EP2850373A2

EP2850373A2 - A home appliance having a drawer with a humidity regulating piece

Info

Publication number: EP2850373A2
Application number: EP13719841.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dogukan CETINYOL; Ahmet Fercan; Onur INCEREIS; Tanzer YILDIZGÖCER
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2012-05-04
Filing date: 2013-04-30
Publication date: 2015-03-25
Also published as: WO2013164341A2; WO2013164341A3

Abstract

The present invention is a home appliance and particularly a cooling device comprising a drawer (1) disposed into a heat insulated casing; a curved part (11) having at least one guide channel (12) and at least one air opening (14) provided on a front wall (10) of the drawer (1); a humidity regulating piece (2) regulating the humidity inside the drawer (1) by means of cool air input-output through the air opening (14) so as to close and open the air opening (14) during cool air circulation. The cooling device comprises a curved curtain (20) having at least one holder leg (21) moving inside the guide channel (12) and compliant to the curved part (11) and closing and opening the air openings (14) so as to move along a stroke distance x from a first position to a second position on the curved part (11) of the drawer (1).

Description

SPECIFICATION

A HOME APPLIANCE HAVING A DRAWER WITH A HUMIDITY REGULATING PIECE TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to home appliances and particularly relates to a cooling device having drawers with humidity regulating embodiments regulating the humidity inside compartments like a shelf or a drawer carrying members to be cooled inside a heat-insulated casing.

KNOWN STATE OF THE ART

In home appliances and particularly in cooling devices, there are compartments in the form of a drawer or in the form of a closed shelf. The humidity inside the drawer is increasing due to the foodstuff or materials therein and particularly due to the vegetables therein. When the environment becomes humidified, the products kept inside the drawer are deteriorated in a short time and products cannot be kept fresh for a long time. Accordingly, pluralities of different embodiments are disclosed providing removal of some amount of the cooling air circulating inside the cooling device and thereby discharging humidity out of the drawer.

One of the applications is the patent application CN101776365 and said patent application relates to a refrigerator humidity regulating plate and a fixation apparatus. The refrigerator humidity regulating plate comprises a drawer-shaped regulating plate comprising a main body; two sides of the main body are respectively designed into a bent shape, and front lapping blocks and back lapping blocks are respectively arranged at the front ends and the back ends of the two side edges of the main body; a groove is arranged at the front part of the main body; a plurality of strip-shaped holes are arranged in the groove; a sliding block which can move left and right is arranged on the groove; a plurality of open pores are distributed on the sliding block; and the front lapping blocks and the back lapping blocks at the two sides of the main body of the regulating plate are inserted into a clamping groove on the inner side wall of a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator.

Another embodiment is the patent application KR20090133008, and relates to a refrigerator having a humidity control function. The invention is a refrigerator equipped with an adjusting member and comprises a refrigerator body, a drawer and an adjusting member. A refrigerating room is formed inside the refrigerator body. The drawer is accepted inside the refrigerating room, and a vent is formed on the drawer. The adjusting member controls the opening degree of the vent. The vent has a cross section of an arch shape. The adjusting member has the cross section of the arch shape to correspond to the vent. The adjusting member comprises a knob of an arch shape exposed on the front side of the drawer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to facilitate humidity regulation in a drawer with a curved part.

In order to realize said object, the present invention is a home appliance and particularly a cooling device comprising a drawer disposed into a heat insulated casing; a curved part having at least one guide channel and at least one air opening provided on a front wall of the drawer; a humidity regulating piece regulating the humidity inside the drawer by means of cool air input-output through the air opening so as to close and open the air opening during cool air circulation. In an embodiment of the invention, there is a curved curtain having at least one holder leg moving inside the guide channel and compliant to the curved part and closing and opening the air openings so as to move along a stroke distance x from a first position to a second position on the curved part of the drawer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the curved part on the drawer has J cross section. Thus, a curved form is obtained under the drawer handle.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the curved part is formed behind a handle integrated to the drawer and at the upper edge of the front wall. Thus, by means of the concave curved part existing behind the handle, the drawer handle is grabbed in an easy manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the holder leg, embodied outside of the curtain at an amount equal to the stroke distance, is extending radially outwardly. Thus, the humidity regulating piece is easily fixed to the upper guide channel and can be moved inside said channel. At the same time, the humidity regulating piece is prevented from being accidentally removed from the upper guide channel. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the curtain comprises a support leg embodied on the edge thereof opposite to the holder leg. Thus, the humidity regulating piece is prevented from being accidentally removed from the lower guide channel.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the holder and the support legs are extending outwardly such that the holder and the support legs are intersecting with a concave line parallel with respect to the cross section of the concave-shaped curtain. Thus, the humidity regulating piece is operated in an easy manner during sliding movement and it is prevented from being accidentally removed from the guide channels.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is a grid comprising pluralities of air openings. Thus, air input into the drawer, and air output from the drawer are provided.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length of the guide channel is equal to or greater than the length of the grid. Thus, the grid can be closed and opened at the desired distances.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide channels are extending in a parallel manner with respect to the grid under and above the grid. Thus, the grid can be closed and opened during the sliding movement of the curtain of the humidity regulating piece.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the holder leg of the humidity regulating piece comprises a resting surface resting onto the end of the guide channel. Thus, at the end of the stroke distance, the resting surface is rested onto the end of the guide channel, and the sliding movement of the humidity adjustment piece is stopped at a certain point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In Figure 1 a, the two-dimensional lateral view of a humidity regulating piece fixed to a curved part of a drawer is given.

In Figure 1 b, the two-dimensional lateral view of a humidity regulating piece is given. In Figure 1 c, the frontal two-dimensional view of a humidity regulating piece is given. In Figure 1 d, the frontal perspective view of a humidity regulating piece is given. In Figure 2a, the rear perspective view of a drawer is given.

In Figure 2b, the frontal perspective view of a drawer whose one part on the front wall is removed is given.

In Figure 2c, the frontal perspective view of a drawer is given.

The detail A is the detailed view, taken from Figure 2, where a grid having air openings and two guide channels are illustrated.

In Figure 3a, the frontal perspective view a drawer is given, where a humidity regulating piece is fixed to said drawer.

In Figure 3b, the frontal perspective view of a drawer is given, where a humidity regulating piece is dismantled from said drawer.

In Figure 4a, the frontal two-dimensional view of a humidity regulating piece on a drawer is given, where said humidity regulating piece is at a first position and where the air channels are in closed form (with maximum humidity).

In Figure 4b, the frontal two-dimensional view of a humidity regulating piece on a drawer is given, where said humidity regulating piece is at a second position and where the air channels are in open form (with minimum humidity).

THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a home appliance and particularly relates to a cooling device having a one-piece drawer (1 ) with a humidity regulating piece (2) fixed to the guide channels (12) formed on the curved part (1 1 ) and with a curved part (1 1 ) in a form similar to an inverse "J" letter. The compartments described as drawer (1 ) can also be closed shelves (not illustrated in the figure).

In Figure 1 a, the two-dimensional lateral view of a humidity regulating piece (2) is given, fixed to a guide channel (12) in a curved part (1 1 ) of a drawer (1 ). The curved part (1 1 ) is embodied in a form similar to letter "J" in concave form on the front wall (10) of the drawer (1 ). At the same time, a handle (15) is formed on the front wall (10) of the drawer (1 ) which is in tab form along the length of the front wall (10) providing fixation and removal of the drawer (1 ). The curved part (1 1 ) is embodied under the handle (15) of the drawer (1 ).

In Figure 1 b, the two-dimensional lateral view of a humidity regulating piece (2) is given and in Figure 1 c, the frontal two-dimensional view of a humidity regulating piece (2) is given. In Figure 1 d, the frontal perspective view of a humidity regulating piece (2) is given. As can be seen in Figure 1 c, the humidity regulating piece (2) has a rectangular curtain (20) and a handle (25) is embodied in the middle part of the curtain (20). The curtain (20) has a concave form so as to be compliant to the curved part (1 1 ) of the drawer (1 ) (Figure 1 b). As can be seen in Figure 1 a, the bottom side of the handle (25) has a curved part (26). At the upper part of the curtain (20) according to Figure 1 b, a holder leg (21 ) is embodied, and a tab (24) is embodied at the end part of the holder leg (21 ), and a support leg (22) is embodied at the bottom part, and a tab (24) is embodied at the end part of the support leg (22). According to Figure 1 d, at the upper and bottom parts of the curtain (20), the holder and support legs (21 , 22) are extending outside at an amount equal to the stroke distance (x). The holder and support legs (21 , 22), extending up to the stroke distance (x) and which are in tabular form, have resting surfaces (23) resting onto the end of the guide channel (12). In order to realize resting, at least one resting surface (23) is sufficient. Therefore, the lengths of the holder leg (21 ) and of the support leg (22) extending on the curtain (20) may not be equal. As can be seen in Figure 1 b, the holder and support legs (21 , 22) are extending outwardly such that the holder and the support legs (21 , 22) are intersecting with a concave line (T) parallel with respect to the cross section of a concave-shaped curtain (20).

In Figure 2a, the rear perspective view of the drawer (1 ) is given. In Figure 2b, the frontal perspective view of a drawer (1 ) whose one part on the front wall is removed is given. In the given figure, the lateral cross sectional view of the curved part (1 1 ) and of the handle (15) on a front wall (10) is given. In Figure 2c, the frontal perspective view of the drawer (1 ) is given. In Detail A, the detailed view, taken from Figure 2, where a grid (13) having pluralities of air openings (14) and two guide channels (12) are illustrated is given. Pluralities of air openings (14) are forming the grid (13) where air input and air output are realized. According to the figure, the guide channels (12) are formed under and above the grid (13). The holder leg (21 ) is fixed to the upper guide channel (12) and the support leg (22) is fixed to the bottom guide channel (12). The tabs (24) of the legs (21 , 22) prevent the legs (21 , 22) from being removed accidentally from the guide channels (12).

The grid (13) and the guide channels (12) are formed on the curved part (1 1 ) of the drawer (1 ). Thus, the grid (13) and the guide channels (12) are formed by being cut in a structurally and functionally compliant manner to the curved part (1 1 ) which is in concave form.

In Figure 3a, the frontal perspective view of a drawer (1 ) is given, where a humidity regulating piece (2) is fixed to said drawer (1 ). In Figure 3b, the frontal perspective view a drawer (1 ) is given, where a humidity regulating piece (2) is dismantled from said drawer (1 ).

In Figure 4a, the frontal two-dimensional view of a humidity regulating piece (2) on a drawer (1 ) is given, where said humidity regulating piece (2) is at a first position and where the grid (13) is in closed form (with maximum humidity). The humidity regulating piece (2) can be moved towards the right and towards the left in a sliding manner on the guide channels (12). At a first position, the guide channel (12) and the grid (13) having air openings (14) thereon are closed by the curtain (20) of the humidity regulating piece (2), by the holder leg (21 ) and by the support leg (22).

In Figure 4b, the frontal two-dimensional view of a humidity regulating piece (2) on a drawer (1 ) is given, where said humidity regulating piece (2) is at a second position and where the grid (13) is in open form (with minimum humidity). In the second position, the guide channel (12) and the grid (13) having air openings (14) are opened. Since the air openings (14) and the guide channel (12) are open, air input into and output from the drawer (1 ) are realized.

In more details, the operation of the present invention is as follows. Cool air is provided from the cooling or freezing parts into the casing of a home appliance and particularly of a cooling device. The cool air is circulated through the air distribution channels, provided on the casing rear wall (not illustrated in the figures), with the help of a fan. Excessive humidity occurs inside the drawer (1 ) because of the materials, beverages or foodstuff and particularly because of the vegetables kept inside the drawer (1 ). The cool air having low humidity is taken into the drawer (1 ) through the guide channels (12) and through the grid (13) provided on the drawer (1 ). At the same time, the air inside the drawer (1 ), having high humidity level, is discharged from the drawer (1 ) when the humidity regulating piece (2) is in open position. Thus, the cool air, circulated inside the cooling casing, enters into the drawer (1 ) through the open air openings (14) and at the same time, through the open guide channel (12).

The drawer (1 ) is produced in a one-piece manner together with the handle (15) and together with the curved part (1 1 ) thereon. Afterwards, the guide channels (12) on the curved part (1 1 ) and the air openings (14) of the grid (13) are opened by means of a drilling-cutting machine. The humidity regulating piece (2) is fixed to the bottom and upper guide channels (12) through the holder leg (21 ) and through the support leg (22). The humidity regulating piece (2) is prevented from being accidentally removed from the place thereof thanks to the angular position of the holder leg (21 ) and of the support leg (22) on the drawer (1 ) and thanks to the tabs (24) thereof (21 , 22). There is a display (16) on the drawer (1 ) handle (15), displaying maximum and minimum humidity positions. The humidity regulating piece (2) is moved in a stepped manner along a distance x and the humidity inside the drawer (1 ) can be regulated. The curtain (20) and the handle (25) of the humidity regulating piece (2) have concave form so as to move in a sliding manner on the curved part (1 1 ).

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the curtain (20) of the humidity regulating piece (2) has a curved form so as to move in a sliding manner on the curved part (1 1 ).

REFERENCE NUMBERS

I . Drawer 2. Humidity regulating piece 10. Front wall 20. Curtain

I I . Curved part 21 . Holder leg

2. Guide channel 22. Support leg

13. Grid 23. Resting surface

14. Air opening 24. Tab

15. Handle 25. Handle

16. Display 26. Curved part

X: stroke distance T: parallel line

Claims

1. A home appliance and particularly a cooling device comprising a drawer (1 ) disposed into a heat insulated casing; a curved part (1 1 ) having at least one guide channel (12) and at least one air opening (14) provided on a front wall (10) of the drawer (1 ); a humidity regulating piece (2) regulating the humidity inside the drawer (1 ) by means of cool air input-output through the air opening (14) so as to close and open the air opening (14) during cool air circulation, characterized by comprising a curved curtain (20) having at least one holder leg (21 ) moving inside the guide channel (12) and compliant to the curved part (1 1 ) and closing and opening the air openings (14) so as to move along a stroke distance x from a first position to a second position on the curved part (1 1 ) of the drawer (1 ).

2. A home appliance according to Claim 1 , wherein the curved part (1 1 ) on the drawer (1 ) has J cross section.

3. A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the curved part (1 1 ) is formed behind a handle (15) integrated to the drawer (1 ) and at the upper edge of the front wall (10).

4. A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder leg (21 ), embodied outside of the curtain (20) at an amount equal to the stroke distance (x), is extending radially outwardly.

5. A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the curtain (20) comprises a support leg (22) embodied on the edge thereof opposite to the holder leg (21 ).

6. A home appliance according to Claim 5, wherein the holder and the support legs (21 , 22) are extending outwardly such that the holder and the support legs (21 , 22) are intersecting with a concave line (T) parallel with respect to the cross section of the concave-shaped curtain (20).

7. A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a grid (13) is provided comprising pluralities of air openings (14).

8. A home appliance according to Claim 7, wherein the length of the guide channel (12) is equal to or greater than the length of the grid (13).

9. A home appliance according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the guide channels (12) are extending in a parallel manner with respect to the grid (13) under and above the grid (13).

10. A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder leg (21 ) comprises a resting surface (23) resting onto the end of the guide channel (12).