RU2290577C2 - Device for storage - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mechanical engineering; storage facilities.

SUBSTANCE: proposed storage device contains drawer open from top, cover for closing open top part drawer and carrying structure supporting drawer and cover. Drawer is installed on carrying structure for displacement relative to structure and cover with provision of access into inner space or for closing drawer. Displacement of drawer includes horizontal displacement for opening drawer with provision of access into its inner space or for closing drawer, and vertical displacement for separating drawer from cover at beginning of horizontal displacement at opening or bringing drawer and cover together at closing. It contains support device installed for movement and designed for supporting drawer in process of horizontal displacement, and displacement device installed between support device and drawer designed for vertical displacement of drawer at displacement of support device.

EFFECT: provision of convenient access to contents of drawer and their transportation.

48 cl, 67 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to the creation of means for storage and, in preferred embodiments, its implementation to the creation of electric refrigerating chambers, such as refrigerators and freezers for storing foodstuffs and other perishable goods. Among other uses of the present invention, storage of chemicals, as well as medical or biological samples, can be indicated. The invention may also find application in mobile (mobile) versions, for example, during transportation or storage of perishable goods. In a broader aspect, the invention may find application in any kind of storage involving drawers, and especially where the drawers carry high loads and must be hermetically sealed when closed.

The invention develops and complements various features and details of international application No.PCT / GB00 / 03521 (publication WO 01/20237. The invention also develops an application for the invention of Great Britain No. 0106164.7 (publication GB 2367353). As indicated in the above publications, the present invention can be used for storage of any products in a cooling medium, for example, in a refrigerated truck. Therefore, the term "refrigerating chamber" should be interpreted in a broad sense, which includes, in addition to fixed household refrigerating chambers, refrigerating chambers for Thinking and scientific applications as well as mobile refrigerating chambers. However, in this specification will mainly be discussed about the household, or commercially available, electrical cooling chambers for storing food.

The advantages of storing food and other perishable products under cooling and separation conditions have been known for a long time: cooling prevents the deterioration of such products, separation of products helps to avoid cross-contamination. Accordingly, modern refrigerators, such as refrigerators and freezers, are usually divided into compartments (compartments) so that the user can store different types of products in different compartments, although such division often turns out to be ineffective. All such refrigerators are additionally tasked with achieving maximum energy efficiency.

The invention under consideration, as well as the inventions described in WO 01/20237 and GB 2367353, were created against the background of conventional refrigerators, most of which contain one or more vertical cabinets, each of which is equipped with a hinged door on its front side. Almost the entire internal volume of such a cabinet is a useful storage volume, which, as a rule, is divided by shelves or drawers for placing products. Door opening provides access to all shelves or drawers of the cabinet.

The refrigeration unit creates a closed convective flow in the refrigerator, in which the air cooled by the refrigeration unit is lowered to the base of the refrigerator and, absorbing heat during the downward movement, this air heats up and rises again to the refrigeration unit, where it is again cooled. Compulsory air circulation may also be provided by means of a fan located in or in communication with the refrigerator. Shelves or drawers are usually made of wire to provide little resistance to air circulation.

Vertical refrigerators and freezers are often combined and sold as a single unit, in which the refrigerator occupies the upper section of the cabinet, and the freezer occupies the lower section, or vice versa. Since different temperatures are required in these two sections, they are separated by a continuous dividing wall, each section having its own door and a refrigeration unit, usually in the form of an evaporator.

A domestic refrigerator with a freezer usually has one compressor, and the evaporator of the refrigeration section is connected in series with the evaporator of the freezer section. In this case, regulation and measurement of temperature is usually carried out only in the refrigerator section. If temperature control is required in both sections, the evaporators are switched on in parallel and are equipped with the corresponding electromagnetic valves and temperature switches, which enable / disable cooling in each section. However, in any case, the temperature in the respective sections cannot be duplicated: one section serves for cooling, therefore it is isolated to a lesser extent than the other, and its temperature can be regulated in the temperature range above zero on the Celsius scale, and the other section serves for freezing, therefore it insulated to a greater extent than the first, and its temperature can be regulated (if such regulation is generally provided) in the temperature range below zero on the Celsius scale. None of the two sections can perform the function of the other.

Publication WO 01/20237 is devoted to a serious problem concerning vertical refrigerators and freezers, namely a vertical door, which, after opening it, allows cold air to freely exit the refrigerator, being replaced by warm ambient air entering at the top. Such a sharp influx of ambient air into the refrigerator leads to an increase in its internal temperature and, consequently, to an increase in energy consumption due to the need to compensate for such an increase in temperature by the operation of the refrigeration unit. The intake of ambient air carries with it the possibility of contaminating the contents of the refrigerator cabinet by air, and the moisture contained in this air leads to condensation and the deposition of frost (ice) in the cabinet. These problems are exacerbated the more, the more often the refrigerator opens, which is especially typical for commercial equipment.

In refrigerators and freezers with a vertical door, the disadvantages of the vertical seal discussed above mean that leakage of cold air and the influx of warm air can occur even when the door is closed. Being denser than warm air, the coldest air accumulates at the bottom of the refrigerator and presses the seal, so that if there is no perfect seal between the door and the cabinet, the air will come out.

The present invention and WO 01/20237 also address the problems inherent in well-known freezers, in which the cabinet open on top is usually closed by a lid opening upside down, hung horizontally on hinges. Such freezers are inconvenient and uneconomical in the occupied space, since they do not allow the use of the space directly above the freezer, which must be left free so that the lid can be opened. In addition, no objects can be left on the lid. Even if a sliding lid is used instead of a lid opening upwards, it is inconvenient to leave any objects on the lid. It is also well known that in large freezers with a lid on hinges, access to their contents is very difficult, since the user needs to bend down (bend down) and move many heavy and very cold objects in order to get to an object located at the bottom of the freezer compartment.

And finally, WO 01/20237 addresses the problem of separating different types of food products or other perishable goods to prevent cross-contamination. In conventional cold storage chambers, the principle of convection and / or forced circulation used in these chambers is often hindered. Mostly open baskets or shelves, which are designed to provide convective air circulation between compartments, also contribute to the circulation of moisture, enzymes and harmful bacteria. In addition, any liquid flowing out of a food container, such as juice flowing from raw meat, is not held up by open baskets or shelves.

The prior art relating to this invention is represented not only by conventional refrigerators in the form of vertical refrigerators and freezers with a lid on the hinges. For example, the idea of dividing a refrigerator into compartments, each of which has its own door or cover, has long been known. Examples of the implementation of this idea are disclosed in British patents GB 602590, GB 581121 and GB 579071, which describes refrigerators in the form of a cabinet.

In these publications, the front of the cabinet has many rectangular openings for introducing drawers. Each drawer has a front panel that is larger than the corresponding hole, so that a vertical seal is formed around the lap joint when the drawer is in the closed (retracted) position. Drawers and their contents are cooled using a refrigeration unit that circulates the cooled air in the cabinet due to convection, which is common with the previously described types of refrigerators. To facilitate air circulation through all drawers, they have an open top and openings on the bottom. In addition, the drawers are arranged in steps, so that those drawers that are closer to the top of the refrigerator go back less than the drawers below, so that the back of each drawer is open to the downward flow of chilled air from the refrigeration unit.

Despite the fact that only one drawer is required to be opened (extended), the holes in the bottom allow free air to flow out through the open drawer to cold air, which is replaced by warm and moist ambient air, which reduces the energy efficiency of the refrigerator and increases the likelihood of cross-contamination. In fact, when the drawer is open, the cold air in the cabinet above the level of this drawer will flow out, which leads to the absorption of ambient air into the cabinet. Moreover, the presence of drawers facilitates the influx of ambient air into the interior of the refrigerator, since when opened they act as pistons that draw in ambient air into the interior of the refrigerator. After entering the refrigerator, warm air can circulate inside it as freely as cold air, which should be there.

Even when the refrigerator is closed, the accumulation of cold air in the lower part of the cabinet will create increased pressure on the vertical seals of the lowest drawer, which increases the likelihood of leakage in the event of a defective seal.

Another example of a refrigerator of the type indicated above is disclosed in GB Patent GB 602329. The refrigerator disclosed in this patent is also not free from the many problems mentioned above, however, it is of most interest that there is a single drawer with insulated side walls and a base in the refrigerated interior of the refrigerator. . Unlike the previously described options, the side walls and the base are solid and not perforated, so that air cannot flow through them. When the drawer is closed, the horizontal element inside the cabinet is combined with the drawer to create a compartment, the horizontal element being a lid for the drawer. The resulting compartment is equipped with its own cooling coils located directly below the horizontal element.

The patent discloses very few details regarding the seal that is formed between the drawer and the horizontal element, except that the horizontal element has a rear protruding rear end with an offset edge that provides a snug fit with the rear wall of the drawer. Nothing more is said about articulation with a horizontal element, except for the general statement that the box in the closed position is adapted to “fit snugly” against the horizontal element. From this we can only conclude that the drawer and the horizontal element are simply adjacent to each other. Despite the fact that this will prevent air from entering the drawer and air from it, an impermeable seal is not created. Since this seal is not vapor barrier, there is a possibility of ice deposits even in the closed position of the box.

The described embodiment of the drawer creates a compartment in which a temperature can be set that differs from mainly the general temperature in the rest of the refrigerator. In particular, it is provided that this drawer may serve as a freezer compartment. The disadvantage of this is, in particular, that the drawer - freezer in the closed position is in the cooled internal space (of the refrigerator), therefore, the outer surfaces of this box inside the cabinet will be cooled to the temperature of the refrigerator. Therefore, when you open the drawer, these chilled outer surfaces will be exposed to moisture-containing ambient air that will condense on chilled surfaces, which will result in undesired moisture accumulation. Condensation causes the transfer of latent heat from water vapor to the drawer, which leads to the need for additional cooling of the drawer after it returns to the closed position inside the cabinet.

In addition, condensed moisture will be transferred to the inside of the refrigerator when the drawer is closed. As already mentioned here, the presence of water promotes microbial activity. Another disadvantage associated with the flow of water into the interior of the refrigerator is that it can freeze; this creates particular problems at the junction of the closed drawer with the insulating lid, as frost deposits at the seal can block the drawer and prevent it from opening. In fact, such ice formation is due to the penetration of moisture through the mating area of the drawer and the upper wall. This drawback leads to the need for a mechanism for breaking ice at the sealing site or on the guide channels or other supporting surfaces of the drawers. Note that the formation of ice at the seal site can also lead to a deterioration in the quality of the seal due to a violation of the proper mating of the contact surfaces of the seal. It goes without saying that the deposition (buildup) of ice on the moving parts of the drawer mechanism is also undesirable, since it can interfere with the movement of the drawer.

Another noteworthy document describing the prior art is US patent No. 1337696. This patent deals with the separation of refrigerated drawers located in the cabinet surrounding them, and the use of refrigeration devices installed "directly above and adjacent to each drawer ... so that the drawer can actually be considered closed by adjoining to the specified refrigeration device. " However, if the drawer is to open, a gap must be left between it and the refrigeration unit. As in the UK patents discussed above, the presence of this gap will contribute to the deposition of ice, as the humid air inside the cabinet enters the drawer and water vapor condenses and freezes. The smaller this gap, the faster the deposition of ice will block the movement of the drawer. If you use a larger gap, this will lead to greater air leakage, and, therefore, such a refrigerator will have lower energy efficiency and will be more prone to cross-contamination.

In addition to the foregoing, in US Pat. No. 1,337,696, cold air leakage reduces the temperature inside the cabinet around the drawers and thereby increases the likelihood of condensation on the drawers when they are open. It should be noted that cold air flowing in this way can freely fall behind the drawers inside the cabinet, as a result of which the outer surface of the drawers will be in contact with air, the temperature of which is significantly lower than the ambient temperature. Some details of the design described in US patent No. 1337696, exacerbate this effect. For example, the bottom wall of this known device is an effective insulator, which significantly reduces the temperature on the surface of the drawers. The internal partitions between the drawers also make it impossible to transfer heat from the ambient air to the drawers, providing only the possibility of heat transfer between the drawers and, thus, contributing to the gradual equalization of temperature between the different drawers. Large areas of the outer surface of each drawer that are left inside the cabinet for a long time or at least overnight will cool to a temperature well below the dew point of the surrounding air. Therefore, after opening these drawers, condensation or the formation of hoarfrost will immediately occur on these surfaces. Similarly, if the drawers are removed and left outside the refrigerator compartment, they will begin to fog up with condensation.

As in the UK patents discussed above, opening and closing drawers in the apparatus of US Pat. This contributes to the transfer of air when opening the drawer in front of the cabinet, and this air can displace the cooled air in the drawer, as well as in the cabinet itself. An increase in the size of the cabinet compared to the size of the drawers can weaken the effect of the piston, but it will not be an economical solution in terms of using the volume of the refrigerator. Conversely, a refrigerator with rational use of internal volume and a tight layout can reduce the displacement of chilled air and thereby reduce the need for cooling of the warm air that replaces it, but at the same time, the resistance to opening and closing the drawer will increase.

Along with the leakage of cold air, the gap, which in the known constructions inevitably remains between the drawer and its corresponding lid, is large enough for the passage of enzymes, spores and other airborne contaminants through it. In addition, US Pat. No. 1,337,696 discloses the presence of common drainage connecting the drawers to each other, and this also makes it possible to transfer contaminants between all the drawers, especially under the influence of the aforementioned piston effect.

Although US Pat. No. 1,337,696 teaches different temperatures in different drawers, the cooling covers are connected in series and have no means for individually controlling the temperature in each drawer. The temperature difference is structurally ensured by the fact that some drawers are equipped with a larger number of cooling elements than others. In addition, as with the sections of more common refrigerators, each drawer of US Pat. No. 1,337,696 has a strictly defined function, namely the function of a freezer or refrigerator.

Even if the drawers of US Pat. No. 1,337,696 are removed from the refrigerator, they remain attached to their front panels and support rails. This prevents the use of such drawers for temporary storage or transportation. Moreover, as in the UK patents, the drawers of US Pat. No. 1,337,696 cannot be opened completely: they open only less than half, relying on the supporting structure of the refrigerator. This is to the detriment of the ease of access to the contents of the drawers, as well as their visibility and lighting.

The elimination of these disadvantages is the problem solved by the present invention.

Its solution is provided by a combination of features included in the claims.

For a better understanding of the present invention, it is discussed below, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings.

Figure 1 shows a front view of the refrigerator compartment, disclosed in international application No.PCT / GB00 / 03521 (publication WO 01/20237, which presents a group of vertically distributed drawers, each of which contains a box.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the refrigerator compartment of FIG. 1 with the lower portion of the side panel removed so that the sides of the drawers can be seen.

Figure 3 shows a section III-III in figure 2, but with closed drawers.

Figure 4 shows a section IV-IV in figure 1.

FIG. 5 shows, on an enlarged scale, a schematic side and cross-sectional view of two drawers of a refrigerator in accordance with the invention, in which the lid is mounted movable relative to the structure in order to separate the lid from the box, thereby allowing subsequent movement of the box in a single opening direction .

In Fig.6 (a) and 6 (b) shows local views of the proposed refrigeration chamber from the side in section, while Fig.6 (a) shows a drawer, the box of which is pressed tightly to the lid, Fig.6 (b) - a drawer in a partially open position (solid lines) with a box extending vertically downward from the lid, and then (dashed lines) in a fully open position, with a box horizontally extended forward to access its interior.

7 shows a detailed front view with a partial section of the mechanism for moving the box, which is part of the structure shown in Fig.6 (a) and 6 (b).

On Fig shows a local side view of the box, which is part of the structure shown in Fig.6 (a), 6 (b) and 7.

FIG. 9 shows a detailed side view of the wheel seat of FIG. 6 (a), 6 (b), and 7.

FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) are schematic detailed side views of the wheel seat of FIG. 9 during operation.

11 (a) and 11 (b) show side views of a drawer in accordance with the present invention, which is generally similar to the drawer shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), but is further improved by the installation of a lever, facilitating the opening and closing of the drawer.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view, from inside the drawer compartment, of a device adapted to accommodate the drawer shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) or FIG. 11 (a) and 11 (b).

13 (a) and 13 (b) respectively show a plan view and a side view in section of the cover, detailing its sealing, cooling and drainage means.

On Fig shows a schematic view of a group of covers presented on Fig (a) and 13 (b), with an illustration of their individual drainage systems.

15 (a) and 15 (b) respectively show a plan view from below and a side view in section of a lid adapted for use in a dry type cooling system.

FIGS. 16 (a), 16 (b), and 16 (c) show front and side views, and also on an enlarged scale, a local detailed sectional view of a horizontal configuration refrigerator compartment and an alternative arrangement compared to the refrigerator compartment shown in FIG. 1-4.

On Fig (a), 17 (b) and 17 (c) respectively shows a side view with a partial section, a front view, as well as a front view on an enlarged scale of another mechanism for moving the box, while in Fig.17 (a) section YY is shown in FIG. 17 (b), and FIG. 17 (b) and 17 (c) are section X-X in FIG. 17 (a).

FIGS. 18 (a), 18 (b), and 18 (c) show detailed side views in partial section of the wheel mounting bracket fixed to the transfer plate, while FIG. 18 (a) shows section X-X in FIG. 18 (b), FIG. 18 (b) shows a section YY in FIG. 18 (c), and FIG. 18 (c) is a plan view.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a transfer plate provided with wheel mounting brackets shown in FIGS. 18 (a), 18 (b) and 18 (c).

On Fig shows a side view of the support frame of the box for use with the moving plate shown in Fig. 19.

On Fig shows a schematic detailed side view of the element of the nest of the wheel mounted on the supporting frame of the box, presented on Fig.

FIGS. 22 (a), 22 (b), 22 (c), and 22 (d) are partial side sectional side views illustrating the effect of the box moving mechanism shown in FIGS. 17 (a), 17 (b), and 17 (c), wherein in FIG. 22 (a) the box is sealed and its wheels carry weight, in FIG. 22 (b) the box has moved away from its seals, but its wheels still carry weight, in FIG. 22 (c) is shown the interaction of the base frame of the box and the transfer plate, and Fig. 22 (d) shows the load transfer to the transfer plate so that during horizontal movement of the box when opening, its weight is perceived guiding by them.

On Fig (a) and 23 (b) respectively shows a side view with a partial section and a front view of another variant of the mechanism for moving the box, which uses sliding pads, while Fig (a) shows a section YY in Fig.23 (b), and FIG. 23 (b) shows a section XX in FIG. 23 (a).

On Fig (a), 24 (b) and 24 (c) shows side views in partial section, illustrating the operation of the mechanism for moving the box shown in Fig (a) and 23 (b), while in Fig.24 (a) the box is sealed, in Fig. 24 (b) the box is moved away from its seals, and in Fig. 24 (c) shows the interaction of the base frame of the box and the moving plate during horizontal movement of the box at the opening.

On Fig shows a side view of another variant of the mechanism for moving the box with a partial section Y-Y in Fig.26.

On Fig shows a section of the mechanism for moving the box shown in Fig.25, XX in this figure and XX in Fig.30 (a).

On Fig shows a side view of the inclined surface of the movement of the wheel used in the mechanism for moving the box, shown in Fig and 26.

On Fig shows a front view of the complete wheel assembly for use in the box moving mechanism shown in Fig.25-27.

On Fig shows a side view of the wheel assembly shown in Fig.28, in section aa in this figure.

On Fig (a) -30 (f) shows a series of side views in partial section, illustrating the operation of the mechanism for moving the box, shown in Fig.25-29.

On Fig shows a side view in section of a shock absorber for use in the mechanism for moving the box shown in Fig.25-30.

On Fig (a) -32 (f) presents a series of side views in section of an alternative embodiment of a shock absorber for use in the mechanism for moving the box shown in Fig.25-30.

On Fig (a) -33 (e) presents a series of side views in section, illustrating the operation of another alternative mechanism for moving the box.

On Fig, 35 and 36 are respectively side and front views of the restraining mechanism, while the front view in Fig. 36 shows a view along arrow X in Fig. 35.

On Fig (a) -37 (f) presents a series of side views in section, illustrating the operation of the mechanism for moving the box, which includes restraining mechanisms shown in Fig.34, 35 and 36.

Figure 1-4 shows a refrigerator 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, which can be used as a refrigerator or freezer. The refrigerator 2 has a vertical cubic configuration (shape) and contains five rectangular drawers 4 facing the front side, located one above the other and installed in a cabinet (housing) 6, which has an upper 8, lower 10, side 12 and rear 14 panels. Any of these panels can be omitted (removed) if there is a desire to integrate the refrigerator compartment 2 between the other supporting structures, in particular, the side panels 12 can be lowered if the walls of adjacent cabinets can function as side panels 12. Panels 8, 10, 12, 14 may or may not be power elements, and if they are not power elements, then a frame (not shown) provides support for various parts of the refrigeration chamber. If a frame is provided, then there is no need to have power (bearing) panels.

The drawers 4 can slide horizontally into the cabinet 6 and slide out of it using the rails on the sides of the drawers 4, which will be described in more detail below. If the rear panel 14 is absent, then, theoretically, the drawer 4 can be removed from the cabinet 6 in two directions, as shown in Fig.2.

Each drawer 4 comprises an insulated bucket-shaped container 16 open at the top, with at least one container 16 (in this case, the container of the central drawer 4) having a different depth compared to other containers 16, allowing a different internal volume. These containers 16 in the description of the present invention will be referred to as storage boxes, or simply boxes 16. The lower box 16 is located only with a narrow gap relative to the bottom panel 10 of the cabinet 6, while the upper box 16 leaves a substantial space in the upper part of the refrigerator 2 under the upper panel 8, in which a compartment 18 for the engine of the refrigerator 20 can be created, comprising, for example, a condenser and a compressor, which itself is well known.

The relatively deep box 16 of the central drawer 4 is for storing bottles and other relatively high items that should be stored vertically, while other relatively shallow boxes 16 are for storing relatively low items. Compared with shelves and other compartments, into which the main storage volume of a conventional vertical refrigerator is divided, all boxes 16 have a favorable shape ratio, namely the main width of the access opening, compared with the depth of the compartment into which access is provided. Therefore, it is very easy to get to any part of the inner space of the box 16 when the drawer 4 is open (extended).

The interior of the cabinet 6 is divided by five insulated covers 22, one for each drawer 4, which are usually flat and horizontal. When the drawer 4 is closed, the open upper part of its corresponding box 16 is closed using the corresponding one of the covers 22, as will be described later. Lids 22 contain cooling means 24, which are evaporative elements of a known type, mounted on the lower surface 26 of each lid 22 and designed to cool the contents of the duct 16 closed by this lid 22.

Each box 16 has a substantially flat face 28 that is open when the drawer 4 is closed (retracted). The front side 28 may be provided with a decorative panel, which in itself is known. When the drawer 4 is closed, the front side 28 of the box 16 is bordered from above by a control and display panel 30 for this box 16, the panel 30 being in the same plane with the front side 28. The panel 30 is supported by the leading edge 32 of the corresponding cover 22, moreover the panel 30 is inserted into the recess of the leading edge 32 of the cover 22.

The control and display panel 30 has a number of indicators, switches, and audible alarm elements that form the user interface for each box 16. This interface in most cases can be used, for example, to select the temperature to which the box 16 is cooled. This interface has indicators temperatures, on / off and quick freeze switches, as well as an open indicator light for drawer 4 and an audible warning light that sounds when exceeded and a predetermined time open state of the drawer 4 or when reaching the upper or lower limit of the temperature inside the box 16.

The rounded handle 34, which extends mainly over the entire width of the upper portion of the front side 28, allows the drawer 4 to be pulled out when access to the interior of the box 16 is required.

The base of the front side 28 of each box 16 is bordered by a slot 36, which, as will be described later, serves to access the ambient air into the cabinet 6. For this, each slot 36 communicates with an air gap 38 extending under the entire side of the base 40 of the corresponding box 16 and exiting into the empty space 42 provided behind each box 16, and this space 42 is limited by the inner surfaces of the rear 14 and side 12 panels of the cabinet 6 and the rear parts 44 of the boxes 16. As partially shown in figure 4, the empty space 42 pass um behind each bin 16 from the base panel 10 of the cabinet 6 and communicates with the refrigerator engine compartment 18 at the top of the cabinet 6.

The air gaps 38 under the ducts 16 and the empty space 42 behind the ducts 16 also communicate with the air gaps 38 on the sides 48 of the ducts 16. In the side panels 12 of the cabinet 6 adjacent to the ducts 16, ventilation ducts 46 can be provided, through which also can pass ambient air. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, air gaps 38 extend around all the rods to the upper side of each duct 16, so that ambient air that enters the cabinet 6 through slots 36 can circulate freely around the sides 48, bottom 40 and the back 44 of each box 16. It should also be borne in mind that ambient air can circulate freely above the top surface 50 of each cover 22. In order to allow this air flow to pass over the top cover 22, over which there is no box 16, a gap is provided 36 under faces side 52 of the engine compartment of the refrigerator 18.

It should be borne in mind that the piston action created by the opening of the drawer 4, which draws in ambient air into the interior of the refrigerating chamber 2, does not create problems in accordance with the present invention. In fact, this piston action is positive and promotes the circulation of ambient air inside the cabinet 6.

Figure 4 shows that the engine compartment of the refrigerator 18 contains an impeller 54, which removes air through the holes 56 provided on the front side 52 of the engine compartment of the refrigerator 18. As best shown in figure 1, these openings 56 extend horizontally across the entire width front side 52. The impeller 54 communicates with the empty space 42 behind the ducts 16 and draws air from the empty space 42, thereby facilitating the introduction of ambient air through the slots 36 and possibly through the side ventilation ducts 46. After entering This air is passed through the heat exchange matrix 58 of the condenser to the compartment of the refrigerator engine.

Thus, the ambient air that enters the cabinet 6 through the front slots 36 and, if any, through the side ventilation ducts 46, leaves the cabinet 6 through openings 56 provided on the front side 52 of the refrigerator engine compartment; thus, the ambient air circulates through the cabinet 6. More specifically, the ambient air at the entrance to the refrigerating chamber 2 immediately comes into contact with the outer surfaces 40, 44, 48 of the boxes 16 and heats them to ambient temperature (or close to it), before as it is sucked into the empty space 42 and then goes up through the empty space 42 due to air circulation. The arrows in Fig. 4 show this air circulation through the refrigeration chamber 2. Thus, the interior of the cabinet 6 is maintained at a temperature close to ambient, and only the interior of each cabinet 16 is cooled.

Due to the contact of the outer surfaces 28, 40, 44, 48 of the duct 16 with warmer air than that contained in the duct, the problem of condensation on the outer surfaces 28, 40, 44, 48 and, therefore, the problem of transferring latent heat to the duct 16 or problems of hoarfrost or cross-contamination (contamination) with condensed water entering the cabinet 6.

One way or another, the occurrence of cross-contamination is unlikely, since each box 16 is tightly closed when its drawer 4 is pulled in. Thus, even if microbes penetrate into the cabinet 6, they cannot easily enter other boxes 16. It is also unlikely that a simultaneous opening two boxes 16 at any given time. Means may be provided to prevent such a situation, for example, using a mechanism similar to that used to protect cabinets from tipping over, preventing more than one drawer 4 from being pulled out simultaneously.

When the duct 16 is open, there is no significant leakage of cold air through its open top, and when the duct 16 is closed, the horizontal seals 60 made in accordance with the present invention provide a better seal for cold air than the vertical seals that are commonly used in vertical refrigerators and freezers. Although the use of horizontal seals is known for chest freezers, the present invention eliminates the inconvenience and space problems inherent to hinged lid freezers, and is in these aspects similar to the much more popular vertical freezer.

Since there is a significant temperature gradient between the cooled inner surfaces 62 of each duct 16 and its outer surfaces 28, 40, 44, 48, the duct 16 is made of an effective insulating material, which allows maintaining the ambient temperature on the outer surfaces 28, 40, 44, 48 or temperature close to it. Boxes 16 are predominantly made of materials such as foamed plastic or polyurethane foam (with a possible coating of fiberglass or polycarbonate in a composite structure).

If separation of the contents of a particular box 16 is required, then this box 16 may be provided with removable inserts 64. The inserts 64 have various shapes and sizes and can be used to distinguish between different types of compartments. For example, insert 64 may be a thin partition whose length corresponds to the length or width of the duct 16 into which it is inserted. The insert 64 may be a box, with or without a lid, or may have latches to hold bottles or cassettes to hold eggs, and the like. Box 64 may also be a basket or shelf.

As shown in figure 2, one or more boxes 16 can be taken out of the refrigerator 2 and closed with insulating covers 66. Box 16 in this case can be used separately from the refrigerator 2, since its insulating structure ensures that the contents are kept in the cold for a limited period of time. For example, the box 16 can be used as a portable refrigerator, with the possibility of filling it with ice to increase the storage time of the contents in the cold. Alternatively, the box 16 with the lid 66 may be located next to the refrigeration chamber 2 and serve as a temporary container for storing contents in the cold, while the refrigerating chamber 2 may be provided with additional boxes 16. It is also possible to use the lid 66 with a built-in refrigeration motor powered by internal batteries or from a gas source, or from an external electrical network or from the car’s power supply.

The aforementioned publication WO 01/20237 also discloses means for moving the box 16 with a significant horizontal component of such movement for access to the interior of the box 16, as well as with a minor vertical component of such movement made by the box when it is opened to divert the box from the lid 22 although such means are not shown in general views of FIGS. 1-4. In the process of subsequent work in this direction, the inventor proposed other means and methods of removing the duct from the lid 22 and providing access to the duct 16. The inventor also proposed other technical changes and improvements to the solutions disclosed in WO 01/20237. These new proposals are described below with reference to the remaining drawings, in which structural elements similar to those described above are indicated by the same reference numbers where possible.

For example, in Fig. 5, the lid 22 is mounted relative to the supporting structure movably, with the possibility of separating the lid 22 from the duct 16, which makes it possible to install the duct 16 with the possibility of its subsequent movement to open in a single direction parallel to the general plane of the lid 22 in the closed position, i.e. e. only in this embodiment, only with a horizontal displacement component. In this very simple embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 5, the lid 22 is attached to the supporting structure behind the trailing edge of the lid 22 by means of horizontal hinges 68, which enable the lid 22 to be rotated with the leading edge upward within the limits defined by the box 16 located above it. raises compressible magnetic seals 60 from the upper edge 70 of the box 16 and is sufficient to release the box 16 for horizontal extension on simple guides, without the need for a crank types, rollers, inclined surfaces and other elements providing vertical movement of the box 16 when it is opened and closed and described in WO 01/20237 in various ways. The lid 22 is held in a raised position by a counterweight 72 or a spring compensating device, which presses the lid 22 in the direction of its raised position with the possibility of sliding the box 16 back, and also, as an additional option, presses the lid in the direction of its lowered position on the box 16, when the box 16 returned to its original position, and the lid 22 is again lowered to the upper edge 70 of the box 16.

It is clear that the location of the hinges 68 behind the trailing edge of the box 16 allows you to raise the rear seals 60 from the box 16 or at least reduce the force of their pressing against the upper edge 70 of the box 16 to the extent necessary to release the box 16 for horizontal movement of the latter.

It should be emphasized that the simple construction shown in FIG. 5 is shown only to illustrate the idea of the movable cover 22, and that other means for raising the cover 22 can obviously be provided. For example, mechanisms with solenoids, actuators, cams or wings can be used to lifting the entire cover 22 to the upper position, almost parallel to its lower position. Also, the seals 60 can be pulled up into the lid 22 or down into the box 16, freeing the box 16 to move.

The movement of the lid 22 can also be associated with the movement of the corresponding box 16 or the movable support of this box 16 so that the cover 22 departs from the box 16 during the initial movement of the box 16 or its support when opened, and vice versa - pressed against it during the final movement box 16 or its support when closing. The specialist should be aware of the various ways of performing such a scheme.

Considering other methods of retracting the lid 22 and providing access to the box 16, the inventor recognized the potential benefits of separating the vertical and horizontal movement of the box 16. More specifically, the inventor sees the advantage that the box 16 and the lid 22 do not come into contact with each other is accompanied by sliding or friction of the contacting surfaces, which otherwise would lead to wear of the seals 60 and their damage after frequent use of the box over long time. A similar sliding of the seals 60 on the mating surfaces should also be avoided when the duct 16 and the cover 22 are connected. This embodiment has the movable cover 22 shown in FIG. 5, as well as the fixed cover variant shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 ( b) and discussed below.

6 (a), the drawer 4 in accordance with the present invention is shown closed, while its box 16 is in the raised position, in which it is firmly pressed against the corresponding cover 22, compressing the horizontal seal 60 extending around the perimeter. In FIG. 6 (b) the same drawer 4 is shown in two other positions. The solid lines on the left side of FIG. 6 (b) drawer 4 is shown partially open due to the fact that the box 16 is vertically lowered, moving away from the lid 22 and the seal 60, but without moving the box 16 horizontally. The dashed lines 4 on the right side of FIG. 6 (b) show the drawer 4 completely open: the box 16 has moved horizontally on the telescopic rails 74, revealing its interior space.

Telescopic rails 74 are structurally made of two or three parts, which is also shown in Fig.7. The outer rail portion 76 is mounted on an adjacent side panel 78 of the cabinet and thus remains stationary during use, while one or more inner rail sections 80 move back and forth when opening and closing the drawer 4. Since the rail sections 76 and 80 are in the interior of the cabinet, where the temperature corresponding to or close to the ambient temperature is maintained, the problem of ice formation, which could lead to seizure of parts of guides 76, 80, is absent t

6 (a) and 6 (b) show the mechanism for moving the box associated with telescopic rails. This mechanism is also shown in Fig.7, in a detailed front view with a partial section. In particular, the box moving mechanism on each side of the box 16 includes a transfer plate 82 fixedly attached to a corresponding telescopic rail. As shown in Fig.7, the transfer plate 82 is located next to the box 16 almost vertically, and its vertical top 84 is bent away from the box 16 with the formation between it and the box 16 of the groove. In this groove there is a pair of vertically oriented motion transmission wheels 86 mounted rotatably by means of horizontal axes 88 on the upper part 84 of the transfer plate. Figures 6 (a) and 6 (b) show that on each side of the duct 16 of the pair of motion transmission wheels 86, one is mounted on the transfer plate 82 in front and one in the back.

Each motion transmission wheel 86 is located in a corresponding slot 90 restricting the movement of the wheel. Each such slot 90 includes a chute 92 of a wheel from an U-shaped profile open from below to accommodate the top of each movement transmission wheel 86 while keeping this wheel 86 from lateral displacement. On the base of this U-shaped profile, an overhanging protrusion 94 is supported by its horizontal surface, made integrally with the wall of the duct 16. As can be seen in FIG. also located under the protrusion 94. The middle part of the protrusion 94, located between the slots 90 of the wheels, hangs over this bar 96, forming a convenient handle, holding which you can lift the box 16 when it is removed from the refrigerator ery 2.

Each motion transmission wheel 86 can be moved forward and backward in the corresponding slot 90 relative to the duct 16 within the limited travel of the wheel. Accordingly, in each slot 90 of the wheel there are provided elements associated with the trough, restricting and directing the movement of the corresponding wheel of the motion transmission relative to the box 16. These elements are most clearly shown in a detailed view of Fig. 9.

Firstly, the movement of the wheels forward and backward relative to the box 16 is limited by the front and rear stops 98, 100, respectively. Each stop 98, 100 determines a corresponding locking position of the motion transmission wheel 86 in such a way that when the motion transmission wheel 86 is located at the front stop 98, it is in the forward locking position, and when the motion transmission wheel 86 is located at the rear stop 100, it is in the back fixation position.

For ease of use of the drawer, the rear stop 100 of the rear wheel slot 90 has an elastic shock absorber 102 on its rear surface, as shown in FIG. 9, which, to limit the stroke of the box 16, rests against a suitable fixed barrier (not shown), restricting the movement of the box 16 back.

Secondly, restrictive tabs 104, 106 protrude from the stops 98, 100 almost parallel to the base of the trough 92 of the wheel. These tabs 104, 106, the stops 98, 100 and the trough 92 of the wheel form pockets in which the motion transmission wheel 86 can be located while the corresponding fixation positions, and the elastic tongues 104, 106 prevent the wheel from moving away from the trough when the wheel is in any of these positions. In particular, the front stop tab 104 protrudes from the front stop 98 backward, and the rear stop tab 106 protrudes from the rear stop 100 forward. A feature of the front restriction tab 104 is that its free end 108 is bent to the wheel chute 92, forming an opening smaller in size than the diameter of the corresponding motion transmission wheel 86. The front restriction tab 104 is elastically deformable to allow passage of the motion transmission wheel 86 through the above opening in the forward fixation position, where the front restrictive tab 104 interacts with this wheel 86 and holds it due to its elasticity. The reverse movement of the motion transmission wheel 86 from the forward locking position is possible only after overcoming the elasticity of the front restrictive tongue 104.

Thirdly, the thrust plates 98, 100 are connected by a track forming a rolling surface of the motion transmission wheel 86. This track has flat end sections 110, 112 parallel to the base of the trough 92 of the wheel, namely the front end portion 110 attached to the base of the trough 92 of the wheel, and a rear end portion 112 located at a distance from the base of the trough 92 of the wheel. These end sections 110, 112 coincide with the front and rear fixation positions of the motion transmission wheel 86 and are connected by an inclined surface 114.

The resilient spike 116 at the junction of the rear end portion 112 and the inclined surface 114 creates an obstacle that must be overcome in order to move the motion transmission wheel 86 from the rear locking position and move it forward along the inclined surface 114. Thus, this spike 116 helps to hold the motion transmission wheel 86 in its rear locking position, corresponding to the closed position of the drawer 4 and tightly pressing the box 16 to the cover 22. In addition, overcoming the spike 116 with the transfer wheel 86 gives the user tactile I feel like the drawer 4 and the box 16 have reached their closed position in which they are sealed.

The stops 98, 100, track 110, 112, 114 and the restrictive tabs 104, 106 are rationally made by bending one part in the form of parts of this part, which is simply fastened in the recess of the chute 92 formed by the base and side walls of the chute, as shown in Fig. 9. When using the device, the chute 92 of the wheel distributes the loads acting on the track 110, 112, 114, the stops 98, 100 and the restrictive tabs 104, 106, and transfers these loads through the protrusion 94 to the box 16.

Figure 10 (a) and 10 (b) shows how the height of the box 16 relative to the guides 74 depends on the position of the motion transmission wheel 86 in its slot 90. It can be seen from Fig. 10 (a) that when the transmission wheel is located the movement 86 in the rear locking position at the rear stop 100, the trough 92 of the wheel, and with it the box 16, is in the raised position, and when moving the transfer wheel 86 along the inclined surface 114 to the front locking position to the front stop 98 of the trough 92 of the wheel, and with it - and box 16, is lowered.

Further, again with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the operation of the box moving mechanism is considered. In Fig. 6 (a), the duct 16 is shown in the raised position and fitting snugly against the corresponding cover 22. In this case, the duct 16 is fully retracted, as is the guide 74 with the transfer plate 82 fixed thereon. The guide 74 is pushed into this position by the application pushing force to the front panel 118 fixed to the drawer 4 and moving the drawer all the way. Therefore, the motion transmission wheels 86 mounted on the transfer plate 82 are displaced relative to their seats 90 in the rear locking position, in which the grooves 92, and with them the box 16, are lifted.

On the left side of FIG. 6 (b), solid lines show how opening drawer 4 by applying pulling force to handle 120 on drawer front panel 118 first shifts guide 74 and moving plate 82 attached thereto. During this initial movement of the front panel 118 and the guide 74 forward, the duct 16 does not move forward. Instead, the motion transmission wheels 86 mounted on the transfer plate 82 are displaced to the forward locking position, as a result of which the box 16 is lowered vertically, moving away from the cover 22. It is also clear that when the front locking position is reached, each movement transmission wheel 86 abuts the corresponding front emphasis 98 and, thus, can transmit to the box 16 the ongoing horizontal force of opening the drawer. Thus, after the box 16 moves away from the seal 60, the drawer 4 can be fully opened by moving it to the position shown in the right side of FIG. 6 (b) by dashed lines and in which full access to the inside of the box 16 is provided. During this The upwardly curved free end 108 of the front restriction tab 104, by means of an elastic force, holds the motion transmission wheel 86 in the forward locking position, thereby preventing unnecessary displacement of the duct 16 relative to the guides 74. C eduet noted that this movement of the box 16 to open is not accompanied by the sliding or rubbing of the seal 60 by its associated surface.

When the drawer is fully open, the box 16 from the camera 2 can be removed. In a preferred embodiment, when removing the box 16 in this way, the wheel slots 90 connected by a flat bar 96 remain in the chamber. However, a variant is possible in which the box 16 is taken out together with the wheel slots 90 in such a way that the wheel slots 90 rise with the output of the motion transmission wheels 86. In this case, it is obvious from FIG. 9 that the gap between the free ends of the restrictive reeds 104, 106 is large enough so that the motion transmission wheel 86 can pass through it when the box 16 is raised. To enter the motion transmission wheel 86 into this gap, it may be necessary to push the motion transmission wheel 86 backward from the front position fixation through the upwardly curved free end 108 of the front stop tab 104.

11 (a) and 11 (b) are similar to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), but they show a variant in which the drawer 4 is closed and opened at the initial displacement portion using a lever. This use of the lever can be especially useful when closing a heavily loaded drawer 4, bearing in mind the need to raise the box 16 in the final section of the movement of the drawer when it is closed. A rational solution is to use the front panel 118 of the drawer 4, which serves as a lever, due to its hinge fastening to the guide 74 and / or the moving plate 82 so that the axis of the hinge 122 extends horizontally and slightly below the midpoint of the front panel 118. Therefore, the application of a pulling force to the handle 120 at the top of the front panel 118 when opening the drawer 4 causes the front panel 118 to rotate about the axis of the hinge 122 (clockwise according to the drawing), which forces the lower edge 1 24 of the front panel 118 to press on the lower front of the box 16. This force helps to move the guide 74 and the box 16 relative to each other, which is required to lower the box 16 down from the cover 22.

In particular, the lower edge 124 of the front panel 118 is connected to a shaft 126, which cooperates with a downward-mounted bracket 128 secured to the front surface of the box 16. Since the bracket 128 is open downward, it allows freedom for the box 16 to move up and down when closing or opening the latter. It also allows you to remove the box 16 from the refrigerator, removing it from the wheels of the transmission of motion 86, as discussed above. However, when closing the drawer 4, when a pushing force is applied to the handle 120 on the upper edge of the front panel 118 (which causes the front panel 118 to turn counterclockwise according to the drawing), the rod 126 transfers force to the box 16 through the bracket 126, holding the box 16 and pushing the guide 74 relative to the box 16 back. It is this relative movement that raises the box 16 to the lid 22 and to the greatest extent realizes the mechanical advantages of the lever.

Another design feature presented in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), as well as in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), is a rack mechanism 130, the main purpose of which is to counter the lateral swinging of the drawer 4, Leaning on guides 74, at its opening and closing. The rack and pinion mechanism 130 is also shown in plan in FIG. In this mechanism, from the transfer plate 82, on each side of the duct 16 (the outline of which is shown in FIG. 12 by a dashed line), a lever 132 protrudes in a down-back direction, ending in a bearing 134 defining a horizontal axis of rotation below and behind the rear surface of the duct 16. As follows from Fig.12, the bearings 134 of the respective levers 132 are installed in a single line and interact, as they have a horizontal axis 136, overlapping the gap between the levers 132.

In turn, a pair of gears 138 are mounted on the axis 136, so that each gear 138 is located near the corresponding end of the axis 136, slightly closer to the middle of the corresponding bearings 134 supporting the axis 136. These gears 138 are engaged with parallel rails 140, spaced apart from each other accordingly, located on top of the lid 22 or other horizontal surface (as can be seen in the drawings - on the upper surface of the base panel) under the corresponding drawer 4 and passing rpendikulyarno axis 136 from the front to the rear edge of the cover 22, or the surface or at least on the distance determined by movement of the drawer 4 when opened.

When using the device, when the drawer 4 opens or closes, the gears 138 are rigidly connected by an axis 136 connecting them with the possibility of joint rotation with it. When the drawer 4 experiences a lateral swing, this swing tends to move the axis 136 from a perpendicular position relative to the racks 140, so that the gears 138 would have to move along the racks 140 with a speed difference. As a result, one gear 138 transmits torque to the other gear 138 via the axis 136. This torque tends to compensate for the oncoming swing, or at least counteract it. Under the influence of the applied torque, the axis 136 may twist slightly, but this helps to prevent any of the two gears 138 from popping out of engagement with its rack 140 with a potential misalignment of the gears.

12 also shows a limit switch 142 located at the rear end of one of the rails 140, and a solenoid lock 144, also connected to the rail 140, but located somewhat in front of the limit switch 142. The purpose of the solenoid lock 144 is to block the opening of the corresponding retractable box 4 by, for example, blocking forward movement of the lever 132, protruding downward from the transfer plate 82. On the other hand, the limit switch 142, in cooperation with the lever 132 of the transfer plate 82 or with the axis 136, is fixed th on the lever 132, signals the opening or closing of the drawer 4.

Since the limit switch 142 is moved to the extreme rear position, as shown in FIG. 12, it is triggered when the moving plate 82 and the corresponding lever 132 reach the extreme rear position corresponding to pressing the box 16 against the cover 22 to form a seal between them, or when the moving plate exits with a lever out of this position. If the box 16 is not sealed in this way, this will be indicated by the displacement of the transfer plate 82 and the corresponding lever 132 forward from the extreme rear position, perceived by the limit switch 142. In this case, the limit switch 142 can be used to turn on the warning signal (preferably after a certain period of time ) and / or to turn on the corresponding solenoids of 144 other drawers to block these drawers 4 in the closed position until open or depressurized This drawer 4 will not be returned to its closed position, and its box 16 will be tightly pressed to the corresponding cover 22. This allows only one drawer 4 to be opened at a time, thus ensuring the device's rollover stability similar to file cabinets, which in the context of refrigerated storage also has the unique advantage of limiting cross-contamination between items in different drawers 4.

The locking solenoid 144 can also be controlled independently of the limit switch, for example, by connecting all the solenoids 144 of the refrigerating chamber 2 with several drawers to ensure central locking of all its drawers 4, preferably by means of a common key switch (not shown in the drawings). From the point of view of energy saving, it is preferable that when power is applied to the solenoid 144, the latter unlocks its drawer 4 and, accordingly, blocks this drawer 4 when it is de-energized. When using such a scheme, it is even more preferable that all the drawers 4 remain locked when their solenoids 144 are de-energized until one of the drawers 4 selected by the user is unlocked, for example by pressing the appropriate button to energize the solenoid 144 or touch to the corresponding touch switch associated with the handle of this drawer 4. After power is applied, the solenoid 144 can remain energized continuously until another drawer is selected for opening ik 4. At the same time, it is preferable that after a certain period of time, the solenoid 144 is de-energized and locks its drawer 4 until the user decides to unlock this drawer 4 again.

Although 144 electrical locking solenoids have been mentioned above, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that other actuators or hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical types of locking mechanisms can be used instead.

Returning to the design of the refrigerator compartment 2 itself, FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b) show the preferred nuances of the closures 22 to which the boxes 16 are pressed firmly after being inserted into the refrigerator compartment 2. FIG. 13 (a) shows that the cover 22 has an elongated shape in plan. In this drawing, the dashed lines also show the rectangular contours of the elements located under the cover 22. From the middle to the edges, these elements are the evaporator 194, located centrally on the lower surface of the cover 22, the drain pan 196, located under the evaporator 194 to collect water flowing in drops from the evaporator 194, as well as the recess 198 in the lower surface of the cover 22 to accommodate the drain pan 196 and the evaporator 194.

As shown in FIG. 13 (b), which is a section along line AA in FIG. 13 (a) and giving the most visual representation of the structure in question, the recess 198 is limited by a skirt 200 extending along the perimeter of the lid 22 and protruding downward from it . On the lower end surface 202 of the skirt 200 is a pair of elongate compressible seals 60, one of which is inside the other. These seals 60 are continuous, apart from the passage made for them in the elongated drainage channel 204, going backward from the drainage tray 196. The drainage tray 196 has an inclined base 206 for draining water to this drainage channel 204, which discharges water from the cover 22, as explained below with reference to FIG. To measure the temperature in the cavity, hermetically insulated by the box 16 and the cover 22, a temperature sensor (not shown in the drawings) passing through the skirt 200 above the seals 60 may be provided.

On Fig shows a preferred wiring diagram of individual drain channels 208 from each drain pan 196 of the refrigerating chamber 2 with several drawers. This arrangement minimizes the risk of cross-contamination. Each channel 208 includes a U-shaped bend 210, forming a hydraulic shutter, and separately passes to a common tray 212. As shown in the drawing, this tray 212 can be located above the compressor 214 of the refrigerator 2, so that the heat released by the compressor 214 gradually evaporates the water in the tray 212 at least at the same speed with which water accumulates in the tray 212. In addition to this solution or as an alternative to it, the surface of the water in the tray 212 can be blown by the condenser fan of the refrigeration chamber 2 (in the drawings e shown) to accelerate the water evaporation.

FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b) show yet another embodiment of a cover design suitable for use in a dry type cooling system in which air is supplied to and removed from the duct 16 through an external refrigeration unit. Such a system is also known as a forced air cooling system, and in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b), the cover 22 is hollow and divided into compartments to control air flow, on which the principle of operation of such systems is based. Thus, cold air cooled by a heat exchanger (not shown in the drawings) is supplied under pressure by a fan (not shown in the drawings) through pipelines to a supply air distribution chamber 216 located in the lid 22 at its periphery. From this cavity, air enters the duct through the distribution slots 218 located around the base panel 220, which forms the lower surface of the cover 22. Warmer air is removed from the duct 16 through the central distribution chamber of return air 222, which communicates with the duct 16 through the central opening 224 to base panels 220 and with a fan through a conduit 226 passing through the surrounding distribution chamber of the supplied air 216. This warmer air is sucked into the distribution chamber atnogo air 222 under the action of vacuum generated by the fan and then sent to a heat exchanger for cooling and re-enter through the supply air distribution chamber 216.

In addition to the vertical layout of drawers 4 used in the above design options, it is possible to arrange drawers 4 side by side, as shown in FIGS. 16 (a), 16 (b) and 16 (c). The front view in FIG. 16 (a) represents a horizontal refrigerator compartment 268 with four drawers (which is also shown in FIGS. 23 and 24), in which drawers 4 are arranged in the form of two adjacent racks, two drawers 4 in each . Thus, the refrigerating chamber 268 is low enough to organize above the drawers 4 a working surface covering both racks. Thus, this embodiment of the invention is suitable for use as a refrigeration unit with a desktop function for cooking and / or a serving table.

The depth of the drawers 4 is selected maximum taking into account the height limit due to the installation of the refrigerator engine 272 and the control panel 274 on the side on one side of the refrigerator compartment 268, as shown in the drawing. In addition, the side view shown in Fig. 16 (b), as well as an enlarged detailed view of Fig. 16 (c) in section along the line XX in Fig. 16 (a), shows that the leading edge of the working surface 270 has a raised edge 276, which helps to prevent the draining of liquid spilled on the working surface 270, to the underlying drawers 4 or leakage of this fluid into the drawers.

FIGS. 16 (a) and 16 (b) also show how the proposed cooling chamber 268 can be mounted on castors 278. These castors 278 can be height-adjustable to install the refrigeration chamber 268 in level on an uneven floor 280.

On Fig-24 shows two other mechanism for moving the box, alternative to the options discussed above in Fig.6-11. In these variants of the box moving mechanism, the potential disadvantages of the box moving mechanisms described above are overcome. One drawback is that if the drawer made in the embodiments of FIGS. 6-11 is pulled out and pushed sharply to close, the wheels 86 can begin to move upward along the inclined surfaces 114 even before the drawer is moved backward, thereby raising the box 16 and creating a possible danger of impact of the box 16 with the rear upper edge on the front lower edge of the cover 22. Therefore, before applying the force moving the wheels 86 along the inclined surfaces 114 with the box 16 pressed firmly against the cover 22, it is important that both pechit fluidity to the drawer back into its fully closed position. Another disadvantage is that the weight of the box 16, as well as the compression forces of the seals, are perceived by the axles of 88 wheels, which increases the risk of breakage.

Let us first turn to FIGS. 17 (a) -17 (c), the mechanism for moving the box on each side of the box 16 shown on them contains a transfer plate 408 located almost vertically next to the box 16. In contrast to the options shown in FIG. 11, the transfer plate 408 protrudes downward under the duct 16, ending with a protrusion 412 directed inward and perpendicular to the transport plate 408. The protrusion 412 is located between the lower surface of the duct 16 and the lid 22 of the lower duct 16 or an equivalent structure it and connected to the cover 22 located at the bottom of the box 16 or an equivalent structure by means of a telescopic guide 414 located horizontally. The purpose of this guide 414 is to counter the lateral swinging of the drawer 4, which is supported by opening and closing by a pair of guides 410. Such a stabilizing guide 414 can be mounted on one side of the duct 16, on both sides of the duct 16 or can be centered relative to the duct 16.

Vertically oriented motion transmission wheels 416 are arranged in pairs, with each wheel having one wheel 416 located above the other to transfer the weight of the box and compressive forces of the seals from one wheel 416 to another by rolling contact with it. On each side of the box 16, one pair of motion transmission wheels 416 is located on each of the transfer plate 408 in front and one in the back.

The wheels 416 of each pair are rotatably mounted by means of the respective horizontal axes 418 on the wheel attachment plate 420 floating vertically in a pocket formed by the wheel support bracket 422 attached to the transfer plate 408. The wheel attachment plate 420 has freedom of vertical movement inside said pocket, but is held from falling out of this pocket with a locking protrusion 424 located at its upper end. The protrusion 424 forms a collar abutting against the bracket 422 of the wheels at the upper edge of the pocket when the plate 420 of the wheels is in this pocket at its lowest point.

On Fig shows a moving plate 408, equipped with brackets 422 placement of the wheels, each of which has a corresponding plate 420 mounting wheels and a pair of wheels 416.

The upper wheel 416 of each pair is located in the corresponding slot, restricting the movement of this wheel. Each wheel socket includes a chute formed by a cover plate 426 partially covering the wheel mounting bracket 422, and an angular profile 428, on which an overhanging protrusion 430 extending from the box wall 16 is supported. The protrusion 430 extends along the front, rear and side the walls of the box 16, and the corner profile 428 forms part of the support frame 432 of the box, shown in Fig.20. The protrusion 430, which surrounds the box 16, is seated on the frame 432 so that the box 16 can rise on the frame 432.

Each upper wheel 416 can move forward and backward in the corresponding slot relative to the box 16 within the limited wheel travel, and in each slot of the wheel there are elements associated with the chute limiting and guiding the movement of the upper wheel 416 relative to the box 16. These elements are most clearly shown separately in a detailed view of FIG.

The movement of the upper wheel 416 forward and backward relative to the box 16 is limited by front and rear stops 434, 436, which are connected by a track 438 forming the rolling surface of the upper wheel. The stops 434, 436 and the track 438 are made by bending in the form of a socket 440 having an integral structure. The track 438 at its front end adjacent to the front stop 434 has a flat end portion 442 parallel to the base of the wheel groove. In the direction backward from the flat end portion 442, the track 438 has a forward inclined section 444 with a downward slope and a rear inclined section 446 with an upward slope bordering the rear stop 436, while the inclined sections 444, 446 located between the stops form a downwardly directed ridge 448 .

The wheel sockets are included in the construction of the support frame of the box 432 shown in FIG. 20, which forms a wheel chute and supports the sockets 440 with stops 434, 436 and tracks 438. The front socket 440 is mounted below the rear socket 440 due to the gasket 450 located between the corner profile 428 and front socket 440.

FIG. 20 also shows that the rear part of the box support frame 432 includes a box back support groove 452 on which the support bracket 454 is fixed. The limiter arm 456 is pivotally mounted via the axis 458 and pivotally mounted to rotate a limited angle relative to the horizontal hinge axis. The lever 456 comprises a shoulder 460 protruding from the axis 458 forward, and a crank 462 protruding from the axis 458 back and down and ending with a foot 464. The weight and length of the arm 460 creates a torque acting on the axis 458 in excess of the counteracting torque created by the weight and the length of the crank 462 and tab 464. Thus, gravity constantly tends to turn the lever 456 clockwise, as shown in the drawing, while the shoulder 460 tends to fall down. However, the lever 456 cannot reach the equilibrium position with respect to the hinge axis: instead, the movement of the shoulder 460 is limited by its abutment against the rear protrusion 466 of the transfer plate 408 while moving the box 16 relative to the shoulder 460 forward, as explained below with reference to FIG. 22 (a) -22 (d).

A contact plate 468 is rigidly attached to the supporting structure of the refrigerator compartment at the rear of the drawer compartment, and the crank foot 464 is arranged to interact with the contact plate 468 when closing the drawer, which is also explained below with reference to the above drawings. In this case, the lever arm 460 rises, coming out of contact with the rear protrusion 466 of the transfer plate 408.

To limit the stroke of the box 16 in the backward direction when the drawer is closed, the support bracket 454 abuts against an elastic limiter 470 fixed to the supporting structure of the refrigerating chamber.

As is most clearly shown in Fig.17 (c) and Fig.22 (a) -22 (d), from the supporting structure of the refrigerating chamber inward, in the direction of one side of the box 16, a shelf 472 is located slightly above the guide 410. Platforms are located on the upper surface of shelf 472: one at the front and one at the back, in accordance with the positions of the pairs of wheels 416. The gasket 450, located between the rear platform 474 and the shelf 472, corresponds to the gasket 450 located between the front socket 440 and the corner profile 428.

The purpose of these two gaskets 450 is to ensure that when opening the duct 16 moving on its guides 410, the lower wheel 416 of the rear pair can overcome the front platform 474.

The front end part of each platform 474 is beveled, forming an inclined surface on which the lower wheel 416 of the corresponding pair can roll when entering the platform 474. After that, the weight of the box 16 is carried by the shelf 472 by means of wheels 416 (which axles 418 do not carry loads), the track 438, along which the upper wheel 416 rolls, the corner profile 428 included in the structure of the support frame 432 of the box, as well as the protrusion 430, encircling the box and resting on the frame 432.

On Fig (a), 22 (b), 22 (c) and 22 (d) the mechanism for moving the box is shown in action, while considering the rear pair of wheels 416 with the corresponding slot, bracket 422 placement of wheels and plate 420 mounting wheels. Obviously, the movement of the front pair of wheels 416 relative to its corresponding wheel slot generally corresponds to the movement of the rear pair of wheels 416 shown in these figures.

In Fig. 22 (a), the duct 16 is shown to be raised and tightly fitted to its corresponding lid 22. In this case, the duct 16 is fully pushed back against the stop by the support bracket 454 into the elastic stop 470, as the guide 410 with the transfer plate 408 fixed on it is pushed in as well. Consequently, the pair of wheels 416, supported by the moving plate 408 by means of the bracket 422 to place the wheels and the plate 420 of the wheels, is relative to its slot in the rear position, in which the upper wheel 416 of the pair is on the rear slope ohm section 446 near the ridge 448. At the same time, the lower wheel of the pair 416 rests on the platform 474, transferring forces between the box 16 and the shelf 472, on which the platform 474 is supported. Thus, the grooves of the wheels, and with them the box 16 are in a raised position, clamping a seal (not shown) between the duct 16 and the cover 22. It should also be noted that the crank foot 464 abuts against the contact plate 468, as a result of which the arm 460 of the lever 456 is raised.

FIG. 22 (b) shows the next step in which the transfer plate 408 is pulled forward so that the pair of wheels 416 occupies a forward position relative to its seat. In this position, the upper wheel 416 of the pair overcame the ridge 448 and passed through the front inclined section 444 to the flat end section 442 of the track 438 bordering the front stop 434. Thus, the ridge 448 acts as a latch-lock that prevents the drawer from being opened while holding it is in the closed position, but can be overcome with minimal effort when opening.

In the step shown in FIG. 22 (b), the lower pair wheel 416 still rests on the platform 474, bearing the weight of the box 16, but the position of the upper wheel 416 on the flat end portion 442 of the track 438 allows the box 16 to fall, moving away from the cover 22 and opening the seal, before the duct 16 is ready to move to the opening. The rest of the box 16 remains in almost the same position as shown in Fig.22 (a). In particular, the crank foot 464 462 still abuts the contact plate 468, which holds the shoulder 460 of the lever 456 in the raised position.

With the beginning of the movement of the box 16 to the opening, as shown in Fig. 22 (c), the hinge axis 458 of the lever 456 is removed from the contact plate 468, which allows the shoulder 460 of the lever 456 to fall, coming into contact with the rear protrusion 466 of the transfer plate 408. This contact maintained by blocking the movement mechanism until the drawer again approaches its closed position when closed. At this point, crank foot 464 will again abut against contact plate 468 and raise shoulder 460, disengaging it from rear protrusion 466 of transfer plate 408, and again unlocking the travel mechanism.

Upon further opening of the drawer, the weight of the box 16 at some stage must be transferred from the shelf 472 located inside the compartment of the drawer to the guides 410 extending outside the compartment of the drawer. This occurs when the lower wheel 416 rolls down from the front inclined end of the platform 474, as shown in FIG. 22 (d), which allows the box 16 to lower by coming into contact with the inwardly extending protrusion 412 at the bottom of the transfer plate 408. Since the transfer plate 408 is mounted on rails 410, the load is transferred to rails 410. Meanwhile, the wheel mounting plate 420 is lowered as far as the locking protrusion 424 allows, while the upper wheel 416 is separated from the track 438. After that, the wheels 416 no longer bear the weight of the box 16.

Obviously, when the drawer closes again, the lower wheel 416 bumps into the front inclined part of the platform 474, lifts the wheel attachment plate 420 and, thus, lifts the upper wheel 416, which then comes into contact with track 438. This again transfers the load of the box 16 to a shelf 472 located in the drawer compartment, via a track 438, wheels 416, and a platform 474.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 (a) and 23 (b), as well as in FIGS. 24 (a) -24 (c), the wheels 416 and the structural elements interacting with them are replaced by pairs of opposite blocks 476 sliding relative to each other and made in such a form as to inform the box 16 of the desired movement or sequence of individual movements. Otherwise, the above parts of the device are denoted by the same reference numbers.

Each block is made of plastic material, which is coated or impregnated, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), to achieve minimal friction. In general terms, each block 476 has a contact surface including two horizontal sections connected by an inclined section, so that the horizontal sections are at different levels. In particular, all pads have contact surfaces that rise to the front of the refrigerator. Thus, the rear horizontal portion 478 is below the front horizontal portion 480 of each contact surface, and the inclined portion 482 between these portions 478, 480 rises in the forward direction.

The lower block 476 of each pair of pads is fixed on the transfer plate 408, and its contact surface is directed mainly upwards, while the upper block 476 of each pair of pads is fixed on the corner profile 428 supporting the protrusion 430 of the box 16, and its contact surface is directed mainly downward. The thickest part of the lower block 476 is located at its front end closing the front horizontal section 480 of the pads, and the thickest part of the upper block 476 is located at its rear end closing the rear horizontal section 478 of the block. Thus, the contact surfaces of the upper and lower blocks 476 of one pair are opposite each other and are complementary in shape. Indeed, when combining the pads 476 of one pair, the corresponding contact surfaces mate with each other.

From the front end of the upper block 476, a tab 484 protrudes downward, preventing the lower block 476 from moving forward beyond the upper block 476 when the drawer is opened.

When the drawer is closed and the box 16 is pressed firmly against the lid 22, as shown in FIG. 24 (a), the transfer plate 408, and therefore the lower pads 476, are fully pushed back. In this case, the front horizontal portion 480 of the contact surface of the lower pad is aligned with the rear horizontal portion 478 of the contact surface of the upper pad. In other words, the thickest parts of the pads 476 coincide (are located one above the other), and therefore the total thickness of the pair of pads 476 is maximum. As a result, the duct 16 is pushed upward, fitting snugly against the lid 22, although this seal is not shown in the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 24 (b), when the guide 410 and the transfer plate 408 move to the right according to the drawing, which corresponds to the initial movement of the drawer upon opening, the lower pad 476 moves forward relative to the upper pad 476. This movement continues until the lower block 476 encounters a tongue 484 protruding downward from the front end of the upper block 476, so that when the drawer is opened, there is no further relative movement of the blocks 476. At this stage, the pads 476 are aligned with each other, and their opposite, complementary contact surfaces are mated with each other. The consequence of this is that the thickest part of one of the pads 476 coincides with the thinnest part of the other pads 476, and therefore the total thickness of the pair of pads 476 is minimal. This allows the box 16 to fall down, moving away from the cover 22, and thereby open the seal.

Since after this, the tab 484, protruding downward from the front end of the upper block 476, blocks the further relative movement of the blocks 476 when the drawer is opened, the horizontal force exerted on the lower block 476 through the transfer plate 408 is transmitted to the upper block 476 and therefore pulls the box 16 supported by its support frame 432 in the horizontal direction. This is shown in Fig. 24 (c), which, like the one discussed in Fig. 22 (c) above, also shows how the shoulder 460 of the lever 456 interacts with the rear protrusion 466 of the transfer plate 408 when the drawer is opened, and the axis 458 of the lever 456 moves from the contact plate 468 located in the compartment of the drawer.

Figs. 24 (a), 24 (b) and 24 (c) are similar to Figs. 22 (a), 22 (b) and 22 (c), as for the stages of movement and positions of the elements of the device shown on them, but since the weight of the box 16 at all stages is carried by the guides 410 by means of the transfer plate 408 and blocks 476, the box 16 does not need to be lowered onto the protrusion 412 of the transfer plate 408, as shown in Fig. 22 (d), on which the wheels 416 and the box 16 are disconnected.

Another problem with drawers is the effect of rapid changes in speed (i.e., sudden acceleration and deceleration) on the contents of the drawer that occur when opening and closing the drawer. When the drawer is sharply set in motion or stops quickly, its contents are shaken, which can lead to damage to fragile objects and / or spillage of liquids. Depending on what is in the drawer, this can affect the condition of items such as cakes and pastries, liquids in jars and bottles, rare samples and artifacts. Damage caused in this way can begin with the unfortunate spoilage of inexpensive items and mess in the box and end with the loss or irreparable damage to irreplaceable samples or artifacts. Therefore, it would be useful if the drawer movement system could control acceleration or deceleration or braking during opening and closing to protect the contents of the drawer.

Therefore, FIG. 25 and the section indicated on it, shown in FIG. 26, shows another embodiment of the invention in which the parts of the device discussed above are denoted by the same reference numbers. In this embodiment, the lid 22 of the drawer is fixedly mounted on the supporting structure, and the removable box 16 of the drawer is mounted to move relative to the lid 22 and the supporting structure. Box 16 rests on the upper rim 500 made therein. The rim 500, in turn, is mounted on the support profile 502 of the drawer, provided with front and rear inclined surfaces 504 of the wheels, shown in more detail in Fig.27. The inclined surfaces 504 of the wheels are supported by freely rotating supporting wheels 506 attached to the upper section 508 of the telescopic drawer guide 510. With this method of fastening the box 16 through the inclined surfaces 504 of the wheels on the drawer profile 502 and the wheels 506 fixed on the guide 510, the box 16 can be moved independently of the guide 510.

FIG. 27 shows that, as with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-24, the inclined surfaces 504 are formed by wheel slots 512. The slot 512 of the wheels contains front and rear stops 514, 516, which limit the movement of the wheel 506 forward and backward relative to the box 16, and a track 518 connecting the stops 514, 516 to form the rolling surface of the wheel 506. The stops 514, 516 and track 518 are again made bending as an integral element.

At its leading edge, adjacent to the front stop 514, the track 518 has a forward ascending front end portion 520. The trailing edge of the front end portion 520 forms a ridge 522 on the track 518. Further from this point in the rearward direction, the track 518 has a locking position located between opposite upward inclined sections 524, 526, and after another ridge 528 ends with the rear end section 530 ascending backward, bordering the rear stop 516.

The fixation position at the vertex 532 of the intersecting inclined sections 524, 526 is located above the ridges 522, 528. If the nest 512 were inverted, this vertex 532 would be the depression between the ridges 522, 528.

On Fig, the drawer is shown closed, while the box 16 is raised, the horizontal seal (not shown) is in a clamped state, and each wheel 506 is located at the rear end of its slot 512 next to the rear stop 516. It should be noted that the radius the wheel 506 is slightly less than the distance from the rear stop 516 to the rear ridge 528. Thus, the center of the wheel 506 is minimally offset back from the rear ridge 528, as a result of which the wheel 506 moves backward along the rear end portion 530 due to the weight of the box 16. This creates a phi effect cations according to the type of folding strut, which is easily overcome.

As shown in the detailed views of FIGS. 28 and 29, each carrier wheel 506 (shown here upside down) interacts with a pair of auxiliary rollers 534 spaced apart by a certain angular distance relative to the axis 536 of the wheel 506 and opposite the rolling contact point of the wheel 506 along the track 518 of the socket 512 wheels. Auxiliary rollers 534 are in a state of rolling contact with the wheel 506 and help to bear the load of the box 16, perceiving the forces transmitted by the wheel 506.

On Fig shows that the guides 510 of the drawer protrude back beyond the box 16 with the provision of additional horizontal movement of the guides 510 outside the stroke of the box 16. This additional horizontal movement of the guides 510 relative to the box 16 occurs at the beginning of the opening and at the end of the closure of the drawer. When opening the drawer, this additional movement of the guides moves the wheels 506 forward along their tracks 518, as a result of which, at the beginning of the opening, the box 16 is lowered vertically, releasing the clamped seal. Moreover, during the extension of the box 16 with the guide 510, the wheel 506 occupies a middle position at the top 532 of its track 518 or near it. When the box 16 and the guide 510 return to the closed position, the box 16 is stopped by the stop in its fully closed position, while each wheel 506 is still at the top 532 of its track 518. At the end of the movement, when closing, the wheels 506 move along the tracks 518 back to the point fixing according to the type of fixing of the folding strut shown in FIG. 25, as a result of which the duct 16 rises, pressing the seal against the lid 22.

On Fig (a) -30 (f) presents the full cycle of movement of the drawer. Fig. 30 (a) corresponds to Fig. 25, showing the drawer in the closed position with the raised box 16 clamping the horizontal seal (not shown in the drawing), with the wheels 506 at the rear end of their sockets 512. In Fig. 30 (b ) shows the drawer guide 510 in front of the closed position, with the wheels 506 moving along the respective tracks 518 to the middle position at the top 532, opening the seal, and the box 16 lowered, but without moving forward. In Fig. 30 (c), the guide 510 and the duct 16 are shown in the half-open position, and in Fig. 30 (d) in the fully open position. In Fig. 30 (e), the guide 510 and the duct 16 are shown in a half-closed position, and in Fig. 30 (f), the duct 16 is shown in a fully closed but lowered position - while the guide 510 is slightly ahead of the closed position - and in readiness for the final impact of the closing force pushing the wheels 506 in the backward direction along the tracks 518 with the raising of the duct 16 and clamping of the seal, after which there is a return to the initial position of the considered cycle, shown in Fig. 30 (a).

In one embodiment of the above construction, the tracks 518 may be made of a material with a low coefficient of friction, such as PTFE or a material coated with PTFE, while instead of wheels 506, a suitable profile of PTFE or a material coated with PTFE may be provided, which is rigidly attached to the guide 510 .

An embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 25-30, also includes means for partial kinematic separation of the guide 510 and the duct 16, which reduces the acceleration and braking forces acting on the duct 16. The system of sockets 512 for placing wheels rigidly fixed relative to the box 16 and the wheels 506 mounted on the rails, but floating in their sockets 512, allows limited independent movement of the box 16 and the guide 510 relative to each other. Thus, the sharp acceleration and deceleration of the guide 510 can be partially suppressed by the limited independent movement of the box 16, which reduces the rate of change of the speed of the box and thereby attenuates the inertia-induced phenomena experienced by objects stored in the box 16.

It should be noted that if the accelerations of the box 16 and the guide 510 are close to equilibrium, the wheel 506 will be located in the region of the central fixation point at the top 532 of the track 518 of the movement of the wheel. When the acceleration of the guide changes rapidly, as, for example, in the case of an impact on the end stop or a sharp jerk of the drawer when opening, the box 16 will continue to move in the same direction, while the wheel will move along the track 518 from the top 532 in the direction of one of the ridges 522 , 528. This vertical upward movement of the ascending inclined sections 524, 526 against the weight of the loaded duct 16 absorbs part of the kinetic energy of the duct 16, thereby making the stop more smooth.

Another improvement of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 25-30 is the use of a control shock absorber. On Fig shows a simple air shock absorber 538 piston action, designed to limit the acceleration and braking of the guide drawer. The shock absorber has a cylinder 540, at the rear end of which there is a pin 542, which is attached to the supporting structure of the refrigeration chamber in its rear part. Inside the cylinder 540, a rod 544 slides, having at one end a piston 546 mounted in the cylinder 540 with a sliding seal, and at the other end, another pin 542 for fastening to the lower section 548 of the guide 510 shown in Fig. 30 (a) -30 (f). When the rod 544 with the piston 546 is pulled out of the cylinder 540, air is sucked in through the small throttling hole 550 at the blind end of the cylinder 540. This hole 550 is sized so that when the piston moves at a speed lower than the limit value, air passage through the hole 550 creates a small resistance (t ie pressure drop across bore 550), allowing stem 544 to move easily. With an increase in the speed of movement of the piston 546, the resistance at the bore 550 also increases, which makes it difficult to extend or retract the piston rod 544. Regulation of the speed of the piston rod 544 is achieved due to the inverse quadratic relationship between the air flow and resistance, resulting in a doubling of the air flow through the bore 550 fourfold increase in resistance to movement of the rod 544.

The purpose of the shock absorber 538 is to control the speed of the guide 510 during movement from the middle to the fully open position, as well as from the middle to the fully closed position to avoid a sudden stop when moving in both directions. In another embodiment, shock absorbers 538 can be mounted on both sections of the guide 510 to control the speed of the guide 510 along its entire travel path.

Next, with reference to Figs. 30 (a) to 30 (f) already discussed, a shock absorber cycle is described. On Fig (a) shows the box 16 in the closed position, while the guides 510 and the shock absorber rod 538 are fully retracted. In Fig. 30 (b), the duct 16 is shown to have moved away from its seal, with the upper section 508 of the rail 510 being extended and the lower section 548 of the rail 510 being held by the shock absorber 538. In Fig. 30 (c), the duct 16 is shown at approximately the midpoint of its path during opening, with the upper section 508 of the rail 510 fully extended and the lower section 548 of the rail 510 still being held by the shock absorber 538. In FIG. 30 (d), the duct 16 is shown in the fully open position, with both sections 508, 548 of the rail and shock absorber rod 538 fully extended, decree Vai that shock absorber 538 to regulate the movement of the guide in the final part of the movement of the box when you open the latter. 30 (e), the duct 16 is shown at approximately the midpoint of its path during closing, with the upper section 508 of the rail 510 fully retracted and the lower section 548 of the rail 510 fully extended and held by the shock absorber 538. In FIG. 30 (f) the duct 16 and the upper section 508 of the rail 510 are shown fully retracted, and the lower section 548 of the rail 510 and the shock absorber rod 53 are retracted a considerable distance, indicating that the shock absorber 538 regulates the movement of the rail in the final part of the movement of the duct when closing the latter him.

On Fig (a) -32 (f) presents a further development of the idea of using a shock absorber, according to which the piston 522 itself is a cylinder concentrically mounted with the possibility of sliding in the outer cylinder 554. In the outer cylinder 554 there are no holes, and the seal between it and the piston 552 is provided with an oil seal 556 installed between the piston 522 and the outer cylinder 554 near the open end of the outer cylinder 554 through which the piston enters. On the other hand, the piston 522 contains a group of holes 558 spaced along its length.

Obviously, when the piston 552 is pressed into the outer cylinder 554, the piston 552 compresses the air enclosed in the outer cylinder 554. This compressible air can exit the outer cylinder 554 only through the cylindrical piston 552, through one or more holes 558 located inside the outer cylinder 554 and one or more holes 558 located outside the outer cylinder 554. However, when the piston 552 is completely retracted (retracted) into the outer cylinder 554, as shown in FIG. 32 (a), all holes 558 are located inside the outer cylinder 554: none and The openings 558 do not communicate with the atmosphere outside the outer cylinder, so there is no air flow from the outer cylinder 554. As a result, compressible air is locked inside, which provides a shock-absorbing effect when the shock absorber approaches its fully retracted position.

When the shock absorber piston is in a half extended or half retracted position, as shown, for example, in FIG. 32 (c) or 32 (d), more than one hole 558 is located inside the outer cylinder 554 and more than one hole 558 is outside: this creates minimal resistance to air flow and, thus, minimizes the cushioning effect when the shock absorber piston is in the middle of its stroke. However, when the shock absorber piston approaches its fully extended position, as shown in FIG. 32 (f), only one hole 558 remains inside the outer cylinder 554, and although several holes 558 exit, the air flow through them is limited by the air flow through the only hole 558 inside: this creates greater resistance to air flow and, thus, provides maximum cushioning when the shock absorber piston approaches its end point. In the end, when the shock absorber piston is fully extended (not shown in the drawing), all openings 558 may be outside, so the flow of air is blocked in this case too. Further extension of the shock absorber rod in this state is strongly opposed by the low pressure in the outer cylinder 554, but again with a shock absorbing effect.

The following are further enhancements to the drawer movement system. These include methods for limiting the independent movement of the guide and the box relative to each other, as well as alternative means of limiting the movement of parts of the device at the end of their movement.

Obviously, in a system with inclined surfaces and the wheels interacting with them, for example, shown in Figs. such as shown in FIG. 33 (a) -33 (e). FIG. 33 (a) shows a drawer moving system with a box 16 in a closed position and a seal 600 pressed against the lid 22, the box being supported by wheels 506 located in a stationary position on a flat section 602 of the rear of the track 518 wheel movements. In order for the box 16 to fall, opening and opening the seal, the wheel 506 moves forward from this stationary position along track 518. In this state, the rear and front extreme positions of the wheel 506, as well as its normal middle position, are indicated by three circles on the track 518, represented by dashed lines. Moving the box backward relative to the guide 510 is limited by a structure including a wheel 506 running into a front stop 514 located in front of the track 518 of the wheel.

On the support plate 608, which moves with the track 518, i.e. relative to the guide 510, the pivoting lever-limiter 604 is fixed via the axis 606. The lever 604 is rotated, restricting the movement of the box 16 forward relative to the guide 510 during normal movement of the box. In particular, when the drawer is opened, the front end of the lever 604 falls under the influence of gravity and comes into contact with the thrust plate 610 fixed to the guide 510. In this case, the interaction of the lever and the thrust plate limits the forward movement of the box 16 relative to the guide 510 and thereby prevents moving the wheel 506 over the entire length of the track 518 to the aforementioned stationary position 602 corresponding to the raised position of the duct 16.

To remove the front restriction by withdrawing the lever 604 from contact with the thrust plate 610, the rear shoulder of the limiting lever 604 hits a contact plate 612 fixedly mounted on the supporting structure as soon as the box 16 reaches its final horizontal closed position. Thus, the lever 604 rotates in the opposite direction, freeing the box 16 to move forward so that at the end of the movement of the drawer when closing the wheel 506 can go the entire length of the track 518 to a stationary position 602, in which the box 16 is raised and the seal 600 is clamped .

33 (a), the duct 16 is shown in the closed and raised position, with the seal 600 being clamped. The rear shoulder of the lever 604 fits snugly against the contact plate 612, as a result of which the lever 640 is out of contact with the thrust plate 610, and the wheel 506 can move freely along the entire length of the track 518.

In FIG. 33 (b), the duct 16 is shown in a closed but lowered position, as a result of which the seal 600 is opened. The rear shoulder of the lever 604 still fits snugly against the contact plate 612, so that the lever 604 does not interact with the contact plate, and the movement of the box is not limited. However, the relative movement of the guide 510 and the box 16 means that the wheel 506 is already located at the midpoint of the track 518 of the movement of the wheel.

In FIG. 33 (c), the duct 16 is shown in a partially open position, with the seal 600 unclenched. The rear shoulder of the lever 604 moved away from the contact plate 612, as a result of which the front shoulder of the lever 604, being free to fall, came into contact with the thrust plate 610, which limited the movement of the box. The wheel 506 is still located at the midpoint of the track 518 of the wheel, and the box 16 can move forward or backward relative to the guide 510 within a limited stroke when the wheel 506 moves along the inclined sections of the track 518 or forward or backward (or more precisely - when the track moves relative to the wheel). However, the load from the duct 16 and its contents biases the wheel 506 to the midpoint of track 518.

33 (d), the duct 16 is shown in a partially open position while moving the duct 16 forward relative to the guide 510 when the drawer is closed. The wheel 506 in this case is located at the rear edge of the track 518, and the further movement of the box 16 forward relative to the guide 510 is prevented by the abutment of the limit lever 604 to the stop plate 610 on the guide 510. As a result, during the subsequent closing of the drawer, the box 16 and the guide 510 move interlocked with each other until the rear end of the lever 604 meets the contact plate 612 and releases the box 16 for moving forward relative to the guide 510.

33 (e), the duct 16 is shown in a partially open position while moving the duct 16 backward relative to the guide 510, which may occur when the drawer is opened jerkily. The wheel 506 in this case is located at the front edge of the track 518, and the further movement of the box 16 backward relative to the guide 510 is prevented by the stop of the wheel 506 by the front stop 514.

On Fig (d) and 33 (e) shows how the movement of the box 16 relative to the guide 510 causes the vertical movement of the track 518 of the movement of the wheel, which reduces the speed of movement of the box 16. In this case, the independent horizontal movement of the box 16 increases the time during which it can this change in speed takes place, which increases the smoothness of the box stop. Otherwise, depending on how rough the drawer is in use, stopping the box 16 at the end of its travel each time - when moving from closed to open or from open to closed - can be sharp, which can lead to spreading objects or spills of liquids stored in the box 16.

In addition, to limit the deceleration rate of the duct 16 at the end of its travel, end stops can be used. For example, a flexible retaining plate may be installed on the guide, which, when the duct 16 has almost reached the final closed position, runs into a contact plate fixed to the supporting structure, temporarily delaying the movement of the guide and then releasing it. Slowing down the movement of the guide, and not the box, allows the box to move backward regardless of the guide, which absorbs part of the inertia of the box and thereby reduces the effect of inertia on the products stored in the box, when the box is stopped next.

Figures 34-36 show a corner spring retaining plate 614 mounted on the underside of the guide 510 by a hinge 616. This plate is essentially a strip bent at a right angle and pivotally fixed at an inflection point located between two mutually perpendicular segments 618, 620. In the normal state, one segment 618 is located horizontally adjacent to the lower side of the guide 510, and the other segment 620 hangs vertically, using a counterweight 622.

On Fig shows the action of the retaining plate in the phase of retention, when the retaining plate overcomes the contact plate 624, fixedly mounted on the supporting structure. Further movement of the guide 510 causes deflection of a portion of the retaining plate (as shown by the dashed line) until it bends sufficiently to pass over the contact plate 624, thereby completing the retention phase. On Fig shows the return of the guide 510 in the opposite direction; in this case, when the segment 620 reaches the contact plate, the retaining plate 614 completely rotates easily around the hinge 616, occupying the position shown by the dashed line. Thus, in this direction, the retaining plate 614 does not resist the movement of the drawer.

In practice, the retaining plates 614 and the contact plates 624 may be arranged opposite each other in pairs, as shown in FIGS. 37 (a) -37 (f). The drawings show the location of the front and rear retaining plates 614 on the lower side of the guide 510, as well as the corresponding contact plates 624 located on the supporting structure. The front contact plate 624 delays the movement of the guide at the end of the movement upon opening, and the rear contact plate 624 delays the movement of the guide at the end of the movement upon opening.

When the drawer is in the middle position shown in FIG. 37 (a) during the opening process, the retaining plates 614 do not interact with the corresponding contact plates 624. In FIG. 37 (b), the drawer is shown almost completely open, with the front retaining plate 614, having bumped into the front contact plate 624, bends, thus slowing the movement of the drawer as the latter approaches its final point of travel when opening. In Fig. 37 (c), the drawer is shown fully open, with the front retaining plate 614 extending above the contact plate 624. Conversely, in Fig. 37 (d), the drawer is shown almost completely closed, while the rear retaining plate 614, having encountered to the rear contact plate 624, slows down the movement of the drawer near the end point of its travel when closing, and in Fig. 37 (e) the drawer is shown completely closed but not yet raised, while the rear retainer plate 614 has passed over the rear contact plate 624 . In Fig. 37 (f) c The drawer is shown completely closed, with the box 16 is raised and the seal is clamped. And in this position, the retaining plates 614 do not interact with the corresponding contact plates 624.

In the framework of the idea implemented in this invention, many changes are possible. For example, as already mentioned, the movement of the lid may be associated with the movement of the corresponding box or movable support of the box so that the lid moves away from the box at the beginning of the movement of the box or its support when opened and, conversely, moves toward the box at the end of the movement of the box or support when closing. The specialist should understand that the various mechanisms for moving the box, discussed above, can be adapted and inverted to communicate vertical movement of the lid instead of the box, simply by acting on the elongated part of the lid hanging over the box, and not on the box itself.

The invention has a wide range of uses and has many advantages for storing, handling, distributing, transporting and delivering items in good condition, in particular the following:

precise regulation and stabilization of temperature and humidity, which, along with cooling, can even include heating;

mechanical protection of stored items;

sterility of storage conditions with minimal risk of cross contamination;

the ability to store in low vacuum;

possibility of storage in a protective gas environment;

protection of stored items from vibration and shaking and

protecting the environment from radiation or biohazard substances from the container, or protecting the interior of the container from outside.

Despite the fact that the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it is clear that they are specialists in this field can be amended and supplemented, but not beyond the scope of the following claims. It should be borne in mind that although the characteristics of the above options were given in combination with each other, and such combinations may be preferred on their own, many of these characteristics can be used independently, and therefore they should be considered patentable in the framework of the disclosed concepts of this inventions or beyond. For example, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the shock absorber shown in FIGS. 32 (a) to 32 (f) can be used independently of a refrigerator or other storage device. Therefore, these features are considered to be patentable in themselves, regardless of whether they are used within or outside the inventive solutions disclosed in this description.

Claims (52)

1. A storage device comprising a drawer open from above, a lid adapted to close the open top of the drawer, and a supporting structure supporting the drawer and the lid, the drawer being mounted on a supporting structure to move relative to it and the lid with access into its interior or to close the drawer, wherein said drawer movement includes horizontal movement to open the drawer with security access to its interior or to close the drawer, and vertical movement to separate the drawer from the lid at the beginning of horizontal movement when opening or to bring the drawer and lid when closing, characterized in that it contains a movably installed support means for supporting the drawer during horizontal movement, as well as moving means installed between the support means and the drawer, designed to be vertically th move the box in response to the movement of the support means. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made in the form of a refrigerating chamber containing an insulating container open at the top, which is a drawer; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the container; supporting structure supporting container, lid and cooling means; moreover, the container is mounted on a supporting structure with the possibility of moving relative to it and the lid to open the container with access to its internal space or to close the container, while the specified movement of the container includes horizontal movement to open the container with access to its internal space or container closure and vertical movement to release the container from the lid at the beginning of horizontal movement upon opening or to inform tainer and lid when closed. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vertical movement occurs before the horizontal at the opening and after closing. 4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vertical movement occurs during the initial horizontal movement at the opening and during the final horizontal movement at the closing. 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises fixing means for locking the moving means with the possibility of unlocking the latter to prevent the drawer from moving in the vertical direction. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking means is actuated depending on the position of the drawer in the direction of horizontal movement and fixes the means of movement in the course of the support means in the direction of horizontal movement. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means unlocks the means of movement during the initial movement in the horizontal direction when opened and during the final movement in the horizontal direction when closed. 8. The device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the supporting means is movable independently of the drawer, and the moving means is actuated in response to the relative movement of the supporting means and the drawer. 9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the moving means is actuated in response to the movement of the support means before the horizontal movement of the drawer starts or to the movement of the support means that continues after the horizontal movement of the drawer is completed. 10. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the moving means includes a first part that is mounted to move together with the support means, and a second part that is mounted to move together with the drawer, and the relative movement of these parts is accompanied by a movement of the support facilities. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that said relative movement of the parts of the moving means causes a vertical movement of the drawer. 12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that one part includes an inclined surface, and the other part includes an element that interacts with the inclined surface. 13. The device according to p. 12, characterized in that the inclined surface is connected with stops or stops to limit the relative movement of the element interacting with the inclined surface. 14. The device according to p. 12, characterized in that the element interacting with the inclined surface is a wheel. 15. The device according to p. 14, characterized in that it is equipped with a pair of wheels, in which the first wheel is designed to transmit forces to the inclined surface by means of a rolling contact on it, and the second wheel is designed to transfer forces by means of the contact of rolling to the supporting structure with simultaneous transmission efforts on the first wheel through rolling contact. 16. The device according to 14, characterized in that the wheel rests on one or more auxiliary rollers opposite the inclined surface. 17. The device according to p. 12, characterized in that the element interacting with the inclined surface, is the opposite inclined surface, while sliding between the inclined surfaces when moving in the direction of horizontal movement causes vertical movement of the drawer. 18. The device according to 17, characterized in that each inclined surface has an elevation at one end and a recess at the other end. 19. The device according to p. 18, characterized in that the relative movement of the inclined surfaces leads to a combination of the elevations of the inclined surfaces to reduce the drawer and the cover. 20. The device according to p. 18 or 19, characterized in that the relative movement of the inclined surfaces leads to the alignment of the elevations of the inclined surfaces with opposite recesses for separating the drawer from the lid. 21. The device according to 17, characterized in that it contains means for limiting the relative movement of inclined surfaces with the transfer of force in the direction of horizontal movement from one part of the means of movement to another. 22. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the parts of the means of movement can be separated when removing the drawer from the support means. 23. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support means carries the weight of the drawer during the movement of the drawer, except during the initial horizontal movement when opening and during horizontal movement when closing, while the supporting structure directly carries the weight of the drawer during the indicated initial and final movements, as well as with the closed drawer. 24. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a shock absorber acting in response to the movement of the support means relative to the supporting structure. 25. The device according to paragraph 24, wherein the shock absorber has a variable resistance to movement of the support means. 26. The device according A.25, characterized in that the resistance of the shock absorber increases with increasing speed of movement of the support means. 27. The device according A.25 or 26, characterized in that the resistance of the shock absorber increases when approaching at least one end point of its stroke. 28. The device according to paragraph 24, wherein the shock absorber counteracts the movement of the support means by pumping air through a throttling hole. 29. The device according to paragraph 24, wherein the shock absorber comprises an outer cylinder and a hollow piston mounted in the outer cylinder with a seal and can be moved to increase and relieve air pressure inside the outer cylinder, the piston containing a group of holes spaced along its length and communicating with each other through the internal cavity of the piston, and can be installed in the outer cylinder so that at least one hole from the specified group of holes extends to the inner surface of the external qi the cylinder and at least one other hole from the specified group of holes communicated with the atmosphere outside the outer cylinder. 30. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises restraining means for slowing down the movement of the support means or drawer relative to the supporting structure. 31. The device according to p. 30, characterized in that the deterrent has a one-way effect. 32. The device according to item 30 or 31, characterized in that the restraining means acts to slow down the movement of the support means or drawer when the support means or drawer is in one or more predetermined positions within their course relative to the supporting structure. 33. The device according to p. 30, characterized in that the restraining means acts to slow down the movement of the support means or drawer when the support means or drawer approaches the end point of the specified stroke. 34. The device according to p. 30, characterized in that the restraining means includes a first part mounted motionless relative to the supporting structure, and a second part mounted motionless relative to the supporting means or drawer, and during the relative movement of the supporting structure and the supporting means or In the drawer, these parts collide with the elastic deflection of at least one of the parts, allowing the parts to pass through each other with further relative movement. 35. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support means is attached to a stabilizing means to counter the lateral swing of the drawer during horizontal movement. 36. The device according to p. 35, characterized in that the stabilizing means includes at least one elongated element attached to the supporting structure and mounted as an additional part of the support means with the possibility of movement together with the support means. 37. The device according to clause 36, wherein the elongated element is rigid in a direction perpendicular to horizontal movement. 38. The device according to clause 36, wherein the elongated element or each elongated element is located with a transverse displacement relative to horizontal movement. 39. The device according to one of paragraphs 36-38, characterized in that the elongated element is a telescopic guide. 40. The device according to clause 35, wherein the stabilizing means includes gears mounted to move together with the support means and meshed with the respective rails spaced in the transverse direction and passing in the horizontal direction. 41. A storage device comprising a drawer open from above, a lid adapted to close the open top of the drawer, and a supporting structure supporting the drawer and the lid, the drawer being mounted on a supporting structure to move relative to it and the lid to open the drawer box with access to its internal space or to close the drawer, and the lid is mounted on a supporting structure with the ability to move relative to it and the drawer o drawer for separating the lid from the drawer before the indicated movement of the drawer when opening, or to inform the drawer and lid after the indicated movement of the drawer when closing, characterized in that the lid is mounted so that it can be tilted relative to the supporting structure and the drawer and mounted on the supporting structure by means of a hinge with a hinge axis located at a horizontal distance from the drawer. 42. The device according to paragraph 41, characterized in that it is made in the form of a refrigerator, containing an insulating container open at the top, which is a drawer, an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container, cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the container, and a supporting structure supporting the container, the lid and cooling means, the container being mounted on the supporting structure with the possibility of moving relative to it and the lid to open the con eynera with access to its interior space, or to close the container, and the cover is attached to the supporting structure movable with respect her and the container to release the container from the lid before said movement of the container opening or for the information of the container and the lid after said movement of the container at closing. 43. The device according to paragraph 41 or 42, characterized in that the lid is mounted to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the drawer. 44. The device according to item 43, characterized in that it contains means for moving the lid, actuated in response to the movement of the drawer or support means, movably installed to support the drawer during the specified movement. 45. The device according to item 44, wherein the means for moving the lid moves the lid before moving the drawer when opening and after stopping the drawer when closing. 46. The device according to item 44, wherein it comprises support means movably mounted to support the drawer during said movement, and cover moving means located between the support means and the cover and actuated to move the cover in response to movement supporting means. 47. The device according to item 46, wherein the supporting means is movable independently of the drawer, and the cover moving means is actuated in response to the relative movement of the supporting means and the drawer. 48. The device according to clause 47, wherein the means for moving the cover is actuated in response to the movement of the supporting means, continuing after the end of the movement of the drawer. Priority on points: 03/13/2002 - paragraphs 1, 41; 03/13/2001 - pp.2-4, 8-14, 35, 40, 43-48; July 26, 2001 - pp. 5-7, 15-23, 36-39; 12/13/2001 - paragraphs 24-34, 42.

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