WO2009083404A2

WO2009083404A2 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2009083404A2
Application number: PCT/EP2008/066970
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ridvan Kadir Celik; Sati Mutlu; Sunay Mutlu; Soner Kahraman
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-12-31
Filing date: 2008-12-06
Publication date: 2009-07-09
Also published as: WO2009083404A3; EP2245397A2; WO2009083404A9; EP2245397B1; PL2245397T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a door-in-door (4) that opens by tilting forward. The cooling device (1) comprises a hinge (6) for connecting the door-in-door (4) to the door (3) to be openable controllably.

Description

A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device that comprises a door-in-door situated on the door thereof.

[0002] A door is used for the access of the user to the objects loaded in cooling devices. In the state of the art, a gasket is secured on the surface of the cooling device door in contact with the cooling device main body, surrounding the periphery entirely, thus the heat transfer is prevented between the cooling device interior and the outside environment, wherein the cooling device is located, when the door is closed thereby providing airtightness by means of this gasket.

[0003] The interior of the cooling device, cooler than the outside, begins to get warmer when the cooling device door is opened and the operation period of the compressor is affected depending on the frequency of opening, closing the cooling device door and the duration of being left open. For example, for taking out a beverage bottle, the cooling device door is opened and this bottle is taken out, thereby causing the temperature of the entire cooling device interior to increase unnecessarily, the operation period of the compressor and respectively the energy consumption of the cooling device increases. In order to overcome this problem, solutions are provided in the state of the art, allowing access of the user inside the cooling device without requiring opening the door of the cooling device. The most widespread embodiment in the technique is using a small door-in-door mounted pivotally on the door of the cooling device.

[0004] Of these embodiments, the door-in-doors that open by tilting forward are particularly preferred for providing alternative access means and ease of use. Various embodiments are developed in the technique for the assembly and movement of the door-in-doors that open by tilting forward.

[0005] However, a problem is encountered for the pivotally forward opening door-in-door which is falling uncontrollably and more rapidly than required by the effect of gravity.

[0006] One of the embodiments known in the technique for the solution of this problem, in the Korean Patent Application No 20070015337, a hinge mechanism is explained comprising spring pairs that are deformed and released during the opening and closing motion of the door.

[0007] In another state of the art embodiment, the European Patent Application No EP1691153, a cooling device is explained that comprises an auxiliary door that is opened smoothly with a cam and a hinge device having a helical spring pressed on by the said cam while opening the auxiliary door.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising a door-in-door that opens controllably by tilting forward.

[0009] In the cooling device of the present invention, the door-in-door is fastened to the door by means of a hinge comprising an oval shaped pressing element that rotates together with the door-in-door, such that the longer axis is vertical when in the closed position, and the longer axis is horizontal when in the open position, and an elastic element that is deformed by the pressing element while the longer axis is changed from the vertical to the horizontal position.

[0010] The opening motion of the door-in-door slows down and the door-in-door is enabled to open smoothly since the pressing element deforms the elastic element and consumes energy as the door-in-door opens.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element comprises two curvilinear arms, secured pivotally from one of their ends and a spring stretched between the free ends of the arms. The pressing element is disposed between the arms and when the longer axis is in the vertical position, the arms are in the closed and the spring is in the released position. When the pressing element rotates, and the longer axis changes from the vertical to the horizontal position, the arms open by pushing of the pressing element and the spring is deformed. The force consumed for deforming the spring slows down opening of the door-in-door enabling a smooth opening.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element comprises two curvilinear arms, secured pivotally from one of their ends and two springs that fasten these arms to the door from their free ends. Each spring pulls the arm whereto it is fastened towards the other with the effect of the force applied by the pressing element disposed between the arms.

[0013] In this embodiment, the arm, opposite the pressing element in the closing direction of the door-in-door, comprises a protrusion extending towards the pressing element. Accordingly, the pressing element presses on the protrusion as the door-in-door closes and stretches the other spring fastened to the end of this arm. Since the door-in-door resists against closing as the spring is stretched, the door-in-door is prevented from closing by slamming.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressing element also serves as a pin providing the door-in-door to be beared on the door. Thus, the requirement of using an additional element for bearing is eliminated.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hinge comprises a recess disposed on at least one of the arms. The pressing element, when changed to the horizontal position, is seated in the recess and thus the door-in-door is locked in the open position.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pressing element is configured as a housing on the door-in-door. The elastic element comprises at least one spring, disposed on the door, hence not rotating together with the door-in-door, with one end situated inside the pressing element.

[0017] The door-in-door used in the cooling device of the present invention, is enabled to move controllably during opening by tilting forward thereby providing a convenient and safe utilization means.

[0018] A cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0019] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooling device when the door-in-door is ajar.

[0020] Figure 2 - is the detailed schematic view of a cooling device when the door-in-door is closed.

[0021] Figure 3 - is the detailed schematic view of a cooling device when the door-in-door is ajar.

[0022] Figure 4 - is the detailed schematic view of a cooling device when the door-in-door is closed. [0023] Figure 5 - is the schematic view of the hinge when the door-in-door is closed in an embodiment of the present invention. [0024] Figure 6 - is the schematic view of the hinge when the door-in-door is ajar in an embodiment of the present invention. [0025] Figure 7 - is the schematic view of the hinge when the door-in-door is open in an embodiment of the present invention. [0026] Figure 8 - is the schematic view of the hinge when the door-in-door is closed in another embodiment of the present invention. [0027] Figure 9 - is the schematic view of the hinge when the door-in-door is ajar in another embodiment of the present invention. [0028] Figure 10 - is the schematic view of the hinge when the door-in-door is open in another embodiment of the present invention. [0029] Figure 11 - is the schematic view of the hinge when the door-in-door is closed in another embodiment of the present invention. [0030] Figure 12 - is the schematic view of the hinge when the door-in-door is ajar in another embodiment of the present invention. [0031] Figure 13 - is the schematic view of the hinge when the door-in-door is open in another embodiment of the present invention. [0032] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Body

3. Door

4. Door-in-door

5. Opening

6. Hinge

7. Pressing element

8. Elastic element

9. 109. Arm

10. Spring

11. Recess

12. Protrusion

[0033] The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises a body (2), a door (3) allowing access of the user to the items emplaced inside body (2), an opening (5) arranged on the door (3), a door-in-door (4) fastened to the door (3) rotatable around a horizontal rotational axis situated at the lower end of the opening (5), covering the opening (5) when closed and allowing access from the opening (5) to the interior volume of the cooling device (1) when opened by tilting and a hinge (6) that fastens the door-in-door (4) to the door (3) such that it opens controllably (Figures 1 to 4). [0034] The hinge (6) comprises:

- an oval shaped pressing element (7) situated on the door-in-door (4), rotating together with the door-in-door (4) such that the longer axis of the said pressing element (7) is in vertical position when the door-in-door (4) is in the closed position, and the longer axis of the said pressing element (7) is horizontal when the door-in-door (4) is in the open position, and

- an elastic element (8) situated on the door (3) that is deformed as the pressing element (7) applies pressure, with its longer axis changing from the vertical to the horizontal position while the door-in-door (4) is opened.

[0035] The door-in-door (4) is enabled to open softly and controllably since the amount of force exerted for deforming the elastic element (8) while the door-in-door (4) is opened counterbalances the gravity. Thus, the door-in-door (4) is prevented from opening rapidly by its own weight and to be damaged duly.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element (8) comprises two curvilinear arms (9), fastened pivotally to each other and to the body (2) from one of their ends and a spring (10) that fastens the free ends of the arms (9) to each other. The pressing element (7) used in this embodiment, is configured as an extension extending from the door-in-door (4) to the door (3) and is disposed between the arms (9, 109). The pressing element (7), while the longer axis changes from the vertical to the horizontal position, exerts a force on the arms (9, 109) causing the spring (10) to stretch and the arms (9) to open (Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7). The door-in-door (4) opens slowly, since the spring (10) stretches resisting against opening while the door-in-door (4) opens. [0037] In another embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element (8) comprises two curvilinear arms (9, 109), fastened pivotally to each other and to the body (2) from one of their ends and at least two springs (10) that fasten these two arms (9, 109) to the door (3) from their free ends (Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10). The pressing element (7) is again disposed between the arms (9, 109). Each spring (10) pulls the arm (9) whereto it is fastened towards the other arm (109) against the force applied by the pressing element (7).

[0038] In this embodiment, the pressing element (7) rotating such that the longer axis changes from the vertical to the horizontal position as the door-in-door (4) opens, pushes the arm (9) opposite thereto in the opening direction, stretches the spring (10) attached to the end of this arm (9). The door-in-door (4) is prevented from falling rapidly since the stretching of the spring (10) resists against the opening of the door-in-door (4).

[0039] In this embodiment, the arm (109), opposite the pressing element (7) in the closing direction of the door-in-door (4), comprises a protrusion (12) at its end, extending towards the pressing element (7). The pressing element (7) presses on the protrusion (12) as the door-in-door (4) closes and stretches the other spring (10) fastened to the end of this arm (109). The door-in-door (4) is prevented from closing by slamming since the stretching of this spring (10) resists against closing of the door-in-door (4).

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressing element (7) also serves as a pin providing the door-in-door (4) to bear on the door (3). Accordingly, the requirement of using an additional element for bearing is eliminated (Figures 5 to 10).

[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hinge (6) comprises a recess (11) disposed on at least one of the arms (9, 109) and the pressing element (7), when changed to the horizontal position, is seated therein thus the door-in-door (4) can be locked in the open position (Figure 7 and Figure 10).

[0042] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pressing element (7) is configured as a housing situated on the door-in-door (4). In this embodiment, the elastic element (7) comprises at least one spring (10), disposed on the door (3), with one end situated inside the pressing element (7). The pressing element (7), moving together with the door-in-door (4), and when the longer axis changes from the vertical to the horizontal position, exerts a pressure on the elastic element (8) and deforms thereof. The opening motion of the door-in-door (4) slows down and is prevented from opening rapidly since the elastic element (8) receives energy while being deformed (Figures 11 , 12, 13). By means of present invention, the door-in-door (4), openable by tilting forward, is prevented from opening uncontrollably by its own weight and the door-in-door (4) is enabled to move controllably and smoothly for changing to the open position.

Claims

1. A cooling device (1) that comprises a body (2), a door (3) allowing access of the user to the items emplaced inside the body (2), an opening (5) arranged on the door (3), a door-in-door (4) fastened to the door (3), rotatable around a horizontal rotational axis situated at the lower end of the opening (5), covering the opening (5) when closed and allowing access from the opening (5) to the interior volume of the cooling device (1) when opened by tilting and a hinge (6) that fastens the door-in-door (4) to the door (3) such that it can open controllably, and characterized by a hinge (6) having

- an oval shaped pressing element (7) situated on the door-in-door (4), rotating together with the door-in-door (4) such that the longer axis of the said pressing element (7) is in vertical position when the door-in-door (4) is in the closed position, and the longer axis of the said pressing element (7) is in horizontal position when the door-in-door (4) is in the open position, and

- an elastic element (8) situated on the door (3), said elastic element being deformed as the pressing element (7) applies pressure while the door-in-door (4) is opened, with the longer axis thereof changing from the vertical to the horizontal position.

2. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized in that theelastic element (8) comprises two curvilinear arms (9), fastened pivotally to each other and to the body (2) from one of their ends and a spring (10) that fastens the free ends of the arms (9, 109) to each other and a pressing element (7), disposed between the arms (9, 109), and configured as an extension, extending from the door-in-door (4) towards the door (3).

3. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized in that the elastic element (8) comprises two curvilinear arms (9), fastened pivotally to each other and to the body (2) from one of their ends and at least two springs (10) that fasten these two arms (9, 109) to the door (3) from their free ends, pulling the arm (9) whereto it is fastened towards the other arm (109) and a pressing element (7) disposed between the arms (9, 109).

4. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized in that the arm (109), comprises a protrusion (12), disposed opposite to the pressing element (7) in the closing direction of the door-in-door (4) and extending towards the pressing element (7), whereon the pressing element (7) exerts force while the door-in-door (4) closes.

5. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that the pressing element (7) that also serves as pin enabling the door-in-door (4) to bear on the door (3).

6. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that the hinge (6) comprises a recess (11) disposed on at least one of the arms (9, 109), wherein the pressing element (7) is seated when changed to the horizontal position, thereby locking the door-in-door (4) in the open position.

7. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized in that the pressing element (7) configured as a housing situated on the door-in-door (4) and an elastic element (8) comprising at least one spring (10), disposed on the door (3), with one end situated inside the pressing element (7).