing moment on the door resulting from the lever connection and the door is moved in its closed position.

With the damper. it can be an oil air damper or a pure air damper, for example for applications on devices with less damping force. A freezer compartment with less door mass would be conceivable for this. Other less expensive damper solutions that meet the relevant requirements are also possible.

For example, if the door starts from the in Figure 10 shown fully open position shown closed by a user or if the user exerts a dynamic closing movement on the door, the lever 20 is positively guided by its link on the module housing side via a braking area 80, ie the lever 20 is thus braked. This means that the lever, which until then has been powerless, is first moved in the link 34 of the link bearing block 30 into the end region A of the link 34 which is further away from the door pivot 32. According to Figure 10 there is a movement from area B to area A. In the further closing movement, the pin 24 of the lever 20 is located in area A, ie in the area of the link 34 which is spaced from the door pivot point 22. In this position, the lever or the link 34 serves as the load-receiving position of the damping forces.

The braking area 80 can be designed with at least one additional component with a different braking effect (eg for different door masses).

Furthermore, this braking area designed via the additional component can be designed along its length (braking distance) with different stiffnesses (via geometric variations or through the use of different material sections) in different braking positions, with a braking effect that is adapted to the braking distance.

As a result of the further closing movement, the pin 24 remains in area A and, after leaving the braking area 80, hits the locking element 70, which is in its release position, since it is held there by the safety slide 60.

The safety slide 60 is moved in the further movement of the lever 20 first so that the control claw or the locking element 70 is unlocked, i. H. engages behind the pin 22 in a form-fitting manner. In this way, the safety slide 60 is given the opportunity to move out of the secured prestressed position.

The locking element 70 is moved as a result of the further lever movement by the link path 14, 14 'from the secured pretensioned position. In this way, the system of lever 20 with slide carrier 50, locking element 70 and damper 40 comes into engagement again.

The damper 40 can thus counteract its damping force against the lever 20, so that the kinetic energy of the door closing movement is damped, i. H. is reduced or destroyed. As stated above, this damping is, for example, speed-dependent via the use of an oil-air damper.

The steam energy to be applied depends on the door closing speed, the door opening position from which the door closing movement is started, and also from the door mass. In order to do justice to these very variable conditions, the system has a range of <35 °, ie the system is engaged, both functional states (damping and self-closing) interact. This means that if the kinetic energy of the door is destroyed, the self-closing automatically comes into force and the door closes, ie the system exerts a closing moment on the door.

At this point, it is pointed out that the angle information of, for example, 35 ° or 115 ° is exemplary and does not limit the invention.
In the fully opened state according to Figure 10 the door movement is limited by the end stop to prevent possible damage to the cooling unit.

In this position, the lever 20 with its pin 22 is located in the end of the link 80 on the bearing block and on the bearing block side in the end region of the link 34 close to the door pivot point 22, i. H. in area B. In this position, the module-lever-pedestal system is in the extended position and is subjected to tension. In order to make the link end positions still damping, it can be useful and is included in the invention to provide one or more elastic elements so that the stop situation is also damped.

The maximum possible door opening angle can be limited at the customer's request by using additional parts that can be used adaptively, either in the backdrop of the module housing or in the backdrop of the link bearing block.

In an area z. B. between 35 ° and 115 °, d. H. up to the maximum door opening angle, the door is not subject to any force. This means that the door remains in the position without force in which the customer brings it. Neither opening nor closing moments are effective.

Claims (10)

1. Refrigerator and/or freezer device, comprising
   a carcass that defines a cooled interior,
   a door that is arranged so as to be pivotable relative to the carcass, and by means of which the cooled interior can be closed, in the closed position of the door, and
   a closure unit that is arranged on the door and is designed such that it exerts a closing torque, moving the door into the closed position, in the event of a specified door opening angle being reached or not being met, and exerts neither closing nor opening torques in the event of the specified door opening angle being exceeded, wherein
   the closure unit is connected to a sliding support (50) that is guided in a first straight slot (12) which comprises a first latching element (70) which, in a first position, fixes a lever (20) to the sliding support (50) by means of a positive fit and which, in a second position, releases the lever (20) such that the lever (20) is not fixed to the sliding support (50),
   characterised in that
   the latching element (70) is guided in the first slot (12) by means of a first pin (74), and is guided in a second slot (14) by means of a second pin (72), and in the second position thereof, in which the lever (20) is released, is preloaded in the direction of the first position,
   the second slot (14) comprises a curved slot end region (14') which allows for a pivot movement of the latching element (70) when the second pin (72) is received, in order to allow a release of the lever (20) relative to the latching element (70).
2. Refrigerator and/or freezer device according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one retainer (32, 36) is arranged on the carcass, and that the lever (20) extends from the retainer (32, 36) to the closure unit or to a module (10) in which the closure unit is located, and/or in that the retainer (32, 36) is formed as a bearing block (30) on which the door is pivotably mounted.
3. Refrigerator and/or freezer device according to claim 2, characterised in that the first slot (12) is located in the retainer (32, 36), and in that the second slot (14) is located in the mentioned module (10), in which the lever (20) is guided.
4. Refrigerator and/or freezer device according to either claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the closure unit which, in a first position, is connected to the lever (20) such that the lever (20) is fixed to the sliding support (50), and which, in a second position, is movable independently of the lever (20).
5. Refrigerator and/or freezer device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one damper (40) is provided, which is connected to the sliding support (50) such that the movement of the sliding support (50), in at least one movement direction, is opposed by a counterforce, by means of the damper (40).
6. Refrigerator and/or freezer device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the closure unit comprises at least one tension or compression spring (90) that applies the closure torque, and/or in that the closure unit forms a component of the damper (40) or is arranged on the damper (40).
7. Refrigerator and/or freezer device according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the slot (34) of the retainer (32, 36) is formed such that the lever (20) is in one region (B') of the slot (34) when the door is fully opened, and is in another region (A') of the slot (34) when the door is in the closed position, wherein it is preferable for the one and the other region (A', B') to be end regions of the slot (34) of the retainer (32, 36).
8. Refrigerator and/or freezer device according to claim 7, characterised in that the movement of the lever (20) in the slot (34) on the retainer side is brought about by a braking effect which the lever (20) experiences when the door is moved in the closure direction.
9. Refrigerator and/or freezer device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a module housing (10) is located on the door, in which housing the at least one closure unit is arranged.
10. Refrigerator and/or freezer device according to claim 9, characterised in that the first slot (12) for the lever (20) and/or for the latching element (70) is located in the module housing (10).

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