EP3820329A2 - Shelf height adjustment mechanism - Google Patents

Shelf height adjustment mechanism

Info

Publication number
EP3820329A2
EP3820329A2 EP19838013.1A EP19838013A EP3820329A2 EP 3820329 A2 EP3820329 A2 EP 3820329A2 EP 19838013 A EP19838013 A EP 19838013A EP 3820329 A2 EP3820329 A2 EP 3820329A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shelf
timing belt
handle
ratchet
leftwards
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19838013.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3820329A4 (en
Inventor
Mehmet Ercan KAYMAK
Abdulkadir ERCAN
Bugrahan GULCULER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Arcelik AS
Original Assignee
Arcelik AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arcelik AS filed Critical Arcelik AS
Publication of EP3820329A2 publication Critical patent/EP3820329A2/en
Publication of EP3820329A4 publication Critical patent/EP3820329A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B57/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions
    • A47B57/06—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, characterised by features for adjusting shelves or partitions with means for adjusting the height of the shelves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/04—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by conveyors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a shelf height adjustment mechanism adapted to be used in refrigerators, enabling adjusting shelf heights inside a refrigerator body.
  • a plurality of slots or rails are formed on two opposite walls of the body in order to adjust the height of a shelf.
  • the user changes the height of a shelf by removing it from the slots of a certain elevation and placing it to another slot pair on a desired elevation.
  • the user needs to first pull the shelf out of the body, and then to push the shelf back in after adjusting its height. This creates a problem for the users particularly with coolers whose doors cannot be completely opened.
  • the user is obliged to remove the food products from the shelf to change the position thereof.
  • JP2004286411 discloses a refrigerator in which the height of a shelf can be changed in certain limits by means of a threaded pulley mounted on the edge portion or the lower portion of the shelf and rotated by means of a belt.
  • the aim of the present invention is to realize a shelf height adjustment mechanism adapted to be used in refrigerators, enabling shelf heights to be stably changed by application of a reasonable force by a user, even when the shelf is extremely loaded.
  • the height adjustment mechanism realized to achieve the aim of the present invention is used to adjust heights of body shelves used in refrigerators.
  • the height adjustment mechanism of the invention comprises right hand threaded or left hand threaded shafts perpendicularly mounted on the corners of a rectangular prism shaped frame consisting of vertical and horizontal arms, and pulleys with threads cut in their hub bores are mounted on the threaded shafts.
  • the height adjustment mechanism is further provided with a timing belt engaging the periphery of the pulleys. A user moves the timing belt by means of a handle, and the pulleys are thus rotated in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
  • the pulleys which simultaneously rotate, move upwards or downwards on the threaded shafts.
  • the shelf bearer fitted on the pulleys and therefore the shelf on the shelf bearer moves upwards or downwards by the user puling the timing belt rightwards or leftwards.
  • the height adjustment mechanism further comprises a direction adjustment lever provided on the handle, which can be brought by a user to a "shelf raising” position used to raise the shelf and a “shelf lowering” position used to lower the shelf depending on the (leftwards or rightwards) direction which the timing belt is moved, and a ratchet mechanism activated by said direction adjustment lever, enabling the timing belt to be advanced by being sequentially pulled in one direction by the handle being pulled in one direction and being pulled back in a free state, and the shelf to be raised or lowered to an extent desired by the user so as to remain in the frame.
  • Figure 1 is a frontal view of the height adjustment mechanism in a refrigerator.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism.
  • Figure 3 is an exploded view of the height adjustment mechanism.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism, from another angle.
  • Figure 5 is an exploded view of a ratchet mechanism.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic view of the height adjustment mechanism utilizing right hand threaded shafts, while the shelf is being raised.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic view of the height adjustment mechanism in the state in which the handle is pulled back in a free state in order to raise the shelf again.
  • Figure 8 is a schematic view of the height adjustment mechanism utilizing right hand threaded shafts, while the shelf is being lowered.
  • Figure 9 is a schematic view of the height adjustment mechanism in the state in which the handle is pulled back in a free state in order to lower the shelf again.
  • the height adjustment mechanism (1) adapted to be used in refrigerators (17) having at least one shelf (18) on which food products are placed in the cooler/freezer compartments in a body, enabling adjusting the height of the shelf (18) in the body, comprises
  • a shelf bearer (3) movable upwards/downwards inside the frame (2), on which is placed the shelf (18) whose height is desired to be adjusted,
  • a handle (7) connected to the timing belt (5), enabling the timing belt (5) to be moved in horizontal direction rightwards, i.e. in counter-clockwise direction or leftwards, i.e. in clockwise direction.
  • the "right” and “left” directions are defined with respect to the users.
  • the height adjustment mechanism (1) of the invention comprises
  • a direction adjustment lever (8) provided on the handle (7), which can be brought by a user to a shelf raising position (Y) used to raise the shelf bearer (3) and the shelf (18) and a shelf lowering position (A) used to lower the shelf bearer (3) and the shelf (18) depending on the (leftwards or rightwards) direction which the timing belt (5) is moved, and
  • a ratchet mechanism connected to the handle (7) and activated by said direction adjustment lever (8), enabling the timing belt (5) to be pulled in one direction (rightwards or leftwards) by the handle (7) locking on the timing belt (5) and the handle (7) to move in a free state on the timing belt (5) by disengaging the handle (7) from the timing belt (5) upon the handle (7) being moved in opposite direction, depending on the upwards or downwards movement direction adjusted by the direction adjustment lever (8), thereby enabling the timing belt (5) to be advanced by being sequentially pulled in one direction by the handle (7) being pulled in one direction and being pulled back in a free state, and the shelf (18) to be raised or lowered to an extent desired by the user, so as to remain in the frame (2).
  • the user When it is desired to adjust the shelf (18) height by moving it upwards or downwards depending on the dimensions of the items such as food products, containers, bottles and the like placed in the refrigerator (17), the user actuates the timing belt (5) by means of the handle (7) by pulling it rightwards or leftwards from front.
  • the pulleys (6) to which the timing belt (5) transmits motion perform rotation motion in counter-clockwise direction when the timing belt (5) is pulled rightwards, and in clockwise direction when the timing belt (5) is pulled leftwards.
  • the pulleys (6) performing rotation motion move upwards or downwards on the threaded shafts (4) on which they are engaged from their hub bores, thereby enabling the shelf bearer (3) fitted on the pulleys (6) and therefore the shelf (18) to be moved upwards or downwards.
  • the shelf (18) is raised or lowered depending on the advancement distance of the timing belt (5) by the user. Unlike the prior art, the shelf (18) is enabled to be raised or lowered to an extent desired by the user so as to remain within the frame (2), by the timing belt (5) being sequentially advanced a plurality of times by means of the ratchet mechanism
  • the ratchet mechanism (9) comprises
  • a latch (11) triggered by the direction adjustment lever (8), locking the ratchet wheel (10) in one direction (in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction) and allowing the ratchet wheel
  • ratchet pulley (12) concentric with the ratchet wheel (10), rotating and being locked together with the ratchet wheel (10), and meshed with the timing belt (5),
  • the ratchet mechanism (9) enables the timing belt (5) to be pulled back at a free state by being pulled by means of the handle (7) in one direction determined by the direction adjustment lever (8), and the shelf (18) to be raised or lowered at a desired level to an extent allowed by the dimensions of the frame (2), by the timing belt (5) being sequentially advanced is said direction (rightwards or leftwards).
  • the threaded shafts (4) are right hand threaded
  • the threaded shafts (4) are left hand threaded
  • the pulleys (6) descend on the threaded shafts (4) by rotating in counter-clockwise direction, upon the timing belt (5) being sequentially pulled rightwards, and the shelf bearer (3) on the pulleys (6) and therefore the shelf (18) move downwards to an extent depending on the rightwards advancement distance of the timing belt (5);
  • the pulleys (6) ascend on the threaded shafts (4) by rotating in clockwise direction, upon the timing belt (5) being sequentially pulled leftwards, and the shelf bearer (3) on the pulleys (6) and therefore the shelf (18) move upwards to an extent depending on the leftwards advancement distance of the timing belt (5).
  • the shelf raising method comprises the steps of:
  • the direction adjustment lever (8) is brought to the shelf lowering position (A), and the shelf (18) is lowered to an extent desired by the user so as to remain within the frame (2) by sequentially pulling the timing belt (5) leftwards.
  • the timing belt (5) is enabled to be sequentially moved rightwards or leftwards by means of a ratchet mechanism (9) connected to the timing belt (5), enabling the shelf bearer (3) and the shelf (18) thereon to be moved upwards or downwards even when the shelf (18) is extremely loaded.
  • the ratchet mechanism (9) enables the shelf (18) to be raised or lowered to a desired level to an extent allowed by the dimensions of the frame (2).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
  • Legs For Furniture In General (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a height adjustment mechanism (1) adapted to be used in refrigerators (17) having at least one shelf (18), enabling adjusting the height of the shelf (18), and comprising a rectangular prism shaped frame (2) consisting of vertical and horizontal arms, a shelf bearer (3) movable upwards/downwards inside the frame (2), on which is placed the shelf (10) whose height is to be adjusted, and four threaded shafts (4) mounted on four corners of the frame (2) in perpendicular direction to the horizontal shelf bearer (3) plane, extending between the lower and the upper arms of the frame (2) by freely passing through the holes on the corners of the shelf bearer (3), and having helical threads on their outer cylindrical surfaces, four pulleys (6) engaged on the threaded shafts, rotated by means of the timing belt (5) pulled by a handle (7) from front, and a ratchet mechanism (9) enabling the timing belt (5) to be advanced by being sequentially pulled in one direction by the handle (7) being pulled in one direction and being pulled back in a free state, and the shelf (18) to be raised or lowered to an extent desired by the user so as to remain in the frame (2).

Description

SHELF HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM
The present invention relates to a shelf height adjustment mechanism adapted to be used in refrigerators, enabling adjusting shelf heights inside a refrigerator body.
In refrigerators, food items and various containers are placed on shelves. Depending on the needs of the users, it may be required to modify the distance between two shelves, i.e. adjusting the height of a shelf in the body. In some refrigerators, a plurality of slots or rails are formed on two opposite walls of the body in order to adjust the height of a shelf. The user changes the height of a shelf by removing it from the slots of a certain elevation and placing it to another slot pair on a desired elevation. However, to that end, the user needs to first pull the shelf out of the body, and then to push the shelf back in after adjusting its height. This creates a problem for the users particularly with coolers whose doors cannot be completely opened. In addition, when the shelf is loaded, the user is obliged to remove the food products from the shelf to change the position thereof.
The patent application no. JP2004286411 (A) discloses a refrigerator in which the height of a shelf can be changed in certain limits by means of a threaded pulley mounted on the edge portion or the lower portion of the shelf and rotated by means of a belt.
The patent application no. KR20140097798 (A) discloses a shelf assembly enabling changing the height of shelves used in refrigerators.
The aim of the present invention is to realize a shelf height adjustment mechanism adapted to be used in refrigerators, enabling shelf heights to be stably changed by application of a reasonable force by a user, even when the shelf is extremely loaded.
The height adjustment mechanism realized to achieve the aim of the present invention, is used to adjust heights of body shelves used in refrigerators. The height adjustment mechanism of the invention comprises right hand threaded or left hand threaded shafts perpendicularly mounted on the corners of a rectangular prism shaped frame consisting of vertical and horizontal arms, and pulleys with threads cut in their hub bores are mounted on the threaded shafts. The height adjustment mechanism is further provided with a timing belt engaging the periphery of the pulleys. A user moves the timing belt by means of a handle, and the pulleys are thus rotated in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The pulleys which simultaneously rotate, move upwards or downwards on the threaded shafts. Thus, the shelf bearer fitted on the pulleys and therefore the shelf on the shelf bearer moves upwards or downwards by the user puling the timing belt rightwards or leftwards.
The height adjustment mechanism further comprises a direction adjustment lever provided on the handle, which can be brought by a user to a "shelf raising" position used to raise the shelf and a "shelf lowering" position used to lower the shelf depending on the (leftwards or rightwards) direction which the timing belt is moved, and a ratchet mechanism activated by said direction adjustment lever, enabling the timing belt to be advanced by being sequentially pulled in one direction by the handle being pulled in one direction and being pulled back in a free state, and the shelf to be raised or lowered to an extent desired by the user so as to remain in the frame.
The height adjustment mechanism realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a frontal view of the height adjustment mechanism in a refrigerator.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism.
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the height adjustment mechanism.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the height adjustment mechanism, from another angle. Figure 5 is an exploded view of a ratchet mechanism.
Figure 6 is a schematic view of the height adjustment mechanism utilizing right hand threaded shafts, while the shelf is being raised.
Figure 7 is a schematic view of the height adjustment mechanism in the state in which the handle is pulled back in a free state in order to raise the shelf again.
Figure 8 is a schematic view of the height adjustment mechanism utilizing right hand threaded shafts, while the shelf is being lowered.
Figure 9 is a schematic view of the height adjustment mechanism in the state in which the handle is pulled back in a free state in order to lower the shelf again.
The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.
1. Height adjustment mechanism
2. Frame 3. Shelf bearer
4. Threaded shaft
5. Timing belt
6. Pulley
7. Handle
8. Direction adjustment lever
9. Ratchet mechanism
10. Ratchet wheel
11. Latch
12. Ratchet pulley
13. Housing
14. Cover
15. Nose piece
16. Push spring
17. Refrigerator
18. Shelf
Y : Shelf raising position
A: Shelf lowering position
The height adjustment mechanism (1) adapted to be used in refrigerators (17) having at least one shelf (18) on which food products are placed in the cooler/freezer compartments in a body, enabling adjusting the height of the shelf (18) in the body, comprises
- a rectangular prism shaped frame (2) consisting of vertical and horizontal arms,
- a shelf bearer (3) movable upwards/downwards inside the frame (2), on which is placed the shelf (18) whose height is desired to be adjusted,
- four threaded shafts (4) mounted on four comers of the frame (2), in perpendicular direction to the horizontal shelf bearer (3) plane, - four pulleys (6) with internal helical grooves cut in their hub bores or central bores, mounted on the threaded shafts (4), provided below the shelf bearer (3), performing simultaneously rotation motion and linear motion in upwards/downwards direction on the threaded shafts (4) by means of a timing belt (5) and enabling the shelf bearer (3) to be moved upwards/downwards, and
- a handle (7) connected to the timing belt (5), enabling the timing belt (5) to be moved in horizontal direction rightwards, i.e. in counter-clockwise direction or leftwards, i.e. in clockwise direction. The "right" and "left" directions are defined with respect to the users.
The height adjustment mechanism (1) of the invention comprises
- a direction adjustment lever (8) provided on the handle (7), which can be brought by a user to a shelf raising position (Y) used to raise the shelf bearer (3) and the shelf (18) and a shelf lowering position (A) used to lower the shelf bearer (3) and the shelf (18) depending on the (leftwards or rightwards) direction which the timing belt (5) is moved, and
- a ratchet mechanism (9) connected to the handle (7) and activated by said direction adjustment lever (8), enabling the timing belt (5) to be pulled in one direction (rightwards or leftwards) by the handle (7) locking on the timing belt (5) and the handle (7) to move in a free state on the timing belt (5) by disengaging the handle (7) from the timing belt (5) upon the handle (7) being moved in opposite direction, depending on the upwards or downwards movement direction adjusted by the direction adjustment lever (8), thereby enabling the timing belt (5) to be advanced by being sequentially pulled in one direction by the handle (7) being pulled in one direction and being pulled back in a free state, and the shelf (18) to be raised or lowered to an extent desired by the user, so as to remain in the frame (2).
When it is desired to adjust the shelf (18) height by moving it upwards or downwards depending on the dimensions of the items such as food products, containers, bottles and the like placed in the refrigerator (17), the user actuates the timing belt (5) by means of the handle (7) by pulling it rightwards or leftwards from front. The pulleys (6) to which the timing belt (5) transmits motion, perform rotation motion in counter-clockwise direction when the timing belt (5) is pulled rightwards, and in clockwise direction when the timing belt (5) is pulled leftwards. The pulleys (6) performing rotation motion move upwards or downwards on the threaded shafts (4) on which they are engaged from their hub bores, thereby enabling the shelf bearer (3) fitted on the pulleys (6) and therefore the shelf (18) to be moved upwards or downwards. The shelf (18) is raised or lowered depending on the advancement distance of the timing belt (5) by the user. Unlike the prior art, the shelf (18) is enabled to be raised or lowered to an extent desired by the user so as to remain within the frame (2), by the timing belt (5) being sequentially advanced a plurality of times by means of the ratchet mechanism
(9).
The ratchet mechanism (9) comprises
- a ratchet wheel (10),
- a latch (11) triggered by the direction adjustment lever (8), locking the ratchet wheel (10) in one direction (in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction) and allowing the ratchet wheel
(10) to rotate in opposite direction,
- a ratchet pulley (12) concentric with the ratchet wheel (10), rotating and being locked together with the ratchet wheel (10), and meshed with the timing belt (5),
- a housing (13) supporting the ratchet pulley (12),
- a cover (14) supporting the ratchet wheel (10),
- a nose piece (15) provided on the latch (11), and a push spring (16) abutting on the right or left portions of the latch (11) by passing over the nose piece (15) in the position to which the direction adjustment mechanism (8) is brought and enabling the latch (11) to lock the ratchet wheel (10) in one direction by pressing thereon.
The ratchet mechanism (9) enables the timing belt (5) to be pulled back at a free state by being pulled by means of the handle (7) in one direction determined by the direction adjustment lever (8), and the shelf (18) to be raised or lowered at a desired level to an extent allowed by the dimensions of the frame (2), by the timing belt (5) being sequentially advanced is said direction (rightwards or leftwards).
In an embodiment of the invention, the threaded shafts (4) are right hand threaded, and
- the pulleys (6) ascend on the threaded shafts (4) by rotating in counter-clockwise direction, upon the timing belt (5) being sequentially pulled rightwards and the handle (7) being pulled back (leftwards) in a free state each time, and the shelf bearer (3) on the pulleys (6) and therefore the shelf (18) move upwards to an extent depending on the rightwards advancement distance of the timing belt (5) when the direction adjustment lever (8) is in shelf raising position (Y); - the pulleys (6) descend on the threaded shafts (4) by rotating in clockwise direction, upon the timing belt (5) being sequentially pulled leftwards and the handle (7) being pulled back (rightwards) in a free state each time, and the shelf bearer (3) on the pulleys (6) and therefore the shelf (18) move downwards to an extent depending on the leftwards advancement distance of the timing belt (5), when the direction adjustment lever (8) is in shelf lowering position (A),;
In another embodiment of the invention, the threaded shafts (4) are left hand threaded, and
- the pulleys (6) descend on the threaded shafts (4) by rotating in counter-clockwise direction, upon the timing belt (5) being sequentially pulled rightwards, and the shelf bearer (3) on the pulleys (6) and therefore the shelf (18) move downwards to an extent depending on the rightwards advancement distance of the timing belt (5); and
- the pulleys (6) ascend on the threaded shafts (4) by rotating in clockwise direction, upon the timing belt (5) being sequentially pulled leftwards, and the shelf bearer (3) on the pulleys (6) and therefore the shelf (18) move upwards to an extent depending on the leftwards advancement distance of the timing belt (5).
For a height adjustment mechanism (1) utilizing right hand threaded shafts (4), the shelf raising method comprises the steps of:
- switching the direction adjustment lever (8) to the shelf raising position (Y),
- locking the ratchet wheel (10) and therefore the ratchet pulley (12) by the latch (11) of the ratchet mechanism (9) such that they cannot rotate rightwards (in clockwise direction) and freely rotate leftwards (in counter-clockwise direction),
- pulling the handle (7) rightwards and thereby pulling the ratchet pulley (12) and the timing belt (5) rightwards,
- rotating by the timing belt (5), the pulleys (6) leftwards (in counter-clockwise direction) about their axes,
- the pulleys (6) moving upwards on the right hand threaded shafts (4),
- the shelf bearer (3) arranged on the pulleys (6) and therefore the shelf (18) moving upwards, and
- halting the upwards displacement of the shelf (18) once the horizontal advancement distance of the handle (7) is completed, - pulling the handle (7) back (leftwards), if the elevated level of the shelf (18) is not sufficient, i.e. if it is desired to raise the shelf (18) some more,
- allowing by the ratchet mechanism (9), the ratchet pulley (12) to rotate in counter-clockwise direction and to move leftwards on the timing belt (5) during the handle (7) is being pulled back (leftwards),
- the timing belt (5), pulleys (6), shelf bearer (3) and therefore the shelf (18) resting stationary during the handle (7) is being pulled back (leftwards),
- pulling the handle (7) rightwards again, advancing the timing belt (5) rightwards in order to raise the shelf (18) some more, and raising the shelf (18) again depending on the advancement distance of the timing belt (5).
In the shelf lowering method for the height adjustment mechanism (1) utilizing right hand threaded shafts (4), the direction adjustment lever (8) is brought to the shelf lowering position (A), and the shelf (18) is lowered to an extent desired by the user so as to remain within the frame (2) by sequentially pulling the timing belt (5) leftwards.
In the height adjustment mechanism (1) of the invention, the timing belt (5) is enabled to be sequentially moved rightwards or leftwards by means of a ratchet mechanism (9) connected to the timing belt (5), enabling the shelf bearer (3) and the shelf (18) thereon to be moved upwards or downwards even when the shelf (18) is extremely loaded. The ratchet mechanism (9) enables the shelf (18) to be raised or lowered to a desired level to an extent allowed by the dimensions of the frame (2).

Claims

1. A height adjustment mechanism (1) adapted to be used in refrigerators (17) having at least one shelf (18) on which food products are placed in the cooler/freezer compartments in a body, enabling adjusting the height of the shelf (18), and comprising
- a frame (2),
- a rectangular shaped shelf bearer (3) on which the shelf (10) is placed,
- four threaded shafts (4) mounted on four comers of the frame (2), in perpendicular direction to the horizontal shelf bearer (3) plane,
- four pulleys (6) performing simultaneously rotation motion and linear motion in upwards/downwards direction on the threaded shafts (4) by means of a timing belt (5) and enabling the shelf bearer (3) to be moved upwards/downwards, and
- a handle (7) connected to the timing belt (5), enabling the timing belt (5) to be moved in horizontal direction rightwards, i.e. in counter-clockwise direction or leftwards, i.e. in clockwise direction, characterized by
- a direction adjustment lever (8) provided on the handle (7), which can be brought to a shelf raising position (Y) and a shelf lowering position (A), and by
- a ratchet mechanism (9) connected to the handle (7) and activated by said direction adjustment lever (8), enabling the timing belt (5) to be pulled in one direction by the handle (7) locking on the timing belt (5) and the handle (7) to move in a free state on the timing belt (5) upon the handle (7) being moved in opposite direction, depending on the movement direction adjusted by the direction adjustment lever (8), thereby enabling the timing belt (5) to be advanced by being sequentially pulled in one direction and the shelf (18) to be raised or lowered.
2. A height adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a ratchet mechanism (9) comprising a ratchet wheel (10), a latch (11) triggered by the direction adjustment lever (8) and locking the ratchet wheel (10) in one direction and allowing it to rotate in opposite direction, and a ratchet pulley (12) concentric with the ratchet wheel (10), rotating and being locked together with the ratchet wheel (10) and meshed with the timing belt (5).
3. A height adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the ratchet mechanism (9) comprising a housing (13) supporting the ratchet pulley (12), a cover (14) supporting the ratchet wheel (10), a nose piece (15) provided on the latch (11), and a push spring (16) abutting on the right or left portions of the latch (11) by passing over the nose piece (15) in the position to which the direction adjustment mechanism (8) is brought and enabling the latch (11) to lock the ratchet wheel (10) in one direction by pressing thereon.
4. A height adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the pulleys (6) ascending on the threaded shafts (4) by rotating in counter-clockwise direction upon the timing belt (5) being sequentially pulled rightwards, and the shelf bearer (3) moving upwards depending on each rightwards advancement distance of the timing belt (5), when the direction adjustment lever (8) is in "shelf raising" position.
5. A height adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the pulleys (6) descending on the threaded shafts (4) by rotating in clockwise direction upon the timing belt (5) being sequentially pulled leftwards, and the shelf bearer (3) moving downwards depending on each leftwards advancement distance of the timing belt (5), when the direction adjustment lever (8) is in "shelf lowering" position,.
6. A shelf (18) height adjustment method executed by a height adjustment mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims utilizing right hand threaded shafts (4), comprising the steps of
- switching the direction adjustment lever (8) to the "shelf raising" position,
- locking the ratchet wheel (10) and therefore the ratchet pulley (12) by the latch (11) of the ratchet mechanism (9) such that they cannot rotate rightwards (in clockwise direction) and freely rotate leftwards (in counter-clockwise direction),
- pulling the ratchet pulley (12) and the timing belt (5) rightwards by pulling the handle (7) rightwards,
- rotating by the timing belt (5), the pulleys (6) leftwards (in counter-clockwise direction) about their axes,
- the pulleys (6) moving upwards on the right hand threaded shafts (4),
- the shelf bearer (3) arranged on the pulleys (6) and the shelf (18) moving upwards, and
- halting the upwards displacement of the shelf (18) once the horizontal advancement distance of the handle (7) is completed, - pulling the handle (7) back (leftwards) in order to raise the shelf (18) some more,
- allowing by the ratchet mechanism (9), the ratchet pulley (12) to rotate in counter clockwise direction and to move leftwards on the timing belt (5) during the handle (7) is being pulled back (leftwards),
- the timing belt (5), pulleys (6), shelf bearer (3) and therefore the shelf (18) resting stationary during the handle (7) is being pulled back (leftwards), and
- pulling the handle (7) rightwards again, advancing the timing belt (5) rightwards in order to raise the shelf (18) some more, and raising the shelf (18) again depending on the advancement distance of the timing belt (5).
EP19838013.1A 2018-07-13 2019-05-24 SHELF HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM Withdrawn EP3820329A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TR201809980 2018-07-13
PCT/TR2019/050373 WO2020018052A2 (en) 2018-07-13 2019-05-24 Shelf height adjustment mechanism

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EP3820329A2 true EP3820329A2 (en) 2021-05-19
EP3820329A4 EP3820329A4 (en) 2022-04-06

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CN111481001B (en) * 2020-03-18 2022-04-05 合肥美的电冰箱有限公司 Shelving and storage cabinets
CN114076437B (en) * 2020-08-19 2022-10-28 青岛海尔特种制冷电器有限公司 Self-balancing adjustable rack device and refrigerator with same
CN112641247B (en) * 2020-12-22 2022-04-19 重庆宏岭工程咨询有限公司 Multifunctional moisture-proof file cabinet device
CN113475864B (en) * 2021-08-05 2022-11-15 江西万橡家具集团有限公司 File cabinet capable of being adjusted according to file height
CN117053477B (en) * 2022-05-05 2025-11-18 合肥美的电冰箱有限公司 Shelf components and refrigerator
CN117053476B (en) * 2022-05-05 2025-11-25 合肥美的电冰箱有限公司 Shelf components and refrigerator
CN117053475B (en) * 2022-05-05 2025-11-25 合肥美的电冰箱有限公司 Shelf components and refrigerator
CN115077185B (en) * 2022-07-22 2022-11-01 合肥美的电冰箱有限公司 Refrigeration equipment and shelf thereof
CN115265081B (en) * 2022-09-29 2022-12-02 山东小鸭智能电器有限公司 Refrigerator structure with adjustable partition plate interval

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JP3648138B2 (en) * 2000-03-27 2005-05-18 三菱電機株式会社 refrigerator
JP2004286411A (en) * 2003-03-25 2004-10-14 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Refrigerator
EP2347203B1 (en) * 2008-11-11 2016-08-10 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Refrigeration device having adjustable-height refrigerated goods placement
CN202547255U (en) * 2012-04-11 2012-11-21 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Refrigerator shelf assembly and refrigerator
CN103983078A (en) * 2014-06-05 2014-08-13 合肥美的电冰箱有限公司 Rack capable of going up and down
CN106369919A (en) * 2016-09-21 2017-02-01 合肥华凌股份有限公司 Mounting fixing structure of embedded refrigerator door body and cabinet door and refrigerator

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EP3820329A4 (en) 2022-04-06
WO2020018052A2 (en) 2020-01-23
WO2020018052A3 (en) 2020-03-26

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