EP3479034A1

EP3479034A1 - Refrigerator and opening device for a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: EP3479034A1
Application number: EP17734085.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefan Frye; Cord Rommelmann
Original assignee: Hettich ONI GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Hettich ONI GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2016-07-04
Filing date: 2017-06-29
Publication date: 2019-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-29
Also published as: CN109416214B; KR20190039704A; CN109416214A; EP3479034B1; RU2019102756A; KR102519471B1; RU2019102756A3; RU2744842C2; DE102016112164A1; WO2018007240A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening device (10) for a refrigerator (1) having a door (4) which has at least one insulated region with a peripheral seal (5), the opening device (10) having a housing (100) from which a pusher element (110) can be extended in an electrically actuated manner. The opening device (10) is characterised in that it can be mounted on a front face (3) of an insulating carcass (2) of the refrigerator (1), on fastening means (11) provided for a door hinge (9) of the refrigerator (1), and the pusher element (110) of the opening device presses against a region of the door (4) outside the seal (5). The invention also relates to a refrigerator having an opening device (10) of this type.

Description

Cooling device and opening device for a cooling device

The invention relates to an opening device for a cooling device with a housing, from which an ejection element is electrically driven extendable, wherein the cooling device has a door assembly with at least one insulated area with a peripheral seal. The invention further relates to a cooling device with a thermally insulated body (insulating body) and this opposite pivotally mounted on door hinges heat-insulated door (insulating door), which rests in the closed position with a seal on a front side of the body. At a front end face of the insulating body fasteners are provided for selectively securing the door hinges on a left or right side of the insulating body,

Household conventional refrigerators such as refrigerators or freezers, usually have a hinged door, which is sealed with a peripheral seal against the body of the refrigerator. In order to achieve sufficient thermal insulation without leakage between the insulating body and the insulating door, the circumferential seal is typically formed as a magnetic seal which applies locking forces between the door and the body. In addition, the door hinges can be equipped with a self-closing function, which provides additional locking forces. Closely lend forms after closing a refrigerator or freezer door due to the occurred warmer air, which then cools down in the interior, a negative pressure in the hermetically sealed interior, the Zuhaltekraft contributes another component. For more convenient handling of such a cooling device, the opening devices mentioned above are known in which a discharge element is electrically driven extendable from a housing, with which the door of the refrigerator is pushed at least as far as that the door can be easily grasped behind and then manually opened completely ,

Such an opening device is known for example from the document EP 2 292 995 B1. The opening device described therein is mounted on an upper side of the refrigerator and presses with its ejection element against an upper protruding edge of the door of the refrigerator. The opening direction has a coil in which an armature is slidably mounted. The armature is held by a spring element in a rest position and moves out when energized the coil. The disengaging armature acts on the door via a lever mechanism to open it at least a gap. An order of the opening device on top of the refrigerator is often not desirable for design reasons. In addition, with a free-standing cooling unit, the top can be used only limited as a footprint. Next, a cooling device with such a positioned opening device is only conditionally suitable for installation in a furniture carcass, since the upwardly beyond the insulating body of the refrigerator protruding opening device would have a partially closed gap between the refrigerator and a top plate or a shelf of the furniture body result ,

The document DE 1 0 201 3 1 03 81 9 A1 discloses a cooling device with an opening device in which pockets are formed in the upper region of the insulated body of the cooling device into which an opening device adapted in its size can be inserted , In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of such pockets are formed on the top and / or bottom of the refrigerator, which can be used for receiving an opening device, but also for receiving a door hinge. Through the integration of the opening device in said pockets, the opening device is not on the basic dimension of the insulating body of the refrigerator over, which is more visually appealing and facilitates installation of the refrigerator in a furniture body. In an embodiment in which pockets are arranged symmetrically on the left and the right side of the body, the arrangement of door hinge and opening device can be varied with left and right hinged door. The bags are designed uniformly for this purpose on both sides and hinge or opening device in each case so that either opening device or door hinge can be added.

However, designed to accommodate door hinge and opening device pockets are compared to standard used in refrigerators hinge solutions is a special solution that requires specially adapted door hinges, resulting in an increase in cost of the corresponding cooling device. In addition, can be retrofitted with the opening device described only cooling units that already have the designated pockets. Since the pockets also introduced into the insulating body of the refrigerator For thermal reasons, the bags may result in reduced energy efficiency of the refrigerator.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an opening device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator equipped therewith, in which standardized door hinges for the refrigerator can be used and the refrigerator can be used both freestanding and installed in a furniture body with the opening device. In addition, the opening device should be retrofitted as possible, without the cooling unit must be prepared in a special way for it.

This object is achieved by an opening device and a cooling device with the respective features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

An opening device according to the invention of the type mentioned above is characterized in that it can be mounted on a front end face of an insulating body of the cooling device to provided fastening means for a door hinge of the refrigerator. Further, the opening device is designed so that it acts with its ejection element on an out-of-seal region of the door assembly. The opening device thus utilizes the standard provided with the cooling device space for the door hinges and also makes use of the already prepared in this context fastening devices of the door hinges. This results in a simple retrofitting of an opening device according to the invention for a variety of refrigerators that are already available on the market. In addition, no otherwise usable space, for example, occupied on an upper side of the refrigerator. Finally, an intervention in the insulating body, which goes beyond the existing anyway Befestigungsseinrich- door hinges, is not required.

The door assembly of the refrigerator may, for example, comprise an insulated door with a panel extending outwardly, in particular up and down, over the insulation, the ejector of the opening device pressing against an inwardly facing surface of the panel. In a refrigerator having an insulating body inserted into a furniture body, a cabinet door constitutes such a door panel. The discharge member of the opening apparatus presses against the inside of the cabinet door in the case above or below the insulating door. In order to be able to be arranged in the available installation space, the housing of the opening device advantageously has a depth of less than 60 millimeters (mm), preferably less than 47 mm or preferably between 38 and 47 mm. The opening device can for immediate

Mounting be designed on the fastening devices. Advantageous is the use of a mounting adapter having mounting holes for mounting on the mounting devices on the refrigerator and fastening means for the housing. Preferably, tool-free attachment of the opening device to the mounting adapter is possible, e.g. in that the mounting adapter has insertion tabs which engage in fastening slots of the housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the opening device, the ejection element has a maximum stroke of 40 mm to 80 mm. In this case, to achieve this stroke, the ejection element can be made telescopic, so that the maximum stroke when extending out of the housing is greater than the depth of the housing of the opening device. With such a stroke, the door assembly can be opened so far that the locking force of the (magnetic) seal and the negative pressure in the interior of the refrigerator are overcome. The door assembly can then be comfortably engaged behind to fully open it. At the same time, the door arrangement is preferably opened only so far through the opening device that it is still in the self-closing area of the door hinges when they are equipped with a self-closing mechanism. If the door assembly is not opened manually, it then closes automatically after the return of the ejection element.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the opening device, the ejection element is kreissegementförmig formed and pivotally mounted on or in the housing.

The opening device may, for example, comprise a gear segment on which is mounted a rotatable roller which bears against a chordal surface of the circular segment ejection element, wherein upon pivoting of the gear segment the roller runs on the inner chord surface and the ejection element is moved out of the housing ,

In an alternative embodiment, the opening device has a sprocket with a chain lying thereon, wherein one end of the chain is coupled to the kreissegementförmigen ejection element. Upon a rotation of the Sprocket, the ejection element is moved out of the housing or retracted into the housing.

A chain drive can advantageously also be used for an optionally telescopic, linearly extendable ejection element. In the case, the opening device may for example comprise two counter-rotating sprockets, each with a lying on this chain, the chains are coupled at one end to the linearly extendable ejection element and abut each other in the region of the ejection element. Upon rotation of the sprockets, the ejection element is moved out of the housing or retracted into the housing.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the opening device, a force accumulator is present, which moves the ejection element out of the housing. Preferably, the force accumulator is a spring, in particular a torsion spring, which acts on the ejection element. The energy storage device supports a drive system, e.g. has an electric drive motor, a worm, worm wheel and possibly other gears, during the ejection process. This makes it possible to generate sufficient ejection forces in the small available installation space. The spring force in particular supports the start of the drive motor to overcome the locking forces of the refrigerator. In the case of typical locking forces of cooling devices and the installation space provided for the opening device, it has proven to be advantageous if the force component of the spring during the opening process differs by 20% from the total force with which the ejection element is forced out of the housing at the beginning of the disengagement process. and 50%, and preferably about 30% to 35%.

An inventive cooling device of the type mentioned above is characterized in that an opening device for the insulating door is mounted on at least one of the unused fasteners for the door hinges on a side opposite the door hinges of the Isolierkorpus in a space provided for the door hinges space. This results in the advantages described above in connection with the opening device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the refrigerator, the insulating body is inserted into a furniture body, wherein the door hinges pivotally mount the insulating door and the insulated door is coupled to a cabinet door of the furniture body. The cabinet door can be firmly connected to the insulating door. AI Alternatively, the cabinet door can be mounted on hinges and with a

Towing door fitting to be coupled with the insulated door.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the refrigerator is the

Cabinet door with at least one edge over the insulated door to the outside. The opening device then acts with an ejection element in the region of the projection on an inner side of the cabinet door.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the cooling device, the ejection element has a maximum stroke when extending out of the housing, which pivots the insulating door by a door opening angle which is smaller than an angular range of a Selbstanzugsvorrichtung the door hinge. This door opening angle is preferably less than 35 °.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures. The figures show:

Figures 1 a, 1 b each an isometric view of a refrigerator with open door from different directions of view;

FIGS. 2a, 2b show details from FIGS. 1a, 1b, which show in more detail the arrangement of an opening device or a door hinge in the cooling device of FIGS. 1a, 1b;

FIG. 2 c shows a detailed representation of FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, showing a

Installation space for a door hinge or an opening device shows in more detail;

Figure 2d as Figure 2c, with screwed mounting adapter for a

Opening device;

Figures 3a-3c different sectional views of the region of the door hinge of the refrigerator of Figures 1 a, 1 b;

Figure 4a is an isometric view of a first embodiment of an opening device;

FIGS. 4b-4e different sectional views of the opening device according to FIG. 4a; Figure 5a is an isometric view of a second embodiment of an opening device;

FIGS. 5b-5e different sectional views of the opening device according to FIG. 5a;

Figure 6a is an isometric view of a third embodiment of an opening device; and

Figures 6b-6e different sectional views of the opening device according to Figure 6a.

In the figures 1 a and 1 b, a cooling device 1 is shown in each case an isometric view. The refrigerator 1 may be, for example, a refrigerator or a freezer for use in the home or for commercial use.

The refrigerator 1 has a thermally insulated body, hereinafter called insulating body 2, on whose interior and the front end face 3 is visible in the illustrated figures. The insulating body 2 is a thermally insulated door, hereinafter referred to as insulating door 4, assigned, which has a circumferential seal 5, usually a magnetic seal. When the insulated door 4 is closed, the seal 5 lies circumferentially on the front end surface 3 of the insulating body 2 and thus hermetically seals the interior of the insulating body 2.

In the illustrated cooling device 1, the insulating body 2 is installed in a furniture body 6, which is associated with a cabinet door 8, which rests in the closed state on a front end face 7 of the furniture body 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, the car door 8 and the insulating door 4 form a fixedly connected unit. The car door 8 protrudes outwards on all sides over the insulating door 4. The insulating door 4 is pivotally connected via door hinges 9 with the Isolierkorpus 2 of the refrigerator 1. The actual joint mechanism of the respective door hinge 9 is arranged above or below the insulating door 4, so that it lies outside the insulated interior of the insulating body 2 when the refrigerator 1 is closed. The carcass door 8 is replaced by a door, not visible in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. Binder with the insulating door 4 connected to a unit and supported by the insulating door 4. The door connector usually also serves to align the cabinet door 8 relative to the insulating door 4 in possibly all three spatial directions. Thus, a gap-free contact of both doors on the respective end face of the corresponding body can be achieved.

In the upper left corner of the Isolierkorpus 2, an opening device 1 0 is arranged, which corresponds to the electrically driven belching of the door assembly, i. the unit of door 8 and door 4, serves.

The arrangement of the opening device 10 or of the door hinge 9 in the upper region of the cooling device 1 is shown in more detail in the detail enlargements in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The door hinge 9 used is a so-called seven-bar hinge, which has seven different hinge points. Such joints have become one with refrigerators

Standard established, since they can be used to achieve a suitable guided opening movement of the door assembly. The exact arrangement and positioning of the door hinge 9 will be explained in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 3a-3c.

FIG. 3a initially shows a horizontal section through the cooling device of FIGS. 1a and 1b in the region of the insulating body 2 just above the door hinge 9. FIG. 3b shows a vertical section through the door hinge 9. Finally, FIG. 3b shows a section comparable to FIG. 3a with the door arrangement open.

For the door hinge 9 is in the corner of the insulating body 2, a space of a width B, a depth T and a height H available. The width B extends in the horizontal direction along the front end face 3, the height extends in the vertical direction along the end face 3 and the depth T extends in a direction perpendicular to the end face 3 of the insulating body second

In particular, the depth T is set by default in the door hinges 9 commonly used and is about 42 mm. The depth T indicates the distance between the end face 3 of the insulating body 2 and the surface of the cabinet door 8 facing the insulating body 2. At the two surfaces mentioned, the front end face 3 and the inner surface of the cabinet door 8 is the door hinge 9 with contact surfaces and is with fastening means, usually Screws, attached to these elements. In general, the position of the fastener is set by default. In particular, in the insulating body 2 of the refrigerator 1 are prefabricated fastening devices, eg

Screwing arranged so that the door hinge 9 can be screwed on the front surface 3 in the corner. The fastening devices can be given for example by inserted or pressed threaded bushes.

In Figure 3c is still a part 1 3 of the aforementioned door connector recognizable, by means of which the insulating door 4 and the car door 8 are coupled together.

In the illustrated embodiment is - looking at the front of the refrigerator 1 - the door hinged on the right side, whereas the opening device 1 0 is mounted in the left upper area. The cooling unit 1 allows, as usual with refrigerators, a left or right side door stop. For this purpose, the mentioned in connection with the figures 3a-3c fastening means for the door hinges or 9 are not only provided on the right side of the insulating body 2, but a mirror image on the left side. The door hinges 9 can thus be screwed without structural other changes on the left side of the refrigerator in the left upper or lower left corner. In the case of door hinges 9 which are not symmetrical, they are exchanged crosswise during the door stop change, i. the right upper door hinge 9 is inserted at the bottom left and the right lower door hinge 9 at the top left. In the illustrated arrangement, the space that would be available for the upper of the door hinges 9 at left side door hinged, occupied by the opening device 1 0. According to the application, the opening device 1 0 is not only positioned in this space, but also uses the prepared fasteners for the door hinge 9. In the left hinged door according to the door hinge 9 would use these fasteners on the left side, whereas the opening device 1 0 in the illustrated state From the upper door hinge 9 used mounting options in the right upper corner of the insulating 9 would use.

It is noted in this context that an opening device 10 according to the invention can be arranged not only in the upper but also in the lower region of the cooling device 1 or both in the upper and in the lower region. The opening device 1 0 could thus also the fastening facilities for the lower of the two door hinges 9 on according to the side on which the door hinge is not installed, use. The above-mentioned fastening devices in the lower left corner region of the cooling device 1 are shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b and provided with the reference numeral 11. FIG. 2c shows the left lower corner region of the cooling device 1 in a cut-out enlargement. The fastening devices 1 1 are in this case threaded inserts in the end face 3 of the insulating body 2, in which a fastening screw is screwed. FIG. 2d shows the same detail as FIG. 2c, wherein a mounting adapter 140, to which an opening device 10 can be fastened, is mounted on the fastening devices 11. The mounting adapter 140 shown here is angled, wherein a leg rests against the end face 3 of the insulating body 2 and another leg on the inside of the furniture body 6. On the furniture body 6 of the mounting adapter 140 is screwed with an additional screw 12. The mounting adapter 140 thus serves not only for mounting the opening device 1 0, but also fixes the Isolierkorpus 2 in the furniture body 6. An otherwise used exclusively for this purpose angle can be omitted. The attachment of the opening device 10 to the mounting adapter 140 will be described in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 4a to 4e.

The cooling unit 1 shown, as described, the outer furniture body 6, in which the insulating body 2 is inserted and mounted. Said space, in which the door hinges 9 and according to the application, the opening device 1 0 are arranged, is available in a comparable form in so-called free-standing refrigerators, which have a freestanding Isolierkorpus, which is covered with a decorative surface. In such a refrigerator, the insulating door is also usually provided with a decorative front, which in a similar manner as the car door 8 up and down over the area in which the door is insulated.

Even with such a freestanding cooling device, a space of the same depth T is provided in the upper or lower corner region of the insulating body to accommodate door hinges for the covered insulating door. Accordingly, even with a freestanding cooling device, the space not used by the door hinges and provided on the opposite side of the cooling device, including the fastening devices for the opening device according to the application, is available. In the illustrated refrigerator 1, the insulating door 4 and the cabinet door 8 form a unit which is pivotally mounted together by the two door hinges 9 shown. In alternative embodiments of the refrigerator four hinges are present, of which two store the cabinet door and two the insulating door pivotally. In order to achieve a comfortable to use simultaneous opening movement of carcase door and insulating door in this case, so-called towing fittings are used, which couple the insulated door and the carcass door on the opposite side of the door hinges (towing connection). Also in this embodiment of a cooling device, the installation space of the standardized depth T shown is available for the storage of the cabinet door.

Finally, it should also be pointed out that instead of the illustrated seven-joint hinge, a single-joint hinge can also be used to mount the insulating door. In refrigerators, such a Eingelenkscharnier is often formed by a pin inserted into the insulating door, which is mounted perpendicular to an angle which is screwed onto the end face of the insulating body. The carcass door is usually performed by recessed furniture hinges in such a tow connection, usually four-bar hinges.

FIGS. 4a to 4e show a first exemplary embodiment of a suitable opening device 10 which can be used, for example, in the cooling device 1 according to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.

FIG. 4a shows the opening device 10 in an isometric view with a housing 1 00 opened to one side, which allows insight into the internal structure of the opening device 10. The housing 1 00, preferably a plastic housing, is cuboid-shaped with respect to its basic dimensions and has a width b, a height h and a depth t.

The details of width b, height h and depth t refer to the installation position shown in Figure 1, ie the width b is horizontal parallel to the front end face 3 of the insulating body 2 of the cooling device 1, the height h is in the vertical direction and the Depth 6 runs in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the front end face third The dimensions of the housing 1 00 are such that the opening device 1 0 in the space of the width B, the height H and the depth T, which is available in the refrigerator 1 between the front end face 3 of the Isolierkorpus 2 and the inside of the cabinet door 8 , In particular, the depth t of the opening device 10 is smaller or (taking into account all fastening means) equal to the depth T of the installation space. In the presently illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the housing 1 00 is not mounted directly on the front end face 3 of the cooling device 1, but with the aid of a mounting adapter 140, which is constructed as a rectangular angle and a longitudinal leg! 141, which extends in the direction of the width b, and a transverse leg 142, which extends in the direction of the depth t, has. The mounting adapter 140 is provided with mounting holes 143, three of which are visible on the transverse leg 142 in Figure 4a. Further mounting holes 143 are not visible here attached to the longitudinal leg 141. The mounting adapter 140 can be mounted by means of these mounting holes 143 with its longitudinal leg 141 on the front end face 3 of the insulating body 2. In addition, a mounting on the mounting holes 143 in the transverse leg 142 is possible, which bears against surfaces of the furniture body 6 in the installed state.

After mounting the mounting adapter 140, the housing 1 00 of the opening device 1 0 is fitted to the mounting adapter 140, where it preferably locked without tools. In the illustrated example 140 Einstecklaschen 144 are formed on the mounting adapter, which engage in mounting slots 1 02 on the underside of the housing 1 00 and set the housing 100 on the mounting adapter 140. In addition to the insertion tabs 144, further elements engaging or latching into the housing 100 may be formed on the mounting adapter 140. The mounting holes 143 are arranged on the mounting adapter 140 and designed so that they use fastening devices, in particular prefabricated mounting holes or thread in Isolierkorpus 2, which are provided for the assembly of the door hinges 9 on 2 Isolierkorpus.

If, as in the example shown, a mounting of the opening device 1 0 using the mounting adapter 140, the depth t of the housing 1 00 is dimensioned so that it corresponds to the maximum thickness T of the available space together with the material thickness of the longitudinal leg 141.

In the top in the figure 4a surface of the housing 1 00, which points in the installed position to the door assembly, is an opening 1 01 for an ejection element 1 1 0 introduced. The ejection element 1 1 0 is shown in the figure 4a in a maximum extended state in which it protrudes maximally over the top of the housing 100. In the embodiment of Figure 4a, the ejection element 1 1 0 in its cross-section a circular segment, the Aus-impact element 1 1 0 in the region of its tip via a pivot bearing 1 1 1 is pivotally mounted in the housing 1 00.

The ejection element 1 1 0 has side surfaces 1 1 2, a chordal surface 1 1 3 and an arc surface 1 14. Through the pivot bearing 1 1 0, the side surfaces 1 1 2 and the arc surface 1 14 dip into the housing 1 00 until the tendon surface 1 13 is substantially flush with the top of the housing 1 00 and the opening 1 01 fills. The then retracted retracted state of the opening device 1 0 is shown in more detail below in connection with Figures 4d and 4e.

In FIG. 4b, the extended state according to FIG. 4a is shown again in a sectional view. The sectional plane extends in the direction of the width b and the depth t of the housing 1 00. Figure 4c shows a

Sectional view in the direction of the height h along the cut line IVc-IVc drawn in FIG. 4b.

The two figures 4b and 4c show a drive system 1 30 of the opening device 1 0 in more detail. To open the door assembly of the refrigerator 1 force is required to overcome the locking forces of the door assembly, in particular the insulating door 4. This force is achieved in the illustrated embodiment by a combination of spring force and electromotive force. For this purpose, a spring 120 is disposed in the region of the pivot bearing 1 1 1, which presses the ejection element 1 1 0 spring-loaded in the extended position. The spring force in particular supports the starting of the drive motor 1 31 for overcoming the locking forces of the cooling device 1. It has proved to be advantageous in typical Zuhaltekräfte of refrigerators and the space provided for the opening device 1 0 space when the force component of the spring 120 during the opening operation of the total force with which the ejection element 1 1 0 at the beginning of the disengagement from the housing 1 00th is between 20% and 50% and preferably about 30% to 35%.

In the example shown, the spring 1 20 is a torsion spring which is wound around a pin of the bearing 1 1 1 and with a bracket on the tendon surface 1 1 3 of the ejection element 1 1 0 acts. Next, a drive motor 1 31 is provided, on the one hand contributes a share of force for the opening movement of the ejection element 1 10, and on the other the ejection element 1 10 retracts and thus biases the spring 120 for a next opening operation.

On an axis of the drive motor 1 31 a screw 1 32 is arranged, which cooperates with a worm wheel 33 1. This is rotatably connected to a gear which acts on a sprocket 135 via further gears 134. A toothing of the gears 1 34 is not shown in FIG. 4c for reasons of clarity. The worm 1 32, the worm wheel 1 33 and the gears 1 34 together form a gear that transmits a rotational movement of the drive motor 1 31 in accordance with the sprocket 1 35. The transmission is self-locking by the combination of worm 132 and worm wheel 133, so that even when the spring 120 is stretched, the ejection element 1 1 0 does not extend out of the housing 1 00, when the drive motor 1 31 is not energized. Next, a cable bushing 103 is formed in the housing 1 00, through which a power supply cable for the drive motor 1 30 is guided. For transmitting the rotational movement of the sprocket 1 35 on the pivoting movement of the ejection element 1 1 0 a chain 1 36 is provided which is fixed on one side with its last chain link on the sprocket 135 and on its other side with its chain link in a chain attachment point 1 1 6 is attached to the ejection element 1 1 0. In the housing 1 00, a chain guide 1 37 is designed as a sliding guide on which the chain slides 1 36 with its the sprocket 135 opposite side. By this chain guide 1 37 can not only tensile forces are transmitted from the chain 1 36, but also compressive forces. As Figure 4c shows, the sprocket 1 35 is mounted on a bearing journal 1 04, which is formed integrally with the housing 100. In the same way, the gears 134 and the worm wheel 133 may be supported.

Figures 4d and 4e show the opening device 1 0 in the retracted state of the ejection element 1 1 0. Figure 4d corresponds to the section of Figure 4b and Figure 4e the section of Figure c.

The retracted state is assumed by the sprocket 1 35 by correspondingly polarized energization of the drive motor 131 against the clock is rotated clockwise, causing the chain 1 36 wound on the sprocket 1 35 and the ejection element 1 10 pivots into the housing 1 00. In the fully retracted state, which is shown in Figures 4d and 4e, the lower edge of the curved surface 1 14 on the lower inside of the housing 1 00 abuts. In this state, the chordal surface 1 1 3 extends substantially flush with the top of the housing 1 00.

It can be provided an end stop switch, which is actuated by the ejection element 1 1 0 and stops the drive motor 1 31 in the position shown. It is also possible that the drive motor 1 31 driving circuit monitors the power consumption of the drive motor 131 and detects a mechanical end stop due to the increased power consumption and then stops the drive motor 1 31. Due to the self-locking of the worm 132 and the worm wheel 133, the opening device 10 remains in the state shown in FIGS. 4d and 4e when the drive motor 130 is not energized. In order to allow a complete retraction of the ejection element 1 1 0 1 recesses 1 1 5 are introduced into the side surfaces, which prevent a striking of the ejection element 1 1 0 on the axis of the sprocket 1 35 and to the gears 1 34.

To extend the ejection element 1 1 0 and thus to open the door assembly of the refrigerator 1, the drive motor 131 is energized in reverse polarization. The sprocket 1 35 rotates clockwise from the state of Figures 4d and 4e and unwinds the chain 136 from the sprocket 1 35 from. This pushes, supported by the chain guide 1 37 at the chain nbefesting point 1 1 6 on the ejection element 1 1 0.

This opening movement is assisted by the spring force of the spring 120. The combination of spring force and electromotive driving force makes it possible, even with a small size of the opening device 10, which is adapted to the available installation space, to have sufficient force in the ejection process postpone the door assembly of the refrigerator 1. When fully extended ejection element 1 1 0 proposes this to an end stop, which is provided in the region of the bearing 1 1 1 or at the lower end of the curved surface 1 14, so that the ejection process can be stopped in turn by watching the current consumption of the drive motor 1 31. Alternatively, the use of an end stop switch is also possible here. An opening process can be initiated by the control device, for example by touching a touch-sensitive switch which is connected to a handle on the door arrangement of the cooling device 1. It is also conceivable to provide an electrical contact on the door arrangement or door hinge 9, which detects a manual opening attempt, in which the door is already slightly moved, and then initiates the ejection process. After the belching of the door assembly, a waiting time of a few seconds may be provided until the ejection element 1 1 0 is retracted again. This waiting time makes it easy to continue the opening operation manually after the majority of the locking forces has been overcome. Until the door assembly is then closed again after use of the cooling device 1, the ejection element 1 1 0 is preferably retracted again, so that the door assembly closes again easily and safely. If the door assembly is not manually opened after the impaling process, a self-closing mechanism is preferably provided on the door hinges 9, which engages after re-insertion of the ejection element 1 1 0 and then closes the door assembly of the refrigerator 1 again. This prevents the door arrangement of the refrigerator 1 from remaining open after an unintentional ejection process, for example because a user did not want to open the refrigerator 1 after the ejection process had been triggered.

FIGS. 5a to 5e show, in the same way as in FIGS. 4a to 4e, a second embodiment of an opening device 10, which can likewise be used in the cooling device 1 according to FIGS. 1a and 1b. Identical reference signs in these as well as all subsequent figures denote the same or equivalent elements as in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4a to 4b.

In the basic structure, the opening device 10 of the second exemplary embodiment corresponds to that of the first exemplary embodiment. The description of FIGS. 4a to 4e is therefore explicitly referenced.

In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the housing 1 00 of the opening device 10 shown in FIGS. 4 a to 4 e is shown without a mounting adapter 140. It can be a comparable mounting adapter 140, as described in the first embodiment, are used. Alternatively, fastening means for fastening the housing 100 to the suitably prepared fastening possibilities for the door hinges 9 of a cooling device 1 can be formed directly in the housing 1 00. Another difference in this embodiment is that the drive takes place purely electrically by the drive motor 1 31. A spring 1 20, as used in addition in the first embodiment to apply force for the ejection process is not provided in the illustrated example. It is understood, however, that such a spring 1 20 may also be present in this embodiment.

A third difference finally lies in another type of power transmission from the drive motor 1 31 to the ejection element 1 1 0. In the present case, a transmission from the drive motor 1 31 via a screw 1 32, a worm wheel 133 and gears 1 34 is also provided, the one Forming the transmission. Instead of the sprocket 1 35, however, a further gear 1 34 is arranged, which engages in a gear segment 1 38 which in the upper region of the housing 1 00 (adjacent to the opening 1 01 for the ejection element 1 1 0) is mounted.

The gear segment 1 38 has a radius which occupies approximately the entire depth t of the housing 1 00. The gear segment 138 is approximately a quarter circle segment. In the region of its outer circumference, a fork 1 39 is formed on one side, in which a roller 1 1 7 is rotatably mounted. This roller 1 17 is the inside of the ejection element 1 1 0 at the chord surface 1 1 3 at. When pivoting the gear segment 1 38, the roller presses 1 1 7, the ejection element 1 1 0 to the outside, the roller 1 1 7 inside the ejection element 1 10 rolls. Because the roll 1 1 7 is not at the outer end, i. in the area of the curved surface 1 14 on the ejection element 1 1 0 is present, but in a central region between the curved surface 1 14 and the bearing 1 1 1 gives the arc surface 1 14 so far out of the housing 1 00 from that the curved surface 1 14 and parts the side surfaces 1 12 of the circular segment-shaped ejection element 1 1 0 emerges over the surface of the housing 1 00. Thus, a discharge stroke can be achieved, which is greater than the depth t of the housing 1 00.

In order to prevent a gap between the upper side of the housing 100 and the circular segment-shaped ejection element 110, which could create a risk of jamming when moving into the housing 100, an apron 11 which is likewise circular segment-shaped is located inside the ejection element 1100 8, which extends the ejection element 1 1 0 telescopically down and thus prevents the formation of a gap. Through the skirt 1 18, the ejection element 1 1 0 is designed to be telescopically. To this Way, despite the predetermined and the depth t of the opening device 1 0 limiting depth T of the available space, a sufficient stroke of the ejector can be achieved. To ensure that when the roller 1 1 7 the ejection element 1 1 0 follows, for example, in the region of the pivot bearing 1 1 1, a spring may be provided which pushes the ejection element 1 1 0 with little force in the housing 1 00. However, it is also conceivable that instead of only in one direction (outwardly) form-fitting roller 1 1 7 for power transmission on both sides (in and out) positive connection between the Zahnradsegement 1 38 and the ejection element 1 1 0 implemented. In that case, analogously to the first exemplary embodiment, a spring can also be provided in the region of the pivot bearing 11, which supports the disengagement process. A spring may be provided independently of the type of power transmission between the Zahnradsegement 1 38 and the ejection element 1 1 0 at the gear segment 1 38 to assist the disengagement.

In FIGS. 6a to 6e, a third exemplary embodiment of an opening device 10 is again described in the same way as in the two previous embodiments, which can be used, for example, in the cooling device 1 of FIGS. 1a and 1b.

As in the first exemplary embodiment, a housing 100 is again provided, which can be fastened to the insulating body 2 or to the furniture body 6 via a mounting adapter 140.

In contrast to the two embodiments shown above, no pivotable ejection element 1 1 0 is provided in this embodiment, but a linearly movable ejection element 1 1 0. Similarly as in the embodiment of Figures 5a to 5e, this linear ejection element 1 1 0 telescopic and includes an inner hollow pin 1 1 9 and an outer tubular portion 1 1 9 ^' , in which the inner pin 1 1 9 is guided displaceably. The outer portion 1 1 9 ^' is in turn guided in the housing 1 00, so that the ejection element 1 1 0 in the retracted state is substantially flush with the top of the housing 1 00 and extends beyond this in the extended state. Due to the telescoping, the ejection element 1 1 0 can be extended by more than the depth t of the housing 1 00. Again, drive system 130 with a drive motor and a downstream transmission is provided to extend the ejection element 1 10 from the housing 100. For reasons of clarity, the individual components of the drive system 130 are not shown in detail in this embodiment. The drive system 130 acts in the present case two sprockets 135, which are driven in opposite directions. On both sprockets 135 is in each case a chain 136, which are guided over slide rails 137. The slide rails 137 converge toward one another in a central region between the sprockets 135 until the two chains 136 meet centrally and run together in the ejection element 110 in parallel with one another. There, the ends of the chains 136 are connected to the inner pin 1 19.

Accordingly, the ejection element 1 10 extends out of the housing 100 when both chains 136 roll off the sprockets 135. The self-adjusting extended state is shown in FIGS. 6a to 6c. There, the chains 136 are rolled onto the sprockets 135, whereby the ejection element 1 10 is retracted and the state shown in Figures 6d and 6e is taken. In the event that two opening devices 10 are provided on a cooling device 1 for the door assembly, it may be advantageous to control the opening devices 10 so that they extend at slightly different times. It is thereby achieved that the seal 4, e.g. in the upper area of the refrigerator 1, before it is lifted off in the lower area. Opposite a top and bottom simultaneous opening so lower opening forces are needed.

A control device for the opening device (s) 10 may be provided in the cooling device 1, in the opening device (s) 10 itself or on a mains cable. In an embodiment in which the control device is arranged on the power cable or in the cooling unit 1, a larger part of the space available for the opening device 10 can be used for the actual drive. Reference number list cooling unit

Isolierkorpus

front end face (of the insulating body)

(Magnetic) seal

furniture body

Front end surface (of the furniture body) Cabinet door

door hinge

opening device

fastening device

screw

Door connector housing

Opening for ejection element

mounting slot

Grommet

Bearing ejector element

pivot bearing

side surface

chord surface

arc face

recess

Chain fastening roller

apron

inner cone

outer section spring drive system

drive motor

slug

worm

gear 135 sprocket

136 chain

137 chain guide

138 gear segment

139 fork head

140 mounting adapter

141 longitudinal legs

142 transverse legs

143 Mounting hole

144 insertion tab

H height (of the installation space)

B width (of the installation space)

T depth (of the installation space) h height (of the opening device) b width (of the opening device) t depth (of the opening device)

Claims

claims

1 . Opening device (10) for a cooling device (1) with a door assembly having at least one isolated area with a circumferential seal (5), wherein the opening device (10) has a housing (100) from which an ejection element (1 10) electrically driven extendable, characterized in that

the opening device (10) is designed such that it can be mounted on a front end surface (3) of an insulating body (2) of the cooling device (1) on provided fastening means (1 1) for a door hinge (9) of the cooling device (1) and with its ejection element (1 10) acts on an outside of the seal (5) lying region of the door assembly.

2. Opening device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (100) has a depth (t) of less than 60 mm, preferably less than 47 and more preferably between 38 and 47 mm.

3. Opening device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a mounting adapter (140), the mounting holes (143) for mounting to the fastening means on the cooling unit (1) and fastening means for the housing (100).

4. Opening device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the mounting adapter (140) insertion tabs (144) which engage for tool-free attachment of the housing (100) in mounting slots (102) of the housing.

5. Opening device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (100) is provided with fastening means which serve a direct mounting on the fastening means on the cooling device (1).

6. Opening device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ejection element (1 10) has a maximum stroke of 40 mm to 80 mm.

7. Opening device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ejection element (1 10) is designed to be telescopic and has a maximum stroke when extending out of the housing (100) which is greater than the depth (t) of the housing (100) the opening device (10).

8. Opening device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ejection element (1 10) is kreissegementförmig and pivotally mounted on or in the housing (100)

9. Opening device (10) according to claim 8, comprising a

Gear segment (137) on which a rotatable roller is mounted, the inside of a chord surface (1 13) of the kreissegementförmigen ejection element (1 10) is applied, wherein in a pivoting of the

Gear Segments (138) runs the role on the inner chord surface (1 13) and the ejection element (10) from the housing (100) is moved.

10. Opening device (10) according to claim 8, comprising a sprocket

(135) having a chain (136) lying thereon, the end of which is coupled to the circular segment - shaped ejection element (1 10), wherein during a rotation of the sprocket (135) the ejection element (1 10) is moved out of the housing (100) . In the housing (100) is retracted.

1 1. An opening device (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein there is a force accumulator which moves the ejection element (110) out of the housing (100).

12. Opening device (10) according to claim 1 1, wherein the force accumulator is a spring (120), in particular a torsion spring which acts on the ejection element (1 10).

13. Opening device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ejection element (1 10) is linearly extendable.

14. Opening device (10) according to claim 1 1 or 13, comprising two counter-rotating sprockets (134) each having a lying on this chain (135), wherein the chains (135), each having one end with the linearly extendable ejection element (10 ) and in the region of the ejection element (1 10) abut each other, and wherein upon rotation of the sprockets (134), the ejection element (1 10) from the housing (100) is moved or retracted into the housing (100).

15. Opening device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a drive system (130) with an electric drive motor (131), a worm (132) and a worm wheel (133).

1 6. cooling device (1) with an insulating body (2) and an insulating door (4) which is pivotally mounted relative to the Isolierkorpus (2) by door hinges (9), wherein on a front end face (3) of the insulating body (2) fastening means for selectively fixing the door hinges (9) on a left or right side of the insulating body (2) are provided, characterized in that

an opening device (10) for the insulating door (4) is mounted on at least one of the unused fastening devices for the door hinges (9) on a side opposite the door hinges (9) of the Isolierkorpus (2) in a space provided for the door hinges (9) space ,

17. The refrigerator (1) according to claim 16, wherein the Isolierkorpus (2) in a furniture body (6) with a cabinet door (8) is inserted, wherein the door hinges (9) the insulating door (4) pivotally support and wherein the cabinet door (8) is coupled to the insulating door (4).

18. The refrigerator (1) according to claim 17, wherein the insulating door (4) fixed to the

Carcass door (8) is connected.

19. The refrigerator (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the cabinet door (8) on at least one edge on the insulating door (4) protrudes, wherein the

Opening device (10) with an ejection element (1 10) in the region of the supernatant on an inner side of the cabinet door (8) acts.

20. The refrigerator (1) according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the ejection element (1 10) has a maximum stroke when extending out of the housing (100), the insulating door (4) by a door opening angle

pivoted, which is smaller than an angular range of self-tightening device of the door hinge (9).

21. Cooling device (1) according to claim 20, wherein the door opening angle is smaller than 35 °.