MXPA96004149A - Apparatus to cushion a door of a refrigerator that is opened and cited - Google Patents

Abstract

A damping apparatus for a refrigerator comprises a first space configured inside the refrigerator cabinet, a second space separated from the first by means of a stop projection that is in communication therewith, a first damping member that is assembled from so that it can expand in the second space, and a projection formed on one side of the door for the purposes of closing the first damping member. When the door is closed, the projection closes the first damping member in such a way that the air inside is evacuated, the reaction force generated in the compartment being tempered. On the contrary, when proceeding to the opening of the door, the second cushion member is pressed in such a way that the force generated by the negative pressure inside the compartment is tempered. The damping device for refrigerators can absorb the force necessary to open or close the door.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CUSHIONING A DOOR OF A REFRIGERATOR THAT OPENS AND / OR CLOSES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 0 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator and more specifically to a door damping apparatus of a refrigerator. 2. Description of Previous Art J? In general, a refrigerator is a device used to store food either frozen or chilled in order to extend its freshness for a prolonged period of time.A refrigerator generally employs two types of cooling methods, that is, direct and In the type of direct cooling, direct heat exchanges are carried out by means of a evaporator used during the refrigeration cycle in a food storage space. In the indirect type of cooling, an evaporator is installed outside the food storage space. According to this method, the air is exchanged by the evaporator, being introduced into the food storage space by means of a fan, a refrigerator in general possesses a freezing compartment and a refrigeration compartment under the first. The refrigeration compartment has a main cooling compartment and also a space separated from it, which constitutes a vegetable storage area or a fresh compartment. Consequently, the food can be selectively stored under individually desired conditions. The doors are mounted respectively on the previous portions of the compartments, so that the food can be introduced or extracted from them.

The freezing and cooling compartments are respectively constituted by cabinets while the doors are mounted so that they can pivot by means of hinges installed in them. The cabinets and doors in general are made of metallic materials. The interiors of the cabinets and doors are filled with insulating materials, which prevents the transfer of heat from the outside to the interior of the compartments. The doors are provided with a weather strip instead of closing devices in order to seal the area between the doors and the compartments when they close. Each of the weatherstrips seals the area between the cabinet and the door when it closes, while a magnetic strip holds the door secured to the compartment. Each of the doors is fixed to each of the compartments '- through a magnetic strip. In this way the area between the door and the compartment is sealed. The aforementioned weather strips are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,916,864 (issued to Thompson on April 17, 1990), in U.S. Patent 5,129,184 (issued to Fish on July 14, 1992) and U.S. Patent 5,309,680 (issued to Kiel on October 10, 1992). May 1994). In a refrigerator, air in the freezing or cooling compartment flows through the area between the door and the compartments while it is pivoting. In this way, the air flow generates a reaction force. The reaction force generated by the air flow can be reduced by closing the door slowly, thereby reducing the speed of said air flow between the door and the compartments. Also, the reaction force can be overcome by closing the door quickly. However, if the door closes slowly, the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator decreases given the transfer of heat into the compartments from the outside. On the other hand, if the door closes rapidly, it tends to be ajar due to the reaction force of the impact so that a space is formed between the door and the body of the refrigerator. When the door is ajar, the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator is also reduced by the transfer of heat through said space into the compartments from the outside. In order to prevent the door from remaining ajar, a weatherstrip is used with a magnet that has a great magnetic force. However, refrigerators in which a magnet of this type is used have the disadvantage that it is necessary to exert an important force to open the door. Also, another difficulty is that the refrigerator tends to be shaken when the door is opened by exerting a force of the mentioned entity.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a damping apparatus for a refrigerator that is capable of reducing the reaction force necessary when a door thereof is opened or closed, so that it can be its opening through a small force. For the purpose of achieving the object of the present invention, a damping apparatus for a refrigerator is provided, comprising: A cabinet with side walls, a base plate, a top plate and a back plate for the purpose of shaping at least one compartment, finding the front open; the interior of the cabinet is filled with an insulating material; the primary and secondary spaces are configured inside one of the side walls, a stop projection is formed between the primary and secondary spaces, and a groove that extends from the internal surface of the secondary space to the anterior surface of the side wall communicates to the aforementioned primary and secondary spaces; A door mounted on the cabinet so that it can pivot in order to open and close it, wherein a projection is configured to close the primary space; and A damping member that is mounted so that it can slide and expand in order to dampen the reaction force generated by the air in the compartments and the door when it is opened, and to temper the negative pressure generated by the cooling the air when doing it. The damping member comprises a first damping member mounted so that it can slide in the first space, both ends of which are open, closing one of them when the projection of the door is closed, an escape projection that slides in the first space and which is stopped by the abutment stop, and a first exhaust hole to allow the exit of air from the interior, which is configured in the exhaust projection; a second damping member mounted so that it can slide in the second space and connected to the other end of the first damping member, where a second exhaust hole is formed in order to allow the exit of air from the interior. When closing the door and the projection thereof closes one end of the first cushion member, it moves into one of the side walls, and air in said first cushion member inflates the second cushion member . As the second cushion member is inflated, the air is evacuated therefrom through a hole it possesses. Part of the air evacuated to the outside of the second "damping" member comes out through a first hole, an intermediate space and a second hole, while the rest is vented through the slit, since the diameters of the first and second holes are very small compared to the intervening spaces, the air of the cushioning members and second leaves the refrigerator slowly, so that even when the door is closed quickly, the impact can be effectively reduced. proceeds to the opening of the door, the air is introduced into the intermediate space from the outside of the refrigerator, then it is introduced into the interior of the second space and presses the second cushion member towards the front part of the refrigerator whereby the door can open slowly BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The mentioned objects as well as other benefits of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a view illustrating a refrigerator in which a damping apparatus according to the present invention is mounted; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the cushioning apparatus that is mounted on a side wall of the refrigerator of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 illustrates the location of a damping apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted on a refrigerator. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the damping apparatus that is mounted on a side wall of the refrigerator of Figure 1. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a damping apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a cabinet 10 having two side walls 12, a base plate 14, an upper plate 16 and a rear plate 18, a door 50 and a shock absorber. The cabinet 10 forms at least one compartment 20 whose front part opens through the side walls 12, the base plate 14, the top plate 16 and the back wall 18. The interior of the cabinet 10 is filled with an insulating material to the Effects of minimizing heat transfer to compartments from the outside. On the base plate 14 and the upper plate 16, hinges 22 are installed through which the doors 50 are mounted. A first space 30, a second space 32 and an intermediate space 36 are formed inside the side walls 12. The spaces 30 and 32 are separated from one another by means of a stop projection 38 extending between them.

An escape slit 40 is formed in the first space 30. The interspace 36 communicates with the second space 34 by means of the first orifice 42. A first hole 42 is formed between the second space 34 and an intermediate space 36, such that the latter is in communication with said second space 34 through said first hole 42. The intermediate space 36 communicates with the exterior of the refrigerator through the second hole 44. Thus, the air . in the intermediate space 36 it can flow to or from the outside of the cooler through the second orifice 44. A groove 46 is formed which extends from one end of the first orifice 42 to the exhaust groove 40 formed in the first space. In the front part of the door 50 a weatherstrip (not shown) is placed, for the purpose of fixing it to the cabinet 10, whereby a compartment 20 is sealed. A projection 52 is configured on one side of the front part of the door. the door 50. The damper 60 is mounted so that it can slide and expand in the first and second spaces 30 and 32. The damper 60 tempers the force of "- reaction generated when the door 50 is closed.The damper 60 also tempers the force derived from the negative pressure generated by the cooling air in the compartment 20 when the door 50 is opened.The damper 60 comprises a first damping member 62 which has two open ends, one of which is opened and closed by the projection 52 on the weatherstrip, and a second damping member 64 that is installed so that it can expand in the second space 34, connecting to the other end of the first damping member 62.

The first cushion member 62 comprises a synthetic resin. An exhaust vent 66 is configured on one side of the first damping member 62, in which an outlet orifice 68 is formed. The side walls of the first damping member 62 slide on the abutment stop 38, while the end portion of the first damping member 62 slides on the abutment 38. Exhaust projection 66 slides along the slot 46. The displacement of the first cushion member 62 towards the second space 34 is interrupted when the escape projection 66 is stopped by the stop projection 38. When the door 50 is slid for closing the compartment 20, air is introduced into the first damping member 62. Most of the air flows into the interior of the second damping member 64 and the rest is removed by means of the exhaust port 68. The second damping member 64 It is a bag of elastic material, one end of which is connected to one end of the first damping member 62. A second exhaust hole 70 is configured in the second damping member 64. The air introduced into the interior of the second damping member 64 through the first member of cushion 62 is eliminated through the second exhaust hole 70. On the other hand, a negative pressure is generated in the first and second members 62 and 64 by the projection 52 of the weatherstrip when the door is opened and consequently of the compartment 20. Subsequently, when the projection 52 of the weatherstrip moves in the opposite direction, the first damping member 62 also moves along with it. The air outside the refrigerator is introduced into the first and second spaces 32 and 34 through two ducts by means of the displacement of the first damping member 62. One of the ducts is provided by the exhaust slit 40, while the other, by means of the second hole 44, the intermediate space 36 and the first orifice 42. Hereinafter, the operation of a cooler damping apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

As the door 50 is pivoted in order to open the compartment 20, the escape projection 66 of the first cushion member 62 is positioned adjacent to the outlet slit 40, after which the second shower member is compressed. damping 64. At this point, if the door 50 is moved further so that the projection 52 of the bead moves towards the end of the first damping member 62 ,. Air is introduced into the interior thereof while the second cushion member 64 is inflated. Part of the air introduced into the first damping member 62 is eliminated through the first exhaust port 68 of the exhaust projection 38 and the exhaust groove 40. The projection 52 of the weatherstrip moves further to close the first cushion member 62, which slides into a first space 30 as a consequence, as long as the exhaust projection 38 separates from the exhaust slot 40. At the same time, part of the air found in the first space 30 is eliminated through the first exhaust port 68 and the groove 46. If the first damping member continues to move, part of the air in the second damping member 64 is eliminated by means of the second exhaust port 70, the first orifice 42, the interspace 36 and the second orifice 44, while the rest of the air exits through the second exhaust port 70, the slot 46 and the exhaust slit 44. Accordingly, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, when closing the door 50, since the air of the In the interior of the first and second damping members 62 and 64 is removed to the outside, the reaction force in the compartment 20 generated by the closing of the door 50 can be effectively tempered. On the other hand, a negative pressure is generated in the first and second members 62 and 64 through the projection 52 of the weatherstrip when the door 50 is opened. The negative pressure causes the first and second damping members 60 and 62 to slide towards the first space 30. Then, as the second damping member 62 is compressed, air from the outside is introduced into the interior of the first member of cushioning 60 through the slit of .escape 40, the slot 46, and the first exhaust hole 72 and in the interior of the second cushion member 62 through the second orifice 44, the interspace 36, the first hole 42 and the first exhaust port. The air introduced into the first and second damping members 60 and 62 exerts positive pressure on the projection 52 of the weatherstrip, whereby the latter displaces backward more rapidly. When the projection 52 moves back further, the air introduced into the first damping member 60 through the exhaust slit 40, the slot 46 and the first exhaust port 68 is introduced into the interior of the first member 30 a through the exhaust slot 40 and the first exhaust port 68.

Then, since the amount of air introduced through the slit 40 and the - first exhaust port 68 is greater than that introduced into the interior of the first cushion member 60 through the exhaust slot 40, the slot 46 and the first exhaust port 68, the projection 52 of the weatherstrip moves back further quickly. The introduction of air into the first and second damping members 30 and 32 through the backward displacement of the projection 52 of the weatherstrip causes the negative pressure in the compartment 20 to be tempered, so that the door 50 can be opened with greater ease. Although the present invention has been particularly illustrated and described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that it is possible to make various changes in form and detail without departing from its spirit and scope in accordance with the claims that they are accompanied

Claims (8)

Novelty of the Invention

1. A damping apparatus for a refrigerator characterized by comprising: a cabinet with side walls, a base plate, a top plate and a back plate for the purpose of forming at least one compartment, the front being open; the interior of the cabinet is filled with an insulating material; the first and second spaces are configured inside one of the side walls, a stop projection is formed between the first and second spaces, and a slot extending from the internal surface of the second space to the front surface of the side wall communicates the aforementioned first and second spaces; a door mounted on the cabinet so that it can pivot in order to open and close it, wherein a projection is configured to close the first space; and a damping member that is mounted so that it can slide and expand in order to dampen the reaction force generated by the air between the compartment and said door when it is opened, and to temper the negative pressure generated by the cooling the air when doing it.

2. A damping device according to claim 1, characterized in that said damping member comprises a first damping member mounted so that it can slide in the first space, both ends of which are open, closing one of them when the projection of the door is closed, an escape projection that slides in the first space and that is stopped by the projection stop, and a first exhaust hole to allow the exit of the air inside, which is configured in the exhaust projection; and a second cushion member mounted so that it can slide in the second space and connected to the second end of the first cushion member, where a second exhaust hole is formed for the purpose of allowing air to escape from the interior.

3. A damping apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that the first damping member is made of a synthetic resin.

4. A damping apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that the second damping member is made of rubber.

* 5. A damping device according to claim 1, characterized by an intermediate space for the purpose of evacuating the interior of the second space, formed in one of the side walls, a first hole through which the intermediate space is communicated with the second space, and a second hole through which the intermediate space communicates with the exterior of the refrigerator, said cushion member comprising a first member that is mounted so that it can slide in the first space, both ends being i same open, proceeding to the closing of the first of them when the projection of the door is closed, an escape projection that slides in the first space and which is stopped by the stop shoulder, and a first exhaust hole to allow the exit of the air inside, which is configured in the exhaust projection; and a second cushion member mounted so that it can slide in the second space and connected to the second end of the first cushion member, where a second exhaust hole is formed for the purpose of allowing air to escape from the interior.

6. A damping apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the first damping member is made of a synthetic resin.

7. A damping apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that the second damping member is made of rubber.

8. A damping apparatus for a refrigerator characterized by comprising: a cabinet with side walls, a base plate, a top plate and a back plate for the purpose of forming at least one compartment, the front being open; the interior of the cabinet is filled with an insulating material; the first and second spaces are configured inside one of the side walls, a top projection is formed between the first and second spaces - second, an intermediate space of the effects of evacuating the interior of the second space, formed in one of the side walls, a first hole through which the intermediate space communicates with the second space, a second hole through which the intermediate space communicates with the exterior of the refrigerator, and a slot extending from the internal surface of the second space towards the anterior surface of the side wall for the purpose of communicating the first and second spaces together; a door mounted on the cabinet so that it can pivot in order to open and close it, wherein a projection is configured to close the first space; and a damping member that is mounted so that it can slide and expand in order to dampen the reaction force generated by the air between the compartment and said door when it is opened, and to temper the negative pressure generated by the cooling the air when doing so, said damping member comprising a first member that is mounted so that it can slide in the first space, both ends of which are open, proceeding to the closing of the first one when the projection of the door is closed, an escape projection that slides in the first space and that is stopped by the stop projection, and a first exhaust hole to allow warm air inside, which is configured in the exhaust projection; and a second cushion member mounted so that it can slide in the second space and connected to the second end of the first cushion member, where a second exhaust hole is formed for the purpose of allowing air to escape from the interior.