EP2955468A1 - Door spacer and household device with a door spacer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a door spacer (19, 20) for ensuring a minimum gap dimension between a door (5, 6) sealed by a seal (12, 13) relative to a body (4) of a domestic appliance and the body (4) with fastening means (26, 27, 28) for fastening to the door (5, 6) or to the body (4) and a stop (41) for contacting the other one of the door (5, 6) or body (4). To achieve that the door spacer (19,20) is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, causes no damage to the body in door closing movements with great force and yet reliably prevents undesirable deformation of areas of the door seal, the stop (41) is provided according to the invention is formed on a spring element (24), which is displaceable against a spring force in a free space (34). The invention further relates to a household appliance, in particular a household refrigerator (1) with such a door spacer (19,20).

Description

The present invention relates to a door spacer for ensuring a minimum gap between a door sealed by a gasket to a body of a household appliance and the body with fixing means for fixing to the door or on the body and a stop for contacting the other of the door or carcass. The present invention further relates to a household appliance, in particular domestic refrigeration appliance, with a body and a door for closing the body as well as a seal arranged between the body and the door and with such a door spacer.

Domestic appliances, in particular domestic refrigerators, such as refrigerators, freezers or fridge-freezer combinations, are usually designed so that a Türanschlagwechsel can be performed. In this case, for example, with the view of the household appliance hinged right door including the bearings, such as hinges, dismounted and mounted on the left side, so that the door is now struck left. Although a defined gap between the door and the body is generated on the bearings. However, on the opposite side of the Lagerrungen the gap between the door and the body is determined solely by the seal, ie their thickness. The usually made of PVC seals tend to irreversibly deform in the gap between the door and body at corresponding pressure forces between the door and body. Thus, portions of the seals that are opposite to the bearings can be permanently compressed. The cause of the resulting pressure forces between the door and the body can be in a set on the Lagerrung closing pressure, a door-closing help, which is to ensure a secure contact between the door and carcass, or during transport through the door-fixing adhesive tapes. In principle, such a deformation or compression of these sections of the door seal would not be problematic. However, if in a domestic appliance with already (partially) deformed seal a door stop change is to be performed, due to the gap defined by the storage on the one hand and by now deformed in this area door seal on the other hand, a leak.

From the DE 197 44 741 A1 is a refrigerator and / or freezer with a door known, which has a circumferential elastic door seal, wherein the door seal at the front edge of the device housing rests and wherein a spacer is provided such that the closed door with at the same time abutting edge seal on at least one is dependent on the dimensioning of the spacer, defined minimum distance to the housing is held. The formation of the spacer piece and einmaterialig with a door cover cap results in a consuming to produce refrigerator and / or freezer. In addition, by door closing movements with great force damage to the device housing caused by the spacer.

It is also already known to provide separate door spacers, which are placed for example only during transport to a customer on a door to prevent deformation of the door seal through the door-fixing adhesive tapes. Such spacers partially have a foam layer which is glued to a stop of the door spacer, which serves to contact the body. The foam layer should avoid scratches on the body.

The present invention has for its object to improve a door spacer mentioned above. The object is also to provide a household appliance having such an improved door spacer.

The object is solved by the independent claims. Thus, it is provided in a door spacer mentioned above, that the stop is formed on a spring element which is displaceable against a spring force in a free space.

Although it is achieved according to the invention by the stopper, which can contact the body or the door, on the one hand and by the fastening means on the other, which allow the door spacer to connect with the door or the body, a defined Mindestspaltmaß between door and body. However, as soon as the stop, for example, contacted the body during a closing movement of the door, this begins to displace into a further increase in the necessary closing force for the closing force in the space inside. Part of the closing force is thus in Deformation energy of the spring element converted. Damage, eg of the carcass, with impact-like closing forces can be avoided.

On the other hand, the spring force applied when the spring element is displaced into the free space causes the desired minimum gap dimension to be restored when the (jerky) closing force is released. Namely by the spring element pushes the door by a corresponding amount from the body. Regardless of the size of the abruptly applied door closing forces, the door spacer according to the invention thus enables reliable maintenance of the desired minimum gap dimension.

By the door spacer according to the invention is a separate to the door, the door seal and the body component, this can be easily and inexpensively manufactured. Depending on requirements, the door spacer can only be used for the purpose of transporting the household appliance or else be used permanently.

Embodiments of the present invention are defined in the subclaims.

It can thus be provided that the free space is formed by the door spacer. There is thus an extremely compact, stable and therefore hardly damaged door spacers before. In principle, however, it is also possible that the free space is arranged outside the door spacer. Thus, the spring element may be formed by a spring arm and the stop by a free end of the spring arm. Such a spring arm is preferably already at an initial contact with the body or the door with respect to a contact plane on the body or the door at an angle. In an over the initial contact of the stop with the body or the door beyond increasing the closing force of the spring arm is displaced outwards and against a spring force.

It can be provided that the door spacer comprises a carrier body and the spring element. Preferably, the door spacer has only the carrier body and the Federlement, whereby a simple and inexpensive construction results. It is possible that only the carrier body contacts the door and only the spring element the Corpus contacted or vice versa. Preferably, the fastening means are provided exclusively on the carrier body.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the free space is formed by two longitudinal webs of a carrier body connected by a floor and the spring element connecting the two longitudinal webs. The free space is thus completely enclosed by the longitudinal webs, the bottom and the spring element. It is possible that the free space is formed by a breakthrough or an opening or a bore of the door spacer.

If it is provided that the carrier body has reinforcing ribs at least along the two longitudinal webs and the bottom, the stability of the door spacer can be further increased.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the free space forms an end stop for the spring element. This makes it possible that despite the displacement of the spring element in the free space and the associated and desired energy reduction, a certain gap between the door and body is not exceeded even at large (for example, abruptly occurring) closing forces. From a certain closing force the displaced in the free space spring element contacts the end stop and can not be displaced further. A further reduction of the gap dimension can be applied from this point exclusively via a deformation, e.g. Compression, the spring element done, but causes the same increase in the closing force a much smaller reduction of the gap.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the spring element has a nose directed into the free space. This can be directed in particular in the direction of an end stop of the free space and contact it with a correspondingly large closing force.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that a spring characteristic of the spring element is not linear, in particular has two substantially linear sections of different pitch. Preferably, it is provided that the spring characteristic is progressive, in particular, that a first section with in Substantially more linear course has a smaller slope than a second section with a substantially more linear course. This allows that when the door is closed and only low closing forces, for example by an adhesive tape, by a negative pressure in the storage space of the carcass or by a closing pressure of a hinge, the spring element is biased, but only produces a small spring force. However, as soon as (a short time) a much greater closing force acts on the door, the spring element generates a much larger spring force, so that the gap does not decrease below a minimum value. Such a course of the spring characteristic can be effected either by a specific embodiment of the spring element itself and / or by integrating an end stop for the spring element in the free space.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the stop is formed on a curved abutment surface of the spring element. This has the advantage that increases a contact surface on the stop with increasing closing force and concomitant increasing elastic deformation of the spring element. The transmitted by means of the stop on the body or the door force is thereby distributed over a larger area, which further reduces the formation of damage. It is preferably provided that the abutment surface is convexly curved.

Preferably, the door spacer is made of plastic. Although it is in principle possible that the door spacer is made only of a single material. Preferably, however, the spring element consists of a different material than the remaining door spacer, in particular a carrier body. In particular, the spring element may consist of a more elastic material than the remaining door spacer, in particular a carrier body. For example, the spring element made of thermoplastic material (TPE), while the remaining door spacer, in particular a carrier body, consists of polystyrene (PS).

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the door spacer is formed in one piece, in particular produced by a two-component injection molding process. Alternatively, however, the spring element can also be attached to the door spacer in a material-locking and / or positive-locking and / or non-positive manner. Preferably, in each case, the spring element is not destructively removable from the door spacer. According to one embodiment it is provided that the fastening means comprise a pin formed by at least three ribs. This allows to use the door spacer, for example in a door bearing bush (eg a track bearing) and also allows a simple and cost-effective production of the door spacer by means of injection molding.

Preferably, the door spacer is mirror-symmetrical at least with respect to a plane.

A domestic appliance according to the invention has a body and a door for closing the body as well as a seal arranged between the body and the door and a door spacer according to the invention. In this case, the door spacer may have all of the embodiments described above.

It is preferably provided that the door spacer can be mounted and dismantled without tools. It is possible that the door spacer is attached via the fasteners on the door or on the body. According to one embodiment, it is provided that the door spacer is snapped onto a frame part, in particular on a door closure strip. Preferably, it is an upper horizontal door closure strip.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the spring element is biased with the door closed and a pressure equalization between a storage space of the body and the environment. The spring force thus generated by the spring element ensures that the minimum gap size is reliably maintained.

According to one embodiment, it is provided that the free space forms an end stop for the spring element and that the spring element does not contact the end stop when the door is closed and a pressure equalization between a storage space of the carcass and the surroundings. In this way, the spring element with additional loading of the door with a closing force can be further displaced into the space until it finally contacted the end stop.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Haushaltskältegerät,

Fig. 2 und Fig. 3

Ansichten eines erfindungsgemäßen Türabstandshalters,

Fig. 4

einen Ausschnitt des Haushaltsgerätes aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht des Ausschnitts aus Fig. 4 und

Fig. 6

eine zu Fig. 5 vergleichbare Darstellung bei einer durch eine Schließkraft beaufschlagte Tür.

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show

Fig. 1

an inventive household refrigerator,

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3

Views of a door spacer according to the invention,

Fig. 4

a section of the household appliance Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5

a top view of the cutout Fig. 4 and

Fig. 6

one too Fig. 5 comparable representation at a acted upon by a closing force door.

Identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 shows an inventive household appliance in the form of a household refrigerator 1, namely a refrigerator-freezer. This has both a freezer 2 and a cooling compartment 3, which are arranged in a body 4 and by corresponding doors 5, 6 are closed. The body 4 has horizontal end strips 7, 8, 9 and formed as part of side walls vertical strips 10, 11 which delimit the openings of both the freezer compartment 2 and the cooling compartment 3. On the doors 5, 6 seals 12, 13 are arranged, the corresponding door panels 5, 6 corresponding end strips 7, 8, 9 and / or vertical strips 10, 11 contact. The doors 5, 6 are hinged on the right in this embodiment, that is mounted on the right hinges 14, 15, 16 pivotally mounted on the body 4.

With the doors 5, 6 closed, a gap is formed between the doors 5, 6 and the body 4, i. between the end strips 7, 8, 9 and the vertical strips 10, 11 on the one hand and the freezer compartment 2 and the cooling compartment 3 facing inner surfaces 17, 18 of the doors 5, 6 on the other. Within this gap, the seals 12, 13 are arranged. The gap dimension depends on the one hand on the structure of the hinges 14, 15, 16 and on the other hand on the closing force acting on the closed doors 5, 6.

At each door 5, 6 each an inventive door spacers 19, 20 is arranged. On the door 5 of the freezer compartment 2, this is arranged on a vertical frame part 21. On the door 6 of the refrigerating compartment 3, this is arranged on a horizontal frame part 22.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show two views of a door spacer 20 according to the invention, as shown on the door 6 in Fig. 1 is arranged.

The door spacer 20 has a carrier body 23, on which a spring element 24 is arranged, and is produced by a two-component injection molding process. The carrier body 23 has two legs 25, 26 which are arranged at right angles to one another and which are suitable for embracing a front edge 25 of a horizontal frame part 22 of the door 6.

The attachment of the door spacer 20 to the door 6 via fasteners 26, 27, 28, which are integrally formed on the support body 23. A fastening means 26 forms a pin 29, which is formed by three ribs 30. This pin 30 can be inserted into a bearing bush which is attached to the horizontal frame part 22, e.g. a door closure strip, is formed, engage. Another fastening means 27 is formed by a latching nose 31 which can snap behind an edge of the horizontal frame part 22, so that the door spacer 20 is held captive. A fastening means 28 is formed by a rib 32 protruding from a leg 25 substantially at right angles, which engage behind a rear edge 33 of the horizontal frame part 22 of the door 6 and thus prevent twisting of the door spacer 20.

Within the door spacer 20, a free space 34 is formed, into which the spring element 24 can be at least partially displaced by deformation. The free space 34 is bounded on the one hand by the spring element 24 and on the other hand by the carrier body 23. For this purpose, the carrier body 23 has two longitudinal webs 36, 37 connected by a bottom 35.

The bottom 35 serves as an end stop 38 for the spring element 24 in the case of a maximum displacement desselbigen in the free space 34. In this case contacted a nose 39 of the spring element 24, the end stop 38. The end stop 38 forming surface is flush with a spring element 24 facing Surface of the rib 32, so that a correspondingly large-scale end stop 38 is formed. Furthermore, the Free space 34 on the support body 23 bordered by reinforcing ribs 40 which extend along the bottom 35 and the longitudinal webs 36, 37.

On the spring element 24, a stop 41 for contacting the body 4, in particular the front strip 8, is formed. The stopper 41 has a convex abutment surface 42.

In the region of the transition of the two legs 25, 26, an opening 43 is arranged in the carrier body 23 in order to enable injection molding production by a slideless tool.

Fig. 4 shows a section of the household appliance Fig. 1 with snapped door spacer 20 with the door closed 6. The vertical bar 22 is formed by a door closure strip 44. While the locking lug 31 engages behind an edge 45 of the door closure strip 44, the pin 29 is received by a bearing bush. The rib 32, however, engages behind a front edge 33 of the door closure strip 44. The door spacer 20 thus covers the door closure strip 44 completely along a transverse extension, ie in the depth direction of the household appliance. He is thus immediately visible to a user and can be removed after installation of the household refrigerator 1.

The FIGS. 5 and 6 each show a plan view of the section Fig. 4 at different acting on the door 6 closing forces. The representation in Fig. 5 corresponds to a door position without external, ie generated by a user or by a door 6 fixing adhesive, closing forces. In this case, only the closing forces generated by the hinges 15, 16 act. Although the spring element 24 is biased and against a non-biased state (see FIGS. 2 and 3 ) has been displaced into the free space 34. However, it does not contact the end stop 38.

In the presentation after Fig. 6 In contrast, an additional closing force on the door 6, for example, caused by a jerky slamming the door 6. In this case, the spring element 24 is much further displaced in the space 34 and to the extent that the nose 39 contacts the end stop 38.

REFERENCE LIST

1

Household refrigerator

2

freezer

3

refrigerated compartment

4

corpus

5

door

6

door

7

end strip

8th

end strip

9

end strip

10

vertical bar

11

vertical bar

12

poetry

13

poetry

14

hinge

15

hinge

16

hinge

17

palm

18

palm

19

Door Spacer

20

Door Spacer

21

frame part

22

frame part

23

support body

24

spring element

25

edge

26

fastener

27

fastener

28

fastener

29

spigot

30

rib

31

locking lug

32

rib

33

edge

34

free space

35

ground

36

longitudinal web

37

longitudinal web

38

end stop

39

nose

40

reinforcing rib

41

attack

42

stop surface

43

breakthrough

44

Door end strip

Claims (14)

Door spacer (19, 20) for ensuring a minimum gap between a door (5, 6) sealed by a seal (12, 13) relative to a body (4) of a domestic appliance and the body (4) with fastening means (26, 27, 28) for fixing to the door (5, 6) or to the carcass (4) and to a stop (41) for contacting the other door (5, 6) or carcass (4), characterized in that the stop (41) is formed on a spring element (24), which is displaceable against a spring force in a free space (34). Door spacer (19,20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the free space (34) through the door spacer (19,20) is formed. Door spacer (19,20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the free space (34) by two by a bottom (35) connected longitudinal webs (36,37) of a support body (23) and the two longitudinal webs (36,37) connecting Spring element (24) is formed. Door spacer (19,20) according to claim 3, characterized in that the carrier body (23) at least along the two longitudinal webs (36,37) and the bottom (35) reinforcing ribs (40). Door spacer (19,20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free space (34) forms an end stop (38) for the spring element (24). Door spacer (19,20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (24) has a in the free space (34) directed nose (39). Door spacer (19,20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring characteristic of the spring element (24) is not linear runs, in particular two substantially linear sections having different pitch. Door spacer (19,20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (41) on a curved abutment surface (42) of the spring element (24) is formed. Door spacer (19,20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door spacer (19,20) is integrally formed, in particular produced by a two-component injection molding. Door spacer (19,20) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means (26,27,28) comprise a pin (29) formed by at least three ribs (30). Domestic appliance, in particular household refrigerating appliance (1), with a body (4) and a door (5, 6) for closing the body (4) and a seal (12, 12) arranged between the body (4) and the door (5, 6) 13), characterized by a door spacer (19,20) according to one of the preceding claims. Domestic appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that the door spacer (19,20) on a frame part (21,22), in particular on a door closure strip (44), is latched. Domestic appliance according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the spring element (24) is biased with the door closed and a pressure equalization between a storage space of the body (4) and the environment. Domestic appliance according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the free space (34) forms an end stop (38) for the spring element (24) and that the spring element (24) with the door closed (5,6) and a pressure equalization between a Storage space of the carcass (4) and the environment the end stop (38) not contacted.

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