EP2843329A2

EP2843329A2 - Door for refrigerator and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: EP2843329A2
Application number: EP14181010.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yuan DING; Yulei Ding; Zhigang Lin; Alfred Raab; Jicong SONG
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2013-08-29
Filing date: 2014-08-14
Publication date: 2015-03-04
Also published as: CN104422237A; EP2843329A3; CN104422237B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door for a refrigerator and a refrigerator. The door includes a door body (2) and a decorative panel (3) located in front of the door body (2). The door body includes: a door plate (21), the door plate (21) being made of a sheet metal and including a front plate (211) and a pair of side plates (212) that are bent and extend backwards separately from a corresponding longitudinal side of the front plate; a door liner (22) being spaced apart from the front plate, and connected to the side plates; and an upper end cover (23) and a lower end cover (24). According to the present invention, each of the upper end cover and the lower end cover includes a front connecting flange (231, 241) extending vertically and slots (232, 242) located at two ends thereof, an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of the front plate are propped on the front connecting flange of the upper end cover and the front connecting flange of the lower end cover respectively, and an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of each side plate are inserted into corresponding slots; and the decorative panel is adhered to the door body through a first adhering apparatus (6).

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a door for a refrigerator and a refrigerator, and in particular, to a door for a refrigerator with a decorative panel arranged in front of the door body and a refrigerator having such a door.

Related Art

WO2009/080494 discloses a refrigerator door including a front side glass plate and a rear plate that are made of different materials. The front side glass plate and the rear plate are arranged at a distance from each other by a heat-insulating space, where the front side glass plate forms a structural member of the door. Specifically, a foaming agent injected in the heat-insulating space is directly in contact with the front side glass plate and fixed firmly with the front side glass plate.
CN101726143B discloses a refrigerator door including a door body and a front panel connected in front of the door body. The door body includes a first wall, a second wall separated from the first wall by a preset spacing, and a heat-insulating layer located between the first wall and the second wall. The second wall includes a door plate forming the main part of the second wall, the door body includes a door edge cover, the door edge cover includes a side wall plate forming the outer surface of the door and a side strip bent from a front end of the side wall plate and parallel to the inner surface of the front panel, the side strip is located on a side of the door plate and forms a part of the second wall, and the front panel is connected to the second wall by an adhering apparatus.
CN101231093A discloses a refrigerator door including an outer door, a door liner plate combined with an extending portion of the outer door, a cover decoration, a door decoration, and a front panel. Each of the cover decoration and the door decoration has an inner side groove and an outer side groove, an upper end and a lower end of a combined body of the outer door and the door liner plate are inserted into the inner side groove of the cover decoration, a left end and a right end of the combined body are inserted into the inner side groove of the door decoration, and a perimeter of the front panel is inserted into the outer side grooves of the cover decoration and the door decoration.
In the foregoing solution, the independently-made side cover, no matter connected to a metal door plate or glass, is a structural member of a door, and has a complex structure and both desirable rigidity and aesthetic quality. A side cover meeting such requirements is usually made of a metal extrusion.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present invention is to provide an improved door for a refrigerator, and a refrigerator having such a door.
The foregoing objective may be implemented by features in independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject of accompanying drawings, the specification, and dependent claims.
An aspect of the present invention relates to a door for a refrigerator. The door includes a door body and a decorative panel located in front of the door body; where, the door body includes: a door plate, the door plate being made of a sheet metal and including a front plate and a pair of side plates bent from a corresponding longitudinal side respectively and extending backwards; a door liner being spaced apart from the front plate and connected to the side plates; an upper end cover, connecting upper ends of the front plate and the door liner; and a lower end cover, connected to lower ends of the front plate and the door liner; characterized in that, each of the upper end cover and the lower end cover includes a front connecting flange extending vertically and slots located at two ends thereof, an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of the front plate are propped on the front connecting flange of the upper end cover and the front connecting flange of the lower end cover respectively, and an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of each of the side plates are inserted into corresponding slots; and the decorative panel is adhered to the door body through a first adhering apparatus.
Since the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the side plate are inserted into corresponding slots of the upper end cover and the lower end cover, the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate are propped on the front connecting flanges, so that a front side of the door body has an edge portion that is at least substantially flush, and it becomes possible for the decorative panel to be firmly adhered to the door body through an adhering apparatus; therefore, it is not necessary to use an expensive side cap or a side cover that would need to be manufactured independently to fix the decorative panel, which helps to reduce cost on one hand, and on the other hand it can also be expected that the front surface of the refrigerator door is formed only by the decorative panel because the decorative panel may be adhered to the door body through an adhering apparatus.
In addition, the door body of the refrigerator door may have a structure similar to that of a "metal door" without a decorative panel. Therefore, it is possible to share at least some of moulds for production of different doors to improve cost efficiency.
The decorative panel may be made of a material such as tempered glass, wood or stone, etc. The first adhering apparatus may be an adhesive tape, cement, glue or other adhesive substances.
In a possible embodiment, at least a part of a rear surface of each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate is propped on a front surface of a corresponding front connecting flange, and at least a part of a front surface of each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate is distributed with the first adhering apparatus. Therefore, the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate may be exposed from the upper end cover and the lower end cover respectively to form edge areas of the front surface of the door body, which allows four edge portions of the door body are basically formed by the front plate, so that connecting surfaces for adhering the decorative panel is at least approximately disposed in a same plane to help to improve the quality of adhering the decorative panel to the door body.
In an alternative embodiment, at least a part of a front surface of each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate is propped on a rear surface of a corresponding connecting edge, and the front surface of the front connecting flange and a side edge portion of the front plate are disposed in a same plane. This may be implemented, for example, by making the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate completely or partially recessed, the front connecting flange being locked in front of the front plate without entering the recessed area.
In a possible embodiment, each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate may include at least one recessed portion recessed inwards, and the upper end cover and the lower end cover separately include a supporting rib inserted into a corresponding recessed portion. This may solve the technical problem that the decorative panel cannot be assembled because the area of the door body for distributing the first adhering apparatus is uneven due to the front plate protruding from the upper end cover and the lower end cover in the foaming process.
In a possible embodiment, gaps are provided between two sides of each of the supporting ribs and the front connecting flange, and each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate is inserted into a corresponding gap.
In a possible embodiment, a front surface of the supporting rib and a front surface of the front plate are substantially flush, and the first adhering apparatus is adhered to the supporting ribs and the front plate. This is advantageous for the first adhering apparatus to be evenly and continuously distributed between the decorative panel and the door body.
In a possible embodiment, the door may include a decorative strip connected to the side plate, and the decorative strip is located behind the decorative panel.
In a possible embodiment, a front end of the decorative strip may include a hook portion, the hook portion covering in a transverse direction a connecting curved surface connecting the side plate and the front plate and extending into a space between the connecting curved surface and the decorative panel. Therefore, the gap between the decorative panel and the door body may be at least partially covered by the decorative strip, and as viewed from a side of the door, the gap on the door is embodied as the gap between the decorative panel and the decorative strip, which can be controlled more easily.
In a possible embodiment, each of the upper end cover and the lower end cover includes a side connecting flange connected to a corresponding front connecting flange, the side plate includes a front portion and a rear portion, each of an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of the front portion is propped on a corresponding side connecting flange, the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the rear portion are inserted into the slots, respectively, the decorative strip is connected to the front portion and covers the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front portion. As a result, the decorative strip may extend in the entire height of the side plate, so that the door may have a simple and neat appearance.
In a possible embodiment, the front portion of the side plate forms a handle portion for opening the door.
In a possible embodiment, the door includes a system housing for accommodating an operation and/or display unit, the front plate has an opening and a flange extending backwards from an edge of the opening, and the system housing has a connecting groove connected to the flange.
In a possible embodiment, the upper end cover or the lower end cover includes a connecting projection connected to the system housing, the connecting projection has a channel connected to the interior of the system housing, the connecting projection and the front surface of the front connecting flange of the upper end cover or the lower end cover are disposed in a same plane, and an inner surface of the front plate is connected to a front surface of the connecting projection.
In a possible embodiment, the door may include a second adhering apparatus located between the front surface of the connecting projection and the inner surface of the front plate. The second adhering apparatus may be an adhesive tape, cement, glue or other adhesive substances. Therefore, in the foaming process of the door body, the connecting projection and the front plate may be reliably positioned, which not only helps to prevent the front plate from moving relatively to the connecting projection, but also helps to prevent leakage of a foaming liquid from between the connecting projection and the front plate.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator, including the refrigerator door according to any one of the foregoing items.
Structures, other inventive objectives, and beneficial effects of the present invention will become more comprehensible through description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As a part of the specification, and to provide further explanation to the present invention, the following accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention, and describe the principle of the present invention together with the specification. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a door for a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of a door for a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of a door body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic partial perspective view of an upper end cover according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic partial perspective view of a lower end cover according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view along a direction I-I in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view along a direction II-II in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a door for a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A door 1 is connected to a case body (not shown) of a refrigerator (not shown) to cover at least a part of a storage compartment or at least one storage compartment in the case body. In this embodiment, the door 1 may be pivotally connected to the case body, and in an alternative embodiment, the door may also be connected to the case body in a push-pull manner.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the door 1 includes a door body 2, a decorative panel 3 connected in a front side of the door body 2, and a pair of decorative strips 4 connected to corresponding sides of the door body 2. The decorative panel 3 in this embodiment is made of tempered glass.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the door body 2 includes a door plate 21, a door liner 22, an upper end cover 23, a lower end cover 24, and a heat-insulating layer 25 (FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) located in the space enclosed by the door plate 21, the door liner 22, the upper end cover 23, and the lower end cover 24.
The door plate 21 is made of a sheet metal, and includes a front plate 211, and a pair of side plates 212 bent from a corresponding longitudinal side of the front plate (211) respectively and extending backwards. The door liner 22 is connected to a rear end of the side plate 212, and is separated from the front plate 211 by a preset spacing. The rear end of the side plate 212 may include a connecting plate portion 2123 that is bent inwards and approximately parallel to the front plate 211, and the door liner 22 is connected to the connecting plate portion 2123.
The upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24 are separately connected to upper ends of the door plate 21 and the door liner 22 and lower ends of the door plate 21 and the door liner 22, and a connection structure between the upper end cover 23 and the door plate 21 is basically the same as that between the lower end cover 24 and the door plate 21. Therefore, same technical terms and different labels are used in the following description to describe a technical feature with a same function and/or structure.
As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24 respectively include a base wall 230 and a base wall 240 that extend in a transverse direction, and the base wall 230 and the base wall 240 form a top wall and a bottom wall of the door 1 respectively. The upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24 further include separately a front connecting flange 231 and a front connecting flange 241 that are connected to corresponding base walls 230, 240 and extend in a vertical plane, and a pair of slots 232, 242 located at corresponding ends thereof. The front connecting flanges 231, 241 form at least parts of front surfaces of the upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24, respectively, and are in a same vertical plane. A pair of slots 232 are located at the left end and the right end of the upper end cover 23, each parallel to the side plate 212 and having an opening facing downwards, and the other pair of slots 242 are located at the left end and the right end of the lower end cover 24, each parallel to the side plate 212 and having an opening facing upwards. The upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24 separately include a rib edge 233 and a rib edge 243 that are separately connected to ends of corresponding base walls 230, 240 and extend vertically, and the rib edges 233, 243 form outer groove walls of corresponding slots 232, 242.
The base walls 230, 240 of the upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24 separately extend forwards and slightly exceed front surfaces of corresponding front connecting flanges 231 and 241 to form an upper stop portion 234 and a lower stop portion 244.
During assembling, inner surfaces of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate 211 separately are propped on front surfaces of the front connecting flanges 231, 241 of the upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24, and the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of each side plate 212 are inserted into corresponding slots 232, 242 of the upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24, as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, upper and lower end surfaces of the front plate 211 may be limited by the upper stop portion 234 and the lower stop portion 244, so as to limit the longitudinal movement of the front plate 211. Therefore, the door plate 21, the upper end cover 23, and the lower end cover 24 are fixed together.
As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the slots 232, 242 are only arranged on rear portions of the upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24, and side connecting flanges 235, 245 connected to corresponding front connecting flanges 231, 241 are provided in front of the upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24. The side plate 212 includes a handle portion 2121 connected to the front plate 211 and approximately in an L shape, and a side plate rear portion 2122 connected to the rear side of the handle portion 2121 and extending backwards. Cross sections of the side connecting flanges 235, 245 are in a similar shape with that of the handle portion 2121, inner surfaces of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the handle portion 2121 are propped separately on corresponding side connecting flanges 235, 245, and upper and lower ends of the side plate rear portion 2122 are inserted into slots 232, 242. The decorative strip 4 is connected to the handle portion 2121 and covers the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the handle portion 2121.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate 211 includes multiple recessed portions 2115 recessed inwards, the upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24 separately include supporting ribs 236, 246 inserted into corresponding recessed portions 2115. The supporting ribs 236, 246 are adjacent to the front connecting flanges 231, 241, and are separated from the front connecting flanges 231, 241 by gaps G, so that the supporting ribs 236, 246 may be easily inserted into the recessed portions 2115, and the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate 211 are separately locked in the gaps G. Reinforcing ribs 248 may be disposed on rear sides of the supporting ribs 236, 246 to prevent the supporting ribs 236, 246 from being broken.
After the assembling, the front surfaces of the supporting ribs 236, 246 do not exceed the front surface of the front plate 211. The front surfaces of the supporting ribs 236, 246 slightly protrude from the front surfaces of the front connecting flanges 231, 241; specifically, the former protrudes from the latter by the thickness of the wall of the front plate 211. Therefore, the front surfaces of the supporting ribs 236, 246 are approximately disposed in a same plane with the front plate 211 to be substantially flush with the front plate 211.
In the foaming process, a foaming agent is injected in a door tray component formed by the door plate 21, the upper end cover 23, and the lower end cover 24, the door liner 22 is then connected to a door tray filled with the foaming agent, and the door plate 21, the upper end cover 23, the lower end cover 24, and the door liner 22 are combined firmly through the heat-insulating layer 25 formed by the foaming agent.
Outer sides of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate 211 are separately supported by the supporting ribs 235, 245, so that the technical problems that foaming liquid leaks from between the front plate 211 and the upper end cover 23 and between the front plate 211 and the lower end cover 24 in the foaming process of the door body 2 and that the front plate 211 protrudes from the upper end cover 23 and the lower end cover 24 (for example, an upper end or a lower end of the front plate 211 longitudinally exceeds the upper end cover 23 or the lower end cover 24) are solved.
As shown in FIG. 6, the decorative panel 3 is adhered to the door body 2 by the first adhering apparatus 6. Preferably, the adhering apparatus 6 is an adhesive tape. The first adhering apparatus 6 is distributed along four edge portions of the front plate 211, and the decorative panel 3 is adhered to the front plate 211 through the adhering apparatus.
In this embodiment, as front surfaces of the supporting ribs 236, 246 and the front plate 211 are substantially flush, the first adhering apparatus 6 adhered to the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate 211 not only covers but also is adhered to corresponding supporting ribs 236, 246.
The decorative strip 4 may be an aluminum extrusion piece, connected to the side plate 212, and located entirely behind the decorative panel 3. The decorative strip 4 covers the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the handle portion 2121, and substantially extends along the entire height of the handle portion 2121.
In this embodiment, the decorative strip 4 is connected to the handle portion 2121. An adhesive strip such as a double-sided adhesive tape is disposed between the decorative strip 4 and the handle portion 2121 to fix the decorative strip 4 on the handle portion 2121.
A front end of the decorative strip 4 has a hook portion 41 bent inwards, and as viewed in a transverse direction, the hook portion 41 covers a connecting curved surface 213 between the side plate 212 and the front plate 211, and extends into a space between the connecting curved surface 213 and the decorative panel 3, as shown in FIG. 6.
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the door body 2 includes a system housing 8 for accommodating an operation and/or display unit 7, and the system housing 8 has an accommodating space 80 for accommodating the operation and/or display unit 7. The front plate 211 has an opening 2116 and a flange 2117 extending backwards from an edge of the opening 2116, and the system housing 8 has a connecting groove (not shown) for receiving the flange 2117. The flange 2117 is inserted into the connecting groove, so that the system housing 8 may be fixed at the rear side of the front plate 211 before the foaming process. The flange 2117 is arranged along the left, right, and lower edges of the opening 2116, and the upper edge of the opening 2116 is not arranged with the flange, so that the operation and/or display unit 7 may be easily inserted into the accommodating space 80.
The door body 2 has a channel 91 connected to the accommodating space 80. An opening of the channel 91 is located on the upper end cover 23, extending from the upper end cover 23 to above the accommodating space 80. The upper end cover 23 includes a hollow connecting projection 9 that has the channel 91 formed therein and is connected to an end of the system housing 8.
The connecting projection 9 protrudes downwards even deeper than the front connecting flange 231 does, and front surfaces of the two are disposed in a same plane, so that a front surface of the connecting projection 9 may also be connected to the inner surface of the front plate 211. The pair of supporting ribs 236 may be close to a corresponding side of the connecting projection 9 to help to decrease the gap between the connecting projection 9 and the front plate 211.
A second adhering apparatus 92 is disposed between the front surface of the connecting projection 9 and the front plate 211 to decrease the gap between the connecting projection 9 and the front plate 211 and prevent the leakage of the foaming liquid from between the connecting projection 9 and the front plate 211. The second adhering apparatus 92 may be, for example, an adhesive tape.
Various embodiments for describing each single part with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 may be combined in any given manner to achieve the advantages of the present invention. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the shown embodiments, and generally means other than the shown means may be used, as long as they can achieve the same effect.

Claims

A door (1) for a refrigerator, comprising a door body (2) and a decorative panel (3) located in front of the door body (2);
wherein the door body (2) comprises:
a door plate (21), the door plate (21) being made of a sheet metal and comprising a front plate (211) and a pair of side plates (212) bent from a corresponding longitudinal side of the front plate (211) respectively and extending backwards;

a door liner (22), being spaced apart from the front plate (211) and connected to the side plates (212);

an upper end cover (23), connecting upper ends of the front plate (211) and the door liner (22); and

a lower end cover (24), connected to lower ends of the front plate (211) and the door liner (22);

characterized in that,

each of the upper end cover (23) and the lower end cover (24) comprises a front connecting flange (231, 241) extending vertically and slots (232, 242) located at two ends thereof, wherein an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of the front plate (211) are propped on the front connecting flange (231) of the upper end cover (23) and the front connecting flange (241) of the lower end cover (24) respectively, and an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of each of the side plates (212) are inserted into corresponding slots (232, 242); and

the decorative panel (3) is adhered to the door body (2) through a first adhering apparatus (6).
The door according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least a part of a rear surface of each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate (211) is propped on a front surface of a corresponding front connecting flange (231, 241), and at least a part of a front surface of each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate (211) is distributed with the first adhering apparatus (6).
The door according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate (211) comprises at least one recessed portion (2115) recessed inwards, and each of the upper end cover (23) and the lower end cover (24) comprises a supporting rib (236, 246) inserted in a corresponding recessed portion (2115).
The door according to claim 3, characterized in that, gaps (G) are formed between two sides of each of the supporting ribs (236, 246) and the front connecting flange (231, 241), and the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front plate (211) are inserted into corresponding gaps (G), respectively.
The door according to claim 3, characterized in that, a front surface of the supporting rib (236, 246) is substantially flush with a front surface of the front plate (211), and the first adhering apparatus (6) is adhered to the supporting ribs (236, 246) and the front plate (211).
The door according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized by comprising a decorative strip (4) connected to the side plate (212), the decorative strip (4) being located behind the decorative panel (3).
The door according to claim 6, characterized in that, a front end of the decorative strip (4) is provided with a hook portion (41), the hook portion (41) covering in a transverse direction a connecting curved surface (213) connecting the side plate (212) and the front plate (211), and extending into a space between the connecting curved surface (213) and the decorative panel (3).
The door according to claim 6, characterized in that, each of the upper end cover (23) and the lower end cover (24) comprises a side connecting flange (235, 245) connected to a corresponding front connecting flange (231, 241), the side plate (212) comprises a front portion and a rear portion (2122), each of an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion of the front portion is propped on a corresponding side connecting flange (235, 245), each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the rear portion is inserted in the slot (232, 242), and the decorative strip (4) is connected to the front portion and covers the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the front portion.
The door according to claim 8, characterized in that, the front portion forms a handle portion (2121) for opening the door.
The door according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, comprising a system housing (8) for accommodating an operation and/or display unit (7), the front plate (211) having an opening (2116) and a flange (2117) extending backwards from an edge of the opening (2116), and the system housing (8) having a connecting groove connected to the flange (2117).
The door according to claim 10, characterized in that, the upper end cover (23) or the lower end cover (24) comprises a connecting projection (9) connected to the system housing (8), the connecting projection (9) has a channel (91) connected to the interior of the system housing (8), the connecting projection (9) and a front surface of the front connecting flange (231, 241) of the upper end cover (23) or the lower end cover (24) are disposed in a same plane, and a rear surface of the front plate (211) is connected to a front surface of the connecting projection (9).
The door according to claim 11, comprising a second adhering apparatus (92) located between the front surface of the connecting projection (9) and an inner surface of the front plate (211).
A refrigerator, comprising the door according to any one of the foregoing claims.