EP2938948A1

EP2938948A1 - A refrigerator comprising two freezing compartments

Info

Publication number: EP2938948A1
Application number: EP13815526.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ahmet Ziya Demir; Mehmet KESBIC; Hasan Yuksel; Ahmet SERT
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2012-12-31
Filing date: 2013-12-27
Publication date: 2015-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-27
Also published as: WO2014102328A1; EP2938948B1; AU2013369277A1; CN105917183B; CN105917183A; AU2013369277B2; PL2938948T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a body, two freezing compartments wherein the products to be frozen are placed, two doors (10, 11) connected to the body and providing separate access into the freezing compartments, and a common hinge (3) that enables the two doors (10, 11) to be supported and connected to the front side of a panel (4) forming the side wall of the body with a screw (7).

Description

A REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING TWO FREEZING COMPARTMENTS

The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a body, two freezing compartments wherein products to be frozen are placed and two doors providing access into the freezing compartments.
Producers of white goods design a large number of different types of refrigerators in order to meet the different requirements of consumers. Among these designs, double door refrigerators, for example having a single fresh food compartment and a single freezing compartment, are widely used. In order to be more user-friendly, the producers of white goods have designed a triple door refrigerator, by separating the freezing compartment of a double door refrigerator into an intermediary compartment and two freezing compartments, disposing a separate door for each freezing compartment in order to provide access to the interiors of the freezing compartments. The doors, that enables the fresh food and freezing compartments of an existing triple door refrigerator to be insulated from the outside environment, are attached to the refrigerator body with hinges. These hinges both attach the doors to the body and also support the doors. A hinge that commonly supports the doors of the freezing compartments of a present triple door refrigerator is screwed by two screws to the intermediary compartment sheet metal which separates the upper and lower freezing compartments. Thus, the intermediary compartment supports the load of the freezing compartment doors. In the open position of the doors, depending upon utilization, excessive load can be imposed on the common hinge and important problems can arise when the said load is transmitted to the intermediary compartment. For example, deformations can form in the intermediary compartment and thereafter the doors do not stay in their intended spatial positions. The sealing gaskets located at the doors cannot perform their intended insulation functions since the doors become loose. As the cold air in the freezing compartments leak into the outside environment, the refrigeration effectiveness of the refrigerator decreases to low levels and electricity consumption increases.
In order to solve these problems, the strength of the said common hinge, supporting the freezing compartment doors of a present triple door refrigerator, should be increased by fastening the hinge to the refrigerator panel with an additional screw. But, heating ducts pass behind the refrigerator panel. These heating ducts prevent the sealing gaskets, located at the freezing compartment doors of the said refrigerators, from adhering to the refrigerator panel when the doors are closed due to freezing of the moisture present in the freezing medium. The heating duct of a present triple door refrigerator is passed from the side of the freezing compartment plastic and is installed to the region where especially the sealing gaskets close over the refrigerator panel. An additional screw cannot be installed to this region since an additional screw used to fasten the said common hinge, connected to the intermediary sheet metal, to the refrigerator panel as well may contact and damage the said heating duct.
In the state of the art United States patent no. US 5,349,832, a double door refrigerator is explained wherein the heating duct is configured and a common hinge is attached to the refrigerator panel with a screw.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator comprising a common hinge that enables the doors of the freezing compartments to be safely supported and wherein the common hinge is easily and safely connected to the body.
The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention and explicated in the attached claims, comprises a heating duct installed inside the body, of which the portion aligning with the part of the panel forming the side wall of the body whereto the screw is installed, winds around the screw like an arc so as to be parallel to the side wall of the body and not to contact the screw. Thus, the hinge, that provides the connection of both freezing compartment doors to the body, is enabled to be connected to the body easily and safely. Furthermore, the doors of the freezing compartments are thus enabled to be supported safely.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator preferably comprises a hinge support. The hinge support is disposed between the heating duct winding like an arc and the inner side of the panel. A screw is screwed to the hinge support which connects the hinge to the body. Thus, the strength of the hinge connected to the panel is increased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the hinge support facing the inner side of the panel entirely contacts the panel and is seated thereon. Thus, the panel is prevented from being deformed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a hole is bored on the panel through which the screw can be inserted. Furthermore, the hinge support comprises a protrusion through which the screw can pass. The said protrusion is placed into the hole bored in the panel. Thus, the hinge support is prevented from moving.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the hinge support in the vertical direction is preferably equal to the width of the hinge base portion in the vertical direction or wider than the width of the base portion in the vertical direction.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the hinge support in the horizontal direction is preferably equal to or narrower than the width in the horizontal direction of the panel, forming the front side of the side wall of the body.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the heating duct winds around the screw drawing a half circle. Furthermore, the top of the heating duct is placed into the body so as to center both the screw and the hinge support. Thus, heat is enabled to spread through the panel homogeneously. Furthermore, the sealing gaskets are thus effectively prevented from freezing and adhering to the body in the region where the screw is attached.
In an embodiment of the present invention, in order to increase heat transfer of the front panel whereon the sealing gaskets are closed, the surface of the arc-shaped portion of the heating duct is expanded. Thus, the heating duct is able to heat the panel sufficiently.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hinge is L-shaped. Furthermore, the common hinge has a base portion and an upright portion. Screw insertion holes are bored on the base portion. The base portion enables the hinge to be attached to the body with screws. The upright portion enables the doors to be held and supported in a rotatable manner.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises an intermediary compartment that separates the two freezing compartments. The front side of the intermediary compartment forms the front side of the body. The front side of the intermediary compartment is covered by sheet metal. Furthermore, one end of the base portion of the common hinge is connected to the sheet metal forming the front side of the intermediary compartment, that separates the compartments, with two screws. Furthermore, the other end of the base portion of the hinge is connected to the panel, that forms the front side of the side wall of the body, with a single screw. Consequently, the doors of the freezing compartments are enabled to be supported safely.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotational axis of the screw screwed to the panel through the screw insertion hole of the L-shaped hinge and the rotational axis of the doors disposed at the upright portion lie in the same plane. Thus, the rotational moment transmitted to the screw is decreased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the upright portion of the L-shaped hinge is realized closer to the hole located at the base portion providing the insertion of a screw to the panel than the hole providing the insertion of a screw to the sheet metal. Thus, the upright portion of the hinge enabling the doors to be supported is provided close to the side wall, thus occupying less space.
By means of the present invention, the strength of the hinge, supporting the freezing compartment doors and connecting to the body, is increased. Consequently, deformations caused by the forces that might affect the doors during transportation and utilization are prevented. Furthermore, the doors are enabled to remain in their intended spatial positions. Additionally, the sealing gaskets are enabled to perform their intended insulation functions as designed. Accordingly, the cold air in the freezing compartments is prevented from leaking to the outside environment and refrigeration effectiveness of the refrigerator is prevented from decreasing, hence electricity consumption from increasing.
A model embodiment relating to a refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the perspective view of the refrigerator comprising two freezing compartments when the doors are open.
Figure 2 – is the front partial schematic view of the refrigerator comprising two freezing compartments.
Figure 3 – is the view of the cross section D-D in Figure 2.
Figure 4 – is the view of detail E in Figure 3.
Figure 5 – is the view of the cross-section F-F in Figure 4.
The elements illustrated in the figure are numbered as follows:

Freezing compartment plastic
Intermediary compartment sheet metal
Hinge
Refrigerator panel
Intermediary compartment

7. Hinge panel screw
8. Heating duct
9. Hinge support
10. Upper door
11. Lower door
In all the embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a body, two freezing compartments wherein products to be frozen are placed, two doors (10, 11) connected to the body, providing separate access into the freezing compartments, more than one hinge (3), each used commonly by the two doors (10, 11) and enabling the doors (10, 11) to be held and connected to the body, sealing gaskets installed at the inner part of the door (10, 11) sides, closing on one front side of the body in the closed position of the doors (10, 11) and providing the insulation of each freezing compartment from the outside environment, a heating duct (8) installed inside the body to align with the side whereon the sealing gaskets close on the body and preventing the sealing gaskets from freezing and adhering to the body in the closed position of the doors (10, 11), and a screw (7) that attaches the hinge (3) to the front side of a panel (4) forming the side wall of the body (Figure 3). The refrigerator, shown partially in the figures, is preferably a triple door refrigerator having two freezing compartments and a fresh food compartment (Figure 1 and Figure 2).
In all the embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the heating duct (8) installed inside the body, corresponding to the side of the panel (4) forming the side wall of the body whereto the screw (7) is installed, winds around the screw (7) like an arc so as to be parallel to the side wall of the body and not to contact the screw (7) (Figure 4 and Figure 5). Thus, the hinge (3) is enabled to be fastened to the body easily and safely. Furthermore, the doors (10, 11) of the freezing compartments are enabled to be supported safely. The heating duct (8) is preferably produced from metal. The heating duct (8) is connected to the outlet side of a compressor used in the refrigeration cycle and the hot refrigerant fluid flows therethrough. In the embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerant fluid used in the refrigeration cycle is not required to be used as the heat source in order to prevent freezing of the sealing gaskets. In other embodiments of the present invention, for example a heating electric cable can also be passed through the heating duct (8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator preferably comprises a hinge support (9) (Figure 4 and Figure 5). The hinge support (9) is disposed between the heating duct (8) winding like an arc and the inner side of the panel (4). A screw (7) is screwed to the hinge support (9) which connects the hinge (3) to the body (Figure 4 and Figure 5). Thus, the strength of the hinge (3) is increased. In the region where the hinge support (9) is seated on the panel (4) from the inner side, a flange is formed by bending the panel (4) into the body (Figure 4). Thus, it is possible to group and place the pieces between the freezing compartment plastic (1) and the flange of the panel (4) during assembly (Figure 4). In the region where the heating duct (8) winds around the screw (7), an opening is left in the freezing compartment plastic (1) (Figure 5). Thus, the heating duct (8) can extend into the body like an arc. In other regions, the heating duct (8) is passed between the edge of the freezing compartment plastic (1) and the refrigerator panel (4) in a straight manner.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the hinge support (9) facing the inner side of the panel (4) entirely contacts the panel (4) and is seated thereon (Figure 4 and Figure 5). Since the heating duct (8) is provided to get away from the panel (4) by being bent into the body, the area whereon the hinge support (9) can be seated becomes wider. Thus, it is possible to use a hinge support (9) with a wide surface area. Thus, the panel (4) remaining between the hinge (3) and the hinge support (9) is furthermore enabled to be supported from the inside and the outside. Thus, the panel (4) forming the side wall of the body is furthermore prevented from being deformed. Thus, furthermore the strength of the common hinge (3) is increased. Moreover, a hinge support (9) with a wider width is enabled to be used without widening the width of the side wall.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a hole is bored on the panel (4), forming the side wall of the body, through which the screw (7) can be inserted (Figure 4 and Figure 5). Furthermore, the hinge support (9) has a protrusion through which the screw (7) can pass (Figure 4 and Figure 5). The said protrusion is placed into the hole bored into the panel (4). Thus, the hinge support (9) is prevented from moving and from being tightened excessively during assembly.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the hinge support (9) in the vertical direction is preferably equal to the width of the hinge (3) base portion in the vertical direction or wider than the width of the base portion in the vertical direction (Figure 5). In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the hinge support (9) in the horizontal direction is preferably equal to the width in the horizontal direction of the panel (4) forming the front side of the side wall of the body (Figure 4). In an embodiment of the present invention, the heating duct (8) winds around the screw (7) drawing a half circle (Figure 5). Furthermore, the top of the heating duct (8) geometrically centers both the screw (7) and the hinge support (9) (Figure 5). Thus, heat is enabled to spread over to the panel (4) homogeneously. Thus, the sealing gaskets are furthermore effectively prevented from freezing and adhering to the body. The hinge support (9) is preferably produced from metal. Thus, the hinge support (9) is enabled to be both durable and also to transfer the heat emanated from the heating duct (8) to the panel (4).
In another embodiment of the present invention not shown in the figures, the surface of the arc-shaped portion of the heating duct (8) is widened in order to increase heat transfer to the front panel (4). Thus, the heating duct (8) is able to heat the panel (4) sufficiently. In a version of an embodiment of the present invention, not shown in the figures, the surface of the heating duct (8) is shaped as an oval, provided that the cross-sectional area of the arc-shaped portion thereof remains the same. In another version of an embodiment of the present invention, not shown in the figures, “surface increasing” metal fins are mounted to the surface of the arc-shaped portion of the heating duct (8). Thus, the heating duct (8) can transfer the sufficient amount of heat to the panel (4) even though the heating duct (8) moves away from the panel (4) by bending into the body.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hinge (3) is L-shaped. Furthermore, the hinge (3) has a base portion and an upright portion. Screw insertion holes are bored on the base portion. The base portion provides the hinge (3) to be attached to the body with screws. The upright portion enables the doors (10, 11) to be held and supported in a rotatable manner.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises an intermediary compartment (5) that separates the two freezing compartments. The front side of the intermediary compartment (5) forms the front side of the body. The front side of the intermediary compartment (5) is covered by a sheet metal (2). Furthermore, one end of the base portion of the hinge (3) is connected to the sheet metal (2) forming the front side of the intermediary compartment (5), separating the compartments, preferably with two screws. Furthermore, the other end of the base portion of the hinge (3) is connected to the panel (4), forming the front side of the side wall of the body, with a single screw. Consequently, the doors (10, 11) of the freezing compartments are enabled to be supported safely. Additionally, the sheet metal (2) is thus prevented from being deformed due to excessive load.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the rotational axis of the screw (7), installed to the panel (4) through the screw insertion hole of the hinge (3), and the rotational axis of the doors (10, 11) disposed at the upright portion lie in the same plane (Figure 4). Thus, the rotational moment transferred to the screw (7) is decreased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the upright portion of the hinge (3) is closer to the hole of the base portion providing the screw (7) to be installed to the panel (4) than the hole providing the screw to be installed to the sheet metal (2). Thus, the hinge (3) does not limit the movement area of the user.
By means of the present invention, the strength of the hinge (3), supporting the freezing compartment doors (10, 11) and connecting them to the body, is increased. Consequently, deformations caused by the forces that might affect the doors (10, 11) during transportation and utilization are prevented. Furthermore, the doors (10, 11) are thus enabled to remain in their intended spatial positions. Furthermore, the sealing gaskets are thus enabled to perform their intended insulation functions precisely. Moreover, the cold air in the freezing compartment is prevented from leaking to the outside environment, the refrigeration effectiveness of the refrigerator is prevented from decreasing to low levels and electricity consumption from increasing.
In embodiments of the present invention not shown in the figures, for example in a refrigerator having more than two fresh food/freezing compartment, more than one hinge (3) is used in order to commonly support and connect the doors (10, 11). In these embodiments, each hinge (3) is attached to the panel (4) with an additional screw (7) as described above. In the connection regions, each time the heating duct (8) is wound towards the interior of the body and around the screw (7) like an arc and extends to remain parallel to the side wall. In refrigerators not shown in the figures, wherein more than one hinge (3) is used, should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A refrigerator comprising

a body,

two freezing compartments wherein products to be frozen are placed,

two doors (10, 11) connected to the body, providing separate access into the freezing compartments,

more than one hinge (3), each one used commonly by the two doors (10, 11), enabling the doors (10, 11) to be held and connected to the body,

sealing gaskets installed at the inner part of the door (10, 11) sides, closing on one front side of the body in the closed position of the doors (10, 11), providing the insulation of each freezing compartment from the outside environment,

a heating duct (8) installed inside the body to align with the side whereon the sealing gaskets close on the body and preventing the sealing gaskets from freezing and adhering to the body in the closed position of the doors (10, 11) and

a screw (7) connecting the hinge (3) to the front side of a panel (4) forming the side wall of the body,

characterized by the heating duct (8), of which a portion corresponding to the side of the panel (4) forming the side wall of the body whereto the screw (7) is installed, winds around the screw (7) like an arc so as to be parallel to the side wall of the body and not to contact the screw (7).
A refrigerator as in Claim 1, characterized by a hinge support (9) that is disposed between the portion of the heating duct (8) winding around the screw (7) like an arc and the inner side of the panel (4) and that enables the screw (7) connecting the hinge (3) to the body to be screwed thereon.
A refrigerator as in Claim 2, characterized by the hinge support (9), of which a surface facing the inner side of the panel (4) entirely contacts the panel (4) and is seated thereon.
A refrigerator as in Claim 2 or 3, characterized by the panel (4) having a hole through which the screw (7) can pass and by the hinge support (9) having a protrusion, mounted to the hole on the panel (4) and through which the screw (7) can pass.
A refrigerator as in any one of the Claims 2 to 4, characterized by the hinge support (9), of which the width in the vertical direction is equal to the width of the hinge (3) base portion in the vertical direction or wider than the width of the base portion in the vertical direction.
A refrigerator as in any one of the Claims 2 to 5, characterized by the hinge support (9), of which the width in the horizontal direction is equal to or narrower than the width in the horizontal direction of the panel (4) forming the front side of the side wall of the body.
A refrigerator as in any one of the Claims 1 to 6, characterized by the heating duct (8) that winds around the screw (7) drawing a half circle such that its top centers the position of the screw (7).
A refrigerator as in any one of the Claims 1 to 7, characterized by the heating duct (8), of which the surface of the arc-shaped portion is widened in order to increase heat transfer to the front panel (4).
A refrigerator as in any one of the Claims 1 to 8, characterized by the L-shaped hinge (3) having a base portion with screw insertion holes enabling the hinge (3) to be connected to the body with screws and an upright portion enabling the doors (10, 11) to be held and supported in a rotatable manner.
A refrigerator as in Claim 9, characterized by an intermediary compartment (5), of which one portion forming the front side of the body is covered by a sheet metal (2) and which separates the two freezing compartments, and by the hinge (3), of which one end of the base portion is connected to the sheet metal (2), forming the front side of the intermediary compartment (5) that separates the compartments, with two screws and the other end of the base portion being connected to the panel (4), forming the front side of the side wall of the body, with a single screw (7).
A refrigerator as in Claim 9 or 10, characterized by the hinge (3) wherein the rotational axis of the screw (7), installed to the panel (4) through the screw insertion hole, and the rotational axis of the doors (10, 11) disposed at the upright portion, providing the doors (10, 11) to be rotatably held, lie in the same plane.
A refrigerator as in any one of the Claims 9 to 11, characterized by the hinge (3), the upright portion of which is realized closer to the hole of the base portion enabling the screw (7) to be installed to the panel (4) than the hole enabling the screw to be installed to the metal sheet (2).