EP3457058A1 - Shelf for a refrigerator device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shelf (110) for a refrigerator (100), wherein the refrigerator (100) defines a cooling space (101) in which the shelf (110) can be arranged. The shelf (110) comprises a flat front element, a planar central element and a flat rear element. In a first arrangement of the front element and the rear element relative to the central element, the front element, the central element and the rear element lie in a plane in order to form a coherent deposition surface. The front element and the rear element are rotatably mounted on the central element in such a way that the front element and the rear element can be arranged relative to the central element in a second arrangement, wherein in the second arrangement the front element forms a first deposition surface which is arranged offset in parallel above a second deposition surface , which is formed by the central element, and the rear element forms a third storage surface, which is arranged offset parallel below the second storage surface. Furthermore, the invention relates to a refrigeration device (100) with such a shelf (110).

Description

The present invention relates to a shelf for a refrigerator and such a refrigerator. A refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to mean a domestic refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance that is used for household management or in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for storing food and / or drinks at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerated freezer combination, or a freezer.

In general, the refrigerator interior is divided by shelves spatially into several compartments in conventional refrigerators. This allows a user to store different types of refrigerated goods in different compartments of the refrigerator. Further systematization of the refrigerated goods arrangement within a compartment is generally not possible, so that in the case of an insufficient number of compartments refrigerated goods often have to be stored unsystematically in a compartment of a refrigerator. Therefore, it would be advantageous to be able to flexibly adapt flexibly the configuration of the refrigerator interior defined by the shelves.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a shelf for a refrigerator and such a refrigerator, which allows flexible adaptation of the interior of the refrigerator.

This object is achieved by a shelf with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to a first aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a shelf for a refrigeration device, wherein the refrigerator defines a cooling space in which the shelf can be arranged. In this case, the shelf comprises a flat front element, a planar central element and a planar rear element, wherein in a first arrangement of the front element and the rear element relative to the central element, the front element, the central element and the rear element in one Lie flat and form a coherent shelf. The front element and the rear element are mounted rotatably on the central element in such a way that the front element and the rear element can be arranged relative to the central element in a second arrangement, wherein in the second arrangement the front element forms a first deposition surface which is arranged offset in parallel above a second deposition surface is, which is formed by the central element, and the rear element forms a third storage surface, which is arranged parallel offset below the second storage surface.

As a result, an improved shelf for a refrigeration device is provided, which allows flexible storage of refrigerated goods. A refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to mean a domestic refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance that is used for household management or in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for storing food and / or drinks at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerated freezer combination, or a freezer.

In an advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the front element and the rear element are rotatably mounted on the central element such that arranging the rear element in the second arrangement is effected by arranging the front element in the second arrangement. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that by hand, only the front element has to be moved into the second arrangement, since due to the coupling of the movement of the back element to the movement of the front element, the back element thereby automatically, i. is spent synchronously in the second arrangement.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the front element and the rear element are rotatably mounted on the central element in such a way that arranging the front element in the second arrangement comprises a first rotary movement and arranging the rear element in the second arrangement comprises a second rotary movement, which of the first Rotary motion is opposite. As a result, the advantage is achieved that essentially the front element and the rear element can be brought into the second arrangement by a simple rotational movement.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the front element and the rear element are rotatably mounted on the central element such that during the first rotary movement, the front element remains in a parallel arrangement relative to the central element and in the second rotational movement, the rear element in a parallel arrangement relative to the Central element remains. In this case, parallel arrangement means that the front element or the rear element lies in a respective plane which is parallel to a plane in which the central element lies.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the shelf comprises front pivot arms, by means of which the front element is rotatably mounted on the central element, and rear pivot arms, by means of which the rear element is rotatably mounted on the central element. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that the front element and the rear element performs a guided by the pivot arms rotational movement.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the front-side pivot arms are coupled to the rear-side pivot arms in such a way that arranging the rear element in the second arrangement is effected by arranging the front element in the second arrangement. Thereby, the advantage is achieved that manually only the front element has to be spent in the second arrangement, as a result of the coupling of the movement of the back element to the movement of the front element thereby the back element is automatically moved into the second arrangement.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the front-side pivot arms comprise inner front-side pivot arms and outer front-side pivot arms and the rear pivot arms inner rear pivot arms and outer rear pivot arms, wherein each of the inner front-side pivot arm and the inner rear pivot arm are rotatably mounted on the central member and the inner front-side pivot arm is coupled to the inner rear pivot arm such that each of the inner front-side pivot arm and the inner rear-side pivot arm rotate together about a common central axis of rotation.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, in each case the outer front-side swivel arm is rotatably mounted on the central element such that the outer front-side swivel arm rotates about an axis of rotation offset parallel to the central axis of rotation, and the outer rear-mounted swivel arm is rotatably mounted on the central element, that in each case the outer rear pivot arm rotates about a further axis of rotation offset parallel to the central axis of rotation.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the front side pivot arms are attached to respective side portions of the front member and respective side portions of the center member, and the rear side pivot arms are attached to respective side portions of the back member and to the respective side portions of the center member.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the shelf further comprises two lateral guide rails, wherein the central element is mounted in the guide rails such that the central element is displaceable along the guide rails. As a result, the advantage is achieved that a gap arising between the compartment elements and an inner wall of a rear wall of the refrigeration device when the compartment elements are moved from the first arrangement into the second arrangement can be compensated.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the shelf is designed such that remain in the second arrangement of the front element and the rear element relative to the central element in a displacement of the central element along the guide rails, the front element and the rear element in the second arrangement relative to the central element , As a result, the advantage is achieved that a gap arising between the compartment elements and an inner wall of a rear wall of the refrigeration device when the compartment elements are moved from the first arrangement into the second arrangement can be compensated.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the shelf further comprises a rear bar, via which the two lateral guide rails are connected to each other. As a result, for example, the advantage is achieved that the shelf is stable. The rear sill may be configured such that in the first arrangement of the front member and the rear member relative to the central member, a portion of the back member may be inserted into the rear sill and in the second arrangement of the front member and the rear member relative to the central member, a portion of the central member in the Rear bar can be inserted.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the shelf, the shelf further comprises fastening elements, which are designed to be introduced into corresponding mounting recesses on an inner side of the refrigerator in order to arrange the shelf in the cooling space of the refrigerator. As a result, the advantage is achieved that the shelf can be easily removed, for example, for cleaning the shelf or used again.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a refrigerator with a shelf according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a shelf in a refrigeration appliance, wherein the refrigeration appliance defines a refrigerated space in which the shelf is arranged, the shelf comprising a front element, a central element and a rear element, the method comprising: arranging the front element and the rear element in a first arrangement relative to the central element, in which the front element, the central element and the rear element lie in a plane to form a continuous storage surface; and arranging the front element and the rear element in a second arrangement relative to the central element, wherein in the second arrangement, the front element forms a first storage surface, which is arranged offset in parallel above a second storage surface, which is formed by the central element, and the rear element, a third storage surface forms, which is arranged parallel offset below the second shelf.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Kältegerätes mit mehreren Fachböden gemäß einer Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2a

eine Detailansicht des Innenraums des Kältegeräts von Figur 1 mit einem Fachboden gemäß einer Ausführungsform in einer ersten Anordnung;

Fig. 2b

eine Detailansicht des Innenraums des Kältegeräts von Figur 1 mit einem Fachboden gemäß einer Ausführungsform in einer zweiten Anordnung;

Fig. 3a

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Fachbodens gemäß einer Ausführungsform in einer ersten Anordnung;

Fig. 3b

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Fachbodens von Fig. 3a beim Verbringen des Fachbodens in eine zweite Anordnung;

Fig. 3c

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Fachbodens von Fig. 3a in einer zweiten Anordnung in einer ersten horizontalen Position; und

Fig. 3d

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Fachbodens von Fig. 3a in einer zweiten Anordnung in einer zweiten horizontalen Position.

Further embodiments will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a refrigerator with a plurality of shelves according to an embodiment;

Fig. 2a

a detailed view of the interior of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 with a shelf according to an embodiment in a first arrangement;

Fig. 2b

a detailed view of the interior of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 with a shelf according to an embodiment in a second arrangement;

Fig. 3a

a perspective view of a shelf according to an embodiment in a first arrangement;

Fig. 3b

a perspective view of the shelf of Fig. 3a when placing the shelf in a second arrangement;

Fig. 3c

a perspective view of the shelf of Fig. 3a in a second arrangement in a first horizontal position; and

Fig. 3d

a perspective view of the shelf of Fig. 3a in a second arrangement in a second horizontal position.

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator representative of a general refrigeration device 100 with a refrigerator body 103 and a refrigerator door 105 which is attached to the refrigerator body 103 in order to close a cold room opening defined by the refrigerator body 103 refrigerator inside (or short refrigerator) 101 can. The refrigerator body 103 defines a refrigerator outer wall and a cold room wall. The cooling space wall comprises a wall top side, a wall rear side, a first wall longitudinal side, a second wall longitudinal side and a wall bottom side, which delimit the cooling space 101 of the refrigeration device 100. On the inside of the refrigeration device door 105, at least one cup-shaped door rack 109 may be provided, which is also designed for receiving refrigerated goods.

The refrigerator 100 may include one or more refrigerant circuits each having a refrigerant evaporator, refrigerant compressor, refrigerant condenser, and / or Include throttle body. The refrigerant evaporator is a heat exchanger in which, after expansion, the liquid refrigerant is vaporized by absorbing heat from the medium to be cooled, eg air. The refrigerant compressor is a mechanically operated component that draws refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant evaporator and expels at a higher pressure to the refrigerant condenser.

As in FIG. 1 illustrated, the refrigeration device 100 comprises a plurality of shelves 110 according to an embodiment, which divide the cooling chamber 101 of the refrigeration device 100 into different compartments for storing refrigerated goods. The FIGS. 2a and 2b show detailed views of the interior 101 of the refrigeration device 100 with a shelf 110 according to an embodiment in a first arrangement in which the shelf forms a shelf, and a second arrangement in which a flat front element 111, a planar central element 112 and a planar rear element 113 of the Shelf 110 are arranged one above the other to form three vertically offset storage surfaces.

The FIGS. 3a to 3d show the shelf 110 of FIGS. 2a and 2b in the first arrangement, an intermediate arrangement and the second arrangement. As mentioned above in connection with FIG. 2b The shelf 110 comprises a substantially rectangular front element 111, a substantially rectangular central element 112 and a substantially rectangular rear element 113. In one embodiment, the front element 111, the central element 112 and the rear element 113 may be at least partially made of glass.

As already related to FIG. 2a mentioned and in FIG. 3a 11, the front element 111 and the rear element 113 may assume a first arrangement relative to the central element 112, in which the front element 111, the central element 112 and the rear element 113 lie in one plane and form a contiguous storage surface. Since the front member 111 and the rear member 113 are rotatably mounted on the central member 112, the front member 111 and the rear member 113 can be arranged in a second arrangement relative to the central member 112, wherein in the second arrangement, the front member 111 forms a first shelf, the is arranged offset in parallel above a second depositing surface, which is formed by the central element 112, and the Rear element 113 forms a third storage surface, which is arranged offset in parallel below the second storage surface. FIG. 3b shows the shelf 110 in an intermediate arrangement, ie when moving the front element 111 and the back element 113 from the first arrangement (see FIG FIG. 3a ) in the second arrangement (see Figures 3c and 3d ) relative to the central element 112.

According to one embodiment, the movement of the front element 111 relative to the central element 112 may be coupled to the movement of the back element 113 relative to the central element 112, i. arranging the back element 113 in the second arrangement relative to the central element 112 is automatically effected by arranging the front element 111 in the second arrangement relative to the central element 112. For example, a user in the first arrangement can grasp a front rail 111a of the front element 111 and move it into the second arrangement by means of a rotational movement around a central axis of rotation defined by the central element 112, whereby the rear element 113 also in the second arrangement simultaneously by a rotational movement in the opposite direction of rotation is arranged relative to the central element 112. Depending on the design of the rotatable attachment of the front member 111 and the back member 113 to the central member 112 may be for moving the front member 111 and the rear member 113 from the first arrangement to the second arrangement in addition to the above-described rotational movement initially a small linear movement of the front element 111 away from the Central element 112 may be required to release the front element 111 for carrying out the rotational movement of the central element 112.

In the in the FIGS. 3a to 3d In the illustrated embodiment, the front member 111 and the rear member 113 are rotatably mounted on the central member 112 such that upon rotation of the front member 111, the front member 111 remains in a parallel arrangement relative to the central member 112 and the rear member 113 is also engaged in the rotational movement of the rear member 113 a parallel arrangement relative to the central element 112 remains. In this case, a parallel arrangement is understood to mean that the front element 111 or the rear element 113 lie in a respective plane which is parallel to the plane in which the central element 112 lies.

To carry out the above rotational movements includes in the in FIGS. 3a to 3d illustrated embodiment of the shelf 110 front side pivot arms 118a, 118b and rear pivot arms 119a, 119b. For the sake of clarity are in the Figures 3b to 3d the pivot arms have only been marked on one side of the shelf 110 by reference numbers, since it can be seen that the shelf on the other side has the same configuration. By means of the front-side pivot arms 118a, 118b, the front element 111 is mounted rotatably on both sides on the corresponding sides of the central element 112.

By means of the rear pivot arms 119a, 119b, the rear element 113 is rotatably mounted on both sides on the respective sides of the central element 112. As described above, according to an embodiment, the front side swing arms 118a, 118b may be coupled to the rear side pivot arms 119a, 119b such that by arranging the front element 111 in the second arrangement, the rear element 113 is simultaneously disposed in the second arrangement relative to the center element ,

As in the Figures 3b to 3d As shown, the front side swing arms 118a, 118b may include an inner front side swing arm 118a and an outer front side swing arm 118b, and the rear side swing arms 119a, 119b may include an inner rear swing arm 119a and an outer rear swing arm 119b. At this time, the inner front side swing arm 118a and the inner rear side swing arm 119a are rotatably attached and coupled to the center member 112 such that the inner front side swing arm 118a and the inner rear side swing arm 119a rotate together about the common central rotation axis. Like this, for example FIGS. 3b and 3c can be seen, takes place in this rotational movement about the common central axis of rotation due to the rigid coupling no change in the orientation of the inner front side pivot arm 118a relative to the inner rear pivot arm 119am which are aligned substantially along a straight line.

The outer front-side swing arm 118b is rotatably attached to the center member 112 such that the outer front-side swing arm 118b rotates about a rotation axis offset in parallel with the central rotation axis. Likewise is the outer rear pivot arm 119b is rotatably mounted on the central member 112 such that the outer rear pivot arm 119b rotates about a further axis of rotation parallel to the central axis of rotation.

As will be appreciated, in the side view of, for example, the front member 111, the center member 112, the inner front side swing arm 118a, and the outer front side swing arm 118b form a parallelogram whose shape changes in the course of the rotation. The same applies to the rear element 113, the central element 112, the inner rear pivot arm 119a and the outer rear pivot arm 119b. The rigid coupling of the inner pivot arms 118a, 119a ensures that the rotational movement of the front element 111 and the rear element 113 takes place synchronously relative to the central element. The rotation of the outer pivot arms 118b, 119b about respective axes of rotation offset in parallel ensures that during these rotational movements the front element 111 and the rear element 113 remain in a parallel arrangement relative to the central element 112.

Like this in the FIGS. 3a to 3d is shown, the shelf 110 may further comprise two each laterally arranged guide rails 116a, 116b, in which the central element 112 is slidably mounted. The slidable mounting of the central element 112 makes it possible to form the gap between the central element 112 and the rear rail 115 (see FIG. 2) when the front element 111 and the back element 113 are moved from the first arrangement into the second arrangement Figure 3c ) offset by the fact that the central element 112 are moved together with the front element 111 and the rear element 113 horizontally in the direction of the rear bar 115, until the defined by the central element 112 shelf gaplessly with the rear bar 115. Like this in the Figures 3c and 3d is shown, remain in such a displacement of the central element 112 along the guide rails 116a, 116b, the front element 111 and the rear element 113 in the second arrangement relative to the central element 112, ie, parallel relative to the central element 112th

In addition to the function of receiving the rear element 113 in the first arrangement and the central element 112 in the second arrangement, the rear strip 115 can also serve to connect the two guide rails 116a, 116b with one another and thus to stabilize the shelf 110 as a whole. The shelf 110 may further include a pair of fastening elements 117a, 117b, which are designed to be introduced into corresponding fastening recesses on an inner side of the refrigeration device 100 in order to arrange the shelf 110 in the cooling space 101 of the refrigeration device 100.

A corresponding method for operating the shelf 110 in the refrigeration appliance 100 comprises the following steps: arranging the front element 111 and the rear element 113 in a first arrangement relative to the central element 112, in which the front element 111, the central element 112 and the rear element 113 in one Level to form a contiguous shelf; and arranging the front element 111 and the rear element 113 in a second arrangement relative to the central element 112, wherein in the second arrangement the front element 111 forms a first storage surface which is arranged offset in parallel above a second storage surface formed by the central element 112, and the rear element 113 forms a third storage surface, which is arranged offset in parallel below the second storage surface.

All of the features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention may be provided in different combinations in the article according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features illustrated in the specification or shown in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

The refrigerator

101

refrigerator

103

The refrigerator body

105

The refrigerator door

109

door racks

110

Fold bottom

111

front element

111

front bar

112

central element

113

return element

115

rear bar

116a, 116b

guide rails

117a, 117b

fasteners

118a, 118b

front swivel arms

119a, 119b

rear pivot arms

Claims (15)

Shelf (110) for a refrigeration device (100), wherein the refrigeration device (100) defines a cooling space (101) in which the shelf (110) can be arranged, wherein the shelf (110) has a front element (111), a central element (110). 112) and a rear element (113), wherein in a first arrangement of the front element (111) and the rear element (113) relative to the central element (112) the front element (111), the central element (112) and the rear element (113) lie in a plane to form a continuous shelf, characterized in that the front element (111) and the rear element (113) are rotatably mounted on the central element (112) such that the front element (111) and the rear element (113) engage in a second arrangement relative to the central element (112) can be arranged, wherein in the second arrangement, the front element (111) forms a first storage surface, which is arranged offset in parallel above a second storage surface, which of the Central element (112) is formed, and the rear element (113) forms a third storage surface, which is arranged offset parallel below the second storage surface. Shelf (110) according to claim 1, characterized in that the front element (111) and the rear element (113) are rotatably mounted on the central element (112) such that by arranging the front element (111) in the second arrangement arranging the Back element (113) in the second arrangement causes. Shelf (110) according to claim 2, characterized in that the front element (111) and the rear element (113) are rotatably mounted on the central element (112) such that the placement of the front element (111) in the second arrangement comprises a first rotational movement and arranging the back member (113) in the second assembly comprises a second rotational movement opposite to the first rotational movement. Shelf (110) according to claim 3, characterized in that the front element (111) and the rear element (113) are rotatably mounted on the central element (112) such that during the first rotary movement the front element (111) is arranged in a parallel relationship relative to the central element (112) remains and during the second rotational movement, the rear element (113) remains in a parallel arrangement in a realistic manner to the central element (112). Shelf (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shelf (110) has front pivot arms (118a, 118b), by means of which the front element (111) is rotatably mounted on the central element (112), and rear pivot arms (119a, 119b), by means of which the rear element (113) is rotatably mounted on the central element (112). Shelf (110) according to claim 5, characterized in that the front-side pivot arms (118a, 118b) are coupled to the rear-side pivot arms (119a, 119b) such that by arranging the front element (111) in the second arrangement, the rear element (113 ) is arranged in the second arrangement. A shelf (110) according to claim 6, characterized in that the front side pivot arms (118a, 118b) have inner front pivot arms (118a) and outer front pivot arms (118b) and rear pivot arms (119a, 119b) inner rear pivot arms (119a) and outer rearward swing arms (119b), wherein each of the inner front side swing arm (118a) and the inner rear side swing arm (119a) are rotatably mounted to the center element (112) and the inner front side swing arm (118a) is connected to the inner rear side swing arm (119a) is coupled such that in each case the inner front-side pivot arm (118a) and the inner rear-side pivot arm (118b) rotate together about a common central axis of rotation. Shelf (110) according to claim 7, characterized in that in each case the outer front-side pivot arm (118b) is rotatably mounted on the central element (112) such that in each case the outer front-side pivot arm (118b) about an axis of rotation offset parallel to the central axis of rotation rotates, and the outer rear pivot arm (119b) so rotatably on the central element (112) is attached, that in each case the outer rear-side pivot arm (119b) rotates about a further axis of rotation offset parallel to the central axis of rotation. A shelf (110) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the front-side pivot arms are attached to side portions of the front member (111) and side portions of the center member (112), and the rear-side pivot arms are attached to side portions of the rear member (113) and the side portions of Central element (112) are mounted. Shelf (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shelf (110) further comprises two guide rails (116a, 116b), wherein the central element (112) in the guide rails (116a, 116b) displaceable along the guide rails (116a, 116b) is stored. Shelf (110) according to claim 10, characterized in that the shelf (110) is formed such that in the second arrangement of the front element (111) and the rear element (113) relative to the central element (112) during a displacement of the central element ( 112) along the guide rails (116a, 116b) the front element (111) and the rear element (113) in the second arrangement remain relative to the central element (112). Shelf (110) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the shelf (110) comprises a rear strip (115), via which the two guide rails (116a, 116b) are interconnected. Shelf (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shelf (110) further comprises fastening elements (117a, 117b) which are adapted to mount the shelf (110) in the cooling space (101) of the refrigerator (100). Refrigeration appliance (100) with a shelf (110) according to one of the preceding claims. Method for operating a shelf (100) in a refrigerator (100), wherein the refrigerator (100) defines a refrigerator (101) in which the shelf (110) is arranged, wherein the shelf (110) has a front element (111), a central element (112) and a rear element (113), the method comprising: arranging the front element (111) and the rear element (113) in a first arrangement relative to the central element (112), in which the front element (111), the central element (112) and the rear element (113) lie in a plane to form a continuous storage surface; and arranging the front element (111) and the rear element (113) in a second arrangement relative to the central element (112), wherein in the second arrangement the front element (111) forms a first storage surface which is arranged offset in parallel above a second storage surface, which is formed by the central element (112), and the rear element (113) forms a third depositing surface, which is arranged offset in parallel below the second depositing surface.

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