EP3638966A1

EP3638966A1 - A cooling device comprising an automatic door opening device

Info

Publication number: EP3638966A1
Application number: EP18728601.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehmet MUTLUDOGAN; Emre AYAROGLU; Resul KARTAL; Eren MUTLU; Taha AKGUN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2017-06-13
Filing date: 2018-05-29
Publication date: 2020-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-29
Also published as: WO2018228815A1; EP3638966B1; TR201708697A2; PL3638966T3

Abstract

This invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising one or more than one body (2) defining a volume (V) wherein the items to be cooled are placed; one or more than one door (3) that is attached to one of the edges of the body (2), that prevents the heat transfer between the volume (V) defined in the body (2) and the outer environment when closed and that enables the volume (V) defined in the body (2) to be accessed by the user; at least one automatic door opening device (5) that is arranged on the body (2) and that has at least one actuating member, at least one control unit controlling the actuating member at least according to the program stored therein, and at least one pushing member (4) that is positioned in a resting position wherein the pushing member (4) does not extend out of the body (2) so as to contact the door (3) when the door (3) is in the closed position and that exerts force on the door (3) by means of the force applied directly by the actuating member or through the power transmission elements so as to move from the resting position towards a forward position wherein the pushing member (4) extends between the body (2) and the door (3); and at least one door opening sensor (6) that is arranged on the door (3) and that transmits to the control unit the information that the user intends to open the door (3).

Description

A COOLING DEVICE COMPRISING AN AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising an automatic door opening device.
Cooling devices, especially domestic refrigerators are used for enabling the food items to be kept fresh without being affected by ambient conditions such as temperature and humidity. Ambient conditions required for enabling the food items stored in the cooling devices to be kept fresh for longer periods of time are provided by means of specific refrigerants and cooling cycles. Thermal insulation is used to prevent the ambient conditions in the cooling device from being affected by the conditions of the outer environment and to enable the cooling device to be operated with a higher efficiency. In addition to the thermal insulation materials used on the cooling device body for such purposes, gaskets that are arranged on the door so as to provide sealing between the body and the door are used. It is critical for the gaskets to extend from the door to the body and provide airtight connection between the door and the body. However, the user needs to overcome the magnetic force acting on the gasket to open the door, thus making the opening of the door difficult. In the state of the art, automatic door opening devices that assist in overcoming the magnetic force acting on the gasket when the user tries to open the door are known.
In general, said automatic door opening devices comprise a motor and pushing members with various shapes and sizes, that move with the power received from the motor to apply force to the door, thus enabling the door to be opened. The door that is opened automatically by means of said pushing members remains open for a predetermined period of time recorded in a control unit so as to allow the user to perform which action he/she wants.
The pushing members remaining outside the body in order to prevent the door from closing during the period of time wherein the door remains open cause various problems. In case the user opens the door of the cooling device and closes the door swiftly before the end of the period of time recorded in the control unit, the door may hit and damage the pushing members. In such cases, sometimes the automatic door opening device is damaged and sometimes the door and the gasket are damaged. In case the automatic door opening device is damaged, the automatic door opening function cannot be used, and in case the door or the gasket is damaged, the sealing performance decreases, causing energy losses.
In the state of the art United States Patent Document No. US6338536, a cooling device is disclosed, that shows the state of the art of the preamble of Claim 1.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device wherein the door opening device and/or the door are prevented from getting damaged during the closing of the door.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the independent first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprising the automatic door opening device, provides that the contact between the pushing member and the door is detected by means of a contact detection system and the pushing member is returned to a resting position in the automatic door opening device by means of the actuating member of the automatic door opening device upon detecting that the pushing member does not contact the door.
The contact detection system comprises at least one magnet that is fixed on the pushing member and/or the door, and at least one magnetic sensor that is in communication with the control unit and that is arranged on the door and/or the pushing member onto whichever the magnet is not fixed. The magnet creates a magnetic field with a strength that can be detected by the magnetic sensor only when the pushing member is in contact with the door. The magnetic sensor determines that the pushing member contacts the door upon detecting the magnetic field created by the magnet and determines that the pushing member does not contact the door if the magnetic field is not detected. In an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic sensor informs the control unit of the status of the contact between the pushing member and the door that is continuously monitored. In another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic sensor informs the control unit if the detected status of the contact between the pushing member and the door changes.
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the contact detection system may comprise at least one inductive sensor or at least one capacitive sensor or at least one button or at least one time of flight sensor arranged on the door and/or on the pushing member instead of the magnetic sensor and the magnet.
By means of the present invention, in the cooling devices with the automatic door opening device, the pushing member of the automatic door opening device and/or the door of the cooling device is prevented from getting damaged when the cooling device door is closed with force.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the general view of a cooling device.
Figure 2 - is the general view of the cooling device wherein the pushing member enables the door to be opened when there is contact between the pushing member and the door.
Figure 3 - is the general view of the cooling device at the moment the contact between the pushing member and the door is interrupted.
The elements in the figures are numbered as follows:

Cooling device
Body
Door
Pushing member
Automatic door opening device
Door opening sensor
Contact detection system
Magnet
Magnetic sensor

V. Volume
The cooling device (1) comprises one or more than one body (2) defining a volume (V) wherein the items to be cooled are placed; one or more than one door (3) that is attached to one of the edges of the body (2), that prevents the heat transfer between the volume (V) defined in the body (2) and the outer environment when closed and that enables the volume (V) defined in the body (2) to be accessed by the user; at least one automatic door opening device (5) that is arranged on the body (2) and that has at least one actuating member (not shown in figures), at least one control unit (not shown in figures) controlling the actuating member at least according to the program stored therein, and at least one pushing member (4) that is positioned in a resting position wherein the pushing member (4) does not extend out of the body (2) so as to contact the door (3) when the door (3) is in the closed position and that exerts force on the door (3) by means of the force applied directly by the actuating member or through the power transmission elements so as to move from the resting position towards a forward position wherein the pushing member (4) extends between the body (2) and the door (3); and at least one door opening sensor (6) that is arranged on the door (3) and that transmits to the control unit the information that the user intends to open the door (3) (Figure 1).
The cooling device (1) of the present invention further comprises at least one contact detection system (7) that monitors the status of the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3) and informs the control unit of the status of the contact detected between the pushing member (4) and the door (3). In an embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) continuously informs the control unit of the status of the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3). In another embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) informs the control unit of the status of the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3) when there is a change in the status of the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3) (Figure 2).
The control unit is configured so as not to activate the actuating member such that the pushing member (4) is not moved when triggered by the door opening sensor (6) when the control unit receives information from the contact detection system (7) indicating that the pushing member (4) and the door (3) do not contact each other when the pushing member (4) is in resting position.
The control unit is further configured to activate the actuating member such that the pushing member (4) returns to the resting position when the control unit receives information from the contact detection system (7) indicating that the pushing member (4) and the door (3) do not contact each other while the pushing member (4) is moving between the resting position and the forward position or does not move in the forward position.
When the user wants to open the door (3) of the cooling device (1), he/she triggers the door opening sensor (6) The door opening sensor (6) triggered by the user informs the control unit that the door (3) is tried to be opened. Then, the control unit activates the actuating member and the actuating member provides power transmission to the pushing member (4) arranged in the automatic door opening device (5) and enables the pushing member (4) to be moved between the body (2) and the door (3), hence from the resting position to the forward position. The pushing member (4) exerts force on the door (3) with which the former is contact while being moved and enables the door (3) to be opened. When the pushing member (4) reaches the forward position, the control unit deactivates the actuating member to prevent the door (3) from being automatically closed, and the pushing member (4) is kept stationary in this position for a period of time recorded in the control unit. At the end of said period, the control unit reactivates the actuating member and the pushing member (4) returns to the resting position by means of the actuating member.
During the above mentioned movement of the pushing member (4) from the resting position to the forward position or when the pushing member (4) is kept stationary in the forward position, the termination of the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3), for example, as a result of the pulling force applied on the door (3) by the user is detected by the contact detection system (7). Upon detecting that the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3) is terminated, the contact detection system (7) informs the control unit of this situation. Then, the control unit activates the actuating member such that the pushing member (4) returns to the resting position. Thus, the damages that may occur on the pushing member (4) that extends at least partially out of the body (2) and/or the damages that may occur on the door (3) due to the pushing member (4) if the door (3) is closed for any reason whatsoever are prevented.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) comprises at least one magnet (8) fixed on the pushing member (4) and at least one magnetic sensor (9) that is in communication with the control unit, that is arranged on the door (3) and that is configured to detect the magnetic field created by the magnet (8) (Figure 2, Figure 3).
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) comprises at least one magnet (8) fixed on the door (3) and at least one magnetic sensor (9) that is in communication with the control unit, that is arranged on the pushing member (4) and that is configured to detect the magnetic field created by the magnet (8).
In these embodiments of the present invention, the magnet (8) is configured to create a magnetic field with a force that can only be detected by the magnetic sensor (9) when the pushing member (4) is in contact with the door (3).
In these embodiments of the present invention, preferably, the magnetic sensor (9) is configured to be activated upon detecting the magnetic field created by the magnet (8) and to be deactivated if the magnetic field created by the magnet (8) is not detected.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic sensor (9) is configured to inform the control unit of the current situation when deactivated or activated.
In this embodiment, the control unit is configured to enable the pushing member (4) to be moved after being triggered by the door opening sensor (6) according to the program recorded in the control unit when the magnetic sensor (9) is active. The control unit is configured so as not to activate the actuating member such that the pushing member (4) is not moved when triggered by the door opening sensor (6) when the magnetic sensor (9) is deactivated and the pushing member (4) is in the resting position. If the magnetic sensor (9) is deactivated while the pushing member (4) is moving between the resting position and the forward position or is stationary in the forward position, the control unit is configured to activate the actuating member such that the pushing member (4) returns to the resting position.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) comprises at least one inductive sensor that is arranged on the door (3), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the magnetic field the inductive sensor creates. In an alternative version of this embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) comprises at least one inductive sensor that is arranged on the pushing member (4), and that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the magnetic field the inductive sensor creates.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) comprises at least one capacitive sensor that is arranged on the door (3), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the capacitive field the capacitive sensor creates. In an alternative version of this embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) comprises at least one capacitive sensor that is arranged on the pushing member (4), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the capacitive field the capacitive sensor creates.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) comprises at least one button that is arranged on the door (3), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the force applied by the pushing member (4). In an alternative version of this embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) comprises at least one button that is arranged on the pushing member (4), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the force applied by the door (3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) comprises at least one time of flight sensor that is arranged on the door (3), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by measuring the distance between the pushing member (4) and the door (3). In an alternative version of this embodiment of the present invention, the contact detection system (7) comprises at least one time of flight sensor that is arranged on the pushing member (4), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by measuring the distance between the door (3) and the pushing member (4).
By means of the present invention, in cooling devices (1) that comprise automatic door opening devices (5), the detection of the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3) is realized, and if it is determined that the pushing member (4) do not contact the door (3), the pushing member (4) is enabled to return to the resting position in the automatic door opening device (5). Thus, the pushing member (4) of the door opening device (5) and/or the door (3) of the cooling device (1) are prevented from getting damaged while the door (3) of the cooling device (1) is being closed.

Claims

A cooling device (1) comprising one or more than one body (2) defining a volume (V) wherein the items to be cooled are placed; one or more than one door (3) that is attached to one of the edges of the body (2), that prevents the heat transfer between the volume (V) defined in the body (2) and the outer environment when closed and that enables the volume (V) defined in the body (2) to be accessed by the user; at least one automatic door opening device (5) that is arranged on the body (2) and that has at least one actuating member, at least one control unit controlling the actuating member at least according to the program stored therein, and at least one pushing member (4) that is positioned in a resting position wherein the pushing member (4) does not extend out of the body (2) so as to contact the door (3) when the door (3) is in the closed position and that exerts force on the door (3) by means of the force applied directly by the actuating member or through the power transmission elements so as to move from the resting position towards a forward position wherein the pushing member (4) extends between the body (2) and the door (3); and at least one door opening sensor (6) that is arranged on the door (3) and that transmits to the control unit the information that the user intends to open the door (3), characterized by

at least one contact detection system (7) that monitors the status of the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3) and informs the control unit of the status of the contact detected between the pushing member (4) and the door (3), and

the control unit that is configured so as not to activate the actuating member such that the pushing member (4) is not moved when triggered by the door opening sensor (6) when the control unit receives information from the contact detection system (7) indicating that the pushing member (4) and the door (3) do not contact each other when the pushing member (4) is in resting position, and that is configured to activate the actuating member such that the pushing member (4) returns to the resting position when the control unit receives information from the contact detection system (7) indicating that the pushing member (4) and the door (3) do not contact each other while the pushing member (4) is moving between the resting position and the forward position or does not move in the forward position.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the contact detection system (7) that detects the status of the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the contact detection system (7) that informs the control unit of the status of the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3) when there is a change in the status of the contact between the pushing member (4) and the door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the contact detection system (7) comprising at least one magnet (8) fixed on the pushing member (4) and at least one magnetic sensor (9) that is in communication with the control unit, that is arranged on the door (3) and that is configured to detect the magnetic field created by the magnet (8).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the contact detection system (7) comprising at least one magnet (8) fixed on the door (3) and at least one magnetic sensor (9) that is in communication with the control unit, that is arranged on the pushing member (4) and that is configured to detect the magnetic field created by the magnet (8).
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 4 or 5, characterized by the magnet (8) that is configured to create a magnetic field with a force that can only be detected by the magnetic sensor (9) when the pushing member (4) is in contact with the door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized by the magnetic sensor (9) that is configured to be activated upon detecting the magnetic field created by the magnet (8) and to be deactivated if the magnetic field created by the magnet (8) is not detected.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by the control unit that is configured to activate the actuating member so as to move the pushing member (4) after being triggered by the door opening sensor (6) according to the program recorded in the control unit when the magnetic sensor (9) is active.
A cooling device (1) as in Claim 7 or 8, characterized by the control unit that is configured so as not to activate the actuating member such that the pushing member (4) is not moved when triggered by the door opening sensor (6) when the magnetic sensor (9) is deactivated and the pushing member (4) is in the resting position, and that is configured to activate the actuating member such that the pushing member (4) returns to the resting position if the magnetic sensor (9) is deactivated while the pushing member (4) is moving between the resting position and the forward position or is stationary in the forward position.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the contact detection system (7) comprising at least one inductive sensor that is arranged on the door (3), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the magnetic field the inductive sensor creates, or at least one capacitive sensor that is arranged on the door (3), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the capacitive field the capacitive sensor creates.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the contact detection system (7) comprising at least one inductive sensor that is arranged on the pushing member (4), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the magnetic field the inductive sensor creates, or at least one capacitive sensor that is arranged on the pushing member (4), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the capacitive field the capacitive sensor creates.
A cooling device (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the contact detection system (7) comprising at least one button that is arranged on the door (3), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the force applied by the pushing member (4).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the contact detection system (7) comprising at least one button that is arranged on the pushing member (4), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by means of the force applied by the door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the contact detection system (7) comprising at least one time of flight sensor that is arranged on the door (3), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by measuring the distance between the door (3) and the pushing member (4).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized by the contact detection system (7) comprising at least one time of flight sensor that is arranged on the pushing member (4), that is in communication with the control unit, and that is configured to detect the contact between pushing member (4) and the door (3) by measuring the distance between the door (3) and the pushing member (4).