EP3507550A1

EP3507550A1 - A cooler comprising a gasket disengagement mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP3507550A1
Application number: EP17751676.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Emre AYAROGLU; Resul KARTAL; Mehmet MUTLUDOGAN; Eren MUTLU; Mucahit Bacaksiz
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2016-09-02
Filing date: 2017-07-28
Publication date: 2019-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-28
Also published as: WO2018041496A1; TR201612501A2; PL3507550T3; EP3507550B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooler (1) comprising a body (2), a door (3) enabling access into the body (2), a handle (4) provided on the door (3), at least one sensor (5) provided on the handle (4), a gasket (6) of nodal structure, provided between the door (3) and the body (2), almost completely airtight sealing the body (2) from the outer environment, a pusher mechanism (7) provided on the body (2), a control unit (8) enabling triggering of the pusher mechanism (7) upon exciting of the sensor (5) by the user, and a pin (9) provided in the pusher mechanism (7), departing out of the pusher mechanism (7) upon coming of the door opening signal from the control unit (8).

Description

A COOLER COMPRISING A GASKET DISENGAGEMENT MECHANISM

The present invention relates to a cooler comprising a gasket disengagement mechanism.
In coolers, systems are used which allow automatic opening of doors. Automatic door opening mechanisms allowing the user to have minimal physical contact with the cooler, are known and used in the art. In such door opening mechanisms, the initial force required to open the door and therefore the need for electric current can be extremely high due to the vacuum and magnetic forces. Drive members of high costs with high energy consumption used to overcome high opening forces resulting from the vacuum and the magnets. Due to the large volume occupied by the drive members used, the dismantlements and the seats made on the body and the door are enlarged, the operational performance is affected negatively since the insulation thickness is reduced, and the usage costs burdened on the user resulting from the elements in charge of cooling, are increased.
Another problem experienced with the coolers with automatic door opening mechanisms, is the door opening mechanism opening the door rapidly upon overcoming of the vacuum and the magnetic forces, and in turn the door making physical damages by hitting the users or a rigid surface.
State of the art United States patent document no. US7726754 discloses a cooler having a lifting member placed between the body and the gasket to overcome the vacuum force.
State of the art German patent document no. DE102004012496 discloses a cooler having a member with temperature memory used in separating the body and the gasket to overcome the vacuum force.
State of the art United States patent document no. US8217611B2 discloses a cooler comprising two separate members for overcoming the vacuum force and opening the cooler door.
The aim of the present invention is to realize a cooler whose door opens easily by reducing or eliminating the vacuum effect occurring from the difference in internal and external air pressure during opening the doors of the coolers having an automatic door opening mechanism.
The cooler provided to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in claim 1 and the dependent claims thereof, comprises a door enabling access to the body. The user can open and close the door by means of a handle provided on the door, and access inside the body. A sensor provided in the region where the user grips the handle, transmits to a control unit the information that the handle is held by the user. The control unit transmits the information to a pusher mechanism provided on the body that the user is attempting to open the door, and the pusher mechanism actuates a pin. The pin departing from inside the pusher mechanism and moving towards the door, extends to a catch arranged opposite the pin and extending to the body, and applies pressure on the catch. The motion of the catch towards the seat in which it is placed, is enabled through said pressure. A gasket is provided between the door and the body, blocking heat and air exchange with the outer environment by separating the inner and the outer environment when the cooler door is closed. A tie piece extending downwards from the front of the catch is provided between the gasket and the body. While the pin pushes the catch to the seat, the tie piece moving with the catch separates the gasket from the body and enables the door to escape from the vacuum effect.
In an embodiment of the invention, the catch sits in the seat arranged on the door by means of tabs. The tabs provided on the catch sit in the recesses inside the seat, thereby preventing the catch to escape from the seat. In another embodiment of the invention, the tabs are provided in the seat and rest on the recesses arranged on the catch placed in the seat. By this, the catch is prevented from escaping out of the seat during the reciprocating motion of the catch.
In an embodiment of the invention, a spring is provided between the catch and the seat. The catch pushed into the seat, is required to return to its initial position after opening of the door. The spring stores the force applied by the pusher mechanism by being stressed during pushing of the door by the pin, and enables the catch to return to its initial position by pushing it forwards when the pin is retracted.
In an embodiment of the invention, the tie piece arranged between the gasket and the body is made of a material of elastic structure. While the pin pushes the catch, the tie piece moving together with the catch moving into the seat prevents the gasket from being damaged thanks to its elastic structure while disengaging the gasket from the body, providing a long lifetime for the gasket. The gasket is enabled to disengage from the body without difficulty, thanks to the tie piece made of a more rigid material than the gasket.
In an embodiment of the invention, the angle formed by the tie piece with the catch is almost a right angle. In the initial position with the pusher mechanism being stationary and the door being closed, the catch being pushed out of the seat by means of the spring, is in its closest position to the pin. The pin departing towards the catch upon the actuating signal coming from the control unit, covers said distance where the catch and the pin is closest to each other, in the shortest period of time. The catch and the tie piece provided on the catch having a right angle in between, enables transferring of the force coming from the pin, simultaneously to the gasket. By this, the duration between the user holding the handle and the tie piece separating the door from the body, is reduced to a minimum.
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler comprises a sensor placed on the handle, activating by a stimulus coming from a user. Separate kinds of sensors can be placed on the handle, the stimulus coming from the user can be a stimulus of pressure, contact, proximity or a visual stimulus, and the sensor placed on the handle can vary depending on the type of stimuli to be detected.
The aim of the present invention is to reduce the costs of the components used in a cooler by decreasing the high force required to overcome the vacuum and the magnetic force when automatic doors open in coolers. Another aim of the present invention is to change the components used with components of a smaller volume, consuming less amount of energy, and therefore improving the cost situation of cooler materials by reducing the thickness of the mechanism.
The cooler realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cooler in an embodiment of the invention, with the door open.
Figure 2 is a lateral view of the upper portion of the door in an embodiment of the invention with the pin in the pusher mechanism.
Figure 3 is a lateral view of the upper portion of the door in an embodiment of the invention with the pin out of the pusher mechanism.
Figure 4 is a view of the upper housing of the door from behind.
Figure 5 is a view of the catch from behind.
The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Cooler
Body
Door
Handle
Sensor
Gasket
Pusher mechanism
Control unit
Pin
Seat
Tie piece
Catch
Tab
Spring

The cooler (1) comprises

a body (2),
a door (3) enabling access into the body (2),
a handle (4) provided on the door (3),
at least one sensor (5) provided on the handle (4),
a gasket (6) of nodal structure, provided between the door (2) and the body (3), almost completely airtight sealing the body (2) from the outer environment,
a pusher mechanism (7) provided on the body (2),
a control unit (8) enabling triggering of the pusher mechanism (7) upon exciting of the sensor (5) by the user, and
a pin (9) provided in the pusher mechanism (7), departing out of the pusher mechanism (7) upon coming of the door opening signal from the control unit (8).

The cooler (1) of the invention comprises a seat (10) arranged on the door (3) so as to correspond the pin (9), a catch (12) placed in the seat (10) so as to move within, and pushed by the pin (9) towards the seat (10) upon coming of the door (3) opening signal from the control unit (8), having a tie piece (11) entering between the nodes of the gasket (6), enabling the gasket (6) to separate from the body (2) by transferring the force coming from the pin (9) to the tie piece (11).
The cooler (1) has a body (2) and a door (3) thermally insulating said body (2) from the outer environment. At least one handle (4) is provided on the door (3) enabling the user to open the door (3) by gripping it. The user being in contact with the handle (4) is detected by means of the sensors (5) placed on the handle (4), and in case of contact, the sensor (5) transmits the obtained data to the control unit (8). A seat (10) is provided on the upper portion of the door (3) facing the body (2). A gasket (6) of nodal structure is provided between the door (3) and the body (2), enabling air-tight sealing of the interior of the body (2) from the outer environment by enclosing the space between the door (3) and the body (2) when the door (3) is closed. A pusher mechanism (7) is provided on the portion of the body (2) corresponding the seat (10) when the door (3) is closed. Said pusher mechanism (7) is activated with a door opening signal coming from the control unit (8), and as a result, a pin (9) departs outwards from the portion of the pusher mechanism (7) proximate to the door (3). In the closed position of the door (3), the pin (9) moving towards the seat (10) according to the door opening signal coming from the control unit (8), contacts the catch (12) placed in the seat (10), having a tie piece (11) provided between the gasket (6) and the body (2). Upon contact, the pin (9) pushes the catch (12) into the seat (10), and the tie piece (11) formed flush with the front surface of the catch (12), applies pressure on the gasket (6) and breaks the contact of the gasket (6) to the body (2). The vacuum resistance generated by the air cooling in the cooler (2), is overcome by means of the tie piece (11) placed between the nodes of the gasket (6), and the need for high electric current required for opening the doors of coolers with automatic doors, is eliminated, and thus the electrical components of the cooler (1) are protected from sudden current fluctuations and electric consumption is also reduced.
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler (1) comprises a catch (12) having a tab (13) resting on the seat (10) by engagement. Upon the catch (12) entering the seat (10), the tabs (13) arranged on the lateral surface of the catch (12) interlock to and rest on the recesses arranged on the corresponding lateral surfaces in the seat (10). By means of the tabs (13) arranged thereon, the catch (12) is easily mounted to the seat (10) without needing an additional coupling member, and labor costs are thus improved.
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler (1) comprises a catch (12) having a spring (14) provided between itself and the seat (10). The spring (14) placed on the protrusion arranged on the inner surface of the catch (12) resting on the seat (10), is placed in the corresponding recess in the seat (10) suitable for the shape of the spring (14). By this, in cases when the pin (9) does not apply pressure on the catch (12) to open the door (3), the spring (14) enables the catch (12) to return to its initial position, and prevents warm air from entering into the cooler (1) through opening of the gasket (6), enhancing the operational performance of the cooler (1). Another advantage of using a spring (14) in the catch (12) is the damping property of the spring (14). By this, the catch (12) or the pin (9) is prevented from getting damaged during pushing of the catch (12) by the pin (9), and maintenance costs likely to occur during use of the cooler (1) are reduced to a minimum.
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler (1) comprises a catch (12) having a tie piece (11) of elastic structure. The movement resulting from the pin (9) pushing the catch (12) is transferred to the tie piece (11), and the tie piece (11) separates the gasket (6) from the body (2). The tie piece (11) smoothly separates the gasket (6) from the body (2) as the tie piece (11) is made of material of elastic structure, and hardening and damaging of the gasket (6) after long term use, is prevented. By this, the gasket (6) can be used air-tight sealingly for long periods of time, enhancing the energy consumption and therefore the operational performance of the cooler (1).
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler (1) comprises a catch (12) forming almost a right angle with the tie piece (11). The tie piece (11) extending downwards from the end of the catch (12), enters between the gasket (6) and the body (2), and separates the gasket (6) from the body (2) as a result of the pin (9) pushing the catch (12). In said position where the pusher mechanism (7) is closed and there is minimum distance between the catch (12) and the pin (10), upon the user activating the sensor (5) provided on the handle (4), the pin (9) pushes the catch (12) and therefore the tie piece (11), simultaneously eliminating the vacuum and opening the door (3) without the user having to pull the door (3) to himself/herself. By this, the user is not required to use force to open the door (3), the door (3) opens automatically, increasing customer satisfaction.
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooler (1) comprises a handle (4) having a capacitive type sensor (5). Through using a capacitive sensor (5) placed on the handle (4), the pusher mechanism (7) cannot be activated without the physical contact of the user and thus physical damages and injuries by hitting the user during automatic opening of the door (3) are avoided.
Through the invention, the vacuum effect is eliminated which is caused by the gasket (6) making it difficult to open the door (3) during separation of the body (2) and the door (3) by automatic door opening mechanisms in coolers (1). Another advantage intended by the invention is to reduce the need for high electric current required by the pusher mechanism (7) during separation of the door (3) from the body (2), and to thus prevent damages likely to occur on the electronic components of the cooler (1).

Claims

1. A cooler (1) comprising

- a body (2),

- a door (3) enabling access into the body (2),

- a handle (4) provided on the door (3),

- at least one sensor (5) provided on the handle (4),

- a gasket (6) of nodal structure, provided between the door (2) and the body (3), almost completely airtight sealing the body (2) from the outer environment,

- a pusher mechanism (7) provided on the body (2),

- a control unit (8) enabling triggering of the pusher mechanism (7) upon exciting of the sensor (5) by the user, and

- a pin (9) provided in the pusher mechanism (7), departing out of the pusher mechanism (7) upon coming of the door opening signal from the control unit (8), characterized by

- a seat (10) arranged on the door (3) so as to correspond the pin (9),and by

- a catch (12) placed in the seat (10) so as to move within, and pushed by the pin (9) towards the seat (10) upon coming of the door (3) opening signal from the control unit (8),

- having a tie piece (11) entering between the nodes of the gasket (6),

- enabling the gasket (6) to separate from the body (2) by transferring the force coming from the pin (9) to the tie piece (11).

A cooler (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the catch (12) comprising a tab (13) resting on the seat (10) by engagement.

A cooler (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the catch (12) comprising a spring (14) provided between itself and the seat (10).

A cooler (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the catch (12) comprising a tie piece (11) of elastic structure.

A cooler (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the catch (12) forming almost a right angle with the tie piece (11).

A cooler (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the handle (4) comprising a capacitive type sensor (5).